Wolf Dreamer by Madeline Baker

Author:Madeline Baker [Baker, Madeline]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Butterfly Kisses Press
Published: 2017-07-06T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

Rebecca stared at the Indian lodges that were spread in a wide circle in a high mountain meadow. A winding river made a dark ribbon of blue against the green grass. Stands of tall timber provided wood for their fires. She saw men and women engaged in a number of activities. Children ran between the lodges or swam in the river. Dogs slept in the shade. A little boy was throwing a stick for a puppy. Thin columns of blue-gray smoke rose from several conical tipis. Horses grazed on the thick grass, or stood head to tail, heads drooping in the sun.

It was a peaceful scene and yet it filled her with trepidation. She would be a stranger here, an outsider. The enemy.

She glanced at Wolf Dreamer, surprised to see that he, too, seemed filled with trepidation. While she was wondering at its cause, he urged his horse forward.

Taking a deep breath, she followed him toward the village. She looked down at her dress. The hem was tom and dirty, the bodice was stained with milk. She lifted a hand to her hair. It was dirty and hung in a tangled mess down her back and over her shoulders. She wished suddenly that she had a clean dress, that she could wash and comb her hair, and then wondered why she cared. She didn’t want to be here with them, and she was certain they would not want her here.

Men, women and children looked up as they rode into the camp. Most of the people looked surprised, a few merely curious. As though drawn by the same string, they fell into step behind Wolf Dreamer’s horse and followed him through the camp.

He pulled up in front of a large tipi that was decorated with stars and moons and a brilliant yellow sun. A faint whisper of gray smoke rose from the smoke hole.

Wolf Dreamer had no sooner dismounted than a man stepped out of the lodge. He was a very old man. His face was lined and wrinkled, his hair completely gray.

He stared at Wolf Dreamer through watery black eyes.

Rebecca’s gaze moved over the people who had gathered around. No one spoke. Even the children were quiet.

A long sigh escaped the old Indian’s lips. “Wolf Dreamer has returned to us. Truly, Wakan Tanka has answered my prayers this day.” Taking a step forward, the old man embraced Wolf Dreamer.

“Hohahe, le mita kola.” Welcome, my friend. “Pilamaya, leksi.”

“Your lodge awaits you.”

“How did you know … ?”

“The spirits told me you were coming.” The old man looked up at Rebecca. His gaze moved over her for a long time and then he nodded. “So, you have found her.”

Wolf Dreamer nodded. “It is as the gray wolf foretold. She is the other half of my soul. She will be the mother of my son.”

“She does not want to be here.”

“No.”

Rebecca frowned. It was obvious they were discussing her; she only wished she knew what they were saying.

The old man lifted his arms. “My people, Wolf Dreamer has returned to us.

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