Princess Ces'alena (57 page)

“Ooohieee mommy…look! See see! See mommy…see!” She’d point to one thing, then in her excitement, to something else or someone, turning to her mother to be certain she saw also. Lena smiled hugging her. “I see - I see baby…yes…I see.” She chuckled, watching her daughter’s face light up with curiosity and wonder. Feeling it much the same herself – because of that – the look on her Hope’s face, she changed her mind, glad that she had come.

The magnitude and shear size was overwhelming. Although they were within, they still had to travel to the other side of the fort. There were wigwams, teepees, huts and houses, some larger than others. Shop houses for trading of goods, with weaved baskets of every imagined shape and size hanging outside. There were buffalo, deer, and other various assortments of small animal hides laid out and stacked up. Included and on display were rough built furniture and chairs for dwellings.

Thomas explained as they rolled along that a lot of the goods she saw came from white trappers who brought their merchandise to the Indians in trade for whatever their need was, horses, supplies for the trail or just rest.

There was a corral filled with horses, mules and a blacksmiths shop attached. As they continued on further still, there was a hut/barn with canoes on display, laying in a row for purchase or trade. Tall totem poles sat to be viewed and chosen as well, with the intricate carvings flaunting extreme attention to detail. Proof of the time and skill this person took in each creation.

Lena chuckled as Hope’s giggles and laughter sang out uncontrollably as small children trotted alongside the wagon, reaching up to touch her hand, eager to have her join them in play. She would look over the side at them, then drop back out of sight excitedly, laughing joyously with the game, and back up again. Lena had to hold onto her when she dropped back, so caught up in the game, she gave no care to possible injury knowing her mother was there.

The children laughed out as well, and soon a small crowd of them were following and cheering every time she did so. Hope’s laughter became more and more excited as the game progressed and Lena shook her head indulging her, unwilling to end her fun.

In the crowd of faces, were ones of many cultures. She noticed the village was very noisy and busy. Every adult was busy in productivity, and the children were busy at nothing but play. Gardens were being tended to; more homes being built; more canoes being constructed; women kneeling on the ground pounding corn into meal or tanning hides; young girls busy making hair adornments, of wood, copper metal, cane, shell or beads. Young men also busy learning to make properly balanced points in their arrow and spear shafts.

Still there was more activity as women made pemmican from wild turkey, deer, rabbit and dried fish.

Eventually they came to a large structure for parking the wagon and leaving the horses to be watered, rubbed down and rested. Any travel now would be on foot. It was from there they split up. Patrick and Liddy would head for the South end of the village where a structure was set up for teaching. Thomas would go to the North end facility, bringing Lena with him.

“We meet back Sunday, when we go home. Bye Ms Lena.” Liddy smiled and waved, walking away holding her husband’s hand as he lead her on. Hope, in her mother’s arms, cheered in high squeals with both hands in the air, pumping her little arms to wave goodbye to them, as Lena waved wondering what was next, watching their departure.

“This way madam.” Thomas invited with his hand to the small of her back steering her in the direction they were going. The children that followed them dispersed except for a few who stuck around wanting to take Hope with them. Lena grabbed her tightly shaking her head at them, looking up to Thomas for help.

“They won’t hurt her…she’ll be fine.” He smiled at her concern. Her look was incredulous. “No! She’s a baby!”

“So’s that one…and that one.” He pointed out, and sure enough, there were little one’s among them. “I don’t care! No honey…she has to stay with me.” She told the little girl of four who especially wanted to take her.

“Won’go mommy …won’go.” Hope pleaded trying to struggle down from Lena’s arms. “Oh no you don’t. Not here you won’t - you’re staying with me.” Looking down sympathetically at the little girl who seemed to have in her care…three other’s, smaller in height and younger in age. “Sorry.” She said softly turning back to Thomas. Leading the way, he carried her bundle and began explaining to her, “Here…the children are cherished Lena. They are free to roam, and learn very early on how to find their way back to their mother’s and dwellings. That little girl is an orphan, without parents, and so…the entire village is her home, and every adult here sees to her care. She is never without a place to sleep, or food to eat. She repays this naturally, by caring for the little ones. For one so small, she does it well; taking their care very seriously.”

“Surely there must be one main place for her to go?”

“Chief Menomonee’s dwelling is where she has chosen to lay her head. And before the sun begins to set, she will have seen that the other’s are home with their mother’s and back at his dwelling for the last meal. This is a tight community with everyone taking responsibility for each other’s children. The children are safe here…and know it.”

“Well…still, I will see to Hope.” Lena announced, ignoring her daughter’s crossed arms and glowering expression. She was not happy, and let it be known. Lena chuckled looking at her face.

“Mommy don’t mind you bein’ mad. Gonna love you anyway.”

She pulled her in for a nuzzle to her neck, tickling her. Hope burst with laughter. Following Thomas along the dusty trail, she continued to occupy her daughter with play, distracting her from wanting to leave her, to go off with the other children.

After walking for fifteen more minutes, at a pace Thomas set to allow Lena time, they passed many more dwellings, and finally came upon a dual level home, that of Chief Menomonee’s. All the homes were very similar to the cabins on Webster Fields, except larger with loft rooms. Before they were within yards of the door it opened with Chief Menomonee and Chief Long Bow exiting to greet them. “Thomas our friend! Good to see you, once again your journey ends without event.” Menomonee’s deep laughing voice boomed.

“This time, I see you have brought a companion along.”

“Yes Chief Menomonee, Chief Long Bow. This…” He turned bringing Lena to the front. “…is Ceś alena, and her daughter Hope. She is from Webster Fields.”

Chief Long Bow was looking at Hope quizzically, then reached over and stroked his thumb over her skin. Looking at the dark substance on his thumb, he looked back at the child, then at an aghast Lena, who made her displeasure known, “I beg your pardon sir!”

“From whom?” Long Bow asked, staring at the baby as Lena pulled her scarf back in place and noticing her hairline showing as well a line of demarcation. “It’s a long story, one that I will let her tell when she wishes.”

“No need to hide your child here Ceś alena. She is safe, and welcome, and so are you.” This came from Chief Menomonee, who could only wonder at the reason for this subterfuge, recognizing the child’s origination from her coloring that Lena tried to hide. Hope looked at the chief smiling; he was of average height on the thick side. His face was full, plump and cheerful; his nose large and round, he had grinning eyes surrounded by laugh lines. He appeared to be in his early to middle fifty’s. When he stepped close to Lena admiring Hope, she reached out her hand, grabbed his nose, and squeezed it. He roared with laughter, his voice making her jump in surprise as her eyes widened, and she too squealed in laughter, wanting to do it again. “Hope!!” Lena shrieked embarrassed. “Don’t baby…that’s not nice.” Chief Menomonee thought it hilarious and his round belly shook with laughter, leaning forward for her to do it again.

“No please do not encourage her.” Lena pleaded with a helpless smile turning her daughter away. Who’s hands reached out to touch him again. Long Bow laughed as well, “I’m afraid there will be no hope for her with this one around. He is forever spurring the children on, more the child himself.”

Still laughing, Menomonee turned, “Come…come inside… Ceś alena with your precious Hope.” Lena followed knowing she would have to get used to their forwardness; especially the boldness of chief Long Bow.

What a remarkable man! She thought Thomas was good looking. They stood the same in height, but he was larger in build, with broader shoulders and strong dominant features. His forehead, broad and square, in perfect proportion with the rest of his face. His eyes were deep, black and piercing, with an indenture at the top of his aquiline nose. His skin was richly tanned and dark with red undertones. His walk was light of foot, lithe and smooth. He reminded her of a prowling cat, always in control and completely at one with his surroundings.

She couldn’t help but think of Manny, whose walk was the complete opposite. His every tread was loaded with a determined hardness, loud and clear as if announcing not to get in his way. Giving full warning to all up ahead he was coming through. It was a bold kind of walk, he plunged headlong, and whatever blocked him, would not do so for long.

She sighed; everywhere she went, he was there intruding… even among the kindness here, so far from Webster Fields. As long as he was gone, she thought she might conjure his image less, however this was not to be so — everyday since the day he left, an hour; two…and more was spent with her mind on him, sharing much of the time with their son.

Inside now Lena gazed around the colorfully adorned home. Bold and vivid rugs decorated the walls and floor…hand made pottery of varying shapes and sizes sat in corners here and there…small ones arranged on tables. Wondering where to sit, she looked toward the sofa, and sitting there…a familiar face. Lena stood staring as Red Dawn, (Josephine O’Brien) stared back at her. She was dressed in tribal garb, and her hair was braided on both sides, looping back up to the base of her braids, hanging past her shoulders. The color a red so rich with flame and auburn, she could only stare all the more. That face, those eyes…and then that smile.

At the same time…their memories rushed back so many years to their first encounter. The men were occupied with loud talk and gesturing, as Red Dawn stood and slowly approached her. Her eyes went to the child in Lena’s arms, and she smiled gently, reaching out a hand to her. “Hello…how are you? I’m Red Dawn, what’s your name?”

Hope only stared at her while leaning back against her mother’s shoulder shyly. She yawned and was getting sleepy once again. Red Dawn looked back up at Lena, who was still staring, but smiling hesitantly. She wondered at the child’s skin, and the reason it was smeared with something to make it appear dark?

Red Dawn moved patting the spot for the dozing toddler. Lena laid Hope at the end of the sofa behind Red Dawn, and returned to her seat. Lena felt strange in the presence of this woman, who offered her the very first smile of welcome that day so many years ago when she arrived at Webster Fields.

“It’s been so long since I’ve visited my family. I’m not up on what’s been happening there. Last time that I visited, he was arranging to marry. Did he?”

A strange look raced across Lena’s features, taking a deep breath she nodded, looking at her nervous hands that lay in her lap. “He did. His wife’s name is Katherine.”

“I wondered about that. When we spoke, he hadn’t a clue as to whom he would marry…yet he was making plans to.” She shook her head, still not understanding. “I hate the old traditions when one must follow the dictates of society. I absolutely refused to do so. And I for one am so happy that I did not.” Lena sat quiet listening without comment. “I’m sorry, I do go on sometimes, it is just that, I meet few from there, and I do wonder at what is happening.”

“I understand…umm, you must know Charles Wilson then?” Lena asked trying to loosen up with her. Red Dawn’s eyes widened, “Yes, I know him.”

“Mildred Hastings!? Why — good for her. She has had a crush on him from early on. And how is Morris? And my parents? And Jordan?! Is Jordan still there?”

Lena smiled nodding, and then answered, “Morris is still Morris, forever chasing a game. Last I saw, your parents were fine, it has been a while however since I’ve heard or seen them. And Jordan is still there. Manny freed him, and he is now an overseer there.”

“Oh my…good for him, and you, how are you there? Are you happy there?” The question stifled Lena, and as Red Dawn examined her features, her son burst into the house startling Hope, who immediately popped up from her short nap. His noisy entrance distracted his mother from thoughts that stirred from the look that came to Lena’s face.