He stood there, arms crossed, watching every move the cowboy made. The minutes dragged on like hours. Ryder watched the eagle's shadow move with agonizing slowness across the sand. The children no longer cried, a silence that was a thousand times worse than any weeping. Some of the women sang softly, songs writer did not understand, but whose meaning was universal.
Prayers, pleased to the gods for a miracle. A baby began to convulse in its mother's arms. The woman screamed, a sound of pure despair that chilled everyone's blood. Great bear ran to her. He took the little one in his arms, rocking him urgently.
The baby's lips were blue. Now, shouted Storm Spirit, pointing furiously at Ryder. "There is no more time! " Ryder looked up. The shadow was almost in position. "Almost! " for the baby.
He made a decision. He took out his canteen, the last water he had left, and handed it to Great Bear. For the child. Just a few drops on a lips. Great bear looked at him with surprise, then with something akin to respect.
He carefully moistened the baby's lips. The little one coughed, then began to cry weakly. It was the most beautiful sound Ryder had ever heard in his life. The mother took the crying child, whispering thanks that Ryder did not need to understand. Storm Spirit watched the scene, his expression unreadable.
For a moment, something changed in his eyes, but the distrust returned quickly. His shadow, Great Bear said suddenly, pointing. Ryder spun around. The stone eagle now cast its shadow perfectly toward the east like a dark arrow across the bright sand. It was time.
He began counting steps from the base of the rock, following the line of the shadow. 10, 20, 30. His heartbeat louder and louder. 40 50 He stopped. In front of him was only more sand and scattered rocks.
Nothing. There was nothing. A murmur rippled through the group. Storm Spirit let out a bitter laugh and began walking toward Ryder with clearly hostile intentions. But Ryder did not give up.
He knelt, beginning to scoop away sand with his hands. It had to be here. It just had to be. His fingers touched something. Stone, but not natural stone.
Work stone carved by human hands. Help me, he shouted. Great bear and several others ran to him. Together they began to dig, clearing away sand that had accumulated for who knows how many years. Soon they revealed a structure.
Rocks arranged in a circle, sealing something. Storm's spirit joined them. His curiosity overcoming his hostility for the moment. They worked feverishly, moving stones so heavy they needed three men for each one. Finally, the last stone shifted.
A bubbling sound rose from below. Then, as if the earth itself sighed with relief, water began to flow. It was not a dramatic fountain, not a geyser. It was a steady, beautiful stream of crystal clearar water that quickly filled the space between the rocks, forming a small pool. The silence that followed was absolute.
Then chaos erupted. People threw themselves toward the water. Some crying, others laughing hysterically. Mothers held their children aloft. Young men helped the elders.
The sound of water being drunk, of hands splashing, of shouts of joy filled the desert air. Ryder stepped back, letting them drink first. He sat on a rock, his legs trembling with relief. He had done it. Old Jacob had told the truth.
Great bear approached, his face still dripping with water. He said nothing, simply placed his hand on Ryder's shoulder and squeezed. The gesture said more than a thousand words. Even storm spirit from a distance watched with a different expression. It was not friendship, not yet, but the pure hostility was gone, replaced by something more complex.
Ryder smiled to himself. 40 lives saved. Not a bad day's work. But what he did not know was that this was only the beginning. The true trials were yet to come.
Three days had passed since the discovery of the spring. The Apache camp had come to life remarkably. Children ran and played among the rocks, their laughter bouncing off the stone walls. The women had organized the teepeees in a circle around the water, creating a small oasis of life in the midst of the relentless desert. The elders sat in the shade, recovering their strength, telling stories of better times.
Ryder had planned to leave on the second day. His job was done after all, but something held him back. Perhaps it was the silent gratitude in the people's eyes. Perhaps it was the way the children had started following him, curious about this strange white man who had saved their lives. Or perhaps it was simply that for the first time in years, he did not feel like a loner wandering aimlessly.
That afternoon, as Ryder prepared his horse to finally depart, a young warrior came running up. "Great bear calls for you," he said in surprisingly good English. "It is important, very important. " Ryder followed the messenger to the largest tepee in the camp. It was an impressive structure decorated with symbols he did not understand, but which clearly held deep meaning. Two warriors guarded the entrance, their faces serious, but not hostile.
Inside the tepee was more spacious than it appeared from the outside. Great bears sat on finely worked furs surrounded by the council elders. The smoke of aromatic herbs filled the air creating an almost ceremonial atmosphere. To the side, storm spirit watched with an inscrable expression. Sit, friend.
Ryder great bear said, gesturing to his spot in front of him. Ryder obeyed, sensing that something important was about to happen. The chief studied him in silence for a long moment as if weighing every word before speaking. You have saved my people. Great bear began finally.
40 lives destined to end in the sand. Children who will now grow up. Elders who will see one more sunrise. This is no small thing. Ryder nodded uncomfortable with the praise.
Anyone would have done the same. Not anyone. Interrupted one of the elders in a grave voice. Many would have passed by. Others would have asked for payment first.
You gave your last water to a dying baby without thinking twice. In my culture, great bear continued, "A life debt is sacred. It cannot remain unpaid. The honor of my people demands that we offer you something of equal value to what you have given us. " The chief signaled. The tepee flaps opened and women began to enter.
One by one, they formed a line in front of Ryder. They were young, all beautiful, dressed in their finest traditional clothing. He counted quickly, 22 in total. Ryder's heart began to beat faster, a sense of unease growing in his chest. These are the unmarried women of our tribe.
Great bear explained solemnly. Daughters, nieces, cousins, each of them has agreed to this honor. I offer them all to you. They will be your wives, bear you strong children, and care for your home. All of them are yours.
The silence that followed was deafening. Ryder looked at the women's faces. Some seemed curious, others shy, some even smiled slightly, but one in particular caught his attention. She was tall with delicate features and eyes that shone with sharp intelligence. She wore a turquoise necklace that stood out against her.
Bronze skin. She was not smiling. She looked at him with an intensity that made him feel as if she could see straight into his soul. This is my daughter, Starry Sky. Great bear said, noticing the direction of Ryder's gaze.
The most precious of all. She is also yours if you wish. Ryder felt as if the air had grown heavier. How could he refuse this without mortally offending the entire tribe? But how could he accept?
The very idea was absurd. 22 wives. It was unthinkable. Then he noticed Storm Spirit's expression. The young warrior was stiff as stone.
His fists clenched until his knuckles turned white. His eyes were not on Ryder, but on Starry Sky, and in those eyes was something unmistakable. Love mixed with agony. Everything clicked in an instant. Storm Spirit loved Starry Sky.
They had probably grown up together, sharing dreams of a common future. And now tribal honor demanded that she be offered to a stranger. The tension in the tepee was palpable. Some of the elders nodded in approval at the generosity of the offer. Others watched Ryder with curiosity, awaiting his response.