CHAPTER SIXTEEN #2
"The Creator must have been with us all the while we were traveling, because even though we had to journey at a gallop and within the daylight hours, we encountered no war parties or any other problem.
It was quite a dangerous undertaking we attempted," said Briella.
"As you know, any movement upon the plains in daylight hours and also during the season of war parties, is usually considered foolish.
It goes without saying that only a full camp with warriors leading the way in front, in back of and flanking both sides of the procession is safe at this time of year, even within our own country.
But, because both Red Fox's and George's horses are fast buffalo ponies, we all dared to chance it, even though we knew the danger. "
"I might add," said Briella, continuing, "that no one spoke a word all along the way here."
"How wise you all are," replied Czanna, "since it is true that noise of any kind might call the attention of an enemy, be they Indian or be they the American cavalry."
"Yes," replied Briella. "Indeed, my man, who led us, kept to the flat bottom grounds of the coulees whenever possible, and rushed over the prairie when no cover was available."
An uncomfortable sort of silence followed Briella's statement. George, however, intervened and said, "Briella means my brother-in-law, of course."
Briella gulped. Why did she seem inclined to always put a wrong foot forward? Hadn't Red Fox warned her to say nothing of their elopement while in the Pikuni camp?
She attempted a weak smile.
"Of course she means Red Fox. All of the people are glad, Briella, about the two of you.
You need not hide your marriage here. Indeed, most believe it is about time the two of you became man and wife.
All have noticed the love-filled glances the two of you have shared over the years—that is, they have seen it when you both have believed no one is looking. "
"But, my sister…Czanna…we cannot tell anyone we have wed," Briella said in a whisper.
"There are complications I cannot speak to you about now, because the entire matter is too complex to allow me to say more than a mere few words concerning it.
Please know this, however, when we might at last declare ourselves to the world, you will be one of the first to know. "
"I see," said Czanna. "George, will you wait here for my husband while Briella and I take a walk to the women's section of the lake? There she can wash away the dirt and grime from the journey, and perhaps we might have a private conversation."
Czanna cast Briella a questioning look, and Briella, seeing it, nodded. "I would like to do this," she said. "I would like it very much."
"Go ahead, you two. I will await your husband, Stands Strong, as you have suggested, Sister."
****
"Oh," was all Czanna said after hearing the particulars of Briella's marriage, as well as the problem with their father and their elder brother, Frederic. "This explains why you left our country in such a hurry and why you did not return from the East more quickly. I have wondered."
The two women were standing barefoot in the shallow water of the lake's shoreline, having redressed after their bath. Leaving their moccasins on the rocky beach, they had waded out into the cool water, where they now stood.
"I did not wish to go," said Briella. "Our father and Frederic meant well, I suppose.
Our father insisted I was to have the opportunity to marry well, and I think he truly believed he was gifting me the pleasure of meeting people of a similar status as those of our acquaintances back in Hungary.
All this came about, however, after Red Fox had brought many ponies to our father to ask to marry me, which as you know, is the Pikuni way.
Neither of us knew our father and Frederic had been planning to take me out of Indian Territory. "
Czanna frowned. "Perhaps, then, it was the thought of you marrying an Indian that spurred our father on to do as he did?"
"I believe this is so," answered Briella.
Czanna inhaled deeply before saying, "I do believe our father has had a difficult time settling down in this country, especially after having to leave all he knew in the Old World behind him.
I'm afraid, however, that Frederic acted in an indecent manner toward you, Briella.
But then, when all the trouble started back in Hungary all those years ago, it was Frederic who stepped up to fight the battle to free our father and mother, who at that time had been imprisoned for their beliefs and for speaking out about them.
Indeed, they were soon to die because of their beliefs.
All this he did for our family. Perhaps he, too, thought he was doing the best for you. "
"Yes, I suppose you are right. I do not remember the old country, I fear.
All I know is here, this country and the kindness of the Pikuni.
And, in truth, I have loved Red Fox since I was a child.
All I can do—shoot straight, track, hunt, scout, defend myself—is because of the teachings Red Fox has given me.
Indeed, because of what he has taught me, I would never fear being alone on the prairie.
Because of him, I know exactly what I would do if I were lost, and I know I would survive. "
"Yes," said Czanna. "He is a good man. And, many of us have seen the love he carries for you. We have also seen how he waited until you were grown to declare himself. I think he has loved you for a long while now. But, tell me a little about this man, Maximillian."
"Oh Czanna, I do not love him. Still, I had to find someone who would agree to marry me before I could return home.
Both my father and Frederic insisted upon this.
But, no one in that big city wanted anything to do with me.
Indeed, they looked upon me as though I were a rude, awkward cowgirl.
I carried a gun and holster with me wherever I went.
What, go somewhere in that town without being armed?
"I fear Maximillian is the only man who offered to marry me," continued Briella. "He is about average height, has dark hair and is not bad to look at. But, he also has a mistress he has brought here with him."
"Does he, now?" asked Czanna. "This is not an unknown occurrence for a man to do in the Old World, you know, although men and women are usually more discreet about their affairs."
"But, you see, Czanna, it seemed so perfect to me.
He didn't want a wife. He wished only for the title so he could inherit the bank where he is vice president.
He did not desire to give up his paramour, and I did not want to give up Red Fox.
It seemed like a gift from the Creator. I get married.
Maximillian goes back to New York. I stay here with Red Fox.
All would be well. But, it has not turned out the way I had planned. "
"Oh?"
"Well, no. I did not know about Red Fox's duties as a medicine man, even though he ministers for the tribe's animals only.
But, I have now learned he must follow all the moral restraints that fall upon the medicine men.
To counter the problems I had set into motion, he had planned to marry me in the Blackfoot fashion and then leave to go and live with another tribe, unknowing that I had promised Maximillian to perform my part of the contract. "
"Contract?"
"Yes, before Maximillian would consent to marry me, we signed an agreement stating I would allow him and his mistress to return to New York and I would stay here in Indian country.
I did not think to consider I would be going before God to declare Maximillian my husband and that I might have to spend a night with him, also.
Perhaps, I should have given this more attention than I did.
But this, Red Fox reminded me, would be my duties were I to marry Maximillian in fact.
And, this he could not consent to, since, in his view of it, I would be going against my oath given to God in the marriage ceremony if I were to leave Maximillian. "
"Oh my!"
"This is why we must not tell anyone about our taking matters into our own hands and becoming a married couple in Pikuni tradition. But, we married before either of us knew the intricacies of each other's commitments to the Creator."
"Oh my!" Czanna repeated. "I will, of course, tell no one about this."
Both girls became silent for many moments until, at last, Czanna said, "Tell me about your trip here. It must have been beautiful, despite the dangers you all faced."
"It was, indeed, quite beautiful. However, not even the grand scenery along the route nor even the sweet smells of grass, pines and wildflowers have coaxed me out of a gloom hanging over me."
Again, a heavy silence fell over them both until, at last, Czanna said, "Well, come to my lodge and let me see if I can bring a little sunshine into your life. At the very least, let us share a good meal."
Briella nodded as she looked out toward Rising Wolf Mountain, the lake mirroring the sapphire sky; closer to hand, the stones scattered within the shallow shoreline of the river reminded her of the gray and white colors of these mountains in winter.
She also recalled seeing these same rocks at sunset when they would turn a bright orange and red.
Said Czanna, "Come, let us put on our moccasins and return to camp."
"Yes," agreed Briella, as they turned as one and headed back to the rocky shoreline, navigating their way by stepping on the smooth rocks instead of the pointy ones.
Once they had returned to solid ground, they both sat upon a tree trunk that had washed up on the shore, and, bending at the waist, they laced up their high-topped moccasins.
Standing, Briella followed Czanna back to camp. Oddly, the earth beneath her high-topped moccasins felt weak and soft instead of the usual solidity of the prairie. But, perhaps this sensation was due to her nervousness.