Never had she felt so devoted to another, and when he came up over her and became one with her physically, she welcomed him into her heart and soul, as well as her body. And, they danced the dance of love, slowly at first, but then with more vigor, until all at once she was at that same plateau where she had been minutes earlier, only this time she understood what this was about, and she rejoiced at the oneness, the closeness and the sensual pleasure of falling from that same plateau. But this time, they tripped over the edge of it together.
As he gifted her with his seed, she realized the power of God in him and in her. Indeed, there was power in this act that brought new life into the world, for it might likely be one of the most beautiful creations of all mankind. Never had she loved another so deeply.
He kissed her again and again, whispering Blackfoot words into her ear, and then, when he fell over her, she placed her arms around him and kissed his face, his neck and his shoulders, pulling him deeply and well into her embrace. And, before she fell into a needed yet short sleep, she whispered, "I will always love you, Husband. Always."
****
The shots came as an unexpected and terrible surprise. Gray Falcon sprang up and was pulling on his breechcloth and moccasins at a rate of speed that made her head spin. Grabbing his bow and quiver full of arrows, he pulled them over his head, then grabbed his gun, keeping it in his hands.What was happening?
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"We are under attack. I go to defend you, as well as this camp and the people."
"I will come with you."
"You will not. Defending the people is not your duty; it is mine. Think, what if we made a baby this night? What you have to do in a fight is to stay alive, and to do this, you will need to leave here and hide where no one will be able to find you. Run to your sister and her boy. The three of you must disappear from sight. Do not talk back to me about this. There is no other duty more important than keeping your family and yourself alive."
She nodded, but before he left, she said, "I will do as you say and go to my sister and help them so we can remain safe. But, you hear me now. Do not do anything that could get you killed. Do you understand me?"
He nodded, and, bending, he stepped out over the tepee flap and was gone.
****
Crack! Blast!
Sharon Wells screamed and awakened to the sound of bullets spitting overhead, followed by ear-splitting blasts. Placing her hands over her ears, she hunkered down in her bedding of soft furs and blankets, reaching toward the place where David, her fiancé, should have been.
But, he wasn't there. Bringing up her hands to cover her head, she tried to become invisible while the whiz of bullets crackled overhead.
What was going on? Why was she under attack? And, where was David?
Because the night before had been warm and pleasant, both she and David had spent the evening hours in each other's arms under a canopy of stars. They had placed the equipment of canvas, easel and paints on a wide ledge overhead. From there, David had said he hoped to capture the early-morning sunrise, placing its image onto the canvas.
Was that where he was?
It was still dark; perhaps it was the time of day when the world was blanketed in the extreme darkness before dawn. Had David awakened and left to climb the bluff, hoping to paint the beauty of the sunrise? If so, why hadn't he taken her with him?
She wasn't allowed to answer the question because suddenly, and from out of nowhere, hundreds of men—all of them Indian warriors—rushed by her, seemingly without seeing her. As silently as possible, she sobbed, and, unable to stop herself, she peeped out from beneath her blankets.
The sight of the Indian warriors made her cry, and she thought she might faint. Each one was stripped of all clothing except for his breechcloth and moccasins, and each was painted in black, white or red colors which covered his face and body. Each man she could see was carrying a rifle, as well as the more familiar Indian garb of quiver, arrows and a bow.
As she shivered and tried to make herself invisible, she couldn't remember a time she had ever felt more terrified. Why, oh why had she decided to come to this far western land?
Luckily, during the night she and David had placed their bedding beneath a tall pine tree and the enemy warriors were ignoring the tree, rushing by her as though they were each one racing to be the first to launch an attack upon some poor victim. Was it to be the Pikuni camp? Or were they attacking the fort?
Keeping her body as motionless as possible, she was aware she was physically shivering. She waited, however, until there were no more warriors fleeing by her. Then she stirred uneasily, because her thoughts were of two minds: she desperately wished to arise and climb the bluff in search of David, but fear kept her in place, mute and fearful of making a single move.
Meanwhile, down below in the Indian encampment came the awful sounds of the blasts and screams. Had the Pikuni people awakened to find themselves facing this horror? Momentarily, she praised David for bringing her to this butte the night before, since it was here where she might escape the fate of the people below. But, where washe?
And, what was she to do about her friend, Amelia? Should she rush into camp in search of her?
Instinctively, she knew she didn't dare go down there. Hopefully Amelia's beau, Gray Falcon, would protect her.
Then came the sound of many pairs of feet running back up the butte as quickly as possible. Were the warriors fleeing? Had the Blackfoot warriors sent them scurrying?
Yes. It seemed to her as if the enemy were in full retreat. Too late it occurred to her that she should have climbed the tree above her, but there was not the time to scamper up it now. She covered her mouth to keep from screaming and tried to control her shivering. And, crouching down, she waited.
Hours seemed to have passed before the sound of the battle was little more than a single shot here and there. Down below in the Pikuni camp came the inevitable sounds of crying and wailing. Obviously, people had been either injured or killed.
