Powchutu recalled all too well the things Alisha had said about Gray Eagle. He could still imagine the look on her face and hear the tone of her voice when she spoke of him. Many of the changes White Arrow spoke of in her were due to what he had told her, he bitterly realized. Were hate and jealousy the reasons he did not want to help Wanmdi Hota?
He pondered, she can never be mine, but can she be happy with him? They are both right about one thing, she does love him—or did. But Mato Waditaka has more to offer her. Might she learn to love and accept him and be happy in the Si-ha Sapa village? Could I trust Wanmdi Hota not to hurt her again and to make her happy? That was the haunting question. There was something illusive about Gray Eagle and his words. I do not know when or if he speaks the truth. In the future, which would be the easier task for me: to rescue Lese as the wife of Mato Waditaka or as the wife of Wanmdi Hota ...
White Arrow began again, “She is more deeply hurt now than ever. She does not know why she was sent away from our camp. She believes Wanmdi Hota sold her as a slave. She is confused and suffering. Wanmdi Hota had no choice but to let Mahpiya Sapa take her with him when he saw the akito. It was right where Matu said it would be. Theirs matched perfectly. She was forced to submit to this and to undress before them to tend her wounds. She was greatly shamed and hurt. She does not know what all this means. All I ask is that you come with us and tell her these things. There is no one else who can tell her. If you love her, then come with us and help her.”
Powchutu listened and pondered what to do and say. Knowing he would once again get to see her, he finally agreed to go to tell her why she had been taken away and who she truly was. But he would not agree to talk for Wanmdi Hota. They rejoined Gray Eagle and told him of Powchutu’s decisions. They thought it best to get a good night’s sleep and head out first light in the morning.
In the meantime, Little Beaver and Running Elk had arrived at the Pa-ha Sapa camp where their people came for the winters. In the spring, summer and fall, they lived on the plains and in the open country near the great forest for hunting game and buffalo. They always made one big, permanent camp near the water and forest. During hunting trips, they would take small teepees to camp in. When the hunters and winyans who went along killed and smoked enough meat, they returned to the village with their meat, hides and skins.
At the end of each summer and during the early fall, they would prepare food, clothing and shelter for the coming winter. Then as the winter began to show its face upon the land, they would dismantle the teepees and camp and move to the Pa-ha Sapa. There they would camp for the winter in the mountain-protected ravines and canyons. This location provided protection from the weather and grass for the horses. Here they could worship the Thunder-birds and collect mountain herbs and plants for medicines and spices.
Running Wolf had been here recuperating from his wounds and had almost healed and regained his strength. The two braves had ridden like the wind and had arrived in only one and a half days. They realized the urgency of speed in Gray Eagle’s request. He could not be certain Brave Bear would wait for the full moon, due in only a few days, for Alisha would be a constant temptation before the brave night and day. The old chief would have been ready to return to his camp in a few more days. He had only remained away from his people this long because he knew a chief had to be at his best physical condition to lead his tribe. Besides, there was his son Wanmdi Hota to fill his place bravely and wisely.
Little Beaver and Running Elk hastily told the chief all that had taken place in their camp since his last message before the raid on the fort. They also told all about what had taken place in the life of his son, beginning with his capture at the wasichu fortress. Gray Eagle had not wanted to send any personal message by his warriors concerning him and his white captive. He had wanted to wait until his father’s return to tell him everything and to let him judge Lese for himself. The old chief was surprised at the things he learned about his son and the white girl, who it seemed was Si-ha Sapa.
Now, Running Wolf understood his dream of a few moons ago. He had seen Chela standing before the ceremonial chief to be joined, but the warrior at her side had not been Wanmdi Hota. His face had been in partial darkness and he could not see who it was. Wanmdi Hota had stood watching the ceremony with a small, white bird sitting on his powerful shoulder. The Great Spirit has spoken and this is how it should be. The old chief decided, I will not argue for the joining of Chela and Wanmdi Hota.
Running Wolf told the braves to prepare to break camp and move out early the next morning. As it was now, it would take three days to travel to Mahpiya Sapa’s camp, the very day of the next full moon. Would he be able to help his son? Would he get there in time? It remained to be seen who is the braver and smarter, the bear or the eagle. What will my son feel if he must watch the girl he loves be joined with another? This is why he has never found a winyan before. His heart and spirit searched and waited for this special girl. Now to lose her...
Alisha. had no idea how much time or distance had passed since they had departed the camp of the Oglala when they reined in the horses for water and rest. She was gently helped down by the rugged warrior. She walked about aimlessly, flexing her back and shoulder muscles. The many days of long riding had made her stiff and sore. How she had longed many times for those daily rides she had taken with her father!
The younger warrior came to her and offered her food and water. She accepted the water, but refused the food for she had no appetite. The water felt good to her dry lips. She avoided all contact with the brave nor did he press her for attention. He returned to the old brave to offer him food and water.
Both men sat down to relax and eat as the horses drank and rested by the water hole. They talked and laughed together as she watched them. They made no attempts to bind her, nor did either of them make any move to violate her. She closely studied the two men, confused and bewildered. They seemed so different from the Oglala and from Wanmdi Hota. There was a relaxed aura surrounding them. She did not feel the hate, contempt or coldness toward her which she had felt and seen in the Oglala camp. For some strange reason, she did not feel threatened by them. Why? Their behavior was so different it frightened her even more.
She did not know what to expect from these men or their people. What was going on here? She thought of the coming night and what it would bring. Was this what they waited for? What kind of men would they become when darkness touched the land? Would they convert into brutal, cold-blooded savages and ravish her? She shuddered. Why had Wanmdi Hota sent her away to the mercy of other men? Her mind reeled in turmoil, for she could. not imagine these two laughing men harming her. Could it be because she had not resisted or defied them yet? Would they turn on her if she did resist, as Wanmdi Hota had many times? Could she do anything they wanted or commanded without fighting? Anything... could she?
If this was a new start for her, then she must try very hard to be silent and willing. This time, she must not constantly remind them she is their enemy, as Powchutu said she had done with the Oglala. She must endure and accept them and all their ways... all of them! She must be friendly and work hard to please them. Could she persuade one of them to like her enough to take her as his own as Wanmdi Hota had done? She must find a way to belong to only one man and never be sent to the teepee sa. She could endure anything but that! Never!
She knew the younger brave already desired her, but did he have the power to claim her for his very own?
She sat down beside a large rock and leaned back against it to rest. The sun soon lulled her tired body and spirit to sleep. Brave Bear gazed over at her and saw her sleeping. His eyes engulfed the lovely, delicate creature who looked so small and helpless sitting there. His loins flamed with desire for her, but also, his heart warmed with feelings for her even then. He touched the chief’s arm and nodded in her direction. The old chief looked intently and sadly into the face which reminded him so much of his Jenny. She, too, had looked that innocent and fragile when he had capture
d her so many winters ago.
He spoke quietly to Brave Bear, “In time she will come to love me as her mother did. She will be the happiness to light an old man’s heart.” He had never forgotten his lovely white squaw, nor would he ever now with his daughter, her very image, there as a constant reminder.
He had loved Jenny deeply and completely and missed her still. He recalled the heavy vengeance he had wreaked at her death and his daughter’s disappearance. Now, theGreatSpirit had seen it in His way to restore her life to him and his tribe. He was saddened by her treatment by his kind. She must hate and fear the Indians very much. Wanmdi Hota is a fool if he truly believed I could ever leave her with him after what he has done to her! She will return to her people and join with Mato Waditaka. She will soon forget the shame and hurt Wanmdi Hota has shown her. She will be free and happy with my son and her people. The scars in her heart and on her body will soon heal and fade.
He observed the brave as he went to Alisha and eased her weary head to his broad chest. He watched the gentle way Brave Bear handled her and the tender way he looked at her. He will be good for my daughter, he decided. Surely she will accept such a kind and handsome warrior as her mate and protector. He saw Brave Bear close his eyes and fall asleep. He smiled, pleased with the sight before him. He closed his eyes and also slept.
Brave Bear was awakened by Alisha’s movements. She stirred sleepily and sat up. She gazed around, looking confused for a time by her surroundings and the two warriors near her. Reality dawned on her. She moved away from the younger warrior, realizing she had slept in his embrace. He pulled her back into his arms and studied her delicate, lovely features. She tried to pull away, but was locked in his grip of iron.
She met his steady gaze with fear in her eyes, as if she waited for death. He could feel the quivering in her body and saw how she fought to control her rising alarm. He comprehended what she must think and feel, and understood her panic. He relaxed his hold on her, but did not release her just yet. She must see and learn I am not like Wanmdi Hota and that I will not harm her! he vowed. She must accept my touch and closeness without fear or pulling away. She must realize she now belongs to me.
He spoke to the old chief, “She is much afraid of us. She must think we have traded for her as a slave and captive. She does not know how we will treat her. She looks as if she expects us to abuse her in some terrible way. She does not even suspect you are her father and I am to be her mate. Wanmdi Hota has instilled great fear in her. I must free her of it quickly. She will soon see and know I am not like him, nor her people like his. She must learn she is free and safe with us.”
Black Cloud nodded in agreement as he watched Alisha and her expression. She had the look of a cornered animal in her eyes. He said, “We must be very careful not to frighten her while she learns who she is and why she is with us. She will soon see and know we will do her no harm.”
Her eyes went from one man to the other as they spoke in a low, calm tone. They finally came to rest on the younger warrior, who was gazing at her with a sensuous half-smile on his lips and laughter touching his ebony eyes. She stared at the kind smile on his lips, knowing it was not a sneer or smirk, then met the bright, glittering eyes. She looked like she had never seen a smile or glowing eyes before. He grinned more broadly as he stood up and helped her to her feet.
He assisted her with mounting her horse. This time, he handed her the reins, showing her he trusted her not to try to escape. She instantly knew she would never betray an Indian’s trust in her again! The last time had been much too painful. Brave Bear and Black Cloud placed their horses on either side of hers and rode away. She rode between them until nightfall.
As the sun sank in the western sky, she began to feel panic at the coming night and what it might bring. Brave Bear noted her rising alarm once more as they made camp. She quickly went to fetch wood like a good slave and built a warm, cheery fire.
When she had the fire going, she pointed to some nearby boulders and rocks and timidly said, “Wonahbe...”, hoping he understood. She walked toward the rocks, occasionally looking back at him, but he remained where he was. She finished and returned to sit beside the fire, not really knowing what was expected of her. He had placed a blanket by the fire, and she sat down.
Brave Bear handed the chief food from a pouch and they ate. When they had both finished, the brave came to sit beside Alisha and offered her food from the same pouch. A slim, quivering hand reached into the pouch to take some wasna. The look in her eyes told him she fully expected him to withdraw the pouch the moment her hand touched it. He was acutely aware of the fear and mistrust she had in them. He placed the pouch in her lap and handed her a mni bag, telling her she could have all she wanted of either.
She ate and drank slowly, trying to stall what she felt was sure to come later. He watched her closely. His watchfulness and gaze made her nervous. She began to fidget restlessly and attempt to keep her eyes averted from his.
When she could delay no longer, she pondered, how will I ever endure it? How could you have done this to me, Wanmdi Hota? For a moment, we touched and loved. I’m sure of it. But you cast me out of your life and heart. Would it have been so tragic to love a white girl? Did you send me away to avoid the temptation to love and keep me?
She was deep in thought when Brave Bear touched her arm. She flinched in alarm and shrank away from him. She quickly glanced toward the old man and found he was asleep. Brave Bear pulled her stiffened body down next to his on the blanket.
She lay on her back, rigid and trembling. He propped up on one elbow and gazed down into her face and eyes. She could not help but meet his look and was confused by the gentleness and lack of coldness she read there. He reached down to caress her cheek and gently stroke her soft hair. He watched her fear grow larger in her eyes with each new touch. She began to breathe fast and hard as she stared, mesmerized by those jet eyes.
He brushed a light kiss upon her lips and lay down, pulling her into his strong embrace. He lay on his left side with her head nestled near his throat. She lay very still and quiet...
Time passed on and on and nothing happened. She watched his hard, smooth chest rise and fall gently in a rhythmic pattern. She furtively peered up into his face. He was asleep! He was actually asleep! Now, she was totally befuddled by this entire situation.
Why didn’t he take me? Why is he being so gentle and kind? What do they want from me? Questions, questions, with no answers or explanations. They stormed her mind, until she finally slipped into a restive slumber.
When morning came, they ate and rode on. As she rode between these two perplexing men, curiosity began to gnaw at her mind. She would study them secretly from beneath lowered lashes. Where were they going? What was she being saved for? Why would a chief come in person to buy a slave? Why were they treating her so well? She wondered if the younger warrior were the son of the older man. She could not understand why he had slept with her and not touched her. Maybe she was not for him. Perhaps she was a gift for an older son. She silently prayed if that were true, that he be as kind, gentle and handsome as this son. She bitterly scoffed, I bet he’s mean as a snake and as ugly as sin! That’s the kind of torture and humiliation Wanmdi Hota would want, not the kind this warrior shows.
She glanced over at the younger warrior and studied his appearance. He was indeed a marvelous speciman of manhood. He turned in time to catch the way she was looking at him and grinned. Before she realized what she was doing, her eyes automatically softened and she returned his smile. The way he responded to her beauty and smile alerted her to her behavior. She blushed and looked away.
So, he mused, she does respond to kindness, but does not know how to accept this from an Indian as yet. He was encouraged. It is good...
Shortly before nightfall, they arrived at the Si-ha Sapa encampment. The people stared at them and the girl as they entered the camp. She unconsciously edged her horse closer to the younger warrior’s. Her eyes begged mercy and reassurance from his. T
he smile he flashed her told her not to fear. She began to notice the people around them showed her no open hostility. In fact, they seemed to stare at her in awe and friendliness. She had no way of knowing the tribe had been told all about her. The older women recognized Jenny in her, but the younger ones looked on her beauty in envy.
Many of the young winyans sighed, to have once belonged to the famous Oglala warrior Wanmdi Hota and now to the handsome warrior Mato Waditaka! How lucky could one girl be? Alisha would have cried with laughter if she had read their envy and the reasons for it. She would hardly consider what she had gone through as lucky!
She was glad no one taunted or mocked her. This would make it easier for her to try to make friends with these new people. They approached the largest teepee and dismounted. They went inside as the horses were led away by a young brave.
There was a very large campfire in the center of the teepee and puffs of pearly gray smoke swirled and rose to escape from the vent. She stared at the campfire where the old woman from the Oglala village was sitting and preparing food.
She paled as she recalled their last meeting and her chilling sense of foreboding. What did the old woman have to do with all of this and why was she sent here too? Mato Waditaka observed the fear and apprehension in Alisha’s face as she looked at the old woman. Was she afraid of Matu? he wondered. If so, why? Had there been trouble between them? Perhaps Matu had been cruel to her, or taunted her, or been the reason for some abuse, before she learned who Shalee was. No matter now, Matu would never harm her again, not in any way ...
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