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.