Lakota Winds (Zebra Historical Romance)

by Janelle Taylor

  "Have you told him of such feelings and thoughts?"

  "I wait for them to fill my husband's heart and mind before I speak."

  "How will you know if or when they do if he rides that same path of resistence?" Zitkala asked.

  "He is brave, so he will tell me."

  "He will do so, for he cannot resist your magic and challenge. I hope it will be the same for me and Red Feather. If he turned away from me after awakening such feelings, it would freeze my heart as water in winter."

  "He is good and honorable, Zitkala, so he will not lead you down a cruel trail. I trust my husband, and he said his friend's interest is real and strong."

  The entire band gathered in the center of camp to watch the five riders leave to carry out their first task. The small group listened as the shaman, with his wife, Little Turtle, beside him, prayed to ask for protection and guidance from the Great Spirit for what loomed before them.

  As family, relatives, friends, and society members spoke with the men, Chumani glanced around at the Red Shields, many of whom had helped prepare the Crow garments and moccasins and had provided some of the enemy possessions to be left behind as implicating items. Her gaze paused on a stoic-faced Wastemna who stood with her parents. She smiled at the woman, but Wastemna did not respond in kind. What astonished and intrigued Chumani was the look on Wastemna's mother's face. She wondered if she were mistaken or if she had truly seen a brief expression of hatred and hostility toward her. If so, why? She realized this was not the time to ponder such a matter, so she dismissed both females from her mind. She looked at Hanmani with Cetan perched on the girl's shoulder and sent them a smile. She did the same with her husband's parents and grandparents. Then it was time to leave.

  Wind Dancer, Chumani, War Eagle, Red Feather, and Zitkala guided their mounts out of camp, and soon left it far behind as they galloped over rolling grassland with scattered trees and bushes. They headed eastward toward the area where Whites had settled near several trading posts along the great river. Soon their clever trickery would begin, and all hoped it would provoke distrust and trouble between the Wasicun and Apsaalooke to distract those enemies from attacking the Red and White Shields.

  For two and a half days and using a swift pace over fairly easy terrain, the small band traveled near the lengthy Sahiyela River, along whose banks were situated trading posts, trapping sites, many white settlers, and, further south, Fort Pierre, and upon whose swift and deep waters steamboats plied their trade.

  They sneaked toward the first homestead under the cover of near darkness beneath a rising half-moon. They were clad in garments with Crow designs and colors just in case they were sighted, though their plan was to try to get in and out without being seen. They did not want to risk being wounded or slain by "firesticks" while they pulled their sly trick of stealing horses and then leaving them near a Crow camp.

  When they reached the corral, the five talked softly, and gently stroked the nervous horses into a quiet calm. In a short time, they had the creatures tethered and led from the corral and another from a small barn. They walked them to where their mounts awaited and left quietly after discarding a broken Crow wristlet at the corral. That, along with the marked arrow and the distinctive moccasin tracks of each tribe, would cause the Apsaalooke to be blamed for the theft. They hoped the Whites would summon the Bluecoats to follow the horses' trail to where they would be found picketed near one of the Crow villages.

  They repeated their actions at two more sites, adding the new animals to the enlarging herd hidden nearby, though all they left at those scenes were identifiable Crow moccasin prints, as their tribal footwear mounded on the outside and sank inward on the inside. They were happy to complete so much of their initial ploy without exposing themselves or confronting any perils. Yet, they knew their good fortune would not last, as some of the tasks looming before them were more daring and dangerous.

  At the last location, a lengthy distance from the other three, they faced their first challenge. A white man was standing near the wooden fence, smoking a short pipe and gazing at the stars. The group discussed whether to skip that place or get rid of the man, who might impede their mission.

  "Do not slay him, mihigna, "Chumani whispered, "for he may have a wife and little ones who need him. Strike his head, bind his body to a post, and silence him with a cloth from his shirt. Perhaps knowing he faces danger will provoke him to take his family and leave Indian lands to keep them safe from us."

  Wind Dancer smiled and caressed her cheek. "Your words are wise and kind, and your heart is good, mitawin. It will be as you speak, for there is no need to slay him on this moon."

  Chumani and the others watched in suspense as her husband sneaked up behind the man and gave him a blow to the head which rendered him unconscious. Then horror flooded her as she saw a large dog leave the woods, where it no doubt had been off roaming or hunting, and race toward that spot to defend its fallen master. She heard its fierce growls indicating readiness to attack. Yet, with lightning speed and awesome skill, War Eagle fired a nocked Crow arrow and ended that threat. She was certain the one yelp the creature sent forth was not heard inside the wooden dwelling, where only a faint glow of light showed at a square opening. She exhaled in relief, aware for the first time of holding her breath, so long that she felt lightheaded for a moment. She smiled faintly at Zitkala when her friend gently squeezed her hand in comfort, and she nodded her gratitude. She glanced at the quiet house once more and joined the others.

  The white man was bound and gagged as she had suggested. A small pouch filled with tobacco seeds and beaded with a Crow design was dropped near his disabled body. The knot which held it suspended from a belt was untied to make it appear it had come loose and fallen off during the action. The Apsaalooke viewed those seeds as big medicine and they played a large part in their sacred rituals. They believed the Creator gave tobacco seeds to a past leader named No Vitals to plant and harvest each growing season and that as long as they performed that ceremony and possessed sacred seeds, their people would survive and prosper, just as the Cheyenne believed the same of their Four Sacred Arrows from Sweet Medicine's prophecy.

  They did not halt to sleep that night, only to take short rests and to change mounts, having brought along two each to prevent overtiring the animals. While they had the landscape to themselves, they rode swiftly toward their next destination. The area was familiar to them, so they knew which locations to skirt to avoid making contact with other bands and terrain perils such as prairie-dog villages and sudden ravines. They also knew where they would have to be extra careful and even hide during daylight to prevent being exposed by hunters or pre-season buffalo scouts. They did not worry about encountering white trappers, as few worked along the banks of the Sahiyela which flowed too deeply into "hostile land," and most who labored along its beginning course and other rivers had left them to sell their winter catches. Yet, they had come to a decision that if a meeting occurred, the intruder must die by Crow arrows so he could not expose their true identities and purpose.

  The next morning, they separated so Wind Dancer could ride ahead, War Eagle travel to their left, and Red Feather to their right to watch for an unexpected approach of others, ally or foe. As the men scouted for their party, Chumani and Zitkala guided the stolen herd toward their target. The women did not talk or stay close together, as they could not risk being distracted and must maintain control of the animals. Many creatures and birds were sighted on ground awash with the colors of numerous wildflowers, but they did not halt to hunt or cook meals.

  During the day, the men returned at prearranged times to rest, eat, and change mounts. They ate food brought with them: bread, dried fruits and nuts, pemmican, and jerky. There was no want for fresh water, as streams and rivers traversed the area. Talk was sparse, as concentration was crucial. They realized that being caught with stolen animals would provoke a bitter conflict with Lakotas instead of the Crow. Each continually prayed for guidance, protection, and secrecy o
f their deed.

  That night, they stopped only long enough to sleep for a short time before they pressed northwestward over rolling grassland and low hills. Even if they were already being pursued by Whites or soldiers, they had a huge lead and either group would camp for the night.

  On the fourth moon after raiding the homesteads, their vigilance heightened as they entered enemy territory. From past scouting trips, Wind Dancer knew he wanted to leave the horses in a long and deep ravine where grass and water were located and ropes could be stretched from side to side to hold them captive. There, the animals would not be sighted by a casual rider from another tribe and taken before they could serve their intended purpose. He reasoned that if the Crow found the herd, they would seize it and take it to their village.

  After the men completed that task while the women stood guard, two of the animals were kept for use in duping the Crow later. Their shod hooves would be covered by rabbit skins to hide their metal tracks during departure as soon as another precaution was taken. The five rode in the deep stream for a long distance before leaving the water and securing pelts over the stolen horses' iron moccasins. At last, the most dangerous parts of their first journey were over and they could head for home and rest.

  During the next four days, the Red Shield party traveled in elated spirits. They laughed and talked, while they maintained their alert, and always kept a guard posted at night as the other four slept in shifts assigned by Wind Dancer. They spoke about the current adventure, past conflicts and battles, their families, impending episodes, and about their friendships and events they had shared since early childhood.

  On their last night on the trail, they camped amidst dense trees and at a rambling river northwestward of their winter village, a location too far to reach that day, though a near full moon would light their path.

  Back within Lakota territory, they could relax their alert slightly, so the women built a fire and roasted several rabbits the men had slain. Again, the group talked and laughed together about many things as they ate.

  Afterward, Chumani went behind some bushes to excuse herself prior to joining Wind Dancer on their sleeping mat and was slightly distracted by thoughts of being in his embrace for the first time in many days. Then she sensed movement from the corner of her eyes. She came to instant alert as she looked in that direction, her hand going to the handle of the sheathed knife at her waist. She reasoned it was probably a nocturnal animal, but it could be an enemy trying to sneak up on them. She kept still as her gaze searched the shadows beyond her. Then she sighted her target, bathed in moonlight, as it appeared and halted beside a sacred cottonwood.

  At first she thought it was a wolf but changed her mind. Yet, it did not look like any dog she had ever seen. Its eyes were tawny and seemed to glow, perhaps from the moon's reflection upon them. His fur was thick and long and had a silverish gleam, again perhaps a trick of the moon's light. As he returned her stare, she sensed an awesome power exuding from him. She was enthralled by the beast. He seemed to fill her with sensations of peace and joy. Was he, she wondered, spirit or real? Was he trying to communicate with her? If so, why?

  Chumani continued to watch the beautiful creature until it nodded its head twice and backed into the shadows, to vanish among them. She looked and listened, but no further sign of him was evident. She rejoined the others and told them about the strange event as she sat down on her mat.

  "Perhaps he came from the mating of a she-wolf with a white man's dog who escaped their wooden tepee," Wind Dancer ventured, "for they have brought many unknown kinds with them to our lands."

  "That is true," Red Feather concurred, "for I have seen them at the trading post. It is good he did not attack you."

  "I sensed no danger from him. It was like ... a mystical experience. His eyes and pelt seemed to glow like magic," she repeated earlier words.

  "Perhaps he is a spirit and he comes to help us with the sacred quest," War Eagle said. "A strange beast traveling with us would frighten the Crow into fleeing from us." He grinned and added, "Perhaps you are so weary you fell asleep while standing and dreamed he was there."

  "You tease me, my second brother," Chumani playfully scolded him as she glanced at a quiet Zitkala whose gaze was locked on Red Feather.

  "I do, my second sister, but I mean no harm," he said with a chuckle.

  "As I will mean no harm when I tell every young woman in camp, she has caught War Eagle's eye and they all pursue you with great hunger. You will be the one to grow weary from their chases and seek a place to hide."

  War Eagle sent her a feigned grimace and chuckled again. "You would not play such a mean trick on me, for we are family now. But when the moon comes when I must take a mate, I will choose one like you."

  Chumani smiled at her husband's younger brother. "Your words are kind and your tongue is smooth, so I will be good to you."

  "Your words calm me so I can sleep this moon." War Eagle responded.

  Wind Dancer was amused by their exchange of words. He was glad his wife and brother had become friends, as had his sister and wife. He told the others, "It is time for us to sleep, for the new sun brings much to do."

  The Red Shield band encircled the five riders at the edge of camp, as their approach had been sighted and news of their return had spread fast amongst them. All listened as the stirring tale of their adventure was related by Wind Dancer in colorful detail. The group's courage, cunning, and skills were praised highly by the warriors, and the women concurred with nods and murmurs of `Han, "which meant yes, that is right.

  Chief Rising Bear, Winoma, Hanmani, Nahemana, and Little Turtle were especially relieved and overjoyed to see their loved ones return unharmed. He commended the party on their great achievement and prowess. Afterward, he said, "We must let them eat and rest, as they have traveled far and fast and must be weary."

  "Come, my children," a happy Winona invited, "I have food prepared. Hanmani, fetch fresh water for us to drink."

  Red Feather's parents smiled at him, and did the same to Zitkala at his side, who was asked to join them for the evening meal.

  Zitkala was tempted to accept so she could spend time with her love, but she thought it best before his people to politely decline and to eat with the others. She thanked them for their offer and said she would join them on another day. Yet, she could not help but wonder if they had asked because Red Feather had revealed an interest in her to them.

  As they reached the area where Wind Dancer's and Rising Bear's tepees were located, Chumani stared at the empty space to one side of theirs. "Where is the lodge of Buffalo Hump" she asked. "Was there trouble while we were gone? Was it destroyed? Were he and his family harmed?"

  "Come inside," the chief almost whispered, "and we will tell you."

  Chumani, Wind Dancer, War Eagle, and Zitkala followed Rising Bear into his dwelling where he disclosed shocking news.

  "Hanmani and her friend Macha were doing their private task in the bushes in the forest when Wastemna and her mother approached, and spoke of doing a terrible deed. They planned to give Cetan bad meat to slay him and to do bad things to Dewdrops and Zitkala when they returned. They also spoke of many bad deeds they had carried out on past suns. They want to drive Dewdrops from our camp and my son's tepee. Evil stole their minds and hearts, for they desired for Wastemna to join to my son and their plan was defeated. If she could not have him, she would seek Red Feather as a mate. They were angry that his eye was also captured by a Brule woman. Hanmani returned to camp and told me all. I summoned the council and they were exposed before it. We voted to banish them from our camp and land. Buffalo Hump accepted our words and the truth of his family's evil. He loves them and could not endure losing them, and could not remain here to live in shame alone. He took them to join another band far away from our territory. Blue Owl was chosen to take his place as war chief. You can be happy now, Dewdrops, for no more mischief and evil will strike at you, my second daughter."

  Chumani smiled at Rising Bear. "Tha
t is good, my second father, and I thank you for your kindness and help in that matter." Now she understood the strange look the older woman had given her before their departure; it truly had been one of hatred and hostility. At last she could relax, for the tricksters had been exposed and banished, though it saddened her to be the unbidden reason for the loss of their war chief and friend. She hoped the other Red Shields would not resent her.

  "If the snake had bitten Winona before Dewdrops took its life, my beloved mate would be lost to me." Rising Bear added. "I thank the Great Spirit for sending you to us, Dewdrops, and I thank you for saving her life and that of her father during the Crow attack. It is good to have you live among us."

  Chumani smiled again and nodded appreciation, her throat too constricted by deep emotion to respond with words. When Hanmani returned, she warmly conveyed her gratitude for solving that mystery and for tending and protecting Cetan so well.

  "We are good friends, and his wing heals swiftly, but he cannot take to the sky until it is strong again. I am happy Wastemna and her mother will no longer trouble your spirit and tepee."

  "As am I," Wind Dancer concurred with his sister. He was sorry he had ever experienced even a tiny suspicion that his wife had been to blame for the past mischief; he would never doubt her and her place in his destiny again. "We believed Wastemna was causing the mischief, but we could not accuse the daughter of our war chief and friend before others until she exposed herself. We did not suspect her mother worked with her."

  "It is wise you waited for Wakantanka to reveal their evil to others, but our people would have believed your words to be true," Rising Bear told him.