Lakota Flower (4 page)

War Eagle nodded. The crowd parted for him to do as his father, their chief, had commanded. He guided his horse to the side of the largest and most highly decorated tepee, situated
in the inner circle in a place of honor. He dismounted and helped Caroline to the ground, then handed his reins to a young boy who took charge of the horse. “Come,” he told her and led her to the waiting women near the tepee’s entrance. He pointed to the oldest one and said, “Mother, Winona,” and to the youngest and said, “Sister, Hanmani. I go. You stay.”

Caroline nodded understanding and compliance before he left on foot. She looked at the women who gazed at her, thankfully without loathsome expressions. She pointed to herself and said, “Caroline.”

Hanmani, who was astonished by her youngest brother’s action, said, “Sit,” as she motioned to a rush mat nearby. “I give you water.”

“You speak English, too?” Caroline asked.

“Speak little. Know more. Not Mother. Not Father. Brothers, yes.”

Caroline was relieved that at least some of them knew her language, as that would help her understand their orders and learn their tongue. She took the assigned seat and sipped from the water bag the young girl handed to her. As she returned the bag, she smiled and said, “Thank you, Hanmani,” and saw the girl nod. She watched the two women return to their tasks nearby, working with buffalo hides and meat drying.

At that time, she thought it was best to hold her silence until she was spoken to, though they seemed to ignore her presence and chatted amongst themselves in low voices. She saw an Indian man pause and stare at her from across the center clearing; there was something intimidating in his frigid expression, narrowed gaze, and stiffened body, which she found alarming. Who was he? And why, since she was a stranger and a mere woman, did hate and repulsion seem to emanate from him like an evil force?
Relax, Caroline, don’t surmise the worst until you know the truth…

* * *

When the men gathered in a group beyond the tepees and sat down on the grass to listen to the report, Rising Bear asked, “Why did you attack and slay the bluecoats, my son?”

After War Eagle explained his deed and motives, Runs Fast accused, “You will call down the white war chief’s anger upon us, as with the Brules.”

“Have you forgotten, my uncle, the great white war chief Harney and other white leaders blame all Lakotas for what the Brules did to Grattan and for their many raids before and after that battle? They do not listen when they are told Grattan was the first to attack and spill blood or that other bands are not to blame. They use Grattan’s death as a reason to slay all Indians and take our lands. They do not speak the truth or honor their treaty with us and our foes. We must attack all small parties of bluecoats and destroy their powerful weapons before they join as one big force against us.”

Runs Fast debated, “The whites and bluecoats are many; more will come to replace them, and they will bring more of their powerful weapons. Arrows, lances, and war clubs are weak against the giant thundersticks.”

War Eagle looked at the husband of his father’s sister and agreed. “That is true.”

Before he could continue, his uncle challenged his words. “So why do you call down their anger upon us with your attack?”

Using great restraint to master his annoyance and a calm tone to conceal it, War Eagle repeated his motives and went on to say, “While they receive word and journey here, that will give us more suns of peace and more suns to prepare for the great battle that is certain to strike at us before the cold season, for Harney will reach our lands soon as my brother Cloud Chaser learned during his visit to their forts.” He reminded them, “My war party removed the arrows with Red Shield markings. They pushed the big thundersticks over the bluffs of Makosica. Some buried the bluecoats’ bodies there in Mother Earth, as is their custom and where they can not
be found. Others drove buffalo over their trail and ours to conceal them before they returned to the great hunt. Even if such signs are found by their scouts, they will not know who did that deed. If you doubt my cunning, we can put out false signs of the Crow to lead the bluecoats to our enemy and to blame them, as we did long ago when I followed my brother Wind Dancer and his wife, Dewdrops, during their sacred vision quest.”

War Eagle then asked Wind Dancer, “Since you will become our next chief, my brother, what would you have done if you had been our leader on the past sun?”

Wind Dancer replied, “I would have ridden the same path as you did. My head and heart tell me you showed great courage, cunning, and wisdom. It is much easier and safer to destroy small bands of soldiers than to defeat a large force of them after they unite to attack us.”

“That is true,” Two Feathers agreed, “but I say the white girl must die as the bluecoats did. It is too dangerous for her to live with such secrets.”

“No.” Cloud Chaser hastily refuted their cousin’s cold and cruel words, “It is wrong to slay a helpless female.”

War Eagle tensed in dread as he watched Two Feather’s expression harden with determination, for the breach between his second brother and cousin was a long, deep, and hostile one.

“A
white
female is what you mean,” Two Feathers said. “Your feelings run in that direction because you are half white and have a bond to her.”

War Eagle was stunned by his cousin’s display of antagonism, as the man had kept such bad feelings concealed for almost a year since Cloud Chaser had earned his way back into their band.

Cloud Chaser stiffened. “That is false, Two Feathers. I have proven that my Oglala blood and bond is strongest. I speak against your words because it is not the Red Shield way to kill women and children, be they white or Indian enemies. If
War Eagle agrees, I will accept the white woman into my tepee to help Dawn with her chores and the tending of our son. I will prevent her escape, so she will not endanger us.”

Two Feathers argued again in favor of her death, claiming she would spy on them, flee, and reveal their location or tell of War Eagle’s grave deed to the soldiers. Or, he reasoned to sway others to his side, white soldiers could sight her in their camp, which would provoke an attack on them. He loathed and distrusted all whites, and he had even hoped Dawn would lose the half-breed child she had carried, but those prayers had gone unanswered and his hopes for victory over his rival had been defeated.

Even the infant’s name—Casmu, meaning Sand—exposed its inferior and mixed bloodline, for its flesh was paler than a true Oglala’s. He refused to accept the reason why the child was given that name, his birth coming upon a sandy stretch of terrain, as it was their custom to choose something close by during a baby’s arrival. Somehow and in some way, he must be rid of his foe … and take Dawn as his mate!

War Eagle made a difficult decision and revealed it. “Cloud Chaser speaks true of our ways, Two Feathers. I vote she lives. If others agree, I will give her to my second brother and his wife as a gift.”

Nahemana now spoke. “My grandson speaks wise on this matter. I say she must not be slain and must live in the tepee of Cloud Chaser. Who votes with me?”

Since their shaman was well respected and deeply loved, the council and other warriors—even those who agreed with Two Feathers—concurred with Nahemana as did Chief Rising Bear.

War Eagle sighed in relief and from gratitude to his father and grandfather. From the corner of his eye, he saw Two Feathers scowl and study him closely. He resolved he must say and do nothing to let that defeated man learn of his forbidden feelings for the white girl, as his cousin would surely seek ways to shame and harm him for her presence there, for winning their verbal battle, for helping Cloud Chaser defeat
him once more. He wished the conflict between the two men did not run so deep and strong, but it had been that way since his half brother’s birth. He worried that one day it would come to a lethal battle between them, as Two Feathers refused to bury the sharp hatchet between them. If only he knew why Two Feathers detested Cloud Chaser so much, he could settle the rivalry, but the man’s motivation remained a mystery to him. At least his cousin had not been allowed to harm Caroline for revenge. He wondered how she would feel about being given away to another.

With the decision made, everyone must honor it, as was their custom. The impending hostile situation with the soldiers was discussed for a while longer; then the group dispersed to return to their chores.

War Eagle asked Cloud Chaser to go with him to their father’s tepee to fetch Caroline, as Wind Dancer was busy speaking with other warriors and their father about their impending return to the Black Hills. “Did I do wrong to bring her here?” he asked.

Cloud Chaser shook his head. “No, you could not leave her there alone. You know her fate if Crow or Pawnee had found her or bad white men who sneak and hunt buffalo on our lands. And it was too far and dangerous to take her back to the fort. You did what is best for us and for her. She will be safe in my tepee, and she will help Dawn with our baby.”

Cloud Chaser’s response pleased War Eagle and caused him to smile. “That is true, my brother, for she is strong, brave, and wise. She gave me no trouble during our journey. Her name is Caroline. She is the sister of a bluecoat; she came to this territory to join him.”

Cloud Chaser glanced at him in surprise. “You spoke to her in English?” He also noted a strange softening of his brother’s voice and expression when War Eagle spoke of the white girl.

“Only a little. She had to grasp my words to obey them.”

“She was afraid?”

“Yes, but not weak with tears or bad with her tongue and actions.”

“That is good. She—” Cloud Chaser halted before they reached Rising Bear’s tepee, as he sighted Caroline sitting on a mat near the entrance. Her appearance shocked him for a moment. “She favors my mother.”

War Eagle also paused to reply, “Yes, she has sky eyes and sunny hair and pale skin. Does it pain you to be reminded of Omaste?”

“A little,” Cloud Chaser admitted. He had loved his mother, who died when he was young. “She is pretty.”

“If you say so, I believe you. Come, you must take her to Dawn.”

Cloud Chaser was almost amused by War Eagle’s offhanded reply. He suspected that his youngest brother was well aware of the girl’s beauty and wanted to get the lovely girl out of his sight, perhaps to escape temptation. Was it possible a
white
girl could affect him in a physical way? If so, that would certainly present them with a grave predicament…

Cloud Chaser approached the wary female, who stood immediately and clasped her hands tightly before her waist. “My name is Cloud Chaser. I am the brother of War Eagle,” he said, motioning to the man beside him in case she did not know her captor’s name. “You will live and work in my tepee.” When he witnessed her alarmed reaction, he rushed on to explain, “You will help my wife with her chores and with the tending of our baby. If you obey and do not try to escape, you will be safe with us in all ways. In time, perhaps you will be happy in our camp if you allow yourself to do so. Do you agree to my words?”

“Do I have a choice?” Caroline asked in a polite and careful tone.

“No, but it will be easier on everyone if you agree and behave.”

“How long will I be held captive here?”

“Until there is peace with the white man.”

“In other words, forever; am I correct in my observations?”

“You are an intelligent and brave woman, Caroline, or so my brother told me, and from what I see and hear.” Cloud Chaser watched her glance at War Eagle in surprise. A gleam of relief and gratitude shone in her blue eyes. “Come, I will take you to meet my wife and infant son. Dawn will teach you what you must do. In our tongue, she is called Macha, which means Dawn.”

“Will you teach me your language? You speak English very well.”

Without explaining why that was true, Cloud Chaser said, “If you want to learn our language, we will teach it to you. Come.”

Before Caroline followed Cloud Chaser away, she glanced at War Eagle once more, baffled by this turn in events. He had allowed his brother to do all of the talking, but he had observed her closely during their conversation. “Good-bye, Wanbli, and thank you.”

“Why thank me?” the warrior asked, though he surmised the reason.

“You know why.”

From inside his parents’ tepee not far away, and while keeping out of sight, Two Feathers observed the meeting at Rising Bear’s tepee. During the short talk between Cloud Chaser and the girl, he witnessed the expressions on the captive’s and his younger cousin’s faces. There was no doubt in his mind that she was beautiful and tempting, even to him. What unattached man would not want to throw her upon a mat to appease his cravings?
So,
he mused,
perhaps War Eagle finds you desirable and it frightens him, just as you find my cousin good to look upon and be with. Perhaps those reluctant feelings will be useful to me.

Two Feathers reminded himself he had not given up on
his two bold plans—to possess Dawn and to become the next Red Shield chief. If he was right about War Eagle’s forbidden desires, all he required for success was the death of Wind Dancer and Cloud Chaser. War Eagle would shame himself over the white woman and lose his right to that rank.
No matter how hard War Eagle battles his great hunger he will yield to it one sun, just as his father yielded to Omaste’s evil magic long ago and shamed himself. Perhaps I should silence my protests against her and allow War Eagle to dig himself a deadly trap, or perhaps I can provoke him into doing so…

Rising Bear took a stroll beyond the camp with his wife’s father to talk in private with the shaman. “I fear nothing good can come of holding a white woman captive, so why did you speak for her to stay here?”

In a gentle tone, Nahemana reminded him, “Do not forget, our chief, Cloud Chaser came from your union with Omaste. Was she not a good woman though her skin was white, and was not the birth of your second son by her good? I believe it was the will of the Creator for you to mate once with her to bring forth the seed that has done many great things for us.”

“That is true, Wise One, but I sensed a strange hunger in War Eagle for her and it worries me, as it will trouble others. I do not want him to suffer as I did over a forbidden bond with a white woman, for she is unlike Omaste was. Omaste was given to me; War Eagle captured this girl. Omaste was a friend to us; that girl is an enemy, and could be a danger to us.”

“My grandson did not keep her for himself, my chief,” Nahemana said. “He gave her to his second brother and Dawn as a helper. Even if he has feelings for her, how do we
know the Great Spirit did not place them within his heart and head for a purpose? Wakantanka often works in mysterious, and sometimes painful, ways. Many troubling thoughts have come to me during this hunting season; I sense large peril not far ahead. On the past moon, I prayed to the Creator to send us a sign on this sun; and War Eagle brought the girl to our camp, a female with hair that glows like the sun. I say it is wise to allow her to live with us for now.”

“If what you say is true, Wise One, I will not intrude in the workings of the Great Spirit, but I pray it is not so. If the Creator speaks other words to you and she must die or be freed, whisper them into my ear first.”

“It will be as you say.”

While they ate the midday meal and Macha breast-fed their infant son with her back to them for privacy, Cloud Chaser asked Caroline about herself. He needed to learn all he could about her and what she knew, if anything, about the army’s war plans. Besides, he could think of no valid reason to be cold or cruel to an innocent female.

Caroline decided it could do no harm to reveal the losses of her parents and property and her trip west to join her brother. She related her grim information as the man listened and watched intently. Afterward, he offered her sympathy … then made a provocative statement.

“Such tragic losses should help you grasp how Indians feel about the white man’s encroachment.”

“Why did your brother attack us?” she countered. “We did nothing wrong or threatening, unless it’s a crime to cross your lands. We were taken by surprise and all the soldiers were killed. Why?”

“Your brother is a soldier. What did he tell you about the troubles in this territory? Why did he come here to help your people steal our lands and to slay us when whites have plenty of land elsewhere?”

“David didn’t tell me anything about this kind of trouble and danger. If he had known it was so bad, he wouldn’t have allowed me to come and be imperiled like this. He’s a good man. He joined the army for two reasons: he wanted to see the West before he settled down and took over the plantation for our father, and he wanted to escape the pain of the woman who broke their betrothal. All I know about the hostilities was told to me by soldiers during my short stay at Fort Pierre and the five-day ride across the grasslands before I was captured.”

Cloud Chaser nodded. “Did they tell you the white leaders are sending their best general here to subjugate or destroy us? They plan to attack as soon as he arrives at Fort Kearny, where your brother was sent. That’s what those wagons were for that War Eagle attacked and destroyed with just cause; and those men were slain before they could join forces with the other soldiers to attack us.”

Caroline was alarmed. “Is there no hope for peace between the whites and Indians?”

Cloud Chaser shook his head. “In September of fifty-one, Indian nations in this territory were tricked, bribed, and coerced into signing a treaty at Fort Laramie to evoke peace between Indians and whites and between enemy Indian nations. It failed because some nations or tribes refused to sign and because whites didn’t keep their side of the bargain. This current trouble started last August over the simple killing of a stray cow that wandered into a Brule camp and was slaughtered and eaten. A soldier named Lieutenant Grattan went to their camp to recover the cow or to arrest and punish the slayers. He took many men and even cannons with him, and a drunken and abusive translator. Naturally the Brules felt they had done nothing wrong and refused to surrender their friends to be punished for a foolish reason.”

Cloud Chaser observed her closely as he continued. “The soldiers fired first and killed the chief, the very man who had been chosen by the whites as the head chief of all Lakotas
for the treaty council and signing, a man of peace who was once a great warrior. The Brules killed the entire unit while defending themselves and their camp. Some raided the American Fur Company, others raided at Fort Laramie to replace the animals slain and to retaliate for lost lives and for damage done to their camp. But the owner and workers at Bordeau’s Trading Post were not slain. Nor was Private Cuddy, the one survivor of the battle; he and others told the officer at the fort what happened, but their words changed nothing. Your government and army blame all Lakotas for those deeds and plan to punish us all, though we were not involved in that battle or those raids. Remain silent for now and I will speak more after I wet my throat.”

Cloud Chaser took a deep breath and a few sips of water and said, “Let me explain about our nation so you can understand my meaning better. Our nation is called the Dakotas; it is like a giant tree with three huge branches: the Dakota, Nakota, and Lakota. Each branch has many small tribal limbs, with the Lakota, which is often called the Teton, having the most, seven. Each tribe has many bands, like leaves on the limbs. We belong to the Oglala tribe and the Red Shield Band. The Brules are also Lakotas, Tetons. They are our allies and friends, but we are not of the same limb.”

“Why are you called Red Shields?”
Does it signify blood, death?

“In years long past, band members carried red shields to represent the earth color of the sacred racetrack,” Cloud Chaser explained. “The tall black ridge of the first rim of our sacred hills far away parts the grassland from a valley where red dirt forms a near circle around the inner mountains. Long ago, The People and animals began to hunt, slay, and eat each other, destroying the harmony between them. The Creator was displeased, so He commanded the animals to race around the red trail to learn if they would be predator or prey in suns to come. A
halhate,
a magpie, raced for The People; he used trickery and won, so man earned the rank of
hunter and animals, the hunted. To show their victory, hunters carried red shields to remind the animals of that great race. Many seasons following that time, warriors were told to make different shields during their vision quests.”

Caroline found that story interesting but it wasn’t what she needed to learn. “Why is the army so convinced all Lakotas are to blame for the Grattan incident? Why doesn’t your father or the other chiefs explain matters to them?”

“They see all Indians as the same, as the enemy. They have been told of their mistake, but it does not matter to them. It gives them an excuse to attack us and take our lands. To do so is like punishing the French for evil deeds done by the Spanish because both peoples have white skin.”

“But the soldiers said Lakotas are carrying out raids and killings.”
So did you earlier,
she thought, but didn’t remind him of that.

“Some raid stages so soldiers will have no pay and supplies and will become disgruntled and perhaps leave. Horses and goods are stolen to feed people and to use for escape after destructive attacks on their camps.”

Caroline queried, “May I ask you a personal question?”

“Yes, but I might not answer it.”

She hoped she was not offending him when she asked, “Are you an adopted son to the chief? Are you white or part white, and is that why you speak such excellent English?”
And look a little mix-blooded?

Cloud Chaser did not think it was smart to tell her about his parents and his birth. “I am the blood son of Rising Bear. I was born and lived in this land until I was ten, when I was attacked and wounded by our enemy the Crow. I was found by a white couple traveling in a wagon to Oregon. While unconscious, I was taken there with them and was reared by them. I didn’t know how to return home and was told my band had been slain. When I became a man and learned the truth, I returned to my family and people. I am Oglala by birth.”

Caroline didn’t doubt him, but sensed there was far more
to his story. “Is that why you hate whites, for stealing you and deceiving you?”

“No, for they were good but misguided people who yearned for a son and believed their God had sent me to them.” That was all he would tell her; he felt it was not smart to expose too much about himself to her.

“We did not start this war,” he went on. “We did not travel to your lands to steal them. When white trappers and traders first came to this territory, they were greeted in friendship. More and more came. Greed was born in them and sprouted swiftly. They made themselves our enemies. But enough talk of such dark things.”

Caroline realized he wanted to change the subject, so she asked, “How old is your son? What’s his name?”

“He is two months old and is called Casmu, which means Sand. My wife is Macha, which means Dawn.” He smiled at his beloved as she looked around when he spoke her name. “I am Yutokeca Mahpiya, Cloud Chaser. If you wish to learn our language, I will teach you. I warn you now, Caroline, it would be foolish and dangerous to dupe us, disobey, or escape.”

“I understand, and I’ll do as I’m told. What do you want me to do? Where will I—” She halted as her captor ducked his head and entered the tepee, carrying her fabric satchel in one hand, and glancing at her with a strange look.

War Eagle spoke with his half brother in Lakota. “I come to bring her possessions. They were on Swift Otter’s horse. Does she obey you?”

A confident Cloud Chaser nodded as he said, “I believe she is a good woman and will give me no trouble. Does that please you?”

“Yes, for I would not want trouble to come from my action.”

Cloud Chaser saw how War Eagle looked at the captive. He also saw Caroline gaze at the younger warrior, then blush and lower her eyes. “Trouble will come,” he told War Eagle,
“but it will not be caused by your brave deed. It was generous of you to allow her to bring her possessions with her.”

“I allowed her to bring only what could be carried with us. The rest of the hunters will return on the next sun. When the third sun rises, Father says we will strike camp and leave for the sacred hills. There, we will prepare for war with our enemy.”

“I wish peace could come this season, my brother, but it will not be so with the white war chief riding to our lands to challenge us.”

“That is true,” War Eagle agreed. “What words did she speak to you?”

Cloud Chaser told him, then added, “She knows nothing of use to us in the coming conflict.”

“Do you think she would reveal such words if she knew them?”

Cloud Chaser pondered this, then nodded. He wanted to question War Eagle’s thoughts and feelings about the girl, but decided it was unwise; he needed to do all he could to draw War Eagle’s perilous attention from her. “Did Father order out more scouts to watch for signs of trouble and for the camp’s protection?”

“Yes, and I ride to obey him.” War Eagle smiled at Macha when she turned and greeted him. “Casmu grows larger and stronger each sun. He looks at many things with keen eyes. Soon, my brother will have a shadow trailing him,” he joked with a grin.

“That will please him,” Macha said. “One sun, you will know such feelings, for you are a man now and should seek out a mate.”

“I have much to do before that sun rises. I must help drive the enemy from our lands and protect our people.”

“You are strong, so you can do both tasks at the same time, as do your brothers. I have seen young women watching you with desire in their gazes.”

War Eagle ruffled Casmu’s dark hair, grinned, and said, “I
ride before you choose a wild female for me when I am not ready to tame one.”

“If she loves you as I love Cloud Chaser, no taming will be needed.”

“Help me, my brother, for your wife seeks to push me into a trap.”

Cloud Chaser chuckled. “If the right woman shares that trap, you will be happy there with her, as I am happy in mine.”

“I did not know men viewed unions as traps,” Macha said. “Why have you not shared that secret with me before, my husband?”

Caroline listened to the genial exchange, though she could not grasp their Lakota words. It was obvious to her that they were a close-knit family, and that all three had forgotten her presence for a while. From their cheerful tones, expressions, and gestures, she surmised they were joking about something or someone, perhaps having to do with the child since their attention mainly seemed focused on the baby. During the men’s earlier talk, she had heard her name mentioned several times. She wished she knew what had been said. For certain, the warrior who had captured her was difficult—impossible—to ignore. She found herself wanting to stare at him, talk with him, learn everything there was to know about him. She watched him tousle the infant’s ebony hair for a second time, then depart without even glancing in her direction.

Cloud Chaser passed her the satchel, which she accepted with relief and joy. He asked which items she had selected from her belongings to bring with her, perhaps in an attempt to learn more about her. She opened the bag and said, “I have no weapon inside,” in case that thought had entered his mind. “Only clothes, photographs of my brother and parents, a rag doll my mother made for me as a child, and our family Bible. Would you like to examine the contents?”

“No, but show me the photographs.”

Caroline handed the prized objects to him, and prayed he would not keep or destroy them. She watched him gaze at the two pictures for a long while, especially her brother’s, before returning them. After thanking him, she inquired, “Where shall I put my satchel?”