Disclaimer: All the characters from Charmed belong to the Charmed Productions and Spelling. I only lay claim on the character (s) that I created myself… No Copyright infringement with the show of Charmed is intended with this story.
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The Wild
Chapter I
She was looking at the horses, but not really seeing them. It was her favorite hideout, for she couldn't stand the constant string of visitors coming to the mansion. Her family was wealthy and well liked in the community, she knew. But it wasn't the kind of life that she aspired to. Her mother was on her back non-stop for her to become more of a lady; one that would be ready to entertain in good society, and marry a proper suitor. Phoebe was convinced that her mother's outburst of social activities had to do with her coming of age. This didn't give her any incentive to partake in them. She just didn't feel like settling down… At nineteen, she was longing for a life filled with excitement and variety. Certainly not belonging to a man for the rest of her life…"Unless I know that he's the one," she wistfully added then.
"Phoebe," her mother was calling. Phoebe sighed heavily.
"Phoebe!" She called more impatiently, and Phoebe knew that her quiet time was over. She went out of the stables slowly, savoring every last moment… "Yes mother," she uttered respectfully, when she saw her at the door of the mansion. Her mother gestured impatiently, but she waited until Phoebe was closer to speak again. "Where were you? I told you that we had company tonight…" Phoebe feigned contrition. "I'm sorry mother, I must've forgotten… Who is it?"
She had asked this without much enthusiasm. Her mother ignored her lack of interest however. Instead she pursued eagerly. "Do you remember the young banker that your uncle told us about? He's well off and really handsome, believe me. I would appreciate if you behaved nicely toward him…" Of course, her mother was referring to a few inappropriate comments she had made to some of the prospective husbands, whom she had shoved at Phoebe in the past. Phoebe had been cursed with a sharp tongue, as her mother told her all the time. This had not helped at all with those men, who were simply expecting a pretty little thing with no brains. At least, that is how Phoebe saw them. She followed her mother inside, and was about to enter the salon with her, when this one stopped abruptly. "You don't intend to meet this man looking like this, do you?"
"What do you mean, mother?"
"Phoebe! You look like a servant. You even smell like the stables. Sometimes I wonder if you really are of my blood."
Phoebe might have been offended by the comment, if it hadn't been one that she heard countless times before. She had even wished on occasion that she wasn't. Then she wouldn't have to go through this farce over and over. However, if she could say the damnedest things to those suitors, she never could disobey her mother. In spite of Phoebe's bitterness toward her mother's intentions, she still wanted to please her. So that was why she went to, as her mother would put it, make herself more presentable.
Thirty minutes later, she came back and entered the salon under her mother's approving stare. "I look the part", she thought to herself, "but I can't feel it inside." She added dejectedly.
A few people were assembled there, all drinking cocktails, and deep in conversation. Prue, her mother, took her arm and directed her toward an alcove, where her father, Paul MacKail, was talking to a tall and very distinctive man. His clothing told of a rich man, the kind of proper suitor her mother dreamt her daughter would have. Phoebe sighed, but she still put on a good face for her mother's sake. Her first impression wasn't as bad as she had feared. The man had sweet blue eyes, and a comely face to go with it. His hair was blond, almost white. But he was obviously no more than thirty. Compared to most of the men her mother had thrown at her, he was at least a little more acceptable. Still, in her young mind, she thought that if she ever found the right man, she would know right away, without hesitation. Once or twice, she had tried to talk to her mother about it, but this one had dismissed it as just the follies of youth. "Mademoiselle, you are a vision," the young man said emphatically.
Phoebe couldn't help being flattered; even though it wasn't the first time that she got compliments from men. In fact, she was a very pretty girl. Her brown shiny hair, she wore long and only tied loosely. She had a heart shaped face, with a slight tan complexion, unlike most ladies. Her lips were full and inviting, but her eyes were what attracted the attention first, however. They were animated, full of life. She could express almost everything without a single word through those.
This was not to say that words didn't come easily to her. She was very well read, but enjoyed most of all, romance and adventure novels. Prue often told her that she should spend less time in her books and more at learning how to behave in society. "Maybe this way, you would understand that the stories in those books are just that, stories." She told her often.
"Why thank you sir, you're too kind." Phoebe gracefully replied. She was rewarded by Prue's approving glance.
"Let me introduce myself, Miss Phoebe. My name is Leo, Leo Wyatt." He took her hand delicately and pretended to kiss it in the proper way.
She smiled to please her mother, but also because the young man struck her as a nice one. Not the love at first sight kind, but at least one she could envision being friends with.
He continued. "Your father, here, tells me that you are a very skilled rider?"
This was another subject of dissent in the house. Her mother had nothing to say about her riding per say, but her father had taught her the men's way of doing so. No matter how many times her mother tried convincing her to ride the lady's way, Phoebe enjoyed her own too much. It didn't help that her father showed pride in her skills… "I do enjoy riding, indeed. Although, you probably think that it is not very ladylike," Phoebe taunted, in spite of herself. Her mother cast a warning look at her, but Leo replied: "On the contrary, I think that it's good for a woman to be energetic."
Phoebe was pleasantly surprised by his answer and she smiled sincerely in response. Her parents took leave of them, and for the next hour, she actually enjoyed the conversation with him. "Maybe, I could come visit and ride with you sometimes this week," Leo was now saying, "if you have no objections, of course."
She couldn't find any. "I would like that, I think."
"Then it's a promise." Leo replied with a sweet smile.
A domestic, announcing that the supper was served, interrupted their conversation. He took her arm gallantly, and they moved on with the rest of the company.
That night, Phoebe wondered about the feelings that she was having. It was far from being as passionate as she had imagined, but she could actually see herself spending more time with the young man.
The Shaman came to him with a pensive expression. Because he knew that he had the gift, he had chosen Cole to succeed him in spite of his origins. He had also raised him as his son, ever since the boy had come to them. Some members of the tribe were still reticent about his choice, but they respected the old man and chose to trust in his judgement. However, the young man was having doubts himself lately. Once more that night, the Shaman could feel his longing for something different.
He found him sitting by the fire, lost in thoughts. "What is troubling you, son?"
Cole seemed to be coming out of a trance, as he looked up at his mentor. The Shaman knew that in those moments, he saw things well beyond their camp. "I saw her again, in the waking dream…"
He had been having this dream for a while, and the Shaman knew that it was in great part the reason for his doubts of late. "Was that the white woman again?"
"Yes, Shaman, one that I have never seen, but she haunts my dreams…"
The Shaman sighed. "I don't know what this means son, but white women are not for us." Even if he knew that Cole was white from birth, very few could have guessed at his appearance. The outdoor life had given him a copper skin that allowed him to blend easily with the warriors of the tribe. Only his piercing blue eyes betrayed his origins. "You know that if you need a woman, it's not a problem for you. Your future position aside; most women here find you attractive." The Shaman had said this with a knowing smile.
Cole was very much aware of this, and had taken advantage more than once of his popularity. The chief's daughter, in particular, had been the beneficiary of his favors many times in recent weeks. The thought of her brought a smile to his lips. "That is not what I meant, ancient one. Although, it was part of it," he added dreamily, telling the Shaman that the vision wasn't only spiritual.
"You have to put her out of your mind. Besides, I heard from a few that white women are no good in bed. They have too many inhibitions." He laughed at the thought. Cole, or Jolon by his Indian name, laughed as well, but still added: "At least in the vision, she's almost as good as Noayak."
The Shaman laughed louder. "Well Jolon, remember that it's only a vision. You probably embellished."
Cole smiled at his mentor, but soon became more serious: "She's so beautiful, father."
"You have to forget about her," the old man was now saying more seriously, "and concentrate on your apprentice work. I'm not getting any younger, Jolon. Soon, it will be your turn to lead the tribe spiritually. Maybe it would help if you finally chose a wife? You mentioned Noayak, and she'd be a good choice for you."
The girl in question was coming toward them, a large smile illuminating her beautiful face. She was a stunning girl of seventeen seasons. In spite of her youth, she was all woman and Cole had not failed to notice it. This night promised to be just as pleasant as the many they had spent together from the look of her. She shamelessly came toward him, sitting by his side, and putting her hand on his thigh in a very possessive manner. The Shaman got up, nodding approvingly, and left them without a word.
"I tire of waiting for you, Jolon. My skin is burning just at the thought of you. Please, come, lie with me." The alluring glint in her eyes ignited his desire and helped him forget for a time about the woman of the visions as he followed her to his tent.
Noayak was laughing softly as she pushed him to the ground and lied over him, her skin indeed seemingly on fire against his. He pulled her to him and kissed her deeply. Then she rose just long enough to undress, letting him admire her perfectly curved body. Her breasts had the firmness of youth, and his hand flew to them, kneading them, as he knew she liked to be touched. She smiled luridly and came down on him, kissing his chest and going down to his belly, slowly, agonizingly. He moaned in anticipation as her teeth caught the edge of his thong and pulled it down just as slowly. He was already aroused and ready for her, but she knew how to prolong his pleasure, and as much as he wanted her, he let her decide when the time was right. She went back up his thighs with small kisses that gave him chills of pleasure. When he thought that he couldn't wait any longer, she knew instinctively and she sat on him, opening for him to enter her. He did so almost violently, and she screamed of pleasure, throwing her head backward and pushing herself on him. He seized her buttocks and rising up to her, he took her breast in his mouth, delighted at the earthy taste of her skin. As they reached ecstasy however, his mind was once more fantasizing about the white woman…
Phoebe woke up with a start. She had dreamt of him, again; the stranger that had come to her a few times in her sleep. She wondered how a dream man could feel so real. Her heart was still beating hard at the memory.
She got up, and went to the dresser, intent on simply getting ready for the day. However, as she was picking up a blouse, her eyes fell on the diary that she had hidden among her clothes. She picked it up and went back to sit on the bed. In this diary, she put her most intimate thoughts, and the latest entry described her imaginary lover. 'He was there again, so intense, his piercing blue eyes seemingly looking into my soul. Not a gentleman, far from, but a savage with strange markings on his face and body. Oh, the way he looked, I'm blushing at the thought.'
Still, she had continued writing: 'He was almost naked, and not at all ashamed of it, on the contrary. His copper skin gleamed in the sunlight, inviting me to caress him. Last night, he came to me and kissed me. It felt so real that I woke up in sweat. I fear that he is too good to be true. No man, not even Leo could compare…'
She closed the diary, and stared in contemplation. Why couldn't she feel about Leo the way she felt for this man that existed only in her dreams? The banker was so sweet and attentive. She had tried her best to feel more than a simple friendly affection for him, but she feared that this fantasy lover would spoil her for any other man.
She shook her head, as if trying to chase cobwebs away, and got back up again. "I have to get back to reality," she told herself. Then she thought that this sounded like one of her mother's reproaches. She sighed and put back the diary in the drawer, but not before she had caressed its cover longingly. Then, she berated herself again for her foolishness. She knew that he didn't exist. Who ever heard of a savage with blue eyes?
She couldn't say that she had seen many of them, although some came to the town for trade, occasionally. Only a few tribes had dealings with white men, however. Most of them stayed well away, and she couldn't help but being glad. Horror stories had come to her ears, as she listened to unsuspecting men, describing attacks by the Indians.
Men usually kept these stories for themselves. Females were supposed to be too sensitive to hear of such things. Phoebe had to admit that those accounts were somewhat scary indeed, but she couldn't help being curious. She threw one last longing look toward the diary, then closed the drawer resolutely, determined to forget about him. Savages, imaginary or real, had no place in her world…
Her mother was in a joyous mood that morning. Phoebe thought it to be refreshing, as she was unusually animated. "So, did Leo tell you what the surprise was yet?" Prue questioned almost immediately.
Phoebe had her doubts about her mother's inquiries. She was certain that she was expecting a proposal, and she shrugged imperceptibly at the thought, while still smiling for her mother: "No, he hasn't. Actually, he's coming early today. We've planned an outing, and then he promised to tell me what it was."
Prue had trouble keeping her enthusiasm in check and Phoebe felt that she should temper it somewhat. "You know mother," she continued, without being asked, "I don't think that we're ready for any kind of commitment just yet…"
"I wasn't saying…"
This time, Phoebe smiled sincerely: "Yes you were, mother. However, even if it was the surprise, I'm not sure what my answer would be."
Prue stared at her in disbelief, not trying to conceal her expectations anymore: "How could you say this? Most girls would be thrilled to marry a man like him. You're privileged that he should be interested in you." Phoebe shrugged again, but this time, noticeably. "It would be about time that you got out of your dream world, and start living in the real one, Phoebe. You won't be young forever."
Phoebe suddenly became defiant, surprising even herself: "What if I don't want to get married ever? What if I want to live my life without being a man's possession?"
Prue was now horrified: "My god, girl! What are in those books of yours? Maybe, I should take them away from you?"
Phoebe glared at her mother: "I don't need books to tell me that I could be so much more than just a wife." She knew right then that she had gone too far from the hurt on her mother's face. "I'm sorry mother, I didn't mean it the way it sounded…"
Prue interrupted: "Don't bother. I only hope that you'll become more reasonable soon, because I fear for your future if you don't." Phoebe looked down in contrition, but she couldn't help being furious as well. Even if this had been said in anger, she really meant most of it. It was true that she liked Leo well enough, but even after the last few weeks, where he had been nothing but charming and pleasant, she still wasn't ready to spend her life with him, or any other man for that matter.
After they had finally found game to bring back to the village, the hunters were gathered around the fire. The hunt was becoming increasingly difficult, and they knew that it would soon be time to move to a better territory. "If there are any left," they all thought. The white man was invading them so quickly that they felt trapped in their own land. They were very tired after the long days of searching for preys, and that is probably why the two men with guns surprised them.
They reacted instinctively, one of them throwing his knife at the first intruder. This one was hit and screamed in pain, while the other, seeing what happened didn't hesitate to shoot the hunter. Then he pulled his injured friend behind a trunk and recharged quickly. He barely had time to finish that another hunter was on him. He shot that one point blank, killing him instantly. The third one, the only one left of the hunting party, seeing both his companions dead, ran away.
However, the white man wouldn't be satisfied with his two kills. He had time to recharge and the hunter felt the bullet enter his arm, like hot iron. The pain was intense, but he knew that he had to continue if he wanted to live. There were no other gunshots afterward, but he continued running for a long time. After a while however, he realized that they could follow his trail, as the wound was bleeding profusely. Therefore, he finally stopped and bandaged the wound, then used all the tricks that he knew of in order to lose his potential pursuers. By the time he finally reached the village, he was close to total exhaustion, but certain that they wouldn't track him there… He fell down at the edge of the village, barely conscious. Kids playing found him and alerted the elders. It took a while before he could tell his story, but when he did, the warriors became enraged and poised for revenge.
The Shaman observed this agitation with a very worried expression. Then he saw Cole going toward them, and he moved to stop him. "You can't start acting as crazy as they do. This is not your fight."
"Those men killed our brothers. This is everybody's fight."
"You have a different destiny, Jolon. You're not a warrior."
"I want to help them. This demands a response."
"I fear that the white man is too powerful for us. This is a foolish venture."
Cole looked at the old man with a hint of contempt: "I won't be a coward hiding behind with the women…"
The Shaman forgave the insult only because he knew what truly motivated his apprentice. He still insisted, however. "Your visions are too precious to our people for you to risk your life needlessly." Cole simply ignored this, and started walking again. "Jolon," the Shaman called again, "I know why you're so eager to go. You don't need to prove anything." He saw him hesitate, and almost continue on his way, but then he turned back toward his mentor.
He came back slowly: "They all think that I'm not worthy of them. That I'm different."
The Shaman closed the gap between them and said calmly: "But you are different, and it's a good thing." Cole turned halfway toward the warriors, still unsure of what he should do.
The Shaman seemed to think, and then he went on: "Maybe you should go after all…You may be right about their way of thinking. You could also advise them, and help keep them safe."
"I'm not ready for this."
"Yes you are, you just don't know it yet. But you will… When it's needed, it'll come to you." Cole had his doubts, but he respected the ancient's opinion. Now cooled off, he simply nodded in agreement and left to join the warriors. These looked at him with curiosity, but he stood tall and looked back confidently. That was enough for them.
Cole had another reason for wanting to be part of this, and he suspected that the Shaman knew this as well, even if he had not said. He barely remembered the time before he came to the tribe, but he still could see images. On occasion, he had memories of his parents, and even though these didn't bring longing anymore, he felt curiosity about his origins. His parents had been killed by another Indian tribe when he was eight years old… The braves of the tribe in question had chosen to keep him alive and to raise him themselves, but he had run away, finding the tribe that he was living in now, rather than the white men. No matter how angry he was against the Indians, whom had killed his parents, a vision had told him where he should go. Then he simply decided that he had been directed to these people because it was where he belonged. The Shaman had taken him under his protection after Cole told him how he came to their village. This one had assumed that Cole had to have been sent by the Spirits, and chose him at an early age as his replacement. Until recently, Cole had not experienced any doubts about his place in the world, in spite of the reservations some people in the village still harbored about him. He had not felt any desire to go back to the white men's world at all. That is, until the dreams started. Those had awakened his curiosity about his past. Ever since he had come to live with the Indians, he had never been near a white man except for one missionary, who had stayed with them for a while, without much success at converting them. His tribe was of those that kept well away from the white man.
On the other hand, Cole had been able to practice his English with him, and that might be useful on their current quest. In retrospect, he wondered if the Shaman had not sent him as some kind of test. Maybe so that Jolon could make an enlightened choice. However, no matter how curious he was, he knew in his heart that he would never choose to go back. Of that he was certain. He was perfectly happy with the Indians, and only wanted a glimpse of this other world…
They had been riding for over an hour, and Phoebe enjoyed the feeling of freedom that came with this every time. So much so that she had almost forgotten about Leo' surprise… However, when they were on their way back, she became increasingly curious about it and a little anxious as well. "So what was it that you wanted to tell me," she asked.
Leo glanced in her direction with an amused smile: "I was wondering how long it would take before you asked about it."
"I must admit that you have me intrigued, and to be honest, a little nervous."
"You're going to love it, don't worry. However, I would prefer that we waited until your parents are with us before I tell you…"
This didn't reassure Phoebe in the least. "What if it's a proposal," she thought. "What would I say? I like him, and I still want to be his friend, but that's all," she continued for herself, as she gave him a furtive look. Leo was staring ahead and didn't notice her slightly worried expression.
At the mansion, her parents were waiting for them anxiously, curious as they were to know what the big surprise was. Phoebe went with them in the salon, very nervous, but trying to hide it. Leo took a moment to sit and he smiled around: "Well, I suppose that I made you wait long enough."
"You could say that. Now talk." Paul said with a good natured smile.
"Well, as you probably know, my bank has ties in other cities and settlements. And what's more, your daughter told me a few times already that she'd like to travel… Well, I have committed to bring some funds to a settlement that lays a ways, west of here. It's very wild out there, but I thought that your daughter might accompany me on the trip…" Phoebe almost jumped out of her chair: "Really! Oh I'd love that!"
Prue frowned: "Wait a minute… that's not possible. First of all, it's not proper…"
Leo interjected: "Oh sorry, you didn't give me a chance to finish. I meant that the offer was for all of you, of course. It would be a one week trip and give a chance to you and your daughter to see the country like you've never seen it before."
"But the Indians, the animals…It is too dangerous…"
"I'd never risk your safety, rest assured. We'd have armed guards and a guide well appraised of this part of the country. What's more, most tribes we might encounter have no interest in attacking us. The true danger lays further south."
"I'm sorry," Paul said then, "but really, I couldn't leave even if I wanted to. I have pressing matters to attend to here…"
Leo was growing more disappointed by the moment, and so was Phoebe: "Madame?"
"I can't go. I get sick only traveling to the nearby city. Let alone a week…" Prue protested.
"Oh mother please! I might never have a chance like that again." Phoebe pleaded to her mother.
"It's out of the question. I can't go and neither can your father. So, there's no way that you will go alone with this gentleman. No offense, Mr. Wyatt, but that would be totally inappropriate."
"Wait, I might have a solution." Phoebe interjected, "Why don't I ask Piper and Paige to come with us?" These were the cousins that she had practically been raised with. Their own family was not as wealthy as Phoebe's, and her parents had taken care of the girls often. Phoebe, being an only child had been happy to have them as friends as well as cousins. She was particularly close to Paige, who had a similar passion for adventure, although maybe not as pronounced as Phoebe's. "Piper is older than me, and would be a proper escort."
"She's barely a year older than you, and at any rate, what makes you think that they'd like to go there?"
"At least, let me ask them? If they agreed, would you let me go then?"
Her parents hesitated, but she seemed so enthusiastic about it that they didn't see how they could object anymore. Besides, Prue reflected that this trip might help her daughter grow closer to the young man, and who knew what this could bring. Of course, she knew what she was hoping for… "Alright… but only if Piper agrees to accompany you… And Sir, you have better promise to keep her safe."
"That's a promise. No harm will come to your daughter, Madame. On the contrary," he added, looking affectionately toward Phoebe. However, this one was already getting up and practically running out of the room. She was almost out when she stopped short and turned back questioningly: "When would we go?"
"Departure is set for tomorrow morning, very early."
Phoebe smiled anew and went on her way…
They had followed the route described to them by the hunter, and after a two days walk through the forest, they found themselves where he had stopped to bandage his arm. Very few white people lived in these parts. Most came here to hunt or prospect. It had been an even bigger shock to them, because of this, as they had settled in this place for the very reason of its isolation from the white man. Their anger was compounded by frustration.
They had decided to try finding the guilty party himself. He had an injured man with him and might not be as fast as they could be. Meanwhile the trapper and his companions had rejoined with a group that they belonged to. Indeed they were trappers and had been just as surprised by their encounter with the Indians as those had been. Not that they didn't expect to see Indians, but their reaction had been so violent that the other men in the camp decided to organize a posse. They wanted to make sure that they could safely hunt in these territories, and concluded that the Indians living there were a threat.
Cole and his companions were following the trail of blood in reverse, when they came face to face with the posse in question. The two groups were on either side of a narrow waterway and stared at each other for an instant before the men from the posse shouldered their guns. The warriors raised their bows, but before they could attack, bullets were flying their way and the man beside Cole fell to the ground, mortally wounded, along with two more in his party. The other warriors saw that they were clearly outdone and re-entered the forest in a hurry, followed closely by the white men. Fortunately the Indians knew the terrain better than the hunters, which allowed them to put distance between them and their pursuers rapidly. Only when they were convinced that they had lost the posse, did they stop.
The men were angry and frustrated anew. Cole himself couldn't forget the one that he saw falling beside him and rage mounted in him as well. However, he convinced the warriors that these men were too well armed for them to be able to do anything about it. One of the men then made a suggestion. "I agree with you, Jolon. But the death of our brothers has to be avenged. Not all white people are so well protected. And besides, with a little preparation, I'm sure that we would have a chance to succeed."
Cole found this idea somewhat repulsive, but agreed that the death of their brothers warranted action. Therefore, they set out to travel toward a more populous area… In the distance, they heard the noisy hunting party, which had lost their tracks completely.
It had taken some convincing, but Piper had finally agreed to the trip, when assaulted not only by Phoebe, but also by Paige, who was just as excited at the idea of such a trek.
"If you refuse to come," Phoebe was now pleading, "I won't be allowed and I want this so much. It's like a dream come true. It's my best chance to see this wilderness, which I only read about until now."
"What about the dangers?" Piper questioned warily. "Are we so certain that it's safe?"
"Hey Phoebe told you," Paige added, "we're going to have armed guards and besides, it's not all that wild this way anymore. I heard that many farmers have settled there. Come on Piper, live a little… When will we have the chance to do this again, just as Phoebe said…?"
Phoebe saw her hesitate some more. "Please, pretty please? Come on, it'll be fun. And besides, what better things do we have to do here?"
"You're talking about spending nights in the open, Phoebe, not a picnic…"
"All the better!"
Paige and her were staring expectantly at Piper and after another moment, she finally agreed: "I better not regret this!"
"I promise you that you won't, thank you!" Phoebe exclaimed.
Piper smiled, unable to resist her cousin's enthusiasm. "Then I guess, you better leave us now. If we want to be ready for tomorrow, we have a lot to do."
"You're right, so do I. I'll see you tomorrow. Don't forget, we're going very early."
Paige answered for the both of them: "We won't forget."
This had been three days earlier. Now, they were on their way and Phoebe, however tired, was still just as enthusiastic about the trip. Out the windows of the coach, she could see a group of buffaloes grazing in the plains. And in the distance, a thick forest was coming on. Four armed men were riding with the coach, and by now she knew them all by name. They had showered her and her cousins with attentions through these three days. Those men were obviously more rugged than the girls were used to, but at the same time also friendlier. The only cloud on the trip came from Leo himself. The morning they were to depart, Piper and Paige had come to the house just as Leo was arriving to pick them up. The moment that Piper and he saw each other, it was obvious that he had been very impressed by her cousin. Phoebe still could not see herself living with him, yet this turn of event had annoyed her immensely. For the next few days, he had still been very attentive to her, but he had also spent a lot of time with Piper, who seemed to like him just as much. Even now, as she turned back toward them, she thought that she caught a longing look between them and her irritation came back all at once. However, she tried her best to hide this from them: "Leo, how much time do we still have to travel to get to the settlement?"
Leo seemed to need a moment to focus on her question. "Oh, no more than a day, now…We still have to go across the forest that is coming up, but the road is already built and it should be a smooth ride. Are you tired of this trip already?"
"No, of course not… I'm so grateful for this. And you were right, the Indians that we encountered were nothing like I heard described."
She was referring to a few Indian settlements that they had come across during the trip. They had even traded a few items with them, to the girls' delight. Phoebe had also secretly looked closely at some of the men in those villages. Against her better judgement, she was searching for the man of her dreams… Of course, she had not found him, and the thought of her foolishness brought a smile to her lips, making her temporarily forget about her irritation toward Leo and Piper.
After crossing the mountains, Cole and the warriors had reached a forest, and they were now watching the carriage coming down the road toward them. In the underbrush lied a scout sent ahead most probably by the other armed guards with guns that they could now distinguish. He had been easily dispatched with and had given them the idea that the hit would be easier than they had expected.
One of them turned to the others: "Those white people are stupid. They do not even try to hide their passage."
Cole was observing the carriage as well, but something else was on his mind. From the moment that they had seen it, a strange feeling had invaded him. As if these people coming toward them, had been somehow connected to him. He saw the braves poised for the attack, and couldn't feel the same as they did. "What was it that bothered him," he thought. Still, when the coach was close enough, he followed the others toward the hiding places they had chosen for their ambush.
The first two guards were already under the cover of the trees and suddenly Phoebe felt something, an indefinable feeling of dread mixed with some weird anticipation. She looked through the window at the dark forest, but saw nothing there other than the trees. Then the coach entered it in turn…
