The Ties That Bind

Author's Note: I want to say a special "Aho" to Melanie-otherwise known as "Wind in His Braids" or "Lover of the Bald-Mute Wearing Suspenders"-for all her help in the creation and writing of this story. May all of your wildest TYR dreams come true!

"All right, lets see if this works." Buck had gathered together several thick sticks. Using part of a length of rope he'd brought with him, he had tied them together into two bundles. Now, he positioned one bundle on either side of Grace's leg and proceeded to secure them in place with the rest of the rope. It might not have been the most attractive brace ever made, but it was the best he could do given his limited resources.

As he fumbled with the splint, Buck couldn't help but glance up at Grace's locket. From a distance, it had attracted his interest. A closer look proved that it was an even finer piece of jewelry than he'd first thought. The oval disk glowed warm with an inviting golden hue. At its center sat a brilliant diamond. Several etched lines radiated from it much, Buck thought, like the rays of a sun. As the jeweled image caught the light, it seemed to almost pulsate with a life of its own; the etched rays emitting their own silent power beyond the locket, itself-poised to arrest the attention of even the most casual observer.

Grace noticed Buck's interest. "Do you like it?" she asked, even though it was evident from Buck's awe-struck expression that he did.

Buck lowered his gaze. "I was just thinking that it might be dangerous to wear something precious like that out here. Its not always safe." He tightened the brace. "How's that feel?"

"I think its helping," Grace admitted, then paused for a moment before she added, "I suppose it isn't wise to wear jewelry so conspicuously out here. But I couldn't imagine going anywhere without my boys."

"Your what?"

Grace glowed with pride as she opened up the locket and motioned for Buck to sit beside her. Inside, he saw two small photos. She pointed to the one on the left. "That's my son, William. And the one on the right is my other boy, Issac."

Buck took a good look at the pictures. They were handsome men. Both were dressed in smart suits-their dark eyes trained intensely on the camera. Buck noticed that William looked quite a bit older than Issac. For some reason, William reminded Buck of his own

brother, Red Bear, though the two looked nothing alike.

"Do they live near here?" Buck asked.

"No," Grace replied-a little sadly. Buck noticed how the small lines around her mouth and eyes dug deep as she spoke. "They've each gone their own way. I haven't seen either of them in years. William headed off to California and I think Issac was somewhere in Texas last I heard. Once in a while, I get a message through the post. . .but not often." She closed the locket. "They don't have much time for writing, I imagine."

"That don't seem right," Buck said.

"Right or wrong, it's the truth-and its something I've learned to live with. Even so, I'll always love them." She brightened a little. "Its not as if I'm all alone in this world. When my husband died a few years ago, my sister and her family took me in, and I enjoy their company." She eyed Buck inquisitively. "Do you have any family, Buck?"

Buck thought a moment-his eyes searching somewhere beyond the horizon. He felt for Ike's bandanna as a wave of loneliness washed over his soul. Images streaked through his imagination like shooting stars. He saw Ike's comforting smile and wide eyes, Teaspoon's wise, understanding countenance, Red Bear's strong physique and proud face, his mother's deep, loving gaze. . .

"No, not really," he responded without emotion. He stood suddenly. "We'd better get you back to town. Its not safe for us to be out here alone. There's been Indian trouble lately."

"You're an Indian, aren't you?" Grace asked cautiously.

"I'm half Kiowa," he answered quietly.

"That's nothing to be ashamed of," Grace stated, to Buck's surprise.

"I'm not ashamed of my heritage," he shot out defensively. Suddenly, a wave of suspicion rolled through his body like a thunder cloud. "Why are you so willing to accept me?"

Grace's heart filled with concern. For a moment, she studied the young man. She sensed his conflict. She knew that he was torn between love and hate not only for her but for

countless other people-for life, itself.

"It must be hard for you," she said finally, "living in between worlds, as you do."

Her understanding frightened Buck. Who was this woman?

She saw the fear and suspicion gather strength in his eyes. "Buck, I want to give you some words of wisdom that the years have given me." She lifted her head-allowing the warm afternoon sun to penetrate her being. "I've always felt that nature speaks to us individually-calling our names-telling us what we need to know about life. I've gained a bit of wisdom from my morning walks that might help you." She paused a moment before she continued. "Have you ever noticed how the sun rises everyday-on good days as well as bad? It has the ability to climb beyond all of our pain and adversity. Its light is what keeps us alive. It gives us strength and hope to face each new day." Buck hesitated slightly before nodding in agreement. Grace went on. "The sun sheds a light of truth on all things. Who can hide from it? I suppose people can try to run and hide, but the truth is always exposed eventually. Buck, if you allow the light to guide you and accept its truth, you'll begin to understand it and know just who can stand proudly in the light and who can't." She smiled. A faithful glimmer shone in her eyes. "I could tell that you were a good man from the moment I met you."

A deep silence fell on the two as Buck tasted her words. He sensed, rather than knew, the truths she had spoken. Yet, he still wasn't quite sure what to make of it all. He closed his eyes as a soft breeze descended into the canyon, enveloping him with its sweet perfume. This was no ordinary woman sitting before him.

The clamor of galloping horses broke through the stillness. Buck's eyes flew open. "Stay here," he whispered. "And be as quiet as you can." He reached for his gun. "I'll check it out."

Silently, Buck crept through the canyon-making sure to stay close to the wall. The sound of horse hooves beat ever closer as Buck crouched behind a large rock. He didn't know how many men he was about to face, but at least he'd have the element of surprise on his side.

"That looks like his horse," a familiar voice echoed through the canyon. It was Cody's loud, undeniable drawl.

A sigh of relief shook through his frame as Buck emerged from behind the rock to find Kid and Cody appear before him.

"Buck?" Kid inquired with relieved grin.

"What are you doing here?" Buck asked.

"Shouldn't we be askin' you that question?" Cody teased.

"Teaspoon sent us out to hunt for you," Kid explained. "We were headed out to South Pass, but decided to take a short cut through the canyon. Good thing we did, too. What are you doin' out here anyway?"

Buck suddenly remembered Grace. "I met a woman. She hurt her ankle and I was about to take her back to Rock Creek." He turned to find her, but was met with empty space. He ran to the rock where she'd been sitting. He found the make-shift splint leaning up against it. But Grace was nowhere to be found. He shot a look at Kid and Cody, who had followed right behind him. "Didn't you see her? She was right here!"

Kid faced Buck with genuine concern. "All we saw was your horse-and then you." He placed his hand on Buck's shoulder. "You look like you had a pretty rough night. You sleep at all?"

Buck shook free of Kid's hold. "I'm fine," he answered coldly. A sudden rush of anxiety choked him. Where did she go? he thought desperately. She couldn't have just disappeared. . ."

Cody sighed impatiently. "We best be headin' back to Rock Creek. Teaspoon wanted us in town before dark and its already getting late."

Buck stared at the splint resting silently before him. Confusion tossed through his head. He began to wonder if it was all some sort of dream. Had this Grace Soliel even existed?

"Come on, Buck. Lets go," Kid said softly.

Buck ground his heels stubbornly in the dirt as Kid and Cody mounted up. He needed to find Grace. Once more, his eyes shot through the canyon only to find nothing. The woman had simply vanished.

"Buck," Kid called again, "there's no one here. You probably just need something to eat. Its easy to believe anything on an empty stomach."

Buck's heart dropped as he realized what a fool he must seem to his friends. He knew now that it was futile to do anything but follow them back to Rock Creek. Reluctantly, he lifted himself onto his horse and silently, the three headed back to town.