Storm Cloud
By Donna and Abs
"There is a storm coming," Totsi said, looking into the dark sky. Off in the distance, flashes of light could be seen.
Archie looked up from the carving he was doing and nodded.
"I'll get some of the other men to go check on the horses," he said.
But it was not a man who was looking after the horses. Alcippe, herself a horse, was calming them as best she could. With her help, the men herded them across the creek to the corrals and lean-tos that had been built by Trapper's cabin. That way they could hopefully prevent them from stampeding off into the night.
Meanwhile, back at the camp itself, the rest of the women and men were hurriedly putting things under cover.
Echo, who was heavy with child, rounded up the dogs, which were howling at the wind. Coltec stood and looked at the rising storm and smiled. This was not a natural storm. Something else was going on, he was sure.
The camp now had more permanent dwelling places than teepees. Scattered around were small hogans and cabins. Little Deer was carrying some buckskin that she had been working on, and when she dropped a piece, Kahani raced to pick it up for her. "Thank you, my son," she told him, wincing as her baby landed a sharp kick to her rib cage.
She could not see her *feet*, let alone some small piece of buckskin on the ground! Dyani, seeing this exchange, asked the boy if he was excited about the new baby coming.
Kahani grinned from ear to ear. "I will teach him to hunt!" he said proudly. "Just like MacLeod taught me!"
"Just be careful when you are shooting deer," laughed Dyani.
The boy grinned at her, and then raced after Little Deer, who was waddling slowly towards her little cabin.
Totsi and Mahala smiled at Dyani. "Will you be having a strong son of your own soon?" Mahala teased her.
Dyani blushed. She and Wind Dancer were interested in each other, but had not gotten physical yet. Not that this stopped the others from giving them both a hard time. Of course, they also teased Totsi and Archie the same way!
The men had readily accepted the new girls and they had not been mistreated or disrespected. They were being wooed!
Each one of them had worked on homes over the summer. Till then, the unattached girls were all living together in one large teepee.
This was now being threatened by the storm, so the men ran to support it better. During this, someone made a comment that they all needed to move into the more permanent buildings!
Coltec frowned at the sky. The light show was coming closer and closer. "I don't think it would be a good idea for anyone to sleep in a teepee tonight," he said. Joseph, their civil chief, nodded in agreement, telling the girls to go get their things and find a place for the night. Of course, they tended to go with the men they had become close to.
Ula had no problem going to the hogan that most of the single men shared. Her eyes were already sparkling in anticipation of the fun she would have!
Totsi hesitated, knowing she would be welcome with any of the women that had mates already, but when Archie stepped up to her and wrapped a blanket around her shoulders, it was decided for her. It was his way of choosing her as his mate. The same, it seems, happened with Wind Dancer and Dyani!
Nightwind slipped her cradleboard onto her back and walked over to where Echo was standing and took her hand, leading her to the cabin that she shared with Trapper Connor. Mahala glanced at Minco, the chief's son. Standing tall, she hefted her bag of belongings to her shoulder and headed to his hogan with him. Alcippe wanted to stay with the horses, and would not be convinced otherwise.
That just left Nika. But before she could move off to one of the other lodges Nikan stepped up to her. "There is room in our place," Nikan told Nita. “You will be safe there.” The handsome young brave and Squanto had built a small hogan a short distance from the camp.
She was not really sure, there being two men in the hogan, but just then the wind knocked a branch off a nearby tree, and they ran for cover without another comment!
A loud crack of thunder announced that the storm was almost on them. Inside Wolf's small cabin, Little Deer winced again. The discomfort she had been experiencing all day was getting worse.
"It's only thunder," said the father to be. "It canna hurt you."
Little Deer smiled at her mate. "It is not the storm, beloved. I think your child is wanting to come soon."
This was not expected. Yes, he knew she was due, but he had not thought it would happen this way!! Kahani giggled at the shocked look on his face, which only reminded Wolf that the boy would have to witness the birth!
"Kahani," Little Deer said to the boy, "it is time for bed." The boy complained a bit, but it had been a long day for him. He and Wolf had gone hunting and had brought back three large turkey like birds. She tucked him into the furs that were heaped on top of a small elevated bed that Wolf had made for him. He burrowed underneath them, and within moments, was sound asleep.
"Now I will go to the birthing lodge," she told Wolf, but as she opened the door, the downpour started.
He did not know what to do. After all, he had very little experience in this sort of thing! Raising them afterward, yes. But he was never a father before. And in this culture, the women did it on their own!
When she hesitated at the door, Wolf took hold of her shoulders. "Stay here with me," he asked, a pleading look on his face. "The lodge wouldn't be that safe for you right now. Nodding, she closed the door and let him help her to furs laying on the floor near the fireplace. "Put down one of the oldest ones on top," she asked him, moaning softly as her belly tightened. He nodded and did that as quickly as he could.
Once the furs were arranged to her liking, she eased herself down on them. Another contraction seized her, but she made no sound other that a low moan. After it was over, she took a small parfleche that she had prepared and unfolded it. Inside were cleansing cloths and a soft buckskin to wrap the baby in, as well as dried moss she would use to pad buckskin strips to use for her bleeding afterwards. Handing Wolf a small package of herbs, she told him to make her some tea with them. He took them, relieved to have something to do.
As Little Deer labored quietly, the thunder and lightning continued to rage, moving over the camp itself. In Archie's small lodge, the shy Totsi slipped into the furs with her new husband. There would be a feast to celebrate their union another day.
At the same time, Dyani was looking nervously at Wind Dancer. She had never quite believed he had chosen her, and now, it seems, he had for good and all! "My beautiful doe," he said softly, stroking her cheek. "I am glad that you will be sharing my furs with me from now on."
She melted into his arms. "My strong man," she sighed as he enveloped her. "How happy you have made me!"
Another clap of thunder shook the earth. "Having you here with me has made me happy as well," he said, nuzzling her neck. With their bodies melded so close to each other's, Dyani could feel his body responding.
She was nervous but did not pull away. This was natural, and now that she was with him in reality, it was time to be with him all the way!
Taking her by the hand, Wind Dancer led her to his furs. Kneeling down together, he moved behind her and undid her long braids after undoing the leather throng that held up the top part of her soft leather dress. As it fell away she suddenly felt shy. But the look in his eye warmed her!
He brushed out her hair, and then moved around to sit in front of her so that she could do the same for him. His hair was gorgeous and long, falling over his strong shoulders and wide, muscular chest and back in a black cascade. This man would keep her safe, and give her many strong sons.
This same scene was being repeated in Archie's lodge, as well as Minco's. For a people that had been labeled as savages by many, they were surprisingly gentle and patient as the women got to know them even better! Of course, men of all races were varying in their sensitivity. These were some of the best and most gentle that could be found!
Back at Wolf's cabin, Little Deer was being held in a squatting position in the Highlander’s strong arms as she strained, trying to push out her child. With a drawn out gasp, she finally succeeded! Reaching down, she guided the dark head of her baby out from between her legs and then eased the baby down onto a small fur laying in front of her.
It was a girl! Wolf could not believe how beautiful she was.
He held Little Deer close to him, watching as she cleaned her up and then put her to her full breast for the first time. "Storm. Her name is Storm MacLeod," she said with a pleased smile.
Of course he agreed! "Does this mean she will be hard to handle?" he laughed.
"No more than her father is," she said with a tired smile.
The happy family cuddled together as the night passed. In the morning, when the sun came out and the world was refreshed by the rain, the couple came out to show off their daughter. They were greeted by several newly made families, all very relaxed and happy, despite the stress of the storm!