After what seemed like forever, the ranch finally came into view, but Blue Fire was startled to find that the bright orange glow she'd seen a while back was coming from her destination. That sight combined with the odor that drifted to her nose led her to believe it could only be one thing: fire.
Riding ahead, Blue Fire intercepted a group of about forty people, some on foot and some on horseback. All wore white sheets, masking their features, even covering their horses. The ones on horseback and a few on the ground held torches, accounting for the fiery glow. The others were armed with pitchforks and rifles, advancing on the small cottage.
The Indian led Winter Escape around the mob, stopping in front of the door, shouting, "What do you want?"
"Give us the boy!" cried one with a sheet-covered horse. "He stole from Lauren!"
Now uncomfortable by the proximity of the people, Robyn spurred her mare in the flanks, giving her the cue to rear and hanging on as the horse lifted her front legs off the ground.
"Get back! You have no right to be on this land."
"Get her," snarled one on horseback, and several hooded members swarmed towards the mounted Indian, who once again asked her mare to rear, the strong forward-striking hooves startling many of the people enough to force them back a few steps.
Sliding to the ground, Blue Fire sent Winter Escape through the crowd, and called for Wolf as she quickly opened the door to let him out. The animal bounded outside, teeth bared dangerously and the hair standing up on the back of his neck. Alicia followed, Winchester in her hand, Golden Eagle not far behind. The two had only been waiting for Blue Fire to show up, not wanting to leave Virgil alone, and also being smart enough to realize that one of them alone was no match for the angry cult.
"The odds are thirty-to-three, Indian," cautioned the one who Robyn assumed was the leader, seeing how everyone seemed to be surrounding him and his horse.
"You're right. We accept your forfeit," she replied, chuckling at the fuming thug.
Before he could bark his next command, Alicia fired a warning shot into the air, and everyone fell still, staring.
"I know you all thrive on your secrets and privacy, but I can guarantee you, if you don't get off my land, we will remove you. And when we do, we'll be sure to remove a few hoods at the same time, and your privacy will be gone. You'll be turned into the sheriff, and the KKK of this town will be no more.
"Now, do you really want to fight us?" she called, looking directly at their leader.
He was laughing. "You can't beat us, wench. Get the boy!" he ordered, and the mob moved towards the house. Blue Fire was quick to push into the crowd, pulling the mounted men to the ground, landing strategic blows that felled them quickly.
Spotting the leader, still on his horse, she went after him, dodging punches and pushing others out of the way as she made her way through the dense crowd.
Before she could get to her destination, however, she was ambushed from the side. Three men ran at her, knocking her to the ground before grabbing her arms and pulling her to her feet. One hooded man decided a restrained Indian was an easy target, and began landing sharp blows to her middle.
With a battle cry that sent chills down the spines of everyone within earshot, Blue Fire used her attacker for leverage and, running up the length of his body, the woman managed to complete a flip and loose her arms. Once she was free, she turned on her captors, knocking them unconscious within seconds, and then heading towards the hooded leader once more, who was trying desperately to ride away from the fray, finding it hard to maneuver his horse through the dense crowd of people.
"You're mine," she growled, jumping for him in a leap that defied gravity, knocking him from his horse, the two landing hard on the ground, Blue Fire immediately getting the upper hand. Turning him onto his stomach, she straddled his back and twisted his right arm before he could do more than whine and plead for her to let him go.
"Not yet," she stated, ripping the hood from his head. Her blue eyes widened in shock as the man tried in vain to hide his face. "Sheriff Riser! You led them!" the Indian exclaimed, dragging him to his feet. It made sense to her, now, why the group hadn't been afraid of being caught – if the sheriff was their leader, they'd never be put in jail.
Pushing him towards the house, so he'd be in plain view, for all to see, she snarled, "I should kill you where you stand." Still twisting his arm behind his back, she watched as the people clad in white slowly stopped fighting when they noticed their leader had been discovered.
Alicia managed to recover from her surprise enough to shout, "In light of this, deputy Byron Tailor will take over as sheriff, and will handle the law. That means you will all be put in jail for coming together to try to destroy my house… Get off my property!" she cried, and people scattered.
Grabbing a rope, Blue Fire tied the former sheriff's hands, and then whistled for Winter Escape, who came galloping up to her mistress. Mounting her horse, Robyn informed Alicia that she was going to take the man in personally to the deputy – now sheriff – to make sure he knew the real story. While she rode away, Pete Riser walking beside, Alicia and Christian went to check on Virgil, the fact that the brave had his arm around Alicia's shoulders not going unnoticed by the woman warrior.
It was a long ride, prolonged by the fact that the man often refused to walk, his whining getting on the Indian's nerves, and she wanted to be back at the ranch to keep an eye on Christian. She couldn't help it, she was jealous of the physical closeness the man seemed to have with the small blonde.
Eventually, they arrived in the town, and Blue Fire walked him right up to the deputy's doorstep, knocking loudly and waking him.
"Mr. Tailor, I have the leader of the… KKK," she announced, remembering what Alicia had called them. She'd have to ask the woman about that later. "Peter Riser."
"Sheriff Riser? You're the leader of the Klan?" the young man questioned, looking to be in his mid-twenties with short blonde hair and gentle blue-gray eyes, which were now staring hard at the man he'd called "Boss" for many years. Seeming to be well built, from what Robyn could tell through his thin white shirt, she had the feeling he would be a much better sheriff.
"That makes you the sheriff, Mr. Tailor," she hinted, handing the man the rope. "They said that Virgil stole, and that is why they wanted him, but he did not take anything. I will swear to that," she added, firmly.
"Thank you, Robyn, I'll take things from here. I believe you about your friend, I know you're trustworthy, and your word is good. Go back to Alicia, and tell her I send my regards. Have a good night," he said, nodding respectfully. Bidding the man to have the same, the tall woman mounted her Palomino mare once again, riding back to the ranch at a gallop, looking up at the stars occasionally.
She thought about how, ever since the incident in the mine, everyone in town began acting like they knew her personally. The doctor, the deputy, everyone. While some took a liking to her, others could have just as well have seen her dead, all because she was an Indian.
It didn't bother her that much, she realized. Just so long as Alicia loved her, that was all that mattered to the tall native. Everybody else could go kick a beehive or kiss a mountain lion, for all she cared.
I would not have imagined that the love of a white woman would ever become my utmost priority, she thought, with a sigh. But since I have met Alicia, many things have changed. Several whites have become my friends, such as Sheriff Tailor and Lauren and Anderson, and I have discovered that many of the beliefs of my people are not the same as the white man's.
Living with Alicia has given me a new perspective on life, the Indian decided. And I like it. She is very patient in explaining things to me, and yet, I think, worries more than my own mother when I am out of her sight! Smiling as she thought of the woman she loved, Blue Fire realized that she had really fallen hard – thinking of her future, she could see herself with no one else, but Alicia.
But Christian… I do not know what to think of him. I do not like the way he is always touching Alicia, she admitted to herself. Perhaps I should speak with him about how close he gets to my soul mate.
On the ride back to Escape Ranch, Robyn couldn't help but think about the vision she'd experienced… she still didn't understand it. She was no longer living with the Apache, so how could she possibly be involved in its foundation? And what of the second pair of hands? They were dark-skinned, so the Indian determined it was not Alicia; who else would be helping her?
By the time the ranch came into view, the woman was no farther along in deciphering the vision than early that morning, and she decided to speak to Alicia about it. Perhaps the young blonde had an idea as to what it meant.
It no longer surprised the Indian to find the rancher waiting up for her, but it did please her when she walked through the door and was greeted by a firm hug around the neck and a kiss on the cheek.
"Hello to you, too, my love," she chuckled, returning the embrace, speaking softly since Virgil and Christian were asleep in the living room, just a few feet away.
"Hi," sighed Alicia into her shoulder, happily. "I missed you."
An eyebrow was raised. "I was not gone long," Blue Fire pointed out.
"I know," acknowledged the blonde, "but I missed you, just the same."
"I missed you, too," smiled Robyn, kissing the top of the rancher's head. "It has been a long and hard day for both of us; to bed, yes?" Alicia accepted the suggestion immediately, and pulled the woman into the room by her hand. Once the door was shut securely behind them, the smaller woman kissed the Indian soundly on the lips, only pulling back when she needed air.
"Mm, what was that for?" asked an extremely surprised but satisfied Indian.
"Just because I love you," stated Alicia, blushing a tiny bit at her boldness.
Blue Fire smiled, and gently led the small rancher to their bed, returning the kiss once they were both sitting on the edge. "I love you, too," she whispered. "Thank you, my heart, for letting Golden Eagle and Little Bear stay with us… and for understanding why I needed to find Christian for Virgil."
Alicia placed her hand against the woman's cheek, smiling a little when the Indian leaned into her palm, reveling in the loving touch. "Sweetheart, I will always be behind you in whatever you choose to do, but I will always worry about you. Unfortunately, my worry often overrides my sense," she smirked. "Never doubt that I will support you, okay?"
"This is one of the reasons I love you, Alicia," said Robyn, and continued when the blonde gave her an encouraging look. "You always know what to say to make things better." With that profession, Robyn received another long kiss, a series of which continued until both women were left breathless, the strong Indian holding the rancher in her arms.
"Alicia, what is this KKK that you spoke of?" she asked, abruptly, and the blonde sighed.
"The KKK stands for the Ku Klux Klan," she explained, quietly. "They're a group of people who are against any blacks, Indians, and basically anyone who is not like them. The only reason they didn't come for me is probably because you're here," she admitted.
"They would come for you? Why?"
"Because of who I choose to love. Since I love a woman, it goes against what they believe, and they would rather punish me for it than accept it."
"They will not lay a hand on you!" snarled the Indian.
Alicia smiled. "Not now they won't, love," the rancher reassured her. "Since their leader is caught I doubt they'll be a problem in this town, and like I said, they're more than likely afraid of you. I don't think we'll have to worry about the Klan for a long time," she said, happily, snuggling deeper into the Indian's arms.
While they were lying there, Blue Fire explained her vision to the blonde, and asked her what she thought of it.
"Blue Fire, you will always be a part of the Apache nation, no matter where you go or who you live with," the woman said, gently. "You were born and raised there – it's who you are. I wouldn't be at all surprised if, heaven forbid, should something happen to them, you would be there in a heartbeat to help fix it. And you'd no doubt need help, from another Indian and not me, so the extra pair of hands doesn't surprise me, either.
"But, that's just what I think," Alicia finished, with a shrug.
"You may be right, my love," smiled Blue Fire. "But then what worries me, is what would break the nation apart?"
The next morning, Blue Fire was rather startled to awake to the sound of Christian shouting at the top of his lungs. Alicia, somehow, was still asleep, so the Indian crept out of bed carefully, and approached the man with a frown.
"Why do you yell? You will wake Alicia!" she scolded, and he just stared at her, wide-eyed.
"My son is gone!" he cried. "Virgil is gone! Where did he go? We have to find him! What if the pale-faces have him?"
Blue Fire grabbed the man by the front of his shirt and ordered, "Breathe! We will find him, but first you must be calm. You will only hinder the search if you are this emotional," she warned, and he nodded, taking a deep breath and collapsing onto the sofa.
"I will get Alicia, and tell her of the problem," she explained. "Then we will saddle our horses and look for Virgil. Alicia will stay here in case he comes back.
"Golden Eagle," she said, sternly, getting his attention. "We will find him, I promise you." The man swallowed hard, and tried to believe her as he gathered his wits.
"My love," called Robyn, gently shaking Alicia.
"Not yet. I love you more than anything, but please go away," pleaded the blonde, but this time, the Indian couldn't let her sleep in.
"Alicia, you must wake up. Virgil is missing, and Christian and I are going to look for him. We need you to stay here, in case Virgil returns," she explained, and green eyes flew open.
"He's gone?"
Blue Fire nodded. "Yes, my heart," she confirmed, and the woman was dressed in a flash. "We will meet back here when the sun is high, at noon, if neither of us has found him yet. I will take Wolf with me, as well," Robyn stated, as they convened in the living room, and then the two Indians mounted their respective horses.
"You go to the east, and I will look to the west side of the land," Golden Eagle said, having gotten control of his senses again, and the woman agreed, spurring Winter Escape to the eastern section of Alicia's property.
Wolf followed close behind, and helped as best he could, nose to the ground almost constantly. The animal had grown to be a very intelligent and very obedient wolf under Blue Fire's gentle hand, and the woman had made sure his tracking skills were honed to near perfection; she had no doubts that Wolf would find the boy. The only thing she was worried about was whether someone else would find him first… say the whites or the Navajos.
With sweat running into her eyes and down the side of her face, Robyn was about ready to head back to the ranch to see if perhaps the boy had returned on his own, since it was near noon, when Wolf suddenly charged into the brush. Urging her horse to follow, the Indian quickly dismounted when she found the young child lying on the ground, apparently trying not to be seen.
"Virgil, are you all right?" she asked, anxiously, and the boy looked up at her, nodding.
"Yeah," he sighed, heavily. "How come you had to find me, Blue Fire?"
The Indian frowned. "Virgil, your father is very worried for you!" she exclaimed. "Why did you leave?"
"Because it's my fault," he sniffled, and Robyn kneeled down beside him.
"What is your fault?"
"That the bad white men wanted to hurt Alicia and burn her house," he explained. "They wanted me, but instead tried to hurt you and Alicia and my pa. If I don't stay there, they won't come back," he said. "I thought if I left I wouldn't cause so much trouble, and maybe you and my dad wouldn't be mad at me… I guess I still bother you."
Blue Fire sighed. "Little Bear, you are not trouble, no one is angry with you, and you do not bother us," she said, clearing that up right off the bat. "Those people were bad, yes, but it was not your fault that they attacked us. They have been causing trouble for many people, but now are where they belong; so, in a way, you were a help.
"And leaving is not good – your father misses you very much," the woman added. "Alicia and I were also very worried. Come back with me, Virgil, it is time for lunch."
The boy shook his head, adamant. "Why didn't they like me?" he asked.
The tall woman bit her lip, wondering what to say. She wouldn't lie to the child, but didn't like what telling the truth meant. "Because you are not like them," she admitted. "They did not like me, either, because I am Apache. They did not like you because of your skin color; they do not really know you, Virgil. Some people are just afraid."
"Of what?"
"Of accepting change and understanding that if no one was different, if we all pulled in the same direction, the world would tip over," the Indian surmised. "There are some who do not like people just because they are different… but that is no reason to pass judgment.
"Come, enough of this, you must be as hungry as I am," she hinted, offering her hand, pleased when the boy took it and allowed her to pull him to his feet. Mounting Winter Escape, the two rode back in silence, which lasted until Christian threw open the door when he saw his son, and ran outside to greet him.
"Virgil!" he cried, sweeping the child into a tight hug. Speaking in rapid Navajo, he admonished his boy for running away, before clutching him tighter when he learned of the reason.
"I love you, my Little Bear," he smiled, "and I would never want you to leave. No matter what you do, I will always love you, okay?" The child seemed happy to be reassured of this fact, and gripped his father tightly, letting him carry him into the house and into the kitchen where they all shared a delicious lunch.
"It's good to have you back, Virgil," grinned Alicia, giving the boy a strong hug. "Don't ever worry us like that again, all right? Always remember that if someone is prejudice against you, if they don't like you because you're different, that you're stronger than they are, because you can accept them for who they are," the rancher requested, and the young child agreed.
After lunch, Blue Fire offered to show Christian where the grooming supplies were kept so he could work on his horse. The two Indians walked out to the barn together, and as soon as they were out of range of the house, Robyn turned on the Navajo.
"It would be wise for you to stay away from Alicia," she growled.
The man had the nerve to smile at her. "Why?" he questioned.
"I do not like that you are always being close to her… she is my soul mate," she stated, evenly.
Christian shook his head. "You have nothing to fear from me, Blue Fire. I just lost my wife, I am in no way trying to take your Alicia," he assured her. "It is just nice to have a friend like her."
Blue Fire snarled at him, nonetheless. "Just watch where you put your hands," she warned, and showed him where to find the tack. "I will leave you to your horse, now, but do not forget what we have discussed." Eyeing him once more, she intended to head back to the house, but as soon as she stepped outside the barn, she stopped in her tracks. There, just dismounting her horse, was Small Fox.
"Small Fox," she greeted, with a nod, having become on much better terms with the girl since she'd assisted her in finding Alicia, setting her free from the contraption the white men had set up for her torture. "What brings you here?"
"I come with sad news, shizeege (my friend)," she admitted, pulling back from giving her tall sister a quick hug.
"What?"
"Your mother… she is very ill. Ndoitcho wishes for me to bring you back to… to say goodbye."