William Redman Carter: Chapter 17

Posted: November 16, 2005 - 01:31:13 am



Lucy stepped out of the truck and went around to the back to get her suitcase.

Before she had a chance to pick it up, Ken had grabbed it while looking at her

as if she should have known he'd carry it. The van with Linda and Ed pulled up

beside the car.

Looking around the parking lot in front of the country hotel, William said,

"We'll get checked in and then I need to get on down the road."

"Are you sure that you don't want me to come?"

"Lucy, I'd love for you to come, but you can't. This is something that I have to

do alone," answered William as his mother stopped beside him to listen to the

exchange. He nudged a small people with the toe of his boot.

Ken shook his head and said, "If your father wasn't here..."

"He is and you won't," said William knowing that Ken didn't feel right about him

going to the ranch without an escort.

"I could go with you," said Linda.

"You could, but you shouldn't. I need to face them as Talks With Animals. If I

were a little older or a little younger, you could go and no one would think

anything of it. However, they are going to be judging me and I need to stand

alone," said William. If he were a little older, no one would think twice about

his mother going with him. They'd be going as equals to share in an important

event. If he were a little younger, no one would think that he was being

insecure by coming with his mother since she'd have to take him there.

Earning a dirty look from Lucy and Linda, Ed said, "He speaks the truth, Linda.

There's no use complaining about it. Let's check in."

The group entered the hotel with Ken in the lead. The building had a lobby that

was far larger than was typical for a hotel. Until the birth of the White

Buffalo, the restaurant and providing space for meetings, hosted by various

civic clubs, were the primary sources of income for the hotel.

Tables, surrounded by chairs, were scattered about the lobby. A good number of

the chairs were occupied and the people paid little attention to William and

Linda. While the presence of two more Native Americans in the hotel lobby went

unnoticed, all eyes were on Ed since he was wearing his black robe. Few people

had seen a Druid up close and none had ever seen a black robed Druid. While

people were marveling over Ed, Ken went up to the counter and arranged for three

rooms.

They had been in the lobby for five minutes before Kotyit entered the lobby. His

arrival drew eyes from Ed. A gasp went up from the handful of Native Americans

waiting around the lobby when Kotyit said, "William, it is good to see you

again."

As murmurs of 'Talks With Animals' filled the air, William turned to his old

friend and said, "I didn't know you were coming. You could have flown with us."

Trying to look grumpy, Kotyit said, "I don't think I could have taken your

company that long."

Laughing, William retorted, "That's a two way street, old man."

"You need to learn how to respect your elders, young pup," replied Kotyit with a

grin. He put a hand on William's shoulder in a sign of affection. Looking at the

young man, he added, "So today is the day you visit the White Buffalo."

"Yes," William answered. With his answer, the majority of people in the lobby

decided that it was time to head out to the ranch so that they would be able to

watch what happened when William met the White Buffalo.

As the lobby suddenly cleared out, Ken came over with keys to three rooms.

Reaching the small cluster of people, he said, "We're all checked in."

Watching as Ken handed William a key to one of the rooms, Kotyit said, "I guess

you'll be leaving soon for the ranch. I'm going to change into my good clothes

and then I'll see you there."

Looking over at Lucy, William said, "I'll be leaving in about half an hour.

We've got to put our luggage in our room."

Smiling wryly, the old man winked at Lucy and asked, "It'll take you half an

hour to do that, huh?"

Lucy blushed as she replied, "Maybe longer."

Laughing at the prime and proper tone of voice Lucy used in answering, Linda

said, "That's the hope of a young woman in love. I'd count on fifteen minutes,

max. If he's at all like Ed, I'd settle for five minutes."

Shaking his head, Ed crossed his hands over his heart as he said, "Ugh. That's

cold."

Kotyit laughed at the exchange as he walked away. Over his shoulder, he said,

"Us old men take that long to figure out how to get out of our clothes."

The key let them into a basic room with two double beds, a night table between

the beds, a low dresser with a television on it, and a table with two chairs.

The window was covered with a curtain that didn't quite span the entire width of

the window. An air conditioner built through the wall under the window struggled

to keep the room cool enough to be considered warm. The carpet had seen better

days.

William sat down on one of the double beds holding his head between his hands.

He rubbed his temple with the tips of his fingers. Lucy moved to sit behind him

and rubbed his shoulders trying to ease the tension within them. The muscles

were hard little rocks under her hands. In a soft voice, she said, "You're

worried."

"I'm tired," said William. He could tell by the pressure of her hands on his

shoulders that she didn't believe him. Wishing he had the time to take a quick

swim, he added, "I guess I'm a little nervous about what might happen."

"Life has dealt us a weird hand. Nothing about our lives is normal. We talk and

act like adults, but we're still kids. Other kids our age are worried about

their prom. You're about to meet the White Buffalo. You have a right to be a

little concerned about what happens," Lucy said.

"Maybe you're right," said William, although he didn't sound convinced.

Lucy wrapped her arms around him and kissed his neck. After more than a year

spent with him, she knew his moods. She said, "I know you, William. What's

really the matter?"

"I never foresaw any of this," William said touching upon his real fear. There

were huge blank spots in his ability to see the future. Those blank spots

revolved around events in which he was a critical player. He was afraid of doing

the wrong thing at a critical point.

"And that worries you?" Lucy asked knowing his answer.

"Yes, it does."

"Well, join the club. Everyone else goes through life not knowing what is going

to happen from one minute to the next. It forces us to make contingency plans.

We deal with the unexpected the best we can. I'll admit that sometimes that

means we lie awake at night worrying about things falling apart. Most of the

time; our fears never come true. Occasionally they do. That's life."

"You're right," said William with a sigh.

"Of course I am. I'm smarter than you are," Lucy said with a smile knowing that

she was about the only person in his life that could get away with saying that.

As William turned to look at her, she attempted a vacuous expression while

posing like a supermodel. She couldn't carry off the vacuous look, but did

manage to look like a supermodel.

William laughed at her attempt to look vacuous while appreciating her supermodel

pose. He said, "You're extremely smart, devastatingly pretty, and sexy beyond

belief."

"You had better keep that in mind when you're visiting that White Buffalo,

buster."

"Why?" William asked.

"So you keep the visit short and come back here for a little lovin' from me!"

For a second, she managed to pull off the vacuous look.

The August sun, hot even in South Dakota, beat down on the corral. The odors of

manure, hay, and plants growing drifted in the gentle breeze. The sounds of

summer filled the air. The bright sun washed out the colors and hurt the eyes.

A crowd of people was gathered around a corral; their attention focused on a

three-month-old buffalo calf frolicking beside its mother. The young buffalo

behaved like every other calf in the herd. It would move a little ways from its

mother while kicking its hooves into the air and then return after a time to

suckle. The only thing that distinguished it from the others was its white

color.

A short distance away, a small crowd was watching the road leading up to the

ranch. The rattle of a pickup truck moving down the dirt road carried for a

mile. More people moved away from the corral and joined the group watching the

road. A sense of expectation hung in the air although no one present was willing

to put into words what they expected to happen.

The truck rattled its way up the road and finally came to a halt in front of the

crowd. The driver stepped out and stretched before turning to the crowd. Seeing

the attention being given him, Kotyit said, "He'll be here in about ten

minutes."

A groan of disappointment rose from the crowd. The people milled around the

field talking in little groups. It was much later when William pulled up driving

a rental truck. He was alone. Despite her protests, Linda had stayed behind with

the rest of the family.

Turning off the motor, William looked around the crowd gathered by the road and

shook his head. They were there for him and not the White Buffalo. Shaking his

head, he corrected himself - they were there to watch Talks With Animals meet

the White Buffalo. The fact that he had no idea what was going to happen next

scared him as much as facing the black pit.

William stepped out of the truck to find himself the center of quiet attention.

No one said a word; they just watched him. He looked at the people trying to

guess their emotions, but the expressions on their faces were so diverse that it

was impossible to give a mood for the crowd. The handful of people who were

hostile did not surprise William. He knew that his relationship with the Gods

and Goddesses was a sore point among many. It was felt that he would sell their

beliefs to new age con-artists. The looks of adoration scared him even more than

the hostile looks.

There was no reason to postpone his visit to the White Buffalo any longer.

Walking towards the corral, he tried to keep a relaxed step while a small crowd

of people gathered behind him. They kept their distance as if they were afraid

to be too close to him when he finally reached the corral. By the time he had

reached his destination, it was lined with people wanting to see what would

happen.

There was a section around the corral where no one else stood and it was to that

section that William made his way. On reaching the fence, he climbed between the

wooden slats. He felt alone and vulnerable, facing a calf with its mother

nearby. The mother could stomp him into the ground and no one would be able to

save him. Not having seen this moment in any of his visions, he felt afraid.

The sense of expectation was so high, that he didn't know if it would be better

if something happened or if nothing happened. If something happened, he would be

viewed with even greater awe. If nothing happened, a lot of people would be

disappointed. Not for the first time he wondered if this visit was a good idea.

Kotyit, noticing his hesitation, winked at him in support.

The calf left its mother and trotted to stand in front of William. Their eyes

locked and, for William, the rest of the world disappeared. He saw only the eyes

of the White Buffalo. Heart pounding, he did not see it bow to him. Without

knowing that he was speaking, William shouted, "Talks with Animals, it is good

and fitting that you have come to give my words to the people. I have waited

long for this day."

The crowd stared wide-eyed at the scene before them. Chills ran up and down

their spines as William spoke in a voice that had an odd echoing quality to it.

There was a blank expression on his face. It looked as though his spirit had

fled his body. His normally dark body had turned pale.

"I have three messages to deliver. Every three moons, I shall talk through a

representative of the people. Many shall come to me, but I shall select the

person who will carry my message to others through words and deeds.

"The first shall be a warrior who has fought well for the people and has done so

without taking a life. My message is one of strength and peace. The second shall

be a woman who has worked with great diligence for the health and welfare of the

people. My message is one of loving and healing. The last shall be a child, for

children are the future of the people. My message is of growth and the future.

"Talks With Animals, I give you my thanks for all that you have done, and will

do, on behalf of your peoples, both red and white."

A second after speaking the last word, William collapsed to the ground like a

rock. No one rushed to help him as something miraculous was occurring only a few

feet from his unconscious body. When William had fallen, the White Buffalo had

rolled on the ground. Its coat changed to a light red color. A murmur of awe

spread through the crowd at the sight.

Upon rising, the calf returned to its mother and started to suckle. The action

broke the spell that held people in place. Several men ran to where William was

lying on the ground. William looked young, weak and vulnerable. Kotyit directed

one of the men to pick up William and carry him from the corral.

As the man carried William to the ranch house, the crowd parted and watched with

respect. The few who had been angry were angry no more. How could they be angry

when the White Buffalo had thanked William for his service? All stood quiet as

William was taken into the house.

"Where am I?" William asked when he finally regained consciousness.

Seated in a wood chair next to the couch on which William was recovering, Kotyit

answered, "You are in the ranch house."

"Ah," said William as his memory of what had occurred in the corral returned.

"Do you remember what happened?"

"Yes, but it seems as if it happened to someone else," answered William. His

memory of the meeting was as if he was outside his body looking down upon the

scene.

Kotyit nodded and patted William on the shoulder. In a teasing voice, he said,

"Talks With Animals, you must enjoy being the center of attention. You were the

youngest graduate of the college, you destroy an ancient curse, and now you

serve as voice for the White Buffalo. I fear that you are going to have to screw

up big time to get your life back."

Smiling at the obvious teasing by the older man, William asked, "So what can I

screw up without really screwing up?"

The deep chuckling laughter from Kotyit filled the room. Shaking his head, he

said, "I wouldn't hazard a guess, my friend."

William slowly sat up feeling dizzy from the effort. He rolled his head trying

to work out the tension in his neck. In a soft voice, he asked, "How long was I

out?"

"Three hours."

"I take it my family and Lucy are here."

"Yes. Ed is outside playing with the warriors. Linda and Lucy are in the kitchen

waiting for me to call them here."

"Playing with the warriors?" William asked. The idea of his father playing with

the warriors was as surprising as the events in the corral.

"Yes. Your father is out there telling lawyer jokes," Kotyit answered with a

grin. Since many of the warriors were studying law and political science,

telling lawyer jokes made about as much sense as tugging on a tiger's tail.

William chuckled at the image of his father teasing the lawyers. Smiling, he

said, "I'm sure that he's making lots of friends."

Kotyit said, "I guess that's the Druid version of counting coup. It definitely

takes courage to do that."

"Speaking of courage, I suppose it is time for me to face the women. I'm sure

they're worried about me," William said.

"Not all that worried. They took one look at you and said that you were fine,"

Kotyit said looking across the room trying to keep his face under control.

"Really?" William asked. He didn't believe the old man for a single minute.

"What do you think? They're worried sick," said Kotyit. He turned and shouted,

"Linda! Lucy! He's awake!"

The pair of women rushed into the room. Linda paused to allow Lucy to go to

William first while Lucy paused to allow Linda to go first. They looked at each

other and then laughed. William stood and held out his arms for both women.

Linda came over and hugged him for a few seconds before stepping back. Lucy

stepped forward and hugged him tightly.

"I thought I told you to return to the hotel as quick as you could. I sat there

for hours trying to look sexy for your return," Lucy teased.

"I'm sorry I missed that," William said with real regret in his voice.

Concerned at his serious response to her tease, Lucy asked, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," William answered.

His mother asked, "Are you sure, you're alright?"

"I'm positive that I'm alright," William answered. Grinning, he said, "With four

mothers and a fiancee, I can see that I'm going to be repeating myself five

times over. It would probably be easier to say that I'm not okay. At least then

I won't get any argument."

Lucy smiled at the complaint and said, "He's alright."

"You're right," Linda said looking relieved.

Looking at William, Lucy understood that he wanted to talk with Kotyit about

what had happened earlier. She knew the men would smoke a couple of cigarettes

while discussing the matter. As much as she hated the smell of tobacco on his

breath, she knew it wasn't her place to demand that he not smoke in these

circumstances. She'd watched the way in which the men treated tobacco and

recognized it as an important ritual.

Gesturing to Linda, she said, "I suggest we go back in the kitchen now and leave

the men to discuss what happened."

William watched the pair leave the living room thankful that Lucy understood his

need to talk with his mentor. Turning to Kotyit, he asked, "Where can we smoke

without being disturbed?"

"Manny Gray Cloud is out back waiting for us," answered the old man rising from

his seat.

William recognized the name as belonging to the owner of the ranch. He followed

his friend out to the backyard of the house. A man with a long braid down his

back was leaning against a post that supported a patio cover. Wearing blue

jeans, plaid shirt, and cowboy boots, the man was the very image of a Native

American rancher. He turned to look at William and Kotyit. In a rough voice, he

said, "Talks With Animals, it is a pleasure to meet you."

William examined the weathered face of his host. There were laugh lines at the

corners of his eyes. His neck and hands sported the crossed wrinkles that

accompanied long exposure to the sun. The hands were callused from years of hard

physical labor. He said, "Manny Gray Cloud, the pleasure is mine."

Manny went over to one of the chairs and took a seat. He gestured to the other

chairs. Before taking a seat, William pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his

shirt pocket and handed it over to his host as a gift. Manny accepted the pack

and opened it. After pulling out a cigarette, he handed the pack over to Kotyit.

Consistent with sharing tobacco, Kotyit took a cigarette and then handed the

pack to William. William took out a cigarette and gave the pack back to Manny.

The men lit up and settled into their chairs.

Almost a minute passed before Manny said, "It really is the White Buffalo."

"You had doubts?" asked Kotyit looking at the other man.

"I was worried that I'd go down in our history as the man who gave false hope to

his people," answered Manny with real relief in his voice. He'd spent nights

lying in bed worried that the calf would turn out not to be the White Buffalo.

"Now they will blame me if something bad happens to the calf," William said

shaking his head.

Kotyit took a long drag off his cigarette while staring off at the distant

horizon. He exhaled, blowing the smoke up to the sky as he considered William's

words. In a measured voice, he said, "It is time to move the calf to a more

isolated location where it can be guarded."

"People want to see the calf," Manny said fully aware that hiding the calf would

create an uproar of protest amongst the Native American population.

Nodding his head in agreement with that assessment, Kotyit said, "We'll have to

find an open place where no one can sneak up and harm the calf. Our people can

still see the calf, but they'll have to go a ways and pass through a lot more

security to get there."

William took a drag off his cigarette and thought about it. In a soft voice, he

said, "I will pay for the security if we can allow two of my mothers to design

and install it."

"You'll pay?" asked Kotyit.

"How much could it cost? We put a couple of guards out," Manny said wondering

what William meant about it costing money. He could get a dozen Native Americans

to serve as guards.

Shaking his head to signal his disagreement, William said, "I figure an adequate

security arrangement will cost around twenty million. We'll need motion sensors,

infrared cameras, metal detectors, and guard stations. By the time Ling and

Claire are done, a mouse won't be able to fart without setting off alarms."

"Are your mothers Native Americans?" Manny asked smiling at the image of a mouse

farting in the field.

"Ling is of Chinese descent and Claire is Black," William answered realizing

that there could be a problem with his suggestion. Looking over at Kotyit, he

asked, "Will that be a problem?"

"Might be. It would be more of a problem if they were White," answered the old

man thinking about the matter. Sighing, he added, "It's good they aren't

Druids."

William understood what Kotyit was saying. A sizable proportion of the Sioux had

very mixed feelings about the Druids. They perceived the Druids as being in

league with the new age con men who were selling Native American beliefs for a

profit. William knew that a lot of the problem was that the beliefs they were

selling were falsified. The only thing that kept those who were most negative

from acting against the Druids was the fact that John Carter, the first Grand

Druid, had funded the Native American College.

Manny asked, "What happens now that the White Buffalo has spoken through

William?"

Kotyit answered, "I will talk to Eskieah about calling for a Powwow of the five

hundred tribes for the purpose of discussing how to protect the White Buffalo

and about arranging for the warriors to present themselves. I will see that your

mothers are invited to present a case for handling security."

Nodding his agreement, William put out his cigarette after taking a last drag

from it and slipped the butt into the back pocket of his jeans. Looking at the

other two men, he said, "I'll see that Linda teaches them how to address the

council."

"Good."

"I think it would be best if I wasn't present at the Powwow."

"You're probably right," Kotyit said feeling sorry for William. There was a lot

of pressure on the young man to deal with the politics of all the tribes.

"Now that this matter is settled, I'd like to join my family and go back to the

hotel," William said slapping his thigh. Grinning at Kotyit, he said, "You

suggested that I screw up. How about I leave my father here so that he can tell

more lawyer jokes?"

"That would definitely ruin your popularity around here," Kotyit said with a

smile.

"I'll risk it," said William feeling much better. Standing up, he said, "I'll

head out now."

Knowing that William wouldn't like what he was about to say, Kotyit frowned

before he said, "First, you must talk to the people gathered around the corral."