Oddly, it was Stands Strong's friend who bent down toward Liliann, and took her hand into his own. Meanwhile, Czanna looked on as Stands Strong squatted next to his friend, and the two men conversed in both words and a few hand motions, and, had she been able to leave the wagon, she would have joined them there, too.
"Liliann," said Briella in perfect English, her index finger pointing to the maid. "Gone."
"Yes," said Czanna, "but Liliann is not gone for very long. She will be coming back. You see, she is only visiting her father, who is ill. We are lucky that Mr. Stands Strong and his friend decided to help us. I will be grateful to them both, and I shan't forget their kindness toward us. No, indeed, I shan't forget."
"Go there!"
"No, not now," said Czanna. "We must remain here with the prairie wagon and the horses. But, I think there are some of your toys in the back of the wagon, if you would like to play with them. I think Dolly is back there."
"Yes," said Briella. "Dolly. Needs nap."
Czanna smiled as she released her sister and guided her to crawl into the back. Czanna murmured softly, "I only wish I could take a nap with Dolly."
"I nap, too," said Briella as she picked up her doll and, holding Dolly close, laid down, keeping the doll firmly held within her small arms.
****
It wasn't long before Czanna saw Stands Strong rise to his feet and jump up onto his pony's back. Then, taking his seat, he pressed the animal into a run down the slope, his direction toward her and the wagon. He reined in just short of them. But, he didn'tspeak. Instead, he gazed at Czanna, and it was she who took the lead and asked, "How is Mr. Henrik?"
Stands Strong dismounted, and, holding onto his pony's reins, he climbed up onto the seat next to her. Quickly settling himself, he said, "He is injured…bad. He is dead to the world, although his body still lives."
"He is dead?!"
"His body lives on, but his shadow is gone."
"What do you mean, 'his shadow is gone'? And, what is a 'shadow'?"
"The essence of who he is, his spirit or soul, as you call it. It is not with him now."
"Then, he is as good as dead? Is it this you mean to say?"
"Saa, it is not. Often when a warrior goes out alone to find his medicine, he fasts for several days and nights. After a time, his shadow leaves his body to have adventures upon the plains and to find, if he can, his medicine and his medicine helper. But, this man you call Henrik, is close to death. First Rider and I have decided that if we are to help him we must take him to Grass Woman Springs. The water there is healing, though it smells"—he made a face—"bad. But, if he is to live another day, we must take him there. It will delay you going to the fort."
"Then, it must be. In truth, I was only going back there to await Mr. Henrik's return to us."
"Soka'pii, good. Tonight I will go to the springs and shall scout there to ensure no war party has come there to heal their own."
"I will go with you," she said, her response surprising even her.
"You will not go with me." He turned his head around to stare at her. "Do you know how to scout, how to creep into an enemy camp without being seen or heard?"
"Of course I don't."
"Then, you will stay here."
"I shall not stay here while you go there," she insisted.
His reaction to her words seemed odd to her because he grinned. Then he said, "I will sneak out of camp tonight, and so stealthy will I leave, you won't even know I am gone."
"Very well. But, if this be your intention, I shall sleep next to you."
He laughed. "And, I will welcome you, if this is to be your plan, though I doubt either of us would sleep. But, come now. You are needed here to help defend this wagon and the others."
"Nonsense. Your friend and my brother can defend our wagon. If you are going, then I am coming along with you."
"Why?" he asked. "Surely you know your duty is to stay behind and guard your almost-sister and baby sister."
"Yes, it's true. But, I have another obligation, too. And, the task I speak of is to learn as much as I can about this land so I and my family can survive in it. If I stay here, I will miss the opportunity to learn how to scout and what it even means to 'scout.'"
