She couldn't help wondering what they going to find in those mountains besides his brother? She didn't doubt her husband for a moment; he would find his beloved brother, Chases-the-enemy. But, there was trouble, as well as mystery shrouding the truth of Chases-the-enemy's disappearance: why had the man stolen Little Dove, a Crow woman? According to Eagle Heart, his brother was happily married, with children. What was Little Dove to him? Was she so beautiful he'd had to marry her, too?
She shivered. There was turmoil brewing ahead of them. She could feel it spiritually and even physically, for she was shivering. But, what kind of danger was it?
Also—and perhaps worse—her father as well as an enemy Crow scout were on their trail. And, her father had already threatened to kill Eagle Heart. He had said so once to her. Apparently, he'd told this to Eagle Heart, also. She shook her head as though to dislodge the fear from her thoughts.
Meanwhile, the rhythm of her pony's stride had become a backdrop of sound against the occasional squawks of a nighthawk. Once, the hooting of an owl had unnerved her. But, soon the song of the wind, as it picked up its pace and blew through the pine and balsam trees, dispelled her fear.
The sky overhead was blacker than she was accustomed to seeing. Clouds filled the sky, and there wasn't a star or moon to be seen, although here and there she could discern a brief silhouette of the moon behind the clouds.
In the distance, a wolf's mournful howl sent shivers over her spine, but Eagle Heart seemed unaffected by it. However, the one wolf's sorrowful wail was soon joined by another similar yowl, then another and another until there was a chorus of howls.
Eagle Heart stopped his forward progress, turned around and guided his mount next to hers. Coming in close, he said, "Many wolves...howl like that...mean storm coming. We...must continue...stop when...storm comes. Only then...will build shelter."
She nodded, but when she gazed upward, she saw only a cloud-filled, blackened sky. Perhaps those clouds would be the beginning of another blizzard.
"Do you think the storm coming might be a blizzard?"
"It possible."
"Do you believe it might cause my father and the Crow scout to lag farther behind us?"
"Saa.Likely they go through...storm or...they lose...trail."
"I don't understand. Why should we stop if they do not?"
"Not good for you...go on."
"Do not think of me and my comfort. I do not wish for them to find us. Storm or not, if we must push on to remain ahead of them, I will bear it."
"Humph! We see how bad...storm is. Will decide then. Must always think of you. You...my woman now."
She nodded. But, she was disturbed by her premonitions and said, "I have a bad feeling about this. I don't understand it, but it seems to me as if...as if death lies ahead of us."
"I, too, feel this."
"Then, why must we find your brother if there is death to greet us when we, at last, discover him?"
He didn't answer right away. It was dark. She could barely see his features, but she did recognize that she had somehow caused him to sit up a little straighter in his seat. He threw his head back and lifted his chin as he uttered, "Does this one"—he pointed to himself—"look like...coward to you?"
"Of course not. There is nothing about you that is cowardly."
"If it be your sister...would you dare... madness ...so you find her?"
"Yes, I would. Oh, all right. I guess I can understand why you are doing this. But, I will warn you, my husband, so hear me: don't you dare die in trying to save your brother. Do you understand me? Be a hero if you must, but don't you dare die."
He relaxed a little, and she thought she saw him grin at her before he said, "All live. All die. But...maybe not die tonight."
"Make sure of it, my husband. Do not die. It is an order to you from me, your wife."
He grinned at her. "What is...'wife order'?"
"It is a strong—a very strong—way of saying you are entrusted with a responsibility. And, the duty I am trusting with you is this: you are not to die. Do what you must, but remember what I have said." When he nodded, she added, "I have a really bad feeling about this."
He said, "I know. I share...same feeling. But, have...responsibility to family, to brother. Am not coward. Will find him, help him...if possible."
She didn't answer. Instead, she stared away from him.
"Okí,come. Must push forward...and...hope storm weak. If strong, we...stop, make camp."
