people, Chumani mounted to leave with her new family and to take
the next step along the path of her new destiny. The gifts had been
loaded upon two of the horses Wind Dancer had brought to her father,
who had given them to her to transport her possessions to the Red
Shield camp and to the grasslands for their summer encampment there. She had warmed when Wind Dancer had smiled and thanked Tall Elk
for his generosity, and had thanked her people for theirs. She recalled
she had told her mother during a private moment together upon their
return, that Wind Dancer was a good and kind man and a great warrior,
that the Great Spirit chose well for her. She had said those things to
give her mother joy and comfort; in her deepest heart, she hoped they
were true.
Their farewells finished, the couple departed with the other four
Oglala men riding slightly ahead of them and with Cetan flying high
overhead, his keen eyes on the strange sight below him.
As they journeyed in silence, Chumani thought about her best friend
who had not returned before she had to leave, so Wind Dancer had
not met Zitkala. She could not help but wonder if her husband would
like and respect her best friend in spite of her masculine demeanor. She
knew that even if she had been away with Zitkala instead of in camp
tending her ill mother when Wind Dancer arrived, he would have
awaited her return to claim and take her away. Despite her doubts, she
knew the inter-tribal alliance was necessary. She could not help but feel
proud to be the one chosen to seal it and to be a part of the sacred
visionquest. No matter her uncertainties in many areas, she must not
do anything to dishonor her parents, people, and herself; she must make
the best of this challenge and sacrifice.
Besides, Chumani told herself as she stole a glance of him, Wind
Dancer was being understanding and patient. Still, she worried that his
behavior might be nothing more than trick or a gentle ploy until he
got her away from her loved ones and under his control. Perhaps,
she fretted, his heart belonged to another woman whom he had been
compelled to sacrifice in order to obey the sacred vision. Or perhaps
he did not find her desirable, and mating with her would be a chore
for him. Maybe that was the true reason why he was delaying their
physical bonding. Do not think suchfoolish thoughts, she chastened herself.
You are smart, brave, and strong. The Great Spirit chose you for an
important task, so He will guide and protect you.
When dusk approached, the small group halted to camp. As was the
custom, while the men tended the horses and talked, Chumani gathered
wood, built a fire, and fetched fresh water from the nearby river. As
she waited for the men to eat before she consumed her own meal and
put everything away for the night, she listened to their talk and observed
their actions.
"It is good the Great Spirit chose Dewdrops to become the wife of
my son," the chief said. "He has told me of your courage and skills in
the forest with the Crow. My heart is proud to look upon you and to
call you my new daughter. You will be a good sister for Hanmani and
War Eagle."
Chumani was touched by his comments, but surprised that Wind
Dancer had exposed their past meeting to his family. "Your words are
kind, Rising Bear, and I thank you for them. I will do my best to be
a good wife, daughter, and sister to my new family." She looked at War
Eagle as he spoke. At seventeen winters he was a handsome and virile
male and a skilled warrior, who had great pride in his family and older
brother.
"You will have a place of great honor in our camp and upon our
tribal buffalo hide. Our people and my family will rejoice at your
coming, and sing happy songs that my brother has finally taken another
mate. He will become a great chief as our father is. It is good to have
you in our family."
"Your words are also kind, War Eagle, and I thank you for them."
"All he said is true,
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