The Cry of the Wolf Chapter 61

Dark Star smiled as she held Gretjen's newborn, "What will you name him?" Looking between Gretjen and Kajirowirago.

Kajirowirago looked up from where he stood flanked by his sons, "Kajirowirago."

"You can't be serious," Gretjen sighed audibly, "That will be so confusing! Why that name?"

Kajirowirago shrugged with a lopsided grin, "I like it."

"Then can we go back to calling you George? It is too much having two of you with the same name…"

Dark Star nodded in agreement.

"You could call him Jr…" She suggested.

Hans rolled his lagoon blue eyes. "Are we going to go home? What about Harm? Is he coming here?"

Gretjen lowered her eyes. Her eldest son was still a painful topic.

"He made his choice," Kajirowirago sighed, reaching for his infant son.

"I haven't heard from him since we arrived," Gretjen ran her fingers through her tousled hair, "I worry about him...and if our chief decides to travel south…" Her words hung between them as she remembered why he would choose to leave the valley - to search for his first wife and the child they had together. "Well, what I mean to say is that Harm has no way of knowing how to reach us."

Chief Long Knife looked over at the blonde woman, her cheeks still flushed from giving birth. He looked startled that she had overheard his thoughts of moving the tribe south...how much more had she heard? Gretjen and his wife were very close. If she had overheard the entire conversation, well, that would account for his wife's chilly attitude since their guests had arrived. He would speak with Dark Star later...assure her of his love. And yet...he was well aware of the decision he needed to make.

War was in the wind and their tribe would not be taking part. Not on his watch. Now that little Kajirowirago was here, there was nothing holding them back.

Standing, Chief Long Knife made his announcement, "Within the next three moons we will be moving camp. It is time to prepare… We must be on the move before the winter winds arrive." And without another word, he left the Long House missing Dark Star's sharp gasp.

It looked as though Dark Star's worst fear was about to become a reality. They were about to leave everything behind in search of the woman who still captured her husband's heart.

****

As the tribe began the slow march south, Dark Star held back from her position at the front of the line. Gretjen's older children ran ahead, their blonde hair glistening in the late autumn sunshine. A hint of a chill permeated the air filled with laughter.

The adults walked slower, solemnity replacing the mirth of the youth, yet among those who walked beside her, there was likely no spirit as heavy. A chill laced Dark Star's heart as she watched her husband lead their people to an unknown destination. Each step brought them closer to her.

Dark Star had been a fool to give her heart to the chief. Had she been star-struck by his position? She searched her memories for the moment she had finally learned to love her new husband. Fateful moment. This, it would seem, was what she deserved for being unfaithful to Gavin. A better woman would have done everything she could to return home. What was her excuse? Yes, she had young children…

Dark Star turned her eyes away from her husband's back. If she had run away with the children, just maybe she would have been able to find the portal back to the future...or at least die trying. She'd given up far too easily and…and lost everything.

Torris whimpered in her arms, bringing her back to the present. Well, maybe not everything. She still had Torris, the product of their love. She brushed a tender kiss on his dark, silky hair. Yes, Peter Torris filled her once empty arms. A blessing. The memory of his conception made her blush as she nibbled her lower lip. Chief Long Knife loved her...he must have. And yet, her mother-in-law implied he had married her to replace his wife and the child they had lost. Dark Star was simply a means to an end. To give him an heir. Had he ever said he loved her? A tear tumbled down her cheek as she desperately tried to remember.

Jaira was right. She should have fled with her sister when she had the chance. Instead, she followed her heart only to have it dashed into pieces.

Maybe, just maybe it wasn't too late to go back. To try to find where the little church in the woods had been. Tonight she would make her move before they traveled too far and she would lose her way. Tonight she would do what she should have done months ago...forget all about Chief Long Knife. He belonged where he was - in the past. She needed to get home. Gavin would be waiting and just maybe this was just a bad dream and her children would be by her side once more. Dark Star had nothing to lose.

****

It seemed like forever before Chief Long Knife signaled that they would stop for the night. The children who had once been running ahead now dragged their feet beside their parents, rubbing tired eyes.

The women worked quickly preparing a small meal, the flames of the cooking fires snapping against the darkening sky. With her head lowered so their eyes wouldn't meet, Dark Star served her husband then turned away quickly before she could rethink her plan. It's for the best for both of us. He will forget me once he finds her anyway. He can't have two wives, so I'm actually doing him a favor.

Retreating into the shadows she separated her meager belongings from his, packing just enough for her and the baby. Torris...how would she explain him to Gavin? Gavin would be livid if she returned with another man's baby. She couldn't exactly leave him behind either. Torris would never survive without his mother, yet she couldn't have his needless death upon her conscience.

Should she speak with Gretjen? Ask her friend to be a wet nurse? No, that wasn't a good idea. Her husband couldn't be trusted, at least not that she could see. If she told Gretjen and her husband found out, Chief Long Knife would be notified - it was almost a given. Dark Star had no choice. She'd have to leave with the chief's heir and face Gavin's wrath. Dark Star swallowed hard. If only....