Forever Ecstasy

by Janelle Taylor

  The elderly man had spoken too fast for Joe to catch more than a few words that didn’t make sense to him. All dark eyes had shifted from the past shaman to him. Joe sensed that something important about him had been revealed. An array of emotions filled the Oglalas’ faces: awe, confusion, trust, anger, and apprehension. When Morning Star translated for him, astonishment, tension, and befuddlement filled Joe. He knew the Indians were believers of what they called visions, but he was amazed by the exactitude of one that had taken place twenty years ago. He wondered how the old man could have foreseen this episode. Yet Payaba had! The past shaman’s insight and prophecy baffled Joe. “What does it mean?” he asked Morning Star.

  Morning Star studied him closely. This was the first time she had heard of the wowanyake, a vision coming true before her senses. She was stirred by the news of the woman in Payaba’s vision long ago, as Joe had asked for a female helper now! Her actions were justified, foretold! The vision matched Joe and the current situation perfectly! She had done nothing more than be used and guided by the Great Spirit! She was blessed and honored and proud. What did it matter who defeated their foes and won peace? She must prove her mettle to become that vision woman. Yet she replied, “Slolwaye sni; I do not know.” She needed to learn more before she could explain things to Joe.

  “Morning Star told him such things on the trail,” Night Stalker charged. “He is not Sky Warrior. He does not carry Oglala blood.”

  “I did not tell him such things!” Morning Star retorted. “I did not know of them until this moment! I believe the vision and his words. Grandfather crossed our path so I could bring him to our camp to fulfill his destiny and ours. A vision must be obeyed, my brother.”

  “How do we know Payaba did not have a dream?” Knife-Slayer asked.

  “If it was a sacred vision, why was I not shown it?” Hawk Eyes added.

  “How can only a dream match what has come to be?” Morning Star reasoned, then reminded them, “All know Payaba was a great shaman who was taught by Mind-Who-Roams, the powerful medicine chief who led our tribe under Gray Eagle. His powers and insight have not vanished. Grandfather let Payaba live to speak to our people on this sun about the forgotten vision. Only Grandfather knows why He did not share the truth with Hawk Eyes.”

  Sun Cloud was shocked by the man’s claims. Joe had no Indian coloring or bone structure; he bore no resemblance to Powchutu. He remembered his father’s half brother. They had become close friends before Powchutu’s death at the side of Gray Eagle during the white man’s ambush in 1820. Afterward, he had signed a treaty with Derek Sturgis because he wanted to save his people, his family, his ways, and his lands. But troubles over the past few years had stolen his trust in the white man and their great leader. Now he must confront that same decision again: war or peace. “How do we know you are Tanner Gaston, son of Stede, grandson of Powchutu? Why did you not tell Morning Star? Or speak it sooner to me?”

  “There are many charges against your band,” Joe replied carefully. “I didn’t want to reveal my identity until I was sure I could trust you. I thought you would speak and act differently to Joe than to Tanner. When the first whites came, you met them in peace. You did not resist settlers until they began to intrude in large numbers and to claim parts of your land. When gold— the yellow rock white man craves-was discovered in California, many prospectors and traders swarmed over your territory as countless bees. When land was purchased or claimed in Oregon Territory, white pioneers had to pass through your lands to reach it. Many stopped and remained. Troops were sent to patrol the area, to protect the whites, and to obtain peace with the Indians.” He saw Sun Cloud nod.

  “When the numbers of the settlers, traders, trappers, and soldiers became too large, your people and other tribes, as well, worried that they would steal all lands from you. There are many differences between the two peoples, Sun Cloud. The whites do not understand how bad it is to kill the buffalo that sustains your way of life. They cut timber to build homes, fences, forts, and barns. They don’t realize that their guns scare off game. They don’t understand why they can’t let their stock graze on the same grasslands with buffalo, deer, and elk. They don’t know that you believe they scar the face of Mother Earth when they clear land to grow food, to raise stock, and to build homes, forts, posts, churches, and schools. They clear land for roads because they’re easier for wagons to travel than trails. They don’t know Indian ways. The same is true of the Oglalas and other tribes; they don’t understand the white man’s ways. Many events in history are beyond the control of a leader and his people. What happens here is not, Sun Cloud. What you decide and do will become history— good or bad— and it will affect the lives of these people and all generations to follow.”

  Sun Cloud was impressed and silently concurred, but he responded, “Those are wise and good words, but they do not make you Tanner.”

  Joe did not comprehend how Payaba had prophesied his coming, but he could not ignore the strange truth. The mystical holy man had described him— not Tanner Gaston— accurately! Some power greater than all of them was at work and had led him—not Powchutu’s grandson—to this place and problem. Yet he needed that blood connection and his lie to make the remainder of the “vision” come true.

  Confident he was doing the right thing for all concerned, Joe reasoned, “There’s no way I could have known about Payaba’s vision to use it to deceive you. I’m as shocked as you are to see me here today fulfilling it. I don’t understand such magic and mysteries in life, but I know I’m here to help. I’ll tell you what Powchutu told Stede and he told me. Powchutu lived and worked as a half-breed scout at the fort; that’s where he met your mother, when she lived as Alisha Williams after she was stolen from your father by soldiers. When she was returned to your grandfather, she was proven to be Shalee, long-lost daughter of Chief Black Cloud. She didn’t understand or believe such claims, and she fled Gray Eagle with Powchutu. Gray Eagle tracked her to St. Louis, told her the truth, and brought her home. Powchutu was said to be slain by the white enemy holding your mother captive, but he was only injured and had been sold into white slavery. For many years, he didn’t remember his name. When the Great Spirit returned his mind, he left your grandparents in peace and married a half-white woman. But you know the truth about her,” Joe hinted.

  Yes, Sun Cloud knew the truth about Sarah Devane Gaston. She was the real Shalee, abducted daughter of Black Cloud, the woman whose identity his mother had used until her death the same day as Gray Eagle’s. Yet only a few people knew and had known that secret because it would have been damaging to many. He also knew that Powchutu’s mother was a Crow, not a Cheyenne as recorded on the family history hide. Love between enemies was torment for all involved. That was the main reason Running Wolf had been denied his firstborn son from a forbidden love for a Bird Woman and the impossible union between lovers of enemy tribes.

  “When my grandfather returned to his people thirty-one years ago, he became Eagle’s Arm,” Joe continued. “Running Wolf had confessed the truth of his first son to Shalee, and she revealed it to Gray Eagle. All was forgiven and they became brothers. Powchutu rode to the fort with your brother Bright Arrow to spy on the soldiers; that’s how he earned his way into your tribe. He became the friend of Sun Cloud, and you shared many talks. When he rode to the fort with Bright Arrow, he sent a letter to my father and told him such things. He rode at Gray Eagle’s side the day both were slain. You became chief. You sent Derek Sturgis away with a treaty. Sturgis came to see my father and told him of his father’s death. He gave my father a letter written by Powchutu before his death; it told us the truth of his birth and all that happened after his return to his homeland. It told the truth of my grandmother,” he reminded the observant chief.

  Joe withdrew the necklace he had taken from Tanner’s pocket after his death, the one Stede had told him to keep for assistance. “You gave this wanapin to Sturgis that last day. It’s a replica of Gray Eagle’s that you used when you rode as his ghos
t to frighten the soldiers. Sturgis thought my father should have it. My father, Stede, gave it to me to use as a sign to you that I’m telling the truth. Oglala blood runs swift and thick in Stede Gaston’s blood. As with his father when he grew old, he felt called home to his people and ancestral lands. We came to prevent war.”

  Sun Cloud caressed the wanapin of a white eagle and recalled the day he had placed it in Sturgis’s hand. He remembered the days he had worn it, along with the chief’s bonnet and garments, to “haunt” the soldiers who had murdered his father. “Seasons past, the whites and soldiers were afraid of the Oglalas because of my father’s prowess and power, even of his ghost,” he said. “That time is no more. Whites and soldiers grow too bold and greedy.”

  “They fear you just as much as they feared Gray Eagle. That’s why Snake-Man is so eager to destroy your people. He knows he can’t take over this territory as long as Oglalas remain here. He’s tricking the Crow into attacking, and he supplies them with weapons and goods. He’s tricking the whites and soldiers into believing your people want war and that you’re raiding and killing. They see the image of Gray Eagle in you, Sun Cloud. You have his wits, courage, prowess, and power. They know you can band the Dakota tribes and your allies together, as Gray Eagle once did. The last time there was trouble, you met and worked with good white men. Together you battled evil white men. But there were and are evil Indians, too. Have you forgotten about Silver Hawk, Red Band, and renegades?”

  Sun Cloud wished he hadn’t mentioned the treacherous and traitorous Silver Hawk, who had been his wife’s brother. “They are not Oglalas.”

  “Just as all Indians aren’t the same, Sun Cloud, all whites aren’t the same. Most whites want peace; they’re looking for new lives here. Most soldiers are only obeying orders, so we have to make certain those orders are kind ones. Broken-Hand Fitzpatrick is a good white man. So is Captain Thomas at Fort Tabor. These men want to help your people.”

  “Soldiers provoke and attack us! If we retaliate, they say we challenge for war!” Night Stalker charged, dreading how Joe might effect his life.

  “Even if you refuse to give me help with a guide and translator, at least don’t attack for a while—only defend yourselves. Give me time to unmask Snake-Man and his tricks. Let me go to the Crow camps and gather clues. Let me prove your people are blameless and want peace. You don’t want bloodshed; the whites don’t want bloodshed. Allow me time to find this villain and then stop him. I’ll ride to Fort Tabor and speak with Captain Thomas. Broken-Hand says I can trust him. I’ll see if he has any clues. Then I’ll return here and make plans with you.”

  “No!” Knife-Slayer shouted. “He will lead bluecoats to our camp.”

  “You have my word of honor, Sun Cloud; I will not betray my grandfather’s people. When he’s healed, I’ll bring Stede to see you.”

  “A chief leads his tribe, but all warriors can speak, and the Council must vote. We must think on your words and claims, then call the Council to meeting. Morning Star, take him to my tepee to await our answer.”

  “Put him at the captive’s post!” Knife-Slayer demanded. He did not want Joe around Morning Star any longer. He was suspicious and envious of the way the woman whom he desired, trusted and defended the stranger. He was determined to win the chiefs daughter as his wife. He was furious about the days and nights she and the white man had spent together on the trail, alone.

  Sun Cloud eyed the hostile warrior, and again worried over his effect on Night Stalker and others. “He will be our friend and ally until we prove he is our foe. Your chief can say and do this much without a vote.”

  “Thank you, Father,” Morning Star said. “Come, Tanner. I give you food and tend your wound while the Council meets.”

  “For the sake of both sides, Sun Cloud, you must trust me and help me.” Joe headed for the chief’s colorful tepee with the Indian beauty. He glanced back to see Night Stalker, Knife-Slayer, and Hawk Eyes huddled together and talking. Dread washed over his weary body, because he knew the awesome power those warriors possessed. If they even suspected he’d lied, he was a dead man. If they sent for Tanner’s father and Stede exposed him, he was in deep peril. Right now he wanted to learn why Morning Star had taken his side and kept his secret…

  Morning Star guided Joe inside her home, then turned to him. “You lie,” she remarked. “You not of Running Wolf bloodline.”

  “Why didn’t you challenge me?” Joe inquired.

  “I trust other words. I believe you here to help.”

  “I swear it. I hated to trick your father and people, but I had to save my life and get their help. You know what will happen if I fail. Tanner was my best friend. He wouldn’t mind if I used his name and bloodline to save his father’s people. Everything else is the truth, Morning Star.”

  “You seek to avenge Tanner’s death,” she said in slow speech.

  “It’s true that Stede is hurt and he’s at Fort Laramie. It’s true he’s working for the President. Stede heard and read stories about what was happening out here. He wanted to come to learn where and how his father had lived. He wanted to meet his relatives and help them. He wanted to learn more about his ancestors. If Powchutu, his father, hadn’t been denied his birthright, Powchutu would have been chief of the Oglalas, not Gray Eagle. If that were true, Stede could be chief now, not your father. But I think fate worked in the best way. No leaders could be better than Gray Eagle or your father. Fate sent Powchutu away, so his son could return at this time to offer a path to peace. It’s Life-Circles touching again. When I came here with Stede and Tanner, it was to share adventures. Now that I’ve learned the truth and Tanner is dead, their task is mine.”

  “Great Spirit capture my tongue when you lie. I understand. You Sky Warrior, man in Payaba’s vision long ago. Other man Stede Gaston, Grandfather’s brother. I must ride with Joe. We friends; we must help each other. I wish to become warrior maiden in sacred vision.”

  “No, it’s too dangerous. I don’t want you hurt.”

  “I speak not with false pride, but I be best trained female. You say I ride with skill and fight as warrior. You say I save Joe’s life. You say we make good pair. Great Spirit let Morning Star be captured for us to meet and work together. In Joe’s mind, he know and want this. Why does Joe’s heart battle what should be?”

  Fatigued, hungry, and concerned with the council meeting, Joe’s wits were not as sharp as usual. He didn’t deny the truth that troubled his heart. “You know why, Morning Star. When peace is won and the treaty is signed, I must go far away. My family, home, and destiny are there; my Life-Circle is there.”

  “My family, home, and destiny here, so I must help save them.”

  “It’s too dangerous for us to ride and work together. From the first moment I saw you in Zeke’s camp, you gave me a funny feeling inside. It’s best if I keep that feeling buried. With you at my side, my head wouldn’t be clear. I have a hunger for you that I can’t feed.”

  “You speak bold words to woman you know for short time,” she replied as her heart raced.

  Joe knew he must be honest. “I speak the truth as a warning to both of us. When I said I didn’t want you hurt, I meant more than your body and more than by others. Our lives and cultures are different, Morning Star. With you as my helper, I’d be too tempted to forget that. If we did, it would be hard and painful for both of us when all this is over.”

  “If you not take best woman, you may fail and die. We both strong and brave. We let nothing weaken our wills and defeat our duties.”

  “That’s also why you kept quiet; you didn’t want me killed by your people. Don’t you see how we’ve been pulled toward each other?”

  “I silent because of sacred vision.”

  “You held silent before it was revealed. When I look into your eyes, Morning Star, I see the same things I’m feeling inside. You would never leave here with me, and I can stay only until winter. We mustn’t trap ourselves in a hopeless situation. I don’t want to hurt you, and
I don’t want to be hurt. Please forget your desire to become this vision woman. If I lost control with you, Sun Cloud would slay me—not to mention that the mission would fail.”

  Before Morning Star could respond, her mother returned to the tepee with fresh water. She turned to do her chores to hide her expression.

  “Loyacin he?” Singing Wind asked.

  “English, Mother,” the girl reminded in a gentle tone.

  “Are you hungry?” the older woman inquired once more to Joe.

  “Yes, ma’am. We rode hard and fast to get here before the rescue party was sent out.”

  Singing Wind dished up meat stew and served it with buffalo berry wine and bread pones that were speckled with dried fruits and nuts. She handed them to the white man, then observed him as he ate. It was the Indian custom for men to eat first, then women and children; but Joe was not Indian, so Morning Star joined him. As the couple devoured the best meal they had eaten in days, Singing Wind watched with interest. She couldn’t help but wonder if her daughter was to be the woman in Payaba’s vision. Despite her fears and worries, she couldn’t help but hope that was true. In her younger days, her Blackfoot people had called Singing Wind—headstrong, bold, and impulsive. She had been one with deep and strong emotions, with a wish to do more than a woman’s work. She had wanted adventure and excitement. She had learned the same skills that warriors possess, the same ones her daughter now possessed. How could she fault Morning Star’s behavior and traits when they had been hers so long ago?

  Each of them was from a long line and respected tepees of chiefs. Morning Star’s maternal grandfather had been the Blackfoot chief Brave Bear, adopted son of Chief Black Cloud. Following Brave Bear’s death, she herself had been raised by Chief Medicine Bear and trained by his sons.