“See how there’s a line of broken stalks?” He pointed again, his head inclining.
“Oh! Yes, I do see!”
“That’s the tribe. They’ve passed through recently.”
“How do you know it’s not soldiers?”
“Because,” he said, tapping his temple, “I know.”
True to his word, an hour later, tendrils of smoke wisped into the air in the distance, and the comforting sight of teepees met my eyes.
“Hurry!” I told Marcellious. “You found it!”
Emily and Marcellious urged their horses to a canter.
I bounced along behind Marcellious.
When we entered the encampment, tribal people spilled from their dwellings and surrounded us.
“You’re back!” someone said in Sioux.
“We knew you’d return safely,” said another.
I glanced at Emily. “They’re acting kindly toward us. I wonder what happened while we were gone. They wanted us out of here.”
“I know. I don’t quite understand, but I’m happy,” Emily whispered.
Earth Bear stepped from the chief’s teepee and lifted his hand in greeting. “A-ho, friends!”
He helped Emily and me from the horses, then Marcellious dismounted.
“We are happy for your safe return,” Earth Bear said to Marcellious, warmly embracing him.
“As am I,” Marcellious said, returning the hug.
This Marcellious, this lovely warm guy, was far different from the Marcellious who had left the tribe with us. I glanced at Emily, but she stared straight ahead.
Something had happened between Marcellious and Emily while I was away with Roman. But now was not the time nor place to ask her about it. Roman was in danger, and I needed answers.
“Where is Swift Hawk?” Earth Bear asked.
“Roman is held captive. It’s a long story, and Olivia will have to explain it to you,” Emily said.
“The chief is waiting for you,” Earth Bear said to me. “Come.”
My weak legs shook as I followed him into the hide-covered dwelling.
The chief peered at me through his rheumy eyes inside the dimly-lit dwelling. “Olivia! You are unwell. You need to see a healer.”
“No, no. What I am is desperate!” I fell to my knees before him. “We haven’t much time, chief. Roman may already be dead.”
I clasped my hands before me.
Grey Feather frowned. “What has happened?”
“Roman’s been captured. We both were, but Balthazar let me go with the promise he’d keep Roman safe until I returned with my mother’s journal! I have no idea where it is, or where Roman is, or—”
The chief put up a gnarled hand and patted the air before him. “One thought at a time, please.”
