It was late afternoon when Almighty Sky summoned Ingrid to the barn. Raven, who was helping her mother repair the fence around the vegetable garden, insisted on going with her.
‘I found him, Momma. I got a right to be there.’
‘It’s not up to me, lamb. But if Almighty Sky doesn’t mind, then you’re welcome as far as I’m concerned.’
When they entered the barn they found Almighty Sky sitting cross-legged beside the stranger. Nearby, Walking Man and Runs With Head Up stood guarding Lolotea, who lay trance-like under her white blanket on some straw.
‘You must not speak to her,’ Almighty Sky told Ingrid and Raven. ‘She is in her most sacred state.’
Ingrid knew he meant Lolotea and the Great Spirit had become one and nodded to show she understood. She then indicated the wounded man. His eyes were still closed and he showed no sign of life. ‘I see no change in him,’ she said, disappointed. ‘Is he going to live?’
‘It is written, Nan-tanh. The Sacred One has told me this. The stranger’s spirit will not be taken from him.’
‘Thank God.’ Ingrid looked at Lolotea, who hadn’t moved. ‘How can I ever repay her?’
‘The Sacred One needs no earthly reward, Nan-tanh. Her joy comes from serving the Great Spirit. That is reward enough.’
‘What I’d like to know,’ Raven said impatiently, ‘is did the Great Spirit say when the stranger will wake up and start talking?’
‘Hush! Where are your manners?’ Ingrid scolded.
‘It is all right,’ Almighty Sky assured her. ‘To be young is to be impulsive.’ To Raven he said: ‘You will see his eyes soon. Now, go with your mother and prepare broth. The stranger will be hungry when he returns among us.’
While her mother was heating up the broth Raven heard the stallion whinnying. She ran to the cabin door. The Morgan stood at the corral fence watching Walking Man and Runs With Head Up bridling their horses outside the barn.
‘They’re leaving, Momma!’
Surprised, Ingrid removed the broth from the flame and ran outside with her daughter.
‘Please, take our wagon,’ she begged Almighty Sky. ‘I’ll send Raven for it in a day or two.’
‘There is no need, Nan-tanh. The Sacred One has chosen to ride.’
A slender, white-clad, ethereal figure appeared in the barn doorway. It was Lolotea, her long white hair now platted into braids. The sunlight framed her beautiful pale face, encircling it like a halo. Like a visiting angel, she looked back at the stranger. His eyes were now open and, though still weak, he was conscious of her mystical presence.
‘Sadnleel da ya’dee nzho,’ she told him softly. ‘Long life, old age, and everything good.’
He nodded his thanks and watched as she walked to the horses. Walking Man had already spread her white blanket over his pony’s back. Helping her to mount, he grasped the reins and led her away.
‘God bless you,’ Ingrid said softly as Lolotea rode past.
Lolotea looked at Ingrid with her milky, sightless eyes and smiled. It was a smile of unspoiled innocence and Ingrid felt warmed by it. She watched as the Apaches headed out into the burning desert. In her mind she heard Sven’s voice saying: ‘Some say Lolotea even has the power of life and death. Of course, that can’t be true….’
Ingrid had believed him at the time. Now she wasn’t so sure. After all, there was a stranger in the barn who by rights should be dead. Yet he wasn’t and that was one miracle she couldn’t explain.