"Other questions?"
"Hau, hau,yes. But, I have already asked them of you. I will repeat them if you wish."
She glanced away from him, presenting him once more with the beauty of her profile. "I… No, it isn't necessary. The morning, however, is becoming late, and I fear I will be missed if I do not return to the wagon train. I must go. I just came here to…"
As she glanced down, Stands Strong couldn't help but see the tear that trickled down over her cheek. He didn't say a word, nor did he move. Instead, he barely breathed, waiting for her to continue.
And, at last she carried on, though her voice was no more than a whisper when she said, "To say goodbye."
He understood, and a feeling of compassion embraced him. His nod at her was almost imperceptible as he quietly murmured, "There is danger for a woman alone on the prairie, and someone should ensure you are able to return to your people unharmed. I would be that someone."
She smiled slightly, though weakly, before she softly said, "Thank you, but no. I…I fear you would scare the others in the wagon train, and there might be trouble."
Stands Strong frowned before asking, "Do I look to you as though I am the kind of man to run from trouble?"
"No, sir. You appear to me to be a man who would defend those he loves to the very end. But, sir, I don't wish to be the cause of any trouble. Please, I beg you to understand why I do not wish you to be with me when I rejoin the others. There are people with me on the wagon train whom I love dearly, and sometimes the innocent get harmed when there is fighting."
He nodded before saying, "Then, I will not take you there, but instead I will watch you from afar to ensure you return there safely."
"I…I thank you, sir. But, it is unnecessary."
"I disagree," he responded. "It is very necessary. A real man must ensure the women in his life are protected. But, ease your mind. You will not see me; they will not see me. Yet, you should know I will be there if there is a threat to you."
He watched as she gulped. Then, without looking up at him, she asked, "Sir, did you tell me this very moment that I am a woman in your life?"
Stands Strong couldn't help but smile a little before answering. But, without pausing too greatly, he said, "Of course you are a woman in my life. Have we not been speaking to one another? And, are you not here alone? No true man would leave you to possible harm when he could keep you safe."
"But, you know nothing about me."
"Does it matter? You are alone; it is not safe here for you. I will watch over you until you return to your own people."
He gazed at her as tears suddenly burst from her eyes to land upon her breast, and his heart beat fiercely in his chest in response. What had happened to this woman to cause her to not even expect a man to defend her?
She said, though her voice broke, "Sir, I am sorry for what I said to you earlier. I was wrong to say what I did."
Stands Strong nodded.
"Sir, I fear it is getting later and later, and I must be going. But, before I go, may I ask your name?"
"Yes, you may ask, but I should not tell it to you because, to my people, when a man says his own name, it is as though he is boasting."
"Oh, I think I understand. And yet, sir, I would like to know it. I promise I shall not think you are bragging. Please, won't you tell me?"
He hesitated, but, after a few moments, said, "I am called Stands Strong. And, what may I call you?"
"Czanna."
"Zaanna?"
"Yes."
"It is a beautiful name given to this woman whom I will always think of asO'tsipohiooMatsowá'p Aakíí."
"Oh my. You said this name so beautifully. Mr. Stands Strong, what does it mean?"
He grinned. "Do you really wish to know?"
"I fear I do."
