Forever Ecstasy

by Janelle Taylor

  In a bitter tone, he murmured, “Not much in life is fair or easy.”

  “You will not speak to others?” She pressed for secrecy.

  “No, it isn’t my place. Just be careful how you act around him.”

  Morning Star rode to meet Joe, who was watching her with a quizzical gaze. She smiled, allowing her eyes to roam him.

  “Who is that?” he asked, nodding toward the lingering male.

  “Much has happened. We must talk fast.” She dismounted and Joe followed her lead, but glanced at the stranger once more. When she asked him to report first, he obliged. “I didn’t see Jim, but I left him a report and that evidence we gathered. He’ll know that Black Moon and Talking Wolf are getting illegal supplies from Zeke. I told him what you said about those clues found at the payroll massacre not being Red Heart. I left him answers to his questions, and sent another letter home to my family. Jim said Harvey Meade has been acting strangely, but he doesn’t thinks he’s involved in this mess. I don’t, either.”

  He took a breath. “George visited him and claimed he was following a marauding band of renegades into this area, said he was headed back to Fort Laramie. But Jim suspects another officer of working with them, Sergeant Bartholomew Carnes. This Bart hates Indians; he’s mean and tough, and Jim doesn’t trust him. He said Bart didn’t meet with George and Zeke because Bart was recovering bodies from that attack; that means he didn’t see us visit Jim, either. He said Zeke wanted to know if he was pursuing me to arrest me. Jim told him he’d made a search, but couldn’t locate me and couldn’t venture farther from the fort. He warned us to be more careful.”

  Joe glanced at the stranger again who didn’t seem to be paying them any attention. “Stede’s letter has some interesting information. It seems that Simon Adams talks about animals so much because he collected them around the world and exhibited them in cages. I’ve already told you why he hates Indians, especially Dakotas, so much. Stede said his zoo—that’s where animals are kept—included snakes from many places. Simon’s traveled as much and as far away as I have. He’s been to the Orient, where those magic balls are from. The last Stede heard of him was when he sold his property and business in New Orleans and left town after trouble with another man over stealing his wife. Jim said Simon didn’t have anything to do with Indian girls like we heard Clem say his boss did. I just can’t decide what Simon’s role is. So many clues point to him, but I keep thinking they’re coincidence or intentional false clues.”

  Joe sipped water from his canteen and mopped sweat from his brow. “Stede said they’d question George when he returns to the fort; he’s supposed to be scouting in the Powder River area. They also want to know what he’s doing over here. Tom sent a list of names for land buyers. It includes Zeke, George, Farley, Orin, Harvey, Simon, Bart, and some trappers who trade with all three posts. That ties a lot of names together, but doesn’t give us too much more to use.”

  Joe looked at the other man again, but didn’t stop his report to question her further. “Things are getting worse along the Missouri River, love. Homesteaders and farmers have been attacked. They left Red Heart and other Lakota stuff again. Jim isn’t failing for those tricks, but he can’t keep holding off his men and the complaints much longer. He needs something done fast. One of the worst things is another attack on soldiers. They were bringing cattle to the fort, and they were massacred and the herd stolen. A patrol couldn’t trail them because their tracks were covered by a buffalo stampede. I can’t guess why those villains have changed their strategy, but they must be killing whites now to provoke the Army into attacking the Lakotas. They must think the Crow aren’t doing much to push the Oglalas out fast enough. Jim suspects they’re enticing an Indian against white war now, not just an intertribal war. Jim’s doing all he can to stall things to keep from exposing us and our mission, but the settlers are demanding protection and retaliation. You realize what this means, love: Snake-Man wants Lakotas out badly enough to use the Army and innocent whites to do his dirty work. The last thing is, Zeke is spreading lies about us. We can’t be found in your father’s camp, love, and neither can those cattle.”

  Morning Star was distressed by Joe’s news, and concurred with his precautions. “We must leave at dawn. We cannot let them win.”

  “You want to tell me about him?” Joe hinted, eyeing the stranger who was toying with his reins while he watched the couple.

  Morning Star told Joe all she had done and learned since returning home. He reacted strongest to Clay’s arrival and to the news of the stolen cattle being near their camp.

  “We have to move those cattle tomorrow. If this was a deadly plan, soldiers could be here any day. They’d never believe us with all that’s been happening. I’m not sure Jim could control hot-headed men; if this Bart comes, he won’t even try. This incident could begin the war, love.”

  “Sky Warrior will help us; they do not know him.”

  “You know him?” Joe probed, still uneasy about the development.

  “Only since I returned. He left when I was three,” she reminded. “Others know him. He can be trusted. My people accepted him and helped him long ago. He would not betray us or harm us.”

  Joe wanted to test that for himself. “Let’s talk to him.” As they walked to join Clay, Joe asked, “How much have you told him?”

  Just above a whisper, she responded, “I told Father, the council, and Sky Warrior all things. He is the only one to see my heart is weak for you. He will tell no one. I did not tell him you are not Tanner.”

  Joe saw how the man, whose description matched his, observed their approach. He prayed Clay Thorne didn’t feel bitter and vindictive toward his Indian blood, as he knew all their secrets.

  Clay half-smiled and extended his hand in the white custom to shake Joe’s. The two men quickly sized up each other.

  “Morning Star said she filled you in. We can sure use your help, Clay. We’re too known in Crow camp and at posts. We have to move around carefully. If you can spy for us in settlements, we’ll do the field work. First, I’d like to get that herd near Fort Tabor before soldiers come looking for it.”

  “You think you can prevent a war and help make a treaty?”

  “We’re doing our best,” Joe answered to the unusual query. “I hope so.”

  Clay’s hand casually drifted to his pistol and he had the weapon leveled on the other man before Joe could blink. The startled couple gaped at the half-breed with a narrowed gaze and a cocked gun on Joe.

  Sun Cloud’s daughter inched closer to her love, and Clay frowned. “You tricked me,” she accused. “Why do you do this bad thing?”

  Clay didn’t smile as he told her, “Sorry, Morning Star, but I have no choice. He has to be stopped. I have to kill him.”

  Fear consumed her. Her heart raced with panic. Her gaze widened. She felt betrayed. “You must kill me, too,” she vowed in honesty.

  Clay shook his head. “No, you’re coming with me.”

  Morning Star was near him, but Joe knew he couldn’t draw and fire his weapon before Clay’s bullet struck home. He was angered by his helplessness and his love’s peril. This traitor would defeat their mission and take their lives! He would help provoke a bloody war. No doubt Jim, Stede, and Tom would be in danger, too. He raged at himself for letting down his guard and for dismissing any suspicions about this man.

  To stall Clay’s attack while he attempted to think of a way to rescue them, Joe scoffed, “Don’t tell me the famous Sky Warrior, ex-Cheyenne war chief, is working for Zeke Randall and Snake-Man.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  “I’m not,” Clay replied in a cold tone, “but you probably are.” He glanced at the frightened woman and said, “I told you I wasn’t the vision warrior, but I guess I am. He surely isn’t. I have to kill him.”

  “Do not do this, Sky Warrior,” she pleaded.

  “He has you and your people fooled, Morning Star. He isn’t Tanner Gaston; I’ve met Stede and his son. This man isn’t him.”
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  Joe exhaled in relief. “That’s all? You know I’m not Tanner?”

  Clay ignored the man’s question to ask, “Did you know the truth, Morning Star? You hesitated over his name like you weren’t used to calling him Tanner. I know love can blind you, but don’t let this liar trick you into betraying yourself and your people.”

  “Tanner was my best friend, Clay,” Joe hurried to explain, “I came to this territory with him and his father. He was murdered at Pierre by the gang I’m after. We were scouting for Stede and Tom Fitzpatrick, the Indian agent at Fort Laramie, when Tanner overheard something they didn’t want him to. One of the men killed him. He gave me a clue before he died. I was tracking Zeke when I met Morning Star, but she’s probably already told you that part of our story. When I learned she was Tanner’s cousin, I told her everything. Of course the Red Hearts didn’t trust a white stranger and things were going badly for me. I had to use Tanner’s name to win Sun Cloud’s confidence and help, and to save my hide. Morning Star knows the whole truth, and she agreed it was necessary to keep my identity a secret. They’ve let her travel with me as a translator and guide because they believe we’re blood kin and nothing physical can happen between us. As for that sacred vision I matched, I don’t know about mystical things. All I know is it seemed to be a prophecy coming true and it won them over.”

  He extended his hand again, this time in an offer of friendship. “I’m Joe, Joseph Lawrence, Junior, from Virginia. My family owns a shipping firm like Stede’s. That’s how we met and became friends. I’ve been honest with Sun Cloud about everything else. How do you know Stede and Tanner?”

  Clay studied Joe a minute, holstered his weapon, and accepted the man’s amiable offer and explanation. “I was fifteen when Gray Eagle’s half brother returned home to make peace. I rode with my father’s warriors when the Cheyenne helped retaliate after their ambush. When I was banished, I remembered how Powchutu had survived in the white world. I figured, with my looks, I could, too. My father had told me many things about Bright Arrow’s uncle. Windrider was best friends with Gray Eagle’s oldest son, so he knew many stories about Gray Eagle’s bloodline. When I left this territory, I worked many jobs and places. Three years ago, I worked for Stede Gaston in New Orleans. I met his son twice.”

  Joe was curious, not suspicious, when he asked, “Stede and Tanner have never mentioned you to me. Why not?”

  “I never told them who I was. I was still denying my Indian blood, and I wasn’t sure how much they knew about Powchutu’s history. From what Morning Star’s explained, they pretty much know it all.”

  “You guessed the truth,” she ventured, “when they told you Sky Warrior was Tanner Gaston. You knew he did not have sun hair and blue eyes. To slay him is why you rode to meet him.”

  “That’s true,” Clay admitted with his wry grin. “I’m glad you’re an honest man, Joe. I would have hated to kill the man Morning Star loves, and I would have hated to tell the Red Hearts how they’d been deceived. I was also worried about exposing you and taking your rank in the sacred vision. It’s been a long time since I was war chief.”

  “You’re mighty handy with a gun,” Joe remarked with a grin. “Thank goodness you listen before you gun down a man.”

  “I’ve had to be good with guns and fists over the years moving around so much. Some men are determined to be dangerous.”

  “You planning to stay here after this trouble is cleared up?”

  “Don’t know yet. I’ve missed my family, people, and the way I was raised. I guess my Indian blood’s the strongest. We’d better get back to camp before a search party comes looking for us.”

  They rode into camp as dusk approached. Sun Cloud and Singing Wind came to meet them, both looking worried about their daughter’s lengthy absence. The chief and his wife greeted “Tanner” and queried his success.

  Joe briefly went over his journey alone. Then, Sun Cloud called for a council meeting of the Big Bellies and any warriors available.

  As soon as everyone had eaten, the Red Hearts gathered to hear Joe’s words. The meeting was interrupted by a late-arriving Knife-Slayer and Night Stalker. The shaman’s son challenged Joe’s rank once more and demanded Joe and Clay battle to the death to decide which one was the true Sky Warrior. Most Indians were dismayed by the man’s wicked behavior.

  Joe and Clay refused to fight and insisted on working together on the mission. The chief and council agreed that was wise.

  Joe handed Sun Cloud two flags from Jim—white truce and striped American—to fly over the camp to ward off Crow and white attacks until the trouble ended and peace ruled the territory.

  “We are not weaklings who need enemy cloth to protect us! We are warriors!” Knife Slayer proclaimed. “We will battle and slay any man who attacks us!”

  “A good and wise warrior knows when to fight, when to retreat, and when to compromise, Knife-Slayer,” Clay told him.

  “Your mind has been captured by whites!” the angry man accused.

  “Your mind and heart live in the past,” Clay retorted. “It is a new time. To survive, you must forget old days and make peace. If you care little for your life and safety, think of those of your people.”

  Hawk Eyes caught Knife-Slayer’s arm and pulled him back to his sitting mat. “Forgive my son,” he said. “His blood burns hot to punish those who threaten us. It is hard for a warrior to sit while others ride against his foes. Is there not a task he can do for his people?”

  Joe leapt at the chance to appease the medicine man and his son. “Yes, Shaman, there is an important and daring task for Knife-Slayer, if he wants it. He can ride with Running Badger to the camps of Red Cloud and Spotted Tail to tell them all we have learned.”

  “How is that important and daring?” the warrior scoffed.

  “The Army, Crow, and evil men are searching for me and Morning Star in that area. You’ll have to use great prowess to sneak by them to visit and then to return. I know you’re skilled at tracking and raiding. Are you also skilled at crossing open land without being seen and captured?”

  Knife-Slayer took the challenge. “I will go.”

  “Why do you send Running Badger, not me?” Night Stalker asked. “Do you not trust us together?”

  “The son of the chief is needed here, Night Stalker. If your father is slain or injured, you must lead your people and defend them.”

  Morning Star grasped Joe’s ruses to keep the two warriors separated. She hoped the men would be too busy to get into trouble while the matter was being settled. The third—her opponent in one of the contests—was an excellent choice to accompany and control the headstrong Knife-Slayer. Clay comprehended the ruse, too, and was impressed by Joe’s wits. He looked forward to getting to know Joseph Lawrence better.

  Joe, Morning Star, and Clay departed with the cattle at dawn. They followed the White River toward Fort Tabor at a good pace. They used all of the daylight hours, then camped at dusk. But at night, the new moon offered no help with security and the three took shifts doing guard duty, allowing each more sleep and providing all with protection.

  As they traveled, the three became close friends. Morning Star was taught more about the white world, her next challenge. She enjoyed the easy rapport and Clay’s lessons. She thought he was an excellent choice as Joe’s best friend, though no one could replace Tanner. She was happy that Sky Warrior agreed that she and Joe were perfect for each other, but he continued to warn them of serious obstacles they would confront soon.

  Seven days later, they made their last camp of this trek, a third of a day’s travel, with the herd from the fort.

  Before darkness shadowed the land, Joe left them to fetch Jim’s latest message. He was delighted to find a letter from home in the hiding spot, as he had told his mother in May to contact him through the officer. As instructed, she had addressed it to Lucas Reardon, his nephew’s name, for secrecy and protection.

  Joe thought that his family might not have received his mid-June letter yet, and
surely not the one he had written in early July. Nor had there been enough time for a response to either one to reach him. Joe recalled he had related news in June about meeting Morning Star and her people and told a little about the work he planned in this area. Two weeks ago, he had revealed his love for the woman and his proposal to her. He knew his parents would be surprised by this, and would realize the task before all of them would not be an easy one. Yet he was certain they would be happy about his impending marriage and the thought of having grandchildren by their only son to carry on the family name. He wished he could have told them about his love in person, but he didn’t want to arrive home with a fiancée about whom they had heard nothing.

  Joe ripped open the letter from his mother. He knew he must hurry, but he wanted to read it in private. He covered the business, political, and social news, grinning at the way Annabelle Lawrence related some of it. His mother always tried to find something good or amusing in every situation. She possessed a special knack for lightening burdens, lessening tension, and getting to the truth of a matter.

  Joe chuckled at humorous remarks about his nephew’s recent antics. She said everyone was doing fine and missed him. She was praying for his safe return by Christmas. He halted a moment as he caught a change of tone in the letter that caused love and a smidgen of homesickness to swell in his chest and constrict his throat. He had been gone almost a year, but it suddenly seemed longer. He loved and missed his parents, and his sister and her family. He was eager for them to meet Morning Star, and for her to meet them. He was positive all of them would get along splendidly. Such thoughts called the Indian beauty to mind, and he galloped back to her.

  Morning Star had their meal ready when Joe returned. The steers grazed near the water, as did the horses. Clay was standing lookout. As soon as his mount was unsaddled and tended, Joe approached the fire. They ate, then went over Jim’s news.