Wind Warrior (Historical Romance) by Constance O'Banyon Page B

wondered what Aunt Cora was doing at the moment. Had Uncle Matt gone to war? Despite her determination not to forget her old life, many things were becoming distant memories. In the beginning Rain Song had stayed true to her vow to remember details about her life before she had become a captive. But lately she often forgot her nightly ritual of repeating her white name. The past was slipping away from her as she became more immersed in the Blackfoot way of life.
    “I have heard Spotted Flower is expecting her second child,” Tall Woman observed. “I have also heard she is not happy about it.”
    “She has reason to be unhappy. Everyone knows Charging Bull beats her,” Rain Song said, looking into Tall Woman’s eyes. “I would not want to live with a man like him.”
    “Daughter, not all Blackfoot men are like Charging Bull, just as not all white men are like the ones who killed my daughter. Spotted Flower brings much of the harm on herself. It is said she complains and rebels against her husband. I have seen for myself that she neglects her baby daughter, and Yellow Bird has taken the child as her own.”
    Rain Song scooped up the crushed berries and added them to the meat mixture. “In many ways I pity her—she saw her mother die, and she does not know if the rest of her family escaped the day we were taken captive. Then she was forced to be the wife of a man she fears and despises. I would act no differently if I were in her place.”
    “Yes, you would, daughter. You are nothing like her.”
    “Do you think…will I…be forced to wed a man I do not like?”
    Tall Woman looked pensive. “If it is within my power, you will only be given to a man you admire.”
    “Whenever Dull Knife is in the village, he watches me, and it frightens me.”
    “I like him no more than you do,” Tall Woman admitted. “Just make certain you are never alone with him,” she warned.
    Feeling relieved, Rain Song took more dried berries from her doeskin bag and began pounding them into powder. She was startled when Broken Lance entered the tipi, took his bow from a hook, and paused to speak to his wife.
    “There is trouble. Wind Warrior has warned that we will be flooded and lives will be lost if we do not move the village away from the river.”
    Tall Woman looked puzzled. “Why is there trouble? Wind Warrior’s advice is always sound.”
    The chief was silent for a moment, gathering his thoughts. “Dull Knife has challenged his brother and called him a coward. He says anyone who follows Wind Warrior is also a coward. I must try to keep the brothers from disturbing the peace of thevillage. People are divided in their loyalties. Most of them will follow Wind Warrior, but some have decided to remain behind with Dull Knife.”
    “Which brother will we follow, my husband?”
    “My concern is for the people,” he said, his eyes dropping to his wife’s extended waistline. “I will heed Wind Warrior’s warning.”
    “We always knew the day would come when those two brothers would go head to head.”
    Broken Lance nodded. “That day is here. I go now to speak to the elders.” He turned his attention to Rain Song. “Help your mother break camp and load the travois. We depart at sunup tomorrow.”
    Tall Woman watched her husband leave. “I had thought to have my baby here in this place, where I was born.”
    Quickly mixing the last of the pemmican so she could pack up the tipi, Rain Song asked, “Do you believe Wind Warrior?”
    “I do. He would not have us move the village unless there was a good reason. The difference between the two brothers is Dull Knife runs among the buffalo to show the other warriors his courage so he can boast about it—Wind Warrior helps our warriors find the herds so we will not starve.”
    “Why would anyone trust Dull Knife?”
    Tall Woman bent to fold a robe. “Trust him or not, he is a great warrior. His friends, who are also strong warriors, accept his opinion. I fear for the safety of their