FAITH
FAITH (after an idea by Nesciri)
Kiowa Territory, 1858
Red Bear called the other warriors to him and they entered the ceremonial lodge that had been especially constructed for this occasion. The lodge had been given the blessing of the Man of Dreams and scented smoke streamed out through the opening in the roof. The men filed into the lodge and sat according to their rank within the tribe. Red Bear sat next to the Man of Dreams and he slowly appraised his warriors. They were strong and fierce and Red Bear knew their loyalty was unquestioned.
It was always at this moment that Red Bear thought
of Running Buck. He could envision Running Buck sitting beside him in the lodge
having grown into a fine young man. It would certainly be good to have him back
and a pang of longing mixed with regret coursed through Red Bear. Red Bear quickly
shook his head. Life in the tribe had grown increasingly difficult for Buck.
As the little boy grew, it became impossible for him to be watched at all times.
Other children teased and humiliated him when they weren't ignoring him. It
pained Red Bear to watch the once exuberant child change into a painfully shy
boy who flinched away from the older children when they ran by playing their
games. Even the adults could not ignore the fact that Running Buck was half-white.
The Kiowa thought that being born the son of a white rapist was the worst offense
against nature, but Red Bear could see another side of it. Being half-white
was Running Buck's way out of a doomed life.
When the missionaries came, the solution presented
itself to Red Bear. They had a school where Buck could go and learn the white
man's language and traditions. Red Bear also thought that by letting Buck go
now it would be easier for him to survive than when the tribes no longer existed.
He knew in his heart that within three generations the Indian way of life would
be gone and there would only be one road to travel and that would be the white
man's. In his mind, he had saved his little brother from life on a reservation
and had given him the chance to remain free.
Red Bear remembered when he had told Buck that the
time had come for him to leave the tribe. Running Buck had begged to stay but
Red Bear knew that was impossible. It had broken his heart to say no to the
child he had raised but it was necessary. Red Bear also remembered traveling
with Buck most of the way to the school and saying good-bye just beyond the
outskirts of the mission. His little brother had clung to him and Red Bear had
been forced to unwrap the child's hands from around his neck before forcing
him to walk alone towards the mission. Red Bear had waited to make sure Buck
was safely inside and then he had left.
Red Bear prayed silently for his brother before
turning his thoughts to the decision that must be made. Today, he needed to
decide which young braves would be elevated to the highest warrior rank. It
would not be an easy decision, as the repercussions would affect the leadership
of the Kiowa for generations. This was especially important, as the future leadership
of the tribe would have to negotiate with the white man for land and territorial
rights. Red Bear closed his eyes and contemplated White Owl. There was a young
man who was brash and made rash choices in his life. He used what little power
he had to shame and humiliate others. Every act or deed that boy performed was
not for the betterment of the tribe but to increase his own status. There was
no doubt that if forced to choose between himself and the tribe, White Owl would
always place himself first. Red Bear shook his head. White Owl would not be
elevated.
Yellow Crane waited anxiously outside the lodge.
Her entire body strained to hear the words being spoken inside the lodge but
the thick hides muffled any sound that was being made. White Owl stepped outside
the lodge. He saw his mother standing there waiting for word. He shook his head
at her and started to walk swiftly by. Her hand snaked out and she clawed at
his arm. "Two Trees told me he could influence Red Bear."
"He was wrong, Mother. Red Bear has denied my right to be elevated."
With that, White Owl stalked away.
