Author's notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter one of "Not an Afterthought." I can't believe I got a review for the prologue. I didn't think that would happen, but I am happy it did. I didn't think that would happen, but I'm happy it did. I want to thank the reader who reviewed. As for other readers, don't hesitate to review. I'd love to hear your ideas for this fic. Anyway, this chapter introduces Tokalah and Anna. There is some Tokalah/Anna as well. Stay tuned for chapter two.
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Chapter 1: Riding Along
The midmorning sun beamed its rays on the plains in mid-August. A red-tailed hawk soared through the sky. It flapped its wings on occasion. It spotted an area filled with trees and bushes. It headed downward, landing on a branch just above the middle of a tree a bit inside. It ran its beak through its left wing feathers. It repeated its actions with the right wing ones. It folded both of them against its back.
The hawk heard snorting. It observed Tokalah and Anna passing underneath it on Peta and Thunderbolt. It tilted its head before emitting a soft screech. She tightened the reins on her horse somewhat. She looked around at a careful pace. She inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. She smiled warmly as she looked at him. Thunderbolt let out a soft whicker.
"It is such a beautiful day for riding," she said.
"Yes, it is," he agreed. "This summer hasn't been all that hot. We've been able to take more pleasure rides than usual."
"Mm-hmm," Anna responded with a nod.
"Manippi and I took rides like this a lot when we were kids," Tokalah said and rubbed his chin with the reins. "Sometimes, we would have races out on the open plains."
"The plains are incredible. You can walk across them without seeing a single tree for miles. Then you come across an area filled with lots of trees," Anna said and cleared her throat.
"An area like this is not the best place for having a race," Tokalah commented, giving a shrug.
"It may not be, but it is the perfect place for jumping logs and fallen trees," Anna said, giggling to herself as she shifted her attention to the area in front of her and pointed her finger. "One would be like that one there."
Tokalah looked ahead to see a log. Peta and Thunderbolt came to a halt not far from it. They moved their ears forward. They did the same backward. Tokalah tried not to chuckle, but he couldn't help himself. He looked at Anna, who smiled widely.
"Good eye, Anna," Tokalah said.
"Thank you," Anna said, sitting up tall and proud.
"If you sit up any taller, you will touch the sky," Tokalah joked and snickered under his breath.
"I wish I had actual wings," Anna replied and glanced at him. "I would love to fly through the sky."
He exhaled. "Who wouldn't? Anyway, let's jump this tree."
She gestured toward the tree. "You first."
Tokalah nodded at his wife and tugged the reins to the side. Peta walked a good distance away from the tree. Thunderbolt moved back a bit, a nicker coming from him. Tokalah pulled back on the reins, causing his horse to come to a stop. He moved them in a circle. She turned around to face the log. He nudged her sides gently. She broke into a gallop, leaping clear of it when she reached it. She landed in a graceful way. She went six steps before coming to a stop. Anna smiled widely as Thunderbolt swiveled his ears.
"Nice job, Tokalah," she complimented.
"Thank you," he said, nodding. He motioned toward the log as Peta moved backward while whinnying softly. "Now, it's your turn."
Anna emitted a soft giggle. "Here I go, ready or not."
Anna made a tug of the reins to the side. Thunderbolt walked a good distance away from the log. She tugged on them, making him stop. She did a circular movement. He turned around in which he faced the log. She gave his sides a gentle nudge. He galloped with a loud snort. He leapt over the log, landing gracefully. He took eight steps and stopped. Tokalah tried not to smile, but he couldn't help himself.
"That was very impressive, Anna," Tokalah complimented as Peta walked over to Thunderbolt.
"Well, I learned from the best," Anna said, flicking her husband's chin.
"I am glad you think I am that," Tokalah responded and tickled her nose.
"I am glad that you are glad," Anna commented with a giggle.
"I am glad that you are glad—I'll let that go," Tokalah said and gave a shrug.
"That's fair," Anna said in sympathy. She patted his shoulder three times and snorted in a soft manner. "It gets confusing after a while."
"Hmm," Tokalah whispered. "Anyway, it takes a while to teach horses to leap over things, especially logs and fallen trees."
"Horses can't see in front as well as we can. That makes it easier for them to be spooked by large objects in their paths," Anna explained.
Tokalah scratched his ear. "I admire horses for their strength and tenacity. They can thrive in just about any kind of weather."
"Horses don't care if it is raining or snowing. They will put their back to either one and keep grazing," Anna said, warmth echoing from his voice.
"I wonder what Daniel is doing with his horses right now," Tokalah whispered with much curiosity.
"He probably has been using them to tend to his fields," Anna suggested, looking up at the sky. "I hated breaking his heart by leaving him, but Sarah was right. I would have died if I didn't."
"I have to admit I liked Sarah. She was so stubborn. She was determined to keep wearing her dress. It would have fallen off eventually. She would have felt humiliated once that happened," Tokalah said and shook his head in disbelief. "Nobody asks for such a thing to happen to them."
"Manippi started treating her nicely after she was brought back. She felt very sorry for her," Anna said in much sweetness.
"Manippi may have looked mean, but she always had a good heart. She despised you at first because of what the white settlers did to our people," Tokalah commented.
"I don't blame her one bit," Anna replied while rubbing her nose. "When she attacked me the night of the powwow, I defended myself. I had the rock in my hand, but I decided not to strike her. I requested that there be peace between us. She agreed. She began treating me well."
"Everyone thought Manippi and I would marry because we were so in love. It didn't work out between us. I know she was rather jealous of you because we were growing close," Tokalah pointed out matter-of-factly.
Anna bit her lip. "Jealousy is a normal part of life. It can't be avoided. Anyway, let's continue this ride."
Tokalah and Anna nudged the sides of their horses. Peta and Thunderbolt resumed walking. They raised their heads somewhat. They whinnied in a soft way. They licked their lips twice.
"It has been a wonderful year for us. We got married. We had a baby. What more could we want?" Anna asked, happiness radiating from her face.
"I was once told all the riches in the world could never make a man happy unless he had someone to share them with," Tokalah explained.
"That is true," Anna agreed. "I like how Peta means fire in Lakota. She has a fiery spirit."
"I like how you chose Thunderbolt for your horse. He was like a thunderbolt taking you back to my tribe," Tokalah said with a smile.
"I felt so grateful you allowed me to keep the horse I took to escape," Anna said, giggling softly. "It meant a lot to me."
"He liked you a lot, so I felt it was best I let you have him," Tokalah murmured and sighed heavily. "I do wish Luta, Manippi, and Kami Milla were here to see Maste." He felt a tear slide down his cheek. "I believe they would have loved her."
"I do too. They will always be here in spirit," Anna said, smiling lightly.
"Yes," Tokalah agreed. He rubbed her cheek with the back of his hand in such a light way that it seemed he wasn't even doing it. "I prayed every day you would return after you left. I thought you were just a vision when you came to the site of the burned camp. Once you touched my face, I realized you were real."
"I will never forget the homecoming I got from the tribe. They were so happy I had returned," Anna said, sniffling. "Cetan even managed to limp to me, so he could give me a hug. I felt bad he was hurt, yet his stubbornness to see me pushed him to walk."
"Cetan has always been one not to listen to the medicine man's instructions. He will do what he will. I like how he is doing so well now. He has progressed from hunting rabbits to pronghorns. I can see how the pronghorn got its name. Its horns look like prongs," Tokalah pointed out.
"Humans have the strangest names for animals, no matter what language they speak. I like strange. It sets things apart from everything else," Anna whispered with a contented sigh. "Just because someone looks different does not mean they are monsters."
"That is true. It's not what is on the outside that counts. It is what on the inside that counts," Tokalah commented while tapping his thumb over his heart.
"Right. A beautiful face can hide a cruel heart," Anna said seriously. She and her husband nudged Peta and Thunderbolt's sides. The horse began to pick up their pace.