Sees-Through-Clouds lifted his treasure skyward and watched the sun enhance its radiant color; the thick curl appeared to blaze with inner fire as if it possessed a captive soul that was aflame. “‘Ixée, Kuu -tsiighaa’.“
As Navarro replaced his knife, he translated, “Thank you, Flamehair.”
Beth smiled and nodded, then focused a stern gaze on the belligerent leader. She paced her imperative speech for easy translation. “You are the evil one, Eagle Eye, not Flamehair. You seek personal honor and revenge at the cost of your own people’s lives. A good and wise chief does not think of himself, his glory, his hatred, his hungers; he does what is best for his people. For your people to survive to wait for good days to return is what is best for them. You must help us trap the gunrunners who seek to destroy you with their greed and evil. They are not friends; they do not care about Indians; they only hunger for the trade you offered them. You must surrender to the soldiers, and they will not harm you. You must return to San Carlos to live; in seasons to come, things will get better. The Apaches have many whites with good and honest hearts working to help them get justice. Tl’ee’ K’us is one of those men. Flamehair is one of those helpers. We are -ch’ uuné’.”
She watched a sneer lift one corner of his mouth. “We know of bad things on the reservation and we hate them. We work to expose the evil ones to blame. We work to put good men in charge. If you do not obey the vision, all is lost in land and lives. If you kill us, we cannot help your people, those who ride with you and those who stayed at San Carlos. Make peace with honor by surrender. Do not bring on humiliation and suffering by forcing the soldiers to conquer you. I wish you could live, ride, and hunt in freedom, but it cannot be for many seasons to come. After you earn the white man’s trust and friendship, you will be free again.” Beth observed favorable responses to her words and alleged identity. She also saw that Eagle Eye was quick to put a halt to her attempts for peace.
“We will not listen to more words until you earn the right to speak.”
“How do I earn the right, Eagle Eye?” Beth prayed her expression and reaction didn’t give away her trepidation at his shocking reply.
The shaman said, “If your words are true, so shall the arrow from your bow be true. Flamehair come with me to prepare for test.”
“Take her, Sees-Through-Clouds; prepare her to die if she fails.”
“She not fail; sacred vision true. Ysun help her prove words.”
As Navarro started to leave with his partner and the shaman, Eagle Eye halted him. “No, you stay. No tricks. Bind his hands and feet. Take his knife. If he tries to escape, slay him, slay the woman.”
In the shaman’s wickiup, Beth was given food and water to strengthen her. The old man sat on a mat, shook a rattle, and chanted for many minutes. He handed Beth buckskin garments, a medallion, and a hair ornament.
“You wear for ritual. Yellow as sacred Pollen: breath of Ysun, Giver of Life. Moon, sun, stars, lightning give you power to win victory. Fringes, rays of sacred sun and moon; they light path to victory. Moccasins guide steps. Must purify body with water from yucca. It there. I knew you come; I wait long time. I speak with Night Cloud. You prepare for test.”
No matter what happens, “Thank you, Sees-Through-Clouds.”
“Words not needed; it will of Great Being for Chiricahua to live.”
Beth looked at the celestial symbols painted on the sunny garment and footwear. She prayed for the power to save their lives and to help bring about peace. If this band could be persuaded to surrender, she reasoned, perhaps Geronimo’s would. Assured of privacy, the agent removed her clothes and bathed in refreshing yucca suds. She donned a simple breechcloth, then the ceremonial dress and moccasins; to her amazement, everything fit. The sunburst medallion was put around her neck. The ornament was secured in braided hair. She was ready to face her destiny.
No, her troubled mind refuted, she wasn’t. Her heart pounded and her body trembled. What if, Beth fretted, she couldn’t strike the center of a target with an arrow? No doubt Eagle Eye assumed she had never handled a bow and would fail the” first test. In the past, she had hit the bull’s-eye a few times when calm and after practice; but today, she was shaky and scared, rusty. And how could she perform a feat of great magic? Heaven help me. If this is my destiny, make my training and experience assist me. If you want peace, dear Lord, help me to achieve it. If we must die, give our loss some special meaning, and Thy will be done.
Outside, the shaman spoke with Navarro. “Many seasons past, I not tell you all of vision; your heart and head not ready to hear and believe my words. Do not fear, Night Cloud; Flamehair not be defeated by evil.”
Navarro sometimes believed in visions, as there were many mysteries in life. But was this one of those powerful wonders? Part of it had come true, but…“She’s tired and weak, Old One; she’s frightened and confused. This is a heavy burden on her shoulders. Are you sure she is the vision woman?”
He nodded a head surrounded with long white hair and smiled. “’Au, old friend. Ysun send her, give her strength. Killer of Enemies guide her aim. Child of Water give her courage. White Painted Woman give hope. Gan, Mountain People, save her life. She save Chiricahuas from soldiers and evil whites.”
Navarro had seen Beth use a bow and arrow, and he wasn’t convinced she could pass that test. As to a magic feat, he was even more doubtful. In his bound state, there was nothing he could do to rescue her. If not for the alleged vision, he could have dueled for her innocence of the witch charges and her return to him. With luck, they could have been gone by now. They could be riding to set the mission trap for Charles. He could be leaving her some place she would be safe until he completed their assignment alone. He could be holding her in his arms, kissing her, confessing his love, urging her to take a second chance at love and happiness with him. From the way things looked, he might never get to touch her again or tell her—
“She not fail, Night Cloud. She vision woman. When peace made, Flamehair be your woman. She fill all holes in life, in heart.”
It was as if the old man had read and responded to his troubled thoughts. “I hope so, Wise One; I love her and need her.”
Beth was summoned to the center of the clearing. She knew she needed time to calm down and to stop trembling. She used the only excuse to come to mind. “I must pray and call the spirits to join us. I need a mat, Wise One, and a ceremonial rattle. May I use yours?”
The redhead drew a circle in the dirt while the shaman fetched the requested items. She placed the mat inside it and took a position on her knees with buttocks resting on moccasin soles, facing eastward as Navarro had told her Indians did to pray. So far, the celestial body she needed later had not appeared, and the other one was sinking fast in the west. She closed her eyes and lifted the painted gord. She hummed and murmured unintelligible French words as she shook it, as if calling the spirits or communing with the Great Being. She drew on facts Navarro had told her to play the crucial role thrust upon her.
Eagle Eye stepped forward and gripped her head with spread fingers, burying them in hair that blazed like a roaring fire beneath the setting sun. He pushed it backward until he could look into her upturned face. Green eyes opened and stared at him. “If you fail or trick us, I will slay you.”
Beth had to call his bluff. “You dare to break a sacred circle and interrupt the ceremony with bad medicine from your hatred and mistrust! Do not interfere with things you do not understand and doubt. When I hide the moon in the night sky, you and others must believe and obey. If you do not, Ysun and Killer of Enemies will punish you with death and will destroy your band. Gan will order the Water Monsters from the rivers and lakes to punish you and your followers. If you wish to survive these dark days to live in bright ones ahead, give me time to prove myself.”
“If your arrow is not true, your words are not true. If the moon rides its trail as always, you will die when the sun returns. The half-breed who calls you his woman will die first. I will wipe his mi
xed bloods on your skin and yours will run with his into the mouth of Earth Mother.”
Don’t let him provoke and unnerve you. “Leave the circle so I can purify it again. The good Spirits will not listen and answer while it is stained with evil from one whose heart is black. Soon, moonlight will not touch the faces of your people or the land of your fathers until I order its return. Then, you will know I speak the truth and the vision is sacred.” If the almanac was wrong about a lunar eclipse on Tuesday, May eleventh…
Beth was relieved when the truculent man returned to his place. She closed her eyes, prayed, and concentrated on letting go of her tension. She took deep breaths, held each for a time, then released it. She tried to relax every muscle in her body. She called to mind the tips given to her by Steven and Navarro as she visualized her one shot with the Indian weapon.
Navarro couldn’t surmise what tricks his lover was planning. It was futile for Beth to stall, if that was what she was doing; no rescue was forthcoming because no one knew either they or the Indians were here, and, his wrists bound together; he was impotent to assist. Navarro knew his partner was clever, brave, and skilled; but would those things help in this predicament? If only he had been given a few minutes to talk with her, give her suggestions and comfort…
At dusk, Beth knew she couldn’t stall the inevitable any longer. She stood and glanced at the bow and arrow the guileful leader had placed nearby. She shook her head and addressed her words to the shaman: “Night Cloud will string a bow and choose an arrow for me.”
Eagle Eye sneered, “You must not use those with evil magic, witch.”
“Mine are purified; yours are the evil ones, for they have been touched by one with a black heart. The test does not say I must use yours.”
“’Andi,” Sees-Through-Clouds announced before Eagle Eye argued.
The Indian circle was too close and tight for words with her lover, so Beth said, “I must have space and fresh air to do my task.”
The shaman told everyone to move backward and was obeyed. For once, Eagle Eye didn’t protest, as he was eager to end the matter. Navarro was freed to fetch the sapling and string from his saddle, but under armed guard. He examined the arrows he had made and selected the best one. He was touched by her faith in his talents and glad she asked for weapons she could trust more than an enemy’s. He joined Beth. She didn’t look at him, perhaps to prevent distraction, as she held his life in her hands. He wanted to tell her of his love, but that would be a worse distraction.
Beth closed her eyes, shook the rattle, and pretended to bless the bow. In a whisper, she asked, “What is bilaahda?”
As he strung the bow with a lowered head, he replied, “Silver metal.”
“What is the magic flower?”
“Agave, the Century Plant, the tall one I told you about in Mexico.”
Beth laid aside the rattle and lifted the arrow. She fingered the shaft to ascertain its feel and weight as he’d taught many days ago. “I remember.”
“There’s no wind to concern you. Three inches higher for this range.” He passed her the weapon. “Don’t rush the shot. Get loose first. Plan it with your eyes and fingers. You can do it, partner, or you’re fired.”
Beth smiled at his humorous attempt to relax her. “Be ready to escape if I miss. You can come back for me later.”
Navarro went to stand beside Sees-Through-Clouds. Do it, my love, because I won’t leave without you…
Beth nocked the arrow, took a steadying breath, and drew back the string. She eyed the target, adjusted her aim, and released the arrow. She closed her eyes and listened to it swish through the eerie silence. She heard the thud and lowered the bow to her side. Everyone remained quiet; no shouts of victory nor defeat came forth to enlighten her. She opened her eyes and looked at the target. She could hardly believe her good luck: dead center. She did it! Her prayers were answered! Maybe her capture wasn’t a mistake or her arrival a coincidence after all. Her triumphant gaze went to Eagle Eye’s face, which was a mask of hatred and disbelief. He prevented Navarro from joining her and had the lawman bound once more, claiming her test wasn’t over and her identity confirmed until after her magic feat.
The scar-faced leader came forward. His obsidian gaze glanced at the eastern sky, then made a contemptuous sweep over Beth’s copper hair and sun-pinkened pale face. He taunted in a tone others could not overhear, “There is no moon to hide. When the sun returns and proves you false, you are dead; the half-breed is dead. After my braves take your body many times on their mats, I will cut out your evil tongue and heart and eyes before you burn. I will feed them to the bear and coyote. You will not win this battle. Sit and speak not. Soon, your body is theirs but your blood is mine.”
Beth obeyed, and tried to come up with a backup plan or ruse if nature failed her tonight. So far, the sky wasn’t looking cooperative…
Eagle Eye was doing his own plotting, in case she succeeded…
Chapter Twenty-three
Darkness came, and so did Eagle Eye to where Beth sat alone on the shaman’s mat before his wickiup. He pointed to a sluggish full moon on the horizon and asked in a skeptical tone when she was going to do her magic.
“I will begin to steal its light when it is there.” She pointed eastward. “It will have none when it is above me and this sacred moment. When it is there,” she said, pointing westward, “I will return its full shine.” Most of the band had gathered around her as if she were ready to start. Beth used the encounter to her advantage. “As it is with nature on this night, so it is now with the Chiricahua. In time past, they were shiny and full as the moon; whites came as they glowed over the land, and their light vanished for a time; if they travel a road of peace and acceptance as the moon follows its rightful path across the sky, they will be full and shiny again, as will the moon when it returns. Watch and learn, Chiricahuas. Open your hearts and minds to the truth. Obey the will of Ysun, Giver of Life.”
“Do not trick us with clever words. Let your deed speak for you.”
“It will, Eagle Eye. Eat and rest, Chiricahuas; the ceremony is long and comes late at night as a cunning and victorious thief.”
“If you raid the sky and steal the moon’s light, I will listen and obey.”
Even as he spoke those words before his followers, Beth did not believe him. She warned herself to be on alert for dangerous deceptions.
It wasn’t long before the shaman came to sit beside her and bring her food: antelope meat, wild potatoes, dried fruit, fry bread, and wild tea. He pointed to each in turn and said their names as if to teach them to her: “Ch’ ilaé bitsi, ‘izee béduusi, ’itsá’ ich’i’í, bánxéí, tl’ ugaxee’.”
“’Ixée,” she thanked him as she’d heard earlier, and he smiled.
“Flamehair learn swift like antelope run. Do not fear; moon help.”
“I hope so, Sees-Through-Clouds, or we all will be in trouble.”
They were silent for a time as they ate and drank and reflected.
Beth thought on what she had read about a total lunar eclipse: the moon must be full; it must be at an exact opposite location of the sun; it could be seen from any place in the world; it occurred two to three times a year. If the almanac was accurate, one event was tonight. If not…
She put doubts aside to concentrate on other matters. She went over the talk between Jim Tiller and Eagle Eye and the clue she had gathered from Navarro this evening. She planned the impending talk to the renegade band, if the moon didn’t fail her.
“Night Cloud good man. He Flamehair man?”
Beth didn’t know how to answer. She didn’t want to lie to the gentle and kind Indian. She feared if she did so it would show on her face and she would lose his trust and respect, but Navarro had said she was his woman. Her gaze softened and glowed as it fused with the lawman’s and they exchanged smiles. “I hope so.”
The perceptive old man chuckled. “It so. That good. Be much happy. Ysun reward helpers. Have land, horses, cattle, children. Dres
s have sacred Pollen. Night Cloud, Flamehair grow many things.”
Not a child in my infertile womb; no magic is that real or powerful. “You’re a good man, too. I’m honored you believe in me and became my friend.”
He had seen which word stole the smile in her cactusgreen eyes. “Tell Night Cloud long ago you come to him one day, be his woman.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Three summers past, he take Sees-Through-Clouds to reservation. He not want old shaman hunted, killed. I go. Must be at San Carlos to escape with Eagle Eye; must be at Bear Mountain for Ysun magic this moon.”
“You and Navarro are old friends?”
“It true. Long ago, he sad; not want to take Sees-Through-Clouds to bad place. He not happy; have no woman. Tell him Flamehair vision, not all; long ago he not ready to listen, believe. Tell him woman with fire in hair come to him, be his woman. I tell him much trouble come for him, come for Flamehair. Tell him it blow away if ride as one, if he chase the wind. Bad time come; trouble come; Flamehair come to Night Cloud, come to Chiricahua. You wind, blow away evil; Chiricahua safe; you happy.”
She was astounded by those revelations. Were they coincidences or something more, one of life’s mysteries? “How could you know such things about us and the future, Wise One?”
“Ysun see, know all; tell Sees-Through-Clouds in vision long ago.”
“Did Navarro tell you my white name is Beth Wind?” The old man’s reaction answered that question: her lover had not and she wondered why.
He straightened his shoulders, stared at her, then smiled. “It good vision, strong vision.”
Several points flooded Beth’s mind: Navarro had believed for years the shaman’s vision was about the eventual return of his lost love, the auburn-haired Jessica Lane Cordell. That mistaken assumption had to be part of the reason he had clung to false hope for so long. No wonder he had exposed such strong and odd reactions to her hair color and name! If he had told Daniel Withers about the shaman’s words, that would explain why Navarro briefly suspected Dan of having an ulterior motive for choosing her as his partner.
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