Tayazo
by Suzanne Achilles

At last, Chiatsu could pull away from his duties to his village. He would take his wooden flute and travel into the hills. Mounting his pinto, he headed toward the secluded place where he could express his feelings without the fear of being overheard by others. Slanted sunlight filtering through the trees changed the visibility of this the brave riding through the forest deep in thought. He contemplated his heart, recalling the woman he had seen last night at the fire. He summoned in his memory her graceful, slender body, her long shining black hair and her large dark liquid eyes where he had fallen into the abyss of love.

She was Wahcawin, Flower Woman, and her name suited her. He remembered her from years past as the young girl who had been playing with two puppies beside her father's tipi. He had come to meet her brother, his hunka, for an antelope hunt. As best friends of twelve and thirteen, it had been a chance to demonstrate to their elders - and each other - some ability to hunt with bow and arrow.

Now at the age of twenty-two, and a proven man of his tribe, Chiatsu was on the cusp of a change in his life. He had not known he had been waiting for the final element of his manhood. It was a surprise to him that he had found someone he could care about. He had found Wahcawin.

Chiatsu was a gentle man. He trained his horses with soft words and touch, never teaching them with force. He was a quiet man who saved his words for only the most important of matters. He belonged to himself and preferred hunting alone or with his hunka, the only man he regarded as a true friend. He was also a spiritual person. He prayed often to Wankan Tanka and sought spiritual instruction from the wapiya. The sacred man and seer of the tribe would often lead Chiatsu through the inipi ceremony in the sweat lodge.

At the age of fourteen, he went on the ihamblicya. After three days of prayer, singing, fasting and hardship, he was rewarded with a vision. His spiritual guide, the grizzly, had sauntered up to him and put his great-clawed forepaw on his thigh.

From then on scouting, seeking out by stealth that which needed to be known for the safety and well being of his people, was Chiatsu's duty. Others said he had woksapa so he was an honored and respected individual, acknowledged for his wisdom. He had proven himself worthy of this respect many times. He was tall and muscular. Chiseled cheekbones and a straight nose gave dignified beauty to the lines of his face. He wore his long black hair loose with a single hawk feather secured to a strand.

Now Chiatsu was on a small journey of expression. He soon came to his place - a small clearing, flat and sandy, above the waterfall of Oneonta, which plunged to the deep blue pool below. This secluded spot was backed by a high rock abutment and surrounded by fir and pine. There, he carefully took the wooden pipe, which he had carved, from its soft leather case and began to play. The notes of his soul-inspired music came from feelings of joy and longing. They drifted through the air and returned to him by echoing off the rocks. Oh, the sound!

He was a flute player. He was Tayazo!

Unknown to Chiatsu, Wahcawin also needed to sort out a secret longing. This was a desire held long in her heart, since she'd been a girl, for the handsome brave named Chiatsu, that one so aloof. From the time when he had come to meet her older brother for a hunt, she had felt mitacante. Whenever she saw him, thought of him, or even heard his name, her heart contracted with pain.

How could she ever let him know this inward secret? How could she catch his eye? How could she express her happiness for his many accomplishments when he only saw her as a little sister of his hunka and nothing more?

Every day since, Wahcawin had endured this suffering. To ease her longing she concentrated on her mother's waonspekiye, and listened as she was patiently taught the caring of the lodge, making garments and moccasins and gathering foodstuffs. She worked at quillwork and soon earned a place in the woman's group, Wapitawin, who banded together to teach and learn the intricate techniques. Wahcawin also exhibited an unusual talent for identifying the plants and herbs used by the medicine woman and assisted in their gathering and preparation.

In this way several years passed and both youngsters grew into adulthood. Wahcawin celebrated her first isnati and, with great ceremony for all to know her coming into womanhood, she was escorted by her mother, sisters and aunties to the isnatipi. In this tipi, specifically used for isolation of women during this time, she was taught many things about a woman's body. She was also taught what to expect when a man took her for his wife and they shared mitawicu.

It was in the light of her ceremonial fire, as sparks flew heavenward from wood she had just thrown on, that she caught a glimpse of Chiatsu, for she always sought him out at gatherings. She found him looking at her. His face, usually solemn, wore Unpongapi kilo, on his face and a joyful, surprised look glowed in his dark eyes. It revealed that he had been given wahupa and felt the enlightenment of her being.

This morning, after all had been put right for the day, Wahcawin had asked her mother for permission to go gathering. She would seek out a special medicinal plant, which grew only during this season. Also, while alone, she could dwell upon her joy and hope that Chiatsu would ask to be her wicahca. Catching the yellow mare her father had given her, she set out for her favorite place - the pool beneath Oneonta Falls.

After nearly an hour's ride she dismounted, She led her horse up a shallow, graveled stream, through a narrow canyon passage of high, close, fern and flower bedecked rocks, until she came to an expanse of erosion which created the circular bowl shaped area of sand and pool. From high above plummeted the beautiful Oneonta Falls in white stream and mist. It was in this place she would find the rare plant she sought and the peace for meditation upon her heart's desire. She gazed into the rippling water and watched a shining copper-colored cicila trundle among the rocks. This water beetle hid itself from two huya birds foraging food at the side of the pool. Dip, dip, the black dipper birds bent their legs as if bowing up and down.

As Wahcawin sat in contemplation, she was suddenly astounded by the sound of a flute coming from above. The music was splendid and so melodious it brought tears to her eyes. It made her yearning for Chiatsu all the stronger and it made her heart beat in strange lurching rhythm. Who could be playing a flute so beautifully? The notes of the flute lilted sweetly above the sound of tumbling, splashing water. The sorrowful melody was repeated over and over. Soon she realized the music lived in her heart.

"Oh," thought Wahcawin, "I wish to sing! And I cannot stop myself from dancing here on the floor of my canyon."

She - nicknamed Hiyetawin, 'She Who Sings', within her father's tipi - began stepping in rhythm. With arms outstretched, she turned her face upward into the sunlight and began to sing. Her voice, high and vibrant, rose in clear harmonious tone to meet the flute music.

Tayazo heard beautiful singing accomanying his flute and stopped playing to listen. Though he paused, the song continued. He rejoined the melody and to see who was singing, he carefully approached the ridge of the falls and peered over the edge. To his great astonishment, there was Wahcawin in the sunlight, arms wide, eyes closed, dancing and singing.

"I must act quickly or my chance will be gone forever," thought he.

Chiatsu called, "Ho!"

Startled, Wahcawin stopped singing and opened her eyes. She saw the brave far above and her longing heart leapt. Chiatsu! Chiatsu was Tayazo!

With her joy reflected on his face, Chiatsu lifted his hand in salutation and smiled.

Wahcawin smiled back.

Copyright © 2002 Suzanne Achilles
All rights reserved

About the Author

Suzanne Achilles lives on a farm in a small northeast Oregon town and is married with one son. She spends hours exploring the high mountains surrounding the area and has many interests and hobbies. Among these are writing short stories and poetry based on her personal experiences.