Lakota Flower

by Janelle Taylor

  Cloud Chaser grasped her meaning from her lowered gaze, flushed cheeks, and strained voice. “That isn’t necessary, Caroline, but I thank you for your generous offer. A man and wife do not … touch each other on the sleeping mat until their child is two years old. It is believed that doing so may harm the mother’s milk, and it would be unwise to create and carry another child until the other one is weaned.” To change the subject, he queried, “Did you have black captives?”

  “What?” she asked, baffled by that question.

  “You said you lived on a plantation and helped deliver babies there. From what I learned while I lived among the whites, they used slaves to work their land, black captives from far away across the big waters.”

  Caroline realized he would talk about his existence with the whites, but not about his strange birth. She told him, “My father did not believe in slavery. He hired men to work our land and hired a woman to help Mother in our home. Those who had families were allowed to live in small houses Papa built near the edges of our plantation. That gave them and us privacy.”

  “So you think it is wrong to capture and enslave a person?”

  Caroline hoped, considering her situation, it wasn’t a trick question that would insult him and entrap her with her answer. “Yes.”

  Cloud Chaser smiled. “It is good you are honest. Red Shields do not capture or trade for slaves, Indian or white. But we cannot refuse one as a gift from another band or tribe member; to do so would offend and wound the giver. You were captured and are being held here because you could be a threat to us if you told your people what you witnessed with the soldiers. We do not want the army to know Red Shields carried out that attack, but it was necessary for our protection and survival. Even if you promised not to do so, the soldier chief could force or trick the truth from you. We do not make you labor hard for us. Your chores are to earn you a place to live and eat.”

  “I understand your motives and believe what you say, Cloud Chaser. It gave me great joy and pride to help Dewdrops with her baby, and I was honored by my inclusion in the Naming Ceremony and by Dewdrop’s gift to me. I view you and your family and most of your people as my friends. I wouldn’t do anything intentional to harm any of you. I don’t want revenge.”

  “Not even on War Eagle who captured you and killed the soldiers?”

  Caroline’s heart skipped a few beats at the unexpected mention of his name. “No, because I understand he had no other choice. I view him as a friend, but I do not know if he views me in the same way.”

  “That is good, as I do not want you to hate my brother for doing his duty to us. But if you did, I would understand and forgive you.”

  “That’s very kind of you, Cloud Chaser. How did you and your brothers get your names? You mentioned something one night about vision quests. How do they work?” I want to know more about War Eagle and your band.

  “I will tell you in a short time. First, I must speak with Dawn.”

  I suppose she is wondering what we’re saying, especially since you behaved so oddly minutes ago. “Tell her I’m trying harder to learn your language so I can talk with her. Friends should be able to communicate.”

  He sensed that this was not the time to reveal his wife’s secret, but soon that secret must be told.

  As the couple conversed for a while, Caroline could not help noticing the love shining in their eyes. It was evident to her that their bond was strong and deep. In her opinion, it was the same with Wind Dancer and Chumani. The brothers were lucky to have found and married such good women. And she was lucky that Dawn was not a jealous or insecure female, considering the amount of time her husband spent with another woman, a white woman, a young woman. Yes, she liked Cloud Chaser and thought he was handsome, but it was his younger brother who had stolen her heart. If only they were as perfectly matched as the other two couples were…

  Cloud Chaser broke into her mental roamings when he was ready to speak, and she listened.

  “I will tell you about vision quests now. From the time a boy is old enough to understand such things, he is taught our customs, history, and laws by his father, grandfather, uncles, shaman, male relatives, and the old ones. He must learn them and obey and practice them. He is trained to hunt, ride, shoot, fight, and track in many ways, sometimes in games with other boys or with playthings. He must learn to show courage and wisdom, to know when to be patient or to act swiftly, to endure hardships, to suffer in silence when necessary, to protect and provide for his family and for others in great want. He must not risk injury or sacrifice his life foolishly, but he must fight to the death if need be. He must do and say nothing to stain his honor, or that of his family or of his people. When he has learned such things and is old enough, he goes into the hills alone after purifying himself in the sweat lodge. He must choose a high and open place beneath the sight of the Great Spirit. There, he fasts, prays, and chants until he is given a sacred vision. Sometimes it takes only a day or two, but it can take as many as four or five.”

  As Cloud Chaser sipped water, an intrigued Caroline asked, “What if a vision doesn’t come or he gets too weak to continue?”

  “It is better to die trying or not return to his people than to fail in his task. My first brother’s vision told Waci Tate he was to ‘dance with the wind;’ that means he is to live and ride in freedom, to challenge the powers and dangers of the unseen forces of nature and man, and to soar on its currents as a man above other men. He has done such deeds many times in the past; he has danced around our enemies, often like an unseen wind, and blown them away from our lands. He is a superior warrior and will be a great leader after our father is gone. My name, Mahpiya Yutokeca, means ‘to chase the clouds.’ I am meant to challenge the powers and dangers of the unseen forces of nature and man, which often lurk behind clouds of many sizes, kinds, and colors. I am to chase them away so I and my people can live in freedom and pride. I did so many times last summer and will do so again when your people bring war to our lands.”

  Cloud Chaser did not give her time to refute his last words, though he doubted she would attempt to do so. “My second brother, Wanbli, was shown a vision of himself standing on the edge of a high cliff at sunset. His hand was lifted toward the sky, and a war eagle, the most powerful and awesome sky creature, flew down and perched upon it without ripping his flesh. The spirit bird looked out over our lands, sought out enemies with his keen gaze, and guided my brother to them by speaking within his head. He is meant to soar in freedom and greatness, to be swift and deadly when he swoops down on our enemies and captures them in his sharp talons. As with Wind Dancer, he is a superior warrior and a skilled party leader. He has earned and deserves the rank of Sacred Bow Carrier. If evil slays Wind Dancer, Wanbli is next in line to become chief and will be a good one.”

  Caroline was perplexed by his last statement since Cloud Chaser was the second son, but she did not ask for clarity. Besides, her thoughts and emotions were running wildly in another direction. What she had heard about her captor caused her mind to sing happy songs and her body to quiver and burn with scorching desire. She could envision the scene that Cloud Chaser had described, her heart’s desire standing tall and proud and brave upon a jagged precipice with a giant bird of prey perched on a balled fist with both silhouetted against a blazing sunset. His bronze frame would be shiny and sleek beneath the fading sun’s glow. His long dark hair would be blowing in the wind. His gaze would be intense. What a thrill it would be to run to him and be embraced in those strong arms! To have his potent gaze engulf her. To press her mouth to his and kiss him countless times. To feel his hands caressing her and to sink to the black stone and make passionate—Caroline Sims! Stop thinking such things! She swallowed and remarked in a hoarsened voice, “From what I have seen and been told, the Great Spirit chose perfect names for each of you.”

  Cloud Chaser realized he had made another careless slip, which was unlike him. Yet, Caroline must not have caught it or she would have queried him about not being next in l
ine as chief. Perhaps she was thinking about War Eagle, as her blue gaze had softened and gleamed as she listened to that part of his revelations. He suspected she was enchanted by his younger brother, just as he suspected War Eagle was potently drawn to her. He wondered what, if anything had taken place between those two during their journey together. For certain, no matter how sly they were, he had seen them stealing looks at each other. What would happen and what would others say and do if War Eagle laid a claim on her? He did not want to think along those perilous lines. “It is late. We must sleep soon. Finish your tasks and prepare your mat. We will talk more on another day.”

  “Thank you, Cloud Chaser, for teaching me your language and for helping me to understand your people and ways. I’ll work hard to learn more, to learn all you’ll share with me. And thank Dawn for her patience with me and for allowing you to spend so much time teaching me things.”

  He was compelled to translate her words to his wife, who smiled and nodded. He was tired tonight, and he hungered for that special closeness with Dawn. He could hardly wait until the necessary span of time passed so he could make love to her again. Even so, she was his life, his heart, his spirit, his destiny. He was the luckiest man in the world to have her. If the time came, he would lay down his life for her and their son. Peace, mercy, how he wished and prayed it were possible, but he doubted it! If only most whites were like his mother, his adoptive parents, Sparrow, Caroline, and some others he had met, it would be possible. Sadly that wasn’t the fact, and a bloody war between the two cultures was inevitable, and soon…

  * * *

  War Eagle was glad a large dark cloud concealed the half-moon above so his stealthy presence near his brother’s dwelling would not be seen by others. Yet, he had been unable to resist the urge to hear her voice and hopefully to grasp her words. Now that they were taking to their sleeping mats, he would sneak away to his own. As he had listened to Cloud Chaser and Caroline talk, his heart and mind had soared with joy and relief. How he wished he could be the one teaching her their language and ways, and sharing a tepee with her. His emotional and physical hungers for her grew larger and stronger each day, and the pains of denial gnawed ravenously at him like a starving wolf’s empty belly in winter. As with that wild creature and a discarded bone with a little meat still attached, he could force himself to settle and be grateful for even tiny scraps of attention and time from her during these difficult days of separation. Dare he take the enormous risk of reaching out and laying claim to her? The hindrance was, he would not discover the effects of that decision upon his family and people, upon his rank and honor, until it was too late if their reactions were unfavorable. Whom could he ask to advise him, someone who would keep his secret?

  What must I do, Great Spirit, for I love and desire her as my mate? Is it wrong to take her as one? Why did You send her to tempt me if I cannot have her? Why did You not allow me to part us if we cannot be together? I am wise in many ways, but not about this matter. I have the courage to face whatever comes from claiming her, but first I must know it is right and good to do so. Only You possess that knowledge. I beg You to share it with me or with Grandfather so he can tell me what I must do. Give me a sign to tell me which path to walk, for I must not shame myself, my family, and people. Show me if I can have the flower of my heart.

  War Eagle quietly entered his family’s tepee where they were asleep. He lay down on the mat that his mother or sister had spread out for him in its appointed place. He closed his eyes and hoped it would not take long for the Great Spirit to send him an answer about Caroline. Then, he prayed it would be the one he yearned for and needed as much as the air he breathed and the food and water he consumed for survival…

  Chapter Ten

  “Hello, Caroline. Where you go?”

  “Hau, Wanbli. Contanka on can. Hanyetu ecaca uwo.” She greeted him and told him she was going to the forest for wood as night was coming soon.

  “I come, protect. Go,” he said and motioned for her to continue so she could finish before darkness. If someone saw them together, he had a good reason for accompanying her into the woods this late: her safety from predatory animals and any foe who might be lurking and spying near camp.

  “Pilamaya.” She thanked him as they entered the dense tree line. She was surprised when he talked to her as she gathered scrub wood in a hurry to use in the morning, just as she was baffled by his concern and behavior.

  He leaned against a large tree and revealed in a casual tone, “Next sun, War Eagle to scout white war chief’s trail.”

  Caroline jerked upright. “Wanbli hinhanna kin heyab iya yo?”

  War Eagle’s heart leapt with joy to see how much it disturbed her to learn he was leaving camp tomorrow to spy on the soldiers. “Yes.”

  Caroline was astonished by how fast and easy the Lakota words for “It is dangerous! Too many white soldiers are with the white war chief” flooded her head and spewed out her mouth. “Okakipe yelo! Nina ota ska akicita un ska akicita itancan.” Including my brother. “Wanbli zuya?” She asked if he was going to attack them, to make war on them.

  War Eagle wondered if she was worried about an attack on her people, or if he might be harmed or slain. He hoped it was the latter. “I scout, no fight. Many bluecoats. Many firesticks. Scout with Swift Otter, River’s Edge, Cloud Chaser, Broken Lance.”

  “Hiya Waci Tate, hiya ozuye, hiya Wiyaka Nunpa?”

  “No Wind Dancer, no war party, no Two Feathers.” He translated her words as his response, and noted her mention of his troublesome cousin. “Zaptan scout,” he said as he held up five fingers since he did not know that word number in English. Suddenly he grinned, then chuckled.

  “Taktokanun han he?” She asked what he was doing as she patted her mouth and pushed her lips into a smile.

  “Caroline Lakota ia. War Eagle speak English. You know much.” Yes, she had learned much of his language, a great deal more of it recently, which was true of him with English. Even if she did get some words out of order at times, he always grasped her meaning.

  She smiled, then laughed softly. “War Eagle speaks good English.”

  “Caroline Lakota waste ia.” He returned the praise and smiled again.

  “I do not know how to say this in Lakota: I will be happy to teach you more English so you can speak with whites or soldiers if necessary.”

  He guessed all except one word. “What … nes-see-sary mean?”

  “Cin.” She spoke the word for want, need, to desire.

  “Good task when War Eagle return,” he agreed. “Thank you.” He was pleased by her generous offer; it would serve him well to be able to know what the whites were saying when he spied on them or any soldiers he confronted.

  For a while, they were silent as she gathered more wood and placed it in the leather carrying-sling.

  As she worked, War Eagle watched her. He could not forget what he had overheard last night as he listened near Cloud Chaser’s tepee, nor his thoughts and prayers ensuing at that stirring event. She moved easily and gracefully. He wished he could reach out and touch her. He got so much joy out of just speaking to her, hearing her voice and laughter, looking at her, and spending time with her.

  Caroline sensed War Eagle’s constant gaze upon her, for it was potent and arousing. Did he realize how he affected her? Was his temptation accidental or intentional? Was he trying to attract her attention, evoke her affection, heighten her desire for him? Whether he meant to or not, that was exactly what he was doing! How and why was she being drawn to this particular man, one so unlike her, her very captor! She belonged to Cloud Chaser and Dawn, but War Eagle still had a say-so in her fate, as proven by his attempt to take her to the Cheyenne camp. Did his control extend to being able to recover her if he so desired?

  As Caroline picked up the last piece of wood, she sighted a lovely and fragrant night-blooming flower nearby and plucked it. She placed the bloom in the sling, turned, and handed it to War Eagle. “Thank you for protecting me, Wanbli. Wakan Tanka
nici un.” She saw him take the flower, glance at it, then fasten his alluring gaze to he’ and she could not look away.

  War Eagle was moved by her action and last sentence: May the Great Spirit go with you and guide you. If he was not mistaken, she was just as flooded by love and desire as he was. She was standing so close. Unable to halt himself, he lifted his empty hand and allowed its fingers to brush a stray lock from her flushed cheek. Without breaking their gazes, his head bent forward and he fused their mouths, and was thrilled to his core when she responded.

  Caroline lacked the willpower or wits to refuse his intoxicating kiss. Her arms slipped around his waist and she leaned against him, suddenly feeling weak and trembly. She felt his arms embrace her; then, he pulled her closer—if possible—to him. After a long, deep, and stirring kiss, his lips wandered over her hot face and across her neck. He pressed them to her hair, upon each closed eye, and on her left ear where she felt the heat of his breath. She quivered in rising need, and was shocked it did not alarm her. To crave the man one loved was normal, but she could not lie with him unless they were married. Yet, she somehow knew that would be a glorious and fulfilling experience, one she hoped to share one day in the future. Despite her intentions, she was soon swept away by the flood of passion.

  War Eagle felt charged with energy and strength, with joy and pride, with hope and pleasure. “Niye mitawa, Kawa Cante,” he murmured before kissing her a final time. He must not risk them being found like this, hard as it was to halt their closeness and revelation of feelings. “Nisnala ya yo,” he told her. You go alone, before someone came searching for her.

  Caroline looked up into his handsome face and saw him smiling down at her. She read the desire in his eyes and saw how rapidly he was breathing. It was getting dark, so she surmised he was sending her back to camp without him so no one would know they had been together, and perhaps to give him time to quell his ardor. She smiled and nodded compliance. She told him to be careful. “Itonpa. Return soon.”