But, he seemed unoffended and was responding to the question. "I am not," he stated by means of the gestures. "But, I believe you are."
She shook her head and signed, "I am not yet married, but am soon to be."
He nodded, then signed, "If you do not object to the possible harm speaking to me might bring to your reputation, I do have questions no one has been able to answer. Do you object?"
She shook her head, "No."
"This is good. I am seeking my brother," he signed. "He looks much as I do, but is older than I. He came here a few months ago with a party seeking trade. The others returned home, but my brother was not with them, and none of them knew what had happened to him. My family worries about him. Besides trade, it is why I am here. He was last seen at this post."
"What is his name?" she signed.
"Chases-the-enemy."
She nodded, then asked Larpenteur, "Sir, do you know a Blackfoot man called Chases-the-enemy?"
"Oui, Mademoiselle. He ees Blackfoot chief."
"Chases-the-enemy is this gentleman's brother, and he is trying to discover what has happened to his kin. People from his tribe say he was last seen here. Do you know any stories concerning him that might indicate where he could have gone or why he didn't return home with the rest of his party?"
"Oui,Mademoiselle. Der be here a Crow girl from de West called Little Dove. He stole her. He is to be gone...with Crow girl. Her family very much...angry. Go after."
"You're certain of this?"
"Oui,Mademoiselle."
Laylah nodded. Then, turning toward the Blackfoot gentleman, said aloud, "Mr. Larpenteur"—she pointed to the clerk then continued in sign—"says your brother stole Little Dove, a Crow girl, and left. Her family went after him."
He nodded. "When?" he signed.
Laylah turned to Larpenteur. "When did this take place?"
"I am to tell you, Mademoiselle, eet be five month. Maybe he captured."
"This happened about five months ago," she signed. "Mr. Larpenteur"—she pointed again to the clerk—"says your brother and the girl might have been captured."
With his hands flat and extended outward, he sent them forward and toward her in a sweeping motion, effectively saying, "Thank you."
She nodded, then signed, "What are you called? My name is Laylah." She spoke her name aloud.
But, he didn't answer. Instead, he reached upward to the feather in his hair, loosened it, put it in his palm and extended it toward her. When she reached out to take it from him, he closed his other hand over hers, and, when she gazed up at him, he nodded and gave her the understanding the feather was now hers.
Then he smiled at her and said, "Nitsíniiyi'taki,Aakíí-ikamo'si-niistówa-siitámssin," and Laylah thought the earth might have moved beneath her feet. She didn't know what to do.
The timbre of his voice was low, baritone, pleasant, and it, added to his touch, affected her oddly. Her entire body was shivering, but whether from fear or a reaction to his words, his touch or his voice, she didn't know.
She did, however, accept the feather. Moreover, she thought she might come to treasure it. Always, it might remind her of a handsome Blackfoot warrior who had once shown her kindness.
****
SHE IS BEAUTIFUL INboth body and spirit.
She hadn't wanted to speak to him. Everything about her had told him she was afraid of him. And yet, despite her reluctance, she had spoken to him in the language of gestures.
He had been impressed with her beauty from the first, and now he was captivated by her courage as well as her knowledge of the gesture language. It was to be regretted that soon she was to be married. But, at least he had been able to give her a part of him by extending the feather to her. And, she had taken it from him. He could hope that maybe she would not forget him.
He thought back to what he now knew: his brother had found himself a Crow woman and had stolen her. Had his enemies found him? Not likely, since his brother was a scout, as well as a chief, and could hide in a way that would not allow another to discover him...unless he wished it to be.
But, if his brother were well, the silent and distant communication between them would not be so irregular. Because of this, he knew something was wrong. But, what?
