Lakota Winds (Zebra Historical Romance) (32 page)

"Much has happened, Father, and I will reveal it to you later. It is
good to see you again, and I am happy you reached us in safety."

"It stirs my heart to look upon you again, my daughter, and to see a glow of joy lives in your eyes and upon your face. It pleases me you
have accepted your new life and await the Great Spirit's workings in
it."

Chumani smiled and related in a low voice for his ears alone, "Yes,
Father, I am happy and I do well with the Red Shields. They are good
and kind people, and they have accepted me into their band with love,
pride, and generosity. I thank you for urging me to cast away my fears
and doubts to honor Wakantanka's message to our shaman and His
vision to Nahemana."

"It was hard to do so, my child," Tall Elk admitted in a near whisper,
as it was wrong when I asked you to join to Dull Star, for that union
brought us much suffering and you, much unhappiness."

"It is not so with Wind Dancer; I am happy as his wife."

"I can see it has become a union of love and desire," he said in relief.
"When you say his name or speak of him, your expression is as radiant
as the sun, your eyes sparkle as the stars, and your voice softens as
tranquil water flowing gently around rocks in a stream."

"That is true, Father."

"Is it the same for the son of Rising Bear?" he had to ask.

"Yes, Father, for he has told me so many times. Now I am eager to
see Mother, so I will tell you other things while we work later. You
will eat at our tepee, for I have prepared enough food for you to share
with us."

Tall Elk knew her last words were not spoken as a command but as
an invitation, which he accepted. After she left his side, he took a deep
breath of invigoring air. At last he was convinced he had done the right
thing for his daughter and his people, though his shaman had tried
many times to persuade him of that fact. As if that thought mutely
summoned Sees-Through-Mist, the white-haired man rejoined him,
and they exchanged knowing looks. "All is good with her, my friend,"
Tall Elk related.

"That is the will of the Creator; she has found her true destiny."

Chumani waved to her older brother as Fire Walker traveled near
their mother and his wife. After they greeted each other and shared a few more words, he left to ride and speak with their father near their
journey's end.

Chumani positioned herself between the two women's mounts in the
space required to prevent entangling their drag-alongs. With conveyances
being pulled by women behind them and their leaders riding beyond
them, it allowed them to speak in privacy. Chumani responded to
Falling Rain's questions-almost the same ones her father had askedin identical manner

"My heart sings at our reunion, my daughter, for I have missed you.
I have prayed each morning and night for your new life to be a good
one."

"Wakantanka answered our prayers, Mother, for they matched."

"And it was His will, my beloved daughter, for He did the chosing
for you and Waci Tate, and He is never wrong or cruel."

"That is true, Mother, though we often do not grasp His purpose
and yearn to disobey when His words are difficult to follow."

"That is why we must have faith in Him. Yet, it is also hard for me
and your father to watch you head into danger in the duty set before
you."

"When do you begin the vision-ride, Dewdrops?" Rainbow Girl
asked.

"I will reveal all to you while we eat at my tepee this night," Chumani
said, "for I will feed my family."

Rainbow Girl leaned closer to Chumani. "It is strange, but Zitkala
looks more female on this sun. I saw her when she rode past us. She
wears a woman's garment and her breasts are unbound. Her hair is not
braided as a man's and she has a feathered rosette in it."

"She and the Great Spirit have worked big magic with her appearance
and manner," Chumani explained. "Tell no one and say nothing to
her, but an Oglala warrior has stolen her heart and eye-Red Feather,
the best friend of my husband. He feels the same way about her, but
they have told no one except me and Wind Dancer, for they still test
these unfamiliar yearnings. Love softened her and brought forth her
female side. Too, the Great Spirit has need of her to be a woman during our next challenge. I will speak of that task later. The child within you
has grown larger since our parting," Chumani remarked as Rainbow
Girl stroked a slightly protruding abdomen and smiled dreamily.

"Yes, and he begins to stir a little. It is a strange but wonderful
feeling, as if something tickles me inside. I am eager to see his face and
hold him in my arms. He will come before the snows return to our
land."

Chumani laughed and jested, "What if it is a girl and she kicks you
for calling her a boy? Does my brother only desire a son?"

"We do not care if I bring forth a boy or a girl, for it is our child
and we will love it. Yet, the shaman said a dream told him it is a son
who will follow Fire Walker as chief. His sacred dreams have never
been wrong in the past, and one was about your new life."

Chumani nodded in happy assent. "We will talk more while we work
and eat together, for we approach your campsite and must get busy. I
will go tend my food and fire; then I will help you set up your lodges
before darkness comes."

The White Shield village was erected next to, but separate from their
Oglala ally and in same circular pattern with the chief at its center. The
work was carried out with swiftness and efficiency. Those who finished
their chores first assisted those who had not done so.

While Hanmani continued to watch her fire and kettle, Chumani
helped her mother and Rainbow Girl while Zitkala did the same with
her mother in the second ring of dwellings. Before they completed their
many preparations, the Red Shield riders returned to camp, and Wind
Dancer joined Tall Elk and Fire Walker to give them a helping hand
with theirs. Red Feather sought out Zitkala to assist her father with his
work, and asked them to eat with his family when mealtime came; and
they accepted.

A short time later, Sees-Through-Mist took a break from his chores
and conversed with them for a while.

Before dusk arrived, hundreds of colorful and plain conical abodes
stood tall against the darkening skyline. Campfires burned brightly
where foods were being cooked. Men met in groups to talk. Children
played. Women tended babies and put them down to sleep.

Everyone in Chumani's group halted what they were doing to go eat
and visit in hers and Wind Dancer's tepee, for the Plains wind was
gusting fast and would chill their food quickly.

As they ate, they spoke of recent events in the old White Shield camp
and when Rainbow Girl's pregnancy was mentioned, a proud and joyful
smile appeared on the handsome face of Fire Walker. Afterward, Wind
Dancer and Chumani related news of the Crow attack on their camp
and Cetan's injury, the rattlesnake incident in Winona's tepee-leaving
out the reason the deadly viper was there-and their battle with the
awesome grizzly.

"Your courage and skills are large, my daughter," Tall Elk said. "They
bring pride and happiness to my heart. I give thanks to the Great Spirit
for protecting you during such perilous times. I also give thanks to Him
for choosing you a husband with mountain-size prowess and high rank."

Wind Dancer smiled. "Your words and feelings please and honor
me, Tall Elk. I also give the Creator thanks for guiding me to Dewdrops,
for no better wife could be found. There is more to tell you, for our
sacred task began many moons past."

Wind Dancer explained their intention of "planting the war lance
between the wasicun and Apsaalooke to turn their eyes and weapons
away from our peoples and on each other. Its sharp point has been
buried in the ground," he reminded them. "Now, we water it to make
it grow fast and large." He related detailed accounts of the daring raids
on white homesteads, how those stolen horses were left near an enemy
camp and Crow possessions were discarded there to make the Bird
People appear to blame. He disclosed Chumani's mystical encounter in
the forest with the Spirit Dog and their defeat of the Crow leader who
attacked both camps, a glorious victory made possible by the cunning help of the companion of the Old-Woman-Who-Quills. He told them
about his grandfather's vision during their absence concerning the Spirit
Dog, and about the ensuing camp celebration where the two Brule
women's coups were chanted along with those of himself, his brother,
and his best friend.

As he spoke, Chumani observed her family. She was thrilled by their
approving nods and smiles, and flattered by their looks of amazement
in her direction for her parts in those dangerous deeds. They appeared
proud to be family to the Sacred Vision Woman.

Last, Wind Dancer divulged their impending task at Fort Pierre
trading post. He did not have to tell his wife's family it would be risky,
as that was apparent from what he and his vision party planned to do
there. "It is your turn to speak, Tall Elk. Then your family can do so."

For a while, Wind Dancer and Chumani were praised and questioned
by her family, who fully agreed with their plan. Fire Walker offered to
go with them on any journey where he was needed, but it was obvious,
despite his desire to be a part of such glorious episodes, he wanted and
felt he should remain nearby to hunt for his family and to protect his
pregnant wife.

Tall Elk rose. "We must go, for darkness will soon blanket the land
and the moon is not yet full to light the way to our lodge," he said.
"There is much work to do on the new sun and this has been a long
and busy one. Our hearts have been warmed by your generosity and
our spirits have been stirred by your words and deeds. We would fear
for our daughter's safety and survival if she was not protected by Waci
Tate and Wakantanka."

"Your words please and honor us, Tall Elk," Wind Dancer replied.

To all of her family members, Chumani said, "It is good to be
reunited." To her mother and brother's wife, she added, "We will do
our chores together after the sun rises."

After the four Brules departed shortly before they would have needed
a blazing torch to see their way to their abodes, Chumani made sure
her cook fire was out. Then she sealed the entrance flap and spread out the buffalo mat. She stripped off her garments and moccasins, grinned
seductively at her beloved husband and said, "It is time for sleep,
mihigna. "

Wind Dancer chuckled at her jest. He discarded his garments fast
and lay down, his arousal jutting forth when freed from his breechclout.
He pulled her into his embrace and whispered, "No, mitawin, it is time
for this," and kissed her, seeking her sweet essence. His tongue danced
with hers as he drew her closer and closer, wanting no space between
them. His lips brushed over her face, then he nuzzled his neck and face
against hers, thrilling to the contact between them and the sheer joy of
touching her and sharing such wonderful intimacy again.

Chumani responded eagerly. Her hands traveled his body, giving and
taking pleasure from the sensations she aroused. "I love you, mihigna, "
she murmured.

"You are as food and water to my starving spirit. You are as the air
I need to breathe to stay alive. I would cease to be if you were lost to
me. Our Life-Circles must forever remain enjoined. I want to see our
child growing within you. I want you beside me each moon, and nearby
on every sun. You are a large part of me, micante, and I would perish
without you."

"It is the same with me, my beloved. I am sad when we are apart,
and overjoyed when we are together. I hunger to be at your side no
matter where you are. Before our births, we were destined for each
other."

They explored each other in the velvet darkness, gradually fueling
the embers of their passion until the blaze nearly consumed them. When
they could wait no longer, they joined their bodies and thrilled to the
sensation of being truly one. Soon, they lay sated and content, rested
in each other's embrace.

"I love you, micante, with every part of my body," Wind Dancer
whispered.

Chumani's spirit soared high as he called her "my heart" again. "I
love you, mihigna, and will belong to you forever, as you will to me."