by Rita Karnopp
Damn good thing news of seeing a white woman with the Blackfeet at the rendezvous, fitting Sarah's description, filtered through the gossip vines before he left the fort. Could have been chasing Indians all the way back to Sioux country, the opposite direction of Three Forks.
Melody's story had been believable. The Sioux let her go because everyone thought Sarah had died. She must have survived the stabbing. Surely the Sioux must have traded her to the Blackfeet. Giles thought about Melody's hopeful expression and round, honest eyes. He'd have believed her story, like everyone else, but he knew the truth. Melody didn't want Sarah to return to Fort Bryson anymore than him. Melody didn't want the good people to know she carried René's bastard child.
They were off the Three Forks trail, to meet with Enos, but he'd waste no time going after Sarah once he'd settled things with the boys.
Damn, he'd been enjoying seeing that old Indian suffer. When he'd paid those two low-life recruits to cause an accident, he couldn't have picked better. Several times he'd been tempted to finish the old guy off; in his weakened condition it would have been easy. But he'd been enjoying the Indian's misery too much to end it all.
"Rock of Ages..." Giles whistled beneath his breath. "Don't worry, Mother. I won't let Sarah ruin things. You'll see. I have enough money to build you the finest house in Wyoming territory, just like you wanted. We'll show those snobs what a fine lady you are, and how resourceful your son is. You just watch me make them pay." Giles suddenly realized he'd been talking a might too loud. He glanced around, relieved no one had noticed.
He continued pacing, irritated; Enos and Farley were late. The distant sound of a couple horses coming their way gave him hope they'd finally arrived.
"What, the fancy blue boys here?"
"Shut up, Enos," Giles shouted, before he could say more. "We need to talk. Leave Farley here to keep our two tenderfoots company. Why you late?"
"Had ta dodge a couple of Injuns," Enos inched his horse toward Giles.
He watched Farley's finger grow itchy on the trigger of his old rifle. "Farley," Giles said, mounting his horse. "Take your finger off of there before you forget yourself and shoot someone. You're so damn nervous I get edgy just watching you." Giles looked up at Jim and Buck. "Sit a spell while Enos and I talk some business. Pay no attention to Farley. He gets a bit jumpy when he gets near cavalrymen." Giles hoped his laugh sounded more like a warning, than humor.
"What's the two scalawags along fer?" Enos asked, dismounting a fair piece from the camp.
Giles remained quiet for an extra second, searched the area, then swung to the ground. "Remember that gal I told you about, the General's daughter?"
"Sure. Far's I recollect she had the goods on you until you got that there French fella to kidnap her."
"Well, the other girl, Melody, that went with the René made it back to the fort. I had a long, convincing talk with the girl, seems her story is a might different than what she told the fine people at the fort. Appears Sarah willingly left with the Sioux, some kind of banter with the bucks to let Melody go."
"It 'pears to me you gots yourself a heap of trouble. You think this here filly is gonna make her way back to the fort, too?"
Giles paced back and forth. "That's just it. Word came today that a woman, fitting Sarah's description, was seen in the Blackfeet camp at Three Forks. You know how damn close that is? General Bryson still suspects nothing. He let me go after his daughter. Sent along two greenhorns that couldn't spot a piss trail if they had to. I want you to come and help me watch them two and get us to Three Forks without gettin' lost or killed by a passel of Indians."
"What about the shipment?"
"Send Farley back to the boys. I got the date and route, just like I said I would. Couldn't have worked out better. Trail Walker has been trying to prove I'm connected somehow with the attacks. No way he'd believe I planned the attack when I'm half across the country rescuing his daughter."
"You ain't gonna bring her back to the fort, are you?"
"No, can't say I will. I think our Blackfeet Indians will attack us, killin' those greenhorns and the General's daughter, my financée . Will be tragic, but the harsh realities of the west."
"You's a sly one, Giles Rutledge. How do we get word for the boys to attack us?"
"Tell Farley to move the camp to Mule Creek Junction. Have him post a guard at the lookout and when we come through, they'll spot us in time to set up the Indian attack. If we hurry, we can get back with Sarah about the same time that supply shipment is due. Indians will attack us, then the cavalry. Damn, couldn't have planned it better myself."
"I gots to admit, it sounds good. Appears to me there's gonna be a heap of trouble lessen we promise the boys some kind of reward for doing this thing."
"I suppose you're right, Enos. Have Farley give them each fifty dollars now and another fifty when the job's done. That ought to please them."
"No doubts 'bout it. I ain't took with the idea of goin' after that filly, but can't see as I got much choice on the matter."
"Have Farley looking for us in about...shit, I don't know...how long you figure it'll take us to get the girl and get back to Mule Creek Junction?" He twirled his mustache thoughtfully between his fingers.
"If'n we push hard goin' and comin' back, maybe abouts," he spit a stream of brownish liquid on the ground, "twelve days."
"That'd be just about right. Might even get there early. You sure we can trust Farley?"
Enos shifted the chew in his mouth. "Shucks, 'taint to doubt 'bout it. Farley, he's kin. You wants somethin' done, kin's the only ways ta go, if'n you can't do it yourself."
"Rock of Ages..." Giles whistled.
"Damn it, Giles," Buck shouted, "I'm plain sick of that song. I'm beginning to hear it in my sleep. Enos, you sure we're headed in the right direction of this rendezvous?"
"I might not be too anxious to question me, if'n I was you. Spent nigh on eight years in this territory. Sorta makes me an expert, wouldn't you say? You fret worse than a woman. 'Sides, last year them Blackfeet set up their camp several miles this side of Three Forks. The men are out of camp nearly all day and late into the night, busy playin' games, gamblin' and tradin'."
"Is that smoke I see," Jim asked, pointing ahead. "Isn't that a rider coming our way?"
Giles held up his hand, everyone stopped behind him. He watched the rider come closer.
"Damn! One fine lookin' Blackfeet female. Think I'll have me a little taste of that one!" Enos licked his lips, leaving a trail of tobacco.
"Keep your pants on, Enos. We're here to get Sarah. You take that maiden and we'll have the entire Blackfeet village on our tails." The dark-haired beauty brought her horse to within several feet of them, stopped and sat staring at them. "Enos, go talk to her, see what she wants."
"Hell, don't look at me. Can't speak a lick of Blackfeet. Sioux, Crow, that's another matter. Blackfeet don't take too kindly to white folk. I stays clear of them."
Jim pressed his horse forward. "Why have you come?" he asked the woman in Blackfeet. He noticed her eyes sparkled like an excited child.
"You white men from fort?"
"Yes. Why do you ask," Jim inched in a little closer. The girl stretched, looking around the area, then turned her attention back to him.
"I know where a white woman lives. You take her back to fort and Laughing Eyes will be rid of her."
"What does this white woman look like?" Jim asked, anxious to hear.
"White woman turns the heads of many warriors, including mine. She has eyes the color of the sky and hair that flows long like a waterfall of sun. My people call her Whispering Sun."
"What she saying?" Giles demanded.
Jim turned toward the other men and told them what the Indian girl said.
"Sounds like a trap ta me. Whys she trying to get rid of this white woman?" Enos asked, staring at the bronze beauty.
"I think this maiden's man has eyes for Sarah."
"Ask her to be sure," Giles said.
"Why do you want us to take this white woman?" Jim asked. The soft features of the woman turned quickly to reveal hatred. White woman stole my man. You take her back to fort, my man will beg for me to be his wife. Now good time to come. I will show you where Whispering Sun is."
Jim turned around in the saddle. "Pure case of jealousy. She'll show us the way. What do you think?"
"I think we're God-damned lucky this girl has a twitch for her warrior. Ask her what tipi we'll find Sarah in," Giles ordered.
"What tipi will Whispering Sun be in?" Jim asked, then listened. Turning toward Giles, Jim said, "Sarah's in a tipi that has a painting of a red man on one side, and the painting of a man in white on the other side. In the center of the tipi, above the door, is a large yellow sun. It is a tipi of honor, given by the tribe council."
"I don't give a shit about the tipi, just if Sarah's there. Tell the girl to show us the way, and be quick about it. The sooner we get our tails away from here, the better chance we'll have of keeping our hair."
Jim turned back and told the girl. "Show us to this tipi. We will take the white woman with us." He watched a smile spread across her beautiful face. She turned her pony and sped off, wasting no time.
* * *
Still in a dreamy state, Whispering Sun stared out the tipi smoke flap, watching the stars high in the sky. They looked down and winked at her, telling her secrets about the future.
"Your strength and desire to live will soon be tested," a bright star told her.
Glancing to an even brighter star, Whispering Sun paused. "You should hide from the village. Make everyone believe you have run away. There is much danger if you stay," it told her.
A third star twinkled, as though calling her to hear a great secret. "You will return to your white people, my Blackfeet princess. They will not want you, and you will feel much sadness. Do not let your pride stand in your way of the love in your heart. Follow your heart or you will live in sadness for all of eternity."
"Whispering Sun! Whispering Sun! Nepo-aka. Nepo-aka."
Startled, she opened her eyes, finding bright sunlight instead of the night's sky. Otter Woman knelt beside her. Fear spoke from behind dark eyes. "What is the matter, Mother? What has made you so afraid?"
"Its-skat-sit," she said, looking at the tipi flap.
Whispering sun rose to her elbow in time to see a large, red-haired man enter the tipi.
Otter Woman grabbed Whispering Sun's arm, shivering against her.
"Sarah! It is you!"
She felt his sharp eyes boring into her. She watched him look around the tipi, disgust washed over his expressions. "Leave, Giles. I don't want to be rescued. I will stay here. Leave and forget you ever saw me." She knew it sounded strange, even impossible to believe, but she would not go back to the fort, unless they took her tied and screaming. She watched him work his curled, waxed mustache. A cruel smirk twisted into his smile, she prepared herself for his vile tongue.
"So, you like being a squaw? Should have known. Too good for the likes of me, but an Indian you'd bed. You're lower than a whore!"
Staring at the man before her brought back all the lost feelings of disgust and loathing she'd felt for him. "I won't go with you. I belong here. Leave. There is nothing for me at Fort Bryson. This is where I belong."
"Oh, but you're wrong. When we get back to the fort, you and I are going to be married. I'm tired of waiting for you, love. I'm going to bed you all the way back to Fort Bryson. By the time we return home, you'll be begging me to marry you, if not for the good times, at least for my last name for your bastard! I told you a long time ago, I will have you, one way or another. I almost missed out on tasting what you have to offer."
"You're despicable. I won't go with you. I hate you, Giles Rutledge. I'd prefer my Indian husband over you any day or night!"
"You'll regret those words, Sarah. I'll make you plead for my forgiveness. You have five minutes to get yourself ready for travel. I suggest you use that time wisely. Come outside in five minutes or I'll come in and get you. You can either leave dressed, or naked. Doesn't matter to me. If you refuse, I'll make sure some of these savages die trying to protect you. You understand my meaning?"
Whispering Sun nodded, afraid to think what he might do to those she'd grown to love.
Otter Woman rose and faced Giles. "You leave. Whispering Sun belong with us. She is Blackfeet. She not want to live with white man. Go. You are bad to come."
Giles didn't understand her Blackfeet gibberish, but he did understand her facial and hand gestures enough to know he'd been told to leave. He lashed out at her, striking the old, weathered face with the palm of his hand.
Otter Woman fell back, landing on top of Whispering Sun. Pulling the old woman against her, Whispering Sun glared at Giles. "You beast. She's but an old woman. Are you such a coward that you find pleasure in striking down women, old ones at that?"
"Find yourself lucky I didn't do the same to you. Keep that sharp tongue in your mouth, Sarah. When I've had enough of it, you'll regret every word you've ever said to me. It's amazing what a knife can do to a tongue."
She glared at him, holding a sobbing Otter Woman against her chest. She watched his tall figure turn, then stoop through the tipi opening.
"She's here. We leave in five minutes. Where the hell did Enos go?"
Whispering Sun listened, afraid what the men outside might do.
"Followed that Indian squaw that led us here. She seemed to encourage him to follow."
"Fool. Damn fool. Jim, find his horse, let him know we leave in five minutes, with or without him is his choice." Giles twirled his mustache. He felt excited. Damn, Sarah looked good. He hated thinking of her rolling with an Indian buck. Damn! He should have taken her a long time ago. He'd show her a good time. Teach her what a man was all about, not some rutting buck. He glanced down at his pocket watch. "Three minutes, love," he called out, snickering beneath his breath. "Rock of Ages..." he whistled. Damn he felt like going back in that tipi and taking her right now. He looked around, the growing crowd of women and naked Indian youngins caused him concern. He'd wait.
Placing her hand on Otter Woman's already swollen cheek, Whispering Sun hugged her. "I am sorry, Amunis Ahki. Does it hurt much?"
"Sa! Mitsikiwa."
"What do you mean, it was nothing? It was terrible and it was my fault. I thank you for what you tried to do for me. We both know I must go with these white men. If I do not, they will hurt you or the others if I refuse. I could not live with myself if Giles hurt anyone because of me. Tell Two Shadows I love him. Tell him I will remain his wife. Tell him not to come to the fort for me. I will try to escape. If he comes after me, they will kill him. Do you understand?" Whispering Sun asked, trying to ignore the tear brimmed eyes that stared back at her.
"I will miss my daughter of blue eyes. I will miss your happy song. I will miss teaching you all that you want to know. I will wait for you to return to me, daughter. My heart is heavy to have you leave, Whispering Sun."
She loved hearing her Indian name. It linked happiness, Two Shadows, acceptance, and all that she held dear. Sarah? She did not want to be Sarah. What choice did she have? Was this how Two Shadows felt when he had to become the white man? Yes. She understood how he felt the day he put on the buckskins of the white man. She understood how he felt, and hated it, as he did.
Looking around the tipi, she reached absently for her work tunic.
"No, my daughter. Dress in your finest. Let the white man see your pride. Show them there is honor and beauty in your heart.
Otter Woman handed her the white wedding dress. She took it, pulling it over her head with haste.
"One minute!" Giles growled.
Glancing at her mother, Whispering Sun pulled on her white, matching moccasins. She allowed the old woman to pull her hair back, working it in a single braid down her back, them tying it off with Two Shadow's wing bone.
"Get out here, or I'm coming in after you!" Giles shouted.
"I am coming," she answered in a stained voice. She pulled on the leather ties around her neck, lifting Two Shadow's gift, settling the necklace outside her tunic. She would leave her tipi a proud and brave Blackfeet woman. She would not disgrace Two Shadows by acting like a coward.
"Your time is up," Giles shouted at her from the tipi entrance. "Even if you can't hear me, surely that wrinkled old squaw can tell you I've been calling for you."
He didn't know she had her hearing back. Of course he didn't! She wanted to tell him Otter Woman was not a wrinkled, old squaw. She was a proud, loving Blackfeet woman, who had more strength, love and caring in her heart than he could even imagine. Sarah said nothing, not wanting to encourage him to strike out at Otter Woman again.
Whispering Sun emerged from the tipi with her head held high. Each step took her further away from the home she'd grown to love. Each step further away from the people she'd grown to love. Each step further away from a life she'd considered close to perfect. Each step further away from the man she loved.
"I told you to prepare yourself for traveling back to Fort Bryson. You look like a God-damned Indian! What do you call that thing you're wearing? Don't you have a dress to wear, Sarah?" Giles asked, stomping his boot heal into the ground.
"This is my best dress, Giles. It is my marriage dress and I'm proud to wear it. We have no need for white women's clothes here. If you wanted me to leave wearing something other than this, you should have brought it with you. My name is Whispering Sun, use it!" He back-handed her before she had a chance to dodge his attack. The stinging blow knocked her against Giles's horse.
"Hold on one minute," Buck shouted, rushing to Sarah's side.
She looked up, surprised to see her old friend. "Buck! I should have guessed you'd have volunteered to come after me. It's good to have a friend along."
"How nice. You can show me your appreciation tonight, love." Giles snickered, looking her over.
"Go to hell, Giles!" she stated, stepping back before he could slap again.
