Grey Eyes by Frank Christopher Busch Page B

Blue Elk Man.
    â€œIt seems our Grey-Eye is already a good provider,” beamed Painted Turtle Man.
    â€œ Tapwe !” smiled Walking Moon Woman. “You have also done well, cousin. A new buffalo robe?”
    â€œI could use some new arrows…” repeated Brown Shield Man. Blue Elk Man examined the wrappings on his hunting knife. They were, after all, finely crafted arrows.
    â€œOh, one of the Wolf warriors gave it to me,” said Painted Turtle Man. “He passed tobacco for a dreaming. I dreamt he went south with the others. I explained the dream to his matriarch and she let him go. He had never been so far from the village, being a Wolf and all. A young buffalo gave itself up to him on the hunt and he was so happy he gave me the robe.”
    â€œThat was very kind of him,” said Walking Moon Woman. She smiled at her cousin and continued to stare a while. In the new robe and with his hair plaited in a single braid, Painted Turtle Man looked younger than he had in a long while.
    â€œSo what was it that Soaring Star Woman asked of you?” asked Singing Doe.
    â€œShe wants us to settle a dispute,” answered Walking Moon Woman.
    â€œUs?”
    â€œ Tapwe , my girl.”
    â€œWho do you mean?”
    â€œWillow will take baby over to the Crane lodge and you will stay and help me,” explained Walking Moon Woman.
    â€œWho exactly is having this ‘dispute,’ mother?”
    â€œWe should probably get going,” said White Willow Woman. “Are you going somewhere, Uncle?”
    â€œ Tapwe ,” said Painted Turtle Man. “I am giving a teaching for the young warriors tonight. I won’t be back until very late.”
    â€œI am going to help him,” added Brown Shield Man, kissing his wife’s swollen belly as he got up.
    Singing Doe was losing her patience. “Mother?”
    â€œMy girl,” began Walking Moon Woman. “It doesn’t matter what our personal feelings are towards someone who needs our help. It is our clan’s duty to be impartial when administering the Bear’s justice.”
    â€œ Motch !” exclaimed Singing Doe getting to her feet. “You are bringing them here?”
    â€œDon’t get upset, my girl. Think about your baby. You must be nice to them.”
    â€œAnd who are they picking on this time?”
    â€œMy girl,” said Walking Moon Woman, raising her voice. “That does not sound impartial. We will learn the details when they all arrive tonight. I need you to help with the ceremony and the food. You don’t have to do anything else or talk to anyone.”
    â€œYou could have told me.” Singing Doe was not feeling inclined to hide her true feelings, yet she knew duty to her clan must come first.
    â€œI know, my girl. I know.”

12 mitātaht nīsosāp

    â€œT ansi ? Come in, come in,” smiled Singing Doe as she welcomed Red Dragonfly Woman of the Wolf clan and her young daughter into the Bear lodge. “Would you like some tea?”
    â€œI’m sorry this visit could not be under better circumstances,” answered Red Dragonfly Woman. “The sooner this is all resolved the better. You know what they are like…”
    â€œMay the Grandmother Bear bless you with her healing,” interrupted Walking Moon Woman.
    â€œMay the Grandmother Wolf protect you and your family,” answered Red Dragonfly Woman. “I am sorry you have been inconvenienced by this matter. I am sure you would rather be with your grandson than have to listen to this…”
    â€œAhem!” came a voice from outside.
    â€œMay the Grandmother Bear bless you with her healing,” said Singing Doe as the women entered.
    â€œMay the Grandmother Eagle bless you with her far-seeing eye,” the elder Eagle Twin answered curtly. It was unclear who she was talking to as she locked eyes with Red Dragonfly Woman.
    â€œCan we get this over with? My sister and I