"But, first," First Rider spoke up, "there is the matter of throwing me away. I have made this stick for this purpose, and I am giving you back the ring you once made for me"—from one of his pouches he extracted both the stick he had decorated with feathers, and the ring of beads. He then passed these to Chief Black Bull—"so you might throw me away. Will you do it now?"
Tsistsaki smiled, and she said, "I would be happy to do so."
Chief Black Bull held out the stick and ring to Tsistsaki, and then, in front of the entire crowd gathered within and without the chief's lodge, Tsistsaki seized hold of both objects, and, sliding the ring down onto the stick and securing it, she looked at both the ring and the decorated stick, and said, "They are beautiful."
And, then she threw both objects, stick, ring and all, directly at Liliann.
Despite the wetness in her eyes, Liliann caught the stick and ring easily.
Said Tsistsaki, "As I throw away this man, I give this stick to you, Otahki, so you will know this man is yours. May the Creator shine upon you both, always."
And, with both of these women weeping openly, the council was closed.
****
It must have been the entire village of the Flathead people who came this day to witness the marriage. There were thousands of people gathered here. And, as his beautiful Otahkistood by his side, First Rider could not recall ever feeling so happy.
But, Father d'Gallo was speaking, and he said in both the English and the Flathead tongues, "And now, under the sight of God in His heaven, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
Bringing his arms around his woman—truly his woman—he kissed her with great passion. And, when the kiss between them continued on and on with no let-up in sight, the good Father smiled, then waved to those gathered here to begin their celebration.
And, so it began.
