CAPTIVE

Chapter 18

Red Horse left early to attend to his manly duties, whatever they might be that day, but, for once I was grateful. As I began to move about the house I was surprised to find that the little parasite hadn't sucked all the life out of me and I felt oddly rejuvenated. I took down several bowls and sat on the stool to fill one with cornmeal and water. I had thought about this meal all week. Wondered exactly how much cooking skill I really had, if it was enough to pull off what I envisioned. I sat the bowl aside to work and lifted another. Peering into the small basket I sighed, I had precious little wheat flour. I shrugged hoping it would be enough as I upended the basket's contents into a clay bowl and stirred adding water little by little. I had no yeast, this would not be a leavened cake by any means, I laughed to myself, hell it might not end up being a cake at all but I was going to try.

Setting that bowl aside as well I grabbed the basket of dried beans and scooped several handfuls into the metal pot which sat by the fire. "Ok Kat...what next?" My mind was going through the menu but was having a terrible time trying to settle on the order of things when a hard foot kicked me straight in the bladder, "Ow!" My hands went down to my bulge and I pushed hard against the tight skin, "That wasn't very nice little parasite. Crap...now Mommy has to pee." I rolled my eyes as I struggled to rise, "Thanks a lot."

I was kneading the sticky dough mindlessly when the sound of soft giggling caught in my ear. I turned to see Bird Song and Falling Water standing in the doorway, a smile instantly blooming on my face as the two women stepped closer. Bird Song deposited two metal pans on the pallet we currently used for storage and eyed me bodily as she chuckled softly, "I don't know if you really love the man or are trying to kill him." I frowned and looked down at myself. I was covered in flour dust and dirty bowls, baskets, and utensils were scattered around the floor beside me. I looked back up and shrugged, "I could think of easier ways to kill him." She leaned back against the pallet and crossed her arms, "It's a good thing they'll be gone all day with all this mess." I raised an eyebrow to her and she shrugged, "I sent our husbands and my boys to occupy Red Horse. The kids are so excited about this weekend that they want the men to teach them lacrosse. That should take a while."

I laid the bowl on the ground and began stripping the dough from my fingers, "This weekend?" She bent down and sat on the earth beside me, pouring water in a small basin then handing it to me. I smiled at her and dipped my fingers as she spoke, "Some of the men from Standing Hill are coming for a lacrosse match to celebrate the spring festival." I looked up in surprise, "Oh? I didn't know." Her head bobbed slightly side-to-side as she settled herself to recount the latest gossip when Falling Water's soft voice spoke up, "You wouldn't we just..." She broke off abruptly as Bird Song shot her an icy look. I felt my brow raise and a soft chuckle escape my lips as Falling Water sank down like a whipped puppy and Bird Song cleared her throat authoritatively before looking back to me, "Just this morning a messenger came from Standing Hill to speak with the Chief. The Matron was there and told us when she returned so..." She adjusted her back to its full height and raised her chin slightly, "...most of the village doesn't yet know." Falling Water slit her eyes quickly towards Bird Song that told me just who the Matron had really told. I lowered my eyes to cover the smile that broke across my face.

Bird Song eyed my endeavors intently then took the water basin I had washed my hands in and shoved it towards Falling Water, "Go empty this." The young girl's eyes drew wide as she snorted a protest. Bird Song fixed her gaze hard on the girl and they stared at each other for a long breath before Falling Water took the bowl and stomped out. Bird Song rolled her eyes in a wide circle as she looked back at me, "The girl is impossibly obstinate since she's been married." I shook my head and whispered out a laugh as she snorted, "You think I'm joking? Really, between her attitude and the men of my house nothing would get done if I didn't ride them like horses." She rolled her eyes again very slowly, "Those good for nothing men!" I snorted a laugh through my nose egging her on, "I mean they aren't good for anything except what's between their legs. If not for that, well, what would we need them for?" Falling Water had stomped back in and thrust the basin at Bird Song's face. She recoiled and fixed the girl with a medusa glare before taking the basin slowly from her. The air in the room had grown tense so I interjected, "I'm not even sure we get the best end of the deal as far as what's between their legs." Both women looked at me. Bird Song's face immediately drew into a smile while Falling Water just stared in confusion.