The Cry of the Wolf Chapter 86

Signaling with his hand, the women followed the chief back into the forest, stepping carefully over gnarled tree roots and broken branches. They followed the creek for more than a mile before crossing over the rippling water. George was waiting on the other side. Reaching out, he assisted the women up the embankment, pausing to kiss his wife's cheek.

Chief Red Hawk grinned, holding out his hand to Adelaide.

"Dark Star, Strong Oak is waiting to take you back to your husband. I need to move my tribe before the sun sets. You will be safe now."

Strong Oak stepped forward, leading a black stallion with white patches. The horse was beautiful, but at that moment it was Strong Oak who was a welcome sight.

Their eyes met, a warmth in his brown depths as he lifted her and Chief Long Knife's heir carefully onto the stallion's back before swinging up behind her. Wrapping one arm around her waist, he twisted his free hand within the horse's mane, coaxing the horse to step forward.

"Gretjen? Are you coming?" Adelaide's throat was suddenly dry. She assumed Gretjen would be there when she faced the chief, her husband.

George reached out and held his wife's hand, "With your permission, Chief Red Hawk, we would like to stay and be part of your tribe. Gretjen would like to stay closer to the fort in the hopes we will hear from our eldest son. Dark Star, your husband loves you and will not reject you. I have come to know the chief well and he is a good and honorable man. Trust him."

"You are welcome here," Chief Red Hawk assured the German couple, "Winter is upon us. If you choose to return to Chief Long Knife's tribe when the spring comes, it is well. The decision is yours."

"Thank you," George and Gretjen said in unison, then grinned at each other.

"I will write," Gretjen promised, "And please send me messages as well. You must understand my decision and how desperately I need to hear from my son."

Adelaide nodded, looking down at her own baby.

"Thank you so much Gretjen for caring for my son when I…" she stumbled, tears squeezing her throat mercilessly. "I've been such a fool, but am so blessed to have faithful friends. I will send you messages as often as I am able and I hope in the spring you will return."

Blowing Gretjen a kiss, she turned as Strong Oak galloped away. There was no time to lose.

"We must move camp - and quickly," Chief Red Hawk instructed once they had disappeared from view.

"What of Harm?" Gretjen searched her husband's eyes, "If we move, how will he know where to find us again?"

Chief Red Hawk answered, "I have my own people in the fort. They will send word if there is any news from your son. Gretjen, you have shown great courage and loyalty. I would not do anything to cause you pain or break your heart."

Gretjen nodded, seeing the truth in the chief's eyes.

A barbaric warrior, as some saw him, was her friend and ally.

"Thank you," she smiled up at the chief before leading Annie toward the wigwam and introducing the Irishwoman to the others.

****

Chief Long Knife clenched his jaw, unaware that he was holding his breath. Over a year had passed since the Iroquois raid - a moment in time that had irrevocably changed his destiny.

Shadowed figures moved around the bonfire, men speaking in lowered tones, their voices grave. The women of his tribe joined the other females, Brown Sparrow holding back, suddenly shy. Isaiah toddled to his father's side, reaching out for his mother with a pudgy hand. Falcon grinned at his wife who appeared near bursting, expecting the birth of their second child and his first any day now.

A slender woman approached, smiling softly at Brown Sparrow. The genuine warmth of her smile set the brunette at ease.

"Come, sit with me. You need to rest," she gestured to an empty spot where a small girl lay curled up, already asleep.

Falcon smiled, his eyes instantly lighting up.

"Gentle Doe! Have you seen Chief Long Knife?"

Gentle Doe instantly lowered her eyes, tugging her lower lip between her teeth.

"Yes, but only from a distance."

Brown Sparrow glanced between her husband and the lovely native women before him. They clearly knew each other and at that moment, an unfamiliar feeling of jealousy swirled in the pit of her stomach.

As though sensing his wife's insecurity, Falcon placed a reassuring hand on her hip, "Brown Sparrow, meet Gentle Doe, our chief's wife."

Falcon realized his mistake at his wife's sharp gasp.

"I was his wife," Gentle Doe's soft voice smoothed over the awkward situation.

No one had noticed Chief Long Knife's approach during the awkward introductions.

"Gentle Doe," he breathed, a softness in his voice that belied a lingering tenderness for the woman who had once been his wife, their unborn son, his rightful heir, had not fate dealt a blow. They couldn't forget the love and passion they'd shared, "what ifs" neither could ever speak of.

Gentle Doe was silent, reading the tenderness for her in the chief's eyes before he spoke once more.

"I searched for you but after four months I had to do what was best for our tribe. I can only hope that those who stole you from me have treated you and my son well…"

"Daughter," Gentle Doe corrected with a soft chuckle. "Fawn is high-spirited and brave, much like her father." She gestured once more toward the little girl sleeping blissfully, without a care in the world.

A smile tugged at the corner of the chief's lips as he gazed over at his child before turning his attention back to Gentle Doe.

"I know you had to move on, as did I. Wolf is a good husband to me and loves Fawn as his own."

Gentle Doe flushed, glancing over at the strapping warrior who leaned against an oak tree, deep in conversation.

"Fawn doesn't know he isn't her father…"