Harvest Flower

Love or Death

Running Wolf could smell the smoke of a dying fire, the darkness hiding the cliffs above. He could feel the tension building with each silent step he made. The soft clop of a horse's steps pulling him to halt his steps.

He crouched down behind a small bush concealing himself from the view of who ever approached. Gray Eagle and Blue Wing quickly followed, doing the same on each side of the path. They watched with trained eyes as the lazy steps grew closer. Gray Eagle spotted the lone horse first, it's reins dragging the ground. The horses head close to the ground  using its muzzle to feel its way. Gray Eagle whistled in a short bird like fashion, giving the signal all is clear. They all stood and walked out into the path causing the the horse to snatch its head in a sudden stop. Blue Wing held his hand out slowly moving forward. The horse backed away with frightened eyes darting in every direction. It let out a terrified screech and almost dashed away.

Blue Wing grabbed the reins holding the spooked horse in a tight grip. He whispered soothing words, and soon the horse stood calmly. Running Wolf and Gray Eagle quickly moving back to back watching for any sign of attack.

That's when Running Wolf heard it. A soft whimper not far behind the the horse. He looked up and found the outline of the small overhang. He pointed to Gray Eagle silently telling him to move to the opposite side of the camp. They moved quickly, Blue Wing standing guard on the path, holding the horses reins in one hand and his knife in the other.

Running Wolf notched an arrow in his bow and moved closer to brush circling the camp. The soft whimper stopped and a womans smooth voice reached his ears, telling someone to be still.

He felt his heart jump at the sight that greeted him. His wife and sister knelt together a short distance from a dark body. The red coals sparking as they died. Running Wolf stepped out at the same time Gray Eagle did.

Harvest Flower gasped in shock with the sudden appearance of two men. It took her just a moment to recognize Running Wolf and her heart jumped with joy. She let out a cry of relief and quickly stood pulling Singing Fox up with her.

"Running Wolf!" Her cry breathy and filled with relief.

Running Wolf quickly closed the distance in two strides, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close. She let her tears fall silently on his shoulder. The feel of his arms around her erasing the fear and sadness.

Singing Fox whipped her tears and watched Gray Eagle check Standing Elk's body. He looked up and nodded with approval and made his way over to Running Wolf.

"Standing Elk is dead. We return to the village." Gray Eagle said placing a hand on Singing Fox's lower back.

She let him guide her to where Blue Wing waited, the horse now nuzzling his shoulder. Singing Fox's limp made Gray Eagle frown. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her. Running Wolf still stood holding his wife closely, his bow on the ground at his feet.

"Are you hurt?" His voice was deep and low in her ear.

She pulled back to look in his eyes, "He. He tried to." Her voice broke and new tears fell from her eyes, "Singing Fox saved me. He didn't." She sobbed once and hugged him tightly lowering her head to his shoulder once more.

Running Wolf stroked her back gently whispering soft words in her ear. He pulled away from her long enough to pick up his bow and sling it over his shoulder with his quiver. Her frightened look causing rage to build.

He picked her up and held her to his chest quickly joining Gray Eagle and Blue Wing. Singing Fox lay limply in Gray Eagle's arms.

They quickly found their camp and settled down by the fire. Both Harvest Flower and Singing Fox slept soundly.

Running Wolf eyed Rising Bear who slept still tied to the tree. It would be dawn soon and Rising Bear would meet his fate with the first light.

Harvest Flower tossed her head in her sllep a soft whimper on her lips. Running Wolf stroked her hair and she tensed opening her eyes. The flash of fear lasting only a moment before she relaxed under his gentle touch. Her soft smile touched his heart and he gathered her onto his lap, his hand resting on her stomach.

"Our child is well?" He soft asked placing a kiss on the top of her head.

She snuggled into his arms her hand lightly covering his. "It still grows."

He held her for a moment before laying her back down. He laid down beside her pulling her to his chest. The thought of her growing large with his child filled him with joy. Her even breathing and relaxed grip eased his anger. His eyes moved back to Rising Bear, would she hate him if he killed her brother. Rising Bear could not go unpunished. His actions put Harvest Flower in danger, and must not be forgiven so easily.

Dawn broke throwing pink and orange lights in sky. Running Wolf, careful not to wake Harvest Flower, got up and help his men ready the horses and break camp. Rising Bear now tied by the wrists to walk behind the horses on a leash. Once the horses were ready Running Wolf woke Harvest Flower while Gray Eagle woke Singing Fox. The journey would be short now that they didnt not have to proceed with caution. Gray Eagle helped Singing Fox mount Rising Bear's horse. The stolen horse was led with no rider. Running Wolf refusing to let Harvest Flower ride alone.

He held her in front of him leading the way back home. No one asked questions or treated Running Wolf any different for showing such care for his wife. Every warrior took pride in their wives, they created life and women held important roles. If a women showed her strengths she could even be named chief.

Harvest Flower looked back over her Running Wolf's shoulder at Rising Bear. She bit her lower lip with a small amount of worry when he missed his step and tripped. His body lurched but the tight rope jerked him forward causing him to somewhat run to catch up or be dragged. The warrior in charge of his leash never looked back or showed concern.

Running Wolf watched the emotions play on her face, his words meant to sooth her sounded harsh, "He stole something I love dearly. He must be punished. I will not kill him because he is your brother, but I will not show mercy. His crime is to great to let pass."

Her eyes met his and she nodded. "I understand and I thank you for his life. He only cares to much, more than a brother should."

Running Wolf straightened his back and looked straight ahead. "You are mine and I will never let you go. His feelings mean nothing."

She looked forward not seeing the path, her thoughts to deep. Her next sentence pulling him from his anger.

"Running Wolf, I love you too."

She looked up at him meeting his eyes that softened with her words. He put the reins in the hand that wrapped around her to hold her to him. His free hand now holding her cheek. He tilted her face up and kissed her lips hungrily. She kissed back wrapping her arms around his neck and opening her lips for him to enter with his tongue.

They battled with their mouths and soon found themselves halted by the side of the path. The warriors and a brightly smiling Singing Fox passing them by. They broke apart Harvest Flower panting and out of breath.

Running Wolf smiled and softly kissed her forehead. "You make this man happy."

Harvest Flower smiled shyly and placed small kisses along his bare chest. His muscles rippling when he nudged the horse back to a walk. She slowly explored each one with her hand causing him to pull the horse to a stop once more.

His chest vibrated with his husky voice, "We will not make it back to the village before dark if you continue."

She rested her cheek on his warm skin. "Take me home Running Wolf, our home."

He set his heels into the sides of the horse. The sudden jolt of its fast movement sending Harvest Flower's hair into a gold flag in the wind over Running Wolf's shoulder. They quickly caught up with the group trotting back to the front. Singing Fox's smile still bright and trained on them.