Free Eagle's Last Stand by Aimée Thurlo Page A

ever,” he said at last, then read it out loud. “‘It’s not Eagle’s nature to accept what seems to be. As what is hidden comes to light, your fight will begin. You will walk in beauty only after blue overcomes red and your eyes are opened to a truth that eluded me.’” Rick placed the paper on the coffee table so they could all see.
    “There’s something different about your letter, bro,” Kyle said. “First, it doesn’t really look like Hosteen Silver’s handwriting. It’s shaky. Then look at the date on top. That’s the same day we think Hosteen Silver disappeared.”
    Rick took a closer look at the letter. “It’s his writing. Look at the
f
with that extra loop in its center. The
g
is also not connected to the letter following it.” After a moment Rick added, “I’m guessing his hand was trembling.”
    “The man was without fear. Maybe he was sick at the time he wrote it,” Kyle said.
    “That’s what I think, too,” Rick answered.
    “What’s that stuff about blue overcoming red?” Kyle asked. “It sounds vaguely familiar, but I can’t nail it down.”
    “It’s part of the story Hosteen Silver used to tell us about the Hero Twins and their special prayer stick.”
    “Who were the Hero Twins?” Kim asked.
    “Navajo creation stories tell us about the sons of Changing Woman and Sun. The twins were great warriors, so their father, Sun, sent them on a great quest to destroy mankind’s enemies. Before they left, they were given a special prayer stick that was covered with blue paint and sparkling earth, symbols of peace and happiness. They were told that anytime the prayer stick turned red, a deadly battle lay ahead.”
    Kyle nodded. “Now I remember.”
    “I think he was telling me that there’s a mission I have to complete here, a wrong I have to right before I can find peace,” Rick said.
    “But if he didn’t tell you, how will you know what that wrong is?” Kim asked.
    “That’s the essence of all of Hosteen Silver’s predictions,” Rick answered. “You don’t have to go looking for answers. Eventually what you’re after, or what you need, will come to you.”
    After the revelation, everyone’s mood turned somber. Although they remained by the fireplace for several more hours, they were quiet for the most part, all lost in their own thoughts.
    Finally, Erin stood and stretched. “I’m going to bed. I can show you your room if you like, Kim.”
    “Tonight I want to keep a lookout, so I’ll be sleeping on the sofa,” Rick said.
    “How about we trade off keeping watch? You could crash in the remaining bedroom when I’m on duty,” Kyle said. “We’ve got cameras rigged up at a few key points, too, so we’ll get an alert the minute anything larger than a coyote comes down the road or approaches the house. The system immediately starts to record, too, so just open the cabinet and check the monitors if we get a hit.”
    “Works for me,” Rick said. “I’ll take the first watch and wake you up in four hours.”
    “I could help,” Kim said. “I’m a good observer. Right now I can tell no one’s around. There’s a coyote howling in the distance, and I don’t think it would announce its presence if humans were around.”
    Kyle smiled. “No one ever hears Rick move—not unless he wants you to, that is. We used to call him Shadowman.”
    Rick smiled. “It’s a gift.”
    “You said you’d train me, and here I am. Let me help,” she insisted.
    “All right,” Rick said at last. “Neither of us got much sleep last night, but together we can keep each other alert.” Rick looked at his brother. “I’ll come get you when it’s time.”
    When Kyle and Erin left, Rick turned off all the lights. Only the glow from burning piñon logs in the fireplace—and the monitors—illuminated the room. “I’m glad you volunteered to stay up. I’m tired and it’ll be easier to stay focused with a partner.”
    She smiled, glad to be considered a partner. “Tell me