Even as Gray Eagle spoke these vows in his heart, forces beyond his control were busy destroying them. Powers and emotions he could not stop were strengthening against him and his wishes. For a brief moment, he had alowed himself the same foly Alisha had in hoping things could work out between them. He forgot for a time that they were enemies—but his and her people would never forget. Fate would not alow him to keep the promises would never forget. Fate would not alow him to keep the promises he had just made for a very long time, if ever …
Close to sunrise, Gray Eagle finaly dozed, but could not rest for long. The haunting face of Alisha appeared before him each time he closed his eyes. He could not escape that last look she had given him before the icapsinte, a face naked with humiliation and pain, eyes filed with hurt and anguish and stripped of pride and happiness. How would she ever be able to understand and forgive the things he had done to her? Perhaps, she never would …
He recaled the agony when his flesh was torn and bleeding in sacrifice to the Great Spirit at his Sun Dance. The only things that had made the sacrifice bearable were his beliefs in obedience to the Great Spirit and his own honor. He had proven his love and gratitude to the Great Spirit. He had shown his great strength and courage to his people. His scars were visible for al to see and know what he had endured. His bravery had been rewarded many timts since that day. Was he not known as the bravest, most powerful warrior in the entire area? Were his honor and words not accepted and trusted by al, even those who hated him and his people?
But what reward did Alisha have to think upon and accept?
What reason could she accept for her sacrifice and pain? He knew her forgiveness would be a long time coming, if ever. He softly said,
“I would trade al my victories to have this morning back again and to have your love and forgiveness, Cinstinna. I wish I had the power to change what I have done this day. But man cannot recal the sun or moon when they have made their paths across the sky. He must right his deed on the new moon or sun, as I must do.”
He stared down into the ashen face of his woman, for that was truly what she was to him. She lay so near to death. For a moment, truly what she was to him. She lay so near to death. For a moment, her face flashed before his mind’s eye, alive with her first insight into love that night not long ago. He could visualize her sparkling smile, like the one she had given him the day he rescued her from the rattler. Sadly, he could hear her words, branded into his mind for al time: “Why, Wamndi Hota? Why?’ He had no answer.
Abruptly, a loud, excited voice caled to him from outside his teepee flap. He realized it was Little Beaver caling to him to come and talk. He looked at Alisha and then rose to go and see what his friend wanted so early in the morning.
Alisha had not moved or stirred since he lay her down on his mats. At least, she was unaware of the pain and fever raging within her body. Gray Eagle flexed his muscles as he stepped outside in the grayish, pre-dawn light. He inhaled deeply several times as he brought his emotions back under his strict control. He thought it best if his friend believed he had been sleeping, instead of lying awake al night, praying for the life and healing of his woman. Once more, the cool, controled facade of the warrior slipped easily and quickly back into place. His stoical mask revealed none of the inner turmoil of his heart, nor did his fathomless eyes reveal the pain and anguish he felt. To anyone looking, there stood a warrior with the traits of a man with an animalistic nature.
Little Beaver had walked a short way off from Gray Eagle’s teepee and paced anxiously back and forth as he waited for his leader and friend. He had observed the girl’s effect on Gray Eagle many times. Little Beaver worried whether or not he should tel Gray Eagle that he understood his desire to keep the white girl. Hadn’t she shown more bravery, inteligence and honor than many men did? Was his friend unaware of the fires of love and desire which lit her eyes when she looked upon him? Did he not see and which lit her eyes when she looked upon him? Did he not see and know he was not truly her enemy, nor she, his? Why did he not demand for the others to accept his claim on her? Hadn’t they both proven their courage before the Oglalas? But Little Beaver did not dare confide in Gray Eagle yet. This day there were other threats and problems requiring his ful attention.
Gray Eagle came out of the teepee, and asked, “Capa Cistinna, what troubles you so early this day?”
Little Beaver began to relate his news rapidly and excitedly. He had ridden al night to bring his message from Chief Black Cloud of the Blackfoot tribe. He exclaimed, “The war council is meeting this coming moon in the camp of Chief Mahpiya Sapa. Al chiefs, war leaders, band leaders and warriors are to gather to talk of war and to smoke the war canduhupa. They speak of a vote to war against the akicita-heyake-to at the wooden fort. They wish to purge our lands and forests of the wasichus and soldiers in our lands and those of our brothers. Mato Ki-in-yangki-yapi has caled for us to join with al our brothers and even with our enemies to fight in eighteen moons. They ask Wanmdi Hota to lead them in this great battle.’’
Gray Eagle met his steady and proud gaze and answered,
“We wil meet our brothers to talk and vote. Wil al the Otchenti Chakowia meet and prepare for warf’
“Al tribes of the Seven. Council Fires gather and wait for the Oglala and Wanmdi Hota. I saw warriors and leaders coming from the Brule, Hankpapa, Miniconjou, Sane Arc, Two-Kettle and other tribes to the vilage of the Si-Ha Sapa. They spoke of others who were to come; the Cheyennes and Shosshone, our friends; and the Crow and Pawnee, our enemies. Al wil join in truce to drive the wasichus and bluecoats from our lands and back into their own wasichus and bluecoats from our lands and back into their own lands to the East. There has been much talk to go on the warpath. Wil Wanmdi Hota and the Oglala join with them and lead this battle?”
Gray Eagle deliberated on Little Beaver’s words. “It wil be a long and fierce battle to rid our lands of the wasichus and bluecoats. The bluecoats have the firesticks and great wal to protect them. We must conquer both for victory. Many wil walk the mahpiya ocanku with the Great Spirit before our land is free of them al. The sacred burial grounds wil have many new burial scaffolds before the fighting is over. May Wakantanka protect his children.”
Gray Eagle thought aloud to Little Beaver. “It is almost time for the winter buffalo hunt and the Sun Dance. We must end this matter soon and prepare for them. The time comes to leave for our winter camp in the sacred mountains. We cannot leave our lands for the wasichus to come and take while we are gone.”
Gray Eagle paused, then decided, “Let it be as they say. I wil go with my warriors and speak for the Oglala and war. We wil make ready to ride to the vilage of the Si-Ha Sapa. Cal the warriors and leaders together.”
Little Beaver ran off with the message. But no sooner had Gray Eagle spoken, when his mind was in turmoil again. How could he leave Alisha so close to death and go to smoke the war pipe against her people? Yet, he knew he must and would. He was not a man, but a warrior and a leader. Even as his desire to remain with Alisha tugged at his heart, his excitement and eagerness to be with his warriors in this important battle flamed within him. Thoughts of pushing his enemies out of the red man’s lands and hopes of victory glowed within him. With the help of the other tribes, total and final revenge against the wasichus was a bright reality. His heart soared revenge against the wasichus was a bright reality. His heart soared with relief—and dread.
When this battle was over, al wasichus would be gone. But one would remain: Alisha. That is, Gray Eagle thought, if Wakantanka did not take her life while he was away. Surely, the Great Spirit would not send the Bird of Death for her while he was gone. Did the Great Spirit time this so that he would be away when He came for her? No! He would not take her now, not now, not when the cause of many of their problems would soon be destroyed. He would give the Great Spirit many wasichu lives in exchange for Alisha’s. When al the wasichus were gone from their lands, his people would forget and forgive her for being white. When they no longe
r had to see and feel the wasichu greed and hatred, they would come to accept Alisha as his. In time, her presence in his life and teepee would be a normal, natural thing. Gray Eagle knew he had no time to dream, and caled to the old woman to come to his teepee. He ordered her to take care of and guard his kaskapi wel during his absence. He cautioned, “I place her life and care in your hands, Matu. Do not fail me. The girl is mine. Let no one and nothing harm her. Care for her as you would your own cunwintku.” He warned ominously, “I wil hold you responsible for her life. Go. Bring your things here. Do not leave her side until I return. We go to the camp of the Si-Ha Sapa for war talk.”
Matu left. She muttered under her breath al the way to her teepee and back. Once more, she would be responsible for a ska witkowin. This one should die just as the other one did so long ago…. Anger and resentment boiled within her bitter heart. Whoops of excitement came to Gray Eagle’s ears as his warriors prepared to depart. Tense expectation and joy filed the warriors prepared to depart. Tense expectation and joy filed the hearts of al the warriors, except one. His thoughts shifted from excitement to hesitation and from joy to sadness again and again. He went over to the mat where Alisha lay, stil unconscious. He studied her features for a time, then spoke softly, “Do not take your spirit from me, Cinstinna. I have loved you and wanted you as I have no other. Soon, this wil be ended and we shal find the love and peace our hearts yearn for.”
He stood up, gathered his weapons, and quickly left his teepee, unaware of the deadly trouble brewing nearby. He caled to his warriors, “We ride, Oglalas.” He mounted his steed and rode away, to face his destiny alone…
Matu stood outside his teepee watching him ride off with his band of warriors. Happiness filed her heart at the thoughts of revenge against the wasichu for whom she held a special hatred. No longer would there be any ska winyans to tempt the warriors, except this one here.
Angrily, she scoffed, he does not fool an old woman. He desires this winyan for his love, not as a slave. Once more, I am forced to protect the life of a white squaw for a chief. But no punishment could be as painful as the one for my last failure, not even death.
She could not deny Alisha’s beauty and courage and it galed her to acknowledge them. She fumed hotly, it is not right for a warrior to give up his own winyans for a wasichu. These ska winyans come and take our best and bravest warriors. They cast their evil spels upon them and turn their eyes and hearts from their rightful mates. It should not be so! Must they take them to their hearts when they take them to their teepees?
Perhaps she could die just as the other one had…. Matu Perhaps she could die just as the other one had…. Matu wondered if Wanmdi Hota would always mourn Alisha’s death as Mahpiya Sapa did for the one caled Jenny, Grass-Eyes. Do the spirits of lost loves linger near forever? Love? She would have to agree that Alisha did love Wanmdi Hota, just as Jenny had Mahpiya Sapa. But that did not change the truth of how things should be and remain.
She knew she could not risk kiling Alisha. Wanmdi Hota would be sure to know. Oftentimes, the apple left a stain in the mouth and an odor on the breath after death. If she dared to kil Alisha for her own revenge or for Chela’s sake, Gray Eagle’s vengeance would know no limits.
Matu went to where Alisha lay and stared down at her. She asked herself, what does he see in a pale, skinny winyan like you?
What magic do you have to make him desire you over his own kind? She lifted the blanket covering Alisha and asked, does he see the same things Mahpiya Sapa saw in his grass-eyed, flaminghaired, ska winyan? What made her life worth my sadness and banishment? How I long to return home to my people. I am old and wish to die among the Si-Ha Sapa. I could not have changed what happened that day. Does he not see and know this yet, after al these winters? I have suffered long enough because of some such as you, ska witkowin.
But Matu’s last words froze in her throat and her eyes widened in surprise at the sight before her. She sank to her knees for a better view. Her scowl was replaced by a smile as she shook her head. It cannot be, she murmured, excited by her discovery. But she knew instantly that her old eyes did not deceive her.
“Thanks be to Napi!” she said aloud. She gently traced the scar on Alisha’s left hip with her crooked finger. A mischievous, mysterious Alisha’s left hip with her crooked finger. A mischievous, mysterious gleam flickered in her dul, ebony eyes as she fingered the little half moon.
It can be, it can be, she thought excitedly. I must tend to it now. Then, I wil go to Mahpiya Sapa. Just as Jenny took me from my people, you wil send me back in great honor and love…
Secretly, she left Wanmdi Hota’s teepee to return to her own to fetch the needed items to bring her heart back to life once more. She returned to Gray Eagle’s teepee carrying a smal pouch clutched to her sagging bosom. Her task took only a short time for she had traced that same akito many times in the dirt. Carefuly, she rubbed salve onto Alisha’s back and gently tucked the blanket securely around her. She caled to Succoola. He had been left behind because of his age and weakness of body. She spoke with him quietly and secretly. She told him she must go immediately to the camp of Black Cloud with an urgent message. She told him to guard Alisha with his very life if necessary. She said no one was to enter Gray Eagle’s teepee for any reason. No one was to tend her wounds or touch Alisha except him. Succoola did not understand Matu’s sudden concern for the life and safety of the ska winyan. She had not hidden her dislike or contempt for Gray Eagle’s kaskapi. She told him she would explain it al when she returned. He had no reason to doubt her and agreed to do as she asked. He sat down cross-legged before Gray Eagle’s teepee to watch over Alisha until Matu’s return.
Matu had been gone only for a short time when the sound of the thunder of many horses’ hooves and the noise of firesticks reached her ears. She halted quickly and listened. She knew the dreaded meaning of those sounds. Fear and anger gripped her heart. The bluecoats were attacking the Oglala vilage!
heart. The bluecoats were attacking the Oglala vilage!
They had dared much to ride into the camp of Wanmdi Hota and Suntokca Ki-in-yangki-yapi. How did they know the warriors would be away? Surely they had, for they were not fools. She prodded her horse to a fast pace. She must warn Wanmdi Hota of the raid on his camp. Al other news must wait. If the girl were either kiled or rescued, al her hopes and plans would be dashed.
“Napi protect you, Taopi Cikala,” she prayed, using Gray Eagle’s pet name for Alisha. She had heard him cal her that many times, unaware that he was being overheard.
It would be to Matu’s advantage that Black Cloud would not see the akito this day. She had not noticed in her excitement that Alisha’s sensitive skin had turned very red from the irritation of the scratches. For al Matu had noticed was the akito showing a quarter moon with a star on either side of it. And Matu knew that was the symbol that would set her free…
Chapter Twelve
At the first sounds of gunfire and onrushing horses, the women and children fled to the safety of the forest. The few elderly warriors who were too slow to flee or too weak to resist were kiled or wounded during the first minutes of the assault.
From their concealed position, the cavalry had observed the absence of warriors. The white truce flag was hastily replaced with the yelow and black standard of the cavalry. The commanding officer was elated at this excelent opportunity to teach the invincible Oglala and “that arrogant, fearless bastard” Gray Eagle a lesson they wouldn’t quickly forget. In the process of showing their strength and boldness, they would liberate any white captives. The regiment’s assignment was to seek out and trade any white prisoners being held by the Oglala, Si-ha Sapa and Cheyenne. The troop of ruffians agreed with the ranking officer that it would be humiliating and degrading to ride into camp and beg to trade for the white captives these barbaric heathens had dared to take prisoner. Why trade or plead for what they could take by a show of force? They would find no resistance with the warriors away on a hunt. They would teach the fier
ce Oglala the cavalry was not to be taken lightly.
The white cavalry charged into the Oglala vilage like the scourge of the devil and his host of demons, shouting curses and firing at almost anything which moved. The thunder of the horses’
hooves pounded like war drums, and the blast of many guns sounded like the cal of death. They roped and puled down many sounded like the cal of death. They roped and puled down many of the smaler teepees and set fire to others.
Some of the slower, feebler warriors were struck down with the butts of guns or skewered with sabers. The women who had not escaped to the forest were terrorized and taunted, but not ravished. Time did not permit this extra benefit. The witnesses would be left behind to tel the warriors of the daring and might of the akicitaheyake-to. A sweeping search was made of the entire vilage. Kathy had been located and rescued from the teepee sa. When she was questioned concerning other white captives, she wickedly told them there were no other captives there. Her malicious tone and expression told them otherwise. When pressed for the entire truth, Kathy’admitted there was one other white girl there. She said acidly, “There ain’t no need to free her cause she stays with him wilingly. When the Indians attacked our fortress, he saved her, brought her here with him, and treated her like a queen. He wouldn’t let none of those other braves touch her. He didn’t care to spare nobody’s life except his harlot’s. She’s as much as a traitor and she’s right in that teepee!”
Lieutenant Gordon and Captain Harrison ran to the teepee Kathy had pointed out. They lifted the flap, ducked and entered the teepee. After one glance at the shocking sight before them, they shook their heads with disbelief and horror.
Lieutenant Gordon walked over to the mat and knelt beside the delicate creature who appeared so smal and vulnerable. It was evident to him that there was real beauty beneath the bruised and battered body of the girl before them.
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