Cartier's Ring by Pearson Moore

Author:Pearson Moore
Language: eng
Format: epub

Myeerah

I stand in front of the door skin, not able to decide what to do. I can walk away. That would be the easier thing. Does it matter anymore? I examine the door in front of me. The leather used to have an eagle painted on it, but the artwork has faded after many hard winters. I sigh.

I grasp the door skin and enter the longhouse. At the centre fire, Lunsquat and Towweah sit smoking a pipe. I step toward them and stop three paces away.

Lunsquat motions to the mat in front of me. “Please, Sister, sit with us.”

“You’re kind.” I step forward and sit down on the mat.

I gaze at the smoke coming from Lunsquat’s nostrils and turn my eyes to the small fire in front of me. I search for a good way to say my piece, but I think of nothing. Men are trained in speaking. They don’t even call their speech in council ‘speaking’—they call it ‘elocution.'

Everything for them has a fancy name, and words spill from their tongues like water off a canoe. Women are not so trained, and we use simple words.

I look up again at Lunsquat. “I was disrespectful ten days ago—to both of you.”

Lunsquat nods. His eyes are gentle. “Yes.”

I shift my attention to Towweah. “I will not marry you, but I know you to be a kind and generous man. You will find a good wife.”

Towweah smiles.

Lunsquat lowers the pipe to his lap. “You are becoming a most thoughtful young woman. Many men admire your industry and your spirit. Towweah sees much more in you, of course. He sees a kindness in your spirit, and I begin to see this, too. You are a most pleasant addition to our village.”

We share many kind words, and I return to my longhouse this night with the sure knowledge that I'm accepted in the village. Before I fall asleep, I open my medicine pouch and dig down to the bottom. I run my finger along the smooth edge of the cold metal ring. Captain Cartier said it was a promise. It is a promise I must keep, too. I close up the pouch and dream of a village, a kanata, a city respected far and wide for its grand sachem, Donnacona, and his son, Domagaya. My tears keep the promise.

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