Free Eagle People by W.R. Benton Page B

and we will talk. What is your name?”
“I'm called Eldon, but listen to my words closely. We cannot come to your shelter because we carry an illness, and it is the reason you cannot come with us now. We want to help you, but it would only bring your death.”
    “What disease do the people of Mongoose have?”
“Smallpox.”
    “I was exposed to the illness years ago, got a high fever, but no red spots or scars. I've been told I cannot get the sickness now.” Ada said, and then looking at Theo, she asked, “Do you know of the illness?”
    “A little but not much. I haven't had it, but if we stay out here alone, we'll eventually die. I'm willing to risk death to help our clan.”
    “What of the other woman?” Eldon asked.
    “She hasn't had it, but is a shaman's helper and is willing to risk the disease to help our people.”
    Eldon stood and said, “I'll come and speak with you, but only me. My men will stay here.”
    “Come.”
    Eldon was a big man, very close to six feet and five inches, and two hundred and forty pounds, all of it muscle. His head and face were clean of all hair, he was wearing a loin cloth and moccasins, and carried a metal sword in his hand. On his back he packed a bow, quiver, shield, and a small buckskin pack.
    About five feet from the women he stopped in the rain and squatted in the mud.
    Two minutes passed before he said, “Think seriously about what you are both volunteering to do. The illness may kill both of you, but I'm no shaman, only a warrior. If you come with us, you'll be forced to remain in the village until the illness has run its course. I'm Eldon, Chief of the Dog Soldiers, of the Eagle People, and I will see you remain.”
    “I'll come. We are from the destroyed village and we have no other place to go. Men of the Wolf People were tracking us, but since I'm a true warrior, they lost me.” Ada said and thought, He is a very handsome man.
    “I'll go as well, even if it means my death, because to remain alone will surely bring my ending.  I must help our people.”
    “Gather your things and we'll leave.” Eldon said, and then turning toward his men he said, “Bring some blankets; these women have little to wear in this rain.”
    Five men soon walked to the shelter, and one handed Ada two wool blankets.
    “Thank you,” she said and then asked, “Do you have horses?”
    “Yes and they are near. We know you are both mounted, because we have watched you during your travels most of this afternoon. Come, this is poor weather for people.”
    “What of those following us?” Ada asked.
    “We will prepare a warm welcome for those who follow.”

    Byron was furious and said, “If the women get away from us, Ora, I'll personally remove your head. I cannot believe two women have thrown us off their trails so easily!”
    “My tracks show only one of them caused all this damage, and she's been trained as a warrior.  This is not some woman who stays in a lodge and cooks all day, or craws into your bed at night to satisfy your lust. She is an ingenious warrior and a cold-blooded calculating killer.”
    “As are we. Now, get your ass to moving, and let's collect these two or Asa will have all our heads on a pole. We, none of us, can return without these women. I know Asa wanted them alive, but if they're dead he may still let us live.” Why can't these dumb-shits understand, we seriously cannot return without something to show the chief? he thought.
    They were deep in the woods, following the tracks of the women that ran parallel to the more heavily traveled course about twenty feet away. The travois that carried Ezra made group movement slow, especially in the cluttered woods, and often the group was forced to wait as the poles were lifted over one obstacle or another.  
    “Ezra, we're putting your ass on a horse. The travois is seriously holding us back, and you'll either ride or die. Lum, I want you and Lucian to tie Ezra to his horse, but keep one hand free so he can carry