Read Online Lakota Flower by Janelle Taylor - Free Book Online Page B

cousin. I have two brothers and one sister. Wind Dancer is the oldest, twenty-eight by white man’s counting, and will become our next chief. He is a great and much-honored warrior. War Eagle is the youngest and is a high-ranking warrior, a Sacred Bow Carrier. I am twenty-three. My sister, Hanmani, is seventeen. Two Feathers is not my friend; we have battled with words and actions since we were small boys. He came to trade for you.”
    Terror filled Caroline. “He wanted to buy me from you?”
    “Yes. He offered many ponies.”
    “Why, when he looks at me with such fierce hatred in his eyes?”
    “He said he wanted you to help his mother. She is Pretty Meadow, sister of my father. She has no daughters and her two sons have no wives to help her with chores. He says you work hard, and she needs you.”
    Caroline’s heart began to pound in dread. She gaped at Cloud Chaser, then sent Macha a pleading look. No, she could not become that repulsive’s man slave! “But you refused, didn’t you?”
    “Yes, because you have been obedient and respectful and a great help to my wife and son.” He saw and heard her give a deep sigh of relief and she closed her eyes for a few moments as if in grateful prayer. “And because he spoke against sparing your life when War Eagle brought you here.” He saw her blue eyes widen as that grim fact settled in. Of course there were more personal reasons, but he could not reveal them.
    Caroline felt herself trembling. “He wanted me … killed?”
    “Yes. He said he feared you would escape and tell the soldiers our secrets, or you would be sighted in our camp and we would be attacked.”
    “But you didn’t believe him?” she asked, sensing there was more to the matter than he was telling her.
    “I cannot read what lies hidden in another’s heart or head.”
    “But you didn’t believe him?” Caroline pressed for confirmation of her suspicion, as he had given a clever and uninformative response.
    Cloud Chaser thought, You are intelligent and perceptive, but there is much I cannot tell you. “I did not think either would happen, so you are not a threat to us. My father, our shaman, the council, and other band members said you could live and stay. But if you deceive us, escape, and betray us, you will be recaptured and slain for our protection and survival.”
    Caroline could imagine how most Indians felt about the white invaders, especially if an impending war with her people was a dark reality. For her own “protection and survival,” she must not give them any reason to mistrust or fear her. “I won’t try to escape.”
    “Would you swear it upon your life and honor and your God’s Bible?”
    “Yes. Even if I were tempted to escape, Cloud Chaser, to try it would be foolish and dangerous. Besides, it’s impossible, so why take that risk?”
    “I pray you speak the truth, for all of our sakes.” And especially for mine, as I would be the one ordered to track and slay you.
    As Caroline ducked her head to leave the tepee to fetch water for the night, she almost collided with War Eagle. She felt his hands grasp her forearms to steady her when she tottered in midstep. Regaining her balance, she backed up to allow his entrance. As they straightened their bodies within the abode’s confines, their gazes met and locked briefly. “I’m sorry, Wanbli, I didn’t see or hear you coming.” In his now familiar behavior, he nodded acceptance of her apology. Strange sensations raced over her at his nearness.
    War Eagle recovered his scattered wits in haste. He knew that he made her nervous, but he was not sure why. Underthe guise of talking about their departure tomorrow, he had wanted to observe her with his brother’s family, away from the eyes of Two Feathers and his people. Before he could speak, Cloud Chaser stood and told him they needed to take a walk.
    At a discreet distance, Cloud Chaser revealed the news about Two Feathers’ offer to trade for Caroline. He witnessed how