“Be quick and tell them that this is not the same sort of thunderstorm they are accustomed to.”
Again Julian nodded.
Swift Hawk stared hard at the young man. “Have you ever experienced the whirling winds? The Wind Spirit of the prairie?”
“Wind Spirit? No,” said Julian. “Do you mean a twister?”
“Perhaps. I do not know what the white man calls these things.”
“If you are talking about what I think you are, they are called twisters. And, yes, I have read of these prairie winds.”
“Good, then you have knowledge of the damage that they can do?”
“I do.”
With his right hand, Swift Hawk made a quick motion outward, saying, “E-peva’e, good. Tell those in the caravan that they are to search quickly for low ground, and they are to go there and stay there until the storm has blown itself out.”
“Yes.”
“A coulee or deep valley will do as a shelter. The mules, oxen, the wagons—everyone and everything must go into that shelter. The winds and debris will likely blow over a coulee without causing it damage. Tell them this. Do you understand?”
“Yes. I will tell them.”
Again, Swift Hawk made a motion outward. “E-peva’e.Go now.”
As Julian pulled away, Swift Hawk patted the horse’s rump. For a moment, looking up at the young man, Swift Hawk experienced a sense of loss, but it was not because he feared for Julian. No, if only it were that easy.
Rather his response was due to her. Julian reminded him too greatly of Angelia, his Little Sunshine.
Seven suns it had been. For the cycle of seven suns, he had stayed away from her.
Presently Red Fox joined him, his gaze, too, following Julian. “My friend, you would send the boy on such an errand?”
“He is a man, let us not forget that.” Swift Hawk spoke without turning around. “And in truth, I think the white men will be more inclined to believe him than either you or me.”
“Perhaps.” Red Fox chuckled. “But that is not the reason that you have sent him, when you could have gone to the wagon train yourself.”
Swift Hawk raised an eyebrow.
“For many days now you have not sought out the fair-haired woman.” Red Fox grinned. “And this from a man who in the past has braved many a dark night in order to return to her side.”
Though he knew his friend teased, Swift Hawk didn’t reply, and he began to pace toward one of the fallen buffalo.
With a few long strides, Red Fox caught up with him and kept to a similarly paced gait. “As you might remember, my purpose here is to help you attain what you must, and though I am young, to give you counsel. For many moons we have been friends. So I would ask you, my friend, have you had a change of heart? Or perhaps had another vision?”
“Hova’ahane,” Swift Hawk admitted. “I have not.”
“Saaaa.” Red Fox chuckled once more.
Swift Hawk blew out his breath, and stopping, he turned to his friend. “You are my friend, in truth, and your counsel is wise. But tell me, why do you tease?”
Staring off to the side, out toward the prairie, it took Red Fox more than a few moments before he spoke. “Our people have long observed that the wolf takes but one female for his mate. We have seen, also, that if tragedy should befall his mate, he will mourn her loss for the rest of his life.”
Swift Hawk stared hard at his friend.
“I think that in regard to this woman, you share many traits with the wolf.”
“Perhaps,” said Swift Hawk. “But there is a difference.Sheis not my wife.” Pivoting, Swift Hawk resumed his pace toward the buffalo.
