Drifter – Part 5

By D

Chapter IX

The air was hot and smelled of sweetness and earth and manure. It was an odd combination of smells and made Donoma wrinkle up her nose in surprise. Koko caught her expression out of the corner of her eye and grinned.

“Not what you expected?”

Donoma thought about it a moment. “I am not sure what I expected. I never noticed it quite as much in camp. There are always so many scents there... so many sounds. I have never really taken the time to notice them or try to separate them out individually. It is simply part of the tapestry of life.”

“It is indeed, and when it changes, you take notice. This trip is about giving you the opportunity to notice. Far enough away where it is only you and me and the sky and the earth. No other sounds to distract us; no one else asking for our attention,” Koko stated as she led them down a slight embankment to a tiny creek burbling with life. “Except maybe for the fish,” she added with a smile, “but I am happy to give them attention as they will provide us with nourishment.”

Donoma crossed her arms and glared at Koko. “You brought me out here so you could go fishing,” she accused flatly. Koko’s head swung around quickly, just catching a hint of a twinkle in the green eyes before Donoma endeavored to frown fiercely.

“Yes,” Koko agreed with a serious countenance. “I did. I figured I could use you for bait,” watching as Donoma’s jaw dropped in shock before she realized Koko was teasing. She launched herself at the warrior, expecting to be caught and looking at Koko in shock when they ended up flat on the ground.

“You were supposed to catch me!”

“I probably should have stopped laughing first,” Koko wheezed. Donoma stood and put her hands on her hips.

“I know where you live, Koko Kanti. You cannot hide from me when I decide how to get even with you.”

This time Koko burst into gales of laughter. *This* was the precocious child she had watched grow up into the awkward woman child Donoma was now. Koko only hoped that this outing would help Donoma find her balance again; she wanted Donoma to know the beauty of growing up and becoming an adult without the pain and awkwardness she herself had felt. Admittedly, their circumstances were completely different and yet many of the growing pains were identical. And Koko wished to spare Donoma as much of the ugliness of that as she could. Hence this trip.

“I will look forward to it, ka’eskone. Now, find a spot to place your blanket and we will set up camp. Then we can do whatever you would like, or I will go fishing and you can have a bit of time to simply be if you would like.”

Donoma blinked. She wasn’t sure what she had been expecting – more lessons, perhaps. Most of her time with Koko now was spent learning in one capacity or another, though Koko always managed to make it less work and more fun than anything. Still, she had never expected the luxury of having time to do what she wanted. Donoma knew what the bleeding meant- it meant she was on the cusp of adulthood and there was very little time left for the games of childhood. Perhaps that would explain her mood swings and her lack of vision lately.

She stood contemplating these thoughts so long her stillness caught Koko’s attention. She crossed the short distance between them, laying a hand on Donoma’s shoulder and squeezing gently when she jumped in surprise.

“Are you all right, ka’eskone?”

Donoma smiled. “I am fine, Koko. Just thinking. Anymore I try to stand still so I do not disturb anything while I am processing for fear of jarring something loose,” she added wryly. Koko chuckled.

“All part of growing up, Donoma. It will get better, I promise and things will return to normal.”

“But they will not be what they were before,” Donoma said sagely.

“No, but you may find that you like the new even better. You have many new experiences still to look forward to, my friend. You should relish each and every opportunity you are given.”

“And if I liked things the way they were?” Donoma asked softly, walking away from Koko and picking up her blanket to lay it on one side of the small fire pit Koko had built for their preparation.

Koko sighed. “Life is about change, ka’eskone. Nothing can stop that. It is how we react to those changes that will determine our satisfaction... our happiness. You do not want to remain a child forever, do you?”

“Sometimes,” Donoma answered honestly. “But sometimes not,” she continued. Donoma looked at the water, then back at Koko who watched her with knowing, understanding eyes. “Do you mind if I walk for a while. I will not go too far, but....” Her voice trailed off and Koko nodded.

“Go ahead, ka’eskone. You need but call out for me if you need something. Otherwise, your time is your own.”

Donoma turned and wrapped her arms around Koko’s waist, hugging her fiercely for a long moment before releasing her grip. “Thank you, Koko. Nayeli,” before she turned and headed away from the tiny campsite without looking back.

Koko watched her go for long moments before she turned back to the water. “I love you too, ka’eskone,” she whispered.

************

Donoma blinked her eyes open, disoriented to find herself in her tent – the noise level around her indicating it was full daylight. She lay perfectly still, trying to figure out why she was still in bed – her dream had been so real and she could still feel the way it had felt to hug Koko so tightly. Then her other senses came into play and she recognized the scent surrounding her and the deep even breathing and steady heartbeat of Koko Kanti beneath her ear and the memory of the previous night and early morning came back to her. She started to sit up, only to have Koko’s arm tighten around her.

Donoma sighed. She didn’t need this right now – she was still violently angry with Koko on so many levels – not the least of which was her nerve to return to them to die without so much as a by your leave. But Donoma couldn’t deny the comfort she felt in her very core being at being held so protectively in the unconscious embrace.

Sighing, she eased from Koko’s arms, pushing her unruly hair away from her face and stepping to the doorway of her home and looking around the subdued campsite. She breathed in deeply, noting the different scents and sounds that made up her home, glad they were still in the winter camp. Whatever ill feeling and anger she harbored towards Koko Kanti, she did not want the warrior to die... especially if there was something she could do to prevent it.

She watched as the men and women of the clan went about their business even though many of them turned questioning gazes in her direction. She looked for Honaw, then realized he must have gone home to get some rest after spending the night watching over her and Koko. Donoma caught Takoda’s eye and he excused himself from the chief, rising and walking towards her with slow, deliberate steps.

Takoda reached her side and stepped into the doorway, easing the loose hair from her face cupping her face in his large hand. “You looked tired, my daughter. You need rest.”

“I will rest, Neho’e – when there is nothing more I can do. However, nature is screaming rather loudly at the moment. Will you stand here and watch her for me, Neho’e. I do not want to leave her alone.”

“How is she, ka’eskone?”

Donoma sighed – a question she was really not ready to answer yet. “I think she is over the worst of it, Neho’e. I hope she is. I think it will depend on what happened, how long she was without care and how well she was before it happened. I have done what I know to do for her. Now it is time for me to watch and wait.”

Takoda smiled gently. “The hard part,” he commented wisely.

Donoma nodded. “Indeed. I will return in a moment.”

Takoda nodded, then turned his attention to their erstwhile patient. Why are you here, Koko Kanti? What made you return to us? He let his mind wander back to the outing she had taken Donoma on after Donoma’s first bleeding. That trip had been a godsend for his daughter and all she had talked about for months afterwards. He smiled at the memory.

************

When Donoma had arrived back at camp, the sun was just touching the horizon and Koko sat cross-legged on her blanket with her eyes closed. They fluttered open as Donoma approached and Donoma sighed.

“You heard me, didn’t you? Even as quiet as I was being.”

Koko nodded. “Yes, but I have been listening for a long time, ka’eskone. I could recognize your footsteps in a crowd.”

Donoma’s eyes widened. “Could you really?” she asked wonderingly. Koko nodded. “How?”

“You have a distinctive rhythm when you walk – a smooth, rolling gait that is different from the rest of the females in the clan.”

“Of course it is,” Donoma griped. “Everything else about me is different... why not the walk?”

Koko cupped Donoma’s chin in her fingers and lifted until their eyes met. “Donoma... ka’eskone – you walk like *I* do... strong and sure like a warrior. The rest of the females walk comfortably, but with a different swagger – one that speaks of softness and nurturing.”

Donoma’s eyebrows rose to her head. “You can hear nurturing in a walk??”

“Of course,” Koko replied with a shrug. “Every trait has a walk... a sound and weight that accompany it. You merely have to listen to learn them.”

“Will you teach me?”

Koko smiled. “If you would like to learn; you are a very apt pupil, ka’eskone. You know many things that could make you a formidable enemy or a useful ally... if you ever decided to become a warrior.”

Donoma grimaced. “I do not think I would be a very good warrior. I am not even a very good seer these days.”

“That is because there are so many things happening to you that have never happened before. It is hard to tell the difference in what is real and what is perceived. But that is all right – it is why we are here. We will find your center again, and when your life is in balance once more, the visions will return and you will be able to interpret them... you will see.”

“Do you really think so, Koko Kanti?”

“I know, Donoma Chepi. When I had my first bleeding, I could no longer fight as the warrior I had been trained to be. My balance was off – my focus... gone. My father took me out onto the plains – just the two of us – and he taught me to listen. First to listen outwardly and then to listen in. And I found the part of me that had changed did not make me different from the person I was before – it simply meant I was becoming an adult.”

“Were you glad?”

“That I was becoming an adult – yes and no. That things had changed for me... no, not at first. But there was no way to go back, so I had to learn to adjust to the way life was for me after that.”

“Was it harder then?” Donoma paused and Koko waited. “It has made things more difficult for me to see... to understand. Sometimes it is as though I cannot see at all.”

“It made me fiercer... more ferocious in battle. I took the confusion and the anger and the hurt and channeled it into something I could use. Ask Honaw... he knows when I am bleeding; he and the rest have learned to steer clear because the blood lust runs strongest in me then. I fight as though I am invincible and no one is safe if we are in the midst of battle then. I react solely on instinct and men die painfully if they try to defeat me.”

“Well, I do not want to kill anyone. I just want to be me again.”

“I am glad you do not want to kill anyone, ka’eskone. I would be more worried if you did as it goes against your nature. But do not fret over such things. We will find that focus again and things will settle for you, I promise. Even if we have to do this over and over until listening becomes a natural part of you, we will find your balance. But I do not think we will need to – you are exceedingly bright, Donoma. And your gift will not stay buried for long.”

“I hope not, Koko. I never realized how much a part of me it was until everything became so complicated. I miss it.” She crawled into Koko’s open arms and held on tightly, relishing the sense of peace and strength she felt emanating from the warrior. Donoma never realized when Koko tucked her into her blanket and kissed her forehead as Litonya did every night before wishing her goodnight. And when morning came, they started working.

It took longer than Koko expected, but much less time than Donoma thought it would, but slowly she was able to focus outside herself and learned to listen to the sounds around her. Then Koko taught her how to separate the sounds... to hear each one individually. Once she could do that, it was easy to tune them all out and listen to her inner voice.

Now if only her inner voice would talk to her.

Koko cautioned her that it might take a little while for her vision to return and insisted that Donoma work on her focus instead of trying so hard to force something that had always come naturally and in its own time. So she decided to teach Donoma the different gaits of the people within the tribe. Koko had no idea how comical that experiment would be. But she would... once they were back in camp and Donoma could see how accurate Koko’s impersonations had been.

When she walked as herself, she was able to sneak up on Donoma and laughed when she jumped. Donoma glared at her before shrugging sheepishly, and Koko moved on to other members. After a while, Donoma realized that Koko had been completely correct – every single movement was slightly different... weight, roll, length of step... something to identify the owner.

“What about those you do not recognize? How do you tell friend from foe?”

“Mostly it is safe to assume that if I do not recognize the walk, the person is an enemy... or at least an unknown. If there is stealth to their movement, definitely an enemy. If there is hesitation, simply an unknown. But either circumstance calls for caution until I can determine who they are and what they want.” She shrugged. “It keeps me amused and helps keep my skills sharp.” She paused. “So, do you feel better, ka’eskone? I know your sight has not yet returned, but it will when it is time.”

“I know, Koko, but thank you. I needed this. I will never listen the same way again.”

Koko smiled. “No, you will not. And if you ever need silence to listen in, you have but to ask and we will do this again.”

“Promise?” Donoma asked wistfully.

“Promise,” Koko affirmed. “I need this sometimes too.”

************

“You broke your word to me, Nutta,” Donoma said as she finished her morning ablutions, reliving the memories the dream had awakened. She rebraided the small braids that hung down the left side of her face and pushed the remaining loose hair back over her shoulders. “I needed the silence and you were not there to help me find it.” She picked up her comb and headed back towards her home. Regardless of her mixed feelings for the situation she currently found herself in, Donoma had a duty to her patient, and Koko’s bandages would need changing soon and she needed to be fed again.

Takoda still stood inside just inside her home watching for her; he saw Donoma straighten her shoulders before she was within sight of the main camp. He wondered again what effect Koko’s sudden reappearance would have on her life, remembering all too well the devastation that had been done to Donoma’s soul at her abrupt departure. He was fairly certain neither of them would survive a second rending – because if Koko caused his daughter that sort of pain again, he and his sons would seek her out and demand vengeance. And Donoma’s wishes would no longer be considered.

A hand on his arm brought him out of the red haze of anger he had fallen into. “Neho’e?”

He swallowed his fury and looked at her, patting her arm in reassurance. “What can I do to help you, daughter?” he asked softly.

“Relax, Neho’e. She will not hurt me again... I will not allow it. She is merely a charge in my care, and when she is well, she will move on as all the others have done.” He looked at her skeptically, wondering how many times she had rehearsed it since she had recognized Koko as the rider the night before.

“And if she does not wish to leave, ka’eskone?” he asked gently. “This is her home as well, despite the fact that she has been away from us for five cycles of the earth.”

“She will not live with me – she will have her own home. And I will adapt.”

“Like you did before, daughter?” not unkindly. “Donoma, the loss of her in your life was a very dark time for all of us, but for you especially. I do not wish to see you hurt so again.”

“Do not worry, Neho’e. That part of me no longer exists,” knowing Honaw would never reveal her slip from the early morning. He would simply set himself to keep a closer eye on her, hoping he would be able to prevent anything else from hurting Donoma as she had been hurt before. “I will be fine,” she added, almost convincingly. “Now, have my hestatanemos set up her tent. When she regains her senses, I will have her moved to her own home. Then the rest can worry about what happens to her – I will have done what I could for her.”

“Very well, Donoma,” Takoda agreed, knowing nothing would change her mind once it had determined the course of action she felt was right. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”

“No Neho’e,” she said with a small smile. “I am going to feed her again, and then I will clean her up and change her bandages. There is nothing else we can do but wait for her to awaken.”

“And you believe she will?”

“I believe she will if that is her desire. Honaw thinks her will to live is strong. We shall see.”

Takoda nodded. “Let me help you,” easing Koko into a sitting position so Donoma could slip behind her and placing the small pot of warm broth beside her. Then he stepped out of her dwelling, heading first for his sons to give them instructions and then looking for Litonya to give her the news. This day was shaping up to be as long as the night that had preceded it.

Chapter X

Donoma slowly fed the warm broth to Koko, triggering her swallowing response regularly while struggling to keep her mind blank. Despite the happy memories she had of the growing up years she had spent as Koko’s best friend, Donoma’s most vivid memory remained the pain and desolation she had felt upon discovering Koko’s desertion.

In the midst of her efforts, her second eldest brother Aucaman stepped into her tent to retrieve Koko’s belongings he had placed there the night before. Donoma looked up to see who was disturbing her and Aucaman motioned his intentions. Donoma nodded her acceptance and turned her attention back to feeding Koko, knowing the broth would help her heal.

A ruckus by the door drew her attention, favoring her brother with an exasperated glare. He shrugged his apology and gathered the bags again, then muttered under his breath when one bag slipped. It opened when it fell to the ground, scattering several items onto the ground. Aucaman groaned and knelt to pick up the things that had tumbled out.

“Leave them,” Donoma ground out hoarsely. Aucaman met her eyes, her tone alerting him to something amiss. Her face was void of color and she held herself stiffly as though in some sort of pain.

“Donoma?”

“Just take the things you have now and go, Aucaman. You can return for the remainder later.”

Aucaman nodded, thinking something was wrong with Koko. He backed out of her home without another word.

Donoma watched him go before she turned her attention to the first object that had cascaded from the saddlebag. She closed her eyes and collected herself, then resumed feeding Koko as though nothing had happened. But she couldn’t stop her mind from wandering and without her active permission her memories opened and flowed as though it had happened just yesterday.

************

The night before Donoma and Koko had returned from their camping experience, they sat together on opposite sides of the fire, gazing at the stars and listening to the sounds of the prairie around them. Without warning, Donoma sat up and moved to her bag, biting her lip before straightening her shoulders and turning back to Koko.

Koko remained reclined, knowing when Donoma was ready to share, she would. Then Donoma was standing beside her and Koko sat up far enough to lean on her elbows. “Ka’eskone?” she asked when Donoma stood silently, hesitation apparent in her very posture. Koko pushed to sit up completely, crossing her legs and letting her arms rest on her knees. Donoma abruptly thrust something into Koko’s hand and went back to her own bedroll, plopping down gracelessly and keeping her eyes fastened on the stars.

Koko looked at the bundle in her hands then back at Donoma. Without a word, she shook it out... and her jaw dropped. In her hands she held a chest protector, the beads woven so tightly there was almost no space for air between them. The design on it was familiar – her crest prominent across the front and in one tiny corner there was a fairy with wings the color of Donoma’s eyes.

Koko studied the craftsmanship with wonder – she had never seen such delicate and precise beadwork in her life. Surely Donoma had been given help to do such detailed art. Then Koko shook her head – regardless of how it had been accomplished, the fact remained that the work she now held in her hands was exceptional. She stood and crossed to the other side of the fire.

“May I sit?”

Donoma looked at Koko for a long moment, then sat up... gesturing to the end of her blanket and wrapping her arms around her knees. She dropped her eyes to the blanket, admiring the woven design until strong fingers pried her chin from her knees and nervous green eyes met sympathetic blue.

“This is amazing, ka’eskone. Did you create this by yourself?” The blonde head nodded slowly.

“You need something to protect you in battle, Koko. Blood lust and rage will not always safeguard you; this was my answer to that need.”

“It is beautiful, Donoma, and expertly crafted. Such incredible detail and workmanship. Thank you for taking the time to make something so special for me.” She paused, then continued. “Ka’eskone, did you see something that prompted this? Is something going to happen?”

Donoma took a deep breath. “On this, I have not seen clearly, Koko. But I have seen the possibilities of many things to come – so much blood... so much death.” She took a shuddering breath but did not drop her eyes from Koko’s and the warrior reached across the small distance that separated them and clasped Donoma’s hand gently. “One day, something will happen, and if you do not have something to keep you safe, I fear you will be taken from me.”

Koko accepted the gift and the warning in the serious manner in which it was delivered. “I will wear it every time I go into battle, ka’eskone, for as long as I am your protector.”

Donoma nodded her head with a satisfied expression. “Then you will be safe forever,” she pronounced seriously.

”I will be safe forever,” Koko vowed, pulling Donoma into a powerful hug.

************

Donoma came back from her memories just as she fed the last of the soup to Koko. Satisfied, she slid out from under the heavier body and gently deposited Koko back onto the furs. She checked the warrior for fever, surprised and a little concerned when she couldn’t find one but pleased at her deep, even breathing and slight color. It appeared that Honaw was correct about Koko’s will to live and a part of Donoma was very glad for that fact. Another part of her tried to put aside the complications this would add to her life... especially if Koko decided to remain here.

A glance outside showed Litonya had water already heating for her and testing it, Donoma found it to be more than warm enough to suit her needs. Litonya caught sight of her and offered to help, but Donoma refused with a shake of her head. She grabbed the water skin and ducked back inside her home, her eyes wandering to Koko’s belongings once more before she crossed to the warrior’s side.

Koko remained unmoving as Donoma removed her bandages; Donoma grimaced at the slight redness surrounding the deepest wound. Tenderly, she pressed against it, forcing out a small amount of infection and pus. The touch caused Koko to start struggling and Donoma called out frantically, “Honaw!” even as she straddled Koko’s long legs to keep her from kicking and twisting.

As though he had been waiting for her summons, Honaw rushed into Donoma’s tent a mere moment later. Immediately understanding the situation, he grasped Koko’s shoulders and pinned her gently but firmly to the furs beneath her. He tried not to stare at her naked body, but Honaw couldn’t help but notice both the beauty and the damage on the form he now held still.

Donoma stayed focused on the injury, watching as the liquid that ran out of it turned from yellow to red. When she was certain all the yellow had run out, she gently flushed the wound with warm water, unknowingly anointing Koko with her tears as well. When the water stopped flowing, Koko resettled and relaxed, much to Donoma’s relief.

Donoma looked at Honaw who was kind enough not to call attention to her wet cheeks and red-rimmed eyes which were all that remained as reminders of her unbidden tears. “Thank you, Honaw. She has been so still I did not expect such a violent reaction. Will you ask Nahko’e to heat more water?”

“Of course, ka’eskone. Would you like me to return to help you?”

Donoma bit her lip; she didn’t want an audience for this, but she admittedly needed assistance if Koko was going to be physical. Finally, she nodded, knowing she needed to remove the fur still beneath Koko that was now soaked with water and blood. “Please,” she whispered.

Honaw bowed his acceptance. “I will return shortly, Donoma,” rising from his kneeling position and exiting without another word. Donoma turned her attention back to Koko. Her color was pale again and the dark hair sweaty from her unconscious exertion and what Donoma feared was a new fever.

Honaw returned almost immediately, glancing at the things still laying on the ground, but moving past them quickly to stand beside Donoma and wait for her bidding.

“Can you lift her up for me, Honaw? I need to remove the wet fur.”

He didn’t answer – just simply knelt and cradled Koko in his arms. Donoma pulled the dirty fur from its place and motioned Honaw to ease Koko into a sitting position. She quickly cleaned the bodily fluids from her back and then Honaw reclined Koko until she was laying flat once more. Donoma covered Koko quickly, not wanting her to catch another chill. Honaw headed back out, but he hesitated by Koko’s things.

“Leave them,” Donoma commanded once more. Honaw looked at her then, her eyes holding a mixture of pride and pain. He nodded and continued out, knowing Litonya would have the water skin warmed soon.

Donoma moved the bloody bandages to one side with the wet fur and tried to clear her mind – listening as Koko had taught her so long ago. Before she was able to block the outside noises completely, Honaw was entering her home once again, this time carrying another full water skin and accompanied by Litonya.

Donoma’s tent was now full to the point of overcrowding and Honaw motioned that he would wait outside the door until he was called for. Litonya knelt on one side of Koko and Donoma on the other and they swiftly cleaned the warrior of the bodily fluids that covered her torso and legs. They pulled the blanket up to cover her once more, though Donoma arranged it to leave the wound open to the air and allow her to monitor it a little more closely. Litonya raised horrified eyes to meet Donoma’s.

“I did not realize the damage done to her was so severe. The Great Spirit has blessed you, Donoma – she should not have survived.”

Donoma smiled sadly. “Honaw believes it to be her strength of will; I am inclined to agree with him.”

“Perhaps,” Litonya conceded. “However, you need to rest, my daughter. I will watch....” breaking off at Donoma’s emphatic head shake.

“No, Nahko’e. I will watch for now. When she is well enough to be in her own tent, then it will be time for you and the others to watch. Until then, she is under my care.”

“Donoma....”

“Nahko’e... please. Do not argue with me about this. I will do what needs to be done to care for Koko; it is my responsibility. I do not need to be coddled over this,” the last added roughly as though wrenched from her soul.

Litonya didn’t react except to pat Donoma’s forearm. “If you think it is for the best, ka’eskone. If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”

“Thank you, Nahko’e. This is something I need to do... I have to do. I believe it is necessary.”

“I understand,” Litonya assured Donoma, though in truth, she didn’t. But she had promised Takoda not to push and to only give help when it was asked for. Taking Honaw’s place this time had been at Honaw’s request, to spare him the grief of a jealous wife. “I will take the fur and bandages and soak them. It will take them some time to dry in this weather, but at least they will be clean should the need arise to use them again.”

“Thank you, Nahko’e,” Donoma repeated softly. “It should be a little while before I need to do this again, and if we removed the infection, it will begin to close naturally. I will put something over it soon.”

“As you see fit, daughter – your sight has saved many of our warriors. It is one reason there are so many who wish to take you to wife.”

Donoma sighed. This certainly wasn’t something she wanted to discuss here and now. “Nahko’e,” she sighed, “I have no desire to mate with anyone. Now please....” she started, only to have her stomach grumble loudly.

Litonya shook her head. “When was the last time you ate, daughter? Nevermind,” she continued before Donoma drew breath to answer. “I will return with some food. I expect you to eat and rest. You will know if Koko Kanti needs tending. Promise me, Donoma.”

“Very well, Nahko’e. I will eat and rest. But I do not want to be disturbed.”

Litonya nodded her agreement. “I will be right back.”

Donoma did not move and true to her word, Litonya returned after a very brief absence. She handed Donoma a full bowl of warm stew and some flatbread and with a final glance at the two of them, Litonya went back to her own home. Honaw moved back to his tent as well, though like many others, he sat quietly outside to await developments and in case he was needed again.

Donoma ate because she had promised her mother she would, but she did so quickly and without tasting the food she consumed. Then finally, having absolved herself of the constraints that had bound her before, Donoma crawled over to the items that still lay scattered at one side of her home and looked at them for a long moment.

There was the bone comb Koko had carved for herself after killing her first buffalo; the knife she had been carrying when she and Donoma had first met; a small book that Donoma remembered as Koko’s favorite among the few that Rachel had owned; and of course the chest protector she had created so long ago.

This she took a bit of time to study. It was well cared for and still bore the marks of use – several scratches, a dent or two and what would have been a bullet hole had the beads not been woven so tightly together. As it was, a bit of the bullet remained behind, filling in the gap nicely.

Donoma held it for a long while, her mind recalling each and every single mark, including the bullet hole. That had been made just prior to Rachel’s death. She frowned. If she was remembering correctly, then there were no new marks on the armor since Koko had fled. Had she not worn it for protection once she left the tribe? That would explain the mutilation that had been inflicted on her, but it still did not explain the whys – why she was not protected... why someone had done this to her in the first place... and why she had chosen to come back here.

After spending another long moment in thought over questions she could not answer, Donoma shook her head and piled up the belongings together, making a mental note to have Honaw remove them later. They did nothing but bring up memories best left buried and more uncertainty with no obvious resolution. She sighed and checked on Koko once more, relieved when the injury was still dry and her skin was not flushed. Then she moved over to the other side of the tent and promptly fell asleep.

************

Odahingum made his way to Takoda’s fire when he saw Litonya return from Donoma’s. The shaman bade the chief to sit and Litonya took her place beside him as well. It was unusual, but not unexpected... given the unusual circumstances they found themselves operating under. Litonya shivered slightly in the cool breeze. Spring was making a slow arrival this year and even though there had been no rain for the past several days, it was still quite cool... especially having come from Donoma’s dwelling that was currently overheated by most standards. Takoda offered Litonya his robe and she accepted it gratefully.

“So tell us,” Odahingum demanded after the silence went on for a moment.

Litonya gave him a sardonic look, knowing conversation between them with her present was rare; having it directed at her was astounding. She turned her attention to her mate. “She has great strength to have survived. The injury done to her was very severe. But I believe she will endure now.”

“And Donoma?” Takoda asked, recalling the private darkness she had worn as a shroud since Koko’s disappearance. He was not sure her soul could stand much more.

“She will do what needs to be done and no more,” Litonya stated.

“As it should be,” Odahingum said unexpectedly. Takoda blinked at his friend’s pronouncement. He knew how he felt, but Donoma was his daughter and the chief had favored Koko’s warrior prowess since she had first become part of the clan. Odahingum looked at him sheepishly and shrugged. “Donoma is like a daughter to me as well, Takoda, and she has served the tribe long and faithfully. Despite what Koko did for us when she was younger, the fact remains that she left of her own choice and with little regard for the welfare of the tribe. I will not forbid her from remaining with us if that is her desire – she has earned her place and will always be one of us. But Donoma gets first consideration and I will not allow her to be harmed again.”

“Thank you, my friend,” Takoda said sincerely. “It is good to know Donoma Chepi is so highly regarded here.”

“Never doubt her place, Takoda.”

“And neither of you should forget that Donoma will determine what sort of interaction she will have with Koko, whether or not the warrior remains here briefly or has come home to live again,” Litonya instructed. “We may not any of us agree with what she decides, but it will be her choice. It has to be. Otherwise we risk losing her permanently,” bringing to all their minds how close they had come to losing Donoma before because of their desire to dictate her happiness.

“We will cross that creek when we come to it,” Takoda said. “I simply wish that my vision would clear where the two of them were concerned. If I could have only seen this....”

“If only we all could,” Odahingum agreed. “However, we cannot look back – we must look forward and try to be prepared for any eventuality this time.”

Takoda nodded slowly. “Our only solace is that what I believe precipitated Koko’s last slide into withdrawal should not occur again.”

Odahingum frowned. “What do you mean, Takoda? I thought she left us because of her unresolved feelings for Donoma. How the two of them could have been so blind to what was between them, the Great Spirit only knows,” he muttered. “Although there seemed to be any number of young warriors that would have been happy to overlook that connection.”

“And he is certainly not telling,” Takoda agreed wryly. “But it is easy for us to see – from the outside and in hindsight. But no... I believe Koko left because of something to do with Donoma, though I have yet to figure out if it is because of something that did happen or something that did not. However, I consider the event to have precipitated everything to have been the death of her Nahko’e, Rae’l. Koko lost a stability in her life when that happened.”

Odahingum sat quietly in thought and the other two remained respectfully silent. After a few moments, Litonya patted Takoda’s knee and rose, passing his robe back to him and moving to put water on the fire to heat for tea. Finally....

“I think you are right, Takoda. Many things changed for us that day. And so much more changed for both Donoma and Koko.” Silence fell again and both men were lost in thought, not even noticing when the water began to boil – churning memories in its wake.

Part 6

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