Gold Raven (51 page)

This led to Josey asking Hope, rather reluctantly. "Those bandits Hope, the ones that captured you and too
k you to your brother; they didn't …hurt you, or anything else…did they? Maybe, force you into something that…well, you didn't like?"

Hope was standing with her back to Josey as she took her measurements to give the gown she made her one last check for possible alterations. Hope was not sure what she was asking, but answered honestly.

"No. Are you by chance asking the same thing my brother asked of me; if I am still a virgin?"

Josey blushed beet red, uncomfortable with her absolute bluntness. Swallowing nervously she nodded, "Umm, yes…I guess that is what I am asking."

"No man has gone between my legs." She gave the half-truth, biting her tongue as she came close to stating that, however… her son's hand had gone there. She kept that back because the very thought of it, sent her once again into visions of wonderment, anticipating the night that they would become truly husband and wife.

For days, Hope endured the hectic preparation and not once had there been an appearance of her future husband. Yet, he was ever in the back of her mind; when at rare quiet moments, he crept forward making her wonder where he was and what he was doing. Like now, the very day she would become his wife. She slipped quietly into a small steam hut that sat behind Josey's home, where all administrations to her had taken place. This would be the final session after another thorough washing. She sat the entire time, wishing for the whole, insane ordeal to be over.

Her legs were crossed, her eyes closed and her body relaxed, as her mind brought forth images of her mother. Here she was about to be married, wishing Lena was with her, telling her the things she would need to know; the thought caused a lonely ache in the pit of her stomach. Within Red Crow's village, she was welcomed by people who were preparing her for the union, while Josey had shown her nothing but love and affection the entire time she had been there. Butterfly had constantly brought a smile to her face, with Red Crow soon to be her husband. On the day that should be her happiest, she felt horribly lonely and further away from the goal of reuniting with her family.

Attempting to swallow the lump now lodged in her throat, she fought with the tears that were threatening to fall, when suddenly the dome she sat beneath lifted and gallons of icy water were poured down on her head and over her body. The shock of it made her spring to her feet, shrieking. It was the final strawl, she charged naked at the two women responsible.

In fear of her rage, they dropped everything and took off to a safe distance as Josey stepped out of her back door just in time to catch Hope and cover her. With chattering teeth, Hope pleaded, "J-j-j-just o-o-one, l-l-lemme st-st-strangle j-j-just one!"

"Come on honey, it's over…it's all over now." She soothed, rubbing the large drying cloth against her to warm her up as she led Hope through the back door. The other two women started to follow when Josey stopped and explained in the Cherokee tongue that their part was over. She would now take care of matters concerning the bride.

Having no choice in the matter, the women looked slightly affronted, but they conceded by turning and leaving. They would return to the main area of the village for the pre-ritual that the married ones of the tribe would be involved in.

Josey led her up to her room and had her lay face down on her bed. She talked to her to calm her as she rubbed her down with soothing oils that smelled of wild flowers. The aromatic scent was calming and a delight to the senses. As she did so, she told her how much her mother had loved the scent, and the times they often spent together, spoiling each other. As she knew it would, the rub down relaxed Hope, the warm oil loosening her up, healing all the torture she had endured through the cleansing.

“
You feel better now?” She asked softly.

“
Yes…thank you.” Hope returned quietly.

“
Talk to me Hope, tell me what you wish.”

“
I wish my mother was here.” She began to cry, her face buried in the fold of her arms she admitted. “Sometimes, I feel like I can’t stand to go another mile, another day, without knowing where she is; what’s happened to her.” She cried on.

“
Oh Hope, I know honey. I know…but I’m here. I know I cannot replace Lena, but I’d like to fill in for her as best I can. Come on, no more crying. Dry your eyes; within a few hours, you will be a fresh new bride. No bride should be sad on the day she is to be married.”

“
I know I’m sorry.” She returned, trying to stop the tears as she sat up to be hugged by Josey. Her face tucked into her neck, deriving comfort from the motherly embrace. “You know, your eyes are going to be all puffy.”

“
They might as well be, my skin hurts like hell…oops…sorry.”

Josey gave a nervous laugh. “My darling girl, you must learn to control your tongue. Such language…wherever did you learn to speak so …so…-…”

“
My brother.”

“
But why?” Josey simpered.

“
He thought it would keep the men away.”

Josey rolled her eyes, shaking her head, she looked towards the heavens, “Yes well, there are others ways of keeping men in their place…more ladylike ways. We shall have to discuss that after the
wedding when there is more time. Now, I need to help you get ready. Is there umm…anything you would like to ask me…like – maybe – what takes place between a man and a woman…maybe?”

Hope was fully attentive at the prospect of hearing about that. “What does take place? Yes, I wish to know.”

Josey smiled with a sigh and began as gently as she could, while laying out Hope’s sun bleached doeskin gown. As she talked, she helped Hope into one of her own white silk chemises, and then the dress; which was soft and smooth to the touch. The front of it had a shoulder-to-shoulder V shaped inlay bodice, the bottom point of the V inlay reached the exact center of her torso to her belly button. Tiny white pearlescent beads made up the border of the V, and in its center there were gold beads arranged into a raven about to land.

To make the dress, Josey cut it into a long rectangle, leaving it wide in its center where it would fold over Hope's shoulders. Carefully she’d strung more pearlescent beads to hang as short sleeves over her upper arms. Finishing it, she sewed down both sides from the underarms to her knees and left it open from there to her ankles.

“
Will it…hurt?” Hope asked shyly, as Josey fastened the tiny white pearl like buttons up the back. Josey sighed answering, “It depends, sweetheart. Every woman is different.”

“
Did it hurt you?”

Josey turned red and was glad she stood at Hope’s back, now brushing her hair. “A bit yes, in the beginning.”

“
What about my mother…did you two ever talk about that?”

“
Your mother and I talked about everything.”

“
So – did it hurt her?”

“
I’m afraid it did honey, for some time.”

“
Oh.”

“
Just – well – I want you to just relax and know…that – it’s okay to enjoy what he does to you. It is okay to like it. Etiquette and convention would have you think you should not enjoy what your husband does to you…but I’m here to let you know, as long as you are faithful to your husband…God does not mind it if you find pleasure while being intimate in your husbands arms.” Taking Hope by the shoulders and turning her, she let the subject drop, “Now…let’s get this headdress on you.”

With the headdress then in place, made of white feathers from doves, and pigeons, overlapping side by side, weaved and sewn on top of a straw cap.

It was made shaped to fit the crown of Hope’s head snugly, Josey thought there was nothing she’d seen to compare. Hanging down from the feathered crown, were hundreds of tiny, strung, white beads, which hung over her forehead to her brow. Each string only a bead’s width from the next and cut precisely to frame her face; falling ever longer to her shoulders, and longer still as they circled to the back; ever increasing in length, with the longest center strand reaching her lower back. Underneath, her hair hung shining and gleaming in a glory of riotous waves and curls. She was ready. Josey invited her to stand before her tall floor mirror to see her reflection. Staring, she barely recognized the girl looking back at her. This was the first time she had seen her entire image in a mirror. With her life as it had been, all she had ever seen of herself was in a small hand held mirror…now, she saw herself differently…there was something else she could see. Something she had neglected to see before, and that was how much she looked like her mother, Princess Ceś alena.

“
I look just like her…don’t I? Just like my mother…like Lena.” She said in wonder.

“
Yes…you do. She was breathtaking, and you are her daughter – all who see you will know it.”

Hope turned from the mirror gazing into Josey’s eyes. “I’m afraid of this, afraid of-…” Her head dropped unsure of her next words. Josey gently grasped Hope’s chin tilting her face back up. “You have no reason to be, before you know it, the ceremony will be over and you will be, Mrs. Joseph Avery O’Brien.” Hope looked at her stunned a moment. “No! I’m a Webster! Golden Hope Webster! That is my name…the name my father gave me!” She announced defiantly.

“
Not after tonight honey. When you marry a man, your name changes, and you become his…his wife…his – his – property.”

Hope’s heart beat more fiercely than before. She was developing a case of cold feet. She felt a strong need to protest that statement. Out of respect for Josey, she bit her tongue.
‘But I am a Webster! I don’t give a damn what they think! I will not cast my father’s name aside!’
She declared.

Jos
ey read the look in her eyes well, and could only smile with a shake of her head thinking.
‘My son, I fear you have bitten off more than you can chew, this time.’

“
Mother! Hope!!” Cesalia slammed into the front door yelling as she took to the stairs, then burst excitedly into the room. “The dance has begun; all the married men and women of the village have joined Cobenche! Red Crow is there, -(Hope’s eyes widened as her heart missed a beat)- Oh mother, he is so handsome in his white buckskin!”

“
Ohhh Hope and you are beautiful! He will surely forget everything once he looks at you. Hurry mother hurry, it is almost time for her to come forward…oooh, I’m so excited!” She gushed anxiously and ran back through the door.

With sweaty palms, a fluttering in her stomach and her heart palpitating madly, Hope fought to keep her panic at bay. “Hope…sweetheart, take a deep breath. Take several if it will help, but the time has finally come – your future husband awaits your arrival.”

Daring not to speak, choosing to cope with the buzzing sensation taking place in her head, Hope allowed herself to be escorted from the house. Dark Shadow stood out by the corral fence in the growing darkness with the white stallion she would ride to the ceremony and a Palomino for Josey. Upon seeing them at the door, he brought the animal forward so that Hope would not have to step out the door. He picked her up and carried her the few steps to the mount, lifting her to sit on it side saddle, making sure all was straight as she sat upon the white fur blanket.

Josey was helped onto the Palomino and would lead the way, with Dark Shadow upon his pinto holding the reigns of Hope’s Stallion. She sat easily upon the fur, because they rode slowly, led by Red Crow’s uncle. As the distance was covered, she could hear the beat of the drums in the distance. With each rhythmic beat, her heart hammered in turn. In her trepidation, she could visualize herself taking the reigns and dashing in the opposite direction away from her waiting groom.

As they crossed the stream, she could hear the tribal chants of the married as they cleared the woods to the open valley. She could see the village well lit with torches everywhere in the distance. She felt as if she was a sacrificial lamb.
‘Oh Mike, if you could see me now. I’ve gotten myself into one helluva mess!’
She swallowed, taking deep breaths again, with each dip of her horses flank and shoulder, so her heart sank; her eyes were wide with fear. She watched as the village grew closer and the beat of the drums grew louder, the chants more intense and hypnotic. A large area of the village’s center had been cleared for the ceremonial dance, where many married couples danced around a huge fire. Surrounding the entire area were tall torches, staked far apart, illuminating the celebration. Old couples as well as young danced, couples that were pure Cherokee, couples made up of other tribes and Cherokee, couples that were part white and Cherokee, couples that were part black and Cherokee…they were all there, and they danced. Each caught up in the spirit that Cobenche summoned, the spirits whom, they believed, would bless this union between their Chief Red Crow and his Gold Raven.

Facing a full moon on the far side of the fire, stood Red Crow, in his white attire for the joining about to take place. He stood splendid, striking and desirable with his dark skin and powerful physique encased in the white ensemble. His shirt matched Hope’s gown…only going as far as his hips. Whereas her V held a gold raven, his held a soaring black crow with red marks. His breeches were the same sun bleached buckskin, and on his head, he wore the
full Chiefs regalia. His headdress made up of eagle feathers collected by him, his father, his grandfather and their ancestors. Circling his muscular upper arms, were bands of gold, which had once belonged to his father that gleamed in the torch light. He stood proud with his chest out, his shoulders broad, knowing what a cutting figure of a man he made. When Hope arrived on the scene, the ceremonial chant was about to end. Upon seeing her, the children, braves and those too old to perform, gave her clear passage straight to her intended. As Hope looked down between the lines of people to Red Crow in the distance, her fears and doubts melted away, as one startling truth came to the fore; she wanted him. She wanted him as hers; he would always be a part of her life. He would stand up to her brother, her father and that would require the kind of man she gazed at now. Strong, willful, determined and forthright; as she stared at him, she knew, no one else would do.

Dark Shadow dismounted, and with her reigns in hand, he led her down the lane, stopping at an opening before the fire, where he released the reigns leaving her mounted there. Cobenche circled around, stopping before her horse. Raising his arms high, he bade all to fall silent. In an instant, only the crackling of the great fire could be heard. Hope trembled, and thought she might faint from the shear power of it all, as the fire roared before her – every cell in her body danced. Once again, Cobenche started a low chant, dancing carefully around her as she sat the mount. Three times he circled, the chant growing at the end of each lap, stopping finally to grab the reigns and lead her further still…up to where Red Crow was standing.

Leaving Hope, Cobenche entered a circle of stones next to Red Crow, there he sprinkled dust, danced and chanted, and then stepped out. Hope had no idea of what was going on or what she should do, so she remained on her horse and waited. As if caught up in a dream, she watched Red Crow step around the circle of stones to her. Looking down at him, through wide eyes, she felt his strong hand at her back, the other hand going under her legs to lift her carefully down into his arms. Turning, he carried her to the circle of stones, where he stepped in and then placed her on her feet inside with him. She had not seen him in four days up until that point, but seeing him again, feeling the strength of him, standing so close and staring up into his penetrating eyes, stole her breath away.