Tykota's Woman(59)

Tykota's eyes narrowed. "It is not for you to criticize my sister or to say these things about Makinna."

Santo turned on Tykota. "How would you know? You have not been here these seasons past to see what was happening. Your sister was going to be my woman before you brought that white woman to our valley." He looked at the people gathered around and said in a loud voice, "I challenge Kachee to a fight to the death!"

"Tykota, do not let him do this," Inea pleaded. "I never consented to marry Santo. He takes what he wants and does not ask." She placed a hand on Tykota's arm, hoping to make him understand. "I love Kachee, but Santo forbids any man to come near me."

Tykota frowned in thoughtfulness, trying to hold his temper in check. "It is true as you say, Santo, that I have been away too long. If I had been here, you would never have kept my sister from the man she chooses. I thought you were my friend, but you are not."

"It is that woman's fault!" Santo cried, pointing again at Makinna. "Your sister was not this way before she came."

Tykota turned to his sister. "Is this true? Did Makinna tell you to do this, to shame Santo before the whole village?"

Inea did not want to betray Makinna, but she could not lie to her brother. "She only gave me the courage to do what I should have done a long time ago."

"And was this her plan?"

Inea lowered her head. "I would never have been so clever." She looked up at her brother. "What are you going to do to us, Tykota?"

"How many times have you met with Kachee?"

"Never before today. We have barely spoken, but our eyes spoke of the love we could not confess." She tugged at Tykota's arm. "I know Kachee cannot number his wealth in horses, and his family members are not among the council. But he is a warrior of honor, and I love him."

Tykota glanced over at the young warrior, who was just getting to his feet. "Kachee, do you love my sister?"

Santo stepped forward, but Tykota motioned him aside. "Do you?"

"I do. I have not wealth to offer her, and I know that I reach high when I ask for her as my woman, but I will love her and cherish her. And if she belonged to me, there is nothing I could not do."

Tykota was silent for a moment, and those around him waited for him to speak, for his word was law. "Kachee, I give my sister to you, but you must increase your wealth by twelve horses and take a place on the warrior council."

Kachee glanced at Inea with joy spreading over his face. After all, twelve horses would not be hard to obtain once he was on the warrior council, where he could join in hunting outside the valley. "It will be as you say, my chief."

Tykota turned to the man who had once been his friend. "As for you, I believe your punishment has already started. Word of your behavior will run though the village, and you will know great shame."

Santo's gaze burned into Tykota's, and then he turned to Makinna with a look of such hatred that she recoiled. She had made a powerful enemy today.

"You will not accompany us, Santo. You will wait here until I return, and I shall decide at that time what is to be done with you."

While Santo stalked away, Inea threw her arms around her brother. "Oh, thank you, Tykota, for giving me to Kachee. I would never have married Santo."

Tykota's dark gaze fell on the young warrior. "She is not yours yet. You will have to prove to me that you are worthy of her."

"It will be as you say," Kachee agreed happily.

"Let us go our way, then," Tykota said, watching his sister walk over to Makinna.

"What has happened?" Makinna asked, since she had not understood anything that was said.

"Your plan worked! Tykota has given me to Kachee."

The two of them hugged and laughed. "I know you will be happy."

"My happiness will not be complete, though, because you are going away. You will always be the friend of my heart."

"And you, mine," Makinna said. "But now I must leave." When she got to her horse and climbed on, she met Tykota's gaze, and it was dark and dangerous. She knew she would hear more about the happenings of this morning before the day was over.

Makinna waved to Inea as they rode away, happy she had helped Tykota's sister and that all had turned out well.





Coloradous took Santo's place escorting Makinna to Biquera. He rode just behind Tykota and Makinna, and when she looked at him, she would find him studying her pensively. But there was nothing threatening about him; in fact, she found his demeanor calming and serene.

After a while, she kept her gaze forward. When they reached the narrow passage that led out of the valley, she halted her mount and glanced back down the mountain. The sun was high overhead, and she could see the people going about their daily chores. She wanted to imagine Inea married to her warrior and happy with her future.