“The Mohawk tribe has decided they want to take our land by force. They no longer want to live with us peacefully as neighbors. We have fought alongside them against many enemies for many years. They were once our brothers, now they are our enemies, so we shall treat them as such!” A war cry pierced the cool air in response to the chief’s words.
This new occurrence had unsettled the planning and organization for the Harvest day celebrations, and also the blessing ceremony of the chief’s daughter and her future husband. No one knew if everything would be postponed or if it would happen sooner than scheduled. What they knew for sure was in a week’s time they would battle their former allies until one of them submitted. The wait wouldn’t be long, everything would be revealed that night at the ceremony.
The warriors’ gathering was dismissed. Most of the men went to spend time with their families others preferred to prepare their weapons. All spending as much time preparing for the unknown outcome of the battle, making the most of the time they had before that fateful day.
Ashat preferred to spend it with Rosa, but there was no chance of that. The women had taken her. They were preparing her for the blessing ceremony. Ashat’s belly did cartwheels. He was so nervous, anxious and going out of his mind. He needed to relax, so he opted to go swimming. The water was his second love and had always soothed him, no matter what was happening in his life, it had always been there for him. Ashat dove in and swam fast and hard, he would go as far as his body would allow it.
It had been three hours, and almost dusk when Ashat made his way out of the water. He walked into the village towards his teepee; he needed to prepare. Ashat couldn’t help but be amused by the stares and girly giggles that followed him as he walked. The girls had stopped what they were doing and watched him as he made his way down the path dripping wet. Ashat examined himself to see what had warranted the lustful looks and whispers.
Ashat’s long hair had gathered behind and was pasted on his back. The loincloth was very wet and clung to his thick hard thighs. The water on his body had formed tinny streams on his abs, biceps and legs and more ran down his chest and belly. He was well built and six feet and four inches tall.
A smile ran across Ashat’s face exposing his teeth. He could swear he heard someone shriek in delight, which only made him laugh. Ashat wasn’t obsessed with himself, but today the attention boosted his ego.
“Brother, it’s not good to tease the young girls. I don’t think their mothers’ will appreciate it.” Ashat’s eldest brother, Cano called out as he got nearer to his teepee. He was standing outside his hut holding his son in one arm and his wife in the other.
“Well they’ll have to take it up with our parents, they bore us this way. And anyway, isn’t that how you nabbed my sister-in-law?” Ashat teased back.
The question had made her cheeks flush crimson with embarrassment. She took their son and left Ashat and Cano to talk.
Cano’s face suddenly turned somber, the amusement had faded away fast. Ashat assumed the new mood was about the looming battle.
“Don’t worry brother, you will be back with your family once the battle is over, I’ll make sure of it.”
“It’s not that,” he answered coolly.
“Then what is it?”
“You are the fourth son of Kiyo the great hunter, next to marry. The thing is, will you marry the love of your life and be the next chief, or will you have to settle for one mother will choose for you?”
That thought made Ashat’s body shiver. All the anxiety slammed back into his chest. He could feel his legs give way beneath him. Before Ashat could sag any lower, Cano pulled him up and supported him, bewildered by his reaction.
“If I knew this would unnerve you so, I wouldn’t have tormented you with the thought.” “I’ll die if I don’t have her.” The words slipped out of Ashat’s lips.
He wasn’t thinking about it, but he knew he wouldn’t be able to handle it if things didn’t go his way. The words seemed to shock Cano more than him.
Cano leaned his head towards Ashat and whispered, “I don’t see you lasting till tonight. You would have gone crazy by then, so I’ll put you out of your misery. Don’t say anything to anyone yet, not until tonight so act clueless.”
Ashat didn’t understand what he was saying; he was clueless and wasn’t even paying much attention to Cano anymore. Ashat waited for Cano to finish as he contemplated drowning himself in liquor to try and calm himself.
“I will always love you, protect you and respect you. I want you to know that I will always have your back, through thick and thin. You are my brother…and my future chief…” He let the last three words hang as he held his breath, waiting for it to sink in.
His words hit Ashat like a ton of bricks. Ashat stared at him, wondering what he meant by that. Then it slowly sank in. He wasn’t sure what expression he had on his face but he knew it was a good one because his brother had a large smile pasted on his. Ashat wondered if he was playing one of his tricks on him again. But Cano wouldn’t dare, he knew how important this was to him.
Before Ashat could break out in a victory dance, Cano held his shoulders down and faced him.
“Father told me, he made me promise not to say a word to you. But the words you uttered frightened me. As your eldest brother, I’m ordering you not to say a word, or act in any way that would suggest you know the councils’ decision before it is formally announced. Do you understand me or have you sunk too deep in bliss to understand what I’m saying?”
Ashat nodded his head in agreement. He couldn’t speak. The excitement was caught in his throat. Whether or not he knew this, Cano had made him the happiest man on earth and had also saved his life.
He couldn’t wait for night to come, when it would be official. Relief was flowing through him but he needed to be sure, unequivocally without a shadow of a doubt sure.
* * * *
Ashat stood outside his teepee dressed and prepared. He and Bakuhad been painted with the symbols of the spirits and those of their animal brothers; the bear and the wolf. It was tradition and a requirement. It had to be shown that they had won the approval of the spirits. The final symbol, the chief’s symbol, the hawk’s image will be painted on the chosen one.
Ashat looked up at the beautiful moon, its light was shining bright and its stunning reflection danced in the water. He took that as a sign, the moon spirit would show him favor. Tonight his dreams would finally become a reality. He couldn’t help but imagine Rosa as his wife, happy with children of their own.
He was a bit worried about not being capable of being the next chief, but he had no doubt that he would be a wonderful husband.
I’ll try my best. With the strength of the spirits and the support of my wife, I will be a good leader to my people. Ashat thought firmly to himself.
But, at the same time doubt crept into his mind, making him even more nervous. There was a possibility that what Kiyo heard was wrong.
He clenched his fist hard on his forehead, Will this day end already!
“Brother, its time. Father and mother have already left. We decided to walk with you.” Cano spoke, drawing his attention.
Ashat turned to see all his brothers standing behind him. They had war paint all over their bodies, in the different colors of the earth. Ashat felt at ease, having the support of his brothers held him strong. He was ready, for any outcome.
“Let’s go.”
The entire village was assembled around the fire in the middle of the compound. The warriors stood to the left of the chief and the council elders’ stood at his right. The children and women sat directly in front of him on the other side of the fire. Angakut was kneeling between the chief and the fire, chanting and singing. The chief adviser Wangwe, the head warrior and Kiyo stood closer to the chief than the rest of the warriors and other men.
Ashat arrived with his brothers the same time Baku arrived with his entourage from the opposite side. The paint had covered the bruise he had sustained from Ashat’s beating but the cut on his eyebrow and the swelling on his left temple were still very visible.
It had been a week since his beating. He had been on bed rest since- the blow to his head had him in and out of consciousness for two days. His father wanted Ashat punished for what he did.
Kiyo was more than proud of the beating his son had delivered, more sobecause he came out of it with just a scratch. That made, him defend his son heatedly, going as far as challenging Wangwe to a fight to settle the dispute.
Ashat bit down his smile. Wangwe didn’t take.
His sons weren’t the only ones afraid to take on Kiyo in a fight. The elders dismissed it as peers partaking in normal manly rivalry. Wangwe wasn’t too happy about it, but he didn’t say another word on the matter. Kiyo on the other hand went home and happily congratulated his son on wiping the ground with Baku.
Angakut stood on his feet and called Ashat and Baku to stand before the fire. The two moved slowly and austerely. Baku however was a bit twitchy nervous as he stood next to Ashat. It seemed the beating was still fresh in his mind. But the cut look his father gave him immediately had him standing still with his chest out.
“We have come for the blessing ceremony of our warriors. After the next six moons, they will battle the Mohawk to defend our tribe. But before we do that, they need to know between the two, who they are to protect, who they are fighting for, who they will follow, who will be their future chief.” He paused as his gaze moved from Ash to Baku.
“We are here to find out, who will marry Rosa, the only child of Chief Roa Clearwater.”
Ashat was already feeling agitated and tense. Baku however was relaxed and his lips were lifted in a smile, which he quickly wiped away.
“The next chief of the Lakota….” Angakut paused and looked at Ashat and then at Baku keenly. The suspense was slowly eating Ashat up, but Baku remained calm. “The next chief will be known after the battle. The battle to come is the spirit’s final test, whom ever will come back alive with honor and victory, will be our next leader!”
This new development unsettled the elders and the chief. Ashat looked up, careful to keep his face expressionless. He couldn’t believe it. He knew it was too soon to celebrate.
Wangwe looked more annoyed than perplexed by this. He stomped towards Angakut with such ferocity, steam coming out of his ears.
“What is this? This is not what we discussed Angakut!”
“You will not question the spirits decision! You will do as they say! Do you dare challenge them and me?”Angakut shouted with such finality, his eyes had bulged out and were red with anger.
The whole village went silent and stared at him. This was the first time he had raised his voice with such anger. It had such an impact that Wangwe stopped dead in his tracks, that and the staff that Angakut was holding two inches from his head.
Angakut turned to Ashat and Baku, and asked them to join their fellow warriors. He then turned towards them and started chanting the blessing.
****
Ashat walked away from the gathering. The blessings had been said and the celebrations had started. There was no other reason for him to stick around.
Cano rushed to his brother’s side, apologetic for the false hopes he had given him. “Brother, I’m sorry. I thought it was a sure thing. No one, not even father knew that would happen!”
“I guessed as much, Wangwe’s reaction told it all.” He turned and faced Cano, “But why is it Baku looked like he was the one who had been robbed? Wangwe wouldn’t have been so furious if I were the chosen one, he would have broken into song and dance at my misfortune…. Cano what the hell is going on?” He wasn’t disappointed nor brooding anymore; he was furious.
“Well this is a good thing—that is if Baku was the robbed one. Angakut wants the next chief to prove himself to the spirits, to all of us. You should take this as a challenge.”
“You are starting to sound like father. And anyway, anyone can survive a battle, exactly how am I supposed to prove myself?”
“I can’t help you with that but try brother, try. Do your best. Your brothers will be there to help you. And another thing, those were father’s words, and I agree with him.”
Ashat gave his brother a weak smile, “I thought as much. What else did he say?”
“Hey, I can be insightful too. He said that this is also a challenge for him as a father and us as your brothers. He intends on doing his part, so are we. It’s up to you if we succeed, what do you say brother?”
Ashat was feeling better, reprieved, positive and confident. It meant a lot to have his family’s support. He would draw all the strength he needed from them, he would earn it, he would earn her, and his family will help him make sure of it.
“I always thought Baku hated me because Rosa was in love with me. Now I see that’s not the only reason, the loyalty and love the family of Kiyo has for each other is something he doesn’t and never will have. I’m in. we’ll win this battle, and Rosa.”
“That’s the spirit! Now we feast and make merry!” Cano had a wide grin on his face. He playfully pushed Ashat forward as they strutted back to the celebration.