Page 5 of The Spirit of the Wolf

It wasn’t as if her life with the princess had ever been one of distress. Quite the contrary. But a person liked to think herself the purveyor of her own deeds, and servitude was still servitude.

Crash!

The roar of thunder shook the ground, causing Marietta to reach out toward Yellow Swan, the young Indian woman who was not only her maid, but who had become her friend.

“That…that lightning strike was close. Do you know anything about these huts? Are we safe here?” Marietta glanced quickly toward the young woman.

“We…safe,” said Yellow Swan soothingly, and Marietta smiled, admiring the other woman.

Yellow Swan’s friendship had truly been a blessing. Not only was Yellow Swan kindhearted, she was pretty, in an exotic sort of way. She had been stationed at the American Fur Company for some time, and her time there had lent her an unusual ability: She could hold a conversation, though stilted, in English. Plus, Yellow Swan was acquainted—at least a little—with the white man’s ways.

But why Yellow Swan had even come to the fort owned by the American Fur Company, and why she had chosen to remain there—for she had not married any of the white men who worked there—Marietta had never been able to ascertain.

One detail about the woman was certain, however. Yellow Swan was quite alone in the world, and when Princess Sierra had approached her—for the princess had been seeking someone to accompany Marietta—Yellow Swan had been quite happy about the arrangements.

Personally, Marietta suspected that Yellow Swan was hoping to reunite with family. It was the most Marietta had ever learned from Yellow Swan: The woman searched for someone or several someones.

All at once, Yellow Swan turned toward her, placing her hand over Marietta’s. Though her eyes were wide, the maiden repeated, “We…safe. More safe than…if we…be…on plains.”

“Yes, of this I am certain,” said Marietta. “But how secure is this hut, after all?”

“Good,” replied Yellow Swan. “Good…safe…”

Marietta shivered. “I hate thunderstorms. I have never been in one when there hasn’t been something bad that’s happened.”

Yellow Swan gave Marietta a puzzled look. “Then…white friend must not…seen…many.”

“I have sat through plenty of thunderstorms. But always they are destructive. They kill trees, sometimes they kill animals, sometimes people.”

Yellow Swan nodded. “Han. Very…bad.”

“Yes,” agreed Marietta. “Very bad.” In a voice so low it was barely audible, Marietta whispered, “My parents were killed in a lightning storm.”

“Parents? Killed?”

Marietta glanced away. “Many years ago, my father and mother were traveling in a carriage—it was late at night. They shouldn’t have been out on the roads. But they were anxious to take me to a physician who was unable to travel to our home. It was an unusual journey to undertake, but they were afraid I wouldn’t survive until morning, you see. I was very young and I was sick.

“As they traveled, a storm came upon them. Lightning struck close to the road. Too close. The horses bolted. The carriage overturned on a cliff. My parents were caught in the coach, whereas I…I was thrown free…”

Silently Yellow Swan pressed Marietta’s hand.

“I still carry the scars of the accident.” Marietta showed Yellow Swan the scar that ran up her forearm. “I couldn’t walk for two years. I suppose this is what eventually drove my uncle to put me into service. I believe he thought I would be a burden to him for the rest of my life.”

“Put…in…service?”

Marietta gazed up briefly at Yellow Swan. “Do you remember Princess Sierra? High Wolf’s wife? The woman who introduced us?”

The Indian maiden nodded.

“For fourteen years I was her maid—a service which is rather like what you are with me, except I was bound to the princess forever, or until she no longer had need of my service. The only difference between what I was and what you are to me is that you are only traveling with me as far as St. Louis. You are also here at your own free will, something I was not allowed.”

“Ahh…”

“Nevertheless,” said Marietta, “the arrangement with the princess turned out well. Under Princess Sierra’s care, I recovered fully, for the princess demanded little of me, except that I be her friend.”

In the distance, more thunder sounded, but it was so far away it no longer seemed a threat. However, the clouds overhead must have opened up completely, for when the rain came, its downpour was furious. At once, moist air swept into the room.

Taking a whiff of the rain-soaked air, Marietta asked, “Will it rain inside the hut tonight?”