Copyright © 2004, Sherry Derr-Wille
Published by Whiskey Creek Press LLC

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"We must have the Spirit Woman!" Hawk declared at the counsel meeting.

As usual when his brother began ranting on something, Snapping Turtle quit listening. He wished the man from the village to their west had never come to them. If he had not come with stories of the woman from the future that gave life back to the dead, Hawk would not be so obsessed with having her.

Snapping Turtle knew why Hawk wanted the woman's power, but he did not approve. Hawk's daughter, Little Duck, was a beautiful loving child, but she was different from the other children of the village. Snapping Turtle knew Hawk wanted the evil spirits driven from her body. In reality, Snapping Turtle wanted the child to remain the same. He loved her dearly, just as she was.

"We need to find a way to bring the Spirit Woman here for Hawk," Buffalo Calf said, making Snapping Turtle realize everyone but his brother's best friend and he had left the counsel.

"You know why he wants her here as well as I do. I fear if we bring her to our village, the outcome will be that Little Duck is hurt."

"How can driving out the evil spirit hurt the child?"

"What if this woman cannot drive the spirit from Little Duck? I am not like Hawk. I love her for who she is. There is no need to seek such changes."

"You see only the surface reason. Hawk realizes how special Little Duck is. He worries about the child in Prairie Flower's belly. We need to raid the village to the west of us and bring the Spirit Woman to him."

Snapping Turtle shook his head and walked away from Buffalo Calf. The man wanted to please his friend no matter what the consequences. Why did Buffalo Calf not think back to the last time the people raided a village? Did he so easily forget how the enemy had captured Snapping Turtle's uncle, Sly Coyote, then murdered him in front of the people? Snapping Turtle had been but a small child, but he still saw his uncle die within his dreams.

"You have a pensive look on your face, Little Brother," Hawk said breaking into Snapping Turtle's thought. "Are you thinking of how we can obtain the Spirit Woman for our village?"

"I fear this is something that will tear us apart. I understand the reasons for your motives, but what if the woman cannot change Little Duck? What if she cannot keep Prairie Flower's unborn child safe from the spirits that hold Little Duck? If she does not do what you want will you kill her the way our enemy did Sly Coyote?"

"You know me better than that."

Do I? Ever since my brother has heard of the existence of this Spirit Woman, he has not been the same. Am I the only one who can see this? Have our friends gone blind to this change?

"I fear the brother I love has disappeared. Until he returns I am sorry to say I do not know you at all."

Without waiting for an answer Snapping Turtle turned from his brother. He could not stand to see the look of despair in Hawk's eyes.

Three days later, Snapping Turtle found himself caught up in the idea of a raid on the village where the Spirit Woman resided. With his best friends Spotted Pony and Wildcat both excited about going, Snapping Turtle realized he needed to go along to watch out for them.
Early in the morning, before the sun crested the eastern horizon, six men left the village. They headed west toward the encampment where they knew the Spirit Woman would be found.
By midday, they were deep in the forest. Unlike the others, Snapping Turtle still questioned the prudence of this venture. It had been a long time since anyone from their people went on a raid. At least Buffalo Calf had insisted they not go into the sleeping village heavily armed. Should the unthinkable happen and they get captured, at least their captors would not see them as a physical threat.

Unlike his companions, Snapping Turtle had a feeling of dread. He knew he should have refused to go with his friends. Unfortunately, by following his conscience he would be branded a coward.

Around him, everyone talked about what heroes they would be when they returned with the Spirit Woman. Snapping Turtle had no idea of how sneaking into a sleeping village and kidnapping this helpless woman could make them heroes. If he could have talked them out of this raid, he would have been more comfortable.

"We will stop here and rest," Buffalo Calf declared. "The only way this will work is if we can get in and out without being seen. By going in before dawn, we will meet with no opposition from their warriors. It is important we have no losses."

Once they made camp beside the slow running stream, Snapping Turtle's companions fell asleep quickly. For Snapping Turtle, sleep would not come. His feeling of dread kept the bliss of uninterrupted rest at bay.

Buffalo Calf was the first of his companions to stir. One by one the others became alert. Snapping Turtle envied them. They were going into this fully rested, while he was in turmoil over what they were doing.

His friends saw Hawk as their powerful chief and going on this raid was the one thing they could do for him. Snapping Turtle's reasons were entirely different. If he was with his friends, and the Spirit Woman decided to fight them, he could be the voice of reason and get them to forget this foolish venture.

As they moved out, he wondered if any of the others shared his misgivings concerning this thing they were about to do. If he could, he would turn back now and tell Hawk to forget this woman.
In front of them the silence made him suspicious. No sentry stopped them, not even a dog barked. This is too easy. We are certainly headed for disaster.

No more than the thought crossed his mind than the warriors of the village stepped from their hiding places. In their hands arrows were notched in their bowstrings and lances were held high. To his right, he saw Wildcat pull his knife.

"Put that back, you fool. Do you want to get us all killed?"

Before Wildcat could answer the warriors surrounded them, forcing each man to the ground, fearful for their lives.

The man who held the knife to Snapping Turtle's neck barked an order Snapping Turtle could not understand. "What are you saying?" Snapping Turtle questioned.

Chaos reigned supreme as Snapping Turtle and his friends begged for their lives while the villagers all talked at once in a language none of the men with Snapping Turtle could understand.

"Why do you come among us under the cover of darkness?" A man who had been with the village's protectors asked.

Silenced dominated the area as the sun crept above the horizon and illuminated the faces of their captors. The fact this unknown man spoke their language shocked them completely.

"Why are you here?" the man again demanded.

"We came for the Spirit Woman," Buffalo Calf confessed.

Snapping Turtle was relieved to have Buffalo Calf take on the roll of leader. In no way did he want these people to know his brother was the infamous Hawk, the most respected chief of the twelve bands. With such knowledge, these people could easily think they had come as a war party rather than one intent on taking but a single woman.

The man who pinned Snapping Turtle to the ground pulled him to his feet and roughly bound his hands behind his back. Terror clutched at his mind when he realized they were being taken in six different directions. His captor indicated Snapping Turtle should sit on the ground next to one of the dome shaped lodges. Looking around, he realized he could not make eye contact with any of his companions. Was this a ploy to question each of them alone? Snapping Turtle knew such a thing would probably not happen. In order to try to gain his brother's approval, Snapping Turtle and his friends would lose their lives. Being separated meant only that they would not see each other die.

"Why did you come for the Spirit Woman?" the man who spoke their language asked.
Behind him the man who had come to their village and told them about the Spirit Woman made a threatening gestures. The look on his face told Snapping Turtle to keep his mouth shut concerning his recognition. Of his companions, he and Buffalo Calf had been the only ones to see the man who now threatened him. The others were not of a high enough rank to have access to the prisoner.

Since Buffalo Calf and Snapping Turtle were the only ones who knew of Hawk's true motives for wanting the Spirit Woman, Snapping Turtle realized it was best not to tell this man everything he knew.

"She is needed in our village."

"Why would you come like cowards in the night? If you would have asked, she would have offered her help."

"How could we have known that?"

"You knew she was here. How did you know of her existence?"

The man who had betrayed the woman raised his knife menacingly.

"A trader came to us with the story of the Spirit Woman, We thought we wanted her power, but …" But what? I do not know what else to say. If I tell the truth, this man who monitors my every word will come back and kill me.

"How did you know which lodge was hers? How could you be so certain about where to go?"

Snapping Turtle weighed his options. He could accuse the man who stood behind the interrogator and lose his life or refuse to answer and save himself from certain death.

"Answer me!"

"I do not know. I am only one of many."

The man who had betrayed his village smiled as he returned his knife to its sheath. It was evident he had learned enough of their language to know he had not been identified as the one who told them about the Spirit Woman.

Once the interrogator moved on, the guard pulled Snapping Turtle to his feet and pushed him toward the lodge they had been told the Spirit Woman occupied. It took only a few moments for him to become accustomed to the dim light that came through the smoke hole. As soon as he did, Snapping Turtle recognized Buffalo Calf and Wildcat sitting against the wall.

"Did they hurt you?" Buffalo Calf asked.

"No, but I dared not tell the man who asked the questions the entire truth."

"I know what you mean. The man who came to our village made it clear to speak the truth would mean certain death."

"What are you talking about?" Wildcat asked.

Snapping Turtle was relieved when Buffalo Calf explained about the man who had monitored the questions he had been asked. "Since we took this man as Hawk's captive, we kept him separate from most of the people. Snapping Turtle and I saw him because of our connection with Hawk. The rest of you would not have recognized him. His threats were to assure our silence."

"What will they do to us?" Wildcat asked.

What will happen?

"At best," Buffalo Calf began, silencing Snapping Turtle's inner thoughts, "they will see we mean them no harm and allow us to go back to our village.

"Do you have any idea what the worst would be?"

Buffalo Calf nodded. "At the worst, they will kill us. We all knew of the danger when we agreed to come here. It is for the best if we prepare for the worst."

Snapping Turtle bowed his head and prayed to the Great Spirit to save them from the certainty of their fate. He had to agree with Buffalo Calf. Before they left on this adventure they had all known of the possibility of death. When they were in their own village, death was discussed, but within the security of home, each of them saw themselves as immortal. Now, with the end of their lives almost a certainty each man became lost in his own thoughts.

Snapping Turtle could only pray silently. Great Spirit, keep us safe. If one must be sacrificed for all let it be me. Other than Hawk I have no family as do the others. No one but my brother will grieve for my loss.

The prayer was interrupted when the man who questioned them earlier entered the dwelling.
"I have heard the same story from all of you. Therefore I must believe you are telling the truth. Six men cannot all tell the exact same lie. My name is Atiko. While we go to bring back our women and children, you will be guarded. Once we return, I will ask the Spirit Woman if she will come to your village to see if she can help you."

Snapping Turtle tried to hide his shock at Atiko's words. Could it be possible the woman they had come to kidnap would be willing to come and help Little Duck?

"Why would you do such a thing for us?" Buffalo Calf asked, putting voice to the question that burned on Snapping Turtle's tongue.

"We are a peaceful people. I have taken the Spirit Woman as my own. I have learned much from her. She tells me it is better to live in peace with our neighbors than to wreck the lives of many in a war."

"Will you allow us to return to our families?" Wild Cat asked, even though it was not his place to speak for the group.

"Once the Spirit Woman has returned from where she is hiding with the other women and children, arrangements will be made for your return to your people."

"How do we know we can trust you?" Buffalo Calf inquired, taking back control of the situation.
"I am Atiko, second son of Clankor the great shaman. My word is good. You can ask anyone."

For the first time Buffalo Calf laughed. It had been a long time since Snapping Turtle had heard his brother's friend laugh. As he recalled it had not been heard since Hawk learned of the Spirit Woman and became obsessed with bringing her to their village.

"What do you find so funny?" Atiko asked.

"How can we ask your people about you when we do not speak your language? For that matter, how is it that you speak our language?"

Snapping Turtle studied the man who called himself Atiko. If he did not know better he would have called the expression on the man's face one of bewilderment.

"To be truthful, I do not know. To me, it is as if I am speaking my language to you and you are speaking my language as well."

At the man's statement, Buffalo Calf looked equally bewildered. "I can understand no one else in your village. You are speaking our language."

Atiko shook his head and left the dwelling. As Snapping Turtle watched the man go, he realized Atiko had spoken the truth when he said he had no idea he had been speaking in a language other than his own. Could it be there was more magic in this village than what the Spirit Woman possessed?

Snapping Turtle was about to make comment on Atiko's behavior, when the man returned to their dwelling. "Since I believe what you have told me about meaning no harm to our people, I have convinced our leader to allow me to free you from your bonds. When the women return, I will have food brought to you. You are still prisoners and will be guarded but at least you will not be bound."

Snapping Turtle watched while Atiko untied Buffalo Calf before moving on to Wild Cat. In turn Buffalo Calf untied Snapping Turtle. It took little time for all six of them to be released.
Once Atiko left the lodge, Buffalo Calf voiced his opinion. "I do not understand this man. Would Hawk treat prisoners in such a way?"

Snapping Turtle could not help but agree with his friends. " You know he would not. Do you not remember how he treated the man who told us of the Spirit Woman? Until Hawk was able to understand what the man was saying he kept him tied and tethered. If it had not been for the information he possessed about the Spirit Woman, he would have become a slave to our people. I am certain he would have been better off if this had happened. When his people learn of his betrayal, he could easily lose his life."

Buffalo Calf nodded. Around them the others made comments on how Hawk would treat a traitor among their people. The discussion gave Snapping Turtle time to think about his brother. Hawk was a fair man, but he was also harsh if the situation called for it. Snapping Turtle was thankful that Hawk had never had to deal with such treachery among his people. He had no doubts about how his brother would handle a traitor within his midst. Execution would be swift and merciful, even if it broke Hawk's heart to have to kill a friend. The good of all of the people would be more important than the life of one.

From outside the lodge, Snapping Turtle could hear the men leave. It was evident the women had been sent into hiding to avoid the raid. He could not help but wonder how anyone knew of their plans. Could it be they also had a traitor within their ranks? Since the raid was planned in haste, only the men who traveled with them knew of it. Hawk had not sanctioned it, but they did alert him before they left.

"How did these people know we were coming?"

Snapping Turtle could hardly believe his ears when he heard his friend, Wild Cat, ask the same question that had been eating at his mind.

Buffalo Calf only smiled at Wild Cat's question. "You forget who it is we came here to take. As a Spirit Woman, it is not hard to believe she knew of our plans before they were even formed within our minds. You know Serpent's Wing has the ability to know our thoughts and he is only a shaman. A Spirit Woman must possess more powers than we can ever begin to imagine."
Snapping Turtle agreed with Buffalo Calf's logic. Going into this he had not considered the powers of the woman they came to kidnap. Having never been able to think on a problem while seated, he got to his feet.

As he walked around the lodge, it was evident it had been unoccupied for some time. Among his people when someone died, the lodge was dismantled out of respect for the dead. If it was a man who left a wife, the entire village worked to erect a new dwelling for the widow so the man's spirit could go to the next world without having to worry about those he left behind. Of all the people he had met over his twenty winters of traveling to the winter campground, the custom was the same.

From what he saw here, no hunter or warrior had ever occupied this dwelling. The baskets had the trappings of a woman. He noticed the quills, awls and thread for sewing, as well as dried meat and fruit that could easily be turned into a hearty meal.

Outside the dwelling the barking of the dogs mingled with the shouts of children and the chatter of women to signify the return of those who had fled to safety. Soon someone would come to bring them food and they would be able to ask the Spirit Woman to come to their village to help Little Duck as well as reassure Hawk the child Prairie Flower carried would be normal.
The air within the dwelling was becoming stale, as the time seemed to drag. It was apparent to Snapping Turtle that the women had been back long enough to prepare a meal and eat it, but no one came to bring them food.

Wild Cat's stomach growled loudly. "I need to relieve myself. Along with that I am starving. Have they forgotten we are here?"

Buffalo Calf looked up, as though Wild Cat's words had shattered the thoughts within his mind. "I doubt it. The last time I checked, there was still a guard outside."

"Do they think we are not human?" Spotted Pony asked, joining the conversation. "We hunger and thirst just as they do. At least when we held their man captive, we fed him."

Snapping Turtle turned to face his friend. "How do you know what you say is true? Unlike you, I was in the lodge where Hawk held this man captive. Until Spirit Wing was summoned to communicate with him, very little consideration was given."

"But …" Spotted pony began.

"Snapping Turtle is right. You do not have enough status among our people to know how the man was treated. Even though he posed no threat to us, he was bound and tethered until we knew his purpose for coming into our midst. Had he come, as we did, under the cover of darkness, his treatment would have been much worse. Be glad it is only your stomachs that are suffering. At least you are not bound and tethered."

A commotion outside the lodge turned their attention to the opening and the man and woman who entered. Snapping Turtle immediately recognized Atiko and looked to the woman to see is she was the Spirit Woman. It only took a glance to know she was not the one they had come to capture. She was young, perhaps still a maiden. Her hair was as black as a raven's wing and her eyes were equally dark. The captive had told Hawk he would know the Spirit Woman by her hair that was the color of a summer sunset and her eyes that were as green a springtime prairie grass.
"My sister has brought you food, I am sorry for the delay. If you need to empty your bladders, I will take you one by one so as not to alarm the people."

"We appreciate your kindness to us, in light of our reason for being here," Buffalo Calf said, as Wild Cat hurried to the door to be the first to be taken from the dwelling.

Snapping Turtle concentrated on the woman who brought them their meal. Delicate was the only word to describe her. Whatever happened to him, he would never forget her beauty.

"Snapping Turtle," he said, pointing to his chest when she glanced in his direction.

She quickly averted her eyes and turned to leave.

While Snapping Turtle stood watching the young woman go, Spotted Pony came to his side. "You forget who you are my friend. That girl is not one of the women of our village who try to gain your attention because of your brother. She is not interested in you."

"Perhaps not, but she will be. She is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen,"

"And you are an ugly dog who is the captive of her people. She will not fall into your arms as do the maidens of our village."

Snapping Turtle ceased listening to his friends. The girl intrigued him. He wanted to get to know her better.

Makisa left the lodge where the captives were being held. As she did, she saw Atiko return with the man he had taken to the area beyond the village.

"Is something wrong?" Atiko asked once the man entered the lodge. "Did one of the captives harm you?"

Makisa shook her head no. How could she tell her brother that the most handsome man she had ever seen spoke to her and made her belly flutter as though it was filled with summer butterflies?

Atiko instructed the guard to escort another of the captives to the area beyond the village, then turned his attention back to Makisa.

"Something has happened. I will not have you in such a state."

Makisa pondered her answer. How could she tell her brother what happened when she knew his mind centered on Kit? How could the woman who professed her love for her brother disappear? Had the gods that brought her to the village so mysteriously taken her back to the future? Could that happened because of the threat posed by the strangers who were now the prisoners of her people?

Was she truly a Spirit Woman who could become invisible at will?

"Compared to Kit's disappearance, this is of no importance. You should be out searching for her and not here catering to our enemies."

"Others are searching for Kit. My place is here and your concerns are mine. Now, tell me what is the cause for such trouble behind your lovely eyes?"

Makisa took a deep breath. "One of the men pointed to his chest and spoke to me in a language I did not understand. I cannot begin to explain the feeling his actions generated within me."
"Is that all? These are young men. If I were in their position and saw a beautiful girl, I might be tempted to try to tell her my name as well."

"Was that what he was doing?"

Her brother nodded his head.

"Do you really think he finds me beautiful?"

"Any man would be a fool not to find you beautiful. Your beauty outshines that of any woman in the village. Pikar is a lucky man to be taking you as his wife."

Atiko's words sobered Makisa. The attentions of the captive had driven all thoughts of the man who would soon take her as his wife from her mind. She had no business thinking about the handsome stranger who had spoken to her.

"Your mind is not on Pikar, but the captive who spoke to you."

"How did you know?"

"It was evident by the look in your eyes. Be glad this happened before your marriage. Such thought would be improper for a married woman."

He put his hand to her cheek and forced her to look into his eyes. The smile on his lips was reassuring. "What you are feeling is natural. I would be concerned if a handsome man did not set you on fire."

"But as you said, it is wrong. I am promised to Pikar. I should not even look upon another man. Pikar will make a good husband and father to my children."

"Do you carry his child?"

Tears threatened to spill from Makisa's eyes. "I do not understand it, but the gods have not allowed his seed to take root within my body."

"Perhaps there is a reason for this to be. Until you carry Pikar's child and your union is complete, he has no claim to you. Many things can happen between the promise and the marriage."
"Not to us, Atiko. Pikar loves me."

"I am not saying he does not love you, Little Sister. I know of my friend's love for you. I am only saying you are not married, nor do you carry his child. You should enjoy the innocent attention of a young man. By finding you attractive, he pays you a high compliment."

Atiko returned to the lodge where the captives were being held, leaving Makisa to ponder what he had said. She wished Pikar would cause the feeling in her stomach being close to the prisoner brought on.
Across the commons area, Makisa saw Pikar with the other hunters. Without thinking to pick up the serving platters, she hurried to his side.

"Where have you been?" Pikar asked, when she joined him.

"Atiko asked me to take food to the prisoners."

"He had no right. You are my woman."

Makisa's stomach churned. Why couldn't his voice be soft and caring the way the captive's voice had sounded.

"I am unmarried and a woman of Atiko's household. I am free to do the bidding of my brother, my father and my leader. When I carry his child and we are married it will not be so."

"I will make certain it will not be so. The marriage cannot come soon enough to suit me."

Instead of the love she was certain she had seen when they were alone, angry sparks flew from Pikar's eyes. How could he be angry with her for doing as her brother asked?

Rather than confront Pikar with her accusations, she turned from him. For the first time since his pledge to become her husband, she wanted nothing to do with him. Before she could return to the lodge where the captives were being held, Pikar grabbed her arm and turned her to face him.
"Where are you going?" he demanded.

"I have to retrieve the platters and return them to my mother." She tried to pull away, but Pikar's fingers bit into her upper arm.

"You will do as I say. You will not go back to where those murderers are being held."

"I will do as my brother has instructed me to do. When you are my husband, you will be able to dictate to me. Until then, I obey the male members of my family." The forcefulness of her voice seemed to shock Pikar as he let go of his grip on her arm. Free from his grasp, she turned and hurried out of his reach.

She arrived at the dwelling where the captives were being held just as Atiko returned with the man who had tried to talk to her. As much as she wanted to study him more closely, she averted her eyes and concentrated on picking up the platters from outside the door.

When Makisa turned to leave, she saw Pikar watching her. Instead of the look of love in his eyes, all she could see was cold hatred. The memory of his grip on her arm coupled with his cold stare to send her a warning.

"Is something wrong, Little Sister?" Atiko asked.

"Pikar is acting strangely. He forbids me to come back for Mother's platters."

"Yet you came."

"You told me until I was married, I owe no allegiance to Pikar. You are right. I told him until I carry his child and we are married, I need to obey no one but you, Father and our leader. When I finished telling him that he grabbed my arm and, and …." Unable to continue, she burst into tears.

"Did he hurt you?"

"Please, Atiko, do not make trouble. Pikar did not mean to hurt me. He is to be my husband. If you were to say something, I would have to repeat the ceremony of the maidens. To do so would be more than I could stand."

"Do you think embarrassment is worse than a life of pain? If he can do this to you before you are joined, what will he do when no one is watching?"

"He will not harm me. He loves me. The captives have everyone on edge. I will be glad when they are gone."

Atiko turned from her, shaking his head. Makisa could tell her brother did not approve of her loyalty to Pikar especially considering the bruise on her arm that was getting darker with the passing of time.

She was surprised when he went back to Kit's dwelling, where the prisoners were being held, to speak with the guards. Intrigued by what he was doing, she stood watching until the prisoners were brought out into the early autumn sunlight.

Away from the dimly lit lodge, she stared at the man who had spoken to her. He was even more handsome without the shadows cast by the dim light of the lodge. For that matter, each of the prisoners was equally handsome in their own way.

"What are you staring at?" Pikar asked from behind her.

Makisa had not heard him approach and yet he stood so close she could feel the heat of his breath on her neck.

"Nothing. I was merely thinking."

"Women have not the minds for deep thoughts. It is best if you take these platters back to your mother. With these men untied, it is not wise for you to be here alone. If you ask me your brother is a fool to cater to them."

"But…"

"There are no buts, Makisa. I am right and soon everyone will come to realize Atiko is under the spell of the Spirit woman. I say it is a good thing she disappeared,"

Pikar grasped Makisa's arm and turned her away from the lodge and the six men sitting in front of it. As he did, her eyes met those of the man who so intrigued her. She wondered if it was her imagination or if she saw pity in their depths.

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