13

Swan Valley

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The late afternoon sun poked through the gathering gray clouds and bathed Ba’a O’ng in an orangey glow as the minivan pulled to a stop in front of a small prefabricated building like one might see on a construction site. On a plaque, it read “Swan Valley Tribal Office” and again in their tongue. She recognized the word “Ba’a O’ng” but that was it.

“We’re here,” Freya said, looking back at the children.

Skye looked around, cranky and unimpressed. Rose looked slightly more excited.

Tanya wasn’t sure where “here” was, but she was grateful to be at the end of the journey. As she stepped out and stretched her sore legs, she noticed several tribal members walking around outside and was acutely aware of the fact that she was now the minority… a white body in a sea of darker-skinned people.

Tanya took Rose's hand and they entered the little building, Skye following with Freya. It was empty, giving Tanya a moment to just gaze around at all the memorabilia of events in the tribe's recent history. There were historical articles, artifacts and photos of dancers in elaborate costumes. They were still a proud people. Not broken at all. Abused, but still whole... just like her.

“The Neme’o’ng are a proud people,” a matronly voice sounded behind her. “You will become proud as well.”

Tanya turned to see a large, short woman wearing long, heavy pants and a bulky sweater in a dizzying array of earthy tones. Her face was chubby and creased – like a favorite grandmother, her expression stern, but friendly.

“Dancing Bear!” Freya cried, giving the old woman a hug.

“Good to see you Fair Tortoise!”

“Tortoise?” Tanya asked. She couldn’t see anything slow about Freya.

“She has a thick shell that she uses to protect herself. She will pull her head in if she’s threatened, but she will keep going… slow and steady,” Dancing Bear replied. “Fair because she’s always fair to all, not because of her fair skin.”

Tanya nodded, wondering what her Indian name would be.

A tall, handsome Native man (obviously, she scolded herself) walked in. His long, black hair was knotted at the back of his head, keeping his appearance very neat. “New family, Dancing Bear?”

“Yes, Sage Eagle. Please tell your father.”

“Of course. Can I have a name?”

“I’m...” Tanya began, but was cut off.

“I will have her name before the week is up,” Dancing Bear promised. “Then, I will present them to the tribe.”

“Thank you.” He left just as quickly and quietly as he came, Tanya’s head following the handsome man.

“The youngest son of the chief,” Freya murmured into her ear.

Tanya felt a mixture of elation and disappointment. The son of the chief was very handsome, but he hadn’t noticed her as a woman – just as someone who needed help. Plus there was something about names…

“Fair Tortoise, are you staying tonight? I believe the snow will start soon,” Dancing Bear informed.

“Yes, if you don’t mind,” Freya replied. “It’s too far to return to Blackfoot tonight.”

“Agreed. Though if the snow keeps up, it may keep you longer than you intend.”

“Safely late is better than early peril.”

“You remembered!” Dancing Bear replied with a big smile. “You were always a good student. Are you going to eat with the tribe tonight or do you prefer to dine with myself and my new charges?”

“I will eat with the tribe, if that’s okay,” Freya replied. “I’d like to greet some of them.”

“As you wish. Just don’t tell them your friend’s name.”

“I don’t know it,” Freya replied. “I figured I can’t give it away if I don’t know.”

“Wise you are. I hope your lover appreciates it as well.”

“How did you know?”

“You have that spark that I only saw when you fell in love with Sage Eagle.”

“Except he never returned my affection,” Freya reminded.

“True. He has still not found his mate. I pray that will change soon. He will make someone an excellent husband.”

Freya looked at Tanya a moment. “I will try to be back before you go to bed, but will definitely chat with you in the morning if I’m too late tonight.”

“Take your time,” Tanya encouraged. “You deserve some time to yourself tonight.”

“Come,” Dancing Bear said to Tanya. “We need to get you and your little chicks settled in.”

Tanya called her children, who were entertaining themselves with a calico cat who had come in, maybe when Sage Eagle had come in. The cat twisted around their legs, the tail wrapping sensually around them as she enjoyed the attention.

Dancing Bear followed her attention to the action. “That would be Spot. She was named by Little Deer when she was a child. It’s amazing that the cat is still with us – almost as amazing as Little Deer herself. You’ll meet her soon enough.”

♥

It was good to see Fair Tortoise again, Little Deer thought, watching her in her self-assured way that had caught her brother’s attention. She knew that Fair Tortoise had once been in love with Sage Eagle. Little Deer had tried to encourage her brother to accept her as a lover and maybe a bride, but he refused. He wouldn’t satisfy his lust for a temporary fancy.

As much as she admired her brother for his fortitude, she hated that he’d hurt Freya for not loving her. She would have made him a good wife, but he insisted that the right one hadn’t been made known to him yet.

He passed her on his way to get some more dessert.

“She’s changed,” Little Deer mentioned.

“Yes. She’s more beautiful for sure.”

“You admit you may have been wrong to reject her?”

“No. She was never meant to be mine. Fair Tortoise has got over me – there is another man who lights up her world now.”

Little Deer smiled, glad to hear it.

“Woxi has a new family with her tonight. That’s why Fair Tortoise came – bringing them to us. Have you seen them yet?”

“No. Woxi won’t bring them in here until she has their names worked out.”

“I know…,” he said, drifting off. “I’ve already told Da what I know, which isn’t much.”

Little Deer looked at him with surprise. There must be something interesting about this family!

♥♥♥