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| >> Campfire Creative >> Appendix >> Cultural >> ID #1758485 |   |
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[Introduction]
  Sometimes, the hardest part of life is waiting for what you know is comeing. |
 The Word Bending Turtle  She stands, stoic against the harsh winds of the northwester plains, a awaiting those closest to her heart. She is Qa-si, the daughter of the Running Bear, a close confidant to Chief Joseph. It has been two summers since the spring her father rode off to join Joseph on the trail, and word has come from the renegades that surrender is imminent, as supplies are running low and the white man’s blue army is closing in.And so she stands, sentry to the wind, facing the eastern hills for any sign of movement. What makes her task all the more special is that it is done on her own time. Many in the community believe her vigil is for her father, others speculate that she waits for one of the young warriors traveling with the chief. Some speculate that it is someone else that she waits for. Whichever it is, she is faithful to her cause, seldom straying from her self-designated charge. Bonnie ♡PDG Grad Party The sun was setting, Qa-si marveled at it’s magnificence, the flashes of gold’s and yellows covering the entire skyline, the brisk wind swirling the clouds into an awesome spectrum. Did her loved one see the same wondrous sky? hope soared in her heart. She set off back to the village her spirit lighter. She gave thanks to the Great Spirit for her inner peace, her need to return as strong as her need to leave. At a high vantage point, she stopped for a few moments. Her eyes beheld the entire village. Smoke rising from the fires recently lit, the smell of cedar wood added sweetness to the chilled evening air. The children were still playing, although the dusk had come. Hearing their laughter added to her already lightened mood. The older boys not yet braves were tending the horses, under the guiding eyes and directions of the old braves. The livestock was tended for the night. The old men were gathering for the evening, hearing the voices of children crying out for stories made Qa-si smile. It seemed not that long ago she was one of them but eighteen summer’s had passed since she was born here in this village. The woman, mainly in small groups was gathering up their crafts and baskets for the light had gone. Later they would visit each other in their lodges. Over forty families lived here in the summer, with the rest of their branch further downriver. They would all gather for celebrations, and then in the fall they would begin the migration to their permanent winter grounds. With the war party gone so long there were no weddings or births that summer. Yet, life still vibrates. Energy resonates around the camp, renewed expectancy as news was filtering through to them, and they expected their men home soon. Qa-si longed to see her father and brothers and all her tribesmen returned to her people. Yet, whilst they were away she could hide her truth from everyone. The gentle flowing sounds of the river soothed her, even as she felt heartache rise within her again. Qa-si wanted to reach out her arms and gather everyone before her into her bosom, this is not the summer’s end but the passing of a way of life. Her people the Nez Piece, Clear-river tribe would no longer fish these waters or grow and harvest from the rich soil, or gather the wild berry and herbs. Nor would the braves hunt the bountiful plains. This land she held close in her heart, the land of her ancestors was to be marked off for the pale faces. The Word Bending Turtle For all her life, her tribe had peacefully lived beside and traded successfully with the white people.Her tribe were horse breeders highly skilled and farmers, the Appaloosa was a sought after horse for their sturdy footing in the rough terrain. They learned to speak white man’s language and many of their people followed their Great Spirit, it was rumored Chief Joseph had followed their God. Then, the army sent their warriors to drive of the many nations that had lived of this land for as longer than anyone could remember. Amongst the land were the sacred burial places of their ancestors. The White men had no honor to their ancestors. That is why her father and many other chiefs joined with Chief Joseph, to keep sacred the burial grounds of their ancestors. No man owned the land. No man had a right to own the land. Respect it, and the Great Spirits would keep the lands replenished. So far there was no word of any of their braves were dead, but they heard the White- man’s army tried to stop the tribes going to new lands in Canada. Her father refused to take his people on this journey, the early snows of winter would soon be on their way, and looking for new land at this point in the year could prove to be dangerous. A war party recently left from their village to go and aid Chief Joseph. Her father had already traveled the long journey to the new lands and had returned once, reporting on the conditions they would be living in. There were too many old and young in the village, and he promised to return and take his people to the new free lands when the white men accepted that the Nez Pierce were a peaceful people who only wanted to keep sacred the burial grounds. Her Grandmother’s call broke her thoughts. As she was ready to scramble down the side of the hill, she stopped. Qa-si saw Yellow Bird leave her family teepee. Qa-si’s mind ran over the events of the past few years, over her coming of age ceremony and the visions that guided her into her future. One thought kept interrupting his concentration. Why did the Great Spirit bring that small scout party to them the early spring before her father raised up his war cry against the white men? The sun was passing beyond the blue mountains, Qa-si knew she would have to move fast to be home before dark. Bonnie ♡PDG Grad Party The early spring of 1875 was welcomed by the tribe, as they were still in the summer camps at Blue Mountain. Last fall, a scout had carried the news to Chief Running Bear that disease gripped the hearts and minds of white man’s old, sick and children.The tribe’s woman appealed to him to spend the winter in the mountains. Harsh as the winter maybe it would be easier to bear than burying their children. Chief Running Bear spoke with the elders and it was decided they would stay. This would keep the tribe separate in winter. It was not good for them to be apart for so long. They were a community of people and needed their leader, especially in these changing days. and disease conspired against them. Many a young brave was disappointed, as marriages were celebrated before the whole tribe. Other ceremonies would be held later. They made special prayers ceremonies for a swift winter. The hunted heavily preparing for a hard winter in the mountains. The lighter winter on the plains was not to be. Qa-si’s dearest friend Manakee was disappointed. She hoped that by now they would have marriages arranged for both of them. The parents choose and daughters were obedient. Qa-si hadn’t thought much about who her parents were choosing for her. She knew her Father’s heart was heavy for the people. "We will be too old. No man wants an old wife.” Manakee cried to Qa-si. “A chief's daughter is always wanted as a wife, no matter what age she is.“ she added. “You know more than me Manakee. I am sure a good and honorable man has been chosen for you." Qa-si wanted to soothe her friends concerns. Her tone brightened, and she was hoping Qa-si may have overheard the elder’s talking. “No, but I do know that I would rather stay here than bring sickness to the tribe.” Hope Whisperer said Manakee was old before she was young, always longing for the next phase of her life to begin before the current one had finished. The snows were melting on the mountains, and the first hunting party went out from the camp. They would be gone until dark and continue this for a few days until they had enough to see them through the very early spring. The men had ridden for three hours, the ground hard but the horses were ready for a long ride. They would not be going further than five miles from their camp. mostly staying in the flat hills, they would find elk and deer. The Word Bending Turtle Chief Running Bear had taken a party of twenty from the main camp. They would meet up with hunters from the other camp if the snow had thawed as quickly further downriver. The party aimed to bring back a good kill, and within the first two hours they were on the trail of elk. They still used traditional bows and arrows for hunting, although they carried rifles and handguns. An arrow was swift and sure. The skill of the hunter’s using traditions handed down from father to son. One of the younger men was ahead following the trail, in the thick of the woods. When he saw some horses tied to a pine tree, blankets hastily thrown over them. He stealthily crawled along the cold ground to look for a small camp, he did not have to look far, and saw a small scout party. They were not in a good condition, nor were the horses. “Over here!” shouted Chasing Hawk, one of the braves. As the braves gathered, they could see that the two men in the camp, both in bad shape, but luckily still alive. “White scouts, from the fort down river.” “Yes, and they need our help.” “Why? They would not help us if it were us there, and them looking down.” “They will die if we do not help. No matter what they have done, these two need help, and we are the only ones out here.” The braves debated a while when Calling Elk, one of the lesser chiefs, walked up to them. Seeing their argument, and noticing the two soldiers and their horses in the woods, he approached and began to give instructions to the braves standing around. “Standing Fox, you and otter make a litter for the first man, Chasing Hawk and Swift Foot, you take the second. It does not matter who they are, we will not leave them for dead.” “What? Do you think that wise?” “Swift Foot, these men have done nothing to us, and they need to be taken back to camp, so they can heal.” The braves tried to protest further, but that only served to enrage Calling Elk. Eventually, even Swift Foot set about to making the triangular litters that would carry the two soldiers and most of their equipment back to camp. The journey back to camp was a quiet one, as none of the braves dared to further cross Calling Elk. He may have been one of the youngest in the council of chiefs, but he was still a chief. Upsetting him now would only make it harder for them to advance once they came of age. Back at camp, Calling Elk took one of the soldiers with him to his lodge, and sent for Running Bear, the most senior chief in the camp at that time. Seeing the soldiers, Running Bear quickly sent for his wife and daughter, to begin care for the second soldier. With constant care, eventually both returned to health. Bonnie ♡PDG Grad Party Rumors was rife with the woman who gathered outside Yet, the arrival of the injured soldiers had brought some excitement. The children told stories and re-enacted the braves fighting off the wildest bears to save the white men from a horrible death. Their mothers laughed at them."I am here, Qa-si, come speak to me." Manakee whispered. She was crouched by the side of a large pine, her water carrier in view for all to see. “You do not hide well, Manakee, what is it? What do you want to know?” “Did the bluecoats try to take the scalp of your father?” Manakee looked worried the rumors would have been circulating among the villagers. "I have been a servant to the shaman and my grandmother. I have no news… Father is well. He is with the elders now.” Some of the woman saw her standing by the tree, hurrying over they began calling to her. “Qa-si, we see you there. We will talk with you awhile, how is the baby?" Laughing at Manakee, she spread her arm out toward the ensuing crowd. “Look, what you have brought upon me, you need to learn to be a better hunter, tell them the baby is well and with my brother and his wife in their lodge. You can face them, not I.” Picking up water, she avoided the woman by taking a path to the lodge through the woods. Slipping back in quietly, she poured the water into a jug surprised that no one was there except the injured soldier. "Water, may I have some water please?" he asked, the voice was strange not like the pale face voices from the winter camp. Kneeling before him she lifted his head toward the cup. "Katherine, you are here..I have found you?” He appeared delighted with what his mind was showing him. I am Qa-si, not Katherine- Here drink this." He grimaced slightly as he tried to pull himself up, Qa-si helped him. He only managed a sip and fell back on the bearskins, grabbing at his side. "Try to rest." His eyes were shut tight...... his body rigid with pain, she despaired at being alone with him. She jumped back in alarm as he tried to take her hand; a small squeal escaped her lips. Her Grandmother spoke from the rear entrance of the lodge. “He is taken with fever. He calls out for her.” Her grandmother said. “I never saw you there.” said Qa-si. “Ah…he has taken a little water he seems in so much pain.” “Yes, he fought with the bear they found near their camp. It had been dead for some days. The two men lay beside it. Qa-si’s eyes widened looking at the fever-ravaged body. "Only great warriors can walk away from a fight with the Mountain Bear.” “We shall see.” The Word Bending Turtle Going back to him under the watchful eye of Hope -Whisperer, she worked relentlessly for hours administering the medicinal brews to cleanse his spirit and body. Finally he slept, the fever still raging.Later, she took some air as she was walking down to the river she was met by Swift-Foot, her childhood friend, unaware of his feelings toward her. "Qa-si, how is the white scout?” Stretching her cramped body, she yawned without answering. "His companion has died, I hear he is in bad shape, and may die as well." said Swift Foot. "Are you concerned for the pale face?" she retorted. "What is it Qa-si, why do you ask me in that voice." Swift-Foot asked her. Shaking her head, she was unsure how she asked him. "I must be tired, he is gripped with fever is all.” "He cannot die, once the trail is clear, they will send an army to look for them." said Swift Foot. "This one will live, he has a deep love...He calls for her.....Katherine." said Qa-si The moon was full, illuminating the river, the night air was cold Qa-si welcomed it after the long day in the lodge. Swift Foot looked at her strangely. "Why do you look at me like that?" asked Qa-si. "Don't you remember, at the mission school....... they gave you that name!" “Yes, but that was so long ago, and I was just a child. When she got back to the lodge, she checked on the soldier and started to wipe some of the sweat off his brow. His fever was breaking, and the next day or so would determine how he would come through this ordeal. Qa-si looked into his face, a face foreign to her, yet with so many familiar features. “Qa-si, please go help Manakee scrape the new hides the hunters brought back with them.” “Yes, grandmother,” and with that, she rose to leave. Before she did, she could feel the arm of the soldier raise and press against the back of her leg, but when she turned, the arm had fallen back into place. Once outside, Qa-si ran to the field to catch up with Manakee, sure there was something about the soldier staying with them that was to change her destiny. “What is up with you? You seem to be flying, your head in the clouds.” “Oh, Manakee, I do not know. There is defiantly something going on here, but I just do not know about it.” “What? Tell me!” “I’m not sure I should. I am so confused!” “Qa-si, when have we started keeping secrets from each other? You know you can trust me not to tell.” Qa-si hesitated for another moment. “It’s the white man staying in our lodge.” She paused. “For some reason, I think I know him.” Bonnie ♡PDG Grad Party “Oh no, Qa-si, your dreams are back, after all the Shaman did with you ….. to rid you of them?”“I have not talked about them in so long, not even to you. They still come, but I refuse to let the bird take me away.” Qa-si bowed her head ashamed. "Go, Qa-si, I am almost done. You need to rest.” Walking back, she saw her father approaching. “Qa-si, I have come to say farewell.” “Why father, surely the trail is not clear?” “Yes, it is almost clear. Chief Joseph has sent for us." Reaching up she held onto her father, holding back the tears. "Be strong, help your mother and the tribe, while we are gone.” He walked away, wondering if mother was right was her heart is lost to us again? “I love you Father.” she called softly. Entering the lodge, only the injured soldier was there. Qa-si went to him. He was peaceful now. The fever losing its grip, She was refused to look upon his face. The words from her father fatigued her, meaning only to rest for a little while she went to the sleeping quarters. Qa-si was at the river, her favorite spot, just on the bend, here she could see the highest peak of the blue mountain. She desired to be up there with the eagles soaring high. The sun was warm on her face, which seemed odd to her as it was only early spring, then she heard the familiar sound of the owl. “Go away, I will not follow you." Looking around to see where the bird was, she realized that she was now on that path she always had refused to take. A voice so familiar called... then she saw him. “Josh….” she cried. "Wake up Qa-si." Stirring from the dream, her grandmother stood before her. “Come quickly, for the sun is up and your father and the men are almost ready to ride off.” Preparing her self quickly she joined the tribe, as they made prayers for their mission and their safe return. As she turned to leave, Swift Foot stopped her. He took her hand. “Qa-si, when I return, I hope to have impressed your Father, that he will consider me to be a worthy husband for you.” She ran away from him so fast, he only stared in her wake. When she entered the lodge, he was sitting up. "Katherine, I have returned for you as I promised." Holding out his arms, beckoning her towards him. Her heart was pounding as she drank in his eyes, the feelings she had long buried returned instantly. "For five long years, I have dreamed of this moment, to be reunited with you." said Captain Joshua Westly. The Word Bending Turtle Qa-si felt conflicted and betrayed by her own emotions. For years, she and Swift Foot had been close, almost brother and sister to each other. They had been together growing up, through the years on the eastern slopes and the period they spent at the mission school. Now she was face to face with Joshua Westly, one of their classmates from the mission school. His father had been an officer at the fort that housed the school. They had been in class together, and often it was Joshua who had helped her through her lessons. When she tried to run away from the school, it was Joshua, in the woods tracking game that had found her. When the headmaster tracked them down in the woods, Joshua had covered for her, telling the elder that he invited Qa-si out that morning, so that he could learn from her how to read the trails in the woods. He had saved her from a beating, and their friendship grew from there. And now, here he was, in front of her. She cursed the fates beneath her breath, and turned from him. Qa-si slipped quickly into her sleeping chamber, than back out of the lodge into the sunshine. She needed to escape for a while, to think in the sun where she could be away from the two men who both claimed her heart. Qa-si made her way down to the river where she and Manakee often went to bathe and take care of their washing. Her trip down the bank did not go unnoticed, and soon Hope Whisperer appeared at the top of the bank. “Qa-si, please come, and help me. The white soldier needs to have his bandages changed, and he asks for you.” “I can’t, grandmother.” “Qa-si! I need you in the lodge to help with the salves and poultices for the soldier-man.” “I can’t, grandmother!” “Qa-si, what is bothering you?” “Nothing, I just need to be alone for a while.” “Now, now. You know you can’t keep anything from me. What is wrong with you?” “I can’t, grandmother” “Is it the visions again?” “Almost. It is him, grandmother. The soldier man currently staying in our lodge. He was the one that protected me in school, and I think he is the one I have seen in my visions of what will be.” Hope Whisperer stood at the top of the bank, reeling from what Qa-si had told her. They had talked about Qa-si’s visions in the past, but the girl was a little shy when it came to details. Now, her little one was opening up about something she had held in for a long time. Bonnie ♡PDG Grad Party Qa-si reluctantly climbed up the bank. Hope Whisperer was already sitting down. “I will tell you again child; you must be obedient to your visions, what holds you back.” “Swift Foot wants me, he told me before they left. I do not see him at all in the future.” “Yet you see this Joshua?” “I have always seen him, until two summers ago. “That was the work of the Shaman Qa-si, yet the great spirit brought him to you." Qa-si looked up toward the sky. The morning sun blazed red and yellows as it raised it self for the day. The angry sky always followed her visions, since she began to refuse her destiny. " My child, why have you not been married before now, your father too is guided by visions." "Now, let us go back to the attend to him." Hope Whisperer looked upon the pained face of her dear grandchild. She believed her path was with the white man. She saw her as a diplomat in their world for her people. "We must send him back soon, they will send a search party for him. Hope Whisperer left her. Remembering the years that had passed, Qa-si could only see how much Joshua had been her true constant, he vowed no matter where she was he would find her. Her heart bursting with renewed joy, she returned to the lodge, knowing that she would never again deny him. She went straight to him. Her eyes shone toward him, he smiled in return no words were needed until her grandmother left them alone. "I carried you in my heart, dear Katherine, even when the bear attacked us, I knew I would still find you." He spoke assuring her, that although there was troubled times ahead. He knew that they would be together again Never doubt him. In the coming weeks until he was strong enough to make the journey back to the fort, they would steal hours together helped by her grandmother. He was due to return the following morning. They met in their secret place, high above the village. “The time is coming, when your people will be sent away, the US government cannot stop the white settlers from moving onto your lands.” Qa-si bowed her head and cried. “Do not cry my love, Your chief is a wise man. He will avoid war at all costs. My father holds him in high esteem.” “Stay here, do not return to the winter camp. Watch for me always, I will return to you from the east.” At sunrise, Joshua left with a small party to guide him through the mountain trail.” The sky was a glorious blue. Summer passed and each evening Qa-si began her vigil, standing stoic, looking toward the eastern plains. © Copyright 2011 The Word Bending Turtle, Bonnie ♡PDG Grad Party, (known as GROUP). All rights reserved. GROUP has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work. |
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