Running Elk Read online

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Two of the scouts sent out to locate Two Fires returned empty-handed. Both had the same story: “there were no new white women in any of the bands.” Running Elk simply would not accept the thought that his Two Fires had vanished. There was no questioning that she had been taken by the Kiowa. That knowledge meant her life could be in constant danger. And yet, he still prayed daily that she wasn’t being mistreated. The one thing he wouldn’t allow to seed in his mind was her death. That was something he just couldn’t permit.

  Quanah suggested Running Elk remain calm and reminded him there were still two men yet to return, but Running Elk didn’t like the odds.

  At Quanah’s suggestion, the two warriors sat on the ledge of a small hill and smoked a pipe.

  “We will be going on a raiding party soon. Your people need you,” Quanah informed Running Elk while he handed him the pipe.

  “And in helping with the raiding, I will once again lose sight of Two Fires,” Running Elk stated with aggravation clear in his tone before taking a long draw from the pipe and handing back to Quanah.

  “This will not take long, and the other two scouts will be back when we return,” Quanah promised, taking the pipe and tapping the ashes out.

  “It could take many sleeps,” Running Elk objected as he stood and dusted the dirt from his legs.

  “It could, but fighting might just be the only thing that will take your mind from your woman,” Quanah stated, looking up at Running Elk.

  Running Elk had spent most of his time since his return to the camp in the company of Quanah and saw him as a friend, someone he could place his trust in. The war chief’s statement was true. If Running Elk put some of his pent-up anger towards a fight, it would be good for him.

  “Of course I will go with you. But if we don’t have any information on Two Fires’ location by the first snowfall, I will seek her out on my own,” Running Elk decided.

  “Good, now go visit your family. They miss you, and you have been avoiding them. There is never a guarantee we will return, and I know you don’t want to cause your brothers undo pain,” Quanah directed, standing and patting Running Elk on the shoulder before walking towards the camp.

  Quanah was a wise man. Running Elk had been avoiding his family. He just wasn’t sure why. Maybe their happiness caused him pain; perhaps he felt like they thought of him as weak because he cared only for a woman. Whatever the reason, he had mastered the art of being gone when either brother was around. After a short time, neither brother had continued to seek him out.

  He would occasionally run into Gray Eagle and always took the time to ask about his health. The young man was returning to his old self and Running Elk couldn’t have been happier with the outcome of his nephews’ injury. Gray Eagle was now stronger than he had been before he got shot with the Kiowa’s arrow. Speaking to his nephew was relatively easy, but he knew he needed to speak to both his brothers before leaving.

  Kicking Bird was easy to find. He was on the outskirts of the camp, shooting with Gray Eagle.

  “Brother, I am sorry I’ve acted so out of character.” Running Elk began talking before reaching his brother and nephew.

  Both looked surprised by Running Elk’s sudden presence, but they smiled warmly at him.

  “Come shoot with us,” Kicking Bird suggested as he embraced his little brother.

  “Are you going on the raiding party?” Gray Eagle asked as he loaded his bow and carefully took aim.

  Kicking Bird looked at Running Elk in question.

  “I am. Are you coming?” he asked Kicking Bird.

  “Not this time. I plan to stay close until Gray Eagle has completely healed. But we will celebrate your return soon. Have you spoken to White Wolf yet?” Kicking Bird handed Running Elk a spare bow.

  Running Elk took the bow, loaded it, and fired, splitting a fallen horse apple in two. Gray Eagle made a noise of awe and Kicking Bird rolled his eyes.

  “No, but I am going to see him next.”

  “May the gods watch over you until we meet again,” Kicking Bird said, physically turning Running Elk in the direction of the camp.

  Running Elk heard Kicking Bird laugh as he was walking away.

  While walking to White Wolf’s, Running Elk realized Kicking Bird had been easier to approach. He still held onto hurt feelings because of White Wolf’s actions, even if he knew there was no reason to.

  Morning Star was happy where she was, and White Wolf was overjoyed. Their coupling had saved Morning Star from any hurtful gossip. The people of the village appeared to still question Running Elk’s actions, but none spoke to him about their thoughts.

  On his way to the shaman’s tipi, he rehearsed what he would say. When he reached the doorway, he saw Morning Star leaving. The woman had never looked happier. Seeing her caused the speech he had memorized to leave him. All he could manage was a smile and a nod of his head as she walked past him. Morning Star appeared to be blissful, but she didn’t look him in the eye.

  White Wolf was behind Morning Star but stopped his forward movement when he saw his little brother near his door.

  “Come in,” the shaman offered, backing into his home once again. “Sit and tell me how you have been.”

  Running Elk sat and looked as his brother. “I am sure you know everything that has happened since I returned,” he said with no anger in his tone. “I wanted to make peace before I left with the raiding party. I know I have been preoccupied, but I need you to know I am happy for the both of you.”

  White Wolf smiled and put his hand over his heart. “Thank you for that, brother. I know you have been forced to deal with many obstacles lately but …”

  Running Elk knew if he let his brother continue to talk, they would end up arguing, and he wanted to avoid that outcome. “I will see you when we return,” he interrupted before standing and walking towards the door.

  “We will see each other again, brother,” White Wolf stated before Running Elk left.

  ***

  The next morning, fifteen warriors and Quanah rode away from the camp in search of blood.

  Running Elk’s bravery during the raids quickly earned him a name for himself. The people, who had been questioning his worthiness and loyalty only days before, saw him as more than a gifted hunter. His medicine was growing stronger, and with each battle, he was becoming a well-respected and feared warrior.

  Running Elk knew he had Quanah to thank for his new reputation. But while others were in awe of his stunts, Running Elk’s bravery was all on account of the fact that he fought with a reckless abandon. Without Two Fires, he didn’t care if he lived or died.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Standing Bear spent the next seven days meeting with friends and family. At night, when the discussions were finished, he stayed in his father, White Buffalo’s, tipi.

  It was difficult to keep his distance from Alax, but he knew it was the only way to ensure she wouldn’t be found by either the soldiers or a Comanche. Every morning, he left food outside the tipi where Alax and Abigail were staying but managed to not look in on them. Knowing Abigail was keeping Alax company lessened his worry but did nothing to ease his desire to spend time with her.

  He occupied some of his time trading pelts for beads he thought Alax might like. No matter who he spoke to, the conversation always turned to talk of the elusive buffalo, but none came up with a way to rectify the situation. He’d heard Running Elk’s name several times, and everyone who spoke of him seemed to hold the man in high regard. Every time the man’s name was mentioned, Standing Bear did his best to change the subject.

  Listening to the soldiers wasn’t a top priority for him, so he relied on the gossip at the end of the night to learn all he could. When the people arrived at the summit, some still wanted to believe the government would keep its promises. They were quickly becoming the minority. Two crucial questions that remained unanswered were why the Kiowa and Comanche should be forced to relocate and how their relocation wou
ld stop any more death.

  By the sixth day, Standing Bear knew his father would not touch the pen. The Kiowa didn’t know what to make of his father’s decision. Before finding Alax, he would have relished the thought of more bloodshed, but she had changed him. He would have much rather just been left alone to grow old and fat with the woman.

  During the visit, Standing Bear was forced to listen to everyone who had any knowledge of his relationship with Alax repeatedly voicing their objections. White Buffalo talked to his son for hours about the same subject, but in the end, he told Standing Bear to find happiness wherever he could.

  The morning the official signing was to take place, White Buffalo found his son and informed him they would be leaving.

  “Then I will go speak to Alax,” Standing Bear stated, quickly finishing combing his horse.

  “There is more news. Several scouts from Quanah’s camp have been visiting the other bands. And they are seeking information about your woman.”

  “Has anyone been to visit you?” Standing Bear asked, suddenly desperate for the answer.

  The warrior had intentionally kept Alax from interacting with his friends and family and, after enduring the views of everyone he ran into, he knew he’d made the right decision.

  “No, not yet. But I think it is only a matter of time. Surely by the time we have set up our winter camp, the scout will locate us.”

  White Buffalo’s voice held no judgment. He was answering his son and nothing more.

  “Let me think on this. Right now, I am going to my woman,” Standing Bear decided before patting his horse.

  “Do not take too much time reacquainting yourself. Remember, we will be classified as hostile once the soldiers see us leaving. It is best to all move together.”

  Standing Bear nodded his understanding and walked towards his home. It was still an hour before sunrise, and he hoped he would be able to at least hold Alax before she woke for the day.

  He was surprised to see the woman awake, sitting by the fire while Abigail was sleeping.

  Fear gripped him. “Are you well?” he asked, moving quickly to sit beside her.

  Alex didn’t move away from him when he sat close to her, and her reaction emboldened him. He was quickly convincing himself he was doing the right thing by hiding her and asking others to lie.

  “I am fine. Just couldn’t sleep. What are you doing here?” she asked, allowing him to wrap his arm around her.

  “It is over. We will leave in the morning. And this is my home. Am I not welcome here?” he asked, smiling.

  “Of course you are. But I haven’t seen you since we arrived. Is everything finished? Have the soldiers left?”

  Standing Bear stood and walked towards the bed. He didn’t want to answer her questions; he wanted to feel her naked body against his. “Come to bed and let me warm you. I have missed you. We will talk about the meeting in the morning.”

  “Standing Bear, we can’t. Abigail is here,” Alexandria protested.

  “Her presence will not stop me from holding you for a few minutes. Now come and lie down,” he said, patting the robes beneath him.

  The woman appeared to be thinking about denying him her company.

  “Just for a short time,” he urged as he watched her stand and look to her sleeping friend before cautiously moving closer to the Standing Bear.

  He was pleasantly surprised when she slipped into bed and quickly disrobed.

  Standing Bear held her in his arms and breathed her into him. As soon as he heard her breathing change, he allowed himself to relax and think about all the events of the last week.

  He knew his father was right. The Comanche scout would find them soon. What he wasn’t sure about was how he was going to handle the situation.

  Standing Bear did not want to betray Alexandria, but he felt he couldn’t allow her to be taken either. While he was nestling himself into her loose, flowing hair, he made the decision to take a more scenic route back. At least then he could postpone any betrayal and lies he would have to tell her. Never before would he have willingly endangered his people, but he was prepared to do anything to keep the woman in his lodge.

  ***

  The long, scenic route postponed their return to the village until the first snow whitened the prairie. He took the opportunity to continue to teach Alax about various plants and animals. The woman soaked up his knowledge like a sponge and even seemed to be enjoying his company. They moved at a leisurely pace during the day, and at night, he made her body his own.

  By the time they neared the winter camp, Standing Bear was able to convince himself the woman thought of him more than she did the Comanche.

  After helping Alax set up their home, he suggested she find Abigail while he was greeting his father.

  “It’s been a few weeks since you’ve spoken to anyone but me. I’m sure the two of you have missed visiting.” Standing Bear walked in the direction of his father’s lodgings as he spoke.

  “It will be good to see her again,” Alexandria agreed, walking towards the waterway.

  Once Standing Bear reached his father’s, he gathered himself before entering.

  White Buffalo was sitting around the fire with two of Standing Bear’s closest friends, Big Tree and Sleeping Otter, and a man he knew was the Comanche scout.

  “Sit, son,” White Buffalo greeted, pointing to an open space beside the Comanche.

  Standing Bear’s mind was swimming. He had no idea what he’d walked into and was anxious for an explanation.

  “What is going on?” he asked, attempting to sound disinterested.

  Big Tree cleared his throat and passed White Buffalo the pipe. “This man, Black Cloud, is here about a white woman …”

  Standing Bear looked from his friend to the Comanche.

  “We have told him we have no white women here who aren’t family, but he has asked to see them,” White Buffalo interrupted.

  Standing Bear was overjoyed at his father’s words. He was beginning to think his friends had said more than they should have. He turned and looked at the Comanche for the first time.

  “I will walk her through the village at sunset. Do not attempt to speak to her. She is my woman. I am only allowing you to look on her because I value the peace our tribes share,” Standing Bear declared before standing and looking at his father and friends before departing.

  White Buffalo hid his emotions well, but Big Tree and Sleeping Otter were both looking down at the ground.

  ***

  Once Standing Bear was outside, he began walking in the direction of his home, hoping he had done the right thing. Before entering his dwelling, he heard Abigail’s voice.

  “Look at the size of you,” Abigail squealed. “I have missed you!”

  “I have been growing larger every day. But that is plain to see. How have you been?”

  The two friends were so caught up in their conversation, they didn’t notice Standing Bear. Instead of interrupting their reunion, he quickly stepped inside.

  “We will go find wood as soon as we get this water back to your home,” Abigail said as they neared the open doorway.

  After helping Alax inside, he spoke to Abigail. “Abigail, I will accompany you to fetch some wood. Alexandria can set up the bed; she looks like she needs to rest,” he said to his cousin before placing a kiss on Alexandria’s forehead.

  Alexandria’s arms encircled his body. “I will be here.”

  Standing Bear wanted nothing more than to stay inside their home and hold her close to him, but instead he slowly pulled from the embrace and ushered Abigail outside while he thought through what he was going to say. He thought the outcome of the visit with the Comanche scout was the best he could hope for, but he was also aware that he might need Abigail’s help if Alexandria was going to be kept completely in the dark.

  Abigail spoke first. “Standing Bear, there is a Comanche here. He has been waiting for your return. He wants to talk to you about Alexandria …”

  “I am aw
are. I just left him and Father,” Standing Bear interrupted his nervous, whispering cousin. “You have not said anything to him, have you?”

  “No, not really. I did say the woman with you is happy. I once promised Alexandria I would help her if something like this happened. And yet, I did not. I know what she means to you, and honestly, I don’t want to see her go either,” Abigail confessed as she lowered her head.

  “Listen to me. You and I are the only ones who know the baby she carries is not mine. Before I let the scout look at her, I will tell him the baby is mine. Running Elk will not want her then. But she must never know anyone from his camp was here,” Standing Bear said, gripping his cousin’s shoulders. “I will not lose her. I can’t lose her.”

  “I will never tell her. But are you sure the messenger will be satisfied with just your word?”

  “That is my only chance. He has to.”

  Abigail looked conflicted but stayed silent when Standing Bear turned and walked away.

  ***

  Before seeking out the Comanche scout, Standing Bear stopped by his tipi and informed Alax that he wanted to take a walk later. She agreed to his suggestion without question, not bothering to stop her cooking.

  “Standing Bear, I do have one more question for you,” the Comanche scout said as soon as he caught sight of Standing Bear.

  “Ask your question,” Standing Bear said as he stood beside Black Cloud.

  The Comanche stopped combing his horse and looked Standing Bear in the eye before continuing. “People are closed-lipped, but I have a feeling the woman you hold is the one we call Two Fires.”

  Standing Bear was stunned by the man’s statement but he said nothing while he waited for the question.

  “Why do you want her when you know she belongs to Running Elk?”

  “I have never heard the woman speak Running Elk’s name,” Standing Bear lied. “Besides, she carries my child. From what I’ve heard of the warrior, he doesn’t sound the type who would want a woman who carries someone else’s offspring.”