The Gathering

by Sharon Sala

  ***

  Yuma witnessed it all.

  He heard her challenge their presence and heard the leader’s angry reply. When the soldier jumped down from his horse and started to approach her it was all he could do to stay hidden. Even though he knew she’d come here to send them packing, he was not expecting what came next. When she began shouting, the side-wind from her anger flattened him as well as the soldiers. He rolled over onto his spear to keep it from flying out of his hand as they ran away. He was still on his belly when he felt a faint vibration beneath him and then heard the sound of a running horse. The soldiers’ mounts were gone. What had he missed? What had she missed?

  He raised up just in time to see a lone rider, a soldier, bearing down on Tyhen from behind. When he saw the dagger in the soldier’s hand he thought of Adam’s warning. He forgot the mind-numbing cold and the leaden feel of wet leather as he came up out of the grass and started running.

  The ground was hard beneath his feet—the blood pumping through his body lent speed to his stride. The sun was high enough now to illuminate the soldier’s metal helmet as well as the armor on his vest. He was aware of the horse’s heavy breathing and the faint scent the animal’s sweat and fear. After that it seemed as if everything began to happen in slow motion.

  Chapter Ten

  Juarez, the missing scout, was scared half out of his mind as he rode back toward the men, spurring his horse until blood was flying from the horse’s belly, certain he’d been left behind. He was trapped between the savages at his back and the witch in the air ahead of him. He kept imagining being caught then tortured and killed, maybe even eaten like a side of beef. He was afraid of what the witch would do when she saw him and the only thing he could think to do was kill her before that happened.

  She was coming down out of the sky as he drew closer. He leaned forward against the horse’s neck, urging him on, urging him to go faster, bringing him within striking distance. She was less than twenty-five yards ahead of him when he took the reins in his left hand and pulled a dagger with the other. He stood up in the stirrups, tightening his knees against the horse’s belly and was about to throw his knife when he saw movement from the corner of his eye. As he turned his head, he saw a lone warrior coming toward him, running at what appeared to be a remarkable speed. There was a spear in his hand and the look on his face was one of great rage, and then he let out a war cry and Juarez froze.

  ***

  Yuma was in a panic. There was no way the rider would miss her. He was too close and she was descending right into his line of sight. His heartbeat kicked with sudden panic.

  Go up Tyhen! Go high! And then he let out a war cry.

  Startled by the sound of Yuma’s voice, Tyhen obeyed without question, shooting straight up into the air. The sudden movement of spinning air scared the horse and it began to kick and buck.

  The dagger fell out of Juarez’s hands as he grabbed onto the reins with both hands to keep from being thrown. By the time he had the horse under submission, Yuma had thrown his weapon. Juarez looked up just as Yuma’s spear pierced his eye. He was dead before he hit the ground.

  ***

  Tyhen saw everything from above—the frantic race Yuma ran to keep her from being knifed in the back, the New Ones watching from the ridge, and the People lining the riverbank. And then Yuma was on his hands and knees, his head down, his shoulders slumped forward as if he was too weary to look up.

  Her heart skipped a beat.

  Something was wrong with him!

  She swooped down beside him and dropped to her knees.

  “Yuma! What’s wrong?”

  Her hands were trembling as she ran them across his face and when she realized he was soaking wet and shaking, she knew he was in danger.

  “Hold onto me,” she begged as she put her arms beneath his shoulders and lifted him to his feet.

  “I’m just cold,” he said, as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

  The wind began to turn around them and when he felt his feet leave the ground he looked up into her eyes.

  “Finally, the Eagle is flying with the Dove.”

  Her voice was trembling as she moved the whirlwind back across the prairie toward the river a half mile away.

  “You are a crazy man. You swam a river that is too cold. You clothing is wet and freezing against your skin. Are you trying to get sick?”

  “Adam said someone would put a knife into your back.”

  She tightened her hold, telling herself not to cry, but she was afraid for him.

  “Did you not remind Adam I cannot die?” she muttered.

  He answered with just as much aggravation in his voice.

  “And did you think I would stand by and watch you bleed? Watch you suffer? See you in pain? Did you not think of the disease that man is carrying?”

  She didn’t answer, but held him tighter.

  The trees loomed.

  The people beneath them were staring up, transfixed by the sight. When she began coming down where the twins were standing, they ran backward to give her space.

  She landed as lightly as a feather floating to the ground, but the moment her feet touched earth, Adam and Evan grabbed Yuma out of her arms.

  “Is he hurt? What’s wrong?” they asked.

  “He’s wet and cold,” she muttered, and then turned to the people staring at them in disbelief. “This man is Yuma. He is the Eagle who watches over the Dove and he needs to get warm. Those people on the hillside are the New Ones. They need to set up their camps. Will someone give us shelter by their fire while others show the New Ones where to go?”

  Several of the warriors nearby heard Tyhen’s request and started up the hillside to escort the New Ones down into the campground. As they walked away, a young woman stepped out of the crowd. The twins stared. It was the girl from their vision.

  “I am Suwanee of the Lakota Sioux. Come to our fire,” she said, then led the way to their borrowed lodge without looking at the shocked expressions on her mother and father’s faces.

  Suwanee’s heart was pounding. She knew her father was upset. He was Chief. It should have been his place to offer shelter, but he hadn’t and she didn’t want to lose her chance to meet the warrior brothers. Even though they were about to upset her world and everything she knew, it was her destiny.

  It would be what it would be.

  ***

  Adam was numb as he picked up Yuma’s pack while Evan grabbed Tyhen’s. He was sick to his stomach and couldn’t look at Evan without giving himself away. Everything in him was thinking ‘don’t do this, don’t follow that girl,’ but he couldn’t turn away any more than Evan would.

  Evan was so stunned to see the girl from his vision that he forgot about Adam’s jealousy. He couldn’t quit thinking about what had happened between them in the dream. Was his destiny linked with hers? He wanted to think so, and at the same time could not lose his brother over her.

  Suwanee was afraid of her father’s anger but it was too late to take back her invitation. Her steps were hurried as she led the way to their lodge. Once there, she stopped and pulled the flap aside for the others to enter.

  Tyhen didn’t hesitate. She had to bend down as she led Yuma inside and was slightly surprised by the amount of space and grateful for the sudden warmth.

  The sage burning in the small fire scented the interior, while the smoke spiraled slowly up, disappearing through the opening above. Hides from the buffalo served as flooring as well as bedding and the moment Yuma stopped beside her she began pulling off his wet clothing, desperate to get him warm so he would not get sick.

  “I can do that,” Yuma said, but when his fingers were too cold to get a good grip, Tyhen pushed his hands aside.

  She pulled at the half frozen clothing stuck to his body and didn’t stop until he was completely nude, then pointed to a buffalo robe rolled up aga
inst the side of the tipi.

  “May I use that to warm him?”

  Suwanee ran to get it.

  When Tyhen wrapped it around Yuma’s shoulders his relief was evident.

  “Sit by the fire,” Tyhen said, and then glanced around to see if the twins had brought their packs.

  “Adam, please find him dry clothes.”

  Adam dropped the pack and began sorting through the items while Yuma moved closer to the fire.

  Tyhen slid an arm around Yuma’s shoulders.

  “Do you feel better? Do you want to lie down?”

  “Yes, much better, and I will gladly lie with you anytime.”

  Her eyes narrowed as she struggled not to blush. What on earth made him say that in front of strangers? Then she realized he’d said that in the language of the English so that their hosts would not understand. When she saw the mischief in his eyes, she knew he was teasing her to make her stop worrying about him.

  “So, now I know you are truly okay,” she said, and then glanced at their hosts.

  The two women seemed nervous and the older warrior standing by the entrance did not look happy about their presence, but she could certainly ease his concerns.

  “We thank you for your kindness and will be leaving soon,” she said.

  The older man said nothing. Again, it was the young girl who spoke for all of them.

  “It is our honor to give you shelter,” Suwanee said, and laid more fuel upon the fire.

  Chata, her mother, knelt beside her and pushed a rock with some roasting meat closer to the flames. She was afraid of this woman who flew like the birds, but she was also in awe of the fact that she was at her fire.

  Matto stood near the doorway, watching Tyhen as a man might watch a beautiful but dangerous animal. He’d heard her words, but he didn’t know what to make of her. He still didn’t fully understand the urgency of the New Ones’ appearance into their world, but he’d heard her words and knew it mattered. He’d seen the Dove and now he wanted to see these people who’d come with her—the ones who were going to change their world.

  He was just about to leave when he caught his daughter looking at the young men. His heart sank. They were why she’d been so bold! What did she know about them that he did not?

  His shoulders slumped as he turned and ducked out. He would know soon enough. For now he would see the New Ones. Some would come back to their lands with them. As Chief, it was his right to meet them first.

  Chata watched her husband leave and considered it just as well. Maybe by the time he came back he would be over his disapproval of their daughter’s behavior. She eyed the rabbit meat she had cooking and then pushed on the top of one piece with the tip of her finger to see if any blood ran out. When it did not she grunted with satisfaction and rocked back on her heels. As she did, she found herself looking straight into the face of the girl who flew with the wind.

  Tyhen had seen the mother’s concern and curiosity and immediately thought of her own mother, Singing Bird.

  “Thank you for sharing your fire,” Tyhen said.

  “I am called Chata,” the older woman said, then offered Yuma the meat.

  Yuma took a piece and popped it into his mouth. Hot food tasted wonderful. He took another piece and gave it to Tyhen.

  Suwanee watched the interaction between the young warrior and Tyhen. She could tell they were in love by the way they looked at each other and the tenderness in the way he saw to her needs. His bare body was nothing she had not seen before. Nudity was not a thing to be ashamed of in their world. He was obviously well-built and strong, but it was the two brothers with the same face who stirred her blood. She took two pieces of the rabbit to them.

  They looked the same, but up close there were differences. One dressed like a warrior. One did not. She didn’t know what that meant but she was shaking inside. There was an energy emanating from them that made her ache in the way a woman aches for a man. She remembered how good it felt to be with the one who dressed like a warrior—the one from her dream—and wondered if it would be like that in real life.

  “You eat?” she said softly, offering each of them the food.

  Evan took a piece of the meat.

  “I am Evan,” he said, and watched her dark eyes flash as her gaze continued to shift from one to the other. “This is my brother, Adam.”

  “You eat?” she asked, and offered food to Adam.

  His hand was shaking as he put it in his mouth. She was even more beautiful up close, but she had eyes for no one but Evan. Knowing she would never return the feelings he had for her made him hurt in ways he could not express.

  He glanced at Evan as he began to chew while wondering what he was thinking about the girl. Without thinking he opened himself up to link to Evan’s thoughts. He forgot that would leave him vulnerable to Evan reading everything he was thinking and feeling, too.

  At that moment, Evan jerked as if he’d been slapped. He had felt Adam’s hunger for her, but also the rage and jealousy toward him.

  Adam flinched. There was a moment of regret that Evan knew how he was feeling and then his fingers curled into fists.

  Evan shook his head in disbelief.

  Don’t be angry with me. I did not cause this.

  Adam’s chest hurt and his head was throbbing. He couldn’t think. He’d never been out of control before and his first instinct was to fight back.

  This is not fair. I saw her first.

  Evan reached for his brother.

  Adam, I won’t touch her, I promise.

  Adam pushed his brother’s hand away.

  It won’t matter. She will choose you, whether you want her or not.

  Evan felt crippled. He’d never been at odds with Adam and it felt as if part of his body had betrayed him. He felt Suwanee watching him, and even though he wanted to look at her, he wouldn’t turn around.

  But Adam wouldn’t let up.

  Look at her, damn it! Face your future, my brother. This is where we end and she begins.

  Then Adam picked up his backpack and left without saying a word.

  Evan grabbed his pack to go after him, and when he straightened up, the girl was standing between him and the exit. He felt her sadness, her fear and confusion—and to his dismay, so much more.

  He didn’t intend to give in, but when he moved toward her he automatically reached for her just as he had in the dream, and when his hand brushed the side of her shoulder, just like in the dream, his heart started to pound. How does such a small woman make a grown man weak?

  These feelings were so new and so raw. He wanted to explore them with her. He wanted her, but Adam was his brother. He dropped his hand and looked away.

  “Tyhen, we go to help set up camp,” he said, and then walked past Suwanee and ducked out of the lodge.

  It wasn’t until the twins were gone that Tyhen noticed the tears in Suwanee’s eyes and realized something was going on. She’d been so focused on making sure Yuma was taken care of that she’d shut off the instincts that kept her rooted to the world around her. All she could tell was it had something to do with the twins.

  “Why do you cry?” she asked.

  Chata gasped. She had not seen her daughter’s tears. Now she, too, wanted to know.

  Suwanee was startled. She had no intention of revealing what was happening and had no way to explain it. She gave her mother a frantic look and then ran out.

  Yuma frowned. He was fastening the ties on his leggings when he heard Tyhen’s question, and when the girl left he stood up.

  “What’s going on?” he asked.

  “It has something to do with the twins,” Tyhen said, and glanced at the mother. “Have we done something wrong?”

  “No, nothing,” Chata said, wringing her hands. She was shocked that Suwanee had upset Tyhen. “I am sorry. Please forgive my daughter. She
is young.”

  Tyhen shrugged. “As long as we have not offended you it is of no matter.” She glanced at Yuma, and when she saw that he was ready to leave she picked up her pack. “Thank you again for the warmth of your fire.”

  Yuma led the way out, then held the flap open for her.

  “What was that all about?” he asked.

  “Something is going on with her and the twins,” Tyhen muttered.

  Yuma frowned. “How can that be? They are strangers to each other.”

  “I think not,” she said.

  “I don’t understand,” Yuma said.

  “Neither do I, but I will,” she said, and then shifted her pack to a more comfortable position. “Let’s go set up camp. We need to see to the young and the old. Walking all night with no food or rest had to be hard on them.”

  Yuma nodded as he eyed the Gathering, looking for signs of where the New Ones had gone.

  “There!” he said, pointing to the west. “They are there!”

  ***

  Adam didn’t get far before Evan caught up. He fell into step beside his brother without talking and when they reached the land where the New Ones were settling in, they left their packs near a small grove of trees and began helping the elderly set up their camps.

  Since the death of Stanley Bluejacket, Carver Sees Hawk was now the oldest of the New Ones who’d come with Tyhen. Evan knew the old man would need help. Carver’s right hand was missing three fingers and his knees were swollen with arthritis.

  Evan moved through the area, helping anyone in need as he went and by the time he found the old man, Johnston Nantay was already there. He began to backtrack, and as he did noticed a lot of strangers among them. So it had begun—the mixing of the old and the new.

  He stopped, watching the interaction out of curiosity and then with growing relief. On the surface, it appeared as if they were readily being accepted. He hoped that would be the case. They had come a very long way and at great risk. Failure was not an option. Then he looked for his brother but didn’t see him. They needed to talk.