JASPER SLOWLY WORKED his way down the other side of the ravine. He passed the corner of the granite cliff where Wind Runner fell, resisting the urge to look at his brother’s broken body. He would see it soon enough.
When he got the place where he last saw Black Feather, he called out, fearful he would get no response. “Black Feather! Where are you?”
“I’m here, brother.”
Relief flooded through Jasper as he raced toward the pain-laced voice.
Black Feather was propped up against a boulder in a short gully. His left foot was twisted at an odd angle. Jasper knelt and examined the splintered bone that had broken through the skin. “What happened?”
“I was running to Wind Runner when a boulder I jumped onto slipped. My leg jammed into a crevice. I could not stop my fall.”
“You did well to stop the bleeding. I need to make a splint.”
“Wind Runner?”
“Gone.”
“Moore?”
Jasper looked at his brother. “Natural justice caught up with him.”
Black Feather cocked is head.
“Wolves got him.”
Black Feather grunted his approval.
Jasper cut some saplings with his Bowie knife and fashioned a splint with strips of the green wood. “How’s that feel?”
Black Feather nodded.
“I’ll make a litter.”
“No, brother. I can make it down with your help.”
“Your leg is in bad shape.”
Black Feather eyed Jasper’s head. “You are not doing so well, either. We will make it together.”
The trek was slow and treacherous. When they reached the horses, they drank deep from canteens. Jasper wrapped Black Feather in a blanket and built a fire. He made sure no fever had risen then set food and water in reach.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“I’ll be here,” Black Feather replied.
Jasper led Coal up the ravine to the base of the cliff. He traveled up the wash and threaded his way through and over the granite chunks. The sun was being pulled to the western horizon when he reached Wind Runner’s body.
Wind Runner lay face up. His eyes were open and even though the sun had begun its work, Jasper could see the peaceful set of Wind Runner’s face.
No more battles, my brother. No more battles.
Jasper worked quickly to wrap the body in his bedroll blanket. He struggled to get the dead weight of the big warrior over Coal’s back, but he was finally able to secure the body with rope and start down the mountain.
Halfway down the ghostly shadows of two riders approached.
“Jasper! It’s Stan Barstow and Claw Of The Eagle,” one of the rider’s shouted.
“Hold fast. I’m comin’ down.”
When Jasper reached the men, Claw Of The Eagle dismounted and walked over to Coal. He patted the stallion’s neck and ran his hand down along Coal’s back until it reached Wind Runner. Claw Of The Eagle took a deep breath, laid his hand on the body and put his forehead on the blanket. Looking up he chanted in the words of the ancient ones. Rise into the night sky Wind Runner and take your place at the campfire of all the great warriors, for you are truly one.
He turned, put his hand on Jasper’s shoulder, and held out the reins of his horse. “You ride, Fire Hawk.”
“Thank you, brother, but I’ll finish what I started. It’s my way.”
Claw Of The Eagle nodded and climbed back on his horse.
Stan leaned toward Jasper. “Black Feather says Moore’s dead.”
Jasper nodded. “Wolves. Don’t worry, Marshal. There won’t be much left to bury.”
“I’d take it kindly if you’d write a report.”
“I believe it’s part of my job, now.”
Stan smiled. “You know Sheriff Lee, I think you’re going to be a damn fine lawman.”
“I suppose. We best get movin’.”
The campfire at the bottom of the mountain soon came into view. Jasper could see a wagon in the flickering blaze. A figure came from around the other side.
“Jasper?”
The sadness in Jasper’s heart lightened. “I’m here, Gale.”
In an instant her arms were around him, her head buried in his chest. He held her tight, like he would never let go. They stood quiet for a minute. Jasper savored her touch, her fragrance.
Then she looked up at him and brushed gentle fingers over the right side of his head. “Black Feather said you were hurt.”
Jasper laughed softly. “My brother talks too much.”
The rising sun was just beginning to golden up the sky when Stan, Claw Of The Eagle and the soldiers started the trek to Fort Hurley with the prisoners. The clan followed to make sure justice was done.
“We’re all ready to go,” Gale said to Jasper.
Their friends and neighbors from Cassidy County milled around waiting to make the return trip home.
Jasper shook his head. He couldn’t believe the whole of Arlington had turned out. He knew now how much of a responsibility it was to be sheriff. These were the people who were counting on him to maintain law and order. He promised himself he’d give them his best. “You all go ahead,” Jasper said. “I made a promise I have to keep.
Gale squeezed his hand. “We’ll wait.”
Doctor Scoville directed him to a little house at the north end of Kentville. Jasper dismounted and walked to the porch of the house Doctor Scoville had directed him to on the north end of town. He took off his hat and ran his hand around the brim. He couldn’t remember too many things harder than what he was about to do.
His knock sounded hollow against the front door of the little house. After a few moments footsteps tapped across a wood floor. The door opened and a middle-aged woman peeked out.
Jasper took a deep breath, but it didn’t break the tightness in his chest. “Mrs. Albright?”
“Yes.”
“I’m Jasper Lee, Sheriff of Cassidy County. I’d like to come in and talk to you about Lawrence, if I might.”
A man appeared behind her. He gently moved her aside and opened the door. “Come in, Sheriff.”
Jasper stepped into a clean, orderly modest room. Mrs. Albright sat on a sofa, her hands gripped tightly in her lap like they could never be parted again.
“Have a seat, Sheriff.” Mr. Albright waved to a chair then sat next to his wife and put his arm around her.
Jasper took another breath. “There’s no easy way to say what I got to say. I know because I got the same kinda news awhile back. Your boy has passed on.”
Mrs. Albright let out a low sob and put her face into her hands.
“Did you shoot him, Sheriff?” Mr. Albright asked.
“No, sir. I didn’t. He and four other men committed crimes in Indian country and the Indians caught them.”
“What did they do to them?”
“You don’t want to know that, sir. I have more important words from Lawrence himself.”
Mrs. Albright raised her head. “Oh please, Sheriff, tell us what he said.”
“He told me you were good folks. Good parents. He asked me to say he was sorry for all the trouble he brought upon you. He told me to tell you thank you for trying so hard and that he loved you.”
Mrs. Albright put her head against her husband’s shoulder and sobbed softly.
Albright looked over at Jasper, tears streaming from his eyes. “We tried to raise him right, Sheriff. It’s just he had somethin’ in him that he couldn’t control. He was always needin’ to be contrary.”
Mrs. Albright looked up. “Did he suffer, Sheriff?”
Jasper looked at her for moment trying to figure how to make the truth an acceptable answer. “Yes’m he did, but because he asked the Indians for forgiveness they spared him the worst of it.”
“Then he died like a man?” Mr. Albright asked.
“Yes, sir. He did. He faced up to his deeds, accepted his punishment and died like a man.”
Mr. Albright nodded. “Is there a grave?”
“No, sir…ashes to ashes.”
Albright hugged his wife. “It looks like he had some decency in him after all, dear.”
Jasper stood. “If you’ve no more questions, I’ll leave you folks be.”
Albright stood and shook Jasper’s hand. “Thank you for coming and telling us these things, Sheriff. I know you didn’t have to.”
“I told him I’d come, sir. I always keep my word.”
Jasper, Gale, Sean and Claw Of The Eagle rode into the clan village with Wind Runner’s body. Everyone ran to greet them, but as the rest of the clan came forward Butterfly Wing stood back. Moon On The Water wrapped her arms around Claw Of The Eagle’s leg. He leaned down and whispered in her ear and Moon On The Water looked over at her sister. Butterfly Wing turned and ran to her lodge. Moon On The Water went after her.
“Pa!” A chorus of voices greeted him. Rain Water followed behind the younger Lee children.
Relief and joy flooded Jasper’s heart. He climbed down and gave each child a hug.
When the children moved on to hear what tales Sean had to tell, Rain Water came up and gave Jasper a hug.
“Mother.”
“Where is my first son?”
“He broke his leg. The white man’s doctor in Kentville is treating him.”
Jasper’s breath eased out through his teeth. “He had a bad break, Mother. The bone stuck out of his leg. He needs the hand of a good surgeon and Dr. Scoville is one of the best.”
“Dr. Scoville?”
“Yes.”
“I have heard of him from other healers. It is said he has the touch of a medicine man.” Rain Water turned toward the wagon but she called over her shoulder. “I will forgive you this time.”
Jasper smiled and followed her. “You forgive me every time, Mother.”
Rain Water lifted the blanket covering Wind Runner. “Did he die like a warrior?”
“Yes, but we let our hatred for Moore cloud our judgment. Wind Runner took a chance and it cost him his life.”
Rain Water shook her head. “Hate always hurts the one who hates,” she said almost absentmindedly. “We must prepare his body.”
The bottom of the deep orange sun was shaved off by the horizon when the clan sent Wind Runner to the spirits. Moon On The Water and Claw Of The Eagle each held one of Butterfly Wing’s arms for support. When the ceremony was done the clan returned to their lodges. Jasper and Harry sat around the campfire.
“You’re lookin’ stronger,” Jasper noted.
“I am stronger. As much as I’d like to stay I don’t think I should use up too much of the clan’s kindness. I might need it again.”
“Where do you think you’ll go?”
“I thought I’d stick to my original plan and leave the territory. I think I’ve been branded by ridin’ with Moore. Work will be hard to come by around here.”
Gale came out of Black Feather’s lodge and sat between the men. “The children are asleep. Sean’s pretty tuckered out.”
“He did well in this crazy mess, watchin’ everything while I was gone.”
Gale looked into the fire. “Mother has named me.”
Jasper smiled. “Who are you?”
“Swirling Wind.”
Jasper laughed. “That’s a fine name for you. Harry was tellin’ me he’s headin’ out of the territory.”
Gale squeezed Jasper’s hand.
“Harry, Gale and I been talkin’. We now have two ranches to run and with me being sheriff, we’re goin’ to need help. If you’re a mind to we’d appreciate it if you’d join up with us.”
Harry sat quiet for a minute. Then he took off his hat and ran his sleeve across his eyes. “Damn smoke is gettin’ in my eyes.” He said nothing for a moment more then he looked at them with level eyes. “Folks, I’d be plumb proud to work for you.”
“We were thinking about a partnership,” Gale offered. “You run Pa’s ranch and we’ll split the profits sixty/forty.”
“Well, ma’am, forty percent is mighty generous of you!”
“No, Harry, you’d be doin’ most of the work. You’d get the sixty percent.”
Harry’s lips quivered and he made no attempt to hide the tears streaming down his face. He wiped them away and regained himself. “Ain’t no one ever put stock in me before, not that I earned any. I’m forever indebted to you.”
Gale touched his hand. “True partners are never indebted to each other, Harry.”
The next morning, Jasper, Gale, the children and Harry were getting ready to leave. Jasper was on Coal and Gale, the younger children and Harry were in the wagon with Harry’s horse tied to the buckboard. Sean was on his horse. They noticed the clan gathered around Butterfly Wing.
Rain Water walked over to Jasper.
“What’s going on, Mother?”
“Butterfly Wing is leaving. No warrior will have her now. We told her she doesn’t have to go, but she won’t listen.”
“Where’s she goin’?”
“She does not know.”
Harry climbed off the wagon. “Can I talk to her?”
Rain Water looked at Harry for a long uncomfortable moment, then nodded.
Harry walked up to Butterfly Wing and took off his hat. “Ma’am, Jasper ‘n Gale have offered me a chance for a new life workin’ their father’s ranch. Well, I’m not too good at workin’ by myself and I’d be appreciative if’n you’d come and help me out. I’ll give you half my share.”
She stared at him. “I am a ruined woman and brought bad spirits upon Wind Runner,” she said as plainly as if she were discussing the weather.
“Sounds like we’re two peas in a pod, ma’am, ‘cause I ain’t no prize bull my own self.”
Butterfly Wing looked at the ground. “I could not do my woman duty with Wind Runner.” She looked up at Harry. “I could not sleep with him.”
Harry grinned. “Hell, ma’am, you wouldn’t want to sleep with me anyway. I snore somthin’ awful.” His face turned soft as he held out his hand. “Come with me. We’ll take it one day at a time and see what happens. If nothin’ else, we’ll just be in business together.”
After a moment she took a tentative step toward Harry. He took her hand in his and they walked to the wagon together.
Rain Water looked at Jasper. “The Circle is unbroken.”
He held out his hand and she took it in both of hers.
“You are no longer Fire Hawk. Your new name is Iron Star.”
He nodded. “Thank you, Mother.”
“May the spirits guide and protect on your journey home.”