Forever Ecstasy

by Janelle Taylor

  “Come, we go. It dark. Hold hand.” She held one out to him and she noticed how he grasped it with eagerness and speed, a grip that exposed strength and trust. His hand was warm and pliant, and its inner surface revealed marks of hard work, while the back was smooth. She liked the contact with him, didn’t consider Joe an enemy. And she sensed he felt the same. She entered the cave and walked into the shadows that engulfed them. Morning Star knew the center of this path was clear of obstacles, as she had played and camped there many times since birth. When she reached the area she wanted, having counted off the steps, she halted and said, “Be still. I light torch.”

  Joe waited in the blackness after she left him. He heard movements, then saw a spark. Soon, a glow revealed the interior and Morning Star to him. He watched her build a small fire with bush left there from another time. “How do you know your way around in the dark?” he asked.

  “Come here many suns and moons since Life-Circle begin. Many times tie cloth over eyes to play games. Other times, cover eyes to test skills and make them grow larger. There not always light to guide feet when danger come. It good to be friends with darkness.”

  “You’re right. I’d never thought of that before,” Joe said. His eyes had adjusted to the amount of light from the fire, and as he looked around, he decided it was a safe hideout. There was a spot where a stream trickled down the rocky surface and formed a pool to supply them with water. There was enough brush to keep the fire going for another day or two. The floor was smooth in most places, and several areas had lengthy ledges like bunks. He didn’t detect any musky or foul smell in the cave. It was a fresh, clean, and unusual chamber. With a fire and a beautiful woman, it was cozy—too cozy.

  “Take off shirt. I tend wound,” Morning Star said.

  Even with her gentle assistance, Joe winced as he removed his jacket and shirt, but he was pleased that the snug binding had stopped most of the bleeding. He watched Morning Star open her parfleche and remove several things. He kept his gaze on hers as she examined the injury.

  “White man’s ball go in and out. That good.” She asked if he had a bowl, but he didn’t. She took the tin cup he handed to her. Morning Star knew Joe watched her as she crushed the pond lilies that would halt his bleeding completely. She pulled a small pouch suspended from a thong around her neck from beneath her top, loosened the string, and poured dried herbs into her palm, then finger-brushed them into the cup. She added enough water to blend them and prepare a mixture to prevent infection. She took care not to hurt him while smearing it onto the entrance and exit wounds. Afterward, she bound his upper arm with a clean cloth.

  “What was that?” Joe inquired, pointing to her medicine pouch.

  “Pezuta wopahte, medicine bundle,” she explained.

  “I meant those herbs you used.”

  “I not know. They halt wound from growing red with fever and stop bad yellow water from coming. Payaba gave to me. He shaman many seasons past. I seek herbs, plants, barks for him when captured. Hawk Eyes is shaman these suns. Payaba was Standing Tree in seasons past. His name Payaba these suns, ‘Pushed Aside.’ Hawk Eyes say his magic and skills larger, but Morning Star not believe. Payaba eighty winters. His legs and mind walk slow these suns, and many times not go where he wishes them. When he sick on mat for many suns, Hawk Eyes tell council Standing Tree soon go to join Grandfather; he say our people must vote for new medicine chief with many seasons until his Life-Circle end.”

  Joe realized the young woman spoke better English when she talked slower and chose her words with care. It was also apparent she did not like Hawk Eyes or the retirement of her friend Standing Tree, now Payaba. “Why do you gather medicines for him if he’s no longer your shaman?”

  “Many visit Payaba’s tepee; his powers strong. He cannot seek herbs, plants, and barks he needs; Morning Star gathers for him.”

  “That means your camp can’t be too far from here.”

  “You not know how long I captive.”

  “Not long enough for those plants in your pouch to die and rot.”

  She grinned. “You see and know much, Joe Lawrence.”

  “Tell me how and why you were taken prisoner,” he urged, feeling more at ease with her by the minute. It was a strange but good, sensation.

  “Must sleep. Morning Star tired. Joe tired, hurt. We talk later.”

  “You sure you won’t sneak off during the night?” he asked.

  “Night flees. Wi awakens soon to climb into sky.”

  “You’ll be here when I wake up?” Joe asked again.

  “Morning Star be at your side.” She moved to a place where she could rest her head on her folded arms on a rock, then closed her eyes.

  After Joe put on his shirt, he went to the woman to slip his jacket around her shoulders. When she opened her dark eyes and looked at him, he couldn’t seem to break their gazes or move back to his place.

  Firelight flickered on the man’s face. Morning Star saw that he had sky blue eyes to go with his handsome face and sunny hair. He was tall, about half a foot taller than herself, and strong; he possessed a good spirit and could be trusted. She enjoyed his smile and voice, and felt strangely warmed when he used them on her. When he had removed his shirt, she saw that his chest was as hairless as an Indian’s. She liked this stranger who made her feel safe and happy. There were not many whites like him, and that was why lasting peace was impossible. She had no urge to sneak off from him while he slept, but she didn’t know what she would do with him when the time came for parting. She hated to send him back into danger, as he didn’t know this territory.

  “You be in our land many suns?” she inquired.

  “Yes, Morning Star, for many, many suns. I’ll explain everything after we sleep. You’re right; I’m exhausted.” He knew he had to return to his place in the cave, as this woman was more tempting than any he’d ever met.

  The daughter of Chief Sun Cloud observed Joe’s retreat and sensed a reluctance in him to leave her side. She asked herself if he failed to grasp the differences in them, in their cultures, in their skins. He looked at her as a man of her kind would. She found that odd but pleasing. Soon they would learn more about each other. She closed her eyes.

  Joe reclined on his side to prevent staring at her. He tried to believe it was her connection to the Oglalas that held his interest, but he knew it was not; it was Morning Star herself. He warned himself to stop thinking such crazy thoughts about her; he was here on a vital mission, not to woo a woman, especially one so different from him.

  In a short time, the two fatigued people were asleep, only to dream of each other.

  When he awoke, Joe yawned and stretched. He noticed that his wound was not as sore as he had expected. Perhaps it was because of the herbs Morning Star had placed on it. He glanced at the spot she had taken last night; no, early this morning. It was empty! Morning Star was gone!

  Chapter Two

  Joe jerked to a sitting position and looked around the cave. A small fire was burning. He listened, then caught her voice far away. He got to his feet and headed for the entrance. He saw Morning Star outside with her horse, stroking and speaking to him. His blue gaze moved over her shapely figure in the buckskin dress. He assumed the hidden part of her body was as firm and supple as her arms and legs. As if sensing his approach—or maybe she’d heard it—she turned and smiled.

  “You close eyes long time, Joe Lawrence. Wi climb high. Morning Star see, hear no danger. We rest. Joe heal until Wi come again and enemies gone. Morning Star return home, and Joe ride away.”

  “Where is your home, Morning Star?” he asked, joining her.

  “Must go in cave. If danger come, Hanmani warn. Hole in cave for escape. Hanmani, Star have water and grass. They fine.”

  Joe followed the Indian maiden back inside the rock shelter. “You never answer my questions, Morning Star. Why? Do you distrust me?”

  “Hiya,” she replied with haste. “No. Story long, hard. Morning Star yuonihansni, shamed by evil whites
’ capture. Eager to scout and not hear Hanmani warning. Morning Star foolish, pride too big.”

  “Don’t scold yourself. If it hadn’t been for you, I would be dead now. You helped me better than any warrior could have. I can understand why you’d want to spy on those men. You said they were taking guns and whiskey to your enemies, the Crow.”

  She stared at Joe in dismay and sudden mistrust. “Morning Star not speak such words! Say they meet Crow band on this sun. Not say why they meet or what in wagons. How you know such things?”

  Joe noticed that she had strapped a beaded belt with a knife sheath around her waist and that her hand had shifted to the weapon. He had let her beauty steal his wits, and he’d made a slip. He didn’t know who she was, where she was from, or if the Oglalas were involved in the trouble as charged or merely being framed. “Somebody is trading guns and whiskey to the Crow, and it’s going to cause big trouble. Their tracks told me those wagons were loaded heavily; that’s why I trailed them. When they acted strange and didn’t want me around, I added up the clues.”

  “Why you care if they trade with Bird People? Crow friends with whites. Crow and whites want Dakota land and lives! Do you trick Morning Star to take you to her camp, to return to destroy it?”

  “I swear that isn’t true. We helped each other back there because we’re good people and we want peace.”

  To see his reaction, she told Joe, “Dakotas cannot have peace with whites. Palefaces lie, cheat, steal, kill. They forget words of truce on paper. They want all we possess.”

  Her eyes and tone did not agree with the evocative words she spoke. If she believed them, she would not have helped him or remained here with him, he reasoned. “Some whites do, Morning Star, but not all of us, not me. I want peace. You can trust me.”

  The dark-haired beauty stared at Joseph Lawrence. His blue gaze was filled with honesty, hope, and gentleness. “Tell why you here. Why track men? Why rescue Morning Star?”

  Joe sat down on a rock as he decided what to tell her. “I was traveling with a friend of mine. We got separated at Pratte’s Post east of here. Tanner was knifed badly. Before he died, he mentioned guns and whiskey, a boss called ‘Snake-Man’, and something about picking up a big load. When I came across those wagon ruts, my instinct told me to follow them. I’ve heard about the trouble between the Crow and Dakotas and that the Army thinks the Dakotas are going on the warpath again this year. I was going to join those men until I could find Tanner’s killer. While I was getting justice and revenge, if I could stop a war between Indians and whites by getting at the truth, I’d be glad.”

  “People lie to you. We not want war,” Morning Star said adamantly. “We not start war. We defend our lives and lands from attack. Whites are ones who not honor words. Oglalas make treaty many winters past. Have peace long time. Five winters past, white men make trails on Lakota lands. Many wagons use. Some whites stay in Lakota lands. They start new troubles. More soldiers and forts come to help them. Crow help them; they help Crow. When Wi hot and long last season, more trouble come. I not see, but hear of bad deeds. When cold and snow come, whites and soldiers quiet. They afraid to attack in winter camp; we too strong. Soldiers send message that we stop attacks we not make. We tell truth; they no believe. We say Crow do; Crow say no. They take Bird People’s words. Bands find tracks of white man’s horses at wicked sights. Not know who. Father say more trouble come when we hunt buffalo soon, when warriors gone from camp and defense low. How have peace?”

  “By helping me prove your people are innocent and want peace.”

  “Tokel he?” She asked him how.

  “Take me to your people. Let me talk with them. I have to discover who this Snake-Man is and why he’s trying to start a war here.”

  Her eyes widened and her voice lowered. “We hear of Snake-Man. He have powerful magic. He evil. We not know his name and face. You must go, or die.” Her tone and expression were filled with worry.

  “Your people would kill me? But I’m trying to help them.”

  “Not my people. Bad whites and Crow allies.”

  “Not if your people help me. I need a guide and translator. If I can get proof as to who is to blame, the Army will stop the evil whites and the sly Crow.”

  “Toke he?” She asked why. This situation was befuddling her.

  “They killed my best friend, and they want to stir up a war. I don’t think you want a bloody war to start, either, so help me prevent one.” “Make no promises to Joe, but take to Father to talk.” “Who is your father? How far away is your camp?” “Ride fast, two suns. Father called Mahpiya-Wi, Oancan: Sun Cloud, Chief. Great Spirit create Dakota Nation in three parts: Lakota, Nakota, and Dakota.” She explained the major divisions of what the whites called the Sioux Nation. “It like three branches with many limbs on big tree called Dakota Oceti Sakawin: ‘Seven Council Fires of the Dakota.’ Tribes like limbs. Dakota/Santee branch have four limbs: Mdewakanton, Wahpekute, Wahpeton, and Sisseton. Nakota branch have two limbs: Yankton and Yanktonais. Lakota branch have one big limb: Teton. It have many small limbs: Oglala, Brule, Hunkpapa, Blackfeet, Two Kettle, Sans Arc, and Minneconjou. Small limbs have many bands like pinecones. Morning Star belong to Red Heart Band of Oglala tribe, Teton limb, Lakota branch of tree. Dakota/Santee branch not same as big Dakota tree. When Santee sign Pike’s Treaty, they give whites part of their territory far away. Whites think Dakota/Santee sign for Dakota tree. That not true, not same, not one.”

  Joe knew about the 1805 treaty where the Santee ceded some of their territory in Minnesota to the United States for forts. That treaty confused whites who didn’t know the Santee chief could not speak for the entire Dakota Nation, as the President ruled and represented America. Most whites believed there was a treaty with all Dakota Indians and they could come and go as they pleased in any Dakota area. But, in truth, the woodland tribes had no claim or control over their Plains brothers’ regions. It would be like the governor of Virginia selling someone land in Georgia without Georgia’s permission or knowledge. Suddenly, Joe realized who Morning Star really was. Stunned, he asked, “You’re Sun Cloud’s daughter? Sun Cloud, son of Gray Eagle?” And also Tanner’s cousin, he added to himself.

  She was pleased by the awe in his expression. “Han, yes, it so. You hear of Father and Grandfather.”

  “Many times. They’re both great legends, men as tall as the sky. Thank God I didn’t let those bastards harm you. It would have been a bloodbath for certain. How did Zeke and his men get you? I’m sure your father has a search party out looking for you.”

  “Word not reached his ears. Take friends five moons to reach camp from place Morning Star captured on past sun. Joe rest, heal. We ride on new sun. Catch friends on trail. Friends ride this sun, travel slow; have women, children, old ones. Evil whites hide capture trail; mark false one to Crow Territory. Friends not know Morning Star near; cannot ride into Bird People lands to attack, rescue. Need more warriors for big fight. They ride home, tell Father. Take many moons.”

  “Are you sure we shouldn’t leave right now? They might travel fast with such bad news. We could catch up to them before they tell your father.”

  “No. Will ride fast; be close behind in two… days. If not stay hidden, evil whites and Crow find. Must not guide to friends; they be slain.”

  “You’re right. We’ll wait until tomorrow. Tell me about yourself and your people,” Joe coaxed. “I didn’t know Sun Cloud had a daughter. The more I learn before I reach your camp, the better we can all work together. First, I want to hear about your capture, and what you heard those men say.”

  “You strange white man. Morning Star speak, but Joe must…” She halted and looked toward the entrance. She touched a finger to her lips for silence, then cupped an ear with her hand: sign language for listen.

  Joe remained quiet and alert. He heard what had captured her attention. Slowly and carefully he reached for his Sharp’s ’48 rifle. He must not allow anything to happen to this valuable woman, even if it cos
t him his life.

  With caution, Joseph Lawrence and Morning Star crept toward the entrance of the cave. They heard the roan’s shoes and the Appaloosa’s hooves striking against rocks as the two horses shifted about in rising anxiety. Their ears caught a whinny several times as someone or something frightened their mounts. Joe motioned for his companion to stay back, but she continued to follow him. His rifle was ready for use, as was the knife in her grasp.

  Joe peered outside to the right of the opening. He gave a sigh of relief and relaxed his taut body. “Look,” he said, pointing to the seep where a porcupine was drinking.

  The horses knew it was wise to give the prickly creature all the space it wanted. When the animal had drunk its fill, it waddled through the bushes and vanished. The horses settled down the moment the porcupine was gone and returned to their grazing.

  Morning Star laughed and dismissed her own tension. “It wise not to challenge pahin when he thirsty.”

  Joe chuckled. “Or any other time. Those spines give a nasty bite.”

  “Hawk Eyes say quills have poison; Payaba say it not so. It hard to work with them. Pricks sting; they… become sore; they not kill. Hawk Eyes say they no kill Red Heart women because we bathe hands in ska utahu can when we done; medicine bark heal pricks.”

  He noticed the tone of her voice and the look on her face. He knew they held unintentional clues he might need later in camp. “You don’t like or trust Hawk Eyes, do you?”

  Morning Star glanced at Joe and frowned, but at herself, not him. “It wrong to think, speak bad of shaman. Hawk Eyes not always this way. His son, Knife-Slayer, desires great rank and power for his father and for Knife-Slayer. He places… mischief in Hawk Eyes’ head. Many times wish they not Oglalas. Morning Star fear their hunger for war against bluecoats and whites will bring much suffering to our people. Think others not see bad in them.”