Many Horses 12 a guest of the Lakota

The sick feeling that pervaded Many Horses stomach caused her to all out retch by the time they stopped to allow the horses some water and take care of private needs. She didn't know if Walks Far was dead or alive, if he had been tortured, or if they had left him alone. But if this arrogant beast of a man thought she was just going to follow him around and then stay with the Lakota he was dead wrong. She had finally been allowed to feed her son under the man's watchful scrutiny and then change the moss in the bottom of the cradleboard. It had become so bad that she had to wash it and her son in the water before putting new, clean filling inside.

They mounted their horses with the man once again demanding her son and continued riding far into the night when the glow of campfires were spotted in the distance. Likely these men had been on their way back home when they had spotted Walks Far and herself. They called out to the men guarding the outer perimeters of the encampment, waited for a return call, then rode onward. She was immediately taken to an old woman's lodge where the smell of a cooking stew made her stomach turn. She hadn't eaten since they had taken her. She was invited inside and given the cradle board by the man who motioned for her to stay inside the lodge.

To be continued later, work calls...

Many Horses 11 The Lakota

They left the encampment that night and headed home still marveling at the things that had taken place. They had only made a days ride when a string of riders could be seen in the distance. Many Horses could tell they were not Cheyenne and guessed them to be Lakota. Once they realized that Walks Far was Crow things would turn out very bad.

"you need to run" she said

"I will not run" he answered

"they will torture you" she screamed "they might kill you"

making a split second decision they each rode different directions. Walks Far as expected was much faster because she didn't want to jar the baby on her back excessively. Her chances were much better however because she was Cheyenne, as long as they did not try to harm her baby.

He was followed by a several of the men while only two came after her one riding alongside her grabbed the horses bridle and brought the animal to a stop. He looked at her strangely as if somehow recognizing her then with his hands pointed specifically at her horse then the other horses and finally her.

She knew what he meant but her only concern was the whereabouts of her husband and his welfare. She didn't answer the man, merely stared at him. He motioned again, still she said nothing only tried to get her horse to move but he was still holding onto the bridle. That was when the baby finally began to wiggle behind her and let out a little cry, just enough to let her know that he needed something. she removed the cradleboard from her lap and lay it across the horses back using her knuckle to pacify the baby until hopefully this man would give her some privacy to feed him. That never happened, the sight of the baby had angered him and he demanded the cradleboard. Not knowing what his intentions were she refused, he was after all a crow baby.

They heard a shot in the distance and something within her came alive, she put the baby on her back and kicked the horse desperately though he refused to release the bridle and the horse was caught in a struggle between them.

"they killed him" she screamed kicking even more furiously and lashing out at the man who held her horse kicking and hitting at him. The man grew enraged grabbing at her hair and pulling her close. His grip was like steel and the warning he issued though spoken in Lakota was clear. He took the baby from her back holding the cradle board off to the side of the horse in front of him and began to ride leading her horse. The baby began to fuss then all out cry when his needs were not being met. Eventually her son fell asleep but the lurch in her heart would not go away. Her husband was most likely dead and her son's fate was up to this man.

To be continued

Many Horses 10

She was brought inside her parents lodge and made comfortable taking care of the baby when he awoke and began to fuss. After a matter of moments though her father could not hold back.

"where is the man who took you?"

"he is hidden, I would not ask him to come here"

"what is he called?"

"Walks Far"

Her father stood and headed for the door causing her to worry about what he might do. "please do not hurt him" she asked

He did not reply, only continued on.

Walks far lifted his head at the sound of hoof beats on the dry, grass covered soil surrounding him. He stood and walked to his horse as a precaution, leaving his rifle in it's pouch but ready to use it just the same. It wasn't very long before he could see an older man riding towards him and no one else. Of course there could be others that were hidden.

Walks Far waited until the man rode in and dismounted his horse to see what he would do.

"I am not here to kill you" The older man spoke "I am Two Elks"

It was clear that Walks Far was not any bit trusting, after all he had stolen a Cheyenne woman.

"I want to know why you stole my daughter"

Walks far wasn't about to lie to this man but the truth would be very bitter.

"I did not want Kills Many to be happy"

Two Elks had not expected the answer that was given but continued on "many people were not happy, her mother cried for a long time. We did not know if she was still alive until Kills Many found her"

Walks far found it hard to say anything, he agreed with the older man.

"what did Kills Many do?"

"he killed my wife while she was still with child. Just shot her in the chest"

"did you love your wife?" Two Elks asked

"yes"

"do you love Many Horses?"

"I did not think I would ever love another woman, but she has taken a place in here" Walks Far answered placing a fist over his heart.

"come with me" Two Elks said mounting his horse he knew there was risk involved bringing a crow man into the encampment but it was still dark and they would stay inside the lodge when the sun lit the sky.

Walks far wasn't so sure about this but mounted his own horse and followed.

Many Horses was a little puzzled when they returned but happy to see her husband. She hadn't been so sure that her father would be forgiving where he was concerned but clearly he just wanted to see her happy. and they were thrilled at having another grandchild.

Many people came to see Many Horses and she had greeted them all outside worried about how they might react to knowing that a crow man was among them. There were those that would not be so forgiving.

At the end of the day Kills Many asked to speak to Walks Far. He had come with five good horses, one being his war horse. Her father stepped out to intervene wanting to avoid a confrontation but Kills Many persisted asking that this be Walks Far's decision. If the Crow man did not want to speak to him then he would leave and not take the horses with him.

Walks Far emerged after a time when the sun was leaving the sky.

"It is too much to ask that you will forgive me, and I cannot take away what I have done. These belong to you now"

Even Walks far realized that these were good horses and did not want to take them but would not refuse.

"I have Many Horses, it is enough" he answered finally meaning that from this time forward, everything between them was settled. Nothing would ever bring Walks Far's wife back but nothing would be gained by continuing to fight over it.

Walks Far and Many Horses left much later that night under the cover of darkness and returned to the crow. For a short time there had been a sort of peace between a few people of the Crow and the Cheyenne but it certainly would not last as time progressed.

This story goes on far into the future and I will not stop writing but will write other stories as well.

Many Horses 9

Many Horses could not sleep with the place next to her empty. She hadn't told anyone about seeing Kills Many and hoped that Walks Far and the men with him would not meet up with the Cheyenne anywhere. She had decided to ask Walks Far to take her back to her family, but only for a day. He would be well within his right to refuse as one Crow man visiting the Cheyenne was very dangerous. Too many Crow men would look like they had come for a fight instead of a visit.

Many Horses wanted to see her mother and to show off her infant son who had grown a bit chubbier.

She eventually fell asleep only to awake at dawn when a warm body lay down next to her. She went back to sleep until their son began to fuss.

"Kills Many was here"

"he thought I would go back with him" Many Horses answered listening as the baby nursed hungrily "I told him no"

"he has let you go, but your brother was not happy. He may cause trouble"

Many Horses turned to look at him "you knew?"

"I knew that Cheyenne were coming"

The silence between them lingered for a moment before she finally spoke up "would you take me to see my family?"

Walks Far was quiet. It was almost as if he'd been expecting this.

"there are no guarantees. Your people could kill me"

"it would be no different if Kills Many stole a Crow woman" She said patting the baby's back to let him burp. "I will stand with you"

Walks Far did not like this, but he had taken her from her family. They would need a very good plan.

Kills Many watched a woman run among the horses and knew immediately who it was. Wasn't it enough that she had decided to remain among the Crow instead of her own people. There was no question why she had waited until late in the night to move into the encampment but he had to get to her before one of the other men on watch spotted her.

"are you crazy??" he half whispered when she finally turned and looked up at him. By this time she was headed for the multitude of tipis that dotted the landscape without a doubt searching for her family.

"where is he?" Kills Many demanded riding up alongside her

"HE, is far away and not stupid enough to ride into a Cheyenne encampment alone"

"Come"

Many Horses took that hand that was offered finding it much harder to mount his horse with a baby at her back.

They rode for a brief time finally finding her parents home at the other end of the encampment. Kills Many helped her down then made enough noise to awaken her parents

"who is out there?" her father demanded

Many Horses could envision him grabbing his gun and charging out

"your daughter, Many Horses" she replied before Kills Many could say anything. The sound of movement inside increased and she could now hear her mother talking.

While they waited it was hard to find anything to say to Kills Many. She couldn't help but feel that she had betrayed him, yet what he had done was unforgivable.

To be continued.....

Many Horses 8

How could she stay with the crow?? Kills Many couldn't understand how she would choose to remain among a filthy degraded people. Nothing would convince her otherwise, he had tried. Nothing could have prepared him for seeing the baby but he would have accepted it just to have her back. She cared a great deal for this man, that was clear.

He had left the same way that he had come in and by some miracle hadn't been seen by those that watched the outer perimeters of the camp. Later on that day he spotted her father and brothers waiting patiently, assuming that she would be with him.

"where is she?" Long Run the eldest of her brothers demanded

"she would not come with me"

"has she forgotten who her people are?" Long Run shouted "we will have to go in tonight and take her"

"there is a child and she is content" Kills Many continued "if you take her I will not be a part of it"

These words from Kills Many surprised everyone who watched as he simply rode on.

"it cannot end like this, we cannot just let her go"

"if Kills Many thought she was in any danger or was being mistreated, he would speak the same words you are" Her father said plainly "he would not leave her if she was not happy"

"you would just allow this?"

"I do not like this but I will allow it" He said turning to follow Kills Many. The others followed without a word and only after they were well out of sight did Walks Far move. He had been mere feet from them the entire time and had listened to everything that was said. It could be that they had seen him and had said everything for his benefit though such was not likely. He would be careful though.

Many Horses 7

Walks Far watched her ride ahead of him not entirely believing what she had said. Either she was up to something or was serious about what she had said, determining which was true would become the difficult part.

Winter set in with the same ferocity it always did and Many Horses turned to her quilling to keep her busy. She spent time with Blue Raven and sometimes bundled up to go riding with her husband. As he had predicted she was with child and by the time spring arrived she found it hard to walk anywhere without straining her back.
She awoke him early one morning asking for Blue Raven after which he sat out side for hours listening to her scream and moan. His father had come to sit next to him although no words were spoken between the two, it wasn't neccesary.
She gave birth to a baby boy soon after and Walks Far could not help but rush inside to find the baby boy clean but placed to the side in an effort to stem the bleeding from Many Horses body.
"cover her" he demanded picking her up and running outside heading for the cold stream as fast as he could. Her blood began to soak his front side and she grew weaker. The shock of running into the cold water and immersing her snapped her awake so suddenly that she began to flail her arms.
"what are you doing?" she shouted panicked
"you are bleeding" he said very calmly managing to hold on despite her struggling
"stop" he finally shouted
she shivered at the coldness of the water and just looked up at him. "where is the baby?"
"with Blue Raven"
They sat there like that for hours until the bleeding stopped. By then his legs were so cold and numb that he could barely stand. He carried her back to their lodge and watched as she fell asleep still not entirely convinced that he would not loose her. Their son had been cleaned, fed and well cared for by his mother and Blue Raven. Right now all he wanted was to take the small bundle and just walk, looking down at the small face and marveling. He returned to Many Horses not long after waiting and watching over the next several days as under the care of a healer and many women she grew stronger and the color returned to her once vibrant face.
She finally had enough of being cooped up one day and announced that she was going for a short walk. Walks Far would not let her go alone however and presented her with an exqusitely handcrafted cradleboard that could be carried on her back. She immediatley bundled the baby in it and slipped it on her back. They walked to where the horses were and then a little beyond. He had been told by others that a group of Cheyenne had been seen about a day's ride from where they were camped. No doubt they would be coming after Many Horses as she was not simply Kills Many's intended but also a special woman partly for her ability to communicate with horses the way she did but also because she could understand people. Unbeknownst to her he had agreed to ride out and find these men the next day. She was well enough to be on her own now and would be well guarded.

Many Horses awoke the next morning to find her husband gone. She knew that he'd had to ride out with several other men but nonetheless still felt empty with him gone. She decided to get an early start and bundled the still sleeping baby gently strapping him to her back and walking down to the stream. They would soon be moving everyone to another place where they would be spending the summer and some of the fall. She had come to love this place and didn't want to leave it but had been used to this sort of routine all her life. The horses were a little restless as she walked among them, some grunted, others whinnied and while she didn't find the behavior strange she did want to know what was behind it all.
"Many Horses"
She stopped immediatley trying to discern which direction the call had come from and listened intently as her name was called again. An uneasy feeling came over Many Horses as she turned and walked towards one of the few trees out here.
"do not call out" Kills Many warned her
"how did you get here?" she demanded wanting to know how he had not been seen by anyone
"It does not matter, I will help you escape"
He had obviously seen the baby but displayed no shock or surprise whatsoever, his goal was to get her back.
"this is my home, I will not return with you"
"you are Cheyenne" he angrily reminded her
"I will always be Cheyenne" she replied "I will remain among the crow"
"what did he do to you?" Kills Many wanted to shout as loud as he could but would not risk being found out. As it was all she would have to do is yell.
"he told me the truth, about the woman you killed" she said calmly "that woman had been his wife"
Kills Many understood everything now, Many Horses was his revenge. There was nothing he could say or do that would erase the truth of what he had done. In that moment he had simply been killing an enemy to the Cheyenne but now it had cost him the woman he loved.

To be continued....

Many Horses 6

Eagle cries spotted his brother riding in very slowly and quietly. He got the hint and quickly but silently peeled off into some trees. Walks Far rode in closer to Many Horses who seemed to be looking off into the far horizon studying something intently. He wondered for a brief second if there were riders in the distance but knew even the Cheyenne would not be stupid enough to have come this far and think they could make it back to their own people once the snows began.

Many Horses looked over as he pulled along side her but didn't seem very surprised to see him.

"thank you?" she said quietly rubbing the horses neck.

Walks far simply nodded trying to discern exactly what she was looking at.

"when I was eleven summers my people spent the summer there. We camped with many other Cheyenne and made friends with the Lakota but I think it was for the purpose of showing that if anyone came against us we had many men capable of fighting.

Walks far remembered what she was saying, he had been a young capable man then and had ridden with several others to take a look at what was going on.

"I first met kills many there but I didn't like him, he was arrogant and liked to show off"

"he did not change much, he still has a very big ego"

Walks Far bit down on her lip. She was at least smart enough to know that defending Kills Many would get her nowhere. Kills Many had changed, that was why she had finally agreed to marry him.

"you were never young and cocky?"

Walks far took a deep breath and looked over at her "I was, for a time but I had to become more serious about things. I had to take on responsibilities"

"your parents?"

"not just my parents and my father has only been unable to hunt for a short time"

"Then who?"

"that is not for now" he said turning his horse to the right and nudging it into a lope

"how much do you know about me?" she rode after him shouting. The black look in his eyes was not enough to stop her

"I don't think you took me because you wanted me"

"I want you, and not just because of the child"

"there is no child" she said furious

"I have eyes"

"you see what you want to see and you are not telling me what I want to know"

"I know everything I want to know about you"

"why did you take me?" She'd had enough and was more determined than ever to get answers

"because he killed my wife and my child" Walks far shouted finally "she was still with child and he just shot her in the chest"

Many Horses was so stunned she stopped the horse, Kills Many had done this?? Not the man she knew.

"you did not have to lie to me" she said quietly

"I had no reason to take another woman" he said angrily "I did not want another woman but I would not let Kills Many have what he took from me. Now he knows"

Many Horses felt as though her heart would stop beating. What he was telling her was so atrocious that she all but believed it. She was just a pawn, nothing more. Perhaps anything would have been better than that.

"you knew it would be harder for me to return once I had a child" she deduced out loud

Walks Far expected her to reject him right then and there, he'd let himself become too far involved in this and prepared for the worst.

She did nothing more but jump from her horse and give in to the heaving of her stomach. Then mounted her horse and rode to where he had stopped his.

"I am not something to be used any more. I am your wife" That is what she had decided in those few moments on the ground and she would not change her mind. Changing his advantage was the best thing she could do now, he was stuck with her.

Many Horses 5

Authors note - These particular stories are not written to the best of my ability. I unfortunately write them just a little too fast. I still enjoy writing them though.

Let's continue.....

Kills Many shivered at the cold morning air. It was getting too close to winter and if he did not turn back and rejoin the Cheyenne now he would be caught out in the cold. Having to give up was what killed him because he wasn't naive enough to think that Many Horses would be left alone, she was a young woman at the age where many married and gave birth to children. He would just have to steal her back when the snows thawed and the ground once again became solid. Certainly even by then she would have no intention of staying with the Crow, her home was with the Cheyenne.

Many Horses stepped outside the lodge and pulled a buffalo robe around her. She didn't care what anyone thought or what they might do when they saw her away from the lodge, one horse among the herd was calling and he was familiar. Fortunatley the herd had been moved from across the creek to a pasture behind all of the lodges and it was still early in the morning. All she had to do was pull the robe up so it covered half her head, that way she wouldn't so easily be seen. Eagle Cries, as usual, was not far behind but did not try to stop her just watched to see what she would do.
As she drew nearer a black horse with a patch of white above his eyes emerged causing her to run as fast as her legs would carry her. This was her horse and he had been left among the Cheyenne when Walks Far took her. She didn't even have to question how he had come to be here it was enough just to see him, to feel his breath on her hands and have him bump his muzzle against her face like he always used to. He was not a young horse but had been gifted to her by Kills Many when he'd presented horses to her father. Taking no heed she climbed upon his back and turned to Eagle Cries.
"Where is your horse? I want to ride" she asked knowing perfectly well that he would not understand her, she was learning the Crow language but slowly.
"we are not riding anywhere, you will run again" he answered her, but in Cheyenne this time. All she could do was stare at him before forming a coherent sentence "you understand me?"
"Walks Far taught me, there was no choice"
"where would I go in this cold?" She asked "I would become lost and caught out when the snows begin"
Giving in Eagle Cries found his own horse, a brown mustang and swiftly mounted turning in her direction. How he managed out here with just a shirt and leggings against the chilly morning air, she didn't know.
"go" he said motioning for her to take the lead. He was tired of watching this woman and could have refused now although the fact that Walks Far was hunting and tracking all the time still left him with a sense of responsibility. It would not be so much longer before Many Horses became fat with child anyway and in the spring it would be harder for her to leave. Eagle Cries would insist on taking over his older brother's duties soon so that he could stay closer to her.
The bumping and jarring of the horse caused a sudden nausea in the pit of Many Horses stomach forcing her to stop the horse and jump down. Slightly alarmed she spit out the last of it and turned back to Wild, her horse again mounting but saying nothing to Eagle Cries. She was used to riding and not once had it ever affected her stomach.
Faced with the prospect of returning to the lodge for the rest of the day with little to do she continued riding, this was her freedom for the day and she wasn't wasting it.

Walks Far returned to the lodge finding it empty. He had seen Blue Raven only moments ago and knew Many Horses was not with her.
A reassuring hand was placed upon his forearm as he stood there in front of the lodge "she is riding with your brother, you knew it would not be very long before she found the horse"
He took his mother's hand squeezing it slightly. She was a strong woman who had always been able to keep peace among her family and relatives.
"it is time that you let your brother take care of us" she suggested "Many Horses will need looking after"
Walks Far said nothing, just continued looking out among the throng of other lodges surrounding them.
"she will never take the place of your first but you care for her, more than you thought you would"
Walks Far smiled but just slightly, were anyone other than his mother to suggest such a thing he would deny it before giving them a tongue lashing.
"she is a good woman" his mother spoke before finally leaving to finish what she had to do.
While Walks Far had never intended to let Many Horses go he hadn't considered much beyond taking her captive and giving her a child. His motive was revenge from the start and what he had done to her was not fair, she was an unwilling part of it all, merely a tool. He couldn't say that was true now though because she had reached a part of him that had been closed for a long time.

Many Horses 4

"Where is she?" Walks Far exploded storming out of his lodge

"she was asleep" Eagle Cries responded

Walks Far wanted to strangle his younger brother but for right now his time would be better served gathering men and hunting her down. His biggest problem was that he didn't know how long she had been gone and that she had managed to slip away without being seen.

Many Horses stopped momentarily trying to fill her already worn out lungs and wishing that her legs didn't hurt so much. She had been running since she left only stopping to catch her breath and listen for sounds that were out of place. So far there was no indication of anyone following her although they would not be making noise either. The only thing Many did know was that she had started out going east. They had come into the encampment from that direction but it didn't altogether mean much.

She hadn't taken a horse because Walks Far would have expected that, and because she could navigate the trees better as well as hide in the tall prairie grass on the other side if need be. She was in another small copse of trees now, hours beyond the encampment. Many Horses had to find a good hiding place before morning because by then she would be a very visible moving target. How she had been able to pass as a man still amazed her, she was a small one at that.

Having paused long enough Many Horses turned and once again ran headed for the edge of the trees shivering as the cold penetrated through her clothing. Summer was long over and the cold of late fall had been prevalent since she'd been with the Crow. How everything would work out from this point on, Many Horses didn't know but she had to get back to Kills Many.

She was suddenly pulled back hard and held against a warm broad chest while a hand completely covered her mouth.

"did you think I would not find you?" Walks Far asked

She immediately struggled digging her heel into his foot and trying with both hands to pry his hand away from her mouth. Finally she jabbed an elbow into his rib and he released just enough for her to twist away. He caught her by the shirt and hauled her back then untied the breechcloth she wore pulling it away despite her efforts to keep it in place. She was immediately embarrassed knowing there must be other men around.

"they have all gone" he told her pulling upward on the bottom of the shirt. When she resisted he maintained his grip. "Do not make me destroy my own shirt" he warned.

She finally let him remove it shivering at the cold night air.

By the time the sun rose that morning returning to Kills Many in good faith was no longer an option. Returning to him with another mans child growing inside of her would be a mistake.

"you do not know if this is true, yet" she spat out reaching for his shirt and pulling it over her head then searching around for the breechcloth.

"it does not matter, it will be true"

"no, this will not happen again"

Walks Far said nothing, the fact that he'd not had to hurt her said more than enough.

Once she was decent they mounted his horse and left for the encampment. A sick feeling settled in the pit of her stomach and she felt like shattering into a million pieces caught between crying and being outraged. She willed the shaking to stop and finally had him stop the horse so that her stomach could have it's way.

"who made these clothes?" she asked a while later trying to draw Walks Far out of the silence that had been prevalent since they left.

"I will not speak her name" he answered plainly. It was clearly a subject he didn't want to touch meaning that it was probably more of the big mystery he would never talk about. She began to put pieces of things she'd been told together and began to wonder what exactly Kills Many had done.

Once back at the encampment she changed into her dress and pulled out the pouch that Walks Far had given her pleased at the number of quills that were inside and the array of dyes. She first quilled the pouch taking care in how she lined the quills and sewed them in place. So lost was Many Horses in this process that she did not even look up when Blue Raven stood over her.

"I heard you were very good at quilling, this is beautiful"

"Walks Far told you this?" Many Horses asked causing her friend to realize that she had said too much "what else did he tell you?"

"I will not betray his trust"

"he is Crow, we are Cheyenne" Many Horses shouted

"do not ask me to do this" Blue Raven replied "ask him"

Many Horses found her hands clenching into fists. She would wait, but not for much longer.

Many Horses 3

"your search is leading nowhere"

It took everything within Kills Many not to jump or act startled. He'd purposely fallen asleep against a tree so that he would be awaken at the slightest noise but clearly had been too far into sleep when his brother came up behind him.

He sat up straighter and opened his eyes fully "I won't just let her go"

Red Fox sat down next to his younger brother "there are too many trails to follow"

"but they will all eventually lead to one place" Kills Many realized.

"perhaps" Red Fox replied "but these people are Crow, they are skilled also"

"there was nothing to indicate who they were"

"they are crow" Red Fox said finally and Kills Many knew not to argue with him further. There were times when he just knew things.

Kills Many had to think. Why the crow.

"you have not forgotten already?" Red Fox asked

"no" Kills Many answered remembering something that happened well over a year ago. He had been much more hot headed then and given the same choice now it probably would not have happened.

Many Horses hadn't been willing to risk another dress this time figuring that he would not provide another one. She did however wrap herself completely in the robe and fell asleep that way. Much later the robe was pulled gently from underneath her and a warm body was at her back. He waited until she'd fallen asleep again then began something that would continue over the next several nights, testing her and pushing her ever so slightly each night until the fight within her began to diminish.

It had been a week since the incident and she'd been allowed to sit outside the lodge only leaving if Blue Raven came for her. Today however Walks Far came for her handing her a pouch and waiting while she looked inside. It was as if her entire inside had lit up and she hurriedly searched through each item or set of items. Here was everything she would need to quill and the amount if hide he held in his hands was enough for two good shirts.

He held out his hand as if she should come with him and after putting the items he had given her away stood, taking his hand and walking with him. They walked parallel the creek until a natural bridge was spotted. One at a time they crossed and at that moment she realized he was taking her to the horses. Immediately several raised their heads as if in greeting or just realizing she was there and she responded touching and stroking several warm muzzles, feeling their breath upon her hands. Walks Far came to her leading two horses by rope bridles and helped her up on one. She knew trying to run was pointless because he would just catch her. He would be angry too and probably confine her to the lodge once again.

Walks Far had caught the momentary sadness in her eyes and knew she was thinking of Kills Many. None of this was fair to her and he knew it. She did not know the man that she had been about to marry however, perhaps very few knew that side of him.

He led her off towards a small copse of trees that stretched into seemingly endless prairie. They rode for several hours just talking when she finally broached the subject that had been bothering her.

"why do you hate Kills Many?"

"I do not hate him" Walks Far replied "He has done many unforgivable things, but I will not waste my soul to hate him"

"what has he done?"

"you would not believe me, you are still in love with him"

The words, spoken plainly, were the truth.

"then let me go back to him"

"no" was his simple answer before riding on and expecting her to follow. She nudged her horse ahead but not before lowering her head and wiping furiously at the tears that would not stop.

"we will not talk of this again"

When they returned she immediately jumped from her horse leaving Walks Far to take it and walked back to the lodge alone ignoring the watchful eyes of those around her. Eagle Cries would again be posted outside though as of late he had become careless, talking and laughing with friends who came to keep him company.

She searched through Walks Far's things eventually finding a spare shirt and leggings. She'd had enough with being convinced there wasn't any way she could escape. She had to.

Typos

There were several typos in that last post. You can tell it was early am.

Many Horses 2

Many Horses stood her ground refusing to show that she was afraid but shaking on the inside. Eagle cries grabbed her roughly by the arm walking her to the embankment and pointing for her to go down. The horses were none too pleased by this one even going so far as to run at Eagle cries. Undeterred however he watched as Many Horses made her way down the embankment and back into the water. Once on the other side she picked up her moccasins and put them on but that wasn't the end of it by any means, Eagle cries was still after her motioning and pointing towards the lodges.

"I don't speak Crow" she finally shouted back at him

"he says to return to the lodge" Walks Far translated. "remember that you are a captive here, no one would stop him if he hit you"

Walks far only glared at him letting them both know that she wasn't finished fighting, not by a long shot. She did return to the lodge without any further protest and remained in there until Blue Raven brought her some food several hours later.

"it is okay to cry" Blue Raven spoke unafraid to broach the subject. She could see that the younger woman's eyes were red and puffy.

Many Horses released the breath she had been holding in but said nothing.

"what are you thinking?" Blue Raven asked concerned

"I am thinking that Kills Many will come"

"there are things Kills Many has done......"

"these people are Crow, what have they not done? what have their men not done?"

Blue Raven refused to say any further at that point standing and turning to the entrance

"Tell me"

"it is not mine to tell" she answered stepping out into the light

Many Horses wanted to scream in frustration as the flap was again closed blocking out the light. She didn't like these accusations against that man that she loved and she wasn't about to believe them for one moment.

to be continued.....

Many Horses

This is a story that I already had written part of. I will just copy and paste here. Be warned this story is more for those who like romances. There are a couple of scenes that just may leaving you clearing your throat.

She had been warned, not just once, many times. Many horses could not avoid the overwhelming need to arise before the sun and walk among the vast herd of horses grazing at the far end of the encampment. She knew each of them by instinct, by temperament, knew the gentlest of mares and the meanest of stallions. She was alone however, save the one man who kept watch over the herd ready to yell if anything should happen. Today was the day she would be given to Kills Many and it almost seemed as if they had waited years. Her father was not an easy man to bargain with and Kills Many was not one to shrink from a challenge. He was well known among the Cheyenne for his ability to hunt and to track down enemies often returning with something as proof that his prey was either dead or had met some worse fate. Her father had admired this and had accepted the seventy horses presented to him, although just where Kills Many had come by such a number was unknown and wasn't necessary to be questioned.
A rough hand placed and held tightly over her mouth jerked Many Horses from her thoughts. Giving into first instincts she tried in vain to pry the hand away until a large knife nicked her throat ever so slightly.
“no yell, no fight” a man whispered into her ear
Many horses stemmed the tiny trickle of blood coming through her throat and was pushed ever so slightly to walk through the mass of horses of which none flinched or made any noise because they knew who she was. She was led to a tree line just a short walk beyond where another man waited with three horses. The man behind her sheathed his knife giving her one chance to stomp on his foot and twist away. Her move surprised the man but not as much as she had hoped and he turned out to be much swifter than her. She was caught up by the waist and once again her mouth was muffled.
“Do not run again” The man warned leaving no question as to what he might do if she didn't listen. He lifted her to the horse then mounted his own taking the rope lead to hers. She was able to get a good look at him for the first time and realized that he was crow. This puzzled her slightly because although her people, the Cheyenne, were certainly not on friendly terms with the Crow they were not known to take women captive unless provoked in some way or another.
Many Horses realized also with sudden clarity that she was not afraid of this man nor would she be from this point on.
“why have you taken me?” She demanded out loud although the man spared her barely a glance and kept his pace. A little later she spotted a very large group of riders . Her captor and his companion rode in directly among them stirring up dust and creating a melee of hoof prints that would be impossible for anyone to follow. The only comfort she had was that Kills Many would be looking for her, he had a better chance than most of finding her.
After several minutes all the riders paired off in threes, many of the third riders were either young boys or some girls to match her weight
“why have you taken me?” She asked again once they had resumed riding though was met with the same silence as before.

Kills Many was livid. It hadn't taken him long to figure out what had happened once the young man guarding the horses had informed everyone. Kills Many had taken off on his own too impatient to wait for anyone else and knowing the longer he waited the chances of finding her would grow much slimmer. He was even now following the set of three tracks that led through the trees and out the other side. She was riding with two men and hadn't gone willingly as evidenced by a small struggle and her attempt to run before being carried back and placed on a horse. After an hour he came to an area where there were too many hoof prints to count. And too many directions leading out for him to follow alone. He studied each set of three deciding which one he would follow when his cousins and the others arrived.
Who would take Many Horses and why? There was no doubt she was a valuable woman and one of the most beautiful he'd ever seen. Her gift with horses was unparalleled and her talent for quilling was nearly unmatched. She belonged to him, no one else.

They stopped very late that night and Many Horses wondered just how long she would be allowed to sleep before they were up and riding again.
“take care of your horse”
Many Horses looked over at her captor who was rubbing down his own horse with a large handful of grass.
“how are you called?” She asked grabbing a handful of grass
“walks far” he answered surprising her. It was the first voluntary answer he had given.
Shortly afterwards Walks far took two warm robes from his horse the first of which was laid on the ground. He held the other waiting for Many Horses to lay down and that was when she realized he didn't intend to make two sleeping spaces, just one.
“no” She replied firmly she would not be sharing her bed with another man when she was already promised to Kills Many
“do you want to sleep?”
Many Horses looked over at him realizing that this was the only way he would let her sleep and she was very tired “I will not hurt you” he added
She laid down accepting the blanket that he placed on top of her then flinched when he lay next to her placing an arm around her middle just underneath her breasts and pulling her close so that her back was to his chest.
“do not run” he spoke into her ear
The thought had crossed Many Horses mind but right now she was too tired to carry out any such plan. She just hoped that Kills Many would be able to find her before much more happened.
She was shaken awake before the sun had even touched the sky and told to mount her horse. She thought it a little odd that he didn't require her to clean up the campsite and tie their sleeping robes to his horse at the very least. Then she realized he hadn't yet mounted his own horse nor had the other man accompanying them. Surprising herself, the mare she was riding and the two men Many Horses pummeled the horses sides with her legs and shouted a loud Hah!
The horse took off like a bullet running through the prairie grass surrounding them. She could hear Walks Far shout and curse behind her and knew he would be close behind. She held on tightly bearing every bump and jar praying she wouldn't be thrown off. Walks Far as expected was closing in causing her to urge her horse faster, and keep looking behind her. He was shouting in Crow tongue though whether at the horse or her she didn't know. She found a stretch of dry even ground that stretched off to her right and turned the horse to run in that direction praying it would help go faster. The problem was that it helped Walks far go faster too and in a flash he was grabbing her mare's lead rope slowing both horses to a stop. He glared at her so angry he could barely speak and up to that point Many Horses didn't realize how scared she had actually been, she was shaking profusely and refused to look at him.
“did you try to kill your horse?” he shouted and became angrier when she refused to say anything “you never run a horse over uneven ground, she could break her leg”
“what did you expect me to do?” she shot back “I do not want to be with you, I should be with my husband”
“he is not your husband, I stopped that” Walks Far said plainly turning both horses around and walking them back the way they had come.
“you stopped my wedding??” she shouted. Tears threatened to surface although she would never let them show “why?”
“you do not know things about him”
“he is more of a man than you will ever be”
Walks Far ignored the comment and continued riding with her in tow. They spent the rest of the day in silence bearing the hot harsh sun and taking occasional breaks to make sure the horses had enough water and grass. He watched her like a hawk during these times barely giving her enough privacy to relieve herself. That night and over the next four nights their sleeping arrangements remained the same with his arm draped around her waking at the slightest noise she made. The next day she could spot literally hundreds of hide covered lodges in the distance and willed the thumping of her heart to slow. This day had been inevitable though still she had not wanted to face it.
“you belong to me now” Walks Far informed her “you will not be returned to the Cheyenne”
Many horses would not say anything. Part of her wanted to break down in tears while the other part wanted to shout at him. He had no right.
“stay with me” he told her and led the way down into the encampment. They had been spotted long before they arrived and everyone was curious to see who Walks Far had brought back with him. The women gave her stares of disdain and suspicion while the men simply leered at her or ignored her altogether.
Walks Far stopped in front of one of the larger hide lodges and ordered her inside leaving their companion to guard the door. She sat down allowing the flood of tears to come for the first time. Where was Kills Many? Where was he? What was he thinking? Was her father searching for her
or even her brother?
Movement at the entrance caught her unaware and she fought to dry her eyes before turning around to see a woman perhaps ten years older than herself.
“I am told you are Many Horses. I am Blue Raven” The woman spoke perfect Cheyenne but Many Horses wasn't so ready to trust her and must have looked at her with some amount of suspicion.
“I will not stay here”
“you do not understand, Sees the night will be your constant guardian, he will follow you everywhere”
This news didn't really surprise Many Horses though just where Walks Far had found a man who agreed to do this made her curious.
“Kills Many is my husband.....”
Blue Raven silenced her, “I know everything, he was just a young boy when I was taken and even then he was riding with the older ones”
“why did you stay?”
“even if I left he would have come after me, he would never let me take the children away from the crow”
That only made Many Horses feel worse. She loved Kills Many and he loved her in return, any children they had would have been cherished.
“I will not stay here” Many Horses said again
“Walks far will not allow you to leave” Blue Raven tried to make her understand “I tried to leave many times, someone will always be watching you”
“I don't care” Many Horses replied, she was determined
For the remainder of the day the women talked, Blue Raven asking questions about the Cheyenne and then bringing Many Horses something to eat. Later in the evening she left telling Many Horses that she was not to wear any clothing when she went to sleep. Many Horses ignored that and went to sleep with her dress still in place. This man was not her husband and she would not act otherwise.
Some time after she had fallen asleep a sharp tug was felt on the back of her dress and ripping could be heard at the same time. She came awake immediately turning on her back and grabbing at the torn ends of her dress.
“please”
“you will let it go or I will cut it off” He warned showing her the knife
She was shaking now and turned to the side so that her back was to him. She slowly removed the dress and curled up covering herself. Undeterred he shed his own clothes and lay down next to her assuming the same position that they had for the past several nights. The feel of his warm chest on her backside caused Many Horses to tense and try to pull away though he wouldn't allow it and instead of continuing to fight him she once again fell asleep.
The next morning she awoke early to find him gone and a new, clean dress elegantly made with a combination of quills and beads at the yoke. A pair of new, soft moccasins was included.
She dressed quickly hoping that Walks Far would stay away like he had yesterday.
A movement and rapping near the entrance drew Many Horses from her thoughts. She opened the outer flap to find Blue Raven there.
“Come, we go to the river to wash”
Many Horses wasn't about to refuse, it had been days since she'd been allowed to clean herself. She accompanied Blue Raven and her two small children down to a small calm running river and immediately hiked up her dress to wade in. The other women many with children refused to look at her or even so much as speak to her, Blue Raven noticed this.
“they treat me the same, do not let them bother you”
Many Horses thought of some women that had been brought captive among the Cheyenne and how they had been treated. Some of the Cheyenne women had been mean to them some even hitting them or tripping them then laughing when they fell. She would not let the same happen to her.
“I will be fine” she said walking behind a tree that was in the water to remove her dress and scrub with the sand found at the bottom of the river. It was then she saw the man who had accompanied both herself and Walks Far the entire trip to the crow village up the river a ways. Respectfully he was facing the other direction but he was there just the same.
“who is that man up the river?” Many Horses wanted to know
“Eagle Cries, he is the younger brother to Walks Far and he will follow you everywhere”
“Walks Far cannot do this himself?”
“Walks Far makes sure that his family is cared for, his father cannot walk much and a younger brother and sister remain at home”
Many Horses knew how scarce deer, elk and even buffalo could be at times and how far men might have to ride to find them.
Hearing movement on the other side of the creek Many horses quickly slipped into her dress and waded into the ankle deep water making for the slight embankment
“what are you doing?” Blue Raven shouted leaving her children on the embankment and running in after her/
“There is a herd of horses just up here”
“you cannot go near the horses”
Eagle cries had already crossed the creek, deliberately giving the bathing women their privacy but prepared nonetheless should she try to run.
One horse came to her as she topped the sloped embankment and she immediately accepted the warm muzzle pressed against her face.
Eagle Cries was running towards her shouting in Crow. Although she couldn't understand him the threat of what he might do if she did not separate herself from the heard of horses was all to clear.

Two Brothers continuation 4

Two days later they topped a small rise overlooking a very large encampment surrounded by earth on some sides and trees on others. This was a very good wintering spot as it would provide shelter from the wind and blowing snow. Without any kind of warning Red Eagle shot ahead and rode directly to a particular lodge dismounting on his own and asking to be let in. An older woman appeared excited to see him and invited him in. Fast Elk didn't really know what to think of this but turned his horse towards the lodge where his brother was.

"do you know who this woman is?" His uncle asked meaning the woman that Red Eagle had sought out.

"I do not see like my brother and I have never been among the Oglala"

Fast Elk soon stopped his horse next to Red Eagle's and jumped down peering inside the lodge where Red Eagle was sitting and eating a stew.

"come in" the old woman motioned clearly happy to see him too. She handed him a buffalo horn filled with the stew and directed him to sit down. They were soon joined by their uncle and the old man. That was when Red Eagle finally seemed to snap out of whatever trance he'd been in since the beginning of the journey here.

"this woman is our grandmother" He spoke to Fast Elk as though they had been here all along. Something had changed in his brother and he was almost certain that if he'd tried to leave right now Red Eagle would be reluctant.

"this man is your grandfather" their uncle announced indicating the old man that had been with them "he is a healer but is becoming old, there are things Red Eagle will need to learn"

Fast Elk's heart dropped causing a sick feeling to settle in his stomach. Their uncle hadn't been thinking about what he wanted but what their people needed. He couldn't take Red Eagle from here and he would not leave his brother.

Moments later a commotion arose outside and Fast Elk knew what he had to do. He left the lodge walking directly over to Red Hand and the other men who had ridden in after them.

"We are staying here" he announced refusing to let the tears that threatened to overwhelm him surface

Shock registered on Red Hands face "what did they do?"

"Red Eagle will learn to be a healer"

"and you will stay?" Red Hand asked knowing the answer before Fast Elk spoke

"I will not leave my brother"

Red Hand did not like this but Fast Elk was old enough to decide what he wanted to do. Breaking the news to their mother would be the most difficult thing of all. They were all she had.

"come see her in the summer"

Fast Elk looked up at the man who had been a very good friend and a mentor for the past year "we will"

Red hand turned and rode away followed by the men who had come with him. Fast Elk turned away so that he would not have to watch them but a heaviness remained in his heart. He was a stranger among these people and would have much to prove over the winter. Things that the Brule already knew he could do. He would have to start by making new arrows and obtaining a horse somehow.

"the mare is yours" His uncle said coming to stand next to him.

Without a word Fast Elk mounted the white mare that he'd ridden in on and headed for the forest. He was certain that had he been close enough to hear, his uncle would have said not to go very far. After all that is what got them in trouble in the first place.

End......

Two Brothers Continuation 3

Red Hand had been tracking the party of horses and men since last night. Usually their mother didn't worry so much but she had known something was wrong and asked him to search for them. The broken arrow and blood on the ground along with several footprints and hoof prints had been more than enough to convince him that their uncle had finally followed through with his threat to take the boys and raise them among the Oglala. He had gathered several other men and they had been pushing their horses as fast as they dared even riding throughout the night. These two boys had become like his own sons and he wasn't going to let them go so easily. He also knew where the Oglala were camped although it would be much harder to free the boys once they were among the people. He would have to resort to confrontation then and there would be no bargaining with their uncle.

Red Eagle had watched the older man for most of the day his thoughts almost undiscernable by the stone set of his face. He had refused to say any more after what had been disclosed earlier although it was all too clear that there was something he did not like.

two brothers continuation 2

Fast Elk could not sleep for a greater part of the night. He knew that their uncle had taken them because there were things they needed to learn or practice, especially hunting, fighting, tracking, making and shooting arrows. But didn't he think the men among the Brule were capable of teaching these things? He could hear some of the men talking and knew that they would take turns keeping watch throughout the night. He and Red Eagle hadn't been tied because they were being tested.

He eventually fell asleep and was roughly awakened before the sun brought light to the sky. The old man who had tended to Red Eagles leg came to look at it kneeling by his side and unwrapping the hide bandage. The wound was red as expected but no sign of infection.

Fast Elk was relieved but wouldn't make a big deal of it. The important thing was to see if his brother could still walk when the wound was healed. Fast Elk helped Red Eagle atop his horse then quickly mounted his own.

"he did not take us for what you think" Red Eagle spoke just loud enough for his brother to hear. It was the first time he had really said anything since the day before.

Fast Elk narrowed his eyes and rode closer "why do you say this?"

"it is the old man, he is a healer"

Fast Elk had already deduced this given the fact that the older man had taken care of his brother's wounds but what else was there?

"tell me what you mean"

Red Eagle just looked away meaning he wasn't going to say anymore but Fast Elk didn't like this one bit. He had a bad feeling about this, a very bad feeling.

Two Brothers Continuation 1

They rode off and were soon joined by eight armed men who encompassed them on the sides front and back. They all knew that men from the boys band of Brule would eventually come after them and that this could, on some level, start a very small war between the Brule and Oglala which was where they were headed.
Long after darkness had taken over the sky they finally stopped. Fast Elk immediately moved to help his younger brother down and recognized a quiet, seething anger in his eyes. Red Eagle had never been one that was quick to anger and would usually go off on his own if he had something to sort out. Something had changed in him and Fast Elk was worried. Though Red Eagle was stiff he managed to hobble over to a tree and lay down falling asleep instantly. Fast Elk sat down next to him not even caring that it was a little cold that night he just wanted this nightmare to be over with. His uncle tossed a pouch over saying that they needed to eat something but he was beyond hunger and simply lay down next to his brother. There would be no escaping tonight.

to be continued

Two brothers continuation

After carrying his brother for a distance into the thick prairie grass Fast Elk could see three horses tied to a tree ahead of them and knew immediately that their uncle had probably been planning this for a while. He also knew that there were most likely more men involved and that if they tried to run they would be chased down. Fast Elk wasn't ready to give up yet but would bide his time, he had to think of Red Eagle and when they ran they had to succeed.
Without a word they reached the horses and as expected an older man appeared instructing Fast Elk to place his brother on the ground. He had become limp and was starting to fall asleep until the older man, without warning jerked the remaining arrow shaft out of his leg causing it to bleed profusely. A hot stone was used to cauterize the wound and a poultice applied to it before the leg was tightly and securely bound. Red Eagle had only screamed once but the anger at his uncle was very evident. He refused any help hobbling to one of the horses and struggling to pull himself up until Fast Elk intervened and helped him up.

Thats all for now

to be continued.....

Two Brothers

There were at one time two brothers one aged twelve years and his older brother fifteen years. They were very close and when all their responsibilities were taken care of would often go off and explore. One day however they went a little further than they should have leaving the protection of their people behind. The older brother Fast Elk giving chase stopped dead in his tracks shouting for the younger Red Eagle to stop and come back. Standing in the tall grass several yards ahead of them was their uncle and there was no doubt as to why he was here. Without hesitation both boys ran, Fast Elk making sure that his brother kept up. Within moments however Red Eagle stumbled and fell grabbing his right leg refusing to cry out. Fast Elk knelt over him breaking both ends of an arrow embedded just below the knee and used a strip of hide to tie around it. When a shadow fell over them both boys refused to look up.

"Carry him" were their uncles gruff words. He knew that Fast Elk would never leave his brother behind

"our mother will think we are dead"

"she will know"

Fast Elk glared at his uncle as he helped Red Eagle climb on his back. This man was their father's older brother and had vowed to raise them himself after their father had been killed two years before. Only their refusal to go and the stance of the men among their mothers people had stopped him, until now.

Introduction

Since I love to write, especially those kind of stories that will take you to another time and place I decided to create a blog just for stories. I will start one and add a little to it day by day until it is finished and then start another. One area of interest I have always had is Native American history especially that of the Lakota, Cheyenne and some Apache so that is where I will start. (you can tell I am new to blog writing by the way this tends to drag on)