Laylah blinked back a tear, for she had expected her mother's admonishment instead of her support. Laylah said simply, "Thank you, Mother."
"But, what are we to do? The men seem to believe they are in control of you, Laylah, and perhaps this also includes me, as well as your sister," said Mrs. McIntosh. “Well, I disagree with these men who are acting as tyrants. I'll tell you what we're to do: we are going to help you leave this fort. I do not know where Mr. Eagle Heart has gone; I overheard what Mr. Gray Falcon said today in the trading room, that Mr. Eagle Heart had left here and was not close to the fort. I think this is good for his own safety, but, you may think because of this, you might not be able to reunite with him. I don't believe this is so. If you leave, Laylah, he will find you. I saw the love he feels for you, my daughter. There was no mistaking it. The noble Indian might be said to be a stoic man, and he might be trained to meet adversity without emotion, but Mr. Eagle Heart could not hide his admiration of you, Laylah. Yes, if he comes to discover you are free, I am certain he will find you.
"Now, Millie," continued Mrs. McIntosh, "go at once to the livery and saddle Laylah's pony, since she can't do this with her arm still in a sling. Make up any excuse you like about why you're doing it. Tie some supplies to the pony: food, blankets, extra clothes." She smiled. "I just happened to have left these very things in the stable—by the far right wall."
"Mother!"
"You did?"
"Laylah, if you love this man—"
"I do."
"Then you must try to find your happiness with him. I do not wish you to live the same kind of life as my mother, your grandmother, did. She was never happy. Oh, she was sometimes content with me and my brother and sister. But, it was not the same sort of happiness I saw in your eyes when you looked at Mr. Eagle Heart. I am right, aren't I? You love this man with all your heart, don't you?"
"Yes, Mother."
"Then, we are going to help you escape. Now, my children, let me tell you about my plan."
****
AS EAGLE HEART GAZEDout over the brown prairie that stretched below him to the horizon, he expanded his vision to encompass not only the plains, but also the ledge where he sat atop one of the highest bluffs in this part of the country. He could see the prairie below him, the brown grasses now awash in the reflection of the reds and oranges, the pinks and blues of the sunset. In the sky, the sun was no longer visible as it had fallen down below a mountain range, however, its rays of red, orange and even pink beamed out from behind the hills.
He had been here seven days. He hadn't gone too far away from the fort. Not yet. The reason he had not done so was because he was feeling so disheartened he knew a safe passage across the prairie would not be possible. Alas, in his current emotional state, he could make deadly mistakes.
He also realized he should try to cleanse himself within the healing heat of a sweat lodge. This might help to heal the emotional damage to his heart.
But, he couldn't make a sweat lodge. Not here, within the territory of the enemy. Plus, he required another medicine man from within his own society to sweat with him, for it was not an activity a man did alone. Besides, the needed fire for the sweat lodge would signal his location to his enemies, whose keen sense of smell would lead them here.
There was yet another activity he could take in an effort to heal his soul: he could fast. But, no, he ruled this out, as well. The very nature of fasting would make his body weak, which was often needed for a man's spiritual well-being. However, it was not a choice he could take while he still remained in the country of the Crow and the Assiniboine.
And so, he was left with memories ofhercrowding his mind, and these thoughts were heavy. Was she now already married to the other man? She might be. And, if she were married to that man, he wished her well. He would always wish her well.
This was not a problem for him. His problem was simple: he desired to be the man who would live the rest of his life with her.
But, she had not wished to become his woman. Even now, he recalled her words telling him she didn't want to be the cause of taking away his power, or perhaps being the cause of the wrath of his people. He realized now he had been foolish during their first few days together. He should have kept his doubts about this to himself.
After all, only a short time alone with her had brought about an awareness that he did not need to explain himself or his actions to others. Indeed, a real man makes his own decisions and either reaps their benefits or flounders in their wake.
He had been a fool, yes. For, what had come to flourish between him and Steals-my-breath was a love that had burned so deeply within, it had radiated a kind of luminous beauty. It would never die. He knew it. Perhaps she did, too.
Yet, he had to move on with his life, as did she. But, he would never forget her. Never.
He stood up to face the setting sun and say a prayer to Sun, the Creator. As he held his hands up toward the sky in the proper way, he sang:
"Sun, the Creator of all, You who have made everything in this world, You who know who I am and know what is in my heart; You know, also, that as I am going away from here, my heart is staying behind. To You, I will I admit the sadness within me overwhelms me. But, it matters not. I know I must release She-steals-my-breath from my life and from my thoughts. I told her she is free to live her life as she wishes. And, I meant it when I said it. What I didn't know was how hard it might be to live my life without her.
"I know now that it shall be impossible for me to forget her. I ask You only to have pity on me as I leave the white man's fort behind. I must not shed a tear, and yet, I know I will cry, for I might never see her again in this life. Help me to keep my heart strong as I leave. To show I am sincere and to give thanks to You, I leave You this piece of smoked meat. It is Yours."
Bringing his arms down to his sides, he stepped toward the simple shelter he had made of pine boughs. It sat toward the wall of the cliff, beneath an overhanging rock. The ledge was large, and he did not fear turning over in his sleep to find himself falling from this high cliff.
Perhaps he would start on his journey away from here this very night. With the evenings coming earlier and earlier in these last days of autumn, the darkness would lend him the possibility of more time spent on the trail. Perhaps he might make better progress.
Yes, it was a good plan. He had to get on with his life, and, because the night was the only safe time to travel when in enemy territory, he would make his trail away from here this night.
At least he could throw himself into another grand purpose: to follow the trail of his brother, to find him and bring him home. This he would now dedicate himself to.
With this thought in mind, he made his bed, determining it best to rest a little before setting out upon the trail. In truth, he had only lain down when he became aware of the two wolves in his peripheral vision.
