THOUGH EXHAUSTED, sleep did not find Jasper. He lay in his bedroll trying to sort his emotions until the glow of the new day began to filter through the flap of the lodge. He rose silently, walking out to face the rising sun. Dropping to one knee he offered his morning prayer to Father Sun but it did not bring the peace that usually came when he started a new day with his clan family.
“My son has dark thoughts about last night?” The whisper he had hoped for came and he looked to see Rain Water standing beside him.
He nodded and she sat down beside him.
“I would think less of you if you didn’t. It is true the punishment was very harsh, but there is a reason.”
“I can’t find a reason in my mind.”
“Of course not. Although you are a member of the clan you are a white man and live the white man way. You really cannot feel the fear we have. Most white men do not care for the creator’s earth or the creatures of Father Sun and Sister Wind as we do. They are many and have stronger weapons than we do. We know we must put fear in them to keep the bad of the white man away.
“Would you have punished a clan member the same way if he did the same thing?”
Mother smiled, but her eyes were amber pools of sadness. “Before you knew us; before the white man came, we had no warriors. When I was a young girl we did not have to fight. We lived in peace, hunted and fished. We gathered roots, nuts, berries and fruits to live. We welcomed all who came to our village, shared what we could and traded our baskets, robes and other things we made. It was a happy life.
“Then the white man came. The first ones seemed to like us. They only took what they needed from the land and the water. They treated us like brothers and sisters. But more came. They began to take our land and kill the animals we needed to survive so they could sell the fur to others. When we told them to stop they spoke to us with dirty tongues. But we are not stupid. We saw through them and decided to fight for what the spirits had given us.
“We learned we must frighten those white men or they would make us disappear from this world. We fought hard enough to make the white chiefs want to make a treaty. The treaty took land from us but gave us land we no longer must fight for.
“Because we are a peaceful people by nature, we do not have men who would harm clan members. We do not have to punish any clan member that way. But, because we are becoming more like the white man I fear this will change.”
“Mother, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say the punishment wasn’t true. I’m a member of this clan. Your fears are my fears for I love you all. The white man word ‘justice’ even means different things to different white men. Many believe the natural law, which I learned from Pa...and from you, is too harsh.”
“As a clan member it is your task to tell the white men what happened to those who wronged us. Make them understand we are not powerless. In our own way we understand your word ‘justice.’ Justice was done last night.”
He looked into Rain Water’s eyes. “I feel the spirits are taking me on a journey. I don’t know why but my task is to learn what true justice means.”
Rain Water put her hand on Jasper’s forehead as tears formed in her eyes. “My son, I have waited many winters for you to hear the spirits. You have a good heart with a strong and true spirit. You must find your spirit guide and ask him to help you find your way.”
Jasper rose and helped Rain Water to her feet. “Thank you, Mother. You’ve always been the center of my circle. You’ve always kept me from wandering too far.”
“You are always in my heart, Fire Hawk.” She put her hands on his cheeks. “Find the star and keep it close to your heart.”
“What star? I don’t understand.”
“With the help of kindred spirits, you will.”
The rising sun speared new shafts of light through the trees when Jasper and Rain Water arrived at the meeting circle. Moon On The Water stood in the middle. She held her head high but her eyes were red as they looked out in the distance. Her hair was matted on one side and Jasper could tell she had slept out in the woods. Butterfly Wing sat with her head down, tears falling from her eyes.
Black Feather came and stood next to Jasper on one side, Rain Water on the other.
She touched his arm. “I know what you want to say. Ask Walks With Bears if you can speak.
Jasper cleared his throat. “Walks With Bears, my Chief, I would like to speak to the clan.”
The chief looked around. “We will all listen to Fire Hawk’s words.”
Jasper stood next to the sisters. “My clan, my family. I know the way of the people is to banish women who have been ruined.”
Butterfly Wing sobbed.
“I have told Black Feather that I’ll take the sisters to work on my ranches until they’re ready to decide their future. But I’m not sure that’s the true answer here. I ask you all to think about another way. I want to ask this gathering if there are any men who would want to join with the sisters. I think it is a question that should be asked before banishment. I ask Chief Walks With Bears to consider asking this question.”
The chief looked at Jasper with a steady gaze for a long moment. Then he looked around at the gathered clan.
“Are there men in this clan who would join with either of the sisters?”
For a few seconds no one moved. Then Claw Of The Eagle slowly rose to his feet.
Moon On The Water still looked straight ahead, but she trembled.
Claw Of The Eagle walked toward her with a slow but deliberate stride until he intercepted her stare. Then their eyes met and with a sob Moon On The Water rushed to Claw Of The Eagle, wrapping her arms around his neck. He held her close and whispered in her ear. Her body shook as she openly cried.
All eyes were now on Butterfly Wing who hadn’t moved a muscle. A slight commotion arose from the rear of the gathering. The warrior, Wind Runner, pushed his way forward. Jasper’s breath caught. Wind Runner was the largest and fiercest warrior in the clan and never known to be gentle with anything or anybody. He had the demeanor of a fighter and a face that seemed perpetually set for battle. Jasper was about to stop Wind Runner, but Mother’s eyes told him not to interfere.
Wind Runner knelt in front of Butterfly Wing who still sat with her legs tucked to her side. He put his hand under her chin bringing her face up to his.
“Do you fear me, Butterfly Wing?”
She moved her head side to side.
“They say I am a great warrior but I am not good at talking to women.” He took a deep breath. “I have loved you since we were children but I did not know how to tell you and I was afraid you would reject me as I am now.” He took another deep breath. “I wish us to join. I will love you, protect you and help you heal. I offer you my lodge and my life, if you will have me.”
Jasper thought Butterfly Wing might be in shock because she simply looked into Wind Runner’s eyes for a long time. Then she leaned forward, brushing her lips against his forehead, his cheeks and his lips. She rubbed his nose with hers before collapsing into his chest.
Wind Runner gently picked her up and held her like she was a feather, for once battle gone from his face.
A feeling of surprise and great relief flowed through the clan. Sounds of happy approval began to build. Walks With Bears raised his hands in a command for quiet. He stepped in front of the two couples with the smile befitting a happy father.
“I expected this and asked the spirits for guidance. They approve of this joining. You have showed us a new and better way, Fire Hawk. When Father Sun rises again we will prepare a celebration.”
The clan gathered around the couples with smiles, offering congratulations.
Jasper turned and started for the corral to get Coal, but Rain Water pulled on his arm.
“Thank you, my Son. You helped us accept a new and better way.”
“I could see in everyone’s heart they didn’t want the sisters to leave. I just didn’t want the sisters to suffer more when they did nothing wrong. I guess it’s just another way of seeing justice is done.”
Rain Water gazed steadily into Jasper’s eyes for a moment and then smiled. “You must stay for the celebration.”
“I wish I could but I still have men to find.”
“Take Black Feather with you and maybe Wind Runner.”
“Black Feather will know if I need him...and Wind Runner needs to be with his woman now.”
Rain Water brought his face down with her gentle hands and brushed her lips on his cheek. “Listen to the spirits and remember my words, Fire Hawk... and come back.”
“I never forget your words, Mother, and I will come back. Please don’t worry.”
But Jasper saw the worry in Rain Water’s eyes before he turned and headed for the corral.