Tanta and the Lone Ranger By Valerafon The Ranger and his faithful female Indian companion fight injustice. Caution: Adult situations and violence. Authors note: This is the start of a rather long story. I hope the reader gives it a chance to develop. It is a little more mainstream than most of my stories with a very strong female character. I know some who read my stories may not like the change, but all I can say is variety is the spice of life. Still, there will be many chances for Tanta to use her "Special Gifts" throughout the story. Episode 1 Part 1: Tanta's Story Overview: Tanta's people, The blackfoot Indians, had inhabited the plains of North America for countless generations before the white man first set foot on this continent. They fashioned a simple but wonderful way of life that went unchanged for thousands of years. The Blackfeet were nomads that lived in teepees clustered into small villages that could easily be dismantled to follow the great herds of Buffalo that roamed the plains. The men hunted on foot till the introduction of the horse in the eighteenth century. Soon after, they became skilled horseman and used the horse both to hunt game and fight their enemies in battle. A horse was an Indians most prized possession and was often offered as dowry to obtain a wife, and most prosperous warriors had more than one wife. The women of the tribe did household chores and gathered wild plants for food. They also had to be experts in the tanning of skins, this was often a long, tiring, and tedious process. In Blackfoot society, a woman was judged largely on the quality and quantity of the skins she tanned. The women also made the teepees, and therefore had ownership to them. Tanta's people, The Bloods, migrated down from Canada following the Buffalo herds into Montana where they eventually became dominant. At the peak of their power in the mid-19th century, during the time Tanta was becoming a young woman, the Blackfoot Nation controlled a vast territory stretching from Saskatchewan to the southernmost waters of the Missouri, and their influence was even felt as far west as the Rocky Mountains. The Blackfeet had many enemies. Primary of which were the hated Crows, the Cree, the Sioux, and of course the white man who were considered no more than poachers. All were actively prevented from impinging upon the land the Blackfeet considered their territory. Spiritual beliefs and ceremonies were also an important part of the Blackfoot culture. Their primary religious ceremony was called the Sun Dance which took place every summer. The location of which was determined by the proximity of the major Buffalo herds. All the separate bands would gather together at this time to observe the ceremony. Most braves carried a medicine bundle which was a source of great prestige among the tribesmen and had personal religious significance to each tribesman as well. Each adolescent brave would go on a vision quest to a remote area and fast hoping for a vision. If he was successful he would be given a war song or dance by a guardian spirit and be told of the magical amulets such as feathers or stones that should be worn to give him power. This was the life and times of Tanta's people. They could cope with dwindling buffalo herds, rampaging Crow, and even the white man. But their male dominated society could not cope with an Indian maiden who could ride as well as the best warrior, shoot an arrow straighter and farther than most braves, and who could outfight anyone in the tribe. Tanta's special gifts from the Great Spirit made her hated by some and even feared by most of the members of her own tribal band. May the warm winds of heaven Blow softly on your home. May the great Spirit Bless all who enter there May your moccasins Make happy tracks In many snows, And may the rainbow Always touch your shoulders. Little Flute Chapter One: Tanta, the Young Maiden "Give!" Tanta yelled while she squeezed as hard as she could with her young muscular thighs. "No!" war Eagle managed to mumble as his own strong hands kept trying to pry the young girls legs apart from around his mid- section and meeting with no success. He was in great pain and he couldn't breath. How could this be happening he wondered? No matter how hard he fought and no matter what trick he used on this young wisp of a girl, she still managed to control his every action. Tanta was just a girl his mind kept repeating over and over, not a warrior like he was. In this desperate moment, his mind finally found the solution. She had to be possessed by evil spirits. That was the source of her power. Tanta was bringing great shame on him, on his people too he thought, as he felt his body weaken further. Even as he struggled, he managed to look at the smiling face of the young girl that was controlling him so easily. This young girl was breaking his spirit, crushing the will to fight right out of him, and he found himself close to yielding. Even as her all powerful legs continued to squeeze his midsection, his mind kept repeating over and over, this can't be happening....this can't be happening. War Eagle's face became a mask of despair. He avoided the gaze of his friends as he struggled, he knew he would be disgraced forever if he lost to this young girl. Finally, War Eagle felt himself reaching his limits and he couldn't breath. The young Indian Maiden had him in a death grip. He was about to do the unthinkable, to give in to this crazy young squaw. The other four young braves gathered in a circle around their fallen leader. They were silent know as they watched in shock. Finally, Running Bear, War Eagles closest friend sensed the trouble his best friend was in an intervened. The other boys quickly followed suit. It took all four of the boys best efforts to extricate War Eagle from the girls grasp. "See!" Tanta boasted, "I told you I was stronger. Now can I ride with you and be a member of your party?" War Eagle brushed himself off and looked at the young girl with wild eyes, but he took a deep breath and quickly regained control of himself and the situation. He had to act calmly, as a leader must react in a difficult situation. His ambition, someday, was too lead his entire tribe into battle. "No!" He said defiantly. "You are afflicted with evil spirits. They give you powers that are unnatural and not befitting a young woman. He pointed back toward the village toward where the women gathered together to do the woman's work. "Go! Join them! Maybe they can help rid you of the evil ones," he said as the five young braves moved away towards the village. The other boys taunting her as they bid a hasty and strategic retreat. Tanta did not answer their taunts. She silently watched the young braves depart even though their words affected her deeply. Her mood darkening as she continued to listen to their insults till they were too far away to hear anymore. Even though they were very far away, she continued to watch their retreating figures. Her thoughts focusing on one in the departing group of young braves. Dark Crow was with them. She liked him. He was different. At least he didn't taunt her. She did notice with some satisfaction that he was the last brave to look back at her as they departed. Tanta sat down by the stream and felt that helpless lonely feeling overwhelm her again. She knew she was different. She was very strong for a girl, stronger than all of the boys her own age and even most of the older ones like War Eagle, and she could run like the wind too. She was already one of the fastest runners in the tribe and she was only thirteen summers old. Her father had taught her the use of the bow when she was very young and she knew she was better at it then the others. She could shoot a bow straighter and farther than many who were far older than her. Slowly her thoughts turned from the young braves to the horses. She always smiled when she thought of her friends the horses, and all horses were her friends. They sensed something in her and it made them calm and unafraid when she was near. They would do ticks for her and follow her commands that even their owners couldn't get them to do. Horses could change her mood and make her feel better almost instantly, and they worked their magic once again. It seemed like when she rode, it was only one of two times that she felt truly happy and free. The other being when she was alone with her father and he was teaching her about this great strange wonderful world she found herself living in. She looked back at the retreating figures of the young bucks who by this time had almost reached the outskirts of their large village. Tanta knew in that group she had no equals at horsemanship or anything else for that matter with maybe the possible exception of Dark Crow. Maybe, she did have evil spirits in her she thought sadly. How else could her unique talents be explained? Her physical gifts would be unusual if she was a young brave, but she was just a mere girl. She returned her gaze to the river and continued staring at it for some time mulling over her fate. As always a great feeling of melancholy overcame her. She thought about the other women and found no solace there. She had no interest in the things the other women did. She wanted to hunt and be with the young bucks, to fight and protect her people some day if it was necessary. Even her full name, Tantaweycond, in her language meant "One who soars above the rest". Why had her father given her that name? It was all so confusing she thought. She stared at the river for some time as her thoughts slowly moved on to a new topic...One more pleasing. Slowly the image of Dark Crow filled her mind and she smiled once more. In the distance, a solitary figure on horseback had been watching. He saw the fight and it's inevitable conclusion. He paused a moment and frowned. In his mind a decision had already been made. He knew it was time to act. Lone Wolf slowly prodded his horse into action and moved toward his eldest daughter, wondering just what he would say to her. When Tanta saw who was approaching, her mood changed once again and a smile danced across her pretty young face. She loved and respected this man like no other. He was everything she aspired to be. She stood out of respect as he approached and silently waited. Her enigmatic smile had changed to one of pride, as this mountain of a man came up along side of her and reached down with his huge hand. She took it and was easily transported up on the horse behind him. She reached around his waist with her young arms and held him tightly as he spoke in that deep strong voice of his. "Come my daughter! It is time! First we will go get your horse and then tell your mother that we will be gone for the day." He paused just a second as he turned his horse towards the village, and he quickly added, " I have somewhere special to take you." Tanta asked excitedly, "Where are we going father?" He smiled and said, "Be patient my daughter and you will soon see." Tanta knew not to pester her father further. Instead, she closed her eyes and hugged him tightly. Her face resting on his broad strong back. A contented smile appearing on her face as they made their way to camp. As they rode slowly into camp, Lone Wolf shook his head in wonderment. He could feel the strong grip his young daughter had on his waist. She was already stronger than some of the braves he thought. She was truly a wonder. Soon, they were riding past the five young braves, but they did not say anything to Lone Wolf or taunt Tanta further. Her father was a powerful warrior and high up in the hierarchy of the tribe. All five boys lowered their heads in respect. Lone Wolf giving them a disinterested glance as he rode by, a slight smile appearing on his face as he passed War Eagle. Tanta, on the other hand, held her head up proudly and gave them a disdainful look. After Lone Wolf's horse had passed the five youths, Tanta turned around and gave Dark Crow a more kindly glance. As Lone Wolf approached his teepee, his thoughts quickly returned to his daughter. She was truly something special he thought. Then his mind went back again to the vision he had seen when he was just a young brave. It filled his mind totally and he dropped the reins, but his horse knew the way to their lodge. ------------------------------------ They had been riding for many hours. Tanta couldn't prod her father into telling her where they were going. Finally, she stopped trying and rode along side her father enjoying the ride and his company. Again she felt happiness and that elusive feeling of total freedom once more. As they rode, Tanta remembered the stories the old ones told around the camp fires. How this land she loved was different than the land where their ancestors came from, but yet the same. The biggest difference she remembered them saying was that it had far fewer trees. She looked out across the plain. It was an ocean of grass as far as the eye could see, with gently rolling hills interspersed here and there. This land was perfect for the great beasts that was so much a part of their lives. They provided food, clothing, and even the material for their teepees. Even as she rode, she sniffed the air and sensed that a big buffalo heard must be nearby. She surveyed the land again. She could not see them just yet, but she knew from her fathers training they had to be near by. Finally, they came to a huge grassy hill. It was the largest hill for many miles around. As they climbed it and reached the top, it became evident to Tanta that this was their destination. She looked out across the great plain and could see for a distance of many miles. To the west, she could even make out a large black cloud. It seemed to be slowly moving. She instinctively knew that this was a huge heard of buffalo peacefully grazing on the land she loved. Her father dismounted from his horse and walked to the center of the hill. His horse wandering a few feet away bowing its head and feeding on some of the more choicer grasses. Tanta quickly dismounted herself and followed her father. He sat down on the soft grass and crossed his legs. Tanta took a position opposite him and did the same. She remained quiet. She knew this was a solemn occasion. He smiled at her and pulled out a pouch and unrolled it on the grass. She immediately knew it was his medicine bundle. She had never seen it before. It was something each brave kept very private unto himself. The bundle contained his personal magic and the source of his power. Tanta knew that her father was about to share it's secrets with her, and that this was a great honor. She remained quiet waiting for him to speak. Finally, he looked at her, smiled, and spoke to her in a soft soothing voice ignoring the contents of the pouch for a few moments, "This Tanta is my secret place," and he gestured with his hands to his surroundings. "It is the place I am drawn too. Do you feel it's magic?" Tanta looked around once more. She felt this place too, just like her father felt it. She looked back towards her father and answered him, "OH, yes father! This place must have great magic!" and then she started to look around again a smile dancing across her youthful face. Her father waited patiently till she looked at him once more, then he continued, "I often come here to fast and have my visions." She nodded in understanding. He boasted a little to her too, "I had my first vision here when I was just a young brave only a few summers older then Dark Crow is now." Why did he use Dark Crow as his example? Did he know that she liked him? Her mind quickly told her the answer. Her father was wiser than the others. Lone Wolf paused and looked out across the plain at the dark cloud out in the distance. Then he turned his head back and looked Tanta squarely in the eyes, and began to speak softly in that deep rich soothing low voice of his again. "I know my daughter that you feel you are different. The Great Spirit has given you many gifts, but you must not use them just yet." Tanta couldn't help herself and she interrupted, "If the Great Spirit has given me many gifts, Wouldn't he want me to use them?" Her father sighed and looked out across the plain once again then back at his daughter, and started to speak even more softly, "The eagle soars above the rest. He does not use his considerable powers lightly. He does not need to show the other birds who is the strongest and swiftest. Instead, he uses his powers to catch prey much larger and swifter than the other birds can ever hope to catch, and to protect his young. The other birds look on and they see and they understand who is the best." He smiled at his daughter as Tanta tried to grasp his meaning. He pointed his finger at the sky, then at his daughter, then back at the sky again, and said..."They know!" She looked deeply in his eyes and asked, "Then you want me to be...just a squaw?" He threw his head up and laughed loudly at the sky. Finally, he looked back at her and said, "You will never be....just another squaw...Just as the eagle could never be just another bird." What was he telling her? She looked at him in confusion and asked very seriously, "Then father, What is my future?" He immediately grew very serious and said with deep conviction, "You my daughter have been in my visions. My spirit guide has revealed much to me. I can not tell you all." She looked at him sadly and asked, "Why not father? Can you reveal to me who is your spirit guide?" Her father continued to speak as he looked off into the distance. His eyes not seeing the land, but something else..a future time. "You're path my daughter will be long and difficult with many dangers and hardships." He paused and added in a sad voice, "And much sadness." "What is my path father?" "I can not put you on that path, my daughter, only point you in the right direction." He paused for a few moments as if he was considering something, and then he told her more. "My spirit guide will help you." She looked at him anxiously and asked, "Who is this spirit father?" "It is the solitary wolf that will point out your way. When the time is right he will guide you further." "Am I to have my own visions, father? Is it not forbidden for a girl to seek out such things?" He smiled at her again and said, "The eagle must soar above the rest." Why was he speaking to her in riddles? Tanta tried to grasp what he was saying. Lone wolf, looked down at her, but he dare not tell her more. He began to stroke her hair with one of his large hands. He knew she must find the path herself. Father and daughter were quiet for a time on that lonely hill. The father looking lovingly at his daughter and the daughter deep in thought. Finally, Lone Wolf turned his attention to his medicine bundle. He picked something up from it and handed it to his daughter. She held it up to her face and stared at it in wonder. He spoke softly once again, "It is the beak of a crow. My spirit guide led me to it. It has much power. It will give you what you desire most." She turned it in her hand and wondered about it's significance. He added sadly, "For a short time." His words spoken so softly that Tanta didn't here them. As she continued to stare at it, he pulled another smaller pouch out and unfolded it on the ground. Then he took the beak from her and laid it down gently on the soft leather. "This is your pouch, my daughter. Guard it well!" he told her. "But father....Girls are not supposed to have medicine bundles." Again he smiled and said, "Who's to know! Keep it hidden and only bring it out when you are alone and in your own secret place." She stared down first at the pouch in awe, with the beak resting on it, and then back up at her father with love. "There's more!" he said. Then he reached down and picked up one of two feathers from his own pouch and handed it to his daughter. "This is an eagle's feather. It will protect you and remind you of who and what you are." She took it and silently nodded, as he added, "And it will remind you of your responsibilities as well." She gently placed it next to the beak in her own bundle as her father was reaching for something else in his. It was some kind of stone now blackened from the air. "This stone will help point you to where your ultimate destiny lies." She took it from him and looked at it for a few seconds, trying to discover it's magic. Finally, she looked back up at her father with a puzzled expression on her young face. It did not look very extraordinary to her. Just an ordinary black rock. Her father sensed her confusion and said in that soft voice of his once again, "The white men call this silver. It has much magic to it. Although, the white men seek it for the wrong reasons." "Can something the white men seek be important?" she asked. He ignored her question wishing to reveal no more. Instead, he began to speak of Little Flute. "My daughter, I have spoken to Little Flute. She knows much. She will teach you what she knows." Tanta thought about the old medicine woman. She liked her, but she knew her own destiny did not lie with the medicine woman. Instead of voicing her objections, she silently nodded her head in compliance to her father's wishes. Lone Wolf knew his daughter very well. He knew she would never be happy being a medicine woman, but he silently said to himself, "The path my daughter....the path." Tanta gently rolled up her medicine bundle making sure not to injure the eagle feather and hugged it to her body. It was already her most prized possession with the possible exception of Seeker her horse. Then she kissed her father lightly on the cheek and hid it in a secret pocket in her dress. Her father spoke to her once again as he got up and moved towards his horse, "There is one final thing you must do for me, my daughter. Little Flute has knowledge of the white man's language. She will teach it to you." "But father, why?" He turned to his daughter and said very forcefully, "Learn everything Little Flute teaches....Someday, you will have need of it." "But father..." He cut her off with a wave of his hand and mounted his horse. Then he turned to his daughter and said, "Come Tanta....I have one more surprise for you." "Oh father....What?" "I have been chosen to find the location for this years Sun Dance Ceremony and you will help me find it this day." "Let's make it close to this place, father," she asked imploringly. He looked around and felt the magic in this place once more, smiled at her, and nodded yes. Then they rode off together towards the herd of buffalo in the distance. -------------------------------------- The fruits of silence are self-control, courage, endurance, patience and dignity. OHIYESA DAKOTA Chapter Two: Tanta Grows Into a Young Woman In the years that followed Tanta blossomed into a young woman. The elders when they talked of such things, late at night by the campfires, said in the whole Blackfoot Nation she was second in beauty only to her sister, White Dove. Both girls had dark complexions and very dark hair. It only enhanced their appearance and made them even more desirable to all the young braves. The look gave the two girls an air of mystery and it drove the young bucks crazy with love. It was said by the elder women that their appearance was so pleasing to the young men of the tribe, that the two young maidens could take the breath away from any young brave with just a look or a casual smile. Both girls were slightly taller than the other women of their tribe as well with pleasing figures, and that also appealed to the young bucks. In spite of Tanta's reputation as a loaner and a woman guided by crazy spirits, her sister and her had many suitors. But White Dove only had eyes for Running Bear and Tanta only had eyes for Dark Crow. In the years that followed Tanta's procurement of her medicine bundle from her father, she had followed his instructions faithfully and had learned with much difficulty the language of the white man from Little Flute...Even though she could not see any use for it. Their wasn't a white man within many moons ride from their village, and it wasn't likely that her powerful tribe would allow them to approach any closer to this their sacred land. She now always concealed her powers as well, never forgetting the words her father had told her that day on the hill. When she was alone or in her secret place, she would test herself, and she found that her powers had grown as she had grown, but she was always careful to keep her true powers a secret from others. Still, she was taunted and scorned by some of the other young people of her tribe, and even some of those who should know better. To all, her nickname was Crazy Squaw, but few had the courage to call her that directly to her face, with the possible exception of War Eagle. Every time the biting words of her enemies and even some of her friends were simply more than she could bare, she would remember Little Flutes words. "They fear what they don't understand." This would calm her and she would remember that she had a purpose. Her father had revealed that to her, and he never lied. She felt she had a purpose too, but as of yet she couldn't comprehend it, and she certainly didn't see any path to follow. Still, when she was alone, she would pray to her sacred amulets, and she even attempted a few vision quests, but her spirit guide had never revealed himself to her. During this time, Little Flute had taught her the secret arts of healing and the identification and use of the herbs that she needed in this pursuit. As the ensuing years passed, Little Flute and her became very close and Tanta often thought of her like a second mother. She just didn't have the heart to tell Little Flute that she didn't desire to become the medicine woman of the tribe when it was Little Flute's time to journey on to the Great Spirit. She kept this secret from her friend always. She knew it would make her mentor sad, and she didn't want to be the cause of any discomfort to her friend in the days she had remaining to her. Still it troubled her greatly. She didn't like living a lie. Her father ordered her to learn all that she could, that day on the hill, and that is what she did. She just hoped her spirit guide would reveal himself sooner than later and show her the true path. One day during her sixteenth summer, tragedy struck. Her father was killed by a large Crow raiding party while he was out hunting with a small band far from camp. The news made Tanta's life come crashing down around her. The one person that she truly loved was now gone from her life forever. He would no longer be there to guide her and instruct her and to give her his total love. As the other braves carefully carried his body back to the village, Tanta was startled to find that his horse had been stolen and his medicine bundle was gone as well. Some Indian obviously wanted to steal his power and his magic and make it his own. The next day, the great warriors body was consumed by flames on a large funnel pyre while the other members of the tribe stood silently behind Tanta, her mother, and her sister. As all who gathered offered up silent prayers to the Great Spirit, Tanta boldly stepped forward and with a clear strong voice offered up her own prayer to the great spirit, in her father's own words. They were the words he had used when he felt humble or when he talked about the happy hunting ground. "Oh Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds, And whose breath gives life to all the world-hear me. I come before you, one of your children. I am small and weak. I need your strength and wisdom. Let me walk in beauty and let my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset. Make my hands respect the things you have made, my ears sharp to hear your voice. Make me wise, so that I may know the things you have taught my people, the lesson you have hidden in every leaf and rock. I seek strength not to be superior to my brothers, but to be able to fight my greatest enemy, MYSELF. Make me ever ready to come to you, with clean hands and straight eyes, so when life fades as a fading sunset, my spirit may come to you without shame." Tanta's mother and sister started to weep while the fire consumed him, but not Taunta. The Eagle must be strong . And while she too watched her father take his final journey, Tanta vowed to some day avenge her fathers death and to add his sacred objects to her own medicine bundle. She just didn't have any idea how she was going to keep that vow. She said a silent prayer to her spirit guide to help her on this quest. She wasn't sure what animal or spirit her guide would turn out to be, but for some reason she saw the image of a lone wolf in her mind. It was walking very slowly up a large hill. She recognized the hill immediately as her father's secret place. The wolf stopped, turned and regarded her for a moment, then continued on. To be continued... In the next chapters, Tanta finds true love...for a short time. Then defying many, Tanta claims her right in the tribe and starts to hunt and fight with the other braves as they defend the tribe against the Crows, and she has her first visions as well..setting her inevitably on the path she must follow. The poem that Tanta said at her fathers funeral was written by an Indian named Yellow Hand. He was a great Sioux chief.