“I have seen Fire Thunder praying, and during his prayers, he calls out to ‘Grandfather.’ To whom is he referring?”
“The four corners, or directions, the four winds, and the sky that watches from the heavens, are all manitou, and are called grandfather,” Dawnmarie explained.
“How interesting,” Kaylene said, now looking at Fire Thunder again, and at what he was doing. He had told her earlier that all the fires in the village would be extinguished. Now the large lodge fire was being covered with dirt, to extinguish it. He was responsible for making a new fire with his bow drill in the Thunder Bundle House, and then he would be the one who would distribute fire to all of the homes of the village.
Several young men came and took away the dead ash. Fresh wood was placed in the firepit. Everyone was quiet as Fire Thunder started the new fire with his bow drill.
When the new flames leaped high in the fire pit, Fire Thunder lifted many pieces of the burning wood with tongs and placed them in large copper tubs that young braves brought to him.
Once the tubs were filled with burning wood, warriors carried them from the council house. Fire Thunder accompanied them. He would go inside each lodge and place one of the burning pieces of lumber in the fireplaces. The new fire meant a new beginning.
Kaylene watched several women come forth. They placed large trays of food around the lodge fire. Everything smelled delicious.
Sassafras tea was brought in large wooden pitchers, as well as many wooden cups.
But Kaylene’s thoughts strayed from the food. She thought of John Shelton. Although she knew that he deserved to be punished, she was glad that Fire Thunder had taken him from the cage, out of view of his people and herself. She was glad to have him where she couldn’t see him every time she went outside. Just the sight of him sent her mind into a tailspin of despair and doubt.
This man who had claimed to be her father was now being kept a prisoner in a lodge at the far
edge of the village. She was not sure yet what his fate would be.
But as for herself, she was greatly disappointed that he had not yet told her her true birthright. The smirk on his face each time she asked him proved to her, over and over again, that she was right about him, that he most definitely was not her father.
Again she thought of Running Fawn to whom she had vowed secrecy. Although Running Fawn was a friend, Kaylene could not help but regret having become her confidante. She feared Running Fawn’s final fate. She might one day be raped, or she might be killed by a jealous suitor!
Or, she might be banished by the tribe.
Kaylene felt helpless to help her. As long as Running Fawn would not listen to reason, and continued to be disobedient to her father and chief, and her people, there was nothing Kaylene could do to help her.
“We are having our own New Year’s Festival,” Running Fawn said, laughing softly as she poured herself another glass of tequila.
She would not allow herself to recall how it affected her the other times, especially that one time she had fainted and had awakened to find herself at the edge of the village. Had her father found her in a drunken stupor, that would have been the end for her.
Her three girlfriends sat with their young lovers, laughing, giggling, and drinking tequila. Pedro sat beside Running Fawn, frowning.
“It was· not wise to meet today,” he grumbled, his dark eyes flashing angrily into Running Fawn’s. “Had I known your people were celebrating their New Year festival, I would have never come. It is dangerous. Should you be missed, Running Fawn, it could be the end for all of us.”
“Will you stop worrying?” Running Fawn said, snuggling close to him as they sat beneath the shade of a tree. “Father is thinking of nothing else but the festival and his part in it. A daughter is the farthest thing from his mind.”
Running Fawn set her empty glass aside. She moved to her knees before Pedro. She framed his dark face between her hands. “Do you not remember why you came today?” she said, her eyes dancing. “My sweet Mexican lover, you did not come only to see me. You are to get a tattoo on your leg to match the one I have on mine. Will that not truly bond us as lovers?”
“I do not like tattoos,” Pedro growled, taking her hands from his face. He looked over at his friends. “Señorita Running Fawn, we should go. We have stayed too long as it is.”
“Coward,” Running Fawn hissed out, her eyes narrowed. She rose to her feet in a huff and placed her hands on her hips. “How could I have fallen in love with such a coward?”
Pedro rushed to his feet. He took her by the wrists and yanked her close. He glared down at her. “I am no coward,” he said tightly. “I just do not like tattoos.”
“If you do not allow me to place a matching tattoo on your leg, then you will not see me ever again,” Running Fawn said, lifting her chin haughtily.
“Coward!” the three other girls chimed in. “Pedro is a coward!”
His eyes wavering, feeling as though he was quickly losing face with these beautiful señoritas, Pedro stepped away from Running Fawn. “All right,” he said, idly shrugging, “to prove that I am no coward, you can tattoo me.”
Running Fawn’s eyes lit up. She grabbed Pedro and hugged him. “I knew that you would let me,” she said, snuggling her body against his. “After I have tattooed you, then we can make love.”
“That is my reward for proving I am no coward?” Pedro said, chuckling.
“Something like that, my handsome Mexican lover,” Running Fawn said, inching from his arms.