Chaska met Jason’s gaze, approval in his eyes.
Old Man Belcourt lit the grass, blew out the flame, ran the eagle feather through the tendril of smoke, then used the feather to fan the smoke over Winona. He spoke in Lakota before translating his words into English for Jason’s sake. “Tunkashila, Grandfather, Creator, I give thanks for my granddaughter Winona’s rescue and her survival. I ask that you watch over her and help her to heal and walk again.”
Tears spilled down Winona’s cheeks.
Then he turned to Jason, fanning smoke over him, too, the sweet scent of the grass tickling Jason’s nose. “Creator, watch over the man who protected Winona and saved her life, Jason Chiago, this man who moves with the strength of a wolf. Guide him on his way. Keep his feet on the path of a true human being.”
Was that the path Jason was on? He had no idea.
Lastly, Grandpa turned to Chaska, fanned smoke over him. “Bless my grandson and help him to be a good father and husband.Mitakuye Oyasin. All my relations.”
Chaska nodded. “Aho.Mitakuye Oyasin”
It was the only Lakota phrase Jason knew. “Mitakuye Oyasin.”
The prayer was over by the time the nurse arrived. “I’m sorry. She’s new and doesn’t understand. We allow indigenous spiritual practices at this hospital, provided patients aren’t placed in danger. I’m really sorry for the misunderstanding.”
“Thank you for teaching her.” Grandpa rolled the feather and sweetgrass back into their sacred bundle. “And thank you for taking good care of my granddaughter.”
“You’re welcome. I apologize once again.” The nurse left them in peace.
Grandpa Belcourt sat next to the bed and asked to hear the whole story from Winona and Jason. He listened thoughtfully, as if every word mattered, nodding his head every so often, his expression grave. When Jason finished with the helicopter’s arrival and his darting the wolf, there was silence.
After a moment, Old Man spoke. “It’s hard to know why such things happen. But I believe Creator meant for you to be there, Chiago. Otherwise, my granddaughter would have died, and the wolf would still be alone. We should talk more about these things.”
Chaska grinned. “What Old Man is saying is that he’s pouring water for aninipi—a sweat lodge ceremony—and he wants you to be there.”
There was only one answer Jason could give to an invitation like this. “Of course, I’ll be there. I would be honored.”
“Kat James is coming by this evening to stay with Winona.”
“Kat’s coming?” Winona perked up.
Chaska nodded. “Gabe is joining us for the lodge. You know what he went through. He’ll have some powerful prayers for you.”
Jason saw in Winona’s eyes how much that meant to her. “Gabe is a good man.”
Old Man got to his feet. “You can help me tend the fire, Chiago.”
Chaska grinned, gave Jason a friendly jab on the shoulder. “I’ll pick you up at about three this afternoon, brother.”
“I’ll be there.”
Chapter 22
While Grandpa Belcourtcleaned the sweat lodge and prepared it for the ceremony, Jason threw more logs on the fire, the stones that would heat the lodge beneath the blaze. So far, the old man had barely spoken to him, but Jason knew the whole point of his being here was so that they could have a private conversation.
“Chanupa. That’s our word for the pipe. It’swakan—sacred.”
Jason repeated the word. “Chanupa.”
Grandpa chuckled and set leather pouches of tobacco, sage, cedar, an old drum, an eagle-bone whistle, and his sacred bundle on the small, earthen mound that served as an altar between the fire and the sweat lodge door.
The lodge, a low structure with canvas and blankets fastened to a frame of willows, was built up the mountainside above the old wolf pen in a small clearing that overlooked Scarlet. Two tipis—one for men and one for women—stood on the edge of the clearing, giving people a place to change before and after the ceremony.
Grandpa sat on a nearby bench. “You’re a hard worker. Tell this old man about your family, your people.”
Here we go.