Elaine Barbieri Read Online Free PDF

she moved restlessly in the pale column of light streaming through the smoke outlet of his lodge. She was thin, almost fragile in appearance, her legs long where they protruded from the oversized shirt she wore. Her muddied features were almost obscured by wild, matted clumps of sun-colored hair that lay across her cheek, and her lower lip was swollen to twice its size. Through the night, she had stirred, moaning softly each time the injured side of her head touched the mat underneath her. Yet she had not complained when he had pulled her down from his horse earlier that evening and marched her through the camp so all might see who had emerged from their encounter the victor.
    Shadow Walker recalled that the girl had not looked atRattling Blanket when they’d walked past the old squaw’s lodge, and that she had held her head high despite the laughter of the children. He knew her humiliation was complete when they reached the edge of the camp and she then raced to a spot where she had retched until her stomach was emptied.
    She was staggering on shaky legs when he drew her to a halt at his lodge and ushered her inside. One look into her light eyes and he could see that her senses were reeling. When she finally sat on the sleeping bench behind her, he had known it was because her legs could no longer support her. Her struggle to stand again failed, but her chin was firm when her gaze sought his.
    She displayed the courage of a lion, although she was little more than a child.
    The girl still slept.
    Cautiously, Shadow Walker stood up. Resolute, he slipped out of the lodge. He walked swiftly toward the place where a younger brave had turned out his horses to graze for the night. He had reached his favorite mount when the animal’s nervous whinny alerted him to a sound behind him. He turned abruptly, his hand moving to the knife at his waist in a blur of movement that halted when he saw the warrior approaching him.
    Wary, Shadow Walker studied Spotted Bear’s countenance as he neared. He did not recall the exact day when hehad looked into Spotted Bear’s eyes and
realized
that the youthful competition between them had become more than that. He knew now, however, that although they often rode together, Spotted Bear’s jealousy of his fame as a warrior had become a silent menace. Yet presently, what was foremost in Shadow Walker’s mind was the realization that except for the moment when Spotted Bear’s horse had stumbled, allowing Shadow Walker’s mount to take the lead, it would have been Spotted Bear who had captured the girl instead of himself. That fact had gained import in his mind the previous evening when he had noted Spotted Bear’s expression as the girl marched past him.
    Halting beside him, Spotted Bear prodded, “You awaken before the women this day.”
    Shadow Walker’s response was cold. “As you do.”
    The glimmer of derision in Spotted Bear’s eyes could not be missed as he said, “You prepare your horse. Do you hope to escape the criticism your captive has brought upon you?”
    “I do not fear criticism.”
    “Your captive mocks you with her behavior.”
    “My captive has learned that is not wise.”
    “She makes a joke of your gift to Rattling Blanket.”
    “A mistake she will not repeat.”
    “She scorns our people and our ways, and causes those in the camp who looked to you as a great warriorto question their wisdom.”
    Shadow Walker replied, “What do you want, Spotted Bear?”
    His expression tightening, Spotted Bear said, “Red Shirt remains a prisoner in the white man’s fort and those close to him prepare to respond to the white man’s treachery. Those close to Red Shirt look to you for guidance.”
    “Those close to Red Shirt respect and await White Horse’s word.”
    “Your warrior status diminishes as you wait.”
    “I serve the Cheyenne way, not my own desires.”
    “The people laugh at you.”
    “Only children and fools laugh when laughter brings retribution.”
    “The