by Karen Kay
“If I didn’t know better, Julia, I’d say you are protesting too much.” Kristina smiled. “You know as well as I that if you had truly been bitten, there would have been no time. He was acting again to save your life. I’m sorry that you were frightened.”
“Frightened isn’t the right word. I’d say I was petrified. I couldn’t even move.” Julia laughed, despite herself. “I had visions of the Indians scalping me. I certainly didn’t expect one of them to rescue me. And now I don’t know what to think of them. I don’t want to like them, Kristina, and yet I can’t help but feel kindly toward them. I am uncomfortable with them. I’m not sure I can accompany you anymore. Not because I disapprove, but because I am afraid. I meant it when I said I don’t want to become close to them.”
“I see.” Kristina raised her gaze to Julia’s and the two friends stared at one another, each one unsure of the other, both unaware of the heavy footfall on the wooden planks outside.
Both girls jumped as the door flew open and two junior officers trod into the room accompanied by Kenneth Wilson.
All three men smiled at Julia, who stood behind the front counter, while they ignored Kristina, although in all fairness, it was possible they didn’t see her since she lingered near the back of the shop.
Kenneth, however, glanced around the room. “Kristina, Julia,” he tipped his hat to Kristina, while his gaze lingered on Julia. “We’ve come to cheer up your gloomy afternoon, ladies, and maybe to bargain for some flour.”
Julia beamed, but Kristina, flinging a golden lock of hair over one shoulder, turned her back to the men.
She still hadn’t forgiven Kenneth Wilson for his discourtesy to Tahiska, and she wasn’t sure that she ever could. She decided to ignore them all.
“I’ve heard that you girls are partial to spending long afternoons out on the plains.” Kenneth pretended to talk to Julia alone, although his voice carried throughout the store. “Now, there’s wil-l-ld Indians out there, and it occurs to me that you two ladies might need an escort.”
Kristina stiffened, but Julia giggled.
“And just whom might that escort be?”
“I had someone terrific in mind.” Kenneth leaned over the counter toward Julia, and as Kristina spun around, she caught the vision of the two of them bent toward one another. Julia’s dark hair, free from her bonnet, fell forward around her face and Kenneth stooped toward her. Julia literally glowed, and it occurred to Kristina that her friend was more than a little in love with this soldier.
Kristina sighed. If Kenneth Wilson decided to tag along with them when she and Julia rode out, they would never dare to approach the Indian camp. Disappointment swamped her.
“Actually I wasn’t intending to take any further rides. I had an incident with a snake the other day and, now I’ve lost all interest in the prairie.”
“Perhaps I could interest you in a ride, just you and me, no snakes.” Kenneth cast a quick look at Kristina over his shoulder. He lowered his voice then, “And between the two of us, Julia, I think it wise that you stop associating with Kristina. Since that Indian brought her back to the fort, her reputation is tainted. Surely you can see that if…”
“Excuse me,” as Julia straightened away, an oddity struck her. Although Kenneth hadn’t said anything Julia hadn’t thought of herself, the weight of the words spoken aloud had shocked her. She took a moment to gather her thoughts, then in a clear voice said, “As I said, I don’t wish to offend you. It was kind of you to offer and I thank you but…”
“Now wait a minute, Julia… I…”
Just then, three shadows fell across the open doorway. Julia’s gaze flicked upward, colliding with a menacing stare from her Indian rescuer while Kenneth spun around.
“Hau, kola?”
None of the Indians smiled. They stood just inside the door, looking wild and completely at variance with the rest of the surroundings. While the soldiers were outfitted in army blues and black boots, the Indians wore buckskin leggings, breechcloths, and moccasins. The young officers’ uniforms were slightly faded, their boots dusty while every article of the Indians’ clothing was decorated with beads and porcupine quilling of yellow, red, and blue. They wore nothing on their chests, except Tahiska, who had tied a tight band on his left arm, adorned with painted porcupine quills. Each soldier was armed with a sword, a knife, a gun; the Indians stood unarmed, divested of their quivers and arrows, with only their bows, which they had flung over their shoulders. The store itself was shaded and dark and the Indians’ colorful appearance lit up the shop as the sun might a rainy day.
Tahiska held up his right hand in greeting.
And while the Indian’s face held little emotion, Kenneth chuckled, an ominous sounding noise.
“Well,” he said, “don’t you boys look pretty.” Kenneth’s grin widened, and suddenly his two junior officers materialized beside him.
“Don’t think I’ve ever seen a man wear earrings before. Have either of you?” Kenneth’s companions shrugged, joining in the malicious sounds of laughter. Kenneth produced a toothpick out of nowhere and, proceeding to clean his teeth, leered at the Indians in between venomous chuckles. “And with that long hair that they wear, boys, I’m hard put as to whether I should draw my knife and fight these Injuns or ask them to dance.”
The three officers cackled. Kristina’s whole body stiffened and unconsciously she straightened her shoulders, lifting her chin toward the ceiling. She stepped toward her friends.
The Indians stood poised. Although the words weren’t clear, the intent behind those chuckles was unmistakable.
Julia fell back towards the shadows, her glance falling upon the Indians, each one in turn. Uncomfortably she gazed at Neeheeowee.
A deadly silence ensued.
One of the junior officers pulled his knife, throwing it in the air, catching it. Another drew his gun, pretending interest in cleaning it, pointing it at the three Sioux. Kenneth smirked. He set the toothpick aside, and replacing it with his knife, proceeded to clean his teeth.
“Injuns aren’t allowed in the trading center,” one of the junior officers ventured. “Leastways not when ladies are present. The stench that permeates the place just isn’t fit for their delicate sense of smell.” He cackled.
Kenneth joined in with the laughter. “Why not translate that to the savages, Kristina?” He nodded his head towards Kristina, though his eyes never left his opponent.
“She’s standing right over there, your favorite girl, White Buffalo. Why not turn around and see?”
Tahiska’s eyes darted to the side for only a second, but it was long enough the junior officer threw his knife, the weapon narrowly missing Wahtapah, who dodged the assault. Neeheeowee grabbed the knife, hurling it at the gun in the other officer’s hand, knocking the weapon to the ground. Tahiska was instantly on Kenneth. He snatched the soldier’s knife, twisted the officer’s arm behind his back, and set the knife against Kenneth’s throat; then planting his knee in the soldier’s back, he gave a shove.
Neither junior officer moved. Both stared at the Indian.
“Tell the savage to let him go!” one officer shrieked at Kristina.
“Why?” Kristina paced toward the men. She held back, glancing at Tahiska. She’d never seen him so furious. “The Indians didn’t start any of this. Perhaps I’ll translate after you’ve apologized.”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“Miss Julia, maybe you can translate. Do you know the sign language?”
Julia stepped out of the shadows. She didn’t want to like the Indians. She didn’t want to help them. She glanced first at Kenneth, at Tahiska, then at Neeheeowee. In truth, she felt ashamed. The soldiers acted less civilized than the Indians.
“I…” She barely glanced at the junior officer. “I agree with Kristina. I think you had better apologize.” She glared at Tahiska, then at the man he held at knife point. “I think you’re the biggest bully I’ve ever seen, Kenneth Wilson. And don’t bother calling on me again.”<
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Julia glanced quickly at Kristina, then raced from the room.
Kristina watched her friend flee. She hadn’t honestly expected Julia to side with the Indians. A warmth stole over her and Kristina found herself smiling. “I think, Mr. Wilson,” she said, “that an apology is in order…”
“Wi-atanonmya.” Tahiska pointed to the sun, then signed, “When the sun is leaning.”
“Yes,” Kristina responded. “I know it is afternoon already, but I am afraid to swim. I…ah…cante wakanheja…to swim…inun wan. I am afraid of swimming. Besides, I don’t want to wet my clothing.”
Tahiska leered at her out of the corner of his eye. He smiled, then suggested, “Take it off. Your clothing would only hinder your progress anyway.”
Kristina gasped. “I couldn’t.”
He shook his head. “It is not as though I have not seen you without your clothing, mitawicu. But if you are shy, why not wear my shirt? It will be big on you. It will allow for movement.”
Kristina turned her head. She said nothing.
“You must learn to swim, inun wan. If you ever do come with me, you will need to learn to cross streams and rivers. If you do not learn, I could not trust you there. Would you have me laughed at as a village clown every time my people move camp? For I would never allow you on your own in the water.”
“All right, hau, I will learn. But only for your sake, not for my own. Not that I intend to leave with you when you return to your home.”
“Of course, mitawicu. I will get my shirt.” He stood up with ease. “And it is men who say hau when they say yes. Women say han.” He strode away so quickly, Kristina was spared a response.
Kristina watched him leave, admiring his ease in movement. She scolded herself. She should have lectured him on his constant use of the expression, mitawicu, wife, yet she found herself becoming used to the referral, although she would never admit to such a thing. True to his word, Tahiska spent the better part of each day teaching her about his tribe, acquainting her with Indian culture and trying to learn, also, the customs of the white man.
Kristina was grateful to Julia, who accompanied her to the Indians’ camp every day. Ever since that incident at the trading center, Julia’s attitude toward the Indians had changed. She’d softened. And though Kristina was certain her friend still possessed some doubts, Julia never expressed them. In fact, Kristina thought she witnessed a friendship forming between Julia and Wahtapah.
Kristina gazed out over the stream that flowed next to the Indian camp. In truth, she wanted to learn to swim, but she couldn’t see a way to master it without embarrassing herself, either with the awkwardness of her clothing or the discomfort of having none.
Would Tahiska try to teach her right here? Although she and Tahiska were not visible to the others, they were still within shouting distance of them. She would be embarrassed, she thought, to be seen in only his shirt. Besides, how could he propose to teach her in such shallow water? The stream ran clear and bright against the sun, but was only a few feet deep. Perhaps he would just show her the motions and she would never have to put the shirt on.
“U wo! Come!”
Kristina glanced up to Tahiska. He stood beside her, his hand outstretched towards her. She hadn’t heard his approach, but she was becoming accustomed to this, too.
“Where do we go?”
“We will travel to a river, maybe even the Big Muddy, I don’t know. You cannot learn to swim in this. It is not deep and you would get no practice.”
“I see. Do we go alone?” Rarely did she and Tahiska go anywhere upon the prairie alone. Always the others, the two other Indians and Julia, tagged along.
“Hau. Yes,” he said in English. “It is not far. We will just follow this little brook downstream. Are you pleased?” This he asked, smiling.
Kristina blushed, saying nothing. She noted that he had thrown his shirt over his arm. In fact, his statement did please her. For the entire week she had visited the Indian camp, she and Tahiska had never yet been alone. The thought of having him to herself for even just a short time was pleasant beyond belief.
But she schooled herself to act demurely and bestowed on him only the sweetest of smiles. “I look forward to the lesson and to your company.”
Tahiska laughed. He understood all that she had said although she spoke in English. Something else he demanded. Language lessons, every day. And Kristina did admit that he was learning English at a much faster pace than she was able to master Lakota.
She glanced up into his eyes, black eyes, mysterious, intelligent, yet now they held humor—at her expense. “And I,” Tahiska said, lowering his voice, “look forward to the lesson. I hope we will keep close, intimate company.”
Kristina tried, but she couldn’t help herself. She laughed, too, and giggling, pushed him away.
The sun blazed its warming rays into the water, creating sparkling jewels with every splash.
Tahiska held Kristina lengthwise in the water while she kicked and tried her best to stay afloat, but every time he let go she sank, unable to go even a few inches unaided.
She dug her feet into the sand at the bottom of the stream and stood upright, facing Tahiska.
“I can’t do this.”
He merely smiled at her. “You are doing well.”
“And you are only being kind. I don’t think I was meant to swim.”
Tahiska laughed.
“What do you find so funny?”
He stared at her, his gaze like a caress. He reached out to pull at her hair, turning the golden streaks over and over in his hand. He inspected the lock for a moment before returning his attention to her, and even then, his attention caught and held on her lips.
“Not funny,” he answered at last. “I am caught in the beauty of you. Your hair shines just as the sun, even your lips are glazed as though the sun looks upon them favorably. And I find it hard to keep myself from you. Each day I grow more deeply in love with you and yet I cannot even call you wife, though in truth you belong to me. When did a man ever have such trouble with his woman?”
He kissed her. He ran his tongue over her lips, tasting her, then slipped his tongue inside, demanding a response.
“Kristina,” he murmured against her lips. “I think I will go a little crazy if I can’t have you.”
Kristina melted against him. She wasn’t quite sure what he said. She only spoke a little Lakota, but she needed no interpreter for the tenderness she saw in his eyes, nor for this feeling of being surrounded by his love.
He made her feel a little crazy. Already she could think of nothing but having him love her completely. She stared at his nakedness beneath the covering of water, feeling that now familiar stirring within her. Unable to keep from touching him, she set her hands on his hips. “Make love to me,” she whispered against his lips.
Tahiska needed no further encouragement. He enfolded her in his arms, carrying her to the shore. “I love you,” he whispered in English as he set her down and lifted his shirt from her. He stared at her naked form a long time before he glided his hands over her body. He felt her everywhere, his touch as gentle as the wind, as potent as a spell.
Kristina gazed up at him as he lay over her. She spread her legs for him, welcoming him in the ageless feminine way. Tahiska just smiled at her, unwilling to end this touching.
He touched her there, yet he stared straight into her eyes. His lips nipped at hers fleetingly and still he felt her everywhere.
“You are truly my wife,” he spoke in Lakota. “Why will you not acknowledge it?”
Kristina, not understanding, just smiled at him.
“Love me, Tahiska, please love me.”
And Tahiska proceeded to do just that.
“You see.” He laughed at Kristina. “It is much easier to swim without clothing.” They had found a stream that ran deep but was only about twenty-five to thirty feet wide.
Kristina still was finding it hard to believe that she was frolicking about and swimming in the
water, completely nude, and utterly comfortable with it. It was true. It was much easier to swim without clothing.
“Come, I’ll race you to the shore.”
When he would have pushed off, she held back.
“Hiya, No!” She switched to sign. “You have too much advantage. You’ve been swimming since you were a baby and I’ve only learned today. I will race you only if you tie your hands.”
He gave her a hard look.
“I will let you have a head start and I will tie my hands if you will make a wager,” he returned in sign.
“What’s the bet?”
He smiled. “I believe it should be a bet with high rewards. I would bet with you as the prize.”
“I don’t understand.”
“If you win,” he signed, “our relationship will keep on much as it is now, but if I win, you will acknowledge our marriage.”
“I don’t much like that,” she responded. “If I win, I only get to keep what I already have. If I am to bet, I must be able to win something too.”
He grinned. “If you win, I will make love to you in secret every night.”
“But you would benefit from that, also.”
“Do you imply that you would not benefit from being my wife?”
“No, I…”
“Do you bet then?”
“How could you win with both your hands tied?”
Tahiska merely grinned, offering his hands out to her. “Here,” he said in Lakota, “tie them and we will see who will win. Do you play?”
Kristina paused for several moments, then gave him a curious look.
“No, I will not bet,” she signed at last. “Somehow I think you would win anyway and I can’t marry you, Tahiska. It would…”
“We are already married.”
“I divorced you, as you asked.”
“You did not throw me away. You still offer yourself to me. It does not appear to me that you have divorced me.”
Kristina sighed. “We will race,” she signed before wading the short distance to shore, there getting some leather strips to tie Tahiska’s hands.
“But there will be no bet,” she called from the shore.
