“You care for Joshua?” Juliet asked.
With Joshua between them, Ojistah sat cross-legged, and readjusted her silver armbands. “A monster bear, carrying evil orenda and consuming human flesh, terrorized the village for many moons. Numerous attempts by our warriors to hunt and kill the bear were met with death. Foolishly, my young grandson decided to kill the bear.
“The bear trapped him. Joshua happened to have been visiting the village, heard his cries, ran at the bear and killed him with his knife, a single blow to the heart. The bear toppled on both of them. Two Eagles and other braves rolled the massive bear over. My grandson was huddled under Joshua and the two were alive and unharmed.”
Ojistah paused. “Killing the bear when no one else was able, garnered great respect, and made Joshua immortal. My grandson keeps the tooth of the great bear around his neck,” Ojistah smiled. “Saving my grandson made Joshua close to my heart.”
The bear story was true? Not a whimsical yarn?
Ojistah poured an infusion into a wooden bowl. “Brewed willow bark will tamp down any fever and ease his pain.” She lifted Joshua’s head and Juliet spooned in a portion, stroking his throat for him to swallow so he’d not choke.
“Joshua is blood brother to Two Eagles.”
Two Eagles’ blood brother?
“Now for you. I will not take no for an answer.”
Ojistah bathed Juliet’s blistered feet and bruises in a brew of red oak, wild cherry bark and dewberry roots. With a deer bone comb, she untangled Juliet’s long red hair until it shone in bright copper waves. Juliet closed her eyes, feeling the tension leave, marveling at her gentleness.
Suddenly, Ojistah stilled, dropped the bear comb. Juliet glanced behind her, her hair caught in a hard grip. The medicine woman’s eyes rolled back, only milky-white remained. “Behold my vision. I see many villages destroyed, hunger pinching the bellies of our children, the crying of women and children, diseases and the losing of wisdom of our elders for they will die.”
Outside a flock of ravens circled and cawed in a ghastly flapping of wings. Dogs howled, a zephyr gusted, shaking the wigwam. Juliet sat motionless, the harshly whispered words hung, suspended like the coiling smoke. Ojistah’s head dropped then lifted, her chocolate eyes returned to normal yet seized with great fear.
Questions crowded in Juliet’s throat, but before she could speak, a hawk pitched a horrific cry above the smoke hole.
Juliet whispered, “You have had a vision.”
“Very bad. I must think on it.”
A woman entered with a beautiful white doeskin dress decorated with beads and porcupine quills.
“For you,” said Ojistah, discarding any hint of her revelation.
Juliet stood and looked to where Joshua tossed and turned. He was sleeping, wasn’t he? Satisfied his eyes were closed, she dropped the blanket and allowed the woman to place the dress over her head. She gasped at the softness of the dress, and her eyes welled with tears at Ojistah’s generosity. Smooth moccasins were placed on her feet.
With lingering touches, Juliet fidgeted with the beads, obsessed with what Joshua had said before he went into an induced sleep. “What did Joshua mean by my acceptance and why did he have to run the gauntlet?”
“He had to win his bride.”
“His bride?” Was Joshua to marry an Indian woman?
Bracelets clinking, Ojistah touched Juliet’s hair. “He fought for the white captive with hair of fire.”
Chapter Ten
Juliet reeled from Ojistah’s admission, unable to fathom Joshua had fought for her, and at risk to his life. To marry Joshua? She liked him, but to be connected for a lifetime to a man who was a complete stranger?
Certainly, it was an Indian ceremony and held no obligation. She would not hold him to the vows. They would marry to put on a front. Once away from the village, they would separate and no one would know the better of it.
Angry voices drew their attention. Father Devereux ducked his head into the lodge. “You ought to make an appearance, Ojistah.”
The medicine woman rose and Juliet followed. Mary stood behind Two Eagles, wringing her hands. When she beheld Juliet, she tried to run to her. Two Eagles shook his head, staying her with his powerful arm.
Red Jacket’s face was mottled with rage but far more incensed was Onontio who spoke rapidly.
Father Devereux moved to Juliet’s side and translated. “Onontio has claimed the light-haired woman from Red Jacket since he cannot have the red-haired captive. However, Two Eagles argues corn-tassel is his woman.”
Onontio grabbed Mary’s arm, and then found a knife stuck at his throat.
