FAITH
FAITH (after an idea by Nesciri)
Kiowa Territory, 1858
Word had spread throughout the village that their
Chief was dying. Fear among the members of the tribe was painfully evident as
groups of women and old men sat huddled together trying to reassure each other
that Red Bear would live. Every available brave stood guard around the perimeter
of the camp. While it was standard practice to have sentries posted, this warm
summer night was different. The tribe was especially vulnerable when Red Bear
was ill and so the bodies of the guards were tense not only for the sound of
approaching enemies but also for the wailing that would be heard if Red Bear
died.
In his teepee, Red Bear's body convulsed and he
was wracked with pain that came in waves. The Man of Dreams chanted and sang
over Red Bear. Song Bird, who dearly loved her husband, wept quietly over him
while she worked to save him. Exhaustion and strain made her face grim and she
kept her jaw tightly clenched. She needed to stay in control. It wouldn't help
Red Bear if he saw her in a state of near collapse. He needed her strength now
and she was determined to give it to him. But when Man Of Dreams told her to
leave to get some rest, she knew that rest was the last thing she could do.
Instead she placed herself outside the tepee, fearing that her husband would
not return to her and longing to be by his side. In an effort to keep her fears
down, she thought back of the day and the events that had led up to her husband's
present situation.
Red Bear obviously ate something that was making
him so ill. No one else was sick though, so it had to be something that only
was given to Red Bear. Song Bird shook her head. Was it possible that someone
had poisoned her husband? How could that be? Red Bear was respected and loved
by most of the members of the tribe. Song Bird knew though that any leader had
enemies. Two Trees had often disagreed with Red Bear and advocated a war against
the white men that were coming closer everyday. He wouldn't dare poison the
chief though and besides that was not his way. He would rather fight Red Bear
in face-to-face combat with the entire tribe watching than to sneak poison into
his food.
Song Bird strained her memory to recall every minute detail. Gossip had said that White Owl would not be elevated even though he had reached the proper age. Surprise did not come as to the decision but as to how well Yellow Crane handled the disappointment. She had simply gone to her teepee and went about her chores like it was any other day.
The rest of the day had passed quietly and evening set in. As was the custom, Song Bird served her husband his meal first as he sat with the other men. Yellow Crane, along with the other women and set out various dishes for the men and removed them as they ate. Song Bird remembered Red Bear handing her a bowl before drinking a broth that had not been there earlier. Song Bird thought nothing of it at the time but now she wondered. Song Bird would find that bowl and find out what happened to her husband.
Two hours later, the women stood outside their teepees.
They watched in morbid fascination as Song Bird searched every teepee in the
village. She had called several of Red Bear's most loyal men to stand guard
over the entire village so no evidence could be secreted away. Everyone knew
Song Bird was looking for a something that would tell the tale of Red Bear's
illness. She had been in almost every teepee with no result. Now she was in
Yellow Crane's. The old woman had protested but Song Bird was the wife of a
chief. Yellow Crane had no power to stop her.
Song Bird clawed at the blankets, pulling them to
the side. She felt something hard hidden underneath one of the pallets. Reaching
cautiously, Song Bird pulled out a plain wooden bowl. She brought the bowl to
her nose. The bowl smelled strongly of powerful herbs that if used in the wrong
amount would cause death.
Song Bird came to the sick realization that Yellow
Crane had poisoned her husband. Song Bird stepped out of the teepee and went
directly toward Yellow Crane. Anger swept through Song Bird and it took all
her strength not to keep from attacking the woman with her own two hands. She
held her head high and looked directly at the now cowering woman.
"Red Bear will live," Song Bird said loudly and with conviction. She
knew this to be true in her heart. Song Bird paused so her next words would
be clear, "You will not."
Song Bird held up the bowl and to those close she brought the bowl so they could smell the herbs. One of Red Bear's loyal friends and a member of the council stepped forward and when realizing what Song Bird had found he turned to Yellow Crane. Without a word he made a motion and Yellow Crane was dragged away by two braves.
