"Yes, I suppose you are right. I do not remember the old country, I fear. All I know is here, this country and the kindness of the Pikuni. And, in truth, I have loved Red Fox since I was a child. All I can do—shoot straight, track, hunt, scout, defend myself—is because of the teachings Red Fox has given me. Indeed, because of what he has taught me, I would never fear being alone on the prairie. Because of him, I know exactly what I would do if I were lost, and I know I would survive."
"Yes," said Czanna. "He is a good man. And, many of us have seen the love he carries for you. We have also seen how he waited until you were grown to declare himself. I think he has loved you for a long while now. But, tell me a little about this man, Maximillian."
"Oh Czanna, I do not love him. Still, I had to find someone who would agree to marry me before I could return home. Both my father and Frederic insisted upon this. But, no one in that big city wanted anything to do with me. Indeed, they looked upon me as though I were a rude, awkward cowgirl. I carried a gun and holster with me wherever I went. What, go somewhere in that town without being armed?
"I fear Maximillian is the only man who offered to marry me," continued Briella. "He is about average height, has dark hair and is not bad to look at. But, he also has a mistress he has brought here with him."
"Does he, now?" asked Czanna. "This is not an unknown occurrence for a man to do in the Old World, you know, although men and women are usually more discreet about their affairs."
"But, you see, Czanna, it seemed so perfect to me. He didn't want a wife. He wished only for the title so he could inherit the bank where he is vice president. He did not desire to give up his paramour, and I did not want to give up Red Fox. Itseemed like a gift from the Creator. I get married. Maximillian goes back to New York. I stay here with Red Fox. All would be well. But, it has not turned out the way I had planned."
"Oh?"
"Well, no. I did not know about Red Fox's duties as a medicine man, even though he ministers for the tribe's animals only. But, I have now learned he must follow all the moral restraints that fall upon the medicine men. To counter the problems I had set into motion, he had planned to marry me in the Blackfoot fashion and then leave to go and live with another tribe, unknowing that I had promised Maximillian to perform my part of the contract."
"Contract?"
"Yes, before Maximillian would consent to marry me, we signed an agreement stating I would allow him and his mistress to return to New York and I would stay here in Indian country. I did not think to consider I would be going before God to declare Maximillian my husband and that I might have to spend a night with him, also. Perhaps, I should have given this more attention than I did. But this, Red Fox reminded me, would be my duties were I to marry Maximillian in fact. And, this he could not consent to, since, in his view of it, I would be going against my oath given to God in the marriage ceremony if I were to leave Maximillian."
"Oh my!"
"This is why we must not tell anyone about our taking matters into our own hands and becoming a married couple in Pikuni tradition. But, we married before either of us knew the intricacies of each other's commitments to the Creator."
"Oh my!" Czanna repeated. "I will, of course, tell no one about this."
Both girls became silent for many moments until, at last, Czanna said, "Tell me about your trip here. It must have been beautiful, despite the dangers you all faced."
"It was, indeed, quite beautiful. However, not even the grand scenery along the route nor even the sweet smells of grass, pines and wildflowers have coaxed me out of a gloom hanging over me."
Again, a heavy silence fell over them both until, at last, Czanna said, "Well, come to my lodge and let me see if I can bring a little sunshine into your life. At the very least, let us share a good meal."
Briella nodded as she looked out toward Rising Wolf Mountain, the lake mirroring the sapphire sky; closer to hand, the stones scattered within the shallow shoreline of the river reminded her of the gray and white colors of these mountains in winter. She also recalled seeing these same rocks at sunset when they would turn a bright orange and red.
Said Czanna, "Come, let us put on our moccasins and return to camp."
"Yes," agreed Briella, as they turned as one and headed back to the rocky shoreline, navigating their way by stepping on the smooth rocks instead of the pointy ones. Once they had returned to solid ground, they both sat upon a tree trunk that had washed up on the shore, and, bending at the waist, they laced up their high-topped moccasins.
Standing, Briella followed Czanna back to camp. Oddly, the earth beneath her high-topped moccasins felt weak and soft instead of the usual solidity of the prairie. But, perhaps this sensation was due to her nervousness.
When they returned to Czanna's lodge and stepped through the open tepee flap, Briella came face-to-face with Red Fox.
"My father wishes to speak to you, Poka'aki. And, to you, George."
"He does?" Briella asked. "Do you know why?
"I do not know," replied Red Fox. "All I can tell you is this: he wishes to speak to you."
"I see. Then, of course, I will go there with you. Are we to leave now? Or would you like to share a meal with me here in my sister's lodge first?"
"It would pleasure me if we could go to my father now and take a meal together later."
Briella nodded. "Then, it shall be."
As she followed Red Fox toward his father's lodge, Briella couldn't help wondering why Red Fox's father was asking to see her. Yes, she knew him. She had met him several times in the past, although he had paid her little attention then. Indeed, she was more acquainted with Red Fox's mother and his sister, Sweetgrass Woman.
Also, why had Weasel Plume specifically asked for her to accompany Red Fox to his lodge now? She understood the reason for him singling out George. But, why was he asking to see her?
Was it his intention to try to forbid her from marrying his son? Scold her? Perhaps curse her?
