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It was much later in the evening when they all gathered together within Czanna and Stands Strong's lodge. A fire blazed happily and lit up the tepee as though the lodge were a lantern. And, although there were no formal seating arrangements this night, it mattered not. Each married couple sat happily next to one another while Pretty Ribbon Woman, as well as Liliann, Czanna and her mother, served the hot, roasted buffalo ribs to the men, which was the custom.

When it was at last done and the women had also enjoyed their part of the meal, Czanna took her place beside Stands Strong, then began her story, and she said, "I had received a letter from Sebestyn, your manservant, Frederic. He wrote to me to tell me about you as well as our mother and father being hanged. He begged me in his letter to come back to Hungary, but I could not do it, as you know, since you were quite strict about making me pledge to never return to Hungary."

Said Frederic, "It was Sebestyn who betrayed our family to the authorities. It does not surprise me that he would try to persuade you to come back to Hungary. You see, the three of us had escaped with some help of other freedom fighters, and we were in hiding. In truth, if he could have convinced you to return there, he could have held you ransom, which of course would have forced us out of hiding, and had it happened, we would all have been imprisoned. Do you still have the letter?"

"I do," answered Czanna as she came to her feet and trod toward the back of the lodge, the place where she kept her possessions. Digging into a parfleche bag, she pulled out the letter and gave it to Frederic. "Oh, how happy I am that you had the foresight to make me vow to never return to Hungary."

"I, too, Czanna. I, too."

"By the way, where is Béla?" It was Stands Strong's mother-in-law who asked the question.

"We now call her Briella," said Czanna. "We decided—all of us—to change our names so they would sound more American. We now call Béla, Briella, and Gyorgy we call George. But, our younger sister, Briella, is not here at present. She is in the care of five of our almost-aunties."

"Almost-aunties?" asked Czanna's mother. "What is an almost-auntie?"

"They are aunts, but they are not bound to us by blood. We did not wish to bring Briella with us into the mountains in search of Cousin Alfred. And, since she would be quite happy to stay with her aunties, we left her with them for her own safety."

"I am glad you did not take her on such a long journey," replied her mother. "And, where are the aunties now?"

"They are gone into the Sun Dance camp. You see, the Pikuni people move around their land, going from one place to another. They are not far away, and we hope to join them soon. I think we should all go to their encampment as soon as possible. What say you?"

It was agreed by them all to join the Pikuni as soon as they were all packed and ready to set out upon the trail. And so, it was settled: they would leave to go to the Sun Dance encampment within the next few days.

But, at last, the night wore on, and soon Frederic as well as Czanna's mother and father left them to go to their own quarters within the fort. Meanwhile, Mr. Henrik and Liliann bid them a good night as well and returned to their lodge, while First Rider and George set up their own tepee, as did Czanna's cousin, Alfred, and his woman, Pretty Ribbon Woman.

At last, Czanna was alone with Stands Strong, who had been curiously quiet during the entire proceeding.

Turning toward him, she said, "My husband, I fear I have not included you in much of my conversation. I fear I have not been very attentive to you this evening. And, now I worry I might have displeased you."

"Displeased me? Why should you have worried over me? Being reunited with your family after you had thought them forever lost to you was at first shocking for you, I admit, but I could see the happiness bursting within you all through this evening. I would have not detracted from it by bringing attention onto myself. After all, your happiness is my own, too."

"Oh, my husband, you are so very kind. I love you very much."

"And I, you."

"I admit my life might change a little since my parents and Frederic are now here. But, one aspect of my life will not change, and this is my love for you and our path together through this life. I do not wish to go back to the way I was before I met you. I have changed my mind about being an Indian man's wife. I am your woman, now and always. Besides, we have many obligations to fulfill now that we have been taught how to use the bear medicine. I wish to be a part of this very much."

"áa, we have much to do, because one of our duties will be to perform the bear ritual before our people. Only then will our bear medicine enrich our people's lives. Together we will do this. Always together."

"áa," Czanna said. "Together always.

And, then they kissed, it being their seal to a pledge they freely gifted to one another.

Indeed, it would come to pass. Although their road through life might have its pleasures and its bumps, it mattered little; always they would meet each new experience together.

And, so it came to be.

EPILOGUE

"Good shot!" praised Stands Strong. "Come, let us pray over our kill before we cut up its meat."

With both of them bending down toward the buffalo cow, Stands Strong took up some dirt and some sage from his pouch and sprinkled it over the animal. Then he prayed, "We thank you for the life you have lived and for your part in keeping our people from becoming hungry. Go now. You are free to live again in another place and time."

He motioned the spirit of the animal toward the sky, then turned to Matsowá'p and said, "She is free to go elsewhere now."

Czanna nodded.

"Come, where she is going, her spirit will be welcomed. Let us now look closely at your shot. Do you see how, if you place your aim below the ribs, its speed goes directly into the animal's lungs and heart, killing it at once? You did this well!"

"Why, thank you, husband." Czanna laughed. "I killed almost as many as you today."

Stands Strong grinned at his woman, then said, "Almost. Our people will not go hungry. Come, let us cut up this meat and pack it onto our horses. There will be much joy in our camp tonight."

"It is good," said Matsowá'p. "It is very good, indeed."

"And now, my wife, do you see you have no need of the evil gold coin?"

"I do, indeed."

"Then, perhaps you should throw it away?"

"Oh, husband, please! Throw it away?"

"Can you not?"

"I admit I cannot."

"And, why is this?"

"Because, my husband, I gave it to my brother. I no longer have the gold, nor any coin. As you said, I no longer require it. Besides, the gold was really Frederic's. He gave it to me, after all. And, perhaps he and my parents might need it in the future. Especially if they are to buy the land they have been talking about." She sighed. "I fear, my husband, you have made me so happy I have no need to pretend an outward show of my pleasure."

He smiled at her. "And, I am pleased to hear you have given the evil gold rock away. It might save us from arguing about the evil it would bring into our lives."

"Perhaps. But, I also think I should tell you, husband mine, that I dread having any more arguments with you, though I know it is impossible to agree with one another on all things. However, the truth is, I do not like being upset with you or to have you upset with me."

"Then, as I said to you once before, you should take off all your clothing before you bring your argument to me."

"What?" his wife asked. "Are you asking me to disrobe? Here? Now?"

"If you wish to do so, I would greatly encourage you to do it, although we are not yet arguing."

"I do not understand."

He sighed. "Very well. I will tell this to you again so you might remember its importance. I only ask you to not repeat the manner by which we settle our arguments to anyone. It is to be a secret between only us."

She looked directly at him and frowned. At length, she said, "All right. But, I do not remember your telling me anything about my stripping naked in order to prevent an argument."

"Then, I will tell it to you again," he said. "This is how to make all our disagreements very short, and also how you might win most all of our arguments."

She didn't answer; instead, she treated him to a doubting glance. "You are not teasing me now, are you?"

"I?" he asked. "Tease you?"

"Oh, please!"

"I tell you true. Before you begin any disagreement with me, disrobe. Take off all your clothes."

"All of them?"

"áa, all of them." He grinned at her. "If you do this, I think I would be very happy to end our quarrel quickly, and I would probably do as you wish without further argument."

She giggled. "Be serious."

"Think you I am not serious? Are we to argue about this now? If so, take off your clothes now and see if I am being honest with you."

She laughed. "Well, perhaps I will," she agreed. "Although before I strip off every bit of my clothing, maybe I should tell you my own secret."

He frowned at her. "You have a secret from me?"

"I do, indeed," she said, although there was a joyful note in her voice. Then, a little more seriously, she added, "My dear husband, my secret is this: you are to soon be a father."

Stands Strong couldn't move for a moment, nor could he speak. But then, all at once, he began to laugh. And, without another word being spoken between them, he picked up his beloved Matsowá'p and swung her around and around, his laughter joining hers.

"You have made me a very happy man," he told her at last.

"And, you have made me a very contented and blissful Indian man's woman. I love you!"

"As I love you, my sweet, strong and beautiful woman."

He kissed her, and then he kissed her again, only this time, the kiss was long and quite sensual.

It is said they lived long and joyful lives, blessed with many children who would remember the happiness of their home and who would carry on in their ways. Always.

THE END