* * *
Taneshewa was taking a bowl of grits and salted fish to her brother-in-law, Snake Horse, when she passed Sagwi’s wagon and ran into Mendaho and Going Snake. It appeared Mendaho was telling the boy something about a card he held in his hand. Intrigued, she walked over to see what they were looking at so intently.
“What are you doing, Meny, showing the boy pictures of monsters? You don’t have to put him down at night. Little Doe is going to shoot you.”
“This isn’t a monster. This is the Dragon of Power of the Herewardi. I was explaining to Going Snake what it represents. Surrey gave Going Snake these cards and asked me to explain what they mean before he goes to the Academy.”
“What do you say, Little Chipmunk, can you put those cards down and fetch a horse for your favorite girlfriend? And on the way, give these grits to Snake Horse.”
“Sure thing! I’ll get Eats the Ground for you, she rides smooth and swiftly, and nothing spooks her.”
Before he could run off to the corral, his mother called his name. “Eh, oh,” Going Snake let out, “Ahy, here comes Mama and I forgot to do my chores again this morning.”
“Yoohoo!” Little Doe said, “I just came to fetch my boy for his chores. Redelfis had to stack your firewood in the wagon for tonight’s campfire. So you need to do his chores and feed the oxen. They’re already bellowing for their hay.”
“But Mama, I was just going to fetch Eats the Ground for Ahy and take these grits to Going Snake.”
“Do what Ahy asked you to do first and then get straight on those oxen.”
Taneshewa took Little Doe by the fingers. “Can you stay a spell and answer some questions for me?”
“Certainly, what concerns you?”
“I have the strangest feeling about Lana. Can you tell me, is it part of their marriage customs that a wife is allowed to sleep with other men, just as their husbands are allowed to sleep with other wives.”
“Absolutely not. Where did yo get such a crazy idea?”
“It’s just that I feel this uncommon attraction going on between Lana and Sur Sceaf when they’re together.”
Meny jumped in. “Ahy, surely you’ve noticed that any woman who gets anywhere near Surrey, immediately goes into a mating dance. I’ve done it myself. It makes you feel good just to be in his presence. Little Doe, I seem to remember something about before you met Mendaka, you too, were under Surrey’s spell as well.”
Ahy noticed that Little Doe appeared startled for a moment. “Well, at eighteen he was the handsomest brave of the lot until I laid eyes on his friend, Dak.”
She had to admit, that all the young women were envious of her and even Face-of-Stars beamed in his presence. She smiled at Meny. “Despite all the conversations we’ve had about the Herewardi, there is just so much to still learn.”
Little Doe said, “Even in the best marriage, there are always things that will upset you. Dak still has the ability to make me wonder where some behaviors come from. But then I remember how much I love him and intend to walk the path of life together with him. If you refuse Surrey, make sure that you will not later regret it. Don’t let differences sway you. Those can be overcome.”
“Yeah, that’s what sex is for, Ahy.” Mendaho laughed.
* * *
After Lana and Face-of-Stars finished relieving themselves in the bushes, they came out and found Swan Ray tying her seer stones in a leather pouch to her belt. Wincing in pain, she looked as if she had been stung by a bee. Her mouth agape, she stared straight ahead as in a confused daze.
“Swan Ray, are you alright. I thought you felt the urge to scry?” Face asked.
“I don’t know. I’m just overpowered by a strong premonition.”
“What about?”
A strangled noise rose out of Swan Ray’s mouth. “Lana, I hate to tell you this, but as I picked up my seer stone, for an instant, I beheld the bride-choosing. You will be the wife that rejects Taneshewa.”
“In truth Swan Ray, I can’t imagine that ever happening. I adore the maiden. But thou knowest thou hast scryed things that were not there before. Methinketh the stones are fogged with thy much grief.”
“Believe it or not,” Swan Ray let out a heavy sigh, “I felt I had to tell you. It will either happen or it won’t. I know that you all think I lost my gift of seership after Ilker’s disappearance, but this was one of the most powerful revelations I’ve had.” Swan Ray left their presence.
Face-of-Stars watched her go with a puzzled frown. “You don’t think she still has the gift of seership? Do you?” Her voice clearly reflecting that she believed she did.
“Well, I know she had it as a young woman. Some say she was the best of seers, but after Ilker was killed by the Pitters in the Battle of Banderas, she hath scryed seeing him riding with Pitters. Now I ask thee, Is that not absolutely insane? Pitters never suffer Herewardi to live. Her bride-sisters, Pyr, and even Ilrundel have told her how illogical it all was, but she refuseth to listen. The poor thing hath deluded herself with grief sickness.”
Face-of-Stars began dragging the comb through her long black hair. “Is that why she never takes her turn in the conjugal tent?”
Lana smiled, “Ah, so even thou hast noticed. When Pyr sought to marry her, she told him that although she respects him greatly and might even love him in her way, that she still loveth Ilker and that until the stones show her in some way that he hath been dead or killed, she cannot give herself to another man wholly. Although Pyr declared that even though he doth not want a body without a spirit, he and the bride-sisters still believe that because of her talents, they wanted her to be an addition to their covey.”
Lana grinned, “Of course, like all men, Pyr thinketh that ultimately, he will be so irresistible that she will come to him in both body and soul. But for now she is married to him in board but not in bed.”
Face-of-Stars stopped combing her hair and turned away from the small mirror. “If that’s the case, then why did she say she would like to have children in her season?”
“After she and Pyr were married is when she began working on her tapestry. She claimeth that when she completeth the tapestry, she will know whether she should keep her heart for Ilker or deliver it fully into Pyrsyrus’ hands. For she sayeth she will know with the finishing of the tapestry whether her scrying be true or false. If false, she will bury her grief with its completion.”
Face-of-Stars said, “Well, to me, it looks almost finished. Most likely it will be finished before we reach Witan Jewell. I wonder what will happen then?”
“Who can know? I’m certain Swan Ray doth believe what she sayeth, but I am not sure anyone can pry the fingers of grief from their heart so readily. All you have to do is look at the Wose. Grief hath imprisoned his heart in a shell of iron that no woman will ever break.”
* * *
Sur Sceaf woke later than usual. The first thought that entered his mind was that it was the Quailor Sabbath. Lana stirred and when he sought to arise, she put her arms around him and said, “Remember, this is a day of rest.”
“Maybe for some, but I’m off for a day in the wild wood.”
“I should probably go to church services with my folks. Pyr’s wives are going to use the day to catch up on their laundry, and make repairs while Pyr hunts for elk. His fyrd will be practicing for the tournaments. I thought thou might want to participate.”
He smiled and kissed her. “No tournament for me today. I have invited Ahy to go on a picnic with me. We’ve had so little opportunity to be together.”
“I think that’s a good idea, Love. Would thou likest me to pack thee a picnic basket?”
“As always, you’ve read my mind.”
“Not always. What time dost thou want the basket ready?”
“An hour before noon. I have some responsibilities to get lined out before we go.” She planted a kiss on his lips and gave him a tight hug before twisting away in a manner that always told him something was wrong.
He touched her
arm preventing her from rising. “What is it? Would you prefer I do it myself?”
“Oh, it’s nothing to do with that, Dear. It’s chust that Swan Ray upset me with something she said.”
“Swan Ray! Sweet, never offend anyone, Swan Ray?’
“She said she received a witness from her stone that I would be the bride-sister of thine that rejecteth Taneshewa.”
“But you love Ahy. You said so yourself.”
“I do. I truly do, Surrey. She’s precious. I mean I saw her perfect body in the Skeenah Pots and if that alone didn’t make me jealous, then nothing will. Swan Ray’s seer stone is probably reacting to all the grief she hath clouded it with. It’s obvious, her stone is polluted.”
“Well, I wouldn’t worry. Just trust your own heart and what it tells you. You know, and I know, we love Ahy. That’s all that really matters.”
* * *
Sur Sceaf took care of his responsibilities and found all looked peaceful and in order. After retrieving White Fire from a Hickoryan groom, he went in search of Mendaka and Ilkchild. He found them setting up targets for the archery contest.
Dak smiled, “I’m entering the contest today, because you’re not competing.”
Sur Sceaf said, “How do you know I’m not?”
Mendaka winked at Ilkchild, “Surrey, you know you can’t keep a secret for long on this train. Word has it, you’re going on a private picnic with a certain young Princess into the Wildwood.”
Sur Sceaf grinned. “Since you know that, you should know that I am designating you and Ilkchild in charge and to handle any problems that may arise while I am gone.”
“If I’m in charge does that authorize me to stuff a dead fish in the mouth of that pesky Mosquito Beak if he lodges anymore complaints.”
“I would even pay you for that opportunity and charge admission. I’m sure we’d be rich by the end of the day.” He suddenly turned serious. “No, just tolerate the fool as usual.”
From there he rode directly to Sagwi’s wagon. Taneshewa was waiting with a large blanket already strapped behind the saddle of a pretty Paint.
He was pleased to see her face light up as he approached. She wore riding buckskins and looked as fresh and enticing as a mountain spring on a hot day.
“I hope you haven’t been waiting long. I had to speak with Mendaka and Ilkchild.”
Sur Sceaf remembered one last thing. “I’ll be back before you can shear a sheep. I almost forgot, I have to pick up the picnic basket.”
“Of course, I don’t mind. “Taneshewa said. “I’m just happy you could steal some time from your duties to be with me. I’ll ride with you.”
She mounted quickly, before smacking a leather flask. “Sagwi prepared some pulque for us.”
“Oh, great! Lana’s prepared a basket for us so you don’t have to worry about anything I made. We just need to stop by and pick it up.”
As they walked their horses together to Pyrsyrus’ camp, Ahy gave him an inquisitive look. “That’s awfully kind of Lana. She seems to have a very special liking for you, Surrey. Even though she’s married to your brother, she even seems to be more attracted to you than him. Have you not noticed?”
Sur Sceaf could hear Lana’s warning resounding in his head and knew it was nearing the time when he would have to tell her. Tell her now, the loud thought came. Even though he knew that keeping up this pretense was dangerous and could backfire on him, he told himself he just needed a little more time to first secure Taneshewa’s love. “Lana’s a very loving woman. Quailor women are just that way.”
When they reached Pyrsyrus’ Camp, Swan Ray was busy working on her tapestry under the shade of an alder tree while Donya was setting up a chest board and waiting for Pyr to finish reading a dispatch before he went hunting. Face-of-Stars was laying out her plants to dry on a flat rock before packing them away. As soon as she spotted the two of them approaching, she called out, “Lana, they’re here.”
Seconds later Lana came walking out of the tent with the large picnic basket hanging on her arm and handed it to Sur Sceaf.
“Yes, Lana, thank you for all your troubles in making us food.”
“Since I had time, I made thee some of thy favorite fig cakes, Surrey.” She turned to Ahy and said laughingly, “Don’t let him eat them all, he can be a real pig when it comes to these.”
“Well, that was very thoughtful of you, but I’ll be sure to get my share.”
As Ahy talked, Lana absently stroked White Fire’s neck. The horse nuzzled her hand, obviously looking for a treat. “Enjoy thy day. Chust be careful and watch out for rattlesnakes.”
“We will take care,” Sur Sceaf said, “and thanks again for the basket.” He secured the basket in front of him with a leather thong, and they rode off.
When they were beyond hearing, Ahy looked pointedly at the basket, “See what I mean, Surrey. I tell you she bears feelings for you. Even making your special treats. Either it’s her Quailor ways to mother you, or she’s got a crush on you. I feel it every time she’s near you. I’m a woman, I know how other women think.”
“Ahy, I don’t want to talk about anybody else, but you and I today. This is our appointed time and space. Who knows when we will get the chance to be alone again?”
They weren’t long on the trail before they came upon a forest glade Sur Sceaf had often camped at in his youth. Once with his older brothers when they took him snipe hunting and he ended up beating them back to camp, and once with Mendaka and Bear Chaser when they were hunting a mountain lion that had savaged a Sharaka woman and child. The glade was wide and open with a mossy spring running through. Old timber sheltered the fern glade which had intermittent patches of huckleberry. Chickadees and wrens bounced from tree to tree. A few sun-splashed portions of the glade gave graze for their horses.
“This is it.” Sur Sceaf untied the picnic basket, and dismounted. After setting the basket in the grass, he tied his horse, and assisted Taneshewa off hers and tied her paint to a coffee bush. They found a flat area in the shade where they spread out the blanket, settled down, opened the basket, laid out all the contents and marveled at the array. The smell of richly baked bread and cooked venison set their mouths to watering.
“My goodness, she’s put tarts in here,” Taneshewa said. “This one is particularly impressive. Do you think Lana instructed Xelph, the cook to make these?”
Sur Sceaf was pouring polque in cups from the basket. “No. Lana made it all for us.” Sur Sceaf answered with a smile. He noted a quick look and realized he was digging his grave deeper by rousing Ahy’s already keen suspicions. “Lana is the one in our camp that loves to cook. Especially, the Quailor delicacies you see. They have given up most of the pleasures of mankind, but I assure you, eating was not one of them.”
“What is this magnificent cake with the goose and a rider on it, called?”
“Oh! That’s a Herewardi ritual cake called ‘taffy on a goose.’ We usually eat them on Heimdall’s Day.”
“Heimdall?”
“He’s one of the Watcher Gods.”
“Oh!” She smiled. “You know, I saw Lana in the Skeenah Pots. For a woman who has birthed six, no, eight kids, she is built remarkably well. You seem to keep changing the conversation every time we discuss Lana. I have to know, is there something going on between you two? Because my gut is telling me, there is.”
“I’m good friends with many of my brother’s wives, close friends with many of my sister’s friends, and I assure you there is nothing illicit or inappropriate between any of us. Once you have been in our community for any period of time, you will realize that our ties of friendship and blood run deep throughout the community. Very much like your clans. Look how close you are to Mendaka and Mendaho.”
She looked into his eyes, he knew to ascertain the truth of his statement. “You are absolutely sure there is nothing inappropriate between you and Lana.”
“I am absolutely sure.”
“Then I apologize for my suspicions, but I’m su
re you can understand that after my ordeal with Standing Bull, I am very jealous of anyone moving into my turf. I have to warn you, Surrey, don’t play with my emotions. If I ever lose trust in you, it’s not likely to return.”
In his mind he knew he had to tell her Lana was his wife, but he couldn’t bring himself to answer wholly just yet. The fear of losing her was still unbearable and he felt they were almost at the point where neither could live without the other, but not quite yet.
“Of course, I understand. I hope you understand that I am a devout follower of Herewardi Law and have no illicit relations outside the bonds of marriage and would do nothing to hurt you and want only to ease you into the complexity of Herewardi culture as seamlessly as possible.”
She smiled at him, “In that case, why don’t you ease me into your Herewardi arms and kiss me?”
Chapter 17 : A Clash of Cultures
Two weeks had passed since the picnic with Ahy Taneshewa. Sur Sceaf had only occasionally been able to visit her at her tent and even then she had been busy birthing babies or helping relatives. They were now clearly in Herewardi grazing lands. He knew of a reasonably large meadow and called the train to a halt there so the Quailor could hold their Sabbath services once again. Because of the great multitudes, the river, and the narrowness of the mountains in this stretch of the trail, Sur Sceaf was not able to give the Quailor camp the separation they had previously been granted for their previous Sabbaths.
As on recent Sabbaths, the fyrd members planned their usual tournament. This one featured the young blood fyrd against the seasoned Herewardi warriors. Anticipation was high. Sur Sceaf’s first official tournament was at age fifteen when he unseated Old Grokk and Crooked Jack to everyone’s utter astonishment, even his own. Sur Sceaf invited Taneshewa, Mendaka’s family, the Tensees and many of the Sharaka leadership to be his guests on this Sabbath tournament. He sat with Taneshewa and explained the many games as they unfolded in the meadow. The day was cool if you were simply a spectator, but much too warm if you were participating. The contestants were dressed only in loincloths and the sweat beaded on the shoulders of the warriors from their many exertions in preparing.
The Frightful Dance (The King of Three Bloods Book 2) Page 32