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“I know where the outlaws make their hideout,” Two Stones spoke up, drawing Thunder Horse’s eyes quickly to him. “I forced it out of the man who was left behind before he took his last breath.”
“That is good,” Thunder Horse said, nodding. He glanced toward the cave, then back at his warriors. “Two of you stay and protect my father. I have placed his body far back at a private place in the cave. We will come back later to roll the boulder in place.”
Jessie’s eyebrows rose in wonder. Why didn’t he close up the cave entrance now instead of later? It would seem that it would be best to finalize the burial in that way, rather than risk someone else coming and possibly doing more harm.
But she said nothing, for she knew that Thunder Horse thought through the decisions he made very carefully. Surely he had thought of the possible consequences of not sealing up the cave before leaving.
Thunder Horse nodded to several of his warriors. “You . . . you . . . you . . .” he said. “Come with me.”
Jessie’s pulse raced as she waited for him to tell her what she should do. When he did look her way, she stepped up to him.
“May I go with you?” she asked. “Thunder Horse, please let me.”
“That is not wise,” he said firmly. He took both of her hands in his. “My woman, what I have planned must be done by me and my warriors. It is not best that you join us. You have already done more than you should. It is not good for your unborn child. Please stay. I will be back soon to roll the boulder across the opening of the cave.”
She questioned him with her eyes, again wondering why he was delaying closing up the cave. But she knew that it was not her place to question his decisions about anything. And she was deeply touched by his concern about her baby.
“You understand why I do not wish you to come, do you not?” Thunder Horse asked, searching her eyes. “You must reserve your strength for the long journey ahead. Stay here with my warriors, and I will return soon.”
She was still curious to know what his plans were, but again sensed it was not her place to ask him. She knew it was important to do as he asked since he had made the request in front of his warriors.
“Yes, I see why I shouldn’t go with you,” Jessie said. She flung herself into his arms and clung to him. “Thunder Horse, please be careful.”
“I will be gone for only a short while,” he said, holding her close. “But then I will have to leave again.”
“Where are you going now?” she asked, her eyes now looking into his.
“To your cousin’s house,” he said.
She could hardly control the shiver that raced up and down her spine, for she knew that Reginald was soon to reap what he had sown. This time he would not suffer mere nightmares.
“And . . . then . . . ?” she murmured, swallowing hard. “Are . . . you . . . going to find the outlaws’ hideout?”
He nodded. “I cannot leave anything to chance,” he said thickly. “All who had a role in today’s attack must die.”
Again shivers raced up and down Jessie’s spine.
She gave him a last hug, then stepped away from him.
A warrior brought Thunder Horse’s horse to him. Another handed him the quiver of arrows they had brought from his lodge, and his huge, powerful bow.
Jessie looked at the deadly arrows and knew that today they would be savage arrows, used to avenge those who had died.
She didn’t want to envision her cousin dying in such a way. Yet she knew he deserved whatever happened to him today.
As Thunder Horse and his warriors rode away at a hard gallop, Jessie replayed scenes of her past inside her mind . . . moments when she had enjoyed Reginald’s company and loved him as a cousin.
It was hard to remember that time, though. More recent ugliness kept getting in the way.
She sat down on the ground, but the warriors who had been left behind to guard the cave stood stoic and silent, their eyes ever watchful as they scanned the land around them.
At loose ends in his empty house, Reginald had come out to check his horses, taking the time to brush his favorite steed. He stepped out of the stable, then stopped stock still.
The blood drained from his face when he found Thunder Horse standing there, blocking his way, an arrow notched on his bowstring.
“You! . . .” Reginald gasped, taking a step back from Thunder Horse.
Then several warriors came up from behind the stable on their steeds, their bowstrings also notched with arrows.
