“I hope to find many itchy-lako, big deer, while on the upcoming hunt,” Swift Horse said, studying One Eye.
He would never forget the bravery of his friend on the day he lost his eye. While hunting, they both had become trapped by a bear. One Eye, who had been called Lone Wolf until that day, had jumped the bear and sunk a knife into its heart, but not before the bear had injured one of his eyes so badly that it had to be removed. It was then that he had been renamed One Eye.
Yes, One Eye had gotten the scar on his face valiantly, and Swift Horse would forever be grateful, for the bear had lunged at Swift Horse and would have killed him immediately, had it not been for One Eye’s courageous act. They had been ardent friends before that had happened, but now their bond was even stronger.
“But as we learned as young braves, the primary target of the upcoming hunt is the white-tailed itchu,” Swift Horse said. “When winter arrives, the rutting season begins. It is a time when bucks become aggressive and they abandon the deep cover of the forest in the search for mates. The hunt will be even better then.”
“But now is the time for our people’s main trade,” One Eye said, giving a quick glance toward Soft Wind, whom he had loved for so long, and so badly wanted to marry. Yet being so disfigured, he was afraid that when she looked at him, it was with secret disgust. Being as sweet as she was, however, she had always been careful not to reveal these feelings to him.
“There is also beaver, bear, and raccoon,” Swift Horse said, having noticed how his friend had given Soft Wind a quick glance, and seen in his one eye a longing that he understood. Swift Horse knew that his friend pined over a woman he knew could never be his. He felt sure that One Eye was aware of Soft Wind’s feelings for the white man who was admired by all Creek for his honesty in trading and his sincerity in how he felt about the red man.
But if One Eye wasn’t aware of her feelings for Edward James, Swift Horse knew that he would know soon, for Soft Wind was going to tell One Eye about the upcoming nuptials today. He knew this to be so because he had seen it in her eyes today and in how she hesitated from time to time, seeming ready to say something.
Swift Horse had already accepted it inside his heart that he had lost his sister to this white man, but he was not sure yet how One Eye would take knowing how she felt for someone of another skin color. Swift Horse thought that One Eye blamed his disfigurement for her having turned away from him. But knowing his sister better than anyone else, Swift Horse knew that Soft Wind’s heart was pure. She could never choose one man over another because one was no longer appealing in appearance.
“There is also less likelihood of meat spoilage in the colder months,” One Eye said, sensing his friend’s hesitation, and wondering why. It surely had something to do with Soft Wind because One Eye had seen Swift Horse give his sister occasional uneasy glances. He sensed something was different about Soft Wind today. She would look at them both as though she were ready to tell them something, then would return her gaze back to her chore at hand.
One Eye hated to hear what she surely would say even before this private council was over. He knew that Soft Wind loved another man, and it was rumored that soon there would be vows spoken between them. Now all that was needed was for Soft Wind to confirm it verbally.
One Eye was prepared not to let the truth tear at his being, for he had prepared himself even as far back as when he had lost his eye that things would never be the same for him in many respects, especially where women were concerned. Most looked away from him rather than linger their eyes on him with disgust in their depths.
“We are going to use fire this time to catch the whitetail deer,” Swift Horse said. He turned his eyes to Soft Wind. “Sister, you must be sure to remind the other women not to go into the forest once the fires have been set, because they might get trapped.”
“I will be sure to tell them,” Soft Wind murmured. “They are aware of this practice of using fire since you use this means of hunting at least one time a year.”
Unable to keep her feelings to herself any longer, Soft Wind dropped the wooden pestle into the bowl, stood up quickly, and said, “One Eye, I have some news to tell you. I plan to marry Edward James Eveland soon,” she blurted out.
One Eye flinched as though he had been hit, even though he had expected this announcement. It made him bitter to know that he was hideous to look at, while the young trader was handsome.
Swift Horse saw his friend’s reaction and his sister’s uneasiness over it. “Soft Wind, come to me,” he said, rising and holding his hands out.
Feeling bad over seeing One Eye’s pain, Soft Wind went to her brother and moved into his arms, welcoming them. When he embraced her, it was with comfort and love, which she needed so much.
“I am certain that One Eye is happy for you, my sister,” Swift Horse said as he looked past her shoulder and into One Eye’s one eye.
He could see a quiet bitterness and he understood. This man had adored Soft Wind since they were children. But she had never returned those feelings, and never could. She had even voiced negative feelings about One Eye. She saw him no longer as a friend her brother could trust.
She had told Swift Horse that since the day of the bear attack, she felt that One Eye had changed into someone else . . . someone very unlikable. Swift Horse had not seen that in his friend. He still trusted him and he would never forget the courage that it took for One Eye to go against that bear to save Swift Horse’s life.
“It is time for me to share my news openly with everyone,” Soft Wind said, gazing into her brother’s midnight dark eyes.
“My little, beautiful sister, you have been sharing this with everyone for much longer than you seem to realize,” Swift Horse said, gently taking her by the shoulders and holding her away from him as he still gazed into her luscious dark eyes that were shaded by thick lashes. “It has been in your voice when you talk. It has been in your eyes. Even when you walk, it is different. Yes, it will not be news to anyone, as I am certain it was not news to One Eye. But it will be good that you openly say it.”
“Do they truly realize my feelings?” Soft Wind said, her eyes widening. “Am I that revealing in how I behave?”
“Yes,” Swift Horse said, chuckling beneath his breath.
She smiled broadly. “Then I will reveal the truth to everyone,” she said, then slid her eyes over to One Eye. “Besides my brother, you are the first, One Eye.”
“I am happy for you,” One Eye said thickly as he slowly rose from the chair, then stood facing her and Swift Horse.
“Thank you for understanding. And One Eye, one day a woman will be announcing to her people that she will be taking you as a husband,” Soft Wind said. Then she forced herself to say things she truly did not feel, but felt it was necessary. “You are a man of such kindness and heart,” she murmu
red. “Yes, a woman is waiting out there for you somewhere. Your visions, your dreams, will lead you to her.”
Surprising both Swift Horse and One Eye, Soft Wind stepped away from her brother and gave One Eye a hug, even though every fiber of her being abhorred the action. But she felt this was necessary, for the sake of her brother, who still saw One Eye as his dearest friend.
Swift Horse watched as One Eye, unsure of what to do, held his arms at his sides, then slowly brought them up and returned Soft Wind’s hug.