Page 88 of The Last Warrior

“I am uncertain I agree. If I walk away from you when I could stay and help, how could I ever think well of myself? To seek my own safety when someone dear to me is in danger? How could I live with myself?”

“But—”

“And if I do not think well of myself, how could I raise my child to value a life of honor and integrity, when clearly I have not?”

Black Lion swallowed hard. An intense silence filled their tiny shelter. When at last he did speak, he said, “Courage can take many forms, and a man sometimes forgets a woman, too, can show great fortitude. Therefore, much as I disagree with you, I must honor you, for it is not my place to spurn an act of valor. So I will pay tribute to your decision. But be aware that if you stay here, I will guard you more closely than I have ever done in the past, because if something were to happen to you, I would not want to live in this world. Without you, my heart would be heavy. Know that if one of us must die, it will be me.”

“No one is going to die,” she said. Then, with more conviction, “No one. In my dream, when I was talking back to the Thunderer, I little understood why I was holding my ground and refusing to do as he asked. But now I think I know. It is because I love you, and if I can help you, I will.”

She loved him. She had actually said it. She loved him.

Despite the solemness of their conversation and the danger which now hung over them, she had declared her love, and a feeling of utter happiness surged through him.

Picking up her hand, Black Lion kissed each one of her fingers. “And I love you.”

“Do you?” She raised an eyebrow, as though she might doubt the truth of his words.

“I do.”

She smiled at him happily. “I have one more question. Why do you think the Thunderer believes I am a danger to him? Would he only be trying to confuse me, or is there a reason?”

“Hau, there is a reason, I think. It is my opinion he believes you know the song.”

“The song? What song?”

“Perhaps I should have confided this to you before now, but since we are speaking openly, let me confess the deepest secret of my soul. In order to end the curse for my people, I seek a sacred song.”

“Indeed? A sacred song? Yes, I remember when you once sang for me. It was on the night we wed.” She cleared her throat. “Is the song you sang for me then the same one?”

“Hiya, no, it is not. I can never sing the sacred song until it is presented to me by another, at which time I must raise my voice and chant along with the person who is singing it and not omit a word or make a mistake. If I can do this, the song itself will pierce through the hatred the Thunderer bears for myself and my people. You see, the song will melt the barriers between us and place love in the Thunderer’s heart. If I can find this song, it will save my people.” His words were solemn, yet he smiled ever so slightly at her. “My spirit protector has shown me this song. It is a white man’s melody. Yet, besides its theme and words, I know nothing of it.”

“A white man’s song? Well, now I see the danger I present to your enemy, for I know many white-man songs.”

“I am certain you do, and it has been a hope of mine that either you or your grandmother might sing the sacred melody at some occasion when I am in your presence, for I will recognize it at once.”

“But why wait for us to originate it? If you could hum a few bars, I could⁠—”

“I cannot do what you ask of me. Until the time the song is presented to me, to sing the melody to anyone who may not know it would end my chance to help my people forever. And though you might remember many songs, if you do not have knowledge of this particular one…”

“I understand.” A look of cognizance came over her gradually. “Excuse me for asking again, but it is definitely a white man’s song?”

“It is.”

“Is there any reason to keep me from singing as we travel?”

“Hiya, there is none, except our safety.”

“Then perhaps I will start serenading you a little more often.”

“Waste. This would indeed be good.”

They shared a quiet smile, and shortly thereafter, Black Lion ended their counsel. He would have said more, but he didn’t know how to voice his fears.

He was afraid for her. But all he could do at this moment was wait and watch and try to protect. Though she may not believe there was any danger, he knew differently.

At least they had settled one matter between them. They loved each other, and this was, indeed, more valuable to him than even his own life.

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