Scratching on the flap over the entryway, Czanna bade the caller to come in, and, pulling back the flap and stepping over it, Liliann came face-to-face with First Rider.
"My woman, you…find me," said First Rider.
Liliann gazed down and bit her lip, choking back her tears.
"Come, sit with us." It was Czanna who issued the invitation. "We were discussing the journey your husband is to soon take. My man wishes to share this journey with yours. But, I am so close to giving birth to our second child, my husband fears to leave camp. We have suggested the idea of Red Fox going with him, but Red Fox is away from camp, having joined a war party against the Assiniboine. But, please come in and take your place next to your man while I finish preparing our evening meal."
"I thank thee for your suggestion, and I should like to be helpin' thee with the evenin' meal, right enough," voiced Liliann as she paced around the circle toward her friend, not sparing a look at First Rider.
"And, I would, indeed, enjoy your help," said Czanna.
Soon, the two women were engaged in the evening meal's preparation. No words were spoken during this time, nor wereany words necessary. And, it took no genius for Liliann to realize they all four were well aware of the problem. But, the silence couldn't last, and, as soon as their supper was over and she and Czanna had cleaned up, Stands Strong was the first to speak. He asked, "Do you journey to the Two Medicine soon?"
First Rider answered with a simple head bob.
"Are you going by the southern trail over the mountains? The same trail which the mountain tribes take to come to our beautiful prairie and steal our ponies?"
"Áa," answered First Rider.
"The trail should be easy to find during this season," said Stands Strong. "There is only one place where the trail is treacherous, and I know you know it."
"Áa, áa."
"The rest, since you go alone, would be best done at night."
"Áa.Soka'pii."
Said Stands Strong, "I will do as you ask and will hunt for your woman and watch over her while you are away. I am certain your almost-father and almost-brothers will do this, also."
"It's true," said Czanna to Liliann, "that our families will watch over you, my dearest friend, but I will also be here for you should you need anything."
"Again, I thank thee, Almost-sister and Almost-brother," replied Liliann. "But, I'll not be needin' thy help since I will not be in camp, either."
"Not in camp?" Czanna asked. "How is this so? Do you intend staying, then, with your father?"
"Indeed not," answered Liliann, and her voice was barely over a whisper when she added, "I'll be goin' with me own husband."
And, to the startled silence within her friend's lodge, Liliann arose and, without another word, trod to the entrance,stepped over the lower flap and paced out into the grayish haze of night.
