There were more whoops, and Nakota nodded to them and raised his spear.
After Black Wolf went inside the tepee and told Sasha of their leaving, she came up to him and kissed him softly on the mouth, "Be careful, Big Knife is very cunning. Come back to me, safely."
Black Wolf smiled, "I have every reason to come back, now. Tell your father, we will seek justice."
She nodded, "I will." She let a tear slip down her cheek.
"He is no better?"
"He is worse." She cried. "I fear I cannot save him. He is quite frail and does not have the energy to fight this."
He pulled her chin around and stared into her eyes, "Have faith. I will return soon, I promise. I hate to see you cry."
"I'm not sure I can save him," her voice cracked with emotion. "And I love him so."
"Speak to the Creator." He advised. "I must go now!" He said throatily, but his eyes warmed on hers.
She nodded, another tear slipping down.
He would hold that tear in his heart until he returned.
Chapter Twelve
Sasha stayed with her father night and day. She kept her thoughts on how to treat him, trying one thing then another, never seeing any improvement. Minola her youngest aunt helped her with everything and stood by her side when she cried. Her other two aunts were too old to realize what was happening, but they chanted outside the tepee and they would pray. Sasha went to the sweat lodge one evening and prayed for his recovery. She let herself cry for her father now, where no one could see her. She knew she couldn't save him and hoped maybe the Creator would intervene.
"Great Spirit, hear me, as my father is dying, and I have tried everything to help him. I love him so, and he is a good leader. Please, do not let him die. Give him my strength to recover from this that was thrust upon him."
She spent the night there, then went back to her father the next day. She felt better, but there was no improvement with her father. One day Minola came in and found her crying. She sat down beside her and took her into her arms.
"Do not weep so hard my sweet, the Creator will take care of him, when you no longer can."
Her words soaked into Sasha and the tears ran like a river. "It's just I love him so." Sasha cried. "When my mother died, he became so close to me. He always had time for me, to guide me, to talk to me."
"We all love him. But you have done all you can for him. Now it is in the hands of the Creator."
She loved her father so deeply and she could not imagine life without him.
But her aunt was a wise woman and said no more, for he was fast slipping away. Sasha spoke to him throughout the day too, hoping he could hear her deepest confessions and heart felt love.
"You were wise father. At the time I could not see why you let me go to the Shoshone camp, and marry this man. But every day now, something grows within me. He is a wise man too. A good man. And… I miss his strength. I think I care for him father. He's been good to me. But it so soon. I wish I had your wise council."
One day her father awoke and looked at her. His eyes were clear, and he smiled at her despite his misery. "My daughter, you are here?"
"Yes father, I am here," Sasha said coming up to him and holding his hand.
"I dreamed you were here beside me. I love you child and I am proud you have a good husband."
"I love you too father. Do you feel any better?"
"No child, I will soon go to the Creator. You must be strong for our people now. I am only sad I will not see your children. Nakota will be chief soon, tell him to always keep the peace so our people will live."
"I do not want you to go!" she cried.
"For everyone there is a time to die. Mine is near now and you must go on with your life. Be faithful and true to your husband, as he is a chosen one. I am sure of it. I love you … "
His voice had weakened so. And suddenly he gasped and was gone.
But when her aunt Minola came inside to help her, they hugged and cried together.