By Lyn
Copyright 1999
Buck moved over to Emma, helping her to her feet as Jimmy joined them. She wrapped her arms around him, leaning her head briefly against his chest, thankful that he was back. When her arm came away covered in blood she pulled him down to the tree trunk, removing the vest to check out the wound.
She ripped some cloth from her petticoat to press against the wound, putting pressure on it to stop the bleeding. Weeping Woman joined them, covered in blood herself, none of it her own. She began pulling moss from the tree trunk, using it to pack the wound, then used the cloth to wrap the shoulder, helping to hold the moss in place.
Emma hugged Buck again. "Thank God you're back safe."
"Are you all right?" he asked, concern on his face.
"Yes, we're both fine." Emma answered, placing her hand on her still flat stomach.
"This was some welcome home party you threw."
"Only the best." Jimmy said, sitting down next to Emma.
"Looks like you had a party before." Buck motioned towards Jimmy's arm.
"That was just a little one. We saved the big party for you."
Buck looked up as Red Bear approached. Emma bent over, ripping more fabric from her petticoat. She stood and wrapped the cloth around Red Bear's arm.
"Do you understand your vision now, little brother?" he asked. Emma and Jimmy both looked at Buck after listening to Weeping Woman's interpretation, puzzled looks on their faces.
"It makes more sense, yes. But there are things that I still don't understand."
"Then you should spend time with the man of dreams."
"I have to go Red Bear. My friends and I are expected in Fort Laramie. If we don't show up, soldiers may come looking for us. I don't want them coming here."
"Then you shall see the man of dreams tonight and leave in the morning." Red Bear rested his hand briefly on Buck's shoulder then walked away.
"Who is the man of dreams?" Jimmy asked.
"He is a man of great power, a spiritual leader. He helps bring on visions and helps explain their meaning. He also has visions himself and uses them to advise the tribal leaders."
"Why does Red Bear want you to see him before he'll let us leave?"
"I've been having dreams. I'm not sure you'd understand Jimmy." Buck told him as he stood, his arm already stiffening.
"Try me." Jimmy replied as they all headed back into the village, helping villagers set up cooking tripods and other items as they went.
Buck rocked back and forth, the vision taking full control of him. His eyes were closed, his head thrown back. Red Bear and five others sat with him, their chants entering his dreams. Jimmy sat away from the circle, watching his friend. He had given his word that he would say and do nothing, no matter what, if he were allowed to watch. But it was hard. Sometimes it seemed like Buck was in pain, other times he wanted to wake his friend from what seemed to be nightmares. Jimmy would never admit it, but this whole vision quest scared and unnerved him.
It went on for hours. Jimmy's legs fell asleep, but he refused to get up or leave. He tried to move quickly to Buck when the young man suddenly fell over. Red Bear motioned for him to stay back as Buck's eyes slowly opened.
One of the men in the circle began talking, apparently asking Buck questions. Buck answered back in a distant sounding voice. He was clearly exhausted. Finally they allowed Buck to lay back down and he closed his eyes.
Everyone left the teepee except Red Bear and the man that had been talking to Buck. The two talked among themselves as they watched the young man sleep. Buck stirred occasionally, waking and answering more questions, just to drift off to sleep again. Jimmy drifted off too, unable to keep his eyes open any longer.
Buck was sitting outside the teepee the next morning, cross legged, eyes closed and facing the rising sun, when Jimmy crawled out.
"Morning Jimmy." Buck said, his eyes still closed.
"Morning." Jimmy sat next to him, running his hand over his face in an attempt to wake up. he saw Emma approaching them.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"Yes."
"You'll explain what happened last night to me, won't you?"
"As much as I can." Buck opened his eyes and searched the sky. Emma joined them and followed Buck's gaze.
"He's not there, is he?" she asked
"Who?" Jimmy asked, looking around.
"No. It's okay though."
"Who?" Jimmy asked again.
"We'll explain later." Emma told him. "Are we able to go? I'm afraid Sam may have beaten us to Fort Laramie and he'll start worrying."
"I just have to change clothes and find Red Bear. Then we can go. Jimmy, would you get the horses ready?" They all stood, Jimmy moving off toward the wagon and Buck entering the teepee. He emerged a few minutes later in his own clothes. Then he and Emma headed across the village in search of Red Bear.
They found the war chief in front of his teepee talking with several men. He stood and embraced his brother, then studied the boys face. Two nights in a row of visions and little sleep had left Buck noticeably tired, but Red Bear saw contentment and acceptance in Buck's eyes.
"You're dreams last night gave you answers, did they not little brother?"
Buck nodded. "Yes. I have the answers I need. But now we must go."
"Yes. I understand. It was good seeing you again. Your spirit is Kiowa, my brother. You have learned to think in both worlds. This is a good thing. But do not forget your Kiowa heritage."
"I won't." They embraced again and Buck turned away. Red Bear watched as his brother walked confidently through the village, Emma following behind him.
They found Weeping Woman waiting with Jimmy at the wagon on the outer edge of the village.
"Thank you for all your help, Weeping Woman." Emma said as Buck helped her into the wagon.
"It was good talking to a white woman again."
"We could take you with us." Jimmy said.
"No. I am Kiowa now. I am happy here. But thank you."
Jimmy climbed up onto the wagon seat and wearily took the reins. He hadn't had much sleep either. Buck swung up onto his horse and they moved away.
Red Bear watched them go. "Good bye little brother. Have a good life."
Both Emma and Jimmy noticed a change in Buck. While still somewhat quiet, the pain was no longer in his eyes. Emma glanced at the sky as they traveled but saw no sign of the eagle. Buck seemed all right with this.
Jimmy quizzed Buck about his vision quest. He explained as much as he could about the hows and whys of the vision quest and told him what he thought Jimmy would accept of his vision., how he had even seen the Commanche attack in his first vision and how the eagle had warned him to come back to the village.
He left out that he thought the eagle carried Ike's spirit. And that Ike had appeared to him in his second vision and talked to him, really talked to him and not in sign language. Ike had explained to him why he had to die. He had told Buck that he was happy where he was even though he missed Buck and the others. He encouraged Buck not to mourn for him any longer and told him that he would always be his friend, in life and in death. Ike would always be there when Buck needed him.
These things he told Emma late one night as Jimmy slept.
On to The Conclusion!
