Chapter Eighteen
Ike assisted Buck as he made his way to the river. When Buck would start to lose his balance, Ike would catch him and they would rest until Buck felt strong enough to continue. Finally, they reached the water. Once there, Ike helped Buck undress and then assisted him as he slipped into the current.

When he was sure Buck wouldn’t fall, Ike also removed his clothing and climbed into the coolness of the river. He quickly washed Buck’s back and then himself. As he waited for Buck to finish, Ike worked up the courage to venture a question, *Do you think it would be possible for me to have some more suitable clothes made?*

Buck shrugged. “How much did you get on your hunt?”

*Two pretty good sized deer. Why?*

“That should provide enough hide to make you a set of breeches and a cloth,” Buck said. “You may have to just keep wearing your old vest and shoes.”

*That would be fine for now,* Ike replied. *I just feel so out of place wearing my regular clothes; I think I would feel better if I didn’t look…* he paused and shook his head; it didn’t matter how he dressed, he was still going to look out of place here – his bald head and white skin would take care of that.

Buck smiled. “I understand how you feel,” he said. “You want to fit in as much as possible.”

Ike nodded.

“I’ll mention it to Red Bear this evening,” Buck said.

Ike smiled his thanks. *So, shall I carry you most of the way back?*

Buck nodded. “That is probably a good idea if we want to get back before the feast is over.”

Ike picked him up easily and started back to the village. When they reached the outskirts of the dwellings, Ike set Buck down and once more assisted him as he walked. They went directly to Red Bear’s home to save Buck the exertion of having to come back.

*Do you think if I made you a crutch if would help with your walking?*

Buck sat thinking. “I don’t think it could hurt,” he said. “Let’s ask Sky Chaser if she approves. I don’t want to upset her by trying too much too quickly; besides I really want to get better as quickly as possible.”

Ike nodded. *I think it would be a good idea to wait until the meal is over,* he said. *All the women look extra busy right now.*

Buck agreed. They settled in outside Red Bear’s home and waited for his brother to join them. While they were sitting talking, some of the other warriors came by to visit. They congratulated Ike on his good luck hunting. *Would you like to come out with us in the morning?* Laughing Crow asked.

Ike glanced at Buck who nodded. *I’d be happy to,* he said. *When do we leave?*

*I will call for you at your dwelling,* Laughing Crow said. He then nodded at his companions and they made their way back to the center of the village where everyone was gathering to celebrate Red Bear and Silent Wolf’s good fortune.

As Ike watched them leave, he sensed that something was troubling Buck. *What?*

“I don’t think they will try anything, especially if Red Bear announces your intention of calling on Sky Chaser, but promise me you’ll be really careful tomorrow.”

Ike nodded. *Why do you think they would try anything? Everyone has been very nice to me.*

Buck nodded. “I know that,” he said, “but Laughing Crow was the leader of the group that used to torment me. He, Stands Tall, and Little Fox were responsible for most of my pain. I just don’t want them to do something to you to try and hurt me.”

Ike glanced at where the young men stood talking. He wished he could understand the spoken language of the Kiowa. It was nice to be able to converse with them without having Buck there to translate, but he still missed a lot because he couldn’t understand them unless they signed. He promised himself that he would ask Sky Chaser to help him learn; he smiled glad to have something to do when they spent time together.

*I will be careful,* he told Buck. He noticed that Little Fawn was helping Sky Chaser with the meal preparations. He pointed in that direction and started up a conversation about her hoping to help Buck think of happier times.

Shortly before the feast was to begin, Red Bear had Buck go inside his teepee. He presented his younger brother with the shirt he had been given on the birth of his daughter. “I would be honored for you to wear this when you speak to Silver Fox,” he said. “He will know that I approve of your request and will not have to speak to me.”

Buck hesitated. “I have nothing to offer for her,” he said. “Maybe I should wait.”

“You will offer two fine brood mares and one stallion,” Red Bear said.

“I don’t have one horse, much less two fine brood mares and a stallion,” Buck reminded him.

“Yes, you do,” Red Bear said.

Buck just stared at his brother.

“When you came to save your friend,” Red Bear said, “you mentioned staying.”

Buck nodded, the unkept promise of one more warrior coming back into his mind.

“I put aside three horses to give you if you were successful in your trials,” Red Bear continued. “Since you are here now, there is no reason not to give them to you.”

“Thank you,” Buck said. “I’m not sure…”

“A father always gives his son a few starter horses,” Red Bear reminded Buck. “If you had stayed in the village instead of going to the white world, I would have been the one who would have taken on that responsibility.”

Buck once more nodded. “I don’t know what to…”

Red Bear moved to embrace his brother. “Don’t say anything,” he whispered. “Just get changed so you can speak to Silver Fox.”

Buck nodded and quickly changed his shirt. He slowly made his way unaided back to the area in front of Red Bear’s home. Once there, he allowed Ike to help him to the area in the middle of the village where the guests of honor were to sit.