Page 95 of The Last Warrior

“Who is calling who stubborn?”

He arched a brow at her, winked, then reined in their horse to make its way down the natural rise in the prairie. “I see little evidence of the Thunderer down there. I am glad.”

No sooner had he spoken the words than with a crash, a bolt of lightning struck a barn in the valley and set it afire. Immediately, she heard a call to arms, and men poured out of the arena to gather at the barn. Screams and the neighing of the horses could be heard, even from this distance. It was strange, for only a moment earlier the air had been frigid and still, but now the winds had kicked up, and the tiny, spinning clouds were everywhere.

As they watched, the fire spread to another building. Then came several lightning bolts all at once, one close to the arena, causing the performers in the show to seek cover. Another building was set ablaze.

Already Black Lion was lowering her to the ground. “I must go down there at once. Look yonder. Do you see those whirlwinds? Even as we speak they are touching down within the arena. He means to harm those people. I know you want me to take you with me, but you must see I cannot. I have to hurry, and if you were with me, I might do damage to your child because of this. You must stay here.”

She nodded. “Very well. I understand. Go! And, Black Lion, don’t you dare take chances, and don’t you dare forget I love you.”

Placing a hand alongside her face, he bent down for a quick kiss. “How could I ever forget?”

He didn’t give her time to answer. Instead, straightening away, he was gone.

Black Lion whipped the horse into a full run over the prairie. There were people everywhere, as well as smoke and noise. Indeed, so much commotion was spinning out of control before him that no one took any special notice of him.

Glancing desperately into the arena and around it, Black Lion at last found Two Bears in the middle of the circle. His friend was caught up on the roof of one of the burning buildings. Worse, he was trapped there from all sides.

Where were the rest of the men? Were they concentrating on the fires to the buildings, letting this one burn out of control?

Sprinting into the center of the action, Black Lion urged his horse up close to the settler’s cabin. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a whirlwind descending and touching down within the arena. That the cloud was gray and blue was not a good sign. He had to work fast.

“Kola!” Black Lion called out to Two Bears. There were screams everywhere, from the players as well as the audience, and Black Lion feared his friend might not hear him above the din. “Ito, come,” he called out again. “I am here at the side of this cabin. Kola, ito! Leap through the flames and jump down onto my pony. Now! Do it now! Hurry, before the roof collapses and kills you.”

Rising, Two Bears ran in the direction of Black Lion’s voice.

“Easy, girl,” Black Lion coaxed his pony. “It is almost done.”

On the edge of the roof now, Two Bears took a flying leap through the fire and vaulted down, and, except for catching his ankle, it was a perfect jump.

Two Bears was panting as he said, “Kola! My friend, when did you return?”

“There is no time to explain.” Swinging his leg over the horse, Black Lion jumped to the ground. “Take this pony. On the plains to the north, I left my wife to fend for herself. Go to her now and see to her. Stay with her. Defend her if you must.”

“Hokake! Kola!” Saluting with a quick, fast grip on each other’s arms, the two men straightened up, and while Two Bears kicked the horse in its flanks, Black Lion watched him speed out of the arena.

But only for a moment. He turned back at once to see what had become of the blue and black cloud. His worst fear was realized. It was, indeed, the Thunderer. But the god had spun away from him, and Black Lion could only watch helplessly as the Thunderer flicked his wrist and shot lightning toward the log cabin. The whole structure turned to a blaze.

Were there people within?

“Hokake!” Rushing toward the cabin, Black Lion kicked open the door. Indeed, there was a white woman in that small, little room, one of the show’s actresses, who, instead of fleeing the cabin like she should have done, was cowering inside. Black Lion motioned her to come out, but she seemed to lack the courage. She appeared to be frozen in place. Black Lion darted inside, picked her up and dashed outside with her.

“Go! Leave here at once,” he said, setting her back on her feet.

She needed no further urging, and with a quick “Thank you,” she charged out of the arena as fast as she could.

Again, Black Lion turned to confront the Thunderer, but the god had turned his attention to the canvas-covered bleachers.

There were thousands of people there unable to leave fast enough.

It occurred to Black Lion that he might show this half man, half god kindness, understanding. Even as the thought took hold of him, he watched as the Thunderer struck one of the Indians on the sidelines. The man fell dead.

Enough.

Shouting out his battle cry, Black Lion leaped forward, hurling himself into the blue-and-gray mass that was the Thunderer. Lightning crashed and thunder bellowed above them.

Man and god rolled over and over in the dirt and grass, first one on top, then the other. The Thunderer produced a knife. Black Lion followed suit.