"My heart overflows with joy for all you have done for me," Chumani told his mother and sister, her eyes misty with emotion. "You and your people are kind and generous. I am proud to join your family and band."
"We are happy you have come to live with us and be my son's wife."
"It will be good to have a sister," Hanmani added with a smile.
"Yes, it will," Chumani concurred with a smile in return as she placed her hawk atop a backrest, "for I only have one brother in my camp."
While she unpacked the possessions they had brought with them with the help of the two women, Wind Dancer and Red Feather dug a deep hole and placed Cetan's T-shaped post inside it. They used many rocks to hold it steady and straight before replacing the dirt and adding more rocks around its base for added strength. Afterward, they took their bows and headed into the forest to hunt something fresh for the creature to eat, as Chumani did not want to release him until he became familiar with the area.
When everything was in its place, Winona and Hanmani left to give Chumani privacy to rest after her long ride and chores and before the feast, scheduled to start at dusk, began.
Chumani washed her face, arms, and legs of trail dust. She changed garments and moccasins, brushed her long black hair, and decorated it with a beaded rosette with short fluffy plumes. She also adorned her neck and wrists with beaded bands, gifts from her mother. As she did so, she talked with Cetan in low whispers. "This is our new home, my friend. Soon you will learn its sights, sounds, smells, and people. Then I will allow you to soar the sky in freedom and to claim this territory as your own. I know fear does not live in your heart and mind, but they do within me. I fear I will fail in the sacred task set before me. I fear the new feelings that stir within me. I fear this new and unknown life, and I miss those I love in my camp. Will I come to love this man and his people?" she asked her beloved hawk. "Will I be happy here with him?"
Chumani smiled as Cetan chattered when she finished, as if he was responding to her words. "I wish I could understand you, my friend, as I am sure your answers are filled with wisdom and comfort. I-"
Chumani stopped talking when she heard Wind Dancer outside saying good-bye to Red Feather. She watched him enter their tepee, halt, and scrutinize her from dark head to moccasined feet, a smile steadily broadening on his handsome face.
"Your beauty is large, Dewdrops; it gives me pleasure to look upon you and pride to have you as my wife." After she smiled and thanked him, he said, "I brought Cetan a small rabbit to eat. Do you wish him to feast inside or upon his new home?"
"I will secure him to his post to enjoy the fresh air."
As she attached a leather thong to one leg and then to the post, she noticed Wind Dancer had secured the furry covering around the top section, one with scents well known and calming to the large bird. Also secured to one end was a horn cup which he filled with water. "You must offer the rabbit to him so he will learn to accept you and one sun to obey you. Place it over your palm, lay your hand across mine, and let me guide it to him."
After their hands were in contact, Chumani raised them toward the hawk. Cetan studied the rabbit and two people for a short time, then lifted his unfettered leg and grasped the gift with its talons. The bird placed the animal across his perch and held on to it as he eyed their touching hands.
Chumani smiled. "It is good you give him food and water. He accepts your presence and soon will accept your touch and commands. It warms my heart that you allowed me to bring him and to keep him."
It warms more than my heart to hear you think and say such words and to look at me as you do. Wind Dancer thought with great pleasure. He noted that the tips of her fingers had curled between his spread ones and her hand remained in contact with his as they were lowered to the space between their bodies. "Perhaps the Great Spirit will use him during the sacred quest and that is why he was given to you many seasons past and why I saw a hawk in my vision. Now we must go, mitawin, it is time for our feast."
Or perhaps it was because you saw him with me before you entered the dream world and your mind or an evil force played tricks upon you, her mind could not help but reply. Even so, she was pleased by his acceptance of her feathered friend and his good opinions of her. "I am ready, mihigna. "
After they had eaten, eight men sat around a large drum made of willow with a tanned hide stretched across the top hoop. As they pounded upon its taut surface with sticks, they sang tribal songs to entertain the couple and the crowd. At one point in the evening, Wind Dancer joined other men to dance around a campfire while they sang songs to praise the Great Spirit and to summon His protection and guidance in the days to come.
Chumani watched her husband as he moved around the glowing flames with great agility. No man she had ever seen had looks to match his enormous ones; and few, if any, could chant more coups than he could. His body was strong and nimble, his rapid steps were confident and accurate, and his expression was joyous and serene, as if he were caught in a spiritual trance. Her heart seemed to catch the beat of the music and keep time with it. Despite her excitement, she felt relaxed amidst such friendly people, proud to be Wind Dancer's wife and to be sitting with the family of the band's leader, and aroused by the sight of the virile warrior whom she would lie with tonight.
As he danced and chanted with his eyes almost closed, narrow slits allowed Wind Dancer to snatch glimpses of Dewdrops each time he moved before her position with his parents and sister. She looked breathstealing and peaceful, as if she was enjoying herself and the event, not just pretending to do so. He knew the heat and moisture on his flesh came from more than his exertions and the nearby flames; most of it resulted from blazing desire for her. How he yearned to scoop her up, race to their lodge, and bond slowly and blissfully with her on their sleeping mat. He craved to taste her lips and body, to caress her soft skin, to feel his erect shaft buried deep within her woman's core. He knew it was too soon to mate with her; first, he must win her trust, acceptance, loyalty, and love; and do so before they began their sacred task. He wished the Great Spirit would reveal their challenges soon, as he was eager to get started on them. Perhaps, he reasoned, the Great Spirit was waiting until he and Chumani became as one before sending his grandfather the next message. He longed for her to reach out to him, so he decided he must tempt her at every turn to desire him and make her feelings known.
When it came time for couples to dance together, Wind Dancer joined Chumani and extended his hand to her. His heart leapt with elation when she did not delay in placing hers within his, and he assisted her to her feet. They faced each other with little space between them and with his back to the campfire as they took sideways steps and made other movements to the slower and softer music. Both felt it was important as a recently joined couple to gaze tranquilly into the other's eyes to show acceptance and affection for a new mate. Yet, what began in part as a charade became much more. Each was aware of the other's nearness, of the growing passion between them, and of the knowledge they had been matched by the Great Spirit Himself.
After the stimulating dance ended, Wind Dancer rejoined his family while Chumani, who needed to regather her lagging poise and wits, went to excuse herself in bushes near the edge of camp. A young woman whom she had seen observing them many times since their arrival followed her.
"I am called Wastemna, daughter of Buffalo Hump, our war chief. It is unwise for the wife of our next leader to leave the safety of camp alone. You would make a valuable war prize for our enemy, the Crow."
"Your fears and warning are kind but unneeded, Wastemna. I have my knife with me and I am skilled not only with it but also fighting with bare hands."
"That is good, but it is rare for a female to be a hunter-warrior. A great warrior and chief needs a wife who is skilled with woman's work and shows him much love, respect, and pleasure in his tepee."
Chumani wondered if she detected barely concealed hostility in the female's voice. She had seen Wastemna watching them, especially her, several times
during the evening but assumed it was out of curiosity. "I am the daughter of the White Shield chief, so I must know how to help feed and protect our people and lands. I have ridden on raids and hunts many times, but I also was well-trained in women's chores and behavior."
"Wakantanka smiled brightly on you when He chose you to become Waci Tate's wife. Many females among our band desired to mate with him. No other man among our people has his great courage and prowess. And his face and body are good to look upon. Are my words not true?"
"He is certainly skilled and brave. But I do not know about the desires of other women."
"They would not matter now; Wakantanka commanded Waci Tate to join to you and he was compelled to obey. Was it the same for you?"
Chumani thought the female was being too inquisitive as they did not know each other well enough to speak of such private things. Yet, she did not want to offend the war chief's daughter or make an enemy of her. She smiled and jested, "As you say, Wastemna, Waci Tate is not a man to be scorned or refused. It pleased me to join to him."
As they returned to the feast in chilly silence, Chumani suspected that Wastemna was going to be anything but "sweet-smelling" as her lovely name alleged, and dreaded to discover if her instincts were accurate.
As Wind Dancer and Chumani settled down to sleep for the first night in their new tepee, they shared the same buffalo hide mat but did not unite their bodies as both desired without the other's knowing. Each had enjoyed their welcome feast and hoped to close the gap between them, but both were reluctant to make the first romantic move.
Chumani did not ask Wind Dancer about Wastemna or any other female who had longed to join to him as the female had alleged. She wondered again if he did not truly desire her for herself or could not bring himself to make love to her, a woman he had not chosen and one who had no doubt made a bad impression on him at their first meeting. Out of pride and not wanting to suffer anguish and loss again from a mismatched love, she told herself she must continue to control such desires. Also, she reasoned, as long as they did not bond on the sleeping mat, he could not plant his seeds within her body, which she feared would prevent or halt her participation in the sacred task. She prayed for the strength to deny her urges and for the cunning to avoid insulting him while doing so. She knew that task would be difficult since her husband was so tempting in many ways.
The following morning while the men were hunting game, Chumani gathered herbs and plants and collected firewood with Hanmani, her best friend Macha, her grandmother Little Turtle, Rising Bear's sister Pretty Meadow, Winona, Songbird, wife of Winona's brother Strong Rock, and Little Deer, sister of Winona who had never joined to a man and who still lived in the tepee of their parents Nahemana and Little Turtle. As they talked and laughed while they worked together, her affection and respect for his family and people increased and she learned more about them and the events which had bonded them as a close band. She was delighted and relieved to discover that the family circle of Rising Bear and Winona was loved and esteemed. She was proud that her second father was the son of a reputable chief and her second mother the daughter of a revered and beloved shaman. There was no denying that her husband's bloodline was a good one, just as their future son's would be.
Chumani's father did not come from a long and honored bloodline of chiefs. When she was three winters old, Tall Elk had been chosen as chief by their council and accepted by the entire White Shield Band after their last leader and his two sons were slain in a fierce battle with a joint war party of Crow and Pawnee where her father had taken charge following their deaths and led his warriors to a glorious victory. Her brother would become their next chief, unless Fire Walker did something to dishonor himself and his rank or was slain. Since her brother was a good man and renowned warrior, she must not imagine either ever happening.
That afternoon, Wind Dancer asked her to take a doubleback ride with him in the Spearfish canyon to one of its water falls, the largest in that area.
Chumani was elated when he suggested Cetan go with them so the hawk could exercise his wings and hunt fresh meat, but mostly by the implication he was courting her with a romantic ride together. A private outing also would reinforce his people's belief in their intimate relationship, which should please him and cause him to continue his restraint.
She quickly put away her tasks, released Cetan, and accepted Wind Dancer's hand to be pulled up behind him on his brown riding horse. She sensed his pleasure at her willingness to comply, and she smiled to herself for her fast thinking and cunning. Perhaps, she mused, this pursuit game would be fun.
At first, the canyon was shallow and wide and filled with radiant sunlight as they traveled near a rapidly flowing stream whose water was cold but refreshing. The setting was lovely and peaceful. The day was clear and warm and without even a hint of a thundercloud. Vegetation was abundant and green, especially spruce and tall grass which swayed to and fro in a gentle breeze, and wildflowers flourished amidst the verdant covering. Their arrival flushed a variety of birds and animals from or near their path and spooked them into temporary concealment.
As they continued along a well-worn trail, the black cliffs on both sides of them rose higher and steeper and more jagged. When the canyon narrowed, less sunlight entered that lovely domain, yet, a strip of blue sky was overhead and made a vivid contrast with the greens and blacks.
After they reached the falls and dismounted, Chumani was amazed by the loud noise of water rushing over the towering cliff occasionally spraying a light mist on them. "I can see why your people chose this location for your winter camp," Chumani observed. "It is well protected from the cold and snow, and the water moves too fast to freeze. I am sure there is always something growing here for your horses to eat, and animals lingering to furnish you with game. Those are the reasons why my people camp near the place where the warm springs bubble from the face of Mother Earth far away. See," she said as she pointed upward, "Cetan likes this place and soars in freedom as he seeks his prey."
"I am glad this journey makes you both happy. Many suns past you said we had not shared rides, so we must do so many times to bring us closer. Tonight I will play the flute for you, for I did not do so before we joined."
Chumani smiled at him. "It is good to share such things before we become as one. I thank you for your patience and generosity. You have much respect for the Four Virtues and practice them well."
Wind Dancer smiled in return. "It stirs my heart to hear you speak such words to me." He yearned to caress her cheek, to kiss her lips, to hold her in his arms, to lie upon the grass with her, and to make love. But first he wanted to pull her closer and tighter to him.
"It stirs my heart to have a husband who is good and kind to me," Chumani said in response. "It also stirs my heart to see the beauty of Mother Nature and the work of the Great Spirit's hands. He has created many things for us to use and enjoy."
"That is true, and I thank Him each new sun for doing so."
"As do I, mihigna. " she sighed then before speaking. "I wish we could stay longer, but I must return to our tepee to prepare our evening meal. I thank you for this good deed."
"It is only the first of many, mitawin, "he vowed.
En route to camp, Wind Dancer ached with desire as she rode with her breasts pressed against his back with her arms laced around his waist. He enjoyed the sound of her laughter, the soothing tone of her voice. His wife was a heady mixture of strength and softness in mind and body. Her pleasing scent was already familiar to him. Even her breath whispered of fragrant dried herbs when she spoke or they kissed. The only scars on her sleek flesh were the two mourning cuts on her forearm, which were signs of great love and courage and a tragic loss. Since their joining, she had done nothing to disappoint or shame him; her behavior in private and public had been perfect. His family and people liked, respected, and had accepted her. His brother and best friend had told him how fortunate he was to have her. Yes, he concluded, she was the best choice for his wife, quest compan
ion, and mother of his children; for which he silently thanked Wakantanka.
After placing a shaft-skewered rabbit over two end Y-shaped posts to cook slowly, Chumani went inside the tepee to fetch tenderizing and flavor-enhancing herbs to sprinkle over the meat. After that task was done, and from pouches hanging on the dew-cloth, she retrieved elk antler spoons, chokecherry plates, and buffalo horn cups with their points driven into blocks of pine for balance. Knowing she had plenty of time before the rabbit was done, she walked a short distance to the river to fetch fresh water. As she did so, she realized she felt aglow in heart and body from the outing with her handsome and virile husband. He was so enticing and-
"Your fire is too large and the meat burns past eating."
While kneeling to fill the bladder bag, a distracted Chumani turned and looked up at her tall husband and asked him to repeat what he had said.
As quietly as possible for privacy, he warned, "The flames of your cookfire are too high and hot and burn the meat; it will soon be ruined. It is not a man's place to do such work, so I came to alert you of trouble."
Chumani hurried to the site beside their tepee. She was astonished to discover he was right; lofty flames licked greedily at the meat and were charring its sizzling flesh. She quickly hung her water bag on its post, pushed most of the high pile of wood aside, and doused their roaring flames with water she had just fetched. As she studied the meat to see if it was past saving, she murmured almost to herself, "There is mischief at work here; I did not make my fire so high."
Wind Dancer moved closer to her to ask in a whisper, "Do you say a trickster lives in my camp or one has sneaked into it?"
Lakota Winds (Zebra Historical Romance) Page 9