Shalee laughed, then called White Arrow over to her side. She spoke to him in Oglala; they both laughed. In English, she said to Leah, “White Arrow thinks we should place you in the Tipi Sa as punishment for your lies and wickedness. If you refuse to speak the truth, I will suggest this to Running Wolf.”
Shalee couldn’t believe she herself was actually making such malicious threats, but she wanted to terrify Leah into a confession to end her lies and to prevent others. But the gentle-spirited Shalee had been pushed to desperation. She burned to know the truth and to force Leah to voice it aloud. She was outraged by this girl who possessed no conscience, morals, or wisdom.
“What about the child? Such treatment would kill it! You are not that savage or cruel!” Leah confidently announced.
“You have declared bloody war, Leah. In battle, one must fight as fiercely and dirty as one’s enemy. I merely follow your lead.”
“I suppose White Arrow wishes to enjoy my skills first,” she hatefully charged.
“No, Leah. White Arrow would never touch a filthy woman like you. He is much too proud.” Shalee smiled up at White Arrow, who had been her close friend for years.
“Are you and White Arrow only friends?” she scoffed insultingly, enviously eyeing the man at her side.
“Don’t be absurd, Leah!” Shalee admonished the baneful girl. “White Arrow and I have been kodas for many winters,” she unnecessarily explained.
“The truth, Leah?” Shalee refreshed her prior demand.
“No. I think I’ll let you squirm with doubts and suspicions.”
Shalee spoke to White Arrow again, relating her plans to force the truth from Leah and to bring her down. White Arrow nodded agreement, then seized Leah’s arms to drag her into the forest. Leah kicked and screamed, but no one came to her aid, as Shalee had vowed. It was clear the girl was being taken away from camp for some just punishment. Each person calmly returned to his duties.
White Arrow halted to pin Leah to the hard ground before binding her hands and feet to prevent her thrashings. He didn’t bother to gag her, for no one would listen to her words in English and she didn’t know enough Sioux to reveal their plans. They walked a long way off, then stopped. White Arrow dropped Leah to the ground none-too-gently.
“You could harm the child!” she shrieked in rising fear.
“There is no child, Witch!” Shalee shouted back at Leah, her temper unleashed by now.
To White Arrow, Leah appealed about the child’s safety. White Arrow hissed in her face.
“He doesn’t believe you either,” Shalee said. “In fact, he was the first to suggest you were lying. He despises you. He blames himself for giving you to Running Wolf. Nothing would suit him better than to kill you with his bare hands.” Leah glared belligerently at her, fighting to conceal her fear and anxiety.
“Now, Leah, tell me everything you did and plotted.”
“You wouldn’t believe me!” she insolently snorted.
“If you speak the truth I will.”
“You mean if my words agree with your husband’s!”
“They do not have to agree with his, but they will if you tell the truth.”
“I cannot! Gray Eagle and Running Wolf will kill me!”
“If you do not, I will kill you. You have until ten to confess, then your evil tongue will lay in my hand to speak no more lies and inspire no more troubles. One… Two…”
“You can’t do this! They won’t allow it!”
“Who won’t, Leah?”
“Running Wolf and Gray Eagle!”
“But they are not here, are they? Others witnessed your attack upon me. Will I be blamed for protecting myself?” she bluffed the white girl who had nearly devastated her life.
“I wish Sergeant Starnes had stuck his saber into you rather than bash your skull with that rifle! Too bad those two soldiers didn’t have time to rape you like they wanted to do!” she blurted out rashly.
Shalee went rigid. “How do you know he was a sergeant or that there were two of them?” she demanded.
Leah clammed up instantly, then defensively sneered, “I was just babbling! I must have heard someone say it!”
“My God, you actually witnessed my attack and said nothing! You were close enough to hear them speak their names and lethal plans! What if they had slain Bright Arrow? You didn’t even go for help! Just how long did you wait before pouncing upon my husband when you presumed I was dead!” Shalee’s fury mounted.
Leah’s face became defiant. Shalee related the girl’s slips to White Arrow. His deadly rage alarmed Leah as he snatched his knife from the leather sheath at his waist and would have slain her if Shalee hadn’t stopped him. Leah cringed in terror. Had these two gone mad? Would they really do such terrible things to her? Why had she recklessly blurted out the truth? She hastily cautioned herself to guile.
“If you had summoned help, they could have rescued me that day. You wanted me to die, didn’t you? You are worse than even I imagined. Now I see why you were so shocked by my return. You really believed they had killed me that day. Did you cover the evidence? Is that why my trail couldn’t be found? Are there no limits to your hatred and evil? So, my crafty witch, you want me dead…” she murmured thoughtfully, reassessing this perilously devious white captive.
“All right! I saw them attack you and I didn’t run for help! I was afraid they would kill me just because I was white. I pretended to know nothing. I looked after your son. I thought they had killed you.”
“You mean you hoped they had! You are a demon from Hell, Leah Winston, and I will enjoy sending you back again! But first, you will speak the truth for once. Three… Four… Five… Six…” •
The rebellious white girl quivered, but held her silence. “Seven… Eight… Nine… Ten… White Arrow hold her tightly. I will do this deed myself,” she bluffed one last time, wondering what course to take if Leah called it, suspecting she might.
Leah did not. Through gritted teeth with hatred burning in her emerald eyes, she told Shalee nearly everything. But she made certain to insinuate how much each man enjoyed her for a time. The only thing Leah left out was the fact she was not pregnant; that was her final hope for survival. She must find some way to escape, but after she killed this rival in front of her.
Shalee smiled triumphantly, then sneered disdainfully, “Any man would thrill to such pleasures. I will not demand the truth about the child, Leah. I wish to watch you quiver in fear waiting for your monthly to challenge your life and dispel it. You will be watched closely each day for the first sign,” she stated, as if reading Leah’s mind.
“You said you would send me away if I told you everything. Did you lie, too? It is not unknown to be wrong about pregnancy.”
“Wrong, yes; but not intentionally. I know you carry no child, but I will keep my word. If you wish to confess to Running Wolf this very day, I will convince him to send you to another camp. He will do so for me. Perhaps it would be safer and wiser to end this matter before Gray Eagle returns. His hand of vengeance will be harder to control. I don’t care to see you dead, Leah, just banished from our camp.”
“Your kindness astounds me, Princess Shalee,” Leah bitterly noted. “But of course you are in a position to be all-powerful. You have won. What more do you want of me? I love him as much as you do! I only wanted to win him from you and to share his life.”
“But you battled for a prize you could never attain, Leah. I warned you long ago of the consequences of such foolish and lustful dreams. I hold no power here, only the love and respect of my people. You had a good life here, better than any other slave. Why did you throw it away? I have won, but you have caused much pain and trouble in our camp. You rant of uncontrollable love, but I do not think you know how to really love someone. Your heart is evil and your mind black.” To White Arrow she said to cut Leah’s bonds free. “Do you carry Running Wolf’s child, Leah?”
“Yes,” she proclaimed, fearing to trust this new Shalee.
“If yo
u do not, I will still try to save your life. But if you do, you will remain here until the child is born. When you are sold, I will care for the child for Running Wolf. You need not fear for his safety or happiness.”
Astonished, Leah irrationally screamed, “You would take a child from its mother’s breast! What kind of a monster are you?” A brief glimpse of imminent madness was exposed, but carelessly ignored.
“They will never permit you to stay here. I wished you to know the child will be taken care of by us. If they but learned of your part in my attack, they would lash you until dead. After all you have said and done, I pray you speak the truth about the child. If not, I pray I can halt their deadly hands against such wickedness. Go, Leah, return to your chores. Speak no more lies, or my help will be withdrawn,” she cautioned Leah, wondering if she could ever give aid to this girl.
Leah turned and raced for camp as if some demon chased her. Shalee leaned against a large tree and sighed heavily, this episode draining her. Gray Eagle was innocent. By Leah’s admission, he had mistaken Leah for her that portentous night. What a tangled and perilous web of lies that feminine spider had woven! How could she have doubted Gray Eagle for even a moment? What would they do to Leah?
“I wish he would return today, White Arrow. It has been three days. How much longer will this matter take? There is so much I must tell him. I love him and need him so much. I must have hurt him deeply with my doubts.”
“He could return this sun or be away for many more, Shalee.”
“Then I must go to him and tell him the things in my heart. We have both suffered too much. It is time to settle this matter once and for all time,” she exclaimed happily.
“You cannot, Shalee. It is not permitted,” he quickly debated.
“Surely he has prayed and cleansed himself sufficiently by now, White Arrow. He is probably just sitting there unhappy and anxious like I am. Please, I must go to him. Where is he?”
Knowing there was but one way to halt her, he smiled and shook his head. “There are many places to look for the Great Spirit. He could be nearby or he might have gone to the Sacred Mountains near the winter camp. If he failed to contact Wakantanka in one location, he could move to another. To find him is impossible. We must wait for his return.” He unwillingly deceived her.
“But when will that be?” she said in annoyance.
“I do not know, Shalee,” he replied, honestly this time.
“I must tell him of Leah’s confession. Surely those words will ease his mind and heart. Are you sure we couldn’t find him?”
“He would be like a grain of sand upon the desert, Grass Eyes.”
“But the spring buffalo hunt begins tomorrow. Why would he not return for it? What will the others say about his absence?”
“Nothing. A man answers to the Great Spirit first. I have been chosen to take his place until his return.”
That news nettled her. “The buffalo hunt lasts for weeks, White Arrow. Who will take care of me and Bright Arrow?”
“Shalee,” he softly chided her, “the braves will see to the hunting for all families while the others trail the buffalo. Where is your keen mind hiding?” he playfully teased.
“Wherever my stubborn and proud husband is hiding,” she laughingly replied.
“While I am gone, you must watch Leah closely. She is dangerous and crafty,” he cautioned Shalee.
“I know,” she absently concurred. “Come, join me for late meal,” she lightheartedly offered.
“If you would help me find a good woman to join, life would be easier for me,” he roguishly suggested, to change the conversation.
“Are you serious?” she exclaimed in suspense, eagerly grasping his casual statement.
“It is past time, do you not agree?” he smiled, finally yielding to a destiny he could not alter. Perhaps another woman was the answer.
Amused laughter filled the air. “Do you have someone special in mind?” she hinted, intrigued.
“You can help me pick one.” He artfully dodged her query.
“A man should select his own wife, White Arrow. Is there no one who steals your eye and breath?” she romantically inquired.
“Only Grass Eyes, and she is wed to a fierce and jealous warrior. Perhaps I should steal her from his mats while he is away,” he teased lightly, his honesty lost amidst his chuckles.
“Perhaps he would hurry back to defend his property if he knew another pined for me,” she joined the merry banter, giggling.
“It is a great coup to steal the woman of a chief or noted warrior. But to steal the most beautiful one alive must surely be worth ten coups.”
“You honor me greatly, Sir Warrior. How lucky can a simple maiden be than to catch the eye of another powerful and handsome warrior? No doubt many females scheme to catch your attention. You are strong and cunning; you will make a valuable husband. Most warriors cannot boast of your looks and prowess. We must search the entire land for a woman worthy of you.”
He smiled. “What do you think of Tasia?” he quizzed.
“Tasia… she is very pretty. She has a gentle air and soft tongue. She is skilled in her chores and glows with cheer. She often sings while we work. Tasia could be carefully considered,” she replied without any enthusiasm. She irresistibly jested, “What about Little Moon or Piala?”
He inhaled in mock dismay. “Little Moon is as round as a full moon and Piala is invisible behind the slenderest blade of grass. I desire a wife, not a curse,” he genially remarked, grinning.
“There is a lovely and delicate female whose husband lies near death,” she hesitantly implied, wondering if he preferred a chaste wife.
His eyes gleamed most noticeably. “Yes, I have watched her many times since Leaning Bush fell to his mat. But Leaning bush holds to life like a trap to a fox. It is not good to wish for another’s wife while he still lives. He could meet the Great Spirit this moon or not for many winters.”
Observing his restrained interest, she casually asked, “If you have waited this long, White Arrow, what is a little more time? Surely Leaning Bush will not see the fall buffalo hunt. He is weak and old. It is no secret she did not wish to join him. They have no children and she is younger than you. She is a very special female. Is she not worth lingering for a while longer? She is a woman to cause a man’s heart and body to sing happily.”
“What if she desires another warrior when Leaning Bush walks the Ghost Trail?” he asked seriously.
“How could she look at another if she knew of your eyes upon her? There is no better mate in camp,” she declared sincerely.
“What if I am gone when Leaning Bush dies? What if she joins another before my return?” he pressed, leashing his anxiety.
“Perhaps some playful Grass could whisper hints into her ears. If she should ‘accidentally’ learn of your interest, she would refuse all others until your return. By the winter snows, she could be warming your mats,” she teased, then blushed.
He laughed heartily. “Others would laugh and think evil of me if I spoke for another warrior’s woman while she still warms his mats.”
“Not if only Grass Eyes and your future mate know of such plans. I will cunningly seek her feelings and thoughts of you first. If her eyes glow, I will drop a clue for her to wait for your return.”
“It can be so,” he concluded cheerfully.
They talked for a while longer before returning to camp. White Arrow left.soon after their meal to prepare himself for the morning ride. With Shalee’s help, he might gain the second best woman in camp….
The hunting parties had been divided into three groups of men and women. The men would shoot the racing hunks of massive beast and the women would follow behind to skin and carve the dead animals. Several braves would return the laden travois to camp when loaded, only to return for another trek. It was a dangerous, bloody, exhausting, stimulating, and necessary chore, which took place each spring and fall. But it was an efficient and rewarding task, which occupied half of the tribes’
women in the spring and the other half in the fall.
Braves were left behind to guard the camp and to hunt for all the families. The warriors and imminent warriors would stalk the thundering hooves of countless hairy beasts who covered the Plains like an endless black carpet, their rumbling approach or retreat heard from miles away. Younger braves were chosen to transport the hides and meat to camp to avoid spoiling or tempting the ravenous appetites of vultures and coyotes. Each assigned duty was carried out with skill and resignation, for such was the Indian way.
This was a busy time for everyone, but not too busy for Shalee to miss her errant husband. Another three days passed as she worked herself into exhaustion to inspire deep sleep and to prevent worry. She made certain Leah worked within sight of her, denying her any chance of another deception. Yet, with each passing day, a greater sense of foreboding plagued her.
If she lived here one hundred years, she would never get used to this bloody and odorous chore. She struggled to keep her mind elsewhere as she labored with the other women, this being a joint venture that profited the entire tribe. The heat inspired insects to pester them and to heighten the stench of drying flesh and untanned hides. Often it took every ounce of control she could muster to avoid retching.
She diverted her attention with various chores, for there was no favorite one. Not once did she ever try to avoid her part in this vital matter of life on the open Plains. She pulled and struggled with a stubborn hide to secure it tightly to a rack for curing. She deftly scraped the bits of flesh and fat from the underside. The difficult part came later, when the brains would be rubbed over the inner surface to oil and soften it. At night, she frequently feared the smell would linger upon her hands forever, awakening her each time they drifted too close to her sensitive nose.
She was more than delighted on the third day of this ritual when it was her turn to gather wood, wild vegetables, berries, and water to prepare the evening meal for the entire tribe. During her work, she furtively observed two other females: Tasia and the lovely Wandering Doe, who had caused that bright and warm glint in White Arrow’s eyes. If privacy permitted, she would promptly check out that particular female. Tasia was all right, but not for White Arrow. Wandering Doe was the perfect choice!
Brazen Ecstasy Page 35
