Tykota's Woman(50)

They moved forward as warriors, women, and children poured out of their homes to hail the chief.

"Let me carry the woman, so you can greet the people properly," Mangas suggested.

"No. She needs to have her wounds tended. I will give her over to Huara myself. Assemble the people, and let them know I want to speak to them."

Tykota rode to the cliff dwellings while the tribe begin to gather near the river. He brought Makinna to the medicine woman and explained to her what had happened.

Huara smiled. "I will take care of the woman. Welcome home, my chief."

Reluctantly, Tykota left Makinna and made his way back to the river.

The crowd opened to let him pass, and he saw joy on each face. He had been gone for so long, he hardly recognized anyone. His old friend, Santo, came up and clasped his arms, welcoming him home, but the rest were as strangers to him. He saw the reverent looks on many of those gathered, and they stared at him as if he was a deity. The thought was unsettling, because he was only a man, and unsure if he could be the leader the Perdenelas needed.

When the crowd fell silent, one of the council spoke. "Perdenelas, we have long waited for this day, since Chief Valatar passed from among us. But the Great Spirit has sent Valatar's son, who will settle all our uncertainties. Here stands Tykota, your chief!"

There was an uproar among the people as Tykota stepped forward. "My people, I have been long away from our valley, but not a day passed that I did not think of you. I will try to lead wisely. I embrace you all."

He saw a beautiful young woman who wore the headband with the golden eagle, and he knew who she was before she spoke.

"I am your sister," she said shyly, searching his eyes to see if he had missed her as much as she'd missed him.

He raised her face and smiled as warmth spread over him. She had been a small, chubby girl when he left. Now her raven-black hair fell to her shoulders, her dark eyes were sparkling with happiness, and her face was so lovely, he imagined she must look like their mother. She was his only pure-blood tie with his deceased father and mother. His family. "I came home expecting to find a child, and instead I find a woman, Inea."

"I have waited long for this day, my brother. My heart sings with joy that you have returned."

"I, too, have wanted our family reunited. I know that while I was in England, you spent a summer at Biquera Ranch."

Inea lapsed into English. "Yes. Your white mother taught me to speak her language."

He embraced her and whispered so only she could hear. "Come to me after the council meeting. We have much to talk about." He rested a hand on her head. "Will you go to the healing woman for me and stay with the white woman there? Her name is Makinna, and she will be frightened, because she is not accustomed to our ways."

Inea bowed her head and smiled, her heart filling with pride that he had asked this of her. "I will do as you say."

"Until later, little sister."

He moved on down the line, talking to as many as he could. At last, he came to Santo once again. "Your sister has grown into a very beautiful woman," his friend said.

Tykota smiled. "So she has."

"Can I speak to you about something important?"

"Later tonight," Tykota replied, knowing there were many who would now seek his advice. "Find me after the council meeting."

Santo nodded. "It is good to have you home."

Tykota moved on through the crowd, and when he reached the end, he was still looking for another familiar face. He turned to Mangas and asked, "Where is my brother, Coloradous?"

Mangas bent forward and said in a low voice. "Have you forgotten that your father sent him from the village? Coloradous has not been here since the night you left the valley."

Tykota's jaw clamped tightly. "Then you shall take me to him tomorrow. For now, ask the Old Ones to meet me in the council room."

Makinna awoke in total darkness and felt panic. She heard voices, but she could not understand what they were saying. She reached up to her eyes and found a cloth had been tied about her forehead. She tried to pull it away, but a pair of hands grabbed hers, and she heard a woman speak softly to her. Although Makinna did not understand the words, she responded to the kindness.

"Where is Tykota?" she asked.

A second gentle voice, this one younger, spoke to her in English. "Tykota said to tell you he would come to you tonight."

"It is not night now?"

"No. The darkness is because the healing woman, Huara, has put herbs on your eyes and bandaged them. You are not blind, but your eyelids were burned from the sun."

"When can I get up?"

The young voice spoke to the older woman, and then to Makinna. "Huara says you may get up tomorrow, if you do not do too much."