CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Red Fox, Poka'aki, George and Sweetgrass Woman left as quickly as they possibly could.
Red Fox and George had made ready to go at once, checking over their weapons and ammunition belts, their food stores and their ponies.
Meanwhile, the women had grabbed bags full of the pemmican that Sweetgrass Woman had recently made, and with the aid of Poka'aki, Sweetgrass Woman had taken her children to the Fehér homestead and placed them in the care of her mother- and father-in-law.
Quickly, both women took down Sweetgrass Woman's tepee.
Red Fox and George were intent on moving fast; they didn't even bring along a packhorse. They would take nothing that would slow them down.
To his relief and joy, neither Poka'aki nor her parents had voiced a word of opposition about her joining them, though her father had appeared as though he had wished to forbid her going.
Each time he began to speak, however, he had been silenced by his wife.
And, as for Poka'aki, she had thrown herself into the effort to leave as speedily as possible.
For this, Red Fox would be eternally grateful.
He needed her with him; he wasn't exactly certain why her presence was so important at this moment. He knew only that it was.
However, before they started on their way, Red Fox took his pet wolf aside from the others, and, once he and the animal were at a slight distance away, Red Fox bent down onto one knee before the wolf, and said in Blackfeet, "We are leaving here.
My father has taken ill, and we will be traveling fast to get to the Pikuni camp.
But, my friend, you must stay here because I am entrusting you with a duty for me. "
Hunts-with-the-wind sat down, his ears standing up, his eyes focused upon Red Fox. Then, in mind-speak came the concept, "I am listening."
Answering in the same form of communication, Red Fox said, "This is important, my friend, and I trust no one but you to do this for me.
There is a man coming here to the ranch.
He is a holy man, and he will be arriving in this place to perform a duty.
He will most likely be wearing a black robe.
I ask you to stay here and watch for him.
If he comes while I am gone, speak to me mind-to-mind at once to let me know he has appeared at the ranch.
But, if you hear no communication back from me in response, you must come to our camp like the wind for which you are named.
And there, you must tell me at once. This man comes here to witness an act that will harm both me and Poka'aki.
I must stop him from doing what he will be told is his duty. Do you understand?"
"I do. I am honored to do this for you, and I will stay here and look for this man," the wolf replied in the mind-speak.
"Our camp is at the Two Medicine," said Red Fox. "We have camped there often."
"I know it," replied the wolf, again mind-to-mind.
Coming down onto both his knees, Red Fox took his pet into his arms and hugged the animal.
Then, placing his forehead against the wolf's own, he couldn’t keep the emotions raging through him within.
They manifested themselves in the form of a tear that fell onto the fur covering the wolf's head.
Whispering, Red Fox said, "I must go now. "
Rising up to his feet once more, Red Fox turned and stepped swiftly toward his favorite buffalo pony, and, attaining his seat upon the animal, their party set off, he in the lead, the two women in the middle and George guarding them all from the rear.
****
Admittedly, the Two Medicine Lake area was one of Briella's favorite places on this earth.
She knew it well, having spent much of her childhood amongst the Pikuni.
With Rising Wolf Mountain on one side of the lake and the Pikuni encampment on the other, the view presented one of the most extraordinary sights in all of the rich, untamed beauty of this Indian country.
Deep-azure blue sky and stark rocky peaks in the distance were often seen reflected upon a deep, clear blue lake.
The green, wooded growth of distant pines and hardwoods butted up to the water.
Birds along the lake sang from morning until night. And, when night fell, the night hawks and other night animals took up the tune.
The air here was unique; it smelled deeply of pure oxygen, of the growth of white wildflowers, green bushes, several different species of grasses and the pines and cottonwoods which were scattered upon the shoreline of the lake. So sweet was the scent, she could almost taste it.
Then there was the amazing sight of the camp circle, pitched as it was on the wide green river bottom. It was even larger than usual, this being because it was also the time of the year when the Medicine Lodge Ceremony would begin.
The camp, bordered on one side by the green pines and cottonwoods, was boxed in on the other by cliffs that jutted up sharply, leading up to the vast prairie.
Looking outward at the circle of lodges, Briella felt enchanted.
Because so many of the people's tepees were painted in bright colors of blue, red, white, green and black, they complemented the land and looked as though they had sprung up from it as naturally as any other growth upon the earth.
The laughter of children's voices and the drone of women's voices and their singing as they worked could be heard, even at a distance.
This was countered by the deep singing of the men as they sang and danced to the accompaniment of their drumming, the latter of which was carried on the air currents for miles around.
As their party approached, the scents of smoke and of meat cooking mixed in with the various aromas of the grass and earth, gave the encampment a charm unheard of in the faraway city of New York.
Oh, how she had missed this, her world, her people. Looking outward, a warm feeling that she was a part of all this washed over her.
Their tiny party had traveled fast this day, and it was late in the afternoon when they arrived at the encampment.
Luckily for them, they had encountered no enemy nor had any other problem arisen upon their journey.
Briella let out a sigh of relief, looking out at the sight of Rising Wolf Mountain, its stark gray peak jutting up so straight and magnificent against the deep blue of the sky.
There was still a little snow on the mountain's peak, as well as upon Lone Walker Mountain, which was a bit farther away. She shivered as she recalled how she had climbed to the peaks of both mountains on more than one hunting expedition, always accompanied by her brother George and Red Fox.
There were mountain goats up there, their warm fur comforting on a winter's day. She smiled, remembering how, many years ago, one goat had almost dislodged her from a high cliff. But, Red Fox had saved her from the fall.
Ah, Red Fox…she had loved him even then. And this, she realized, was what coming home was all about: family, good friends, wonderful memories and love.
Even now, tears were stinging her eyes. This was her home. This was where she belonged, where she had thrived as a child and where she would continue to grow and prosper. And, with Red Fox by her side, she thought she would brave any calamity this world might try to throw at her.
She breathed in on a sigh, savoring the clear air, which was scented with balsam, sage and smoke from the many lodge fires.
"Briella! George! Sweetgrass Woman and Red Fox! You have come home at last!"
It was Czanna calling to them. “Come to my lodge, where you may all freshen up a little before you must go to greet your father. Red Fox, I have sent a boy with a message to my husband, asking him to come home also so you might be enlightened of the happenings in our camp. He has been visiting friends, but is now returning.”
"I thank you kindly for your invitation," Red Fox responded as he dismounted. "However, I must go to my father's lodge at once, though I cannot speak for the others."
"But, are you certain you must go there immediately? Do you not hear the medicine drums echoing from your father's lodge?" asked Czanna. "Medicine man, First Rider, and his wife, Liliann, are there now attending to your father."
"I do hear the fast beat of the medicine drum," replied Red Fox. "But, I must go there regardless. As soon as I have spoken to my father, I will come to your lodge."
Sweetgrass Woman stepped up behind her brother and, placing her hand on his shoulder, said, "I must go to my father's lodge, also. A scout arrived early today and asked us to come at once. He told us our father is asking for us."
"Yes, of course. I understand you must go there with all speed," Czanna replied. "Briella? George?"
George responded, saying, "I have not been asked to come to his lodge, and so I will be happy to accept your invitation, Sister."
"As I will, also," murmured Briella, "since I, too, have not been invited into Weasel Plume's lodge. Oh, how happy I am to see you again, Czanna. We have not had a chance to talk since I have arrived home from the East. And, it has already been several weeks since I returned."
"I, too, am very happy to see you, Briella. And, I am glad to know you and Red Fox have mar—"
George cut her off. "We must speak of this in your home, Sister."
"By all means," replied Czanna. She smiled at George, then she said, "Indeed, we will feast. I will roast some ribs, boil some coffee and bring out some berries for us to eat while we all sit around a cheery fire and acquaint each other of all the news we have to share."
Taking hold of their horses' reins, Czanna gestured to a boy who had been standing to the side of them during all this time, and, giving the boy the reins of their ponies, she said, "Come, Briella and George…this way."
****