The Write Place

Table of Contents

Chapter 2

The green of the trees had faded in the passing months.  All that was left was the skeleton of the tree that had been hidden underneath the foliage.  The leaves that had shaded those taking refuge under its shadow had long since fallen away.  The warmer months were gone.  A bitter, trying winter had come.  The sky was a sick gray as nature hid itself for the biting winter.  Underneath the cold death of the season the tree still lived.  Hidden in their huts for most of the day, the villagers spent their time in what warmth they could make.  Underneath the now barren tree in their usual spot, the pair each sat wrapped in warm cloth facing each other around a fire.  The two talked of many serious things in a very serious time.

“Winters are always hard.  But this year perhaps is the hardest I can remember.  A fever is spreading. Among the villages people are ill and cannot work.  Some even die.  My family has not been untouched,” Red Feather told Caleb from underneath her thick quilt, her breath visible in the biting cold.  She sat on the bench with her arms wrapped tight around her shivering body, while Caleb knelt by the fire to tend it.

Caleb sighed, his breath was visible in the chill of the evening air.  “I had this fever when I was young.  Took my only sister and my mother,” Caleb said in a heavy voice while dipping his head in sorrow.  Tears welled up in his eyes as those heavy memories weighed upon him. “That was a particularly hard time.  I haven’t caught it yet, I don’t know that I won’t, but at this point that doesn’t matter to me. If you  need anything from me you can have it,” Caleb said as he stood up and placed himself on his makeshift seat.

“We’ve spent a lot of time here Caleb.  I believe your kind words.  Some are sick.  They ask what spirit this is that does this.  One of our own, or the one you claim.  Some are saying our spirits are angry for listening to you about this Gospel.  Or even for associating with one like you,” said Red Feather in a weary voice.  Her mind wandered as she remembered the tense atmosphere in the village, one that seemed to cast a dark pallor over everything.

Caleb’s face sank with worry at her report.  “What do you believe has wrought this curse?  Is it my doing, our doing?  Some vile spirits?” he asked.  He stared intently at her, their eyes met in awkward tension as he awaited her answer.

Red Feather locked eyes with Caleb while pulling her quilt tighter in an attempt to force the cold away.  ”I think your God protects you.  You survive, even your people survive.  My village wishes you to leave, at least many do.  It causes an uproar right now.  There are those who say you are to blame, others like me don’t or at least do not want to think this.”  

 Caleb stood and shook his head.  “What do you think?  Am I to blame for that?  Do you believe you’re better without me for these things that have come to pass?”  Caleb inquired, anxious thoughts coursing through his mind.  All his work, all his relationships may well now go to waste.  

“The unrest in the village is because you are here. I struggle with that.  And with whether or not these spirits really afflict us for speaking to you,” she said.  “It makes sense in our way of thinking.  Yet, it also does not.  I heard my neighbor speak of war.  Foolish, considering we are so sick but he believed it would appease the spirits.  My brother spoke kind words of you.  He defended you alone, then others rose to join him in defending you.  You have friends here,” Red feather said.  Caleb set the poker down by his seat.  His body had relaxed as a gentle smile formed on his face.

“I am thankful for that.  Your brother is a good man.  How many do you think would stand by me?  What would happen if I stay?” asked Caleb as he attempted to make sense of all that the situation entailed.  Of not just what it meant for him, but for the us before them.
“Enough I think.  Though we are weak.  The fever spreads worse day by day. I don’t know what will happen,” she said, her weak voice trembling.  Caleb circled the fire to the bench and leaned closer to her, examining her face.  He put one hand on her forehead.  Horror overwhelmed him. 

“You are quite feverish.  You are catching it, too,” said Caleb. Worry dripped from his voice. “I have to get you back to your longhouse.  I can’t leave you, or your family, not like this.  I and the other missionaries can stay.  We’ll help take care of the sick and do the work you cannot,” Caleb said, sitting next to her and taking hold of her from one side while trying to keep her warm.

“What if the village kills them?  You know what some of them say,” said Red Feather as her eyes struggled to stay open.  “You may sleep one night and never wake up, save maybe to cruelty.”

“We’ll take that risk.  Christian’s need not fear death.  Christians stayed with the sick when plague hit the great city of Rome.  Rome watched them be killed in games  where they were thrown to wild animals. Still the Christians were willing to put their lives at risk for those who sought their lives.  I know no different,” said Caleb, reaching out to put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. I will stay with you and your family.” Intensity filled Caleb’s voice.  “I won’t let anything stop me from being with you when you need me the most.” Slow tears poured from Caleb’s eyes as he spoke.

“Even if they try to kill you?”asked Red Feather, weary and worried.

“They may try to kill me. My life is in God’s hands.  That doesn’t matter to me, what matters to me is that you live.  I love you Red Feather, with all my heart and my soul.  Whatever may come I will be here for you,” said Caleb picking up the weakened Red Feather.  With strong and determined steps he carried her down the hill.

“You have perfect timing, Sunburn,” Red Feather said, a faint smile forming on her lips.

“God’s timing always is.  God willing, I’ll make sure you live through this winter.  Even if it cost me my life,” he replied, holding her ever tighter in his arms.  The pair continued down the hill in the gray of winter.  The sun’s faint rays poked through the clouds, lighting their way.