Jolena leaned into Spotted Eagle's embrace and watched the closeness and admiration growing between her brother and Moon Flower, who just recently had lost so much. First Two Ridges, and then her parents' love and affection. Perhaps now Moon Flower would be able to carry her child with a happy heart.
Jolena's breath caught in her throat when she recalled that Moon Flower was pregnant.
Oh, Lord, Jolena despaired to herself. How could she have forgotten that Moon Flower was pregnant? Surely when Kirk discovered that this beautiful woman was carrying another man's child inside her, he would turn his back on her.
"Tomorrow you will be much better," Moon Flower was saying to Kirk. "Soon you will be well enough to take walks in the forest with Moon Flower. You will be taught many things about nature and the way it is used by the Blackfoot."
"While I am healing, I can stay here at the Blackfoot village," Kirk said softly. "But then I must think of returning to Saint Louis."
He cast Jolena a wavering glance. "My sister, also, must see the need to return to Saint Louis," he murmured. "We have a father there who is anxiously awaiting our arrival."
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Buffalo had been spotted and it was decided to make a run. Throughout the Blackfoot village, men and women were readying themselves for the short journey to the great pis-kun that the warriors had built very high and strong at the foot of a towering cliff, so that no buffalo could escape.
Jolena was lost in thought as she bathed her brother's brow with a cool cloth. Spotted Eagle was preparing to leave for the hunt. He had refused to eat and was now sorting through his bundles for the clothes that he wanted to wear during the hunt.
Jolena was remembering how he had talked to her of the buffalo hunt late last evening, after Moon Flower had returned to Jolena's father's tepee for the night and Kirk had fallen into a comfortable enough sleep.
Before a slow-burning fire, Spotted Eagle had told Jolena that a pis-kun was one of the Blackfoot's ingenious methods to ensure the taking of buffalo in large numbers at one time. This was a large corral, or enclosure, built out from the foot of a perpendicular cliff and formed of natural banks, rocks, and brushanything, in fact, to make a close, high barrier.
From the top of the cliff, directly over the pis-kun, two long lines of piled-up rock and brush extended far out on the prairie, ever diverging from each other like the arms of the letter V, the opening over the pis-kun being at the angle.
Jolena had also been told that soon Clouds Make Thunder, who was to lead the buffalo to the cliff, would be ready to leave this morning without eating or drinking and would order his woman not to leave the lodge, nor even to look out, until he returned. While he was gone, she should keep burning sweet grass and should pray to the Sun for his success and safety.
Those who would join the hunt today would be alerted when he was ready to leave and would follow him to the pis-kun and conceal themselves behind the rocks and bushes which formed the V.
Clouds Make Thunder would then put on a headdress made of the head of a buffalo, and a robe, and start out to approach the animals, carrying his "medicine", a large rattle ornamented with beaver claws and bright feathers. When he got near the herd, he would move about until he attracted the attention of some of the buffalo, and when they began to look at him, he would ride slowly away, toward the entrance of the chute of rocks and bushes.
The buffalo would follow, and as they did, the medicine man would gradually increase his pace.
Finally, when the buffalo were well within the chute, the people would begin to rise up from behind the rock piles which the herd had passed and shout and wave their robes. This would frighten the last buffalo, which would push forward on the others, and before long the whole herd would be running at headlong speed toward the precipice, the rock piles directing them to the point over the enclosure.
When they reached it, most of the animals would be pushed over by those behind them, and usually even the last of the band would plunge blindly down into the pis-kun.
Many would be killed outright by the fall.
Others would have broken legs or broken backs, while some would be uninjured.
The barricade, however, would prevent them from escaping, and all would soon be killed by Blackfoot arrows.
The women would then approach and prepare the buffalo to take back with them to the village.
Jolena dropped the cloth back into the basin of water and rose to her feet. She went to Spotted Eagle, who was smiling as he held a particular pair of leggings out before him, gazing proudly at them.
"Let me go with you, Spotted Eagle," Jolena asked, moving to his side and kissing his cheek. "Please? I so badly want to observe how everything is done instead of just being told. I could help. Please allow it."
"There is time to teach you," Spotted Eagle said, still gazing proudly at his leggings. "I have made much meat in my time. So shall you, my woman, once you have become my wife. You will always remember that the buffalo is a smart animal and that he is meant for the people. He is their food and shelter."
When Kirk coughed, Jolena jumped with alarm and her thoughts were suddenly only of him. She hurried back to him, and when she found that he was finally awake, she smoothed her hand over his brow and smiled down at him.
"How are you this morning?" she murmured. "Are you hungry? Moon Flower has brought a fresh pot of soup, especially for you."
Kirk leaned on one elbow, gazing around him. "Where is she?" he asked, his voice sounding stronger.
"It's early morning," Jolena said, reaching for a bowl and spoon and placing these on the mat beside Kirk. "Moon Flower will be here soon."
Kirk smiled and moved to a sitting position, then his smile faded as Spotted Eagle came and stood over him.
"Soon you will be strong enough to travel to the river, to ride on the large white canoe back to Saint Louis," Spotted Eagle said, his eyes narrowing as he gazed down at Kirk, knowing that he must get this brother out of Jolena's life as soon as possible. As long as Kirk was there, he was a reminder to Jolena of the life that she had left behind, where the dwellings were large and elaborate, and where her white father awaited her return.
"Do you see me as a threat?" Kirk taunted, soon regretting his words when he heard Jolena's gasp of horror. He accepted the bowl of soup that Jolena angrily shoved into his hands.
"I'll be gone soon enough," Kirk then grumbled.
Kirk gave Jolena a half glance, then looked quickly away from her again. "At least I haven't forgotten where my loyalties lie," he said in a low grumble.
Jolena shoved a spoon into his free hand. "I think you'd best eat instead of talk," she said, her voice drawn.
She gave Spotted Eagle an apologetic look, then rose and went to him as he move
d away from the fire, still holding his leggings instead of changing into them.
"He is less than grateful to this Blackfoot warrior who is sharing his lodge and medicine with him," Spotted Eagle said, turning to glare down at Jolena.
"My brother is afraid of losing me," Jolena said, resting a hand on his arm. "That's all. Please try and understand."
"I never understand rudeness," Spotted Eagle said in a low rumble.
"Yes, my brother can be that," Jolena said, sighing heavily. "But put yourself in his place, Spotted Eagle. What if you had a sister and a white man wanted her? Would you accept it without resenting that man?"
"Spotted Eagle always thinks before he speaks!" Spotted Eagle said, casting Kirk a sour glance over Jolena's shoulder. "This brother of yours could still be in the abandoned Cree camp. Instead, he is in Spotted Eagle's dwelling, sleeping on Spotted Eagle's pelts, eating from Spotted Eagle's bowls, and taking away Spotted Eagle's privacy."
Spotted Eagle leaned down close to Jolena's face. He gazed intensely into her eyes. "We cannot make love while your brother is here," he said, his jaw tight. "Should Spotted Eagle be happy? No! But he does not speak of this to your brother. I show respect to those who are not well. It is hard, yet I do it just the same!"
Before Jolena could respond, Spotted Eagle continued, "Tomorrow your brother will be taken to the river and warriors will stay with him until the large canoe comes for him," Spotted Eagle said, his voice firm. "Today is as far as my generosity goes toward him!"
Jolena's lips parted and her eyes grew wide. "But what if he is not strong enough?" she asked, her voice tremulous. "Spotted Eagle, he's gone through a terrible ordeal."
"If he is any kind of a man, he will survive," Spotted Eagle said. He slung his leggings over his arm and clasped her shoulder. "For us it is important that he get on with his life, so we can get on with ours. And that is the way it will be." Moon Flower came into the tepee, chattering as she moved to her knees beside the pallet of furs on which Kirk lay.
"You are eating?" she said, clasping her hands in her lap. Her eyes beamed. "You like my food? I cooked it slow through the night." She giggled. "Brown Elk chided me this morning, telling me that the smell kept his stomach growling all night and kept him awake."
"I can see why it would," Kirk said, laughing softly. "It not only smells delicious, it tastes good." He set his empty bowl aside and placed a gentle hand on Moon Flower's cheek. "Thank you. I truly appreciate your continued kindness to me."
Moon Flower blushed and lowered her eyes, then stiffened when Kirk asked a question that seemed to cut deep into her soul.
"Are you married?" Kirk said, groaning as sitting up took much effort. "Such a beautiful lady should have many men fighting over her."
When Moon Flower could not find the words to speak of the recent tragedy, Jolena went to her rescue. "Kirk, there was one man," she said. "Two Ridges. But he's dead."
Kirk paled as he looked up at Jolena. "Two Ridgesthe one who rode with the expedition as a guide? He is dead?" he said, gasping. "When? How?"
"As you know, the Cree are a problem in this region," Jolena murmured.
"The Cree killed him?" Kirk said, his eyes wide.
"Yes, instantly," Jolena said, swallowing hard as she shifted her eyes over to Moon Flower.
Kirk grew solemn and quiet.
Moon Flower saw how Kirk was withdrawing into himself and made moves to stop him. ''But you are alive," she said, taking his hands. "Although tortured and left to die, you are alive, and on the road to complete recovery. So let us not think anymore on the Cree or their evil. Let us feel blessed that you are alive."
Moon Flower looked over her shoulder at the simmering soup, then anxiously into Kirk's eyes again. "More soup?" she murmured. "I shall feed you."
Kirk smiled and nodded. "More soup," he said. "But I can feed myself. It is best that I not learn to lean on anyone else while in this wild country."
"After you eat, walk with me outside," Moon Flower said, ladling more soup into Kirk's bowl. "It is important that the strength returns to your legs."
Kirk gave Spotted Eagle a glowering look. "Yes, you couldn't be more right about that," he said.
Suddenly Kirk pulled a blanket around him and pushed himself into a standing position. He swayed slightly, then steadied himself and gave Spotted Eagle a look of triumph.
Jolena watched, in awe of her brother, yet she was torn between pride in seeing him conquer the need to stand and fear that he felt the need to prove something to Spotted Eagle. If he was strong enough, he would be sent away tomorrow, and she knew that he would not want to leave without her. She looked slowly up at Spotted Eagle, regretting that she had been put in the middle of these two men, and the two ways of life she was choosing between.
And there were two other men that were a part of her decision! Her two fathers! She owed both of them loyalty! But deep within her heart she had already made her choice. She would stay with Spotted Eagle, no matter what the cost…
Spotted Eagle laid his hunting leggings aside and knelt down over his bundle of clothes and began sorting through them again. Jolena watched as he laid a complete set of buckskins on the floor at his side, then sorted through his many pairs of black moccasins, finally choosing a pair.
When he took all of this up into his arms and walked stiffly to Kirk, shoving them into his hands and arms, Jolena's eyes widened.
"You now have traveling clothes to get you to the large white canoe," Spotted Eagle said, folding his arms tightly across his chest. "Put them on, and if they fit your body, they are yours. A gift from Spotted Eagle to the white brother of Jolena."
Everything was silent for a moment, then Kirk flung the blanket from around him and struggled into the clothes. After he was fully dressed, he went to Jolena and gazed down at her. "Are you as eager to see me go as he?" he asked thickly.
"You know that I'm not," Jolena said, swallowing back a sob that was lodged in her throat. "But, Kirk, if you are well enough, it is best that you do leave as soon as possible."
"And you?" Kirk said, his voice breaking.
"You know the answer without asking," Jolena said, pleading up at Kirk with her dark, wide eyes.
"I want to hear you say it," Kirk said, placing his hands at her shoulders, slightly shaking her. "Damn it, Jolena, let me hear you say it."
Spotted Eagle had seen enough and could not stand silently by any longer. He went to Kirk and easily slipped Kirk's hands from Jolena's shoulder.
"I will speak for my woman," Spotted Eagle said, his eyes lit with fire as he glared into Kirk's. "She will not be returning with you to Saint Louis. Try and understand, white brother, when I say that although you have loved her longer than I, you will have to let her go. She belongs now to her true people and to this man who loves her more than life itself."
Kirk's lips parted in a strangled gasp, then he wrenche
d himself away from Spotted Eagle and turned to Jolena again. "Do you forget so easily everything in your past?" he said. "Can you toss me and father aside as though we are no better than strangers to you? Do you forget why you came to the Montana Territory? Do you fail to see, or comprehend, the disappointment father will feel when you do not return home? I am not sure he can live with too many disappointments at once."
A breeze into the tepee caused by someone lifting the entrance flap made all eyes turn that way. Brown Elk came walking heavily into the dwelling, his eyes on Kirk. "Do not speak to my daughter in such a chastising tone as that," he said, frowning at Kirk. "This father, her true father, warns you against such behavior."
Kirk was stunned speechless, then spoke in a drawn manner as he gazed at Brown Elk. "Spotted Eagle spoke of Jolena's true people, which I know now is Blackfoot," he said. "And I knew that she hoped to find her true father. You are he…?"
Savage Illusions Page 30
