Alicia smiled at her two friends. "I just figured you all had enough to do without me," she explained. "But, I tell you what. If Robyn moves on, or doesn't work out, you'll be the next folks I talk to, okay?"
The men seemed satisfied, and after carrying in the food that was on the doorstep, they said their good-byes, and left, Anderson being the only one to say goodbye to the tall worker. Alicia followed them out, surprised when they galloped away at full speed, a happy smile working it's way onto her face when she noticed that there was a good seven dollars worth of food still sitting in front of her barn - they'd only taken in a small portion, so they'd be able to give the rest as a gift.
"You guys," she murmured, shaking her head, fondly. "They are so sweet." With Robyn's help, Alicia moved the rest of the food indoors, and put it where it belonged, the blonde now satisfied that she'd have enough food to last both her and her new guest for quite a while.
The tall Indian decided not to tell Alicia that while Anderson seemed to be nice, she didn't like Jake, the one with pale blue eyes - call it a gut feeling. But, if he was the blonde woman's friend, perhaps it would be better not to say anything negative about either of the men.
"May I see horses?" she asked, and Alicia smiled.
"Of course," she said, and led the woman out to the barn, telling her the names of each of the horses, as she pointed them out. "And there's the mustang," she said, gesturing to the golden horse in the separate pen.
Blue Fire's first thought was of Moonbeam - the mare looked so much like him, it was startling. Don't be ridiculous, she scolded herself. It is not Moonbeam. But perhaps the mare is the second-half of his soul. Blue Fire believed that the Great Spirit treasured the animals so much, that he made two animals with one soul, so that his people could enjoy the presence of two equally strong creatures, whatever they were. She believed there was a chance that this mare would be the same as Moonbeam, and would share the same soul of her beloved stallion.
"Blue Fire?" asked Alicia, placing a gentle hand on the Indian's arm, worried by the sudden look of sadness that had overcome the woman's blue eyes. "Are you all right?"
"Fine," responded the Indian, mentally shaking her head as she examined the other horses. She found them all to be healthy, sturdy, and pleasant. The small blonde took good care of her animals, and was obviously very close to them, judging by the way they all whinnied as she entered the barn.
"Nzhoo thii. Good horses," she decided, raising a dark eyebrow when the small blonde's stomach growled.
"I didn't have breakfast," she said, sheepishly, and the Indian looked surprised.
"You fed me, but not you?" the tall woman asked, and when Alicia nodded, she took her by the hand, and literally dragged her into the house. "I will fix food, you will eat."
"Yes, ma'am," chuckled Alicia, and Blue Fire suddenly sat down beside her.
"I am sorry," she said, and the blonde was confused.
What on earth just happened here? she wondered. One minute she's intent on cooking me breakfast; the next, she acts like a scolded puppy!
"What? Why are you sorry?" she asked.
"I do not mean to... to order you," said the Indian, shifting her gaze to the floor. She wasn't used to apologizing to a white, and certainly not saying the words that were tumbling from her mouth, but something inside wouldn't let her be as rude with this one as she was with most. This young woman was clearly strong on her own, and Blue Fire admired that.
"You are above me, and I have no right. I shouldn't have…"
Alicia sighed. "Blue Fire, don't apologize," she said. "You're not above me, and I'm not above you. Look, if this is going to work, you're going to have to understand that we're both equal. If I know what's in your best interest, or think I know, I'm going to speak up, and you can do the same for me. Okay?" she offered, and the Indian smiled.
"Okay," she agreed. "Can I fix food for you?" Alicia smiled, and nodded. The woman got to her feet, digging through the various sacks, taking out a few ingredients, but Alicia couldn't tell exactly what. A few minutes later, after mixing them together, the Indian handed the blonde a bowl of... something she assumed was food, but couldn't be sure.
"What is this?" she asked.
"Eat," urged Blue Fire, taking a little for herself.
Tentatively, Alicia tried a bite, only to find it very much to her liking. She finished the meal quickly, tasting faint traces of hominy somewhere along the line. She looked up into expectant blue eyes when she finished.
"That was delicious, Robyn," she said. "Ashood."
Blue Fire's eyes widened in surprise, and then she grinned. "Ha'anakah," she said. "You are welcome."
"What does "Da'aizhi" mean?"
"Stop," translated the Indian, wincing when she realized that Alicia was going to ask her to translate the other things she had said.
"And "Shii nasteed nih"?" she continued, remembering exactly what the woman had been shouting, and though her pronunciations were a little off, Blue Fire understood what she was trying to say.
"I will kill you," she replied, not needing to see the woman to know the blonde had flinched. " "Hela' ndagodinoh'aah niganihi bika'yu shii" means… "Don't touch me". I am sorry," she murmured, but the smaller woman had already gotten to her feet, and left the room.
The Indian couldn't figure out why she felt the need to follow her, but she did, and stood awkwardly in the doorway of the woman's bedroom. "Do not be angry, Alicia," she pleaded, feeling an odd pain in her chest when she realized the young woman might now ask her to leave. "I did not know I could trust you."
"And now?" came the strained voice.
"I ate your food, didn't I?" was the soft response, and Alicia turned around to face her, chuckling as she raised an amused eyebrow.
"Very funny," she said, sarcastically, as she smiled. "I'm sorry, Blue Fire. I didn't mean to worry you, I guess it just bothered me when I realized what you had really said," she admitted.
"And I am sorry I said them," said the Indian. "But it is too easy for whites to pretend to be friends, and then be enemies. I am not certain why, but I don't believe you will do that."
Alicia got to her feet, and looked the tall woman in the eye as best she could. "I won't," she said, honestly. "I promise you that."
The woman nodded, satisfied, and turned to let Alicia pass. "You are not angry, then?" she asked, hopefully.
The blonde shook her head. "No," she said, "I'm not angry. But you, on the other hand, are bleeding," she said, leading the woman to the sofa, so she could replace the bandage on her leg, where the blood was showing through.
"Can I clean the wound?" she asked, remembering what happened the last time she'd tried. Blue Fire nodded, feeling a little ashamed that the kind woman had to ask to take care of her, for fear she'd hurt her.
Alicia gently cleansed the dried blood from the wound, making sure the stitches were holding, and then wrapped it with a clean bandage.
"Ashood."
"Ha'anakah," smiled the blonde, and Blue Fire grinned.
"Alicia, may I work with... mustang, now?" asked the tall Indian, suddenly.
The blonde thought for a minute. "Are you sure you're up to it?" Robyn nodded. "Okay, then. Just don't hurt yourself." Blue Fire nodded, and walked out the door, heading for the pen.
An hour later, as Alicia finished slicing the vegetables and meat for the stew, she walked outside to make sure Robyn was okay. Her jaw hit the ground at the sight before her. The strong Indian was riding the Palomino, a rope halter tied around the mare's face, bareback, going wherever the wind blew. It had to be the most gorgeous sight she'd ever seen - so pure, and free, and one. Suddenly, she realized she wasn't meant to keep this mustang; not for herself, anyway.
The two raced around the land, until Blue Fire spotted Alicia outside watching them, and pulled the horse to a halt next to the woman.
"She is good," smiled the Indian, as she happily patted the mare's neck.
Alicia laughed when the mustang attempted to chew on the tall woman's jet black hair, only to be discouraged by a light tap on the nose.
"Well, what are you going to name her?" questioned the blonde, a sly smile on her face.
Blue Fire paused, unsure of what she had just heard. "Me? Thii… I mean, horse is yours," she stated, carefully, catching herself before she slipped into Apache.
The small woman grinned, and shook her head. "You took the time to train her, so it's only right that you have her," she explained, crossing her arms across her chest to prove her point.
The Indian shook her head. "Is too much," she said. "You have done much already, and I have nothing to give to you."
"All I ask from you is that you stay with me, and keep helping me as you have been for as long as you feel is necessary," said Alicia, gently. "And teach me. That'll be plenty."
After a few moments of thought, Robyn grinned. "Okay. Thank you," she said. "Alicia," she called, from atop the horse, as the woman returned to the house.
"What?"
The Indian was silent for a moment, and then asked, almost shyly, "May I call her Winter Escape?"
Green eyes brightened at the gesture. The woman combined her last name and the name of the ranch to form a name for the mare. "I'd like that, Robyn," she said. "Thank you." A while later, when dinner was ready, Alicia called the woman inside, and watched with a smile on her face as Robyn said goodnight to Winter Escape, made sure she was settled in the barn, before coming inside.
"I need to go tomorrow," said Blue Fire, suddenly, as they ate the warm stew.
Alicia almost dropped her spoon. "What?" she asked.
"I need to get my things, if I am going to remain here," explained the Indian. "I need my weapons, my clothes, and the skins I have for material. It is best that I go tomorrow, at a time when I can easily get in and out. I will be back by nightfall," she assured the concerned young blonde across from her.
"How far is it?"
The tall woman thought for a moment. "Not far," she said. "Maybe twenty miles."
"Twenty miles? In one day? Robyn, you can't make that in one day," the blonde protested. "It's too far."
The Indian smiled. "Alicia," she said, softly, "when I became warrior, I had to train very hard. Women are not warriors, as far as the council says, but I proved to them that I am better fit to fight than to sew. It is possible for me, or any warrior, to go seventy miles in one day, if it is necessary. The journey I have ahead of me is not much," she finished.
"Are you sure? Because you can take Winter Escape if you need," offered Alicia. "Or any other horse."
Blue Fire gave the blonde a strange look for a moment, unaccustomed to white people being so generous - and not having a hidden meaning. "Horse is too loud," she objected. "The steps will be heard, and others cannot know I am in the camp."
"Why not?" asked the blonde, confused.
"Because I am no longer a welcome part of the tribe." The look on the Indian's face was telling Alicia not to pursue the matter any farther, so Alicia just nodded, and left it at that.
I'll bet that's what's giving you nightmares, Blue Fire, she thought. You can drop the subject for now, but someday, I'll find out what happened to you.
"When do you need to leave?" sighed Alicia.
"Before lunch would be wise," decided the tall Indian, and Alicia agreed. "Thank you. Supper was good. I will sleep now, and see you in the morning." Nodding to the blonde, Blue Fire walked into the living room, and stretched out on the couch, falling fast asleep.
"Goodnight," muttered Alicia, clearing the table, and then placing a stack of papers in the center. "Time to see who wants what, now." She pored over the material, getting angry with the figures - ones that were demanded she pay but knew she could never scrape together - trying to argue with the papers, thinking if she looked again they'd be different.
But, they weren't.
There was nothing the small woman could do. Everyone wanted money, and everyone wanted too much. She had two yearlings ready to sell, and that would help a little, but if she didn't get more mares to breed - and she didn't have enough money to buy more horses for foaling, damn it all - Escape Ranch would soon be gone.
Trying to hold back the frustrated tears that rose to the surface, Alicia admitted to herself that it was just a matter of time.
* * * * *
"Do you have enough food to take with you?" asked Alicia, around lunchtime the next day, and Blue Fire rolled her eyes when she was sure the blonde woman couldn't see her.
Great Spirit, this woman is kind, but she's worse than my mother!
"I am fine, Alicia," she said, for the third time. "I will be back by dusk."
"Be careful."
The tall woman stopped on her way out the door. Be careful? A white woman was telling her to be careful? The worry in the woman's voice tugged at her heart in a way she hadn't felt in a long time.
"I will," she assured her, after a small pause, and then took off out the door. Alicia watched the woman trek through the dirt and trees, in all her barefoot glory, until she could see her no more.
"Seventy miles in one day," the rancher muttered, as she went back inside to fix herself lunch, unable to stop thinking about the tall Indian.
"Why am I so worried about her? It's not like she can't take care of herself," Alicia wondered, aloud. "She's lived on the land and survived up to this point, so there's no reason she should be in any danger out there now. She's an Indian, for crying out loud!
"Yeah, an Indian who's living with a white woman." She sighed. "That can't be easy on her, depending on me for shelter. But, at least she's here, and she's going to help out around the ranch. And she is strong... and gentle... and beautiful... oh, brother," she murmured, wondering briefly how cold the water was in the creek.
* * * * *
Blue Fire slowed her steps as she approached the Apache's camp, careful not to make a sound. Luckily, her hut was still standing.
She, and every other Apache in the camp, lived in dome-shaped huts they called a "kowa" or "wickiup". It was made of a frame of cottonwood, or other poles, and then covered with patches of bear grass, bounded with yucca strings. There was a smoke hole in the top above the fireplace, and in the wintertime or rainy weather, the kowas were covered with skins or canvas to make them warm and watertight.
With a low entrance hole, facing east, a heavy hide suspended on a crossbeam was the door, which could be swung either inward or outward. Since she lived alone, which was unusual for a woman of her age, Blue Fire's kowa was only eight feet in diameter, while most others were fifteen; all stood seven feet high in the middle.
They haven't destroyed it, yet, she thought, with relief. I can get my things and get out of here, and they won't even know I was here.
Glad that she had positioned her place on the outer rim of the camp, the tall woman crept silently around the side, keeping careful watch on the elderly women who sat around, preparing meals, cleaning hides, or skinning freshly caught small game. The warriors - the able bodied young men of the tribe - were all out hunting, just as she knew they would be. They probably left early in the morning, and wouldn't return until later in the evening.
Slipping around to the front, she quickly lifted the flap and hurried inside, lowering the door just as swiftly. Looking around, her face turned hard when she realized she was not alone. A young girl of about sixteen was in the tent as well, examining a piece of jewelry, as it was.
The girl wore a deerskin shirt, as well as a knee-length skirt of the same material, completed by beaded moccasins. Her black hair was down around her shoulders, just to the middle of her back, and her dark eyes looked up, surprised at the tall woman's entrance.
Blue Fire growled at her. Seeing her take a breath to scream, she clamped her hand over the child's mouth, gripping the front of her shirt with the other.
"You will not tell anyone you saw me in here," she ordered in Apache. "You will not scream, or I will slit your throat."
The girl nodded, and Blue Fire cautiously removed her hand. "Shii bitsi' Ndoitcho," she stated.
Blue eyes narrowed. "I don't care whose daughter you are," she spat. "You have done enough damage to me already, if you so much as cough, your blood will stain the ground." She pushed the girl roughly to the floor.
"That is mine," she said, pointing to the intricately designed piece of jewelry she had around her neck, which was more of a breastplate, as it hung down to her waist. Indeed, it matched the necklace that Blue Fire wore, and was meant to be a form of protection as well as decoration.
"Give it to me." Placidly, the girl placed it in her hand, and got to her feet as Blue Fire collected her things, stuffing them into a bag.
"I hear the white men enjoyed you," said the girl, in perfect English. Blue Fire glared at her, her eyes warning the child to shut up. "Not as much as I did."
Insolent brat! she raged.
In a flash, Blue Fire pulled the girl down, holding a hand over her throat as she talked angrily into her ear. "You and I both know what really happened, and we both know it is on your head that I am gone. One day, I hope everyone will find the truth. If you don't watch your mouth, all they will find is a cold body," she hissed in her native tongue.
"You were under the protection of your father when I was in the tribe, na'ilin (little girl). Now, because of you, I am not welcome in my home, and the Apache have become my enemies. You are Apache," she snarled. "Be glad I am in a good mood. You say one word about this to anyone... Shii natseed nih," she finished, sharply.
Standing, she shouldered her bag, gave the girl one last glare, and slowly opened the door. Glancing around, she waited a few moments, until the attention was focused on an injured dog on the opposite side of the camp, and then slipped out the door.
"Dotth'izh ko'!" cried the girl, as soon as Blue Fire had one foot outside. "Dotth'izh ko'!" Calling the woman's Apache name at the top of her lungs, Robyn made a vow to get the girl alone sometime, as she ran as fast as she could out of the village, angry women and a very unhappy Chief on her tail.
Fortunately for her, she disappeared into the trees, climbing up a sturdy mulberry in the forest. She sat there for a while, crouched on a branch, listening to the elderly men search for her. She only hoped they gave up before the warriors returned. Some time later, they moved on from the forest, still searching, still angry at her appearance after her banishment.
Once it was safe, Blue Fire dropped down out of the tree, and took a side route to return to Alicia's ranch. She figured the woman was worried about her, but hoped she wasn't out looking, for fear she'd run into an Apache search party.
* * * * *
By dusk, Alicia began to really worry. She began checking the horizon every few minutes, hoping to see a glimpse of the tall Indian woman she was searching for.
"Dusk," she said. "She said she'd be back by dusk. Well, Robyn, the sun just set! It's pitch black, save the moonlight, and there is no dusk anymore! Where are you?" she whispered, beginning to get really concerned.
The blonde remembered the woman telling her she wasn't welcome at the Apache camp anymore, and her heart clenched as she heard Apache cries carry through the night.
They certainly don't sound very happy, she thought. Or very far away...
"Oh, Blue Fire, I hope you're okay." Alicia jumped when she heard something at her door. Frowning, thinking perhaps Blue Fire had been hurt, she opened the door, and took a frightened step backwards.
There, coming to stand from a crouched position, fully clothed in leather pants and a shirt, along with what Alicia thought to be armor of some kind over the chest, stood an Indian. An Indian armed with a bow and arrow, no less. Reaching out a strong hand, the native boldly stepped over the threshold, and entered Alicia's house, closing the door securely behind them.
Blue Fire, where are you when I need you? the blonde thought, nervously, as the Apache warrior stepped closer.
CHAPTER FOUR
"Alicia, are you okay?" came a worried voice.
"Blue Fire?!" exclaimed the frightened blonde, looking harder at the Indian's face. The bronzed cheeks, the proud chin, the beautiful eyes... It was her Indian!
My Indian? Where'd that come from? she thought, briefly, giving the woman a fierce hug before she had time to talk herself out of it. A fleeting thought entered her head, about how nice the smell of deerskin mixed with Blue Fire was, but she pushed it away.
The tall woman started at the sudden gesture, and slowly wrapped her arms around the smaller woman, returning the hug, uncertainly. "What is wrong?" the woman asked, still worried.
Alicia pulled back, a little embarrassed. "I just scared myself, that's all. I heard the Apache warriors nearby, and then I saw you at the door. I didn't recognize you!" she said.
Robyn raised an eyebrow at her. "So I see," she smirked. "These are more comfortable. Do you mind?"
The blonde shook her head. "No, it's okay," she said. "They definitely make you look Indian. I'm afraid you can't wear them to town," Alicia pointed out, gently, and Blue Fire nodded.
"I know," she said, sitting on the couch. "I will wear brother's clothes, if I go."
"You said you'd be back by dusk. I was getting worried," she admitted.
Blue Fire smiled a little. I knew it, she thought. "I am sorry to worry you," she said, honestly, "but Apache were looking for me, and had to hide in the trees for a little while. Did not find me," she added, grinning.
"Are you okay?"
The Indian nodded. "I am fine," she said. "They did not see me, and I made it back here safe. They will not track me here."
"It's getting late, I think we'd better get some sleep," suggested the rancher, and Blue Fire agreed, lying down on the couch. "Good night, Robyn."
"Good night," replied the Indian, her eyes already closed. Carefully listening for any sounds that might mean the Apache were approaching, the woman fell asleep only when she was sure the small woman a few rooms away would be safe for the night.
* * * * *
The next morning, Alicia woke to find that she was the only one in the house - Blue Fire was gone! Worried, the blonde noticed that the Indian's things were also gone, their place at the end of the sofa bare, and she rushed out the door, calling the woman's name as loud as she could.
In an instant, Robyn sped into view, running full speed from the forest. Alicia started for a moment, not used to seeing the woman in her native deerskin garb, but found it only served to enhance her appearance.
"Alicia!" she cried, concerned, ready for anything. Had an Apache made their way into the house? Was she hurt? What had frightened the woman badly enough to call her name in a panic? "What is wrong?"
"You're here?" questioned the blonde, hopefully, and Robyn frowned a little.
"Yes," the Indian confirmed. "I only went into the forest to be with Winter Escape." As if on cue, the Palomino wandered out of the forest, nudging the tall woman's hand when she got close enough.
"I… I didn't see your things, and I thought you left," admitted the woman, suddenly feeling foolish. "What are you doing up so early?" she asked, quickly changing the subject. It was dawn, and judging by the sweat on the woman's brow, she'd been outside for a while.
"Could not sleep, and is good to be with horse often," she explained. "And I was also getting izee… medicine."
Alicia was immediately alert. "Are you sick?" she asked, earnestly.
Blue Fire shook her head. "No," she assured, "but new horse is not healthy. Is coughing." Green eyes widened, and Alicia raced to the barn, only to find Mystic's young foal lying down on the hay, harsh coughs wracking its small body. A concerned mother stood over her colt, nuzzling it, urgently trying to get her to stand.
"No," whispered the blonde, going to the fallen horse's side, stroking the sweat-soaked neck. "No, you can't get sick. Please get better," she pleaded, knowing the future of the Ranch was on the shoulders of every colt that was born, tears streaming down her face as she held the filly.
Blue Fire gently pulled her to her feet, and motioned for her to leave. "Go," she said, withdrawing her knife as she spoke. "I will help horse. You do not need to see."
"I want to stay!" protested the blonde, and Robyn used her height to her advantage, towering over the smaller woman.
"Your worry will do no good here!" she said, ordering the woman out once more. "Dinyaa! Go, now! Do not return until I say," the Indian added, firmly. Reluctantly, the blonde left the barn, closing the door behind her.
While the rancher mended another broken length of fence, Blue Fire never exited the barn, spending the entire day in with the sick horse. Alicia never once saw her come out to eat, or drink.
She only saw the Indian once that day, when she was washing her clothes, and the woman retrieved a bucket of water, but refused to even look at the blonde. Alicia had a feeling anything she said would be ignored, so she didn't ask any questions, but secretly wondered what was going on.
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