Lakota Flower

by Janelle Taylor

  War Eagle was confused. “Do you say that reason has passed? Is that why you tell me to leave with her and head for Red Wolf’s camp?”

  “I believe you must follow the urgings in your head and heart. But leave before the sun rises and do not tell Two Feathers of your journey, for she is not to fall within his greedy and sly grasp.”

  “Why do you say such words, Grandfather?”

  “We do not want him to stir up trouble. I believe he seeks the girl only to injure your second brother, and that is wrong. If he tries to follow you, I will order him to remain in camp.”

  “That is wise and true, Grandfather, and I will obey your words.”

  “Have you spoken to Cloud Chaser on this matter?”

  “I go to speak with him soon, but he will agree it is best.”

  As War Eagle left, Nahemana took a deep breath and lifted his gaze skyward. Guide him and protect him, Great One, for he is lost in a forest of unknown emotions and her loss will pain him deeply. She has touched his heart in a mystical way and he battles that truth fiercely. If there is to be a bond between them, You will find a way to bind them together, just as You did with his half-white brother and Macha. What is destined to be, no man can prevent. If he tries, he is punished or slain. I pray You do not allow my second grandson to suffer greatly before the truth is revealed to him and us.

  Shortly before dusk at the river and while they had privacy, War Eagle related his dismaying decision to Cloud Chaser as they tended their horses. When he finished, he asked, “Do you agree, my brother, for she now belongs to you? If you object, I will not take her to Red Wolf’s mother. Speak the thoughts that are strongest and largest in your head and heart.”

  Cloud Chaser was surprised by that discovery; yet, it was not totally unexpected. He had not known how War Eagle would deal with the serious matter, but he had been convinced his brother would find a way to handle it wisely. He suspected how difficult the decision was and felt empathy for the other man.

  “Do as your grandfather says. I think it is wise for all involved if you take her to live in Red Wolf’s camp where she will be safe from our cousin’s wickedness, for surely it will continue to grow worse. If it is not the will of the Creator, He will block your path as our shaman told you. I am to be one of our camp guards this night, so you can slip past my position without alerting others to your leaving. I will tell Caroline to pack her possessions and be ready to go with you when you come for her. You must leave when the moon is straight over our heads, for it enlarges to full cycle soon and will provide enough light to guide you. When the sun rises, if Two Feathers learns of your absence, you will be far away. Nahemana will not allow him to follow and halt you.”

  War Eagle realized—with the positions of their tepees, his own and those of Cloud Chaser and Two Feathers, and with his brother standing guard tonight—that sneaking away should be easy. “That is a good plan.”

  Cloud Chaser smiled and reminded him, “During the last hot season, I was the one sneaking from camp during darkness with Dawn at my side.”

  “That is true, but things were different for you and her. You rode away to prove yourself to us and to claim Dawn as your mate.”

  Cloud Chaser countered with a grin, “Yes, but I was helping her elude the greedy grasp of our cousin, as you now do to protect Caroline. That is good; yet, it is strange how such actions and deeds match. You will find victory and joy, as did we,” he said with confidence.

  How so, War Eagle’s heart scoffed, when she who steals your heart and troubles your spirit will be far away and lost forever? That is true and good, his mind retorted, for no union between you two is possible, and she will be a great temptation if she remains nearby. If you can endure the pains of the Sun Dance and find victory in the Sacred Bow Race, surely you can abide her loss and find triumph elsewhere. “I hope so, my brother,” he finally responded, “for soon we must war with the bluecoats, so no other worries should steal our thoughts and distract us from our duty.”

  As soon as those words left his mouth, War Eagle realized that ignoring the flower of his heart would be the hardest challenge he had ever faced. If only that task were a physical one, it would be easy to confront it with courage, stamina, skills, and resolve; and he was confident he would succeed. Kawa Cante, Heart Flower; it described her perfectly, for she had taken root within his chest, entwined herself around his pulse of life, and grown larger and stronger and more beautiful each day. What or who would pluck her lovely bloom? he fretted; and would doing that deed slay her? Make him bleed to death? Hear me, Great Spirit, for I need Your help and comfort in the suns ahead.

  Cloud Chaser saw how Caroline gaped at him as he revealed what would take place during the night. “Do not worry; you will be safe and happy in the Cheyenne camp. He takes you to the mother of his close friend, Red Wolf. She is the wife of Badger, their war chief; she is white, but not a captive. She is a good woman. You will like her and respect her. She is called Sparrow, for she is small and sings much in a good voice.”

  Caroline was stunned and panicked by the unexpected news that she was being sent—no, taken—to strangers. Had she done something terribly wrong, committed an unforgivable act, or accidentally offended the chief or shaman or another important person during the long journey? Whatever the mistake was, it couldn’t have occurred today, as she had worked diligently since their arrival at midday. She doubted that Macha was jealous of her or hated her and wanted her sent away. As for Cloud Chaser, he was too much in love with his wife and was too honorable to have lustful cravings for her or for any other woman, so it couldn’t be to get rid of a temptation. The couple had said and done nothing this afternoon to indicate displeasure with her or to even hint at what was about to happen. After those thoughts whirled through her mind at high speed and provided no explanation, she murmured, “I don’t understand. Haven’t I been obedient and respectful?”

  “Yes, but—”

  Though rudeness was unlike her, Caroline interrupted, “Am I being sent away because of your cousin?”

  “Yes, for Two Feathers seeks to make trouble for us about you.”

  His reply verified her suspicion, but evoked more questions. “What kind of trouble? Why does it matter what he says and does? You’re the chief’s son, the shaman’s grandson. Surely you have more power and respect than he does. I thought you told me a gift couldn’t be given away, and I was a gift from your brother,” she reminded him.

  Cloud Chaser frowned, unsettled by the predicament and his cousin’s spitefulness and touched by her fears and pleas. “With just cause, the deed can be done. Trouble is trouble, and I cannot explain more to you.”

  Caroline realized all of her hard work to learn Lakota would profit her nothing in the Cheyenne camp. Yet, since Red Wolf’s mother was white, she could communicate with her, and learn another Indian language. But how would she be viewed and received there? Here, she felt safe in Cloud Chaser’s protection and had hope for a future release. There, she didn’t know what to expect. She recalled that everything seemed fine until his walk and conversation with … “Is this exile War Eagle’s idea?”

  With the hope of preventing Caroline from hating and losing respect for his younger brother, Cloud Chaser said, “Yes, but it was a necessary and wise decision, and will be good for all concerned. Soon, Lakotas will be at war with the army, with your people, with your brother. We must not have dissension among us when that bloody sun rises.”

  “What will your people say and think when I’m sent away?”

  “I cannot predict the words and actions of others, but I will find a good and true way to explain this deed.”

  You speak, but reveal nothing! Try another path to obtain clues. “How will Two Feathers behave when he learns you refused to trade me to him but you sent me to others, and on the sly, under the cover of darkness? Won’t that look odd? Be offensive? Angering?” Please, change your mind!

  “It does not matter what my cousin says, thinks, or feels. The choice is mine, a
nd I have made it: you go to Red Wolf’s mother as her helper.”

  Caroline realized he was being contradictory and befuddling. If his cousin had no importance in the matter, why and how was Two Feathers the cause of it? Even so, it was futile to argue with Cloud Chaser. Perhaps the motive was to separate her and War Eagle for some reason… Whatever the truth, she wasn’t going to be told the entirety of it, so she must resolve herself to her new fate and hope for the best. “I’ll pack my belongings and be ready to leave when your brother comes for me during the night. Before I go, I want to thank you and Dawn for being so good to me. I know it must have been hard at times since I’m considered an enemy to your band.”

  “You are not our enemy, Caroline, and we will miss you and your help. If this were not necessary for harmony here, you could stay with us. Do not be afraid, for you will be safe in Red Wolf’s camp; that I swear on my honor.”

  She nodded acceptance of his final statement. Regardless of the fact he had said earlier, “I cannot predict the words and actions of others,” she knew he was being sincere. Yet, her distressed mind retorted, And your brother will be safe here with me gone. Isn’t that part of the dilemma? Or have I read too much into his furtive observations of me? Besides, what could come of such a mismatched relationship? Become his “squaw,” as the soldiers called such women? Give up everything I am and know for a nomadic existence, take on such a hard and perilous life? No, it’s impossible and foolish. We’re from two different races, cultures, upbringings, religions, and more. Worst of all, our peoples are enemies and we’re heading for war.

  Maybe her imagination was just running wild because of that weird dream following Clara’s wedding and that silly act of placing the fruitcake beneath her pillow. Yet, it was a strange coincidence that her dream man looked like her captor from behind. How could she explain dreaming about an Indian when she had never met one, although she had seen sketches and photographs of eastern band members during history classes at school? And why did this particular man so enchant her? Caroline realized she would have a long and close study of War Eagle beginning in a few hours. She could not guess what he or she would say or do along their journey when they were alone and—

  Cloud Chaser interrupted her rambling thoughts when he suggested she take a nap after packing her possessions. The first leg of the ride would be long and a sleepless night awaited her.

  Caroline agreed, then countered, “I would rather take a bath and put on clean clothes first if that’s permissible, since I don’t know when I can do so again anytime soon.”

  Cloud Chaser nodded. “I will watch Casmu while Dawn takes you to a private spot in the forest. But you must hurry, for dark comes soon.”

  “I will, and thank you, Cloud Chaser, for everything.”

  “You are welcome, Caroline. Now, get your things and hurry.”

  While she fetched what she needed from her satchel, Cloud Chaser related her request and his agreement to his wife.

  Macha whispered to him in a sad tone, “I wish she did not have to go.”

  “As do I, my wife, but it must be this way.”

  “You are right, but it pains my heart to hurt her and to lose her. I pray the Great Spirit will protect her from all harm in the Cheyenne camp.”

  “As do I, my wife. She is ready. Go and return quickly.”

  * * *

  At a secluded section of the stream, Caroline stripped and bathed in a hurry as ordered. She rushed to wash her hair, knowing it would dry soon in the August heat. She was glad she had retrieved the remaining bar of French soap from her trunk, a gift from her parents at Christmas, and knew it would not last much longer. For now, its fragrant scent clung to her blond hair and her skin.

  Perhaps, Caroline admitted to herself, she was spoiled by her upbringing back South, but she dearly missed long and soothing tub baths and freshly laundered garments, a colorful and fashionable variety of them. She missed shopping strolls, visits with friends, musicals, plays, and other activities. She missed having a chamber pot and an outhouse, a stove, real dishes and utensils, books, needles for sewing, oil lamps, private rooms, privacy itself. Most of all, she missed her parents and her brother and freedom.

  Tears filled her eyes as she thought of those losses. After her parents’ deaths, she had been afraid and confused, but—with faith in God and solace from friends—she had coped with her anguish and survived. After the surrender of her home and land, she had managed to abide that harsh misfortune and move onward toward a fresh start with her brother. After her capture, she had learned to accept yet another intimidating deviation in her life. How many more changes and losses, unwilling sacrifices, must she endure? How much anguish and how many challenges must she confront before she was free and happy and belonged to herself again?

  “Ceye sni he,” Macha told her in a gentle tone.

  Caroline took a deep breath to regain control of her emotions. She turned and said, “Slolwaye sni,” revealing she did not understand.

  Macha wished she could speak to Caroline in English to comfort her, but she had promised she would not. She pointed to her own eyes, trailed forefingers down her cheeks, smiled, and shook her head, indicating she had coaxed her not to cry.

  Caroline wiped away her tears, forced out a smile, and told Dawn she was good-hearted and thanked her. “Macha cantewaste. Pilamaya.”

  Macha smiled and returned the kind words. “Caroline cantewaste.”

  Caroline stepped from the water and dried off using the thin blanket Macha passed to her. She donned clean garments, combed her damp hair. “Winyeya manka.” She told the woman she was ready, finished, as Cloud Chaser had taught her en route to the camp.

  Caroline was surprised when Dawn gave her a quick embrace and said, “Macha, Caroline, kolas.” She smiled, as she did consider Dawn a friend and was happy the woman felt the same way about her. “Han, kolas,” she concurred—Yes, friends—as she gave the woman an embrace. She wished she could say more but a language barrier prevented sharing her feelings.

  Now that Caroline was dressed, War Eagle watched the scene and listened to their genial exchange from his concealed position. While sneaking in the forest to hide journey supplies to retrieve later, he had come upon the women by accident. Not wanting to frighten or embarrass them or provoke them to think he was spying, he had remained still and silent to prevent exposing his presence, as he knew they would finish and leave soon. Though he had tried not to peek at the bathing female, the scene had been too tempting to resist. He had committed that offense only once, if he did not count his initial glimpse of the naked woman.

  At the first look, his breath and self-control had been stolen for a short time. It was as if he had lacked the will and strength to turn away from the glorious sight. She was beautiful. Her waist was small and her breasts were ample. Her arms and legs were sleek and strong. He could imagine how soft her unmarred skin was and how enjoyable it would be to touch it, even more so to place his lips on hers and to share a union on a sleeping mat while his hands roamed her body. It would be a great and joyous victory to win that coup for himself, but it could not be; and strangely that reality pained and frustrated him. He had jerked his gaze from the forbidden sight and stared at the ground for a while.

  Then, some powerful force had pulled his gaze back to her, and he had been unable to resist it, despite what he believed was a fierce struggle on his part. As his enthralled gaze caressed her from sunny hair to water-enclosed calves, he tried to surmise the potency and source of her large magic and appeal. He somehow knew it was more than her looks and the excitement of challenging the unknown and taking an enormous risk that drew him to her. What else it was, he did not know. Are you good or bad, Heart Flower? Have you been sent by the Creator to test my skills with the Four Virtues, or to give me joy, or for some purpose to help us win our battle with your people? Or were you sent to me by an evil spirit to shame and defeat me? If you are evil, I must slay you, for I am the one who found you and brought you to my people. But I
pray you are good and live, even if I cannot have you.

  He had averted his gaze once more and had not peeked again, even when he heard Macha comforting her. He had not looked until Caroline said she was ready, and then Macha had embraced her and she had done the same in return. It had seemed to him as if Caroline was being as sincere as the wife of his second brother. His keen mind had shouted that surely an evil spirit did not weep, did not look so sad about leaving friends, could not smile with such honesty in her sky eyes and on her lovely face. Surely she could not be an evil wicagnayesa, for such a wicked trickster could not fool him so easily.

  War Eagle watched the women depart, waited until they were out of hearing and seeing range, and completed his task. Perhaps, he reasoned, the Great Spirit had urged him to learn more English from Chumani while traveling to their winter camp so he would be prepared to communicate with Caroline better when they faced the dark event looming ahead. But why, he wondered, would that be important to the Creator? Or was it only important to him, a selfish desire? Soon, I will learn the truth about you, when we are alone…

  Chapter Six

  Near midnight while the camp’s inhabitants were asleep except for guards scattered out in all directions beyond its perimeter, War Eagle sneaked from his family’s tepee without arousing his parents and sister and went to Cloud Chaser’s dwelling. He found Macha and Casmu slumbering peacefully, but Caroline was waiting for him just inside the shadows of its entrance. She arose from a sitting mat and nodded that she was ready to go. He lifted the satchel from the ground to carry it to make certain it created no alerting sounds during their stealthy departure. He peered outside and listened with keen ears to check their surroundings for any indication of possible discovery, then signaled for her to come with him. They slipped into the nearby forest and retrieved the hidden supplies, then made their way to where his large Appaloosa and another smaller horse were secured to bushes. He helped her mount and watched her settle herself on the blanket that covered the horse’s broad back. He grasped the tethers of both animals and guided them away on foot.