The Cry of the Wolf Chapter 41

Within two weeks the men Brebeuf had sent for finally arrived - even more Jesuits. They spoke of hell and the coming judgment, Brebeuf himself continually speaking of his coming death. He would not live long, he predicted - killed for his faith, or so he continued to tell anyone within earshot.

Finding a moment alone with Dark Star and Brown Sparrow, he began again with his usual premonitions which by now were so common they had nearly tuned him out.

"You can't stay here," Brebeuf began once again, a different edge to his voice, "We have already spoken with Peter..." He let his voice trail off for just a moment as he chose his words carefully. "He knows...well, let's not make this any harder than it needs to be. You both deserve the truth."

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Dark Star smiled up at her mother-in-law who was positively glowing with pride as she showed the younger woman how to fashion baby clothes from buckskin and leather.

Brown Sparrow grinned from across the room before coming over to sit at her friend's side.

"Small Bird is very happy," she stated the obvious.

"It would seem!" Dark Star chuckled, receiving a gentle pat on her head from the woman in question before Small Bird wandered off.

"I am so happy you are having a baby too," Brown Sparrow gushed, unable to hide her excitement. "Our children will play together and grow up together..."

Dark Star nodded. What could prevent that from happening? This baby tied her to the past, to history. Surely there would be no going back now. A smile teased Dark Star's lips. Nothing would remove her from her husband's arms - where she was meant to be.

Maggie smoothed the front of her buckskin dress.

"What are you trying to tell us?"

Her stomach clenched, fearing the worst.

"You need to be returned to your families. You don't belong here and should never have been put into this situation. I have received word from Quebec that all white captives must be returned as soon as possible."

Pausing for a moment, letting his words sink in.

"I don't know where my husband is..."

Tears squeezed Brown Sparrow's throat, causing her voice to come out in a hoarse wobble. She did not let herself cry, holding onto hope that her husband had been freed. It didn't help that Dark Sparrow saw her husband reflected in her son's features, his dark eyes condemning her for moving on so quickly. Finding love in the arms of her second husband within weeks of...she didn't even know what.

Brebeuf studied the myriad of emotions dancing across the young woman's face. Tanned by the unrelenting sun, her complexion suited her dark hair. She was blending in well with the other women in the village. Brebeuf's mind wandered, imagining it would be a struggle to return to her previous life. How she would explain she had married another, he didn't know, thankful once again for his forced celibacy.

Tears tumbled down her cheeks as she recounted the events the last time she had seen Guillaume, her hands trembling at the intense memories she had shoved into the farthest recesses of her mind these past months. Guillaume...her childhood friend and first love.

Brebeuf listened attentively with the patience of a saint before lowering his head, his own eyes misted with unshed tears.

"Your husband..." Brebeuf paused again, searching for the right words. "Your husband has entered the glories of Heaven."

"How do you know?" Brown Sparrow reeled back on her heels, her face now as pale as milk.

Dark Star leaned forward, squeezing her friend's hand as he explained the tribe's customs, recounting his research. At one point he brought out a small black book where he had been keeping notes.

"I am sorry for your loss," purposely avoiding the fact that Guilliame's death had not been the end, but the women didn't need to know that the people they loved had feasted on the unfortunate man.

Some things didn't need to be said.

"If you have any other relatives, we could seek to locate them for you. We have a few men returning in a few days and I will negotiate with Peter to let you leave with them."

"But Falcon..." Brown Sparrow whispered, her voice still tearful.

She shook her head seeing the irony that even after discovering her husband had been killed, her thoughts had immediately returned to Falcon.

What had become of her?

A frown marred Brebeuf's smooth forehead as he continued, "You need to return to your family. Death is coming."

Dark Star stepped back into the shadows, a relentless twisting squeezing her heart. She had barely known Guillaume, having just met him, yet this... She had been right in her desire to escape.

"And your family?" Brebeuf turned his attention to Dark Star.

What was she to say? Surely not the truth.

"My sister, Jaira, was here, but as you know, she has left and I wouldn't have a clue where to start looking for her.

Brebeuf nodded, turning his attention to Dark Star's blonde children.

"And your husband?"

Dark Star rubbed her arms, pushing thoughts of Gavin out of her mind. Was it possible, like Jaira, he had been transported into the past as well? And if so, where? Even if she found him, how would she explain the past few months to him? Or the fact, her second husband's baby now grew within her. What a mess! Dark Star's husband was insanely jealous. No, she'd rather take her chances and remain where she was.

"I don't have a home," Dark Star began.

It was the truth, was it not? She didn't have a home in the past. Her home, she admitted to herself, was with this tribe, at the side of her husband, the chief.

"I have nothing to come back home to, and the children love Peter. This is our home...our people. This is where we belong."

Brown Sparrow nodded her head solemnly, brushing at her tears with her free hand.

"Then we must prepare for death together."

The women looked at one another and swallowed hard.

What if Brebeuf was correct?