Yellowstone Legends

by Peggy L Henderson

  Kendra instantly spun to face him, standing as if to ward off an attack. She sucked in several deep breaths and stood her ground. He sheathed his knife and gazed at the vast expanse of a valley surrounded by mountains. He was taking a chance, leaving himself vulnerable to another attack, but she was winded and intelligent enough to know that she was no match for him at the moment.

  “I have no wish to fight you.”

  Kendra raised her chin, and her shoulders stiffened. “Then why did you attack me?”

  Wo'itsa shook his head. He smirked. “Your memory appears to be hazy. You came out of nowhere and fell on top of me. I thought I was under attack.”

  She scoffed. “So you thought you’d take advantage of the situation and overpower me so you could finally take the snakehead from me?”

  Wo'itsa turned away and focused on his surroundings, ignoring the way his skin tingled with life wherever she’d been in contact with him seconds ago. She was partly right, of course. Taking the snakehead from her had been his plan.

  He suppressed a smile at her perceptiveness. There were greater worries than how this little warrior woman affected him, or trying to convince her that he wasn’t her enemy, but concentrating on anything but her was a far greater challenge than he’d faced in a long time.

  He shook his head and forced his eyes to focus on the tree line in the distance. As it had the last time he’d time traveled, this didn’t look any different than his own time. Perhaps the vessel had returned them to his proper time.

  Behind him, Kendra moved. He didn’t have to turn to notice her coming up alongside him. His senses were in tune to her as they were to the rest of his surroundings. His muscles tightened, ready if she made a hostile move.

  “Did we time travel again?” She brushed the dust on her clothing. “I could have sworn we were in a forest a minute ago, right before I blacked out a second time.”

  “It appears we have time traveled.” Wo'itsa continued to stare off into the distance.

  She took a step forward and held out her hand, her eyes fixed on his face. “Hand over the snakehead. I need to talk to a certain Sky People elder. What was he thinking, sending me off without any kind of explanation or preparation?” Her voice rose in anger.

  Wo'itsa glanced at her. She was a beautiful woman, facing him without fear. Her anger was almost amusing, especially since it currently didn’t seem to be directed at him.

  “I do not have the vessel.”

  The strong breeze whipped his hair around his face. He turned into the wind, his eyes on Kendra. Her brows rose, and her mouth opened as she gaped at him. Had she not fully understood his words?

  “What do you mean, you don’t have the vessel?”

  Wo'itsa’s eyes pored over her perplexed face. The wind caught strands of her dark hair, obstructing her features. A sudden urge overpowered him to run his fingers along the contours of her face, making it difficult to focus on the dilemma facing them.

  He turned away from her and kicked at the ground. Anger was a better emotion to grab hold of than tender thoughts about this female. His attraction to Kendra was neither wanted nor helpful. If he ever allowed another woman into his heart, it would be a proper Tukudeka woman, not a warrior female from the future.

  “Because of your interference, I was unable to save Morning Fawn. I failed Mukua again.”

  Kendra’s forehead scrunched. She leaned forward, staring up at him. “Wait. You don’t have the snakehead? Then how . . . and what are you talking about? What’s a morning fawn?”

  Wo'itsa returned her stare. “Mukua brought me to an unknown time to save a woman from drowning. Had you not appeared, I would have done exactly that. Since it seems that we have time traveled, I fear she did not survive because I was not there to save her.”

  Kendra shook her unruly hair out of her face. Her eyes narrowed. “Mukua wanted you to save someone’s life?” She sounded skeptical, but there was also a twinge of doubt and even remorse in her eyes.

  When another gust of cold wind stirred up the dust around them, she wrapped her arms around her middle. The tall grasses and sage rustled loudly, an ominous warning that the weather might change at any time, and not for the better.

  She didn’t remain quiet for long. With a piercing stare, she glared at Wo'itsa.

  “How was I supposed to know where that vessel would take me when Naatoyita handed it to me? I sure didn’t expect to end up on top of you.”

  She began to pace, her arms still wrapped tightly around her middle. Her body shivered slightly. In her future time, she must have forgotten how to survive the elements, just as she’d lost her connection to the spirits.

  Kendra spun sharply and pointed a finger in his face. She cast an accusing look at him. “And because of you, we time traveled again, and on top of that, you don’t even have the snakehead. What are we supposed to do now?”

  Her voice rose with each word. She began pacing a line in front of him again, then abruptly stopped, and looked off into the distance. Her head turned in all directions. “Do you have any idea where we are?”

  Wo'itsa gazed at the snow-covered mountain that loomed higher than the others in the distance. “These aren’t familiar hunting grounds, but I recognize that mountain. It will guide us back to the summer hunting grounds of the Tukudeka.”

  Her gaze followed his line of vision. “Looks like Mount Holmes to me,” she muttered. “The problem is, we have no idea what century we’re in, and more important, how we’re going to get back to where we need to be.” She shot a heated look at him over her shoulder.

  Despite her annoyance and her brave outer demeanor, there was a hint of fear in her eyes. He’d seen it before, several days ago after she’d time traveled from the future. She’d been confused about her whereabouts.

  She was right. It would be helpful to know if they were now in some unknown past or future. There was also the danger of hostile people who might inhabit these mountains. He had only his knife to protect her and keep her safe.

  Wo'itsa smiled. She’d already proven that she needed little help from him for protection. Her slight display of vulnerability at the moment made it easy to forget. Despite behaving like a warrior, there was a feminine side to her that she couldn’t hide all the time.

  “The mountain will guide us to familiar hunting grounds. There is also shelter ahead.” He pointed in the direction of the snow-covered mountain and the trees. It would provide an area for shelter for the night and give him time to survey their surroundings. Perhaps he’d be able to figure out if they were back in the correct time.

  He didn’t wait for Kendra to respond and headed toward the hills and the forest. It didn’t take long before she fell in step beside him. Her strides were stiff and rigid, and she didn’t speak. She might be angry, but at least she was no longer attacking him. Even so, it wouldn’t be wise to let his guard down completely around her.

  “How did the vessel send us to another time?” Wo'itsa voiced the thoughts that had perplexed him, not expecting an answer.

  Kendra turned her head slightly to glare at him out of the corner of her eye. “You must have touched the eye when you were trying to grab the thing.”

  His brows rose. She’d figured out how the vessel worked? He mentally shook his head. Cameahwait must have told her, and she’d said she needed to have words with an elder of the Sky People. Apparently, she’d met one of Mukua’s brothers.

  There was a momentary pause before she mumbled, “I have a feeling I was supposed to be in the same time as you, but you had to go and mess it up.”

  She tilted her head to fully look up at him. Wo'itsa slowed to meet her stare.

  “As much as I hate to think about it, it wasn’t a coincidence when I landed right on top of you.”

  Was that a hint of a smile on her face? Wo'itsa gnashed his teeth. He had to remain vigilant around her and remember Mukua’s warning. The elder’s brother, Naatoyita, must have told Kendra to interfere with saving Morning Fawn’s life.

&n
bsp; “Do you really believe it was a good thing that you prevented me from saving the life of another?”

  Kendra stared straight ahead and walked on in silence. “I believe that you’re being misled by your pal, Mukua. He killed my grandfather and someone else I knew. Naatoyita told me Mukua also killed his own brother.”

  Wo'itsa scoffed. “Mukua is an elder of the Sky People. It is against their nature and laws to kill anyone, least of all their own family.”

  She shrugged. “Revenge, anger, and grief can be powerful motivators. I’m going to bring him to justice for what he’s done, one way or another.”

  Wo'itsa studied the terrain around them as they walked. While Kendra and her words were foremost on his mind, he also had to remain alert to any potential dangers. So far, there were no signs that other people were in the area. The only smoke plumes rising into the sky in the distance were from hot water, not campfires.

  By the time the sun began to sink lower in the sky, they’d reached the trees. Wo'itsa had set a fast pace, but Kendra had kept stride alongside him for most of the time. She’d fallen behind on a couple of occasions, and without being obvious, he’d slowed to allow her to catch up. He’d avoided crossing a wide creek by following it upstream, and now that they were in the forest, this would be a good place to set up camp.

  “It’ll be safe here tonight.” Wo'itsa gathered wood and cleared an area of the forest floor for a fire.

  “You wouldn’t happen to have some food with you? I haven’t had a bite to eat since I got sucked back in time a couple of days ago.”

  Kendra sank to the ground. She crossed her legs and wrapped her jacket more firmly around herself, then rubbed her hands together. The temperature had steadily dropped as they were on the move, but now that they were still, it was even more noticeable.

  Wo'itsa glanced at her. Once again, she was showing her vulnerable side. If only he had his fur robe to offer her, but he wasn’t even wearing his hunting shirt. He’d left everything behind at his camp when Mukua had brought him to another time. The only thing he could provide was the warmth of a fire.

  Wordlessly, he took out the flint he carried in the pouch around his neck and struck it against his knife, setting fire to a pile of tinder. Kendra held her hands to the flames after he added more wood.

  “Until I am certain there is no danger in the area, the fire will have to burn low.” Wo'itsa stood. He glanced down at Kendra, who merely nodded.

  She looked tired and worn out. The long days since she’d come to the past were clearly taking their toll on her, and if she hadn’t eaten since then, her body would be weak.

  “I will return soon.”

  Her head lifted, and she looked at him. Instantly, her spine stiffened, and her eyes became more alert, staring up at him with suspicion.

  “Where are you going?”

  The corners of his mouth twitched, but he suppressed a full smile. It wouldn’t be wise to let her see that he wasn’t as guarded in her presence as he should be.

  His gaze lingered on the side of her head, where her skin was slightly discolored from the hit she’d taken the other day. A scab had formed over the broken skin. Renewed respect and admiration for her flowed throughout his body. She was a remarkable woman. She’d endured much yet hadn’t complained about anything.

  “I want to make sure we are safe here and perhaps find some food.”

  Her eyes brightened at his words, and a hint of warmth reflected in their brown depths, but she merely nodded. She looked away before he could study her reaction fully.

  Wo'itsa turned and headed into the woods. The quicker he could secure their surroundings and bring back food, the sooner he could rest and decide how to proceed in the morning.

  A short while later, a well-aimed throw of his knife brought down a whistle dog. It would be enough to fill their bellies tonight. He’d gone further away from Kendra than he’d first planned, but there hadn’t been any game nearby that would have been easily killed with a knife.

  He slung the animal over his shoulder and made his way back to where he’d left Kendra, when the distinct smell of wood smoke filled his nostrils. It definitely wasn’t coming from the direction of their temporary camp. There were other people in the area. The question now was, were they friend or foe?

  Wo'itsa followed the smell. There were still a few hours of daylight left, so whoever had set up camp must not be in a hurry to get somewhere. It wasn’t long before the sound of several voices reached his ear. Several men were talking and laughing. Wo'itsa’s heart lightened, recognizing the language of his own people.

  He kept to the trees, using the dense underbrush for cover. It was best not to be discovered until he knew for certain if he was back in his own time.

  Several men sat around a well-lit fire, roasting some meat and telling stories. Wo'itsa crouched behind a tree, studying each of them. They were definitely Tukudeka – a hunting party. He didn’t recognize any of them until his eyes fell on the one laughing and telling jokes.

  “You should have seen the look in White Wolf’s eyes when I told him our mother wanted a word with him. He cowered as if the spirits were after him and would strike him down.”

  Everyone laughed.

  Wo'itsa stared from behind his hiding place. It was the same man who’d advised the man called White Wolf to marry Morning Fawn. Only, he was older now. Wo'itsa’s forehead scrunched.

  Had he and Kendra traveled forward in time? He blinked and shook his head. It couldn’t have been by many years. The Tukudeka hunter he’d recognized was still young, but definitely older than the last time Wo'itsa had seen him.

  Slowly, he retreated. He’d learned enough for now. Since he was not in his own time, it wouldn’t be wise to be seen. Wo'itsa hurried back to his own camp. The sun had nearly set by the time he returned to find Kendra curled up and fast asleep on the ground beside the fire. If only he had a robe to cover her for warmth.

  He glanced at the pile of firewood he’d collected earlier. He added several pieces, but not enough to make the flames burn higher. With the hunting party so close, he couldn’t risk a larger fire.

  Working quickly, he skinned and gutted the meat, and hung it on a skewer over the flames. Should he wake Kendra to eat? She looked peaceful and content in sleep. The meat almost burned while he watched her.

  If she woke and caught him staring, there would be another spat, but it would be worth it. For now, he could feast his eyes on her without her feeling threatened.

  Natukendra’eh weda.

  Did she truly possess the bear spirit, as her name implied? She didn’t see herself as a powerful puhagand. She barely knew anything about the spirits or the Sky People. Yet, there had to be a reason Mukua had warned him about her.

  He ate part of the whistle dog, absently chewing on the meat while his eyes strayed to the woman sleeping on the other side of the fire. The crackling of burning wood and the sounds of crickets and frogs at the nearby creek sounded the same as on any other night, but for some reason, they brought a sense of peace as he kept watch over Kendra.

  She appeared relaxed and content for the first time since he’d met her. Waking her to eat would be a mistake. She needed nourishment, but it would appear her body craved rest more than food. If hunger drove her from sleep in the middle of the night, the remainder of the whistle dog would be waiting for her.

  Although his body needed rest as well, sleep refused to claim him. He sat awake, feeding the fire throughout the night to give Kendra enough warmth to keep her comfortable. He also needed to keep watch to make sure there were no surprises lurking in the dark, or right here in his camp. His gaze strayed to Kendra, and he smiled.

  If she woke, she might decide to attack him again. Would she ever see him as anything but an enemy? There had to be a way to convince her that he wasn’t trying to kill her. For now, they were trapped in this time together.

  Would Mukua come looking for him? The elder was the only person who knew his last whereabouts. Perhaps he wou
ld find the vessel that had been left behind and figure out what had happened. It was the only chance to return to his rightful time.

  Dawn arrived, and Wo'itsa woke with a start. He stirred on the hard ground. When had he fallen asleep? The campfire had burned to glowing embers, and there was a definite chill in the air.

  His eyes darted to the woman on the other side of the fire. She was still asleep, but she shivered, then stirred. The loud chirping of birds in the trees was probably waking her.

  Wo'itsa drank from his water skin and rekindled the fire. Kendra roused fully awake. She stretched like a lithe cat and rubbed her temple. No doubt her head injury was still giving her some pain. If he could find more of the herbs and plants for his poultice, he might be able to offer her some relief.

  Their eyes met, but she didn’t speak. He pointed to the meat he’d wrapped in some leaves. The sight of her sitting on the ground with her hair disheveled, and eyes still unfocused from sleep sent an inexplicable longing through him.

  He clenched his jaw. He was wasting more time thinking about her and noticing things about her than was proper. They were already spending more time in each other’s company than was acceptable for an unwed couple. Not that anyone in his clan needed to know these things.

  “Eat.” Wo'itsa stood and kicked dirt onto the glowing coals until they were covered, completely putting out the fire.

  Kendra took the meat without protest, but met his eyes with a grateful look and mumbled words of thanks. She finished it all, and he handed her his water skin.

  “What’s the plan for today?” She handed the bladder back after taking a long drink.

  Should he tell her that he suspected they had traveled several years further into the future, or about the hunting party he’d seen last night?

  “We need to get back to the valley where you and I time traveled together.”

  “Why?” Kendra’s eyes narrowed.

  “Because I think Mukua will come for me, and then we can both return to our proper time.”