Savage Conquest

by Janelle Taylor

  At nearly the same time, in a smaller clearing miles from the fort, another meeting was taking place. A vindictive and menacing Oglala warrior was passing detrimental information to a half-blooded scout whose cunning, vengeance, and hatred far exceeded that of the Indian's. So blinded by his own greed and bitterness, the warrior failed to recognize the traitorous enemy he was supposedly using to gain his own wishes. The aggressive and sinister scout was cleverly plotting revenge on both sides, white and Indian. Once the opposing leaders killed each other, he would take over this area, for he possessed the intelligence and daring to fool both sides. Who better to rule than a man who carried both bloods, who knew the strengths and weaknesses of each. As he watched the treacherous warrior ride off, he sneered at the man's stupidity. For the warrior had just given him the means to accomplish his ends.

  When Lucas finished telling of his journey, he told Reis that Colonel Custer wanted to meet him tonight at dinner. Lucas then told Miranda that Brody was eager to visit with her. When she scowled, Lucas added that he had tried to discourage Brody's interest but could not.

  "How long do they plan to stay around here?" Miranda inquired.

  "It looks as if they'll setup camp and headquarters here. Custer's been ordered to check out the Sioux hostilities and get them under control. He said it would be easier to work out of Fort Sully for a while," he explained to her dismay.

  When Reis and Miranda related their eventful tales, Lucas realized why Custer's presence might present a problem. With Brody dogging Miranda, it would be difficult for her to leave home for another visit to her grandfather and Blazing Star. She feared for her love's life and safety with two of his worst foes so near. Perhaps she should find some way to warn him and his people, for she knew Custer was not here for a truce.

  When Brody came to call later, Amanda was forced to lie to him. She claimed her sister was not feeling well. After disarming Amanda with compliments and his dashing manner, Brody said he would call again tomorrow afternoon and left.

  "Are you sure you have him pegged right? You were enchanted by Blazing Star when you met Major Sheen. Perhaps you've misjudged him. He's quite handsome and charming," Amanda remarked as she watched Brody swagger back toward their makeshift camp of tents.

  "Brody is devious, clever, and sinister, just like Weber Richardson was," Miranda sneered sarcastically. "Take another study."

  The subject was dropped instantly. The two waited nervously until Lucas and Reis returned from their meal and conversation. Each woman was full of questions for the men who tried to answer them amidst laughter and amusement.

  "The President's son, Frederick, wasn't with Custer tonight?" Amanda asked, knowing that was one cover Reis was using.

  "Custer says Frederick's planning to join him when he's ready to ride into the Black Hills for that survey," Lucas responded before Reis.

  "They're riding into the Black Hills?" Miranda echoed in shock.

  "Yep. They claim it's just a mapping expedition, but it's going to cause trouble. I think the military is asking for it, just seeking an excuse to wipe out those renegade tribes," Lucas spoke out again.

  "But what about the Laramie Treaty of '68? It makes trespassing on their sacred grounds forbidden. That's the last and most crucial promise to the Indians, to stay out! From the Missouri River past the Black Hills, the land has been declared the Great Sioux Reservation. They've broken all the treaties and promises except that one. They establish reservations until they find a reason to move them another place, but this time it's a lethal mistake. If they ride into that territory, no Indian-Sioux or otherwise-will back down from that challenge," Miranda stated fearfully. "You've got to contact President Grant, Reis. You've got to convince him to stop Custer."

  "I plan to do my best, Randy. But you have to trust me and keep silent. If anyone suspects what I'm up to or who I really am, it's all over for us and the Indians. Just as soon as I get my facts collected and recorded, Grant will know all about the crux of this matter," Reis promised them, revealing more today than he had to date.

  "You realize there are people in Washington involved in some of this fraud and corruption, people in high places, people in the Indian Bureau, people close to the President? What's he planning to do about his kin?" Lucas questioned gravely.

  "He promised to punish whoever is involved," Reis replied.

  "You think he will?" Amanda asked skeptically.

  "If Custer's connected to it, yes. There's no love lost between those two. As to his blood, I can't say for sure," he answered candidly.

  "But if it's brought into public light, even his kin would be forced to halt such vile and criminal behavior," Miranda surmised.

  "That's what I'm working and hoping for," Reis declared.

  "When Custer asked why you were here, what did you tell him, Reis?" Miranda probed apprehensively.

  "I said Grant sent me out here to look around and see how things were progressing. I made it sound more like a pleasure trip than business. I told him I was recently married and this was a sort of honeymoon. If he mentions that we're looking at ranchland to settle in these parts, don't act surprised," he said with a smile.

  "Did he believe you?" Miranda asked merrily.

  "Partly. But he did make a joking comment about first a writer showing up with a Lawrence girl, then a liaison from the President with another Lawrence girl. He remarked on what a potent and curious pair a government ex-agent and a writer made. I hadn't considered him associating me and Luke as some undercover team. We'll all have to be careful what we say and do. It's going to appear strange for me and Luke to be asking questions and making observations. We could be hindering each other's progress."

  "Right now, yours seems more important, Reis. You're working on history in the making," Lucas said.

  "That's real generous of you, Luke. I know how important this trip and book are to you." Reis acknowledged.

  "Not quite so meaningful since I discovered Weber Richardson arranged and financed it-no doubt to get me away from Alexandria and my cousins," Luke ventured in lingering annoyance.

  That disclosure gave way to talk of the past. After coffee and pie, Lucas went to sleep on a bedroll and Miranda used the cot while Reis and Amanda were given the bedroom. They tried to protest, but neither Miranda nor Lucas would budge from their positions.

  In the camp nearby, Brody was asking Custer, "Do you believe Harrison is just wandering around for no special reason?"

  Yellowy blond curls tossed around blue-clad shoulders as his commander shook his head. "Grant doesn't do anything without a purpose. You keep a close eye on our four friends. See what you can learn about the writer and see if you can get some of his work to me. Let's see which side of the fence he landed on, and how long ago. As for Harrison, get me all the information your contacts can locate. He's a troubleshooter if I ever saw one. I want to know just what he and Grant are pulling," he remarked, then began whistling an aria.

  While he clipped his mustache and evened his curls, he told his aide to roll the locks of hair in strips of cloth and give them to his female admirers. After receiving orders to check his horse, Vic, once again before bedtime, the aide left muttering about how glad he was that Custer had not brought along any of his numerous dogs on this journey.

  Custer was a strange man, a man either fiercely hated or genuinely admired. He cut a dashing figure as the epitome of a professional soldier, a man obsessed with fame and power, a man who believed he could conquer any force. When the Civil War ended, Custer needed excitement and danger as others needed nourishment for survival. He started his new career with the Seventh Cavalry Regiment in Kansas in 1867. Only recently had he been ordered to take command of the Dakota Territory, operating out of Fort Lincoln.

  Considered a proud or vain man, depending on the source, Custer appeared fearless, often charging headlong into the heat of battle. Some called him reckless and vainglorious, but above all, Custer was a military man. He followed orders, even if he resented or disagree
d with them. He was often called a brilliant strategist, but others claimed it was merely luck. Custer never drank alcoholic spirits and rarely used profanity. He believed in the total authority of a commanding officer. Although he loved his wife Libby deeply, it was rumored he had a Cheyenne mistress. As much as he was alleged to despise Indians, he felt it his duty to try and uphold the treaties and promises made to them.

  Custer was now being thrust into historical events beyond his control. He saw many wrongs but felt his first loyalty was to his country and his men. Often overzealous in his conduct, he was determined to go down in history as a brave and intelligent leader, but Fate was swiftly coloring the pages upon which his personal drama was being recorded:

  When Miranda told her sister of her intentions to sneak to the Oglala camp and warn them of Custer's arrival, Amanda was petrified. Miranda angrily declared that her sister could cover her absence by sticking to the story of her illness. They argued for a long time, until Lucas finally intervened and told Miranda she could not go.

  "You can't order me about, Lucas Reardon," she snapped.

  "If you're caught, Randy, it would spoil everything," Luke retorted, his own eyes glittering frostily. "This time you listen and obeyl"

  "That's Custer out there, Luke!" she panted frantically. "And Sherman and Sheridan aren't far away. I'm going!" she announced.

  "You don't have to! Reis is ... Just wait awhile and things will settle down," he finished, trying to cover his slip.

  When she questioned his half-statement, he passed it off nonchalantly. But Miranda guessed what he had been about to say; she relaxed, assuming Reis and Lucas were going to warn her people.

  When Brody called again, Miranda could not refuse to see him, for he caught her outside getting fresh air with Amanda and Reis. They chatted for a time, then Brody asked her to go for a walk or allow him to step inside for some coffee. Recalling that Reis's reports were lying on the table, Miranda had no choice but to accept his invitation. Reis smiled at her, knowing why she had agreed, sensing why she disliked this man. He resolved to find away to keep them apart, even though he could have used her to distract Brody.

  As Brody and Miranda strolled along, he asked how she had been occupying her time and why she had not joined Lucas for the trek. Miranda passed off his questions with light remarks and sunny smiles. She tensed when Brody said he wanted to get to know her and her family better. He asked if she would join him for a picnic the next day.

  Miranda was not caught unprepared for his romantic siege, but she had not expected the rapidity of his onslaught. Her mind was elsewhere and she was not thinking clearly or calmly. She stammered and fidgeted. "I think ... we should get ... to know each other better."

  "That's what I just said, Miranda," he teased devilishly. "Do I make you nervous?" he asked, reaching out to take her hand.

  She jerked it away and flushed. She tried to recall every feminine wile she had seen Amanda use, every coquettish gesture, every shy expression. "I fear you press too quickly, sir," she hinted in a thick Southern drawl, fluttering her lashes demurely. "I'm unaccustomed to men being so bold and persistent as you Westerners. Now that my parents are ... dead, I find it strange to choose my own companions and activities. I thought perhaps this trip with cousin Luke would make me a bit more daring and confident, but alas ..." She sighed dramatically as if disappointed with her progress and modesty.

  Brody grinned mischievously and hinted, "No one could doubt your courage or mettle, Miranda. You remained here alone while Luke was with us. Surely you have become less fainthearted," he teased her.

  "That was different, sir. I was locked in my cabin each night, and there were soldiers to guard me during the day. A lady could not travel in the company of so many men and under such deplorable conditions. I was greatly shocked that your invitation included me. Surely you would not wish me to face such dangers and deprivations?"

  He huskily declared, "I would confront whatever necessary to be with you. In my eagerness to have you at my side, I overlooked such matters. You are an exquisite treasure, Miranda. I never dreamed of meeting such a divine creature, and surely not in this hellish place."

  Miranda's face grew redder with each compliment. "Sir, you should not speak so boldly. But thank you. If you are to be at Fort Sully for an extended period, perhaps we shall have time to become properly acquainted. I should return home now," she stated uneasily.

  "Please don't go," he coaxed. "I've thought of nothing but you since we parted. I persuaded Custer to set up command here just so I could be near you. You have me utterly bewitched, and my duties have suffered greatly from lack of attention. Join me for a picnic tomorrow? We can be alone and ... we can share Cupid's potent spell."

  She stared in amazement. "You should not suggest such a thing, sir. It seems our morals and breeding differ immensely. I think it best if you do not call on me again. I fear you misconstrued our relationship and my feelings." Her scheme to discourage him had failed miserably.

  Witnessing her reaction, he hastily declared, "I didn't mean to offend or alarm you. Perhaps mymanners have dulled in this uncivil land. When a man faces death every day, he comes to live for each hour and to speak frankly. We wouldn't be totally alone, Miranda."

  "We wouldn't?" she questioned his meaning, imagining what she could learn from this man about Custer's plans.

  "Not if it made you uncomfortable. I could have an aide serve us and remain as your guardian. I would prefer to have privacy to talk, but I don't want to panic you with my eagerness."

  Miranda eyed him skeptically. Something in his inflection told her he was being dishonest. But she could take care of herself. Perhaps it would do Brody Sheen a world of good to be tossed on his ear by a refined and delicate lady! "All right, Major Sheen," she acquiesced. "But only if your aide accompanies us," she added.

  He grinned roguishly and agreed to her terms, even as he plotted how to outmaneuver her. "I'll pick you up at noon," he suggested.

  She smiled genially and nodded in agreement. Afterward, Brody escorted her back to the cabin. Confident of his sexual prowess, he felt there was no need to rush this delicate flower. No doubt she was confused and dismayed by her wanton attraction to him. He must attack her virtuous, naive shell with skill and caution. She had been taught to keep those legs tightly locked until marriage. But his fiery passion could melt the moral clamp which prevented his possession.

  Once she became his mistress and he observed her closely, then he would judge her appeal and value as a wife. His tour of duty would end next spring; perhaps Miranda Lawrence was the ideal choice for him. If a man had to be shackled to a wife, who better than a beautiful and genteel woman? On the surface she seemed an angel; but her sensuality was earthy and powerful. With a little training, he could have her right where he wanted her. He was a master of seduction and guile; and they would be alone in a romantic setting tomorrow afternoon .. .

  When Miranda told Reis of the picnic plans, he was both delighted and dismayed. He revealed that he had vital plans tomorrow afternoon which she could aid by distracting Brody Sheen while Lucas commanded Custer's attention with an interview for his phony book. Reis said he would take Amanda with him to meet her grandfather; his wife's presence would make their journey from the settlement appear a romantic outing for the honeymooners. But Reis warned Miranda to be alert and wary of Brody.

  When Miranda pleaded to go see Blazing Star, Reis protested. If she went along, Sheen would be encouraged to ride after them and attempt to join their party. He forced her to realize the importance of misleading Brody Sheen and Custer. He promised to give a message to her love, to try to set up a secret meeting between them. She unhappily agreed before retiring to dream of her intrepid warrior.

  While Reis and Amanda made passionate love and Lucas envisioned literary accolades and Miranda dreamed of her copper-skinned lover, Brody Sheen was staring coldly and sardonically at the odious scout who had told him of the upcoming parlay and Reis's covert mission. It did not
matter that the scout declared Miranda ignorant and innocent of Reis's mischief; Brody painted her guilty of deceit. That night, Brody dreamed of punishing a girl who had made a complete fool of him, of capturing a savage chief whose name sent shivers of fear through most whites, and of helping his friend and commander by destroying all of his enemies!

  Despite the vitality of the landscape, death whispered upon the gentle breezes which swayed the verdant grasses and supple leaves, played through colorful wildflowers, and teased the wings of the brilliantly shaded butterflies that danced with the currents. Suspense hung heavy over the settlement that next morning as each person planned his or her day's events.

  A pleased Tom Fletcher rode off early to watch his plot unfold from a distance through his field glasses. The drama was in motion, but the naive actors did not as yet know their roles. The final act had begun on this wane morning, and nothing could save the white and red players from destruction.

  Lucas Reardon obtained permission from Custer to ride along with part of his troop to the Cheyenne River Agency to check on rumors of trouble on the reservation. The larger part of his regiment was to remain camped near Fort Sully, under the command of Brody Sheen. Practically ordered to mount up and accompany the departing squad, Lucas was dismayed by the fact that he was not given time to return to his cabin to warn Reis of their destination, where Chief Red Cloud would be found missing if Custer requested to see and speak with him.

  Reis and Amanda Lawrence Harrison rode off with a picnic basket, laughing and chatting as if on the way to a romantic tryst. Reis cleverly headed in the opposite direction from the counci' meeting, planning to skirt the settlement to prevent discovery. He hoped his wife was in excellent condition, as they would be forced to ride strenuously to arrive on schedule after this diversionary tactic. Reis felt no qualms about taking his wife along on this trip. Crazy Horse had promised they would be observed and protected from a distance.