"You know where they both are?"
"Áa.Prepare for...fight. Both...are close."
"No! Please, no!"
"We talk...when we stop. I tell you."
"Shouldn't we hurry, instead?"
"We stop. I tell you. We eat. Then go."
He was happy to hear no response from her and no further argument. He would impart what was expected of her if there were to be a battle, and it consisted of mainly one rule: remain alive. He would tell her in the most calming way he could about why his life was not as important as hers. Flee if she had to, but, most importantly, she must stay alive.
He would try to make her promise this: even if he died today, she was not to fight. Her duty was to live, to stay alive.
True, he expected an argument from her, yet he intended to win this particular battle. After all, if she were with child, there would be two lives to be saved.
****
THEIR EARLY MORNINGmeal was almost finished when he became aware that he was being watched. In his peripheral vision, he beheld a shadow. Turning his head, he was pleased to see the silhouette was his sister wolf, and alongside her was her lifelong mate.
Although he realized wolves never stayed in one place, he was still surprised to see her. Smiling at her, he said with the mind-to-mind speak, "Hello, my sister. You show me great honor to be here with me on this day. I have come to this place to rescue my brother."
"I know," said the she-wolf in mind speak. "My mate and I have been following you."
"You have? Why?"
"You are in danger, my brother. We wish to help. Finish here, then follow us. We will take you to your brother."
Not amazed, for he understood the intelligence of these creatures, he nodded. "You have seen him?"
"We have. He, his mate and child are caught in a trap. We cannot free them."
Eagle Heart nodded, then said aloud to his wife, "Look at...wolf. She...my sister. She your sister." He switched to speaking sign language and said, "My sister-wolf is here with her spouse to help us. She has seen my brother and tells me he is in a trap, and she cannot spring him from it. She and her mate are ready to take us to him."
"I know," said Steals-my-breath. "I heard the two of you speaking. I believe we should go with them at once. What is your opinion?"
"I think...same."
"Should we leave our things here?"
"No. Bring all...horses. You...take them. I...must have hands...free...to fight. Crow scout...your father...come soon."
"No! Then we should leave at once."
"We will," he signed, "but first, will you give the wolves what smoked meat we have while I pack our things? My weapons must be in ready use for me."
"Of course I will."
And, as Eagle Heart watched his wife, with her generous heart, give every bit of their food to the wolves, his spirit burst free with happiness and pride. What a woman!
CHAPTER TWENTY
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"IS THAT YOUR BROTHER, there within the circle?" asked Laylah.
"Áa,it is."
