Tiopa Ki Lakota Part 10

Several women blinked at her before realizing they were being chastised. Most had the decency to blush and look away. Others appeared affronted by Hca's direct and challenging manner, though they looked away, as well.

Satisfied, the young woman splashed into the water and approached the scared woman. "Do you know how to swim?" she asked, mimicking the motion with her arms. "To swim?"

Kathleen smiled a little and repeated the word. "To swim, yes!" She took a couple of strokes away and back. Her smile widened at the other woman's grin.

"Come, Ketlin!" Hca said. And she swam away towards the opposite sh.o.r.e.

Behind her, the blonde smiled at the invitation to play. She chased after Hca with a laugh. Maybe things will be better now, she dared to hope.

After bathing, Kathleen had found herself cleaning her dress alongside her new friend. She sc.r.a.ped the wet leather with a rock until most of the blood had been removed, her moccasins following suit. For the most part, the other women left her alone and it gave her time to think of the day's occurrences.

It wasn't that Hca and her mother were kinder to the blonde. The women she'd been living with before were just too busy in their day to day existence, what with two small children in the tent to increase the workload. Well, that and the old woman is a cantankerous one, Kathleen mused with a slight grin. Nearby, she could hear the old grandmother complaining about something to the younger.

The blonde hadn't seen any children with these two women. And the older one reminded her of her own mother. She wondered if Hca was married or not, and whether she'd had any children. I will miss that, Kathleen thought, catching a glimpse of the boy and girl she'd been living with as they frolicked in the water. It was nice ta have youngsters underfoot.

And then she was instructed by Hca to put the wet leather on and come along. Kathleen shivered in the breeze and wished she had different clothing to wear. She was led through the camp and to a tent. As the young woman with her held the leather aside and waved her in, she thought, My new home. The blonde ducked inside.

It looked pretty much the same as the last tent she'd lived in. A firepit in the center, robes stewn about for sleeping and sitting, various bundles here and there around the edge holding a mult.i.tude of incomprehensible items. As Kathleen remained standing just to one side of the doorway, Hca climbed in and pa.s.sed her.

Waniyetu Gi also entered, tying her hair back in a knot. She noticed the pale woman shivering. "Cunksi , get Ketlin something dry to wear. Her skin is thin and she is cold." The older woman guided the blonde further into the ti ikceya by an elbow.

"Ohan, ina." The wikoskalaka rummaged among her things and found what she was looking for. With a smile, she turned to her charge and held up another dress. "You will wear this, Ketlin," she said. When the blonde made no move to take it, Hca pushed it closer. "It is yours. I made it for the woman of my mitankala's vision."

The dress was of buckskin and long. It was painted yellow, like Anpo's shirt. Running from shoulder to hem were two strips of white with designs painted red on them - the lightning bolt, the buffalo and the sun.

Hesitantly, Kathleen took the offering. "Thank you, Hca," she said, though she knew the woman wouldn't understand her. "It's beautiful." She looked down to her own dress, formless and without adornment. Unbidden, tears came to her eyes.

The smile on her face faded as she saw the wetness trailing from the blonde's eyes. Hca frowned in concern and stepped forward. "I did not wish to hurt you, Ketlin," she said, taking the woman by the shoulders.

With an experienced eye, Waniyetu Gi looked the new arrival over. "I do not think she has been hurt by you, cunksi," she decided. "I have spoken with my maske and Yatke's woman about this her. She was hurt very much by the people who had her before."

Kathleen tried to hold back the tears as the women conversed about her. She angrily swiped one away. Now is not the time, Kath! she thought, fighting her emotions. But all was for naught when an understanding look crossed Hca's face and the blonde found herself being pulled into an embrace.

The kindness seemed to open a floodgate and all the pain and fear and worry of the past few weeks seemed to wash over her. Kathleen began sobbing, her body shaking from the force of her cries. Slowly, she was lowered down until she and Hca were seated on some furs. The woman was rocking her and singing softly as the crying continued.

Eventually, the tears subsided. Kath, yer an idiot, she thought as she pulled sheepishly away from Hca. As she hiccoughed like a small child, Waniyetu Gi knelt beside them and wiped her face with a piece of soft leather. Kathleen blushed at the treatment, feeling as if she was three years old. But ye do feel better, la.s.s, she had to admit.

Kathleen allowed herself to be undressed. The wet leather of the previous outfit no longer against her skin, she could feel herself warm up almost immediately. There was a final shiver as she slipped the new dress over her head and smoothed it down. She noticed that the other women were doing the same, each avoiding watching each other. The blonde averted her gaze, as well, giving the others as much privacy as was available in a tent of this size.

Once she was finished, Hca tied a belt about her waist and looked to the white woman. She beckoned the stranger forward to stand in front of her. With a smile, the dark woman produced a yellow belt to go with the dress. She tied it about Kathleen, drawing the formless clothing in at the waist. With a satisfied smile, she stepped back to regard her handiwork. "Ina, what do you think?"

Waniyetu Gi c.o.c.ked her head to one side. "You are good with the paints, cunksi. And you did well with the size of the taha cuwignaka .".

'Ina.' Does that mean 'mother'? That wasn't the word the other woman used for the older one. She worried the question, wanting answers but not able to get her inquiry across to the pair that stood regarding her.

"Come, Ketlin, cunksi," Waniyetu Gi said. "We must work on the hides and the meat before things go bad." The older woman moved to the tiopa and stepped out of the lodge.

Taking Kathleen by the hand, the dark woman led her charge in the same direction. "I will teach you how to tan the skins that my mitankala has killed for you, Ketlin."

Feeling a little more grounded from her bout of emotion, the blonde followed along, a sense of gentle wistfulness seeming to fill her. P'rhaps things'll be better now.

The feast was a happy affair and Kathleen found the music and dancing fascinating. Previous times since her initial capture she was either kept in the tent or left to her own devices in some out of the way area with the children. The fear and depression had kept her meek and wanting to hide from prying eyes. Now, however, it was her duty to serve Anpo and places to hide were rare.

He must not have any other wives, she considered. While with Hehaka Yatke, the blonde was rarely called upon to serve him food - the mother of his children did that ch.o.r.e. And since I was the second... wife....? I wasn't needed ta feed him. From what Kathleen could gather, Hca was Anpo's sister and Gi was his mother. She hadn't seen who his father was, yet, as Anpo seemed to take after his mother.

The afternoon had been quite educational. Hca had been a fine instructor, not only of how to take care of the skins and meat, but the words involved with each item. By the time the meal had been ready, Kathleen was able to name everything properly. She had received a laugh and a hug from the dark young woman in reward and had grinned foolishly for some time after.

When the blonde had prepared the first serving of food, Hca had helped by adding extra of the things she knew her sister enjoyed and frowning with a shake of her head for those that Anpo did not. With attention to detail, Kathleen had understood what she was being told and refrained from giving the warrior anything not on the list of favorables.

As the night drifted on, the children were settled into their ti ikceyas. Soon the elders followed suit, leaving the fire and reveling to the younger crowd. Songs were sung, dances danced and music played. Kathleen was happy to note that there were, indeed, a set of pipes being played and wondered if she'd be allowed to play them herself. The food was eaten until there was nothing left.

Anpo felt full, not just in a physical sense, but spiritual and emotional as well. Her spirits, while naturally light, seemed higher than ever as she joked and teased and sang and danced with her family and friends. And always, her eyes fell on the pale woman, watching the firelight flicker through her yellow hair.

The cuwignaka that Kathleen wore was very interesting. The designs painted on it were identical to the ones on her own shirt. The one that my cuwekala gave me. When the wikoskalaka got up to dance, Anpo watched with interest as her sister tried to entice the pale woman. It took a moment before she understood what was being asked and, when the blue eyes became panicked, the warrior had intercepted them and shook her head.

Now the elders and children were sleeping and the crowd around the fire had thinned considerably. Quite a few of the young men and women had also gone to their sleeping furs. Anpo turned to look at the blonde and found her eyes drifting closed.

With a fond smile, Anpo reached out and touched the woman's shoulder, rousing her. "Come, Ketlin," she said, rising to her feet and helping her woman do the same. "It is time for sleep. You are tired."

Kathleen had started when the warm hand had touched her shoulder. It had been an exhausting day, what with the butchering and the emotional turmoil she'd been through. She heard Anpo speak and understood they were leaving as he rose. He helped her to her feet and, while he made some comments to the remaining people, began walking towards the tent he stayed in.

As they drifted further into the darkness, the blonde's fears began to grow again. Ye know he'll want ta bed ye, Kath. Ye can't do ta him what ye did ta the other. He'll give ye away, sure as rain! By the time they had stepped into the tent, her heart was pounding and she was having difficulty breathing, the panic attack building in intensity. I don't know if I can do it!

Taking the pale woman by the hand, Anpo directed her to her sleeping robes. There were just enough coals in the firepit to light their way. Hca and her parents were already in their own robes and sleeping nearby. The warrior settled Kathleen on her robes and stepped to the firepit to stir up a bit of flame.

The orange of the fire backlit the warrior's muscular frame and Kathleen swallowed anxiously. When the man returned to the furs and sat facing her, she dropped her gaze and chewed her lower lip. Oh, G.o.d! Here 'tis! She felt hands on her shoulders as the man turned her in her place to face him. Now they were seated with the fire to her right and his left. He wants ta see what he's got, Kathleen's mind blithered.

Anpo could see the blonde trembling with fear and she knew the reason. Her ina had told her of the woman's treatment, having spoken with both her maske and Yatke's woman. She shakes like a young bird just out of the nest. A look of concern crossed her face. Ketlin thinks I will hurt her like the others did.

But the desire to touch the white woman, this enigma from a vision, was so strong, that Anpo could not deny it. I must do something to ease her heart. Swiftly, fluidly, she rose to her feet and removed her clothing.

The suddenness of Anpo's movement startled the woman and she flinched back despite her best efforts. Kathleen held her stomach and shivered as the yellow shirt fell to one side, followed by the breechclout and belt and moccasins. Dark skinned hands reached down and took her own. It was a bit of a struggle as a part of her wanted to keep hold of herself.

Feeling the tenseness in the woman's limbs, the warrior pulled firmly until Kathleen reluctantly let her arms stretch out. She is so sad and scared. Anpo helped the blonde stand before her.

Kathleen kept her eyes averted, her head turned towards the fire. She could feel the tears already beginning to course down her cheeks, but she refused to sob out loud. Her new friend, Hca, was sleeping nearby and the blonde didn't want to wake her.

"Ketlin. Look at me." When the woman remained staring into the flames, Anpo reached out and guided her chin around. Again, there was resistance and the warrior watched the tendons in the long neck jump as they strained.

Trying to keep her eyes away from the man before her, Kathleen stared over his head. She saw motion in front of her face, two fingers pointing into her eyes, that drew her attention despite her best efforts.

Anpo pointed into the woman's eyes and then her own. "Look at me, Ketlin."

Their eyes met and locked. Just as it had been earlier on the killing field, Kathleen's fears seemed to drain away. Her mind was babbling that she was going to be raped again, but for some reason it wasn't sinking in. And then Anpo's hand was gesturing, bringing her eyes downwards.

Still holding one of the woman's hands, the warrior felt in clutch in a spasm of surprise. Kathleen weaved in her shock and would have fallen had Anpo not caught her, lowering her gently back down.

He's a... a... woman! The vision of b.r.e.a.s.t.s and a barren patch of dark curly hair played itself over and over in Kathleen's mind. A woman!?

Anpo smiled into the wide blue eyes that stared at her in amazement. Again, she gestured down her body, drawing the woman's gaze. "See, Ketlin? I am no different than you." She reached out and caressed the blonde's cheek. "I will not hurt you. I swear it."

The pale woman was at a loss. All her emotions had been preparing for another painful encounter. She felt as if she had climbed to the edge of a great chasm only to find herself on solid ground. Kathleen felt the hand brush her cheek and it brought her back to the present. Her mind whirled with confusion, but she tentatively returned the smile that was bestowed on her.

Encouraged by the smile, Anpo's widened. She let her attention roam from the deep blue eyes to the yellow hair. Leaning forward, she reached behind Kathleen and unbound her hair. The color of it sparkled in the firelight and the warrior's mouth opened a bit as she studied it with awe, taking a few strands between her fingers and admiring the contrast against her skin. It is the same as my vision. The Sun has graced Ketlin. This, naturally, lead her to follow the line of the woman's neck to where it disappeared into her dress.

Still a bit dazed at the revelation, Kathleen sat still when the warrior leaned forward, arms on either side of her head to reach the tie that held her hair back. She could smell the distinctive odor of Anpo, a mixture of herbal aromas and woodsmoke, deciding she liked it. She's curious, the woman thought when the dark woman leaned back and studied a handful of her hair. Just like all the others have been. Kathleen watched the dark eyes study her face and neck and then seem to flash irritation at the collar of the buckskin dress she was wearing. But, rather than have her remove the dress, Anpo moved on to the exposed areas of her skin.

If the white woman understood things, she belonged to Anpo just as she'd belonged to the previous two men she'd lived with, the first as a captive and the second as a slave. Even if she is a girl. And that thought brought up another. She is a girl! Though she's not much younger than me! Well, no wonder she's curious, Kath!

Despite the frustration of the clothing that Kathleen wore, the warrior continued her inspection around it. She reached for the woman's hand and pulled the pale arm out. Leaning close, Anpo peered at the fine almost white hairs that sparkled in the light. Her breath caused them to tremble and move. Even her skin has yellow hair!

Kathleen found herself grinning at the wonder evident on the younger woman's face. Well, la.s.s, ye don't have ta worry about rape, then. But ye do still have ta worry about displeasing her. This sobered her a bit as she considered her options. Making a decision that her mother would have cringed from, she sat up a bit straighter and pulled her arm from Anpo's grasp.

When Kathleen removed her arm, it broke the spell that the warrior had been under. She looked up blankly as the woman rose to stand in front of her. A puzzled look crossed her face as the blonde smiled at her. And then her eyebrows rose to their zenith when Kathleen removed her dress and settled back down on the robes.

The dress was folded neatly and set to one side before the white woman risked a glance at Anpo. The look of stark amazement and wonder caused her to chuckle a bit in her nervousness. Kathleen flushed as she felt the dark gaze flicker across her nude body. Aye, if mum saw ye now, la.s.s....

She is.... She is... beautiful! Anpo leaned forward and peered at the newly revealed flesh. Unbidden, her hand reached out to touch the skin but she stopped it. She looked up at the woman, question in her eyes.

Touched by the request, Kathleen smiled and nodded, taking the hand in her own and guiding it to her heart. Her smile widened at the look of grat.i.tude the warrior woman sent her before returning to her inspection. Warm hands and fingers touched her, felt her, combed through the spa.r.s.e blonde hairs between her legs. I don't b'lieve this, the pale woman thought as she felt a low burn at her center. She's a girl!

Anpo was impressed by the soft skin, the tiny hairs that were all over the woman's body, the crinkly curls between her legs that were just slightly darker than the hair on her head. She enjoyed the contrast of her dark hand against Kathleen's, more so on her belly where it was whiter than on the arms. And, by feeling the pale woman, Kathleen became more real, more than the vision that had driven the warrior for all these years.

Finally finished with her examination, Anpo sighed and straightened. She is more relaxed now, she thought as she studied the woman across from her. She knows I will not hurt her as she has been hurt before. With a final smile, the warrior readjusted herself on the robes, covering herself and gesturing for her woman to lie with her. "Ketlin. It is time to sleep."

Realizing that nothing further was going to happen this night and, not even sure what could happen between two women, Kathleen gratefully climbed into the sleeping robes with the young warrior. Well, la.s.s, ye've been feelin' all day that ye came home. They settled comfortably together as the flickering flames faded. "Good night, Anpo," she murmured. "Thank you." Will this be home now?

Hearing the strange lilt of her woman's voice, the dark woman smiled. She hugged Kathleen closer, enjoying for the first time the sensation of skin against skin. "Be safe, Ketlin. Know that I am here to protect you."

The pair drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 5.

Wounspe Ki.

(woh-oons-peh kee).

The Teaching.

1777.

Anpo slowly drifted to wakefulness, a peaceful dream tickling the edges of her mind. There was a strange and comfortable weight on her body that wriggled in an extremely pleasing manner when she inhaled deeply and stretched a bit. The warrior's brow furrowed as she tried to remember what had happened. Tatanka ska! Ketlin!

Dark brown eyes popped open. Anpo peered down her body, her heart fluttering.

Golden hair spilled out from and across the sleeping robes. Kathleen was draped across the warrior's torso, using her as a pillow. Her pale hand resting gently on Anpo's shoulder, her face peaceful in repose.

She is not a dream, Anpo thought, a gentle look on her face as she studied the woman. She is real. And she is mine! The warrior squeezed, hugging the blonde closer.

Kathleen murmured something in her language and readjusted herself, draping a leg over the dark woman's thigh.

Her heart full, Anpo's face retained its tenderness. She used her free hand to caress the yellow tresses, fingering their softness and enjoying the sensation of her skin against another's. Is this what my ina and ate feel when they sleep together? This caring? she wondered. Peering up to the logs at the center of the ti ikceya , Anpo prayed to wakan tanka . Please help me be worthy of this gift, this woman.

Inhaling deeply, Kathleen woke. For a change, she wasn't groggy or startled, having slept comfortably through the night for the first time since her initial capture. She could hear movement nearby, noises outside that indicated others were awake. Drifting along in that in-between stage of sleep and wakefulness, she snuggled closer against the warm body. I suppose I should get up and get Adam breakfast.

Deep blue eyes shot open. Adam's dead!

Anpo felt the woman stiffen in her arms and stopped caressing her, allowing the blonde to pull away a bit.

Suppressing the fear, Kathleen peered down at the warrior. As they stared at each other for long moments, she realized she was naked under the furs and recalled the previous evening. Her skin flushed scarlet. Ah, Kath! Ye acted the harlot with her! And she's just a girl! The blonde chewed her lower lip in consternation. But ye didn't do anything, la.s.s! What's there ta do?

"Ketlin."

The voice was soft and low and Kathleen could hear why she'd mistaken it for a man's tenor. She focused on the dark eyes and seemed to lose herself within.

"I would drown in your eyes, Ketlin," Anpo said, knowing there would be no comprehension. Reaching up, she brushed the back of her knuckles along the woman's cheek and smiled. "You are very beautiful, winuhca . I am glad you have come into my life and I will work hard to be worthy of you."

The gentle words washed over her and though Kathleen understood not a one, the warrior's face told a story of grat.i.tude and caring and happiness. The blonde reached out her own hand in a tentative mirrored action, lightly running her knuckles across the soft skin. "I don't know what yer sayin', Anpo, but I think I understand." Her mouth twisted in a slight grin. "I want ta thank ye and yer family for treatin' me so well. I hope yer patience will be rewarded."

Smile widening as she listened to the strange accent tickle her ears, the warrior sat up a bit and gathered Kathleen into her arms. They embraced for just a moment before Anpo reluctantly pulled away. Is this why newly joined couples cannot stay away from one another? This pleasure of touch and speech? Does Ketlin feel the same way?

Kathleen accepted the hug and, surprisingly, enjoyed it. It had been so long since she'd had physical contact with another human being that wasn't negative. Even Adam wasn't much for hugs and such, she thought as Anpo pulled away from her. Aside from our... intimate moments, anyway. And even then, she had to admit, it only lasted until he was finished. The blonde glanced around their sleeping area and located the warrior's clothing, pulling it closer and helping her get dressed.

Accepting the aide, Anpo was soon clothed. She then helped her woman with the cuwignaka . Afterwards, she gestured for Kathleen to follow and led her out of the ti ikceya. The taller woman gestured at the dark firepit and the waiting pile of wood that had been gathered the day before. "Winuhca, prepare the fire."

The blonde looked down at the cold firepit. "You want me to start a fire?" she asked, intently looking at the warrior.

Anpo nodded and slowly repeated herself. "Prepare a fire."

Puffing out a breath, Kathleen looked about at the ashes and the wood stacked neatly nearby. Under her breath, she murmured the strange words that Anpo had said, "Prepare a fire." With a nod, she hiked up her dress a bit and knelt down at the edge of the firepit. "Well, Kath, t'isn't like ye've never done that before."

The warrior watched her begin her work of scattering the last evening's ashes and stacking the new wood, a smile on her dark face. She is smart, my Ketlin. She picked up a stick and went to the council fire that was still smoldering. With a bit of blowing on the coals, Anpo was able to light it and return.

Kathleen dusted off her hands and sat back on her heels. She saw her warrior coming towards her with the burning stick. "Oh, good," she commented. "I wouldn't know how ta start a flame without flint and steel and I doubt ye've got any." Haven't seen any steel, the blonde mused. She watched the native light the pile of kindling and bring it to life, blue eyes focusing on Anpo's profile. A thought repeated itself from the day before. She is handsome.

Once the fire was up and crackling, Anpo looked about the hearth. Ah, there it is! She found their breakfast, some dried meat and leftover wansi from yesterday's feast. The warrior scooped up the food and a half empty skin of water. Settling down at her seat, she waved the blonde closer and patted the robe beside her. "Come sit down, Ketlin."