Spirit of the Lake

by Paty Jager

  “How are you walking?” Crazy One said, tugging on Dove’s arm, pulling her from her family’s sight.

  She wanted to watch her mother and see sorrow and a plea of forgiveness for not believing her daughter. But what if that wasn’t what her eyes said? What if she still had doubts? Dove put her feet soundly one in front of the other and walked beside Crazy One to her lodge.

  “What do you want to do?” The old woman pointed to the lake then glanced at the villagers watching. How did this woman know she had tried to end things in the lake? A chill slid down her back from the woman’s knowledge and her escape from death.

  Without a backward glance, Dove ducked into the lodge and out of sight of the curious eyes.

  “How do you know I shamed myself last night?” she asked, walking around the small dwelling. An extra sleeping spot lay on the far side of the fire. Did the woman know she would have a guest?

  “Am I the only one to have visions?” The woman sat down and motioned for Dove to do the same.

  “You know what I tried to do and you knew Wewukiye would ask you to let me live with you.” Dove sat cross-legged beside the woman, studying her neatly braided gray hair and the creases of time etched in her dry sagging skin.

  “How would I know it was you?” She waved her hands. “Who was it I saw?” Tapping her head, she continued, “Were you the one to walk into the lake with such determined steps? Did not my uncle carry you from the dark end?” She motioned to the sleeping area. “When would I find company?” Anger deepened the creases of her face and sparked in her eyes. “How do they treat me? Do they believe me stupid?” The dull eyes took on a glow. “Should they ask me questions?” She took Dove’s hand. “Do we know the truth?” Her head nodded as she stared into Dove’s eyes.

  Energy to fight the battle ahead seeped into Dove’s body. She had the acceptance and encouragement of this woman and the man who pulled her from the lake. With it, she believed she could make a difference for their people. But how to make the leaders hear her words?

  “Does it not take time?” Crazy One asked.

  “How do you know what I am thinking?” Dove asked, becoming accustomed to the strange woman.

  “Do you think I do not talk right? How foolish does that make me look?” She shrugged. “Can others think I am dim-witted? Is it not their loss?”

  “Yes, it is definitely their loss to not see the wisdom in you.” Dove hugged the woman and received a warm, toothless grin.

  The sound of many feet approached the lodge. Dove peered at the woman for guidance.

  “How you must sit?” she said, pushing to her feet and approaching the opening.

  Had the whole village come to throw her out? She had never known anyone to be banished. But no one had been labeled a traitor to her knowledge.

  “What is it you wish?” she heard Crazy One ask.

  “I wish to speak with Dove.”

  Unease settled in Dove’s belly. Thunder Traveling to Distant Mountains had come to talk with her. She had taken her concerns about Evil Eyes to Old Joseph. He had listened and then dismissed her. After she told the other maidens to watch out for Evil Eyes, she had been called to Old Joseph’s lodge. Thunder Traveling to Distant Mountains and his wife had talked with her.

  “Is she wishing to speak with you?” Crazy One asked, turning and questioning Dove.

  Dove nodded. She had to know what the council thought.

  Crazy One stepped aside. Thunder Traveling to Distant Mountains entered. The old woman picked at his shirt. Crazy One stood by the opening, holding the flaps tight. She chanted loud enough to cover their conversation.

  Dove smiled at the old woman. She would never underestimate her.

  Thunder Traveling to Distant Mountains stood, looming over her. He was the calmer, more compassionate of Joseph’s sons.

  “Why did you leave?” he asked. “Many wondered at your departure.”

  “I could not live among people who did not believe me.” Her heart galloped in her chest. She knew these were not the words he wanted to hear.

  “But you have come back. Does this mean we were right?”

  Her heart sunk. What was she to say?

  “Is the truth now what you wish to live by?” chanted Crazy One.

  Dove stood and stared straight into Thunder Traveling to Distant Mountains’s eyes. “I have come back to prove my truth and save my people from Evil Eyes.”

  Thunder Traveling to Distant Mountains watched her a moment. He pivoted, walked away, then back. “We cannot give the so-yá-po a reason to kill our people.”

  “But you will allow him to take your women brutally? If one of our own had done this to me he would be whipped. Why does the so-yá-po not get whipped? He will think you agree with his treatment of your maidens.”

  Thunder Traveling to Distant Mountains shook his head, and his eyes blazed with anger. “Hold your tongue. We do not condone his behavior. It is your word against his.”

  “And you wish to believe the so-yá-po over a Nimiipuu?” She flinched at the angry twist to his features.

  “I cannot go to Agent William with your accusations. There is only your word against Two Eyes. Who will they believe?” He slapped a fist into his hand. “And who will they harm for the insult?”

  “I will tell you this now. When the child from the so-yá-po’s evil seed comes into this world, it will prove my words. Until then I will find what will sway not only our people, but his people as well.” She stared unflinching into his dark eyes.

  Thunder Traveling to Distant Mountains’s eyes never wavered. “This is not wise for you or the people.”

  “Is it wise to let the so-yá-po take away our way of life? We have lived here before the fathers of our fathers. They cannot come in and push us out. Not without a fight.”

  “We cannot lose our people to anger.” He placed his hands on her shoulders, peering deep into her eyes. “Do not stir up trouble. I do not want to remove you from this lodge to the lodge of the old women.”

  She ducked out from under his hands, crossing her arms. “Women who will hold their words about what I say, and let the so-yá-po walk on us.” Her anger grew brighter and hotter each time he insisted she keep quiet.

  He stalked to the opening and grasped the flap from Crazy One. “Do not stir up the warriors or you will have their blood on your hands.”

  Pí-lep

  (4)

  Wewukiye stood on the ridge above a small cabin. The building huddled in a canyon two ridges toward the setting sun from the Nimiipuu Lake. He’d learned the man living here spent time at the lodge of Joseph. One look would tell him if it was the man who hurt Dove.

  Several White men rode up to the cabin, dismounted, and broke into livid conversations. The door to the cabin swung opened. A large man with hair the color of dead grass stormed out. Wewukiye snorted. The hair meant nothing—it was the man’s eyes he must see. But how?

  He raised his nose to the blue summer sky and bugled. The men turned and pointed to the ridge where he stood silhouetted against the summer sky. He snickered. No man could resist a specimen such as him. The man he wished to see grasped one of the horses tied in front of his cabin and swung up onto its back. With a holler he and another set off galloping toward Wewukiye.

  The chase was on.

  Wewukiye waited with his head down pretending to eat. He snickered at the men and horses crashing through the brush. Any other elk would bolt from the noise of the approaching men. He lifted his head, sniffed for their direction, and trotted away from the men and horses, creating noise by hooking his massive antlers in the brush and snapping limbs.

  He caught sight of the men. They separated and he stopped thrashing about in the woods, to silently follow the man with the light-colored hair. Wewukiye crept as close as he dare get while the man sat atop the horse peering into the trees.

  The man took off his hat and wiped at the sweat beading on his forehead. Without the hat shading his face, Wewukiye saw the man’s eyes.

&n
bsp; Anger shook his body. If not for Dove needing this man alive to renew her honor with her people, he would have rammed the horse and gored the man with his antlers. The moment the thought struck, he shook his head. Where had the anger come from? During his existence through the ages, emotions had never surfaced in him like they had since saving Dove from death. Why did he carry this new sensation of anger and protectiveness toward one mortal? Why did he center his thoughts on helping Dove and giving her what she wanted; to be respected by her band and family?

  He now knew where the man lived and could watch him to find out his secrets. Wewukiye moved away from Evil Eyes. The White man would not put a bullet through a great bull elk this day. Wewukiye circled both men and made his way back down to the cabin. He wished to hear what the others waiting for the hunters had to say.

  With great stealth, he walked through the trees and stood behind a bush. He could get no closer without being seen. It frustrated him to only hear snippets of the conversation.

  “Jasper’ll get them Injuns—” A man laughed.

  Another added, “They won’t know—” When the man stopped talking the others all laughed raucously. The thundering sound of rapid approaching hooves quieted the men.

  Evil Eyes slid his horse to a stop in front of the cabin. He yanked the animal’s head around and slammed his feet to the ground as he dismounted. Anger radiated from his movements.

  “Where’s that monster elk you were going to bring back?” one man asked.

  Evil Eyes grabbed the man’s shirt front, lifting him off the ground. The man’s eyes bulged, and his face deepened in color.

  Wewukiye didn’t hear the words. The face of the man being dangled above the ground drained to white and the others shuffled their feet. This man who hurt Dove embodied hate and venom. How she survived his torture was a miracle. For this man oozed evil.

  The piercing scream of an eagle caught his attention, and he gazed to the sky. His sister called. With one last glance at the men, he set off at a run for their meeting place. Sa-qan rarely called a meeting. Something must have happened for her to have summoned him.

  On the ledge, high up the mountain overlooking the Nimiipuu village where their brother spent many days and nights watching over Wren before he became mortal, Wewukiye walked out to his sister.

  “Why have you called me?” he asked, standing in front of the tall, elegant bald eagle.

  “What became of the woman you carried from the lake?” she asked as her beady yellow eyes searched his.

  “She is staying with Pe`tuqu`awise.”

  “Why did she wish to end her life?” Sa-qan walked to the edge of the rock and glanced down.

  “She was violated by a so-yá-po the leaders of her band believe to be a friend.” Anger again overcame him. This new emotion toward a mortal unraveled him. Never had such fury for one creature, human or otherwise festered in his being. Resentment for Dove’s people for not believing her had him talking harsher than usual. “They are not listening to her. Afraid they will bring trouble to the band if they accuse a so-yá-po of such evil.”

  Sa-qan peered at him. “How is it you have such strong feelings toward this injustice?”

  He should have known she would see past the words to the truth. “The woman has made a very strong accusation. One I believe to be true.”

  “Why do you believe this?”

  Heat shot through him thinking of Dove as he undressed her. At the time, it was necessary to get her warm, and his body had remained aloof. Now, having learned of Dove’s plight and gazing into her eyes, the thought of her unclothed body sent heat coursing through him. He swallowed the lump rising in his throat and tried to avoid the direct question and seeking eyes of his sister.

  “I have seen the marks the so-yá-po made upon her body. She needs time to heal from the physical and emotional assault.”

  Sa-qan watched him closely. “You must stay your distance.”

  “I have told her I will be with her until she can prove the so-yá-po is not a friend of the Nimiipuu.”

  “That is not a good idea.” Sa-qan moved closer to him. “You should have pulled her from the lake and left her for someone to find. Not taken on her troubles.”

  “You would not have left her either had you been the one to carry her out. The fear and shame on her face clearly showed, she did not wish to die. She had no one to talk over the problem. Once Dove realized the foolishness of her actions and thought through the actions she needs to take, she is willing to live.”

  “And what is she living for now?”

  “Honor and revenge.”

  “Do you find this noble?”

  Wewukiye dropped his head to stare at the ground. “Honor, yes. Revenge, no, but it is what has given her the strength to continue living.” He studied his sister. “With my guidance she will see revenge brings nothing but sorrow. Honor can bring great riches.”

  “Why must it be you?”

  Again, his sister saw far deeper than his words.

  “She trusts me.”

  “Do not miss-use that trust.” Sa-qan stared at the village below then faced him.

  “There are White men on the north edge of the Lake Nimiipuu territory. It would be wise to see what they are doing.” She opened her wings. “And keep you away from this mortal.” With a thrust of her wings, she leaped toward the blue sky.

  “I will go there, but do not expect it to keep me from helping Dove,” he said, watching his sister fly high into the summer sky.

  «»«»«»

  Dove spent as much time in the lodge as possible. The stares and disapproval of her village made her skin prickle. She did not think she could take the disrespect until this child arrived. That was many moons from now when they would be traveling from the spring harvest back to their summer home. As her belly grew what would the people whisper among themselves? Fear twisted in her stomach nearly making her dizzy.

  “Do you need to sit?” Crazy One asked, holding her under her arms the moment Dove’s legs gave way. She sank to the ground outside the lodge.

  She glanced around. Had anyone noticed her frailty? If so would anyone care?

  “Who do you seek?” Crazy One asked, picking at Dove’s shoulder, taking unseen objects from her dress.

  “No one.” She stared at the woman. “Do you think I could see Wewukiye? To visit with another would be a nice change.”

  A smile crept across the woman’s face, shining in her eyes and crinkling the creases of age. “Do I know where to find my uncle?” She nodded her head and disappeared into the lodge.

  Strength seeped back into her legs and her heart. To talk with someone who did not talk in questions would be a relief. The woman was wonderful, attentive, and kind, but listening to her day in and day out would make her crazy.

  Her legs gained strength thinking of Wewukiye. She took tentative steps. She no longer wobbled on newborn legs. Dove entered the lodge. Crazy One stood by the fire. She held a wolf fang dangling on a leather string above her head. Her lips moved, but no sound did she utter.

  Dove waited until the woman opened her eyes and slipped the leather around her neck, dropping the fang inside her dress.

  “Did he meet us in the meadow?” She stepped to the door and motioned to Dove.

  “How do you know?” The woman she lived with had many rituals she did every day. Dove found them comforting, yet, wondered at her power. No one had ever spoken of Crazy One as anything other than crazy. Living with her, Dove had seen strength, love of the land and the people, and a surprising spiritual aura about her.

  “Does he not speak to me?” She took hold of Dove’s hand. “Are you well? Do you feel weak, losing light?” The worry etched on the old woman’s face scared Dove. Was carrying Evil Eyes’s seed harming her body?

  “I have not been feeling well. But I wish to see Wewukiye.” She had not seen the warrior in seven suns. His face had drifted in and out of her dreams ever since he left her with the old woman.

  She had believed
he was gone. But if he could meet them in the meadow he could not be that far. Which brought her back to how had Crazy One spoken with him?

  “How is it you can speak to Wewukiye without seeing him?” Dove stepped out of the lodge. Her legs were wobbly again, but she wanted to see the warrior with moonbeam hair and blue eyes which gave her strength.

  “Are we not family?” The old woman took her arm, giving her support as they walked out of the village.

  Dove scanned the village wondering what they thought of her and Crazy One leaving without anything to carry back food supplies. Her gaze met Thunder Traveling to Distant Mountains’s where he sat beside his father near their lodge. Did she see sympathy? Maybe for the briefest moment before he returned a blank stare.

  She knew help would not come from him or any of his family. Without their backing, she had to fight this battle alone, for everyone sided with Joseph and his sons.

  They entered the trees and began a slow ascent of the mountain. Her heart grew lighter, and her legs gained a renewed strength with each step. The farther she traveled from the village, her cloud of dismay lifted. Soon she would see the warrior who made her see her life held more importance than letting Evil Eyes win.

  Crazy One stood back and motioned for Dove to enter the meadow alone.

  “You must come, too,” she said, watching the old woman sit on a log.

  “Should I stand between you?” The old woman shook her head and remained seated.

  Dove had no idea what the woman meant. Her heart fluttered in her chest with each step she took into the meadow. Would he be here? She glanced around the meadow and found him standing in the middle waiting for her.

  She wanted to run to him, drink in the sight of him, and feel secure in an embrace. But her fears of being handled roughly had not yet vanished enough to allow such closeness.

  Slowly, on wobbly legs, she advanced. She blinked once to open her eyes and find his strong form beside her.

  “Sit,” he commanded, taking hold of her and lowering her to the sweet bed of grass.