Much later, Kendra snuggled against Wo'itsa’s chest. Outside the crude shelter he’d built before the sun had gone down, the flames flickered, creating shadows on the contours of his body. The tips of her fingers slid gently over the stitches that held his wounds together. They served as a reminder of the sacrifice he’d made for her, and also that – like her – he belonged to both the Bear and the Wolf clans of the Sky People.
Chapter 28
Wo'itsa led the way over a rise in the vast valley. He stared off into the distance, surveying the area with a slow sweep of his eyes. A herd of bison dotted the landscape, making the green hills appear nearly black. The herd was a good indication that Kendra’s vessel had sent them back to their proper time – or at least close to it – when they’d used it to leave the Black Canyon several days ago.
Before they had left the Black Canyon, they’d encountered a much smaller group of the mighty beasts, and Kendra had told him that even further in the future, the bison would be nearly wiped out by all the newcomers to the land.
Had he done the right thing when he’d convinced the family of Tukudeka that he was of the Sky People, and had instructed them to take the lost white woman into their group for protection?
The old matriarch of the family had been recently widowed. She had hoped that life would return to the old ways she remembered from her youth, but those dreams had died along with her husband, and now she only saw a bleak future for her children and grandchildren. She’d told Wo'itsa that very few Tukudeka were left in the mountains. Most had been driven from their homelands, and those who remained had taken refuge higher in the mountains than ever before.
“I cannot tell you that life will return to the ways we know, Grandmother.” Wo'itsa had touched the old woman’s arm and given her a gentle squeeze. Then he’d recited the words Kendra had said earlier.
“There is nothing that even the Sky People can do to change things back to the old ways. All we can hope for is a better future, and see that our sacred mountains are protected.” He’d paused, then something had become clear to him.
“The Wolf Clan and the Bear Clan destroyed each other. If they had remained united, perhaps things would have been different. All we can do now is protect those who will defend this place in the future. Help the woman, shield her, and keep her safely with you. I know it may not be easy to understand, but she is needed to give birth to the next generation of guardians of our sacred mountains.”
After studying him, the old woman had nodded. “In my youth, I knew a woman whose parents were rumored to have been of the Sky People, even though it had been many years since the last of the Sky People had walked among us. She was married to a shaman and bore a son right after her husband was taken from her in a hunting accident. That is as close as I have come to speaking to someone of the Sky People. . . until today.” She’d studied him with a sharp stare that belied her age, then smiled. “She had your eyes, Wo'itsa. My prayers have been answered. My family and I will do as you ask.”
Wo'itsa’s conversation with the old woman had weighed heavily on him over the last several days, even as his heart had soared with happiness that Natukendra’eh had made the decision to stay with him as his wife. He couldn’t recall any other time when he’d been more content, yet so conflicted all at once.
The corners of his lips twitched, and he glanced over his shoulder. Kendra walked up beside him, and he reached his hand out to take hold of hers. Her head tilted as she looked up at him, and her eyes narrowed.
“What’s the smug look for?”
Wo'itsa’s forehead creased slightly. His grasp of the language she spoke was fairly good, but some of the words or phrases she chose were unfamiliar and perplexing. Her way of speaking kept him alert, however. It was part of her nature, and he wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
He’d also started teaching her the language of the Tukudeka, although she already knew more than he’d first thought. She just needed more practice with the spoken words to recall them.
“My grandfather insisted that I learn, just like he pushed me to learn about the Sky People and the ancient traditions. I wish now that I’d taken him more seriously and paid better attention.”
She’d avoided eye contact when she’d spoken of her grandfather and of her regrets.
“It is better to look ahead than to look back. You cannot change what was, but it is up to you to influence what will be.”
She’d frowned, then reached for her pouch, holding it up to him. “Kind of like what we’re doing with the vessels, isn’t it? Naatoyita told me we can’t go back to alter things. There is only going forward, but that just makes no sense when time traveling to the past.”
Her reasoning made sense. The question was perplexing. It would require talking to the elders for clarification. “Perhaps it isn’t good to alter what came before. Everything happens for a reason. Change can still occur the way we want, but it has to happen by going forward.”
She’d smiled then. “Maybe this is why Naatoyita talks in riddles all the time. Listen to you, Wolf. I think you’ve got a future as a leader of the Sky People. You’re already talking like a wise old man.”
He’d grabbed her around the waist and pulled her into his arms at that moment, kissing her thoroughly.
“Would you like me to prove to you that I’m not yet an old man?”
“Please do.”
They’d made camp early that night, much like they’d done every other night while journeying to reach the vast valley where Cameahwait made his home, if they were back in their correct time.
Now, Kendra stepped closer and wrapped her arm around his middle, gazing up at him with an expectant look.
“Are you going to tell me what’s got you looking so satisfied, or do I have to wrestle with you to get you to talk?”
A wrestling match with his wife sounded enticing, but they were close to the location of Cameahwait’s cabin, and had been delayed too often because of precisely that reason. Wo'itsa’s smile increased. His little warrior wife was not only a fierce opponent in battle, but just as passionate when they were in each other’s arms.
“I was thinking about our time together in the Black Canyon and the journey to this valley.”
Kendra’s face brightened. The memories his answer stirred in her seemed to match his own.
“Is the honeymoon coming to an end?” She leaned up to kiss his cheek. Wo'itsa turned his head slightly to fully capture her lips.
“If you are asking if we’ve almost reached Cameahwait’s cabin, then yes. We are not far from where he makes his home with his wife and son, if we are in the correct time.”
The sun had risen and set six times since the night he’d made Kendra his wife. His heart had never been lighter or filled with more joy, and those feelings grew stronger the more time they spent together and learned about each other.
Kendra had shared stories about her childhood and growing up in the future. Most of the things she talked about were difficult to envision and comprehend. Wo'itsa told her of his vastly different upbringing as a hunter of the Tukudeka. The only topic of discussion they both seemed to avoid was Mukua.
Kendra hadn’t spoken the elder’s name since the day she’d asked Wo'itsa to approach the family of Tukudeka. For now, she seemed content that he was willing to speak to Naatoyita and return the found vessel to the elder of the Bear Clan.
Wo'itsa’s own thoughts had only briefly strayed to the elder of the Wolf Clan. Mukua would not be pleased at all about the turn of events. At some point, he would talk to the elder and get more clarity about his plans for the future.
Until the day came when he and Mukua would meet again, he wouldn’t trouble Kendra with bringing it up. He’d been too content to risk upsetting the balance with her. They’d remained in the canyon for several more days before a mutual decision had been made to return to the time where Naatoyita was waiting for them.
“We should probably not use the vessel we found in the river to time
travel,” Kendra had suggested. “Who knows where it might take us.”
They had once again found themselves in an unknown time after touching the eye of the snakehead that Kendra kept in her pouch, and they were definitely not in an area near his village. Instead, they’d been transported further to the south along the shores of the great lake from which the mighty Yellowstone River flowed.
All they had to do was follow the course of the river to find Cameahwait’s cabin. The journey hadn’t been difficult, and they hadn’t encountered any other people, which was another good indication that they were in the correct time. But why had the vessel transported them to the shores of the lake rather than closer to where they needed to be?
“I think the vessel knows that we both wanted to spend some uninterrupted time together,” Kendra had said with a cunning smile when he’d voiced his thoughts.
“Are you sure that was the vessel’s wish, or was it yours?”
She’d pulled him close, wrapped her arms around him, and kissed him until there was no doubt about the answer to his question.
Wo'itsa once again glanced into the distance and at the herd of bison that stretched out before them in the valley. Their number was too great to count, and they’d have to go around them to reach Cameahwait’s cabin. He squeezed Kendra’s hand and led her down the hill and around a marshy area where the Yellowstone River had overflowed its banks from the spring snowmelt.
Wordlessly, they trudged through the tall grass for the better part of the day until finally, a thin wisp of smoke in the distance rose skyward.
“That’s not another hot spring, is it?” Kendra pointed at the smoke.
Wo'itsa smiled. It hadn’t taken long for her to be remarkably in tune to her surroundings, and there was little that escaped her notice. He nodded.
“I believe we have arrived.”
Cameahwait stood outside his cabin, pulling the hide from an elk carcass he’d strung on a tree. He glanced up and turned his head in their direction as they approached. Setting aside his knife, he headed out to meet them, wiping his hands on his shirt as he came closer.
He hesitated when they were a short distance apart, his sharp eyes going from Kendra to Wo'itsa. Then he held out his hand. Wo'itsa clasped his wrist in a firm shake.
“It is good to see you again, brother.”
Wo'itsa nodded. “It is good for our paths to cross again, Cameahwait. Let there be no bad blood between us.”
Cameahwait smiled and nodded in reply. He once again looked at Kendra. “I was wondering if you’d be back soon. Naatoyita has been waiting for both of you.”
“I’m sure he’s been waiting. He can breathe easy when he hears that my Wolf and I found the missing vessel.” Kendra nudged Wo'itsa in the arm. He held up the pouch around his neck that contained the newly found vessel.
Cameahwait’s eyes shifted from him to Kendra, then back to him. He grinned. “Your Wolf, huh? So it’s true what the old man’s been saying. You two are married?” His gaze widened with disbelief as it lingered on Kendra.
Kendra nodded. “Don’t look so dumbfounded, Cam. Stranger things have happened.” She leaned over and kissed Wo'itsa on the cheek, hugging his arm. “You can welcome the two latest members of the Sky People into the fold.”
Cameahwait’s eyes widened, and an amused smirk spread across his face. Then he laughed.
“You are a brave man.” After he recovered from his fits of laughter, he added, “Naatoyita told Riley and me that you were one of us, Wo'itsa. For once, the old man didn’t hold back with information. I also think he has something for you.”
With those words, Cameahwait glanced over his shoulder. His wife appeared from the cabin, followed by the frail-looking elder. Riley reached them first, her free arm spread wide. She held her son against her hip in the other arm. She rushed up to Kendra and embraced her.
“I’m so happy you’re back.” Her eyes sparkled as she looked from Kendra to Wo'itsa. “And thrilled that you two are together. I didn’t think it was possible at first when Naatoyita told us that Wo'itsa was a son of the Sky People and destined to marry you, but it makes sense, doesn’t it?”
Wo'itsa’s forehead scrunched. His eyes went to the elder, who approached them at a leisurely gait. Riley reached for Wo'itsa’s arm, drawing his attention back to her. She leaned forward and whispered to him.
“I know you two have your differences and come from very different worlds. It’s not quite the same as it was for Cam and me. At least he knew about the culture in the future.” She smiled at Kendra before looking back at him. “I’m sure Kendra’s unlike any Tukudeka woman you would have ever met. Just always remember that she gave her heart to you because she wanted you, not because she needed a man.”
Wo'itsa stared at Riley. Cameahwait’s wife had always been intelligent and perceptive. Her words of advice proved to be correct again. He’d already been well aware that Kendra hadn’t given herself to him because she needed a husband to provide for her and keep her safe. She was a proud and self-reliant woman who didn’t need anyone’s protection. Wo'itsa smiled at the thought. He would never admit that to her, though.
It made no difference that Naatoyita – or anyone else of the Sky People –had wanted a match between them. She’d agreed to become his wife and had given her heart to him freely, by her own choice, and she would always have his love and respect because of it.
Naatoyita smiled as he approached. He nodded in satisfaction as he appraised both Wo'itsa and Kendra. The reaction from Mukua would undoubtedly have been much different.
“It makes my heart happy to see you two return safely, and that you have united as husband and wife. Your union is vital, both now and in the future.”
The elder stepped closer to Wo'itsa and placed a hand on his arm. He gazed up, then raised his other arm, holding a bow. Wo'itsa’s eyes widened. It was the finest bow he’d ever seen.
A simple glance revealed that the creator of this bow had been an extremely skilled craftsman when forming the horns from the Bighorn Sheep to shape the weapon. It was flawless in design, and the sinew looked tight and strong.
The elder raised the weapon higher. “This bow, Wo'itsa, belonged to your father. Had he known that his only son was alive, he would have wanted you to have it. I present this to you now in his honor.”
Wo'itsa stared from the elder to the fine weapon. His heart beat faster when his fingers curled around the handle. It felt as if it had been made for him. An indescribable sensation raced up his arm, as if his father’s spirit flowed from the bow and into him.
“I also have his quiver and many obsidian-tipped arrows that he fashioned, as well as a few other possessions. They rightfully belong to you.”
Next to him, Kendra patted his arm. When he turned to look at her, she was smiling at him with a loving gaze in her eyes.
Riley shot Wo’itsa a fleeting glance, then smiled at Kendra.
“Kendra, I was just heading to the river to check my fish traps. I realize you and Wo'itsa must be tired, but would you like to go with me? That’ll give Wo'itsa and Naatoyita a chance to catch up.”
Cameahwait’s wife shifted the small child in her arms to her other hip. The boy’s birth had caused quite an uproar two years ago with Wo'itsa’s mother, Day Star, when Cameahwait had been adamant about being with his wife and child immediately after the birth. Day Star had insisted upon the tradition that the father not see his child before a full month had passed.
Wo'itsa smiled. Perhaps this was another tradition he would break also. How could he not be near his wife or any future children they had together for an entire cycle of the moon?
Kendra nudged him in the arm. “I’m going with Riley. You should spend time with Naatoyita.” She leaned up to kiss his cheek, then left for the river with Cameahwait’s wife.
Wo'itsa stared after her. With her buckskin clothing and her dark hair flowing down her back, she blended into this time as if she’d always lived here. No one would ever suspect that she had
known a life completely different from this one.
“While you two chat, I’m going to finish skinning my elk.” Cameahwait seemed relieved when Naatoyita indicated that he wanted Wo'itsa to walk with him but didn’t invite Cameahwait to join them.
“I was pleased to see that you and Natukendra’eh chose to take the vessel and time travel. Did it take you where you wanted to go?”
Wo'itsa shook his head. “It did not take us to the location I wanted, but it served the same purpose. Our journey brought Kendra and me together. We also found the missing vessel and were able to aid a woman who Kendra believed was important for the protection of the sacred mountains in the future.”
Naatoyita listened in silence as they walked, following a path that led through a stand of trees.
“Your ability to control the vessel will strengthen with time,” the elder predicted.
Wo'itsa reached into his pouch and pulled out the vessel he’d taken from the Yellowstone River in the Black Canyon. He glanced at it. Mukua had wanted his help in finding the two other time travel vessels, yet here he was, about to hand it over to the elder of the Bear Clan.
“Mukua told me that the only way to protect the sacred mountains is by preventing change from coming.” Wo'itsa didn’t look at the elder as he spoke. “Yet, according to Kendra, you say that change will come no matter what, and it is up to us to make sure that a protector will be present as the changes happen.”
Naatoyita nodded. “I am sure that Natukendra’eh has told you that my brother, Mukua, is acting out of revenge against those he believes wronged him. He cannot accept that his wife is dead. In his grief, he blames the leaders of the Bear Clan and his own brothers, and it has blinded him to follow the right path.”
“What is the right path?” Wo'itsa whispered, voicing the question that had confused him for so long.
“My brother, Naatosi, and I tried to make sure that Mukua would not harm the correct timeline in the future, but as time went on, Mukua became bolder and started going against many of the laws of the Sky People. It began when he started influencing others to do his bidding. His actions put many people in great peril, including your friend Cameahwait. When his efforts failed to find and destroy the three children of the Sky People who had been sent to the future for protection, he became bolder still.”
Yellowstone Legends Page 31