by Paty Jager
Sparks erupted at the spot and journeyed down her neck and body, scorching her skin and scrambling her mind.
“I felt the essence of your powers the night I carried you from the lake. Your strength and the passion of your words, proved you were put upon this earth for the people. The Creator sent me to bring you back to your people to help them.”
She again tried to turn, but he held her back tight against his chest. She wished to gaze into his eyes and seek if he spoke the truth. The Creator sent him? “How could the Creator send you?”
“My power is helping the Lake Nimiipuu. The Creator gave me that power.”
Her heart raced. Images flashed through her head. Evil Eyes threats toward other maidens and her people, the freedom that embraced her when the water took her, the knowledge Wewukiye would not harm her, the satisfaction that burned inside of her standing up to Thunder Traveling to Distant Mountains and the council. Did she truly have power or did Wewukiye fill her head with this notion?
She struggled harder, and he released his hold. Dove spun to her other side and stared into his eyes. “Why would I have power now and not have known before?”
“Sometimes it takes being near another who has power to help nurture what you have.” He touched her cheek with the tips of his fingers.
His light touch whispered elation through her.
“I have heard a woman with child has powers. Could this power we sense only be while the baby is within me?” She stared into his eyes watching, hoping his answer did not disappoint.
“Your power has been with you.” He leaned in, closing his eyes, and placed his cheek against hers.
Her body trembled and warmed at the contact. Was this their powers connecting?
“How do you know I have always had power? How is it you can tell my powers? What are they?”
He clasped her head in his arms, kissed the top of her head, and chuckled. “I told my sister you would be full of questions.”
The steady beat of his heart under her ear, lulled her. “You would not be so easy to trade thoughts with if your powers were weak or newly acquired. I could tell of your power by the heat and light when our bodies touch. What your powers are? That I do not know. We know our bodies ignite, we can share thoughts, and you feel the evil in others.” He sighed and slid her up his body so their faces met. His eyes gazed into hers. “We shall wait and see what kinds of powers you possess.”
He kissed her forehead. Their bodies trembled in harmony. From her toes to her forehead where his lips rested, vibrations rippled through her body, fueling her with warmth and unexplainable yearnings. Her hands roamed across his hard, wide chest and upward to loop around his neck. The movement pressed her tender breasts into his solid form.
He quivered, and air rushed from between his tightly clenched lips.
“I wish to feel your soft skin against mine, but we cannot act upon these thoughts. Only during our travels when we are not with the band can we sleep and touch as this.” He cupped her face in his hands. The heat in his eyes made her blink. The color darkened to a deep blue edged with red.
She had witnessed his eyes changing color before and now knowing the powers he held she understood more of his unusual behaviors.
This closeness did not bring fears, only yearnings she did not understand. “Is the heat and unrest in my body from our powers?”
Wewukiye’s gaze dropped to her lips. “No. It is the power of your body over mine.” He brushed his lips across hers, gently, arousing her body even more.
Her arms tightened around his neck, and he deepened the kiss, covering her lips with his, and spinning her thoughts to warm carefree days. Three blonde haired children romped and played in a large green valley dotted with the purple kouse flower. Her mind scrambled to make sense of the images. An elk rose out of the lake. She shuddered and her body warmed, ignited, and her thoughts embraced the image of the man wrapped around her body and her heart.
He slowly retreated from their kiss. “We belong together. I will find a way.” He tucked her head against his shoulder.
The determination in his words and the safety of his arms gave her no doubt he would find a way.
A shiver of dread skittered across her skin, shattering her happiness. Wewukiye talked of her powers, yet helplessness overwhelmed her thinking of the life she spent with her family, the attack, and the attitude of the elders. If Wewukiye helped her prove Evil Eyes’s deceit and remained with her, all the past sorrows in her life would be forgotten.
She snuggled into his arms chasing away the cold reality that nagged her heart. Judging from her past, she could not count on a happy future.
Pú-timt wax `oylá-qc
(16)
Wewukiye spent the night holding Dove and marveling in her easy acceptance of her power. On the journey to Imnaha he would see what other powers she held. The faint rustling of creatures and the sky beginning to glow with a new day meant they should rise and keep moving.
He had no doubt Evil Eyes would find them this day. Was he after Dove or trying to catch the whole band? And if so, why? With the man following the Nimiipuu trail to the Anhim camp, he would come upon them first. He planned to learn what Evil Eyes wanted and keep Dove safe.
Crazy One tossed a stick on the fire, sending small red embers skyward. “Does evil follow us? Should you not stop him before he finds us?”
Crazy One being the offspring of a spirit turned mortal, Wewukiye had given up wondering how she knew so much. “Yes.” He reluctantly drew his arms from around Dove, rousing her.
“Is it time to leave?” She dug her palms into her eyes and sat up.
“Yes.” He covered the fire with dirt, leaving traces for the man following them to stop and investigate.
Dove stood and rolled up their bed. Wewukiye watched her graceful motions, remembering the perfect fit of his arms around her soft body. If only he could hold her every night. His world would not be so lonely.
Crazy One slapped his hand. “Do we not need to hurry?”
He tossed all thoughts other than stopping Evil Eyes from his mind. Their bedding secured on the horses, he helped Crazy One mount. Dove stood by her horse waiting, a brightness that rival the sun shone in her eyes.
He wrapped his hands around her waist and set her on the animal. “Follow Crazy One. I will catch up.”
“I do not understand. Why are you staying behind?” Her hands gripped his arms, keeping his hold on her.
“Someone follows us. I plan to see who it is and join you.”
Her body shuddered. She closed her eyes, and a frown marred her pretty face. “It is Evil Eyes. I feel his nearness.” She opened her eyes and searched his face.
“Yes, it is Evil Eyes.”
The fear and appeal in her eyes brought out his protective instincts.
“I will make sure he cannot catch us.” He had a plan and hoped it would work.
“Be careful. I need you.” She wrapped an arm around her middle. “We need you.”
“I will be safe. Go. It is easier to deal with him if you are not here.” He swatted her horse on the rump. The animal trotted after Crazy One who had already urged her horse into a walk.
He didn’t need a horse to catch up with the women, but Dove would question his quick appearance if he pretended to catch up on foot. He rode his horse the same direction as the women before veering into a thick stand of trees. The horse would remain and not make a sound. He had bartered well, asking the warrior for a well-trained war pony.
Wewukiye made his way back toward the empty camp. He transformed into his elk form and watched the opening.
The hair on his neck rose at the sight of Evil Eyes riding into the camp so close behind their departure.
The man scanned the surrounding area and dismounted, clutching his rifle in one hand. He knelt by the fire, holding a hand over the dirt and coals.
Evil Eyes stood. He bent, studying the tracks left by the women and the horses.
Wewukiye crashed out of the tre
es, straight for Evil Eyes’s horse. The animal snorted and sprang forward, running through the grove. A blast rang out and a buzz whisked past his antlers. Wewukiye continued the chase making sure the animal ran well on its way toward home.
He pivoted and returned to Evil Eyes. Left on foot, it would be highly unlikely Evil Eyes would continue after the Nimiipuu.
Are you well? Dove’s voice filled his head, her fear palpable. She’d heard the gunshot.
I am fine. Continue. I will catch up.
He snuck back to his horse, making certain Evil Eyes did not find the animal, and changed into man form. Creeping through the trees and leafless underbrush, he neared the campsite.
Evil Eyes cradled the rifle in his arms, staring in the direction his horse had run. Did he expect the animal to return? Wewukiye did not fear being shot. He could heal a wound, but he wanted to speak to the man.
He walked out into the open. Evil Eyes whipped around, his gun pointed at Wewukiye. His eyes widened as his gaze traveled from Wewukiye’s hair to his moccasins.
“Who are you?” His harsh tone grated in Wewukiye’s ears.
“I am Wewukiye.”
The gun had dipped down, but he jerked it up. “You don’t look like an Injun. You tryn’ to fool me into shootin’ you?”
“Why would I do that? I do not trick people.” He walked closer to see the man’s reactions.
Evil Eyes wiped a hand over his face and stared at him with his two different colored eyes. “I ain’t fallin’ for no tricks by that Injun lovin’ agent.”
Wewukiye wondered about the man’s words. He would have to see if Dove knew what Evil Eyes meant.
“Why are you following the Nimiipuu?”
“I ain’t tellin’ you.” He shoved the end of the gun at Wewukiye as if to poke him.
Wewukiye grabbed the long end of the weapon and yanked it out of the man’s hands. Even in man form his physical strength exceeded that of a mortal. He tossed the rifle over the trees. The man’s eyes widened.
“Go home. If I catch you following the Nimiipuu again, I will not be so tolerant.” Wewukiye turned his back to the man proving he did not deem him a threat.
“You stinkin’ sonabitch!” The man rammed into his back with his head.
Wewukiye spun, grabbed the man’s head in an arm lock, and twisted Evil Eyes’s arm behind his back. “You do not listen.”
The man cried out in pain, but he did not care. The man had inflicted pain on a woman. His woman.
Sa-qan screeched. Wewukiye glanced in the sky at Sa-qan floating overhead. Brother, do not harm him. It is not the way of the Creator.
Every muscle screamed to inflict pain upon the so-yá-po as he did to others. His head warred to do the right thing.
Let the man go and hurry to Dove.
He shoved the man face first to the ground and ran to his horse, mounted, and raced toward Dove. Anger bubbled and simmered in his chest. He had the chance to make sure this White man never harmed Dove again and had let him live.
You are to help prove his evil to the Nimiipuu not avenge Dove.
His mind and emotions swirled like a whirlpool of water. He could not seek revenge. Not as a spirit. He must guide the mortals of the Lake Nimiipuu, not fight their battles. This knowledge did little to appease the anger within.
The small procession of Dove and Crazy One came into view. Wewukiye slowed his heart and shoved his rage out of his mind. He would not scare Dove by riding up in a ball of anger.
He reined in his horse and fell in beside Dove.
Her gaze covered him from head to toe. “All is well?”
“I do not believe we will be followed anymore.” The man held a huge grudge, but he also should have enough intelligence to head back to his home rather than continue following them on foot.
“I heard a gunshot.” Again her gaze traveled the length of him.
“The bullet did not come near me. I took his gun away.” He chuckled at the startled expression on Evil Eyes face watching his gun fly over the tree tops. Would the man hunt for his weapon before heading back? Most likely. It would be his protection and help him gather food.
“And you are not harmed?”
“No.” Her concern warmed his chest.
Dove’s heart unclenched. At the ringing of the gunshot, her heart had squeezed into a lump of cold ice. Fear Wewukiye had been hurt, or worse, killed, had forced her to send her concern to him. She smiled. Communicating through thoughts offered a wonderful way to always keep the other close.
“Will he return?” The quick change of expressions on his face told her things did not go as he had wished.
“Not today, but I fear he will not give up his plans.”
She sucked in air at the notion Evil Eyes had been so close. “W-was he after me?”
Wewukiye shook his head. “I do not think so. I tried to find out what he wanted. He did not believe I was Nimiipuu. He asked if I were a trap by the Indian agent.” He stared at her. “Do you know why he would say that?”
“Agent William has been a friend and family of the Lake Nimiipuu through a marriage. He does not easily find favor with men like Evil Eyes.”
Wewukiye stopped his horse. She stopped, too, waiting for him to maneuver his horse beside her.
“Have you told this agent about Evil Eyes?”
She shook her head. “I have not seen him since…” She could not say any more and did not believe she could tell the agent what had happened. Her anger had covered her modesty when she told Chief Joseph and Thunder Traveling to Distant Mountains. Now, she did not think she could repeat it to a White man even if he did care.
“Where do we find him?”
The excitement in Wewukiye’s eyes gave her hope they may have found another to believe her attack. But it also sunk her stomach like a heavy rock.
“I do not know where he stays.” She had witnessed the man several times over the years. He always visited Chief Joseph and his family. She glanced at Crazy One’s back. “I am sure Crazy One will know.”
Wewukiye nodded and rode his horse up beside the old woman.
A shiver crept up Dove’s back and hunched her shoulders. Could she tell another White man the vile things Evil Eyes did?
Pú-timt wax `uyné-pt
(17)
On the third day, Wewukiye led Crazy One and Dove toward the erected tipis circling the edge of the flat area along the shore of the river. The tall ridges on either side of the river held off the cold wind.
Men and women worked in the middle of the encampment setting up the large meeting lodge, while elders worked on the sweat lodge near the river’s edge.
Many turned from their tasks to watch he and the women arrive.
“Is not that the space for my dwelling?” Crazy One pointed to a larger gap between two tipis.
The relief in Dove’s eyes gave rise to how she would endure the trip back to the Wallowa country when she would be close to having the child. He had kept their pace slow, allowing her many opportunities to get off the horse. He enjoyed their nights. Dove slept well in his arms. They could no longer have that bit of comfort now that they joined the band.
Wewukiye grabbed a pole from the stack in the indention waiting for the tipi.
“You must not help us. It is woman’s work.” Dove took the pole from him. Her lips curved in a slight smile, and her eyes held his gaze.
“I wish to help.” He wanted to make her life easier. Do all the things he knew he should not.
“Did I not ask you to tend the horses?” Crazy One waved her hand between their locked gazes.
Wewukiye shook his head, smiled at the two, and led the horses away from the encampment.
He escorted the animals in the direction of many horses grazing in a canyon. On the trip, he had learned Crazy One owned a considerable amount of good horse flesh. In their communications he never asked her about her wealth, only her well-being. When he asked the boys to help him gather four of Crazy One’s horses for the trip, they did no
t tell him the war pony they offered him had been sired from the line of his brother’s prized horses. Now, he wished to ride the horse more often.
The trip also brought other information to light about Crazy One. He had believed the band humored the woman thinking her crazy, he now knew they called upon her for her visions bestowed upon her by her spirit father. Although Chief Joseph and his sons requested Dove not cause problems, they looked to Crazy One to help them reveal the truth about the attack.
His new understanding of the elders respect for Crazy One would help him with his promise to Dove. They would reveal Evil Eyes’s deceptions. He released the horses and headed higher up the cliff side until he found a stand of leafless sumac. He could not shift into an elk until dark. How was he to keep himself busy? He did not hunt or need to repair weapons and could not help the women without raising suspicions.
He sat in the bushes and called to Sa-qan. They hadn’t talked since she followed Evil Eyes. He stared down at the activity below. Preoccupation had kept him from realizing Crazy One’s importance to the band. He now saw her dwelling sat in order of importance one above the tiw`et and one below the shaman. With only the most honored elders between she and the chief’s family.
Wewukiye closed his eyes and visualized the summer village at the lake. His eyes sprang open at the crackle of twigs beside him.
Sa-qan stood on the ground next to him. “You called brother?”
“Dove views living with Crazy One as a punishment, but it is the council’s way of protecting her.” His chest swelled with pride.
“Yes. I have known that all along. Even though you placed her with Crazy One, they still could have restricted her to the old women’s lodge.” Sa-qan peered into his eyes. “Why is it you are just now seeing this?”
Pride gushed out between his lips on a disgusted whoosh of air. “I do not know why it took me so long. I still feel my presence is needed for Dove and for the truth to come out.” He was through worrying about bringing disgrace to Dove or himself. “Did Evil Eyes return to his home?”
