The Cry of the Wolf Chapter 68

Gretjen wrung her fingers as she worked up the courage to approach the young chief. Although he was clearly much younger than her husband, Chief Long Knife had an intimidating aura about him. He wasn't one to be messed with, that was certain, and yet, if she kept her own counsel, the secret would eat her alive.

Out of desperation, she clutched her infant to her heart and tentatively made her way to where he stood alone, shoulders braced against the blistering autumnal wind. Gretjen paused, hoping he would notice her presence without her needing to interrupt, but he was clearly lost in his own thoughts.

"Sir," Gretjen began, her voice catching in her constricted esophagus. "Chief...."

Chief Long Knife turned around so abruptly that Gretjen instinctively stepped backward, heart hammering in her ears. The man's jaw was firm - rigid really, a scar running down his temple telling a story that he had seen more than his share of battle. It was something he and George had in common. Warriors. Survivors.

Gretjen pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the man before her. Warrior yes, intimidating - absolutely - and yet he was the husband of her friend and the father of that little baby who wasn't likely to survive long in the wilderness as the weather turned colder. The chief before her was only a man and she needed to do this...it wasn't the time to be shy.

****

"Dark Star is gone. I know I should have probably told you sooner but I didn't want to believe she had left so I looked everywhere in camp first to be certain but my search came up empty. There is no telling how long she has been gone…"

"Gone?" Chief Long Knife stepped menacingly forward, effectively cutting off Gretjen's rambling. "What do you mean? What made you think she had left?"

The chief clearly wanted answers and wanted them immediately.

"We spoke briefly last night when I noticed her step out. I went after her and after a while convinced her to return. I thought I had successfully persuaded her to drop the foolish notion of leaving us…"

Without thought, the chief gripped Gretjen's arm much too tight, causing her to flinch, yet he didn't seem to notice. His eyes flashed against the glorious sunset backdrop. Yes, Gretjen had waited much too long.

"Why would she want to leave?" The chief asked aloud although it wasn't clear who he was speaking to. "My son…" His voice strangled as he fought to control his emotions.

Releasing Gretjen's arm he turned from her, then paused a moment to call over his shoulder, "Thank you for informing me Gretjen. You are a good friend to her."

A punch in the gut. A good friend would never have left her side...or taken hours to inform her husband she escaped. Gretjen watched Chief Long Knife's hasty retreat through tear-blurred eyes.

****

Kajirowirago found his wife huddled amongst thick furs long after the sun had set. Tears streaked her fair cheeks, damp hair hanging loose about her shoulders. Crouching in front of his wife, Kajirowirago drew her into his strong embrace, as she wept against his shoulder, clinging to her husband.

"I don't understand why…" Gretjen gasped through heart-wrenching sobs, "I tried to encourage her, George. This guilt…"

"This wilderness life I brought you to is much harder than I had expected my Darling. You did nothing wrong. In fact, you were there for Dark Star when the rest of us were sleeping. She is one of us, so I believe this new life must be difficult for her as well. Perhaps she just needed a little time to clear her head. She couldn't have gotten far. Sweetheart, please stop crying for our child's sake. He needs you - and our sons as well. Chief Long Knife is sending me to look for her. I am not sure if he is testing my loyalty or not, but I don't intend to fail. I will bring his wife back and that little boy. He cannot leave the tribe to look for her. I do wonder if perhaps he thinks I am better suited at reasoning with her should it come to that because we are the same race. In the chief's eyes, I might not be native...." Kajirowirago let his words hang, revealing for a brief moment to his wife his vulnerability and nagging doubts.

Standing once more, Kajirowirago ran his hand through his shaggy blonde hair, "I never thought we would be separated again after I returned from the war, but here we are...."

Kajirowirago looked away a moment before kissing the top of his namesake's downy head, then brought Gretjen's fingers to his lips.

"I will be back as soon as possible. She cannot have gone far and I need to earn our chief's trust. He is withdrawn and I feel there is something he is hiding from all of us… He is going to need godly counsel in the days ahead and I want to show him I am loyal before the time comes.

"Thank you, George...Kajirowirago. I will be praying for you…" Gretjen swiped at her tears.

There really was nothing more to be said.

Kajirowirago bid his older boys a quick farewell before disappearing into the woods in search of a woman whose heart had lost its way. He didn't look back, praying it would not take long to convince Dark Star to return home. Like the chief, he needed to be with his wife and children.