CHAPTER ONE
FOUR YEARS LATER
The Time of High Water (June), 1861
Isttsits Ohkitópii, First Rider, stood atop a flat butte from where he could observe the water gushing out from a cavern situated up high on an overhanging rocky ledge. The falls, which were created from a deep chasm within the huge boulders, were called Running Eagle Falls, named after a brave and beautiful Pikuni warrior woman. For as long as he could remember, First Rider had heard the story of this smart and courageous warrior woman who had dared to counsel with a dreaded underwater person from within this very cave. So many times had she climbed up the high slippery cliffs surrounding the falls, there to enter the cave and there to counsel with the old one; so many times had she hoped to receive a different answer to her plea to cease the war trail and marry the man of her heart. But, never had the answer from the ancient underwater person changed; she belonged to her people.Her fate was to lead war parties and never was she to find the happiness of marital life.
Ignoring the pounding sound of the falls, First Rider inhaled deeply, looking up and outward at the bright orange-colored reflection of the sun shining brightly on Rising Wolf Mountain, which rose up so distinctly in the distance beyond Running Eagle Falls. Indeed, in this hour of weakening light, all the massive ledges and rocks surrounding the falls mirrored the startling reddish-yellow color. Even several of the rocks within the fall's clear and shallow pool glowed orange.
Inhaling deeply, he felt the cool mist in the air from the falls soothe his lungs, and it seemed to help him think more clearly. Still looking outward, he was amazed to see how the yellowish-red color in the sky could paint the grays of the rocks and the greens of the surrounding pines and grasses so brightly.
Instinctively, he felt small in comparison to the grand beauty of Sun's Creation. But, it was not a bad sensation. Indeed, it was the opposite; he felt as if he were a part of all this land of forests and hills, of mountains and valleys.
He sighed, for he was in mourning; he had lost his wife. His beautiful Tsistsaki was gone. Gone. Never would he look upon her lovely countenance again; not in this life.
Four snows… Four snows of his life had ended in this terrible way. He had failed her. Though he had spent these last four winters in search of her, in all this time he had never found her.
He remembered well how happy he and Tsistsaki had been. All those years ago, he had known he was the luckiest man in the world, she being the sweet and sought-after daughter of the well-respected chief, Flying Hawk.
It had been a happy time for them. Looking back on it now, it was difficult for him to believe such bliss had been theirs.
But, their marital happiness had lasted only a few moons…three short moons. And, then had come the Crow raid.
Perhaps it was the Creator's work in making this beautiful spectacle of Running Eagle Falls that gave him courage, here in the present day, to see again—within his mind—the disaster that had fallen upon his camp all those years ago.
He had been away from the village, hunting with his almost-cousin, Stands Strong, when, in the twilight of the day, it had occurred:
"Almost-cousin," First Rider said to Stands Strong. "I have a bad feeling which has suddenly taken hold of me. It is a message from Sun, I think, and I fear something bad has come to pass within our camp. Let us not delay in butchering this buffalo cow, and, as quickly as possible, hurry home."
"I feel it, too," replied Stands Strong. "It matters not to me if we leave the kill here and hurry home. We are better needed there, I think."
And so, they had left the elk meat to the four-legged creatures of the plains, and had quickly mounted their horses, leaving the meat as it lay.They had thenruntheir ponies toward camp until their mounts were winded and tired. But, it couldn't be helped, afraid as they both were of Sun's message.
The scent of burning lodges was the first sign that their fears had been correct; all was not well.
And, as they spurred their mounts faster and faster, coming ever closer to the Pikuni encampment, the wind announced the wails of the women and the children. First Rider's heart sank and, looking askance, he could see the same fear etched upon his almost-cousin's countenance.
He and Stands Strong were on the outskirts of the encampment when they were met by a Pikuni war party already mounted and riding furiously, following upon the trail of the enemy.
His almost-brother, Red Fox, being part of the war party, reined in his pony to deliver the message to First Rider and Stands Strong. Red Fox gasped out, "Almost-brother, Almost-cousin, come. Our camp has been raided. We must not delay lest we lose the enemy's trail."
Red Fox went on to tell the story in brief of how the Pikuni camp had been raided at dusk, it having happened during the time when the camp was at ease and enjoying their eveningmeal. The enemy had somehow slipped by the Pikuni scouts, who, had they seen the enemy, would have given warning.
"Come! There is no time to delay!" shouted Red Fox. "The enemy has taken four of our women captive. We must rescue the women!"
Women? The enemy had taken captives?
"Who was taken?" asked First Rider.
"Your wife was one of the kidnapped women," answered Red Fox, the words causing a physical reaction within First Rider, who felt suddenly sick to his stomach.
"And, who else?" asked Stands Strong.
"Set your mind at ease over your woman, my almost-cousin," said Red Fox, answering Stands Strong. "Your woman was not one of the four stolen. She is safe. She and her almost-mother and aunties hid from the enemy, along with several of the other women. But, come, we are on the enemy's trail."
"Who has dared to do this?" asked First Rider.
"The Crow," answered Red Fox. "Come! Hurry! They took our sister, too, Almost-brother."
