The Cry of the Wolf Chapter 84

"Come," Chief Red Hawk motioned toward the entrance. "You are searching for your wife? Gretjen has hair like the sun as well as her sons. They must be your family…"

"Yes!" a grin tugged at George's lips at the description of his wife. "I would love to see my family, although that is not the reason I have come to you."

The chief was silent as he led the way into the shadowy interior.

"Pappa!" Claus cried out, instantly jumping up and running full-tilt into his father's open arms.

George held the young boy close, kissing the top of his head as he held out his arm to his other sons. Gretjen, adjusting Toris in her arms, joined her husband, pressing close against his side. His focus still on the chief, George winked at his wife. He muffled a chuckle at her instant blush.

Chief Red Hawk didn't miss the exchange and for a fleeting moment once more longed to have a wife of his own...a marriage such as theirs.

"You have not come seeking your wife?" Chief Red Hawk inquired, his eyebrow raised.

"Well, yes, of course, I want to be with my family, however, my chief, Long Knife, sent me to bring back his wife. I have been at the fort for a few days and have found her."

"Ah…" Chief Red Hawk sat farther back on his haunches, adjusting his weight. "I have seen her as well and she does not wish to return to her husband. Arrangements have been made with her pale-faced husband to allow her to see Gretjen and her son every day until we leave camp. We cannot stay much longer, with winter approaching. I have a responsibility to my people but must also keep my word to Chief Long Knife. We will tell her tomorrow we must leave. She has one final day to make her decision. After that, we move camp…"

"I agree with your decision," George nodded, rubbing his jaw. Freshly shaved, a five-o'clock shadow now dusted his jawline, the itch something he was no longer accustomed to. "I was sent a message from a woman who is taking care of Dark Star. She confirmed Dark Star is with child once more and it is not Gavin's baby."

Gretjen covered her mouth but not before a gasp escaped her lips.

George nodded, glancing down at his wife, her face ashen.

"Yes, my love, I doubt Gavin will accept the baby she carries. We must find a way to bring Dark Star back to the father of her children. I see no other way and it must be soon, not only before the snow comes, but before he discovers she is pregnant. I fear it will not go well for her. He doesn't come across as a man with much wisdom, his anger blinding him to the truth. If he suspects her of being unfaithful to him while at the fort…"

"Yes, he will not realize she carried her husband's child before she returned to him. Does she know?"

"No...Anna hasn't told her. She asked me to find you and seek your advice."

"This Anna, can she be trusted?"

"I don't know her that well, but she is an elderly woman with a kind heart and I believe she truly cares for Dark Star from what I have seen."

Chief Red Hawk did not respond, his eyes focused on the crackling flames of their small campfire.

"Gretjen, she is your friend. You must tell her when I bring the scalps tomorrow morning. She must choose between the pale face and her children. We have fifty fresh scalps. It will appease the men at the fort and give you time to get Dark Star away from there when they are distracted."

****

With lowered voices, they continued to discuss their plan late into the night.

The moon was high over the treetops as George held Gretjen close to his heart. It felt as though it had been an eternity since he'd held her close. It wasn't the first time they'd been apart. His years fighting in the Thirty-Years War had been much longer. They appreciated each other and valued their moments together. Tenderly stroking her hair, he tried once more to fall asleep but his thoughts were restless, focused on the events the morning would bring.

"George," Gretjen's whisper broke the silence.

"Did I wake you? I'm sorry. I thought you were sleeping."

"No...I can't sleep either. I know it isn't my decision to make, but...what if we stay here?"

George propped himself up on one elbow, searching the inky darkness for his wife's face.

"I like being closer to the fort, I know it isn't home, but I do miss Europe. I have more in common with the women at the fort and I haven't given up hope that Harm will join us, or at the least, send us word that he is alright. I understand your love for these people, George, but...what if we ask to stay with this tribe? The chief has been good to me and the women here have accepted me as well. If we travel south and rejoin Chief Long Knife, I may never hear from Harm. Dark Star is my friend, but she has chosen to stay. Even if she decides to return to her husband, she doesn't need me. She has her mother-in-law and Brown Sparrow…"

George squeezed Gretjen's fingers as he pondered her words.

"...and just maybe we came here for such a time as this. Like Esther in the Bible, God has been at work behind the scenes to bring us all together under Chief Red Hawk's leadership. Just maybe, this is where we are meant to be."

"I understand Gretjen and thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. I will think on your words and will speak with the chiefs when I have made a decision."

"Hans wishes to return to Germany…" Gretjen's voice trailed off, disappearing into the ensuing silence.

George brought Gretjen's fingers to his lips, placing a tender kiss on them before speaking, "We will not lose another son. I will speak with Chief Red Hawk in the morning."