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It was time to make friends with Black Wolf's people now and she was anxious to learn all she could. But one of the children in camp contracted an illness and for a month she was busy keeping all the children of her new village well. It was what the white man called the mumps, and it seemed most of the children came down with it, one right after another.
She busied herself making a basket for her aunt, so when she visited, she could give it to her.
Anya came to se
e her, and they talked for a long while. "I am glad you are here. I am good with delivering babies, but I don’t have much medical sense about diseases. It is good that you are here."
"I am glad I am here. And I guess I should tell you Anya, I am expecting a child in the middle of winter."
"Oh how wonderful. Does Black Wolf know?"
"Yes, I told him. He was so very happy."
"He has wanted children for a long time. You and him make a good match. He smiles now. For a long time he did not smile. He sought a wife, and none suited him. Until he met you. Must have been love at first sight."
"Yes, in a way it was that way for us both. I thought him so very handsome, and quite bold."
"That's the word for him." Anaya laughed. "Now, if you need anything, please let me know."
"Thank you, it is good to know you are here, too." Sasha chuckled.
"How long do you think they will be gone?"
"I don't know. Big Knife is very clever at hiding. But they must catch him before he starts a big war with the blue coats. If he does that, then we will have a hard time keeping the peace on our reservation."
"Yes, that would be bad for everyone here."
"Yes it would."
"Do you know this Big Knife?" Anya asked.
"Yes, he was the one Black Wolf challenged for my hand in marriage."
"Oh my, and now they hunt him."
"Yes. To keep the peace."
Anya smiled.
"Well, I'm going to pick some berries and make a pie. I better get going."
"Oh, take the south ridge, they grow wild there." Anya told her.
"Thank you, I will."
Sasha took the south trail on foot, feeling a bit of the warm spring air. It was early May and wildflowers decorated the land. To one side of the way was trees, the other side rocks.
She found the berries easily and wrapped them in a cloth to take home. She was nearly done when a hand came over her mouth and someone was dragging her about.
She tried to scream but the dirty hand on her mouth kept her from it.
When they got to the horse, she was able to see it was Big Knife and she tried desperately to run, but he caught her by the shoulders and hauled her atop his horse, then rode away and breakneck speed. She hung on for dear life. He wore nothing more than a breechcloth and leggings and had cut his hair short. He looked different, and his anger made him ugly now, as often anger did that to people.
When he finally lifted his hand, she screamed, "What are you doing? Where are you taking me?"
"Nakota and Black Wolf killed my woman, now I will have you to replace her with."
"Replace her?" she gasped. "Big Knife you are already in enough trouble. Take me back and I won't tell anyone that you tried this."
