father’s captive long ago. Perhaps some white females possessed great magic and could not be resisted, which would reveal why their father had taken Omaste once when he was suffering in a weakened state and she was comforting him. Perhaps because Caroline was forbidden territory made her a stimulating and tempting challenge.
War Eagle remembered during the last hot season how Cloud Chaser had said that Macha made his heart “sing loud.” He himself had jested, “I do not know of such feelings to this moon, but they must be powerful, for your eyes glow with flames like the fire’s and your voice becomes soft as the rabbit’s fur when you speak of her.”
He had not understood such emotions at that time, but since meeting Caroline, they had become as clear as mountain stream water to him. His second brother had advised, “Allow Wakantanka to choose your mate for you as He did for me and Wind Dancer and your spirit will soar as ours does and you will find great happiness and victory in your joining.” Yet, no Red Shield or other Lakota woman had drawn him as this white girl did. She made his heart “sing loud,” though his mind rebelled.
Had the Creator guided him to that location so he could find and lay claim to Caroline? How could a white woman be chosen as his mate? Why did his spirit soar as the eagle at one time and then plummet to the earth? How could he, son of the chief, grandson of their past chief, grandson of their shaman, a great warrior, a hater of bluecoats and white encroachers, desire one of the enemy? How could he take one into his life, arms, heart? Cloud Chaser’s final words to him filled his ears as if he were hearing them spoken again: “If we allow the Great Spirit to guide our steps, War Eagle, we must be willing to walk the path He chooses for us and at His pace. It was the same for Wind Dancer; Dewdrops walked into his life and heart when he did not expect such a glorious event. Perhaps it will be the same for you.”
War Eagle knew that he must not dishonor himself. He must not allow his strange hunger for Caroline to increase, though it was gnawing at him from head to foot. What if it drove him wild and senseless, and made him reckless and weak? No, it must not! It could not, for they were foes and strange’ and he was too strong-willed, a man of great pride and honor. How and why did she affect him so strongly?Should he throw away the gift in his medicine pouch or return it to her? A stimulating and distracting hunt was what he needed! He went to ask Swift Otter to join him, as the deer would be foraging nearby at dusk.
On the third evening in the camp, Caroline saw a warrior approaching, the same man who had worried her with his hateful stares upon her arrival. She quickly averted her gaze to the two rabbits roasting on spits over a fire beside the tepee. Macha was inside feeding her baby.
Cloud Chaser, who was sitting on a rush mat near the entrance as he worked on his weapons, looked up and watched his cousin nearing him. He noted that the man’s expression was stoic and his stride was purposeful. He could not imagine what inspired the unusual visit and was shocked when he soon learned the reason for it. He greeted the man in wariness.
Two Feathers announced, “I have come to trade for the white woman. I will give you two of my best ponies for her.”
Chapter Four
Cloud Chaser put aside his weapon and stood so the man would not be looking down on him. Being several inches taller, that action made him feel more confident for their impending debate, one he was resolved to win. “She is not for trade, my cousin. You hate whites, and you talked against her when she came.”
“Others did not accept my words of warning and our shaman spoke for her to live and stay, so I must side with them as is our custom.”
Custom, Cloud Chaser’s mind scoffed. It is our law that the majority vote must be honored by everyone, even those who opposed and voted against it. He was certain
War Eagle remembered during the last hot season how Cloud Chaser had said that Macha made his heart “sing loud.” He himself had jested, “I do not know of such feelings to this moon, but they must be powerful, for your eyes glow with flames like the fire’s and your voice becomes soft as the rabbit’s fur when you speak of her.”
He had not understood such emotions at that time, but since meeting Caroline, they had become as clear as mountain stream water to him. His second brother had advised, “Allow Wakantanka to choose your mate for you as He did for me and Wind Dancer and your spirit will soar as ours does and you will find great happiness and victory in your joining.” Yet, no Red Shield or other Lakota woman had drawn him as this white girl did. She made his heart “sing loud,” though his mind rebelled.
Had the Creator guided him to that location so he could find and lay claim to Caroline? How could a white woman be chosen as his mate? Why did his spirit soar as the eagle at one time and then plummet to the earth? How could he, son of the chief, grandson of their past chief, grandson of their shaman, a great warrior, a hater of bluecoats and white encroachers, desire one of the enemy? How could he take one into his life, arms, heart? Cloud Chaser’s final words to him filled his ears as if he were hearing them spoken again: “If we allow the Great Spirit to guide our steps, War Eagle, we must be willing to walk the path He chooses for us and at His pace. It was the same for Wind Dancer; Dewdrops walked into his life and heart when he did not expect such a glorious event. Perhaps it will be the same for you.”
War Eagle knew that he must not dishonor himself. He must not allow his strange hunger for Caroline to increase, though it was gnawing at him from head to foot. What if it drove him wild and senseless, and made him reckless and weak? No, it must not! It could not, for they were foes and strange’ and he was too strong-willed, a man of great pride and honor. How and why did she affect him so strongly?Should he throw away the gift in his medicine pouch or return it to her? A stimulating and distracting hunt was what he needed! He went to ask Swift Otter to join him, as the deer would be foraging nearby at dusk.
On the third evening in the camp, Caroline saw a warrior approaching, the same man who had worried her with his hateful stares upon her arrival. She quickly averted her gaze to the two rabbits roasting on spits over a fire beside the tepee. Macha was inside feeding her baby.
Cloud Chaser, who was sitting on a rush mat near the entrance as he worked on his weapons, looked up and watched his cousin nearing him. He noted that the man’s expression was stoic and his stride was purposeful. He could not imagine what inspired the unusual visit and was shocked when he soon learned the reason for it. He greeted the man in wariness.
Two Feathers announced, “I have come to trade for the white woman. I will give you two of my best ponies for her.”
Chapter Four
Cloud Chaser put aside his weapon and stood so the man would not be looking down on him. Being several inches taller, that action made him feel more confident for their impending debate, one he was resolved to win. “She is not for trade, my cousin. You hate whites, and you talked against her when she came.”
“Others did not accept my words of warning and our shaman spoke for her to live and stay, so I must side with them as is our custom.”
Custom, Cloud Chaser’s mind scoffed. It is our law that the majority vote must be honored by everyone, even those who opposed and voted against it. He was certain
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