Mystic Dreamers by Rosanne Bittner

Author:Rosanne Bittner
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780765384454
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates

MID-DECEMBER 1832

CHAPTER THIRTY

THE PUNGENT SMELL of burning sweet grass met Stalking Wolf’s nostrils, stirring him to an awareness of Moon Painter’s chanting. He breathed deeply, trying to remember why he lay here with the Oglala medicine man praying over him. At first he could remember only terrible pain in his chest and neck, and in his left leg.

Vague visions of Crow warriors attacking him became more vivid as a gradual awakening to reality pushed through his mind. He remembered Peace Maker defending him, saw her stab one of the enemy with the hunting knife he had given her. His wife had fought beside him like a warrior! He remembered his horse falling … and Peace Maker … Peace Maker …

Someone stole her away! The realization of her abduction alarmed him and brought him fully awake. He opened his eyes to see Moon Painter shaking a sacred turtle rattle over his body. The old man chanted a healing prayer, and again Stalking Wolf experienced deep pain without moving a muscle. Just trying to turn his head required great effort. His vision cleared, and then he saw her. Peace Maker! She sat to his left. When she noticed him looking at her, she leaned closer and touched his face. “It is good to see you open your eyes, my husband. I have prayed night and day with Moon Painter that you will be healed.”

Stalking Wolf noticed tears in her eyes. “Your face … cuts … bruises…”

“Do not worry. I will explain when you are stronger. We have much to discuss when you are better.”

Stalking Wolf closed his eyes again. “I … failed you. I am ashamed.” Devastation filled his soul at the memory. Peace Maker took his hand and pressed it to her cheek.

“You did not fail me. You risked your life to defend me. I have never seen a man fight as valiantly and relentlessly as you did, Stalking Wolf.”

He opened his eyes again, noticing that her hair had been shorn above her shoulders. It hung in straggly, uneven clumps. When a woman cut off her hair, it represented great sacrifice, a sign to Wakan-Tanka that she wanted to give something precious of her own, to destroy her beauty if need be, to show how much she cared that her prayers should be answered. “Your hair,” he said, finding it an effort to speak.

“I know now that I care deeply for you,” Peace Maker answered him. “I promise to be a proper wife when you are well.”

Stalking Wolf squeezed her hand weakly. “Then I will try … to heal quickly.” He managed a sly grin, but Peace Maker remained sober.

“There is something that must be done, Stalking Wolf, that I am sorry to say will bring you even more pain. Bad spirits from a Crow warrior’s tomahawk have invaded your body at your right shoulder. The infection is very bad. Moon Painter is preparing to burn the wound. It is the only way to kill the bad spirits and save your life.

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