Savage Conquest

by Janelle Taylor

  In his stealthful trek northward, Blazing Star did not bother to slay anyone along his path. There was so much killing and fighting these days, but not for honor as in olden times. He hated the scars he observed upon the face of Mother Earth, the nakedness of cleared land for farms and settlements, the cutting of all trees in some areas, the signs of careless fires, the fences which blocked trails, the many offenses of the whiteman. These intruders had grown strong and numerous, while sentencing Indians of all tribes and nations to prison camps the white man called "reservations." Many tribes had yielded to the white man's superior weapons and ample numbers, yielded because they had grown weak and dispirited from losses, yielded because continued fighting seemed futile and costly, yielded because of the whiteman's promises and treaties which were broken before the ink dried upon the meaningless papers. But the Sioux had not and never would be conquered. The Sioux would fight against the evil and greed which were destroying their lands and peoples to the last warrior.

  Miranda didn't confide her brief adventure to her cousin Lucas, but she included every detail in her letter to Amanda which couldn't be mailed for two weeks. That momentous day and the next day, she was content to remain in her cabin, dreaming of the warrior left far behind, pining for a man she would never meet again. She couldn't forget him, for he invaded her thoughts during every hour. Why had he made such an impression on her? Why did knowing she would never see him again cause such grief and loneliness?

  On the fourth morning after leaving Omaha and two days after Miranda had encountered the unforgettable warrior, the Martha Lane halted her engines for the crew to chop wood. At first, Miranda was tempted to stay aboard, but Lucas coaxed her ashore for a leisurely walk and invigorating exercise.

  Some of the men who were playing cards remained on the boat. The two soldiers were locked in a cabin having a critical conversation which Lucas would have traded a month's pay to have heard. Other men helped the crew cut or haul wood. When the few males who had come ashore and didn't offer to help ogled Miranda, she asked Lucas to stroll with her at the edge of the woods. Out of sight, they sat down to relax and talk.

  Time passed as they chatted about Amanda, Reis, Weber, and their destination. When it was nearing noon, Lucas grinned as he said he was going to fetch food and wine for a picnic. Miranda laughed gaily and agreed, waiting there for his return.

  She leaned against the gray boulder at her back and closed her eyes briefly. She inhaled and exhaled deeply, capturing the fragrant odor of flowers and the spicy odor of woods. When her eyes opened, she couldn't believe the sight before them. he instantly sat straight, then curled her folded legs behind her. "How did you get here?" she asked ecstatically, gazing into the dark eyes of the unknown warrior who was squatting beside her. A surge of joy rushed over her body.

  From her tone of voice and expression, Blazing Star knew she was glad to see him again, as delighted as he was to see her. He stood, then extended his hand to her in invitation, which she accepted without hesitation or fear. He helped her up, then nodded toward the forest, implying he wanted her to go with him.

  Miranda glanced over her shoulder toward the river. When her cousin returned, he would worry if she wasn't here. Was it rash to take a walk with a stranger who wore war paint? Her consternation was evident to him. He smiled again, holding out his hand enticingly. She longingly stared at it, perceiving no threat from him. If he wanted to abduct her or injure her, he could easily have done either. He wanted to see her alone. Should she go along with him? It seemed safe, but was it wise?

  Blazing Star removed the decorative wristlet which displayed none of his coups, just lovely and colorful designs. He handed it to her as a sign of friendship. Miranda accepted it, noting its beauty and artistry. He motioned for her to take his hand and follow him. When she remained rigid, he smiled as if comprehending her reason for refusal, then turned to walk away into the forest.

  Miranda panicked. She rushed forward, whisper ing, "Wait. Who are you? Why do you keep appearing to me in secret?"

  He turned and looked at her anxious expression. He smiled once more to relax her tension, then reached for her hand. He led her only a short distance into the forest, just enough for privacy. When he halted and turned, Miranda nervously backed against a tree, suddenly wondering if this were a mistake.

  In a voice which touched her very soul, he murmured, "Kokipa ikopa, Miranda." His hand came up to caress her flushed cheek, his touch as gentle as if she were a newborn infant. He was amazed and pleased by her show of trust in him, by her total lack of fear.

  Surprise brightened her eyes when he told her not to be afraid, but the warrior didn't know she understood his language. Before Miranda could respond in the Sioux tongue which her mother had taught her, his mouth closed over hers, then she was a captive of his steely embrace. If Miranda had been the sweat of his own body, she could not have been closer to his flesh. He was astonished, and yet not shocked, when she responded to his kiss and embrace. Knowing this would be the last time they met, Blazing Star had the overwhelming need to hold her, to kiss her just once, to test her feelings for him.

  Their thirsty lips joined, and his strong arms banded her so tightly she skipped several breaths; yet she clung to him fiercely. It was crazyl He hadn't meant to kiss her, even to touch her. It was as if he had a power over his emotions or actions. He felt he would die of hunger if he didn't feast on her lips. But the more sweetness he devoured from her lips, the more ravenous his starving body became, until it begged to feed upon.hers. His weakness and her power stunned him, for such feelings should not exist. Yet, she shared this fire which burned within him.

  When Lucas returned to where he had left Miranda, he called her name in concern. Miranda never heard him; she feverishly kissed the warrior before her, mindless of all else. But the warrior's senses were keen, and he heard the summons. He knew the man would come looking for her. For a wild moment, he was tempted to slay the man and to capture the girl who inspired such passion within him. But the time was wrong; he had something vital to do for his people.

  He ceased his intoxicating assault upon her lips and emotions. "Miranda ya." He informed her that she must leave his side, nodding toward the direction from which Lucas was calling her. He cupped her face between his hands and seemed to memorize it. Such uncommon indecision filled him. Surely it was wrong to desire an enemy so much.

  Assuming Blazing Star couldn't speak or understand English, she responded to Lucas, "Just a moment, Luke, I needed privacy."

  If she had known he caught each word, she would have flushed a bright scarlet. "Will I see you again?" she asked eagerly. Unfortunately, she asked in English, not Sioux.

  "Miranda wilhanmna wincinyanna," he stated huskily. "Ya."

  Before she could question his order to leave or why he was calling her a "dream girl," he kissed her urgently and clamped his hand over her mouth afterward, fearing her words might influence him.

  When Lucas's voice called out loudly to her, the warrior turned her body toward it. Determined he wouldn't get away without giving his name this time, she whirled to ask it in Sioux. He was gonel Just before shouting in Sioux for him to return, she mastered the impulse. How could she explain sneaking off with a warrior, a stranger, a dreaded and feared Sioux? How could she excuse her wanton behavior, even understand it herself? Most whites despised Indians; the passengers would hold her in contempt for her actions. What a tangled web! Who was he? To which Sioux tribe did he belong? She knew there were seven tribes with many bands. Would they meet again? she mused dreamily.

  She called out to Lucas, saying she was coming to join him. She wondered about the warrior's appearance here. Was he following her? Or was it merely coincidence? Was he watching her this very moment? There was only one way to find out for sure. She would leave something behind for him and see if he had it the next time they met, if they ever did. She stuffed the beaded wristlet in her pocket, then removed the lacy scarf at her throat. She pressed it to her lips, then draped it
over a bush before leaving.

  Three days later, the Martha Lane made a two-day stop at Yankton, near Fort Randall. Little did Lucas and Miranda suspect what peril was in store for them, just as Amanda and Reis little suspected what evil was confronting them in Alexandria ...

  After his much-awaited return to Alexandria, Reis spent all day Sunday with his wife. They talked, planned, joked, and made love. Later in the day, Amanda watched in disbelief as her dark, handsome husband transformed himself into a blond sailor in grimy clothes. Checking his new image in the mirror, he smiled and complimented himself on his crafty disguise.

  "Now, if old Weber or his scum see me, they'll never guess who lurks beneath this golden hair and these dirty clothes," he remarked between chuckles. "All I have to do is sneak in both warehouses this week, make some notes for Grant, then close this case."

  To conceal her apprehension, she asked, "What's Grant like?"

  As if exposing a national secret, he whispered softly, "He likes to dress in old, baggy clothes-he would love this outfit., He smokes big black cigars that stink up a whole house. Af ter you leave him, you smell awful for days. But he sure knows how to win a fight. If he hadn't captured Richmond, the war might have gone on and on."

  "Do you like working for him more than you did for Lincoln?"

  "Both are good men, love, but Lincoln was special. It was a dark day in our history when he was slain. He could have done so much for both sides. Did you know Lincoln offered your Lee the head of the Union Army, but he refused it? If not for Lee, the war wouldn't have lasted two years. A shame all good men can't be on the same side-war wouldn't have a chance of getting started. But one always leads to another, it seems."

  "What do you mean, Reis?" Mandy asked.

  As he put away his supplies, he talked with ease and intelligence. "The last one we fought started with the one in '12. The New England area got real nervous when we made the Louisiana Purchase; they threatened to secede and rejoin the British Empire. The President was smart; he prevented trouble with those New Intercourse Laws. You know what the Northern concession did? Riled up the Southern shipping interests. Lord, you just can't please everybody at once. The South was really suffering from lack of trade; they took heavy losses in cotton and tobacco markets. It was the Southern states that voted to go to war with the British Crown. The Northerners voted not to protect their ships and supplies. From then on, every little cut festered into one big sore until the wound burst open and spilled its vile contents. It's tragically ironic: the North threatens to secede to get her way, then goes to war when the South carries out her same threat."

  The topic was depressing and Amanda changed it with a question. "How did you get in last night? You said Weber has guards out front and back."

  "I sneaked into your neighbor's garden, climbed a tree near the wall, and flipped over. Considering the height of the wall around your yard, no one could see me. Whoever built this house certainly loved privacy."

  "Now that you've accomplished the easy part, how do you plan to get out? I don't have a tree near the wall. Of course, you could remain prisoner here with me," she hinted, smiling provocatively as she eased up on tiptoe to kiss him.

  That night, Amanda snuggled into her husband's arms and inquired, "Reis, where will we live when this is all over? What will we do about Morning Star and Lawrence Shipping?"

  "I think it should be a mutual decision, love, that we make after my tour of duty is finished. Until October first I am still under orders from President Grant. Our next decision will be whether or not you go on my next assignment with me or remain here until it's done."

  Amanda sat up in bed and stared at him. "There is no decision; I'm going with you, husband dear. Even if you do look like a stranger," she teased him about his blond hair. "I'm glad it's dark, or I would have trouble making love to the man in my bed."

  Reis chuckled as he propped himself up on two pillows. "I should tell you, love; I have no idea where or what my final assignment will be. When I get the news, you might change your mind."

  "No," she vowed confidently. "You go; I go. You could get lonesome and forget you have a wife."

  "Only if I lost my memory," he retorted playfully. "I'm glad Randy and Luke got away safely. And I know I shouldn't say this, but I'm glad your housekeeper won't be around for the next week or It so.

  "Does that mean I shall enjoy my wily husband's company every night?" she asked seductively, twirling her tongue on his chest.

  "Every one possible. I'm suspicious about Reed's accident and those new guards outside. Weber's plotting something. There's no way I'll leave you alone at night unless I can't avoid it."

  "You worry about me too much, Reis. I'm fine now that you're home. Besides, I know how to shoot and fight. I'm not as good as Randy, but I can defend myself," she declared proudly.

  For a while they spoke of Miranda and Lucas. When she fretted over the safety of her sister and cousin, Reis reminded her of the letter of protection they were carrying from President Grant, one he had personally acquired and given to Lucas. Then Reis told her to go to sleep, that he would be stealing out before dawn. He added he would be late tomorrow night, if he came at all. He was planning to check out her warehouse, then Weber's the next night. She teased him about his recent vow to stay with her at night. He laughed and tickled her until she was squirming and breathless. He became serious when he warned her not to speak to him or show any recognition if they met on the street during the day. He took her office keys so he would be able to study any new and false information which Weber might be putting into her books.

  Amanda tensed in fear when he told her he would also be analyzing the books of Daniel McVane and the ones in Weber's private office. He even hinted at breaking into Weber's home to see if there were any records of importance there.

  "I'll be careful, love," he tried to calm her. "The sooner I solve this case, the sooner you can be Mrs. Reis Harrison in public," he tempted beguilingly, then pressed her to her back as he began a leisurely and stirring bout of passion.

  Monday night was one of the longest nights for Amanda, for Reis never came home. She dozed little and paced until she was exhausted, but still she couldn't sleep. Tuesday passed as sluggishly as the day and night before, and her tension increased. By two in the morning, Amanda was beside herself with anxiety. Not only had Reis been gone since dawn on Monday, but Weber had not appeared as he had warned.

  She wondered if the two absences were connected. After witnessing such evil in Weber Richardson, she feared for her husband's life. She could not tell Reis, but she was now willing to lose everything and leave with him this very night! She knew how deeply he despised Weber for his cruelties during the war. She refused to press him about those times because of the unusual coldness which froze his expression and the fires of revenge which burned in his eyes. Perhaps she feared that powerful hatred in him as much as she feared for him.

  Shortly after noon on Wednesday, Weber paid her a call. She was dozing when he dropped by and it took a while for his knocking to arouse her from her heavy slumber on the sofa. She felt groggy and wanted to ignore the persistent summons, knowing it could not be her husband and finding any company undesirable at the moment.

  The caller pounded loudly on the door. Weber called out, "Open this door, Mandy, or I'll break it down!"

  When she unlocked the door, he shoved it open, almost snagging her toes beneath it. "What took so long?" he demanded angrily.

  Amanda rubbed her sleepy eyes and moistened her dry lips. She fluffed her tousled hair and straightened her rumpled clothes. Then she looked at him and snapped, "I was asleep. I'm exhausted. I haven't been sleeping well with Randy and Mrs. Reed gone. Don't start on me, Weber! I'm not in the mood for a scolding." She sighed wearily then rubbed her eyes once more. "What do you want?"

  "I was called away on an emergency. I just returned. When you didn't answer the door, I was worried. I thought you'd taken ill again, perhaps passed out," he declared petulantly when she
didn't appear glad to see him.

  "I surely am glad you didn't break down my front door. I could have been out visiting for the day," she informed him sassily, knowing how he knew she was home. "If you don't mind, Web, could we visit another day? I'm truly fainting from fatigue. I've gone for days without sleep or rest; the moment I finally slipped off, you came barging in, screaming at me. Was the emergency with my firm or yours?" she inquired, failing to offer him entrance.

  "I was checking out a lead to Randy," he announced casually.

  "What!" she blurted out in fear which passed for disbelief.

  "I thought we could settle our problems quicker if I located your sister and brought her home. One of my hired men thought he recognized her on the street and followed her home. When I got there, it wasn't Randy. We searched all over. I'm sorry, Mandy, but we couldn't find her. Would you like me to hire a detective?" he inquired.

  "No!" she yelled at him then explained heatedly, "I don't want my sister hunted down like some animal. Randy will come home when she's ready. If not, we'll both have to accept her decision, for whatever reason."

  He studied her oddly. "Mandy, are you sure you're all right? You're awfully nervous, even a bit evasive."

  "What the hell are you talking about?" she scoffed crudely. "How would you feel after days and nights without sleep? My sister's run off. I have a million worries. Then my best friend attacks my every word. Damnit, Weber, I'm a wreck!"