Tiopa Ki Lakota (35 page)

There was a long moment that stretched between the trio. And then the tableau was broken when the blonde woman released the child and sagged against Anpo. The elder wasted no time as he took his charge and ducked inside the
ti

ikceya

, his son following with precious medicine pouches.

Breathing a faint sigh of relief, Anpo held the shivering woman in her arms. Feeling a warmth envelope her, she found herself wrapped in a buffalo robe, as well, her cuwe tucking it close about both their shoulders. An uncontrollable shivering shook her body at the unfamiliar warmth.

"I will get you both warm clothes," Hca informed them, pulling them towards the fire. Once they were both settled, she ducked into the lodge.

It wasn't long before they were both completely dressed, though Kathleen was hardly any help. She had seemed to shut down in exhaustion and worry and both Hca and Anpo had to get her out of her wet dress and clothe her. Soon, the couple were wrapped once again in dry robes and cuddled together before the fire while the medicine man and his son could be heard chanting inside the
ti ikceya
. Wayawa's woman had returned to her own lodge to await her family.

Hca puttered about the fire while her
wicasa
smoked a pipe. She prepared hot water for Wayawa and delivered it to him inside. Then, water was boiled for a soothing tea.

Sitting in the honored space to the left of Anpo, Nupa continued to puff the tobacco, lending silent support to his best friend and
hanka
.

Anpo held the blonde woman close, gently rocking them as she whispered a prayer of protection for themselves and their
cinksi
. Kathleen's head was tucked beneath her chin and she could feel the warm breath as it brushed her neck. When the tea was done, the warrior held her woman's cup, blowing on it and forcing her to drink.

The night passed into daylight with the two couples huddled together in their robes and staring at the crackling fire as they awaited word from the elder inside.

It was the fifth day of Teca's illness. The lodge reeked of the pungent herbal mix that Wayawa had instructed be placed on his chest, but no one really noticed it any more. Hca and her own
cinksi
had basically moved into the
ti ikceya
to help, while Nupa spent more time ice fishing and hunting for rabbits that could be made into nourishing broths for the sick toddler.

The extended family had taken turns watching the child, washing his body with cool rags to counteract the fever, replacing the poultice on his chest, feeding him the medicinal teas and broths. Additionally, the medicine man had made two or three visits a day to check on his charge and adjust the balance of herbs in the tea.

Anpo had driven herself to near exhaustion as she kept an eye on her woman. It had been struggle after struggle as she cajoled, badgered, demanded and pleaded for Kathleen to sleep and eat. Even now, the blonde dozed in her arms only fitfully, as if deep inside she knew she had to remain available for Teca.

"
Mitankala
."

Opening bleary eyes, the warrior peered at her older sister. As the woman came into focus, she noted a beautiful smile that plucked at her heart.

"The fever has broken, Anpo," Hca whispered. "I have already sent for Wayawa."

Anpo blinked rapidly, trying to clear her sleep-filled eyes. As the words became clearer, she surged upwards from the robes, pulling her woman with her.

"Wha...?" Kathleen mumbled at the interruption. Almost immediately, her face filled with fear. "Teca...?" She looked wildly at her
cinksi's
robes.

Hca rubbed the blonde's shoulder. "He is well,
stepan
. The fever has broken!" As Kathleen hurried to the toddler's side, she continued, "Teca is cooler and breathes well now. I have sent for the medicine man to check on him."

The worried mother collapsed in a heap beside her son. As tears of relief coursed down her face, she bit back the sobs so as not to wake him. Kathleen gently brushed his soft, dark hair away from his brow, relaxing deep inside as she noted the coolness of his skin. Warm hands were on her shoulder and she smiled up at her warrior.

Anpo felt an icy ball inside melt away at the sight of her woman's smile. She knelt down behind Kathleen and rubbed the shoulders in her hands. "Teca will grow strong again," she insisted, peering at their son. "And we will travel to your people so that your
ina
will know she is an
unci

."

Leaning back into the embrace, Kathleen quietly cried in relief and hope and love. "Thank you,
mahasanni ki
. Thank you."

Chapter 10

Tiospaye Wakuwa
(tee-oh-she-pah-yeh wah-koo-wah)
Chasing Family

1781

The remainder of the winter was mild and
Wi Ile Anpo

used her time wisely. The warrior spent it quizzing Kathleen about her family and preparing for the long trip.

Where the McGlashans were located was the biggest issue. It was apparent to both of them that finding the homestead her parents owned was going to be difficult. The blonde had no idea of exactly where her family had settled. She knew that there was a fairly large river nearby that the area natives called the Ohio, but that was the only landmark she was aware of.

Anpo had then spent time with the elders of Mani's camp, trying to discover if any had heard of this river. None had. The only river that they could speak of was called Mississippi, though none had ever seen it before.
Kathleen

was of the opinion that there would be plenty of people to guide their way once they neared her people. While Anpo was uncomfortable with the idea of putting her faith in any of her woman's people, there didn't seem to be much else they could do.

With great reluctance, the warrior had agreed.

Early spring colored the air with the smell of growing things and the crisp scent of morning dew. The small gathering of people were wrapped against the still chill of the morning. The baby,
Yus'as'a

, fussed a bit though he calmed when he was distracted by his mother's breast.

A large red stallion and a spotted mare stood nearby, saddled and with various bags hanging from them. Additionally, a grey yearling colt frisked, pulling at the rope about his neck as he sensed the anticipation around him.

"I will miss you,
tanksi

,"
Nupa Olowan

spoke with a solemn face.

"I will miss you, as well,
tiblo

." The
wikoskalaka
grabbed her friend into a fierce embrace.

Strong arms held Anpo close. "Do you know this will be the first time we have been apart since we were children?" the man asked in a husky voice.

The woman warrior nodded. "I know." She pulled back and grasped Nupa by the shoulders. Dark eyes peered into her own, shining with unshed emotion. "We will be together again."

Nupa nodded sharply in agreement.

"As will
we
,
mitankala

," a voice insisted from beside them.

Anpo turned to her
cuwe

, a reassuring smile on her handsome face. "
Ohan
, Hca. We will be together again." Using a long finger, she gently chucked the baby's cheek. "I must see how big my
tunska

grows in one winter."

"We will speak of you to
ina
and
ate
," Hca Wanahca said with a sad smile. "They will be unhappy to not see you this summer." To the blonde woman, she added, "We will keep your
ti ikceya
safe until you return to us,
stepan

."

"Thank you,
stepan
," Kathleen responded, stepping forward for a warm hug. "I will miss you while I am gone."

A toddler barreled his way into the press, not wanting to be left out of the affections. The women broke apart, laughing, and Nupa scooped him up and tossed him high in the air.

"You be strong,
tunska
!" Nupa stated firmly, holding the boy up. "Learn from your
inanup
and take good care of your
ina
!"

"I strong warrior,
leksi
," was the serious response though Teca was currently dangling above his uncle's head. "I take good care of
ina
and help
inanup
."

Nodding with grave dignity, the
wicasa

settled the toddler onto the spotted mare. "That is good,
Teca

. You are very helpful and wise."

Sitting as tall as he was able in the saddle, the boy simply stated, "Thank you."

Anpo raised an eyebrow at their son's humble manner. Looking to her
winuhca
, she begged the question with her dark eyes.

"I have been teaching our
cinksi

about accepting compliments well," Kathleen answered with a faint smile.

With a thoughtful nod, the
wikoskalaka

looked back to the toddler. She smiled approval and watched Teca's broad grin form. "You are better than most warriors, Teca.
Never
forget that."

"I will not,
inanup
."

There was a pause in the conversation and the four of them looked blankly at one another. The red stallion snorted, breaking the silence.

"Go,
tanksi
," Nupa said in a low voice. "Or you will not leave at all."

Her smile was half amused and half chagrined at being discovered. "
Ohan
,
tiblo
." Anpo helped her woman onto the mare, steadying their son until the blonde was settled into place. The warrior then leapt onto her own mount and whirled him about. "I will see you at summer camp after next winter."

The pair left behind nodded. "We will see you at summer camp after next winter," Hca repeated.

Knowing that she had to leave now or lose her nerve, Anpo swallowed the lump developing in her throat. With a deep breath and a fond smile to Kathleen and Teca, she urged the stallion forward.

For well over a month, the small family traveled across the Great Plains. Steadily, they rode their ponies towards the rising sun. As the days grew longer and warmer, the signs of spring could be found everywhere - from the dusky green of sage to the brilliant fields of flowers they came across.

Every few days, they would remain camped, allowing themselves to recuperate from the long hours of riding and walking. Always near a river or creek, the trio would relax into a natural rhythm of family life.

Teca was well over two winters now. He could sit his
ina's
horse alone and, when in camp, spent much of his time with his own pony. There was great disappointment that he couldn't ride his own horse, but his
inanup
told him in great detail how a young colt, even a yearling one, could be ruined forever if ridden too soon. With reluctance, the toddler had accepted the restriction.

During their lull times, Kathleen would insist that everyone bathed and she cleaned all their clothing. Her warrior would use the break to hunt and repair tack, tools and weapons. Teca would follow his inanup about like a puppy or play by himself nearby.

They ran across the occasional village, as well. Most were offshoots of the Lakota - primarily of the Dakota tribe - and the family was welcome to join them for the night. Despite a few language differences, all went well during these visits. Anpo would regale the gathered folk with news of her people and the blonde would play a tune on her tin whistle. Of course, Kathleen's skin and hair color always garnered much attention.

When they reached the Mississippi River, they camped for three days. Anpo slew an antelope which fed them well, replenishing their dwindling supplies. Additional repairs and preparations were made while the warrior ranged a half day's ride north and south along the riverbank, searching for a likely crossing. None were forthcoming; the travelers were at an impasse.

On the third day in camp, a visitor arrived. An Ojibwe hunter shared their fire that evening. Though the languages were different, signing kept them conversing through the night. An arrangement was made to help Anpo and her family cross the large river in their path. Several days later, the trio continued their trek eastwards. Teca had an Ojibwe charm about his neck for protection, as did his mother. And Anpo was the proud owner of a new pipe made of beechwood.

Following an offshoot of the Mississippi, the family found that the vegetation changed from tall grasses to trees. As they veered away from the tributary, more and more they traveled through wooded growth, traversing game trails as they continued their way east. Though it was midsummer, the leafy trees provided welcome shade and kept them cool. There were many small streams along the way to keep them in water and game was plentiful.

Other natives made their presence known - the Huron, Kickapoo, Illinois. Many carried muskets with them and Anpo was concerned for her family's safety. Through sign language, it was discovered that the English were once again at war and the fighting was hot and heavy. Kathleen's fears grew with her warrior's. If her people were at war, where would her parents and brother be? Who was fighting who? Who would they side with?

After two weeks of travel through the woods, they found themselves at a huge lake. Another rest was called for and the three of them enjoyed the deep blue waters of Lake Michigan. A Huron scouting party happened upon them, joining them for several days as they quizzed each other. When the Ohio River was mentioned, it was discovered that one of the warriors had heard of it. He suggested continuing their journey to the south and east.