"Soká'pii,good," he said, using his right hand to sign the word, also. "Isskán,sister, take her to my lodge; as I have said, she is now my wife and will be living with me instead of in the tepee she has shared with her friend. Help her to move her things so we might start our lives together. This should take her attention away from her desire to go on the scouting mission with me. Will you watch over her for me?"
Itsiiy-Aakíí again nodded.
"Soká'pii,good," he said, and, as he turned back to his wife, he put his arms around her and brought her in close, bringing his forehead down to hers. "Go with my sister. She will help you bring your things to my lodge so you may live there comfortably with me."
"But—"
"I will hear no more about this. Go with her," he commanded, standing up straight. Then, he frowned down at her and said, "I have spoken."
Though A'sitápi looked away from him, she remained silent, and this was good. Indeed, he was relieved to give his wife over into the good hands of his sister. His sister would ensure she stayed in camp and remained safe.
****
"Where are you going?" asked Itsiiy-Aakíí, Sweet Woman, in the hand signs.
"I intend to follow my husband." Amelia signed her reply.
"But, you cannot," Sweet Woman signed. "My brother has forbidden you to do this."
"I know, and I am sorry. But, I must disobey him," Amelia answered. "Please understand, the woman he is seeking is my friend, and she wouldn't even be in the position she is in if it weren't for me. I can't stay behind. She is my responsibility, and I must be allowed to go with them."
Sweet Woman frowned at her and said in sign, "I understand. I am happy to learn from your husband that you are now my sister-in-law. When I took you to the dance last night, I had hoped this might be the result, and I am glad my brother finally found his courage to take you as his wife."
Amelia grinned. "It wasn't courage he lacked, but rather how he might marry me and remain a medicine man at the same time."
"I do not understand. Are you implying that because your skin is white, he would not seek to marry you? I do not believe he would feel this way. Your love for each other is obvious. All are saying the same: you will make him a good wife."
Tears stung Amelia's eyes. To be so accepted by Gray Falcon's sister and the others was heartwarming, and she reacted to the compliment with tears of joy. She whispered, "Your words bring great happiness. But, I don't believe it was my being white that caused him to hesitate. When we first met, we were both too young to marry, and he was not shy about telling me this, even though I fell in love with him from the very first moment I came to know him. And, I told him this. But, he did not return my love, though we still became friends. Many are the times when he stated to me that I am too bold for a girl. Indeed, I think the reason he did not ask me to marry him is because our cultures are so different, we would never be able to find happiness. Plus, I think he feared I would bring conflict into his private life when he wished for only peace."
Sweet Woman laughed, and an impish light came into her eyes. "He might have a good argument about that," she signed. "I must admit I think your husband will have to be both calm and determined where you are concerned. But, though he might have pretended he feels indifferently toward you, I have never seen him as happy as he is when he is with you."
"Really?" signed Amelia.
Sweet Woman giggled. "I have witnessed this ever since you have come here. It is good. It is very good."
"Your words and acceptance of me do much to create joy in my heart. But, you should know, I have another problem, and I fear it could bring your brother great difficulty. And so, because I love him so much, I have also been hesitant about marrying him."
"But, you have now married him?"
"I have, but… I'm sorry, I wish I could talk about it, but I can't."
Sweet Woman hesitated, but after a moment she signed, "We all have our troubles, and a man knows this—perhaps more than a woman—when he decides to marry. My mother has told this to me, and it is possible she has said it to my brother, also. Do not fear that you must tell me your problem when you do not wish to. I understand.
"Now, come," continued Sweet Woman with the hand talk. "Let us go to your lodge and gather your things as your husband has instructed us to do."
When Amelia didn't at once follow, Sweet Woman turned back and gestured toward Amelia, asking her to come.
But, Amelia couldn't do as both her new husband and his sister wished her to do. She shook her head and found herself explaining, "I truly wish I could go with you right now. But, I cannot. I have to borrow someone's horse…maybe my sister's. You see, I have to go after your brother before he and the others become so far ahead of me that I will not be able to find them."
"But," signed Sweet Woman, "your husband has told you to stay here. If this is what he wishes, you cannot do as you say. Also, have you ever tracked someone?"
"I admit I have not."
"You could become lost."
"Yes," Amelia replied with hand talk. "This is a possibility, but I have to do it anyway. I can't stay here when my friend is in danger; particularly this is so when all the trouble is my fault."
Sweet Woman frowned, although there might have been a gleam of respect reflected within her eyes. Amelia gazed back at her friend and sighed.
