Tiopa Ki Lakota Part 27

"And what would ye have me do, Stewart Franklin?" the woman demanded in a hiss.

Aye, yer in fer it now, laddy, he thought at the use of his middle name. The man swallowed nervously but refused to turn. As he finished with the cow, he shrugged and spoke with the nonchalance he didn't feel. "Make up yer mind, sis. Ye won't remarry, though mum and da have paraded half the eligible bachelors through here the last year and a half. Ye won't give Teca there a Christian name or forbid him to speak that infernal language. Ye won't even let mum cut his hair!"

As Stewart rose to his feet, pulling the pail out from under the cow, his sister could only stand and stare at him in shock. After a few moments pa.s.sed, she began to sputter in fury, unable to speak through the emotion. They were both surprised when she slapped him across the face.

The sound of flesh hitting flesh rang through the suddenly quiet barn. The man didn't respond, only looked down at his sister as a red handprint blossomed on his cheek.

Teca interrupted the tableau as he threw himself from his seat and wormed his way between them. "You leave my ina alone!" he insisted with all the scorn he could muster, pushing his uncle away. "You will not touch her! Inanup said to protect her!"

The man took a step backwards to appease the young boy. His mouth quirked in a crooked smile. "Hanka has raised him well," he told Kathleen in Lakota.

Kathleen blinked, her eyes narrowed in confusion as she placed the word. The fury drained from her face and she reached down to touch her son's shoulder. "Thank you, Teca. It is not as it seems."

Anxiously looking up to his mother, the boy studied her face for clues.

The woman smiled at him and squeezed his shoulder. "You have done a fine job of protecting me, cinksi. Inanup will be very proud."

Teca allowed his stern look to fade into a pleased expression and he turned to the blonde, hugging her close. "When will we see inanup again?" he asked, his voice m.u.f.fled against her skirts. "I miss her."

"I do not know, cinksi," Kathleen murmured, her throat tight and eyes burning.

Stewart settled the pail of milk down. Draping an arm across the broad back of the cow, he leaned against it as he watched the pair. Now's the time, lad. "What's stoppin' ye from goin' to her, Kath?"

With a weary sigh, the blonde shook her head. "What do ye think, Stew? It's not easy for a woman to travel so far without horrible accidents befallin' her." She looked up at him, her lips pursed in exasperation. "Would ye have me take my son into the unknown? We'd be dead inside of a week."

The man sighed as well, stooping to settle the stool and sit. "Way I see it, ye'd do worse by stayin' here." With a gesture to his nephew, he continued, "Ye want to see Teca become a farmer? Or a warrior?"

"A warrior!" the boy exclaimed. "Like inanup!"

Stewart chuckled. "What's it goin' to be, Kath? Ye can't have it both ways for much longer."

What's it going to be? she wondered, a glimmer of hope sparking deep in her soul. "She threw me away, Stew. That's the way they divorce," Kathleen argued.

"Aye, so ye've said. Way I see it, though, it was a misunderstandin'."

The blonde made a dismissive noise in her throat and looked away, her eyes lighting on the spotted mare. "It's not that easy, Stew. It took us two months of travel to get here and I don't even know where she is!"

"But, they get together each year for their summer camp, don't they?" the man prodded. At her nod, he shrugged. "If'n we hooked up with any Lakota between here and there, they'd show us the way, wouldn't they?"

"Well, yes, but...." His words finally reached her and Kathleen's face became cautious. "What was that again?"

A smug grin was on the young man's lips. "I said, if we found any Lakota they'd lead us to where summer camp was."

"You said, 'we'," Kathleen clarified.

"Aye. That's what I said."

Chapter 12.

Wana Yagli.

(wah-nah yah-galee).

Coming Home.

1783.

Holding her breath, Wi Ile Anpo released the bowstring. With a sharp whisper, the arrow flew through the still air and hit its intended target. The antelope had time for only a few surprised steps before it collapsed to the ground. Bow strung across her back, the warrior jogged towards her prey, pulling her hunting knife.

The animal lay on its side, breathing labored and liquid brown eyes wide with fear and confusion. Anpo approached from its back, mindful of the antlers, and knelt near the head. With a solid, quick motion of the knife, she slit the buck's throat.

As blood gushed onto the ground, she murmured, "Thank you, nigesanla , for your sacrifice. My family will feed well and long on your flesh. Your bones and sinew will be used as tools to keep us strong. You will always be with us in our hearts."

Within a few minutes, the antelope was gutted, the entrails that were not useful scattered further away - an offering to the other animals that lived in the area. It was a bit of a struggle, but Anpo got the carca.s.s onto her pony, lashing it down behind the saddle. She hopped atop the red stallion and slowly began the return trip home.

It was good being alone out in the hills near summer camp. Since Kathleen, the warrior had found it harder and harder to be around people. She rarely spoke, even to her own family, preferring to watch from a distance. Because it is more difficult to hide this evil cloud that hangs over you, Anpo thought to herself.

Shaking her head, she steered her thoughts to her well-worn daydreams. Ketlin.... Have you joined with another? Have you given him sons? And Teca .... How do you fare in the white man's world?

With only half a mind on her destination, she allowed the pony to take her where he may.

Kathleen led the spotted mare along the creek. Ahead of her rode Stewart and Teca, the boy proud to be on the back of his own pony. Around her were others headed for summer camp, winyan and wicasa, some familiar, some not.

It had been the most outrageous of fortune. After two solid months of travel, working their way across the plains, finding other natives and speaking with each in turn, the trio had found the camp of Wicasa Waziya Mani . There had been quite a tense moment upon their arrival, the chief having heard a version of what had happened between Kathleen and her warrior. But, Mani felt obligated to the blonde for her help with the white traders and allowed them to join.

Stewart had been accepted as the woman's misun and, while he wasn't shunned, he had become the b.u.t.t of a few jokes among the men. The young blond took it all with good humor, telling his sister that it wasn't any worse than what she used to throw his way when they were children.

The one who was welcomed back with open arms was Teca. The first three nights, he was a guest of the chief and sat with Mani at his fire, being regaled with tales of his inanup and how proud and brave she was. Kathleen watched fondly, serving her brother and son their food.

And now they were almost there. Summer camp. Kathleen swallowed, feeling the b.u.t.terflies in her stomach. Has she joined with another yet? Maybe adopted another child? Will she be happy to see Teca? Or angry at seeing me..?

Her thoughts were interrupted by the thunder of hooves as the first of the welcoming committee found them. As expected, the warriors circling caught sight of Stewart on his horse. In minutes, two koskalaka were within reach of him, staring at his clothes and coloring. Kathleen hustled forward, dropping the reins of her pony.

"Are the Lakota always this rude to a guest?" she demanded, hands on her hips and glaring up at the riders.

The pair looked down at her, recognition on their faces. One pointed at Stewart, his dark eyes narrow. "He is not my guest!"

"He's mine," came the low voice. Mani kicked his pony into the fray, his mount forcing one of them back. "Do you wish to challenge my right?"

Unsettled, the two warriors dropped their eyes and pulled away. "Hiya , Mani. I do not wish to challenge."

The other shook his head.

Nodding in satisfaction, the chief said, "Good. Now, go tell the people at camp that we are coming." He turned his steed away, resuming his path.

Reprieved, the two warriors threaded their way out of Mani's traveling camp and rode with their comrades back the way they'd come.

Stewart blew out a breath and rolled his eyes. "Thanks, sis," he murmured.

"I felt the same way the first time I came to summer camp, lad," she answered with a smile. "It can be a bit overwhelmin'." Memories of a young woman defending her a.s.sailed Kathleen's heart.

"Aye. And that's a fact," the white man answered, not seeing the pained expression on his sibling's face.

Once they'd made it to summer camp, Kathleen thanked Mani for his help and invited him to eat at Stewart's fire in the future. The chief thought about it for a few moments before nodding a.s.sent, studying the pair. They then parted ways, Mani moving his people towards their usual place and the woman leading her family to the camp of Wagmiza Wagna .

Along the way, children danced alongside, laughing and joking at the strangers' yellow hair. When Kathleen responded to their rude comments, explaining the nature of politeness to them, the youngsters were amazed she understood the language. For the remainder of the short trip they plagued the trio with questions.

It was a good distraction for the blonde because, as she neared Wagna's camp, her stomach became more upset and she could feel a headache developing at the base of her neck. I don't know which is worse.... The idea of seeing Anpo again or facing Gi and Hca!

When the familiar ti ikceyas came into view, Kathleen's heart flip-flopped in her chest and the responses to the children dried up. Questions no longer being answered, the children raced away to spread the news of Kathleen's return.

The tension in the air increased as the people of Wagna's camp noticed the new arrivals. Fortunately for Stewart, there were no warriors about, most having gone hunting or spending time at the main council fire with their friends. Kathleen was glad she wouldn't have to worry about defending him from some well-meaning wicasa protecting Anpo's honor and thinking her brother was her man.

Instead, the winyan and wikoskalaka began to gather into clumps of spectators, dark eyes watching their progress. Kathleen knew most of them, could remember picking berries with that woman, helping this one with the birth of the toddler on her hip, laughing and swimming with the third.

No one spoke to them. No one came forth in welcome. It was unsettling that the people she'd felt were friends and family for years would not approach. When Waniyetu Gi's lodge came into view, Kathleen stopped.

Stewart, riding behind his sister, pulled his horse up when she halted. Something in the line of her body warned him and he jumped down from his mount, stepping up to her.

Kathleen was pale, her blue eyes locked on the ti ikceya before her. She drew in a shaky breath, just remembering to breathe when she felt her brother's hand on her shoulder.

Following the woman's gaze, he saw one of many conical tents. The leather flap in front of the door opened and an older woman bustled out with a basket on her hip. "Who is she?" he asked in a whisper.

"Anpo's ina ." My uncisi. Regaining her senses, Kathleen turned to her sibling and spoke in urgent tones. "Do not look at her, misun. Treat her as your uncisi for now. Remember what I said?"

Stewart averted his gaze and nodded, responding in Lakota, "Ohan .".

Gi set her basket of corn down by the grinding stone. Something in the air tickled her senses and she realized that it was quiet - far too quiet for a pleasant day in a camp this size. With a frown, she straightened and looked around.

Other people in the camp were cl.u.s.tered here and there, whispering among themselves and watching her. And something else. Turning, she looked to where the others were. Three ponies were before her lodge, a man and woman leading two of them and a child on the third. But something was odd about the pair. The older woman took a step forward, her eyes squinting as she focused her failing eyesight.

"Ketlin...?"

Hearing her name spoken with the Lakota accent brought a warmth that washed over her. "Ohan. It is me."

Gi wavered in her shock, her mouth dropping open. Steeling herself, the old woman drew herself upright and inhaled deeply. "Why are you here, Ketlin?"

Several reasons flew through the blonde's mind - worry for Anpo, the vision that threatened her every sleeping night, the hollowness in her chest for these people and this life, the almost tangible memory of strong arms wrapped around her in sleep. And Kathleen discarded them all. "I have brought your hankasi . He needs to know his family."

Gi blinked. Her eyes were drawn to the small figure on horseback and her face softened into a smile. Approaching them, she took Kathleen by the shoulders and peered into dark blue eyes. "Are you home?"

It was getting harder and harder to keep from crying. The blonde dropped her gaze and nodded, fighting with the lump in her throat. She felt Gi pull her into an embrace and a piece of her heart returned to life. To do her credit, Kathleen didn't fall apart with tears, but she couldn't help but allow a few to leak out.

"This wicasa brought you here?"

Sniffling and nodding, the younger woman pulled back. "Ohan, Gi. He is my misun, Stewart."

The old woman had noticed that this stranger would not look at her and she nodded in satisfaction. "You have taught him well, Ketlin. Tell Stu'et that I welcome him to my ti ikceya."

Kathleen nodded and smiled, relaying the already heard message with a murmur. She also repeated her brother's thanks, wondering if all this would be necessary in the future. Anpo might not have me back. Then Stew and Gi won't be related.... The blonde quickly stifled the negative thoughts and returned her attention to Anpo's ina.

Gi had moved to the grey pony, peering up at the child perched on its back. Her wrinkled face broke into a wide smile as she recognized her hankasi, seeing his mother's features in the dark face. "You are Teca," she said.

"You are my unci ...?" the boy responded, his statement also a vague question.

"Ohan, I am."

Lips pursed in concentrated thought, Teca studied the old woman. Finally, he smiled. "You gave me berries when I was little."

"Ohan, Teca! You have always had a liking for sweet things!"

Satisfied, the boy held out his arms and slid into his grandmother's. After a long hug, he was settled to the ground and studied. "You have grown big and strong, hankasi. Soon you will be a great warrior and hunter."

"Just like inanup ," Teca insisted with a nod and a smile. A thought evidently crossed his mind because his face became serious and he tilted his head. "You are inanup's ina?"

"Ohan, and she will be very happy to see you!" Gi brought her attention back to Kathleen and her brother. "Come to my lodge and accept food and drink. Anpo has gone hunting and will return soon."

Anpo's pony meandered through the camp on course for her cuwe's lodge. Since she had no woman of her own, she tended to split her hunting prizes between Hca Wanahca and her ina. So deep in her daydreams and apathy, the curious looks and whispers of others failed to grab her attention.

At Hca's ti iceya, the fire burned merrily. It didn't appear that she was there, however. Anpo dismounted and untied the antelope carca.s.s. She settled it downwind of the fire so the smoke would deter the worst of the flies and used a stick to knock on the tiopa .

She may be at ina's, Anpo thought when there was no answer. With a shrug, she dropped the stick and returned to her horse. Taking the reins, the warrior led the animal towards her own lodge. Once there, she pulled the saddle and reins off the red stallion and sent him towards the herd with a smack on his flank.

Turning back to her fire, she saw that it had burned down to coals. Rather than restart it, Anpo settled down in her place and prepared a pipe. She smoked as she stared at the dead and dying embers, her thoughts in a place just as dead, just as smoky.

A burst of laughter perked her ears and she glanced towards her mother's ti ikceya. She couldn't quite see the fire from this angle, but she could tell that there were several people about it. Another camp must have arrived. Maybe ina's maske ...? Anpo puffed as she watched, her heart leaden and just a little wistful at the gaiety she could hear.

A child emerged from the group, peering in her direction. He looked vaguely familiar to Anpo, but she couldn't place his face. Most children were familiar at summer camp, though, seen every year as they grew to adulthood. The warrior watched as his face broke into a smile and he trotted closer.

With a concerted effort, she put a mild look on her face, hiding her melancholy behind a pleasant exterior. The boy stopped just outside the circle, his eyes roaming up and down the seated warrior before him. There was a long silence before Anpo tilted her head and said, "Han , young koskalaka . Come sit by me."

The child grinned and leapt forward to do just that. He settled down to the left of her, in the honored place. "You are Anpo?" he asked. "Cunksi of Gi and Wanbli ?".

The warrior smoked her pipe. "Ohan, I am. And you are?"

He puffed his chest out in pride, thumping it once with a small fist. "I am Teca! Cinksi of Ketlin and Anpo!"