Lakota Dawn by Janelle Taylor Read Free Book Online Page B

touched her tender heart, for he might be her brother.
    “I understand you must leave,” Chase said kindly. “I hope we can talk on another sun. Thank you for your kindness and the food, and thank your mother for me.”
    Hanmani started to leave, but hesitated, then turned to face him. “If you are my brother and you stay with us, we will talk many times. I thank you for your kind words about me. It is sad, but I do not think I remember my brother. If I am wrong, such things will return to me soon. Eat while your food is hot. Do you have enough wood for a fire if needed?”
    “I have plenty, my sister, and thank you for having a good heart.”
    Hanmani could not resist exchanging smiles with him before leaving. She was glad she had spoken her final words to him,for they seemed to make him happy. Perhaps if they became friends, even false ones if he was a trickster, he would tell her things he might not tell the others.
    As Chase lay on his bedroll and placed an arm across his full stomach, he told himself that maybe he should be careful of what he ate. Probably nothing would please Winona more than for him to be resting on a death scaffold instead of on the grass outside her husband’s camp and within his visual range. But why shouldn’t she hate and resent the bastard child of her husband with another woman, a white woman, one of the enemy? his troubled mind shouted.
    Immediately he scolded himself for that wicked thought, as Winona had tended him for a year after his mother’s death: she had made, washed, and repaired his clothes; she had fed him; she had tended him when he was sick; she had allowed him to play with her own children; and she had not forced Rising Bear to send him away. She had not even asked his father to do so, to his knowledge. However, his heart cried, she had never embraced him; she had never spoken unnecessary words to him; and she had not even tried to comfort him—a small child—following his mother’s death.
    Yet, perhaps Winona had feared him in some way, feared he would draw Rising Bear’s attention and affection away from her children, feared his presence would always be a reminder to Rising Bear of the night he had shared on his mat with the beautiful Omaste and also be a reminder to their people of the chief’s one display of weakness. To be fair to the woman, he must remember what she had endured during her captivity with the fierce Pawnee. The woman must have suffered unspeakable torment under enemy hands. Then, to return to her own home to discover a bastard child in her tepee and her own son adoring the white woman who had lived in her place for two years— that would be painful for any wife and mother. Chase told himself to be understanding, patient, and compassionate where Winona was concerned; but still he must be wary of her.
    As he lay on his back, he gazed upward at an almost fullyblack moon and had only the glow of a small fire nearby to provide scant light for his solitary setting. He had been back for only one day and had made contact with each of his old family members except Winona. Perhaps he hadn’t done badly with such a difficult task in such a short span of time. Then, again, he was certain he wasn’t trusted, as he sensed eyes upon him and no doubt was being guarded. He felt vulnerable without his weapons, but he did have his knife within easy reach.
    As he heard movement nearby, he thought surely Two Feathers would not attempt to kill him, even with the hope an enemy would be blamed. As was their custom for someone under the protection of their leader, his cousin would be risking much to harm or slay him. At least he didn’t have to pass the night bound to a post or staked to the ground! When he sighted two deer approaching the river to drink, he knew what had made those sounds.
    Stop jawing with your shadow and get to sleep, Chase! he scolded himself. You need your rest and clear wits for what lies ahead. Close your eyes and think about something pleasant