CHAPTER 12

 

 

SHE WAS AN anomaly more than capable of holding her own in battle. Perhaps that was why the braves never complained. Or maybe they were just afraid of her. It was rare that a woman was allowed into the circle of warriors. From the moment she had arrived in their village, she had established herself as equal to their bravest and most skilled. Although they didn't know from where she came, nor did they care, they were curious about her skills in fighting, weaponry and especially in handling the wild ponies they captured and trained for battle.

It was early in the spring of 1869 when she rode into the village on a coal black horse. Dressed in a deerskin top and loin cloth with a bow and quiver of arrows strapped across her back, she looked stoically at the squaws and children who watched curiously from their tents. The braves had been aware of her approach for several minutes, having been warned in advance by their lookouts. Now they waited to see this intruder who dared enter their small community uninvited.

Stopping just short of the chief's teepee, the woman dismounted, looking neither left nor right. She knew that to do so would reduce her to the level of squaw in the tribe and make it more difficult to be accepted as an equal to the men.

*  *  *

Minikajau was enjoying freshly roasted rabbit and rattlesnake when one of his braves informed him of the woman's approach. As the son of Crazy Horse, he was in charge of the village while his father was away. The Lakota grand council had called a meeting of all the tribes to discuss the new treaty agreed upon by Red Cloud and the Great White Father.

Although quiet and reserved, Minikajau was highly respected by the members of his tribe. His prowess in battle and common sense approach to problems made him a good leader. He was the voice of reason when it came to settling disputes between warriors or tribes.

The soft sound of horse steps brought him to his feet. Pushing aside the colored fabric draped across the opening, he stepped into the cool morning sun and watched the strange-looking woman approach. Red hair was virtually unheard of amongst the Indian nations. For a woman to wear hers so short reminded him of some of the white men who were now invading his land. Copper-colored skin glistened in the light. Only when she was close enough for him to get a good look, did he realize she had a fine coat of golden hair on her arms and legs. Watching her dismount and ignore the others of his tribe as if they didn't exist was impressive and showed bravery and he unconsciously nodded his approval. When the woman turned from her pony and made eye contact with him, Minikajau's eyes widened in surprise. Pale green eyes stared unblinkingly at him. He would have sworn he saw fires burning deep within the pupils. Shaking his head slightly, he told himself it must be the sun's reflection.

*  *  *

Walking to stand in front of the young chieftain, the woman raised her right hand, palm up.

"Hau, Kola!" she said using the traditional Lakota greeting.

"Hau," Minikajau replied, startled that a female would greet him in such a manner. He was not willing to call her friend, as her greeting implied. To do so would make it appear that he accepted her as an equal. As impressive as she looked, it didn't make her anything other than a woman at the moment, even if she did capture and hold his gaze as a warrior would do.

"Do you understand the white man's tongue?" she asked.

"I understand it. You do not look like white woman."

"I am what I am."

"You are brave or stupid to come here alone."

"The Lakota are an honorable people. I'm not in any danger."

Minikajau was surprised that the intruder had not referred to them as Sioux. It was the white man's word for the Lakota and considered an insult by the people of the Lakota Nation.

"You are a fool," he replied, instantly dismissing her as weak minded. Even his bravest warrior knew he could be killed by another tribe or a white man trespassing on his sacred land. Turning, he signaled to one of his braves to remove her.

Little Deer grinned at the thought of taking the woman to his teepee. She was handsome and looked strong. He needed a squaw to do his cooking and bear him children. Walking up to her, he strutted around her like a proud peacock wanting to impress her with his good looks and physique. When she ignored him, he stopped in front of her and glared, hoping to scare her. Still she ignored him.

"You come," he ordered, motioning for her to follow.

"No," she replied, making eye contact for the first time.

Little Deer saw the flames burning in her eyes and stepped back, not sure what he should do. Although he feared no man, he believed strongly in the spirits and recognized she was more than just a woman.

Seeing the confused look on his warrior's face, Minikajau frowned.

"Is she not to your liking?" he asked Little Deer.

"What he likes or not has nothing to do with me," the woman replied, stoically. "He knows I will kill him if he touches me."

The young chieftain laughed, appreciating her brave words even if she was a fool. Motioning to two more braves, he ordered them to take her. As they moved forward, the woman removed her bow and arrows and laid them on the ground. Pulling a knife from its scabbard, she flexed her shoulders and then bent her knees slightly and waited. The two braves looked at each other, amused. It had been awhile since they had captured a fiery female and looked forward to the entertainment. Circling her, one signaled for the other to go for her legs, while he would grab her higher up. Launching themselves simultaneously, they were stunned to find themselves lying on the ground, one on top of the other. The woman stood next to them smiling.

Although Minikajau kept his stoic expression, he laughed inwardly. The woman had managed to sidestep the two braves at the last moment. There was no question she was fast. Climbing to their feet, the warriors again circled and lunged. Again, they missed.

"Is this the best you have, Minikajau?"

The inferred insult quickly dispelled the leader's humor. Signaling for the warriors to back away, he stepped forward. It was up to him to show his people why he would one day be their chief. Circling her, he watched her fluid movement and realized she moved easily, like a mountain lion. After making several feints in her direction, he dove at her and wrapped his arms around her waist. The two fell to the ground and began wrestling for dominance. It was then Minikajau realized she was extremely strong, stronger than a woman should be.

Wondering if she was a spirit sent to test him, he struggled hard to subdue her. As they rolled across the ground, the Indians watching moved out of the way, not wanting to get caught up in the battle.

Once, while the two combatants' heads were close together, the woman pressed her lips against his ear and whispered.

"It wouldn't be good for a future chief to be beaten by a woman."

Minikajau blinked at her audacity.

"I think I will keep you for myself when we are done," he replied.

"Or I will keep you for myself," she countered, licking his ear.

Furious at the insult, he renewed his efforts, only to have them thwarted by her agility in slipping from his grasp. Jumping up, she backed off and laughed softly.

The Indians watching the fight became nervous. Their chieftain was a skilled warrior. For a woman to beat him would bring dishonor on him and the tribe, unless she was more than a woman.

Minikajau knew he had a problem. If this woman defeated him, he would no longer be their leader or sit on the tribal council. He wondered if she was a spirit. If so, he realized he had no chance in winning the fight. Still, he was a warrior. Losing was not an option. Rushing her, he again wrapped his arms around her waist and tried to pull her off her feet. Making eye contact, he found himself drowning in the fiery flames burning in their depths.

"You are a spirit," he growled.

Falling to the ground, she again leaned close to his ear.

"Perhaps... or perhaps I'm just a woman who fights better than you. Decide now what you want... to lead your people or to be led by someone less than you."

Minikajau was torn. To give up would make him weak but to be beaten by a woman would be a disgrace.

Recognizing his dilemma, the woman grabbed his shoulders and rolled onto her back, giving him the advantage. Immediately, Minikajau realized what she had done and pressed his weight on her chest and pushed his elbow against her neck. The glint in her eyes told him she wasn't afraid or defeated. She had willingly allowed him to win so he could retain the respect of his people and his position as their leader.

Pushing away from her, he stood and stepped back.

"What is your name?" he asked, motioning for two braves to pull her up.

"Tanc," she replied, jumping to her feet before the men touched her.

"Tanc. It is a strange name. Why are you here, Tanc?"

"I came to help you fight the white man."

Minikajau was stunned. The thought of a woman fighting with his warriors was unimaginable.

"Women don't fight."

"Maybe yours don't, but where I come from, we do. Do I need to prove myself to you?"

"No. You will prove yourself worthy to my braves. If they agree, then I will think about it."

"Fair enough. How do I do this?"

"You fight well but you must prove your skills with the knife, the bow and arrow and riding."

Picking up her knife, which had been intentionally discarded during the fight, she flipped it around in her hand and then threw it at a pole thirty paces away. When it stuck between the eyes of a deer skull, everyone gasped. Walking over to her bow and arrows, she pulled one of the arrows from the quiver, notched it and fired the shaft at the same skull. The tip penetrated the skull less than a finger's width from the knife.

Impressed, Minikajau nodded his head in approval. Even his best braves couldn't match that.

"What would you like me to do to prove my riding skills?"

Suspecting it would be a waste of time, he told her she had to race three of his best warriors to the edge of the village, circle it once and return to his teepee. Once everyone was mounted he gave the signal. Within minutes, Tanc had returned. Her black pony seemed as fresh as when he had started. The woman smiled faintly but didn't say anything. Sheepishly, the three braves pulled up seconds later, jumped off their ponies and walked over to examine hers.

"I will trade you three ponies for him," one offered.

"I will give you five," another one said.

"He's not for sale," Tanc said.

"Then I will take him from you," threatened the first, angry that a woman had bested him and then dared to deny him the pony.

"You'll die trying," she replied calmly, her gaze challenging him.

Puffing out his chest, Brave Eagle tried to stare her down but failed.

"Enough," Minikajau said. He had no doubt the woman could and would kill Brave Eagle if the situation escalated.

Surprised, the brave looked at his leader. When he was motioned to step back, he gave the woman a threatening look, warning her that the dispute wasn't over yet.

Tanc grinned, which caused the Brave Eagle to blush, humiliated that his people had witnessed her defiance.

The braves who had been watching the exchange began teasing the young brave good-naturedly, but Tanc knew there would be problems later if she didn't do something.

"Brave Eagle, I noticed your pony is well-trained. She responds quickly to your signals, which are barely noticeable. Did you train her yourself?"

Straightening his shoulders, the Indian nodded his head once.

"White Dove is smart. She learn quickly," he said, proudly.

"Can you help me with Demon? He can be stubborn sometimes."

Brave Eagle looked at her suspiciously. Her pony's responses were quick and precise. Still, if the woman wanted his help, it would improve his standing with the others, who had grown quiet while they listened to the exchange.

"I will help."

"Good. I will pay you by letting Demon breed with White Dove. You may keep the offspring."

Brave Eagle's eyes opened wide in shock. The other warriors and the villagers looked at each other, surprised by the offer. Minikajau barely hid his smile. He realized the woman had just sealed her position in the village and as a warrior with his braves. Brave Eagle was very influential amongst his men. Having his mare breed with the magnificent black stallion would increase his status and loyalty to Tanc.

Turning to the chieftain, Tanc waited for him to put the question to the braves. Minikajau debated on how long to make her wait but realized they would probably stand there all day.

"Men of the Lakota Nation, do you accept this woman as your brother in battle?"

Several seconds of silence followed and then Brave Eagle raised his arm and let out a whoop. Startled, the other braves looked at him and he nodded. One by one, each of the Indians raised an arm and yelled until the entire village could be heard voicing their approval.

"Good." Pointing to several teepees, he told her to choose whichever one she wanted. "You may take one of the unmarried squaws to cook and clean for you."

"I won't need one," Tanc replied. "I do my own work."

Minikajau frowned. Braves didn't do that type of work. Still, he had a dilemma. Tanc was a woman, also.

"You are a brave now. You must take a squaw. It dishonors our people for a warrior to cook or clean."

Tanc sighed. The last thing she wanted was a woman servant, but tribal customs were important.

"Fine, but she will only cook. I clean my own buckskins."

Accepting the compromise, the chieftain nodded. He had no doubts that this would be one of many with this woman.