"And when can I take the bandages off my eyes?"
Again, the young voice spoke to the older woman. "Huara says that the bandages must remain in place for a while yet."
"Who are you?"
"I am Tykota's sister, Inea."
Makinna felt relief wash over her. "You speak English very well."
"Tykota's white mother taught me."
Makinna relaxed and felt herself getting drowsy. "Mrs. Silverhorn," she said fondly. Then her voice trailed off, and she surrendered to sleep.
Tykota felt like an imposter as he sat on the sacred white buffalo hide where his father had once sat, and his father's father, and his ancestors for as far back as the history of the Perdenelas was told.
He allowed his gaze to move over the twenty men who waited for him to speak. His expression was grave. "I know that you all grieve with me for the passing of my father from this world to the Spirit World. I see several of you who were in this chamber many moons ago, when you pledged your loyalty to a small boy."
The remaining Old Ones nodded their heads.
Frowning slightly, Tykota continued. "That boy is now a man returned to fulfill his own promise to his father. But first I must say this. If any one of you feels that another chief would be better than me, that I am not the man to lead our people, let me hear your voice, and I will step aside."
Mangas stood, his eyes sharp and intelligent, his jaw tight. "Before any man speaks, let me say that this young chief who stands before you has never lost sight of his responsibilities to the tribe. His eyes and heart have always turned in the direction of Valle de la Luna, and he would have come home sooner had his father allowed it. By birth, he is your rightful leader, and let no man say differently."
Batera, the most senior of the Old Ones, stood, his back curved and his hair white but his eyes keen and his voice strong. "Since I have lived more seasons than anyone in the tribe, heed my voice. You, Chief Tykota, were born to lead our people. It is not for us to say if you should turn away from your hereditary duties. We put our trust in you when your father asked it of us, and we will gladly follow you."
Tykota felt a surge of pride. "Are your feelings shared by the others in the tribe, Bat-era?"
"If any man feels differently, he has never said so to me. Since your father left us to walk with the spirits, all eyes turned beyond the valley, waiting for you to come and take up your rightful place among us. There has been strife and unrest among our people, but only because we had no one to settle our disputes."
"There is another matter I wish to put before you," Tykota said. "It is something I have done, and I want you to know about it. I have slain my half brother, Sinica."
Again Batera spoke. "We heard the Apache drums speak of this. Sadly, it had to happen. Sinica's blood was long tainted by his mother's hatred."
"I want accounts of my other brother, Coloradous. I know he still dwells in the valley, and I want to bring him back into the tribe. If any man can say why I should not do so, let him tell me now."
Mangas stood, his voice carrying to the far corners of the chamber. "I have known Coloradous to be an honorable man. He has honored his father's words and has not come among us. But I have sought him out over the years and judge him to be worthy."
The others nodded in approval.
"Then I shall go to my brother and embrace him. He should no longer have to bear the shame of Sinica and his mother."
Again the Old Ones nodded.
Tykota sat back on the white buffalo robe, wondering if his father would approve of his decision. He wanted to think he would have done so if he had lived.
When Huara removed the bandages from Makinna's eyes, she blinked against the bright sunshine that poured into the room. As she adjusted to the light, she looked at the woman who stood over her with concern on her aged face. She said something Makinna could not understand, but Makinna smiled and nodded and said, "I can see." She took the healers hand. "Thank you for your tender care."
The medicine woman looked pleased and squeezed Makinna's hand.
Over the two days Makinna had been ill, she had grown fond of both the gentle healer and Tykota's sister. When a young Indian maiden entered the room, Makinna instantly knew it was Inea.
"I am sorry that I could not be here when your bandages were removed." Inea gazed at her inquiringly. "You can see?"
Makinna nodded and stretched a hand out to Inea, and when she came forward, they hugged. "I can see perfectly."
Inea was strikingly beautiful, with the same deep brown eyes of her brother. She also wore the leather headband with the golden eagle in her black hair. She was dressed in a fawn-colored leather dress and moccasins of the same color.