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"Only if you behave and stop talking nonsense." She told him. "The poultice will draw the impurities from your body, then you can be sewn up. Meanwhile I must tend the others."
"I do not take marriage for granted. I have searched for a woman with fire and sense. I have chosen you. It is that simple." He raised himself to a sitting position.
"Nothing is that simple and why would you choose me, over your own people?" she asked staring at him as though he completely lost his mind.
"I suppose because I need a woman that would be a challenge. You would not be easy to tame, but worth the effort I have no doubt." He chuckled.
"Tamed? I am no animal sir!" She objected to his choice of words.
"You have much spirit, and you would challenge my decisions, I like that. A woman with spunk!" He chuckled.
"Big Knife will take me as his wife. And there is no need for any challenge."
"Big Knife, he is Arapaho?"
"Yes, a fine warrior." She raised her chin proudly.
"Then I will challenge him for your hand and offer fifteen horses to your father." He told her.
"Fifteen horses," she gasped. "That's unheard of."
"Not enough?" he asked.
"It is too many, no maiden has ever married for fifteen horses. Besides, it is impossible. I love Big Knife," she declared and again started to walk away.
"Nevertheless, when I am healed, I will challenge him, and win you as my wife." He said boldly.
"You would take a woman who does not love you?"
"I will steal your heart from him!" He smiled sexily at her.
"Impossible, and my father would not permit such a thing." She admonished.
"We will see. Now off with you to treat my men." He told her.
She stared a long moment, then slowly walked away. It was the way she stomped away that made him laugh.
He watched her for a long time, feeling something within him stir at the sight of her. Perhaps she was right, it was a bold declaration. Still, his loins reacted to her immediately, as though he'd found his long-lost mate. How could his body know before his mind?
Maybe he was delirious, as the way he reacted was not in his nature. But he'd waited thirty years to find the right woman and now he'd found her, he'd never let her go.
He thought on it a long while. He knew the elders of the tribe would not be pleased that he chose a wife from another tribe. But this was the right bride for him, and he knew it.
It was settled.
She treated several soldiers, then came back to him. "I will sew your wound now." She told him. "And I hope you have regained your senses."
"Good," he smiled once more. "And I never lost them."
"I must know why you love this man who has asked for your hand." He said boldly as the point of the needle pierced his flesh and he ignored it.
"I have known him all my life. He is a good man, a great warrior, and he has asked my father for me." She said proudly once more.
"Is he tender?"
"Tender?" she questioned turning her head in question once more.
"Gentle."
