by Rita Karnopp
"Where is Many Tears and her newborn son, Wolf Howling? Why does your daughter not help you in your grief?" he asked, stepping closer to the old woman.
"Walks Softly has claimed them both for himself. He will be a good provider."
He didn't miss the hurt at being left behind. Without a provider, Otter Woman would soon be deserted, left to beg for food. When the heavy snows came, she would freeze to death with no tipi to sleep in. If he didn't act quickly, her possessions would be claimed by the other women of the village.
Two Shadows moved next to the grieving woman, cleared his throat, then shouted, "Otter Woman, your sorrow is my sorrow. Your loss is my loss. Your heart is sad and my heart is sad. You are a special woman in my heart. For many years you have called me the son of your heart. Now I claim you as mother of my heart."
She stopped crying for a moment. Two Shadows saw anguish in her eyes. It tore at him.
"Mother?" she asked.
"Yes, Otter Woman. I call you mother." He pulled her bloodied body against him. He felt her thin, frail arms wrap around him. Fresh tears washed her cheeks. Tears of gratitude he hoped.
Looking up, Two Shadows spotted Buffalo Woman exiting Otter Woman's tipi, a handsomely beaded tunic held carefully across her arms.
"Buffalo Woman, would you steal from your friend? She has a son to provide for her. The dress is not yours to take," he said, keeping his voice low and steady.
He watched the bitter woman stop and glare at him. No warmth kindled behind those dark, sinister eyes. She dropped the beautiful garment on the ground, then walked away.
Noticing Otter Woman stretching her hand toward the tunic, he picked it up before she retrieved it. "If you touch it, the beautiful white skin will be ruined by the blood that covers your body."
"You are right, my son. I made the marriage dress for my daughter. She never got a chance to wear it." She extended a trembling, bloody finger toward the tiny beads, then jerked her hand back. "Thank you, Two Shadows. I would have missed the dress. It is all I have left to remind me of Little Fawn."
"You have had enough bad thoughts for one day, Mother. Go down to the water and cleanse your wounds. Busy yourself with making me a big meal and I will join you after I have checked on Whispering Sun."
Otter Woman stared back at him for a moment, then nodded. Two Shadows observed the old woman draw her back straight and hold her head high. Her walk seemed less labored. A great woman like Otter Woman didn't deserve to be neglected—cast out of the living.
News of what happened soon caused many tongues to wag. First the great warrior brought an almost dead white woman to their camp. He arrived with many horses and supplies, making him a very wealthy man. Now he saves Otter Woman by claiming her for his mother. It had been a long time since so many exciting things had happened in their camp. Two Shadows couldn't help but chuckle, they sounded like gossiping white women.
Entering his father's tipi, Two Shadows rushed to Whispering Sun's side. The need to ask if she'd live no longer needed to be asked. Her cheeks already showed slight color.
"She is stronger and sleeps well, my son. You look much better, too. I will get you something to eat and drink." Willow Basket said.
"I am hungry enough to eat a live rabbit," he said, smiling into her lovely face. "Save your food for your husband, my brother, and my woman." He read the hurt in her eyes and knew he'd begun his conversation with the wrong words.
"Mother, it is not because I do not like the taste of your food. Quite the opposite, I promise you. I have for a long time said your stew is the best in our village, and it is true." Her expression turned from hurt to pleasure, at least he'd said that right.
"If you are hungry, why do you not want food?"
Two Shadows looked at the fire, then up at the warm, giving woman who called him son. "I have something to tell you. I hope it will not upset you or make you feel less important to me." Drawing in a breath, he struggled to find the right words.
"You look like that little boy I caught peeking in my private paraflech. What is heavy on your heart?"
"Did you hear that Walks Like Bear has been killed?" He watched Willow Basket press her hand against her mouth. Tears filled her eyes and Two Shadows wished he'd have been more gentle in breaking the news to her.
"I heard the sorrow wailing. I did not want to leave Whispering Sun unattended, so I remained here. Poor Otter Woman. Many Tears has treated her so badly, and now this! What will she do? She is such a good woman, Two Shadows. Perhaps Chief Deer Dancer will allow her to move in with us. We are very crowded, but she would not take up much room. What do you think?"
His mother's kind heart warmed Two Shadows. "I could not stand to watch the others take Otter Woman's tipi and belongings. She has been good to me all these years. I did what I had to do. I claimed her as my mother."
"Oh, Two Shadows, this is wonderful. I love you for your goodness," she said, rushing to him, pulling him into a warm, motherly embrace.
"What goes on in the tipi of the chief?"
Two Shadows turned at the deep, bounding voice of his father. Chief Deer Dancer entered, hung up his hunting bow and quiver, then moved to sit at his place near the fire. "Do I see tears of sorrow or tears of happiness? A man is never too sure of these things."
Willow Basket turned her tear-streaked face away from the men. Two Shadows observed Willow Basket wipe her eyes on the sleeve of her elk skin tunic while stirring the hot stew. He drew in the succulent scent of cooking buffalo.
"I realize you will be eating at your tipi, Two Shadows, but you must have a small bowl of my stew tonight, also. Eat with your father and tell him of your travels. I must tend to Whispering Sun, then I will go out and find Little Arrow. He has not come to eat all day. Some poor woman has had to feed him again. Soon the village will be gossiping how their chief's son is so hungry for food that he must eat at his friend's tipi."
"That is the most I've ever hard you speak at one time, Willow Basket," Two Shadows teased, laughing at the wry face she made.
"I thirst to hear your stories. I could easily guess what has your mother in such a state. I think the blood on your shirt is that of Otter Woman. I am proud you are able to show compassion, my son. Now tell me, what has happened since you left our village."
"I feel a great concern for Trail Walker." Two Shadows, started his story...
* * *
"Son, you must wake and go to your tipi with Otter Woman. Your old mother will be waiting supper for you."
When he'd dropped off to sleep, Two Shadows didn't know. He looked through the smoke opening to find darkness and stars. The peacefulness of the settling village told him he'd slept a good long time.
"I'm sorry, Father. I did not intend to insult you by falling asleep at your fire."
"I am not insulted. It is an honor to have you at my fire. You have brought me great pride. I will sleep knowing the white killers are dead. They will hurt our people no more. Thank you, my son. Now go before you get in trouble with Otter Woman."
Two Shadows turned toward Whispering Sun. "How is she doing?"
"Many Pipes says we must wait until the sun rises. But in looking at the woman, I'd say she improves with each breath. It is rather strange, though. She grew restless, almost feverish. She asked for one of your white feathers. Willow Basket gave it to your woman. She smelled it, held it against her cheek and went back to sleep. A curious woman, I'd say."
Standing, Two Shadows observed a resting Whispering Sun, then moved toward the closed tipi flap. "We will talk more when the sun rises in the sky. Sleep well, my parents."
"Please tell Otter Woman I will come visit her in the morning when you come to sit with Whispering Sun. Make her understand I did not stay away with intentions."
"I will tell her," Two Shadows said, longing to stay at Whispering Sun's side. "Otter Woman will understand, Mother."
Making his way to his new tipi, Two Shadows couldn't shake strong thoughts of Fort Bryson. He fought the stirring to return a
nd help Trial Walker.
"So, there he finally comes. Invite your friends for supper, then don't show up. A fine friend you turned out to be."
Horse Racer's jovial tone boomed in the silence. Two Shadows smiled, gripping his friends arm in welcome. "A man should be able to come home to a quiet tipi, not one filled with insults." He finished his banter, then extended his arm toward He Who Listens.
"You look much better than when you rode into camp. Good to eat stew at your fire," He Who Listens said.
Moving to his position in front of the fire, Two Shadows sat.
"How is your woman, Two Shadows?" Horse Racer asked.
Two Shadows did not feel the hatred that Laughing Eyes said everyone would feel. "She is looking stronger. I am confident she will live."
"I heard it said that Many Pipes thought she would die. He now says he feels an inner strength around her. He believes Napi has chosen this woman for a special purpose. It is not like Many Pipes to attempt to save a white woman. There must be something to this claim," Horse Racer said.
Reaching up and claiming a wooden bowl of stew, Two Shadows met the gaze of Otter Woman. "It smells wonderful, Mother. Thank you for asking my friends over to join me. We have much news to discuss. You have had a hard day. You may go to your sleeping robes if you wish."
"I am tired. Two Shadows, I am grateful to still have my beautiful tipi. Your kindness has made me a happy woman."
"No, Otter Woman. It is because of your kindness that I wanted to protect you. You have given our old and our young warm smiles and much patience over the years. It is your kindness that has brought you happiness. Sleep well, Mother." He watched a single stream of tears roll down her weathered cheeks.
She didn't answer, but he knew what she couldn't say.
"Where did you find this white woman? Does she have long, golden hair like the sun as we hear? Horse Racer shuffled his feet. "Do you look at her like an unseasoned buck?
Out of the corner of his eye, Two Shadows noticed He Who Listen jab his elbow into Horse Racer's ribs. Two Shadows laughed. "I do not try to hide what is in my heart." He allowed silence to settle over them. He packed his black slate pipe with a mixture of kinnikinnick leaves, ribbons of inner bark from the red-osier dogwood, and strong tobacco from the white man. He held a burning stick above the pipe, taking the first smoke, then passed it to his left as tradition dictated.
"I must confess, I am not too certain I found her." Two Shadows began his story. "I believe Napi chose to put her in my path. She is a high-spirited woman and not always do we see things in the same way. She is strong and determined. She possesses an inner strength that can only come from Napi." Two Shadows shoved a spoonful of stew into his mouth, unmindful of the fact his stomach ached from too much food. With the background of crackling fires, hushed voices, crickets and frogs near the water, Two Shadows told of his quest and how Whispering Sun became an integral part of his journey.
Horse Racer sucked on the pipe, causing a column of black smoke to rise. "She will be greatly loved by our village. I feel a peace in my heart knowing the ugly scar-faced skinner is dead. I feel it is safer for all our people to know he will no longer attack our women." He passed the truth pipe to his left.
Two Shadows pretended to ignore how Horse Racer's tone choked back. Looking over at He Who Listens, Two Shadows waited.
"I have given your words some thought. Your quest had been a great journey. I never thought I could feel gratitude for a white woman. But she must be special, indeed, if she has stolen your heart, my friend. I am convinced that Whispering Sun is a gift from Napi." Taking a deep puff, He Who Listens paused.
Two Shadows waited, knowing there would be more.
"I feared the evil scar-faced man would have killed you. It saddened me to think we would never share a fire again. For some time my heart has felt heavy with these thoughts. I, too, will never forget what we saw as boys. I always knew it would be you who would make things right. Now it is done. My heart is light and happy with the knowledge that vengeance has been rightfully done." He passed the pipe back to Two Shadows.
He pulled long and hard on the pipe, allowing the sweet smoking kinnikinnick to fill his senses. He enjoyed the companionship of his brothers. It had been this way from the beginning and would always be.
"You are good friends. I thank you for being my brothers." A comfortable silence fell among them as they shared the pipe.
Horse Racer leaned forward. "I must tell you something. During the night Laughing Eyes came into my tipi and slid under my blankets. I told her she should not be doing this, but she laughed and snuggled her warm body next to mine. I wanted to push her away, but once I felt her, I had to have her. I could easily tell I wasn't the first man she has shared a blanket with."
He Who Listens straightened his back. "I must tell you, then, that only three moons ago she came to my blankets, too. Naked and ready for me. I pushed her away, although I must admit I did not find it an easy thing to do. She is a beautiful maiden. I told her to leave and never come back. My wife would be very hurt to find her with me. I love Sunny Smile and I would not take another woman unless she approved. A very angry Laughing Eyes left.
Two Shadows remained silent. He thought of her bronze, naked body shining in the sun by the water. Her words of love and how she had waited for him. "Has Laughing Eyes been like this for some time?"
"No," Horse Racer answered. "I must admit to my surprise. I had tried courting her just this past season. She told me not to bother, her heart belonged to another."
"Then it is my fault that Laughing Eyes gives herself away with such disgrace." Two Shadows said, tapping the pipe against his fingers, allowing the remains of tobacco to drop into the fire.
"Why do you say this?" He Who Listens asked.
"Laughing Eyes came to me when I first returned with Whispering Sun. I should have tried explaining things better to Laughing Eyes. She spoke of her love for me and how she had waited for my return. She wanted to be my wife. I do not love her as I love Whispering Sun, and I told Laughing Eyes this. Her anger ran deep. Now the maiden cares not who she sleeps with, her heart is empty. It is my doing." He ached with an inner pain.
"Two Shadows, my friend," Horse Racer said, leaning forward, staring directly at him. "You have a way of blaming yourself for everyone who is unhappy. Laughing Eyes is using you as the reason for her needs under the blanket. She is a woman who likes the feel of a man's touch. She admitted she enjoys choosing her man according to how she feels. She said the same man would not be very exciting. Her heart is not empty; she enjoyed the pleasure as much as me. She has turned into a woman who sleeps with many men. No man is responsible for that. It is in her blood to act in this way. Look at Buffalo Woman, her mother. Does she not wear the shame of her sleeping ways on her face? She was lucky Howling Wolf kept her for his wife after he cut her nose off for sharing the blanket with another man."
"What you say is true," Two Shadows reasoned. "But, somehow I think she would not be so, had I not turned her away." He scraped the residue from the pipe, not wanting to look at his friends. "I suppose it is possible she would still seek other men even if I had loved her, if that is her way. Some women cannot stay with one man. Laughing Eyes must be one of these women."
"I heard Buffalo Woman is trying to get a match between Laughing Eyes and Sky Watcher. Do you think we should tell him about his?" He Who Listens asked.
Horse Racer laughed at length, then finally looked up, his eyes moist. "I am sorry, my brothers. But I think their union would be a perfect one. My sister tells me that Sky Watcher has been after two married women just this year. I do not think we should interfere with Buffalo Woman's plans. I think Napi has created a good match." Laughing again, he shook his head.
Two Shadows recovered from his laugh. Serious thoughts recaptured him. "I have great concerns over Trail Walker. Now that my quest has been completed and as soon as I am certain Whispering Sun is well, I must return to help Trail Walker."
"
This has occurred to me, too," He Who Listens injected. "We have not stayed here idol while you were gone. We have been searching for things that are not as they seem. Our people did not attack those white men who bring rifles to the fort. Our village and those of our brothers around us do not have the supplies from the fort. No Blackfeet has tried trading stolen rifles. It is not our people. When you leave, I will go with you."
"I am so happy to be back at the village. But, it is true, we must go back and help Trail Walker. If we do not do this, our people will be blamed for much we have not done," Horse Racer stood. "This makes me think about a matter I wanted to discuss with you, Two Shadows. Among the packs I unloaded for you, I saw a new rifle I would like to trade you for."
Two Shadows smiled. Ah, you must mean the Mississippi. You have a good eye for weapons. I'm glad you brought this up. The rifle is yours, take it. I want you to choose a knife, too. It's yours to keep."
Turning to He Who Listens, Two Shadows said, "I want you to look over the knives and rifles. One of each is yours to keep. They are not just gifts from me, they are also from Whispering Sun. They belonged to the skinners. Once they were used against our people, now they will help us. Once you have chosen, upon blankets, spread out all the weapons, the pots and pans, the trade beads. Give back to the people what these butchers have taken from us. Nothing will replace the loss of our loved ones, but let the people have what is rightfully theirs. Let it be known that all on the blankets are for the taking."
Standing, He Who Listens brushed off his buckskins. "No one would give so freely. You are a true Blackfeet in your heart."
Two Shadows accepted the arm that He Who Listens extended, then turned and accepted the grip from Horse Racer.
"It is good to have you back. I will choose a rifle and a knife. I will remember what these men have done, but I will dwell on what you have done to correct their wrong. I am proud to be your friend and brother, Two Shadows." He turned and hurried from the tipi.
He Who Listens followed with his own hasty retreat. Moistness stung Two Shadow's eyes. He glanced toward a sleeping Otter Woman. He smiled. Placing several pieces of wood on the fire, he quietly left. He had to see Whispering Sun once more before sleep claimed him.
