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.The warrior s smile was tense. Greetings, Berdache.I am Chayton, war chief ofthe Chickasaw village.Forgive me for intruding on your morning, but I hope to makewords with my daughter. Lizard heard the plea that Chayton would not say aloud, but before he couldanswer, Moon s head popped out of the door flap. Father! she cried, and came out toleap into his arms.There was no formal meeting with its endless protocols to follow, so Lizard sawno reason why father and daughter could not make words and be family.He smiled,and bit into a corn cake.Chayton relaxed and hugged Moon. All is well with you, my daughter? Wethought you were dead these past two winters.Do you study with the Berdache now? Moon blushed, but Lizard wiped his mouth and answered. Though I did notknow her skills until recently, yes, I claim her as a student. He smiled as Moonwidened her eyes, knowing this meant her freedom from slavery. She is skilled, and Iam pleased. The Chickasaw war chief s eyes gleamed. I am honored, Berdache. His truefeelings showed in a tightening of his arms around Moon. Your mother will rejoice toknow you live and bring honor to our clan. Lena Austin Berdache - 61 -Red Wolf pushed his way through the door flap and took in the scene. All iswell, Moon? Grinning despite the tears of happiness in her eyes, Moon nodded. All is well,Red Wolf.This is my father, Chayton, war chief of the Chickasaw. Lizard intervened to stop the questions he could see forming in Red Wolf s eyes. Chayton is honored that Born in Moonlight is now my student. Nodding, Chayton s eyes did not leave Red Wolf. I would be more pleased tohear this is your husband. The hope in his eyes spoke many words to Lizard.Moon laughed cheerfully, easing the seriousness of the conversation. Though Iwould be delighted, the time is not right for me to join with Red Wolf.He too studieswith the Berdache, and guards us well. Red Wolf took in the changes to Moon s status with all the cool stoicism expectedof him.He folded his arms. It may be that, in time, I will take Moon to be my wife.Butnow is not good. A senior warrior of the Chickasaw approached.He did not look at anyone butChayton. All are assembled to await the Berdache s words. His voice dripped withcontempt when he said the word Berdache.Without waiting for a response, he turnedand stalked off.Chayton put Moon off his lap. My apologies for Dyami s words, Berdache.Heis one of those who cry for war.Nothing will soothe him. His tone was conciliatory atthe insult done to Lizard. All do not wish for war, Berdache.We will listen to yourwords, and hope peace may be restored. He stood reluctantly, and bent to caress Moon s cheek. I will give your mothermuch joy when I tell her of your life now. Lizard stood and Red Wolf moved to stand behind him as guard. Then we willgo and make peace, so you may return quickly. They walked together, with Moon following sedately in the men s wake.Shetook her place among the women, serving corn cakes and honey to Lizard and RedWolf before seating herself behind them, ready to serve if they needed anything. Lena Austin Berdache - 62 -Lizard noted that many relaxed and were more friendly to see Chayton walkingwith him, and at ease.It was a good omen.When all finished their food, they wipedtheir mouths politely and many leaned forward with eagerness.He folded his arms and assumed the mantle of authority. The island is bothChickasaw and Choctaw.Just as our ancestors came from two brothers, so the islandshares ancestry with both.We should honor our ancestors.Let the island be a symbol ofbrotherhood and a place of sharing.Let there be a gathering every year when the leavesturn, where our warriors may prove their prowess and gain honor.Let there be tradeand feasting, where our young may find suitable mates.As brothers, we will all share. He scanned the faces seated around the gathering place.The warriors did notshow emotion, but there was no overt hostility.Most were relaxed and some evenunbent enough to nod. We will use the white or black pebbles.White for peace, and black for war. Athis declaration, one of the Choctaw warriors brought two baskets.The warrior placedthe first ceremoniously in front of Lizard, and the other he carried to all men present,giving them one black pebble, and one white.Then Lizard blessed the empty basketand passed it around.No sound but the quiet chinks as each man made his choice by dropping apebble in the hole at the top disturbed the solemnity of the vote.When the heavy basketreturned to Lizard, he opened the covering and looked inside.Knowing the value ofsuspense, he made no move or gesture that indicated the outcome of the vote.All menheld their breath as he dumped the contents on the ground in front of him.The mound of white gleamed in the sun.The entire assembly roared, and even stone-faced warriors cheered and smiled [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
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.The warrior s smile was tense. Greetings, Berdache.I am Chayton, war chief ofthe Chickasaw village.Forgive me for intruding on your morning, but I hope to makewords with my daughter. Lizard heard the plea that Chayton would not say aloud, but before he couldanswer, Moon s head popped out of the door flap. Father! she cried, and came out toleap into his arms.There was no formal meeting with its endless protocols to follow, so Lizard sawno reason why father and daughter could not make words and be family.He smiled,and bit into a corn cake.Chayton relaxed and hugged Moon. All is well with you, my daughter? Wethought you were dead these past two winters.Do you study with the Berdache now? Moon blushed, but Lizard wiped his mouth and answered. Though I did notknow her skills until recently, yes, I claim her as a student. He smiled as Moonwidened her eyes, knowing this meant her freedom from slavery. She is skilled, and Iam pleased. The Chickasaw war chief s eyes gleamed. I am honored, Berdache. His truefeelings showed in a tightening of his arms around Moon. Your mother will rejoice toknow you live and bring honor to our clan. Lena Austin Berdache - 61 -Red Wolf pushed his way through the door flap and took in the scene. All iswell, Moon? Grinning despite the tears of happiness in her eyes, Moon nodded. All is well,Red Wolf.This is my father, Chayton, war chief of the Chickasaw. Lizard intervened to stop the questions he could see forming in Red Wolf s eyes. Chayton is honored that Born in Moonlight is now my student. Nodding, Chayton s eyes did not leave Red Wolf. I would be more pleased tohear this is your husband. The hope in his eyes spoke many words to Lizard.Moon laughed cheerfully, easing the seriousness of the conversation. Though Iwould be delighted, the time is not right for me to join with Red Wolf.He too studieswith the Berdache, and guards us well. Red Wolf took in the changes to Moon s status with all the cool stoicism expectedof him.He folded his arms. It may be that, in time, I will take Moon to be my wife.Butnow is not good. A senior warrior of the Chickasaw approached.He did not look at anyone butChayton. All are assembled to await the Berdache s words. His voice dripped withcontempt when he said the word Berdache.Without waiting for a response, he turnedand stalked off.Chayton put Moon off his lap. My apologies for Dyami s words, Berdache.Heis one of those who cry for war.Nothing will soothe him. His tone was conciliatory atthe insult done to Lizard. All do not wish for war, Berdache.We will listen to yourwords, and hope peace may be restored. He stood reluctantly, and bent to caress Moon s cheek. I will give your mothermuch joy when I tell her of your life now. Lizard stood and Red Wolf moved to stand behind him as guard. Then we willgo and make peace, so you may return quickly. They walked together, with Moon following sedately in the men s wake.Shetook her place among the women, serving corn cakes and honey to Lizard and RedWolf before seating herself behind them, ready to serve if they needed anything. Lena Austin Berdache - 62 -Lizard noted that many relaxed and were more friendly to see Chayton walkingwith him, and at ease.It was a good omen.When all finished their food, they wipedtheir mouths politely and many leaned forward with eagerness.He folded his arms and assumed the mantle of authority. The island is bothChickasaw and Choctaw.Just as our ancestors came from two brothers, so the islandshares ancestry with both.We should honor our ancestors.Let the island be a symbol ofbrotherhood and a place of sharing.Let there be a gathering every year when the leavesturn, where our warriors may prove their prowess and gain honor.Let there be tradeand feasting, where our young may find suitable mates.As brothers, we will all share. He scanned the faces seated around the gathering place.The warriors did notshow emotion, but there was no overt hostility.Most were relaxed and some evenunbent enough to nod. We will use the white or black pebbles.White for peace, and black for war. Athis declaration, one of the Choctaw warriors brought two baskets.The warrior placedthe first ceremoniously in front of Lizard, and the other he carried to all men present,giving them one black pebble, and one white.Then Lizard blessed the empty basketand passed it around.No sound but the quiet chinks as each man made his choice by dropping apebble in the hole at the top disturbed the solemnity of the vote.When the heavy basketreturned to Lizard, he opened the covering and looked inside.Knowing the value ofsuspense, he made no move or gesture that indicated the outcome of the vote.All menheld their breath as he dumped the contents on the ground in front of him.The mound of white gleamed in the sun.The entire assembly roared, and even stone-faced warriors cheered and smiled [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]