“How do you propose to find the child?”
“Mr. Wallace, the lawyer, has petitioned the War Office for records of what battalions fought at Five Forks.” He looked at her with sorrow. “I don’t even know if the little drummer boy is alive, much less how to find him. So, many people died in that damn war, Ela. Over 600,000. Can you even imagine a number that big?”
“I have seen many people die in my time. I see them die in the future, also. The slaughter of innocents. Last stands to protect home and life as we know it. The injustice of these deaths only adds salt to the wound, increasing the pain.”
“If Cole is executed, his death will be unjust. I can’t let that happen, Ela Blue. I just can’t.”
“I understand. It’s difficult to witness something happening that you know will bring heartache and be unable to stop it.” She shook her head and closed her eyes. “The unrest between our people is troubling and I see great pain ahead of us all.”
Reno knew she was referring to several raids on homesteads in the next county. Two people were killed and the homes of three families were burned to the ground. “What do you know about them? Anything? Have you spoken to your brother about it?”
“He is as concerned as we are. Whoever is doing this evil is not Apache.”
“Do you think it’s the Comanche?”
She pulled at the fringe on her skirt, deep in thought. “No. They abide by the treaty they forged with the settlers. Every spring they still light the fires on the hills to celebrate another year of peace.”
Reno nodded. He was familiar with the agreement between the German settlers in Fredericksburg and the native people forged so long ago, a rare accord of friendship. “How about the Tonkawa or the Shoshone?”
“I have heard or seen nothing to confirm this.”
“Hopefully, there will be no more bloodshed.”
His words reverberated through the silence. Ela sat still for several more seconds, concentrating on the flicker of the fire.
Reno watched her carefully, noting that she tensed and shivered. “What’s wrong? What do you see?”
She looked down for a few heartbeats, then raised her head to study his face. “I see you making a long journey. What awaits at the end is obscured.”
“Good. I don’t want to know.” Reno stood up abruptly. “If you were to say I would fail, I’d go anyway.”
“I cannot say one way or the other. A cloud of uncertainty covers the answer.”
Reno wondered if she were just trying to protect him. “Anyway, I’ll be back as soon as I can, and I’ll check on you first thing.”
“I’ll wait as long as the Great Spirit allows.” She rose to stand near him, knowing he needed to be on his way.
Picking his duster up from where it lay on the boulder, he pulled the garment around his shoulders. “You’d best be waiting, if you know what’s good for you.”
“Oh, my son.” Ela Blue came near, taking him in her warm embrace. “Please be careful.”
Reno hugged her back. “I will. Wherever I go, I know you’ll be with me in spirit.”
“I will. Your fate is set in stone. Never fear, joy awaits you.”
A chill ran up Reno’s spine. “That’s what my mother said. I just wish I knew where my path will take me.”
Ela Blue smiled, then held one up one finger. “Wait a moment. I have something for you.”
Reno waited while she shuffled to the back of the cave, taking something from a recess in the wall. When she returned, Ela offered him a rawhide bag. “Keep this with you.”
“What is it?” He felt of it, discerning that there was something inside. He started to open it, but Ela stopped him.
“Don’t open it. You’ll release the power before it’s time.”
“All right.” He asked no more questions but pushed the bag deep into one of his front pockets, patting the slight bump for good measure. “Thank you.” He trusted her. No more needed to be said.
After he gathered the firewood and placed it in a neat pile, Reno took his leave. Ela held onto his arm to walk beside him as far as the path allowed. “Never doubt your destiny, my son, even when things don’t make sense. Sometimes your true path cannot be discovered without first losing your way.”
Journey
“I’ll be back before you know it, Kelsey.” Journey traipsed through her house, picking up items to pack as she went. “Why, sure. You just let me know what you need, and I’ll mail it to you. No big deal. Okay. Bye.”
Buzz!
“Doorbell.” Whirling around, she hurried to the front. “Coming!”
Once she peeped through the hole, she undid the locks to allow Lou to enter. “Hey, girl.”
“Hey, yourself.” The pretty blonde gave Journey a hug. “I’m sorry I kept this so long.” She held out a piece of luggage she’d borrowed. “It sure came in handy for that anthropology conference. I need to splurge and get some nice luggage one day.”
Journey took the piece of luggage, waving off her friend’s apology. “Not a problem. Bringing this back gives us an excuse to get together. Besides, as smart as you are, you’re going to be rich someday and I’ll be borrowing from you.”
“Ha!” Lou barked a laugh. “Scientists are rarely rich. Especially ones in my field.”
“What? You’re working on your second doctorate. From what you’ve told me physics is fascinating.”
“Fascinating, yes. Lucrative,
