by Karen Kay
They sank to their knees.
“That is a long time for me,” she said. “Have you finished visiting your relatives?”
“I have.”
His lips then captured hers. She welcomed his taste, his touch, his tongue.
Her shawl had long since hit the ground, and his fingers fumbled with the buttons on the back of her dress. He murmured against her lips, “Again, you wear many clothes.”
“As do you.” She indicated his shirt, his buffalo robe, breastplate and leggings.
“The robe is to cushion you against the harshness of the ground.”
“Oh.” Her insides were throbbing with need, and her stomach seemed to be performing somersaults and handsprings.
He whispered, “I intend to make love to you, my wife.”
The endearment sent her pulse soaring. “Please do. Please make love to me, Red Hawk. Now.”
They should have finished undressing. Goodness knew their clothes would be mussed by their activity, but need drove them both.
After throwing his buffalo robe over the ground, he lowered her onto it, kissed her and raised her skirts. “I am glad to see that you have given up wearing leggings beneath all these clothes, but are you certain you do not need them because of these things tied to your waist?”
“It has been hot.”
He grinned at her. “For that I am grateful. Are you ready?”
She nodded.
He joined himself with her, without preamble. They wanted each other. It was enough.
His thrusts were deep inside her, exactly what she needed, although she found herself responding as though, even skin to skin, body to body, it wasn’t sufficient. She yearned for more. She moved with him, against him, straining, for the pleasure was too good, too splendid to stop.
He kissed her neck, her lips, her cheeks, her ears, her eyes. With his lips, he adored her.
Rising slightly onto his forearms, he thrust into her and out, over and over, watching her face. “You are so beautiful, and if I could, I would look at you as you meet your pleasure.”
Not knowing how to respond to such devotion, she increased her action and pushed her hands through his hair, pulling him down to her. Only then did she whisper, “I love you, my husband. I truly love you.”
Her confession seemed to send him over the edge.
Indeed, he murmured against her, reaffirming his love again and again, his thrusts becoming deeper and deeper. Though he seemed incapable of speech, he managed to utter, “I love you too.”
With that, while she welcomed him, he shuddered and spilled his seed into her.
Effie decided that watching him was a little like capturing a bit of heaven into her own universe. Moreover, she followed his rise into bliss, and with short gasps, she soon met her own pleasure.
Ah, it was truly pure enchantment.
The water beckoned them both.
He removed her clothing, piece by piece, kissing her delicate skin beneath. At the same time, she tried to remove his shirt, her hands sliding over each and every muscle in his chest, his arms, his stomach.
However, she discovered that she was not as adept at removing his clothing as he was with hers. Soon she found herself completely naked, while he was still almost fully dressed.
“Hmmmm,” he groaned, sliding his chest—which was bare, except for the necklace she had once given him—over hers. “Hmmmm,” he moaned again. “I want you anew,” he said, as he moved his hips over hers.
“I too,” she agreed, although her response was almost unnecessary. He had already joined with her.
He strove against her over and over. She opened herself to him, receiving him, tightening her inner muscles to secure him better. Each time she tightened, he whimpered all over again.
“’Tis good,” he uttered huskily.
“Yes.”
He came up to his knees, bringing her with him. Pulling her legs into position around his neck, he leaned into her, boring against her in their quest for pleasure.
It was a good position. They could gaze directly into each other’s eyes as they strained against the tide of passion.
His movements all at once became frenzied, and staring so deeply at her she thought he might be looking into her soul, he said, “Kitsikakomimmo.”
She met his passion with her own, and as he lost himself to her, she gave herself to him, straining, driving, pushing toward that one plateau. They were almost there, almost there, and then…
They burst, their bodies paying complete tribute to one another. So intimate was it, so close were they, she felt that at that moment it would have been hard to tell where her spirit left off and his began. She felt complete. Utterly, wholly, complete.
As her body, racked with pleasure, began to relax, she felt herself move away from herself, looking down on them both from above. Interestingly enough, he was there with her…
Together, they soared.
“Perhaps, my wife,” he said, “there will come a time when we can see, perchance even feel each other’s naked bodies, without at once having to make love.”
“Perhaps,” she agreed.
“But that time is not now.”
“No,” she conceded. “That time is definitely not now.”
“My wife.” Red Hawk came onto his elbows and leaned over her. “I have news.”
“And what news do you bring me?”
“There is only one way I can bring this news to you. I must show you. But do not fear. You will like it, I think.”
She sighed. “Do I have to put on my dress?”
“Saa, ’tis better that you do not.”
“It must be in the water you are taking me, then?”
“Aa.”
“All right,” she said. “Lead me to it.”
Chapter Twenty-One
In the end, with the artifacts still tied to her waist, she donned only her chemise. Hand in hand, they stepped into the cold, refreshing water. As soon as the water came to their thighs, they plunged into its depths, both of them diving well under the surface.
Red Hawk took the lead, which was good, for Effie could barely see within its dark void. Though the moonlight cast beams softly into the flowing currents, it was still murky beneath the water’s surface, making her more than a little uncomfortable. How long they remained underwater, she didn’t know, but after a while, she caught up to Red Hawk, tapped him on the foot and pointed upward.
They surfaced at once, each of them treading water. As soon as they had both caught their breath, she said, “Though I love bathing here in the evening, swimming underwater at night is more spooky than I had thought it might be. And I am scantily dressed. Do you think I should return and clothe myself? It might do much to make me feel more comfortable.”
“We could do that, if you think it best. But the way is not far from here, and I am certain you are in no danger. Besides, with this thing on you…” he indicated the material of her chemise, “…you are well clothed for swimming. You might think of swimming in the nude…or at least with breechcloth only as I wear now. Too many clothes hinders.” He smiled. “Besides, I would enjoy watching you swim in the near nude.”
“Yes, I do believe that you would, but… Could you at least tell me where you take me, since the way seems to be farther than I had reckoned?”
“I can tell you no more than this: We go to the place where I believe you will find those things you seek.”
“You mean the artifacts?”
“Aa.”
“How can this be? How do you know of this place? And if you have known about it, why haven’t you mentioned anything to me before now?”
“I have only learned of this place this very day.”
She frowned at him. “Today? But I didn’t know you were in camp. I thought you had been visiting—” She stopped. So this
is what he had been doing with his time. She sent him a puzzled frown. “I don’t understand.”
“You will.” He took her hand. “Come, follow me, and if you are frightened, don’t let go of my hand.”
Effie didn’t need to be told this twice, for she was frightened. She grabbed hold of him, and on a signal from Red Hawk, they again dove beneath the water’s surface.
Soon they came to a channel that was shallow and narrow, the water coming to just above their knees. This must have been on the far side of the pool, for the place was unknown to her, and she had often explored this pool in her youth. Pine trees grew on both sides, casting long shadows, lending the spot an eerie atmosphere. Occasionally the moon shone through the trees, dispelling the gloom if only momentarily.
Still clasping Red Hawk’s hand, she set her pace to keep up with him, thankful that the bed in the channel was cushioned in sand. It was an odd feeling, traipsing through water, at night, in only her calf-length chemise, her hand in her husband’s.
“Red Hawk, what’s this all about?” she asked in a voice barely over a whisper.
“’Tis only around the bend here, the place where I am taking you. ’Tis located in what the white man calls a tributary of the river, or an inlet. There has been a drought in this part of the country this year, so we are lucky. What I am to show you is quite commonly covered with water.”
“Oh,” was all she said, not knowing how else to respond.
At last, they tread into a completely different pool, only this one’s bed was made of rocks.
“Ouch!” she uttered, as she stepped on something sharp.
Red Hawk turned back to her. “We shall go slower that you may search for good footing before placing your feet on the riverbed.”
And so they did. Soon, the water was deep enough they could paddle along with the current.
Within a few short moments, he stopped. They both stood up in the water, which was no more than waist deep.
“Look to the shoreline.” He pointed to their right. “Do you see it?”
“No, what am I supposed to be observing?”
“Look closely.”
She did. “All I can make out here in the moonlight is the face of a canyon wall, with a… Is that a cavern?”
“It is.” He smiled at her. “’Tis an underwater cavern, and so has remained unseen to the eye of man. It is here you will find that which you seek.”
“Here? How do you know that?” She was already pacing slowly out of the water, so she might catch a closer glance at the canyon wall.
“I cannot tell you how I know. All I can relate to you is that this is where you will find the missing artifacts, because—”
“Otohkat! I have sent him.”
The voice, which came from behind them, was deep, masculine and loud. Effie dived behind Red Hawk’s nude body for protection.
“What’s happening, Red Hawk?” she whispered from behind him. “Who is that?”
“Do not fear,” he said. “It is my spirit protector.”
“Your what? Did you know someone else would be here when you brought me?”
“Saa, I did not, and I will explain later who and what my spirit protector is. For now, simply listen.”
Something smooth and sleek dove in and out of the water—out there, in the deep places of the pool—but it caused barely a sound or a ripple against the current. As it rose out of the water once again, it said:
“Four golden images,
When all in a row,
Slaves, his people will be,
No more.”
“Red Hawk, is that a snake talking to us?”
“He is a sea dog.”
“That’s no dog.”
“Sh-h-h. Listen.”
“What you seek is here, water being.
But beware.
Once you find what you seek, you must not share.
For there are those among you who will steal what you have.
And use what is here not for good, but for bad.”
Had she lost her mind? Was a snake not only speaking to her, but reciting rhyming riddles?
“I don’t understand this, Red Hawk. In truth, I’m a little frightened.”
“Sh-h-h. Just listen.”
And the sea dog continued:
“Four golden images
You both alone must seek.
When at last they are together
The spirits shall meet.”
With a splash, the creature was gone.
Effie and Red Hawk stood silent for a moment, both lost for words.
Effie shivered, and Red Hawk took her in his arms. But once she started shaking, she seemed unable to stop.
Cradling her in his arms, Red Hawk led her into the cavern, then gradually he fell to his knees, where he proceeded to run his fingers through her hair, up and down her back, as though by friction alone he would restore warmth to her.
“I’m cold,” she sobbed, “and I’m frightened by that…that…creature whom you call a protector. It…it was a snake.” She drew in a deep breath. “Why did you bring me here?”
“Because this is where you will find the artifacts. Forgive me. I did not know that my spirit protector would be here, and I did not know it would speak to us this night. I meant only to show you what I have found. It has been an exciting day for me, because I have been looking for this place since we have arrived here.”
“But you told me you have been visiting relatives.”
“Aa, I have done that, and another thing of some importance. But all the relatives I have here are adopted, and so the time with them was short. What I have been doing is swimming in these waters for many days, along with that other matter that takes a great deal of my time. I have been in the Big River itself, in our little pool, in every outlet of the river I could find. It was my spirit protector who led me here; it is my spirit protector that will help you find the things you seek.”
“Your spirit protector? Led you here? Your people? You go too fast. And I…I still don’t understand.”
“Have you forgotten I am of the Lost Clan?”
“No, of course not. It’s only that…I love you. I have fallen in love with you…and since that time, I have been distracted by you, by our love. I think of you as…well, as you… And I… Maybe once, I might have thought purely of nothing but extracting information from you because of who you are, but…”
“I understand.” He held her, bringing her in even closer to him. “Love can change many things. So now let me bring more understanding to you. Let me begin at the beginning…”
Red Hawk had changed positions, settling them both into a comfortable location there in the cave. At present, he sat with his back against the cavern wall, while he held Effie in his arms. Her backside was against him, and his legs were around her, engulfing hers.
“Let us begin with a spirit protector.” He drew in a deep breath, then, “When a man reaches a certain age, his mind often turns to war and to making a name for himself. A warrior will seek a vision and a helper from the animal kingdom to aid him in attaining his goals, for he would strive to have power over his enemies. Since the Creator does not take sides, one must seek the goodwill of a spirit helper to ensure his success. Most often these helpers take the form of an animal.”
“Oh, I see. Thus a spirit protector?”
“Aa. Now, my helper, who is the sea dog, has not long been aiding me—not until recently has he visited me. I had thought I had no vision, no protector, and might never have a vision. But the problem was that I was seeking my dreams in the wrong places. It was not until I looked for my vision in the water that I came face-to-face with my helper. It was you, the memory of you, who led me to the water. It was my spirit protector who brought me to you, the water being.”
“Water being?”
“That is what the sea dog calls you.”
“Really? Water being… I like it.”
“As do I. Now, the poem you heard tonight, ‘Four golden images, when all in a row. Slaves, his people will be, no more,’ is the same verse that was given to me within my first vision. Though I did not understand it at first, I have now come to embrace it. There are four artifacts. But these are not merely images in stone. These are the children of the Thunder Being. Somehow—although I do not grasp exactly how—when these stones are at last together, my people will go free.”
“I see. It’s interesting because my father told me a similar story. He said the images in the stone were not carved, but were in reality the Thunderer’s children.”
“It is so.”
“I have never believed it though.”
“And now?”
“I don’t know what to think because even after all that has happened tonight, I still find it hard to believe.” She paused, then, “Is this why it was easy for me to convince you to help me?”
“Partly.”
“Is it also why you have wanted to marry me? Please say no.”
“Saa. Of course it is not. Some time in our near future, I am going to buy you a white man’s mirror that you never have to question me on this again.”
She seemed to ignore what he’d said. “However, it would fit, wouldn’t it? If you knew I was committed to finding these things, then it would be in your interest to make sure I would give them to you.”
He shrugged. “Perhaps it might seem to be so. But it is not true. You know that I have loved you since the first time I saw you. Besides, I have been seeking what you seek. It has never been my intention to take these things from you, only to free my people.”
“Yes,” she argued, “but then perhaps to free your people, you will need to take them from me. Have you thought of that?”
“Saa. I do not believe that stealing is a part of my vision. The Creator would not make it so.”
“Maybe not, and my worry is unfounded. But I should tell you that my father has instructed me to keep all four of the artifacts together. He has told me I must give them to no one but the Lost Clan.”
“And so you will,” he said. “Through me.”
