Many years had passed since the union of Zaltana and Angeni. The
years had not been good to them. But it had brought the birth of
a son, named Little Fox, and a daughter named Shadow Dancer. Two
sons had been born following the birth of their daughter but they
had not been strong enough to survive the birth.

Zaltana and Angeni were sitting under the great oak tree outside of
their village. Angeni had long since fallen asleep and Zaltana watching
their two children playing in the meadow chasing the butterflies. Great
love does he have for these two that him and
the woman he loves had created, his eyes move over to his sleeping wife
who is again large with child. His hand moves over her abdomen
feeling the life moving within her. The touch causes Angeni to awaken
and she notices a look on her husband's face that she has not seen
for awhile. "What troubles you my husband" she asks softly. Zaltana
realizing that he has awaken her speaks as softly, and says "Nothing my
love. Just sitting here and thinking of the wonderful life we have had
together. We have been through many tough times, but our love has
always survived. Now though it is time for us to return to the village,
my woman, I must meet with my brothers to discuss the great
hunt." He reaches over and kisses her tenderly on the lips and helps
her arise. Calling for his children to come they slowly make their way
back to the village. He holds her close to him and whispers to her just
how much he loves her.

*********************************************************************

Zaltana and his most trusted braves set in the medecine mans teepee
discussing the great hunt that was about to take place. This hunt being
the most important hunt for this will be the food, and the
skins that will have to take care of his people for the winter.
After they all agree that they would leave the following morning before
sunrise, all but Zaltana leaves the Medicine Man's teepee.
Zaltana just sits and stares and the embers of the remaining fire,
deep in thought. Medicine man noticing this walks over to stand beside
Zaltana, and asks, "What is troubling you my great Chief?" Zaltana
for a time says nothing, then he looks up into the medicine man's eyes
and says," Great Medicine Man of my people, this great hunt causes
me an uneasiness, not because that there is not enough buffalo for us,
because the buffalo are many, but of that of my wife. Her time is
drawing near and I am afraid that this child will not survive, nor
that of my beloved."  The medicine mans lays his hands on the shoulders
of the strong brave, not liking him feeling this way, says, "Zaltana,you
have been a great chief to our people and that of Angeni has been a
great chieftans wife. She has given you two strong children, and this
child will be a strong child also. Do not fear
Zaltana, your child will be born alive and he will be strong and
healthy." Zaltana sits and considers these words spoken by the Medicine
man and says, "What you have told me has eased what I am feeling in
my heart, but it has not eased what is in my mind. And now I will
depart and go to prepare for the great hunt."


Zaltana leaves and returns to his teepee and makes the necessary
preparations. He sits his children down and plays with them. He looks at
his son, being the eldest he takes his shoulders and says, "Son,
I shall be gone for a short time, but I ask you to watch over your
mother and your sister." The little boy feeling very proud of the
responsibility his father has bestowed upon him says, "Father I will
watch over them. I will guard them with my life. And someday soon
Father, I will take your place in the great hunt and I will make you
proud of me." The father beaming with pride tells his son that he will
someday make a great chief and that he is truly proud of him.
As they bed down for the night, Zaltana pulls Angeni close to him. As
she sleeps, he wonders how he will ever be able to stay away from her.
With a contented smile he drifs off into a dreamless sleep.

********************************************************************

The men had been gone for over 7 days when Angeni awoke to startling
pains in her abdomen. "NO," she cried, "it is too soon." She grabs her
abdomen that is tight with pain, she cries for her daughter to go and
get help. The little girl runs as fast as her legs carry her and
retrieves the older women in the village.

For hours Angeni withers in agonizing pain. Crying out for her beloved,
for her mother, for her father. Wishing that they were with her. The
 pain draws long into the night. The women call for the medicine man.
 Knowing that finally they can do no more and that Angeni is in trouble
 and knowing not what to do. The medicine man comes quickly near the
 entrance of Zaltana and Angeni's teepee. Smelling the smell of death
he opens the teepee and sees Angeni grey in coloring and being afraid
that it is too late. He touches her abdomen and feels a slight movement,
he knows that they must work quickly in order to save the life of Angeni
and of the new born. He gives Angeni some medicine to ease the pain and
sterilizes the knife that will have to be used to spare the childs life, he
begins working. Within a few minutes the child is retrieved, a fine healthy
boy who's cries can be heard throughout the village. He hands the boy
child to the women to take care of and proceeds to repair the damage
he has done to Angeni. She begins to call out for Zaltana but the sound
of her voice is so quiet that the medicine man does not know
what she is saying. He sits back and looks up at the darkened skies
through the roof of the teepee, and raises his arms and says, "Oh
Great Father, please let this woman live. Who's love for her family is
so great. Heal her wounded body so that she may see her husband grow
old and her children bring their children into the world."

With that he leaves the teepee not knowing how long Angeni will live,
he goes to one of the braves teepee and tells a young brave to go
and search Zaltana, but not to tell him that his wife is dying. But to
just tell him that his wife needs him here with her.

The young brave runs deep into the forest to find the many braves.
How far they are he does not know but he knows that the Medicine man
asked him to do a great deed and for this he must do.

*******************************************************************

Meanwhile, Zaltana and his braves have hunted and their hunt was a good
hunt. It is dark and they are sitting around the campfire discussing the
events of the day when Zaltana suddenly notices that all become quiet.
He looks around and notices that a young brave for his village coming
out of the woods. He sees the boy moving quickly and knows that
something is wrong. The young brave runs up to Zaltana and exclaims
loudly, "You must return to the village. The medicine man has sent me
to you to bring you back. Your wife is in labor and is in need of you."

Zaltana runs and jumps onto his steed and races through the forest.
The sun is just coming up as he races into the village. All is to quiet
for him. There should be much rejoicing for a newborn Chieftans
son. He hurridly runs into the village toward his teepee, he hears no
sounds coming from it. He opens the flaps and walks in and there
laying on many buffalo hides is his beautiful Angeni, but he sees no
child. With the worst on his mind he moves to his beloved. He takes his
fingers and lightly places them on her face. She does not awaken
but the medicine man walks in at that precise moment and looks at
Zaltana, "She is in a deep healing sleep Zaltana, it is up to the
Great Spirits to decide whether she shall live. You have a healthy son
which is in your sister's teepee and is being tended to if you wish to
see him." Zaltana looking up with tears in his eyes, says,"I shall stay
with my wife and take care of her. She will live old man for without her
I would not be the Chief I am today."

For days Angeni slept in the deep sleep. Not moving nor even opening her
eyes. Zaltana taking care of her. Bathing her body. Trying to
feed her. He hasn't slept taking care of her nor has he seen his son but
everyday his sister comes to help him and tells him of the son who is
very healthy but who has yet to have a name. Zaltana says that his son
will be named as soon as Angeni is well enough to see her son.
His sister being downhearted at her brother's words, leaves the teepee
quietly. He sits down beside his lovely Angeni, speaking in soft tones
of his love for her, of the love for his children. How they will grow
old together and see their childrens children. He lays down beside her
and holds her calling out to her to come back to him. But day after day
there is no response. As Zaltana drifts off into a trouble sleep,
his fingers entertwine with hers. Willing her to survive because he
could not go on without her.

The next morning Zaltana awakens and is startled to see that his
beloved is squeezing his fingers and is looking for him. With a smile on
her face she says, "My beloved, my heart is heavy with the love I have
 for you. Always remember that you and I shall be together for now
 and for ever. Take care of our children and try not let them see the
wicked ways of the world. For you and they are the most precious things
I have. I love you Zaltana." And with that Angeni closes her eyes and
takes her last breath.

Zaltana with tears running down his face leaves the teepee and goes to
his sister's teepee. He picks up his newborn son and goes outside.
He says, "My son your mother died bringing you into this world. You
shall never know of the love she has for you. But this I swear you shall
never be without the knowledge. For as long as I have breath in my body
you will be shown that love. From this day on throughout your childhood
life you shall be called Soars Like An Eagle."

The End....................