CAPTIVE

CHAPTER TWELVE

I was hanging the last of the wash over the slim sapling rod that hung above our sleeping pallet when the Aunts came through the door of the house. They immediately erupted into simultaneous chirping as I turned and looked down on them. Both sets of arms were stretched towards me. I laid my hands in theirs and used their support to clamber down off the pallet. Without releasing me they guided me to a stool and sat me down. I watched in perplexed silence as one drew out a basin from beneath a pallet and filled it with warm water as the other tugged at my dress. I was helpless to protest their attentions and soon sat naked as they sponged me gently, covered me in herb scented oil then covered me once more in a plain buckskin dress. Then they stood in front of me in concert. "You have holes in your ears." It was a half question, "Well...I did but..." They were already reaching towards my ears as I pushed back away from them and almost tumbled to the ground, "...the holes are closed now!" They froze and stared at each other for a long moment, "Then we will open them." One of the Aunts disappeared as the other reached for the water jug, drenched a rag then pressed it to my lob. I blinked wide-eyed. "You will be beautiful with bobs." She smiled wildly at me. The other Aunt appeared suddenly and just as fast drew a thin, sharp bone needle through the plump of my ear, "Ow!" I tried to lurch away but a firm hand around the opposite side of my head stopped my movement with authority. A heartbeat later the hoop was through and the Aunts adjusted their attention to the other ear. I didn't flinch this time as I felt the needle pierce cartilage. The Aunts beamed at each other as they stared at me then handed me a round of polished silver. I raised it to my face and stared, mouth gaping as the gold hoops dangled from the side of my head. I moved to speak but they already had me on my feet tugging over a long-sleeved buckskin elaborately decorated with multicolored wampum beads and dark horse hair. I was back on the stool in a breath as one tore a comb through my errant hair while the other followed with lavender-scented bear grease. The strands were braided quickly into pigtails, covered in white rabbit's fur and thonged with small silver bells. They pulled me to my feet again and stood back appraising their work. I shot Falling Water a cold look as she snickered on the pallet behind me.It was the last night of the midwinter, New Year's festival. Everyone in the town gathered in large groups up and down the causeway. Enormous bonfires lined the middle of causeway lighting the night sky as bright as that of any 20th century city. We walked slowly through the throngs of people stopping frequently to be warmly greeted. Women pulled me to them so they could fuss over my adornments as the Aunts beamed proudly at my side. By the time we'd made our way to the bonfire at the far end of the causeway closest to Cornplanter's house my back screamed in pain and I could feel my ankles beginning to swell. I collapsed gratefully onto a log at the edge of the bonfire. Reaching down I massaged my puffy ankles then sat back and stared across the fire as men in intricately carved wooden masks danced through the crowd eliciting loud gasps and wails of laughter from the on-lookers. I smiled to myself as my eyes moved slowly around the fire then stiffened suddenly as they fell on the warm obsidian orbs of Cornplanter seated across the fire to my right. His handsome features warmed into a smile as he nodded towards me in acknowledgment. My face broadened into a smile as I returned the nod then my body lurched awkwardly to the side as Falling Water crashed into my shoulder. A plate was thrust into my lap as her liquid voice filled the air. I paid little attention to it though as I stared down into the cacophony of richness that sat on my lap. A venison haunch, smoked wild onions, a baked sweet potato and a heel of cornbread. My mouth instantly burst into wetness. I closed my eyes and moaned audibly as the venison gave way between my teeth. My eyes met Falling Water as she laughed softly at my delight. I wiped the grease from the corner of my mouth and slit my eyes to her, "Just wait until you're with child." The sound drew back into her throat and I saw her swallow hard. A smile cracked the corner of my eye then I drew the warm meat back to my mouth as I closed my eyes in ecstasy.