Bittersweet Ecstasy (30 page)

Bright Arrow told Thunder Spirit, “Take Little Feet and her sons to safety. We will halt to battle the Crows who follow us.”

“Be careful, Father,” Little Feet entreated, her hazel eyes filled with worry and her dark auburn hair blowing about her face in the wind.

Bright Arrow smiled encouragingly at his twenty-two-year-old child and his two grandsons: Buffalo Boy, age four who was riding with him, and Spirit Sign, age two who was riding with his mother. He handed the older boy to Thunder Spirit. “Go with White Arrow’s son; he will protect you. We will join you very soon,” he stated confidently.

The two horses galloped away while Bright Arrow and Flaming Star concealed themselves and their horses behind thick bushes. As the first two Crow warriors drew near, both men loosened arrows which found their marks. The other three Crow quickly leaped off their mounts and, with loud yells of fury, raced toward the men to attack while they still held the number advantage and were too close for arrow range.

Bright Arrow tossed his bow aside, deftly yanked his tomahawk from his waist, and forcefully buried its tapered edge in the center of one foe’s head, killing him
instantly. He whirled nimbly to meet the attack by a second foe. Each brandishing a shiny blade, the two men sized up each other as they circled and watched for an opening.

Flaming Star was battling hand to hand with the third foe, a tall and husky male. They sliced at each other, a few blows catching flesh and causing blood to come forth rapidly. Flaming Star tripped the man and dove for him, but the foe lifted his feet and they sent the Oglala warrior flying over his head to land roughly on the hard ground.

Bright Arrow side-stepped his foe’s charge, seized his arm, and twisted it behind the man’s back. Entangling the man’s left leg, Bright Arrow caused his foe to stumble and fall. Swiftly Bright Arrow drove his knee into the middle of the man’s back at his spine, bringing a scream of pain from the Crow. Bright Arrow grabbed the man’s hair, yanked his head backward, then slid his knife across the man’s throat.

Bright Arrow turned to see the last Crow warrior seize a handful of dirt and fling it into Flaming Star’s eyes, temporarily blinding his friend. As the man was about to take his friend’s life, Bright Arrow gave a shout and charged. The foe whirled too late, for Bright Arrow ducked and rammed into the man’s stomach, shoving him to the ground beside Flaming Star, who flipped over and sent his knife into the Crow’s heart, then came to his knees and wiped his grainy eyes.

Bright Arrow and Flaming Star exchanged looks, then began to laugh. “We fight good together, my brother. We must collect their possessions, horses, and scalplocks; and join the others.”

When Thunder Spirit heard many horses behind them, he glanced over his shoulder and grinned broadly at the thrilling and relieving sight. He called to Little Feet to halt, and both reined their mounts. When
his older brother and Bright Arrow reached them, Thunder Spirit remarked proudly, “You have earned many new
coups,
my brother and my friend. It is a good day. Tell us of the battle,” he coaxed, a little disappointed in having missed it, but his love and family were safe.

Little Feet reached over to take her father’s hand, to squeeze it as she had done so often in the past to relate her love and joy. Her greenish brown eyes glowed as she smiled at Bright Arrow. “I am glad you are safe, Father. It is a great victory.” She did not feel guilty over her lack of sadness and mourning marks, for she was too happy to be going home after five years with another tribe and with a husband who was too rough and greedy on the sleeping mats. Her heart had leapt with happiness to see Thunder Spirit once more and to learn he had not taken a mate yet. She glanced timidly at him, her gaze exposing much to all three men. She mused wishfully, if only…

Bright Arrow looked at Thunder Spirit who was eyeing his daughter with the same look which burned within his child’s gaze. He exchanged grins with Flaming Star, both recalling how Thunder Spirit had revealed his love and desire for Little Feet during their journey to fetch her, fearing he could lose her again if he did not speak up boldly and promptly. Bright Arrow told his astonished daughter, “If you agree, Little Feet, I have promised you in joining to Thunder Spirit.”

Little Feet’s enticing gaze settled on the grinning Thunder Spirit. Clearly his expression was entreating her to say yes. She could not believe her sudden luck. She smiled happily and nodded, having dreamed of this moment and this man countless times before and during her marriage, and after her mate’s death five suns past.

“We will have the joining after the council meeting
on the next sun,” Bright Arrow decided, mentally planning a big feast where he would celebrate becoming the Oglala chief in the morning, celebrate Little Feet’s joining in the afternoon, and celebrate Tashina’s promise to Silver Hawk as his future mate. When they reached camp near dusk, he should send a message to his friend to ask Silver Hawk to visit them later tomorrow to join the feasting.

“When we return to our camp,” Thunder Spirit said, interrupting Bright Arrow’s dreamy thoughts, “I will bring you many horses and hides.”

Bright Arrow smiled. “I know of Thunder Spirit’s prowess and love for Little Feet; there is no need to prove them to me. I am honored to have my daughter joined to a Sacrod Bow carrier. Keep the horses and hides; you will need them for your new family. You will soon have a wife and two sons. You will need a large tepee; others will help make and lift it skyward on the new sun. I will be proud to call you son, brother to my good friend and son to my second father and mother. It is good to join our bloodlines.”

Flaming Star grinned and agreed, “Yes, it is good for the bloodlines of Gray Eagle and White Arrow to join.”

Sun Cloud became concerned over the number of gifts and messages which were arriving in their camp for the new Oglala chief, Bright Arrow! The Dakota Nation, which the whites called Sioux, consisted of three divisions: Lakota/Teton, Nakota/Yankton, and Dakota/ Santee. There were seven branches under the three divisions, called the Seven Council Fires of the Sioux,
Dakota Oceti Sakawin:
Teton, Yankton, Yankt’onais, Mdewakanton, Wahpekute, Wahpeton, and Sisseton. The Lakota/Teton branch was divided
into seven more tribes: Brule, Oglala, Hunkpapa, Minneconjou, Blackfeet, Two Kettle, and Sans Arc.

He wondered if the other chiefs and tribes merely assumed the oldest son would follow his father or if they had forgotten, or were ignorant of, the fact that Sun Cloud was Gray Eagle’s heir. Yet, so many were mistaken: Flaming Bow of the Cheyenne Red Shield Band; Rapid Tongue of the Cheyenne Coyote Band; Windrider of the Cheyenne Dog Men Band, who should know the truth; Fire Brand of a Sisseton band; Long Chin of another Sisseton band, who had taken Races-the-Buffalo’s place at his recent death; Running Horse of a Blackfeet band; Medicine Bear of his mother’s Blackfeet band, who should also know the truth; Whispering Pine of the Brules, Blue Moon and Quick Fox of other Oglala bands, Walking Pipe and Conquering Bull of two Hunkpapa bands, Summer Wind of the Minneconjou, and White Robe of the Lakota Sans Arc.

The words his mother had spoken along the trail to this place filled his mind. He wondered if she had known or felt something was in the wind. “So much will be asked and expected of you. You were born to become the chief of the Oglalas…. You must be strong, Sun Cloud, for many dark days are ahead. You must allow nothing and no one to sway you from your destiny…Seek the guidance and help of the Great Spirit, for often man cannot be trusted,” she had told him.

Anguish and doubt chewed upon him, for he had never imagined the man who could not be trusted was his own brother, and his brother’s friend Silver Hawk. It did not look as if what should be a simple task of voting on a new chief was going to be a quick or easy one after all. He would wait until the council meeting in
the morning to see if he should be alarmed, or if he was worring over nothing…

Brilht Arrow’s tepee was full and busy that night with little Feet’s arrival home with her sons. News of Bright Arrow’s recent
coup
spread eagerly around the camp, and Sun Cloud realized its timing could not be worse. Yet, he was careful to say and do nothing to spoil little Feet’s return or the joy of her impending union with his good friend and fellow bow carrier. He was delighted for Thunder Spirit, but knew this development left Tashina in jeopardy if Silver Hawk came to ask for her. If only Windrider’s son would make his love and claim known. If only Tashina would reveal her feelings to her father. He had too quickly forgotten his recent lesson about procrastination. As soon as the council meeting ended tomorrow, he must ride to the Blackfeet camp and place his claim on Singing Wind, whether she liked it or not!

Singing Wind was confused and panicked. If her brother’s vision and the one he had shared with Bright Arrow were real and accurate, she was destined to marry Bright Arrow! She fretted, but what of her love and desire for Sun Cloud? What of her wanton and uncontrollable union with him? Had she spoken the truth to him, that she had only wanted and needed to possess him “just once"? If the Great Spirit willed her to join with Bright Arrow, how could she not obey? Yet, how could she, loving and desiring Sun Cloud, obey? There was a way to see if Silver Hawk’s visions were honest: if Sun Cloud was not made chief on the next sun, she would know she must not go to him again.

April twenty-ninth was a refreshing spring day. Nothing unusual happened during the council meeting until after the legend of Gray Eagle and Shalee had been chanted and the new members—Beaver Hands, Blue Feather, Angry Eyes, Kills-in-the-woods, Crowsheart, Charging Dog, and Dull Knife—had been selected to join those who had survived the cavalry’s ambush: Talking Rock, White Arrow, Plenty Coups, Black Buffalo, Big Elk, Walks Tall, and Mind-whoRoams.

The problem began when Big Elk suggested, “We must cast our votes for our new chief Bright Arrow, so we can make plans to avenge our old chief’s death and decide how to battle our white foes.” Many heads turned and eyes widened at the war chief’s words.

Black Buffalo hastily protested, “Sun Cloud is to be the next chief. It was in the vision of Gray Eagle. Why do you speak so?”

Walks Tall argued, “Visions can change, or be misunderstood, or be fulfilled another sun. I say, Bright Arrow should lead the Oglalas. He is older and wiser and has more
coups.
Sun Cloud can follow him as chief; then Gray Eagle’s vision will come to pass in its
right season.”

Bright Arrow and Sun Cloud did not look at each other as they stood in the outer circle of warriors who were observing this meeting. Neither was surprised by the debate in progress, nor halted it.

White Arrow softly injected, “This is the season for Sun Cloud.” His two sons watched, and one disagreed. Flaming Star mutely took his friend Bright Arrow’s side, while Thunder Spirit did the opposite. A shirt wearer and a Sacred Bow carrier like the two brothers involved in this discussion and crucial vote, they would hold their tongues and votes until later, for it would surely come to a tribal vote.

Angry Eyes, a new member and famed warrior, said, “I say Bright Arrow leads us during these perilous suns. Have you forgotten his many deeds and his daring
coup
on the last sun? He killed three Crows, saved Flaming Star’s life, and took many rewards.”

Plenty Coups reasoned, “But Sun Cloud has more
coups.
He is a Sacred Bow carrier. He was born to shine brightly before our people and to rain on our enemies. He draws power, strength, and cunning from the Thunderbirds. He is like our old chief in prowess and in looks, but the image of the whites is upon Bright Arrow. Sun Cloud was chosen to be our chief before his birth, and he was raised to know this and trained to accept it. I vote for Sun Cloud.”

His brother Walks Tall debated. “Bright Arrow’s hair is short because he cut it to save his people when he went to the fort to spy with Eagle’s Arm. He is firstborn. He has lived more suns beneath the eyes and guidance of his father and the Great Spirit. He has proven himself worthy to be our chief. In his vision as a boy, he saw a large arrowhead which held great magic and power. It was said the arrow would protect our people, for it was straight and true; it was swift and
accurate to slay our foes and to point the way to peace and survival for us. It was shiny to light his path, to show him the way.”

Plenty Coups refuted. “But the vision did not say he was to become chief, just a great warrior and leader, which he is.”

Talking Rock remarked biasedly, “Sun Cloud was not in our camp for his parents’ burial. He burned the
tipi
and belongings of our chief and his wife. He refused to place mourning marks on his body, as his brother did, as is our way. He is not stronger than his brother.”

Plenty Coups disputed. “Sun Cloud obeyed the will of his father and the Great Spirit; they did not wish his body and possessions to fall into the hands of evil whites. He brought help to us when the bluecoats had us pinned down in the canyon where Gray Eagle was slain. He went to track those who escaped our vengeance, as is our way and must be done quickly. Did you not see how it pained him to leave his dying father’s side and to destroy all earthly signs of Gray Eagle?”

Talking Rock asserted, “It was Bright Arrow who rescued his father and returned first with help for us during the bluecoats’ ambush. He saved our lives and protected the bodies of our fallen warriors.”

Blue Feather remarked, “Bright Arrow is a shirt wearer and a great warrior. He helped to destroy Fort Dakota years past. Sun Cloud is young; he is not ready to become the Oglala chief.”

Beaver Hands declared, “But Sun Cloud is the one who drove the whites from our lands to the south when they tried to clear them of Mother Earth’s trees to build a new trading post where more whites would come and settle. He stole many horses from our enemies and shared them with those in need.”

“There is nothing more important than generosity, and Bright Arrow has proven he is more charitable
than his younger brother. Many times he has given away the last of his food and winter supplies. He has hunted for those in need, and shared blankets and garments with them,” reported Crowsheart with deep feeling and pride.