The Wild
Chapter 7
Outside, Jolon stopped and looked around the village with infinite pain. He had expected a fight, maybe to lose his position as apprentice. He even could have dealt with a physical punishment. But this… This was too cruel.
He felt more than heard the old man coming behind him. However, he didn't turn toward him, choosing to wait for him to talk instead. At any rate, Jolon was certain that the words would stay in his throat.
The Shaman came beside him and his eyes were filled with sorrow. He had tried everything to prevent this, but the chief had been adamant. He didn't want the reminders of his daughter's humiliation anywhere near the village, which was the other reason that had brought the Shaman to him.
"Jolon, I'm sorry that I couldn't do anything. They wouldn't listen to me."
Jolon shrugged, half convinced that the old man agreed with them…
In spite of his affection for the Shaman, he could not help being angry as well. Still, he just listened, as this one continued:
"There is another matter that has been discussed at length, and it concerns the girl…"
This got Jolon to react:
"What did they say?" He asked anxiously.
The old man sighed:
"They… The chief wanted a severe punishment," he said, knowing that it was an understatement.
"At least, I got them to reconsider." He added quickly. "They'll let her go with you, if you both promise never to come back…"
Jolon closed his eyes and took a deep breath. In a way, it was a blessing that at least he wouldn't lose her, but he was saddened, as all he could offer now was a miserable and solitary life. Not at all what he had envisioned…
"What about her family?"
"They will stay here and serve the purpose for which we decided to keep them. The council still fears that the white men will come back before we move the village. Moreover, if, as I hope, we can go away before they arrive, I convinced the council to release them with the means to reach safety. Hopefully, either way they'll leave us, unharmed, in the spring."
Jolon knew that they had decided to use the prisoners as leverage to prevent a fight that they were sure to lose. The Indians had considered that the debt of blood had been repaid, and wanted nothing more than to be left in peace from now on.
However, they knew that the white men had long memories. They also had heard of tribes decimated by their attacks.
The move was supposed to take place in the early spring, but they feared that this might be too late.
"It was all bad timing," the old man seemed to be telling himself, even if talking aloud. If we could've moved before the winter came, they probably would never have found us, and maybe all this could have been avoided."
Jolon protested:
"I would have still loved her…"
"But you might have let her go then. Maybe it would have been better for both of you."
Jolon could not bring himself to think of this possibility. Not anymore… Nevertheless, he did feel bad that he caused this situation in great part. "Why didn't I listen?" He thought, remembering her words of the night before. If he had, he would never have proposed marriage to Noayak…
Yet, it was too late to dwell on this, and after a nod to the Shaman, he headed with a heavy pace toward the prisoner's tent.
All the way there, he thought that people were staring at him, and was convinced that they all knew by now.
When Leo saw him coming, he wasn't any more thrilled to see Jolon than when the Shaman had visited. However, he knew that Phoebe was waiting for him, and didn't try to stop him.
Piper came by Leo's side with a worried look. She had noticed the grim expression on the Indian's face, and her already shot nerves just got another jolt.
"God, what is happening now?"
Leo wrapped his arms around her, not at all reassured himself:
"I really don't know."
Paige was sitting by the small fire and looked just as nervous. It might have been somewhat selfish of them, they had thought, but they were not just worried about Phoebe. It was unnerving to think of what the Indians might do to all of them in light of what happened.
Still, they couldn't do more than wait and see, as they had nowhere else to go…
They heard Phoebe's exclamation of relief, and then nothing for a while.
Inside Phoebe had almost gone mad with worry waiting for him, and she jumped in his arm as soon as he entered. He held her tight for a long moment, but when he said nothing she began worrying again.
She pulled slightly away, looking up, and asked:
"What is it? What did they say?"
Jolon seemed to be searching for the way to explain and she knew that it was bad. He put his hands on her cheek, caressing her softly, but on his expression, she read an immense sorrow.
"They are banishing me…" He finally uttered in a low voice.
The fear returned at once, not the fear of death or hurt, but the fear of losing him:
"No they can't, I can't lose you…"
He put his hand on her lips, letting Phoebe know that it wasn't all.
"You don't understand; they're banishing both of us."
Phoebe frowned:
"What?" She asked in an incredulous voice.
"We are their prisoners, this doesn't make sense."
Jolon sighed heavily:
"It beats the alternative. The shaman got them to let you go…"
Phoebe took a step back when she understood the implication.
"What about my cousins and Leo?" She asked fearfully still.
"They will stay here," he simply answered.
"But it's not safe for them either…"
"They won't hurt them, I promise. They need them…"
"Why?"
Jolon told her of the Council's reasoning and she looked at him in horror.
"What will happen if they don't want to negotiate?"
Jolon sighed again:
"I hope that they will." He answered cryptically.
Phoebe turned around, still very upset about this. She had even forgotten about his lie for the moment.
Then a little hope crept in her:
"Maybe…" She hesitated slightly, "maybe, we could go for help?"
She could hear the irritation in his voice then:
"And then what? Bring back the soldiers so that they could kill my people?"
She turned to him, a little angry as well now, but he continued quickly:
"With a little luck, the problem will never present itself, anyway. The tribe will move in the early spring, and the Shaman assured me that they would free your friends then…"
"Unless they need them as hostages…" Phoebe replied, very upset.
"Phoebe, my people are not monsters. They do not wish this more than you. And I will not betray them either."
Phoebe still had to try:
"But look at what they did to you. How can you still defend them after they banished you because you loved me?"
He questioned curtly:
"Would you risk your family's safety? Even if you felt that they had not been fair to you?"
Phoebe had no reply to this, as she had to admit that he was right. She only then understood how truly painful it must have been for him.
She came back toward Jolon:
"I'm sorry."
He didn't react as she had hoped however. Instead, he was still standing very stiffly, and she wondered if she had not said something that he considered irreparable.
"Jolon, I'm sorry," she repeated pleadingly, as she brought her hand to his cheek and touched it lightly, trying to appease him.
He finally reacted, but said something unexpected:
"I'll bring you back to your family in the spring. You won't have to worry until then; I'll keep you safe…"
"What? No! I won't leave you."
He turned away from her, and she could feel his pain clearly then:
"I know what you think. That now, we could live with your people. That won't happen. I may not be a part of this tribe anymore, but I'm not of your world either. I must have been crazy to think that you would want to stay."
This hurt Phoebe more because in a way, he was right. She had been hoping that they could return to her world… Even more so now that he wasn't part of them anymore. Seeing his reaction however, she thought better of mentioning what she knew of his origins…
"While it is true that I thought about it…" she began in a hesitating voice, "I made the decision to be with you, wherever you'll be. I'm not going to change my mind. I won't leave you…" She added with more conviction.
Jolon wanted to believe this but couldn't quite yet:
"You might not say this after a few months of this life."
"Do you think me so fickle or so weak, that I would give up on us at the first sign of trouble? You don't know me very well if you believe that."
When he still didn't turn back toward her, she had an unpleasant thought, and couldn't help asking about it:
"Unless, it's you who's regretting…?"
This got Jolon's attention:
"I don't regret anything that happened between us. Not now, not ever." He answered forcefully, looking back at her.
Relief washed over her and she smiled softly:
"Then we will be fine…"
He frowned, uncertain if she truly meant it:
"You know that it will be difficult, don't you?"
She leaned against him, and wrapped her arms around him.
"As long as you love me, I can get through anything."
"Really?" He asked, even as he hugged her back.
She looked up and in her eyes, he saw the answer clearly.
"I love you," she whispered.
He responded by kissing her with an intense passion, forgetting all about what brought them to this point. His caresses soon became more demanding, his hand moving down her back, already trying to undress her, but she stopped him, suddenly reminded of her family's presence just outside.
He reluctantly pulled away, as she stroked his face:
"Soon…"
` It also reminded them painfully that they wouldn't have to worry about other people then. However, Phoebe didn't want to dwell on this. As difficult as it might be, she knew that the sooner they had left this place, the safer it would be for both of them, and most probably for her family as well.
"I have to say goodbye," she added.
Jolon nodded without a word, as she moved away. His heart was still racing and he found it difficult to let her go. He knew better however than to go with her. They needed this moment among themselves and he waited for her.
Phoebe got out of the tent and her cousins came to her right away, both with very worried expressions.
Piper questioned nervously:
"What's going on, Phoebe?"
Phoebe took a deep breath:
"I have to go…"
"Go? Go where?"
"They are letting me go with Jolon."
Paige interjected:
"What about us?"
Phoebe lowered her eyes:
"You're staying."
Her cousins seemed about to protest with good reasons, but she quickly continued:
"You'll be fine, they wish you no harm. They just don't want me or Jolon around here anymore."
She thought better than telling them of the alternative, again thinking that some truths were better left untold. She hoped however, that her next words would prove to be true:
"Jolon assures me that they will let you go in the spring…"
"What about you?" Piper still asked.
"I will not be going back with you." Piper again tried to protest, but Phoebe lifted her hand to stop her:
"Just tell my parents when you see them, that I'm fine and happy. They should just believe that and not worry."
"How could they not worry? What got into you? You can't seriously envision never to go back home?"
Phoebe smiled sadly to her cousin:
"I am home Piper. Wherever he will be, I will make my home with him."
Piper observed her cousin for a sign of doubt in her expression, but she could find none.
"You really mean it?" She questioned.
"Yes I do. I don't want you to worry about me. I'll be ok as long as he is with me. Stay safe, and when the time comes, go home."
Paige came to her as well:
"Phoebe?"
Phoebe simply hugged her young cousin, the emotion preventing her from saying anything more. She hugged Piper and Leo as well, and then she turned back toward the tent to gather her belongings.
Soon, she was ready. Jolon and her said one last goodbye to her tearful family, before going to his tent, where he took only what he deemed necessary. It wasn't much, but Phoebe trusted that he knew what he was doing.
No one else came to see them off, and they left the village with apprehension, but confident that together they could overcome anything…
Paul, a troop of soldiers and many of the trappers, whom had been after the Indians in the fall, were now on their way there. The thaw had not quite settled yet, but a lot of convincing on Paul's part had finally budged the soldiers. They now believed that they could safely cross the mountains. It had been over three months now, and for Paul it had been the longest winter he had ever lived through. He had been praying daily with Prue for the safe return of their daughter. The soldiers were increasingly skeptical about her survival, but her parents would not be deterred. They had to know for sure.
When they arrived where all of this had begun, his heart sunk at the sight of the simple graves. It reminded him painfully that his chances of finding his daughter alive were thin at best. Yet, he wasn't ready to give up. The soldiers announced that they intended to setup camp not far from here, and send a scout ahead.
Paul got upset at the delay, but they argued that it was for all their safety. There was still the possibility that the trail would be impracticable and they had to be sure about it before going any further.
The scout returned the next evening with good news. The snow was packed and hard because of the low temperature. He was convinced that the horses could go through as well. The sergeant then announced that they would depart the next morning, to Paul's relief.
He couldn't stand the wait any longer, and didn't even want to let himself imagine what it must have been for Phoebe…
Phoebe was slowly getting used to their new situation. The first few days of their exile, Jolon had spent teaching her basic survival skills. It had been an interesting experience for her until she had realized that he must have had a good reason for wanting to do this so soon:
"What is the hurry?" She had asked anxiously.
"Nothing to worry about," Jolon had answered reassuringly, taking her in his arms for emphasis. It's simply that I will have to leave you on occasions for hunting. The game is becoming rare in these parts, particular this time of year. I want to be sure that you will be ok during that time."
At first, they had setup camp in a cave that he had known about. This had seemed even worse than the tent to Phoebe, but he assured her that soon they would have a place of their own.
"As soon as I can go hunting that is…"
That stopped her complaining, since she had not been very enthusiastic about him leaving her alone.
The days were grueling at first, while she helped him set up traps, and prepare the food that they gathered around in the forest. She learned a lot about what was edible or not. Phoebe was amazed at the variety of plants that they could use even now. He told her how much she would love the summer time if she thought this to be abundance.
The nights however, were magical to her. Spending them in his arms, she felt safe and content as she had never felt in her entire life. Not even compared to the protected and quiet life that she had led at home.
She couldn't help thinking of her family often however, and it put a damper on her happiness sometimes. She could also see how much he missed his. She found him often lost in contemplation, looking back the way they had come wistfully. The first few times that he left her alone, she even feared that he might have gone back, even if he knew that it was forbidden. He always came back however, and soon her doubts vanished. Their next task had been to build a tent for themselves with what he brought back from the hunt and his gatherings. This proved to be a challenge for Phoebe, who had never been very good at sowing. With his help, she at least managed to do a passable job, and soon they had a place to call their own.
It was modest, but the work that she had put in it gave her an immense sense of pride. Jolon found it very amusing to see her going in and out of the tent, admiring her work that first night.
"Come here," Jolon had said at last from inside.
"It's much better to be in it than looking at it," he had added teasingly.
She re-entered the tent to find that he had already undressed and lied on their bed, lifting the blanket invitingly. She was amused, but feigned annoyance.
"What? You don't think that I did a great job? Why don't you admire my work as well?" Phoebe said, barely able to contain the amused smile that she felt coming.
He dropped the blanket and lied back, just looking at her suggestively:
"In truth, I'd much rather admire you…"
This time the smile came all the way, as she undressed shamelessly for him. In the back of her mind, she thought of what her mother would think about her lack of modesty, but with him, she felt free of any sort of conventions.
She ran to him then, molding herself against him, and enjoying feeling his already obvious arousal. Their passion had not diminished in the least even in the face of all the hardship they had endured. He brought her face close to his, and then covered her lips with his hungrily.
However, she was in a teasing mood and pulled away with a mocking smile.
"Oh and there I thought that we could simply sleep tonight…"
Jolon smiled at her obvious playful attitude. But then, he pushed her on her back pinning her down, as she laughed frankly, albeit with a little tremor when he started depositing little teasing kisses on her neck, then her breasts, still pinning her down with his arms and legs. Her laughter died down as she started taking shallow breaths, the excitement mounting in her like a wave.
She whispered:
"Jolon…"
Her languorous tone of voice excited him even more, as he came back up toward her face and again kissed her deeply. To which she responded with the same ardor. He let go of her arms and started caressing her sides, descending slowly toward her hips, as she lifted them toward him invitingly.
She put her hands on his back, pulling him even tighter against her.
Then, she let her hands slide down his muscular body, enjoying touching him as much as feeling his touch on her. His kiss became more wanting and soon their communion was complete as she once more gave herself to him completely. When they were spent, he still lay besides her, caressing her side lovingly while they just looked in each other's eyes. In these moments of complete happiness, Phoebe could forget about the dangers and their isolation, because she felt as safe and content as one could be.
After a while, however, she had started to feel the cold and shivered. He noticed it and realized that the fire was dying. He bent toward her, covering her with one of the skins they had tanned together to use as blankets. Remembering how hard she had worked on it brought a smile to his lips.
Then, he got up and Phoebe called to him:
"Hey you're not going out like that?" She exclaimed, indicating his undressed state.
Jolon giggled:
"We Indians have warmer blood than you. I'll be…"
The look on her face stopped him short. Suddenly, he saw something akin to disappointment in her. Not at all what he had expected…
"What?" He asked softly, as he was coming back toward her.
Phoebe looked away:
"Nothing."
Nevertheless, he knew that there was something for she wasn't in the habit of avoiding his questions. At least, not anymore…
"I know there's something. Were you thinking of your family?"
Phoebe bit her lips but didn't turn to him.
For all the time that they had been out there, she had been wondering how to talk to him about the Shaman's revelations. At first, she had simply worried about him getting angry, and had postponed the talk. Then, she had somehow realized that he truly didn't think of himself as white.
However, for some reason that comment of his had made her uncomfortable. As if it reminded her that he was still keeping things from her.
She was mostly upset at herself for reacting to this, but she couldn't help wondering. If Jolon kept something so important from her, what else might he not have told her?
Jolon was becoming more upset at her attitude by the moment:
"Please, I thought that we weren't supposed to let anything come between us anymore. What's wrong?"
Phoebe couldn't help the next comment:
"How can you say that? You're the one who kept something from me all this time…"
He was genuinely surprised then:
"Phoebe! I didn't keep anything from you. What are you talking about?"
She then blurted it out:
"Why didn't you trust me enough to tell me that you're white? Is that because you're ashamed of it? And if yes, are you ashamed of me, deep down?"
The change in his attitude was immediately apparent.
His eyes took the same angry coldness that she had only seen before they had declared their love for each other. She moved away instinctively:
"Who told you that?" He asked icily.
Phoebe hesitated and it seemed to anger him even more:
"How long have you known? Was that from the start? Is that why you came with me? Because I wasn't like them in your mind…?"
She took a deep breath, and then protested vehemently:
"No! Of course not! How can you say that? I would've loved you no matter what, you have to know that."
He ignored her protestations however, and questioned again, moving toward her:
"How long have you known? Who told you?"
Suddenly, she forgot about her worries and became angry as well:
"Your father, or should I say your step father, told me; the day we left the village, if you have to know. And I think that I would've deserved to hear it from you…"
He seemed about to reply but instead, he turned around, picked up his clothes and headed out.
Phoebe felt this as worse than if he had continued the argument:
"That's it, run. That's how you react to every problem anyway." She exclaimed in a much angrier tone of voice than she had even intended.
She regretted it immediately, but it was too late.
He stopped only an instant, as if he was going to turn back, but then, he left without another word.
Phoebe suddenly felt more alone than ever before. For the first time since they had left the village, she sensed the isolation that they were living in, and it was an unpleasant sensation. When the anger receded, she started sobbing softly. She waited for hours, hoping that he would return after he cooled off, but he didn't come back until the next afternoon. Even then, he threw the game he had caught next to her, and otherwise ignored her completely.
"Jolon?" Phoebe tried, but he simply entered the tent without answering.
His silence lasted for the next three days, as he was also going away for hours at a time, without ever saying where. At night, he slept with her in the tent but still ignored her. She was appalled, and felt lost. However, after her first attempt at talking to him, she decided to wait for him to make the first move.
That third morning, she woke up feeling horrible. It might not have been much of a change from the last three mornings, if it hadn't been for the nausea that took her over from the moment she got up. She ran out of the tent, barely making it. Dejectedly, she thought to herself that now she might get horribly sick and that he wouldn't even notice. However, she had been wrong about this. Jolon was angrier with himself than with her by then. At first, he had felt betrayed, convinced as he was that she didn't accept him for what he was now. He knew what he was, and white wasn't it. No matter where or what he had been born, he was an Indian, and if she couldn't accept that, then it would be over between them. After the first two days of this however, he found himself regretting his outburst. Still, he didn't know how to apologize to her.
The last night had been painful, as only his pride had kept him from begging her for forgiveness. He wanted so much to return to the wonderful days where they had not been so divided. He had not slept at all that night and saw her running out, noticing her sickly complexion. Worry finally overcame his pride, and he ran out to her.
She was still bending over, heaving painfully and he feared that she had caught something bad. Now his shame was complete as he felt that he had doubly failed her. Jolon went to her, but couldn't say anything. She finally noticed that he was there and looked up in surprise.
"What?" She asked, now convince that she must have done something wrong again. She wasn't in the mood to have another argument.
The abrupt question took him aback and he felt it like a slap. However, by now he knew that he somewhat deserved it. He was still very worried about her and just stood there, wondering what he could say to make things better.
Phoebe noticed the way he bit his lower lip, as she had seen him do often when he was unsure about something. Somehow, she sensed that things had changed again and she asked in a softer voice:
"What is it?"
She could read the worry in his eyes and dared hope at last. She moved toward him and he watched her warily.
Then he managed to ask:
"Are you sick?"
"It's nothing, just stomach flu, don't worry."
She moved closer and he blurted out:
"I'm so sorry, I… I wasn't fair to you. If something happened to you…"
She threw herself in his arms and the relief he felt then made him realize how much of an idiot he had been. Feeling her against him, he knew that home was with her. He held on tight to her, and even if she still felt very bad, nothing could make her pull away at this point.
"Nothing will happen to me as long as you're with me."
However, the next few mornings proved to be just as unpleasant, if not worse, until Phoebe realized that she wasn't exactly sick after all…
She had been careful not to worry him about it, mostly sneaking out when the wave of nausea came, so that he was convinced that it had not happened again. However, when she figured out the true reason for her malaise, she was overjoyed and couldn't wait to tell him. That morning, she waited anxiously for him to come out of the tent. Unfortunately, she would not get the chance… It had been well over a month since they had left the village behind, but that morning, he woke up from an awful nightmare, certain that it had been a vision, and knew that it was time to go home.
Phoebe saw his horrified stare when he came out and a sense of dread invaded her. Putting aside her news, she asked:
"What is it?"
"We have to go back, now!"
"But I thought that they had banned us forever…"
"If we don't go now, it'll be too late to help your cousin and my people…"
Phoebe came closer suddenly alerted:
"What did you see," she asked anxiously.
"I'll explain to you on the way, there's no time to lose…"
Phoebe knew that he wouldn't do this unless there was a very good reason, so she followed him on the trail that would bring them back to the village and, she thought fearfully, to whatever awaited them there…
In the village, the situation had become very difficult for her family. The villagers were more hostile to them than ever. None had harmed them as promised, but they knew that they resented them for what happened, in addition to what they represented.
However, if their hostility was bad, Paige found that their interest was even worse… Ever since the day Phoebe had left, she had noticed a young man watching her regularly. He seemed to be emboldening himself more every day. Coming closer, and even smiling suggestively at her... She had come to the point where she feared being alone. It was simply that the young man was the same one who had nearly molested her that day, long before, when they were captured... She had managed to stay with Piper and Leo most of the time until now, which was just about a month and a half after Phoebe left… However, that day, they had taken a stroll on their own, seeking some privacy, as she had not told them of her fears.
Cobena saw his occasion and took it.
Ever since the white women had been there, he had wanted to get closer and get a taste of them, literally. However, while Jolon was there, this one had been watching over them closely. Since he had left, the council had still warned against harming them. Nevertheless, Cobena rationalized this by thinking that he wasn't going to harm her. Only take what he felt was his due. In his mind, Jolon must have kept the white women for himself, and now that he was gone, Cobena thought that he was entitled to have his way with them as well. Particularly the young one, which he had fancied from the start… Frustration had silenced all decency in him, and whatever it took, today she would be his…
Paige had stayed in the tent most of the day, but Leo and Piper's prolonged absence forced her to go get water by herself. She looked fearfully around before taking the path down to the waterhole. Now she regretted bitterly having waited so long as no one was around when she arrived. She had hoped that some of the women would still be there, but it was almost dinnertime, and they were all obviously busy elsewhere. She knew that her sister and Leo needed some time alone badly, but she still resented them for leaving her so exposed. She was doing as fast as she could when a sudden movement behind her paralyzed her. She held her breath, slowly turning around. She hoped that it was only some animal in the underbrush but she couldn't see anything. She was almost laughing at herself, thinking that she had imagined it, when she turned back toward the trail and saw him there. He was very close already. She couldn't believe that he had approached her so quickly. She took a few steps back, and he moved toward her as she did.
"Stay away from me," she pleaded fearfully. However, it seemed only to amuse him. He was blocking her way back to the village and after a moment of hesitation, she turned and ran in the opposite direction. She didn't even dare look back as she entered the forest, ignoring the branches hitting her face and arms as she went. She tried to listen for signs of his approach, expecting him to jump on her at any moment.
Cobena saw her running and it excited him even more. She was doing exactly what he wanted, as she was getting further from the village. He decided that he would only follow her from afar, until he was certain that no one could hear her screams…
Paige finally dared looking back and she saw him a ways behind her. He didn't seem in any hurry, as if he was certain that he would catch up with her, and she started to fear that he would, as her lungs were burning from the effort. She could barely feel her legs anymore, so tired she was, and only then did she realize how far they were from the village.
In a panic, she took a beeline and tried to turn back while going around him, but he saw her and started faster toward Paige. Soon she found him again facing her; but this time he didn't let her go away. He grabbed her arm hard and pulled her to him. Paige tried to kick him, but then he threw her to the ground and pulled a knife, which he put to her throat. He said something in Indian that she didn't quite understand, but she was convinced that it had been a threat. Again, fear paralyzed her, as she let him run his hand on her chest roughly. He then got a hold of the blouse opening and pulled hard, exposing her to him. The smile of triumph that formed on his lips gave Paige a chill that had nothing to do with the weather. Holding the knife against her throat, he put his hand on her thigh and pushed the skirt until he had her completely exposed. Paige could only cry in pain and shame as he took off his own clothes and lay on her heavily. A wave of nausea washed over her as he grabbed her most intimate part and tightened his grip until she screamed in pain. This time she understood what he said and almost vomited then and there.
"You like it you bitch, tell me you like it…"
He put the knife closer to her throat, and she could feel the blade cutting in her skin. He repeated angrily:
"Tell me you like it!"
She was about to cave in, out of abject terror, when she felt him being pulled away from her violently. She immediately got up, trying her best to cover herself, but convinced that no amount of clothing would ever make her feel safe in her body anymore. Then she dared looking back and saw Jolon planting a knife in the young warrior's chest. The former apprentice's face was a mask of rage. When he was certain that the man was dead, he turned toward her, but she couldn't let him near her. Instead she turned around and ran, again in the wrong direction. He tried to call to her but she ignored him. However, not long after this, the weight of the emotions and her exhaustion got the best of her and she let herself down to the cold forest floor. There she cried and screamed in frustration and despair, until her cousin called to her.
Phoebe had not been able to keep up with Jolon, as he had become increasingly worried, the closer they were coming to the spot he had seen in his dream. When he had seen Paige running away, he had hesitated, not really knowing what he could do to reassure her. Thus, he watched the way she left, and then waited for Phoebe. After he indicated the way she had left to Phoebe, this one found her cousin sitting on the ground. Her blouse was torn apart and she had a crazy look on her face. It broke her heart to see her like this. They had been too late to prevent the worst. She called to her again, moving toward her cautiously. She was afraid to scare her away again. However, Paige had no strength left in her, and she let her cousin come closer without reacting. After a moment of hesitation, she threw herself in Phoebe's arms and cried anew.
Phoebe just held her in silence for a long while.
During that time, Cole had turned back toward the village, worried that he would be too late to prevent the other premonition as well…
The crossing had gone well, and Paul, along with the soldiers and the trappers, were now confident that they could find the guilty tribe soon, or at least that was what they told an anxious Paul. The trappers indicated to them the direction that they had been searching in, and the soldiers took the opposite one, convinced that this was the way to the village. Eventually, an Indian scout that they had brought along indicated a vague trail that entered the thick woods at the foot of the mountain. He assured them that it was most certainly a man made one, even though, the soldiers were skeptical. However, short of a better alternative, they headed down the path…
Chapter 7
Outside, Jolon stopped and looked around the village with infinite pain. He had expected a fight, maybe to lose his position as apprentice. He even could have dealt with a physical punishment. But this… This was too cruel.
He felt more than heard the old man coming behind him. However, he didn't turn toward him, choosing to wait for him to talk instead. At any rate, Jolon was certain that the words would stay in his throat.
The Shaman came beside him and his eyes were filled with sorrow. He had tried everything to prevent this, but the chief had been adamant. He didn't want the reminders of his daughter's humiliation anywhere near the village, which was the other reason that had brought the Shaman to him.
"Jolon, I'm sorry that I couldn't do anything. They wouldn't listen to me."
Jolon shrugged, half convinced that the old man agreed with them…
In spite of his affection for the Shaman, he could not help being angry as well. Still, he just listened, as this one continued:
"There is another matter that has been discussed at length, and it concerns the girl…"
This got Jolon to react:
"What did they say?" He asked anxiously.
The old man sighed:
"They… The chief wanted a severe punishment," he said, knowing that it was an understatement.
"At least, I got them to reconsider." He added quickly. "They'll let her go with you, if you both promise never to come back…"
Jolon closed his eyes and took a deep breath. In a way, it was a blessing that at least he wouldn't lose her, but he was saddened, as all he could offer now was a miserable and solitary life. Not at all what he had envisioned…
"What about her family?"
"They will stay here and serve the purpose for which we decided to keep them. The council still fears that the white men will come back before we move the village. Moreover, if, as I hope, we can go away before they arrive, I convinced the council to release them with the means to reach safety. Hopefully, either way they'll leave us, unharmed, in the spring."
Jolon knew that they had decided to use the prisoners as leverage to prevent a fight that they were sure to lose. The Indians had considered that the debt of blood had been repaid, and wanted nothing more than to be left in peace from now on.
However, they knew that the white men had long memories. They also had heard of tribes decimated by their attacks.
The move was supposed to take place in the early spring, but they feared that this might be too late.
"It was all bad timing," the old man seemed to be telling himself, even if talking aloud. If we could've moved before the winter came, they probably would never have found us, and maybe all this could have been avoided."
Jolon protested:
"I would have still loved her…"
"But you might have let her go then. Maybe it would have been better for both of you."
Jolon could not bring himself to think of this possibility. Not anymore… Nevertheless, he did feel bad that he caused this situation in great part. "Why didn't I listen?" He thought, remembering her words of the night before. If he had, he would never have proposed marriage to Noayak…
Yet, it was too late to dwell on this, and after a nod to the Shaman, he headed with a heavy pace toward the prisoner's tent.
All the way there, he thought that people were staring at him, and was convinced that they all knew by now.
When Leo saw him coming, he wasn't any more thrilled to see Jolon than when the Shaman had visited. However, he knew that Phoebe was waiting for him, and didn't try to stop him.
Piper came by Leo's side with a worried look. She had noticed the grim expression on the Indian's face, and her already shot nerves just got another jolt.
"God, what is happening now?"
Leo wrapped his arms around her, not at all reassured himself:
"I really don't know."
Paige was sitting by the small fire and looked just as nervous. It might have been somewhat selfish of them, they had thought, but they were not just worried about Phoebe. It was unnerving to think of what the Indians might do to all of them in light of what happened.
Still, they couldn't do more than wait and see, as they had nowhere else to go…
They heard Phoebe's exclamation of relief, and then nothing for a while.
Inside Phoebe had almost gone mad with worry waiting for him, and she jumped in his arm as soon as he entered. He held her tight for a long moment, but when he said nothing she began worrying again.
She pulled slightly away, looking up, and asked:
"What is it? What did they say?"
Jolon seemed to be searching for the way to explain and she knew that it was bad. He put his hands on her cheek, caressing her softly, but on his expression, she read an immense sorrow.
"They are banishing me…" He finally uttered in a low voice.
The fear returned at once, not the fear of death or hurt, but the fear of losing him:
"No they can't, I can't lose you…"
He put his hand on her lips, letting Phoebe know that it wasn't all.
"You don't understand; they're banishing both of us."
Phoebe frowned:
"What?" She asked in an incredulous voice.
"We are their prisoners, this doesn't make sense."
Jolon sighed heavily:
"It beats the alternative. The shaman got them to let you go…"
Phoebe took a step back when she understood the implication.
"What about my cousins and Leo?" She asked fearfully still.
"They will stay here," he simply answered.
"But it's not safe for them either…"
"They won't hurt them, I promise. They need them…"
"Why?"
Jolon told her of the Council's reasoning and she looked at him in horror.
"What will happen if they don't want to negotiate?"
Jolon sighed again:
"I hope that they will." He answered cryptically.
Phoebe turned around, still very upset about this. She had even forgotten about his lie for the moment.
Then a little hope crept in her:
"Maybe…" She hesitated slightly, "maybe, we could go for help?"
She could hear the irritation in his voice then:
"And then what? Bring back the soldiers so that they could kill my people?"
She turned to him, a little angry as well now, but he continued quickly:
"With a little luck, the problem will never present itself, anyway. The tribe will move in the early spring, and the Shaman assured me that they would free your friends then…"
"Unless they need them as hostages…" Phoebe replied, very upset.
"Phoebe, my people are not monsters. They do not wish this more than you. And I will not betray them either."
Phoebe still had to try:
"But look at what they did to you. How can you still defend them after they banished you because you loved me?"
He questioned curtly:
"Would you risk your family's safety? Even if you felt that they had not been fair to you?"
Phoebe had no reply to this, as she had to admit that he was right. She only then understood how truly painful it must have been for him.
She came back toward Jolon:
"I'm sorry."
He didn't react as she had hoped however. Instead, he was still standing very stiffly, and she wondered if she had not said something that he considered irreparable.
"Jolon, I'm sorry," she repeated pleadingly, as she brought her hand to his cheek and touched it lightly, trying to appease him.
He finally reacted, but said something unexpected:
"I'll bring you back to your family in the spring. You won't have to worry until then; I'll keep you safe…"
"What? No! I won't leave you."
He turned away from her, and she could feel his pain clearly then:
"I know what you think. That now, we could live with your people. That won't happen. I may not be a part of this tribe anymore, but I'm not of your world either. I must have been crazy to think that you would want to stay."
This hurt Phoebe more because in a way, he was right. She had been hoping that they could return to her world… Even more so now that he wasn't part of them anymore. Seeing his reaction however, she thought better of mentioning what she knew of his origins…
"While it is true that I thought about it…" she began in a hesitating voice, "I made the decision to be with you, wherever you'll be. I'm not going to change my mind. I won't leave you…" She added with more conviction.
Jolon wanted to believe this but couldn't quite yet:
"You might not say this after a few months of this life."
"Do you think me so fickle or so weak, that I would give up on us at the first sign of trouble? You don't know me very well if you believe that."
When he still didn't turn back toward her, she had an unpleasant thought, and couldn't help asking about it:
"Unless, it's you who's regretting…?"
This got Jolon's attention:
"I don't regret anything that happened between us. Not now, not ever." He answered forcefully, looking back at her.
Relief washed over her and she smiled softly:
"Then we will be fine…"
He frowned, uncertain if she truly meant it:
"You know that it will be difficult, don't you?"
She leaned against him, and wrapped her arms around him.
"As long as you love me, I can get through anything."
"Really?" He asked, even as he hugged her back.
She looked up and in her eyes, he saw the answer clearly.
"I love you," she whispered.
He responded by kissing her with an intense passion, forgetting all about what brought them to this point. His caresses soon became more demanding, his hand moving down her back, already trying to undress her, but she stopped him, suddenly reminded of her family's presence just outside.
He reluctantly pulled away, as she stroked his face:
"Soon…"
` It also reminded them painfully that they wouldn't have to worry about other people then. However, Phoebe didn't want to dwell on this. As difficult as it might be, she knew that the sooner they had left this place, the safer it would be for both of them, and most probably for her family as well.
"I have to say goodbye," she added.
Jolon nodded without a word, as she moved away. His heart was still racing and he found it difficult to let her go. He knew better however than to go with her. They needed this moment among themselves and he waited for her.
Phoebe got out of the tent and her cousins came to her right away, both with very worried expressions.
Piper questioned nervously:
"What's going on, Phoebe?"
Phoebe took a deep breath:
"I have to go…"
"Go? Go where?"
"They are letting me go with Jolon."
Paige interjected:
"What about us?"
Phoebe lowered her eyes:
"You're staying."
Her cousins seemed about to protest with good reasons, but she quickly continued:
"You'll be fine, they wish you no harm. They just don't want me or Jolon around here anymore."
She thought better than telling them of the alternative, again thinking that some truths were better left untold. She hoped however, that her next words would prove to be true:
"Jolon assures me that they will let you go in the spring…"
"What about you?" Piper still asked.
"I will not be going back with you." Piper again tried to protest, but Phoebe lifted her hand to stop her:
"Just tell my parents when you see them, that I'm fine and happy. They should just believe that and not worry."
"How could they not worry? What got into you? You can't seriously envision never to go back home?"
Phoebe smiled sadly to her cousin:
"I am home Piper. Wherever he will be, I will make my home with him."
Piper observed her cousin for a sign of doubt in her expression, but she could find none.
"You really mean it?" She questioned.
"Yes I do. I don't want you to worry about me. I'll be ok as long as he is with me. Stay safe, and when the time comes, go home."
Paige came to her as well:
"Phoebe?"
Phoebe simply hugged her young cousin, the emotion preventing her from saying anything more. She hugged Piper and Leo as well, and then she turned back toward the tent to gather her belongings.
Soon, she was ready. Jolon and her said one last goodbye to her tearful family, before going to his tent, where he took only what he deemed necessary. It wasn't much, but Phoebe trusted that he knew what he was doing.
No one else came to see them off, and they left the village with apprehension, but confident that together they could overcome anything…
Paul, a troop of soldiers and many of the trappers, whom had been after the Indians in the fall, were now on their way there. The thaw had not quite settled yet, but a lot of convincing on Paul's part had finally budged the soldiers. They now believed that they could safely cross the mountains. It had been over three months now, and for Paul it had been the longest winter he had ever lived through. He had been praying daily with Prue for the safe return of their daughter. The soldiers were increasingly skeptical about her survival, but her parents would not be deterred. They had to know for sure.
When they arrived where all of this had begun, his heart sunk at the sight of the simple graves. It reminded him painfully that his chances of finding his daughter alive were thin at best. Yet, he wasn't ready to give up. The soldiers announced that they intended to setup camp not far from here, and send a scout ahead.
Paul got upset at the delay, but they argued that it was for all their safety. There was still the possibility that the trail would be impracticable and they had to be sure about it before going any further.
The scout returned the next evening with good news. The snow was packed and hard because of the low temperature. He was convinced that the horses could go through as well. The sergeant then announced that they would depart the next morning, to Paul's relief.
He couldn't stand the wait any longer, and didn't even want to let himself imagine what it must have been for Phoebe…
Phoebe was slowly getting used to their new situation. The first few days of their exile, Jolon had spent teaching her basic survival skills. It had been an interesting experience for her until she had realized that he must have had a good reason for wanting to do this so soon:
"What is the hurry?" She had asked anxiously.
"Nothing to worry about," Jolon had answered reassuringly, taking her in his arms for emphasis. It's simply that I will have to leave you on occasions for hunting. The game is becoming rare in these parts, particular this time of year. I want to be sure that you will be ok during that time."
At first, they had setup camp in a cave that he had known about. This had seemed even worse than the tent to Phoebe, but he assured her that soon they would have a place of their own.
"As soon as I can go hunting that is…"
That stopped her complaining, since she had not been very enthusiastic about him leaving her alone.
The days were grueling at first, while she helped him set up traps, and prepare the food that they gathered around in the forest. She learned a lot about what was edible or not. Phoebe was amazed at the variety of plants that they could use even now. He told her how much she would love the summer time if she thought this to be abundance.
The nights however, were magical to her. Spending them in his arms, she felt safe and content as she had never felt in her entire life. Not even compared to the protected and quiet life that she had led at home.
She couldn't help thinking of her family often however, and it put a damper on her happiness sometimes. She could also see how much he missed his. She found him often lost in contemplation, looking back the way they had come wistfully. The first few times that he left her alone, she even feared that he might have gone back, even if he knew that it was forbidden. He always came back however, and soon her doubts vanished. Their next task had been to build a tent for themselves with what he brought back from the hunt and his gatherings. This proved to be a challenge for Phoebe, who had never been very good at sowing. With his help, she at least managed to do a passable job, and soon they had a place to call their own.
It was modest, but the work that she had put in it gave her an immense sense of pride. Jolon found it very amusing to see her going in and out of the tent, admiring her work that first night.
"Come here," Jolon had said at last from inside.
"It's much better to be in it than looking at it," he had added teasingly.
She re-entered the tent to find that he had already undressed and lied on their bed, lifting the blanket invitingly. She was amused, but feigned annoyance.
"What? You don't think that I did a great job? Why don't you admire my work as well?" Phoebe said, barely able to contain the amused smile that she felt coming.
He dropped the blanket and lied back, just looking at her suggestively:
"In truth, I'd much rather admire you…"
This time the smile came all the way, as she undressed shamelessly for him. In the back of her mind, she thought of what her mother would think about her lack of modesty, but with him, she felt free of any sort of conventions.
She ran to him then, molding herself against him, and enjoying feeling his already obvious arousal. Their passion had not diminished in the least even in the face of all the hardship they had endured. He brought her face close to his, and then covered her lips with his hungrily.
However, she was in a teasing mood and pulled away with a mocking smile.
"Oh and there I thought that we could simply sleep tonight…"
Jolon smiled at her obvious playful attitude. But then, he pushed her on her back pinning her down, as she laughed frankly, albeit with a little tremor when he started depositing little teasing kisses on her neck, then her breasts, still pinning her down with his arms and legs. Her laughter died down as she started taking shallow breaths, the excitement mounting in her like a wave.
She whispered:
"Jolon…"
Her languorous tone of voice excited him even more, as he came back up toward her face and again kissed her deeply. To which she responded with the same ardor. He let go of her arms and started caressing her sides, descending slowly toward her hips, as she lifted them toward him invitingly.
She put her hands on his back, pulling him even tighter against her.
Then, she let her hands slide down his muscular body, enjoying touching him as much as feeling his touch on her. His kiss became more wanting and soon their communion was complete as she once more gave herself to him completely. When they were spent, he still lay besides her, caressing her side lovingly while they just looked in each other's eyes. In these moments of complete happiness, Phoebe could forget about the dangers and their isolation, because she felt as safe and content as one could be.
After a while, however, she had started to feel the cold and shivered. He noticed it and realized that the fire was dying. He bent toward her, covering her with one of the skins they had tanned together to use as blankets. Remembering how hard she had worked on it brought a smile to his lips.
Then, he got up and Phoebe called to him:
"Hey you're not going out like that?" She exclaimed, indicating his undressed state.
Jolon giggled:
"We Indians have warmer blood than you. I'll be…"
The look on her face stopped him short. Suddenly, he saw something akin to disappointment in her. Not at all what he had expected…
"What?" He asked softly, as he was coming back toward her.
Phoebe looked away:
"Nothing."
Nevertheless, he knew that there was something for she wasn't in the habit of avoiding his questions. At least, not anymore…
"I know there's something. Were you thinking of your family?"
Phoebe bit her lips but didn't turn to him.
For all the time that they had been out there, she had been wondering how to talk to him about the Shaman's revelations. At first, she had simply worried about him getting angry, and had postponed the talk. Then, she had somehow realized that he truly didn't think of himself as white.
However, for some reason that comment of his had made her uncomfortable. As if it reminded her that he was still keeping things from her.
She was mostly upset at herself for reacting to this, but she couldn't help wondering. If Jolon kept something so important from her, what else might he not have told her?
Jolon was becoming more upset at her attitude by the moment:
"Please, I thought that we weren't supposed to let anything come between us anymore. What's wrong?"
Phoebe couldn't help the next comment:
"How can you say that? You're the one who kept something from me all this time…"
He was genuinely surprised then:
"Phoebe! I didn't keep anything from you. What are you talking about?"
She then blurted it out:
"Why didn't you trust me enough to tell me that you're white? Is that because you're ashamed of it? And if yes, are you ashamed of me, deep down?"
The change in his attitude was immediately apparent.
His eyes took the same angry coldness that she had only seen before they had declared their love for each other. She moved away instinctively:
"Who told you that?" He asked icily.
Phoebe hesitated and it seemed to anger him even more:
"How long have you known? Was that from the start? Is that why you came with me? Because I wasn't like them in your mind…?"
She took a deep breath, and then protested vehemently:
"No! Of course not! How can you say that? I would've loved you no matter what, you have to know that."
He ignored her protestations however, and questioned again, moving toward her:
"How long have you known? Who told you?"
Suddenly, she forgot about her worries and became angry as well:
"Your father, or should I say your step father, told me; the day we left the village, if you have to know. And I think that I would've deserved to hear it from you…"
He seemed about to reply but instead, he turned around, picked up his clothes and headed out.
Phoebe felt this as worse than if he had continued the argument:
"That's it, run. That's how you react to every problem anyway." She exclaimed in a much angrier tone of voice than she had even intended.
She regretted it immediately, but it was too late.
He stopped only an instant, as if he was going to turn back, but then, he left without another word.
Phoebe suddenly felt more alone than ever before. For the first time since they had left the village, she sensed the isolation that they were living in, and it was an unpleasant sensation. When the anger receded, she started sobbing softly. She waited for hours, hoping that he would return after he cooled off, but he didn't come back until the next afternoon. Even then, he threw the game he had caught next to her, and otherwise ignored her completely.
"Jolon?" Phoebe tried, but he simply entered the tent without answering.
His silence lasted for the next three days, as he was also going away for hours at a time, without ever saying where. At night, he slept with her in the tent but still ignored her. She was appalled, and felt lost. However, after her first attempt at talking to him, she decided to wait for him to make the first move.
That third morning, she woke up feeling horrible. It might not have been much of a change from the last three mornings, if it hadn't been for the nausea that took her over from the moment she got up. She ran out of the tent, barely making it. Dejectedly, she thought to herself that now she might get horribly sick and that he wouldn't even notice. However, she had been wrong about this. Jolon was angrier with himself than with her by then. At first, he had felt betrayed, convinced as he was that she didn't accept him for what he was now. He knew what he was, and white wasn't it. No matter where or what he had been born, he was an Indian, and if she couldn't accept that, then it would be over between them. After the first two days of this however, he found himself regretting his outburst. Still, he didn't know how to apologize to her.
The last night had been painful, as only his pride had kept him from begging her for forgiveness. He wanted so much to return to the wonderful days where they had not been so divided. He had not slept at all that night and saw her running out, noticing her sickly complexion. Worry finally overcame his pride, and he ran out to her.
She was still bending over, heaving painfully and he feared that she had caught something bad. Now his shame was complete as he felt that he had doubly failed her. Jolon went to her, but couldn't say anything. She finally noticed that he was there and looked up in surprise.
"What?" She asked, now convince that she must have done something wrong again. She wasn't in the mood to have another argument.
The abrupt question took him aback and he felt it like a slap. However, by now he knew that he somewhat deserved it. He was still very worried about her and just stood there, wondering what he could say to make things better.
Phoebe noticed the way he bit his lower lip, as she had seen him do often when he was unsure about something. Somehow, she sensed that things had changed again and she asked in a softer voice:
"What is it?"
She could read the worry in his eyes and dared hope at last. She moved toward him and he watched her warily.
Then he managed to ask:
"Are you sick?"
"It's nothing, just stomach flu, don't worry."
She moved closer and he blurted out:
"I'm so sorry, I… I wasn't fair to you. If something happened to you…"
She threw herself in his arms and the relief he felt then made him realize how much of an idiot he had been. Feeling her against him, he knew that home was with her. He held on tight to her, and even if she still felt very bad, nothing could make her pull away at this point.
"Nothing will happen to me as long as you're with me."
However, the next few mornings proved to be just as unpleasant, if not worse, until Phoebe realized that she wasn't exactly sick after all…
She had been careful not to worry him about it, mostly sneaking out when the wave of nausea came, so that he was convinced that it had not happened again. However, when she figured out the true reason for her malaise, she was overjoyed and couldn't wait to tell him. That morning, she waited anxiously for him to come out of the tent. Unfortunately, she would not get the chance… It had been well over a month since they had left the village behind, but that morning, he woke up from an awful nightmare, certain that it had been a vision, and knew that it was time to go home.
Phoebe saw his horrified stare when he came out and a sense of dread invaded her. Putting aside her news, she asked:
"What is it?"
"We have to go back, now!"
"But I thought that they had banned us forever…"
"If we don't go now, it'll be too late to help your cousin and my people…"
Phoebe came closer suddenly alerted:
"What did you see," she asked anxiously.
"I'll explain to you on the way, there's no time to lose…"
Phoebe knew that he wouldn't do this unless there was a very good reason, so she followed him on the trail that would bring them back to the village and, she thought fearfully, to whatever awaited them there…
In the village, the situation had become very difficult for her family. The villagers were more hostile to them than ever. None had harmed them as promised, but they knew that they resented them for what happened, in addition to what they represented.
However, if their hostility was bad, Paige found that their interest was even worse… Ever since the day Phoebe had left, she had noticed a young man watching her regularly. He seemed to be emboldening himself more every day. Coming closer, and even smiling suggestively at her... She had come to the point where she feared being alone. It was simply that the young man was the same one who had nearly molested her that day, long before, when they were captured... She had managed to stay with Piper and Leo most of the time until now, which was just about a month and a half after Phoebe left… However, that day, they had taken a stroll on their own, seeking some privacy, as she had not told them of her fears.
Cobena saw his occasion and took it.
Ever since the white women had been there, he had wanted to get closer and get a taste of them, literally. However, while Jolon was there, this one had been watching over them closely. Since he had left, the council had still warned against harming them. Nevertheless, Cobena rationalized this by thinking that he wasn't going to harm her. Only take what he felt was his due. In his mind, Jolon must have kept the white women for himself, and now that he was gone, Cobena thought that he was entitled to have his way with them as well. Particularly the young one, which he had fancied from the start… Frustration had silenced all decency in him, and whatever it took, today she would be his…
Paige had stayed in the tent most of the day, but Leo and Piper's prolonged absence forced her to go get water by herself. She looked fearfully around before taking the path down to the waterhole. Now she regretted bitterly having waited so long as no one was around when she arrived. She had hoped that some of the women would still be there, but it was almost dinnertime, and they were all obviously busy elsewhere. She knew that her sister and Leo needed some time alone badly, but she still resented them for leaving her so exposed. She was doing as fast as she could when a sudden movement behind her paralyzed her. She held her breath, slowly turning around. She hoped that it was only some animal in the underbrush but she couldn't see anything. She was almost laughing at herself, thinking that she had imagined it, when she turned back toward the trail and saw him there. He was very close already. She couldn't believe that he had approached her so quickly. She took a few steps back, and he moved toward her as she did.
"Stay away from me," she pleaded fearfully. However, it seemed only to amuse him. He was blocking her way back to the village and after a moment of hesitation, she turned and ran in the opposite direction. She didn't even dare look back as she entered the forest, ignoring the branches hitting her face and arms as she went. She tried to listen for signs of his approach, expecting him to jump on her at any moment.
Cobena saw her running and it excited him even more. She was doing exactly what he wanted, as she was getting further from the village. He decided that he would only follow her from afar, until he was certain that no one could hear her screams…
Paige finally dared looking back and she saw him a ways behind her. He didn't seem in any hurry, as if he was certain that he would catch up with her, and she started to fear that he would, as her lungs were burning from the effort. She could barely feel her legs anymore, so tired she was, and only then did she realize how far they were from the village.
In a panic, she took a beeline and tried to turn back while going around him, but he saw her and started faster toward Paige. Soon she found him again facing her; but this time he didn't let her go away. He grabbed her arm hard and pulled her to him. Paige tried to kick him, but then he threw her to the ground and pulled a knife, which he put to her throat. He said something in Indian that she didn't quite understand, but she was convinced that it had been a threat. Again, fear paralyzed her, as she let him run his hand on her chest roughly. He then got a hold of the blouse opening and pulled hard, exposing her to him. The smile of triumph that formed on his lips gave Paige a chill that had nothing to do with the weather. Holding the knife against her throat, he put his hand on her thigh and pushed the skirt until he had her completely exposed. Paige could only cry in pain and shame as he took off his own clothes and lay on her heavily. A wave of nausea washed over her as he grabbed her most intimate part and tightened his grip until she screamed in pain. This time she understood what he said and almost vomited then and there.
"You like it you bitch, tell me you like it…"
He put the knife closer to her throat, and she could feel the blade cutting in her skin. He repeated angrily:
"Tell me you like it!"
She was about to cave in, out of abject terror, when she felt him being pulled away from her violently. She immediately got up, trying her best to cover herself, but convinced that no amount of clothing would ever make her feel safe in her body anymore. Then she dared looking back and saw Jolon planting a knife in the young warrior's chest. The former apprentice's face was a mask of rage. When he was certain that the man was dead, he turned toward her, but she couldn't let him near her. Instead she turned around and ran, again in the wrong direction. He tried to call to her but she ignored him. However, not long after this, the weight of the emotions and her exhaustion got the best of her and she let herself down to the cold forest floor. There she cried and screamed in frustration and despair, until her cousin called to her.
Phoebe had not been able to keep up with Jolon, as he had become increasingly worried, the closer they were coming to the spot he had seen in his dream. When he had seen Paige running away, he had hesitated, not really knowing what he could do to reassure her. Thus, he watched the way she left, and then waited for Phoebe. After he indicated the way she had left to Phoebe, this one found her cousin sitting on the ground. Her blouse was torn apart and she had a crazy look on her face. It broke her heart to see her like this. They had been too late to prevent the worst. She called to her again, moving toward her cautiously. She was afraid to scare her away again. However, Paige had no strength left in her, and she let her cousin come closer without reacting. After a moment of hesitation, she threw herself in Phoebe's arms and cried anew.
Phoebe just held her in silence for a long while.
During that time, Cole had turned back toward the village, worried that he would be too late to prevent the other premonition as well…
The crossing had gone well, and Paul, along with the soldiers and the trappers, were now confident that they could find the guilty tribe soon, or at least that was what they told an anxious Paul. The trappers indicated to them the direction that they had been searching in, and the soldiers took the opposite one, convinced that this was the way to the village. Eventually, an Indian scout that they had brought along indicated a vague trail that entered the thick woods at the foot of the mountain. He assured them that it was most certainly a man made one, even though, the soldiers were skeptical. However, short of a better alternative, they headed down the path…
