Two Feathers fell back toward their position.
The pursuing men hesitated when they realized the group had not taken the obvious trail.
That hesitation was enough.
Elias and the others reached the horses.
Mounted.
And rode toward the river.
Behind them, the canyon filled with fading gunfire and shouted threats.
But none of the pursuers followed far.
The desert was growing dark.
Crane had lost his hostage.
And the people he had expected to frighten were now carrying information that could destroy him.
They returned to camp after midnight.
Iron Elk was waiting.
The moment he saw Ren riding beside Elias, he began moving toward them.
She dismounted before her horse fully stopped.
Her father caught her in his arms.
For a moment, the imposing chief seemed unable to speak.
He held her tightly.
Ren closed her eyes.
Then whispered, "I'm home."
Iron Elk pressed his forehead against hers.
"My daughter."
His voice broke.
"I thought..."
He could not finish.
Ren held him.
Then gently stepped back.
"I'm here."
The chief touched the cut on her cheek.
Anger returned to his expression.
"Who did this?"
"Men working for Crane."
Iron Elk's jaw tightened.
Ren caught his wrist.
"Father."
He looked at her.
She continued.
"Don't let your anger make decisions for everyone."
For a moment, he stared.
Then slowly lowered his hand.
Willow Song approached.
She examined Ren's injuries and led her toward a shelter where warm water and clean cloth were waiting.
Elias remained beside the horses.
The relief of finding Ren alive had begun fading into exhaustion.
His ribs ached.
His shoulder throbbed.
And the realization that Two Feathers had kept his father's papers hidden for twenty years pressed heavily upon him.
Iron Elk approached.
"Thank you."
Elias looked at him.
The chief continued.
"You brought her home."
Elias shook his head.
"She got herself out of that station."
Iron Elk looked surprised.
Elias continued.
"She left signs along the trail, found a way through the western wall, and reached the upper path before we could get inside."
He looked toward Ren.
"Your daughter saved herself a great deal of trouble by refusing to wait for us."
For a moment, Iron Elk stared.
Then a faint smile touched his face.
"That sounds like her grandmother."
Elias nodded.
"From what I've heard, it does."
The chief looked toward the dark mountains.
Then asked quietly, "What did Crane want?"
Elias studied him.
"The original survey."
Iron Elk's expression changed.
"And the sworn statement."
The chief closed his eyes.
Elias continued.
"Two Feathers says he knows where they are."
For several moments, the chief said nothing.
Then whispered, "So the past has finally returned."
Elias stared.
"What do you mean?"
Iron Elk looked toward the river.
Then back at him.
"Twenty years ago, your father trusted men who should have protected him."
He paused.
"I was one of them."
The admission came just before dawn.