Chapter Twenty-eight

Half a moon had passed.

Chases Rabbits lay on a buffalo robe, his head and shoulder bandaged, and gazed forlornly at the smoke rising through the hole at the top of the lodge. The flap was open so anyone could enter, and someone did.

Other than a few fading bruises on her face and neck, Raven On The Ground showed no sign of the ordeal they had been through. She came and knelt beside him, placing her hand on his arm. “How do you feel?”

“I heal slowly.”

“Maybe because you think that you do not have a reason to heal fast.”

“I have disgraced myself in the eyes of our people,” Chases Rabbits said. “When I am up and about, they will shun me.”

“You are mistaken.”

“Two women died because of me.”

“The whites with no hearts killed them, not you.”

“They made a fool of me.”

“They fooled Grizzly Killer and Stalking Coyote, too. But now they are dead, and the trading post is still there. The man they call Toad has sent word that he still wants to trade with us.”

“Toad has a good heart.”

“So do you.” Raven On The Ground clasped his hand. “The council has decided. They would like for you to be the mouth of the Apsaalooke.”

“After the shame I have brought?”

“Grizzly Killer has talked to Long Hair and the others. He has told them how even though you had been shot, you tried to save Flute Girl and me. He says you have as much courage as anyone.”

“Grizzly Killer is a good friend.”

“Your shame is only in your own head. The rest of us forgive you. You must forgive yourself. You can start by taking a wife.”

Chases Rabbits started to rise, and winced. “You would want a man like me?”

“I want no other.” Raven On The Ground grasped both of his hands and held them to her bosom. “What do you say? Will you take me as your wife, or do I need to seek a husband elsewhere?”

“Here is good,” Chases Rabbits said.

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