Daughter of the Eagle Page 3

  The young man was pondering the matter.

  “Look, Walker,” the older man spoke, still amused but becoming uneasy, “do not do this thing. It would only make the girl angry.”

  Long Walker was thinking precisely that. To use the Challenge would certainly stop the foolishness of the girl’s becoming a warrior. He could defeat her in a number of the warrior skills. This would prevent her from undertaking the next steps. It could conceivably save her life.

  But, on the other hand, it would drive her completely away from him. It could never be the same between them again. She would resent him to her dying day, and Long Walker would have defeated his own purpose. Aiee, what a choice! He could see no good coming from this, no matter what his actions.

  He could let the girl proceed with her plans and allow her to risk her life in the aloneness of the vision quest, or later in combat.

  Or he could try to stop her. If he did so, he would surely lose her anyway. Either way, she was lost to him, just when they had discovered each other and the joy of the time they spent together.

  Long Walker’s heart was very heavy.

  6

  Long Walker need not have been so dejected. Eagle Woman’s thoughts and desires were much more nearly like his own than he imagined.

  When the girl had revived in Long Walker’s arms, her smile had been a reassurance that she was not badly injured. Behind the smile, however, were deep feelings that surprised even Eagle Woman. Through the foggy mists of returning consciousness, she had realized that she was glad to be in the arms of her friend. Walker’s nearness was reassuring and comforting in ways she had never experienced before.

  She could easily have enjoyed remaining there for a time, drawing strength and comfort from the young warrior. There was also a certain pride in being the object of Walker’s concern and interest. But it must end. Returning consciousness brought the awareness of noise, dust, the returning hunters, and the beginning of the tasks of butchering.

  Sweet Grass had insisted that the girl lie down in the shade of the raised lodge cover. This was something of a relief for Eagle Woman. She had fully intended to assist her mother and the other women in the butchering, but she did not really feel equal to the task.

  She lay in the shade, collecting her thoughts and trying to throw off the throbbing headache that had resulted from her fall. The swelling lump over her eye was tender to the touch, but it would heal in time. And she thought with a great deal of pride of her three kills. She smiled to herself. It was a good feeling to best the young men at their own skills.

  More impressive than these sensations, however, were the new feelings and emotions revolving around her thoughts of Long Walker. The short moment she had lain in his arms had been so satisfying, so fulfilling. It was not so much a physical pleasure, she decided, though it was that, too. The important thing had been the sense of support, of his respect and approval. Of pride, even. She had sensed that Long Walker, in addition to his concern for her injuries, was proud and pleased by her accomplishment. And it was good to have him feel this way about her.

  During the next few days Eagle Woman gradually established her plans. She saw little of Long Walker. She even suspected that he might be avoiding her, though she did not understand why. It might be that their moment of closeness had stirred new emotions in the breast of Long Walker, too. She smiled to herself at the thought, enjoying the feeling of warmth that the memory brought.

  She would proceed with the plan to enter the warrior society, she had decided. She would probably even undertake her vision quest. Yes, that would be good. Then she would be an equal with the young men. She could accompany Long Walker on a war party or horse-stealing raid against the Head Splitters if she wished.

  Or not, if she wished. It would give her the greatest possible choice. Her fantasies were extending to the coming years. That she and Walker would be together she had no doubt at all. The girl envisioned the two of them together through the future. They would hunt together, share in the management of their lodge. She would decide later about children. For now it was enough to dream of the companionship of Long Walker and the joy and friendship that they shared already.

  She would, after the warrior ceremony, seek out her friend. They would talk and eventually would decide to marry. Eagle Woman was certain of that from the look she had seen in the eyes of Long Walker at the end of the hunt. She could hardly wait for the warrior ceremony.

  The day came when the crier walked through the encampment of the Elk-dog band, shaking his rattles and calling out the announcement. The ceremony would be on the following evening, at the coming of darkness. Anyone could attend, and members of the other warrior societies, the Bowstrings and the Bloods, were invited to participate in a portion of the dance. There would be also, the young crier continued, the installation of novices who had proved themselves in the recent hunt.

  Eagle Woman smiled, outwardly calm but excited inside. She hurried to reassure herself, for the hundredth time, that the garments she had chosen to wear were ready. Her fingers touched the soft buckskin, the carefully worked quill designs. Yes, everything was in order.

  Finally, on the appointed day, Sun Boy carried his torch to the west, painted himself the ceremonial red, and retired to his lodge on the other side of the world. The People gathered in the center of the camp, where a fire was already burning. Several older men, who would serve as chanters and drum beaters, were tuning the great drum. Holding it near the fire, they warmed the skin to draw it taut and increase its resonance. Occasionally one of the aged warriors would tap on its surface with a dogwood drum stick, testing the tone.

  Spectators were gathering, and the dancers assisted each other in last-moment adjustments to their garments and facial paint. Eagle Woman approached quietly and took her place at the edge of the circle with two young men who were requesting admission.

  A low murmur of conversation rippled around the crowd. Eagle Woman had not worn her warrior-sister dress, but the shirt and leggings of a man! Apparently there were many who had not heard of her intentions.

  One of the other warrior sisters waved and smiled encouragingly to her, and Eagle Woman seated herself beside the young men. The dance was about to begin.

  There was less formality about this celebration of the hunt than that at the ritual Sun Dance or even the annual Warriors’ Dance. Still, there were customs to observe. There were open dances, where all joined in the enjoyment and the singing. Then there were songs and reenactments of great or well-remembered hunts.

  Eagle Woman participated at the appropriate times, stepping around the circle in time to the rhythm of the big drum. It seemed strange to see the other warrior sisters in their roles as priestesses. Hers was now a new role, and in a way the girl regretted the feeling of that which had been.

  She saw Long Walker across the circle, and she nodded and smiled. Walker smiled back, but his expression was disappointing. There was a certain reserve, not the previous closeness they had shared. Eagle Woman knew that it was because he disapproved of her warrior aspirations.

  No matter, she smiled to herself. She could prevail on him. Soon she could take him aside and tell him, simply as a friend, of course, that this was the end of it. Only the vision quest and she would be ready to withdraw from further warriorlike ambitions.

  Except for enjoyment, of course. She felt that she would be pleased, riding with Long Walker, sharing the excitement and danger of the hunt. They could be a very effective hunting team, she knew, with their respective skills. She would seek him out immediately after the dance, to talk and to share her ideas. It would be good to be with him again.

  At last the crier was announcing the aspiring applicants to the Elk-dog Society, describing their deeds in the recent hunt. Eagle Woman stood self-consciously with the two young men and listened. One had made a good run with the lance, the other a double kill with the bow. The latter was a powerful young man who carried a very heavy bow. Several witnesses had seen his arrow thrust entirely
through a galloping cow to kill her calf running on the other side. Aiee, this was powerful medicine!

  Yet even this event was overshadowed by the fact that Eagle Woman had secured three animals at great risk to herself. There were exclamations of approval around the circle. The successful kill of three for a novice was greatly admired—even more so, to be sure, when the hunter involved was a woman. Capable women were highly prized among the People.

  Now it remained only to announce the formal admission of the applicants. The murmurs of approval had hardly died before the shocking event of the evening occurred. A young warrior was rising to his feet to signal for recognition.

  “My brothers!” he shouted.

  Most of the spectators recognized the young man as Long Walker, friend of the girl, Eagle Woman. No doubt he wished to make a speech of praise and approval. Everyone settled back, pleased and happy for the young people.

  Eagle Woman could hardly contain herself. How thoughtful for Walker to do this for her. Her heart swelled with pride as she waited for the crowd to quiet for the young man’s speech.

  “My brothers!” Long Walker shouted again for attention.

  All eyes were now fixed on the handsome youth as he turned to Standing Bird, leader of the Society. “My chief,” he spoke firmly, “I claim the right of the Challenge!”

  7

  Eagle Woman was furious. The entire encampment was aware of her wrath.

  There had been a gasp from the onlookers as Long Walker made his formal statement. No one could remember the last time the Challenge had been used. Many did not even know the meaning. Even Eagle Woman was not certain.

  She felt that she had been betrayed. At the height of her triumph, her achievement had been destroyed. Worst of all, it had been done by her friend. Surely it could never be the same. She could never again feel toward Walker as she had come to feel in the past few moons. He had destroyed their closeness.

  It had been announced by Standing Bird that the Challenge would take place on the following day, with the agreement of the two principals involved. Both had nodded assent, and the induction of the other aspiring warriors had proceeded. Eagle Woman stood, embarrassed, shamed, alone, smoldering with anger.

  She understood only vaguely the use of the Challenge. She would be expected to compete in warrior skills, but beyond that she knew very little. It seemed an eternity until the ceremonies were over and she could leave the area. There were many who had spoken to her with words of encouragement and confidence.

  Long Walker avoided her as the People dispersed into the night to return to their own lodges. She was furious, but also disappointed. How differently the evening had ended from the way she had planned. She had envisioned a warm congratulation from her friend, then a quiet walk along the river in the pleasant moonlight. She would have told him of her plans, and there might have been a soft embrace. Now it was gone, destroyed. She saw the young man slipping away and hurried after him.

  “Walker!” she called.

  Unable to escape without a loss of dignity, Long Walker stopped and turned to meet the onslaught of the irate girl. Her anger rose like a flash flood in a prairie stream as she strode toward him. By the time she faced him, Eagle Woman’s wrath was ready to overflow its banks.

  “What are you doing?” She almost shouted at him. Then, not waiting for an answer, the girl continued.

  “Walker, you know I have met the requirements. I have made my buffalo kills. I have as much right in the Elk-dog Society as you!” Her voice became shrill and tight, rising in pitch with her emotions.

  “What are you trying to do to me?”

  For the first time since the tirade began, she paused long enough for Long Walker to answer. Even so, he was not ready. There was a long moment while he attempted to clear the lump in his throat. He saw the sparkle of tears on her cheeks in the moonlight, tears of sheer frustration.

  “Why, Walker, why?” she insisted.

  The young man gulped again and finally found words. “Because. Someone has to save you from yourself.”

  “Son of a snake,” she spat at him, “you will have to save yourself from me! I will beat you at the Challenge!”

  She whirled and stalked away, leaving the dejected young man alone in the moonlight. Aiee, he thought, the world is turning to dung. Sadly he turned toward the river, to walk and to think.

  Eagle Woman sought out her father back at their own lodge. She must find out exactly what the Challenge implied.

  “It is a series of contests,” Eagle explained. “He will choose one, then you. There may be two, or several more, until one or the other is clearly the winner.”

  “He chooses the first?”

  “Yes, then you choose.”

  She knew what the first choice of Long Walker would be. He had always been adept with the lance. Eagle Woman had learned its use but had never preferred the weapon. It was too heavy and cumbersome. She had concentrated on the bow. Ah, that would be her choice when the time came. She sought her robes, knowing full well she would sleep little this night. In her smoldering anger she hoped that Long Walker would sleep poorly, too.

  Sun Boy rose and lighted his torch, and its rays shone down on the camp of the People. They were stirring early this day, the area buzzing with excitement.

  Standing Bird, as leader of the Elk-dog Society, would be in charge of the contests. The challenger had chosen the lance as the first trial, and young men were scattered up the slope to the top of the hill placing the target hoops.

  These circles of willow were a hand’s span in diameter, hung from the twigs of the sumac or dogwood which dotted the slope. The horsemen would charge up the hill, threading on the lance as many targets as possible. The one bringing more rings back to the starting point would be the winner.

  Eagle Woman placed her saddle pad on Gray Cat and tightened the girth. She felt that there was a good chance that she might be able to compete at this. Gray Cat was quick and agile and could maneuver well on the tricky footing of the slope.

  The girl swung to the mare’s back, and Bobcat handed her a lance. He gave an encouraging smile. Eagle Woman wished that her brother would take this contest more seriously. He was being helpful, but his mischievous glance said that he thought the entire matter somewhat amusing.

  Standing Bird was speaking now, holding a fist-sized stone at arm’s length. “When the stone drops, begin!”

  Eagle Woman glanced over at Long Walker, who was just swinging to his horse’s back. They had not spoken this morning. There was a hard knot in her stomach, a sour taste in her mouth. This was all wrong. The two should be riding off together as friends.

  Walker’s horse bolted forward, and the girl realized that Standing Bird had dropped the signal stone. She had been preoccupied with her thoughts. Cursing silently, she dug heels into the startled mare’s flanks, and the animal leaped after the other horse.

  Long Walker had already threaded the first target and raised his lance point. The ring slid down the weapon’s shaft, and he caught it with his right hand, lowering the point again as he approached the next hoop.

  Frantically Eagle Woman pursued. She must reach some of the targets before the other horseman. So far she had not even had an opportunity to try for a score.

  She glanced ahead. Some of the young men had fanned out to the left, and she saw the white rings of peeled willow against green foliage in that direction, too. She reined the mare to the left. She must ignore Walker’s successes and concentrate on her own. The lance neatly passed through the first ring, and she kneed the horse toward the next.

  By this time the animal had realized the purpose of the game. Quick as a heartbeat, the well-trained mare changed flying front feet and shifted the angle of motion toward the next hoop. It was hanging at a difficult angle, but the girl skillfully centered the target and slid it up to join the others. She wondered how Long Walker was doing but dared not stop to look.

  The next target was easy, and the next also. She paused to glance over a
t Long Walker, while the mare scrambled over a rocky ledge toward a nearby clump of sumac with white target rings in evidence. She speared another, and as she lifted the lance she realized how tired her right arm was becoming. The weapon was growing heavier with each motion, and it seemed she could not hold it steady while she concentrated on the white hoop ahead. Still she managed to lift the point at the last moment to enter the dangling ring.

  There were no more targets above her now, and she swung back toward where Long Walker had zigzagged up the slope. One ring still hung on a scrubby bush between them, and she kicked the gray mare forward. She was nearer the target, but the other saw it at almost the same moment.

  Eagle Woman lunged forward, readying the lance. Her shoulder muscles ached from the exertion, her right arm seemed wooden from the elbow down. If she could only lift the lance point to impale this one last target. It had become symbolic of the contest.

  The girl gritted her teeth and tried to ignore the pain of aching muscles as she concentrated on the run. Carefully she bore down on the target ring, moved the point of the weapon slightly for greater accuracy, and rushed past the bush. To her consternation there was no white willow loop hanging on the lance shaft as she raised it. She had missed.

  She wheeled the horse for another run, trying to ignore the drumming of hooves behind her. Walker’s horse was gaining, but she saw that she would reach the target first.

  She had lifted the lance upright, but she now lowered the point for another run. This time she would not miss. A new surge of determination gave her momentum, and the lance sped straight toward the ring.

  Eagle Woman was never sure later whether Walker’s next action was deliberate or not. She never asked him. For now she only knew that Gray Cat stumbled, scrambled for footing, and swept past the target out of reach. At the same moment the girl realized the reason for the stumble. The gray mare had been jostled aside by the larger horse.