Spirit Journey: Historical Western Cowboy Romance Novel (Dawson Chronicles Book 3) (9 page)

The old chief stopped by Jonathan and saw tears falling from his eyes.  He tipped Jonathan’s face up to meet his gaze.

“Why do you weep, Grandson?”

“Because I will never know what it is like to hunt bison or to fight alongside my family to defend our tribe,” Jonathan replied.  “I will never know what it is like to live as you did or to find love with a Lakota maiden.  There are so many things that my ancestors did that I will never experience and my heart is sick over it.”

Brown Stag ran a hand over his hair and smiled kindly, much the way Black Fox did.  “That is all true, but that is why you must cling to our legends and as many of our ways as possible for as long as you can.  And in your dreams, open your wings and let your spirit fly as the eagle soars.  In that way, you may be able to see your ancestors for a time.

“As for a Lakota maiden, any woman you choose will be your Lakota girl if she accepts you and your heritage.  Your father found that to be true with his second wife.  Your mother is not Lakota by blood, but when she gave her heart to him, she accepted all of him.  So do not be troubled about that.  You will find your mate—perhaps when you least expect it.”

He sent Peanut a meaningful smile.  “Such as when you are rescued after being pushed off a cliff.”

She jerked a little.  “How did you know that?”

Brown Stag laughed and spread his arms wide.  “I am a spirit and the spirits know many, many things.  Some we cannot impart until the time is right.  I have been guiding all of you on your journey, watching over you.

“Our time is almost up, my children.  I am grateful to have had this time with you, to meet some of you and to once again see the others.  Whatever happens, know that I and many other spirits are with you.  Call upon us and we will help you.  No matter what, never stop fighting for our people.  Do not let anyone hold you back from becoming the person you are meant to be.”

Hailey’s chin rose defiantly.  “I have never let anyone hold me back and I never will.  Not without a fight.”

Raven glared at her for speaking out, but Brown Stag laughed.

“Ah, yes, my brave, fiery granddaughter.  What is it that He Who Runs says your friend Dwyer calls you?”

She smiled.  “A very brave bravette.”

The old man laughed again.  “Yes, a bravette.  It makes me laugh every time I hear it.  There have been women in our history who have fought during battle.  In other tribes, too.  Your warrior’s heart was given to you for a reason, so do not worry about what others think.  There is a certain young man who holds you in high esteem, who loves your warrior heart.  Never be ashamed of who you are, Three Hearts.”

Hailey smiled at the use of her Lakota name.

“It is time for me to go,” Brown Stag said.  “I will be in your hearts and perhaps we will meet again.  Remember all I have said and know that my love goes with you.”

An eagle cried high above them and they all looked heavenward as they watched it.  When their gazes lowered again, Brown Stag had gone.  The eagle swooped down upon them, its cry almost deafening.  With it came a great light as though the sun now met the earth.  Its brilliance forced them to shut their eyes against it.

In the next instant, they were plunged into darkness and found themselves back in the chilly underground cavern.  Their fire flared high for several moments and then died back down to its normal height.

No one spoke for a long time, all of them seeking to hold on to every detail of their shared vision.  Tears flowed freely from their eyes because they were so overwhelmed with emotion.  At length, Mike said a closing prayer, but still they were in no rush to leave the sacred place.

Black Fox said his own silent prayer and then rose slowly.  Judging by how stiff his knees were, they must have been sitting there for a long time.  The others also stood up, Eric helping Jaylyn and Skip assisting Peanut.

Reckless said, “I cannot stand on my own.  I need help.”

Raven and Mike hauled him to his feet and supported Reckless, one on either side of him.

“I have never done anything like that before,” Reckless said.  “I have never taken so many with me.  I am glad Runner was helping.”

Runner was very worried about his cousin.  “I’m glad I was helping, too, but I know that it was mainly your power that sustained the vision.  I can’t match you yet.”

Reckless shook his head.  “Do not underestimate yourself, Runner.”

Runner only nodded in response, wanting Reckless to save his strength.  As the last person left the cavern, they heard a strange noise.  It sounded similar to Mike’s bone rattle, yet different.  Then three short hand-drum beats sounded before silence returned.  Holding up their lanterns, they tried to find the source of the drum and rattle noises, but they couldn’t.

Dino let out a gasp.  “Uh, guys, where’d that room go?  The archway was right here.”

He put his hand on the wall that was now completely solid.  Black Fox also touched it, marveling that the entrance no longer existed.

With awe in his voice, he said, “It was a holy place meant only for us, for our spirit journey.”

One by one, they all touched the wall, honoring the magic that lay within it.  Then Runner led them back up out of the sacred cave, and they all envisioned thousands of bison doing the same, going forth to feed all the earth. 

As they came out of the mouth of the cave, each of them felt changed, almost as if they’d experienced the rebirth of their spirits.  They were startled to see that the sky was just beginning to lighten.

“We’ve been in there all night?” Jaylyn remarked.

Reckless said, “Time means nothing in the spirit world and does not match the time in this one.”

She touched his shoulder.  “No wonder you’re tired.”

He smiled at her kindness.  “Yes.”

Mike said, “Let’s get you on your horse.”

Runner said, “There is a place where we can camp until tomorrow.”

“Good,” Black Fox said.

They were thankful to find their horses where they’d left them.  Dash had come forward to greet them, nudging Skip’s chest.  He praised the mule for guarding the horses so well.  Then he helped Peanut mount and handed Annie up to her. 

They sat on their horses, just looking around them, trying to memorize as much as they could.  Dino was already writing in his notepad.  He’d thrown Jonathan his horse’s reins so that he could write while they rode to their camp site.

The ride there was made mostly in silence or hushed tones as the wonder of their experience still laid heavily on them.  A special bond had formed between them as happens when people share such a powerful event.  None of them were the same and none would ever forget what had happened beneath the Earth’s surface that night.

              When they arrived at the spot Runner indicated would make a good place to stay that day, they quickly struck camp.  Breakfast consisted of some berries that Skip and Peanut found and some rabbits that Jonathan and Raven scared up.  Then they settled in for a nap. 

              In mid-morning, Annie woke up hungry and in need of changing.  Peanut took her off to nurse so that she had privacy and so that she didn’t wake the others.  When she came back, she walked by Reckless and was brought up short when she saw the change in him. 

A streak of silver ran down the right side of his hair, which had been pure black before.  He shivered despite the heat and his sickly pallor alarmed her.

She hurried over to Mike and shook him awake.

“Something is wrong with Reckless,” she said.

Mike immediately rose and went to his cousin, kneeling by him.

“Reckless?  Open your eyes,” Mike said.  He ran his fingers over the white stripe in Reckless’ hair.

Reckless looked at Mike and the doctor saw the pain in his eyes.

“What’s wrong, Reckless?” Mike asked.

Weakly raising a hand, Reckless tapped his chest.  “Hurts.”  His voice was barely audible.

Mike ran for his bag and hurried back to Reckless.  He pulled out his stethoscope and listened to Reckless’ heart and lungs.

“Peanut, please put on some water to boil,” Mike said. 

She followed his order right away.  Mike got out a bottle of nitroglycerin.

“Reckless, do you think you can swallow one of these?” he asked.

Reckless shook his head.  Mike placed it under Reckless’ tongue.

“Let that dissolve,” Mike instructed him.

Owl crouched on the other side of Reckless.  “What is it?”

Mike briefly met his eyes.  “He’s had a heart attack.”

Owl’s eyes opened wide.  “A heart attack?”

“I think it’s from the strain of holding us all in the spirit vision for so long,” Mike said.

Shifting onto his knees, Owl said, “It was too much.”

The pain in Reckless’ chest eased a little and he opened his eyes, meeting Owl’s gaze.  “Had to.  Important.”

Owl stroked his hair.  “I know, but don’t do that again.”

“My destiny,” Reckless whispered.  His gaze intensified.  “Father.”

Fear and joy warred within Owl’s breast.  “Is that your decision?”

Reckless smiled.  “Yes.  Grandfather said not be afraid.  No fear.”

Nodding solemnly, Owl said, “Then so be it.”

Mike looked from one to the other.  “Is he saying what I think he is?” he asked Owl.  “Are you Reckless’ father?”

Forcing away his fear, Owl said, “Yes.”

Mike rocked back on his haunches a little in shock.  “But—never mind.  It’s not important at the moment.  I want to keep him quiet.  Stay with him.  I’m going to brew him some tea that’ll make breathing easier for him.”

Owl sat cross-legged by Reckless, taking his hand.  “Rest, Reckless.  I’ll be right here.”

Reckless squeezed his hand a little and then closed his eyes.  Owl sighed, leaned his forehead against Reckless’ hand, and began praying for his son.

*****

              Several people had overhead the exchange between Owl, Mike, and Reckless, including Black Fox.  He took everyone except Mike and Owl out of earshot of the camp and told them the story that Owl had told Reckless.

              Jonathan asked, “Why didn’t Uncle Owl claim Reckless?”

              Black Fox said, “It would have only confused Reckless and others.  He Who Runs was Reckless’ true father, the father of Reckless’ heart.  And Reckless was the son of He Who Run’s heart.  They were father and son just as much as you and I are, Jonathan.”

              “But Minx is truly Uncle He Who Run’s child?” Raven asked.

              “Yes.”

              “Grandfather, may I speak?” Runner asked politely.

              Black Father nodded.

              “Great Grandfather told me that Reckless’ parents had been going to tell him the year the army fought our tribe in the canyon, but then they were killed.  They hadn’t wanted to tell him before Bear and Wolf were born and upset the family depending on how Reckless took it, so they waited.”

              “And never got the chance,” Eric added.  “Maybe they weren’t really meant to.  Maybe Wakan Tanka decided they should keep it to themselves.  At least Reckless has another father with him.  Not that Uncle Owl could ever take Uncle He Who Run’s place, but I’m sure it’s still comforting to Reckless to have him acting in that capacity.”

              Black Fox said, “You may be right.  Wakan Tanka knew what was going to happen and perhaps he wanted Reckless to still have a father here in this life.”

              Dino said, “I hope Aunt Hannah and their kids will understand.”

              “So do I,” Black Fox said.  “There is nothing to be done about that now, though.  I am going to talk to Mike.”

              He walked back to camp and went to the fire where Mike mixed up a different kind of tea.

              “How is he?”

              Mike shook his head and stood up.  “Weak.  He can’t be moved right now.  I don’t know where the nearest hospital is from here anyway.”

              Black Fox nodded and sighed.  “What can I do?”

              Mike swallowed hard.  “Pray that he doesn’t have another attack.  He won’t survive it if he does.”

              “I will do that.  Can he be moved by car?” Black Fox asked.

              “Yeah, but we don’t have one,” Mike said.

              Black Fox playfully cuffed him upside the head.  “I know that!  But can he?”

              Mike smiled.  “Pa would have done that.”

              “He has rubbed off on me some,” Black Fox said.  “We will get a vehicle.”

              “Where are we going to get a car?  We’re out in the middle of nowhere,” Mike said.  “There’s no way to even get a vehicle up here.”

              Black Fox grinned.  “Oh, ye of little faith,” he said, patting Mike’s cheek.  “Watch me get a vehicle here.”

              As he walked away, Mike called out, “You know, sometimes I regret teaching you Bible verses!  You’re not Jesus, you know!”

              Black Fox made a dismissive hand gesture.  “I am a Lakota chief who has just gone on a spirit journey.  That is close enough.”

              Mike burst out laughing as he went back to working on Reckless’ medicine.

*****

              Peanut stood by Skip and Dash, who had been harnessed.  “I can’t believe Black Fox convinced a complete stranger to take Reckless to Rapid City.”

              Skip smiled.  “Grandfather has a way with people and it didn’t hurt that he offered the guy money.  He’s always been able to get things done when it seems impossible.  It’s why he’s such a great chief.”

              “You love him very much,” Peanut said.

              “Yeah.  He and his wife are the only grandparents I’ve ever known.  My mother’s parents passed away a while back and my father’s parents are in prison for embezzling from Dawson,” Skip said.

              Peanut’s blue eyes filled with shock.  “They embezzled money?”

              Skip nodded.  “Yep, and now they’re in prison.”

              After Brown Stag had told him to look deeper into his lineage, Skip had been thinking about going to visit his grandfather, Jay Keller, to see what information he could glean about his heritage.

              “That has to be hard.”

              Skip shrugged.  “Not really.  I’ve never met them and I hate them for the shitty way they treated Pa when he was growing up.  They’re the only people he truly hates, especially his mother.”

              “Why were they so mean to him?” she asked.

              “Because they were hoity-toity and embarrassed by Pa’s mental condition.  He’s manic depressive, has anxiety problems, and is sometimes so tired that he can’t get out of bed for days.  Sometimes he can’t even stay awake long enough to eat.  We have to get him up to go to the bathroom and stuff like that,” Skip said.

              “That’s a shame,” Peanut said.

              “He calls it ‘hibernation.’  When he’s not hibernating, he makes up for lost time.  He’s the best father and there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for us,” Skip said.  “He makes Ma happy and everyone loves him.”

              “He sounds like a special guy.  Sort of like you,” Peanut said.

              Skip smiled and blushed, once again silenced by his shyness.

              Peanut just chuckled and turned her attention to what Black Fox and Raven were doing so that he didn’t feel even more self-conscious.

*****

              Eric and Jonathan carried the saplings they’d cut down over to where Raven and Black Fox were laying out thin cordage.  The experienced travelers had prepared for every eventuality and they’d brought along extra rope and cordage as well as cutting and carpentry tools. 

              “Thanks,” Raven said.  “These are perfect.  The reason we wanted live trees was because they have more give in them than dead ones.  They won’t break under a lot of weight like dead trees will.”

              A crowd gathered around to watch the building.

              Black Fox said, “Skip brought Dash’s harness so this will be easier than hitching a travois without one.  The harness already has loops for the poles to fit into.  We will use the two longest poles for the main frame.”

              So saying, he took one pole to Dash’s right side.  The mule was already harnessed, so Black Fox put the end of the pole into the loop and secured it in place.  Raven did the same thing with his pole on Dash’s left side. 

              Raven said, “Now we’ll make the cross pieces.  You have to keep the size of your load in mind when choosing poles.  Reckless is over six feet tall, so the poles have to be long enough to accommodate his height so he isn’t hanging off the travois.  We wanted the main poles to be twelve feet long because we had to consider the length from Dash’s harness loops to the first cross piece.  He has to be able to walk without banging his legs on them.”

              While he’d been talking, Black Fox had cut the first cross piece and started lashing it in place.  As they worked, father and son explained the whole process.  They lashed more cross pieces to the main poles and they had Dino and Jonathan cut smaller saplings into roughly six-feet-four-inch lengths.  They supervised the young men as they lashed them together, making sure that the lashings were tight enough.  Then the chief and Raven laid the bed of saplings on the main poles and cross pieces and tied them in place using stouter rope.

              Black Fox smiled at Raven.  “Lie down on it.  If it holds you then we know it has been done right.”

              Raven frowned.  “You just don’t want to be dropped.”

              “Correct.  I am old and fragile,” Black Fox said, grinning.

              “Fragile, my ass,” Raven said, lying down on the travois.

              Black Fox laughed as he took hold of one of the poles sticking out past the end of the travois bed.  “Eric, grab the other pole and we will lift it up.  It will be a smoother ride for Reckless if we carry the ends, but if you do not have people to do that, you would just let the ends drag along the ground.”

              Eric complied and the two strong men lifted Raven with little difficulty.

              Black Fox said, “Justin, start Dash out.”

              Skip let out a short, high-pitched whistle from behind Dash and the mule stepped forward obediently.  Black Fox and Eric were able to keep up with Dash with ease. 

              After about twenty feet, Black Fox said, “Whoa!” and Dash stopped.

              Slowly, he and Eric lowered the travois ends to the ground and Raven got off it.

              Peanut said, “You did that so quick.”

              “We’ve done it many times.  Once you know what you’re doing, it goes much faster,” Raven said.

              Black Fox sobered as he looked at the position of the sun.  “We must go so that we do not keep Mr. Forney waiting.  We do not want him to leave because he thinks we are not coming.”

              Skip moved Dash over to where Reckless lie.  He wasn’t in pain any longer, but he was very weak. 

              He smiled at them.  “I see you have made me a chariot.”

              Raven knelt on one knee by him.  “Yes, and now you’re going to be carried like a king.”

“Just do not drop me.”  Reckless’ gaze moved to Black Fox.  “Uncle, once you see Mike and me off, keep going on your journey.  You were meant to see it all and I do not want your opportunity ruined because of me.  Promise me that you will continue.”