Again she was treated to his grin. He said, "You forget. My almost-mother is white. She sometimes requires help in getting onto her horse, and my almost-father seems to be more than happy to aid her, stealing kisses from her all the while…that is, when no one is looking."
She laughed. "But, you must have seen them do it in order to be able to tell me about it."
"Of course I have watched them, although I was always well hidden when I looked." They both chuckled before he added, "A boy has to be clever if he is to learn about love, after all."
"Then, I must admire your ingenuity, especially since I am to be the recipient of this knowledge. Are your almost-parents deeply in love, then?"
"They have five children, including me, though they have only been married for fifteen snows. My almost-mother wishes to have a large family, and my almost-father is happy to accommodate her. I believe he would deny her nothing. Yes, they are deeply in love."
"As much as us?" she asked.
"I think so," he answered, "although we are only beginning our life together. Perhaps our love might shine as much or more than theirs, if there were to be such a contest."
"It would be a silly contest."
"Aa,so it would be." He easily found his seat upon his mount.
Observing him and the pony together, she was caught up by an observation: this horse and rider seemed to be of one mind. She said, "This is the same animal you were riding when you rescued my sister today, is it not?"
"It is," he replied. "This stallion is the best buffalo pony in all the tribe. He is not only smart, he knows exactly what I require of him when we ride together. I rarely have to guide him. These kinds of ponies require some training, but they are as excited as its rider when we go to hunt buffalo. He sometimes knows my thoughts before I have the chance to say any words to him." He paused, then added, "He knew we had to save your sister. He was honored and excited to bring me in close to her so I could grab her. He knew, also, the moment when I had her clutched in my arm, and he took a sharp turn away to avoid a collision with the frightened horse Chief Chases-the-enemy was riding. The chief's horse is a recent acquisition and is not yet properly trained. My buffalo pony knew this and was able to speed away without my even having to guide him."
"My goodness. What a beautiful animal he is. I, too, love horses very much. But, I had no idea they could be trained in this way. Is his name Buffalo Horse?"
"Saa,it is not. His name has roots in both the Pikuni and the Lakota languages, since I am both.Naato Omitaais the Pikuni name for 'Holy Dog' in English."
"Holy Dog?"
"Aá. When these animals first came to the Lakota, my people were quick to see the horse could do the jobs of our dogs, only better. They could carry more of a load and could be trained to help a man in war or in the running of buffalo. They were often smart and have been known to save their masters from harm. And so, the Lakota called this new acquisition 'Holy Dog.'Naato Omitaais the Blackfeet translation forSu?kaWa?a?', which is Lakota."
"How do you say them both?"
"Naa-to Omit-aa is Pikuni. Sun-ka Wa-kan is Lakota."
"I think I have it.Naato Omitaais Pikuni, andSu?kaWa?a?'is Lakota."
He smiled. "I like to hear you speak my language."
She grinned in return. "Is this your own personal name for him, then?"
"It is."
"Good. What name do you use the most when you call to him?"
"I have given him both names, and he knows them both, also. He probably would even come to you if you called him 'Holy Dog.'"
"Perhaps I might," she answered. "But, I think I shall address him by his Indian names. Both of them have a lovely sound to them, and since I am now your woman and you are my man, I should learn to speak your language, though it may take me a while to do so."
"It is good," he said as he guided his pony,Naato Omitaa,to where Czanna sat upon her mount. He brought the animal up on her side, his own horse facing the same direction as her pony. Reaching out, he took her hand in his and brought it up to his lips where he kissed each of her fingers. He said, "I care not what language we speak when we are together. I care only to make you happy with me."
Dropping her hand, he narrowed his eyes and looked away from her to gaze directly in front of him, and, turning around, he looked to his rear, then to each side, his gaze away from her and out into the environment.
She sighed, her fingers still tingling from his caress. But, it appeared he had other matters on his mind.
At last, he looked back her and said, "I neither see nor feel the presence of an enemy. And so, we go. Follow me. The way is not far, but it is enough distant from here to give us privacy."
"I shall," she said, and, bringing her own fingers up to her lips, she kissed them, then blew the kiss to him. As though she had smacked him by the simple gesture, he slipped from his seat and fell to the side of his pony, away from her.
To the sound of her giggle, he regained his seat and said, "Áa,my new wife has power in her kiss. I greatly anticipate the night ahead of us, so I might experience more of her power. Do you think I might?"
"Sir, I think you are well aware you will, and I think, too, you are flirting with me."
"Do you only think it?"
Leaning over and reaching out, he caught her around the waist and, lifting her up, brought her into position before him, she sitting sidesaddle. And, as one of his arms came around her, he gathered the reins of both his pony and hers in his other hand and said, "I think you were right. We should be close. But, be warned. All the way to our marriage camp, I intend to show you what I do when I really mean to flirt!"
She giggled and he laughed. But, she stayed right where she was, directly before him on his smart and handsome pony, Holy Dog.
