The Cry of the Wolf Chapter 60

Chief Long Knife's mother clucked her tongue softly. She'd been unusually quiet, keeping to the shadows since they'd joined the Mohawk tribe. Dark Star didn't question her, believing they were all grieving in their own way those they'd lost in the cholera plague.

"Crying is stopping your milk. This stress is not good. Torris is our future chief. For his sake, you must forget your own sorrow..."

On the surface, Small Bird's words seemed harsh yet Dark Star saw the wisdom behind them. In her arms lay the reason her husband had been quick to remarry. If anything should happen to this baby on her account…

Small Bird wasn't implying their marriage was on shaky ground and was unaware Dark Star had misunderstood her meaning as she retreated back into the shadows.

Dark Star knew her mother-in-law was correct, yet that did not stop the flood of tears. Torris wailed, frustrated his milk supply had significantly dwindled.

Jaira huffed, the sound of the squalling infant grating on her nerves. "I'm going out for a bit," she said to no one in particular.

"Use wisdom," Gretjen cautioned, "It would be advisable to stay away from Eagle tonight…"

Jaira didn't acknowledge the older woman as she slipped out of the longhouse, stepping into the twilight. Eagle. She had never dreamed she would see him again after…

As though reading her thoughts, Eagle looked up, their eyes meeting.

****

Chief Long Knife entered the longhouse long after his guests had departed. The chirping of crickets was the only sound that broke the night's hush.

Dark Star lowered her eyes avoiding her husband's. She wasn't ready to let him see inside her soul. It was better if he didn't know she had overheard their conversation.

Unaware of the strained silence between them or that his wife had overheard his previous conversation, the chief crouched in front of the blazing flames, the flickering light illuminating his taut muscles clenched tight with stress.

Dark Star turned away, gently tapping Torris' narrow back. She needed time to sort through her tangled thoughts.

"Where's my wife?" Strong Oak stepped toward the fire.

Dark Star exchanged a look with Gretjen who had just tucked Claus in bed for the night.

"I thought she was outside with our guests," Gretjen fixed the stray strands escaping from her tidy chignon. "The last time I saw her, Jaira offered to help serve the food. I naturally assumed she remained with you."

"You are not to blame," Strong Oak lowered his voice attempting to assure the blonde woman who was now clearly fighting tears.

"Could she have gotten lost?" Dark Star's voice was strained.

A dense forest surrounded them from behind, a raging river in front. Wild animals lurked in the shadows and yet her gut knew the truth. Nature wasn't to blame for Jaira's sudden disappearance.

Chief Long Knife stood in one fluid motion, striding toward the door. He didn't say a word as the other men followed him out into the darkness. Tonight they would search for the woman who had never wanted to live amongst them.

Dark Star turned away. If they found her, what then? Would they drag her back kicking and screaming? Jaira was a grown woman certainly old enough to make her own choices and right now, Dark Star was in no position to judge.

****

It was well past midnight when Chief Long Knife slipped beneath the furs, reaching out to draw Dark Star against his chest. Dark Star instinctively snuggled against his heart before she remembered he'd shattered hers. Pulling out of his arms, she turned away.

Misunderstanding, Chief Long Knife drew her against his side once more before falling into a restless sleep.

He must love me after all… At least she needed to believe he did.

By morning it was clear that Jaira wasn't returning home. Strong Oak was nowhere to be seen either, and yet, Chief Long Knife didn't appear to be very concerned. After all, Strong Oak hadn't exactly been loyal and they didn't need traitors in their midst. Jaira was a grown woman and could clearly make her own decisions and if the traitor decided to follow her to the ends of the earth regardless if she returned his love or not, he was a bigger fool than anyone had estimated, allowing a woman to pull him around by the nose.

Gretjen winced as she watched the others milling about the longhouse. There was a different energy this morning. Silence, yet more than that - as though words that needed to be said were being restrained. A stronger pain this time, more like the twisting of a knife burrowed deep within flesh wrenched her gut. There was no ignoring it this time.

"George!"

Her husband turned, startled at the use of his given name. He had been called Kajirowirago for months now, George but a distant memory.

"Gretjen?"

"It's time...."

This little one was a miracle baby, Gretjen on the cusp of not being able to bear children any longer. Claus, she had been certain, was going to be her final child yet this pregnancy was a welcome surprise. Now, as she doubled over as the contractions became more intense and closer together, she wasn't so sure.

The baby seemed as though in a hurry to enter the world and in a matter of a few hours, and one last push, a squirming pink baby boy entered the world, squinting at the smiling faces looking down at him. Deep blue eyes moistened with tears as he emitted a lusty cry much to his father's delight.

"Another healthy baby boy…" Gretjen looked up into her husband's face.

"Four sons...I couldn't be happier. Do you know how much I love you?" He lowered his voice as though he and Gretjen were the only ones in the longhouse. "You have made me a very happy husband."