Part 7 (1/2)

She was like the white buffalo, very rare and special. He was lucky to have been the warrior to find and capture her. He was relieved he had returned to camp in time to stop Ben's tongue from revealing his secret to her. He was sorry the death had taken place in front of her, causing her to resist and hate him even more. He listened to her soft weeping and wished he had not been so harsh with his taking of her just now. She is stil new to the ways between a man and a woman, he reminded himself. I have hurt her both times I have taken her. Next time, I wil show her it does not have to be so. There is no need for pain and fear...

He recaled her words of hatred and her threats to him. He recaled her show of defiance and disrespect to him before his people. She had tried to dishonor him. She had dared to yel at him, to fight with him, to strike him! Her! A mere winyan and wayakayuha! He was torn between anger and astonishment that she had dared to hit him, Wanmdi Hota, son of the chief! She has much pride and daring, he thought, amused. It is sad to crush such spirit, but it must be done to also crush her rebelion.

Did she not know he could have easily kiled her for her actions and words? Did she not know his people would think he should do just that? Could she not guess what it had cost him to spare her life after her tirade? He had forced her to suffer shame and hurt just now as he had done this afternoon. She should be grateful I did not slay her on the spot where she stood! he thought. Next time, I must punish her more severely and openly or be subjected to ridicule. A man who alows a winyan to rule his ways is looked on in shame for weakness. To alow a wayakayuha to make a man show. weakness is unforgivable!

He knew then he must cause her to fear him so deeply that she He knew then he must cause her to fear him so deeply that she would not dare to defy him or strike him ever again, at least not before his people. She must, learn to obey without hesitation or rebelion. But the memory of her crying out to him in her dreams haunted him. He dismissed it with the thought that she had done so only because she realized that only he had the power to help or hurt her. Suddenly, he recaled that she had used his name. She must have heard others cal him Wanmdi Hota and a.s.sumed it to be his name, he reasoned.

He also recaled her words of apology, but they had come too late. The damage had been done. Even though he understood her reasons and feelings for her actions, he could not overlook them or withhold his punishment. He was reminded anew of the loneliness and problems which confronted a leader. Many times, he was caled upon to think of his people or laws above himself or his wishes.

He looked over at the slow rise and fal of Alisha's chest as she slept beside him. It had taken her a long time to calm down and go to sleep. He longed to reach out and comfort her before she slept, but knew it would be unwise to do so. To do so would only erase the lesson he had just tried to teach her. He was perplexed at how deeply her pain and suffering touched him. At al costs, he must keep her at arm's length. He must not let her get too close to him, even though he wished it could be so. His life was committed to his people and way of life.

Softly, he whispered, ”Much as I wish it, Cinstinna, it cannot be. Your place in my teepee must always remain as wayakayuha. Even with al my power, I cannot change the fact we are enemies...”

Alisha found herself alone the next morning when she awoke. Alisha found herself alone the next morning when she awoke. She lay there for a time thinking about yesterday and last night. Anger filed her and she vowed, ”d.a.m.n him and his cruelty! He'l pay for what he did. Somehow, some way, I'l make him pay for doing that to me.” Haunting thoughts and memories filed her mind from long ago and far away. Once more, she was hiding behind the drapes in their drawing room listening to the idle gossip of her mother's friends. Now I know why they said it was painful and disgusting. Those who said it was different lied. There is no pa.s.sion and pleasure involved, just l.u.s.t and taking for him and pain and endurance for me. Liars! Al of them liars...

Gray Eagle entered the teepee and caled for her to come with him. Having no choice and afraid to defy him again so soon, she arose and folowed him. They walked through the forest to the same stream he had brought her to before. He seized her arms and, despite her protests and struggles, stripped her and tossed her into the water as if she were a smal pebble.

He sat down cross-legged on the gra.s.sy bank and watched her intently. She immediately tried to s.h.i.+eld Sherself from his burning gaze, but quickly realized the futility of such actions. Angrily, she wiped the water from her eyes and coughed to clear it from her throat and lungs. She glared at him with hate and anger dancing in those emerald eyes, then turned her back to him to bathe. Without a sound or warning, he was beside her in the water. She gasped and once more tried to s.h.i.+eld her bosom from his view. He grinned in amus.e.m.e.nt as he ignored her feeble efforts to hide behind her smal, delicate hands. He handed her a white cake of some kind of soap. She looked at the strange bar of soap for she had never seen or smeled anything like it before. It was very hard to lather in the cool water and had a gritty texture. She shrugged to lather in the cool water and had a gritty texture. She shrugged and thought, at least, I wil feel and smel cleaner. As she finaly managed to get the soap to lather, she forgot his presence and watchful eyes and scrubbed her body until it was pink al over. She washed her hair twice, grateful to have the dirt and oil gone and to hear it squeak in answer. As she dipped over and over in the water to rinse her body and hair, Gray Eagle was reminded of the playful antics of the musquash.

He suppressed a secret grin as he listened to the low rumbling of his hungry stomach. He caled to her, ”Ku-wa! Ya!”

She did not look his way as he stepped out of the water to dress. He smiled at her turned back and caled to her to come again. Slowly, she turned toward him, hoping he was finished dressing. She came to the edge of the stream and handed him the soap. Seeing the futility of trying to s.h.i.+eld herself, she stepped onto the bank as gracefuly as possible under the humiliating circ.u.mstances.

When he refused to give her back her clothes, she wrapped the blanket she had dried off on around her. He led the way back to the vilage and to his teepee. She had not realized it was the custom of his people for the men and women to bathe separately. Gray Eagle did not want the other women taunting or showing unnecessary coldness to Alisha during this adjustment period, so he overlooked the custom and took her with him. Also, he could not trust Chela's hate and anger to be stayed when they were alone. He had to admit to himself that he enjoyed watching her and being with her. So far, he had not received any teasing for this action. Seeing her great beauty, the other warriors guessed his motives and knew they would have done the same thing with her as their captive. Alisha was completely unaware of the many ways and times Alisha was completely unaware of the many ways and times he had gone against his ways and customs for her. His mind and heart battled many times with what he wanted to do and what he felt he had to do. He did not like leaving himself open to ridicule by the other warriors, if not from his tribe, then other tribes who saw and learned of his actions. His leniency toward Alisha was pointed out to him many times by the strange looks and whispers from the women in his camp and by the open accusations from Chela. Only his position and respect had silenced the words of his warriors, but not their thoughts. How much longer could he alow this leniency toward her and in himself to continue? She would have to accept his power over her and her existence and cease this rebelion or he would be forced to become harsh and unyielding toward her. If things came to that, she would never be his other than physicaly. Somehow, he found himself wanting more from her than a place on his mat at night or her duties as his slave. She must bow to his authority soon and accept a mild truce between them, or accept his power and her hate. If he could not have her wilingly, then he would take her forcefuly and her hate with it. He resolved, I am a man and a warrior. I wil not be brought low by a winyan, even one such as she. I wish she would realize how much easier it would be for both of us if she accepted her new life here. Surely, what I have to offer her is better than the red teepee, or death. I must teach her this now.

She was overjoyed and relieved to find a clean change of clothes on the mat. Without waiting for his approval or suggestion, she quickly put on the cehnake and winyan heyake. She picked up a pair of smal moccasins and slid them on her tiny feet. She sat down on the mat and tried to finger comb the tangles from her wet hair.

hair.

Gray Eagle dropped the other clothes by the wood sling for her to wash later. The old woman caled out to enter with food. He felt Alisha was not quite ready to take over his cooking yet and let the old woman continue this ch.o.r.e for a time. She entered, put the food by the campfire, and left.

He sat down and caled for her to come. He patted the earth beside him saying, ”Yanka, Lese!” She watched him warily as she sat down and waited for him to finish eating first. He handed her the food that was left. ”Wota!” he commanded firmly.

She did not know if the word meant food or eat, but repeated it back to him, knowing it should be learned and remembered. His language would be very difficult to learn and speak if it should ever become necessary or desirable. She couldn't speak with him or anyone else yet, for al she knew were commands and single words. Would he mind or care if she tried to learn his tongue? Did he want her to know only what was needed for her ch.o.r.es? Since they were so obviously enemies, he surely wouldn't want to carry on a conversation with her. He had made no attempts to teach her any words other than his commands. She would see just what his intentions were.

She looked up at him and softly caled his name to get his attention. He turned curious eyes to her, bewildered by her tone, and desire to speak with him. At his look of intense scrutiny, hesitation filed her eyes and she lowered her gaze and became silent.

”Sha?”

Summoning up her courage, she pointed to several objects while saying the Oglala word for them with a questioning note in her voice after each. Each time, he replied ”sha” when she said the voice after each. Each time, he replied ”sha” when she said the word correctly.

She made the sign for being bound by the wrists and asked, ”Kaskapi?”

He shook his head and replied, ”Sha.”

She tried al the words she had learned. She came to woman. She pointed to herself and asked, ”Lese winyan?”

Again, ”Sha.”

She stared at him with great confusion in her eyes and asked, ”Witkowin? Lese witkowin?” She lifted her shoulders in question. His eyes darkened and narrowed as he tried to decide if she was asking if he thought this or if she were asking what the word meant. No matter, he grabbed her roughly by the forearms and shook her. Icily, he said, ”Hiya! Lese hiya witkowin!”

She was shocked by his tone and reaction to her question. ”I do not know what 'witkowin' means,” she offered in fear and explanation. ”The old woman cals me this and I do not understand.”

She watched him as he brought his anger under control and put his cold, expressionless mask back into place. Firmly, he stated, ”Lese hiya witkowin. Lese mitawa.”

She stared into those unreadable eyes in bewilderment and reasoned, ”I am not what? If the word is bad and makes you angry, then why did the old woman say it to me so many times?”

Comprehension settled in. ”Of course, she knew I would say it in front of you and you would become furious and probably punish me. What a mean thing to do. She only wanted you to hurt me more. I wil be more careful of her and her motives from now on.”

She was very quiet and thoughtful for a few minutes. She looked over at him and asked, ”What could the word mean to looked over at him and asked, ”What could the word mean to make you so angry? What did she cal me?” She puzzled out loud, ”Lese is not... my woman? No, winyan means woman... I think...

maybe, she caled me your sweetheart or love. I'm sure that would infuriate you. So...” she daringly teased him, ”I am not your woman or love. If you don't watch out, I just might find a way to change your feelings for me. That would realy prove to be a shock to you.”

She could not suppress a laugh as she added boldly, ”For their great warrior to fal in love with the enemy he captured, that would realy be something to see. If I weren't so wel acquainted with your hatred and cruelty, I might be tempted to try it. Your hate is more of a reality to me than the coming night.”

Gray Eagle fought to suppress the smile and laughter he felt at her words and comments. She couldn't be further from the truth if she realy believed he hated her and that she was not his woman. Anger raged deep inside him as he recaled her last question. He would deal with the old woman later. How dare she cal her a wh.o.r.e!

He moved over to the buffalo skins and sat down to work on his arrows. Alisha put the remains of their meal on the rock beside the fireplacc. She studied him from under lowered lashes. He had not seemed to mind her trying to speak his words until she used that particular one. She must remember never to say it again. Stil, he had not offered to teach her any other words. He must think I only need to know those kinds of words that concern the work of a slave to his highness.

She went to sit upon the other end of the buffalo skins near him while he worked. She began to pul and work at the tangles in her long hair with her fingers. She moaned and yelped as she puled at the entwined tresses. Soon, he got up and left the teepee. He at the entwined tresses. Soon, he got up and left the teepee. He returned shortly with what appeared to be a brush made from the tail of a porcupine. He handed it to her and returned to his seat and work. She stared at him dumbfounded.

Clean clothes... food ... a hair brush.... What was he up to?

Why was he being so nice for a change? She would never understand him, so why try? She began to brush her hair, thankful for any kindness or consideration from him, no matter how smal. When she had managed to free al the tangles, she brushed it until it was s.h.i.+ny and silky. She decided the coolest way to wear her long hair would be in braids as the Indian women did. That should also help to prevent tangles. As she finished one braid, she realized she had nothing to hold the end secure. She thought for a moment, then moved down to where Gray Eagle worked and knelt before him. He ignored her until she lightly touched his arm and caled his name.

”Wanmdi Hota?' she said hesitantly, unsure-of how he would react to her forwardness and the use of his name, if it was his name. He raised his eyes to meet hers. ”Sha?”

Timidly, she held the end of the long, heavy braid out to him and said, ”Thong...” touching his hairband with her finger. He knew what she wanted from him and nodded understanding. He picked up a long strip of rawhide he was using to secure his arrows and cut two lengths from it. He handed them to her and said, Pahin iyakaska...”

She stared at him, confused by his new words. He touched the thong ties in her hand and repeated his words. She realized he was teling her the name of the hairbands. She nodded her head in understanding and then slowly repeated the words to him as she held up the two ties.

held up the two ties.

”Sha.”

Automaticaly, she smiled at him and thanked him. She returned to her former place and continued with her hair. She had not noticed the strange look he gave her when she flashed him that dazzling, bright smile. She lay the brush down on the mat when she was done and sat watching his hands work so quickly and skilfuly. Soon, her eyes began to wander across his proud, handsome features and down his strong, virile frame. She could stil feel the pressure of those powerful arms around her. She could recal the feel of his lips on hers and the touch of his hands on her body. His smel and presence filed her senses.

Suddenly, she became aware of her rapid, erratic breathing, the trembling in her body, and her thoughts about the warrior sitting near her. Horrified, she turned her back on him, praying he had not noticed the effect he was having on her. Her prayers were in vain, for he had been al too aware of what she was feeling and thinking. He had not dared to speak or look at her, fearing that to do so would break the spel he was having on her. It would be best to let such feelings and thoughts flourish and grow in her. He wanted her to see she could reach out to him and accept him as a man. He waited ...

Nervously, she jumped up and began to pace around the teepee aimlessly. This close and private confinement with him nibbled at her nerves and emotions. Her eyes and attention kept straying to him. She would find herself watching him hungrily and intently. He could feel the heat and tension of her eyes without looking up.

She wanted to breathe fresh air, or walk barefoot in the cool gra.s.s, or feel the warmth of the sun on her face or just feel relaxed gra.s.s, or feel the warmth of the sun on her face or just feel relaxed and free. Most of al, she wanted to be away from him and out of his reach and sight. But how? she fretted.

The ch.o.r.es! She picked up the water skins, the dirty clothes and soap. She approached him. As she held the items up for his approval, she asked, ”Ya mni?”

He looked up at her and the things she held so tightly in her trembling hands. ”Sha.”