Spirit of the Sky

by Paty Jager

  Wade led her to a semi-sheltered area under a tree. He pulled her back inside his coat and leaned against the tree, drawing her snug against him.

  “We need to determine when the best time would be to live together.” Wade watched Sa-qan’s content face as she snuggled her cheek against his chest and gazed up at him.

  “I cannot leave the Nimiipuu. The Creator put me on this earth to help them. I must fulfill my duty.”

  “If you’re no longer a spirit, doesn’t that break your deal with the Creator?” He still wasn’t sure who the Creator was and why she remained steadfastly loyal to him.

  “As long as I am alive it is my duty to help the Nimiipuu.” She pushed on his chest, but he held her firmly in place.

  “I’m just wondering is all. Don’t get upset.” He kissed her head. “As soon as this campaign is over, I’m getting out of the army.” He tipped her chin up. “When my papers clear, I’ll be on your doorstep expecting you to marry me the way my people do.”

  Her eyes glittered with unshed tears. “You could lose friends marrying a Nimiipuu.”

  “If they don’t respect who I love then they aren’t my friends.” He kissed her tenderly. Hot body scorching kisses would have to wait until the conditions allowed them to follow the desires those kisses brought.

  The gray sky darkened as the descending moon disappeared behind clouds. Her brother would arrive soon. Wade didn’t want to let Sa-qan go. For the fiftieth time in the last twenty-four hours he wanted to sweep her into his arms, hop on a horse, and head for anywhere but here. They could start over somewhere where no one knew them and live as husband and wife. Raise a family. His thoughts snapped to a halt. His angel would never be happy far from her people.

  “Wewukiye will return soon. Promise me you will stay safe?” Sa-qan touched his chin, drawing his attention away from his thoughts.

  “Nothing will keep me from spending the rest of my life with you and our child.” He stared into her concerned eyes. “You have to promise me the same. Stay hidden if there is more fighting. Watching the troops shooting at the camp tore at my heart knowing you and other women and children were there. Colonel Miles is hard to persuade. He has his mind set on being the officer who accepts the Nez Perce’s surrender. And after the stunt he pulled today, kidnapping the chief, I believe he’ll go to any length to make it happen.”

  “Keep Joseph safe. He thought always of the people while the soldiers chased and killed.” Sa-qan snuggled deeper into his arms. He wished he could take her back to camp and keep her warm in his tent.

  “Do you have shelter?” he asked, needing to know she was provided for.

  “Lightning Wolf had the dwelling apart when the soldiers arrived. I have spent the last moons in a pit Silent Doe, Girl of Many Hearts, and I dug the first moon.”

  His chest squeezed thinking of her and the other women and children huddled in a hole in the ground trying to stay warm. “I’ll find you shelter. It’s not good for you to live that way when you’re with child.”

  “I am not the only woman carrying a child or nursing a baby.” She pushed on him putting distance between them.

  “Don’t pull away. I’m sure the husbands of the other women would do what they could to keep them safe and warm if they weren’t fighting.”

  “Or dead.” Sadness in her voice twisted his heart.

  Wade gathered her tighter against him. “I’ll do my best to stay alive and come for you. You have to believe me. I’ll not let you go through life alone. I’m to blame for you no longer being a spirit, and I plan to help you fulfill your duty however I can.” He wouldn’t run from this tragedy like he’d done so many years ago when he came upon his family’s farm in ruin and no one left to care. Many nights over the past fifteen years he’d chastised his cowardly behavior. At the time running from the ruin and old memories seemed like the best thing. Now, he knew he could never run from bad memories only make new, happier ones.

  “I did not discourage you when you became one with me. I wished it as strong or stronger than you. You did not change me. It was my selfish need to be with you that took my powers. Because of that I will live and endure all the hardships of my people.” Her chin rose, and she stared defiantly into his eyes.

  “You weren’t selfish. Every woman and man needs to find a mate who makes them whole. You’ve done that for me.” He placed a kiss on her lips. “I’ve learned a lot from you and your people about family. Something I’d forgotten since losing mine.”

  His horse’s head popped up from grazing and he snorted.

  “I think your brother is returning.” Wade wrapped the blanket tight around Sa-qan and tucked her against his side as a tall blond warrior walked toward them. The resemblance between the two couldn’t be missed. If the hair and bone structure weren’t enough, they both held themselves with graceful authority. A Nez Perce woman walked out from behind Wewukiye. Her eyes shone with happiness. She stepped around the warrior and extended her hands to him.

  “Welcome to the family. I am Dove, Wewukiye’s wife.”

  Sa-qan did not wish to leave the warmth and security of Wade’s arm, but she wanted him to greet her sister so her watchful brother could find nothing wrong with her so·yá·po mate.

  Wade extended the arm not wrapped around her and took one of Dove’s hands in his. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Sa-qan talks about you both kindly.”

  Wewukiye snorted. “I think you are talking about some other woman. My sister finds much wrong with me.”

  “I do not. I could never ask for a kinder, funnier brother.” Sa-qan’s heart squeezed that her brother thought she did not place him in good favor.

  “But you have been unhappy with me many times over the seasons.” Wewukiye nodded and stood beside his wife, placing an arm around her waist.

  Sa-qan smiled. “Lately, you have been proving me wrong.”

  The surprise in her brother’s eyes blurted a laugh from her happy chest. Wade’s arm around her drew her closer.

  “Have you made plans?” Dove asked, leaning into her husband.

  “I’d like to take Sa-qan away from here now, but she refuses, and I can’t help your people if I’m not with the army.” The sorrow in Wade’s voice pulled Sa-qan’s gaze to his face.

  She placed a hand on his cheek. “I wish my duty did not make me who I am, but I cannot leave the people to make my life easier.”

  His warm breath and mustache tickled her palm as he kissed it. “I know. I wouldn’t love you if you didn’t have that conviction to duty.”

  Her insides warmed and swirled with happiness.

  “We must go,” Wewukiye said, extending his hand to her.

  Wade squeezed her tight, kissed her head, and slowly released her. “Take care of her. As soon as this is over, I promise, I’ll come get you.”

  The conviction in his eyes sped her heart. “I will be waiting.” She kissed his hand before letting it slip from her grasp. Wewukiye grasped her arm, leading her and Dove away. Sa-qan glanced over her shoulder, taking in the sight of Wade standing under the tree weighed down by sadness and helplessness the same as she carried. When would they see one another again? Her heart bled for the separation and the unknown threats to their happiness.

  “You will see him again. He has promised.” Dove’s soft conviction did little to ease the anxiety creeping into Sa-qan’s chest.

  “If we both survive.” She glanced up at her brother’s face. His jaw clenched. Did he also fear they would not make it through the fighting?

  “You will live a happy life together.” Dove said.

  “How do you know this?” She wanted to believe her sister, but she had been a mortal long enough to know their bodies could only take so much starvation, fatigue, discouragement, and wounds before they left this earth.

  “Your hearts beat strong for one another, and you are both good for our people. The Creator may not be able to stop all obstacles, but he will see that you do not perish before you have fulfilled your duty even a
s a mortal.”

  “I hope you are right, my sister.” Sa-qan stopped when her brother did. He and Dove shifted to elk. Sa-qan climbed on her brother’s back for the return trip to the Nimiipuu stronghold. The Creator could no longer speak to her. But did he still look out for her as he did all people? Would he help her and Wade be together? If she held Dove’s conviction in her heart, she could overcome any adversity until they were together again. She rubbed her stomach—as a family.

  ****

  Wade rode his horse back into the encampment. He noticed the bustle of tents being raised and Yellowstone Kelly, one of Miles’s civilian scouts, had arrived with quartermaster wagons of supplies and a twelve-pounder Napoleon gun. The sight of the gleaming bronze gun froze Wade’s heart. If that made direct hits in the Nez Perce camp…he didn’t want to think of the damage to the innocent women and children.

  Ignoring the panic eating at his gut, he strode to Chief Joseph’s containment tent. The guards shook their heads when he approached.

  “Privates, allow me entry,” he said with the authority he’d learned over the years.

  The private on the left recoiled briefly and said, “Colonel Miles said this tent was off limits to anyone other than him or his attendants.”

  “Why? I entered the tent earlier.” He studied the men for signs of weakening.

  “He said someone has taken liberties of helping the chief.”

  So he didn’t like Wade making the chief more comfortable. The colonel had a lot to learn about getting what he wanted from the Indians. You didn’t beat anything out of them.

  “I’m only checking on his condition. If something happens to the chief while in our care, what do you think those already angry warriors will do to us?” He slid his gaze toward the large white tent for the wounded and then toward the area they buried the dead.

  He glanced at both privates. Fright blanched their faces and widened their eyes. “We’ve been lucky so far. Don’t you think taking care of our prisoner would help our odds of getting out of here alive?”

  The private on the right tucked his rifle against his side. “Yes, sir. We didn’t see ya.”

  “Thank you.” Wade ducked into the tent and waited for his eyes to adjust to the darkness.

  Chief Joseph sat in the chair, his feet and hands still shackled, his head held high.

  “Joseph, it’s me, Lt. Watts. I’m the one who unwound the blanket from your body.”

  “I know. I heard your voice talking with the others.”

  “How are they treating you? Anything I can bring you that’s within my powers?” Wade crossed to the dark shape of the sitting man.

  “I am fine. How are my people?” The worry in his voice spoke of his devotion to his people.

  “They are as well as can be expected, considering the fighting.” Indecision over telling the man about the big gun that had arrived warred in Wade’s mind. It would only worry the man more to know about it. Since there was little he could do.

  “Why do your words honor my people?”

  “I’ve come to hold your people with high respect. But I am a soldier and I also hold my duty with respect.”

  The man grunted ascent. “You are a man who holds honor close to your heart.”

  Wade hadn’t thought of his loyalty to the army in that way before. “I’m not so sure I’d go that far, but I appreciate your thinking that highly of me.”

  Heavy footsteps and voices approached. He didn’t want the privates to get in trouble for allowing him entry. “I have to go. But I’ll be back and check on you.” He couldn’t go out the tent flap. Wade walked to the back of the tent, dropped to the floor, and rolled out from under the canvas into the dark of night. Standing quickly, he brushed the worst of the dirt off and walked to the front of the tent.

  “Colonel Miles, may I join you in checking on the prisoner?”

  In the lantern light of the colonel’s attendant, he spotted the privates on guard passing relieved glances.

  “Lt. Watts, I don’t see where the prisoner’s condition is of any interest to you.” Miles opened the flap and entered, followed by the light-carrying attendant.

  Wade strode across the camp to locate his belongings and find a spot to himself. He needed to reflect on his meeting with Sa-qan and try to send a message to Wewukiye about the new threat to the Nez Perce.

  Le’éptit wax `oylá-qc

  (26)

  Sa-qan returned to the Nimiipuu camp. She walked past the pit holding the soldier. His accommodations were dry and clean and he rested well. She hoped Joseph received the same treatment. Silent Doe and Girl of Many Hearts exited the dwelling for the wounded. She hurried to their sides.

  “Is everything well with Lightning Wolf?” Silent Doe’s husband stayed inside the camp more than out fighting. His age left him less agile for fighting, but he remained calm and clear headed to keep the women and children together and safe.

  “He is well.” Silent Doe offered a weak smile and nodded back toward the dwelling of the wounded. “There are many husbands and brothers who are not well and hold anger in their hearts that they cannot be out protecting their families.”

  Sa-qan knew the anger and futility well. It had taken up in her heart and head since she became mortal. “We can do our best to heal them. That is all.” She hated the frustration that assaulted her when she could not use her txiyak to heal anymore. If she were still a spirit, she could have all the wounded back on their feet in a day or two. Instead, they must wait for the slow healing herbs to make their magic.

  “This is true. We can only help so much. The rest is up to their bodies and minds.” Silent Doe put an arm around Girl of Many hearts. “Come, daughter, we shall sleep and dream of the return of our chief and the end of this fighting.”

  Sa-qan followed the woman and girl to the trench they had dug. She shivered remembering the cold of the night before. More than ever she wished for the warmth of Wade’s strong arms.

  Sa-qan lay down in the spot Silent Doe offered. She pulled another blanket around her already blanket-wrapped body and tried to think of happy thoughts. Visions of Wade’s lonely stance by the tree when she walked away filled her with sorrow. His promise to be together warmed her heart and dreams came.

  She sat on a log as a child dangling her feet into the cold water of a stream. Her father stood in the stream catching trout.

  A bee buzzed her face and landed on her hand. She was not worried. She knew to remain calm. If the bee held no fear, it would not poke. Her father approached, carrying a spotted fish. His gaze landed on the bee, and he gently blew on the insect, sending its wings into motion and carrying it away.

  “Daughter, I will shield you from all trouble,” he said, stepping from the stream and walking into the woods.

  Security wrapped around her and visions of Wade holding her tight brought peace and home.

  An angry crowd with moonbeam hair and blue eyes surged around Sa-qan and her brothers. “Your father killed my husband!”

  “My brother.”

  “My son.”

  The anger of the people tightened her throat, took her breath, and tore at her heart. Where was her father? He promised to shield her.

  “His greed and selfishness has killed our band.” The chief glared at Himiin, Wewukiye, and herself. He no longer called them his children.

  “Father, you promised. Where are you?”

  Crying registered and she woke. Her cold body remained curled in a ball as she listened to the misery of the cold and hungry children whimpering. Her heart ached for them. Anger burned in her belly. Betrayal slithered through her mind like a snake. She peered into the growing light of dawn, staring at the area beyond the fighting. Would Wade betray her and her people like her father had done? She loved her father and he had disappointed her, would Wade do the same? For the Nimiipuu knew you could not trust a so·yá·po soldier. So·yá·po words held no truth, only false hopes for the Nimiipuu.

  ****

  The fourth sun brought an e
xchange of Joseph for the soldier who rode into camp. Hopes grew that the return of Joseph meant a stop to the fighting. Children cried from hunger and the cold ailed many of the old.

  The chiefs and older warriors took the soldier prisoner to meet the officers and Joseph. Sa-qan stared intently, but did not find Wade among the officers. That he never joined the other officers started doubts in her mind as to how hard he worked to help her people. Did he speak as her father, promising untruths about always being there for her?

  The exchange of prisoners took place between the camps on a spread buffalo robe. The men shook hands and Joseph rode into the camp with the Nimiipuu escort. As Sa-qan watched, the white flag of truce on the soldiers’ side came down.

  Warriors around her laughed. “Three times the soldiers lie with white flags. We cannot believe them.”

  Her dream and a sense of betrayal hung in her mind, thinking of all the things Wade had said to her. Words and promises she wanted to hear. Was he like the other soldiers?

  Chief Joseph spoke. “I was hobbled in the soldier camp. We must fight more.”

  His words saddened Sa-qan as the warriors rushed to take up weapons and the sound of rifles and bullets filled the air once more sending the women and children into their holes. The fighting continued throughout the day, tapering off as the gray clouds and snow evaporated into darkness and the discharge of guns lessened.

  Sa-qan huddled in the pit during the night listening to crying children, her hands and feet slowly growing numb from the freezing night air. Snow coated her blankets. She suffered from the cold and hunger like all the Nimiipuu. Shame washed over her for wishing she were still a spirit and able to withstand the poor conditions.

  The clatter of teeth jolted her selfish thoughts. She wiggled next to Girl of Many Hearts and added her minimal body heat to the child’s hoping to spare her from the bone-chilling night.

  ****

  Boom! The loud noise and screams ripped Sa-qan from another torturing dream. Her body was moist with sweat, her heart raced, sadness wrapped around her as tightly as the blanket around her body. Girl of Many Hearts shook in her arms.