Destiny Mine (26 page)

“We are men,” Strong Rock reminded his mate, feeling helpless.

Martay seized Kionee’s and Regim’s hands. “Do not leave me, my sister and my daughter, for I am afraid and I cannot do this alone,” she pleaded. “The child will be injured if its escape is blocked or slowed. Remove my breechclout and let it seek freedom as it wills.”

Kionee yanked a knife from her sheath, lifted her mother’s wet dress, and cut off the garment since there
was no time to untie and remove it. Her astonished gaze sighted the baby’s head, dark with black hair. “It comes, Mother!” She watched Martay bear down and push with her stomach muscles, and the infant slid onto the soaked mat. Her gaze widened. “It is a boy, a son.” She glanced at Regim, who nodded.

“Take a thong and cut it. Tie two pieces on the string which unite him to me, this far apart, here,” Martay instructed as she pointed to those spots. “When they are tight, cut the string. You must hurry.”

Kionee did as her mother said, with Regim’s assistance. She lifted the slick infant and placed it in her mother’s outstretched hands. She watched Martay clear its nose and mouth. She heard her brother cry out as he took his first breath of air. Her heart and spirit soared at that sound.

“How can this be?” Strong Rock murmured in awe and joy.

“I do not know. I have not grown fat in belly as one with child. I have grown large over all my body, for I have been eating much and often. I feared I would not be good to look upon as I changed. My blood flow tried to halt many times during the last hot season; it left me while winter was upon us. I did not know I carried a child, for I am beyond those suns as a woman.”

Strong Rock laughed and teased,
“Atah
says that is not true, my love. A son,” he almost whispered in amazement and reverence. He looked at Kionee. “You have been a good son; now you can become a daughter and woman again when he is old enough to take your place.”

Blue Bird and other women rushed inside the tipi. Kionee and Regim left to let them finish tending Martay. Strong Rock met with Spotted Owl outside to relate the good news. Word of the stunning event was passed around the camp.

Many came to view the unexpected child, this blessing to Strong Rock and Martay. Gifts were brought, and the tribe was in a cheerful mood. Some women teased Martay about waiting until her tipi had room for another person before she gave birth to the baby. Blue Bird and Moon Child were elated to have a little brother; so was Kionee.

Yet, the
tiva
could not decide if this was a sign from
Atah
that she had His permission to leave, now that her family had Regim and a son to care for them. The fact remained that Stalking Wolf was not Hanueva. Another reality flooded her mind: she had shared forbidden passion and committed betrayal with the Cheyenne and she was carrying a baby.

Away from camp and the tribe’s ears, Regim was taking that choice out of Kionee’s hands as the
Tiva-Chu
spoke with the shaman…

Spotted Owl called a council meeting the following night. It was held in a large clearing so the
tivas
and men could hear every word. The shaman revealed the destruction of the
kims
and his belief for the reason.
“Tivas
wear dried ovaries of she-bears, and a bear was sent to destroy the spirit vessels. It is a sign from
Atah
to release our daughters from enforced ranks. Taysinga has joined to Night Walker, our next chief. Kionee’s mother has born a son to free her. I say, the Creator wants all mask-wearers freed to become mates and mothers so our tribe can grow larger and stronger to defeat our enemy. What do you think and say, my people?”

The stunned crowd glanced at one another in confusion as to what they thought and felt and should say.

At last, Bear’s Head asked, “Is this a message to you from
Atah?
”

“He has revealed it to me in many ways, my chief and
people. The
tiva
rank was made by the Ancient Ones long ago when females born outnumbered males, and families without sons went in want and lived in peril. The Ancient Ones, those who came before our Hanueva band, painted their daughters’ faces and dressed them as men so others would view them as males when they hunted and battled. As seasons passed, more laws were made to bind
tivas
tighter to their ranks, laws used to guard that secret to prevent enemies from knowing they were females, fighters who could be easily defeated. Such laws made it hard for
tivas
to leave their ranks. By the moon the custom came to us, we no longer needed those laws as the Ancient Ones did, but we kept them in place, for no one spoke to end the custom. If we keep it alive, we deny our daughters their instincts to become mothers; we place them in danger on the hunt and in battle. They sacrifice much to honor their ranks, for they are taught and trained to do so when they are too young to think for themselves. It is time to reward them with freedom, to let them live as they were born, to make no new mask-wearers of our daughters.”

“Who will hunt for us and protect us when we are old and cannot do so?” one sonless father asked.

Regim caught the shaman’s signal for her to respond. “The men who join to freed
tivas
will become your sons while you remain on Mother Earth. If those men also have a duty to their parents,
tivas
can help hunt for their parents, and fight for them if trouble comes. Sisters, mothers, and friends of
tivas
and their mates can help with a
tiva
’s children and chores if she is needed on the hunt and in battle. Those
tivas
who wish to remain as hunters and defenders can do so, but as females, as it is with other tribes. If there is no secret to guard, it cannot harm us. With the Crow frightened away, our
tivas
can give us needed sons to fight in days when their courage or daring returns, for it is certain to do so. They can give
us daughters to bear more sons to increase our number and strength. Hanuevas are people with many wits, so we will find ways to care for our families and people. Few
tivas
have left their ranks to join, for men viewed them as brothers, as other men. Night Walker had the courage to do so when he claimed Taysinga as his mate, and she is worthy of him.”

The chiefs son spoke up. “My vote is with Regim and freedom. If we are to survive, Hanuevas, we must cast aside this law and custom.”

Little Weasel agreed, knowing that change would remove Kionee as a hunter, as fierce competition in their bloodline. “Night Walker and Regim speak wise and true; my vote is for freedom of the
tivas.
”

Many others spoke for release. Only a few spoke against it, those who feared change and how it might affect their lives.

“We vote,” Spotted Owl announced when there was silence.

Kionee’s heart was elated when that unfair law was discarded by a near-unanimous vote. Yet, that did not remove the remaining obstacle between her and Stalking Wolf. Nor did it change the fact she had broken the law while it existed. Would she still be punished, she wondered, in the old way?

“
Tivas,
when the new sun rises, you are women again,” Spotted Owl said. “Remove the paints from your faces and seek mates among our men.” He turned to Regim. “Speak now of what we talked about in the forest.”

The
Tiva-Chu
stood and said, “It is the law for our women to join only to those men with Hanueva blood. There is one among us who must be freed of that law. Kionee must join to the Cheyenne warrior called Stalking Wolf; that will bind the alliance between our tribes tighter.
Atah
crossed their paths so they could do many
great deeds; He also seeks to join them as mates. This I believe with all my heart, as does Kionee and Spotted Owl.”

“I dreamed of two wolves mating, wolves who protect our people from harm,” the shaman said. “I did not understand until Regim spoke of the love which has come to be between Stalking Wolf and Kionee, both who wear and carry the wolf’s sign. We must free her of our law to join him.”

Kionee stared at the two speakers in astonishment, as Regim had not warned her of this plan. She felt many gazes on her.

The shaman continued, “Strong Rock and Martay were given a son as a sign to release her from our law; I say, to go to him.
Atah
called Fire Woman to him so Regim could be the Hunter-Protector of them until the boy is grown and trained. Maja was given a mate and has left Kionee’s side to be free with his kind. I say these are sacred signs, messages from
Atah.
”

The chief looked at Kionee and asked, “Do you love this Cheyenne friend who helped us, son of the man whose life and Sacred Arrows you saved? Does he know you are a female? Does he wish to join to you?”

“His skills and instincts are great,” Regim responded for her. “He guessed she was a female. She did not betray the
tiva
secret to him. He loves Kionee and waits for her freedom to become his mate. She has proven her loyalty and love for us by sacrificing him for her rank and people. This union was in the sacred visions of Stalking Wolf and Medicine Eyes; though Hanuevas do not use visions to guide us, we know they have mystical powers. We know that all the warrior and shaman saw in their visions has come to pass. Even so, Stalking Wolf is a man of honor and a true friend to us; he respects our laws and customs and did not lure her away from them. Their love and union are destined by
Atah.
He
they call
Maheoo.
We must release Kionee to join to him in honor and in reward for their great deeds together.”

“Is this true?” the chief asked Kionee, who answered for herself this time.

“Upon my life and honor, Bear’s Head, Regim speaks the truth. I do not know why
Atah
put such love in my heart, but it lives there for him. I could not put aside my rank and vow to stay with him as he asked. He is a man of honor, so he keeps my secret from all others. He does nothing to sway or to force me to come to him if I must hurt my family and people to do so.”

“Who votes to allow Kionee to leave our tribe in honor to join with the mate chosen for her by
Atah?
” the shaman asked.

Red Bull, father of the girl named after her, said, “I vote yes, for she saved my mate and child from the grizzly and has done other good deeds.”

Runs Fast, mate of Blue Bird, said, “I vote yes; she saved my love from the Crow, as she did with those of others.”

Goes Ahead, one of those mentioned, agreed for the same reason.

The father of Sumba said, “I vote yes, for she saved my child’s face and hand from adorning the shield of our enemy.”

Older
tivas
agreed, for Kionee had helped them many times.

Others consented because she had helped save their people and had helped strengthen the Cheyenne alliance, which she refused to threaten even at a great sacrifice to herself.

Strong Rock smiled at his daughter and said, “This is why
Atah
gave me a son. I vote yes. Kionee has done her duty to us with skill. She has earned the right to seek love and happiness with
Atah
’s choice for her.”

Kionee smiled at her father in love, respect, and gratitude.

Little Weasel concurred, eager to have Kionee gone.

“If she loves the Cheyenne, let her go to him,” Night Walker said. “Let her find the happiness I have found with Taysinga. She has done much for her people and we must reward her with freedom.”

Kionee smiled at him in gratitude, for he sounded sincere. During these last few days, he had seemed like a different, better, man; she assumed that was because of Taysinga, who pleased him greatly.

Soon, all who wished to speak had done so and the vote was taken.

Kionee could hardly believe her good fortune. Her heart leapt with joy. Victory sent her spirit and wits soaring. She was moved by her people’s love and esteem for her, by Spotted Owl’s and Regim’s words and actions. She thanked them, and she silently thanked
Atah
for this blessing. She was now free in all ways to go to her cherished lover. She could leave without exposing her condition.

She had to travel a long distance to find Stalking Wolf. She hoped and prayed the Strong Hearts had not decided to camp elsewhere for the winter. Even if the Cheyenne did not return to their usual site, surely she could track and locate them which would only lengthen her search for a while. Timing was vital in order to conceal the presence of the child.
I am coming, my love.

K
IONEE GAZED AT THE
colorful mask on the back of her hand; Regim and Spotted Owl had told her it was unnecessary to burn it off since the
tiva
custom no longer existed as a secret to safeguard. She was told to wear it in honor of her past deeds and rank. She had been given a new name to go with her new life: Morning Dove—a bird of peace, beauty, lovely song, and messenger to
Atah.
Since she was going to join a Strong Heart warrior and live with his people, the Cheyenne language was used for the chosen name: Hemene. She loved the sound of it and the reason she had earned it.

A special ritual was held to bury the broken
kims
and she-bear ovaries, returning them to Mother Earth from whom they had come. Ceremonial masks were suspended from thongs on past-
tivas
’ tipis-of-power where weapons were hung for safety and display. The group had removed their facial paints, discarded their male garments, and released their braids. In the two days since the council meeting, several men were pursuing eager ex-“brothers” for their mates. New tasks were being learned; old tasks were being assisted by many males. The tribe appeared to have grown closer as men
and women worked together in unity, respect, and affection.

Martay watched Kionee as she held her baby brother, played with his tiny fingers, laughed, smiled, and made cooing noises. Martay was elated to have her oldest daughter returned to her birth role, and was thrilled by Kionee’s success. With all her heart, the joyous mother believed that Kionee’s joining with Stalking Wolf was destined by
Atah.
She thanked their Creator for His many blessings, guidance, and protection. Her other daughters were happily mated to good and brave men; if they gave birth to only females, those girls would not be faced with enduring the
tiva
rank, for which Martay was grateful and relieved. She was glad to have Regim back as a sister, living with them and taking over Kionee’s place until the son in her child’s arms was old enough to do so. There was none better, she felt, to train him than Regim and Strong Rock. She was awed by the boy’s coming, and amused that she had not guessed his presence within her body. At last, Martay thought with a smile, all was as it should be.

That afternoon, Kionee presented the coup feather from Big Hump to her father, who accepted it with pride and joy and misty eyes. She gave Recu to Regim, for he was a well-trained and skilled buffalo horse. The woman was surprised and pleased, as Regim’s pinto was nearing the season when he would become only a riding mount. Kionee kept Tuka and one burden horse for her use, but left the others for her family’s. She knew that Stalking Wolf had or could get enough animals for their needs.

Kionee gifted her mother with her ceremonial mask to hang in their tipi, for she would never don it again. She handed Martay the browband with buffalo hoofprint
to pass to her little brother to wear during his first hunt for good luck. She wished she had other special belongings to give to her two sisters, but providing the skins for their tipis and garments and being their Hunter-Guardian for so long was more than generous, they told her. She hugged Blue Bird and Moon Child before the three laughed and talked for the first time as sisters. Her siblings whispered stimulating advice into Kionee’s ears, unaware those words were unneeded by one who already had experienced wild passion with the man she loved and would soon join. She smiled and pretended to take their words to heart.

As they talked, Kionee fingered the necklace which the Cheyenne chief had given to her without realizing she would become a member of his family and band one day. She had female garments to take with her, generous offerings from her sisters and friends. Her possessions were packed in parfleches and her weapons were readied for self-defense, as she would leave when the next sun arose. She would take with her the wristlet and hairpipe choker from Five Stars, and the buckskin shirt with beaded designs from Stalking Wolf: gifts for saving their grandfather’s life and for preventing the theft of their Sacred Arrows. She did not need to make a talking-feather, as that was not a Cheyenne custom, one she hoped her people would discard one day. It seemed foolish to her for a woman to be compelled to shake a feather in front of men to ask permission to speak to them. Now that Hanuevas had changed a law as significant as the
tiva
one, Kionee mused, perhaps that ancient custom also would be cast aside.

A mixture of joy and sadness, anticipation and tension, filled her as the awesome moment for departure approached. Soon her family and people would be left behind, but she would ride into the arms and life of the man she loved.

* * *

Before dusk, Kionee visited and spoke with her closest friends for a last time before leaving. She knew she would see them again on the plains during the next hot season and joint buffalo hunt and was elated this was not the last time she would be with them.

She talked with Red Bull and Blowing Rain, and held the daughter named after her. She visited her paternal grandparents, Long Elk and Yellowtail. She spoke with Four Deer, Swift Fingers, White Flower, Weasel Boy, Weasel Girl, and Little Weasel. She guessed why her cousin was so exhilarated by her change of fate and why he was being so friendly today; yet, she refused to allow anything or anyone to darken her shiny joy.

Kionee responded to Taysinga’s eager summons to her tipi. She dreaded confronting the chief’s son after the startling turn in events, as he now grasped the reason she had rejected him and could not love him. She smiled and embraced the ex-
tiva.
For a few moments, their gazes studied each other’s full appearances as women.

“I am happy for you, Hemene; this is the will of
Atah.
”

“Thank you, Taysinga, for I also believe it is true. I did not seek love and joining, but they found me, as you and Night Walker found each other.”

The chief’s son grinned and said, “Joining Taysinga was the best choice for me. She is a good and skilled mate. Her female spirit was strong; it is good it was released to unite with mine. It is also good you have found a perfect match, one blessed by the Creator. Go, be happy and free, as we are.”

Kionee caught his cleverly wrapped dual meanings. She was cheered by his change of heart and ways. Perhaps, in time and under his influence, he could inspire those same needed changes in her cousin. “You are
kind, and your words bring joy to my heart. You will always be my friend and as a brother to me, as Taysinga will be a friend and as a sister.”

“We have a gift for you, Hemene,” the bubbly Taysinga revealed. “It is a dress for your joining ceremony with Stalking Wolf; it was made from the white buffalo hide for good luck and to reward you for all you have done for our people. Night Walker gave it to me and asked me to make it with the help of others. We worked fast to do so.”

Kionee held the soft and lovely garment with fringes and adornments. She lifted a misty gaze to the couple. “There is much love and respect in my heart for you, my friends. Never have I seen a finer or prettier dress.”

“That is not all,” Night Walker hinted before handing her matching moccasins. “My mother made them for you. Martay gave her your old ones to mark the prints of your feet.”

Kionee accepted the second gift and fingered the beadwork on the moccasins’ tongues. “Such joy fills me that I can hardly speak,” she murmured.

“There is no need, for your glowing eyes thank us,” Taysinga said.

“Ride in safety and alert, Hemene, and be happy,” he added. “I will never forget the great sacrifice you were willing to make for our people’s survival, and other good and brave deeds you did for us and your family.”

“Thank you, Night Walker. You and Taysinga be safe and happy. When that sun rises, you will be a great chief. It is good our people will have one such as you to lead and protect them. It is good Taysinga is at your side.”

Kionee left them to halt by Bear’s Head’s tipi to thank Running Otter for the moccasins before she returned to her family to eat the evening meal. She needed to take to her mat early to get restful sleep before her journey.

* * *

The entire tribe turned out to watch the ex-
tiva
’s departure. After words of parting and good wishes from many of them, she embraced her parents, sisters, Regim, and grandparents. She kissed her little brother’s forehead and glanced gratefully at Regim and Spotted Owl. She mounted Tuka, took the braided reins of her burden horse from Regim, and walked the animals away from the group. Just before she left their sight, she paused, turned, and took in the view one last time. She smiled as she remembered Stalking Wolf doing the same thing at their first parting. She signaled a farewell, which was returned by family and friends, and took a deep breath.

Kionee kneed the pinto’s sides and off they went toward an exciting challenge. Kionee was no more; Morning Dove had taken her place. Golden rays of dawn touched the land and licked at morning dew. Dark days, like moonless nights, were gone; a fate, like a bright sun, was rising before her. Soon she would unite with Stalking Wolf; the birth of a new and splendid destiny was at hand.

Kionee rode close to the riverbank in the canyon of wind between two ranges of mountains. Behind her, some high peaks displayed white tops from last winter’s snows, as if defiantly refusing to melt completely. Nearby, trees, bushes, grasses, and late-blooming wildflowers were plentiful, and would remain verdant for a while longer. Days were still warm, but nights had cooled since their return to the valley. Within a few more suns, she knew, the cold season would blanket the land.

That reality told Kionee she must hurry to find Stalking Wolf before the Cheyennes’ trail from the plains was concealed by snow. First, she would ride to the location
her lover had given to her on the grasslands; she hoped the Strong Hearts were camped there again. It would be perilous to wander about in snow and harsh winds while she searched for him. She told herself that
Atah
would guide and protect her. Even so, nibblings of worry kept returning to trouble her.

Be waiting and looking for me, Stalking Wolf,
Kionee prayed.
Why should he when he will not expect you to come so soon?
her defiant mind asked.
Be alert to enemies making their last raids for coups and captives,
it warned.
Halt your doubts and fears, Hemene,
her heart advised,
or you will lessen the glow of your happiness and victory.

Traveling a well-worn trail and over relatively easy terrain, Kionee covered a long distance that day. She used every ray of sunlight available before halting to make her first camp. She needed to reach her destination as fast as possible to outrun winter’s steady approach and a body that would soon enlarge. She tended the horses, leaving the loyal and well-trained Tuka free to drink and graze at will, but hobbling the other near the pinto. She ate the food her mother had given to her, then reclined on a sleeping mat with weapons lying within reach if needed to use against wild beasts or foes.

Kionee heard a wolf howl not far away; then another answered that soulful call. It reminded her of Maja, and she hoped he and his mate were safe. She listened for other howls that would indicate a pack was near, but only peaceful sounds of night entered her keen ears: frogs, crickets, birds. She fingered the bow, arrows, and knife close by and relaxed a little. Still, she must not slumber too deeply and be unable to catch noises of threats and to react to them in time to save her life and her baby’s.
My baby,
her dreamy mind echoed as she caressed her belly.
Are you a son or a daughter? Will your face
be like mine or will it be like your father’s? What joy it will bring when I hold you in my arms. I
—

Kionee’s happy thoughts fled as she heard a branch snap nearby. She sat up with haste, grabbed her bow, and nocked an arrow. She struggled to peer into the shadows of dense trees. The waning full moon failed to help her locate the cause. She waited in tension for it to reveal itself. She knew from the crunch and her hunter’s training that it was not a small creature or nocturnal bird. Tuka whinnied and moved about near the river, telling Kionee he also sensed something unfamiliar approaching. Her heart drummed fast and hard in her chest. Her body was taut. Never had she felt such fear and dread, for the life of her unborn child was at stake.

“Maja!” she shrieked in elation as she saw the silver-pelted animal leave the darkness, enter the moonlight, and run toward her. She laughed as he licked her unpainted face and nuzzled his head against her shoulder. “Did you not know me as a woman?” she teased. “It is good you remembered my scent and Tuka’s and did not attack us. Did you return to protect me from harm, my friend? Where is your mate?”

Kionee smiled as she noticed the skittish gray animal in the edge of the woods, the unfamiliar smell of the she-wolf no doubt the cause of Tuka’s anxiety. But with Maja there, the pinto calmed and returned to grazing. She knew from experience that the other horse was too dull-nosed and too dull-eared to be depended upon as a guard; that was why he was only a burden-bearing creature. She watched the she-wolf sit to await Maja’s return; it was obvious the female sensed there was no threat from the human whom her mate was visiting. She reached for a parfleche, removed strips of dried meat, and tossed them to the gray animal. Kionee observed as the she-wolf sniffed the air, crept forward, sniffed again, and snatched up the offerings.

Maja went to his mate, rubbed her sides with his, and licked her face. He returned to Kionee and sat down. She assumed he was telling the creature it was safe to join them, but the wary and untamed beast did not.

Kionee did not know how much Maja could understand from her words, but she told him everything that had happened since he left. Even if he did not grasp her meanings, he perceived her happiness and licked her hand once more. As she spoke, she fed him strips of meat, knowing her mother had packed more than enough to last during her journey. But if she ran out, she was a skilled hunter, and game was still abundant. “I wish you could travel with me to Stalking Wolfs camp,” she addressed Maja wistfully, “but it could be dangerous for your mate, for she is unknown to them and remains wild in spirit.”