Savage Conquest

by Janelle Taylor

  Caught up in his own world, Lucas did not notice the staggering effect this "golden opportunity" had on his cousin. A resentful shadow dulled Miranda's brown gaze; anger enticed little creases around her mouth and near her eyes. Defiance began boiling within her.

  Lucas turned to ask, "How soon can you be packed and ready to leave, Randy? Brody sent a written order for an escort to take us to meet him. There won't be any danger," he stated smugly.

  With a clear and calm voice, Miranda replied nonchalantly, "I know, because I'm not going. I'm staying here. If at all possible, I'll find a way to get to my grandfather. You go along with Major Sheen. I'm sure you'll obtain enough material for several books."

  Shocked by her icy demeanor and incredible announcement, he shrieked frantically, "You can't go into a Sioux camp alonel Be patient until this trip is over, then I'll take you there. I promise, Randy."

  "I have been patient, Luke, patient and unselfish," she declared accusingly. "Do you realize how far away this parlay is? Afterward, we'll be forced to remain with those troops for safety. They could ride in any direction and for any length of time. It could be months before we return here. By then, my people could be gone to their winter grounds, out of my reach. Besides, with all of those infamous killers joining forces, it could be a conference to plot a new war against the remaining Indians. If so, the Sioux won't let a white within ten miles of their camp, or they'll go into hiding until spring. I can't risk losing this chance, Luke. I'm sorry, but I'm not going with you. If I can't find a path to grandfather, I'll be fine here in our cabin."

  "I can't let you stay here alone," Luke stated obstinately, believing he could change her mind. "This is the moment I've been waiting and working for, Dandy; please don't take it from me," he beseeched her.

  "I can say the same thing, Luke," she told him sadly. "Please don't ask me to leave when I'm so close to my people. I wouldn't ask you to sacrifice your one path to victory. I have plenty of company and protection here, and I promise I won't leave the fort unless I know it's safe. At least by remaining here, I might have the chance to send word to grandfather. If I leave and trouble begins, my dream could be lost forever. Jane told me sometimes Indian chiefs or leaders come to forts for talks. If I leave, I could miss a visit. Don't you see I have to stay?"

  "This is dangerous and crazy, Randy. I could be gone for weeks or months."

  "I know; that's the problem. Time could be against me, Luke. Besides, why would I want to tag along with countless men. Surely you realize what kind of harsh conditions I would face on such a lengthy journey? In some barren spots, there would be no privacy at all. It's no place for a woman-a lady. I should wait for you here where I'll be comfortable and happy."

  Lucas noted that defiant glimmer in her eyes, that fierce determination which told him he could not change her mind. Either he had to leave her here alone or remain himself. Neither choice was pleasing. After all, he could not force her to ride with him. And in a way, she was right about being safe here in the rented cabin. But he tried one other approach. "Brody Sheen would be your protector."

  "That's another reason to stay behind," she answered. "Perhaps the best one," she added sullenly.

  "What do you mean? He's loco about you, Randy. I'd bet he's asked me just so he can see you again. I thought you liked him," he stated probingly, eyes and ears alert.

  "He's your friend, not mine. I don't like him or trust him. And I can think of nothing more disagreeable than enduring his company and paw- ings for weeks on end," she brusquely announced. Wisely, she didn't say he reminded her of Weber; for she didn't want to refresh that threat in Luke's mind.

  "You mean you were just pretending to be friends?" he asked, that revelation coming as a complete surprise.

  "I was merely being polite to your company. You made it clear he could be important to your work, so I did nothing to offend him. I was delighted when he left and I prayed he wouldn't return. In case you didn't know it, I had to scold him severely that last day when he practically forced his intentions on me.

  I'm surprised he's asking for another chance to be rejected. If he issued his invitation because of me, then he is out of luck. I see you failed to notice that streak of ruthlessness in him. Didn't you see the look in his eyes or hear the coldness in his voice when he boasted of bloody victories, when he vowed to tack the scalps of Crazy Horse and Blazing Star on his wall? He's dangerous and conniving, Luke. If I were you, I would guard my back around him. Most assuredly I would guard my journals. If he or Custer even slightly suspected what you were after, you would find them more of a threat than ... Sherman was to Georgia," she panted breathlessly, having the wits to alter her comparison from the grizzly. She didn't want Lucas recalling the warrior who might have trailed her for days; after all, he was long gone.

  They debated their dilemma until both were weary and depressed. Neither would give in to the other. Realizing he might never have another chance such as this one, Lucas could not bring himself to refuse it. And knowing each of Miranda's arguments was valid, he still encouraged her to go with him but with less conviction. The matter was settled when Calamity Jane came over with some news of her own, news which would displease Lucas and delight Miranda.

  Jane revealed she was "unrollin' my bedroll in the rear of the sutler's shed," and she would be staying around for several weeks. She told them she would be working with a friend and fellow scout, Tom TwoFeathers Fletcher. The two had been assigned to check on the camps of Indians who had refused to sign treaties or live on reservations, several of which were Sioux and Jane thought might be of interest to Lucas and Miranda.

  Before Lucas could relate his new plans, Jane told them about the other scout. Tom was half white and half Cheyenne. He had scouted for the cavalry for years but refused to join any troop. He came and went as it suited him, or when he needed money for supplies and weapons.

  When Jane settled her roughly dressed and ample figure in a chair, Lucas told her about his plans and Miranda's refusal to accept them. Jane, who was in her early twenties but looked forty-five, glanced from one person to the other as she mused on their conflict of interests. She felt she could protect and assist Miranda while Lucas was away, and, besides, Miranda appeared a woman of mettle.

  Jane removed her floppy. hat and dropped it to the table, shoulder-length dark hair tumbling from its confinement. "Don't you be worryin' none, Luke. I'll watch'er like a mother hawk. She won't git three feet without me tailing her backside," Jane vowed fondly. "Me and ole Pete will guard'er," she added, affectionately patting the butt of her pistol in the holster swinging from her thick waist.

  "You don't know her like I do, Jane. She could talk a bandit out of his weapon if she had the mind to. She's willful and stubborn. I'm not sure I should leave her here to get into mischief," he protested.

  "Watcha gonna do, Luke? Hogtie'er and throw'er cross yore saddle," Jane teased mirthfully, winking at Miranda. "She don't wanna ride with them ruffians. Ain't narry a good man 'mongst'em; at least, ain't a one who can outride er outshoot Calamity Jane. Miss Miranda's a lady, Luke, my boy. You git'er out there where they ain't no trees and rocks fur miles; how's she gonna shuck her bloomers and have privicy? And ya knows she cain't go fur days with no bath like us'en."

  Lucas threw up his hands in a gesture of surrender. "All right, you two. Randy can stay here," he acquiesced reluctantly. "But I'll warn you now; one speck of trouble and I'll hightail it back and redden two behinds. Savvy?"

  That was Lucas's last warning before packing and riding off under the escort of five men from Fort Sully. It would require several days for the small group to catch up with Custer's regiment and for Brody to learn of Miranda's startling rebuff. Once there, Lucas would be in for many surprises and perils.

  Jane and Tom ate supper with Miranda that night. They planned their outing for the next day, telling Miranda they needed to ride out at dawn to avoid being noticed by the commander of the fort. He would not have approved of her spending time with the scout
s.

  Miranda was so ecstatic about her quest the next morning that she could hardly sleep that night. Miranda felt that both Jane and Tom were trustworthy; both had been told of her goal. Jane had teased that the North Pole would melt before either of them betrayed her to a single soul. Both found her secret intriguing and stimulating. It was rare to have a daughter of an Indian princess and granddaughter of a famous chief as a friend. Miranda recalled how Tom's dark eyes had glittered with excitement, and she was very aware of his rugged good looks and powerfully built frame. Finding Tom charming and bright, Miranda wondered why he was called "that half-breed trash," and why the soldiers found Tom repulsive. If Tom was such offensive and undesirable company, why had the Army hired him? As she lay in bed, Miranda's mind wandered back to tales her mother had told her ...

  Joseph Lawrence had come to this wild and rugged territory in 1850 to seek adventure before taking control of his family's shipping firm on the Potomac River. Soon after his arrival, Joe met and fell in love with a Sioux princess named Morning Star. She was the daughter of Chief Sun Cloud, second son of the legendary and powerful Gray Eagle. Joe won the heart of Morning Star, a beautiful girl with doe eyes and ebony braids. When neither side would accept their love and Joe was called home because of his father's death, Joe convinced Morning Star to elope with him to Virginia.

  Those first years in "civilization" were made easier for Morning Star by Joe's mother, who adored the young girl from the first. Joe gave his new wife his mother's middle name, Marie. Before Annabelle Marie Carson Lawrence died, she taught Marie all she could about her new role in the white society. While Joe traveled between the Alexandria townhouse, the shipping firm, and the plantation which he considered his home, the two women stayed on the plantation-later renamed Morning Star-to complete Marie's cultural training.

  Marie learned how to converse and to conduct herself as a lady. She fooled everyone she met; most thought her of Spanish descent, for they never would have accepted an Indian. Her broken English flowed correctly after the months of Annabelle's gentle tutoring. Secretly Marie was taught to read. She was taught geography and history. and she was trained in manners and customs. She learned about theaters, plays, literature, and politics. She was shown how to dress properly and how to wear her flowing dark hair. She was trained in household tasks and instructing servants. Marie Morning Star Lawrence was bright and quick; she learned enough to join her husband in Alexandria after Annabelle's death in '53, sliding smoothly and unsuspected into the elite society there.

  And now, if all went as planned, Miranda would finally be meeting her mother's people and observing their way of life in a matter of days. She tried to recall all her mother had told her about her Indian family. Marie had had one brother when she left her people; his name was Night Stalker. He had married a Brule Sioux called Touched-a-Crow and they had had a male child. As far as Miranda knew, she had a cousin here whose name she could not recall. But since the time for his "vision quest" must have already passed, he doubtlessly had taken another name. Her grandfather, Sun Cloud, had had a brother named Bright Arrow who had wed Rebecca Kenny, a white girl; both had died before Morning Star's birth. For that reason, Sun Cloud had assumed the chief's bonnet after Gray Eagle.

  Gray Eagle-that name stirred memories for Miranda of tales of immense bravery and cunning. He had wed Alisha Williams, a girl he believed to be white and his captive. But the Oglalas discovered her to be the missing Blackfoot princess, Shalee. Their love story was beautiful and bittersweet, and it thrilled and warmed Miranda's heart when she reflected upon it.

  She wondered if the Oglalas would accept her, for her mother had dishonored herself and her people by choosing a white man over a Sioux or other Indian warrior. She had been banned from the tribe. As the hostilities between whites and Indians increased over the years, she had realized her people would never forgive her.

  Miranda could not imagine what she would confront within the next few days. But as she drifted off to sleep, visionsof a tall, lithe warrior with a silver star around his neck stayed with her.

  Miranda was dressed and waiting eagerly when Jane and Tom appeared before dawn. Beneath its shadowy protection, the three rode away from Fort Sully toward the Sioux camp, galloping swiftly across the terrain. Their stops were brief, merely to rest and water the animals. To avoid trouble, they wanted their trip to be as short as possible.

  It was the end of June and the days were longer and warmer. Miranda did not know she was entering the Sioux territory during the same month Alisha Williams had in 1776. Neither could she know what tragedy had struck her mother's people in the year of her birth. Nor could she imagine what horrors this same month would bring in 1876.. .

  At dusk, Jane and Miranda hid while Tom rode into the Sioux encampment under a white flag of truce. They were to wait two hours for him, then ride for the fort if he had not returned. Jane attempted to draw Miranda from her silent and apprehensive state, but she failed to do so because Miranda was feverishly praying her grandfather would not refuse to see her. To prove her identity, she had sent a locket to him, one which contained a miniature painting of Morning Star in the white doeskin dress, matching moccasins, and headband which Miranda was now wearing. For years, Joe had kept the locket hidden, fearing someone would find it and guess his wife's secret.

  Miranda paced back and forth in the coulee while Jane reclined on the grass. Scattered thoughts floated across Miranda's mind. She tried to imagine her mother living in this vast and arduous territory. She tried to picture her parents riding across the Plains. She could not help but recall the mysterious warrior had spoken Sioux. Yet, there were seven divisions and numerous tribes and bands. The unknown warrior could belong to any of them ... Miranda forced herself to concentrate on meeting her relatives.

  It seemed hours before Tom returned alone, but it was actually less than one. His solemn expression and lax stance said everything. Miranda cupped her face and cried. She had known this could happen but had refused to consider it. Her weeping ceased abruptly and her head jerked upward as she questioned Tom. "You explained who I am and why I must see him? You showed him the locket? He refuses to see me?" Tom nodded after each question, then shook his head at her next two. "Can I disobey? Can I ride into the camp as you did?"

  "It is not done. When you make a request under a truce flag, you must honor the answer. To defy it would make you look foolish and arrogant, not brave. It would stain your honor in their eyes. Let him think on this matter for a time, then we'll try again. You must accept his refusal, at least for now," Tom replied.

  Miranda inhaled raggedly. It was her moment of truth. Did she leave without meeting Sun Cloud, or did she dare to defy his wishes? She fused her gaze on Tom's face and asked seriously, "Will they shoot me if I go there and demand he speak with me?"

  "He forbids you to come. He says his eyes must not touch upon the evidence of his child's betrayal. He says he no longer has a daughter; he denies you are of his blood. If you go, others will prevent you from seeing him. They will be angry with you for forcing yourself upon their old chief. They might order you from the camp or ignore you until you leave. But I don't think they will harm you. I could be wrong."

  His meaning was clear to her. Anger and courage flooded her. She had come so far and faced many dangers; he was cruel to reject her without an explanation. Could he do so if she personally presented her request? Without thinking twice, Miranda willfully declared, "Let's go. I will make the selfish coward disown me to my face. After I've come so far, let him reject me himself."

  Before Jane or Tom could protest her actions, she was racing toward the village, muttering to herself, "Mandy wouldn't yield to such a crushing blow, and I won't either!" But if she had known what was happening in Virginia, she would not have made that statement.

  Two weeks had passed since Weber's band of daring and misguided traitors had been arrested. When it appeared their leader was long gone, Grant called off the extensive search for Weber Richardson, assum
ing someone had warned the villain to flee the country. Reis was positive a vengeful Weber would return, and he was furious to think that Weber was still free after committing so many crimes. But he had received his new assignment and would soon have to leave.

  When Reis told Amanda where his next mission was, she could hardly believe her ears. They were going to the Dakota Territory where Grant's civilian son, Frederick, was working under George Custer, a man who was rapidly becoming another thorn in Grant's tender side. If Grant had merely suspected what menacing role his own son would play in the tragic history of this territory, he would have summoned Frederick home as hastily as possible. Reis explained that this investigatory mission was also secret, so Amanda did not question her husband further.

  Actually she was delighted to be heading for a reunion with her sister and cousin, as they were in the same area. That very night, she wrote a letter to them, telling of their plans. All they needed to do was make arrangements for the Alexandria townhouse, the plantation, and the packing. Amanda Lawrence had learned that social status, wealth, and beauty did not compare with love and happiness. She knew she would sacrifice all she owned and would challenge any danger to be at Reis's side, for he was the only man to stir.her heart to overwhelming love and her body to fiery passion.

  Reis's friend was already managing her firm, so she felt content with the plans to leave home and Virginia. Since Weber was still on the loose, she was thrilled to be traveling so far away.

  During the next week, Reis completed his reports and took care of business matters for his wife. Amanda kept busy preparing for their exciting trip. When Reis was not home by seven one night, Amanda fretted. It was not like him to be late without sending word. When the meal was beyond saving and serving, she placed the pots on the sink, biting her lower lip in mounting worry. She was alarmed when a note arrived from George Findley at eight-thirty which stated her husband had been injured and she was to come with the messenger at once. She left everything as it was to accompany the man to her warehouse.