The Dove

by Sharon Sala

  She heard an eagle cry and looked up. It was circling over her head without flying away. Yuma, she called, but it did not hear her.

  And then more people were coming from another direction, spilling over the rise and moving toward her as if she was the only light in a dark land.

  She began hearing voices and the thunder of many footsteps, and everywhere she looked, saw people coming toward her until she was surrounded on all sides and as far as the eye could see, and they did not sweep through her.

  You can see me?

  They knelt.

  And her heart grew big and strong as she felt the love.

  ***

  Yuma shook her awake.

  As her eyes flew open, she grabbed for his hand.

  “What is wrong?” she asked.

  He cupped her cheek and brushed a kiss across her lips. “You were calling my name.”

  It was just turning light as she looked up at the man leaning over her. His dark hair became a curtain around their faces, and for a moment she allowed herself to think what it would be like to be only his woman, and not belong to so many others.

  “I was dreaming,” she said, tracing the bottom of his lower lip with the tip of her finger. “I saw great beasts in many numbers and they ran through my spirit as I stood among them and I could feel their heartbeats. After they were gone, many people came, and I think these beasts led the people to me.”

  As always, he was fascinated by her abilities, not the least of which was her sight of things yet to come.

  “The people have many names for those beasts. White man called them buffalo. They were the soul of the people of the plains. They fed us. Their hides clothes and sheltered us. Their bones became our weapons. They gave all they were to us and we thanked them.”

  She tugged on his hair, pulling him closer until he kissed her again. The wind shifted slightly inside their tiny tent.

  “We cannot do this here,” he said.

  She groaned. “I know. It was just a thought.”

  “Do not lose it,” he whispered. “One day we will have time to ourselves and great peace. Then we can stir the air into a whirlwind if we want.”

  “We will want,” she said softly.

  He smiled, ducked down until their foreheads were touching, and the rolled over onto his back.

  “I hope there are no surprises for us today.”

  She closed her eyes, and as she did, saw a small village along a wide river. “I see people and I see water. It’s very close.”

  He raised up on one elbow. “This is true?”

  She nodded.

  “The Nantays should know so we can get moving faster.”

  She stretched then rubbed the sleep from her eyes. “I will join you. Today is a good day.”

  “You were given many gifts last night while you slept,” he said. “One you will enjoy came from Luz Reyes. She made some soap from the Yucca leaves for you to wash your hair.”

  Tyhen’s eyes widened in delight. “Soap to clean my hair is a fine gift! Where did you put it?”

  “All the gifts are outside beside your pack.”

  She scooted out of the tent with Yuma right behind her.

  “I need to go,” she said.

  He looked around and then shrugged. “Pick a bush and close your eyes.”

  She laughed and strode off through camp to do just that.

  ***

  It took almost an hour to get the people moving and another hour to walk two miles, but when they came over a ridge and saw the village and the river below, there was much rejoicing and a hastening of steps.

  Tyhen was thinking about fresh water, getting wet all over and actually washing her hair, when she saw someone down in the village look up. She could tell he must be shouting because other people began appearing, coming out of the strange little houses buried partway into the ground. She saw them looking up at the ridge, and then there was much running about. She couldn’t tell if they were excited or afraid but she knew there would be no trouble.

  ***

  Little Mouse was at the river with Chiiwi. He’d been showing her where certain water plants grew that had roots for easing belly pain.

  She was down on her knees in the mud, happily digging with both hands when she heard shouting.

  Chiiwi climbed up the shore to look over the edge.

  “Many people come.”

  Little Mouse rocked back on her heels, then quickly washed off the mud and ran all the way up the bank without stopping. Her heart was thumping so hard she did not hear Chiiwi calling her back. She had to see. Nobody here believed that she had known a great chief or been healer to his family, and when she mentioned one day that she knew the woman they called the Dove and had often tended to her, they had laughed. She did not mind that they laughed, but if this was Tyhen, they would laugh no more. She started walking back toward the village. She would wait and watch, but she had to know if it was her.

  ***

  “I hope their shaman has seen the vision,” Tyhen said.

  Yuma nodded in understanding. No one wanted a repeat of yesterday, but then added for her understanding. “I think that in these tribes, the shaman is called a medicine man,” he said.

  “This is so?”

  He nodded.

  “Does that mean he is their healer?”

  “It means the same as a shaman. Your people believe the shaman calls on the gods for his power, and we say our man is making strong medicine when he calls on the Old Ones. So he is called a medicine man for this reason.”

  “Do you have healers, too?”

  “Yes, and often it is the medicine man, but sometimes it is not.”

  She thought about that, and then suddenly pointed up ahead. “We must be mindful of their crops and homes. We are many and they are few.”

  “I’ll tell the Nantays,” Yuma said and ran ahead to pass the word.

  Tyhen was a little anxious. She wanted this meeting of a new tribe to be a good one and wondered if they would be able to understand each other’s words.

  By the time they reached the verge of the small village, every citizen was waiting to greet them.

  It was obvious by the more elaborate clothing and the pipe that he cradled in his arms, that the short, stocky man with gray hair and crooked feet was their medicine man.

  When the New Ones saw the kind of dwellings in the little village, some guessed they were Hiaki, or the Yaqui, as they became known or maybe Apache. They had once been in the same basic region.

  They called Luz Reyes up to the front of the march because she spoke those languages and because she was so elated to be walking in this land of her ancestors, she had been crying ever since they came down off the ridge.

  Then they reached the village, and when the leader spoke and it was apparent they could understand him, she stepped aside to let the medicine man speak.

  “I am Cualli. We are the Hiaki. Does the Dove come with you?”

  Cualli watched as the crowd began to part. A young man with long hair and an even longer spear came toward him. And just when he thought the man would speak, he stepped aside and Cualli saw her, a very young, very tall woman wearing clothing made of something other than the skins of animals. She wore moccasins on her feet like they did, but there were no feathers in her hair. He had never seen a woman who stood so high from the ground. And then she spoke and he felt her words on his heart and knew it was the Dove.

  “Cualli, I am the woman you seek. I am called Tyhen. Do you know why we are here?”

  Cualli’s heart began to pound. He was standing in the presence of a woman with magic.

  “I have had the vision,” he said.

  She smiled, and when she did, Cualli smiled back.

  Tyhen pointed to the people with her.

  “We are many, but would as
k to clean ourselves in your river and fill our water bags.”

  “We would be honored,” Cualli said.

  “We will not harm your crops. We will not spoil your village, and we thank you.”

  “When you have rested, I would be honored if you and your elders would have food with us. I am sorry we do not have food for all.”

  Tyhen shook her head. “We feed ourselves. It is allowed for us to fish in your river?”

  “The river belongs to no one. You may fish.”

  All of a sudden there was a large commotion behind Cualli, which made Yuma react. One moment he had been standing quietly to one side and the next he was in front of Tyhen, his spear held tightly in one hand to protect her.

  Cualli blinked.

  “Who is this man?” he asked, pointing at Yuma.

  Tyhen smiled. “This is my man. His name is Yuma. He is the eagle who watches over the dove.”

  Cualli nodded, and then glanced over his shoulder, frowning as the commotion continued.

  All of a sudden a little woman appeared, pushing through the Hiaki to let her pass.

  Tyhen took one look at her face and leaped forward, scooped her up into her arms, and began to cry.

  “Little Mouse! My Little Mouse! Singing Bird has been grieving for you for so long she became sick. We thought you were dead!”

  Yuma saw her and let out a cry of delight, which echoed throughout the crowd behind him.

  Little Mouse’s heart swelled. The words were what she needed to hear. They did not forget her. They just got lost from each other.

  Cualli stared. “You know this person?”

  “Yes, yes,” Tyhen cried as she put her down, then couldn’t turn loose of her hand. “She was the best healer in Naaki Chava. She was Chief Cayetano’s favorite. I have known her all my life.”

  Little Mouse lifted her chin, her eyes flashing, as if daring them to doubt her word again.

  Chiiwi was at the edge of the crowd watching. His heart was sad. She was someone important and they loved her. Surely she would go with them when they left.

  Tyhen turned to the New Ones, and as she spoke, her voice carried all the way to the back of where they were standing.

  “Go to the river. Do no harm to the crops, and if you wish to wash your bodies, remember to go downriver. We do not foul the water they drink.”

  As the people filed past in a quiet and orderly fashion, they nodded at Little Mouse or smiled to show their joy. But Cualli was shocked on an entirely different basis. He wanted to know how she could make her voice be heard in such a manner, and didn’t hesitate to ask.

  “How did you do that with your voice? Is it magic?” he asked.

  Tyhen shook her head. “I am the Windwalker’s daughter. The wind carries my voice when it needs to be heard. After we are clean, we will share your food.”

  Little Mouse heard that as a dismissal and took Tyhen by the hand. “Come little whirlwind. I will show you and your eagle the way.”

  Yuma smiled and winked, which made her giggle. He laughed with her, pretending he did not see her lack of hair and healing wounds.

  “It is good to see you again, Little Mouse. Many people have mourned your death. It is good to know it did not happen.”

  Little Mouse could barely contain a strut as she swaggered through the crowd. Then she caught a glimpse of Chiiwi’s face and stumbled.

  Tyhen caught the look that passed between them and raised her eyebrows at Yuma, who quickly hid a smile.

  “Little Mouse, am I not to meet your friend?” she asked.

  She ducked her head, smiling shyly as she beckoned for him to join them.

  Tyhen eyed the little man curiously, sensing something was different about him, and then the moment their gazes met, she knew.

  She smiled, and he smiled back.

  “I am Chiiwi, friend of Little Mouse.”

  “I am Tyhen and this is Yuma. We are also her friends.”

  “I am showing them the way to the river,” Little Mouse said.

  Chiiwi pointed at all of the New Ones lining the shores in the act of washing themselves. “It is a very big river. They will see it.”

  Little Mouse frowned back at him. “They thought I was dead. I thought they did not want me. We have much to tell.”

  Chiiwi’s eyes widened. He had not known her heart had that sadness.

  And at that moment, Tyhen’s heart broke. It was as she feared. Little Mouse thought they had not cared when they left her behind. She looked at Yuma as her eyes filled with tears.

  He leaned forward, whispering near her ear. “Don’t cry. You know how that hurts my heart.”

  Chiiwi patted Little Mouse’s shoulder. It was as much of an apology as he could manage in front of strangers.

  Then they reached the river and Chiiwi looked at Little Mouse again. “I am a fisherman. I will catch fish for your friends,” he said and hurried away.

  “Is he your man?” Yuma asked.

  Little Mouse frowned. “He is nobody’s man. He will not take a woman, but nobody in the village knows why.”

  “I know,” Tyhen said. “He is like the twins. He can hear what people think. So if they think bad things of him, he will not want them.”

  Little Mouse’s mouth dropped as her eyes widened. Yuma laughed, leaned over, and whispered something in her ear that made her giggle and cover her face.

  “Wait for me while I wash,” Tyhen said. “When I am clean, we will talk. Is this a safe place to walk in?” she asked.

  Little Mouse nodded, then sat down on a rock by the river and pulled her knees up beneath her chin, too overjoyed to say any more.

  Tyhen dropped her pack, dug out the soap Luz Reyes had made for her and then took off her shift and walked into the river.

  Yuma was right behind her.

  “Hold out your hand,” she said and gave him half of the soap she was holding.

  Without another word, they walked out into the river until it was up to their waists, then began to wash, first their hair, then their bodies, then each other’s backs. Then when they were clean, they retrieved their clothing and washed it as well.

  As Tyhen was scrubbing her shift, she glanced back at the shore where Little Mouse was sitting and then back at Yuma.

  “What did you whisper in Little Mouse’s ear?”

  He grinned. “I asked her if she’d been thinking good thoughts about Chiiwi. Since it made her giggle, I would say that she has.”

  Tyhen smiled. “I have to let my mother know we found Little Mouse. It will make her heart very happy.”

  “Do you think that Little Mouse will want to come with us?” he asked.

  Tyhen shook her head. “She likes Chiiwi. She will stay here, and that is good. Everybody needs to belong to someone like I belong to you.”

  He took her face in his hands and kissed her soundly. “If I was not standing in water, I would puff out my chest and strut like the little roosters that used to be in Nantay’s pen in Naaki Chava.”

  She giggled. The day was joyful. A lost friend had been found and they had water and good food to eat.

  ***

  Singing Bird was cracking a coconut when she suddenly heard her daughter’s voice.

  Mother. I have news.

  Singing Bird was already smiling as she laid down the machete and pushed her hair out of her eyes.

  “Is it good news?”

  Yes. We have reached a river called Rio Yaqui. Yuma says to tell you it is in a place you once called Mexico.

  Singing Bird sat down on the steps leading into the long house, picturing where they would be.

  “You have walked a very long way already. Is everyone well? Have you had trouble?”

  Tyhen wasn’t going to tell her about her battle with the outcasts. Ever.

  We are well and ha
d no trouble. But when we reached this river, we found someone who has been lost. Mother, we found Little Mouse!

  Singing Bird leaped to her feet and started laughing and crying and then laughing again from the joy that filled her heart.

  “I cannot believe this! What happened? How did we lose her? How did she come to be so far away?”

  It was as you feared. She got left behind. She stayed in the palace until the day the mountain died. After that she ran away. Many days later she was captured by bad men and brought to this land. She is no longer captured and is happy in this village.

  “My heart is so full of joy I can’t stop smiling,” Singing Bird said. “Will she go with you when you leave that place?”

  No. There is a man who loves her. She will stay.

  “Tell her I am sorry. Tell her I would never have left her behind had I known she was missing. Tell her for me.”

  I already did. She cries no more. I have to go. We send our love.

  Singing Bird began clapping and dancing and then ran off to find Cayetano. It wasn’t every day that someone came back from the dead.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  The New Ones stayed two nights at the Rio Yaqui, washing clothes and catching fish and smoking most of it to take with them, while giving their weary feet a much needed rest.

  Little Mouse was so elated to see the New Ones again that she spent most of her time within the camp, trading stories of their narrow escapes with her old friends.

  Just before sundown on the first night of their encampment outside the Hiaki village, Little Mouse came looking for Yuma and Tyhen.

  “You have not seen my home,” she said.

  “Then we will see it,” Yuma said.

  “You come now?” she asked.

  Tyhen nodded. “We will come now.”

  Little Mouse pointed at their packs. “Bring those with you.”

  They did as she asked without question because Little Mouse always had a reason for everything she said and did.

  When they reached the dugout, she led the way inside. They ducked their heads as they entered, but the room inside was high enough for them to stand upright.