Part 3
Chapter 7
Night was beginning to fall on Walker and Trivette as they came closer and closer to Blackfeather's camp. Both men were trying to ignore the hunger and fatigue that was beginning to plague them. Neither man was willing to give into it as the pushed themselves on.
Suddenly Walker held up his hand and Trivette slowed up behind him.
"What is it Walker?" Trivette asked.
"Smoke," he answered nodding his head skyward to the whiffs of smoke drifting in the not so distant air.
"What are we waiting for?" Trivette asked ready to proceed on.
"Nightfall it will be easier to get into the camp."
Trivette nodded in agreement with his partner as they both began lifting their packs from their backs. Sitting down they pulled out and started in on a cold meal not wanting to start a fire to alert anyone that they were there.
They sat quietly with their own thoughts wondering if they would find the junior partners when they got to the camp, wondering if they were even alive.
"What do you think their chances are Walker?"
"At this point Trivette I can't hazard a guess."
~~~~~
Sydney hugged Gage closer as he lay against her fitfully sleeping. She gently stroked his hair wanting him to rest a little longer before he had to take on Blackfeather. She kept her eyes trained on their captors
"Syd," Gage called stirring against her.
"Right here Gage. How you feeling?"
"Better. What time is it?"
"It looks to be around four in the afternoon," she answered once again helping him to sit.
"Have you had any rest?"
"I'm fine," Syd tried to assure him as he lifted his arm around her and pulled her close. Bending his head Gage let his lips rest against hers. "How bout you close your eyes for a few minutes just to rest them," he suggested hugging her tighter to him his hand coming to her cheek to caress her.
Finally her eyes closed letting him keep watch over her. Gage sat silently with Syd in his arms watching the goings on in the camp. There were about half a dozen women there who were preparing the meal for the evening. There had been no sign of them earlier that day or at least if they had been there he hadn't noticed. Other then that with the exception of a few sentries the camp looked deserted.
Sydney turned in his arms and his attention came back to her. "I love you Syd," he softly whispered to her. "It's taken us too long to get here for me to let someone like Blackfeather separate us. I'm going to win this fight and our freedom."
He let his mind drift back a couple of days to the lake a smile of complete satisfaction crossed his face his resolve becoming more and more clear as he watched her sleep.
"No one will ever separate us," he told her again.
His thoughts were broken with the pounding of hooves as man and animal came riding into the camp. Gage watched as Blackfeather got off his horse and he studied the man as best he could. Although she had never said he knew it had been Blackfeather who had hit Sydney bruising her cheek. The thought of the man even near her was making Gage's blood run cold.
~~~~~
Darkness began to descend upon them, Syd jerked in Gage's arms her eyes opening wide struggling with him.
"Syd, Syd it's all right. It's me it's all right," he told her holding on a little tighter until she woke to the realization of where she was and what was actually happening. Burying her face against his chest she held tightly to him too.
"I just want to go home," she softly whispered.
"Soon Honey, we'll be home soon," he promised his thumb rubbing softly over her cheek.
"You two are wanted out here." White Hawk was standing at the entrance of the tent waiting for them with two other men. They slowly disengaged themselves from each other, taking Syd's hand they emerged from the tent. White Hawk stood in front of them as the men went one to each side of them.
"It is time for the dinner to begin," White Hawk announced turning to lead the way.
Keeping a tight gripe on Syd's hand they followed to a large circle where the rest were all ready seated. Blackfeather sat in full ceremonial garb of a chief barely acknowledging their presence as they were motioned by White Hawk to take seats. They sat on the ground their guards on either side of them drawing glances and looks from members of Blackfeather's little band.
If the circumstances had been different in all likely hood both would have enjoyed the meal served them but as it was both ate a very minimal amount their immediate future weighing on their minds. Sydney had every confidence that Gage could win what worried her is whether the rest would honour the commitment and let them leave.
As dinner progressed Sydney could feel the eyes of the other women looking at her as they worked and she sat. One girl in particular watched Sydney with definite contempt and hate, she had been sharing Tommy Blackfeather's tent since he had brought them to live out there.
Gazing back at her Sydney couldn't help noticing the girl was staring at her as she whispered among her friends. She nudged Gage and pointed with her head towards the young woman and her companions.
White Hawk caught sight of the exchange and was quick to explain, "That is Lily Redbird she is in love with Tommy Blackfeather. Tommy brought her along to warm his bed but now that he has seen you he has no use for Lily. If Tommy looses the fight then she has no one, if Tommy wins he will replace her with you."
Neither Sydney or Gage responded they simply returned the gaze for a moment wishing there was something they could do about the situation.
Dinner ended with the beating of a drum and the dancing began. Syd and Gage tried to no avail to find a way to escape they were too well guarded. A dozen men and women began to move with the rhythm of the drum as a low chanting began.
The group circled stopping in front of Blackfeather for a few minutes continuing the dance. Lily Redbird moved out in front of the group trying hard to capture the attention of their leader. Blackfeather's eyes moved past her to where Sydney sat with Gage staring at her. Lily turned her head seeing where Tommy looked and her anger began to boil her hatred for Sydney soaring.
The group of dancers moved on around the circle stopping in front of where the partners sat with White Hawk. Lily crouched down in front of Sydney grabbing her hands and pulling her to join them. Syd began shaking her head no as Lily kept insisting yes until Sydney got up to join the girl. As soon as she did the other women began to form a tight circle around her letting Lily throw the first punch at her.
Quickly shaking off the punch Syd threw back one of her own catching Lily in the chin sending her flying backwards as her friends pounced on Sydney. Lily was back in moment flailing at Syd once again.
Seeing what was going on Gage was all ready on his feet trying to get to Syd as the guards took hold of him preventing him from coming to her aid. It was White Hawk and a couple more that put a stop to things.
Blackfeather was on his feet as well barking out orders. "Enough with ceremony," he shouted. "Lily Redbird I will take care of you later but for now I will take care of you," his glare moving to Gage as he spoke, "Then the question of the woman will be settled."
Lily was escorted from the circle while the rest moved to the sidelines. Blackfeather took off the elaborate headdress he was wearing and pulled the doeskin shirt over his head his muscles rippling across his chest.
Gage was motioned to remove his shirt, which revealed that he was in as good a physical condition as Blackfeather. The difference that caused the murmuring from band was the fierce scars across Gage's chest left by his encounter with the grizzly bear. Even Blackfeather eyed the scars uneasily.
Sydney broke the hold White Hawk had on her rushing to stand in front of Gage. She lifted her face to his and silently mouthed the words to him, "I love you." He smiled his understanding and love moving past her to meet his opponent. Closing her eyes for a moment Syd prayed to God to keep him safe.
Both men moved to the center of the circle where another man dressed in ceremonial fashion handed each of them a knife the handles made of carved bone, which matched perfectly.
Again the drums beat as instructions were given with the words, "Till the death."
Grabbing the knife up Tommy made a few swipes at Gage trying to test his ability. Gage easily sidestepped the blade concentrating on knocking the knife from Blackfeather's hand.
Bringing his foot up Gage easily delivered a blow to Tommy's chest and with out stopping to think he spun round not once but twice the side of his foot catching Tommy in the ribs each time. Falling back to the ground Tommy was up in a sec as the two of them began to circle with each other again.
Suddenly Tommy lunged forward at Gage with the knife catching Gage deep in the side pulling down in a jagged cut before pulling back again just as quick.
If White Hawk hadn't had a hold on Sydney she would have raced to help her partner, as it was she stood in unspoken agony watching the fight go on.
Flinching in pain Gage didn't have time to evaluate the damage Tommy was once again jabbing the knife at him. Knocking the hand and arm Blackfeather held the knife in away with his hand Gage followed through with a spin kick catching his adversary in the back and sending him flying.
Tommy was immediately on his feet again and on the attack throwing two fast kicks that Gage blocked with his hands. Once again he jabbed at Gage with the knife as Gage took hold of his wrist spinning him to the ground on his back. Quickly turning Gage made a move to pin Blackfeather to the ground only to be met by Tommy's feet coming straight out at him knocking Gage to the ground instead.
Both men were once again on their feet both menacingly thrusting the knives at each other. Blackfeather gave one loud war cry and came running at Gage who swerved just far enough to the side that he missed him. Gripping the back of Tommy's neck Gage flung him face first to the ground dropping on top of him planting his knee in the small of the man's back. Snatching a handful of the long black hair Gage pulled Blackfeather's head back bringing the knife to his throat.
Leaning his head down to speak in Tommy's ear Gage asked, "Do you really have to die here?"
Blackfeather remained stubbornly silent so Gage pressed the sharp blade of the knife into his throat and asked again.
"You can go."
"Both me and my woman?" Gage asked.
"Yes both of you," Blackfeather agreed.
"Say it louder I don't want anyone trying to stop us."
"You and the woman can go," he shouted out.
Moving the knife from his neck Gage dropped Tommy to the ground and slowly got up Turning he began to walk towards Sydney who stood waiting for him. He caught the look in her eyes a split second before she screamed, "Gage look out."
Blackfeather had gotten up from the ground and snatching the knife was running at Gage to attack from behind. Spinning around Gage threw the knife he was still holding with accurate speed hitting Blackfeather in the chest killing him instantly.
Sydney went to Gage who was holding his injured side letting him lean against her. White Hawk had gotten up from his friend and come to stand in front of them.
"He died in honour which is what he most wanted," White Hawk spoke of his friend. "We will honour our word to you." Motioning to one of the men that had stood guard over them he had Blackfeather's horse brought to them. "You are about a half a day's ride to the east to get to the highway. Don't stop until you have put some distance between you and us all do not agree with this decision."
White Hawk helped Syd onto the horse and Gage struggled on behind her. Along with the horse White Hawk had saw that they had a days food, Gage a clean shirt and some scant medical supplies to look after the stab wound he had endured in the course of the fight.
"Thank you White Hawk," Sydney said as Gage offered his hand in friendship. Grasping his hand for a moment the two rangers headed off, the mournful cry of Lily Redbird sounding in their ears.
Chapter 8
From their vantage point Walker and Trivette had a fairly good view of the camp below. All seemed quiet but Walker knew it hadn't been. They had heard the drums beating as they made their way to the camp. A small group sat around the fire as it blazed.
"I don't see Sydney and Gage anywhere," Trivette mused out loud to he and Walker.
"Yeah me either," Walker agreed starting towards the camp Trivette right behind them eluding the sentries as they walked boldly to join the group at the fire.
"Can we share your fire with you tonight?" Walker asked of the men as they jumped to their feet.
"Walker," White Hawk questioned recognizing him immediately, "how is it you come to be here?"
"I could ask the same of you White Hawk," Walker replied.
"We are looking for justice for our people, to return to a simpler life," White Hawk answered waiting to here Walker's response.
"We come in search Tommy Blackfeather and two Rangers, our friends we believe he is holding captive."
"Man and a woman?" another of the group asked.
"Yes a man and a woman."
"They were here, they murdered Tommy Blackfeather."
Everyone turned to see Lily Redbird standing there addressing the group. Blackfire walked from the group, putting his hand under Lily 's elbow he walked with her away from the circle.
"Tommy Blackfeather died as much by his own hand as the Ranger's hand," White Hawk again spoke. "Yesterday Blackfeather came across your friends as they camped by the river. When it was dark the attack began, Tommy and a dozen others on horseback. They were brought here and your friend made a plea to fight for his woman and himself. The fight was fair your friend won but after the fight Blackfeather tried to take your friend's life. Your friend was defending himself."
Walker nodded as White Hawk finished the story with, "You're welcome to camp here tonight Washo."
Knowing it would be easier to find the trail and their friends in the light of day Walker agreed.
~~~~~
"You know as much as I do that the Ranger killed Blackfeather," Lily cried pulling away from Blackfire.
"Lily Tommy is dead and we can't bring him back," Blackfire tried to console her.
"But we can certainly avenge his death by putting an end to the life of his killer," she shot back. "Both he and the woman must die."
"Lily we are just looking for trouble," Blackfire tried to reason with her as he thought about how Gage had won over Blackfeather. Now Washo was here and he knew his reputation.
"The only ones who will find trouble are those two," she quietly, calculatingly spoke. "If you won't help me I'll do it alone."
Blackfire weighed his options as he looked at the beautiful Lily knowing he couldn't loose her he had to help her. He nodded his head in agreement, "I'll help you Lily, I'll help avenge Tommy's death."
~~~~~
Sydney pulled back on the reins bringing the horse to a halt in the middle of the trail. Gage leaned heavily against her back his head resting on her shoulder his arms around her. It had been a couple of hours since they had been allowed to leave the encampment and Syd hoped they were far enough away to stop for the night.
"What's wrong Syd?" Gage asked stirring slightly.
"Nothing I just thought we could use a rest," she replied trying to hide the worry from her voice.
"I'm fine," her partner mumbled.
"Well I'm not I've got to get down and stretch," she insisted turning slightly to half face him.
"Okay," Gage agreed gritting his teeth against the pain he pulled away from her so she could slide down from the horse. As Syd's feet hit the ground she put her hands to her lower back and stretched a moment. Gage slumped forward on the horse and began to slide side ways, Sydney turned around just in time to catch him as he slid off towards her.
"Gage," she cried easing them both to the ground holding him against her.
"I just need a minute Syd and I'll be ready," he insisted his head lying against her breast.
"Okay Gage but you rest for now," she whispered quietly to him fighting to keep from crying.
They lay that way for quite a while until she was sure he was sleeping then she slid out from under him easing his head gently to the ground. Going over to the horse she took his reins and tethered him to a small tree. Taking hold of the blanket that was on the horse's back she pulled it off spreading it over Gage before lying down beside him again.
The clouds began to separate letting the moon show through the rays catching Gage's face. Syd watched him tense in pain slowly relaxing as she gently ran her fingers across his cheek. She brought her lips to his temple, kissing him as she whispered, "It'll be okay Gage."