Harvest Flower stood looking back at the village, her water skins now full. She waited for Singing Fox to fill her skins before returning to their lodges. The sound of horses riding away followed by hoots and war chants worried her. Running Wolf would be leading the war party, so that meant she would be alone in her lodge. She nibbled on her bottom lip blindly staring back at the village. She flinched slightly at Singing Fox's soft touch.

"Do not fear sister. You are well protected here. If you still worry you can join me in my lodge. Does your wounds bother you?" She looked closely at the cut in the part of Harvest Flower's head making sure it wasn't bleeding again. Singing Fox smiled brightly with relief, "It will be good to know my sister while Running Wolf is away. Come, we will cook together."

Harvest Flower smiled, "It will be good to know you. This sad time with Running Wolf gone makes me uneasy."

They walked back to the lodges dropping of Harvest Flower's water skins on the way to Singing Fox's lodge. Two warriors in charge of guarding Harvest Flower sat close by watching for any signs of trouble.

Running Wolf led the war party down to the canyon quickly reaching the hidden community corral of wild horses. Just beyond the corral a short stretch of sand met thick brush that led to tall trees. The step path through the trees led to the mountain foot hills separating them from a white mans fort.

The fort served as a trading post and held little to no white eyed soldiers. If Standing Elk reached the mountain Running Wolf feared he would lose his trail or find him at the trading post under guard. He pushed his mount to a faster pace his warriors quickly following. Gray Eagle rode ahead tracking the horses progress through the thick brush.

Once they reached the trees the ground turned hard and the tracks harder to find. The Sun sank lower and soon they would ether turn back or make camp. Running Wolf kept a blank face not showing his emotions, but to Gray Eagle this meant Running Wolf silently worried to himself the possibility of losing Standing Elk's trail. The possibility of Standing Elk returning to the village also a strong consideration pushing fourth. Gray Eagle also worried Singing Fox might become a target also.

Running wolf pulled to a halt lifting his hand to halt his warriors. He walked his horse over to Gray Eagle away from the warriors.

"What say you my friend?" Running Wolf asked with a frown.

Gray Eagle looked to the sky judging the position of the sun. "The sun drops fast and I'm afraid Standing Elk has already reached the mountain pass. He will not stop for camp." He looked over to Running Wolf, "He will return and this time we will be ready. I say we should return to our women and watch like the hawk."

"Our women? You have a woman in mind this day?" Running Wolf asked quietly.

Gray Eagle met Running Wolf's eyes and with a seriousness in his voice he answered. "Singing Fox clouds my mind."

Running Wolf looked over his shoulder at his warriors. His mind drifting to Harvest Flower alone in their lodge.

"This you say is true, we go to our women." Running Wolf said turning his horse back toward the village. By saying this He agreed with Gray Eagle's attempt to pursue his sister. He motioned for his warriors to follow with a wave of his hand.

Darkness would touch the land soon and he wanted to be in his wife's arms. Her safety and warm embrace the only thing he could bring to mind.

Standing Elk curled on his side inside a shallow cave. His stolen horse hobbled in the back. He was too weak to make a fire or look for food. His wound now dark red and puffy. Soon blood poisoning would take hold of his body. He drifted into a deep sleep, his breath uneven and his body burning with fever.

He never felt the light touch of a young girl as she studied his wound. Blackness swallowed him and his last thought was a short dream of holding Running Wolf's heart in his hand with a golden haired girl underneath him.

Harvest Flower sat watching Singing Fox skillfully weave colored wool treads together. The bright blanket would be beautiful when finished. The pattern of animals dancing around the sun and moon looked almost real to her. It is the most beautiful blanket Harvest Flower has ever seen. She reached up to trace each animal pattern as Singing Fox weaved the thread in and out on her loom.

Singing Fox smiled, "This will be my second blanket I've woven by hand. A nice lady at the fort showed me how to do this on her," Singing Fox paused and tapped her chin in thought, "loom? I think is the word she used. She is a nice lady. She taught me how to spin the wool and weave it to make blankets. She also told me how to color the wool. I wanted to teach the women of the village how to do this, but none seem interested."

Harvest Flower watched closely, "I will learn this. You will teach me? So many women here know so much more things than anyone in my village."

Singing Fox giggled, "I will teach you everything. We can weave together and make many colored blankets. I will also teach you how to bead stitch patterns and you can ask Running Wolf for your own sheep and beads. My brother will gladly trade for you with the white men fort."

They laughed and Harvest Flower watched Singing Fox move her nimble fingers through the wool threads. The patterns taking life at the twist of Singing Fox's wrist.

"I will ask him. What is this?" Harvest Flower asked touching a strange pattern in the line of animals.

Singing Fox frowned, "That is my attempt of adding a bird call a peacock. I saw one at the white mans fort. It is a large bird of many colors its tail as long as I am tall and when they pick it up and make a fan it is as tall as I am. They sound like strange flutes."

The sound of horses riding into the village paused their work. They smiled to each other and rose to go outside. The young brave Cloud Runner popped in the door before they could exit. Harvest Flower smiled brightly at the young brave.

He frowned at her, "Chief Running Wolf has returned." Without another word he left just as quickly as he appeared.

Singing Fox giggled, "Your husband and my brother has returned, go and greet him. I will bring the evening meal to your lodge once all has settled."

Harvest Flower smiled brightly, "Many thanks my sister. I will return for lessons on how to weave beautiful blankets."

Singing Fox hugged Harvest Flower tightly before pushing her to the door. Laughing Singing Fox placed the stew and flat bread by her fire to warm. Running Wolf would want some privacy before his meal.

Harvest Flower hurried over to their lodge and waited for Running Wolf to halt his horse and dismount. He nodded to the young brave who led his horse away. Harvest Flower smiled brightly at him. His small frown dimmed her bright smile to a small worried one.

"Has something happened?" She looked him over walking around him in a small circle. Finding no injuries she looked at him in confusion.

Running Wolf silently watched his wife worry about him. He almost could not control his reaction to her. She who hated him, now worried about him. His heart swelled with pride and love for her. She might not love him yet, but she did care. That is enough for now.

He grabbed her waist and pulled her to his chest. "My wife does not need to worry." He kissed her lips lightly. "Let us go inside."

He held her hand quickly pulling her inside their lodge. Once inside he swept her off her feet and kissed her hungrily. He carried her to their small room, his lips only leaving hers to find her neck and shoulder.

She moaned with pleasure when he laid her down and his hands found her breast. He quickly pulled her dress over her head tossing it to the floor. She let her hands roam his chest following his actions and undressing him.

He gritted his teeth when her warm hand wrapped around his hard shaft guiding him to her center. He couldn't wait and he kissed her deeply. He thrust into her hot wet folds, sinking deep into her. Taking care not to bump or jar her wounds. She moaned into his mouth and his tongue quickly entered her mouth. His thrusts grew faster and the pleasure intensified. He suckled her swollen nipples feeling her tightening around him. He reached between them using his thumb to circle her sweet spot. She arched her back as she exploded with her release. Her center flexing around him pulling him to the edge. He thrust deeper and followed her, filling her with his seed. He lay on top of her for a moment enjoying her hand caressing his back lightly. She placed small kisses along his neck. Her soft touch soothing his every worry.

He rolled to his side pulling her to him. It was his turn to rub her back and play with her golden hair. She is so soft to the touch, it still amazes him how she feels in his arms. Her even breathing and relaxed grip made him

smile. He covered her sleeping form with a fur and pulled on his leggings. After checking her wounds for any blood or redness he moved to the large room to sit by the fire pit.

A pot of stew and fried bread sat by the now lit fire. He guessed Singing Fox dropped it off. He sat down and ate watching the flames dance in the fire pit. Standing Elk would return, and this time Standing Elk would die. He watched the doorway that led to Harvest Flower's sleeping form. Standing Elk would never touch her or any woman in his village again.