The Cry of the Wolf Chapter 49

Long Knife held Dark Star against his side as they followed Raven into the dense foliage, the smell of smoke still pungent in the air. Dark Star looked back over her shoulder, tears trickling down her cheeks as she clung to her husband. Torn away from her children's resting place, she couldn't bear the overwhelming sorrow.

Brown Sparrow clutched her baby against her heart, hurrying to walk at her friend's side.

"I don't think they plan on killing us!" She ignored Chief Long Knife's scowl in her direction. "Why is Raven leading us? Where are we going?"

"Hush Sparrow," Falcon warned, "Before they change their minds."

"Something isn't right," Chief Long Knife agreed, recognizing most of the warriors as his own men.

They didn't have long to wait before being herded toward a clearing. The haunting sound of mourning was the first thing that met them as they were prodded forward.

"Chief," Raven turned, "Follow me."

Chief Long Knife nodded, motioning for his wife to remain outside with the others. Lowering his head he followed Raven into the darkened longhouse, his eyes widening when he saw Kajirowirago and his blond family. With a frown lining his forehead, Chief Long Knife stepped forward.

"I am not sure I understand..."

Chief Black Bear struggled to sit up on the pile of furs, Kajirowirago immediately assisting him.

"Welcome to my tribe," the older man coughed, his breathing labored. "I don't have much time left... It is important to me that I have a successor. My wife has not been able to give me children and I need a successor." Again he paused, his lungs wheezing, "I have heard of you and that you fear the Lord. I have chosen you to lead my tribe when my time comes."

"But you are Mohawk..." Chief Long Knife didn't mask his surprise.

"Yes, but my tribe needs a good leader. As part of the Iroquois Nation, you will be safe..." Dark eyes sought Chief Long Knife willing him to understand - to accept.

"So my people, these Iroquois warriors turned traitors?"

A low chuckle rumbled from the Mohawk chief's chest.

"Do you doubt they would remain loyal?"

The Wyandotte chief chose not to respond as it all became clear to him what had happened. This was an excellent offer. They would have become extinct regardless. He looked down at his already clenched fist.

"My people will become Mohawk," his throat constricted, "And I will honor your wife. She will have great respect."

Chief Black Bear motioned for Kajirowirago and the others to assist the Wyandotte in becoming Mohawk.

Chief Long Knife stepped out into the light, his eyes meeting Dark Star briefly before turning his attention to Falcon.

"The chief does not have long. It looks like the same disease that struck us. I have agreed to succeed him as the new chief but that means we need to become Mohawk."

Falcon blanched.

"It is our only hope."

****

Chief Long Knife's eyes narrowed as he looked over at Raven, one of the warriors who had betrayed them.

"I'm Kajirowirago," the buff blonde interrupted, "Please, come with us." He paused, thrusting out his hand, "We have heard you are a believer in Jesus. It is such a joy to meet you."

Chief Long Knife's eyes widened, "He's a believer?"

"Yes. There are quite a few of us who are Christians. Word reached our chief of your faith. He wanted to see you and offer his protection for your tribe but unfortunately..."

Kajirowirago didn't need to say more.

Dark Star reached for Brown Sparrow's hand as Gretjen stepped out of the longhouse, a tender smile on her lips.

"I see you've met my husband. I'm Gretjen and I'm sure you'll meet my sons later - they're the blondes."

A soft whimper escaped Dark Star's lips.

"I'm Brown Sparrow and she is my best friend, Dark Star," Brown Sparrow came to her friend's rescue, cradling her child that much closer to her heart.

A look passed between the two young women.

Gretjen smiled before looking up at the chief. "You will be happy here. Come, follow us."

She led the women away to where other native women stood on the river bank waiting for them.

Turning back to her companions, Gretjen held out her hands. "May I?"

"Of course," Brown Sparrow nodded, "His name is Eagle...Eagle Isaiah."

"You are just too precious!" Gretjen crooned as the other women reached for the newcomers, assisting them as they became Mohawk women.

For Dark Star and Brown Sparrow, it did not matter to them which tribe they belonged to as long as they were able to live another day with their husbands at their side. Life was far more valuable than tribal feuds.

Stepping out of the river, they were given fresh buckskin dresses, their long hair plaited. The women smiled shyly then stepped back as their chief's wife approached. She was tall for a woman, yet moved gracefully.

Stepping forward she smiled at Dark Star, "I am the chief's wife. We welcome you into our tribe. When my husband dies, you will take my place..."

Dark Star wasn't certain how to respond, so she reached out and embraced the older woman.

Fawn was clearly startled as Dark Star held her in a warm embrace, feeling the splash of an unbidden tear against her shoulder.

Placing her hands on either side of Dark Star's face, Fawn shook her head, "Do not cry. We will not harm you."

"Oh no, I am not worried about that...I just pray your husband lives. We have suffered such loss, I don't want you to..."

"The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the Name of the Lord," Fawn quoted her voice soft.

Fawn's words were her undoing. Dark Star's tears flowed freely.

"She has lost all her children," Brown Sparrow explained to the women who surrounded them. Fighting back her own tears at her friend's great loss, "All perished except for the child she carries."

Tears tumbled down Gretjen's cheeks as she passed Eagle back to his mother.

"You and I will be great friends," she murmured, embracing Dark Star. "We have both suffered great loss and can support each other. Let us go and rejoin our men before they begin to worry."

Fawn was eager to head back to her husband's side, the women following her back to the lodge.