Lakota Flower (23 page)

Cloud Chaser shook his head and urged in a gentle tone, “No, my brother, you must ride for our camp on this sun to tell Father and our people all we have seen and heard and done. Our camp must be moved before The Butcher continues his brutal journey in our territory. I will remain here to watch for the surrenders of our allies and learn what will be done with them. While I do so, I will scout the enemy and will ride with or near the white war chief to study him and to learn his plans. I was told he will soon head into the heart of our country and make his way to Fort Pierre. After I do so and when I am near the sacred hills, I will leave The Butcher and return home. Our people must move deeper into the Paha Sapa for concealment from this fierce enemy. Lead them to the place of the river canyon where we hunted last winter; it will be a safe location and will provide for our needs and shelter during the cold season. I will join you there later.”

War Eagle smiled and said, “That is the same place my mind chose. We will ride out after dark when the bluecoats are on their sleeping mats. The moon wears her full yellow
face, so she will give us plenty of light for our journey. Take no risks, my brother; guard your body and life well. Stay ready to flee if Mad Dog gives a sign he does not trust you. I will protect and hunt for your wife and son”—
and Caroline
—“until you are among us again.”

“That is good and generous; my heart thanks you. There is one last matter I must reveal to you,” Cloud Chaser began, then related his meeting with David Sims and his intention to pass along a message to David about his sister since he had spared Indian lives at Blue Water Creek and was sending a truthful report to the white leaders about the cruel events in this area. “You must tell Caroline such news, for it will make her happy and will repay her for her good deeds among us.”

“I will speak with her, and your plans are wise ones.”

After they locked gazes and clasped wrists for a few moments, War Eagle watched Cloud Chaser mount and leave. He knew his second brother had carried out successful scouting there in the past and recently, so he should be safe to continue doing so. His heart and mind were filled with pride, love, and respect for Cloud Chaser. His heart and mind also were filled with those same emotions toward Caroline, and they were charged with elation to be heading home today.
Soon, Kawa Cante, soon…

That same day in the Red Shield camp, as she did her daily chores with Dawn and Hanmani near the river, Caroline noticed how Hanmani kept stealing glances at the warrior who was speaking with Wind Dancer as her oldest brother watered his horse a short distance away. She had seen Dawn grin at Hanmani and had overhead Dawn whisper the man’s name—Red Wolf of the Fire Hearts Cheyenne—which told Caroline he was from the family that War Eagle had been taking her to long ago before he changed his mind. All of them had heard the Cheyenne brave say that he came to visit his good friend and close ally War Eagle, and was being told
by Wind Dancer of War Eagle’s absence. At least, she thought with a smile, she could grasp much of the men’s conversation from the amount of Lakota she had learned during the almost two months she had lived among the Red Shields.

From the seventeen-year-old girl’s behavior and expressions, Caroline surmised that Hanmani was enchanted by the handsome Indian but was dismayed by those romantic feelings. When she realized that Red Wolf not only was from another tribe and culture but also was half white, she decided it was best not to mention her observation and conclusions.
So,
she mused,
he is the son of Sparrow, and Hanmani desires him…

It was almost dark when Caroline slipped into the forest. She was hidden behind bushes when two people neared her location and began to talk. She froze in place and stayed silent as she listened to them devising a horrendous and lethal plot…

When she first heard the twosome coming, Caroline remained still and quiet. She assumed the intruders would stroll past her location and she could slip away unseen, as she did not want to encounter either offensive person. When they halted within a few feet of her and began to talk, she was horrified by what they said.

“Do you still desire Wind Dancer as your mate?”

“It cannot be, Two Feathers, for he belongs to Dewdrops.”

“Do you still desire Wind Dancer as your mate?”

Caroline heard him persist in a stern tone for a response. She dared not peer through the bushes to study their expressions, as any movement or noise surely would seize the warrior’s attention. She listened as Wastemna exhaled as if annoyed or frustrated before the woman finally answered him.

“Yes, but I cannot have him. Why do you pain my heart this way?”

“If Dewdrops is dead, Wind Dancer will be free to take another wife. He will be forced to make a choice fast, for he will need a mother to tend his children and tepee. There is no female among us more beautiful and skilled than Wastemna. Do you fear you cannot lure him into your arms?”

“He looked upon me long ago with desire, before Dewdrops stole his eye and clouded his mind. But she is young and unsick. She will not die.”

Caroline grasped disappointment and hatred in the female’s voice. She was doubtful that Wind Dancer had ever desired such a vile creature, as Chumani had told her about the wicked things Wastemna had done to drive her away or have her banished or murder her.

“She will die if the knife of an enemy enters her body while she is in the forest alone.”

“There is no hope of an enemy getting so close to our camp or, if one does so, there is no hope Dewdrops would be slain by him. Do you forget she was a female warrior before she came to live among us and she rode at Wind Dancer’s side during the vision quest? She is skilled with weapons and in fighting, so no enemy could take her by surprise.”

“There is hope if I am that enemy and do the deed for you.”

Caroline tensed during a span of silence that seemed much longer than it was. She did not know if she had been detected or if Wastemna was stunned speechless by the man’s evil offer.

“What do you mean by such words, Two Feathers?” the woman finally asked.

“I will slay Dewdrops for you if you will slay Cloud Chaser for me. With them dead, Dawn will be mine once more and Wind Dancer will be yours. That is a good trade, is it not?”

“How can I slay a skilled warrior? I remember little of him when we were children and I was banished when Cloud Chaser came back, but I have learned much about him since my return fourteen suns past. How can a small woman slay a warrior of his size and prowess?”

“Follow the half-breed when he leaves camp alone and when he turns his back to you, beat his head with a rock or limb until he lives no more.”

Half-breed?
Caroline’s mind echoed in astonishment and curiosity.

“If I am caught, I will be tortured and slain. I can not do it.”

“You can do it, Wastemna, for you are cunning and brave, and you desire Wind Dancer. Do you forget the many clever tricks you played on Dewdrops long ago? You were exposed because you talked with your mother while others listened. You will not make that slip again.”

A full moon was rising and there was little daylight left. Caroline had been gone for a long time, so Macha might come look for her or send someone else to search for her. Yet, she was trapped until the two sinister conspirators departed.

“It is reckless; two deaths in our chief’s family with few suns between them will be suspicious to others. We would be caught and slain.”

“Will you be happy to live among us and see Dewdrops in your place? Watch her be with the man you desire? Watch her with children who should be yours? Watch her treat you with scorn? Is that the existence you want?”

“No, but I am too weak and afraid to seek what my heart desires.”

“It is a good challenge and will be a glorious victory. If we are sly and careful, no one will look in our direction.”

“Why do you not slay Cloud Chaser yourself?”

“There has been much conflict and many bad words between us since his return. I must not be near him or even in camp when he is slain and his body is found, or many will believe I took his life. No one will think a ‘weak and afraid’ female could do such a brave and daring deed. You will be safe.”

“I must think long and hard on this matter, Two Feathers.”

“No, you must speak your choice to me this moon. I warn you, no Red Shield will accept your words if you betray me to them. You will be sent away again, to live alone, in great need, in peril. Summon your courage and wits, Wastemna. Seize the war prize you crave. Will you join me in battle?”

Caroline awaited the woman’s answer with bated breath, and grimaced when it was spoken.

“Yes, but I must decide when we will strike our first blow.”

“It is yours to choose, if you do not wait long to do so. Go now before you are missed and we are seen together. We must stay apart until we can sneak another meeting.”

“I will do this deed, Two Feathers, but do not betray me or refuse to carry out your part of our trade after he is no more.”

“We must trust each other, Wastemna. Wind Dancer will belong to you soon. Return to camp and do not come near me until I signal you.”

Caroline heard the menacing creature leave, but Two Feathers stayed where he was. She tensed again, fearing he knew she was lurking nearby and had waited for Wastemna’s departure before dealing lethally with her. She struggled to control her breathing as her heart beat fast, then faster, within her chest. Her body ached from remaining motionless for so long. She prayed her protesting knee joints would not go
pop
or her shaky ankles make a cracking sound. She heard Two Feathers laugh faintly, the tone frigid and fiendish. Then, she soon discovered why the warrior was still standing there and was so distracted…

“Foolish woman, you will not enjoy Wind Dancer for many suns and moons, for I will slay him and claim the next chief’s bonnet for myself. War Eagle will never wear it. He will be unworthy of taking that rank after his father and brother are dead, for he will soon be the dishonored captive of his captive. After I slip my knife into your heart, foolish woman, it will look as if you were so sad and wild with grief you killed yourself. I will not have to place a foe’s
wanapin
in your hand to trick others as I did with Sisoka after I took her life. Rising Bear is too old to lead us in the great war ahead and his spirit will be destroyed by the deaths of his two sons and the dishonor of his third in the arms of the enemy. I no longer love and respect you, Rising Bear, and I
hunger for your death to end your weakness and shame. You tainted yourself by mating with a white woman and placing your man seeds within the captive enemy’s body and bringing forth a half-breed who stole my woman and scorns me before others. I will be the next chief and I will have Dawn as my wife. So I have spoken, so it will be.”

Caroline cringed at the icy tone of the warrior’s last sentence. She was relieved and exhausted when he finally walked away. As she waited for a while to be certain he was gone and not hiding nearby to ensnare her, she thought about those two misguided and black-hearted people, and what she should do about their insidious plot. Although she had not grasped every word spoken, she had understood most of what was said and was positive she was not mistaken about what she had overheard.

She still was shocked by the truth about Cloud Chaser. Why had he not told her his own mother was a white woman, a captive to his father? After he had made his slip ensuing the Naming Ceremony, she had suspected he was part white, then convinced herself that was ridiculous and he must have meant he was a mixture of two different Indian tribes. Had his mother really “died” or had she escaped, been sold or traded, or slain for some reason? Somehow she believed the woman had died of natural causes.

She recalled how Wastemna had treated and spoken to her since the woman’s return two weeks ago. The despicable creature had been sly and careful with her insults, but it was evident Wastemna hated her and detested her presence among them. She could imagine how that offensive woman would treat her if she were only a captive.

What she had learned about War Eagle knifed her heart. The man she loved and desired would dishonor himself if he laid claim to her and could not become chief if anything happened to Rising Bear and Wind Dancer, which was his right and duty, and retaining his honor meant so much to him. Yet, his father had taken a white captive to his bed and
created a son with her. How and why had Rising Bear done so? And why would it be so wrong and shameful for War Eagle to do so since his father—guilty of that same deed—had remained as chief, loved and respected and obeyed? She needed those answers to decide if she was only pursuing a futile dream or if there was hope for a glorious victory. Was she like Wastemna, “too weak and afraid to seek what my heart desires” when her goal seemed so unattainable?

At least she had discovered what Two Feather’s goals were: Dawn and the chief’s rank. Although she knew he was evil, it still shocked her that he so deeply hated his uncle and cousins and would murder them to achieve his desires. She must not permit him to carry out his plot. She must not allow Chumani and Cloud Chaser to die, to be cold-bloodedly murdered. She must not allow War Eagle, Dawn, Wind Dancer, Hanmani, and Nahemana to suffer such losses and anguish. She must not allow Two Feathers to become chief of the Red Shields, as he would surely war fiercely with the whites and soldiers, which would bring about the band’s defeat and deaths.

She had worked with the shaman recently by sharing their healing skills and knowledge. She even had been allowed to stitch a severe cut on a warrior’s arm, while Nahemana and others observed, and praised her skills and generosity afterward. She had done daily chores with Dawn, Chumani, Winona, Hanmani, Zitkala, Little Turtle, and other females. She liked these people, and most appeared to like her and to treat her fairly. But would they believe her grim allegations? A white captive accusing one of their elite warriors, a close relative of their chief, of a lethal conspiracy? If she was doubted, would she be slain, or perhaps tortured beforehand? Or maybe just sold or traded or given away to another band, an unkind one?

As she left her concealed position and hurried back to Dawn’s tepee, staying alert for a threat the entire way, Caroline told herself she must not make a hasty and hazardous decision.
She had to expose the culprits, but first she had to figure out the best time and safest way to do so.

So, whom should you tell? When? Where? How? Whom can you trust and who trusts you that much?
The answers came fast and easy…

After entering the tepee, Caroline watched Dawn turn quickly, look at her with near-panic in her dark brown gaze, and say she had been about to come look for her. Caroline forced a smile and thanked her.

Dawn set down Casmu’s cradle-board that she had been about to place on her back.

Later as Caroline lay on her buffalo mat and awaited her destiny, her mind was tormented and her heart was pained by the possibilities she might never see War Eagle and her brother again if no one there believed what she must tell them. She loved both men and longed to be with them, at least one last time. She yearned for War Eagle’s company, his smile, the sound of his voice, his strong embrace, his powerful protection. She did not want to perish before she shared at least one passionate and fulfilling experience with him. It would be blissful to hear him tell her that he loved her. It would be ecstasy to … Yes, right or wrong, she wanted, needed, craved to make love with him. If he were there, Caroline conceded, she would be tempted to surrender to her desires before she risked her life to save the lives and to prevent the sorrows of her friends.

She was amazed that these carnal feelings did not shock her, though they did surprise her a little. Had she changed so much since captivity, the deaths of her parents, and the loss of her family’s possessions?

While Macha was breast-feeding Casmu the next morning, Caroline asked if she could visit Chumani for a short time, acting and looking as casual as possible. Macha smiled and gave her permission to leave.

As Caroline walked the short distance to Wind Dancer’s colorful tepee, her anxiety mounted and she trembled, but she did not slow her steady pace, turn back, or change her mind. At the closed flap, she called out for permission to enter, as one did not do so when it was not secured open. After she heard Chumani invite her inside, Caroline joined her. She found the older woman alone and feeding her almostfour-week-old infant, the reason for the privacy signal. She was relieved to discover that Wind Dancer and Tokapa were gone, at least for now.

“Psa ‘owinza akan yanka.”
Chumani told her to sit on a rush mat nearby.

In English, Caroline said in a low voice after she took a seat, “I did not want to disturb you, Dewdrops, but I need to speak with you.”

Chumani noted a worried expression on the white girl’s face and in her blue gaze. She also noticed that her visitor was not speaking Lakota as usual and was using a hushed tone. She softly asked in English, “What is wrong, Caroline? You look afraid and uneasy.”

Caroline intentionally used English in the event someone arrived and overheard her accusations. She nodded as she almost whispered, “I am, Dewdrops, but I will wait for you to finish feeding Inunpa before we speak.”

Chumani looked down at her daughter—alive because of Caroline—and said, “She eats no more and she sleeps. I will put her in her cradle-board.”

As the baby was being secured there for her nap, Caroline asked, “Will Wind Dancer and Tokapa return soon?”

“No, for they have eaten and go to walk in the forest,” Chumani said as she sat down before the white woman, their knees almost touching. “Speak of what troubles your heart and head,” she coaxed, curious and concerned.

Caroline lowered her gaze for a moment as she took a deep breath. When she looked up, she murmured, “Where and how do I begin my story?”