Bittersweet Ecstasy

by Taylor, Janelle

  “It will not be so, Tashina. Bright Arrow sacrificed his right to follow his father long ago when he married a white girl and was banished.”

  “I am worse than a white girl, Soul-of-Thunder; I am a half-breed. If we join, you will be banished and you will lose your right to be a sash wearer. If you love me, do this for us,” she implored him.

  “My people’s laws and ways are not the same as those of the Oglalas. My father’s third wife Sky Eyes is white, and my people love and respect her. They do not call their children half-breeds, for they are from the seeds of Windrider, a great Cheyenne warrior and leader, and they grew inside the white shaman who saved our tribe from certain death. I do not care if your blood is half-white or all white, I love you. But I am not Bright Arrow, and I cannot betray my duty and tribe.”

  Tashina was disturbed by his words. “My father did not betray his people and duty. His people turned against him and sent him away.”

  “No, my love,” he debated softly. “Bright Arrow was given a choice, and he chose your mother over his rank, his duty, and his tribe.”

  “You would not risk all for your love, Soul-ofThunder?”

  He knew he was trapped by her words. “I love you with all my heart and I wish you to be a part of my Lifecircle, but I could not become less than what I am to claim you and your love. It would destroy me, as it nearly destroyed your father. Have you forgotten?”

  “I have not forgotten, for it is how we met. And I have not forgotten the reason he lost all, lives no more. He became a greater warrior for his troubles, and my people know this. He will be chief.”

  Soul-of-Thunder looked worried. He realized, if there was a conflict over the chief’s bonnet, much pain and dissension would occur. Bright Arrow was a powerful warrior, but his friend Sun Cloud would make the best chief. For now, he would allow the matter to rest.

  “It will be many days before I can return to see you, Tashina. We must not spend this short time fighting with words.”

  Tashina decided there was one way to show him how powerful their love was, so she replied, “No, we must spend it making love, and pray it will not be for the last time.” She pulled his lips to hers, and soon drove all thoughts from his mind, except those of her.

  Silver Hawk and Sun Cloud joined the group of men who were gathering around Chief Medicine Bear’s tepee. The chief informed them of news which implied trouble and peril: two of his three sons—Magic Hail and Finds Water—had gone hunting yesterday, and they had not returned to camp. Early this morning, women gathering firewood had found their bloodspattered horses, roaming and grazing not far from camp. Alarmed, Medicine Bear was forming a party to look for them.

  Something told Sun Cloud to accompany the band on its search. The horses’ tracks were traced to where two bodies lay dead on the rocky bank near a wide stream which was four miles from camp. Magic Hail and Finds Water had been shot with arrows, which no longer protruded from their chests and throats, striking Sun Cloud as very odd. Adding to his suspicion was the discovery that no other track or clue could be found near the slain warriors. A killer had appeared, carried out his evil task, concealed his trail, and then vanished. The way the bodies had fallen, neither had defended himself, suggesting a surprise attack. Or, Sun Cloud reasoned skeptically, the approach of one who was not a stranger to them. The only clues which suggested this dark deed was done by a foe, instead of a traitor, were their missing scalplocks—a one-inch circle of hair and scalp which was taken skillfully and then displayed on the victor’s clothing, possessions, or horse: a far different manner from what the white man called, and the way he practiced, scalping. Still, the missing scalplocks could be a trick to delude them, and they could have been discarded or buried nearby.

  Chief Medicine Bear and his remaining son, Three Feathers, who was very ill and weak this morning, wailed in grief; they drew their knives and sliced mourning marks across their arms and stomachs. The crimson liquid looked dark as it seeped from the wounds and rolled down reddish brown flesh to soak into tanned buckskins.

  Silver Hawk drew his knife and cut two lines across one arm. Then he lifted his bloody knife skyward and declared, “The next blood on our knives must be that of the killers of our brothers. Look again, my friends; surely there is a track or clue somewhere to follow.”

  Everyone searched again, but nothing could be found. Sun Cloud furtively watched Silver Hawk during this episode which put the clever warrior only two steps from the Blackfeet chiefs bonnet. If anything happened to Three Feathers, Medicine Bear should guard his back well!

  The somber group transported the bodies to camp. Before they reached it, Three Feathers was doubled over with agonizing pains in his stomach and was swaying precariously on his mount. He was helped down and into the chiefs tepee. The shaman, Jumping Rabbit, was summoned. While War Chief Strikes Fire appointed another band to search the murder area again, the shaman tried to save the life of Three Feathers, and failed, removing another obstacle for Silver Hawk.

  Chief Medicine Bear was filled with anguish at having lost his three sons within two days. Singing Wind, Redbird, Deer Eyes, and Silver Hawk tried to comfort him. “We are your children, our father. Do not be sad. We will care for you and love you,” Deer Eyes told him.

  Sun Cloud glanced at the woman with a twisted foot and partially paralyzed face. She had been the shaman’s helper since age sixteen when her father Chief Brave Bear had been slain in battle. She was such a gentle and loving female, who seemed content in life to help others. He glanced at her older sister Redbird, who also lived with the shaman, and who had slept upon the shaman’s mats without marriage or children since she was twenty-one. He did not know why Redbird refused to become the shaman’s second wife or to join another warrior, for she was a pretty female, a smart and strong one. Redbird seemed satisfied to be the shaman’s and his wife’s helper, and they seemed delighted to allow the female’s almost slavish assistance. From what he had heard, the shaman’s wife did not even mind Redbird sharing her husband’s mat. If tales could be trusted, the wife was overjoyed to have Redbird take that task from her body, as well as others.

  Sun Cloud looked at Singing Wind, who was careful to keep away from him. As for Silver Hawk, the eye and ear could detect nothing suspicious in his manner, but Sun Cloud had a gut feeling that Medicine Bear’s three sons were dead because of his love’s brother. If only Brave Bear and Chela had lived, their four children would be different.

  The small group went outside where most of the tribe was awaiting news of the chiefs remaining heir. Medicine Bear clasped arms with Silver Hawk and announced sadly, “Three Feathers is dead, and I claim Silver Hawk as my new son. When Medicine Bear walks with the Great Spirit, it is my desire for the son of Brave Bear to become chief of the Blackfeet. Come, we must lay my sons to rest.”

  Just before entering Silver Hawk’s tepee to retrieve his belongings to head home, Sun Cloud overheard a curious and intriguing statement from Jumping Rabbit: “It was the will of Napi for Medicine Bear to select you as his son and our future chief. Napi knew of this evil which would strike our chief and his sons, and He warned you. The visionquest you shared with Bright Arrow six moons ago is coming to pass. You will soon be a great chief, as will he.”

  Sun Cloud went to fetch his horse, then he would return to Silver Hawk’s tepee for his things. He was puzzled by his brother’s concealment of such a vision, and he was worried over Silver Hawk’s helping it to come true. He must return home to hunt for those in need and to help Tashina complete the gifts for Gray Eagle and Shalee, to be given to White Arrow and his wife Pretty Woman. Too, he needed to do some serious thinking. Unable to locate Singing Wind to reason with her and to tell her goodbye, Sun Cloud mounted and rode from the camp.

  Singing Wind leaned against the tree behind which she had been hiding from Sun Cloud. His slip of the tongue and his grim suspicions kept running through her mind, more so today with the sudden and mysterious deaths of all three of Medicine Bear’s sons and her brot
her’s selection as the next chief. Many times, Silver Hawk had implied his hatred and jealousy of Sun Cloud, and he wanted her to hate and mistrust her secret love. Lately, her brother had been pushing her rapidly and persistently toward Bright Arrow, saying the Oglala warrior would be chief soon, “when Gray Eagle rides the Ghost Trail,” which had come to pass unexpectedly in a curious ambush which had Sun Cloud thinking wildly. She recalled parts of her quarrel with Silver Hawk not long ago: “I must do all to help him obtain his rightful place. Think how your joining to Bright Arrow will prick Sun Cloud…. You must think and decide quickly.” She had noticed Sun Cloud furtively watching her brother that day, and she had tingled with alarm. She was angry with herself for allowing Sun Cloud’s doubts and charges to linger in her mind and to torment her. She scolded herself for even imagining that her brother, or any Blackfeet, could be that evil and clever.

  As Jumping Rabbit and her brother headed for the chiefs tepee, the expression on Silver Hawk’s face as he trailed the shaman seized her attention and curiosity. Most had already gone to the burial area, to await the ceremonial chief and tribal chief, but the two who had entered Medicine Bear’s tepee did not appear an escort to the death scaffolds. Suddenly she realized she had been edging stealthily toward the chiefs tepee. Making sure to take the side where the sun would not cast her revealing shadow on the skins, she listened as the shaman and Silver Hawk revealed the recent visionquest with Bright Arrow…

  Bright Arrow told Thunder Spirit, “Take Little Feet and her sons to safety. We will halt to battle the Crows who follow us.”

  “Be careful, Father,” Little Feet entreated, her hazel eyes filled with worry and her dark auburn hair blowing about her face in the wind.

  Bright Arrow smiled encouragingly at his twenty-two-year-old child and his two grandsons: Buffalo Boy, age four who was riding with him, and Spirit Sign, age two who was riding with his mother. He handed the older boy to Thunder Spirit. “Go with White Arrow’s son; he will protect you. We will join you very soon,” he stated confidently.

  The two horses galloped away while Bright Arrow and Flaming Star concealed themselves and their horses behind thick bushes. As the first two Crow warriors drew near, both men loosened arrows which found their marks. The other three Crow quickly leaped off their mounts and, with loud yells of fury, raced toward the men to attack while they still held the number advantage and were too close for arrow range.

  Bright Arrow tossed his bow aside, deftly yanked his tomahawk from his waist, and forcefully buried its tapered edge in the center of one foe’s head, killing him instantly. He whirled nimbly to meet the attack by a second foe. Each brandishing a shiny blade, the two men sized up each other as they circled and watched for an opening.

  Flaming Star was battling hand to hand with the third foe, a tall and husky male. They sliced at each other, a few blows catching flesh and causing blood to come forth rapidly. Flaming Star tripped the man and dove for him, but the foe lifted his feet and they sent the Oglala warrior flying over his head to land roughly on the hard ground.

  Bright Arrow side-stepped his foe’s charge, seized his arm, and twisted it behind the man’s back. Entangling the man’s left leg, Bright Arrow caused his foe to stumble and fall. Swiftly Bright Arrow drove his knee into the middle of the man’s back at his spine, bringing a scream of pain from the Crow. Bright Arrow grabbed the man’s hair, yanked his head backward, then slid his knife across the man’s throat.

  Bright Arrow turned to see the last Crow warrior seize a handful of dirt and fling it into Flaming Star’s eyes, temporarily blinding his friend. As the man was about to take his friend’s life, Bright Arrow gave a shout and charged. The foe whirled too late, for Bright Arrow ducked and rammed into the man’s stomach, shoving him to the ground beside Flaming Star, who flipped over and sent his knife into the Crow’s heart, then came to his knees and wiped his grainy eyes.

  Bright Arrow and Flaming Star exchanged looks, then began to laugh. “We fight good together, my brother. We must collect their possessions, horses, and scalplocks; and join the others.”

  When Thunder Spirit heard many horses behind them, he glanced over his shoulder and grinned broadly at the thrilling and relieving sight. He called to Little Feet to halt, and both reined their mounts. When his older brother and Bright Arrow reached them, Thunder Spirit remarked proudly, “You have earned many new coups, my brother and my friend. It is a good day. Tell us of the battle,” he coaxed, a little disappointed in having missed it, but his love and family were safe.

  Little Feet reached over to take her father’s hand, to squeeze it as she had done so often in the past to relate her love and joy. Her greenish brown eyes glowed as she smiled at Bright Arrow. “I am glad you are safe, Father. It is a great victory.” She did not feel guilty over her lack of sadness and mourning marks, for she was too happy to be going home after five years with another tribe and with a husband who was too rough and greedy on the sleeping mats. Her heart had leapt with happiness to see Thunder Spirit once more and to learn he had not taken a mate yet. She glanced timidly at him, her gaze exposing much to all three men. She mused wishfully, if only…

  Bright Arrow looked at Thunder Spirit who was eyeing his daughter with the same look which burned within his child’s gaze. He exchanged grins with Flaming Star, both recalling how Thunder Spirit had revealed his love and desire for Little Feet during their journey to fetch her, fearing he could lose her again if he did not speak up boldly and promptly. Bright Arrow told his astonished daughter, “If you agree, Little Feet, I have promised you in joining to Thunder Spirit.”

  Little Feet’s enticing gaze settled on the grinning Thunder Spirit. Clearly his expression was entreating her to say yes. She could not believe her sudden luck. She smiled happily and nodded, having dreamed of this moment and this man countless times before and during her marriage, and after her mate’s death five suns past.

  “We will have the joining after the council meeting on the next sun,” Bright Arrow decided, mentally planning a big feast where he would celebrate becoming the Oglala chief in the morning, celebrate Little Feet’s joining in the afternoon, and celebrate Tashina’s promise to Silver Hawk as his future mate. When they reached camp near dusk, he should send a message to his friend to ask Silver Hawk to visit them later tomorrow to join the feasting.

  “When we return to our camp,” Thunder Spirit said, interrupting Bright Arrow’s dreamy thoughts, “I will bring you many horses and hides.”

  Bright Arrow smiled. “I know of Thunder Spirit’s prowess and love for Little Feet; there is no need to prove them to me. I am honored to have my daughter joined to a Sacrod Bow carrier. Keep the horses and hides; you will need them for your new family. You will soon have a wife and two sons. You will need a large tepee; others will help make and lift it skyward on the new sun. I will be proud to call you son, brother to my good friend and son to my second father and mother. It is good to join our bloodlines.”

  Flaming Star grinned and agreed, “Yes, it is good for the bloodlines of Gray Eagle and White Arrow to join.”

  Sun Cloud became concerned over the number of gifts and messages which were arriving in their camp for the new Oglala chief, Bright Arrow! The Dakota Nation, which the whites called Sioux, consisted of three divisions: Lakota/Teton, Nakota/Yankton, and Dakota/ Santee. There were seven branches under the three divisions, called the Seven Council Fires of the Sioux, Dakota Oceti Sakawin: Teton, Yankton, Yankt’onais, Mdewakanton, Wahpekute, Wahpeton, and Sisseton. The Lakota/Teton branch was divided into seven more tribes: Brule, Oglala, Hunkpapa, Minneconjou, Blackfeet, Two Kettle, and Sans Arc.

  He wondered if the other chiefs and tribes merely assumed the oldest son would follow his father or if they had forgotten, or were ignorant of, the fact that Sun Cloud was Gray Eagle’s heir. Yet, so many were mistaken: Flaming Bow of the Cheyenne Red Shield Band; Rapid Tongue of the Cheyenne Coyote Band; Windrider of the Cheyenne Dog Men Band, who should know the truth; Fire Brand of a Sisseton b
and; Long Chin of another Sisseton band, who had taken Races-the-Buffalo’s place at his recent death; Running Horse of a Blackfeet band; Medicine Bear of his mother’s Blackfeet band, who should also know the truth; Whispering Pine of the Brules, Blue Moon and Quick Fox of other Oglala bands, Walking Pipe and Conquering Bull of two Hunkpapa bands, Summer Wind of the Minneconjou, and White Robe of the Lakota Sans Arc.

  The words his mother had spoken along the trail to this place filled his mind. He wondered if she had known or felt something was in the wind. “So much will be asked and expected of you. You were born to become the chief of the Oglalas…. You must be strong, Sun Cloud, for many dark days are ahead. You must allow nothing and no one to sway you from your destiny…Seek the guidance and help of the Great Spirit, for often man cannot be trusted,” she had told him.

  Anguish and doubt chewed upon him, for he had never imagined the man who could not be trusted was his own brother, and his brother’s friend Silver Hawk. It did not look as if what should be a simple task of voting on a new chief was going to be a quick or easy one after all. He would wait until the council meeting in the morning to see if he should be alarmed, or if he was worring over nothing…

  Brilht Arrow’s tepee was full and busy that night with little Feet’s arrival home with her sons. News of Bright Arrow’s recent coup spread eagerly around the camp, and Sun Cloud realized its timing could not be worse. Yet, he was careful to say and do nothing to spoil little Feet’s return or the joy of her impending union with his good friend and fellow bow carrier. He was delighted for Thunder Spirit, but knew this development left Tashina in jeopardy if Silver Hawk came to ask for her. If only Windrider’s son would make his love and claim known. If only Tashina would reveal her feelings to her father. He had too quickly forgotten his recent lesson about procrastination. As soon as the council meeting ended tomorrow, he must ride to the Blackfeet camp and place his claim on Singing Wind, whether she liked it or not!