Virginia awoke and squinted her eyes as the sun's rays shined down on her through the opening in the tent. She turned over and pulled the wool blanket over her face. She snoozed for only a second when she remembered what had happened. She threw the covers off and looked at her leg.
It's healed!
There was no blood. There wasn't even a bandage, just a scar where the bullet had passed through. She sat up on her bed for a closer look. She wiggled her toes.
No pain.
She stood up slowly.
No problems at all.
She walked around the room to field test her previous injury.
"It's as if I was never shot!" Virginia exclaimed.
"You will find that Oralmuti is one who desire to heal those whom he love," came a voice from behind in broken English.
Virginia turned around and saw the woman who had sat beside her the other night standing at the tent's entrance.
"Oh, pardon me," said the woman. "I do not mean to frighten you."
She walked over to Virginia. She held Virginia's hiking boots, backpack, and olive-green cloak in her hands.
"My name Dancing Wing," she said. "Here, these your shoes. I had them clean for you—the right one was covered in blood. This your bag. And this for you."
She handed her the boots, the backpack, and the cloak. "It will be a long journey ahead of you both, and you will need these for your trip."
Virginia held her backpack, shoes, and new cloak close to her. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," said Dancing Wing, smiling.
Virginia looked around the room. "How long was I out?"
"Out?" asked Dancing Wing, puzzled.
"Yeah. 'Out.'"
Virginia saw the confusion on Dancing Wing's face. "Oh, sorry. Uh, 'asleep.' How long was I asleep?"
"Oh, okay!" said Dancing Wing, smiling. "Just two days."
Virginia's eyes widened. "Two days?!"
"Yes, Your Highness, but it was good. You needed to rest and let your body recover."
Virginia's eyes stared out into space. She looked up. "Charles! Where is he? Is he here?"
"Who?"
"Charles. You know—uh…"
Virginia closed her eyes. What's his native name? "Soaring Eagle! Is Soaring Eagle still here?"
Dancing Wing's smile widened. "Oh, yes! Soaring Eagle! He has not left front of tent ever since you come in."
"What?"
"He outside, sitting in front of tent. He refuse to leave. He even sleep out there all of two days you were in here. He refuse to move."
Virginia looked past Dancing Wing at the tent flap. He stood out there for two days? "Why? W-why would he do that?"
Dancing Wing's cheeks blushed as she smiled at Virginia. "Your Highness, you not know why he stay out there?"
A quizzical look crossed Virginia's face. She looked at the tent flap once more. Wait a minute… Does he??
She shook her head. "Dancing Wing, why do you call me 'Your Highness'?"
Dancing Wing cocked her head sideways. "Does Starlight not know who she is?"
"Starlight?"
Dancing Wing smiled. "It is name that tribe give you. Because of prophesied star that appeared in sky."
Virginia stared at her, perplexed. The prophesied star? What?
"You bring hope to us!" she continued. "When they see you come into village, the tribe felt a hope that they never thought they would feel. My ancestors long to see you back during their days, but Oralmuti did not bring you back to us then. But you come now! And you come with hope in your eyes during these days of sorrow. The promise fulfilled make all of tribe rejoice and dance and shout for joy."
Virginia remembered the tribal drums, the tambourines, and the people running and shouting in their language. "Was that what that was all about? They were rejoicing when I was carried into the village?"
"Yes!" exclaimed Dancing Wing with a big smile. "They were excited because of the promise of Oralmuti. Starlight, you bring hope to our tribe—a hope that has been long waited for by many Chiefs before our time."
Starlight. I like that name. "My eyes really bring hope to this tribe?"
Dancing Wing smiled. "That not all they do." She pointed her thumb over her shoulder and giggled. "It make him sit outside for two days, too."
She turned around and exited the tent, trying to tame her laughter.
"Wait!" called out Virginia. "Dancing Wing! You didn't answer my question a second ago."
She ran through the tent flap. "Why do you call me 'Your Highness'?"
"You're awake!" came a voice beside her.
She turned around and saw Charles sitting beside the tent, rising to his feet. "You were out for a long time; you had me worried."
Virginia looked at him without a word in response. "W-what were you doing this whole time?"
"Oh, I was sitting here. Waiting."
"Why?"
"I gave you my word, didn't I?"
Virginia lowered her head, smiling. She glanced to her left, trying to find Dancing Wing. "She never answered my question."
"And what was that?"
"Why does she, and everyone else in this tribe so far, call me—"
"Starlight?"
"Well, she told me that reason, but even with that, I don't understand what they mean. They keep saying that I have returned. I've never been here before. How could I have returned to a place I have never been?"
"Nope, you haven't been here before, but I think you will understand them and what they mean in time."
"Is this you being mysterious again?"
"This is me following the orders of Oralmuti. I dare not give away more than he allows me."
He added with a smile and a wink. "Plus…it's fun being mysterious!"
Virginia rolled her eyes. "You're a turd."
Charles laughed. "Maybe, but I think we will both learn why I needed to keep silent in the near future."
Virginia put on her hiking boots and her new olive-green cloak.
"Fine," she said with a smirk. "Have it your way."
"Come," said Charles. "The Chief requests that you see him the moment you are able."
Charles led Virginia through the Indian village. Everywhere she walked, people were working. Some were hanging laundry. Men were tanning skins. Children were chasing each other around the grounds. All of them stopped what they were doing when Virginia walked past them. They smiled at her and respectfully lowered their heads. Children would run nearby, stop, and stare at her, whispering to one another. It was as if a dead silence followed her wherever she walked. She almost felt like she was back at school. She crossed her arms tightly and lowered her head, trying to hide her face.
"They are all staring at me," she whispered to Charles.
"You are the only new hope they have seen in generations," he said. "I would stare, too, if I were them."
"Stare at me for what? Cause I look like I haven't bathed in a week?"
"Nope. Personally, because of those eyes of yours."
Virginia blushed and turned her head away.
In the center of the village, they approached a large tent with two guards posted at the entrance armed with spears and bows. Each guard had a dove resting on their quiver. On the tent was a large arrow painted in red that pointed up toward the sky.
"This is the tent of the Chief of the Naumi," said Charles. "A couple of things to keep in mind, Virginia, which are too important to neglect. When the Chief comes, he may or may not bow his head before you. If he does, you must also return it with a slight bow of your head."
"Is the Chief of a tribe like a god or something?"
Charles looked at her perplexed. "No. Not a god. The Chief has made his covenant with Oralmuti. This Chief would kill any man in this village who declared himself to be a god. But back on track. He will want to talk to you and ask questions about where you are from. Don't be afraid. He's a very nice man."
Virginia wrapped her arms around herself tighter. "Will you be going in with me?"
"No. Not unless he invites me in—which, more than likely, he will not. Tonight, however, we all will dine together for dinner. Then I will be with you when the Chief summons you to sit beside him."
Charles walked past Virginia. "Wait here."
Charles walked up to the two guards and spoke to them in their language. One of the guards stepped inside the tent. Charles walked back towards Virginia and stood behind her. The guard walked out of the tent, followed closely by a tall, older man dressed in a feathered turban and a feather cloak. He wore buckskin pants and a loincloth. His chest was bare but covered with bone necklaces and claws. On his face were painted red lines beneath his eyes. He bowed toward Virginia. As soon as he rose, Virginia bowed her head as Charles had instructed.
"Starlight," said the Chief, extending his hand. "Come. Let us talk and fellowship together."
Virginia slowly walked towards him. He gently placed his hand on her back, leading her into the tent.