Native Concession - chapter 2 - Swan Valley

in Web Novels3 years ago

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(previously...)

2

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Sarah Martin stepped out of the maroon minivan, her ears already hurting from the din of wailing and drumming. The drumming wasn’t too bad, but the wailing!

“You’ll get used to the singing,” Rachael reassured.

“I’m not sure that I want to!” Sarah complained as the taller woman led her towards some wooden bleachers that surrounded a small grassy makeshift arena. The seats were rapidly filling with people of all colors, shapes and sizes.

“Give them a chance!” Rachael insisted, looking at her, then leading onward again.

“Come on, Mom!” Jackie cried, pulling on her arm. “I want to watch!”

Jake was equally excited, his green eyes completely lit up in anticipation of whatever Scott had been saying the entire way.

Sarah pushed her doubts aside and tried to feign excitement – for the children… it certainly wasn’t for her!

“Front row!” Rachael directed. “The kids have to see!”

Sarah grumbled, but obeyed, letting the children sit together. She sat behind them next to Rachael.

Seeing the children settled, her attention was drawn to the large group of brightly-costumed Natives dancing in a rhythmic march of sorts, the slow procession leading them around the field. They were in twos or threes, dancing slowly, as if showing off their finest steps well before the contests would begin. The men, women and children were of all shapes and sizes, all wearing bright costumes of some sort or other. There were many feathers, thousands upon thousands of stitched beads, noisy bells and plenty of drums – all thumping out a very primal beat that threatened to speak to Sarah’s very soul if she were to stop ignoring their message.

“We can join in at the end!” Rachael enthusiastically encouraged, pointing out where the audience was joining in at the end of the parade as it wound to an exciting close.

“Go ahead,” Sarah replied.

“But Mom!” Jake ganged up. Jackie grabbed her arm and tugged. “Please!”

Sarah rolled her eyes, but got up, feeling stupid as she tried to copy the simple, but strangely difficult step that the other women were doing.

“That’s it!” Rachael encouraged. “Keep it up and you might catch the eye of a local!”

She rolled her eyes again. There Rachael was, trying to match her up – again! Would it never end?! Sure, it would be nice to put an end to her long, lonely nights, but it wasn’t that important, was it now?

Then, Sarah saw him… a very handsome Native, his long, black straight hair flowing over his nearly bare chest as he danced in the inside curve of the spiral. He had dark skin, a kind face and pleasant dark eyes. He looked at her and nodded some form of approval. Sarah felt her cheeks burn, but forced herself to smile. He returned it, causing her heart to swoon dangerously.

<I’m completely happy being single!> Sarah reminded herself, somehow feeling it was a lie. She continued stepping with the beat, finding herself a little more ‘off’ than she should have been. She might not be Native, but she was musical! Maybe not enough, she realized as she missed another step. It wasn’t that she was watching the handsome man. It couldn’t be!

“Are we almost done?” Sarah asked when she could get closer to Rachael.

“We’ve only just begun!” was the reply as Rachael danced much more gracefully.

“I mean… with… this!”

“Oh, the Grand Entry! Probably!”

The music slowed, as if they had listened to Rachael’s prediction. The announcer broke in over the music to inform the audience that they could sit down again and for the competitors to be ready in the correct order.

“You did pretty well!” Rachael complimented. “I think someone noticed too!”

“I don’t think so,” Sarah replied, her blush giving her away as a liar.

“There’s dinner and dance after the competitions.”

“No!”

“I’m driving!” Rachael reminded with a mischievous grin.

Sarah shook her head, knowing that Rachael was in full control of the situation and would do her share of matchmaking whether it was appreciated or not!

“Sit down. I’m going to buy us some fry bread!”

“Okay,” Sarah replied, feeling giddy with excitement and apprehension. She sat behind the kids and watched the first competition, some of the tiniest of girls, anxiously watched by their mothers and fathers on the sidelines.

“They’re so cute!” Jackie cried out.

“Yes, they are!” Sarah admitted with a smile. Her children had never been able to learn any kind of dance – she couldn’t afford the prices of lessons. She instantly admired these children who were obviously well-taught in this discipline. Didn’t they all live in poverty? How were they more advantaged than her own children?

She watched the girls, but found herself looking around as well. When her eyes stopped , she realized she was looking at the handsome man with the kind eyes again. She let her eyes feast on his dark, muscular arms and his long, black hair. He looked and caught her eyes a moment before she blushed and turned back to watching the children.

“The jingle dress dance is one of my favorites!” Rachael said, joining her.

“What?” Sarah asked, feeling herself jerked back to the present reality. “Oh! Yes. The kids are so cute!”

Rachael laughed, then handed her a large piece of flat bread, dusted in cinnamon sugar. She had handed smaller ones to Scott, Jackie and Jake already. “Who are you watching?”

“No one,” Sarah denied instantly, taking a meaningful bite of the fry bread. It was really good!

“Liar!” Rachael accused just as quickly.

The girls were called off the grassy arena and some young boys took their place. Sarah deliberately watched the kids dance in their feathered splendor and tried not to look at the handsome man, yet her eyes were disobedient and kept straying to him. More than once, she met his gaze and tried desperately not to blush, but her attempts failed each time. The man was too handsome to ignore.

“Just wait until he starts dancing!” Rachael hissed next to her.

Sarah knew that she should find some sort of excuse to leave before then! She needed to go… somewhere… anywhere! She couldn’t risk losing her heart to anyone – especially now! She would watch and admire… then leave before any damage was done! But that meant not making eyes with anyone now!

“His first class is next!” Rachael hissed.

Sarah felt alarmed at the idea that the handsome man would dance more than once. She looked over and felt herself swoon again as she watched the handsome Native join a small number on the arena’s grassy floor. Once more, their eyes met. Then the drums started again.

♥♥♥

Next chapter...

Back to chapter 1

Character Info and Notes

Available to purchase at Books2Read. Print version will be available soon.

THANK YOU to everyone who has purchased one of my books. I appreciate every single one!

Image Credits

Sarah
Genesis 2 Female by DAZ 3D Studio
Simple top by japfap66
Charm Hair by DAZ

Crow
Genesis 2 Male
Abstract Tee by Jimda
Shavonne Hair by Emma and Jordi

Set and Background
Medieval tent by Most Digital Creations
Landscape made on Gaugan


Previous Stories:

Catch up on LBRY.

Location:

Swan Valley is a fictitious American Indian reservation located in the Great Divide Basin of Wyoming, USA. The Neme'o'ng (Swan People) are based on the idea of blending the Shoshoni and Arapaho peoples - as might have happened if they were stranded in a desolate area as a small band of misfits. I have developed their language from the same ideas.


Please read my note on romance, teenage intimate relationships and underage sex. I apologize if my understanding conflicts with your sense of morality, but I'm only looking at things realistically, not ideologically. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing!


Writing and artwork copyright myself 2005-2105 – all rights reserved.
If you are interested in helping me publish these works, please contact me on Facebook or Discord, viking-ventures#2883.



Lori Svensen
author/designer at A'mara Books
photographer/graphic artist for Viking Visual
(Buy my work at RedBubble, TeePublic, PicFair and DeviantArt.)
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