BLESSING WAY Chapter Five
Kid groaned as he quickly covered his eyes with a hand. He was surprised, it was morning as he exited the wigwam. He had no concept of time during the ceremony. When he woke he wasn't sure if he had fallen asleep or passed out. Any trace of the ceremony had been cleared. All that remained was the scent of cedar, herbs and smoke from the smudge pots that permeated the wigwam.
The effects of the peyote still lingered as the light seemed more intense and bright as it burned his eyes. He could also smell the dried sweat and body odor that stung his nose.
Kid quickly hurried to the teepee. He was relieved to find Heyes awake. A woman had knelt beside him and was spooning a clear liquid into his mouth. She stopped and stood when Kid entered, holding the bowl out to him.
Kid thought for a moment before he said, "Pila'maya"
A big smile crossed her face as she handed the bowl to him, before exiting the tent.
Kid quickly settled in beside Heyes.
"Pillar what?" Heyes asked weakly. "What did you say to her?"
Kid laughed, excited and relieved to see his partner awake and some color back in his face.
"Well Heyes since I've been here… I've learned two words in Indian… I either thanked her or called her a skunk. I see you're feeling better."
"Speaking of skunk.." He wrinkled his nose. Heyes grew serious as he softly said, "I can't say I remember much...seems more like bits and pieces of a dream."
"Don't worry...I'll tell you everything when we get back on the trail. You just concern yourself with getting better."
Heyes coughed and ran a tongue across his lips. Kid quickly grabbed some water and slid a hand under his head and helped him drink.
"Slow down." Kid said as he pulled the cup away.
"I feel better but...I can't get rid of this smoky taste in my mouth."
xxxxxxxxxx
Kid walked down to the water's edge, poking a toe in the water before wading in.
"Here, you might be needing this."
Startled, Kid turned around to see Skunk making his way towards him. In his right hand was a bar of soap. "Here," he said, tossing it out to Kid. "It'll help get the smoke off ya. Two baths in two days...I can't recall ever doing that," he said with a smile. He turned to leave, when Kid stopped him.
"Wait...I...You got to tell me more."
Skunk looked around and found a seat on part of a downed tree.
"How's your cousin?" He asked.
"Better. Much better. How is that possible?"
Skunk smiled a knowing smile, "Indians understand the balances of nature. They listen. They learn. White folk...well they don't listen so well. Always in a rush...not taking the time to slow down and understand things. They are pretty simple minded you know. Can't see what's really important."
"Tell me about the peyote. I ain't never heard of it."
Skunk laughed. "What ya ain't ever been to Mexico or southwest Texas?"
"Well ya...a time or two," Kid said as he continued to scrub his body. "But never crossed paths with it. And I'm pretty sure I'd remembered," Kid said smiling.
"Yeah the first time...kind of leaves a lasting impression. I come across it when I was traveling down there. My southwest Indian brothers showed me it's wonders and I passed it on to my Lakota family...who took quite a liking to it. I think that's why they keep me around...knowing english and running down south when the supply gets low."
xxxxxxxxxx
Kid carefully helped Heyes upright, pulling his pants up and allowing him to put his good hand on his back for support as he stepped into his boots. Heyes stood on shaky legs, taking Kid's arm for balance.
"We'll go slow." Kid assured Heyes.
Heyes laughed, "We got no choice."
He drew in a deep breath. Heyes steadied himself, and exhaled. Heyes' shirt was draped over his shoulders, an arm through one sleeve, buttoned partially in the front. His shoulder was freshly bandaged, his arm in a newly fashioned sling.
Kid allowed Heyes to set the pace, one slow step at a time. Heyes dropped his head, trying to shield his face from the glare of the morning sun. He paused at the entrance of the teepee and drew in the fresh air and sighed. The children that were playing stopped and stared, while adults continued working.
"Wait", Kid said quickly and steadied Heyes before he reached inside the teepee and withdrew Heyes' battered black hat, plopping it on his head.
"Better?" Kid said with a smile.
Heyes reached a hand up and took it off and turned it in his hand before placing it back on his head.
"You had it backwards. Hole in the front."
Heyes nodded his head, "Lead on."
"Judging by the sun it's about time to eat… "
"Since when did the sun have anything to do with when it's time for you to eat?" Heyes said.
"True" Kid conceded with a smile.
xxxxxxxxxx
The children followed them giggling and whispering as they slowly made their way to
the circular area lined with rocks, where Kid helped Heyes slowly take a seat. The Indians that were eating looked up, then returned their attention back to their food. Kid walked up and ladled food into two bowls from the large kettle hung over a fire in the center of the circle, before making his way back to his partner. When he returned Skunk was taking a seat beside Heyes.
"Skunk...my cousin, Joshua." Kid said nodding his head towards Heyes, as he took a seat on the other side of Heyes.
"Pleased to meet you Mr. Skunk."
"Skunk will do," he said with a laugh. "Glad to see you're on the mend. I know Thaddeus here is relieved." There was a hint of jealousy in his voice. To have someone care so deeply, now that was something to be cherished. He could tell it was more than being just blood relatives.
As each Indian finished their meals they approached Heyes.
"Pila'maya"
"They are thanking you." Kid whispered in his ear. Heyes smiled and nodded, as each filed by.
A bare chested Indian wearing a loincloth and buckskin leggings stepped up and held his hand out to Heyes.
"That's her pa." Kid said.
"The one that shot me?" Heyes whispered out of the side of his mouth, as he shook Red Cloud's hand.
"Yep." Kid whispered back.
There was deep gratitude on the man's face. He reached up and took the grizzly bear claw necklace from around his neck. Kid reached up and took Heyes' hat off so Red Cloud could place the necklace on Heyes. He thanked Heyes again before walking away.
Kid placed Heyes' hat back on his head. He handed his bowl to Kid so he could admire the necklace with his one good hand. He marveled at the incredibly long claws and cringed, imaging them raking across human flesh.
Skunk was staring at Heyes in awe.
"That claw represents bravery."
"Really? All I did was get in the way of an arrow."
Kid and Skunk laughed.
"You ever come across them griz during your champeen tracking days?" Kid said with a smile, as he spooned food into his mouth.
"You a tracker?" Skunk asked.
Kid snorted. "He likes to think so. Last time I remember him tracking I had to pull a big cat off him."
Heyes made a face before holding a hand out for his food.
"Smart cat" Heyes mumbled.
xxxxxxxxxx