In the end, it was a happy occasion, yet sad. One from amongst them was gone. Worse, that person had been someone whom Effie had considered a friend. Owens was Lesley’s father; her own father’s friend, as well.
How was she to tell Lesley all that had occurred? It seemed impossible, and yet she knew she had to do it.
And then there was Madeline. What was Effie to do about her? A few people in the Yellow Shawl Band had found Madeline and untied her. It was well to say that Madeline was looking more than a little shocked from her adventure.
Which brought another problem to mind. What was Effie to say to Carl, if indeed she should say anything? Should she let Madeline go with a slap on the wrist? Shouldn’t the other woman be made to atone for her mistake?
It was hard to know what to do.
Effie turned to Red Hawk. “Before anything else happens today, I must go back to my own camp. I have to tell Lesley what has happened.”
He nodded. “I will come with you.”
“I would like that.” She sank into silence. And then, “Red Hawk?”
“Aa?”
“What am I to tell Lesley and Henry? What am I to say to Carl? How can I relate what has happened?”
“I do not know, but together we will find a way. Wait here, while I tell my grandfather and the medicine man where we go.”
She nodded.
Effie watched as Red Hawk approached White Claw where the elder sat in council. Red Hawk squatted next to the old man and murmured something in his ear. But instead of rising up to accompany Effie back to her own camp, Red Hawk remained where he was, looking mildly surprised.
A few more words were spoken between them, then Red Hawk nodded and motioned Effie forward.
“You must hear this from our medicine man yourself, my wife.”
“What is that?”
“Come forward and you will understand all as White Claw explains.”
Effie stepped toward the group.
White Claw said at once, “There is no need for you to visit your friends in camp.”
“But I—”
White Claw held up his hand. “The one you know as Owens is not dead, for the sea dog is not a killer. Though some think he is a monster, he is not. He simply escorted the man to another shoreline, hoping the man would have a chance to change the hatred in his heart.”
Effie nodded. “Indeed, I imagine the experience might have caused him to have a change of viewpoint.”
“Aa, I believe that he did.” White Claw smiled. “I have been to see your people, for I had to ensure that Madeline was reunited with her husband. It gave me the opportunity to explain to them what has happened, and if you like, they may come here and be a part of our council. But I believe that already they are making plans to leave here and go home. You will probably want to go and talk to them. Know that all could go well with them despite this trouble.”
“Then I…I don’t have to explain?”
White Claw shook his head.
Effie breathed out deeply. “Yes, I will go and see them. Thank you, Mr. White Claw, sir.”
White Claw nodded, and Effie and Red Hawk rose and left soon after to tread back to the excavation camp. It was wonderful to discover that things were exactly as White Claw had described.
Madeline and Carl seemed estranged, as one might expect them to be. Perhaps in time they might rediscover their love, but for now, even though they were together, they appeared to barely be on speaking terms. It was Mr. Owens’s transformation that was the most glaring, however. Gone was his antagonism toward her and the rest of her crew, to be replaced by a sort of propitiation that was a little uncomfortable. However, his many offers to help and to make amends were welcome and gladly accepted.
What was wonderful, however, was that all of them—Lesley, Henry, Carl, Madeline, Mr. Owens and Fieldman—were pleased to congratulate Effie and Red Hawk on their marriage.
At present, it seemed, all was well.
Several days later
It was White Claw who had performed the wedding ceremony between Effie and Red Hawk.
At present, a camp had been set up in the excavation site, and a council had been called. All were present who needed to be there, Red Hawk, Grandfather, Effie, the chief of the Yellow Shawl Band and White Claw. The pipe had been smoked and passed, and the necessary rituals had been properly executed. At last White Claw said, “We welcome you, Water Being. Thank you for your help. We also welcome you into our tribe and into our hearts. But come, I think you and your husband have questions. I am here for a little while longer that I might answer them. I would ask that you be first to question me, Water Being.”
Effie smiled. She was becoming used to her new name and was beginning to enjoy its notoriety. “I do have questions, actually.”
White Claw nodded.
“Sir, I am wondering what will happen with Madeline and Carl. Will they work through their problems?”
“It is a good question, and I may tell you this. Your friend Madeline was misled by the evil intentions of another. She thought you were doing wrong, and so she acted, as of course Owens had meant her to do. Madeline’s husband suspected it was she who was doing the ill deeds that beset you. He tried to protect her.”
“I see.”
“They have gone back to their parents,” continued White Claw, “where it is hoped they will learn to live with one another in a better way.”
Effie nodded. “And what of Lesley and her father?”
“As you know, Owens had a change of heart. He has apologized to Madeline and Carl, to his daughter, and he goes now to make peace with his wife. I do not believe he will cause any further trouble. It was his greed that was his demise. That greed is now gone.”
“I am glad, but what I don’t understand is how Madeline and Mr. Owens ever came to know one another.”
“I believe they met through your father, not so long ago,” said White Claw. “It was he who first introduced them. Since she and her husband were to accompany you on your work, your father felt it best that his friend come to know Carl and Madeline Bell. It was then Owens gave in to a lust that had been festering within him for many years. It was he who tried to steal the artifacts from your father. When he met Madeline, he realized that through her he could attain his selfish desires. He chose the wrong spiritual path. Had it not been for the sea dog, he would have lost his soul forever.”
“Then perhaps it was good that this all happened. One more thing, please. Do you know anything about the sheriff of Virginia City? Do you know why he broke into my room?”
White Claw nodded. “I am here to answer your question. The sheriff suspected you had something of value. I believe that is all. Had he found your stones, he would have taken them from you, I think. And now, is there anything else that you wish to know?”
“Yes. Is it true that some of your people are still lost, enslaved in a half existence?”
“It is, indeed, true. But most are now freed. There is but one band of the tribe still imprisoned in the curse. But there is a year left. We have hopes for them.”
“What will happen to Red Hawk’s people? They are from the past and do not know the ways of our current civilization.”
“This is another good question,” said White Claw. “It is hoped that both you and Red Hawk will help them to learn about this new environment. Perhaps they can learn from you, and you from them, for I think you are curious about them.”
“Yes. That would be most agreeable.”
“And now, Poor Orphan, you who are now known to us as Red Hawk, I would answer your questions. Have you any?”
“Aa, that I do.”
“Proceed.”
“Do you know how I ended the curse? I thought I was doing wrong, for I put my wife’s life over the needs of the Clan.”
“It is a strange thing, since the Creator instructed us to show mercy. But perhaps that is exactly what you did, my son. After all, you did pull Owens from the water. In this, you did show mercy.”
Red Hawk nodded. “But I only did it for my wife’s sake.”
“I understand that,” answered White Claw. “Love, it is said, is a powerful thing. Perhaps it guides us to act in ways that we should, despite the deception of our illusions. It is to be hoped that when the last of the Clan is released from the mist, the Creator will show us what we have failed to grasp, for I feel I should tell you that the other champions have told me much the same as you.”
“Aa. Let us pray this will be.”
“And now, I have good news. It is told to me by the spirits that you will both live long and well. Know, Water Being, that your parents will love your husband, as do you. Share with them. Your father and mother await you both.”
Effie and Red Hawk nodded.
“And so I wish you well,” said White Claw. “Now, I must end this council, unless you have other questions.” He waited. “Being that as it is, I will return to those of the Clan who are still enslaved, although I think I might visit a friend who lives in the East before I return. Live long, be well and know that sometimes to love is the answer.”
After rising from his seat, White Claw took his leave of the others.
It is said that Red Hawk and Effie became the stuff of legend. It is also said that their love carried the Yellow Shawl Band through many hard times. Always, were they an inspiration to all the people, and to their families. Always and forever, they were in love.