Saturday, October 31, 2009
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.....
Friday, October 30, 2009
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.
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......
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
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.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
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.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
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
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
Thursday, October 22, 2009
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.....
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.....
Saturday, October 17, 2009
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)
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