“Oh, trust me, I am suitably impressed with them as well,” he replied with a grin.
“My husband says that you and your friend have made quite an impact on them as well. They have learned many new techniques for setting snares and gauging the recent passage of animals from you, Nicholas.”
“I am pleased to learn of this,” he replied. “I am still in disbelief over the richness of the game in these lands of yours.”
Jenna raised her eyebrows. “It must be said that the lands are not…ours. The Minsi do not believe in the ownership of land as the Whites do, Nicholas. They feel that such bounty is merely a gift bestowed from the Creator. He is in the ultimate possession of this world we dwell in and, therefore, in all of its lands.”
Nicholas swallowed, quieting his own concerns about the encroachment of all the different peoples from across the sea that were racing to collect what bounty this New World had to offer. They staunchly believed in the ownership of land, and that squatter’s rights were held well above a Native’s claim.
“I know what you are thinking,” she continued with a small smile. “I was raised in the White settlement of New Amstel along the Delaware River. I know what many of these colonists feel about Native grounds, and who should have the right to dwell within them. I know that the Creator’s gift to his children does not play into their sentiments.”
He sighed. “Not only do they come from the east, but they come from the north as well. Montreal is producing their eager Coeur de bois trappers as quickly as possible. I am a product of such greed, you know. I am surprised that you do not consider me an enemy.”
“Katari told me that you were taken as a child by such men, and forced into servitude?”
The breeze had swirled tendrils of blond hair free from her braids to swirl around her shoulders and neck. It reminded him of how Katari’s fine black hair would always strive to escape its bounds in the very same manner.
“That is correct. But I fulfilled my bond of servitude, and continued on with the life of a trapper. My freedom lay in the wilds, as did my chance at fair coin. By that time, it was all I knew.”
Jenna gazed at him pensively. “There is no shame in that, Nicholas. You have done well as a man with no family. Just as I persevered and rose to status when I was once naught but a captive enemy.”
Her words touched him deeply. But, at that moment, the rising smoke from the Minsi village became visible through the trees. Shouts of welcome peeled through the boughs like the unfurling flush of new leaves in early spring. They had arrived.
~~~~~
“They have returned!” She Who Sing’s warbled happily. Her friend was sitting cross-legged in front of her near the fire pit as Katari wove green ribbons into her braids. Kanti’s incessant and mindless chattering had actually served to ease her frayed nerves rather than irritating them, for once. It distracted her from the situation that was surely brewing in intensity.
White Lynx had denounced her yet again and had refused to give her back the book of Shakespeare. Therefore, she had not been able to slip it back into the Big House unnoticed. What was worse, it seemed that the brave was quite intent on confronting Nicholas about the whole matter. Most likely, in front of her parents, and whoever else chose to watch the drama unfold.
None of it would bring about any good. She would have to admit to stealing the book, rather than allowing Nicholas to suffer the undue wrath of the jealous brave. She had made this decision while slowly weaving the dual braids of She Who Sing’s long and shiny hair. Her father would be publically shamed by her actions, and that was for certain. It was likely she would be punished in some fashion. But there was just no other way.
Katari tied off her friend’s woven tresses quickly, and then rose to brush off her skirt. “White Lynx is mad at me,” she admitted hesitantly. “I fear there will be a row of sorts in store for me now.”
“What?” She Who Sings looked at her with wide eyes. “When did this thing happen? You two were like the closest of lovers only a week ago.”
Katari shook her head. “I never did lay with White Lynx, and he was growing very impatient. Our relationship was not as it seemed.”
Kanti gently touched her shoulder. “Oh, Katari, you should not have fear of this. I know you, and that you will enjoy such a thing.”
Grimacing, she replied, “It is not the act I fear, but the emotion that I cannot escape.” Kanti gaped at her, not understanding.
“Katari!”
She shuddered when she very clearly heard the demandingly familiar call of White Lynx. The confrontation would not be delayed any longer.
With She Who Sing’s trailing uncertainly behind her, she made her way resolutely toward the arriving group of people.
~~~~~
The little hairs on the back of his neck were standing up again. It didn’t bode well for Nicholas. The kind of trouble that ensued when this happened was never good.
Running Wolf was making a boisterous speech to his people, many of whom now crowded them in a semi-circle. Nicholas had not yet seen Katari or Opichi.
Although he did not understand all of the chief’s words, Nicholas recognized a few phrases. “Talented hunters,” “Skillful trappers,” and “Friends of the Minsi” were words he did understand, having heard them often over the past week.
“Good talk, Nick?” Pétant questioned him in a low voice. Nicholas nodded. But he kept his eyes firmly on the one brave who glared at him now as if he were a devil in the flesh. His arms were folded, and his shoulders and biceps bulged in response. White Lynx was most certainly mounting the most intimidating pose that he could. Although it did not frighten Nicholas in any physical way, he could not conceal his body’s own male response to the opposing threat. Years of brawling had honed his unconscious reaction.
Pétant moved his horse a little closer. “Why is that big one with the hawk nose staring at you so fiercely?” His sharp gaze turned to assess Nick’s face critically. “Ah, hell. What did you do this time, boy?”
“Not a thing,” Nick replied nonchalantly.
“That one surely feels otherwise. Is that not Katari’s man?”
“Yes, he is just that.”
“Aww, Christ, Nick,” muttered his friend. “It was going so well for us here.”
“I don’t know what this is, but there is naught to do with you, Pétant. You must remain here in this with your wife, no matter what happens now.”
Nicholas saw Katari’s face emerge from within the crowd. Her expression of dread would have been comical, had he not known it meant sure trouble for them both. When White Lynx took her by the elbow and pulled her forward, his jaw reflexively clenched. The brave’s rough grip was surely painful.
He was one heartbeat from swinging down from his mount and separating them forcefully – very forcefully - when Running Wolf pushed his horse forward. “What is the meaning of this? What is wrong?”
White Lynx released Katari, but she remained very still, with her eyes downcast. This was not the highly spirited girl he had known for many months.
“I wish to have words with Nicholas Belline, and find out his intentions regarding Katari, who was to be my mate by the turning of the next moon.”
Behind him, Nicholas heard Pétant’s low murmurs of caution. Running Wolf’s eyes moved back and forth between the two men before settling on his daughter with an air of both confusion and concern.
Running Wolf spoke. “Nicholas has been riding at my side over the last week, White Lynx. I only wish to tell the people of our great success in this outing, and the many new methods for fur-trapping we have learned from these outstanding men.”
The jaw of White Lynx flexed, but the brave managed to keep his tone neutral. “That is good news, indeed, but there is an issue that I must bring forth before you now.”
“Then again, I ask you, what has happened here?”
Nicholas saw that White Lynx now held out a book in his hands, brandishing it for all to see. It was the Shakespearean novel
of Antony and Cleopatra that he had purchased in New Amsterdam. Glancing at Katari’s flushed cheeks, he realized that her curiosity must surely have warred with her over whether or not to peek through the tome at the story. Her inner nature had obviously won the battle. He would have laughed, had the expressions of her father and fiancé did not appear so dire.
“I need to ask the White trapper if this book was as I suspect a bride-gift for your daughter. If so, then Katari has openly accepted two different proposals of marriage.”
Nicholas was shocked. He remembered Katari telling him that the acceptance of such a gift would not go over well with her people. She had not been jesting with him.
Katari stepped forward and raised her chin. “The book was not a proposal of marriage. It belonged to Nicholas, and I took it from the Big House. Nicholas did no wrong; it was I who failed, father. I stole the book while you were gone.”
There were quite a few gasps. Running Wolf cleared his throat. “Taking the property of another is a grievous crime, daughter. You would shame your family in such a manner?”
“I am sorry, my father,” Katari whispered.
A horse moved in beside Nicholas, and he turned to view Jenna’s green-eyed stare. When she gave him a tiny smile, he swallowed hard.
“The book was a gift,” Nicholas announced to Running Wolf. “I purchased it for Katari in New Amsterdam. She saved my life…I owe her a great debt. I still do. But she did not accept my gift.”
Running Wolf glanced at his wife, and then looked at Nicholas intently. “Then how did it come to be in her possession?”
“I told you that I took it, father! While you were hunting.” Katari burst out frantically.
“How can you steal what you had already been given?” Nicholas shot back. His eyes flew over her face, worrying about her obvious and mounting distress. Did she want to be forgiven by White Lynx? Why would she confess to stealing – an act he knew would be abhorred by her family and her people? It had to be to protect him.
White Lynx looked her up and down in disdain. “So now Katari lies as well as steals?” he murmured caustically. “This fine daughter of the Minsi sachem?”
Running Wolf held up his hand. “There is no room here for name calling or angered words. A tribe that allows such resentment to build to the point where it tumbles into fights or violence is an unhealthy one. It took me many years of my youth to recognize this fact so I will be gentle with White Lynx and Katari.”
He looked at Jenna for a long, poignant moment. “When love lies at the heart of youthful troubles, it is wise to sit and discuss what is truly amiss, rather than to react with impetuous actions.”
Running Wolf turned to White Lynx. “Have these events damaged the emotions in your heart for Katari?”
The brave crossed his arms and stared long at the girl. Then, lifting his dark eyes to Nicholas he said, “I know that I cannot accept Katari while this man is in our village.”
He heard Katari gasp aloud. The sound felt like a knife twisting in his belly. He had ruined her chances at a fine union of status. Again, Nicholas had failed the one he cared about most. All his instincts drove him to fight for this woman, to challenge White Lynx, and take what he wanted through male strength and will alone. But these people trusted him. They saw him as a good man.
“I will leave by nightfall,” he choked out. “Then this issue will be dead and gone.” When Katari looked up at him, he could not read the relief he expected in her golden-flecked eyes. He saw only quiet desperation. Her mouth opened, but no words came out.
Nicholas turned his pony and nudged it toward the Big House to pack his things. It was the only choice he could make while still remaining the fabled gentle-man Katari thought him to be.
Chapter 23
Pitfalls lay in every conceivable direction. All were emotional in nature, with no means for smoothing out the rugged path for any persons involved. Many of her people stared openly now, their eyes accusatory, while Nicholas Belline walked away from the gathering with a quiet dignity. Katari had difficulty drawing breath. She had never been so speechless.
Nicholas had sent her away before, even as she had pled with him not to. It was only right that he left now, whether the tribe felt it was just or not. But again, the thought of his permanent absence made her insides wrench anew. She felt her eyes fill with a stinging wetness.
Grey Wolf filled her vision, and she went into his arms without thought, a movement as automatic as drawing in air. “Little sister,” he murmured. “I would not have you hurt this much after all that you have suffered this far.”
She clung to him, her Mingan, and let his warm strength fill her. Squeezing her eyelids shut on his shoulder, Katari fervently blessed the Creator for blessing her with such a strong and loving twin. Their bond was a gift from the highest power.
Running Wolf approached his children, frowning still. “You must make more talk about this situation, Katari. This issue is far from resolved. ”
“First, you must speak with White Lynx, and then with Nicholas,” her mother added staunchly. “Before he parts ways with us today. This is the time to open your heart and let it speak the truth that lies inside.”
Grey Wolf leaned in close to her ear. “Sister,” he whispered, “Do you remember the day along the stream in the Northern woods, where I told you that there are some moments in life that you cannot force to bend to will?”
She looked into dark brown eyes, a much deeper shade than her own. “Yes,” she answered tremulously. “You said, at times, the Creator would bid you wait and let your journey unfold as he planned for it to happen.”
He smiled at her. “That is right, you do remember, Alawa. But now, I believe that it may be such a moment to fight like the mighty bull-elk just to walk the path of your own choosing.” When he pawed at the ground with a moccasined toe, Katari could not help but giggle.
“Be strong, Katari.” He gave her a nudge toward the ever-glowering White Lynx.
As she followed the brave, Katari read the tension in his shoulders and in the arrogance of his stride. If she made the final choice to wed him, she would trail along in the wake of his disdainful footsteps for all time.
White Lynx was not the mate for her. And surely, she was not a suitable match for him, either. They would likely spend a lifetime filled with petty jealousies, spats over authority, and a multitude of little annoyances that would eat away at any marital bond they possessed.
When they reached her family’s quiet lodge and entered within, Katari resolutely began to gather up her brides-gifts – the rabbit-skin pelt and the lovely bracelet woven with purple beads of wampum and porcupine quills - which White Lynx had recently presented to her.
“What are you doing, Katari?” White Lynx snorted incredulously. “I have not yet chosen to denounce you. You must wait for my decision.”
“I will wait for no decision,” she returned haughtily, “for I have chosen to denounce marriage in general. I am very likely an unsuitable match for any of you at all.” It felt good to have found some of her old spirit left intact. She tossed the gifts into his lap.
“You have chosen Belline? You are bedding him, then, aren’t you? I knew it from the first moment I saw you together.”
“No,” she huffed. “I have not done so, White Lynx. Nor would I, while promised to another. But I will not lie and say that I have not thought about it.” She watched his eyes widen in affront. “Now, give me back the book of words so that I may return Belline’s gift as well.”
The look the brave gave her sent chills up the nape of her neck. White Lynx tossed the treasured tome casually into the open coals of the smoldering lodge pit.
“No!”
Katari scrambled to retrieve it, crying out when the charred leather binding stung the tender pads of her fingers and the palm of her left hand. She dropped it into a piece of buckskin and attempted to stop further damage.
“You bastard, taonkëlàxàm!” she ground out in frustration.
Bu
t White Lynx had already departed. When the book had finally cooled enough to be touched again, Katari discovered that nearly the last third of its pages were seared and illegible. She felt sickened by the notion that she would never be able to finish her first book by a warrior of words.
Kanti burst in through the lodge door in a rush. “Katari,” she gasped. “Your mother calls for you. Cloud Walker’s youngest boy has just broken his leg. It was said he was climbing trees again.” The girl’s face was ashen. “The bone sticks through the skin. Bring more supplies to the Medicine Lodge, and hurry.”
Placing Nicholas’s book on her bunk, she went into a flurry of action.
~~~~~
Glancing up at the sky, Katari saw that it was not far from dusk. Taking a skin of fresh water, she wiped her face clean and rinsed the stains from her arms. It had been a trying evening, at best. Tending to a child in pain was no easy task, and it tore at her heart when dealing with the fear and agony of one so small and innocent.
However, Katari and Jenna were able to set the leg adequately, immobilize the injury, and give the child some relief. He was asleep by the time they had packed up their medicinal supplies and returned to the family lodge.
“Have you given more thought to matters of the heart, Katari?” her mother questioned softly.
Katari shifted through a pile of mussed clothing in search of a better skirt and tunic. “I am done thinking,” she announced. “I will go see Nicholas and we will talk this through as adults. I am done with my silly childhood.”
Jenna laughed. “One is never quite done with childhood. Or at least the impulses that come naturally in youth. Unfortunately, you will continue to have doubts, feel jealousy, entertain bad moods, and experience the swing of emotion. It is the way of life. However, it can be tempered and controlled with wisdom. And a large dose of love.”
Resolutely, Katari picked up the charred book of Shakespeare, and thumbed it tenderly. “I do not wish for him to leave.”
Savage Journey Page 22
