Tiopa Ki Lakota Part 14

The warrior nodded and approached, settling down to Inyan's left.

The shaman's woman, who had heard his voice, peered out of her ti ikceya before stepping out and offering the young woman a water skin. "Are you hungry, Anpo?"

Accepting the skin, Anpo shook her head. "Hiya, Maka. I have already eaten. But thank you for the water."

Maka nodded and returned to her lodge, allowing her wicasa and his guest some privacy.

Lighting the pipe, Inyan puffed on it and waved the smoke closer to his head. He handed the pipe to the young warrior at his fire and watched her do the same. As they smoked in silence, he studied Anpo, comparing her to the wicincala she used to be.

Anpo sat strong yet relaxed, an inner peace seeming to fill her very being. Whereas once she was anxious and unsure when she would visit him, today she was firm in her resolve and it showed in her dark eyes. The pale woman has centered this warrior, he mused.

Once the pipe was finished, the shaman wrapped it. "What is it you wish of me, Anpo?"

"Wicahcala, I would tell you a story." At the old man's nod, Anpo inhaled deeply and began. "When I was a child, I thought as a child. I was foolish and did not know the way of adults. After I had my vision, I still was uncertain and unclear, still foolish." The warrior shrugged slightly, a smile curling the edges of her mouth. "As are all people who are that age."

Inyan nodded with a smile as well, his eyes asking her to continue.

"Things have changed this season, wicahcala . I am no longer a child. I have seen my vision come to life. I have slain tatanka ska and am joined with the yellow haired woman of my vision. I will become a parent, raising our child in the Lakota way." Anpo paused, her eyes searching the horizon as she tried to come up with the words. "I have asked this once, before I had my vision. I was denied. I will not ask it again." The dark woman shook her head, her face solemn. "I demand to partic.i.p.ate in the Sun Dance."

The shaman nodded slightly again. He examined the wikoskalaka before him, again noting the differences in bearing and att.i.tude that had developed in such a short time. "You have much to thank wakan tanka for, warrior. Your fortune has been good." He was silent in contemplation.

Despite her desire to fidget, Anpo held herself still. Be brave.

"I will teach you what you need for the Sun Dance, Anpo. You will show your honor and respect to wakan tanka at summer camp."

Almost unable to believe her ears, the young woman let out a pent up breath. "Thank you, wicahcala! Thank you!"

"You are welcome, Anpo. Now go. I must prepare." The shaman waved her away with a mock glare. As the wikoskalaka rose and trotted off, a huge grin on her face, Inyan remembered a similar moment. When a wicincala was once told she could seek a vision in the way of her father. He smiled to himself.

The smoke from many fires led the people to the summer camp. As she crested a hillock, leading the pony that had been given her by her warrior, Kathleen had to gasp at the number of ti ikceyas that were present. Goodness! There must be hundreds of them!

"Stepan ," Hca Wanahca said with a laugh. "Keep walking or we will never get there!"

The blonde blushed as she realized she'd frozen in place. "Ohan , stepan," she responded with a rueful smile, continuing along.

Ahead of the women and children were the elders and important men, with Wagmiza Wagna leading the way. All were bedecked in their finest clothing and regalia. Around the rest of their camp the other warriors rode or walked.

Their presence had been spotted by the camp's inhabitants. Kathleen could see groups of riders heading their way and she suddenly shivered. What happens when they see me? she worried, remembering the last few weeks of pinches and hair pulling and unwanted touches. Her dark blue eyes searched for her warrior but were unable to locate her.

Anpo and Nupa, inseparable as always, had ranged ahead of their camp, scouting out the area. They pa.s.sed around the large camp in the valley below them.

"Look! There are the Sicangu ," Nupa pointed out, using his spear. "Tanksi , do you remember their warrior who told us the story of wrestling with the spirits?"

The woman smiled. "Ohan. And he said he had a scar and showed us the markings on his back." A sense of excitement was with her and her pony pranced about in response. "I was nine winters."

"And I twelve." Nupa gave a false shudder. "I was unable to sleep for days after."

Anpo laughed and nodded. "Me, too, tiblo ! I expected the spirit to come from the other world and attack me!"

They continued on their path, remembering other times as they checked the perimeter. Soon they had swung back around, seeing Wagmiza Wagna leading their people down the slope and towards the encampment below.

Anpo's eyes searched for her woman and found her, the yellow hair shining in the sun. She also saw the front-runners from the camp riding towards her people. "I must go to Ketlin, tiblo. She will need me near."

Nodding, the koskalaka agreed. "Hau, tanksi. Our camp has gotten used to her strange look. There are many more of people here who have not seen yellow hair or pale skin before."

Surprised, the warrior blinked at him. "I had not thought of that, tiblo! I only thought of the many people that Ketlin would not be used to." Her face became grim and she urged her pony forward. "My winuhca will need me to protect her."

Kathleen kept her head down and swallowed a lump in her throat. The riders had approached and hailed the chief, some stopping to speak with he and the elders that led the camp. The remainder of them, young warriors full of excitement, circled the group, whooping and hollering. Several started up conversations with other warriors of the camp, but a few had noticed her.

Four of these had ridden their ponies right up to her, their hooves prancing about dangerously close to her feet. Her own horse tried to shy away and Kathleen spent a great deal of energy holding onto his reins to keep him from bolting at the sudden attention. She could hear Gi and Hca haranguing the riders for their rudeness, though it appeared to do no good.

One rider ignored the women and hopped off his pony, intent on getting a closer look. He took a step forward before a pale horse purposely sidled into his path and forced him back.

"Leave her alone."

A wave of relief swept over the blonde as she recognized Anpo's voice. She risked a glance and saw the beautiful woman glaring down at the warrior who was on foot. Thank G.o.d!

The man returned the glare and tried to step around the pony, only to have it backed into him and pushing him away again.

"I said leave her alone."

"Who are you to order me?" the warrior on the ground demanded.

Anpo grew taller in the saddle. "I am Anpo and she is my winyan . You will not touch her."

His chin went up at the challenge. "What if I do?"

"Then you will die."

The warrior scoffed, tossing a look of disbelief over his shoulder at his comrades. Turning back to the mounted woman, he said, "I know you. You are wikoskalaka. You will not kill me." He barked a laugh. "Besides, any of us who kill a Lakota will be banished."

Anpo's face developed an ugly smile. "Then I will be banished and I will live with my winuhca elsewhere. You will still be dead, hearing the whispers of your ancestors as they remind you of your dishonor with a joined woman."

The man's eyes narrowed as he considered whether she was bluffing or not. A flurry of hooves interrupted his thought and all eyes turned to the arriving horses.

Wicasa Waziya Mani pulled his pony up short of the tableau, dark eyes flickering about. Other elders from the summer camp had arrived with him, as well, all curious as to what was holding up the arrival of Wagna's people. Surveying the situation, he jumped from his mount and approached the two warriors. With a great smile, he reached up to take the woman warrior's forearm. "Anpo! It is good to see you, friend!"

The dark woman blinked at the chief. Not wanting to insult him by ignoring him, she grasped his arm in return. "Thank you, wicahcala ."

The elder made a show of looking around the woman's belongings. "Where's the robe of tatanka ska?"

The other warrior's jaw dropped.

"It is with my winuhca's ti ikceya," Anpo responded, a grin curling her lips at the other young men's responses.

"'Winuhca!'" The chief peered over the dark woman's horse to see the blonde who was hanging her head. "So you are joined!? That is very good news!"

"Thank you, wicahcala."

"You are the one who killed tatanka ska ?" the warrior on the ground finally sputtered.

Warming to his task, Mani turned and clapped the koskalaka on the shoulder. "Hau ! There were four of us who tried and Anpo's shot was true! I will tell you the story when we get back to camp." The chief remounted his pony and waved the warrior to follow. "Come, we will talk at my fire."

The warrior appeared to debate the issue, looking from the chief to the wikoskalaka . A glance across the horse and he could see the strange yellow hair that had garnered his attention. With a frown and a shake of his head, he glared up at Anpo. "I challenge you for the winyan."

Not understanding the word spoken, Kathleen was aware that the tension in the area had increased threefold. Her face was concerned and questioning as she studied the people, trying to comprehend what exactly was going on and being said.

Mani made a last attempt. "Let the people of Wagna settle down in camp. You can challenge later, if you wish. Come with me."

The warrior on the ground stubbornly shook his head.

Face grim, Anpo looked to her friend. Nupa's horse edged forward until he was beside her. She handed the reins of her pony to him.

"You will win, tanksi ," he insisted in a low voice as he took her pony. "I have seen him wrestle before. His arms are weak."

Anpo nodded and grinned. "Thank you, tiblo." And then she hopped down from her horse and it was led away.

As the people cleared a s.p.a.ce, pulling back from the two combatants, Kathleen was urged to one side by Hca. "What is happening, stepan? What is my winuhca doing?"

"She has been challenged for you, stepan. She will wrestle the warrior for you."

Dark blue eyes were still confused. "What is that word, Hca?" she asked, repeating the one that baffled her.

"Challenge." Hca thought for a moment. "My mitan has been challenged, asked to fight for you."

"Fight for me!?" Kathleen looked at the two warriors who were now circling around the open area. Oh my G.o.d! Challenged! Anpo's been challenged! As fear filled her heart, she watched. What if she loses!?

The two weaved and dodged, grabbing at each other and feinting as they moved in the hot sun. Around them, bets were cast and items wagered. With a fierce cry, the warrior pounced on the woman, chest b.u.t.ting her in an effort to drive her to the ground.

Anpo met him, internally wincing as her b.r.e.a.s.t.s were crushed between them. With a growl, she kept her feet, wrapping long arms around his ribcage. Locking her wrists, she exerted pressure.

The warrior was not wearing a shirt and sweat covered his body. He was able to twist in her grasp, causing the wikoskalaka to lose her hold. Standing sideways to her, he brought his elbow down hard onto her neck juncture.

Letting go of the warrior, her left arm tingly and weak from the hit, Anpo felt more than saw the man reach for her head. Rather than get caught in a headlock, she dropped to the ground with a suddenness that surprised them all.

He had almost had her and then she simply vanished. Before the warrior could realize that she had ducked down, he felt his legs being swept out from beneath him and he fell.

Anpo watched the warrior roll over and try to regain his feet. She launched herself at him and landed on his back, forcing him into the dirt. Her left arm was better, but she decided not to chance it and wrapped the right around his neck, using her left hand to brace him in a hold.

The warrior could feel the woman's grip tightening on his throat. He tried to use his strong legs to stand, but she kept him off balance enough to make it impossible. As he began to struggle with breathing, he could hear her voice.

"Are you finished fighting?" When there was no response, Anpo squeezed. The warrior could barely move from the hold, but she could feel his head shake in the negative. Grimacing, she continued to apply pressure. "Stop fighting and I will let you go."

Unable to lose face with his people, the warrior refused. His struggles weakened, but he continued on until he finally pa.s.sed out from lack of oxygen.

As soon as the man fainted, Anpo released him. She rose to a squat beside his body and gently turned him over. A hand held over his face insured her that he was still breathing. Around her, the crowd of spectators were quiet.

The wikoskalaka rose to her feet and stood over the body of her challenger. Her dark eyes raked dangerously over the people surrounding them. "Who else wishes to challenge me?"

No one stepped forward.

With a curt nod, she left the clearing, intent on her family and friends. Around her, the young warriors of her camp began whooping in celebration of her success.

Ah, who needs a knight in shinin' armor? Kathleen wondered as her winuhca approached her. I've got one in buckskin and that's much better!

"Ketlin? Are you all right?"

The blonde slipped into her warrior's arms and smiled up into concerned dark eyes. "Ohan , Anpo. I am much better now."

Hearing the grat.i.tude in her woman's voice, the warrior's smile grew wider. She hugged Kathleen, relishing the feel of the woman in her arms.

"I told you you would beat him," Nupa exclaimed with a grin. He handed Anpo the reins of her steed and clambered onto his own. "I now have a new spear and a bone necklace!"

Anpo shook her head with a fond smile as she released Kathleen and mounted her own pony. "You always bet well, tiblo ."

"Hau, tanksi. I always wager on you."

Behind them, the challenger's friends scooped him up and tossed him over his horse for the ride back into the summer camp. Mani winked at the young woman and shrugged slightly before turning away and leading the parade down the hill.

Looking down at her woman, Anpo smiled fondly. "Take my hand, winuhca ," she said, reaching out. "You will ride with me so that all might know we are together."

Still holding the reins to her own pony, Kathleen grasped the firm forearm and felt herself hoisted up behind her warrior. There was a pause as she settled herself in place, wrapping her arms around Anpo's waist.

"Are you ready, winuhca?" the dark woman asked. Her own arm was placed over the pale ones.

Nodding, Kathleen replied, "Ohan, Anpo. I am ready." As the pony began to move, she snuggled closer. "Thank you, winuhca ."

Anpo squeezed the arm with fondness. "I will always protect you, Ketlin. You will be safe with me." A past vision of a bloodied hand reaching to caress her face flashed through the warrior's mind and she shook it off. Hiya! It will be as Inyan said, only the hurts of a joined couple!

Unaware of the discordance within her warrior, Kathleen sighed, a small smile of contentment on her face.

Upon the camp's arrival at their designated area on the southern side of the huge encampment, the women began setting up their ti ikceyas. Several winyan from the surrounding lodges pitched in to help. Most of the wicasa wandered off to other camps, greeting old friends and making new ones. There were a few men, older and with a black stripe painted across their faces, who stayed behind to organize the camp and ensure that all went smoothly.

As Kathleen finished the final tying of her lodge, she glanced around at the amount of idle people gawking at her. Just like when our camp met with Anpo's, she remembered. While a few were rude enough to outright stare at her, most of the others watched from the corners of their dark eyes, looking quickly away when her gaze fell on them.

"Stepan."

The blonde smiled as Hca came from around the side of her lodge, arms laden with drywood. She trotted forward and took part of the load.

The dark woman grinned. "I have found the best place to swim, stepan! And there is plenty more wood. You will help me?"

"Ohan , stepan . We will collect the wood for both lodges."

Nodding, Hca looked around at the surrounding people. "Do they bother you, Ketlin?"

"Hiya . They are just curious." Despite her words, however, Kathleen blushed and dropped her shoulders a bit. Ye tryin' ta convince Hca or yerself, la.s.s?

The wikoskalaka dropped the wood in a pile near the future firepit. "They will be curious for some time." She dusted off her hands and placed them on her hips. Glaring menacingly at the nearest spectators, she spoke loudly, "If you have nothing to do, you can help with my stepan's lodge!" When no one moved, their faces startled, Hca marched forward and grabbed the first boy she came to. "Here!" She dragged him towards Kathleen's ti ikceya and picked up a waterskin. "Get water for my stepan since you have nothing else to do but be rude."