Man of Justice

Chapter Forty

The sun was shining bright, seeping through the few fluffy white clouds in the otherwise brilliant blue sky. Man of Justice walked alongside his father-in-law listening to the man's stories about his childhood. Naturally, the stories ranged from anything from happy memories to sad ones. Their hunt had gone well and both had meat for their loved ones. "You are a good hunter, my son." Grey Fox also called him "my son"; Man of Justice was convinced it was a term all older men applied to men young enough to be their sons. "Though, in time, you will become even better at it." Man of Justice had to smirk at the older man's quip because he'd scared their game off more than once.

"I am a married man providing for a wife and helping his parents and yet, sometimes, I feel like such a boy." Man of Justice looked at Grey Fox. "Will it ever change?" He didn't know why he asked such a thing, but he did. His father-in-law only smiled.

"You might be an exception to the rule my son, but you are still young." Grey Fox patted his shoulder. "Give yourself time; you will learn." Their conversation might have continued on as they drew the village but it was interrupted as Raging River's Friend ran towards them full force, anguish written all over his face.

"What is wrong?" Man of Justice asked his brother-in-law, though he got the sickest feeling as he did so. While Grey Fox had the same feeling, he did not show it like his son-in-law.

That was a question his friend wished with all his heart he did not have to answer. After all, the day had started out so good with his people going about their business as usual with no sign of trouble. Why did trouble have to hit their village? Could people not live in peace for more than a short period without acting like a group of little children? That was the question Raging River's Friend had asked himself on more than once occasion.

"Our enemies," Raging River's Friend paused as he caught his breath, and then went on. "They crossed the mountains and attacked the village. We have driven them out, but," he looked at Man of Justice as the anguish in his eyes grew, "Bright Stars has been wounded. She received two arrows in her back just minutes ago. It does not look good, my brother. You must hurry; she is calling out for you." He was not surprised in the least when a look of horror spread over his brother-in-law and father's faces. He could bring himself to say that his sister was dying. Though, he didn't have to. The reflection in his father's and Man of Justice's eyes, and the pain written on their faces, was only a reflection of what he, himself, was feeling.

"No!" Man of Justice screamed as he took off running with his father in law was not far behind him. Neither one wanted to believe Bright Stars was injured that badly. When his wigwam came into view, Man of Justice saw Straight Arrow talking to one of the braves. Others were walking around solemn and tearful…one woman was even heard to say how they might have to find another place for their village.

Straight Arrow's heart went out at the sight of his son running towards him. He tried to stop him but Man of Justice simply ran past his father and into his wigwam. Man of Justice's heart stopped dead in its tracks as the Medicine Man stood up and stepped away from Bright Star's side allowing her husband to sit down beside her. Her weak smile tore at her husband's heart.

"I was on my way home." Man of Justice felt tears fighting to escape as he spoke in a pain filled voice, "I was coming." He winced, his heart was breaking as Bright Star lifted her hand up a wiped away the tears on his cheek.

"I knew you were." She whispered. "You are a man of your word. As far as I understand what love is…I do love you, Man of Justice." Bright Star grasped his hand even tighter as she was in great deal of pain. Still, she managed to speak again. "I will always love you. Hold me, please!" She cried out as things around her began to disappear, "please hold me!"

Man of Justice quickly slid his arms underneath her shoulders and raised her up, holding her close to his bare chest. "Don't go, Bright Star, don't go. I got home as soon as I could." His tears were falling like rain as he pleaded for his wife to stay within him.

"I love you…" Bright Star's words trailed off and she was gone.

"I should have been there!" Jarrod reached down, grabbed handful of small rocks and threw them as hard as he could. "I didn't have to go on the hunt! The next morning her brother said he'd go if I wanted to stay home, but I was too full of fool pride! I told him she was my wife and I'd be the one to provide for her! If I'd been there, their enemies never would have been able to get near her!" He was screaming by now, his shoulders started shaking as he began sobbing again. "I had felt like a man all those months, been treated like a man, lived like a man, but at that time…when I begged for her to live.. I never felt loss like that. It might not have been the same as a man that loses a wife he'd loved for years would feel; still..." his voice grew soft as he again repeated, "I should have been there."

Sympathy for their brother swelled up in Nick and Heath's eyes as Nick wrapped his arms around Jarrod and held him tight, Heath kept his hand on Jarrod's back. "Maybe, Maybe not. Who knows, maybe you both might have been killed." Heath spoke softly as he fought to keep his own emotions in check. "Either way, it looks like you've been carrying a lot of guilt around that ain't yours to carry."

Nick nodded and held on tighter. "Listen to him, Pappy. Life ain't fair. It just isn't, but it wasn't you who put those arrows into Bright Star's back. You ain't the one who killed her. Let the guilt and pain of not being able to protect her go; you can do that without forgetting her."

Jarrod's reply was so soft they almost didn't hear it. "I don't know how."

Heath's small lopsided grin appeared on his face as he spoke one small sentence. "Let your family help you."

Epilogue to follow