Ituha's Journal
March 1886
Majog returned with a hokwat woman today. She was blue about the mouth and shaking so hard her teeth struck together. She as taken immediately to Maska's house. Majog told us that he found her between us and the Makahs, stinking of hokwat males. I could have told him that. Bodaway wanted to hunt them down, but Wynono advised against it. Other hokwats will come to the area and make us suffer and take her. Besides, it begins to snow again.
I was told to start this journal, to record this time in our pack for future generations.
A week has passed since Majog brought the hokwat into the village. She has said nothing and stares at nothing. Stinka, Maska's wife, began to rub the juice of the walnut into her skin, making it look closer to us. Her hair, very close to the color of the fire, has been colored by ground charcoal from the fires. Just in time.
Soldiers came to the village looking for her. They checked every house. Sisika, Majog's sister, placed her newborn baby into her arms. It looked as if a new mother rested with her babe.
Sleep has become scarce of late. Between running patrols, fishing and hunting, the hokwat wakes us at night with screaming. Maska told us that he has brought her to share furs with him and Stinka. It seems to help. The screaming is not so prevalent. Wynono decided that we should all bring her to our furs. Maska warned us to give warmth and comfort only. As if I would force myself on a woman. I prefer my woman active, not just lying there.
Lomasi, my wife, has named the hokwat Yepa, Snow Woman. Onawa, Bodaway's wife, caller her Ogin, Wild Rose, while Sisika calls her Rozene, Rose. The poor woman won't know what name to answer to when she comes back to her mind.
April 1886
I made an unfortunate discovery last night. I noticed Yepa's scent was sweet. I remember Sisika smelling the same when she became with child. I spoke to Maska about it. He agreed and made her a special tea; it rid a woman of a babe. She does not need a reminder of her attackers.
Yepa has been following the women around during the day. Well, not really following. The women place her nearby. She didn't move, just stared into nothing.
Maska thinks that her mind and spirit have broken and that we have to help piece herself back together. He will go on a spirit walk to ask Taha Aki and our ancestors what to do with her. Do we give her back to the hokwats when she is better? Or should she stay with us?
June 1886
Yepa tended the stew last night when Sisika asked her to. She responded! Maska said this was the first step of her recovery. He began giving her a tea to drink at night. Through our combined mind, I saw her dove-gray eyes lock onto his. He was slightly disappointed that he did not imprint on her. He thinks that if one of us imprint on her, she will get better.
August 1886
Yepa seems to get better every day. She speaks when spoken to and does what is asked of her. But nothing else. She has looked each of us in the eyes. No imprint. Majog took it the hardest.
Maska finally was able to take his spirit walk. When he returned, it was nearly two weeks later. Taha Aki gave him much wisdom. Yepa's spirit and heart had been broken. To make her whole again, a ceremony must be performed. It would make each of us her imprint.
Yepa spoke to Onawa today. What was said exactly, I don't remember, but she spoke without prompt. This is good for her recovery. Maska set the ceremony for the autumn equinox.
