Cloud Chief watched secretly as the young man emerged naked from the pool and began to dress. He was shaken.
He had walled off his emotions over the years since he was forced to change tribes. He had always worked hard for his Uncle and his new tribe and the deaths of so many at the hands of relentless enmity, had frozen his heart for many months. Furthermore, he refused to grieve. He helped sky-bury his dead and gathered the remnants of his tribe. His Uncle had kept him and the tribe rather reclusive, and very little had passed between the people from East and West. Messengers had been sent to his brother and felt the relief at the offer of welcome that was returned by Soaring Hawk, It had overwhelmed him, solidifying his repressed emotions into the single-minded focus on retreat and escape to the West. However, his own strength of resolve and his solid instincts had led them all the way, across the land, struggling to not lose another soul.
Only to find himself feeling something open in his heart at the sight of a young beauty in the river. He could not fathom what he was feeling, and he was puzzled. Why would one five-minute encounter stun him like this?
The youth was dressing with care, smoothing the items of golden buckskin over each long, slender limb, making sure they fell perfectly over the trim body. He began braiding two long strips of hair on either side to caress his face just so. He tied the ends with leather that had been dyed a crimson red. He reached down and picked up a small jar and dabbed a bit of red berry juice on his lips, just enough to leave a hint of color. Cloud Chief knew in an instant that this was a Two-Spirit person, probably highly placed in his tribe. Treasured. The luck he brought to his tribe and to the man he mated with would be invaluable. This only made the man more interesting, more compelling. It explained the frank, fearless, and somewhat audacious gaze between them. This was a person that was used to receiving respect. Cloud Chief shook himself free of reverie and realized he was late at returning, so he reluctantly reined his horse around and made his way back towards his charges, huddled nervously in the woods.
Rabbit heard him leave the area. He had been fully aware of being watched, and he lingered casually as he dressed and did his hair, even adding the bit of juice to his mouth as an extra provocation. He was certain that their meeting at the celebration tonight would be very fascinating. Furthermore, he was determined to avoid this man until the magic of the flutes and drums filled the evening sky. Then he would make a lasting impression on this beautiful and desirable young Chieftain. He had never been one to leave without a final word, so he whipped out his flute and played a happy tune on it as he went, making sure it was loud enough to reach a certain pair of ears.
Cloud Chief paused a moment and realized what direction the tune came from and recognized the playful challenge, and its sender. He smiled an unused and very brief smile and rode off to attend to his duty.
As he tripped lightly into camp, Rabbit made his way to Chief Soaring Hawk’s lodge pole teepee. He had toyed with the idea of keeping the arrival of Cloud Chief to himself, it seemed almost too intimate to share in any way. However, if the other involved mentioned it, he would receive a tongue lashing and would probably be assigned to stock-tending for a week, so he quietly approached and begged entrance. He was welcomed immediately and he sat across from a tall, exquisitely made man, as beautiful as the man at the river but with darker, more compassionate eyes.
“Rabbit Who Plays Flute. How are you today? Are things going well with the preparations for tonight.?”
“Yes. They are going smoothly. All foods are ready, musicians rehearsed. Memorials written.”
“ What brings you here?”
“Well, I finished with my chores and went to bathe in the hot spring. I spotted a man in the clearing and I believe it was Cloud Chief.”
“Are you sure? You have never met him.”
“Yes. He was wearing the beaded headband you asked me to make for his 15th Birthday.”
“It was him then. Did he speak?” Soaring Hawk asked.
“No. We just looked at one another, then he rode off.”
“He was young when he left here, and a child of few words even then. He sounds like he hasn’t changed much. How did he look?”
“Almost as handsome as you. If he smiled more he might even be better looking, my Chief!”
“You are a horrible flirt, Rabbit. Thank Great Spirit that I am impervious to your wiles, little friend.Well, find Red Arrows and have her finish up and gather everyone to greet our newest tribe members. He has probably already observed the camp and ascertained who we are. My brother is cautious and thorough. He will not be long. Make sure the host families have enough to settle our guests comfortably until new teepees are erected after we have a headcount.”
Rabbit ran to give Soaring Hawk’s latest orders, then dashed to his quarters to tidy up his habitual chaos. He sat in his own home, relaxing and planning ways to stay mostly out of sight until evening. Of course, the occasional fleeting glimpse would not be out of the question, enough to be tantalizing, but just out of reach. He had casually flirted before, but he felt very different when he met Cloud Chief’s penetrating eyes. This was someone who stirred his spirit and he wanted him badly. He recalled that final look the Chief had sent his way. The need, the instant desire, and the bit of surprise, as if he was all new to this kind of wanting.
He heard the cry from the warriors at the entrance of the camp, and suddenly he realized his palms were sweating. He went to the opening of his teepee and watched as the crowd parted and Cloud Chief lead his people into the enclave.
He was regal, majestic, and too beautiful to be real. Drummers were beating an entrance march, and he slowly guided his horse until it stopped before his older brother.
“Cloud Chief, Brother. Welcome home to you and your people. May we become one tribe together, and may you sit at my side in all tribal counsels as an equal Chief. It is a sorrowful time for your people, but it is good to see my only brother once more.”
Cloud Chief dismounted and walked up to Chief Soaring Hawk. They clasped each other’s forearms and searched one another’s eyes. They had not done this in 12 years and suddenly all reserve fell away and they embraced one another tightly as they entered Soaring Hawk’s lodgings and the door fell closed behind them.
