CAPTIVE

Chapter 19

The village buzzed like a newly awakened hive of honey bees. I was quickly drawn into the crowd as I stepped into the causeway. I smiled in greeting to those I passed as I walked slowly down the street. Traders had materialized overnight and were set up at the far end near the paddocks, throngs of people gathered in front of the wagons as they hawked their wares. I smiled broadly as I caught the petite figure of Falling Water waving enthusiastically towards me and made my way slowly in her direction. She was dressed in a short-sleeved buckskin that barely came to her knees. Her milky skin shone brightly in the spring sun, her onyx hair flashing metallically in stark contrast. She reached for my arm as I drew close, "Isn't this exciting!" I laughed giddily towards her as she stuck her arm tightly into mine, "Climbs On Rocks left early this morning. He is so excited to play against the warriors of Standing Hill. He thinks we have a good chance of winning." I cocked my head towards her, "He does. Well then we'd best get to the field. I definitely want to see this."

I began walking but stopped as the weight of her tugged against my arm. I turned to her, her face had taken on a solemn visage, brows turned down and scrunched together, mouth pressed tight. I raised my own brows to her. She answered, "One Who Shines is here." I could feel my face go slack as I exhaled, "Is he playing?" She nodded. The concern on her face deepened. I stepped to her and patted her gently on the arm as I forced my face to turn up in a smile, "Well then I truly don't want to miss this. Let's go." She shot me a smile that lit up her face and we were on our way once again towards the playing field.

The field was a fallow plot of land, the earth had been untouched except that a line had been plowed around its edge to denote the boundaries of the field of play. A crowd was already gathering though the game wasn't to begin for another hour. As we drew closer my eyes began to scan the faces for Bird Song. I jumped slightly as I felt the warm hand fall against my shoulder. I could instantly see the look of my astonishment on her face and quickly adjusted my features, drew up my mouth and smiled a warm greeting as Dog Tooth's wife, Walking Tree, smiled towards me. She was my own height, her hair was braided in a single plait that hung to the edge of her full buttocks. She was olive skinned and though I knew she must be at least thirty-five, she bore no signs of age on her smooth skin. She took my arm in hers and pulled me from Falling Water. I stared blankly over at the young girl. She was staring at Walking Tree. Seeing me eye her she released my arm, nodded her head and spoke quickly, "I will find Bird Song." Then she was gone and I was left in the clutches of Dog Tooth's wife.

I recoiled slightly as she placed her palm firmly against my bulge. The little parasite moved at the pressure and Walking Tree's face lit up, "You and the child are well I see." I pulled my arm trying to release her hold but succeeded only in drawing her closer. I inhaled deeply and boned my back, "My child and I are fine. Thank you." She snorted dismissively, "Walk with me." I had no choice as she pulled me bodily with her. She walked slowly and precisely with the air and grace of a queen. I tried to despise her instantly but found that I was much more in awe of her than in disgust. We walked to the far edge of the playing field. The crowd seemed to part for her and suddenly we were at the front, alone. She turned to me and fixed me with onyx eyes as she smiled broadly. I felt like I was being eyed by a massive Anaconda, sleek, graceful and completely lethal.

Her voice floated softly over the light spring air, "You do not know do you?" The tone of the question suddenly made me feel like an awkward teenager first being told about the birds and bees. I shook my head quickly trying to dispel the feeling. The side of her mouth curled slightly, "It was I that convinced the counsel to come for you at Standing Hill." I felt my body take half a step back, the muscles of her arm flexed tight against mine preventing any further movement as she continued, "I told them that I had a claim on your child. You killed my first born." My mouth gaped open. I tried to work it, to make any noise come out but there was just silence. She smiled fully at this, "I will be compensated for my son." I heard the jerking intake of my breath as I stared blankly at her. She heard it too and patted my arm as she molded her face into a mask of sympathy, "I do not blame you. I have been told what happened. But my son is still dead. Maybe one day you will have a son...that will be yours...and you will know." With all the might I possessed I trained it into my arm and ripped it away from her. She took a half step back as her brows creased together, her snake eyes slitting violently towards me she hissed, "You may not like it, but the child will be mine and I would thank you to care for it well."