Lakota Winds (Zebra Historical Romance) (13 page)

Wind Dancer had expected his new wife to get a warm reception,
but he was overjoyed when her arrival went better than anticipated.
Surely that event would please and calm her, draw her closer to him.

"Come, we will show you your new home, my second daughter and
my first son," Winona said. "Then, Hanmani and I will help you unload
the horses. Many helped with the tepee and many brought gifts to fill
it with your needs. Later we will have a great feast to celebrate your
joining and to welcome Dewdrops to our camp and family circle."

Before the crowd dispersed to return to their chores, Wind Dancer
and Chumani thanked the people for their generosity and hard work.

Afterward, they followed his exuberant mother and sister to a location
near the edge of the forest which traveled into the foothills of the Papa
Sapa. Numerous other tepees were scattered amongst evergreen and
hardwood trees and huge black rocks and in small clearings between
the deep and swift-moving Spearfish Creek and backdrop of mountains
and canyons; they were not placed in ever-widening circles as on the
grassy Plains where a tighter set-up was required for self-defense.

Chumani knew from her camp far to the south near the Cave of the
Spirit Winds that such sites were chosen for seasonal encampments
because the sacred hills provided rear protection from enemies' attacks
and protection as well from the worst winds and snows of the cold
season. The sheltered valleys were filled with grass and water where
horses could be kept in safety and grazed.

As they stood before a large conical dwelling where the band's Story
Catchers had painted his coups on its exterior, the couple was amazed
and delighted by its size and beauty, and the quality of the hides and
work. With enthusiasm and pride, Hanmani hurriedly told Chumani
about several of the glorious and successful exploits colorfully recorded
there.

Many scents filled Chumani's nose as they entered the dwelling:
recently cut and debarked pine, whose finished poles had been rubbed
smooth using rough sand; the smell of tanned buffalo hides which
covered those poles; upward-drifting smoke from a low-burning fire
enclosed by a circle of rocks in the dwelling's center; and various other familiar or unknown scents. Twenty-six tall poles made a sturdy framework for it. A fifteen-foot pointed cluster seemingly reached for the sky,
which was exposed through the open ventilation flap. The buffalo hides
had been laced together to prevent them from being blown apart or off
during a violent storm or brisk winds. Above the entrance flap, numerous
wooden lodge pins held the two sides together. She noticed that the
tepee's interior was clean and neat and everything was well organized,
thanks to Winona and Hanmani.

She continued to scan the area. A colorfully painted dew-cloth, an
added layer of brain-tanned hides stitched together to form a lengthy
roll, was suspended from a height of five feet to the ground where it
was pegged securely in place; that strip discouraged drafts at the base,
provided added warmth in winter, and beauty during all seasons for
the simple home. It also diverted to the outside any rain that ran down
the poles and created an air flow to force smoke upward and out the
peak's flap. The dew-cloth's numerous top ties were secured to a lengthy
rope that went from post to post and was attached to each to hold it
in place.

Possessions-which Hanmani delighted in pointing out and telling
their giver's name-hung from the strong rope: a sewing pouch with
an awl and sinew; two buffalo bladder waterbags; two backrests made
of willow and interwoven reeds; large pouches for holding horn spoons
and cups and wooden plates, along with a pounding stone and wooden
bowl for crushing nuts and dried berries and corn obtained through
trade from distant tribes; an open topped bag which held a flesher and
a scraper; a furry kneepad for doing chores; parfleches for holding
clothing and such; a medicine bag with healing herbs and plants; a
wood sling; and many other gifts.

A thick sleeping mat had been placed near the tepee's base, rolled
and tied into a tight ball until needed at night. A three-legged stand
held the weapons Wind Dancer had left behind; she knew some man
had placed them there, as females were not allowed to touch them or
to touch a man's prayer pipe and personal medicine bundle. Her hus band's other belongings, which the two women had moved from Rising
Bear's tepee, were there as well.

"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."