Sweet Savage Heart

by Janelle Taylor

  As quietly and swiftly as possible, the gun and ammunition crates were exchanged. When the warriors attempted to take more than Travis had purchased, he halted them, saying, “The man who cheated us left. Our battle is with him. We steal nothing from the innocent. You must take the goods to Lone Wolf while I track and punish the man who betrayed me. I will return in a few moons.”

  “We are at war, White Eagle. We need many guns and bullets.”

  “If we take more than I paid for, Buffalo Slayer, the new trader will send the white soldiers after thieves. The wagon is heavy and must travel slowly. We do not have time or enough warriors to battle many soldiers. Even in war, men must have honor. If they come after thieves, we could lose everything.”

  The warrior gave Travis’s words deep thought. He smiled and nodded. “We will do as White Eagle says. He is cunning.”

  Travis wrote a message on the slate, telling the owner he would return soon with the money to pay for the guns and ammunition. He placed the two men where they could not free themselves or send out an alarm for at least a day, then set the slate within the men’s line of vision. All he could do was pray the owner would accept his claim.

  As silently and stealthily as they had approached the secluded area, Travis and the warriors departed. At a safe distance, Travis advised the band’s leader to cover their trail and be careful. He knew that the supplies in that wagon meant Nathan’s life and Rana’s freedom. Taking his wanapin from Buffalo Slayer, he smiled. “I will return to Lone Wolf’s camp for my friend and wife after the white man is punished.”

  “What if the white man or soldiers capture or slay White Eagle?”

  Travis inhaled deeply. He knew he was lingering in this perilous Hunkpapa area too long, but he could not allow Chambers to get away with his treachery. “If the Great Spirit does not protect me on this journey, do not let Wild Wind join to Black Hawk. Make sure Lone Wolf remembers his promise to release my friend and his… my wife.”

  “Buffalo Slayer will give White Eagle’s words to our chief.” The warrior smiled, for he comprehended this man’s feelings for Wild Wind.

  Travis watched the wagon and the warriors ride away into the darkness and prayed they would reach the Oglala camp within the time limit. As he galloped off in the other direction, visions of Rana filled his mind. He was sorry she was not his wife under the white law that ruled Nathan Crandall’s life, for he knew that Nathan would not see their joining as a binding reality. Yet, if there was one truth he knew, it was that he wanted Wild Wind with all his heart and might, and he prayed she felt or would soon feel the same.

  Chapter Five

  Four days had passed and Wild Wind was becoming more edgy with each new sun. She was disappointed and annoyed that Lone Wolf had postponed his joining day until her predicament could be settled. Joining to a half-blooded stranger and traveling so far away from all she knew and loved was intimidating. She wondered, What if White Eagle were not pleased with his Indian-raised wife? What if she could not adapt to this new existence and people? What if something happened to him once they were far away? She hated doubting herself or him, but such feelings could not be suppressed. If only her suspicions would vanish. One more day, she thought anxiously, then quivered in anticipation.

  She had not been allowed to visit the tepee where the man with silvery yellow hair and eyes the color of a stormy blue sky was being held prisoner. He was kept under guard but was treated gently. The way the white man watched her from a distance, she wondered if he blamed her for his friend’s perils. She wished she could speak with him, to see if she could learn more about White Eagle and his lands. Sometimes his intense blue stare unnerved her; sometimes its tenderness reached out to her. Sometimes his face frightened her…

  Wild Wind continued her chores, entrapped by deep thought, just as she was trapped by the unexpected events of the past few days. She knew Lone Wolf was hoping White Eagle could avenge himself and prove his words. She wished he would discuss the alarming matter with her, but he refused. At times he was stern and cool, and at other times he was very kind and warm. She sensed that his feelings were as confused and as tormented as hers. He had been offered a way to help his people, only to have the glorious near-victory threatened by betrayal. She could tell that Lone Wolf realized his leadership would be questioned because he had trusted the white man, that he would be humiliated for being fooled by him and for trading his sister for useless goods. She had grasped the heavy responsibility he carried, and it had mellowed her feelings toward her brother. She had tried her best not to upset him with words and actions. But this waiting and not knowing was eating at her poise and increasing her tension.

  On the last moon, she had tried to convince Lone Wolf to carry out his joining to Myeerah, hoping her friend could distract her Indian brother and bring joy into his eyes once more. She had offered to stay with friends to give them privacy. Lone Wolf had told her he could not think of personal and selfish matters at such a critical time.

  Whenever she observed Lone Wolf visting with the friend of the man who had made trade for her, she would discover herself praying that White Eagle would return and save his friend’s life and her brother’s honor. She had come to accept the reality of what the trade goods could do for her people. Yet she worried over the dreams her Indian brother had revealed to her, wondering where her new path would lead her if White Eagle returned alive. She recalled her own fearful dreams of the evil white man with dark hair and eyes, and she begged the Great Spirit to make them only bad dreams and not visions of moons yet to be.

  “Why did you marry me, White Eagle?” she murmured in confusion. “Will you take me far away, use me, and desert me? Will you allow the evil spirit who haunts my dreams to harm me? Why do I fear you and these powerful new feelings?”

  Ever since White Eagle’s departure, Black Hawk had stalked her everywhere she went. His igneous eyes had visually stripped her garments from her body, then brutally punished her with their fiery heat. He looked at her as if he despised her, yet craved her as well. “I will never let you have me. I will flee or die first,” she vowed aloud as she recalled the persistent warrior.

  The thought of mating with Black Hawk or Rides-Like-Thunder or any other man dismayed her now, after such close contact with Travis. She had happened upon lovers or animals mating in the forest, so she knew it was a natural part of life or loving. Vividly she remembered being in White Eagle’s arms and tasting his kisses. She recalled his tenderness during her dark dreams and their walk. She could almost feel the fires that had inflamed her body at his touch, and the pleasure she had received from his gaze and nearness. Oddly she did not fear his sleeping mat.

  Perhaps, she admitted, she had provoked his mischievous and taunting actions. Perhaps he had heard wicked tales of her misbehavior, as he had alleged. Yet he had chosen her and had made the largest trade offer any maiden had ever received. She helplessly questioned his feelings and motives. She did not want to be a tame-thewild-wind game to him, a game about which she had so often been teased. And, if he had tried to fool her people, had he hoped to leave with her before they learned of his deceit—leave with the sister of Chief Lone Wolf as his hostage? If only she did not sense some great mystery and reluctance surrounding him.

  She reflected on her taunts to him after their joining. He could have chosen any maiden, and won her. Why her, an Indian girl? Why had he returned to the land of his birth? Why help the Oglalas? “Who are you? What are you? Why do you ensnare me and trouble my spirit?” she asked aloud.

  Surely he would return for his friend, but how would he feel about her and her people for doubting him, for threatening him and his friend? So many questions and mysteries, she concluded nervously, completing her chores and attempting to push her distressing thoughts aside, to no avail.

  The morning of the fifth day arrived. Lone Wolf entered the tepee and announced that Wild Wind was to serve food to the white man. She looked at him quizzically, silently questioning his unusual order and his
reasons.

  In a rare moment of kindness, or weakness, Lone Wolf had yielded to Nathan Crandall’s plea to meet his granddaughter once before he died, if it were to come to that today. Lone Wolf had secured the older man’s promise to reveal nothing to her about her past or his reason for coming to the Oglala camp. He told Wild Wind now, “I wish him to see the reason why his friend will return to our camp. He is old and weak and afraid. He knows White Eagle has taken you as his mate. When his senses are filled with Wild Wind, he will trust his friend to return for one whose beauty is greater than Grandfather’s flowers. If he must die, he will believe some evil kept his friend from returning. He is a good and gentle white man. He must not suffer for another’s dark deed.” He paused. “Do you wish me to send another with food and smiles?”

  For the second time, Wild Wind felt that her brother was lying to her. Yet she did not expose her doubts and anguish. Another mystery, she concluded sadly. “I will go, my brother and chief.”

  She was not surprised when Lone Wolf accompanied her and remained at her side. She offered Nathan food and waited for him to consume it. He did so slowly, his eyes seeming to drink in her face and essence. He did not appear afraid, only sad, and seemed overly happy with her visit, as if she were warming sunshine on a cold winter day. Neither did he appear weak, in spirit or in body. This was a man who knew hard work, she realized, who knew courage, who loved and trusted his friend…

  When Nathan could no longer stall his meal and her visit, he smiled and thanked her, and moisture filled his eyes. He removed a turquoise and silver pendant and handed it to her. It was a curious shape, as if it had once been a circle and someone had cut a small section from its top and sealed it in a point on its bottom. It looked old and precious. As she eyed the lovely treasure, a pain flashed inside her head and she rubbed her right temple to ease it. With quivering fingers, she held it out to him in polite refusal, for it frightened her.

  Nathan closed his hand around hers and the pendant, indicating that he was insistent she keep it. Lone Wolf translated Nathan’s emotion-hoarse words. “It belonged to his daughter. He wishes you to have it for your kindness. Do not offend a dying man by refusing his generosity.” Lone Wolf had noticed her reaction, and he knew it had been the suppression of a memory.

  Wild Wind met Nathan’s gaze and probed it, learning nothing. She allowed the man to place the pendant around her neck. Again, she was baffled by the curious moisture that brightened his eyes. She could not explain why, but she felt drawn to this man. She smiled and said, “Pilamaya.”

  “My sister thanks you and accepts your gift. If it pleases her, I will bring her with food before… the sun sleeps.”

  His hesitation was not lost on any of those present. If Travis and the guns did not return in the next few hours, Nathan would not live to eat another meal or to see the sun go to sleep. Lone Wolf had spoken, and he could not change his mind. He dared not tell Wild Wind who this endangered man was, nor did Nathan want her to know under these circumstances.

  Anticipating her husband’s return, Wild Wind left Nathan and her brother to wash her hair and body and dry herself in the afternoon sun in the company of some of her friends. Her garments and possessions were packed, and she felt a certain satisfaction that the other girls were envious of her and charmed by Travis. Her pride demanded that she appear trusting and confident around them as well as around her spurned suitors.

  A few at a time, the other women left the river, their baths and washing completed. “Are you coming, Wild Wind?” Myeerah asked.

  Wild Wind glanced at the sun. It was past the treetops, time to prepare her brother’s evening meal. So little time left for White Eagle to return and the man called Nathan to live… Would time forever be her foe? she wondered. It always seemed to be battling her.

  “Go along, Myeerah. I will return shortly.” She needed to be alone, for it seemed the worst was about to happen. Clad in a drying blanket, she stood and began to walk along the riverbank to expend part of her tension. She tried not to think about her fate, yet her mind allowed her to think of nothing else. Time and distance passed unnoticed.

  “He will not return, Wild Wind,” a cold voice taunted nearby.

  She glanced toward her right and her gaze fell on Black Hawk. Although her body was covered, she felt naked, and she was alarmed by his gaze. “Why,” she asked angrily, “do you torment me, Black Hawk? Have you no pride and honor? White Eagle will return before dark.”

  The warrior laughed, and the sound of it was wintry and mocking. “Buffalo Slayer and his band have returned. They took many guns and bullets from the trader’s wooden tepee. The white dog did not return with them. His friend will die, and you have no mate.”

  Wild Wind paled. “Was he slain in battle for the guns?”

  The warrior laughed coldly once more. “Buffalo Slayer watched him ride away in the dark. Our warriors did not chase him; they rode swiftly to bring the guns to our camp before soldiers could pursue them. White Eagle is gone. I will demand to track him and slay him, and I will demand Wild Wind as my coup. I will not be denied.”

  “You lie,” she accused boldly, her blue-gray eyes chilling.

  “My words are true. I spoke against the white dog many times. I said he could not be trusted. I tried to save Wild Wind from his tricks. I must be rewarded for my words of warning. Wild Wind will be mine.”

  The aggressive warrior yanked her to his hard body and covered her mouth with his. Even when she struggled fiercely, he did not release her. Tightly banding her arms to her body, he clamped his hand over her mouth and dragged her into the concealing bushes, his abrupt movement deterring her from kicking. He fell to the ground with her and pinned her hands to her sides with his strong thighs. Withdrawing a wide rawhide strip from his waist, he secured it over her mouth to cut off her screams for help, then loosely bound her hands with another strip. She could hardly breathe from his heavy weight across her torso and could not wiggle free. His forearm across hers prevented her from striking out or battling him. He shifted to yank off her blanket, exposing her naked body to his crazed senses. His roughened hands moved over her breasts as his eyes grew wilder with lust and determination. When she continued her futile battle, he told her, “Once you are mine, Lone Wolf will be forced to give you to me in joining.” His mouth fastened to one breast and he sucked greedily on it.

  She freed her tied hands and, for a brief instant, pounded on his head and shoulders. Laughing, he seized them and pinned them to the ground above her head. His legs wrapped around hers to halt her kicks and thrashing. He gave his attention to the other breast, nursing hungrily like a baby starving for his mother’s milk.

  Suddenly Black Hawk was ripped from her helpless body. Wild Wind watched as her new husband beat her attacker as if he were as crazed by fury and jealousy as the warrior had been with lust. White Eagle showed the man no mercy; clearly he wanted and was trying to kill Black Hawk with his bare hands. Stunned by the warrior’s attack and White Eagle’s sudden rescue, she merely watched the action as if she were detached from her body. Her wits and control returned finally as the warrior drew his knife and lunged at White Eagle. Shaking violently, she came to her knees and sent forth a gag-muffled scream.

  As suddenly as the battle had begun, it was over. The men fell to the ground and, during the scuffle, the knife was shoved forcefully into Black Hawk’s chest.

  With revulsion, Travis tossed the dead warrior aside and did not even glance at him. He went to Wild Wind and, drawing his own knife, cut her bonds. Before she could throw herself into his arms and thank him, he reached for the blanket and flung it at her, saying, “Cover yourself and return to camp. You should not place yourself in such peril. He was blinded by you. No man takes what is mine and lives to enjoy it.” He whirled then and left, heading in the direction of the settlement.

  Wild Wind stared at his rapidly retreating back. He was in a great hurry. His face, which was dirty and sweaty, had not been shaven for many suns. His clothes we
re dusty and his hair tousled. She saw that he walked like a man consumed by fiery rage, one seeking some challenging prey to conquer and burn beyond life or recognition. Surely he did not blame her for Black Hawk’s actions! She had done nothing wrong. On unsteady legs, she stood and tried to wrap the cover around her trembling body. It slipped from her grasp, and she cursed it and her weakness. Her reaction filled her with anger, and the anger instilled control.

  She rushed past Black Hawk’s body without looking at him. Seizing her garments, she yanked them on. Then, grabbing her other possessions, she hurried toward camp. She had to discover the truth, or the peril awaiting him.

  Travis entered the camp, and with unsuppressed relief, noticed the wagon standing near the ceremonial lodge. He strode in that direction, scolding himself for cutting it too close for Nathan’s and Wild Wind’s safety. Lordy, he was too fatigued and worried to think straight! Wild Wind should not have been at the river alone; she was too trusting and tempting! She had this way of causing a man to lose his wits and his control. If he hadn’t rushed off, he would have pulled that naked body into his arms and taken her in pure animal heat, right beside his dead enemy! She did crazy things to him, and he was in no shape to resist her.

  The shouting of his name called Lone Wolf’s attention to Travis’s arrival. The chief smiled at him, then wondered at his stormy mood. Nathan, who was examining the guns, turned and saw Travis approaching them. Nathan winced, for he knew Travis’s look and walk meant trouble.

  Travis greeted his friend with a bear hug and a forced smile. “Have they been treating you right, Nate?” he inquired needlessly as his keen gaze examined the older man’s face and body.