“There will be a celebration for your return,” Bear Claw insisted. Her survival and return home needed to be celebrated, and to pass a message to all who suffered. That their family would rejoice at their return.
“It should be a quiet celebration then,” White Dove finally gave in.
All who were with them laughed, for there was nothing like a quiet celebration amongst their kind. They would merry into the night.
“We merry tonight!” Bear Claw announced, and a cheer went up.
“I heard you have taken for yourself a mistress,” White Dove said.
They were taking a walk across the village. It reminded him of years ago when they were younger. White Dove refused to stay put and would run after him and his friends. Oh, how much time had gone by, bringing with it the travails of life.
“A mistress?” He was confused.
“A white devil.”
It took him a moment to understand what she was saying. Ah! His people thought Hannah was his mistress, and that was the reason he kept her on. He laughed at the thought. He would never disrespect her, reducing her to the level of being his mistress.
“So you accept. I never thought you were one to take their kind to your bed,” White Dove said.
“She’s not my mistress,” Bear Claw said.
“Then what is she to you? Why is she still here?” White Dove inquired.
It had not even taken a day for all that had been happening to be told to her. He was sure Aiyana had told her all that needed to be told.
“It is… complicated,” Bear Claw admitted.
His sister’s eyes rested on him, expecting more, but he gave her none. Indeed, it was too complicated, and as much as he trusted her, he did not know what she would say in the circumstances. She had a lot to deal with than the burden of his complicated relationship with the woman he had kidnapped.
“I would like to see the woman, white devil or not who has my brother upset,” White Dove said, a smile creeping on her face.
“I’m not upset,” Bear Claw denied.
White Dove laughed. “No woman has ever had you upset. Or rattled.”
“I am not…” His words trailed on, as he realized there was no need denying the obvious. He never took such actions. Those who knew him, knew this well enough.
“She means more?”
White Dove asked, with an intense look that made him uncomfortable. He had only shared the dreams with Sparrow.
White dove sighed when he didn’t respond to her. She was his sister, yet he could not tell her the truth. Especially when his future with Hannah was not decided.
“If there’s anything I have learned in all my years of being with Big Horn, do what makes you happy,” White Dove said.
He would. For the first time, he had decided to be selfish and had taken her for him. He only hoped his choice would not hurt him in the future.
“We should head back. The feast will soon begin,” Bear Claw said, guiding his sister back to the village.
*
The natives knew how to throw a great feast. The littlest of reasons was used to merry, and tonight, there was a great reason. The return of one of their own. The women had cooked varieties of meals, and the aromas drifted into the night. The men supplied the alcohol, which Hannah knew better to steer away from, the memory of her drunken night still clear.
She sat away from Bear Claw and his sister, whom she had been introduced to earlier in the night. The woman had given her an intense look, and she had known the siblings had talked about her.
The drums were hit by the men in a rhythmic beat, while the women shook gourds that contained seeds. Their voices lifted to the sky as they sang in one accord. It was beautiful. Tonight, was about a reunion. They sang a song that she was not familiar with but the words were emotional. Bear Claw’s sister cried silently, wiping tears from her eyes as she was pulled into a dance to join her people.
“The words are powerful.”
