Before answering, Amelia looked quickly at Gray Falcon. Only then did she reply, saying, "Yes, something is wrong. I will tell you a little about it because I fear I have made a fool of myself today."
"I am sorry to hear it. But, it is doubtful that anyone would truly think of you as a fool, I am sure."
Amelia sighed. "There is no doubt about what I did or that I created a stir and am now most likely looked upon as being, at the very least, silly."
"Oh? What happened?"
Amelia breathed in deeply. She took a moment to gather her thoughts before she said, "Gray Falcon's sister wanted to teach me how to serve the men the evening meal, and because everyone considered me to be Gray Falcon's guest, I was to bring him his dinner, which was a very hot soup. Unfortunately for both him and me, I stumbled and spilt it all upon his thigh. Here." She pointed to her own thigh. "But, what I did next seemed to catch the others off guard. I sought to correct my mistake by brushing the hot liquid off of him. When I did this, Gray Falcon jumped up as though he were shot like the ball from a loaded musket."
Both her sister and Eagle Heart looked away from her, and it was obvious they were both trying hard not to laugh. However, their attempt was not very successful.
"I'm sorry, Amelia," said Laylah after a short while. "We are not thinking you are silly; it is simply a funny thing to have happen to you."
"Yes, some of the others laughed, too. But, I am still uncertain what I did to cause so much trouble; that is, outside of spilling the soup and seeking to correct my mistake."
Gray Falcon, as well as Laylah and Eagle Heart, laughed aloud.
"Someday soon, I will tell you why we all seem to find what happened a little humorous," said Laylah. "But, there is no need to be upset or embarrassed about it. It was an honest mistake."
No one spoke for several moments; the silence, however, was not uncomfortable. Rather, it was soothing.
At length, Gray Falcon said, "Now that A'sitápi is safely home, I shall return to my own lodge. Before I leave, however, I would ask after the boy you saw tonight. Is he well?"
"He will be well tomorrow."
"I am happy to hear it. Was it the power of your medicine which cured him, or was it roots and herbs?"
"It was both," answered Eagle Heart. "Have you yet come into your own medicine?"
Gray Falcon shrugged. "I have not," he answered. "But, I hope to soon be able to use the gift Sun, the Creator, has given me to help others. After all, it took me many years to become able to speak the spirit talk. Yet, now I speak it as though I had been born with the skill."
Eagle Heart nodded. "It will happen, my friend. Take heart. Someday soon, you will learn to use your gift to help our people. Until then, there is no one in all the tribes who knows better than you how to make the teas and use the roots and herbs to heal."
"Except maybe your wife." Gray Falcon grinned. "What a gift she has been to the people."
"And to me," added Eagle Heart as he again brought his wife's hand to his lips.
Gray Falcon rose to his feet and said, "Since A'sitápi is now within your care, I will go to my own lodge." He had taken no more than a few steps toward the entryway when he turned back, slanted a glance atherand said, "It must be close to the rising of the sun, I think, for I feel much like the grizzly bear upon awakening on an early spring morning. I find I am famished and wish to devour…something tasty."
"Oh," responded Laylah. "Please don't leave here being hungry. You so kindly offered us all your dried meat, and I quite forgot that I have food. Please forgive me for not thinking of this until now."
But, Gray Falcon simply laughed, although his gaze did stay for a while upon Amelia, and she found herself wondering,what, in heaven's name, was this man doing?It wasn't fair thathewas allowed to flirt with her when he had this night forbidden her from doing the same with him.
"I must leave," Gray Falcon said as he opened and held on to the entrance flap. But, again, before he left, he turned to gaze at her and, smiling again, licked his lips. It was subtle, but she understood him all too well.
He was declaring war. That's what he was doing. He meant to torment her mercilessly, hoping to compel her to lay with him, whereupon she would become his wife.
She sighed. How was she to resist him if he were set to taunt her with a promise of what could be?
She would melt and give in to him, as she had almost done tonight. She knew she would, and then what would happen to her mother and father? She couldn't, she wouldn't, let them come to harm.
Somehow, in some way, she had to resist this man. But, how?
Perhaps, as he had suggested, she would be required to never allow herself be alone with him. Indeed, it might work for a little while. But, she'd better think of another plan, and soon, in case this one failed.
****
His knife bit into A'sitápi's father's neck as Gray Falcon held the man captive in a death grip. Standing behind McIntosh, Gray Falcon did not see the blood dripping from his blade. But, it was not his intention to kill McIntosh, only to ensure the older man dropped his weapon and didn't interfere in the fight between Eagle Heart and the Crow scout, a man who was intent on murder.
