"What did the Great Ones expect of him? Would the girl die if he pressed onward? And if he took her home to her people, what then? What of the prophecy? What of his people? As if he heard Hunter's thoughts, Warrior moved his pony closer and said, "You must trust the Great Ones, If you are certain she is the woman of the prophecy, then all will be well. The song cannot come to pass if she dies." Hunter tucked in his chin to study the girl's mud-streaked face and found himself wondering how he ever could have thought her ugly. Could a shaft of sunlight be ugly? A sparkle of moonlight upon water? "I'm certain, Warrior. She is the woman. Already, part of the prophecy has come to pass, eh? Her voice has been returned to her." "And she has stolen your Comanche heart, has she not?" "She has great courage for one so small, but my heart is my own. As it will always be."