The Cry of the Wolf Chapter 63

"Brown Sparrow will be devastated if you leave without saying goodbye. She has told me you are all she has left of her former life before the raid. You are not alone - Brown Sparrow and I are here for you. I understand what you are saying about your husband. I don't really know what to say. How God allows such things to happen to those who love him... A test, perhaps, to see if we will still love Him even if all is taken from us? Please, Adelaide, reconsider. Come back to the camp with me and in the morning, I will ask my husband to see if someone can be sent to look for your first husband. They can be discreet and besides, I need to send a message to my son in Germany as well."

In the distance a wolf howled, sending shivers down Adelaide's spine. She wouldn't be able to find her way in the darkness and the creatures lurking in the forest were undoubtedly hungry.

"Chief Long Knife can't know of this...or his mother. Your husband would have to be very discreet."

Gretjen nodded as they turned back to where the tribe lay sleeping.

"I am not promising to stay," Adelaide lowered her voice as they approached the shelter, "But it would be easier if he could be found first…"

Nothing more needed to be said. The women embraced once more before returning to their own sleeping quarters.

Chief Long Knife stirred in his sleep as Adelaide slipped beneath the furs, resting his forehead on the back of her neck. Adelaide blinked back fresh tears. She'd miss being held in his arms.

****

"Is everything alright my Love?" A hoarse whisper shattered the complete silence of the night.

"Yes, George, I am fine. We will speak more in the morning."

"I am here. Share your heart with me. You will sleep better afterward. Are you worried about Harm? I have noticed he has not written and now that we are on the move, I am not sure how we will receive word from him. Are you homesick?"

His words, though tender, tore at her heart. George knew her better than anyone. The restless nights worried about her firstborn and never hearing from him. It had been months, surely it did not take so long to send word.

"Why are we here George? I cannot help but think our presence isn't needed. Our children should be at home continuing their education. They will need to provide for their families someday and since we have left Germany, we have only suffered loss. I can't help but wonder if we sought God's will as much as we ought to have or was this something we chose to do based merely on emotion - a longing for adventure in our later years."

Gretjen's words were solemn, yet George chuckled, "We are not that old as you seem to imply by 'Our later years.'" He reached out and tenderly stroked his namesake's golden hair, "No, it would seem that life is just beginning. I believe we are here for a purpose. These precious people have never heard the truth of the Gospel - that salvation is found only through the death of Jesus Christ and in faith in His sacrifice. This man that brought the Gospel to them was sadly mistaken and well, when the time is right, I will share with the men the truth. Their souls depend on it."

Gretjen nodded. The truth was, she and her husband had not had much time alone since he had changed his name and became one of the natives. At the time, she really didn't understand but respected his decision.

"You believe they will trust you more if you are one of them?"

"I don't know Gretjen, but it is more than that. I have spent so many years on the battlefield fighting for something that in the end, didn't matter all that much. So many lives were lost. I am deeply sorry that Harm decided to stay behind. I can only hope that when this young love has passed, he will join us out here. It truly is God's Country. I have to believe we have been given a second chance. No, rather, I have been given another chance to make a difference. Can you understand?"

Gretjen wasn't sure if George could see her nodding or not, but lowered her head in agreement.

Regardless, George continued, "I have never felt so alive since we have come to this land. Yes, we have faced death. Yes, I miss my eldest son. But here - I can't even put it into words....here, the door is wide open and life matters. Every moment, life matters...and yet, here we do not need to fear that our neighbors will betray us if they catch us praying. We have no reason to fear that our children may one day suffer the same fate as…"

George cut his words off short. Bringing up the horrific manner in which Gretjen's mother had died for her faith was something he had never done before now. He instantly regretted his words.

"I'm sorry...I didn't mean to open a raw wound."

Gretjen reached out and placed her hand on George's finely chiseled jaw.

"You have not caused more pain, My Dear, it is well. Thank you for sharing your heart with me tonight. I understand, I truly do, although I am not sure of God's purpose for me quite yet. I am not nearly as assured as you are that this is where God wants me to be."

"Have faith, Sweetheart. I love you dearly and thank you for trusting me and remaining at my side."

Gretjen smiled in the darkness a moment before feeling her husband's lips claim hers. Their kiss was tender, lingering, a silent promise between the foreign couple. Sighing, Gretjen clung to her husband as he pulled her closer to his chest.

"George…" she breathed before her husband drifted off to sleep, content to hold his wife. "Do you think you could discreetly ask what has become of Jaira? I worry about Dark Star. She seems so sad and I wish I could help more. I am trying to encourage her, but other than offering words of support, my hands are tied. Would you be able to help without alerting the chief's attention?"

"Chief Long Knife is her husband. If something is amiss, he shouldn't be left in the dark," George's voice was low as he struggled against sleep. Dawn was approaching, and the first birds bursting into song.

"Of course, I don't mean that we should betray the chief. I just think that he will be more at ease if Dark Star is happier and he does not need to worry about her. If we can find out about Jaira for her, then it will take that burden off her shoulders and she will be in a better frame of mind for the baby as well."

"Alright, I will see what I can find out, but if more becomes of this, we cannot keep it from our chief. I will not betray his trust…"

Gretjen knew he was referring to their earlier conversation. "Of course. Goodnight...and thank you."

"Anything for you, My Dear. I am one very blessed man."

And with that, they fell asleep as the sun began to rise over the hills.