The Real Painted Lady Ch 3

By: BloodyHoney

* Chapter Three


Early in spring a great storm brought a small fleet crashing into a portion of the floating village. Several Watertribe men exited their boats. They apologized and asked for shelter from the storm. The villagers accepted on the condition that they help repair the damage.

"You Watertribe folks just love crashing into our homes." Commented an elderly woman.

The men didn't quiet understand what the woman meant. Then Haikko unknowingly approached them. They were from the Southern Tribe. Each of them immediately recognized the young woman.

"Princess Haikko!" One of the men shouted "Everyone thought that you were dead."

"You must return with us. Your parents have been consumed with grief"

Toz's eyes grew big. "Princess? You're a Princess?"

"I no longer have that title" she replied. "I lost it when I refused to fulfill my duties and consent to an arranged marriage."

"Princess, please. Return home with us. You have yet to meet your little sister, Ummi." stated a tribesman.

"I have a sister?"

"Yes, and despite what you think, you are still our princess." he soothed.

Toz disconnected himself from Haikko. She was a princess and he was a fisherman. Haikko finally agreed to return with the men to her home. She was anxious. It had been so long since she had seen her parents. She may never have returned home out of shame. But the news of a sister excited her. .

She was greeted with affection by her mother. Haikko's eye set upon her little sister, Ummi. She was only a year old. The child cooed as her big sister held her.

"She is going to married the Northern Chief's younger son when she grows up." Haikko's father announced as he entered the room.

"Please father, Don't set Ummi on my path." She said without hesitation.

"Ummi will not dishonor us as you have." He turned his back on his oldest daughter. "If you only knew what we went through to save your life."

Her mother, Kaila, had once told Haikko about the struggle to give her life. The Northern Watertribe had welcomed them and they were allowed to place her in the spirit water. The arranged marriage had been set up on that day years ago.

"We had an agreement. A Southern Princess must marry a Northern Prince. Uniting our people. Even if we are separated by oceans, our tribes will become as one." Chief Sauk turned back to Haikko. "If you will not marry a Northern Prince, then Ummi must."

Haikko suddenly realized the effect of her actions. She had selfishly passed her burden to her younger sibling. "If I agree to marry Rukhi, will you cancel Ummi's betrothal?"

Her parents agreed and they all set sail the next morning. Haikko hugged her fishing hat and longed for her life on the river.