"He is well," answered Eagle Heart. "One of his sons is a chief of a different band of our tribe, and his other son is, as you know, a medicine man. My father is happy, but I think his heart longs for the moon of flowers when he can visit here again and be reunited with you and your family."
"Perhaps he might bring his wife here to meet us. He loves his wife well, does he not?"
"He does. And, she loves him. Perhaps he might bring her here. I will tell him what you have said, and, since she no longer has small children to care for, she might come for a visit, also."
"I am glad to hear it," replied Auk-a'pii. "And, I am pleased to see you with a beautiful bride. I sense she loves you very much, as you love her, too."
He nodded.
"But..."
Eagle Heart waited.
"Something troubles you. I know you well, and, although I am aware you are happy with your wife, I have to come to realize you are troubled."
"Áa."
"What is it,Ohkó. I will listen. Perhaps I and my people might be able to help."
He sighed. "You bring me great honor, Auntie. But, a man does not unburden himself or speak of his troubles to a woman." He smiled. "Even a small woman."
"Of course you would feel this way. It is part of your Blackfoot heritage," said Auk-a'pii. "But, there is no one else here who knows you as well as I do. And, years and years ago, I used to listen to your father when he was worried. I have a good ear for this and like to think I helped him. Perhaps, instead of calling me ‘Auntie,’ you might think of me as a medicine woman. After all, my people are sometimes able to capture the energy and enlightenment of good magic."
"I am certain you helped my father greatly, Auntie—the medicine woman. And, I know your people are able to sometimes capture the energy of good magic."
She sighed, then, in a small voice, asked, "Is it about your brother?"
Eagle Heart groaned deep in his throat. But, at last, he said, "It is. But, how did you come into this knowledge?"
"I am a medicine woman to my people."
Eagle Heart didn't respond.
"You look for him, do you not?"
Her question was met with silence. At length, however, Eagle Heart confessed, "I cannot speak of this to you. You may be a medicine woman, but you are still female, and a true man does not place his burdens upon the shoulders of a such a one."
"But, you do not know where he is. Is this true?"
Eagle Heart smiled down at the very small, but lovely woman. "It seems you are bound to have this conversation with me, whether it is manly to do so or not."
"Soka'pii. I am glad you realize this."
His laugh was spontaneous and of good humor.
"I have always loved your father, and I extend my love to you, also," said Auk-a'pii. "But, you know this. Please, do not fear that you will be less a man because you speak to me. Please, tell me, what is the trouble?"
Again, Eagle Heart sighed. At last he replied, "I do not know. He disappeared at Fort Union. Discovering this, I went to the fort to find him. It was at this same trading post where I met my wife. And, so much happiness do I find with her, I forgot the sadness within my heart because of my brother's disappearance. When I was at the fort, I was able to discover he stole a Crow woman, and they disappeared together. After this, I tried to reach him with the silent communication we both can speak. At first, we were able to connect in this way. No longer can I do this with him, and I do not understand why because I know he is still alive."
Auk-a'pii nodded. "I understand now. It is good you have told me this, for I may be able to help you locate him. Let me speak with the elders of my people and suggest that we try to find your brother in spirit. Sometimes my people are able to do this. I cannot promise we will discover where he is. But, I think we could try."
"I would be honored and grateful if you and your elders could do this, since it would help me to determine where I should go. He is much loved by all his family."
"I know he is because I also know and love your father."
As Eagle Heart smiled down at the tiny woman, he said, "And, he loves you, as I do, also. If we were from the same tribe of people, we would be family."
She laughed a little. "It does not matter, this tribe you speak of. Forever, your father, your mother, your brother and your sisters are my family, as my family is yours. I will try to discover more about your brother's disappearance." She arose then, and, even though he was used to witnessing how small she was, even he was surprised to see she barely reached up to the top of his chest while he was still seated. But, it seemed she had more to say, for she said, "Perhaps I should tell you this, also: your wife's father and a Crow warrior are tracking you. They mean you harm. You, personally."
