Man of Justice
Chapter Thirty Nine
Man of Justice stood near the river pulling in his net. He couldn't believe how good life was. Not only was he a married man, but he was doing quite well in providing for his wife, but more importantly the Shoshone had accepted him. The majority of the villagers liked and respected him. He swore up and down he'd never purposely let any of the Shoshone people down. After all, they were his people now.
"Think you have enough fish." Running River's Friend walked up beside Man of Justice and smiled. "If you're not careful, you'll empty the river and the rest of us will go hungry." That statement made it so that both friends started laughing hard; hard enough that Man of Justice almost let the net slip out of his hand. Of course, that only brought earned him more laughter, not only from Raging River's Friend, but from those who were also fishing near the river.
"I told my father I would make sure I caught some for him and Spotted Fawn, as they have both been ill. Though," Man of Justice said as he winked at his friend, "If you don't think you can catch enough for you and the rest of your family, I supposed I could spare some." That only served to get him a slap on his arm and a few looks from some of the villagers, though no one was really concerned. After all, they knew Raging River's Friend and Man of Justice were as close as brothers would be.
"I'll catch enough." Raging River's Friend answered as he saw his sister; now Man of Justice's wife, and her friend coming their way. "I think I best get going." Raging River's Friend turned and hurried off. It was all Man of Justice could do not to laugh. Everyone in the village knew how much Bright Star's friend, Moon Song, like his friend…and how much he disliked the attention she was giving him.
"I see my dear brother has fled." Bright Star laughed as her husband finished pulling in his net and laid it down long enough to give his wife an embrace, kiss her on the forehead and then stepped back.
"Yes," he chuckled and answered, "I don't think he knows what to do around a beautiful woman and a pretty girl." Both girls laughed before Moon Song excused herself, as she said her mother would be expecting her home to help with their own family's dinner.
Unaware that her husband's friend had just finished teasing him, Bright Stars asked as she looked at all the fish in the net, "Do you think you have enough fish?"
Man of Justice threw up his hands and feigned disbelief. "Why does everyone seem to think I have the ability to drain this river of all its fish?"
Bright Star started laughing as she wrapped her arms around her husband's waist and held on tight for a moment. "You have many abilities, dear husband, though I doubt emptying the river is one of them." Neither one said anything else for at least five minutes. Both were lost in what felt like heaven as they held onto each other and listened as the river rolled by them. Only when Man of Justice let out a sigh was the peaceful feeling interrupted.
"I have work to do and fish to deliver." He pulled and smiled at his wife. "Tomorrow there is little for me to do. We will spend the day together, just the two of us." He then planted a kiss on her lips before going back to work, making sure he caught twice as much fish again; just to be sure he could keep his word the following day.
0000
The wind was once again blowing through the Shoshone village and the area around it. The majority of men, women and children were going about their daily business. However, in the wigwam belonging to Man of Justice and Bright Star, daily life was being put on hold. "I think my dear husband, there is no satisfying you." Bright Star laughed as she and Man of Just lay underneath the new bear rug she had finished making from the skin he'd brought her after going on hunt with Straight Arrow and her father.
Man of Justice leaned up on his elbow and looked down at his wife, chuckling as he did so. He could plead innocence, only he figured she had enough evidence to convict him. "Yes, there is. You satisfy me all the time. In our bed, when you're cooking, even when you have the nerve to be right and I have to wind up climbing up to fix a hole up there." He pointed to the roof over his head. "Though, if you wish to say different I will just have to throw myself at your feet and beg for mercy." His winked at her and laughed. It only served to get his wife to laughing just as hard.
When their laughter died down, Bright Star ran her finger over his shoulders and asked quietly. "Father says he has asked you to go on another hunt with him." She tried not to sound negative or fearful as she made the statement, only it was hard to do when she'd been feeling uneasy ever since her father had told her of the new hunting trip.
Man of Justice said nothing at first; he simply ran his fingers lovingly over her shoulder blade. They'd only been married two months and he hated the idea of leaving her even for a couple of days. Slowly he nodded his head. "I am your husband. I need to provide for you and your father wants someone to go with him. It would only be for a couple of days. I'll come straight home after the hunt. I promise."
Bright Star may have had the same uncomfortable feeling come over he, but she also knew he was right. He was her husband and she had no right to try and get him to stay away from the hunt. "When do the two of you leave?" Her eyes held a look of desire as she whispered, "I don't want you at my feet."
Man of Justice lowered his head, chuckling as he did so, "I don't think I'm the one who can't be satisfied and I don't have to leave until tomorrow. We have the rest of the day together and no work that can't wait." As slow as he took his time, Man of Justice would have gone ten times slower had he known it would be the last time he would lay with his wife.