Spirit of the Sky

by Paty Jager

  Her only moment of solace during the night came when Wewukiye entered her dreams and told her Wade was unharmed and worked to bring them together. Security had warmed her cold, tired body at the thought of Wade.

  But as the day grew colder and evening brought more bullets and more deaths, she worried for them all. The women took turns telling stories to the children and caring for the warriors arriving with injuries. Rumors of some Nimiipuu escaping filled Sa-qan’s heart with hope. They would not all perish at the hands of the soldiers.

  On the fourth day of nonstop fighting, a warrior spotted a white flag waving in the brutal cold air. Sa-qan whispered thanks to the Creator and Wade. Had the two finally worked on the conscience of the soldiers’ leader? Slowly, the women and children climbed out of the trenches. Warriors began to return, finding their families and fortifying their bodies.

  Sa-qan climbed out of the trench, wrapping a blanket around her shoulders to ward off the bitter wind and snow. Chills chased up and down her arms, but the knowledge the soldiers may soon end the killing ignited a flame of anticipation in her heart. With the truce there was a chance she could see Wade.

  They gathered around a small fire started from buffalo chips. The heat barely warmed water to make soup for the children, but the silence of the guns and hope in the air did as much as food in their stomachs.

  Sa-qan stared across the expanse between the camp and the soldiers. Out of the flurry of snow three unarmed Cheyenne warriors walked toward their camp. She took a step in their direction. Could this be a delegation to end the fighting? Her heart raced. Had Wade persuaded the leaders to end this?

  Silent Doe grabbed her arm. “It might be a trick.”

  She knew the Cheyenne scouted for the soldiers. “Perhaps they are here to stop the fighting.” Sa-qan removed Silent Doe’s hand. She swallowed the knot of fear in her throat. She had witnessed scouts kill before, but Sa-qan sensed these men were not to be feared.

  A warrior of Joseph’s family fell into step beside her along with another warrior.

  They stopped a short distance from the Cheyenne scouts. The scouts extended their hands. Sa-qan and the Nimiipuu warriors clasped palms with the Cheyenne in greeting and warily watched for a surprise attack.

  “You have come to speak with us?” Sa-qan asked.

  “The soldier leader Colonel Miles wishes to speak with your chief, Joseph.”

  She watched the warriors who walked out with her. The words spoken by the Cheyenne etched questions on their weary faces.

  “If he will speak with Miles, they will let the women and children go,” said one scout while the other Cheyenne nodded their heads.

  “How do we know you speak for the White soldier?” the Nimiipuu warrior asked.

  “Your chief can speak with the White soldier. We can make it happen.”

  Excitement bubbled in Sa-qan. Finally the Nimiipuu would no longer be hunted. She removed her necklace, a bone carved into an eagle head given to her by Girl of Many Hearts. She handed it to the lead warrior, hoping he would show it around and Wade would know she was safe. “Take this to your leader as our good faith gift.”

  The Nimiipuu nodded their agreement to the offer.

  The Cheyenne scouts took the offering and walked back toward the soldiers. Sa-qan waited to turn her back, hoping to catch a glimpse of Wade. She saw nothing other than strewn bodies in the bleakness between the two camps as the scouts disappeared.

  Sa-qan returned to the camp and helped Silent Doe hand out food to the children. The wailing continued for the fallen warriors. Her heart ached for the dead. She yearned for the day she could hold Wade in her arms and dispel her worries he had been harmed.

  Later that day a truce was called while Joseph and five warriors met with the soldiers. During the truce, the soldiers and Nimiipuu passed one another on the battlefield collecting their dead and wounded. She watched each soldier who came into the area hoping for a glimpse of Wade. Each face that was not his trickled more unease into her heart. Had he been injured in the fighting?

  As the women buried their dead, Silent Doe helped prepare Frog, Joseph’s brother, to go to the Creator. Sa-qan treated the wounded the best she could with only mortal knowledge and herbs.

  Joseph returned. Concern still marred his face. He spoke with the other chiefs, and they loaded weapons on a horse. He and several warriors met the soldier leader between the two camps. Sa-qan watched the gathering. Her heart raced searching the soldiers for a glimpse of Wade. Disappointment rested heavy in her chest when she did not spot him.

  The Nimiipuu headed back toward the camp when an interpreter called out to them. She watched Joseph return to the soldiers. They surrounded the chief, hustling him toward the soldier’s camp. Horror at the sight pierced Sa-qan’s heart. Joseph held the people together. Betrayal and anger washed through her. Angry words around her proved all felt the betrayal.

  The warriors raced back to the camp.

  “They have captured our chief! The lying so·yá·po have taken him!”

  ****

  Wade couldn’t believe his eyes when Miles and his negotiation group raced into the camp with Chief Joseph between them.

  “Are you trying to get us all slaughtered?” Miles was a lunatic if he thought the Nez Perce wouldn’t retaliate. From what Sa-qan told him, Joseph was the most level-headed of the chiefs; what would happen to her if the others laid siege on the soldiers? The return fire could kill all the innocents.

  “We have something to bargain with now.” Miles faced the men standing around staring at the proud Indian still sitting atop his horse. “Put him under arrest.”

  Compelled to take care of the chief, Wade stepped into the midst. The best way he could see to keep the chief alive was to remain with him.

  “Watts, you have other things to attend to.” Miles’s order was hard to ignore, given the many years Wade had followed orders.

  Wade stepped back, keeping his gaze on Joseph. The chief nodded toward him. Wade saw the same pride and commitment in the Indian’s eyes as he’d witnessed many times in Sa-qan’s.

  Wade reluctantly returned to his duties. Once he completed them, he’d check on the prisoner, and then he’d have a few private words with Miles. His kidnapping the chief could end up being the death sentence to every soldier in the camp.

  His detail rescued the dead, recorded their names, and buried each deceased soldier. The considerable death toll grieved his heart for the wasted lives on both sides. Wade talked with the sergeant in charge before slipping away to the tent housing Chief Joseph.

  “Lieutenant. No one is allowed entry.” The guard lowered his rifle across the tent flap.

  “I’m here to check on the prisoner.” He added an extra inflection of authority in his voice.

  “By whose orders, sir?”

  Without flinching, Wade said, “Colonel Miles.”

  The guard raised his rifle and Wade entered the tent.

  Wade’s eyes adjusted to the darkness inside the cold structure. The chief was shackled and rolled up in a blanket like a swaddled baby. Anger at the chief’s treatment clenched Wade’s jaw and added to the throb in his temples.

  “I can’t believe this.” Wade mumble, approaching the man lying on the floor. Joseph’s dark eyes narrowed.

  “I’m not going to hurt you.” Wade slipped a hand under the large man and together they raised him to his feet.

  “I can’t do anything about the shackles, but I can unwrap the blanket so you can sit instead of be left on the ground like a log.” He walked around the chief, unwrapping the tightly wound blanket and settling it around his shoulders. “I hope you don’t consider the treatment of Miles and the men who did this to you as that of all Whitemen.”

  “There are good and bad men among all people,” Joseph said in halting English.

  “That’s true. I’ve been trying for days to get Colonel Miles to talk with you, but I didn’t think he’d do something this asinine as kidnapping you.” Wade ran a hand over hi
s mustache. If left up to him, he’d find the keys to the shackles and help the Indian escape.

  Joseph tilted his head. “You do not carry the same hatred toward the Nimiipuu.”

  Did he tell this man about his future plans with Sa-qan? The sound of shuffling feet beyond the canvas held his tongue. If the wrong person heard and recounted his words to Miles it was a sure thing he’d be on trial for treason. Best to keep that information to himself. Which also made it impossible for him to ask about Sa-qan.

  He knew she was alive. The Cheyenne who started the negotiations had returned from the Nimiipuu camp carrying an eagle necklace, saying a woman with white hair and yellow eyes gave him the trinket. Sa-qan had survived the past days’ fighting. The knowledge untwisted the knot of dread lodged in his gut.

  “I’ll bring you food on my next visit.” He stared into the Indian’s eyes. The strength in their depths reminded him of Sa-qan. Their unflappable strength had endeared these people to him.

  The man nodded and Wade exited the tent. Miles stood beside a horse and rider. Wade strode over and caught the tail end of the conversation.

  “Study the layout and count the people and weapons. I want you to bring back a full reconnaissance report.”

  Second Lieutenant Lovell Jerome saluted and nudged his horse out of the camp.

  “Sir, do you think it’s smart to send one man over to the Indians when you captured their chief?” Wade watched the calculating stare of Miles shift from Jerome’s vanishing form and light on him.

  “Watts, are you questioning my command?” Miles glared at him.

  “I question your reasons behind the underhanded way you treat the Nez Perce.”

  “I plan to have accepted the Nez Perce’s surrender before Howard gets here and steals my triumph.” He spun away.

  “Conceit. That’s what got Custer in trouble,” Wade mumbled, staring at the colonel’s back.

  ****

  Sa-qan glanced up from the warrior she tended as a soldier rode into camp. Her heart raced with anticipation until she didn’t recognize the man. Several warriors immediately grabbed him, dragging him off his horse. A quarrel broke out over killing him or keeping him to trade for Joseph.

  The chiefs stepped in allowing the man to live in hopes Joseph was receiving good care. They placed the soldier in a trench guarded by warriors who followed the orders of the leaders to keep the more hostile warriors from harming him.

  Sa-qan brought him water. She wished to ask him about Wade but to do so would only throw suspicions on her about her knowledge of the soldiers. The soldier was polite, but his eyes constantly scanned the camp. Not out of concern for himself but more as if imposing the camp upon his memory.

  She returned to the small fire, taking in all the conversations. Many voiced contempt for the soldiers and wished to attack. It would take the severe disapproval of the others to keep these hostile warriors under control. Several families made plans to sneak out under the cover of night. They no longer believed the chiefs could protect them. That to stay meant certain death. The devoted Lake Nimiipuu feared for their chief in the hands of the soldiers.

  Sa-qan stared across the battlefield, wishing she could contact Wade. He was so close, yet she had no way to contact him or know his movements as she had as a spirit. With all the violent talk about the soldiers she wished to feel the safety of his loving arms, proof he was safe.

  Wewukiye can you help Wade and I to meet?

  Her brother must hear her speaking to him for he’d told her in her dreams about Wade. Would she have to wait until she slept to learn if a meeting was possible?

  “Sa-qan, your help is needed,” Silent Doe said, arriving at her side.

  Her heart quickened thinking something had happened to Girl of Many Hearts.

  Silent Doe led her to the only dwelling still standing. The structure held the wounded brought in from the battlefield and those that fought their way back to their families. The cold shelter kept the snow and rain off the injured. Families brought blankets to keep their loved ones warm.

  Instead of ducking into the shelter, Silent Doe passed the dwelling and continued toward the side of the bluff. Sa-qan slowed her steps. She trusted the woman, but questioned why she led her away from the security of the camp.

  Silent Doe stopped and smiled. Her eyes glowed. “Hurry my sister, your brother will take you to meet your soldier.” Dove’s essence shimmered around Silent Doe, filling Sa-qan with joy.

  “You and my brother have made me very happy this day.” She hugged Silent Doe’s body and Dove’s essence and walked around the bluff. Her brother’s magnificent elk form stood under a tree.

  “My brother, how will you bring me to Wade?” She petted his soft nose.

  “Sit upon my back. I will take you to him. He waits for you in a draw the soldiers are not guarding.” Wewukiye knelt.

  She climbed onto his back and grasped a handful of his mane. “How is it you can speak with Wade, but I cannot hear you speak to me in my mind?”

  “Your fear has closed your mind. It happens to mortals. When they are scared they cannot think clearly or hear the voices spoken which could ease their troubles.” Wewukiye set out at a jog through the valley and over the ridge to another smaller valley. She clung to his warm body and hid her face in her blanket to fend off the brutal cold air.

  He stopped and she peeked out. Wade walked toward them. A horse tied to a tree snorted and raised its head, its eyes round and frightened.

  Wade reached up to lift her off her brother. He had become accustomed to her immortal life. Could she learn to be a mortal as easily? His large warm hands grasped her waist and lowered her to the ground in front of him.

  “I will return before the sun becomes tired.”

  Wewukiye’s words registered before she became caught in the happiness shining in Wade’s eyes. She nodded and smiled up at Wade.

  “I’ve worried about you.” Wade pulled her close.

  “As I have you.” She tipped her chin up and gazed into his eyes. The happiness in them now battled with concern.

  He lowered his head and their lips touched. Heat flashed through her body.

  She was home. His arms gave her shelter. His embrace filled her with happiness. The kiss deepened as she pressed closer. She wished for warmer weather so they could touch skin to skin. She wound her arms around his neck. Her blanket opened exposing, her body to the cold.

  Wade pulled out of the kiss, drew the blanket around her, and opened his coat, enfolding her next to his body under the thick garment. She wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him, breathing in his scent.

  He kissed her head before resting his cheek on her hair. “Sa-qan, angel, I’ve wanted to hold you like this since our last meeting.”

  “I have wished the same.” She snuggled her face into his shirt and listened to the steady thump of his heart.

  “If I didn’t feel the need to make sure Colonel Miles treats your chief right, I’d put you on my horse and we’d hightail it out of here.”

  The wistfulness and conviction in his tone drew her attention. “Is Joseph well?”

  “They aren’t treating him as well as they should, but he’s tough. I’ve helped him as much as I can without getting myself locked up for treason. I can’t help you or anyone if they lock me up.”

  “Do not become a prisoner. We need you.” She kissed the prickly, supple underside of his chin. “I need you.” Fear of losing him and joy of being held in his arms fought in her throat clogging the air making it hard for her to whisper her last words.

  “I promise to be there for you and the baby.” He leaned down to kiss her.

  Sa-qan pulled back. “How do you know about the child in me?”

  “Wewukiye told me.” His eyes softened. “He said you have become mortal because of my seed.” He gently grasped her chin and peered into her eyes. “Will you one day hate me for taking away your spirit powers?”

  Le’éptit wax pá-xat

  (25)

>   Wade watched her eyes brighten then fade as if Sa-qan hoped to hide her uncertainty from him. He would never forgive himself his lusty ways if she grew to hate him. The thought of losing her banded his arms around her small body.

  She placed a palm on his cheek. Her warm fingers burned against his cold skin.

  “I would never hate you for making me one with you and giving me the gift of a child.” She frowned. “I only wish it had not happened until the Nimiipuu are no longer chased by the soldiers.”

  Guilt set like a cannon ball in his gut. “I’m sorry for not thinking of the consequences of our making love. I’ve never wanted or craved a woman as I do you.”

  Her eyes shone bright, not as bright as when she was a spirit, but their light let him know his words filled her with happiness.

  He dipped his head and captured her sweet lips. There would never come a day he wouldn’t want to taste Sa-qan’s sweetness and passion. She responded to the kiss, opening, allowing him entry. Their tongues tasted and teased, mating as their bodies wished.

  Wade pulled out of the kiss first, gasping for air. “You set my body on fire.” His hands worked their way passed the layers of blanket to touch only her supple deerskin dress between his fingers and her body. He pressed her tighter, pushing his arousal against her belly.

  “My body and heart wishes to be one with you, again.” Her breathless proclamation came as her hands slipped under his shirts and between his buckskin leggings and skin.

  Her touch so close to his throbbing manhood rumbled a groan through his tightly clenched teeth.

  He grasped her wrists, tugging them up between their bodies. “Angel, your touch…” He cleared his throat and willed his racing heart to slow. “Sa-qan, as much as I would love to make your wish come true, here and now isn’t a good place. It’s too cold and wet. I’d never forgive myself if you became ill and something happened to you or the baby.”