Spirit of the Lake

by Paty Jager

  How could they bring forth the truth without him becoming entangled and still keep the leaders from thinking her vindictive?

  “You cannot tell them of me.”

  She stopped, jerking his arm.

  “Why can’t I tell them of you? How will they believe just me?” She dropped his hand like a hot stone.

  “I—” How could he explain his existence? He was not of any tribe. He was not mortal. “I am not of your band. They will be as doubtful of me as they are of you.”

  “How do I make them see Evil Eyes’s plans to take over our home?” A tear glistened in the corner of her eye.

  Wewukiye placed a hand on her shoulder. “Come, we must hurry. I will think as we walk.”

  She nodded and followed. He strode ahead of her through the crevice. Each step brought them closer to the village and the need to have a plan before they arrived. Dove’s footsteps lagged and shuffled along the ground. Wewukiye slowed to return to her side. She wobbled and he mentally thumped himself. He’d not given her any nourishment since this morning.

  “Come sit.” He helped her to a sitting position and glanced along the sides of their narrow passageway. Nothing within these walls would fortify a living creature.

  “Close your eyes and relax. I’ll be right back.” He gently shut her eyelids. Her lashes rested on her pale cheeks, and shallow puffs of air caused her chest to rise and fall in steady rhythm.

  Wewukiye stood, hurrying along the crevice. At a slight bend, he glanced back to make sure he no longer saw Dove. He raised his face to the sky, calling for his form to change. Smoke swirled and energy buzzed through him, converting him into an elk.

  Ahh. His preferred form. He stomped his hooves and shook, settling his hide around his frame. The clang of his antlers scraping the side of the rock formation echoed. He tilted his head back, resting his massive rack upon his back to keep them from catching on anything, and ran full speed down the passage. Exhilarated from the run, he burst from the opening and headed to a spot Nimiipuu women harvest roots.

  He stopped in the meadow and pawed at the dirt with his hooves, digging up bulbs of kouse and keeh-keet. The bulbs hung from his mouth by their stems as he hurried back to the passage and Dove.

  «»«»«»

  The sun beat down in the crevice. Sweat trickled between Dove’s breasts and down her back. She opened her eyes. How could she fall asleep so easily when only days before sleep brought nothing but nightmares? Her muscles ached. She stretched, causing dizziness to drench her in white light.

  Before Evil Eyes attacked her, she’d never experienced a weak body. Not only did he take her from her people, he took her from herself. Anger engulfed her. She stared at the drawing still clutched in her hand. This man would not harm her people. She would stop him even if she had to pierce his evil heart with a knife held in her own hand.

  Smoke tickled her nose as brightness filled the cavern and faded. Why was there a fire in the cavern?

  Pu`ti`m

  (10)

  Dove pushed against the wall of the narrow passage for leverage to stand. Her legs wobbled, but would carry her should she need to run. Fear for herself and Wewukiye trembled her body. Wewukiye could be in trouble. What good would her weak body be to him? She bit her bottom lip in concentration and stared into the passage.

  Wewukiye walked toward her, roots clutched in his hands. Relief swamped her, sliding her to a sitting position on the ground. At her collapse, he ran to her.

  “Sit and eat.” He placed the plants on her lap.

  “What was the light?” she asked, rubbing dirt from a keeh-keet bulb.

  Hope and eagerness slid from his face. His gaze avoided hers. He shrugged and took one of the roots, peeling the outer skin. The sweet pungent aroma made her mouth water.

  “I did not dream the flash of light and stench of smoke.” She shook the food at him. He had to have seen the light. It flashed the same direction he walked from. She scowled at him and bit into the root.

  He smiled and offered her the bulb he skinned. She chewed and swallowed the strong tasting bite.

  “You should eat as well.” Her stomach churned. One bite. She was pitiful. She squeezed her eyes shut. I can’t even keep one bite down. Furious with the frailness of her body and her bleak future, tears squeezed under her clenched eyelids.

  “Why are you crying?” Wewukiye’s deep voice drew her from her self-pity. The softness of his fingers brushing away her tears, opened her eyes.

  “Will I ever be as strong as before? How can I save my people from the so-yá-po if I cannot even save myself from one?”

  “You are not doing this alone. I will help.” He cradled her head in his hands. His thumbs moved back and forth across her cheek bones.

  His soft touch and concerned words whisked away part of her fears. His gentle manner stirred desires. This man would never cause her harm. Could she…

  An icy shard of reality ran down her spine. No man would want her after what Evil Eyes did to her. And though she enjoyed the comfort of Wewukiye’s tender touch, she would never be able to tolerate mating. She hiccupped and pulled her head from his grasp.

  “Eat, we must get you back to the village. You must give the drawing to the leaders.”

  Dove shuddered. “What if they ask how I came to have the drawing?” She stared at the paper on the ground beside her. “They will scold me for taking something which could start trouble.” She fixed her gaze on Wewukiye. “I know they will find fault with me and not see it as Evil Eyes’s plan to take over our summer home.”

  “I’ve thought about this. Show the drawing to Crazy One. Hide it in your lodge. When Evil Eyes visits, Crazy One can drop the drawing near his belongings. No one will suspect you, but the leaders will be suspicious of Evil Eyes.”

  Dove thought on his plan. It made sense. If Evil Eyes stayed in his routine it would not be long before he visited Joseph. She nodded her head. “This is a good plan.” She raised another root to her lips, bit, chewed, swallowed, and waited to see if her body would accept the offering.

  “Rest your head in my lap.” Wewukiye patted his thigh and smiled. He could see her body still refused the food. Reluctance flashed in her eyes. He patted his thigh again, and she rested her head upon his lap. He placed a hand on her stomach, swirling circles and chanting to the Creator to give her good health.

  In his haste to bring her the food, she almost caught him changing forms. He would have to remember to remain farther away from her during his transformation. It wouldn’t do for her to learn the truth. Though her knowing he was not of this world would allow her to realize he would not be able to stay once the baby arrived.

  He shook his head and picked up another root, peeling away the dirty outer layer. He would make her well and help her bring the child into the world to prove the White man’s treachery. Once completed, he would slip out of her life and tuck away the memory of her soft skin and brave heart to keep him company through the ages.

  She finished eating the last bulb. Her eyelids drooped closed. They should hurry back to the village, but she also needed the rest. A brief rest would allow the food to strengthen her body.

  Her chest moved with the slow even rhythm of sleep. Wewukiye used this opportunity to study her high cheek bones, wide nose, and small mouth. Her small body was compact and muscular. His hands itched to run over the curve of her hip and experience the soft swell of her breasts, but should his touch awaken her, she would fear him like she did Evil Eyes.

  He leaned his head against the rock wall and closed his eyes. His body didn’t need sleep, but he required closing his eyes and mind to the desires this mortal brought forth.

  Now he knew the lure his brother fought all those summers past. Watching the creatures of the area over the ages he’d wondered at the peculiar attraction both animal and mortals had for a mate. He liked being alone, content to help the Nimiipuu and travel the countryside. The woman sleeping upon him conjured up thoughts of the two of them traveling together, beco
ming as one. How they came together had to be of the Creator’s making. What they were to do about it, he had yet to discover.

  Dove stirred, rubbing her head against his manhood and setting his body on fire. Her hand on his thigh clenched and unclenched. Her dream did not hold peaceful images.

  He placed a hand on her arm.

  “Dove, awake. We must continue.” His voice scratched through his constricted throat. The contact of his hand upon her smooth skin sent more heat crashing through his body.

  Her head stirred, again arousing his body in a way she would not like or understand.

  “Dove, please, we must go.” He needed to push to his feet, to lose contact with the woman and the arousal her touch ignited. Yet, he wished to never let go and vow to her he would cause her no harm.

  Her eyelashes fluttered off her gaunt, pale cheeks. Her hand wiped across her face, and she slowly registered where she lay. Dove shoved abruptly to a sitting position. Her eyes rolled back and her eyelids closed. He wrapped his arms around her, stopping her from falling into the dirt.

  “Take your time. Do not rush to your feet.” Wewukiye smoothed a hand over her hair. So soft. He inhaled the sweet scent of chamomile. His arm holding her against his body settled at the underside of her breast. He tensed, halting his hand from sliding up the smooth deerskin dress.

  Her limp body shuddered. He yearned to draw her tighter against him, to hold her intimately. Muscle by muscle her body tensed. He believed her awake and strong enough to hold herself up. His hands slid around, edging her body away from him.

  Dark brown eyes stared at him. He stared back, willing her to know he would never harm her. His gaze dropped to her quivering lips.

  “I—I’m sorry to be such a nuisance.” Her eyelashes shrouded her eyes as she peered at her hands clenched in her lap.

  Wewukiye gently enclosed her small hands in his. “You are not a nuisance. I pledged to help you prove the so-yá-po’s dishonesty. It was my urging that made you see you must keep the child growing inside you. This makes it my undertaking as well.”

  She raised her head, staring into his eyes. The hope glistening in their depths sucked the air out of him. He had to do everything within his power to help her survive the birth and the ugliness of persuading the band the White man was not their friend.

  He rose. “Come, you must get back to the village. The wind is colder and the clouds have turned angry.” Wewukiye drew her to her feet. He stooped to retrieve the drawing and tucked the paper in the waistband of his breeches. Dove held out her hand. An act which swelled his heart. Her show of acceptance sped his heart and filled his chest with pride. He grasped her fingers and led her through the crevice.

  «»«»«»

  Dove stood at the edge of the trees surrounding the village. The strength she garnered from Wewukiye’s hand in hers overwhelmed her. She wanted to ignore the power and the excitement his touch brought. The realization a man could bring out emotions other than fear, hurt, and anger healed a small part of the wound Evil Eyes inflicted.

  Wewukiye’s declaration to be here for her through it all also restored her faith.

  Watching the village from the trees she wished to never set foot among her people again. None gave her the confidence and strength of the man holding her hand.

  “You must go. Crazy One is worried for your return.” Wewukiye squeezed her hand.

  “She should not worry. You told her when I would return.” She faced him. Her breath caught at the sight of his majestic stance and the way his eyes scanned the village beyond the trees.

  “You have been gone longer than I predicted. She worries something has happened.” His gaze dropped to her. His eyes lit with a warm glow, and his wide mouth tipped into a secretive smile.

  Rustling, like the leaves in a wind, tickled her insides. Heat started in her chest and spread throughout her body.

  “S-she knows I am with you.” She licked her lips. “No harm will come to me with you by my side.”

  His smile grew. “It is true. I am glad you have learned this.”

  He tugged her hand, drawing her closer. His warm breath puffed against her ear.

  “You need only think of me and you will have strength.”

  His soft silky voice floated through her body like a hot drink.

  She swallowed the lump in her throat and asked, “When will I see you again?” The thought of sleeping on the hard ground next to the fire in Crazy One’s dwelling didn’t sound near as inviting as using his lap to rest her head.

  The days and nights grew colder; to be wrapped in his arms would warm her through and through.

  “You will find me at the meadow every day when the sun is directly overhead.” He brushed his lips against her ear.

  She closed her eyes, relishing the silky feel of his lips and the heat of his touch.

  “Think of me,” whispered through her head.

  Dove opened her eyes. She stood alone. Her palm still warm from their clasped hands, her ear ringing with his whisper.

  She scanned the trees for a trace of him. He’d vanished as quickly as the last summer breeze. She glanced at the village. Crazy One stood beside her dwelling staring straight at her, smiling.

  What would the villagers say if they found out about Wewukiye? Would they believe him the father of her child? The idea wasn’t as unpleasant as thinking of the real father. She cringed and her stomach rolled.

  Thoughts of Wewukiye quieted her stomach and her mood lightened. She found her clue to surviving the birth. From now on she would only think of the child growing within as Wewukiye’s.

  Crazy One motioned to her, and she stepped out of the trees. New strength in her legs bubbled up a laugh and new found confidence. With Wewukiye guiding her she would save her people. Her arm scraped the drawing tucked in her belt. When had he placed the drawing on her? The breathless moments when he whispered in her ear and all thoughts fled, that had to be when. She covered it with her arm and hurried to Crazy One’s dwelling. It would not be good to have someone see the evidence before it fell at the feet of Evil Eyes.

  When that day happened, she wished to witness the scorn due him from the leaders.

  Pú-timt wax ná-qt

  (11)

  Several days later, Dove hurried back to the village. The new long buckskin dress and knee-length moccasins Crazy One gave her that morning kept the cold winds from chilling her skin. Her visit with Wewukiye also had a lot to do with the warmth in her body.

  She smiled and continued at a quick pace down the side of the mountain. Her meetings with him had brought back her health and her joy to live. Only the task ahead of them, to prove Evil Eyes’s wrong doings marred her life, but it also gave her direction. Something she had lost.

  Cold wind blew down her neck. The crisp fresh air carried the scent of snow. It would not be long and her tribe would move to the lower ground of the Imnaha until the season of root gathering came once again.

  She stepped from the trees and stilled. Evil Eyes spoke, his arms flailing in the air in front of Chief Joseph. His anger reddened face and forceful actions sent her back to the day he attacked her. She couldn’t move. Fear lanced her body to the spot.

  Evil Eyes peered at each Nimiipuu around him. She knew the sting of his two-colored glare. Chief Joseph raised something…

  Her heart stuttered. She recognized the drawing. Crazy One must have dropped it.

  Dove scanned the area around the altercation for the old woman. Something tugged on her arm. She glanced over her shoulder and found Crazy One. The old woman smiled and put a finger to her lips.

  “Should we not take a walk?” Crazy One led her back into the trees, treading quietly inside the edge of the forest. She led them to the opposite side of the village.

  “You dropped the drawing.” Dove’s chest expanded with new-found appreciation for the woman.

  “Did I not know the perfect place?” She grinned showing the gaps between her teeth. “Did not Chief Joseph himself find it? Was it not
in front of Evil Eyes’s trading pouch?”

  Dove hugged the woman. “You are so wonderful. They cannot blame me. I was not in the village. Many saw me leave and know I take a walk at this time each day.”

  They peeked through a bush still clinging to a few dried leaves. Chief Joseph held the drawing out, his expression unreadable. Evil Eyes had stopped his ranting. He refused to take the drawing from Chief Joseph’s offered hand.

  Dove snickered. To take it would prove it belonged to him. His rigid stance and fidgeting hands gave away his fear of reprisal.

  He scanned the encampment and scowled, giving him an even fiercer expression. She stepped away from the bush, moving deeper into the trees. He could not see her. In her bones she believed he knew it was she who brought the map from his cabin. No other knew his evil or his plan to bring in more White men.

  Without another word to the chief, Evil Eyes mounted his horse and rode away, his gait slow and his back straight. She glanced back at Chief Joseph. He and his sons studied the map.

  A sense of achievement warmed her chest. She wished Wewukiye stood by her side to revel in their accomplishment. Perhaps this would make the leaders more cautious when dealing with Evil Eyes.

  “Is it not past time?” Crazy One pulled on her hand, leading her into the village.

  “Past time for what?” Dove noticed large baskets near the opening of their lodge.

  “Do you not grow bigger?” Crazy One ducked into their dwelling.

  “It’s too early to confine me to the menstruation lodge.” She ducked through the opening. She had witnessed woman ready to birth stayed in the lodge until the baby arrived. Crazy One had reassured her she would be with her at that time. Dove did not like the idea of not seeing Wewukiye, but it was the way. Men did not see the woman while she brought a life into the world. For him to be with her during that time would weaken him.

  The old woman shook her head. “Do you not follow tradition?” She held up a wide length of buckskin.

  Tears burned Dove’s eyes. The bulge in her belly proved her attack was not a bad dream, and now the wearing the buckskin belt to protect the child, glaringly brought the fact to heart.