CHAPTER ELEVEN
It was late in the morning when Red Fox saw Poka'aki at last find her way home via a short visit to her brother's lodge. Red Fox had not taken George into his confidence even though there had been time to do so. Indeed, Red Fox was reluctant to talk to anyone except the Creator about his own and Poka'aki's dilemma. There was more at stake here than them simply not being able to live together. So grim was the Pikuni penalty for a woman who had lain with a man other than her husband, it did not bear even thinking about it. And, the truth was, according to Pikuni custom it was Red Fox, not this Maximillian, who was her husband.
Even now, as Red Fox watched her from a bluff at a distance from her home, he, too, was crying.
Wiping the moisture from his eyes, Red Fox tried to consider this fine mess they were now in. Both of them in love with each other, both of them married to one another, and yet, they could not let another soul know they were married. Nor could they let so much as a whisper be said about them being in love, let alone the fact of them having committed the act of marriage.
As soon as he saw Poka'aki enter her father's ranch home, he turned his pony away, and, with his pet wolf running beside his pony's heels, Red Fox headed back to the Pikuni camp. He had considered taking her brother George into his confidence while Poka'aki had dressed herself, but, like most Pikuni men, Red Fox did not speak to other men about love, romance or marriage. It simply wasn't done.
A man—and especially a medicine man—was expected to face all challenges as a man and to not encumber another with his problems, especially those regarding women. Besides, he didn't wish to breathe so much as a word to another as to what the real problem was he and Poka'aki now faced.
And, what was it they faced? A world alone, without one another? Or, if he were to leave the medicine path and live with Poka'aki as she wished and as his emotions were telling him he must, they would be required to live elsewhere without family or friends.
Would her God forgive her if she were to take two husbands? Would his forgive him?
For now, none except George knew he and Poka'aki had spent the night together and were, by Pikuni law, married. And, with so much at stake, a slight word said at the wrong time could bring about a ruin both Red Fox and Poka'aki would be helpless to prevent if she were to live with him within the Pikuni camp.
These thoughts led Red Fox toward the knowledge of what his next path should be: he must go into the mountains to pray. Indeed, he needed the guidance only the Creator could give him.
Áa,he would return to his lodge and would make the proper preparations. The sacred Chief Mountain would be his destination, since it was the highest peak in their land. There, he would find a high place where he could fast and pray to the Creator and ask for His help. Hopefully, the Above One would hear his plea.
****
From the flat prairie at the edge of the Fehér homestead, George glanced up at the butte where he had spent the night guarding and awaiting the time when he could escort his sister back to the ranch. At present, he beheld Red Fox high up on the same ridge.
Red Fox raised his hand in the sign of peace, and George returned the gesture. With his other hand on his forehead to block out the sun's blinding light, George watched his friend turn his pony around, and, followed by the wolf, George saw his direction was toward where the Pikuni encampment had been situated when they had been settled in close to Fort Benton. What his friend didn't know is that the Pikuni had moved their camp to the Lower St. Mary's Lake.
Should he ride out to tell him? No, Red Fox would determine this for himself soon enough.
Early tomorrow morning, he, George, would ride out to the Pikuni's new encampment, going to his friend's lodge, and together they would hunt, as they usually did each day. And, perhaps if he were lucky, Red Fox might confide in him.
****
"My almost-brother," said Red Fox as both he and George began their early morning bath. "I will be going to Chief Mountain today."
"Good," said George. "There is always good hunting there. I will go with you."
"Soka'pii,good," Red Fox answered. "But, I do not go there to hunt this day. I go there because the peaks of Chief Mountain are the highest in our land and I wish to talk to the Creator. I tell you this so you will know where I have gone."
George signed, "Soka'pii. It is good. There is a forest of pines at the foot of the mountain on its west slope, and I will go there each day and await you in case there is anything you might need, and I will be there also to help you back to camp after your fast. Once we climb up the mountain a little, we will determine the place where we will meet when you are ready to return. Do you agree?"
"Soki'pii,I do. I would ask you to care for my wolf and my pony herd while I am gone."
"Do you believe your wolf will let me take care of him?" George asked, smiling.
Red Fox grinned. "He most likely will not. Still, he will need someone to take care of him. And, he knows you best of all, save me."
"I will watch over my sister, too," said George.
Red Fox felt the grin fade from his countenance, but he would say nothing to his friend about the predicament he and Poka'aki now faced. Instead, he looked away. After a time, he said, "Let us prepare quickly to go."
Turning away after the bath, they both dressed and Red Fox trod toward his lodge; once there, he set himself to action, gathering together the meager supplies and items he would require.
****
"Wake up, Mistress! Wake up!"
Briella moaned before opening her eyes to behold Parisa Hood, her actual lady's maid, standing beside her bed.
