Chapter 14 #2
“How appropriate.” She sighed. “It’s quite beautiful, here on the plains at night, isn’t it?
It’s one of the things I remember most from my childhood.
When we were here before, we often slept out under the stars.
I think it’s one of the main reasons why I have continued the career that my father loves so much.
I, too, share the adoration of antiquity, plus I love the open spaces. ”
“As do I,” he said. “As do I.”
After a time, she asked, “Have you seen any signs of an enemy?”
“Saa,” he answered. “And it is good I have not. I think our journey tomorrow will be safe enough, unless a war party comes upon us unexpected and stops us.”
“How likely is that to happen?”
“It could occur.”
“Yes, I suppose you’re right. In truth, we’ll face the same possibility most every day of this journey, won’t we?”
“Aa, we will. But I will do all I can to keep us safe. And now, tell me, what else weighs on your mind?”
“I do have one question. Is the only reason you want to marry me because you feel I will lead you to the other artifacts? I am assuming these treasures are in some way tied to your hope of ending the curse for your people.”
When he remained silent, she went on, “Is this why you are eager for marriage?”
His first answer was a smile as he slowly shook his head. Then he said, “Have you never seen yourself in one of the white man’s mirrors?”
“Of course I have, but—”
“Haiya, then you should understand why I want to marry you. ’Tis the only honorable path I might take, for I mean to have you.”
“Have me?”
He picked up her hand. “I want to make love to you.”
No sooner had the words been spoken than excitement shot through her. She caught her breath.
“But you have said,” he added, “that you do not want to marry me, and so I must not—”
“It’s not a matter of want or not wanting,” she asserted, interrupting him.
“It’s a concern of…of…” Of what? she wondered.
“Of trust,” she added, groping. “How do I know you’re not proposing marriage in order to get at the artifacts I carry?
Marriage would certainly make it easier, and I know you want them. ”
“I do want them, as do you.”
“You see? There. You said it.” She folded her arms over her chest.
At last he sat up, and turning to face her, he took her hand in his again, his fingers entwining with hers.
“Long is the time I have thought of you. Long is the time I have wondered about you. Long is the time I have awaited your return to this country. That you carry something which could help me and my people, is important, but it is not important to how I feel. I would love you despite this.”
She stared straight into his eyes, wishing she could read his mind. But it was a pointless activity, and after a while, she said, “How do I know you are telling me the truth? That you’re not just repeating words you know will get you what you want?”
“You make a good point and I can see you don’t really know this. Not yet…”
Something splashed in the stream next to them. She jumped.
“Do not fret,” he soothed, taking her in his arms. “’Tis probably a fish or a beaver. Stay here while I investigate.”
As quickly as that, he was gone.
Not more than a few minutes passed before he was back at her side. “Poohsapoot, come. I wish to show you something.”
“What? What is it?”
“Come.” Taking her hand, he urged her to follow him. Belly crawling, they scooted toward the water. “There. Look.”
At first she didn’t see it, so caught up was she in admiring the delightful scene unfolding before her.
The smooth-standing water, which was laid out over the prairie like a gigantic mirror, magnified the sky overhead.
It was as though she gazed onto a dark, star-laden canvas, and the stars twinkled not only above them, but below them, as well.
Thus, it took a while before she noted the pony, which had stopped by the water’s edge to drink.
“He is wild,” Red Hawk said in a low voice, pointing to the animal.
“There are no marks on him to show his master, so I do not believe there is someone close by who owns him. And he is young. Probably he has feuded with the leader of his herd and has been cast out as a result. He will have to fend for himself, get his own mares and create his own herd.”
“Is he all on his own, then?”
“Perhaps.”
“Isn’t that dangerous at this time of night?”
Red Hawk looked at her and smiled. “You sound like a mother, but you are right. He should not be alone, and there are most likely a few other young males with him, as they tend to herd together when they are this young.”
What a magical moment it was, for such was the peace and tranquility of this place that she found a part of herself reaching out into the environment.
Was man really meant to live in cities? Apart from the earth?
And was it really necessary to tame the wilderness, as well as the individuals who lived in it?
Especially when it seemed perfect just as it was?
How long they sat as such, taking in the perfect harmony of the land, the sky, the water, she would never be able to estimate, nor did it cross her mind to do so.
At last, the young stud must have drank his fill, for he lifted his head, turned around and calmly trotted back the way he had come. Within moments, he was followed by a few more ponies.
She whispered, “I hadn’t seen those two.”
“Aa, it is to be expected. ’Tis difficult sometimes for the eyes to see so far away, at least in this light. Come, let us drink as well.”
She held him back when he would have moved forward. “Won’t we run the risk of washing off this mud? After all, didn’t you say it was our cover?”
“It is so, but there is the same sort of mud here which I used to paint our bodies. We can repaint ourselves, if we must.”
“Very well.” She followed him as they crept toward the stream.
The water was not deep, at least here at its shoreline.
Coming down onto their bellies, they reached out around the grasses to drink of the cool, liquid refreshment.
“Oh, it’s cold,” she said, as soon as her hands cupped the water.
“It is fed by mountain streams, so yes, it will be cold.”
“Oh.” She glanced toward him. It was then she realized he was not more than a hand’s breadth away from her. Not far at all. A rather easy target, actually.
All at once, a naughty urge took hold of her. No, she shouldn’t do it. She mustn’t, for she felt in all likelihood he might retaliate in kind.
The urge proved to be more than she could resist, however. Cupping her hands full of water, she splashed him, face first, and he jerked back.
She giggled. Indeed, he looked so odd with mud running down his face it was all she could do to keep from laughing outright.
Of course, as she had predicted, he gave her back as good as she gave, making it her turn to show a clownish face to him. Still she giggled.
And he did laugh outright.
“Shhh,” she said. “We don’t want the enemy to find us.”
“If there are enemies about, they will surely have found us out by now.”
“Then you think it is safe?”
“As safe as can be expected when in enemy territory.” He grabbed hold of her, and pulling her into his arms, with her full form against his, he rolled them both over and over until they fell with a splash into the water.
He let go of her, and they both came up laughing.
Getting up to their knees, they faced each other, and he took her hand in his.
Looking up at her mischievously, he asked, “Have you ever stripped off all your clothes and swam naked in the water?”
Her mouth fell open. “Why, I…I…”
He didn’t wait to hear more. Taking full advantage of her while she was still gaping at him, he kissed her quite soundly.