Chapter 41

It was late afternoon when Mapiya returned to the tipi. She found Vin and Nathan tending to a sleeping Emo'ôhtavo vo'e. She noticed Vin was talking to him in soft murmurs, but could not hear what was being said. They both turned when they noticed she had entered, questions in their eyes of which she had no answers.

“Where…your friends?” she asked Vin.

“They’re in the other tipi eatin’. They are bein’ takin’ care of by other women of your tribe.”

“Ah, yes. I talk…to them. I tell them that white men need food.”

“Thank you, Mapiya. It was needed,” inputted Nathan.

Mapiya nodded her head.

She then turned to Vin and said in Cheyenne, “I want to be alone with Emo'ôhtavo vo'e, Netse Ôhvo'komaestse. Can you and the healer go with the others? I will call if need.”

Vin stared into her eyes and saw the pleading there. He nodded and turned to Nathan. “Nate, let’s go to the other tipi and get somethin’ to eat. I’m sure ya can do with a rest.”

Nathan nodded. He was tired and he did not know the last time he slept. “If Chris needs me, just come and get me,” he said to Mapiya.

She nodded that she understood.

He and Vin then stood up and crawled through the blowing flap.

Once she was sure that they were gone, Mapiya lay down next to the sleeping blond Cheyenne and wrapped her arms gently around his body.

Chris was slowly becoming aware of the outside world. He felt something lying across his chest that seemed to annoy him. He cracked one eye open cautiously and found a dark brown arm draped across him. He turned his head slightly to his left and found himself looking into the deep liquid brown eyes of his beloved. He smiled softly at small face that lay upon shoulder.

“You are awake, my love,” said Mapiya laughingly in Cheyenne.

“Who could…sleep with…you around?” Chris rasped out jokingly. His voice was rough from misuse and all moisture was gone.

He felt Mapiya move away from him and the coldness of the empty space she left behind. But then she quietly returned and he felt a wooden cup to his lips. He drank of the cool water held there and once full, pushed the cup aside. Mapiya leaned away and placed the cup down on the ground next to them.

“Is your thirst gone now?”

“The one here,” he answered pointing to his mouth. “Yes. It is. But not the one here.” He then pointed to his chest and laughed, kissing her softly on the forehead.

“Emo'ôhtavo vo'e, I must speak to you and I have asked your friends to leave us for a time.”

Chris eyes quirked at her in question. If Mapiya had asked his friends to leave, then it must be something very important between only them.

“I am listening, love.”

“Tomorrow you will be taken to the elders. There, you and two other young warriors will be a part of our religious ceremony, the Sun Dance.”

“I have heard of this from Young Man before. It was when I first joined and he told me of this great honor.”

“Yes, my love. It is a great honor. But…But even with someone who is well, it is very hard. For you …you,” she said unable to finish her sentence. She was afraid, afraid for him and for their future.

“Shhh,” said Chris, holding a finger to her lips. “Say no more, my love.” He pulled her closer to him so that he could feel the warmth of her body next to his. “You and I. We are strong. We will live to see the day of our wedding. I promise you.”

“Oh, Emo'ôhtavo vo'e. If only I could believe.”

“Believe it. Were not you the one who told me of the spirits and of their blessing? Have faith in what you believe, as I have faith in you.”

Mapiya nodded vigorously with tears in her eyes. She knew she had chosen wisely and she would not let him down.

“Anything and everything for you, my love. Always,” answered Mapiya, kissing him upon the lips passionately.

Chris returned the kiss and grabbed her by the nape of neck, keeping it long and hard.

Suddenly, Mapiya pulled away, kneeling up over him and Chris thought he had did something wrong. When he looked up into her twinkling eyes, he saw there the love she felt for him and knew that everything was good.

Mapiya then swiftly removed her buckskin dress and moccasins. The only thing she had on was an elk teeth necklace. Chris eyes rose in amazement. Her naked beauty awed him and he felt himself stir at the sight before him.

Mapiya then grabbed the buffalo hide blanket and crawled underneath it next to him. She then expertly removed the loincloth that Chris wore under the blanket, pulling it off and pushing it to the side with her hands. Her hands then started to roam all over his body, making Chris moan with need and anticipation.

Mapiya then mounted Chris, kissing him on his neck and chest as she did.

Chris grabbed her by the shoulders and held her away from him so that he could look into her eyes. “Are you sure about this, Mapiya?”

“I am sure, my love. I have never been more in my whole life. I want you, Emo'ôhtavo vo'e. There is no other for me in this lifetime or the next,” she said leaning down and kissing him hard upon the lips.

“And for me, Mapiya,” responded Chris once the kiss was done. “There is and will be no other. I’ve had emptiness in my heart for so long and you have filled it. I think once my wife and son died, there was a hole in my soul. Now it feels healed.”

“Then that is good, my future husband. Now, no more talk. Only do,” she said playfully and giggled as she pulled the blanket over their heads.

They were lost in their lovemaking and the outside world was gone for a little while.

* * * * *

Vin and Nathan entered the other tipi. But they did not see the person who stood in the shadow of a tipi across from them. ó'kôhóme hiding behind one of the tipis across from where the white men were staying, watched the two men enter. He had counted that now all six men were in the tipi and this pleased him. He knew now that Emo'ôhtavo vo'e was alone.

He had spoken to the others who were in the same mind as he. They would do nothing until after the ceremony of the Sun Dance. He knew that if he did that the people would turn against him. But afterwards, yes. Afterwards was a different story. There would be retribution for the white man’s invasion to their land. He then slid back behind the tipi that hid his presence and walked away towards his waiting men.

Inside the tipi, Vin and Nathan found the others eating and talking. They stopped once they saw them crawling through the opening. Nathan looked at the men and his quirked his eyes up at them as if saying “What?” The others only returned to eating quietly.

Nathan walked over to the pot and put some food into two small bowls that lay near the fire. He gave one to Vin, who thanked him and sat down next to Josiah. Nathan then took his bowl and sat next to Buck, sniffing the stew that was in the bowl.

“It’s good, Nate,” said Buck smiling and taking another finger scoop of the stew. He put it in his mouth and savored the taste.

Nathan followed his example and took a taste. He found that Buck was right. It was very good. He tasted corn, some kind of beans and some type of green vegetable. The meat he could not recognize.

They both did not see the way Vin and Josiah smiled. Vin and Josiah ate their meals quietly, observing their other companions as they tasted the food.

“Hey, whose with Chris?” asked Buck.

“Mapiya is with him right now,” answered Nathan. “She’ll call us if anything happens.”

“Yeah, Nate here needed the rest,” put in Vin.

“Yeah and Vin needed to eat,” said Nathan eyeing the thin young sharpshooter. He was not happy with the weight Vin had lost recently.

“Hey, Vin! What’s the meat in here?” asked JD starting to eat a piece of the bread that was also brought to them.

Vin smiled at him and then turned a knowing glance to Josiah. “It’s dog,” replied Vin with a straight face.

“You’re kidding right?” questioned JD, his eyes showing laughter.

“Nope. I ain’t. It’s dog.”

“Dog?” came Buck’s choked reply.

“Mr. Tanner, please tell me that this a deception on your part?”

“Huh?”

“He asked, brother, if you are pulling his leg?” supplied Josiah.

“Nope. Ain’t lyin’, Ezra. When there is a shortage of meat, they kill dogs for food. They wouldn’t have to if the white man didn’t kill off all the buffalo with their greed. Now they have to eat whatever they can find.”

Vin watched with laughing eyes as Buck and JD put their bowls down.

“I think I need to…ah,” started Buck, but he never finished as he ran out of the tipi.

“Yeah, just what he said,” said JD, following Buck’s example.

Ezra looked at them, each in turn and then put another bite into his mouth. He had worst and he reminded himself of his favorite food, caviar, or fish eggs as they were. He said to the others, “When in Rome…”

“This ain’t Rome, Ezra,” stated Vin.

Of course, Josiah was the only one who knew what Ezra referred to and winked at him to let him know he at least understood.

They continued their meal in silence, each keeping to their own thoughts of what would come with the next rising of the sun.

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After Buck expelled whatever was left in his stomach, he went to the creek and used the water to wash out the bile taste from his mouth. JD had completed the same task and had gone back to the tipi to lie down. Buck saw how green the kid still was and his heart went out to the young man. He still had a lot to learn about the West and this was only one of the little lessons that life would show the easterner.

Buck finished what he wanted to do decided that he would go and check on Chris. He could not understand why Vin and Nathan would leave him alone with just the girl. He did not think she could protect him as well as one of them.

As he walked over to the tipi, he could hear moaning coming from inside. It sounded like Chris and it did not sound good. He quickly pulled the flap opened and crawled inside. “Chris! Chris! Is everything alright?”

He was stopped cold in his tracks when he saw Chris and Mapiya’s heads pop out from under the Buffalo hide blanket. Mapiya was lying on top of Chris and from what he could see they were both naked.

“Uh, Chris…Uh, I…I…”

Chris could not believe that Buck Wilmington, the ladies man of Four Corners and beyond, was tongue-tied.

“Buck?”

“Chris? Chris!” exclaimed Buck his eyes widened when he realized what he had interrupted.

“Buck,” came Chris’ soft reply and the eyes glared at Buck. “What the hell’s going on?”

To Buck, those words were music to his ears. It sounded just like the old Chris was back.

“I’m sorry, Chris. I didn’t know…you…were busy,” said Buck, smiling broadly at him and backing out the way he came.

“Buck,” called Chris softly, before he could make his hasty retreat.

“Yeah, Chris?”

“You better not breathe a word of this, ya hear?”

“I hear you Ole war dog,” he said chuckling and leaving the two lovers alone.

Mapiya looked at Chris confused. She did not know what went on between the two men, but she knew that it was not something bad.

She turned her brown eyes to question Chris, but he just shrugged and pulled her closer to him. He then kissed her hard upon the lips and pulled the blanket back over them, hiding the rest of the world to their eyes.

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Chapter 42

It was later in the evening when they returned to the tipi where Chris and Mapiya were. They found Chris sleeping peacefully and Mapiya sitting, turned away from them by the fire, stirring some food in a bowl.

Mapiya heard them enter and turned to face them. “You…back?”

“Yes,” answered Nathan, kneeling down to check on Chris. “He woke up since we been gone?”

Mapiya smiled and bowed her head embarrassed. Vin caught a glimmer in eyes of something. What he did not know.

“Yes,” replied Mapiya softly. “He was awake. Now…he sleeps.”

Vin looked at his friend’s sleeping form on the floor and then looked back at Mapiya. He saw that her face glowed and that there was a happy twinkling in her eyes. He then realized what had happened and bowed his head, feeling his face turning red. Mapiya saw that he had found them out and smiled broadly at him.

“Uh, Nathan, ya take care of Chris and I’ll be back in a little,” said Vin heading for the flap.

“Sure, Vin, but where you goin’?”

“Got somethin’ to take care of,” and he crawled back outside the tipi.

Nathan did not have time to question where Vin was going before he left, but he felt it was not good.

Suddenly Nathan heard a sigh from the direction of Chris Larabee. He crawled to where he lay and kneeled down next to him, checking his pulse and his forehead for fever. He was about finished when he noticed clear green eyes staring at him.

“Chris? How ya feelin’?”

“Nathan. Nathan Jackson,” rasped Chris.

“Yeah. Ya got ya memory back!”

“Sort of. I remember you and Buck and Vin. I kinda recollect Josiah, Ezra and JD. It’s just somethings are still kinda fuzzy, ya know what I mean? Who’s Mary?”

“Uh, Mary? That would be Mary Travis. She’s a friend of ours back in Four Corners.”

“Well, I recall the name, but can’t put a face to it yet.”

“I wouldn’t worry about it. It’ll all come back to ya soon.”

“Mapiya?” asked Chris frantically looking around the tipi.

“Here, my love,” answered Mapiya, moving next to him on the other side. She lowered her head and kissed him gently on the lips. “You have slept long. Feel better?”

“Yes, little one. I do,” said Chris grunting as he tried to sit up. He felt two pair of hands on his chest trying to push him back down.

“Ya shouldn’t get up just yet, Chris.”

“He’s right, my love.”

“I feel fine, Nathan,” said Chris pushing their hands away and sitting up anyway. As he did his head started to spin and he closed his eyes until he felt more stable. The world finally settled down around him and he opened his eyes. He found Nathan and Mapiya looking at him in concern.

“I said I’m fine.” He then leaned over and kissed Mapiya on the lips to assure her of his health.

“Well, ya fever’s down, that’s one good thing. How’s the head? Still got a headache?”

“No. It seems their gone,” replied Chris.

“For now,” stated Nathan, checking the healed head wound.

“Where’s Vin?” queried Chris, eyeing Nathan and Mapiya with a glare.

“He said he had something to take care of. He’ll be back soon,” responded Nathan.

“Are you well?” asked Mapiya doubtfully.

“Yeah. I’m fine. Just a little thirsty.”

Mapiya grabbed the waterskin off of the wall of the tipi and handed to Chris. He drank deep until his thirst was quenched.

“Hahóo, Mapiya,”

“You are welcomed, Emo'ôhtavo vo'e.”

“Nemehotâtse, Mapiya,” said Chris smiling gently and touching one her braids.

“Nemehotâtse, Emo'ôhtavo vo'e,” she answered back, kissing him again on the lips.

Although Nathan did not understand what was being said, he did know that there something personal going on between Chris and Mapiya. He decided that since Chris did not look like he needed any more medical assistance at the moment, he would go and join the others in the other tipi.

“Since ya feelin’ better, Chris. I’ll be goin’ to see what the others are up to. Ya take it easy, ya hear. Don’t over exert yourself. Understand?”

“I understand Nathan,” responded Chris, still keeping his eyes upon Mapiya.

Nathan looked between the two of them and smiled. “Yeah, well, I’ll be goin. If you need me Mapiya, just come and get me,” he said crawling through the tipi flap.

Of course, Chris and Mapiya did not even notice his leaving.

“You will obey him?” asked Mapiya, her hand gently trailing up and down Chris’ chest.

“Hmmm,” answered Chris leaning in close to Mapiya and smelling her neck. She smelled of springtime and it brought back the memories of another time, another woman and another place.

Chris backed away and Mapiya thought she had done something wrong. “Is there something wrong?”

“No, Mapiya. No,” said Chris moving towards her and pulling her into his arms and hugging her lightly.

“You were thinking of her? Were you not?”

He pushed her away a little so that he could see her face. He saw sadness and apprehension in those brown eyes. “You are a very smart woman, Mapiya.”

She smiled gently, but the emotions he saw in her eyes were still there. He said softly, “My Sarah. My Adam. They are gone. Murdered by someone who…who wanted to hurt me. When you found me, I was trying to find their killers. But I failed and I guess that was when I didn’t care anymore. I didn’t care what happened to me or anything around me. I just hated myself…”

“Shhh,” said Mapiya, placing her finger on his lips. “You have found the strength to live again, my love. You have friends that love you and care about you and you have me.”

“Oh, Mapiya,” he exclaimed, pulling her back into his arms and kissing her on the forehead. “You have made me see that. You have brought me back from the darkness to the light.” He then hugged her tightly.

“And so has White Eagle,” she said softly in his ear. “He among all did not give up.”

Chris released her and smiled. “Yes. Yes, he did that.”

All of a sudden they heard someone entering the tipi. They both pulled apart and turned to face the intruder.

Young Man came into the tent and they could see the surprise on his face at finding Emo'ôhtavo vo'e awake.

“Epeva'e,” said Young Man. “You are awake and well, I see.”

Chris bowed to the young Cheyenne in acknowledgement. “Much well,” replied Chris in Cheyenne. “It is good to see my brother, Kovaahe again. It has been long time since our talks.”

“That is true, Emo'ôhtavo vo'e. The people were worried that you would not wake. It has gladdened my heart to see this is not true.” He then looked at Mapiya and said, “It is good to see you too, Wise Woman. You smile today and it is good to see again.”

“Hahóo, Kovaahe,” responded Mapiya, bowing slightly to the warrior. “I will finish preparing food for tonight.”

“Do not prepare much, Wise Woman. Fasting will begin tomorrow before the rise of the sun in the Hoxéheome.”

She nodded that she understood.

“I have come to teach you the way of the Sun Dance and what is expected of you. Your kinsmen, the one we call White Eagle and the Big Harry Faced Man, where are they?”

“He means Vin and Buck. They were designated as your kinsmen for the Sun Dance and the wedding ceremony. They are to be taught also in order to help you during the ceremonies,” explained Mapiya.

“I do not know. White Eagle went to perform some task and Buck Wilmington is in the other tipi.”

Young Man turned to Mapiya and said, “Please get them and bring them here.” Broking no argument from her, he watched Mapiya quickly leave the tipi to find the others. Once she was gone, Young Man took a position to sit in front of Chris.

“I will tell you the way. You will endure or you will die and if you die, you shame not only your people, but Mapiya as well.”

Chris nodded and said, “I understand.” He was determined not to fail, no matter the cost to himself. There was more at stake than his life.

“You must also understand that if you fail, then ó'kôhóme will be victorious.”

This statement startled Chris for he had been in and out of it for the past few days and knew nothing of ó'kôhóme’s treachery.

“ó'kôhóme? What part is he of this?”

“Have your friends not told you?” He saw the confusion on Emo'ôhtavo vo'e’s face and knew they had not. “Then I will tell you. ó'kôhóme plans treachery. Not just against you, but against his father. We of the Dog Clan know he speaks with crooked tongue and tries to turn others against our Chief. Nâhahétsêstoveha! He is very dangerous like a snake.”

“I understand. I will be careful.”

“Epeva'e. Now let us start. I will speak to your kinsmen when they have come.” And Young Man started relating to Chris about the Sun Dance and how it was a very important part of being a Cheyenne.

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Vin and Buck returned with Mapiya to a darkened interior. They found Young Man sitting serenely by the fire, staring into the embers and Chris again had fallen asleep.

The fire was getting low and Mapiya quickly took wood from the side to place on the embers, urging the fire to grow.

Young Man sighed and finally turned to acknowledge their presence.

He said in Cheyenne, “You are late.” It was not an accusation, only a simple statement.

Vin replied in Cheyenne, “I am sorry. We did not mean to be.”

Young Man nodded that although it was not acceptable, it was understood. After all, they were still just white men and did not understand the Cheyenne way. He motioned for them to take a place across from him by the fire.

Vin sat cross-legged down on the floor. Buck followed his example, removing his hat and placing it on the ground next to him.

“What I will tell you no white man ears heard before. You have been given a great honor among the people and being kinsmen of Emo'ôhtavo vo'e who we deem worthy, you have been deemed worthy also.” Vin translated to Buck what Young Man had said.

“So what is it he planning on us doing and is it gonna hurt?” asked Buck worried.

Vin glared at him in ire. “Buck, just listen. Don’t talk. Listen.”

Buck nodded and knew that Vin was trying to save him from doing something insulting that would upset the Cheyenne.

Young Man glanced at Vin, but did not expect a translation of Buck’s comment. He knew by the tone of White Eagle that the white man had made a stupid statement and it was not worth taking notice of.

Vin nodded his head at Young Man, signaling him to continue.

For the next three hours, Young Man explained to the two men what they would be required to do. At times, Buck was sick to his stomach when he heard what Chris would have to endure. But Vin stood firm. He knew he had to be the strong one since he was the only one who really understood what Chris would have to endure.

When Young Man was done, he then said to Vin, “I will be coming back for Emo'ôhtavo vo'e before the rising of the sun. Please have him bathed and ready as I have explained. And make sure that the Buck Man understands what must be done for the wedding ceremony.”

“I will,” said Vin and grabbed his arm in the same way that Chris and he had in friendship.

Young Man nodded to Mapiya and Buck and then exited the tipi.

“Well,” started Buck. “That was real interesting. I wonder if Chris understands what he’s gettin’ into.”

“I do, Buck,” came Chris’ voice from the other side of the tipi.

Vin, Buck and Mapiya all turned to see Chris sitting up on his pallet, awake.

“Hey, Stud,” said Buck, moving closer to his friend. “How you feelin’?”

“Good enough to hear your loud mouth in my sleep,” answered Chris smirking at his long time friend.

“Chris, you know we’ve been friends for a lot of years. And you know how much I loved Sarah and that boy of yours. And Mapiya, she is the gentlest creature and one of the most kindest woman I ever met.” He then turned to Mapiya. “Sorry to be talking about you as if you weren’t here, Ma’am.”

Mapiya bowed in understanding, but said nothing.

“I’m just worried about this hear ceremony, Chris. Do you realize what they want you to do?”

“Yes, I do, Buck. And you should know by now that I’m a big boy and I can take care of myself. I thank you for your concern, Buck, but I need to do this.”

Buck saw the pleading in those green eyes and knew that no matter what he said, Chris was going to go through with it.

“Okay, Chris. You know I’ll stand by you until the end.”

“You always have, Buck. Always said I can count on you,” said Chris smiling broadly.

Buck looked at Chris doubtfully, but then Chris’ smile was contagious and he felt his own big grin coming out. He then leaned close to Chris so that no one could hear his next statement. He whispered, “When this is over, you have got to tell me what Native love is like.”

Chris whispered back, “Buck, told you once and I’ll tell you again. Get your brain out of your pants.”

Buck laughed loudly at that and gently clapped Chris on the back. He then went to sit back at the fire. He had felt Vin itching to get over to Chris and he would not delay it any longer.

Once Buck moved, Vin came to sit besides Chris. Vin looked him up and down, appraising him.

“See something interesting, Vin?”

“Nope. Just a blond-haired, skinny-ass, pain in the ass, Injun.”

“You mad at me too?” asked Chris, his eyes glancing at Vin in apprehension. He saw anger in Vin’s eyes, but he saw something else too. Something he did not think he would ever seen in the eyes of Vin Tanner. It was fear. Of what, Chris did not know.

“What would make ya think that, Larabee? Because I watched ya ride out of town without nary a word in the past five months? Or because I have to watch ya go through this dang ceremony and maybe die.”

Chris knew now that the anger and fear was one of his causing. It was because of his decision concerning the Cheyenne.

“Vin, you do understand why I have to do this, don’t you?” implored Chris, grabbing his friends hands into his.

“I understand, Chris. I just don’t like it. We just got ya back and now…” Vin trailed off, not being able to finish.

‘And now I might die?’ thought Chris to himself. But he did not say it out loud to Vin. He said, “I love Mapiya, Vin, with all my heart. You’re my friend and I expect you to be happy for me.”

“I am Chris. It’s just that…”

“Vin. No matter what happens. You will always be my friend. Nothing will change that. And if I survive, it will be because of you, Mapiya and the boys.”

Vin blue eyes looked at him with hope. Maybe things will turn out for the best. “Well, if ya don’t, I swear, I’ll follow ya scrawny ass all the way to hell and drag ya damn sorry-ass back.”

Chris chuckled at this comment. That was the Vin he knew. They clasped hands in their traditional handshake and Vin felt a heavy weight leave his heart. But so did Chris.

“Time to eat,” interrupted Mapiya, also smiling over at the two. She was happy that the two most important men in her life had now healed their secret wounds. Maybe it will be the same for her brother. She could only hope.

As they all sat around the fire, eating their food, they each slid into their own dreams of happiness and success.

Translations:

Hahóo – thank you

Nemehotâtse – I love you

Epeva'e – It is good

Hoxéheome – sweat lodge/tipi

Nâhahétsêstoveha! - Be leery of him!

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Chapter 43

Young Man had kept to his word. He came to the tipi before the sun was about to come up to take Chris to the Hoxéheome. Vin had helped Larabee to cleanse his body on the outside before Young Man arrived. His body would be cleansed from the inside during his time in the Hoxéheome.

Young Man had explained to Chris, Vin and Buck that Emo'ôhtavo vo'e would be taken with the other warriors who were to go through the initiation to the Hoxéheome. There, they would be purified through a sweat that would remove any bad spiritual residue that may be in the body from the outside world. They would also be given a plant to chew, peyote, which would induce the participant to dream and with luck, they would have a vision that would show them a message from Ma'heónemâhta'sóoma.

Once the purification was over with, they would be brought still under the influence of the drug that would cause euphoria to the Sun Dance tipi. This tipi is created with spiritual ceremonies performed by the medicine man of the tribe. Ma'emestahke, the Medicine Man of the tribe would conduct the Sun Dance rituals needed for the blessing of the event and its participants.

They would have to blow whistles made from eagle bone and would dance into the Sun Dance tipi. After an hour of dancing, they would then lie down and pieces of bone with holes would be placed into slits of their skins near their breasts. Rawhide thongs would be tied to these bones and then the dancer would be told to rise and start their dance anew.

The ending of the ceremony is usually ended when all dancers have pulled the bones either through the skin and breaking the hold, or breaking the thongs from the pole it was tied to.

After this, all participants would be taken again back to the Hoxéheome for their final cleansing. Once this was done, then they were allowed to eat.

Usually the first warrior to break the hold was considering the strongest among all, but there was no shame for the last one either. To accomplish such a feat was considered an honor to the Great Spirit and it meant that each warrior were blessed by Ma'heónemâhta'sóoma.

“Are you ready, brother?” asked Young Man in Cheyenne.

“Heehe'e,” answered Chris, getting up slowly from his pallet. As he did, he felt light-headed and almost stumbled from the dizziness.

Vin quickly grabbed under his arm to steady him, although his face was one of worry. “Are you sure about this, Chris?”

Chris saw the pained look his friend had given him, but he knew he still had to go through with the ceremony. Not to do so, would be disastrous for all, including Chief Aenohe, who he thought of as his surrogate father.

“Vin, we discussed this. I know you have your doubts, but it’s something I gotta do, not just for myself.”

Vin nodded, but still kept his hold on the blond.

“You don’t have to watch, if you don’t want to,” came the blond Cheyenne soft murmur.

“I’m goin’,” announced Vin determinedly.

Chris did not think Vin had heard his remark, but he forgot that the Texan had ears like a fox.

“Okay, Vin. In fact, I’m glad that you’ll be there.”

“To hell and back, Chris. I’ll always be there to watch ya back.”

“Thanks, Vin. What about the others?”

Vin eyes took on a saddened look. “Well, Buck, JD and Ezra said they rather just keep guard of the area. Make sure none of ó'kôhóme’s men start no trouble. But Josiah and Nathan will be there watchin’.”

Chris knew that that it was for the best that Buck, JD and Ezra did not attend. Although he knew they really cared what happened to him, he did not think he could stand seeing their faces as he was sliced opened and as he endured the sacrifice of pain that would follow.

But he also knew Vin and Josiah would be stronger having had dealings with this ceremony before. Nathan was there just in case things did not go well, although earlier he did express his distaste for the ceremony, but he did understand why it had to be done from Chris’ point of view and the Cheyenne.

Vin then smiled slightly and said, “Néto'sêho'sóehe?”

This was directed at Chris and Vin knew that he spoke Cheyenne very well.

Chris glared at him annoyed and said, “Did you just ask me if I’m going to dance?”

“Hey, Cowboy. I ain’t the one in this here ceremony,” replied Vin smirking at him.

“Go to hell, Tanner,” retorted Chris, smiling also.

“Ya first, Larabee,” remarked Vin, bowing towards the open flap.

“Nómonêhe'še!” said Chris in Cheyenne. He then followed Young Man out of the tipi through the flap.

Vin followed closely behind, decidedly not to the let the blond Cheyenne out of his sights.

* * * * *

Chris felt as if he was going to melt away with the steam from the sweat lodge. His head lay on the back of the animal skin that surrounded the structure and felt the stifling heat burning his skin. He glanced at the companions that shared his ordeal. He knew them as Taa'eveameohtse, Nightwalker and Maahe'ôhtamehnêstse, Walking with Arrow. They were the young sons of two of the tribal leaders.
 
They were destined to be part of the Dog Clan also and would have to settle their tipis outside of the camp like Chris and Mapiya.
 
Nightwalker who seemed the most adult of the two, turned to Chris and said, “Emo'ôhtavo vo'e’s heart should not be troubled. You will not fail us, brother.”
 
It seemed that Nightwalker knew what Chris was thinking, knew Chris’ doubts were coming to the front among the heat and was trying to give him the courage to do what he must.
 
“Thank you, Nightwalker. I will not fail my brothers nor shame my people,” replied Chris. “It is just that I feel…”
 
“You are no longer a white man, Emo'ôhtavo vo'e. Your skin maybe lighter than ours, but your heart, your mind and your soul run red like the Cheyenne.”
 
Chris pondered Nightwalker statement. Did it really? His memory was coming back to him and remembered that his heart, mind and soul had once belonged to six men that he also called brothers. If he stayed among the Cheyenne, with Mapiya and her people, would his heart, mind and soul still belong to those men? Would he continue to call them brothers?
 
Nightwalker noticed the deathly silence that followed his statement. He then said, “Do not despair, brother. The Great Spirit has plans for you although you do not see it yet. Be still. Listen and you shall hear his message.”
 
Chris could only nod at the young man’s wisdom and he then closed his eyes in hopes of finding his vision to tell him which way to go.
 
He was not asleep long when the flap opened and Ma'emestahke, Red Owl, the Medicine Man came into the tipi. He looked at each of the men appraisingly and that was when Chris noticed that he carried a wooden bowl in his hands. He had some type of a brown and brittle substance. 
 
He passed the bowl to Nightwalker, who took some between his fingers and put it into his mouth. Walking with Arrow followed suit and then it became Chris’ turn to take some of the mixture. 
 
Chris took some between his fingers and put it into his mouth.  He chewed the substance and almost gagged at the bitter taste of it. It made him nauseous, but he knew he had to endure. It was peyote and although Chris had seen it before, he had never partook of its bitterness. 
 
As he continued to chew the substance, as did the other men, he felt such a weightlessness overcome him. His body aches and pains seemed to drift away with the heat. Gradually, he started to feel a burst of energy and a heightened of his senses. As time went on and he continued to chew the peyote, the burst of energy seemed to dissipate and he was left feeling faint and unsteady. But then that changed over the next few minutes for then he was seeing strange colors and lights even with his eyes closed.
 
Chris did not feel as hands lifted him from his seat in the sweat lodge and pulled him outside. He did not understand when someone put an instrument in his mouth and told him to blow, but blow he did. He blew and blew and blew until he thought his lungs would burst. 
 
He did hear the beating of the drums that were played as he was led by these hands to stand under a large tipi. He watched as skulls of a buffalo and feathers of an eagle played dancingly around the top of a pole as the soft south wind blew. 
 
He also did not care, as hands pushed him down on the ground under this tipi and the fact that he saw Ma'emestahke kneel over him, holding a knife dripping with blood. The only thing Chris knew was that everything seemed different to him and a calm came over him for instance. But it was in the next instance that he felt pain, so great a pain in his chest that it felt as if someone had ripped out his heart.
 
Vin watched from the sidelines along with Josiah and Nathan as a drugged Chris was led into the tipi. He wanted to shout to him, to let him know that he was here, but he knew to do so would mean certain death for Chris. 
 
He watched as the Medicine Man knelt over Chris, holding the bloody knife that he had used on the other two warriors. His fear rose in his throat, as he watched the man start the first slit into the skin of Larabee. 
 
He clenched his hands into fists as he watched his friend’s body arch up in torment as he felt the slit being created. Then he prayed that Chris would loose consciousness, but it would not seem to be what was planned. 
 
The medicine man then moved a little to the other side, obscuring Vin’s, Josiah’s and Nathan’s views. But they all heard the groan that had escaped Chris as the second slit was made. Vin felt his heart almost stop in anguish of his friend’s pain.
 
Vin’s face and body language did not go unnoticed by Josiah and Nathan. They both grabbed each of his arms, preventing him from rising or running to their friend in pain. They knew they had to abide by Chris’ wishes and if need be, by force, they would make the young tracker also. 
 
When Chris was finally hooked up to the rawhide thongs, Vin and the others watched the medicine man help their friend to stand and to take his place next to his brother warriors. They also saw him place some substance into the blond’s mouth and watched as he chewed it vigorously. They all knew it was peyote and Nathan felt qualms about the drug being used on an already sick man. But he held his tongue at this time. If he deemed that Larabee was at any great risk at anytime, he would voice his objection to the Chief and the Medicine man. Chris was his friend and he did not want to see him die needlessly.
 
The medicine man then leaned near Chris’ ear and whispered something the others could not hear. Vin and the others watched as Chris started to sway and dance as the other two warriors had. Vin did not know how Chris knew what steps to make in the dance, but he did. They watched as he danced like a marionette on a string to the beat of the drums and singing of the people.
 
Nathan leaned over to Vin and whispered, “How long is this gon’na to take?”
 
“Cain’t really tell, Nathan. It could take hours or days. It only ends when they all break away from their bonds.”
 
“Ya know that was peyote that he gave ‘im, don’t ya?”
 
“Yeah, Nate. I know,” answered Vin, his eyes still on the blond Cheyenne as he danced his methodical dance.
 
“So, what? We wait?”
 
“That’s about it,” said Vin. He had planned on keeping his eyes on Chris, but he saw a figure push its way through the throng of the crowd.
 
“ó'kôhóme!” spat Vin out of the side of his mouth.
 
“Mapiya’s brother?” questioned Josiah. “Where?”
 
“Straight ahead. To the right of ya, Josiah.”
 
Josiah turned his head slightly to the right and caught sight of the warrior has he moved closer to stand near the front of the crowd. Josiah noticed that his brown eyes were trained on their friend and he could see it was one of hate. This man was up to no good and he knew Larabee was in the center of it.
 
“Do we need to do something, brother?”
 
“Not yet, Josiah. I’ll let ya know if anythin’ changes,” said Vin, his eyes never leaving the dangerous man.
 
“I just pray Chris comes out of this alive,” interjected Nathan.
 
“I think the Cheyenne’s God have plans for our Mr. Larabee,” said Josiah thoughtfully.
 
“I just hope ya right, Josiah. Chris needs all the help he can get right now,” stated Vin. He then went back to keeping his vigil over his friend. 
 
 

Hahóo – thank you

Hoxéheome – sweat lodge/tipi

Heehe'e - Yes
Ma'heónemâhta'sóoma – Holy Spirit/Great Spirit
Néto'sêho'sóehe? – Are you going to dance?
Nómonêhe'še! – Let’s go!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note on the Sun Dance:

“To those not familiar with Sioux culture, the Sun Dance may seem brutal. It was outlawed by the federal government in l904 and only recently has its practice been permitted under special circumstances. The controversial part of the ceremony is known as piercing. After an hour of dancing and singing around the cottonwood tree, a dancer lays down on his back. The medicine man cuts two slits in the skin of his chest above each nipple. He then pulls up the skin, opening the wounds wide enough to slip a peg through each pair of slits. He wraps a rawhide thong around the exposed ends of the pegs and ties on a single rope, much like the Y-shaped tow line of a water skier, the top of the Y tied to the tree. The dancer rises and resumes dancing and blowing on his whistle. He dances backwards until the rope is taut, his skin stretching against the tug of the rope. Other dancers encourage him in a fury of dancing, whooping and whistling. Finally, by leaning back, dancing and screeching on his whistle, he rips the pegs from his flesh. Soon another dancer takes his turn.

The Sioux believe flesh represents ignorance, encapsulating the spirit. Breaking the skin is meant to release the individual spirit for submission to the Great Spirit, Wakan-Tanka. The shedding of blood symbolized the merging of the dancer's blood with tribesmen who died in battle, and the mother in childbirth. Through eight days of dancing, fasting and sweating, the dancers purify themselves for Wakan-Tanka.”

This article in full can be found at the web site below. It was written by Mikkel Aaland who participated somewhat in the ritual. The Native American tribes who practiced this dance were: The Arapaho, Arikara, Asbinboine, Cheyenne, Crow, Gros, Ventre, Hidutsa, Sioux, Plains Cree, Plains Ojibway, Sarasi, Omaha, Ponca, Ute, Shoshone, Kiowa, and Blackfoot tribes. Their rituals varied from tribe to tribe.

http://www.cyberbohemia.com/Pages/aguest.htm

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Chapter 44

Mapiya sat in the Hoxéheome that was created for her. She was preparing for her marriage to Emo'ôhtavo vo'e. She was excited and happy, but she also had her apprehension about the ceremony. She did not fool herself into believing that her brother would have changed his mind about her future husband or his people. In fact, she had thought he had become worse as more time went by.

She and her father had discussed the sacred Sun Dance ceremony. In truth it was not necessary for Emo'ôhtavo vo'e to go through with the ceremony. It was the only way her father and the Medicine Man could come up with to save his life and bide him some time to heal to be able to deal with her brother on his own terms.

For if he succeeded, he not only proved his worth to the people and what would be considered his tribe, he would also be off limits to her brother’s treachery. Her brother could not attack Emo'ôhtavo vo'e without the rules of tribal law that governed all Cheyenne and her brother would have to abide by it or else face dire consequences.

As a white man, Emo'ôhtavo vo'e would be fair game by any warrior within the tribe. But as true Cheyenne warrior and believer of the Great Spirit, it would not be so easy for her brother to inflict his guile and deceit without angering the people and the Great Spirit. It was frowned upon for another warrior to attack another warrior who has not healed yet from the Sun Dance. It was basically unthinkable. ó'kôhóme would not be able to challenge him until he was well enough to defend himself. Mapiya just hoped that it was enough.

* * * * *

The three warriors continued to dance as the sun slowly dipped behind the night sky. It had been hours and although the darkness had come upon them, the people still played the drums and sang with the same vigor as in the beginning.

Chris and the other two warriors, although were tiring and felt the burning increase in their chests, it did nothing to dissuade them from their purpose.

Vin, Nathan and Josiah were still sitting on the side with the other spectators watching the grueling event take place. They had watched as Chris fell one time, but then saw him stagger back to his feet, pulling on the taut rawhide, hoping to break its hold on him.

At that time, his friends were praying also that it would break and end their friend’s self-inflicted torture, but it did not come.

That had been two hours ago and now they watched as the men danced in and outward to the drums. Each time they moved to the outer part of the circle, they would pull hard on their bonds, hoping to break them, but each time they still held.

Nathan kept his eyes on not only Chris, but the other two warriors as well. His only objection to Chris being in this ceremony was that he was not as healthy as the other two. The other two were tiring now, and he knew Chris had to be close to collapsing. But the blond Cheyenne surprised him each time he thought it would the end.

Josiah prayed the whole ordeal would be over soon. He did not like anyone in pain, especially his friends. But he knew had to do with more than the physical. This was a real test of faith, something that he had thought lost to most people years ago. He now found it in a simple people who wanted only to live in peace and raise their children in the way they were taught, honoring their people’s traditions.

Vin sat solemnly watching over his best friend. He could tell that his friend was in pain, but he also could tell that his friend was determined to succeed. The bond between them quivered with the ebbing of Larabee’s strength, but Vin would not let it break. He sent waves and waves of strength to the blond, hoping it would be enough.

Emo'ôhtavo vo'e, also known as Chris Larabee felt as if his chest would explode. The pull on his skin was making him nauseous and the peyote he had taken was not helping. He stomped his feet, moving back and forth within the circle, never letting his resolve waver. He knew if he did, all would be lost, including his right to call Mapiya his own.

From green eye slits, he watched his friends look on in horror as blood pooled down his chest and legs onto the dirt floor as he continued to dance. He also noticed the way Vin kept his fists clenched in his lap. He knew the brown-haired tracker wanted to remove his bonds and take Chris away from all the pain. But he also knew that if he did that, that Chris would never forgive him and he would never forgive himself.

Chris closed his eyes against his friend’s anguish and tried to ride out the next wave of pain that came from him leaning backward against the rawhide. He pulled as hard as he could, hoping to break it and end the ritual. But it did not happen. The drums continued beating and he danced back into the middle of the tipi.

As he started to dance closer to the pole in the center, his head started to spin and swim. As he leaned his head back, watching the buffalo skulls spin around and around, he saw a shadow come across the tipi. He stared at the top of the tipi near the air hole and a dark cloud started to form above.

At first, Chris assumed that a rainstorm was probably on its way and he knew, rain or no, the ceremony would continue. He kept his eyes focused on that cloud and as each minute passed the cloud started to take the shape of a man, a Cheyenne warrior. Chris squinted at the image and watched it as it solidified.

The clouds surrounding the warrior also started to transform. In the end they became a white buffalo and a white eagle. They both seemed to be as if they were guarding the warrior from any danger. Chris was about to convince himself that the peyote was playing with his mind when the warrior spoke.

“Emo'ôhtavo vo'e. Hoxéhetane. You have come seeking a vision.”

Chris did not know what to say. Was he dreaming? Was he unconscious and did not know it? He looked around and saw that he was still in the Sun Dance tipi and his friends were sitting on the side. The people still surrounded the dancers, the drums still played and singing continued. No. He was not dreaming. He was wide awake and having a conversation with a cloud. He looked back up at the cloud warrior.

“Do not doubt, Emo'ôhtavo vo'e,” said the voice of the cloud warrior. “I have been sent by the Great Spirit to talk to the white man who is not white and the Cheyenne who is not Cheyenne. Your heart is split in two, as so the way your blood runs. You think that you might fail your white people, but you also feel you will fail your red people. This is your fear talking. Do not listen to it. Do not obey it. Do not let it lead you from your chosen path.”

Chris found his voice finally and asked, “What should I do? How do I make it right?”

“The wise man does not ask how, but does. Step your feet upon the path of your heart. But remember whichever path you choose will bring change to both. Seek out the Netse Ôhvo'komaestse,” said the cloud warrior holding his arm out as the eagle cloud landing on it. “He shall give you the strength you need.”

“The White Eagle? Vin?”

“The Netse Ôhvo'komaestse, Emo'ôhtavo vo'e.”

Vin and the others watched as Chris started speaking in Cheyenne to someone they could not see. They were worried that the ordeal was becoming overpowering for Chris.

“Who’s he talking to?” asked Nathan, concern crossing his face.

“Don’t rightly know,” replied Vin, mirroring Nathan’s face. “I don’t see anyone.”

“Neither do I, Brother Vin. You think he’s seeing things?”

“Could be,” answered Nathan. “He’s taken peyote and he wasn’t that well to begin with.”

Vin then heard his named spoken softly by the blond gunslinger.

“Did he just say your name?” asked Josiah.

“Yeah, I think he did. But I cain’t get over there. Not without causin’ trouble.” Vin was itching to run over to his friend, but he held fast to where he sat. All he could do, just like everyone else, was to watch his friend dance with death and pray that he survived.

Chris still gazed upon the warrior and he felt he had truly received his vision from the Great Spirit. He felt elated and happy. He felt as if nothing could stop him from succeeding now.

“Emo'ôhtavo vo'e! Break your bonds, my son and join your warrior brothers!” was the words that Chris heard, while everyone else heard thunder.

Chris looked over to where Vin, Nathan and Josiah sat and his green eyes clear and bright, nodded to them.

Vin gasped as he knew what Chris was planning on doing. He stood up, but felt as two pairs of hands pulled him back down in his seat. He yelled, “No, Chris!”

But Chris only smiled and he started to dance back towards the edge of the circle. He felt the pull of the rawhide rope go rigid with resistance. But Chris only pulled harder still, digging his heals into the dirt and kept backing away from the pole.

Vin on the other side of the circle was still trying to get Nathan and Josiah to let him go. But it was to no avail. They were not only saving Chris, but Vin also. What Vin did not see was that ó'kôhóme was waiting for him to break the circle and create a sacrilege. It would give him the opportunity to be rid of not only Chris, but his white men friends too. Nathan and Josiah were determined not to let that happen.

Suddenly there came the sound of something popping and the next minute when Vin looked Chris was on the ground bleeding profusively from his chest, but his bonds were broken. He was no longer tethered to the center pole.

The Medicine Man knelt down next to Chris and checked his eyes. He then motioned for two young braves from the Dog Clan to pick him up and bade them to take him to Chief Aenohe’s tipi.

By this time, Vin was biting at the bit to get loose from his friends. The Medicine Man, Red Owl then turned to Vin and the others and said in Cheyenne, “You may follow your friend and tend him. Chief Aenohe will come to speak with him. He has words for his ears”

Vin felt someone pull him away from the Sun Dance tipi, but he did not care. The image of his friend ripping the skin from his chest and bleeding on the ground still seared his mind.

Nathan knew Vin was in shock, as they all were. But he knew with Vin and Chris it went deeper.

“You…must go…Chief’s home,” said Young Man in English to them.

Vin ignored the fact that Young Man could speak any English, but Nathan and Josiah were surprised.

“You speak English?” asked Josiah, still dragging Vin between them.

“Little…not much,” replied Young Man motioning them towards Chief Aenohe’s home.

“Thank you, Brother,” replied Josiah, helping Nathan to guide the young tracker towards his soul mate and friend.

Young Man only bowed his acknowledgement and went back to the Sun Dance. It was not over until the other two warriors had broken their bonds. He just hoped that his newly warrior brother would survive his wounds. Otherwise, they would have a brave man to mourn, white or red.

Hoxéhetane – Sun Dancer

Netse Ôhvo'komaestse – White Eagle

************************************************************************************************************

Chapter 45

Chris felt a fire burning in his chest. Although he was dreaming, he still felt the pain of reality. His memories took him back to another time, another place and another fire. Sarah and Adam were burning. The fire was consuming them and he could not reach them. No! Please God, no! Not again!

“No! Please God, no! Not again!” came the scream from the pallet that bore their friend.

Nathan, Vin and Mapiya crawled quickly over to the sleeping blond who was currently trying to fight his way out of a nightmare. Mapiya grabbed his arms as gently as she could. “Emo'ôhtavo vo'e, please wake, my love,” she said gently in Cheyenne.

Chris did not hear her and continued to struggle, now against Vin and Nathan who tried to keep the man from disturbing the two wounds on his chest.

“Chris. Come on. Calm down, Pard,” said Vin softly, grabbing his shoulders to keep him still.

“Please! They’re burning! Buck, let me go to them!”

“Emo'ôhtavo vo'e, please, wake up, my love,” said Mapiya brushing back the sweat-drenched hair from his forehead.

Suddenly they were staring into two green eyes full of fright. The eyes wandered over the faces above him and found the ones he was looking for.

“Mapiya! Vin! I remember, I remember,” was all that Chris kept saying.

Vin and Mapiya looked to Nathan with fear and concern. Vin and Nathan knew that Chris was remembering what had happened to his family, their murder, their death, but Mapiya knew none of this. She only knew that her betrothed was hurting and frightened.

“Emo'ôhtavo vo'e, what is wrong?”

“Mapiya. Mapiya, my family was murdered! Killed,” he explained covering his face with his hands. “They were killed by my own people. By white men! vé'ho'e! Why? How could they?”

“Netse Ôhvo'komaestse, what is he…” she asked Vin in Cheyenne worried.

“Don’t worry, Mapiya. It’s goin’ to be alright. Why don’t ya go over there and get ‘im some water,” replied Vin trying to soothe her worries.

Mapiya looked at him doubtfully.

“Please, Mapiya,” pleaded Vin. He needed time alone with Chris to help him deal with pain.

Mapiya nodded and finally understood what Vin wanted. She said, “I will make him something to eat also.” And she walked away towards the other side of the tipi.

Vin then turned to Nathan, but Nathan already knew what he wanted. “I’ll start making a new poultices for those cuts.” And he also slipped quietly away.

Vin then turned his attention back to his friend. “Hey, Cowboy, what ya tryin’ to do? Scare the hell out of us?” he asked smiling gently at his disturbed friend.

Chris hands fell from his face and then looked into the blue eyes of his best friend. “Vin…I saw how they died. I saw. Everything. I remembered, but this time…this time I saw,” said Chris distraught.

Vin could see that his friend was in anguish about the nightmare and it troubled him deeply. He thought that since he remembered them it would be same as remembering the incident, but now he found out how untrue that was.

“Chris, Pard, I understand what might be goin’ on in ya head, now. But ya got to listen to me, okay?”

Chris nodded, not being able to speak with the thoughts of the torture his family suffered still fresh in his mind.

“It’s passed, Pard. Gone and passed. Ya have Mapiya now and the rest of us here and ain’t nothin’ bad gon’na happen to ya while we’re here. Understand?”

Chris again only nodded, not able to find his voice to express his tormented feelings.

“Now, why don’t cha try and get some sleep. We’ll be here when ya wake up and if ya don’t do everythin’ that Mapiya and Nathan tell ya to do, I’ll kick your skinny ass, understand?” stated Vin quirking his eyes down at him.

Chris smiled thinly. This man was his friend and he knew him better than he knew himself. “Thanks, Vin,” he answered and grabbed his forearm in their special handshake of friendship.

“You’re welcome, Pard. Now close them baby green eyes,” said Vin as they released their hold.

Chris felt calm and relieved by Vin’s words and presence. His eyes closed and searched out for the darkness that came with sleep.

As soon as Vin saw that Chris was finally asleep, he slowly crawled over to Mapiya and Nathan.

“He’s sleep right now,” he said eyeing the soup that Mapiya was now pouring into a bowl. “I don’t think he gon’na be up to the soup.”

Mapiya smiled hesitantly at him and said, “It will keep warm.” And she poured it back into the simmering pot.

“How is he?” asked Nathan uncertainly. He was unsure whether the blond gunslinger would be able to handle the way his memories were returning. He had deep concerns about it not being healthy.

“I think he just needs some time, Nate,” replied Vin knowing how upset the incident had made him and Mapiya.

“Do ya think he’s going to be able to deal with ‘em?”

“I don’t rightly know. But I think we should give ‘im a chance.”

“I don’t…understand, Netse Ôhvo'komaestse,” interrupted Mapiya fear cloudy all thought.

“Mapiya,” started Vin as he grabbed her hands into his. “Do not worry. It will be fine.”

Mapiya could only nod at his statement. She still had some doubts about whether or not it will be. She was still troubled by her brother’s actions and hatred and was fearful that it would interfere with her and her people’s happiness.

Just then, the tent flap fell backward and an elderly woman walked in. Mapiya knew it was Ma'eve'keso, Red Bird. She knew it was time for her to finish with the makings of her wedding dress for the ceremony tomorrow. Although it was moving quickly, it was what Mapiya and Emo'ôhtavo vo'e wanted. They did not want to delay the start of their happiness together. Chief Aenohe had agreed, but reluctantly. Usually the courting would be of a longer period, but he knew of Mapiya’s fears and wished to do everything in his power to allay his only daughter’s anxiety.

“Mapiya, it is time,” said Ma'eve'keso in Cheyenne.

“I will be there,” answered Mapiya in the same.

The woman nodded and walked back the way she had come, closing the flap softly.

Mapiya turned to Vin and said in Cheyenne, “It is time for me to finish with my tasks for my wedding. Will you watch him for me?”

“Always,” replied Vin.

“Thank you. I will be sending his wedding clothes with Young Man. The wedding will be held tomorrow when sun is high in sky in the middle of the camp. I will not be able to see him until then.”

“I am sure that it will be a great wedding, Mapiya,” said Vin smiling softly at her to show his support.

“With you at his side, it could no other way.”

Mapiya then crawled over to Chris and kissed him gently on the forehead. “Sleep well, my love. Tomorrow will be our day.” She then crawled out of the tipi.

Nathan turned to Vin curious. He had not understood any of the conversation. “Where did Mapiya go?”

“She went to finish her wedding plans. The wedding is to take place tomorrow at noon in the middle of the camp. She can’t see Chris until then.”

“And Chris? How is he going to do this? He ain’t in any shape right now.”

“Mapiya and Chris wanted to get married quick.”

Nathan stared at Vin surprised. Vin saw his look and knew what he was thinking. “It ain’t like that Nathan! They just want to get it over with considerin’ all the trouble ‘cause of her brother. And to tell ya the truth. I don’t blame them.”

“But Vin, you basically been against this since the beginning.”

“I know, Nate. But I changed my mind. Chris loves her and I know she loves him. They should be together. I just…I just…”

“I know, Vin,” said Nathan placing his hand on the young tracker’s shoulder. “Ya just didn’t want to loose ya friend.”

“Yeah,” said Vin, bowing his head in sadness.

“Well, knowin’ how close the two of ya are, I doubt if ya would be loosin’ Chris anytime soon,” said Nathan trying to cheer the young man up. He then smiled widely at Vin.

Vin felt a little better and said, “Well, I’ll tell ya somethin’. I just hope I get it right, otherwise Chris might end up marryin’ Buck.”

They both burst out laughing at that thought.

* * * * *

Ezra and Josiah walked around the Cheyenne encampment taking in the sights.

To tell the truth, Josiah needed to meditate on what would happen tomorrow, while Ezra was busy trying to determine if there was anything of usefulness he could garner from this unexpected excursion. Ezra had decided he needed Josiah’s translation skills in order to accomplish this, as Vin Tanner was preoccupied at the moment.

“Mr. Sanchez, now what are those things the children are playing with?” asked Ezra, pointing the stones that the children were playing with inside a circle on the ground.

Josiah looked over and saw that the children were engrossed in a game where colored stones were being rolled into a circle on the ground.

“Their stones, Ezra. Why are you interested in them?” asked Josiah suspiciously.

“Well, I was just wondering what type of stones are they? They really shine and seem to have a glassy type color,” answered Ezra strolling towards the Cheyenne children.

“Ezra, they’re not valuable.”

“How do you come to that summation, Mr. Sanchez?”

“I’m telling you they ain’t worth a damn. They just colored stones.”

“Well, they certainly aren’t rubies or diamonds, my good preacher,” said Ezra thoughtfully. “But you gentlemen are not very visionary and do not necessarily share my heightened foresight.”

Josiah turned to face him with a look of amazement. “Ezra, if shit was considered valuable, I believe you would be willing to get your prissy hands dirty to get as much as you can.”

“Mr. Sanchez, I am highly offended at that remark at my person. I am only trying to make this grueling ordeal worth the effort,” retorted Ezra, his face showing his ire at Josiah’s comment.

“What you sir, do not realize is that every cloud has its silver lining and I plan to find it.” Ezra then walked off towards the children to see if he could barter with them.

Josiah stood where he was and just rolled his eyes to the sky. “Lord, I know that we are all God’s creatures, but sometimes I wonder about him” he said mostly to himself.

* * * * *

Josiah was still standing near a tipi, watching as Ezra tried to bargain with the young Cheyennes. But to Josiah’s relief, he was not succeeding very well without his translator.

He was about to go over to Ezra and children and interrupt the bartering, when he heard voices in Cheyenne behind him on the other side of the tipi.

“ó'kôhóme thinks we will be rid of the tsêhésevé'ho'e soon,” said a male voice in Cheyenne.

Josiah ears suddenly perked up. His sessions with Ma'emestahke, the Medicine Man, had increased his ability in deciphering the Cheyenne language. He knew that tsêhésevé'ho'e or half-breed that they spoke of had to be one Chris Larabee.

“And how does he knows this?” asked another male voice in Cheyenne.

“Because he is a great warrior and a great leader. His mind sees the future and he has plans.”

“And these plans are for the tsêhésevé'ho'e?”

“Yes.”

“When?”

“After the wedding. ó'kôhóme is not stupid. He will not try it before then. But after, the tsêhésevé'ho'e will be in the happy hunting grounds,” said the man, laughing heartily.

“We must be rid of all of these vé'ho'e! They have tainted our people with their ways.”

“Do not worry, brother. They will join their friend. I will let you know when our brother has decided on the gathering.”

With that the conversation ended.

Josiah felt chills crawl up his spine, but it was not from weather or the wind.

He cautiously made his way over to Ezra and knelt down so that he was close enough to whisper into his ear.

“Ezra, we need to leave.”

“I am busy, Mr. Sanchez. It will have to wait.”

“Ezra!” snarled Josiah, grabbing him by his arm and pulling up on his feet. “Now, I said!”

Ezra looked at him perturbed at the anger shown in the man’s face. But then he reasoned if Josiah was this anxious to leave, it could not be good.

“Very well, Mr. Sanchez,” he said removing Josiah’s hand from his arm and brushing the dirt off his pants legs. “Let us proceed.”

Josiah turned and starting walking towards Chief Aenohe’s tipi, while Ezra followed closely behind.

**********************************************************************************************************

Chapter 46

It was later that day when Buck and JD came crawling into the tipi and joined Chris and the others.

“Wow!” exclaimed Buck coming in noisily and plopping down at the fire. “These Cheyenne women sure have strange ways.”

Nathan motioned for Buck to lower his voice. He pointed emphatically over to the sleeping blond.

“Oh, sorry,” said Buck now whispering. “But them little fillies are just so shy. I couldn’t get one of them to walk with me.”

“Buck, Cheyenne women are raised to be chaste and pure,” explained Josiah.

“Chaste?”

“I believe what Mr. Sanchez is trying to state, Mr. Wilmington is that these women abstain from personal relations outside of marriage,” came Ezra’s statement.

“Ezra, why don’t cha speak English.”

“They ain’t loose, Buck!” exclaimed Vin annoyed at his denseness.

Buck’s face fell. “Oh,” was all that he replied. He then grinned and said, “What about…”

“No,” spoke up Josiah.

“But what about…”

“No!” interrupted Vin.

“Okay. Just asking,” he said and sat down next to Vin.

“How’s Chris doin’?” asked JD, his eyes sliding over to his sleeping hero, sitting down next to Ezra.

“Mite better than I thought he would. But we got somethin’ more important to talk about,” replied Nathan.

“Yeah,” started Vin. “We was waitin’ on ya.”

Buck and JD noticed that Vin face was very serious and solemn. They knew whatever it was it was not good news.

“So what’s crawling up ya hide, Vin?” asked Buck.

“Josiah overhead some men of ó'kôhóme talkin’ bout a surprise they got planned for Chris.”

“I guess it ain’t a birthday party.”

“No, it ain’t, Buck,” interjected Josiah. “And it also seems that they have somethin’ planned for us too.”

“Well, I knew it was too good to last,” sighed Buck eyeing his fellow comrades.

“But the Chief ain’t gon’na let anythin’ happen to us,” piped in JD.

Vin and the others looked at him in his naivety.

“JD, the Chief has enough problems tryin’ to keep peace. I don’t think Mapiya’s brother is gon’na do anythin’ that goes against their laws. But it’s not unlikely that he got somethin’ up his sleeve that’s within Cheyenne law. The problem is we don’t know what it is,” explained Vin.

“So what do we do?” asked Nathan.

“Well gentlemen, it is not my contention to stay here and die. It is also not my contention to leave Mr. Larabee behind, even if I do think he’s a pain in the ass sometimes.” Ezra like the others had formed a special bond with the blond gunslinger and although his survival instincts were raging through him, he would never abandon the man.

“We watch each others back,” suggested Vin.

“But what about Chris?” asked JD, his face marred with worry.

“One of us stays with ‘im at all times,” answered Vin.

Buck started to chuckling softly, “I don’t think once Chris is married that he gon’na go along with that, Vin.”

“I believe Mr. Wilmington is correct, Mr. Tanner. I do not think our dear Mr. Larabee will be pleased at us intervening in his wedding nuptials,” said Ezra, a smile gracing his face slowly. “In fact, if it were me, I would feel the same way.”

The others looked at Ezra in agreement. They knew the blond Cheyenne was not about to let anything come between him and his new wife.

“I’ll think of somethin’,” proposed Vin.

“I hope so,” said Nathan. “’Cause if ya don’t I have feelin’ we gon’na have some big trouble on our hands.”

“What trouble?” asked a voice from the other side of the tipi.

They all turned to see Chris sitting up on one elbow, eyes haggard, but clear, staring at them. He had heard the voices in his sleep and as he had approached wakefulness, he realized it was of his friends, talking in serious tones. Considering the emotions he heard in their tone, he decided it was time he woke and joined the conversation.

They just stared at him as if they were seeing something unbelievable.

“Chris, ya awake!” exclaimed Buck after he was released from his stupor.

“Yeah, guess I am,” replied Chris, brushing his long hair out of his face and sitting up straighter on the pallet. He noticed amazement on their faces and had a feeling that he was missing something. “Didn’t answer my question, though.”

“What question was that?” asked Nathan, crawling over to Chris and starting to examine him. Nathan was tried to look under the poultices he had placed on the wounds to his chest to see how it was, but Chris swatted Nathan’s hand away, irritated by the fact that they were avoiding his question.

“What trouble, Vin?” asked Chris, his green eyes boring into the young tracker’s blue ones.

Vin knew there was no way he was going to get around Chris’ question and he would not lie to the man. “Seems Mapiya’s brother is plannin’ some sort of surprise for us and it ain’t good.”

Chris nodded in understanding, happy that his friend had not lied to him. “When?”

“Soon. Not ‘til after the wedding.”

“Plan?”

“Somethin’.”

“How?”

“Thinkin’.’”

Buck and the others smiled as they watched the old Larabee-Tanner silent connection come alive again.

“How long?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Okay,” came Chris’ finally reply.

“Can someone tell me just what went on just now?” asked JD.

“Basically, Mr. Dunne, Mr. Tanner has explained to Mr. Larabee that he has a proposal to thwart our nemesis diabolical measures and he will finalize it by tomorrow,” explained Ezra.

“Can someone who speaks English tell me what’s going on?” pleaded JD.

“Vin has an idea on how we can stop Mapiya’s brother, but he ain’t figure it out all yet,” expounded Josiah.

“Oh,” responded JD satisfied.

Chris then turned to Nathan and said, “Nate, anything to eat? I’m hungry. Stomach’s talkin’ awfully loud here.”

Nathan smiled widely, happy that the man’s appetite was back. It meant that he was well onto the way to recovery.

“Mapiya left ya some soup. I’ll get ya a bowl and when ya done, I need to look at those wounds,” answered Nathan. He then went back to the pot of soup still simmering on the fire.

“Sure, Nathan,” said Chris nodding thoughtfully. “Mapiya?”

“Went to finish gettin’ ready for ya wedding, Cowboy. It’s tomorrow, remember?” asked Vin, a grin creeping slowly on his face.

“Yeah. Head’s a little fuzzy, but not that fuzzy.

“Knowed it wouldn’t be, Pard, with a lovely filly like that,” said Buck winking at Chris.

Chris remembered that Buck had interrupted them previously in the midst of their tryst under the buffalo blankets and if he was not still so flush from just getting over a fever, his old friend would have seen him blush.

“Buck,” was all Chris said, glaring at him.

Buck immediately closed his mouth, but continued to smile inwardly at his effort in making the blond man uncomfortable.

“Well, I have to agree with Mr. Larabee and say that I am famished to the point of starvation.”

“Then I think we should all eat and God willing our heads will be much more clearer after our repast,” suggested Josiah.

The others agreed as Nathan filled the bowls with soup and passed them around to everyone.

* * * * *

ó'kôhóme and a few of the men of the Wolf and Buffalo Clans stood a mile outside of the encampment.

ó'kôhóme had called them there to discuss his plans and he did not want the prying eyes of his father’s spies around.

“You have a plan, ó'kôhóme?” asked Anetâheveoeso of the Buffalo Clan.

“How many have agreed?”

“Only the ones you see here, Anetâheveoeso ,Havêsevevoona'o, O'kenêstse and myself,” replied Ka'evêsehe.
 
“And the ones here of the Wolf Clan, Po'êxao'o, Taa'evâho'nehe, Ve'kêseo'ôhnešese, and Seoneohtse. That makes nine,” said ó'kôhóme. “The others are cowards!”
 
“But what if they are right, ó'kôhóme?” questioned Po'êxao'o. “What if what we do is wrong?”
 
ó'kôhóme turned a glare at the young Cheyenne warrior. “Are you a coward too, Po'êxao'o?”
 
“No!” exclaimed Po'êxao'o. “I am as brave as the bravest.”
 
“Then stand besides us, brother and do not waver in your pledge.”
 
The young Cheyenne warrior nodded. 
 
“I have not spoken of my plan because I know my father’s ears and eyes are constantly upon me. But the time has come. Our time has come and nothing will stop the storm that is coming! Change will be our shields and a new Chief will be brought forth. My sister is a betrayer and has forsaken her people for the tsêhésevé'ho'e. My father has become weak and does not remember the days when the Cheyenne put fear into the white men’s hearts. They are dead to me. No longer my blood or family.”
 
“So what is it you ask of us?” queried Ka'evêsehe.
 
“I can do nothing until after the wedding ceremony. But afterwards there is a way to be rid of this sickness that has invaded our people.”
 
“How?”
 
“The day after the ceremony I want you to place this in the belongings of the one known as Vin Tanner,” he handed Ka'evêsehe something wrapped in a deerskin.
 
Ka'evêsehe opened the bundle and all the warriors stared at it in awe. It was an arrow, laced with an eagle feather and it looked worn and old. 
 
“The Sacred Arrow!”
 
“Yes. I took it from my father’s home before the white man came. He has not noticed that it was missing since we have not had a Sacred Arrow ceremony for many moons.”
 
“The Sacred Arrow? This is very bad medicine, brother,” said Ka'evêsehe nervously. The other warriors murmured their agreement.
 
“Do you not understand, my brother? The Great Spirit is working through me. He has shown me that these white devils do not belong here and has tasked me to remove them. You, my brothers, will become a great part of our legend and history. The people will look upon you as the great warriors you are.”
 
The men now looked at him swelling with pride. Their names would be remembered for all time
 
ó'kôhóme saw that he had them bound to him. They would not waver and they would not betray him.
 
“Once you have placed the Sacred Arrow among the belongings of the white man, I will tell my father that I have found it missing. I will also tell him that I have seen who has taken it and will prove it so. As soon as it is out in the open, at that time I will challenge Emo'ôhtavo vo'e’s white brother to a fight to the death. Vin Tanner will have no choice but to answer the challenge.”
 
“I do not know about this plan, brother,” said Po'êxao'o concerned. “It does not seem to be a very honorable way to…”
 
“He'kotoo'êstse! The white man is not human. They are demons that spread through our land like a disease. They do not live by honor. They do not deserve honor.”
 
Po'êxao'o was still unsure about the plan, but he did believe what ó'kôhóme said was true. He nodded in acceptance and said no more.
 
“But what if Emo'ôhtavo vo'e tries to prevent it?” asked Taa'evâho'nehe.
 
“He will not. He knows the law. Once his brother is dead, Emo'ôhtavo vo'e will have to challenge me to avenge his brother. I will accept the challenge, but I will have the advantage.”
 
“How?” asked O'kenêstse.
 
“We all know how good I am with the knife.”
 
They all nodded at him. Everyone in the camp knew of his prowess with the blade. He had killed many an enemy. Most warriors who knew did not fight him with the knife, but preferred the spear.
 
“What if he wins?” asked Ka'evêsehe.
 
This received him a threatening look from the Chief’s son.
 
“No matter. If I die, then my father and sister will end up hating him. The people will no longer love him and I will have victory even in death. The white men and their tsêhésevé'ho'e friend will be banished. I have sworn to myself and the Great Spirit that I will rid ourselves of this evil or I will die trying.”
 
At this statement the other warriors thought of him as a brave and powerful warrior. He had accepted death. The surety of his plan awed them.
 
“Dance, celebrate tomorrow, for the next day we shall have our vengeance.”
 
They all whooped and yelled for the coming victory over the invaders of their land.
 

Anetâheveoeso – Stands Different

Havêsevevoona'o – Bad Morning

O'kenêstse – One Eye
Ka'evêsehe – Stump Horn
Po'êxao'o – Gray Skunk
Taa'evâho'nehe – Night Wolf
Ve'kêseo'ôhnešese – Two Birds
Seoneohtse – Wandering Around
tsêhésevé'ho'e – half-breed (half Cheyenne/half white man)
He'kotoo'êstse! – Sit still! Be quiet!
 
************************************************************************************************************
 

Chapter 47

The rest of the day proceeded without incident. Most of the six stayed closed to their leader, making sure that no one brought harm to the still healing man. Young Man had stopped by with the things that Chris, Vin and Buck would need for the wedding ceremony tomorrow. He had also brought him a gift.

Since the first time he had met the young blond Cheyenne, he had at first not thought him suited for the wise woman of the tribe. Mapiya was important to them as she was in charge of the tribe’s heart and soul. But as time went on, he found himself admiring the man more and more. So much more he presented Chris with a medicine bag that he especially had asked to be made for Chris by their Medicine Man.

He said as he placed it around Chris’ neck, “This will protect you from bad spirits. It will give you strength when you think to falter.”

Chris thanked his friend Young Man and told him that he would wear it with honor. Young Man nodded that it was good and walked out of the tipi.

Now, they were waiting for the return of Chief Aenohe. He had not been seen for two days now and Chris was beginning to worry. He had asked Smoke Appears to find out if everything was fine with his elderly Cheyenne father and when Smoke Appears finally returned, the boy said the Chief’s message was that everything was as well as can be expected and that he would be returning this night.

It was late in the night when Chris felt the need to escape the tipi. The others were asleep as it had been a long day. They had talked after eating way into the night and Vin’s plan had still some flaws. Chris had suggested another plan, one that would keep the others and Mapiya from getting involved. But the others quickly voiced their disagreement with it. If they were to fight, then they would stand together, to the end. Although Chris did not agree with them, he could do nothing to dissuade them. He thought maybe in the morning things would look a little better.

He slowly eased the buffalo blanket from his body and tried to move his stiff body. The wounds at his chest pulled as he sat up, but did not break loose. Nathan had done a very good job stitching them up and he was glad that he did not ruin the man’s work.

He then pulled up to his knees, his breath coming in quick gasps. It had been so long since he had really had the use of his body and his strength was still not up to what it was. He finally got to his feet, a little hunched over, but standing and smiled at his small accomplishment. He then quietly walked out of the tipi into the brisk night air.

Vin watched as his friend determinedly got up from his sick bed and walked out of the tipi. He thought him sleep, but the young tracker was always alert since he knew Mapiya’s brother was up to no good. He would not let his friend walk alone into the night.

Chris stood outside the tipi and looked around at the sleeping camp. Even the dogs were quiet this night and the air refreshed him and gave him a new prospective on life. But so did Mapiya. She had came into his life like a tiny angel and had saved him from the darkness that was his companion for so long. Now his angel was to be his on the morrow and it seemed to him that all the world was put right.

He looked up into the night sky and saw how clear the sky was this night. The clouds danced silently with the north wind and created a picturesque scene upon the darkness like a painted landscape. He breathed in deeply letting the air fill his lungs.

He stared at the sky, wishing it could answer the one question that haunted him. What was his place among the Cheyenne and what is it the Great Spirit wanted him to do. He was so confused and unsure of his destiny or his future.

The Great Spirit had said that he was white man who is not white and the Cheyenne who is not Cheyenne, that he would bring change whichever path he choose. He had found peace among the Cheyenne, a peace that was missing from him for so long. He had also found love again, the same kind he had found with his lost wife Sarah. He had a chance to start all over again, under a new name, a new identity, a new life.

But what of his old life. The life that included six men who he had come to love as brothers. What of the little boy that reminded him of so much of his son, Billy, was his name. What of him and his mother, Mary? At this moment, Mapiya was his life, his only reason for living now. Mary and Billy were far away right now, only a memory it seemed. Mapiya was real and she loved him as much as he loved her. He thoughts churned in his head, swirling around in his mind.

Suddenly he left a presence behind him and snatched his knife from his boot, turning to face the shadow.

But his eyes found themselves upon not an enemy, but a friend, a brother.

“Vin, what are you doing up?” he asked, re-sheathing his knife and approaching the Texan.

“Where was ya going?” asked Vin, concern shadowing his mind.

“Just getting some air. Couldn’t breathe in there,” answered Chris, turning to stare back up at the sky.

“Ya been sick a long time, Cowboy. It’s just cabin-fever. Ain’t it?”

“Yeah. I guess so,” replied Chris wistfully. “I guess so.”

“Somethin’ wrong, Chris?” Vin had felt that there was a disturbance within the man’s soul, something so deep that it cut his soul in two.

“I…I don’t know.”

“Gettin’ cold feet there, Pard?”

“No. No, not cold feet ‘bout Mapiya. I am so sure of this, Vin. I can’t be without her. If it wasn’t for Mapiya I don’t know where I would be today.”

“Are ya sure it’s just not that ya grateful to her?” Vin asked, feeling he might have hit a sore point on the subject. He was sure Chris was going to get pissed at him.

But Chris did not. He looked at his brother and friend. He said, “Yes. I am grateful for what she has done for me. But it is much more than that, my friend. I am also grateful that she loves me, as I love her.”

“Well, Chris, cain’t say ya don’t deserve it. I’m glad she makes ya happy, Cowboy.”

“Thank you, Vin. I am also grateful to you, Pard. I’d be dead if it wasn’t for you,” he said, placing his hand to squeeze Vin’s shoulder gently.

“Had to. If ya dead, who’s skinny ass I’m goin’ to have around to kick,” answered Vin smiling.

Chris laughed at that and pulled the young man with him as they walked back over to the tipi.

“Did I ever tell you I was gonna shoot you?”

“Sure did,” responded Vin as he ducked into the tipi. “’Bout a thousand times.”

“Shoulda done it,” retorted Chris as he walked into the tipi behind, hearing Vin chuckling silently at the comment.

* * * * *

Chief Aenohe arrived at the tipi before the morning sun rose. He looked around and found his home crowded with white men, but right now his interest was only in one white Cheyenne.

Vin and Chris had talked for an hour before they both found their beds and when Chief Aenohe arrived he saw that all were deeply asleep. He gazed at his adopted son, the blond hair shining in the light of the still high blazing fire and smiled. This man had captured his heart as any child of his would. He had made him proud and had shown his strength in the testing of the Sun Dance. He could not have asked for a better man to be part of his family.

His thoughts then turned to his own son, the blood of his loins. Now considered a traitor to his own, the young man looked to destroy all that he had tried to give his people, peace. This tore the Chief’s heart asunder. He loved his adopted son, but he loved his blood son as well and now one of them is making him choose, which he did not want to. He wanted his daughter to be happy, he wanted his son to know that same happiness, but the hatred in his heart would not let him see clearly and in the end it would cause only death.

He leaned down close to the blond Cheyenne and said, “Šé'šeotsêstse, nae'ha. Wake up and see the dawning of the new day.”

Chris moaned and turned on his side, but still did not wake.

“Šé'šeotsêstse, nae'ha!” said Chief Aenohe, this time shaking his adopted son gently.

Chris green eyes opened and he sat up abruptly. Chief Aenohe laid a his hand softly on his shoulder, keeping him calm. Chris blinked twice and then looked into the eyes of his adopted father.

“Ného'éehe?” came Chris’ sleepy question as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

“It is I, my son. It is time to talk of things to you. Please come with me,” said Chief Aenohe, motioning towards the flap door.

Chris nodded that he would follow and watched the old chieftain walk out of the tipi. He then stood up to follow, but quickly glanced over to where Vin Tanner was fast asleep. Or so he thought.

“Where ya goin’, Chris?” came the voice from the sleeping form. Although Vin had voiced his question, he did not turn to face him.

“Need to talk to the chief for a minute. Be back,” answered Chris, starting for the flap.

“Ya better be or I’m comin’ after ya,” came the soft reply from the still form.

Chris smiled as he went out of the tipi.

* * * * *

Chris and Chief Aenohe sat in front of the tipi and spoke of many things as the sun came up. They did not go far as the Chief knew of the pain Emo'ôhtavo vo'e still felt from his wounds. He knew the man should be resting, but things were moving too fast and he needed to prepare his son for what was to come.

They both sat in front of the tipi, looking at the peeking dawn that was slowly approaching and bringing the new day.

Chief Aenohe looked at the new Cheyenne warrior and smiled. “This day brings pride into my heart, my son. You are now one of the people and soon you will start your own family,” said Chief Aenohe thoughtfully.

Chris glanced quickly over to his adopted father and chief and said, “I am also happy, father. But…”

“But you are concerned as to what is your purpose among the people?”

Chris was surprised at how wise the old chief was and that he could read him so easily. “Yes. I had a vision and in it I saw a Cloud Warrior. He told me that I should not let my fear stop me from doing what I know in my heart is true and that my strength would come from White Eagle But he did not tell what is I must do.”

Chief Aenohe knew the name given to the white man known as Vin Tanner by his daughter and Emo'ôhtavo vo'e. He also thought it suited the young lanky ex-buffalo hunter. “So, White Eagle is your strength. That is good, my son because it is my believe that you will need it.”

Chris stared at the old Cheyenne chief wondering what that meant. “I do not understand, father.”

“You will, my son. Very soon. For now, you must keep your eyes open and listen with your heart. The land and the sky tell us many things only if we wished to see. Treachery may come, but not today. Not the day of your wedding, this I know. I will help as much as I can, but in the end it will be all up to you. I have done all that I can,” explained Chief Aenohe sadly.

Chris understood that the chief wanted to help him and that his hands were tied. He could not interfere if his supposedly new brother and brother-in-law would use Cheyenne law against him. But Chris was determined not to go down without a fight.

“Father,” said Chris taking the elderly man’s hands into his. “I understand.”

“You will be a great Cheyenne, my son. I have faith in you,” said Chief Aenohe, standing up from his seat, still holding onto Chris’ hands. “My daughter is a very lucky woman to have you.” The Chief then walked away towards the medicine man’s tipi.

Chris watched as the Chief walked away, seemingly to show how much his already older than 50 years heavily weighed on his shoulders.

As soon as Chris was sure that he was gone, he turned to go back into the tipi, when a heard the soft whisper of his Cheyenne name from behind him.

He turned to find Mapiya standing in the sliver of dawn that was approaching the camp. He smiled to her and she held her finger to her lips to convey that she needed his silence. He nodded that he understood and let her lead him by the hand away from the tipi and the encampment.

Once Mapiya was sure that they were far enough from prying eyes and ears, she swiftly hugged Chris to her and kissed him hard on the lips. Chris returned it with a fervor; letting his hands wander up and down her back. When they were done, they both pulled their mouths away with a breathlessness.

“I have missed you so much, my beloved,” said Mapiya in Cheyenne hurriedly kissing him on his cheeks and neck.

“And I have also,” said Chris returning the same to her. They both longed for everything to be over with, for them to be together, but it seems that fate had other plans and kept postponing the beginning of the lives together.

Chris hugged Mapiya hard, not wanting to let her go or wanting the moment to end. His heart was light when he was with her and the shadows of the past seemed to melt away at her touch. The love he felt for this woman was equal to the love he had felt for his Sarah. The difference was that Sarah was not alive and Mapiya was.

Mapiya looked into the green eyes of her lover and held them. “You are my love, my life. Without you there is nothing,” she said, kissing him upon the lips.

Chris held her face cupped in his hands. “You are my love, my life. Without you there is nothing,” he said repeating the vows. He then released her face only after planting a kiss upon her forehead.

They held each other close, letting the dawn wash over them. They stood like that for a while, watching the sun come up with the new day. Mapiya slowly lifted her head up towards his and said, “It is time to go, my beloved. We will have our time later. But right now, you need rest. It will be a long day.” She touched a strand of blond hair that blew in the wind and pushed it away from his face.

Chris knew she was right, but he also felt his heart become torn at leaving her again. Mapiya saw the look of dismay on his face. She clasped his large hands within her small ones. With gentleness and love, she pulled his hands to her lips and kissed each of them. “This bonds us, with or without the ceremony. In life or death, you are mine and I am yours.”

Chris heart lightened at this statement. Yes. They belonged to each other and if any man or woman tried, to destroy that bond they had just better be prepared for the Black Storm’s rage.

“You are right, my shining eyes.” He then switched to English. “We better hurry or White Eagle will come huntin’ and drag my ass back,” he said smiling.

Mapiya laughed as they walked quickly back to the encampment and to their wedding day.

TBC

Translations:

Šé'šeotsêstse - Wake up.

nae'ha – my son.

Ného'éehe? – Father

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