[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

 I know many things about you, my friend, Case replied.  Your father told
me you are a wise man who believes in peace. I trusted his faith in you.
Sun Hawk frowned, not certain whether to believe him or not.  When did
you speak with my father?
 Two days before your people arrived at the Rio Alto reservation. He was
very sad because he did not know what had become of you.
Sun Hawk shook his head.  My father would not have sent you and two
white men to find me.
 No, he did not.
 Then why do you follow me?
 You have something I want, and I have something you must know, Case
said, alert to every nuance of Sun Hawk s stance and expressions. His distrust
238
Constance Bennett Moonsong [ e - r e ads ]
was obvious, and it deepened even before Case told him,  The woman who
travels with you will not be punished for killing the soldier, Talbot.
Sun Hawk frowned.  Why should I believe this?
 Because the Gray Fox himself sent me to tell you this. The soldier who
accused her of murder confessed that he lied, and now everyone knows she
was only protecting herself. She is free to do whatever she wishes. She has no
reason to hide.
One part of Sun Hawk rejoiced in the news, but another part of him with-
ered and died. If Skylar was truly free, she could go back to her white family,
now.  What of the soldier I killed? Will she be punished for that?
Not will I be punished, but will she be punished. Case knew then that
Morning Star had found a wise and brave warrior who loved her above all
else. When this nightmare ended, he would gladly rejoice in the love she had
found, but for the time being, he was grateful to be able to tell Sun Hawk,
 The soldier you attacked did not die. He is alive, and the Gray Fox knows
that you took Skylar from the soldiers because you feared for her life. He can-
not turn away from the fact that you wounded one of his warriors, but he has
promised your punishment will be small. You can soon be free to return to
your own people.
 Do you have proof that Gray Fox has sworn this? he asked, afraid to
believe it could be true.
Case briefly considered giving him the papers Crook had written so that
he could show them to Morning Star, but they might do more damage than
good. The pass for Sun Hawk and Skylar had been created for the benefit of
any soldiers who might question Case s authority, and it said only that Case
was to take them into custody and deliver them to Crook. Skylar might
assume them to be nothing but arrest papers.
 I have nothing but my word with me, Case finally told him,  but I can
bring proof to you.
 What can you bring? he asked suspiciously.
 One of the people who traveled with me until last night is the white sis-
ter of the woman you know as Skylar. Case was finding it increasingly diffi-
cult to read Sun Hawk s reactions, but when the young brave s face turned to
stone, Case feared he had made a grave mistake.
 I saw no woman with you when I looked at your camp, he said accusingly.
Case wasn t surprised to know that Sun Hawk had been close enough to
study them.  She dresses like a man, but she is a woman. She has traveled far
and risked much to see her sister. As have I, Case thought. But this was not the
time to try to explain something so complicated.  If you will let them meet,
Rayna Templeton will tell Skylar that everything I have said to you is the
truth. Rayna would not betray her sister.
239
Constance Bennett Moonsong [ e - r e ads ]
As Sun Hawk considered his words, Case carefully reached into his pouch
and removed the necklace Skylar had made. He held it out to Sun Hawk.
 This belongs to Skylar. The Verdes gave it to me because they knew they
could trust me.
Edging forward cautiously, Sun Hawk took the necklace and examined it.
He had seen Skylar wear it many times on the reservation, but she had left it
behind with her Apache parents. If nothing else, this finally proved that his
enemy had truly spoken with his father and that the Verdes trusted this man
enough to give him something precious that had belonged to Skylar.
Sun Hawk nodded slowly.  I will give it to my wife. I know it has great
meaning for her.
 And will you let her see her sister?
Sun Hawk s face was completely unreadable.  Where is she?
 Perhaps half a day behind us.
Sun Hawk was silent for a moment before he said,  Bring her to this place
at sunset.
Case nodded.  Very well. We will meet you here.
They stared at each other warily for a moment; then Sun Hawk turned and
began climbing out of the ravine. Case watched him until he disappeared over
the top before making his own way down to the floor.
It didn t occur to him as he went that Sun Hawk had never agreed to bring
Skylar back there. He had only told Case to bring her sister.
240
Constance Bennett Moonsong [ e - r e ads ]
21
very instinct Sun Hawk possessed told him he should use the time he
had purchased to spirit Skylar away. The Apache was no longer fol-
lowing them; he had ridden off across the valley, presumably to get
ESkylar s sister. Knowing the brave could be laying a trap, Sun Hawk
wanted nothing more than to bury the necklace, return to his wife, tell her
nothing of what had been said, and ride with her like the wind until they
were far away. That course of action was his only hope of keeping Skylar.
Whether it was a trap or not, Sun Hawk had seen the sadness in his wife s [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]