Running Elk by Elizabeth Anne Porter

Author:Elizabeth Anne Porter [Porter, Elizabeth Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-02-25T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty-Two

Running Elk found Kicking Bird and Gray Eagle together. They seemed subdued as they prepared to ride back to their camp. Running Elk knew the battle hadn’t gone as well as they hoped, but he had heard news that made it impossible not to smile.

“Kicking Bird, wait. I have something to talk to you about,” Running Elk said, attempting to stop the men from mounting their ponies.

Kicking Bird looked towards his brother. “I heard the Kiowa warrior, Little Eagle, was killed. I am sorry for his loss. We lost ten warriors ourselves. So I have to ask, why are you smiling?”

“I am sorry for those who have passed over,” Running Elk said as he dismounted from his horse. “But Little Eagle was not the Kiowa’s true name. Little Eagle is what they call my son. He was named after you, Gray Eagle,” Running Elk explained, keeping most of his excitement to himself.

“Where did you hear these things?” Gray Eagle asked, making himself part of the conversation while he laid his back on his horse. “Have you heard more of Two Fires?”

“The Kiowa who saved my life was in fact Standing Bear. He confessed everything to me while he lay dying. Two Fires stayed with him, but her heart still belongs to me. And I will go retrieve her soon. I have instructed the Kiowa to say nothing to her so I can explain what has happened for myself. Kicking Bird, I have a son,” Running Elk explained.

Kicking Bird hugged his brother. “I will ride into the Kiowa camp with you when you go,” he said, sounding genuinely pleased at his brother’s turn of fortune.

“I would like that. Gray Eagle, would you like to join us?” Running Elk offered.

“Nothing could stop me. I will be well pleased to see Two Fires again. She named the baby after me, uncle. Maybe I hold a special piece of her heart,” Gray Eagle teased.

Running Elk smiled. “You do not need to worry. Her heart is mine. I have loved that woman since the first moment I laid eyes on her. Now, time is the only thing that keeps us apart. So let’s go home and say goodbye to our brother warriors and celebrate my private victory,” he said as he mounted his ride.

Running Elk’s mood remained elevated after he returned to his camp. He immediately began preparing for his reunion with Two Fires and his son. He felt so good about his sudden fortune that he even decided talking to White Wolf and Morning Star wouldn’t try his patience. He found Morning Star first.

While he was shaking his extra furs out, he saw her walking back towards the camp with water bladders in both her hands. The woman looked as if she’d lost weight and appeared to be humming to herself. Running Elk was pleased she was happy.

He quickened his pace and took the containers from her grip.

She stopped walking and humming before casting her eyes downward.

“Morning Star, how have you been?” he asked, gently guiding her face upwards so he could look her in the eye.

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