Spirit of the Lake

by Paty Jager

  She collapsed in a small meadow. Wewukiye raised his face to the sky, closed his eyes, and changed into man form. When the smoke dissipated, he walked into the clearing.

  Dove’s shoulders shook. She may have stood strong against her father, but now that she was alone, her defenses floated away like the fuzz of a cottonwood tree.

  Wewukiye knelt beside her. He wished to put his arms around her and take away the hurt of her people. The reason for her anguish kept his arms tucked against his sides.

  “Dove,” he softly said, keeping just enough distance she wouldn’t feel cornered, yet close enough his breath sent her loose hair dancing.

  She started and sat up on her knees. Her dark eyes widened with fear, until she focused on him. The relief on her face and in her eyes made him smile.

  “Why do you cry?” he asked, not letting on he saw the meeting with her father.

  “My father followed me from the village.” She glanced down, plucking at the fringe of her dress.

  Wewukiye tilted her face to gaze in her eyes. “What did your father have to say?”

  She licked her lips. The sight of her delicate pink tongue tasting the tears trickling down her cheeks set off protective instincts in him. He never wanted to see this woman cry. Her heart should be light, her future happy.

  “He says my lies will kill my mother.” Her back snapped straight, and her nostrils flared. “My mother has been sickly since the day I came to this earth from her body. I know my father and my mother blame me for this. But to say I will cause her death…that is the same as saying the Lake Monster will take me for my lies.”

  Wewukiye flinched. He was the monster in the lake of which the legend was told. He’d never taken a child, but the parents had used his one appearance that was seen by a mortal to scare the children into obedience. And he did want to take Dove down into his watery home. But not for the reasons of the Nimiipuu tale.

  “I have not lied. I tell only the truth, but no one wants to hear the truth. The elders prefer lies to let the so-yá-po walk all over us and take our home.”

  The fire and fight lighting her eyes made his heart sing. She would need this attitude to get through the seasons until her baby and her proof arrived.

  “I know you have spoken the truth. Together we will prove your parents and the band wrong.” He held out his hand. “Come, we will find you food and talk of our plans.”

  A small trill of triumph rippled through him as she took his hand without hesitation. A good sign. She accepted he would not harm her. He stood, drawing her to her feet. She swayed and her face paled.

  “Are you still not eating?” He moved next to her to still her swaying body. Her body stiffened at his closeness.

  “I try, but not all Crazy One gives me will stay down.” Her voice trembled as she glanced up at him.

  “Let me help you.” He waited for her slight nod before tucking her closer, absorbing the tremors in her body. Her head came to the middle of his chest. “You will not lose this child. It is your truth.”

  Her wobbly legs stumbled. He peered into her eyes. “I will carry you.”

  She again nodded, her eyes hooded by her lashes. He scooped her up into his arms and headed up the mountain away from the village and anyone who might stumble upon them.

  Hesitantly, Dove wound her arms around his strong neck. She knew he would not harm her. She listened to the steady beat of his heart where her head rested against his solid chest. Her heart beat in time to his.

  She wiggled her fingers through his soft hair and sighed. His strength and gentleness calmed her. He believed in her. Her whole life everyone watched her with distrust as though her mother’s ailments were a curse she’d placed upon her. This man, who had only known her a short time, believed in her.

  The sweet scent of berries subduing the tang of pine brought a smile to her face. With care, Wewukiye set her feet on the ground and slowly stepped away. The brief rest in his arms helped. Her sight no longer blurred, and her legs remained solid. Her gaze fell upon bountiful bushes laden with the sweet summer berries.

  “Eat these while I find you more nourishment.” Wewukiye walked to an opening in the bushes.

  Fear overtook her. They stood high on the side of the mountain far from anyone, yet to be left alone tightened her stomach and rippled a nauseous wave.

  “Berries are enough,” she said, reaching out to stop him.

  He took a step toward her. A smile tipped the corners of his lips. “You cannot eat only berries, though I see you have a fondness for sweet things.”

  Dove hated she relied on this man to keep her safe. She had to learn to walk the land of her people and feel secure. To rely on this man who could slip from her life at any moment proved as foolish as believing they could sway the Nimiipuu leaders about Evil Eyes. Closing her eyes, she swallowed and shoved the image of Evil Eyes from her mind.

  “Go, I will be fine.” She returned to the task of plucking ripe berries from their prickly stems.

  His breath whispered warm across her neck. “No one will come upon you without my knowing.”

  She faced him, her body inches from his. Dove tipped her head back to gaze into his handsome face. “How will you know?” Still so many things she did not understand about this man lay hidden in his eyes.

  “This is a part of the mountain few travel.”

  “How do you know this when you are not of our band?” This and many other questions plagued her about Wewukiye.

  His face darkened. He glanced into the trees, avoiding her gaze.

  “There are many things about you I do not understand. How is it you are family to Crazy One, yet, you do not wish those of my band to see you?”

  He did not look at her. She grasped his chin, directing him to gaze upon her. Good humor no longer glistened in his eyes.

  “There is much I wish to tell you, but I cannot.”

  He closed his eyes, ending her search for answers in their depths.

  “You ask me to trust you and believe you will keep me safe and help me with the coming of the child, but you keep secrets.” She glared at him. “You know everything about me, and I know nothing of you.”

  His eyes opened. They matched the color of the lake. Deep blue and glassy. His jaw twitched, and his hands clenched at his side.

  Memories of her assault sent her arms up to ward off blows. The motion caught his attention. His jaw and hands relaxed, and his eyes lightened.

  “Do not fear me.” Wewukiye reached for her.

  She couldn’t stop the squeak of fear.

  “I may keep secrets, but I would never hurt a woman.” The tone and deep conviction in his voice startled her. “Do not measure me to the man who hurt you. He is no better than the trickster coyote who uses people to cause trouble.”

  Shame washed over her for believing the man who pulled her from the water would do her harm.

  “I try to see you differently, and I try to control my fear.”

  “You should fear nothing. You are brave and honorable to stand up to the band. You want only what is good for the Nimiipuu. This is your strength.”

  His words warmed her like a winter fire.

  “Eat the berries. I will return soon.”

  She no longer feared his departure. He would know if trouble lurked. How? She knew not, but she believed in him and craved his presence. His touch faded memories of her attack and sung medicine to her heart.

  She popped berries into her mouth, chewed, and swallowed. Nausea squeezed her stomach. Evil Eyes had taken the joy of life from her. Juice from the berries in her hand trickled down her wrist. Why could she not control her swings of rage, delight, and despair? Staring at the berries she’d squashed, tears trickled down her cheek.

  «»«»«»

  Wewukiye called Sa-qan. He stood on a rise where he could watch Dove. Though he told the woman he would bring her food, he was at a loss as to what he could offer her without killing an animal of the mountain.

  “You called, brother,” S
a-qan asked, settling on a tree limb. The branch swayed and creaked under her weight.

  He didn’t take his eyes from the woman in the patch below. “She is asking questions of me I cannot answer.”

  “You knew this would happen if you continued to see her.” Her criticism-spiked words stung.

  “Crazy One and I are all she has.”

  “She has a family and band who will take care of her.” Sa-qan hopped off the branch, landing without a sound on the ground beside him.

  “They don’t believe her or care about the life inside her.”

  “They are her family. You are to oversee not interfere in their lives.” Sa-qan ruffled her feathers.

  Wewukiye crossed his arms, standing firmly in front of his sister. “You were the one who insisted I keep the woman from drowning. Do not tell me I am interfering. The information Dove and I bring forth could save the Nimiipuu from the so-yá-po’s assault on their land.”

  “You do not know they are here to claim the Nimiipuu land.”

  “You have gone to the land where the sun rises. You are the one who says more and more White men are coming this way. You have seen the others being pushed from their homes. Do not tell me the White men coming to Nimiipuu land aren’t planning to push the Nimiipuu from their homes.” The venom in his words did little to dull the glare of disapproval in Sa-qan’s yellow eyes.

  “It is true. I have seen the coming of the White man. The tribes the so-yá-po has pushed to the side have caused them trouble. The Nimiipuu live peaceful and harbor no ill feelings to the so-yá-po who have come.”

  “The Nimiipuu are fools to believe the so-yá-po will not push them out. I have heard the truth.” Wewukiye glanced down. He’d left Dove alone too long, and he still had nothing to take back for her to eat.

  “When?” Sa-qan hopped between him and the sight of Dove.

  “I heard the so-yá-po who hurt Dove and another speak of this.” He glowered at his sister. “They will not leave the Nimiipuu alone.”

  “We will help the Nimiipuu deal with the so-yá-po. You must not interfere. The Creator is not happy.”

  “How can this be? By helping Dove I help all the Nimiipuu.”

  “You are beginning to sound and act like our brother before he angered the Creator.” The censure in her voice shocked Wewukiye.

  “I would never become an inferior mortal.” Wewukiye stomped a hoof. His chest squeezed not from exertion but from the fear of never seeing Dove again should he follow his arrogance.

  `Oyma`tat

  (8)

  Sa-qan spread her wings, preparing to leave. “Be sure you heed your own words.” She leapt into the air, taking flight, and disappearing over the tree tops.

  Wewukiye stared at the woman picking berries below. He would help her back in favor with her people, and because she was a mortal would let her go. She required his superior thinking to help her through these trials. Even as he logically made sense of his connection with Dove, the memory of her scent and soft curves heated his body with need and desire.

  Dove stood, clutching her stomach. The sweet berries should have settled her stomach. He would find her other nourishment later. He hurried down the mountain to the woman who consumed his thoughts.

  «»«»«»

  Why did her body not like the berries? The scent made her mouth water, yet after eating a handful, her stomach twisted and pushed, forcing the fruit back out. Sweat beaded her clammy brow as her body shook. She winced and lowered to sit on a log. Was this worth bringing forth a child she knew she would not be able to look at fondly?

  Would suffering a mutinous body and the disparaging looks of her family show her people the White man meant them harm? She closed her eyes and tried to think of something pleasant to take her mind off her squeamish stomach.

  “You are not eating.” The deep voice laced with concern spun her shivers into waves of heat.

  She opened her eyes and studied the man standing in front of her. His broad shoulders blocked the sun. Even with his eyes filled with concern the lines beside his eyes, which deepened when he smiled, remained. His full lips were perpetually tipped at the corners in mirth. The lightness he brought into her heart just by his presence she had not felt since realizing her family believed she brought the sickness to her mother. No one had ever gazed upon her with such favor.

  He knelt beside her, glanced at her stomach, and questioned with his eyes.

  She nodded.

  He placed a hand on her stomach. “You must gain strength.”

  His encouraging words brought a smile to her face as his hand slowly moved in a circle. She studied his face, searching his eyes, skimming across his angular cheeks, ending at his full, inviting lips.

  “I wish to take you to Evil Eyes’s lodge.”

  The words ripped apart the tranquility his hands had bestowed.

  Her mouth opened and closed in her effort to object. She did not wish to go anywhere near the vile White man.

  “We will only go while he is gone. I know he will not be near his home for two suns.”

  “W-why must we go there?” She forced the words and started to stand.

  “Shh.” Still resting his hand on her stomach, he plucked a berry and held it in front of her lips. She opened her mouth, allowing him to place the nourishment on her tongue. His eyes continued to watch as she chewed. “You said you can make sense of the so-yá-po’s scribbles. We will go to his dwelling to find the truth to take to your leaders.”

  He placed another berry before her lips.

  She shook her head. “What if we do not find anything?”

  “Then I will follow him until there is proof.”

  Dove grabbed his hand. “You cannot put your life in danger for me.”

  “Your life and the Nimiipuu are worth anything I can give.” He twisted his wrist, capturing her hand in his. His palm sliding across hers flashed heat and sparks up her arm.

  She pulled her hand back and stared at him. “You have such faith in proving my truths. But I cannot ask you to give of yourself to help. You are not of this band. Go back to your people and tell them of the so-yá-po and his lies.”

  “When I pulled you from the lake, you were a puzzle. One I wished to unravel.”

  Dove’s face heated. Embarrassed he came upon her trying to take her life and knowing he puzzled over her, pushed conflicting emotions into her chest. Her heart tightened with shame and fluttered with anticipation.

  She opened her mouth to argue. He placed a finger upon her lips. The soft pad touching her delicate skin tingled her body clear to her toes.

  “I do not walk away from challenges. I also will not walk away from you and the people of this lake.”

  The conviction in his voice and the authority with which he said it brought to mind the presence of Chief Joseph at the last council. This man who helped her keep food down and promised to be with her through the birth held more power than a warrior.

  He moved about the mountain as if he lived here, yet he said he was from the Upper Nimiipuu. The way he and Crazy One communicated and his easy acceptance of her knowledge of Evil Eyes made her wonder. He proved to be more than a warrior. Could he be a shaman? Was that why his chants helped her keep food and her body and heart sensed he would not harm her?

  “Who are you really?” she asked, as he placed another berry before her lips.

  “A warrior who wishes to help you and your people.” The glint in his eye as her lips covered the tip of his finger before she sucked the berry into her mouth made her wonder if he too felt the flash of heat each time they touched.

  She opened her mouth to ask another question, and Crazy One emerged from the bushes.

  “Where is it you two hide?” She handed Wewukiye a leaf-wrapped package. “Did you not find food for Dove?”

  His cheeks reddened as he took the package, drawing back the leaves. He handed Dove the mixture of smoked salmon and dried crushed kouse.

  “Qe`ci`yew`yew, Pe`tuqu`swise.”

&nbs
p; “Should you not save some for your trip?”

  Dove stared at the old woman. Wewukiye touched her hand holding the salmon mixture, pushing it toward her mouth.

  “How did you know we were going somewhere?” Dove asked.

  Crazy One’s gaze met and held Wewukiye’s as Dove watched. The two communicated without saying anything. A whisper fluttered through her mind. Trust them.

  “Eat,” Wewukiye said, again pushing the food to her mouth. “We will leave once you have eaten.”

  She didn’t want to think about where they were headed. “How do you know he”—she swallowed the fear crawling up her throat—“will be gone?”

  Crazy One walked away.

  “Where are you going?” Dove ignored her food.

  “Do you need me? Do you want me to not tell the others?” She shook her head.

  “We will be back by the time the moon rises tomorrow,” Wewukiye told the old woman. He glanced down at Dove. “Eat so we can leave.”

  She poked a blob of the food in her mouth and watched the two walk away talking. How was it they knew each other so well if Wewukiye belonged to another band? And how did the old woman know what they did and planned? She shoved more of the mixture in her mouth studying Wewukiye as he walked back to her.

  “Are you ready?”

  Dove held the food out to him. “You should eat something as well.”

  “I am not hungry.”

  She wrapped the remainder of the food and stood, placing the package in the pouch on her belt.

  Wewukiye studied Dove. Though she walked beside him without saying a word, her trepidation and questions followed them, and he ached to take the fear away from her. Dove sensed more than most mortals. She noticed the communication between him and his niece. They would have to be more cautious.

  He wished he could travel in If he were in elk form. He would be to the dwelling by now. He glanced back at Dove. The slow pace had to do. Dove could not move any faster in her weakened condition.

  “There is a passage we can take. It isn’t far from here.”

  Dove stopped. She swiped at the wisps of hair sticking to her perspiring face. “How is it you know my country so well?”