Red Bird's Song Read Online Free PDF

“That's wrong."
    "Is it better she dies?” Wicomechee asked.
    "That warrior took part in the murder of Lily's family.” Charity turned to Waupee. “Can you do nothing for her, Mister Dickson?"
    He eyed Charity in sorrowful resignation. “It is Wacuchathi's right to keep Lily, but he doesn't object if I care for her until we reach the village."
    "Why did all of the McCue's have to die?"
    Wicomechee answered simply. “No warrior wanted them."
    "Captives are taken for different reasons,” Waupee said. “Lily was the only one they felt inclined to trouble with."
    "Aren't some captives later tortured, Mister Dickson?” Charity asked with a hitch in her voice.
    "Sometimes in revenge for braves lost in battle. Not you, Miss Edmondson,” he hastened to add. “None of you are destined for torture."
    She shifted uneasily. “And if we were?"
    "I would do all in my power to aid you. Far more captives are adopted into the tribe and treated well than those tortured. Some are also sold or traded."
    The tremble in her lower lip belied the proud tilt of her chin. “You make us sound like slaves."
    "For all intents you are,” Waupee said.
    She started to speak to Wicomechee. The question seemed to falter at the tip of her tongue and she returned again to Waupee. “What will become of me?"
    "You are my brother's captive. Why not ask him?"
    Her gaze averted, she asked, “What if I don't like what Mechee intends?"
    Waupee smiled at her variation of his name. “ Mechee ? You are fast becoming familiar with him, are you not?"
    A pink blush colored her cheeks and crept down her throat. “Even so."
    Wicomechee almost smiled at the telltale flush, but he knew she'd never admit to feeling anything for him beyond loathing. “Fear not. I will not be harsh."
    She refused to meet his eyes. “You were yesterday."
    Annoyance thrust through him. The stubborn, ungrateful—
    Waupee cocked his head at Wicomechee. “What did you do to this fair lady, brother?"
    "Let her speak. She wishes your pity,” he muttered.
    Her eyes flashed. “Why should I speak, Mechee? You will only deny your treatment."
    He lifted his hands, palms up. “What treatment?"
    "I said you'd deny it,” she shot back.
    Wicomechee grasped her smooth cheek and turned her face for Waupee's inspection. “Show NiSawsawh your swollen cheeks, your bloodied mouth. Have you still all your teeth?"
    "My face did not suffer."
    "No? Shall I remove your clothes to show him the bloodied bruises on your back and legs where I beat you?"
    Her auburn brows arched and she stared at him open-mouthed. “Don't you dare."
    "Do not call me cruel with no mark on you. I only made you discover the use of your legs. Endurance will come."
    Wicomechee doubted Charity was appeased, but she said nothing more with him threatening to strip her. If he hadn't been so irritated, he might have chuckled at her shock. He wished they could speak of something besides the strife between them. When she wasn't irate, her soft voice and musical accent was pleasing to his ears.
    Waupee's woman roused from sleep with a moan. She shifted onto her back and circled a hand over her swollen middle. “I might as well have fallen off your horse as sore as I am."
    "I was afraid of that as unaccustomed as you are to riding,” Waupee said gently.
    Even blinking sleepily in the muted light, Emma's gray eyes reproached him. “I never expected the need to keep in form, as though in readiness for riding to hounds. That is an occupation for the idle gentry and rakes."
    Wicomechee pondered the strange reference.
    Waupee smiled faintly. “You'll get no argument from me. What of breakfast? Does that meet with your approval?"
    She sat up with a frown and pushed back tumbled lengths of pale gold hair. “I could do with a wash first. Will you allow me this, sir, or will I swiftly find myself thrust back upon your mount?"
    "We're in no hurry at present. A spring lies not far from the cave. I'll just settle Lily and take you,” he