Stolen Heart

by Rita Hestand

  The ceremony was beginning, a great dance took place, much music. Black Wolf looked around for Sasha. When she came out, he smiled.

  Naomie got lost in the crowd, as Sasha's glance followed her. Big Knife was looking at her now. Naomie was headed straight for Big Knife. Sasha frowned that Naomie would run to Big Knife in front of her like that.

  She saw Big Knife touch Naomie's hand and look lovingly into her eyes. They were so entranced with each other. Jealousy sparked in Sasha's eyes but she turned away so she could not see them.

  Yes, Naomie would marry Big Knife if he asked her. She was sure of that now. And the realization hit her strongly.

  Black Wolf walked over to her.

  "You came!" she exclaimed, her face a wad of frowns.

  "I did." He smiled.

  "He is much taller than you."

  "Yes, I see that."

  "Are you not afraid of him?" she asked.

  "No, size does not always matter." Black Wolf smiled at her.

  Throwing his shirt down to the ground, he readied himself for the battle.

  She stared at his body, her eyes going slowly over him. It shocked her that she looked at him so boldly. From the long hair that was loosen down his shoulders and back, to his well-built body. His arms were muscled, and his stomach was very lean. He was more handsome than Big Knife, especially in his face. And his smile did things to her when she looked directly at him. The trick was not to look at him like that.

  After the dance and the ceremony was blessed, Black Wolf and Big Knife squared off. Their wrists were tied together and they each had a knife in the opposite hand.

  It was a challenge to the death if necessary.

  Big Knife was a big man and Black Wolf would have to depend on his agility to win this battle. He measured the man closely. Big Knife seemed angry that an enemy would walk into his camp and challenge him for a wife. The look on his face was murderous.

  Sasha somehow felt responsible for this. It wasn't in her nature to cause such a thing. She wished the stranger had never done this.

  After rounds and rounds of thrusts, sweat poured from them. They staggered against each other several times. Big Knife brought the first blood, but Black Wolf seemed unaffected. And Black Wolf was light on his feet and dodged most of Big Knife's thrusts.

  The battle lasted for over an hour, with each man besting the other over and over. Black Wolf thought it would never end when suddenly Big Knife nearly keeled over with pain as Black Knife finally was able to best him and slashed his ribs. It wasn't a deep wound, but it brought blood and either Big Knife was too worn out to go on, or he was not in as good of shape as Black Wolf suspected. Black Wolf watched him closely, he felt Big Knife had deliberately given up and wondered why.

  Exhaustion claimed Big Knife and he fell to his knees, looking up at Sasha who was wide-eyed with grief.

  The old chief came up to Black Wolf. "You have fought bravely and won. You may take my daughter, as she is yours. Take her, and do not come upon us again except in peace."

  "You turn your back on me father?" Sasha asked.

  "No," Her father touched her cheek affectionately. "I will never do that, child. I bless this union, my daughter as he fought bravely for you and brought such a prize of fifteen horses for your hand. He has honored you with his gift. He has earned his right to you. And he has offered marriage for you, as he should." He told her. "You are duty bound as my only daughter to go with him. For you would bring shame upon me if you refused him now."

  Black Wolf nodded, then he turned his attention to Sasha, he took her by the arm and led her away.

  The crowd spread out and let them pass, with whispers going around the camp.

  He had brought her a beautiful white horse to ride away on, and he slid up behind her.

  She had no choice but to follow but wanted to reason with his actions. "I do not know why you have done this. It makes little sense. You cannot believe that I could love you. I need to see to Big Knife's wounds." She admonished him. Glancing over her shoulder at Big Knife. But already, Naomie was tending him. Sasha stared in disbelief. He was no longer looking at her, but at Naomie. It dawned on her that she had lost Big Knife, and that confused her.

  Sasha felt a sensation of betrayal. Still, her father had given his blessing and she now belonged to Black Wolf.

  "There are others that will see to him." Black Wolf declared boldly.

  "I do not love you! You know that!"

  "I did not expect you to." Black Wolf smiled as he patted her hand around his waist. "But love will come in time."

  "How would you know such a thing?" she challenged his thinking, almost in tears from the disappointment.

  "I have had both visions and dreams. It will come sweet Sasha." Black Wolf had gone several miles before he stopped and jumped off his horse. He removed her from the horse then stared down into her tearful eyes. Her misery was evident. "I am chief of my tribe. I need a woman who can match me with wit, charm, and good sense. I challenge you to challenge me always in my decisions. To argue your good sense to me."

  "You want my help making your decisions?" She gasped.

  "No, I merely want a woman who can make me see the other side of a point. Sometimes you are too close to the problem to see the answer. I want a woman who can make me rationalize what I am about to do? So I may make a wise decision always for my people."

  Sasha stared now with wonder. He sought council with her.

  "I am a healer, not a council!" she declared.

  "To be a healer you must be wise. Wisdom is what I seek."

  "Then you have no need of me as a woman?" She asked hoping his answer would be negative.

  His smile returned as his glance swept her. He bowed his head with a slight smirk. When he looked up at her, his smile was back in place.

  "I have every need of you as a woman, perhaps even more than as council." He smiled gently into her distraught face. "You will be my one and only wife. You will fill my loins with happiness and give me many children." He announced. "Someday!" he added with a sexy smile.

  She gasped, fisting her hand over her mouth she stared at his audacity.

  "Even knowing I truly love only one man; you expect this of me?" she asked her limbs trembling from his words.

  "Yes, for you will be my wife. And in time love will grow between us."

  "Impossible!"

  He twisted his head in question. "You will see. And you must admit you are already challenging me. It is good."

  He then hoisted her upon her horse, and they rode.

  Black Wolf thought about what she said, and knew he was in for a fight. She did not love him, or even act attracted to him. She would be a wonderful foe, and he looked forward to every battle with her.

  She glanced at him as they neared his camp. "You will take me against my will?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady and firm.

  "No!" he stopped the horse to look at her. "I do not rape women." He stopped and frowned at her once more. "But I plan to win your heart first. Are you afraid of me?"

  "Should I be?"

  "I'll let you decide that for yourself." He smiled.

  Chapter Four

  A small crowd gathered to greet them at his camp. Sasha felt intimidated at their stares. The women seemed eager to know more of her. They crowded around her.

  When several women came closer, Black Wolf smiled, "She is to be my wife." He told them.

  The women backed away immediately, some with shock on their faces.

  Sasha wondered if they were afraid of him. But the look on their faces told her they weren't, they cared for him. All of them. That was a different matter. Would they be jealous? Then why on earth did he want to marry her? It looked very much as though he could have his pick of his own women.

  She hadn't had time to say goodbye to Big Knife and she wondered what he might be thinking about all of this. Would he find a way for them to be together? Would he come after her and steal her away? The very notion struck her as ro
mantic and she smiled. She barely saw the look of hate on his face as she left. But surely, if he loved her, he would find a way.

  She glanced at Black Wolf. He'd beaten Big Knife fairly and she was impressed with his strength, but she longed to be with Big Knife.

  He'd lose some of the admiration from his people for this. She hadn't meant to bring him ridicule. She loved him. How could she marry this… man?

  Black Wolf introduced her to some of the people gathered to greet them, and he took her to a tepee with other women. "You will sleep here every day until the wedding."

  "How long?" she asked.

  "Until the wedding?" He asked. She nodded. "We will be married in three days and one week. The week is for you to get familiar with my people and the laws of our tribe."

  "Three days and a week, why so soon. I do not even know you." She complained.

  "We will talk much between now and then, so you can get to know me." He smiled. "I give you leave to ask any question."

  "Give me leave?" she huffed and turned away.

  "You may ask any question, and I will try to answer." He said with patience.

  "Three days and a week is not enough time." She was determined to make him wait longer. Maybe Big Knife would think of something to get her back, if she could prolong the wedding. But even that thought fizzled when she remembered all Naomie had said. The truth was, Big Knife might not want her back. She was certain that Naomie would marry him if he asked her.

  She felt so uncertain of everything now.

  Doubt began to eat at her.

  Short of making a war between the two tribes, she had no idea what Big Knife could do, or would want to do about her situation. Perhaps he would merely accept her father's wishes and that would be the end of it.

  Did Big Knife really love her? She felt so insecure.

  Black Wolf pulled her closer, so others could not hear. "Sasha my sweet," his glance bore into her now. "Big Knife lost the battle. He fought bravely, but he lost. It was a fair battle. Your father gave you to me as a wife. I gave him a great prize of fifteen horses as I promised, along with corn and skins for the winter. The wedding is in three days and one week. In the morning, I will come get you and we will walk and talk, and I will introduce you to many of my people."

  "B-but!"

  "Three days and one week!" he insisted and walked off.

  She turned to see the woman in front of the tepee. "You are welcome here." She let her come inside.

  The tepee was very large and had all manner of things inside. Big, thick hides for the winter, tools that they worked with, weapons that they hunted with. There were blankets all around, and a big fire in the middle where one of the girls was cooking. Three women lived here with their parents, as they were not yet wed. This tribe had much more than her own, she could see that for herself. They did well here. But they had been here much longer. This once had been their rightful land. She knew the Shoshone had made peace with the blue coats and wondered if that was the reason for their prosperity.

  "My name is Blue Bird, my sisters, Sweet Bear, and Little Star. This is our home. For the next three days and week, you will eat and sleep with us. We will make your wedding dress, and everything will be prepared for you. You were chosen to be Black Wolf's wife, and it is a great honor, to become a chief's wife."

  "I am the daughter of the chief of my people. My name is Sasha." she told them.

  "Oh! That is good, then you are familiar with how to run his home."

  "To some extent." Sasha answered.

  Sasha knew she could not argue her point with these women. But she would need some friends to escape from here, that much she knew. She'd find a way and go back to her own people. But finding a way that would not disgrace her father, would not be an easy feat. Surely Big Knife was arranging something now.

  Still, the fact that it would dishonor his gifts to her father made her rethink it. He was a chief and if she didn't marry him, it would be a direct insult. It would be a scandal in both camps. She had to think things through before she acted. She'd known all along that the daughter of a chief could not be reckless with her behavior.

  Right now, she wished she didn't have a mind to think with.

  But why had he chosen her? Why not one of these women? They were pretty and friendly.

  "It is late, we will have food and go to bed." They told her.

  She nodded. "Can I help?"

  "No, not tonight. You are very pretty. Black Wolf has spoken with us about you. You are an Arapaho, right."

  "Yes, I am."

  "We are honored to help you prepare for your wedding."

  As they sat and ate, Sasha looked at Blue Bird. "Why did Black Wolf not take you or one of your sisters for his wife? You are all beautiful women."

  The three of them looked a bit confused then giggled.

  "All of the women of our tribe wanted to be his wife. Every one of them. But Black Wolf wanted something different. We do not know what he was looking for, but he has found it in you. We respect him, for he is a good chief and fair to all. Any of us would have been proud to be his wife, but he is a great chief and he wanted something different."

  "Don't you resent him bringing me here? Weren't any of you in love with him? I mean, he is the chief and quite handsome."

  The girls giggled.

  "No, I mean, not exactly. We are pleased with him for all he does for our tribe. He is a great chief and any of us would have married him. But he sought something else, and we did not know what it was. We prosper here. He says you have fire and much spirit. None of us who know him would speak out at him, and he sought someone who would."

  "I am no different from any of you." Sasha insisted.

  "We are told you are a healer!" Little Star blurted.

  "Well, yes, I am." She hung her head.

  "You will be a great help to our people then. As our Shaman was killed not long ago. And the medicine man too."

  "In battle or something?" Sasha asked curiously.

  "No, it was the Sioux, they snuck into our camp to kill Black Wolf. Sore Horse our Shaman and Nesheme saw them and tried to warn Black Wolf. They killed them and tried to kill Black Wolf too, but he fought and killed them. He is a great warrior too. It was two days before the big battle began. They were sent by the Chief of the Sioux to kill our Shaman and Black Wolf. The Sioux have much hatred for Black Wolf as he tries to keep the peace with the blue coats."

  "Oh my, he told me they were killed but not how. Perhaps that is why he wanted me as his wife, then." Sasha nodded. "As a healer."

  "Perhaps. They are a strong tribe, the Sioux but they were no match for Black Wolf. And it will take a strong woman to be his wife."

  Sasha soaked this in.

  "Black Wolf seeks to keep the peace with the whites. It is not easy as there are many who wish to kill them. The Sioux will not stop fighting them, they will fight until their death. And we will fight them to keep the peace."

  "Men make little sense when it comes to war." Sasha blurted.

  Then as though she had said too much, she stared at their faces. All three of them burst into laughter.

  She laughed too.

  Perhaps she could get along with these three at least. She would make the effort.

  As they told her where she could sleep, later that evening, she bedded down. But sleep eluded her. She kept thinking about the expression on Big Knife's face. Would he come after her? Her father would not permit such a thing though, as it was a fair fight and Black Wolf had won without cheating. He was a mighty foe. She must remember his strength. Fighting him would do no good.

  Perhaps in time she could reason with him.

  No, he was a chief and it would be a great sin to dishonor him. Even the Creator would not honor her attempt to leave him.

  But marriage, to a man she did not know seemed so wrong. How could she survive this? It was a custom, once a woman was given from a challenge, the woman belonged to the winner. Even she knew that. Still, it was her heart that suff
ered now. Even though Big Knife seemed to accept her leaving him easily enough.

  Why had he not said something to her, why had he turned instead to Naomie to heal him. She felt bereft.

  Sasha believed that many of the old ways needed to be rethought. But she hadn't convinced her father. The only thing that had changed in her tribe was they made peace with the blue coats. Sasha was glad of the peace, but distraught that her father would not listen to her on other things.

  Yet something within her did not weep for Big Knife either. That was a shock. Didn't she love him? Or was it only the familiar she loved about him. It was puzzling to face this. Still, in her own defense, she had never been away from her people for any time in her life and now, surrounded by strangers, she found it hard to cope.

  Would she turn to Black Wolf in time?

  Something Black Wolf said had her thinking. He said he hoped to win her heart. That would be impossible. She had given Big Knife her heart. Hadn't she?

  Or had she? If she had, it was not suffering at the moment. Only her pride suffered. And Sasha had pride.

  But the things Naomie had said about marrying both of them, had her rethinking everything now. Why did she suddenly doubt her feelings and Big Knife's?

  She knew why, for it had been Naomie that told her of Big Knife wanting them both as his wife. Big Knife had never said anything about it. Was Naomie lying, or did Big Knife plan to surprise her with this news? Either way it was a betrayal.

  In truth perhaps she had more of a relationship with Big Knife than a love affair. Her mind was full of doubts now. Once planted it was hard to go back to the self-assured ways.

  Big Knife had kissed her a few times, but he wasted few words like Black Wolf on her looks or his feelings. But she found herself doubting their relationships now. He'd never really professed his love for her, now that she thought of it. He'd been kind, and gentle with her, even patient with her. Knowing he had suggested he might marry them both, according to Naomie, had her doubting his love. She could not live like that either. She would not be a second to any woman when it comes to marriage. She believed in the white man's bible. It made sense to her.