Briella leaned over the balcony to spit, and spit she did.
"Sister!"
"Well, that's what I think of it all."
"Sister, there is more I wish to tell you. The newly formed government over these states has declared war on many other tribes who live only a little way south of the Blackfeet: the Sioux, the Cheyenne, the Arapahoe, the Comanche. And, there are more happenings farther south and west with the Apache."
"Frederic, how could you compare the Pikuni with their enemies—the Sioux, the Cheyenne, the Arapahoe and the Comanche. Why would the new government turn its eye to the Blackfeet?"
"Because of the train tracks that are planned to go through this land, that's why. There is big money behind this idea of a train in this northern country. There are men, known as robber barons back East, who have declared the rails will go through. It is this, these plans for a train to connect the east and the west of this country, that sent the Sioux, the Cheyenne and the Arapahoe into fighting the new government. The land, you see, was promised to be theirs by treaty. But, the treaty apparently holds no weight, and it appears it has little value except as paper.
"There are battles being fought even now with the Sioux and the Cheyenne. Once those wars are over and the Indians have lost, the robber barons will turn their eye to the north…to the Blackfeet. Do you really wish this war—and it will happen—to be a part of your life?"
"What makes you think the tribes will lose this war?"
"Because the Americans have a ready supply of young men to fight for the country and because there is big money backing this."
"And so, you think the Americans might attack the Blackfeet even more than they already have?"
"Yes, I do," replied Frederic. "As you know, gold has been discovered in this northern territory, and this is another reason why the American government has turned its eye to the north. I know you still love and plan to live with this…this…"
"Red Fox is his name, Frederic."
"I know," replied Frederic. "Please, don't you realize that if you insist on taking up with this Red Fox fellow, you might yet come to discover all your possessions, and even parts of whatever family you might have made with him, could be taken from you? Loved ones killed? Is this your wish?"
"Of course it is not my wish. It is simply this: I love him. I told this to you and my father two years ago when you were determined to take me away from here. I meant it then, and I mean it now. I love Red Fox. And, if he has to face this sort of future, then I wish to face it with him. Why can you and our father not understand that I want to be at his side? I am not afraid to face whatever might be. My only fear is that he might not still love me. If I were to discover he does not love me anymore, then I suppose I will become the first married old maid."
Frederic smiled and shook his head. "With your beauty, do you really think this might come to be?"
Briella laughed. "Well, thank you for your backhanded compliment, Brother. But, this I mean seriously: these men, these Pikuni men—and probably all Indian men—are daily putting their lives at risk by hunting, by war and simply by the manner in which they live. There is much in this country that can take the life of a man or a woman. I wish to be with Red Fox while he still lives. I know it would be looked upon as living in sin by my contemporaries and the Good Book by which we all should live, and again I say to you that I mean to confess my future conduct to the nearest priest if need be."
Frederic gazed at her strangely, then said, "In our homeland, what you suggest is not looked upon in a bad way unless it is done in an indiscreet manner. However, it is considered to be the height of folly to openly flaunt one's affairs to one's marital partner."
"Oh, you mean as James Maximillian and his mistress do to me?"
"Sister!"
"It's true, and you know it."
Frederic sighed deeply. At last he said, "This is a new land and a new kind of people, and it has its own rules for living."
"Yes, what you say is true. Take heart, Frederic. I have agreed to do what you and Father think is best for me. I've told you I will do as you suggest. I even found a man who is willing to marry the crude western cowgirl that I am. What more do you want of me?"
"I suppose I would wish you to be happy."
"Happy? Married to a man who doesn't love me, and a man whom I do not love?"
"It is for the best, Sister; I really believe it is for the best. Although, I do wish another of my banker friends might have had the courage to ask you to be his wife."
"Yes. Well, they did not have wit enough to do so, did they? And, you know I could never honor such a man, let alone marry him." So saying, Briella inhaled deeply and stared out into the west, where the mountains were, this very minute, mirroring the colors still awash in hues of red, pink and the blue of sunrise. "I am content, Brother. To simply be back in this place, where the land is rugged, yet dangerously beautiful; it makes my heart glad. Yes, I am content."
"And, this I am happy to hear, Sister."
"Besides," Briella said, "there is always the hope that our father and our mother will not like Maximillian and will send him packing."
"A dim chance, Sister. And, since James Maximillian III will be on his best behavior and he will also be bringing some needed wealth into our family's coffers, I would not wish for it too fervently."
Briella simply smiled.
