Spirit of the Lake

by Paty Jager

  I will give you breaks today.

  Dove smiled. Qe`ci`yew`yew.

  Frog stopped them several times during the day, allowing her to get off her horse and walk about stretching her legs and relieving the pressure of the child. She noticed the other warriors’ irritation growing each time they stopped.

  “We will be four days travel if you keep stopping. The women do not need to walk around. A true Nimiipuu woman would ride all day and into the night without stopping.” Many Scars stood close to Frog, but Dove heard his words. He pitched his tone and volume to carry to her ears.

  “My father told me to get this woman to Lapwai and back. I will not have her collapse when we return to the band.” Frog walked away from the others.

  Dove watched him closely. He fought with himself. She hastily dismounted and helped Crazy One set up the camp.

  “Is not my uncle clever?” the old woman said, snickering and nodding toward Frog.

  “Is he in Frog?” Dove whispered and stared in awe.

  The warrior shook his head fiercely and stalked away from the camp.

  “Does he like to be used?” The old woman shook her head sadly. “Will not my uncle be tired tonight from battling Frog all day?”

  Sorrow for Wewukiye and all he endured to help her washed away her happiness. There had to be something she could do for him.

  Their enclosure stood ready for the night, and the warriors fed. Dove glanced around, noting the sentry and the others relaxing on their blankets.

  She crawled into her enclosure expecting to find Wewukiye. Their blankets and belongings met her gaze. No Wewukiye. She backed out. Where are you?

  Resting.

  I will help you rest. She walked into the trees, instinct directing her.

  Her heart hammered at the sight of a large bull elk resting in a small grove of bushes. She approached cautiously, noting his sturdy legs folded under him, and his large head hosting massive antlers curled to his side.

  His eyes opened, and his head came up. How did you find me?

  Dove stalled her steps and gawked at the magnificent creature. Her heart beat erratically now from the wonder of her discovery. This was why Wewukiye, Bull Elk, carried himself so regally and held such high esteem of his person.

  “You are magnificent as a man and as an elk.” She knelt in the snow beside him. “Do not spend your energy fighting with Frog tomorrow. I will be fine one more day of riding.” His soft, thick hair cushioned her hand when she placed it on his shoulder.

  His dull eyes brightened at her touch. “Do not give your txiỷak to me. You need it all.”

  “I am only touching you.” She poured out nothing but concern for him, but she could not deny his body became more virile. His eyes took on a glow, the dull gray brightening to blue.

  “Do not touch me. Save your txiỷak.” He scrambled to his feet, breaking her contact with his body.

  “Do you have enough energy to return to a man? I wish to know you are close.” Dove reached out to him. If he did not lie by her side, she would not sleep well. His security allowed her to relax.

  He shook his great head. “Go back to the camp. You will be fine. I will come to you when I have rested and gathered strength.”

  “I will stay with you until we can return together.” She reached out to him, and he backed away.

  “I am to protect you, not take your power. Each time you touch me, because I am drained, my body draws from your txiỷak. Leave me. I will soon be rested.” The high arch of his neck and muzzle tipped up haughtily proved her finding him weak wounded his dignity.

  “If you will not come back to camp with me, I will stay with you. Here. In the trees.” Her body shivered from the cold seeping through the darkness, but she refused to allow him to remain alone when she could help.

  “You are cold.” He walked to her side. “Come I will walk you back and remain.” He knelt on his front knees. “Climb on my back.”

  She peered into his eyes. “You are strong enough to carry me?”

  “When we touch our power combines, making the weaker stronger. Since you refuse to return without me, I have no choice but to draw from you and to keep you safe.” He motioned with his head. “Climb on.”

  Dove sat upon his wide, warm back. His slow even gait lulled her worries. She yawned, leaning forward wrapping her arms around his powerful warm cushioned neck. No matter his appearance, her body joined his in harmony.

  Wewukiye’s heart stuttered at the easy acceptance Dove made of his many forms. She looked beyond all and saw straight into his essence. Her txiỷak grew with each day, giving her strength. When her child came to this earth, Dove would be strong enough to exist without his help.

  His hoof caught on a rock and he stumbled. Her weight shifted forward, and he quickly righted himself to keep her from toppling to the ground.

  “Wewukiye, are you well?” Her sleepy voice heated his body.

  “Yes, I was distracted.” The camp came into view. He knelt and she slid from his back. “Go to your bed, I will come soon.”

  She peered into his eyes and stroked his muzzle. “Hurry.”

  He nodded and she slowly walked toward her makeshift dwelling, peering over her shoulder every other step.

  “Why are you out wandering?” Frog’s deep, suspicious voice carried to Wewukiye.

  Fear speared his chest. The warrior already held distrust for Dove.

  “I am of a condition that requires frequent trips to the bushes.”

  Her regal attitude lightened Wewukiye’s mood. He quickly whisked out of the elk form and traveled to the woman’s blankets in the makeshift dwelling. Crazy One slept on the other side of the structure.

  The hide parted and Dove stepped in. She jolted at the sight of him. Her lips tipped into a seductive smile. You must be growing stronger to move so fast.

  Your power and beauty revive all things.

  She knelt beside him, cupped his face in her hands, and peered into his eyes. Passion, love, and acceptance shone upon him. I wish you to always be by my side.

  Finding him in the forest and giving her power to him were unselfish acts that reflected her true nature. To have such a warm, compassionate woman care for him…His heart banged in his chest growing larger and experiencing more with each touch from this woman.

  That is my wish as well. He leaned, pressing his mouth to hers, taking what she offered. A flash of light and scorching heat joined their hearts.

  “What are you doing in there?”

  Le’éptit wax pí-lept

  (24)

  Dove jerked out of their kiss. Wewukiye stared into her shocked eyes. The flash of their kiss reached outside their bodies, lighting the inside of the structure. Crazy One rubbed her eyes with her fists.

  “What was that light?”

  Frog’s insistent tone angered Wewukiye. No doubt the warrior would barge in.

  Tell him all is well.

  “All is well.” Dove’s gaze held his. Uncertainty swirled in her dark eyes.

  “What was that light?” The hide at the entrance moved.

  Wewukiye shifted to smoke and drifted to the top of the enclosure.

  Frog stuck his head through the opening. His searching glare traveled slowly around the small area.

  Crazy One sat up. “Why do you wake us?”

  “A light flashed in here and there is smoke.” He sniffed and scanned the narrow length of ground between the women’s blankets.

  Wewukiye wished he had the strength to slip into the warrior and give him fits all night.

  “Are we not leaving early in the morning and riding a long day?” Crazy One leaned forward, shushing the man with her hands. “Do you not know when to leave?”

  Frog’s glare landed on Dove. Wewukiye’s smoke undulated in frustration. His urge to protect the woman overruled all other thoughts. Restraint, not to show himself and stand between the warrior and his woman, hung as precarious as the last leaf of sekh-nihm on a windy day.

  “Do you have
nothing to say?” Frog tipped his head toward Dove.

  “I am tired.” Dove reclined on her bedding and drew a blanket around her.

  The warrior snorted and shook the structure, pulling his head out and jerking the hide closed.

  Wewukiye seeped through the hide and watched the warrior. Frog glanced at the structure many times as he walked to his blanket. He settled down, but riveted his gaze to the hide-covered structure. The warrior’s head finally relaxed, and Wewukiye returned to Dove.

  He shifted into man form and wrapped his arms around her. Her power would blend with his during the night and come morning he would hold his full essence. Earlier he had fought against her need to help him not wishing to draw away her energy. Their kiss proved their combined txiỷak made them both stronger. He kissed her head, and she squirmed tighter against him.

  Hold me always.

  I promise.

  How had this woman existed among the common mortals so long without he or Sa-qan noticing her txiỷak? True it was his presence that fed her power. Still, the root of her power had to be within her when she came upon this earth. Did the Creator pick her for a specific reason? So many questions for him to ponder through until the warriors stirred in the morning.

  «»«»«»

  Dove woke with renewed energy. Wewukiye’s arms did not hold her, but his presence remained wrapped around her like a warm blanket. She opened her eyes dreaming of the morning she would wake to peer into Wewukiye’s handsome face.

  “Is it not late?” Crazy One had her bedding rolled and ready to load.

  “How is it I did not hear you moving earlier?” Dove sat up, stretched, and began rolling her bedding as well.

  “Did I not nudge you two times? Did you only smile and murmur my uncle’s name?” The old woman grinned and packed her bedding outside.

  Dove quickly finished her packing. Together she and Crazy One dismantled the makeshift dwelling and ate a chunk of smoked o`ppah bread watching the warriors load the horses.

  Fresh snow coated the ground.

  She stiffened as Frog stalked from the direction she and Wewukiye returned during the night. The warrior stared intently in her direction. Did he find something?

  The new snow covered our tracks.

  Relief washed through her at Wewukiye’s words. They all mounted their horses and continued.

  «»«»«»

  Two more days passed. Wewukiye only entered Frog at Dove’s request for a break. He could no longer follow them as an elk. The open rolling hills provided little coverage. He now followed in the body of a coyote. The small animal allowed him to run swift and keep up with the horses, darting through the dying grass and bushes unseen.

  The coyote’s keen nose caught the scent of many people and animals. They would soon emerge on the hill above the fort. Wewukiye puzzled how he would join Dove while she spoke to the agent. His problem grew watching the group enter the populated area. He could no longer follow. He slunk along the outer edge of the buildings, frustration quivering his tail at the disappearance of Dove among the White men’s dwellings.

  A large shaggy dog lunged from behind a barrel and barked. Wewukiye jumped and prepared for battle. His head cleared when the pounding of his heart lessened. He swirled out of the coyote, entering the dog. Now he had means of remaining near Dove.

  He trotted through the people and buildings, seeking the procession of Dove, Crazy One, and the warriors. He found the group sitting atop their horses in front of a large building. Frog signed “speak to agent” to the soldier standing at the entry of the tall building. Why would Frog sign? Frog had schooled at the mission along with his brother.

  Wewukiye studied Frog’s face. Ahhh, he felt the soldier too lowly to benefit from his words.

  The soldier’s hands flailed like an injured bird, signing poorly. Frog shook his head and the man gave up, stomping across the planks and into the building.

  Wewukiye took this moment to trot up to Dove’s horse. I am here. Walk with me into the building. He glanced up the side of the horse to where Dove sat. Her smiling face peered down at him. Her eyes twinkled with mischief. The sight spun warmth and camaraderie in his chest.

  Sa-qan continually reprimanded him for not taking his commitments seriously. To see this fun-loving spark in Dove during a moment of seriousness exposed another of her surprising facets.

  He winked and the soldier’s heavy steps approached.

  Frog told the other warriors and Crazy One to wait with the horses. He dismounted and held Dove’s horse, offering no help as she slid to the ground. Wewukiye gave thanks for the large dog frame that housed him. He sidled next to Dove giving her support should she need it from sitting upon the horse so long.

  She grasped the hair on his neck. Her contact enabled him to draw her fatigue and aches from her body.

  Frog entered the building, Dove followed with Wewukiye by her side.

  “Hey! That mutt can’t go in there!” The soldier kicked at him.

  Dove crouched by Wewukiye’s side, wrapping her arms around his neck. She couldn’t talk about the attack to the agent without Wewukiye present.

  “I wish the dog to be present.” She buried her cheek against the scruffy, dirty hair of the dog, staring at the soldier, daring him to take another swipe at the animal.

  Frog strode back to the door. “What have you done?” He asked her in Nimiipuu.

  “I wish the dog to be present.” Dove would defy any who kept Wewukiye from entering with her.

  Frog shook his head. “Living with Crazy One has made you just as feeble. This is not even your dog. Chase him away.”

  Dove shot to her feet. “Crazy One is not feeble and neither am I. I wish to have this creature with me. He likes me for who I am.”

  “You ain’t bringing that dog in this building.” The soldier raised his rifle, pointing it at the dog.

  “Sergeant Kennedy, why are you pointing your rifle at a dog?” An average-size White man, with a face nearly as aged as Chief Joseph’s, bearing fuzzy cheeks and snowy-white hair, stood on the other side of Wewukiye.

  The soldier tipped his rifle down. He opened his mouth to speak and snapped it shut watching the newcomer sign hello.

  “Frog, I am pleased to see you,” the newcomer said in Nimiipuu.

  “William, I have brought Dove to speak with you.”

  The man faced Dove. His warm smile melted her fears.

  “Welcome to Fort Lapwai, Dove.” He placed a hand on the dog’s head. “Sergeant Kennedy, step aside. If Dove wants to bring in her pet, so be it,” William said in the White man’s words.

  Dove liked the man already. He had a calm demeanor and showed true happiness upon seeing Frog. She followed William and Frog into the building, down a long room, and into a room with furnishings more elaborate than the ones she witnessed at the mission many years ago.

  William motioned for them to sit. She stared at the chairs, plump and covered in cloth. They promised more comfort than the wooden mission chairs.

  William sat and so did Frog. The warrior didn’t hesitate, proving his acceptance of White men’s furnishings.

  She sat and bounced once, liking the softness under her bottom. Wewukiye sat beside her legs. She placed a hand on his head. I like this man.

  He nodded.

  Frog and William discussed the weather and Chief Joseph’s family. Enthralled with all the items in the room, she gazed about as the conversation between the men barely drifted into her ears. The Nimiipuu’s spare belongings could fit on the piece of furniture William sat upon. She could not believe all the things in this room were necessary to live.

  William cleared his throat, and Dove glanced his way. His thoughtful gaze rested on her. She tried not to squirm.

  “Frog says you have important words to tell me.”

  She held his gaze and nodded. “I wish to have you put on paper what happened to me five moons ago. I wish it to be known to punish the so-yá-po who…” She swallowed the lump of dread creeping up he
r throat.

  You can do this.

  She gripped a handful of the dog’s hair to avoid sliding into a deep, bottomless cavern—one she knew as fear.

  Dove straightened her back, squared her shoulders, and stared into the man’s concerned eyes. “A so-yá-po who claims to be a friend of the Nimiipuu came upon me in the woods one day. I had wandered farther than the others gathering berries.” Her body shook remembering the sunny day and how it had become so cold and bleak within a few beats of her heart.

  I am here. Fear nothing.

  “When I tried to run, he threw his coat over my head and knocked me to the ground. I fought and struggled. He struck me several times until I stopped. I could not see, only feel and smell.” She gagged remembering the stench of his clothing. “He pinched my legs and shoved my clothing.” Her face heated remembering the sound of the crude language he had used during the attack.

  “I understand what you are saying. He took you against your will.” William reached out to her.

  She shifted away from him unable to stop the reflex action. She knew he was a kind man, but he was a man and he was white.

  “I’m sorry there are men who behave like animals.”

  The hair on the dog’s neck ruffed up.

  “I don’t understand why you are telling me this.” William glanced at Frog.

  “She wishes us to punish the man, but we feel it would only make matters worse for our people.” Frog shrugged. “Not many would believe a Nimiipuu woman over a so-yá-po.”

  “I agree. I’m not sure what you wish me to do.” William studied her.

  “I have the proof he took me.” Dove stood, tossed her shawl on the chair, and smoothed her blanket dress over her growing bulge. “When this child is born he will have one blue eye and one brown eye, just like the evil man who harmed me.”

  William sat back in his chair. “You’re saying Jasper O’Rourke did this to you?” A rush of air rippled his lips, and he steepled his fingers. “Now I see why you want someone to know about this.”

  Dove watched the man. Did he believe her? Was he going to do anything?