by Paty Jager
Her questions disturbed him. He didn’t like keeping secrets from her. But it pleased him she had an inquisitive mind and wished to learn. He had never thought of a mortal as wishing to know more than was necessary to survive.
“I know your country because as a child I spent much time here.” He spoke the truth, though his youth took place many seasons before her coming to this earth. Wewukiye continued walking and sensed Dove fall into step behind him. He preferred she walk beside him. He slowed his pace to become even with her.
“Why is it we have not met before?” she asked.
He watched her silhouette as they walked around granite boulders and over downed logs.
“I would roam the mountain.”
“By yourself? Where was your family?” She glanced his way. The sun highlighted her hair and accented her cheeks. He wanted to pull her into his arms and tell her everything. His body had never craved anything as it did to be near hers. If he didn’t get these impulses under control he would not only frighten Dove, he would anger the Creator.
He ducked away from her inquiring eyes and found the gap he planned to travel through to put them near Evil Eyes’s lodge.
“Here is the spot.” Wewukiye stopped and waved his hand toward the crack in the mountain.
Dove stared at the solid rock walls. “Where does this go?” She took a step forward, placing a hand on either side of the entrance, and peering into the crevice.
“This will take us to the other side of the ridge.” No mortal knew of this passage.
She stepped back. “Through the ridge? Why have I not heard tales of this?” Dove shook her head and backed away.
“A few animals use this to travel from one side to the other, but I’ve not witnessed sign of a mor—man.”
She cocked her head, considering him. “What did you start to say?”
Heat surged across his face. This surprised him. A spirit didn’t feel anything other than regard for the Creator and interest in the Nimiipuu. Since saving Dove, his emotions grew more complex and confusing.
“Man.”
“But you are a man and you know of this.” She took a step closer, peering into his eyes.
Would she run if he told her he was a spirit?
“I am the only man who knows of this. I found it on a quest.”
He reached for her hand. “Come, we must get to Evil Eyes’s lodge and away before the moon rises tomorrow.”
He led her to the opening. “I will have to walk in front of you. There is no room to walk side by side.” With a gentle tug on her hand, he drew her into the narrow rock-lined crack in the earth.
The crevice darkened after the sun slid behind the mountain and night descended. His vision wasn’t impaired by the dark. Dove shuffled her feet, and her hands now and then groped his back. She had trouble navigating in the dark. They would have to stop until the sun filled the crevice with light.
“We will stop here.” He stopped and she ran into his back.
He grasped her by her shoulders. Fatigue dulled her eyes. “Sit.” He helped her to the ground. “Eat the remainder of your food.”
She slowly pulled the packet of food from her pouch, offering him some.
He held up his hand. “I am not hungry.”
“You haven’t eaten.” She continued to offer him the food.
“You are the one I worry about. You need the food and the rest. Eat.”
“I would rather you eat it. It may not stay in me and would be a waste.”
He wanted to console the fear in her voice. “I will help you keep the food.”
She searched the dim light, peering into his face. “You are not always around.”
“I gave my word I would be with you until your child comes of this world. After that, I can give you no answers.” He wanted to wrap an arm around her shoulders and draw her near for safety and warmth.
“Crazy One believes once I accept the child I will no longer have trouble eating.” Tears slid down her cheeks. “I have tried to believe this child will never think evil thoughts and will grow as a strong Nimiipuu.” She bit her lip. “If he looks like the man who made him, I fear, he will live a life much like my own.” She turned her head and scrubbed the tears from her face.
“Your parents are wrong to believe you brought a curse to your mother causing her sickness.” A child was never a curse when it came into the world. The Nimiipuu prided their band on its growing numbers. According to Crazy One, Dove’s mother’s illness was in her heart and not anything to do with Dove’s birth.
He took the packet of food from her hand and fed it to Dove. He chanted and placed a hand on her stomach. His palm itched to explore other areas of her body. To touch her anywhere else would undo any trust he’d established.
Her eyes drooped with exhaustion and Wewukiye shifted. “Lean against me and sleep.” She hesitated, but soon her body sagged. He tucked her close to his side with an arm draped around her. It would be a long night feeling her body next to his.
He leaned his head against the side of the crevice and closed his eyes.
«»«»«»
Sunlight illuminated Dove’s eyelids. Cold seeped into her back yet her front and tucked-in arms were warm. She moved her arms. Her hands encountered a hard lumpy surface. One which rose and fell like—someone breathing. She pushed with her arms and found a man’s body under her. His arms lie to the side of him, not confining her in any way.
Dove rolled off and sat, mortified to have slept on a man. Her heart hammered in her chest, reliving the shape and hardness of his muscles under her hands.
Wewukiye sat up. A smile quivered at the corners of his mouth.
“Good morning.”
Dove ducked her head. What must he think of her, sleeping upon him like he were nothing but dirt.
He tipped her chin up with one finger. “Did you not sleep well?” he asked, concern deepening his voice.
“I—” She had slept all night. A feat she had not done since the attack. “It was a good sleep.”
His smile grew, and his eyes lit with pride. “I am pleased you slept well.” He motioned to the pouch on her belt. “Finish the food. We will continue.”
Her fingers fumbled with the pouch flap. Why did his eyes upon her make her clumsy?
His hand covered hers, steadying her fingers, sending bolts of heat up her arms.
“Let me help.” He pulled the food from her pouch and placed it in her upturned hand.
With shaking hands, she unwrapped the meal. His presence no longer brought fear to her, but she didn’t understand the awkwardness his presence brought. She spread the leaves upon her palm and offered the food to him.
He shook his head. “It is all for you.”
“You have not eaten since yesterday. I will not eat if you do not.” Her hand lowered to her lap, and she watched him. She knew warriors could go several days without eating when hunting or traveling. Then they had no food or time to eat. That was not the case right now.
“You are the one who needs the food. You are the one who can prove the so-yá-po’s lies.”
She smiled on the inside at his noble sacrifice. Her stomach growled and he grinned.
“See, your stomach calls for the food. Eat.” He pinched his fingers into the small mound of dried salmon and held it before her mouth.
Dove leaned forward, taking the food and watching him. His eyes closed, shutting her off from his emotions as she licked a stray piece of meat from his finger. His intake of breath intrigued her. He was as aware of her as she of him. She sat back. What were these flashes of heat he brought out in her?
“Eat. I will scout ahead,” he said, abruptly standing and stalking off.
She watched his broad back and long legs carry him deeper into the crevice. With haste she finished the food and scurried after him.
“Wait, I am ready to continue,” she said, running to keep up with his long strides.
He stopped and spun. “You have eaten the food?” Wewukiye searched her f
ace as though he hunted for deceit.
“Yes.”
“You did not throw it away?”
“No! Why do you not believe I ate the food?” She crossed her arms and glared at him. How dare he suggest she would waste food?
“Because you have run after me and do not look pale and as though you wish to be sick.”
It was true. She felt fine. Her stomach did not squeeze with discontent. She smiled. “This is a sign I should push forward to expose Evil Eyes.” She brushed passed Wewukiye, walking briskly through the crevice.
She would no longer be the victim. Evil Eyes would be exposed and pay for all he’d done to her and what he planned for her people.
Ku`yc
(9)
Shortly after leaving the confines of the narrow passage in the mountain, Wewukiye led Dove to a dwelling made of logs. She huddled, hidden in the brush and watched him creep to the building and peer through a window. What if he was wrong and Evil Eyes was in the lodge? She shuddered and hoped Wewukiye proved correct in his insistence the man was gone.
Wewukiye stood and waved her forward. She took tentative steps, closing the space between herself and the building. Wewukiye would not put her in danger. Her feet and legs balked at her command to walk. Evil Eyes lived in this dwelling. Anything he touched would be vile.
Determination to prove the man’s evil put one foot in front of the other until she stood beside Wewukiye. He pushed on the door of the cabin.
“He will know someone has been here.” A tremor of fear snaked up her back.
“He will not know it was us. He will think it was one of his friends.” Wewukiye placed a hand at her back, gently urging her into the dwelling.
Smoke, rancid food, and the odor of his body assaulted her nose. Dove shook her head, backing to the door. Memories of his weight, his smell, the pain—assaulted her. Panic clogged her throat. She could not breathe. Could not think.
“You are strong. You can do this.” Wewukiye grasped her shoulders, keeping her from escaping the hateful memories.
“I cannot-it—he…” Closing her eyes, Evil Eyes’s ugly face floated in front of her. She opened her eyes to run from the image and stared into the concerned handsome face of Wewukiye.
“What has scared you so?” He loosened his hold, but blocked her running out the door.
“It smells like him.” Her gaze locked onto a face she had come to rely on. “It brings back—” The mismatched eyes and nasty yellow sneer spun in her mind. Pressing the heels of her hands against her head, she tried to banish the attack from her thoughts.
“He is not here. I am here. Have I ever hurt you?” He tipped her chin, making her peer at him.
His light touch and caring eyes—so different from the memories of the attack—her fear lessened. This man’s touch warmed her skin and her heart.
“No. You have done nothing but honor me.”
“Then you know no harm will come to you if you are with me.” His gaze searched her face.
Heat, clarity, and confidence blossomed within her.
A smile grew on his face. “Come we will find his secrets and be gone.” Wewukiye withdrew his hand and scanned the room.
Dove glanced around the room and shivered at the White man’s smell hanging in the air. They must find proof of the man’s evil toward the Nimiipuu.
A trunk by the bed drew her like a shiny rock. Her throat constricted at the thought of touching Evil Eyes belongings. She crossed the room and knelt in front of the trunk. Her heart raced, pounding in her ears when her hand touched the box. She lifted the lid. Air, old, stale, and filled with his odor puffed out. Her stomach clenched. She could not do this. Too many things…
Pots clanged. She glanced toward the noise. Wewukiye sent her a lopsided mischievous smile. He was with her. Nothing would happen. He had faith Evil Eyes would not return. They had to find the evidence to make the elders listen.
She inhaled deeply and peered into the trunk. A book sat on top of the clothes. Dove grasped the object and sat on the floor, opening the pages in her lap.
The scribbles on the pages were just that. At the mission, the White man’s scribbles stood square and even, easy to decipher. These scrawled across the page like the flight of an insect. She turned page after page and found only a scratch now and then she understood, but nothing that would help them.
“These scribbles mean nothing to me,” she finally said. Hope sputtered. She’d failed in finding the truth.
Wewukiye glanced up from a paper he studied. “I have found drawings of the land.” She put the book back in the trunk and stood by his side. “This is the lake.” He pointed to a large elongated circle. “And this is where the cattle graze and up here the horses.”
As he pointed out the lines, she, too, saw the area the Nimiipuu called their summer home.
“Why does he have a drawing of the Nimiipuu land?” She glanced at Wewukiye. He stared deep in thought.
“We will take these.” He rolled the papers up. “You will give them to your leaders as proof this man is planning something.”
A horse nickered. Fear raced through her like the icy winter wind. “He’s back!”
Wewukiye hurried to the window. “It’s not him. But a so-yá-po. Come.” He handed her the papers and pulled her to a dark corner of the room. His mouth buzzed against her ear. “Do not move.”
With the stealth of a cougar, he crossed the room and pressed his body against the wall beside the door. The thumping of her heart boomed in her head. She squeezed tighter into the corner. What if the man came into the dwelling? Did Wewukiye plan to kill him? If so, it would bring the White man’s wrath down on the Nimiipuu.
She held her breath and listened. The horse stamped and snorted outside the door. Someone dropped to the ground with a thud. They did not land without a sound like a warrior. Heavy footsteps grew louder approaching the dwelling.
A knot bobbed in her throat. She feared he would hear her swallow.
Wewukiye wished at this moment Dove knew he was a spirit. He could change into smoke, drift under the door, and distract the White man headed toward them. If he’d had any idea someone would show up while they searched the cabin, he would never have brought her along. With Evil Eyes a great distance away and this cabin a good ride from any other, he did not think someone would visit.
The footsteps stopped in front of the door.
BAM. BAM. BAM. The man beat on the door.
“Jasper! Open this door, we need to talk,” bellowed the man.
Wewukiye stilled his breathing and stared into the dark corner where Dove hid. Her eyes were wide and filled with fear. He willed her not to bolt like the frightened animal she resembled.
BAM. BAM. BAM. “Dammit, Jasper. We got to get going if we’re gonna meet those men from the agency.”
The door creaked and started to open. Wewukiye pressed against the wall. He would be behind the door if the man looked in, and behind the man, should he advance toward Dove. He glanced at Dove. She pressed deeper into the corner and closed her eyes.
The door stopped short of touching Wewukiye’s body. The man grunted and closed the door. His steps retreated, but it did not sound like he mounted his horse.
Wewukiye motioned for Dove to drop to the floor and crawl to him. She covered the distance on her hands and knees. She pressed against his legs and sat on the floor. Her body shook.
He squatted next to her and whispered in her ear. “I will look out and see what he is doing. Do not move.”
She nodded and he crept under a window. He edged to his feet alongside the window opening and peeked outside.
The man walked out of the building not far from the cabin. Wewukiye knew Evil Eyes used the other dwelling for his animals. The man scanned the trees and adjacent hill top. From his comments he expected Evil Eyes to be here.
Wewukiye knew Evil Eyes to be far north with the men who piled stacks of stones. He could be on his way back to his home. Evil Eyes did not travel as fast as his elk form an
d would not have left until the sun came up.
How long would the man wait for Evil Eyes? If he stayed until Evil Eyes returned they would be found. Wewukiye closed his eyes and mentally called to Sa-qan. He needed a distraction to get them away from here.
The screech of an eagle rent the air, sending the hair on his arm spiking. He smiled and peeked out the window. A great eagle swooped down, scaring the man’s horse. The animal bolted for the trees, the man chasing after it.
Wewukiye grasped Dove’s arm, pulled her from her crouched position, and flung the door open. The bright mid-day sun entered the cabin. He swung the woman into his arms and ran straight for the passage through the mountain. Fate had sent the horse running the opposite direction. He didn’t fear the man coming across them as he ducked under tree branches and dodged boulders and bushes.
Dove clung to him, her head buried against his neck. Her body pressed tight to his, hindered his concentration. A limb skimmed by his head as his thoughts drifted to her curves.
“I can walk,” she whispered a good distance from the cabin.
Wewukiye slowed his pace and reluctantly stopped, placing her on her feet. She no longer flinched at his touch. This reaction he had dreamed of often when not in her presence.
She clutched the drawings in her hand. “Did I hear an eagle before we left the dwelling?” Her gaze searched his face, seeking answers.
“Yes, an eagle scared the horse, giving us a chance to flee.” A small elaboration would not harm anyone. “The Creator must believe in your cause to show the Nimiipuu leaders the so-yá-po is not their friend.”
She scowled and watched him intently. “You believe the eagle coming when it did was a sign from the Creator?”
“Can you think of any other reason the eagle would scare a horse?”
She shook her head, her brow still wrinkled in thought.
He took her hand, leading her into the passage. If they hurried they would be on the other side and near her village by the time the moon rose in the sky.
“Do I tell the leaders we stole these papers from Evil Eyes?” Uncertainty shook her voice.
