Savage Splendor (Savage Lagonda 2)

by Constance O'Banyon

  Mara waved the dried meat aside. She was not hungry. Lately the thought of food had made her feel nauseous, and she had begun to wonder if she might be expecting a baby, but had decided that her upset stomach came from the sameness of her diet. She thought how good a piece of deer meat that had been roasted over a campfire would taste. She would even settle for a rabbit, she thought wistfully.

  Mara made her way to the robe and sat down wearily. Falon offered her a corncake, but Mara shook her head. "You look pale, my queen. Are you feeling well?" Falon asked in concern.

  "It must be the heat, Falon. I will be fine once we reach the other side of the river."

  The two girls sat down beside Mara and looked at her with concern written on their faces. Seeing this, Mara laughed.

  "Please, I am fine. Do not concern yourselves and please do not say anything to Palomas. You know how he fusses. He would only insist we camp on this side of the river."

  A shadow fell across Mara's face and she glanced up to see Palomas standing over her.

  "What is it that they were not supposed to tell me, Mara?" he asked.

  "Your hearing is too keen. Some things are not meant for your ears, Palomas."

  "Am I to take that as a compliment?" he asked smiling slightly.

  Mara's laughter bubbled out. "Of course. How else would I mean it?" she replied, giving him a mischievous grin and hoping he had not overheard that she was not feeling well. "Tell me, will we be able to cross without making rafts?"

  Palomas lifted his head and stared at the river. His craggy face was in profile to Mara, and she felt love for this man who always stood in harm's way for her. He was as dear to her as her brother Jeffery. She knew he would not cross the river until he was sure there would be no danger to her.

  "I have sent some of the warriors across the river to determine if we shall need a raft. There is something that is causing me some concern and I will want to wait and see what happens. I think we should camp on this side of the river."

  "But why? There are still several hours of daylight left."

  "Mara, look to the mountains. There are rain clouds hanging over them. If it has been raining in the mountains, there could be a heavy run-off that will swell the river, making it impossible to cross until the river recedes."

  "I do not see—"

  "Mara," he interrupted. "The river may look calm at the moment, but within moments it could become a raging torrent, with the run-off."

  "If that is the case should we not cross now? I do not want to waste any more time than is necessary," Mara said.

  "We shall see," he told her absentmindedly, and Mara knew from experience it would do no good to press him. Palomas would cross the river when and only when he thought it safe for her. It did not matter to him that she was queen. He always had the final decision concerning her safety.

  Mara looked toward the mountains and could tell it was indeed raining hard. She stood up, knowing if they did not hurry, they would be caught on this side of the river, losing perhaps two or even three days before the swollen river would recede. She set her chin stubbornly. This time she would take the decision for crossing the river out of Palomas's hands. She walked purposefully toward her horse, took the reins from Matio and vaulted onto her horse's back.

  "We cross the river now," she told a startled Matio, who quickly mounted his horse. It would never occur to him to disobey his queen. .

  Palomas did not see Mara's intention until it was too late. By the time he mounted his horse, Mara and Matio were already in deep water. Palomas urged his mount into the water, fearing he would not be able to reach Mara in time.

  Mara turned her head and gave him an impish smile. But the look he gave her in return clearly showed his displeasure. Matio kept a wary eye on her, ready to help her if she needed him. There were warriors on both sides of the river, watching them make the crossing. Palomas's anger was boundless as he urged his mount onward. Looking upriver, he was the first to see the wall of water that rushed toward them.

  Mara and Matio were midway across the river when she heard the sound of rushing water. Looking up, she saw the swollen river water as it rushed downstream toward them at unbelievable speed. The churning torrent carried with it debris and uprooted trees. Mara chided herself for acting with such foolhardiness. It might be possible for her and Matio to reach the safety of the other shore, but what about Palomas? Would there be time for him to escape the destructive wall of water that was sweeping everything along in its path?

  Mara pulled her horse up and turned back to look at Palomas. Matio, seeing it was her intention to go back to Palomas, grabbed her reins and pulled her forward. Time seemed suspended as Mara glanced at the opposite shore, which was still a great distance from them. She saw the warriors plunge into the water and swim toward her with powerful strokes.

  The roar of the water was deafening, and Mara realized none of them would reach shore before the floodwaters were upon them. Her old fear of water returned. In a flash she remembered the time she would have drowned had not Tajarez saved her. After they had married he had insisted that she learn to swim. She was not a strong swimmer and she knew she would never be able to swim in the raging floodwaters. She was aware of the effort Palomas was making to reach her but she knew he would never reach her in time.

  Mara saw Matio plunge into the water. He swam around to her side and held his arms up to her. "I will save you, my queen," he shouted. "Come to me.

  She had a firm grip on her horse's mane and did not intend to let go. "I cannot, Matio, save yourself," she yelled to make herself heard above the noise of the raging waters.

  Matio grabbed her horse's bridle, which was trailing in the water, and pulled himself up. He then pried her hands loose from the horse's mane, pulling her into his arms, and Mara felt the water close over her head before she was lifted up by Matio.

  Mara felt great fear, which she knew she must overcome if Matio was to save them both. She had no time to think as the full impact of the floodwaters hit her and Matio and tossed them end over end. Mara could feel herself being dragged under, and she felt her lungs would burst from want of air. Even in her fear she thought of the many who might die because of her stubbornness and willfulness. She thought of Tajarez, and knew she must fight to live. It would destroy Tajarez if she were to die. In so many ways he needed her, and this gave her the courage she needed to fight to live.

  She felt Matio's arms about her waist as he swam toward the surface with her. She kicked her feet to help him all she could. When they cut through the surface Mara gulped in a deep breath of air. The current was so swift that they had been carried a long way from the point of impact.

  Matio strained his muscles to the limit to keep Mara's head above water. The strain on him was great and he could feel his strength ebbing. He knew if he did not find something for them to hang on to he might not be able to keep her afloat for much longer. He saw an uprooted tree not five feet behind them. With his last ounce of strength he pulled Mara out of the way just as the tree swept past. Grabbing onto a branch with one hand while his other hand encircled Mara's waist, he pushed her against the tree and pinned her body against the rough bark with his own body.

  Mara leaned her head against his shoulder, too exhausted to even speak. The danger was not over, but for the moment they were safe. Mara raised her head and searched for Palomas. She strained her eye, but could see no sign of him. Her spirits plunged as she saw his riderless horse. The animal was dead and was bobbing up and down in the churning waters. Hot tears scalded her water-soaked face.

  "I have killed him. I have killed Palomas," she cried, only to have her cry carried away by the sound of the raging floodwaters.

  Matio knew he would have to get Mara to shore quickly, because the swift current was tearing at his arm muscles. He feared he could lose his hold on Mara at any moment.

  "Do not despair, my queen, I shall save you," he said against her ear. He could feel her slight body tremble and he felt great love for h
er at that moment. He knew it was wrong to love the wife of the king, but no one would ever know but himself. Looking up, he saw a point where the river narrowed, just before it emptied into a larger river, and he knew he must save her before they reached that point. He noticed several large trees growing beside the river, their branches extending across the river at its narrowest point. If he could grab one of the overhanging branches he might be able to pull Mara to safety.

  Matio pulled Mara away from the tree she had been clinging to and swung her around to his back. "Grab on to my neck and hold on tightly," he yelled, hoping to make himself heard above the churning waters.

  Mara grasped his neck as her only lifeline. She could see that his intention was to grab the low-hanging branches and tried to relax so he could swim more easily.

  Matio thought his arms would be torn from their sockets as he extended himself and reached for a branch. His hands were slippery and wet, and the bark of the tree cut into the palm of his hand. Mara's weight was slight, but now she was twice as heavy. He felt his grip slipping and swung his body around so he could grip the branch with both hands. Moments passed as they were suspended above the floodwaters. By pure strength of will, Matio knew, he would save her or lose his life trying.

  Mara reached over her head and grabbed on to the branch, relieving Matio of some of her body weight. He was then able to swing his legs over the branch and pull her to safety. The branch dipped drunkenly with the combined weight of both their bodies, and Matio knew he must get her to the ground before it snapped. Holding her tightly in his arms, he inched toward the trunk of the tree.

  It seemed to Mara that it had been hours since the whole ordeal had begun, but in truth it had been only the space of a few minutes. She could not bear to think that she had caused the whole thing, that because of her, many must have lost their lives this day. A dark curtain seemed to descend over her mind. Matio had jumped to the ground and held his arms up to her.

  "Come to me. I will not let you drop," he said.

  Mara did as he asked and she landed in his arms. He held her tightly in his arms and could feel the trembling of her slight body. The ground they were standing on was a good six feet below the cliff bank. It looked as if at some time in the far distant past a giant earthquake had broken this part of the land away from the rest of the shore. They would have to find a way to reach the top.

  Mara raised her face and looked at Matio sadly. She knew the only reason she was not dead was because he would not allow her to give up. "You saved my life, Matio."

  "Would that I could always stand between you and harm, my queen."

  She touched his face softly, and saw the look of adoration in his eyes. "Oh, Matio, I fear because of me many lost their lives this day."

  "I do not think anyone has lost his life, my queen. A Lagonda warrior is taught to swim and to survive under much worse circumstances."

  "You are only trying to make me feel better. I saw Palomas's horse and it was dead. I could not bear it if ... if he . . ."

  "Palomas knew as I did that to stay on his horse would mean his death. The flying hoofs would have been very dangerous. He would have gone into the water as we did."

  "I pray it is so, Matio."

  "Look, my queen! I see Palomas! There he reaches for the branch that overhangs the water," Matio said excitedly.

  Mara watched as Palomas grabbed for the tree branch and hauled himself up out of the water. Her heart was racing and she wanted to run to Palomas as he dropped down beside her.

  "I was frightened you had drowned," she cried as she threw herself into his arms.

  He dislodged her hands and pushed her roughly away from him. "I am very angry with you, Mara. You acted unwisely, and are fortunate that you still live. Take heed that I will not tolerate such behavior in the future."

  "You dare to speak to the queen in such a manner?" Matio said, not knowing that on many occasions Palomas had shown Mara how displeased he was with her, and no one had dared object, least of all Mara.

  Palomas's face became a mask of fury as he faced Matio. "I charge you with the fault, Matio. You should have prevented her from trying to make the crossing. You knew it was dangerous."

  "I obey my queen, which is more than I can say for you. I will not stand here and listen to you insult her as if she were a child," the daring, foolish young warrior declared.

  Matio had no time to defend himself as a strong hand shot out and grabbed him by the throat.

  "I should kill you for what you did," Palomas hissed.

  Mara, knowing Palomas's strength, tried to wedge her body between the two men. "Release him, Palomas. It is I who am at fault."

  Suddenly Mara heard two gunshots ring out simultaneously. She saw Palomas release his hold on Matio with a look of disbelief on his face. "Mara," he whispered as he reached out to her and then stumbled backwards to fall into the churning waters below.

  "He has been shot, Matio. Did you see the blood on his chest?" she screamed, but when she looked back to Matio, she saw that his face was covered with blood. Reaching out her hand to him she watched as he crumpled at her feet, face down.

  On the inside Mara was screaming in agony, but no sound issued from her mouth, and she could hear nothing above the raging floodwaters that carried Palomas's body downstream. Her beloved Palomas was dead. She dropped to her knees and tried to turn Matio over. She heard him groan and knew he was badly injured.

  Matio tried to rise, and, getting halfway up, fell backwards. Through a haze of pain he saw the two white men making their way down the side of the bank. Mara was making whimpering sounds as she tried to pull him to his feet. "Get up, Matio, get up," she cried. Clasping her hands together she saw they were covered with blood.

  "Oh, God no!" she screamed. Darkness was closing in around her and she tried to hold it at bay. Her mind could not accept what she had just witnessed. Palomas and Matio were both dead and she, who was the cause of their deaths, was still alive. "No! No!" she screamed and her voice echoed and reechoed around the surrounding canyons. Something inside Mara's mind snapped and she fell to her knees.

  She reached for the golden medallion that hung about her neck and pulled on it until it came loose in her hand. She felt as if a dense fog was closing in on her and everything was spinning around in her head. She slumped forward in total darkness, thinking and feeling nothing. She was surrounded by shadows, and her mind retreated behind a dark curtain.

  5

  I seek who I am, I cried out in despair.

  My cry went unheeded, as it danced on the air.

  The two trappers made their way down the embankment and stood over Matio's body.

  "Damned thieving redskin," the eldest of the two replied as he kicked Matio with the toe of his boot. "He ain't gonna cause anyone no trouble no more."

  The other man was examining Mara. "Lookie here, Jake, she is passed out cold, but she don't seem to be hurt none."

  "Lucky for her we came along when we did," the man called Jake spoke up. "She sure is a pretty little thing, ain't she?"

  "Damn me, Jake we done went and saved her from the two savages that were fighting over her. We best get her out of here before any more of them red-devils shows up."

  Tajarez looked around the anteroom and motioned for the wife of Unat to come forward. "I know you have been told of how bravely your husband died. Nothing we can say can bring him back to you, but I share your grief. I have known him since he and I were young boys, and I shall miss him."

  Unat's widow raised her head proudly and looked her king steadily in the eyes. "I, as his wife, feel pride in the way he died, my king. I know if he could speak to us from beyond the grave he would say to us that he lived the way he died, with honor and bravery."

  "It is so, Balon. I am told that he was buried with gold that the queen gave him," Tajarez told her.

  The woman bowed her head, and when she looked up Tajarez saw tears sparkle in her eyes. "I had not been told that he was buried with the gold, my king, I tha
nk you for the honor."

  "Balon, I know that it was difficult for you to come here today, but, as a friend of your husband's more than as your king, I want you to know you will be provided for. The queen has sent word that there was no fear in Unat's heart when he met his death. As the widow of a brave warrior who found death protecting his queen, you shall receive the death duties, which should keep you and your daughter in comfort for as long as you live."

  Balon dropped to her knees and lowered her head. "It is good, my king. I am honored."

  Tajarez stood up and offered the woman his hand and helped her to her feet. "May the Great Father comfort you in your sorrow, Balon," he said as he led her over to Sasha. "Sasha will find a woman to go with you to your home and see that you have all that you need, Balon."

  Sasha led Balon away and Jeffery moved to Tajarez's side. "My lord, Tajarez, did I hear correctly? Was Unat slain protecting Mara from a rabid wolf?"

  "Yes. It seems he died in her stead."

  "I wish she were safely with David now; anything could happen to her. No matter how good the protection is something can always go wrong."

  Tajarez tried to close his mind. He did not want to hear his own fears spoken aloud by his brother-in-law. When he had been told about Mara's experience with the wolf, he had died a thousand deaths thinking she had almost lost her life.

  "It does no good to speak of this, Jeffery. Is there not something you should be doing now?"

  "You sent for me."

  Tajarez looked beyond Jeffery to the gold sheeting on the wall. His footsteps were soundless, the golden sandals made no noise as he walked across the room. When he reached the stairs that led up to his room he turned back to Jeffery.

  "I did send for you, but I have changed my mind."

  Jeffery watched Tajarez climb the stairs, wondering what he had wanted with him.

  Tajarez walked toward the nursery, glad that his common sense had returned. When he had first heard about the rabid wolf, he was prepared to send out a large party of warriors to guard Mara on her return trip. Seeing Balon, who had just lost her husband, standing so bravely before him made Tajarez feel shame. He, like his father before him, must appear above such weakness. At least outwardly.