Savage Desire (Savage Lagonda 1)

by Constance O'Banyon

  Again the man looked uncomfortable. "They enjoy most things that young maidens of their age enjoy, my king.”

  "Such as?"

  "They have been in my home less than two full moons, my king, therefore I have not been able to assess what their pleasures are."

  "Do the maidens get along well with your own children?"

  "My wife tells me that they do. Although our house is small, we are planning to add on to it with the allotment given us by the Seven Cities."

  "Fasa," Hamez said, turning once more to the woman. "What are the ages of the three maidens?"

  "Nola is ten summers, and she enjoys basket weaving. Mofa is twelve, and she likes to sew. She is a good swimmer and has won many medals. Yosat is the eldest. She is sixteen and is very fair. She seems to like housekeeping and tending children. She is very like my sister." Tears glinted in Fasa's eyes. "My king, if you will overturn the law and give the children into my keeping, my husband and I will forgo the revenue allotted by the Seven Cities. We have more than enough to give the maidens a good life."

  "How about you, Rouso, would you forgo the revenue to keep the children?"

  The man lowered his head. "I am but a poor man, my king, with many mouths to feed. It would be a hardship to live without the allotment."

  "Have you brought the maidens?"

  "Yes, my king," Rouso said. "I knew it was required that they be here since the judgment affects their futures."

  "Have them approach me."

  Three young girls came out of the crowd to stand before the king. They bowed their heads and waited for him to speak.

  "How say you, maidens? Do you wish the law overturned, or do you wish to stay in your uncle's home?"

  One of the girls stepped forward. "We would not like to be punished, my king."

  "Has anyone threatened you?"

  The young girl looked fearfully at her uncle. "No, my king," she said softly.

  Hamez looked into the young girl's eyes. "You are under the protection of your king here. No one will harm you. Speak the truth."

  "I would like to be with my aunt Fasa, and so would my sisters, my king," the young girl said hesitantly.

  "I protest," Rouso said. "I say the law cannot be overturned."

  “I am the law, Rouso, and I say if a law does not work in a particular case, it is subject to my judgment. Step forward. I will render my decision. The law is overturned. The maidens will go to the home of Fasa and become as her own children."

  "What about the expenses I have incurred the two moons they have been under my roof?" Rouso asked.

  Hamez leaned forward and studied the man's face. "You do not speak of missing your nieces when they move from your house. You think only of material things. Why is this, when you would have me believe you love the girls so much?"

  The man had the good sense to look shamefaced, but he had no words to speak in his defense.

  "I will not require that you return the revenues you have already received for the maidens' upkeep. You are dismissed."

  The man hurried from the palace, knowing his king was displeased with him.

  "Fasa, I give the girls, Nola, Mofa, and Yosat, into your keeping, and although you have generously offered to keep them at your own expense, I feel that you are entitled to the same amount that was given to Rouso." He smiled at each of the girls. "I know you will have a good life with your aunt. From this day forth you are charged to call her your mother, and Dosa, the hunter, your father."

  Four smiling faces bowed to their king, grateful for his judgment.

  Mara had been fascinated as she followed the proceedings. It was a different form of government than any she had ever known, but Hamez seemed a true and just man, able to look beneath the surface and find the truth. Her respect for him grew. He was a truly amazing man. He set himself up as judge and jury, and the system seemed to work well here in the Seven Cities.

  Mara was told by Sagas that on the more complicated matters a group of investigators would help the king with evidence and facts to reach a just decision.

  Jeffery sat on his horse, looking at the deep canyon below him. There was a river that cut its way through the bottom of the canyon. He had always wanted to see this great wilderness. He knew this great canyon was the one Lewis and Clark had spoken of. It was truly amazing.

  Tajarez looked toward the setting sun. "What do you suppose she is doing at this moment, Jeffery?"

  "What who is doing?"

  Tajarez turned to him. "Mara, of course."

  Jeffery shrugged his shoulders. "Probably wondering when her husband will be returning to her. I confess I do not understand why you have stayed away for so long. You do not act like a new bridegroom who is about to become a father."

  Tajarez allowed Jeffery to say things to him that he would have punished another man for saying.

  "I have nothing to say to her, and we will return when I decide."

  "You may not miss your wife, Tajarez, but I miss mine. If you do not want to go home, at least allow me to return."

  "No, I will not return until I have come to some peace within myself, and you will not go until I say so."

  "I never knew you were a coward, Tajarez. I wonder what your warriors would say if they knew."

  Tajarez's eyes narrowed, and he clenched his teeth. "I will not take that even from you, Jeffery. No man can call me a coward and live."

  Jeffery did not seem to be concerned by his threat. "You are afraid of a small, young girl who comes no higher than your shoulder."

  Tajarez looked toward the west where the sun had already disappeared, leaving behind a burst of color across the sky and painting the canyon in soft colors of red and rose.

  "What am I to do, Jeffery? I seem to be staying away to punish myself. Every day I do not see her I seem to die a little more. I have received word from my father ordering me home, and yet still I cannot seem to return."

  "Why?"

  "It is as if by punishing myself I can live with the hurt I caused Mara."

  "You are hurting her more by staying away. I do not understand any of this. If you love her, how can you stay away from her?"

  "It goes deeper than that, Jeffery, and I do not wish to talk about it."

  "Very well." Jeffery looked upward. "We had better set up camp, it looks like rain tonight."

  "It will be snowing where my beloved sleeps tonight," Tajarez said, not realizing that he had spoken aloud. He felt as though his body was on fire when he remembered her lying in his arms, her soft body pressed close to his, lifting him to unknown heights of passion. "We will return tomorrow," he said.

  Jeffery nodded. The dark clouds had moved across the brilliant sunset, turning the landscape to a deep purple, obscuring the canyon walls from view.

  Tajarez felt no joy at the thought of returning home. He dreaded having to face his father's wrath, but most of all, he dreaded facing Mara.

  Mara worked long hours with Sagas, trying to unravel the mystery of the hieroglyphics. Hamez spent much of his time with her, and he seemed to be caught up in Sagas's excitement. The story was slow to unfold. So far they had learned that the Egyptians had been joined by an Indian tribe called Lagonda. They were highly advanced and seemed different from the other tribes the Egyptians had encountered, and they began to intermarry.

  Hamez noticed Mara rubbing the small of her back as though it were bothering her. He worried over her health as faithfully as any mother would have. He tried to see that she had every comfort and did not get too fatigued.

  Mara did not mention Tajarez, and Hamez did not bring up the subject of his son, fearing it would upset her. He was angry with his son, who had ignored his command to return home. Mara was about five months along now and seemed to be burdened by her condition. Hamez had been told by Sasha that Mara suffered from tremendous backaches, but she had tried to hide it from him when she was with him.

  "Enough for today, my daughter. I want you to rest. I will have Sasha serve you the evening meal in your room. W
e must take care of this grandchild of mine."

  Mara smiled at him affectionately. She truly loved this man who was strong enough to be gentle. He had showered her with kindness. "I will do as you say, my father. I am rather tired."

  Hamez watched her climb the stairs. She seemed to stop often to catch her breath. "What is wrong with that son of mine, Sagas? How can he desert Mara when she needs him?"

  "Do not be too hard on him. He is a very troubled man."

  "I should think so. When he returns I hope Mara will be slow to forgive him."

  Sagas looked inward and frowned. "Who can say. He may have to endure much to win the Golden One again. It is in the hands of the Great Father. But I see a great sadness moving over the land." He looked at Hamez, and there was sorrow in the old man's eyes. "Much sadness, my king."

  That night Mara awoke with a sharp pain in her abdomen. She bit her lip, trying not to cry out. Struggling to her feet, she made her way to the door to seek help. Her heart was pounding loudly, for she feared she was losing her baby. Opening the door, she held on to it for support. "Palomas," she cried. "Palomas, help me."

  The door to the room across from hers opened and Palomas appeared.

  "Help me," she repeated, just as a black cloud descended and she lost consciousness.

  FOR THREE DAYS OUR MEN WANDERED AMONG THE SURROUNDING HILLS, ALWAYS SEARCHING VAINLY FOR SOME ROUTE BY WHICH THEY COULD GO DOWN TO THE RIVER. OWING TO THE ENORMOUS DEPTH OF THIS GREAT VALLEY, THE RIVER ITSELF APPEARED TO BE NO MORE THAN SOME SIX FEET IN WIDTH, YET THE INDIANS DECLARED IT TO BE ACTUALLY WELL OVER A MILE.

  —Garcia-Lopez de Cardenas

  26

  Tajarez and Jeffery were surprised to find the huge anteroom fully lit at such a late hour. Tajarez saw his father and Sagas sitting across the room. They both looked up at him, but neither had any greeting for him. His father was grim-faced, and Sagas looked his age—his shoulders were stooped, and his usual bright eyes seemed dull.

  "I am home," Tajarez said, lowering his weary body onto a white doeskin cushion.

  "Yes, my son has decided to grace us with his presence at long last, Sagas."

  "I do not wish to be scolded like a child, my father, I have ridden a great distance today, and I am weary."

  Hamez rose to his feet. "Did you hear that, Sagas? My son is weary. He has had a hard day."

  Tajarez heard the sarcasm in his father's voice. He had expected to be met by his father's anger, but he hoped it would not be tonight. He wanted to rush up the stairs to Mara. He wanted to hold her in his arms and tell her it no longer mattered to him if his baby had white skin like hers or dark skin like his. He only wanted to be with her and his baby, never to be parted from them again.

  Tajarez rose to his feet. "I will talk to you in the morning, Father. I want to see Mara now."

  "Sit down, Tajarez," his father ordered in a booming voice. "You cannot see Mara. Tonight, as you have been on your long, laborious journey, Mara lay in her bed in pain and agony, fighting for her life and that of your baby."

  Tajarez's face lost its color, as he jumped to his feet. "What are you saying?"

  "I am saying that Mara may die, and your baby as well," Hamez said a little more gently.

  "I must go to her," Tajarez said, as he rushed up the steps with Jeffery in close pursuit.

  Palomas stepped in front of the door, blocking Tajarez's entrance. "You cannot enter. The medicine man and the midwife are with her now."

  Tajarez shoved Palomas roughly aside and wrenched open the door. The medicine man was bent over Mara's still form. "Leave this room," he ordered. "I am fighting to save your baby."

  Ignoring the medicine man, Tajarez went down on his knees and took Mara's limp hand in his. She looked so pale, with dark circles under her eyes. Her eyes were closed, and her breathing seemed to be very faint.

  Tajarez felt fear as he had never known it before. He could see the gentle swell of Mara's stomach where his child lay. "Mara, beloved, can you hear me? I love you. I love you. Please do not leave me."

  "You are in my way. If I am to help her, you must leave," the medicine man said.

  Tajarez felt Jeffery's hand on his shoulder. "There is nothing you can do for her, Tajarez. Come, we will wait in the hallway. We must do as the medicine man says."

  "I will not leave her," Tajarez said angrily. "I will never leave her again."

  "We are in the way here," Jeffery told him. "You want them to be able to do all within their power to save her, do you not?" It was this argument that finally made Tajarez consent to leave. He kissed Mara's lips that felt so cold against his, and placed his hand over her stomach.

  "Save them both," he told the medicine man. "Save them for me."

  Jeffery led the grief-stricken Tajarez into the hallway. His eyes were wild. "This is my fault; this is my punishment," he cried. "She is going to die and take with her my baby."

  "Calm yourself, Tajarez," Jeffery said, feeling fear himself at the thought of losing his little sister. "You will not help her by acting the wild man." Jeffery put a comforting arm around Tajarez's shoulder and felt the shudder that went through his brother-in-law.

  Tajarez leaned his head against the wall, and Jeffery and Palomas watched helplessly as Tajarez cried out his agony. His shoulders shook from the emotion he tried to hold inside of him. Palomas and Jeffery looked at each other. There was no way they could comfort Tajarez. Jeffery felt tears in his own eyes, and even Palomas was fighting hard to control the fear and dread he was feeling.

  They walked away to give Tajarez privacy in his grief.

  "Great Father, let them live," he prayed. "She is so little and helpless, and she is so good. I know that you gave her into my keeping and I did not take the proper care of her, but if anyone is to be punished, let it be me. Do not let her pay for my mistakes." He slowly dropped down to his knees and bowed his head as he had seen Mara do at the graveside of her mother and father. "Great Father, I have been cruel and selfish. If this is your way to let me know how much the baby means to me, then I will accept that, but do not let my baby die before he has known how much his father loves him. I do not care what color his skin is, I only care that he should live."

  The hallway became silent as Tajarez finished his prayer. He did not move for a long time. When the medicine man came from Mara's room, he found Tajarez still on his knees.

  "My prince, I have done all that is humanly possible. She has lost a great deal of blood and is very weak."

  Tajarez rose to his feet slowly. "What about the baby?"

  "She has not lost it yet. I do not know. There are so many things that I do not know. I will stay with her tonight. You should try and get some rest."

  "No, I will stay with her also," Tajarez said.

  The medicine man nodded. "I have to tell your father how she is. I will be back shortly."

  Tajarez entered Mara's room quietly and sat down at her bedside. He took her tiny hand in his and held it to his lips. She lay so still, so quiet. The midwife slipped quietly from the room to allow him time to be alone with Mara. She had seen many cases where a woman had lost so much blood, and they did not often recover.

  "Hamez," Jeffery said, "tell me about this medicine man. I am familiar with the usual Indian medicine man who burns incense and waves a rattle on a stick to ward off the evil spirits. I do not think such a man can help my sister."

  "I can see your concern," Hamez said, not unkindly. "I am also familiar with the kind of medicine man you are speaking of, but I can^ promise you that Tabo is a very capable man. He and his father before him were well trained in medicine. I do not know how far back the knowledge goes, but you can rest assured that he will do all within his vast knowledge to help Mara."

  Jeffery felt reassured when he met Tabo, who seemed to know a great deal about medicine. And even though he was concerned that the medicine man might not be able to save Mara, Jeffery knew she was in good hands. He went in search of his wife. It had been a long time since he had seen his little
Sasha, and he knew she would be alone in her room, crying for Mara and the baby.

  Sasha had cried until she was spent. It was a dark day for her. She wished that Jeffery would come home so she could share her grief with him. He was so warm and understanding, and the most gentle man she had ever known.

  She felt comforting arms go around her as Jeffery held her slight body in his arms. Neither of them spoke, but they cried out their fear in each other's arms.

  Finally, Jeffery dried her tears. "I do not think I could get through this night if I did not have you, Sasha. I love you so much, and have missed you more than I can say."

  "I have missed you, Jeffery." She began to cry again. He laid her down across the bed and lay down beside her.

  "Let us pray that my sister will be all right. I do not think Tajarez would be able to stand it if Mara and the baby were to . . . did not make it."

  "Do not say it, Jeffery. I cannot think of a world without Mara. She is so kind and good. Hold me, Jeffery. Hold me very tight. I am so frightened."

  Tajarez felt his whole world had come crashing down around him. He watched Mara's beautiful face, waiting for her to awaken. She lay so still. The hand that he held in his was so limp. The medicine man was sleeping on a cushion across the room.

  Tajarez placed his free hand on Mara's stomach. Hold on, my baby. You must hold on.

  He felt love for his unborn child stir in his heart. His eyes opened in surprise as he felt a slight movement beneath his hand. At first it was no more than a small flutter. He thought he might have imagined it, but then it became stronger. Tears came to his eyes. He had felt his child stir within Mara's body.

  "Tabo, awake. I have felt the baby move," Tajarez called across the room. "The baby is alive."

  Tabo rose and went to Mara's side and placed his hand over her stomach. He frowned at first, then smiled. "Yes, the child lives."

  'That is a good sign, is it not, Tabo?"

  "It means that the child is alive, and from the way it kicks, I would say it is very strong. We have a fighter here. Your baby fights to live."