Blaze of Lightning Roar of Thunder by Helen A Rosburg

Author:Helen A Rosburg [Rosburg, Helen A]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781932815641
Google: zp7pMLD5I3gC
Amazon: 1932815643
Publisher: Medallion Press
Published: 2008-07-31T14:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

BY DAY’S END THEY HAD REACHED THE PONDEROSA-pine-clad slopes of the northern Arizona mountains. Shadows were deep beneath the towering trees, and the sound of their horses’ hooves was muffled by the thick carpet of fallen needles on the forest floor. Startled squirrels raced up tree trunks, tails twitching. A jay scolded them for their trespass and, as the moon rose, they heard the howl of a wolf, and the answer of his mate.

Blaze wondered if Bane had plans to stop for the night. They had halted only once during the long day, to water the horses at a thin stream. They had chewed on some of the dried meat he kept in his pack to keep themselves going, but Blaze wasn’t sure how much longer she was going to last. It never occurred to her to ask. She neither wished to disturb the comfortable silence between them, nor appear to question Bane in any way. Her trust in him was implicit. It disturbed her only a little, and only because she thought it probably should. She had, after all, entrusted her life to, and joined her destiny with, a near-total stranger.

It didn’t matter. He had saved her life, and more than once probably. He had lain with her to give her life and warmth, not take her honor. He had provided for her, guided her, had even comforted her in his way. Still, none of those things mattered, Blaze realized. She would have trusted him anyway. There was simply something within the man, something at his core, that she connected with. And it had nothing to do with the blood quests they shared.

The howling of wolves had become the chorus of the night. An owl swooped suddenly from the branches of a pine and disappeared into the darkness to the eerie, whistling flap of wings. The moon was a bright silver crescent amid its attendant stars. Blaze’s eyelids fluttered closed.

She awoke to find herself slipping from the saddle into Bane’s arms. He set her gently on her feet, and looked into her eyes to make sure she was awake. Then he released her and walked away. To her puzzlement, he began to dig in the soft earth with the wicked-looking blade of the knife he wore at his waist. She noticed, once her senses had fully returned, that he worked at the base of a pine that bore a subtle slash mark.

In a few minutes, Bane pulled a large, irregular bundle from the trench he had dug in the earth. It appeared to be buffalo hide. He unwrapped it and spread the contents before him. Blaze was amazed.

There was more jerky; “Venison, buffalo,” Bane informed her. There was also pemmican and an assortment of dried berries, ammunition, three canteens of water, and a change of clothes, beaded deerskin similar to what Bane wore now. He sat back on his haunches and gestured.

“Eat,” he said simply. “It is far to the next banquet I have laid by.”

Blaze knelt at his side, an incredulous smile trying to form on her lips.

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