Her scream was lost in the night as the sound of two gunshots rent the night sky. Elaina watched with horror as her husband’s lifeless body fell into the river with a splash. He was close enough that she could see the bullet hole at the center of his head.
“Find her, no matter what it takes!” Grimsson’s words echoed in the night.
Elaina felt life draining out of her as across the distance, she stared at her dead husband. “Love again!” his words rang in her head. He had known he would die. That reasoning of his to convince her had just been bullshit. He had known that Grimsson would never keep him alive and he knew she knew. That was why he had… he had pushed her and...
The woman gasped as breathing became difficult for her.The current and the rain was pushing her upstream and she did not fight it anymore. All she could see was the starless night sky and the pale face of the man she loved. Until, there was nothing but darkness and pain. She saw nothing for she was gone.
Chapter Six
The axe swung through the air repeatedly, splitting the logs into smaller pieces of wood. The mechanical motion continued despite the beads of sweat that ran down Running Wolf's bare back and chest. Repeatedly, he split the wood, oblivious to everything going on around him. Even the darkening of the sky above did not faze him. The first few drops of rain hit the earth before he finally looked up to the sky. He ran a hand through his hair and tilted his head as he watched the clouds. It was going to be heavy. He could feel it.
“Only you would be breaking wood while it rains, Running Wolf,” a familiar voice said from behind him.
“Why are you here, Chito?” Running Wolf asked, not sparing his friend a look.
“You know, you should be grateful to me. I am the only one who still comes to check on you. Everyone else is scared of your chilly moods.”
Running Wolf quirked a brow, “Atola was here yesterday, and she is not the first of the women.”
Chito rolled his eyes, “That is different. The women are crazy about you. They do not count, old friend.”
“You didn’t come here to talk about my visitors. And I know the village is not under threat. So, why are you here?” Running Wolf inquired as he raised the axe again.
“I came to check on a friend, what else? Talk about being a good friend in this day. Is it wrong to check on you?”
“I do not want visitors. You know that already, yet every week you return. My instructions are not difficult to follow.”
“You keep turning me back and I keep returning. You should know when to give up, Running Wolf. Wait, is this how you turned the women away?” Chito frowned.
“It is. I have no business with them.”
Chito's frown deepened, “You just turned them away? Running Wolf! What happened to lying with two, three of them? That will certainly give you a boost!”
The axe dangled at his side as in a cold voice, Running Wolf said, “I have no business spilling my oats in any woman.”
“What on earth are you talking about, Running Wolf? Don’t tell me you do not plan to remarry?”
“What is the point? I had all I needed and it was taken away. That tells me that I am not meant to have it,” Running Wolf said with a shrug.
“Do not be ridiculous. Bad things happen in life, and that is how it has been destined. But that does not mean you have been destined to be alone for the rest of your life. This is just a stage in your life.”
Running Wolf turned to his friend with intense brown eyes. “Everything was taken away from me because I tried to have more than I should. I am not supposed to have a family. I am destined to be alone. I know that now and I do not plan to lead anyone else to death.”
“My friend, I think you are being hasty with your decision. Your mother’s death was no fault of yours, and your father, not to justify his death, but he was old. And Fala and your baby, their deaths were unfortunate, but it happens. You have to pick yourself up and move on.”
“Unfortunate yes, but it all happened to me. I buried everyone I’ve ever cared for, Chito. There is a message there. I won’t ignore it any longer.”
“Running Wolf, open your mind to other chances. I know you didn’t love Fala but you cared about her. We can join you with another woman in the village and...”
“This conversation is over,” Running Wolf said firmly, his eyes blazing.
“It’s been seven months of pain, of brooding, of isolation.Do you really have no plans of returning to the village? How about your vision quest?”
“If the village ever needs me, I will be there. I am just a stone’s throw away. Till then, I have found my refuge here, on the outskirts. I deserve this, to be alone. And for my vision quest, I will go soon, in a few days.”
“You do not deserve this, being on the outskirts. You are the head warrior, you are loved. You should be inside surrounded by those who care.”
“That is care and love I am not deserving of. I misled yourself before, old friend. I won’t be doing that anymore. Go on ahead,” Running Wolf commanded.
