Blue Thunder

by Spangaloo Publishing

  There was a long brittle silence and that got Jason’s dander up. “You should ask such a question again?” he warned, then sighed with exasperation.

  “Aw, cuz,” Blake tried to redeem himself and though his cousin had asked him this many times before, Jason never answered him but he didn’t have to then or now. Why had any boy or man joined whether voluntarily or not? The south had to win! Then Blake said, “Tell your sister how you were injured.”

  Jason hung his head. “It’s too awful for details, Blake. You know that.”

  In a low, tormented voice, his sister said, “Tell me. I need to hear it all.”

  At first Jason wasn’t sure that he would, but he did.

  “We charged up a hill and both men on either side of me were hit. Some men panicked and ran from the line making other soldiers loose the adeptness to combine fire efficiently. Even more critically, officers rapidly lost the ability to control the men. An explosion nearly deafened me. Stunned, I stood frozen in time. The boy, Ozzie who was beside me was lying there by my feet with half his face missing. Another explosion and I hadn’t felt the pain until someone shoved me to the ground, then my vision blurred and I touched hot blood on my temple that left stickiness on my fingers. I could hear shouting all around me but it seemed distant, jumbled. Another explosion ripped the air, and I could hear the screaming chaos and painful cries but I couldn’t see for all the blood in my eyes.”

  Melissa gasped.

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  “My lungs filled with smoke and with limited vision I lay there on the hard cold ground. Someone fell over me and cursed; he probably thought I was dead. I could’ve been for all I knew,

  since I couldn’t see a blasted thing. I thought I had gone to hell.” He almost laughed at that comment. Hell would have been a welcoming place to where he was. “I tried to stand but I couldn’t or wouldn’t, I’m no longer sure but it didn’t matter. My world went black.”

  Melissa took his cold hands in hers and squeezed, assuring him that she was there and that she loved him. He went on. “When I awoke I was in a hospital tent. My head hurt like the dickens and there was pitiful moaning all around me. I tried to sit but a hand held me down. I asked the typical question, “What happened?” The medic told me that they’d tried to save my vision but the damage to the octave nerves was too server. I also learned that on May 10th, Stonewall Jackson had been killed.”

  Together, his sister and he wept tears of sadness for their parents and all that had happened. Then they cried tears of joy for the happiness of finding one another again.

  That afternoon the council voted to accept Melissa as Blue Thunder’s wife, Moon Glow, after Dasodaha spoke on her behalf. Melissa was nervous all day after her husband told her that his father would be joining them for a meal. She wanted everything to be perfect, but drove her husband crazy with her pacing and fidgeting.

  “Father will not bite,” he gave her a reassuring hug. “I know he has treated you coolly in the past; he tried his best to hate you but failed. He has great admiration for a woman who could save my hide,” he teased.

  Later, Dasodaha sat in their wickiup; it was the first time her husband’s father had come to visit in their dwelling. The fire snapped and sizzled, casting shadows on the wall. Hot flames

  reflected in the old chief’s dark eyes. She wiped her sweaty palms against her dress as she watched him eat. She gave her husband a sideways glance, wishing she could calm the butterflies in her stomach. She picked at her meal, watching the two men finish theirs. Finally, Dasodaha grunted, telling her he was ready to speak. Placing her unfinished meal by her side, she sat like a child waiting for a stern lecture.

  “Apaches have bent laws before,” he spoke, breaking the silence. “My son has much love

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  for you and I am proud that I will have a grandchild. I am pleased to have Moon Glow as daughter-by-marriage. Hon Dah.”

  Melissa knew the word for welcome and her heart sang that she had finally been accepted. Although he never came right out and said he was sorry, there definitely was an apology in those kind words. She was so happy and touched that she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. Not sure if she had offended him, she pulled back quickly. He gave her an understanding grin but looked uncomfortable.

  “Blue Thunder, tell the chief that I’m proud to be his daughter-by-marriage.”

  “No need, he can see it in you light eyes, my wife.”

  The following day, Star Gazer brought her a gift of his own for the woman who saved his life. “Oh, Star Gazer, these are magnificent” She accepted the long-legged deerskin boots. The legs reached up to the thigh and she knew that they were folded below the knee to form a pocket where she could carry a knife.

  “Soon it will get cold in the mountains,” he informed her.

  She nodded speechless and ran her hands over the smoothness of them. “I will cherish them always.” She sat to try them on and marveled how they fit so perfectly. He grinned sheepishly and confessed that Blue Thunder gave him one of her moccasins.

  She laughed. “I had been looking for the mate for days, you rascal.”

  His face reddened under his brown skin.

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  TWENTY-NINE

  Blake became very close with Star Gazer. The young brave couldn’t join in the games, and walked with a slight limp with a walking stick he carved. In time, he and Jason soon learned the Indian ways. His cousin had barked that he could take care of himself claiming that he’d survived a bloody Civil War. But then, Blake teasingly reminded Jason how easily it was for a red man to sneak up on him. Red-faced, his kin conceded admitting that a little knowledge wouldn’t hurt. They were soon skilled in tracking, archery, and trick riding and would be able to defend themselves in the wilderness.

  Star Gazer presented Blake with a leather thong on which hung one of the grizzly’s large claws. On the claw was carved a small star, with the word Savvy inscribed. Blake was made a blood brother and he hugged Melissa who was tearfully looking on. She gave him a buffalo blanket to present to Daphne for the baby, along with a letter of love. He left the village before the camp moved deeper into the valley. Jason decided to stay behind for a spell; he had his good eye on a pretty little maiden from the Chiricaha clan.

  On the trail, Blake thought back to the day Jason first noticed the pretty Indian girl from a distance. They were practicing archery when his cousin’s arrow completely missed its mark. He

  looked over to see Jason staring at the maiden. She was tall and strongly built, with broad hips and shoulders. Her beautiful countenance exhibited an expression of good nature, though she appeared shy when she noticed that she was being watched. She wore a short skirt of buckskin and long-legged moccasins that turned up at the toes.

  It was the first time they noticed a maiden whose ears were adorned with pendant beads, and her dark hair was worn flowing, with a turban. Jason told him that he was curious about the turban and he would mention this to his sister. Melissa informed them that she was Princess Rozene, which meant Rose Blossom. She was the daughter of the neighboring Chirichua clan.

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  And definitely off limits. Blake chuckled. His cousin had said that he fought in a goddamn war, catching the princess eye was a piece of cake!

  Princess Rozene had spotted the handsome brother of the white woman when she visited from the neighboring village. Her father, chief Itza-chu and chief Dasodaha were friends.

  It was by chance that they had spoken for it was forbidden for a young maiden to speak with a man without an adult. She was only sixteen winters, but White Blossom knew what she wanted, and the moment her eyes came upon the white man’s face, her heart skipped many beats. She knew of the problem Blue Thunder had at first, how her kind could not find favor and did not approve of the white woman. But recently the council accepted his white wife and they had given permission for the union. Would her father do the same and stand by her?

  She had wondered off for a private mome
nt, but when walking back up the trail she accidentally bumped into the one they called One Eye, the white man that had been on her mind every waking moment. She had asked her friend Many Stars why he was called that when Moon Glow had called him Jason. She learned that he lost his vision in one eye fighting the white man’s war between states. She had never been up close to the handsome man, so when he came out from the bushes and collided with her, she was shocked to see the scar on his handsome features. It wasn’t ugly, only pink in color, and it didn’t mare his good looks. He was so disturbing to her in every way even though she knew such an attraction would be perilous.

  Rozene was actually trembling now and she knew she acted like a silly papoose. He had called her by the white man’s name for Rozene and she liked it. His touch had shifted her heart inside her small chest; his nearness affected her so much that she didn’t design to look at him fearing he’d see the love in her eyes. He was so close his hot breath had kissed her cheek as sure as if he’d done so himself. Her limbs were trembling so bad that if she tried to walk now, she’d certainly stumbled with weak legs.

  So she stood like a foolish statue with thoughts of Jason; the way his long, dark hair shimmered with red highlight when the sun kissed it. How he kept it tied back with rawhide but a lazy curl caressed his brow and how she wanted to touch it. The color of his eyes, like pine needle tea when boiled to a tawny shade, the slant of his masculine nose and jaw, but most of all,

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  the feel of his hard chest when they collided. He had a splendid physique; she had seen him participate in the Indian’s games wearing only buskins.

  Oh yes, she had but a glimpse of his face at the moment of contact, but her mind’s eyes took in all of him and she tried to learn him by heart. From afar he was good looking, closer he was more appealing. No brave could compare with him, not even her older half brother, Paytha Ouray, who has many women fighting to share his mat.

  Jason had been started when he bumped into the pretty maiden that had been on his mind since the first time she had visited the camp. He had caught her to keep from falling. “Sorry,” he murmured. Silence met his comment but he didn’t release his hand from her upper arm where his fingers curved into the softness. His blood roused in his veins from touching her soft skin. The maiden’s eyes were downcast, and he bent his head to try and get a closer look at her. He was a hair breath away from the princess’ brown skinned cheeks that turned a pretty pinkish hue.

  “You’re Princess Rose Blossom,” he stated with a frog in his throat. The dark head simply nodded, refusing to look up at him; she blushed anew. “Did I hurt you?” he asked. “I’m such a clumsy fool. I tend to bump into things because of....”

  She stumbled back and whispered, “N-no.”

  She spoke.

  Though his body ached for her touch, he dropped his hand. Then he feared she’d run off like the frightened doe she seemed to be. But he knew the Indian ways; a young unmarried girl was prohibited to speak to a man when alone. Besides himself, he didn’t want to get her into trouble.

  “I’m Jason.” He should leave but he couldn’t move. She smelled clean, like pine needles and morning dew.

  “I know who you are.”

  Her voice barely audible, she muttered uneasily in English but the small head still remained downcast and he wished she would look at him. He wanted to gaze into her eyes, see what she was thinking. His wish was in vain. Then a horrible thought struck him; was the

  princess afraid to look at him because of his scare? Did she think him ugly? If she knew who he

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  was, she also knew about his injury. Disgusted by his own unfair notion, he turned and walked away experiencing an instant squeezing hurt in his chest. He drew a harsh breath no longer wanting to see the look in her doe eyes fearing it was repulsive.

  “Brother, you looked flustered,” Melissa commented when Jason walked into the wickiup. She rubbed the small of her back. The baby was due any day and she’d be happy when she’d finally delivered. She was tired of waddling like a lame duck and getting up many hours through the night to relive her bladder only to find she hardly had any fluids to relieve. She gave her brother a tired smile as he sat cross legged on the straw mat, one of the many colored covering on the dirt floor. He let out a long, soul weary sigh and Melissa didn’t like the sound of that.

  “Spill it. You know you can never keep a secret from me.”

  She didn’t sit because she had a hell of a time getting up even with one’s help. Standing, she continued to rub her back.

  “Oh, sis, I know what you said about Princess Rose Blossom, but we met on the trail and we---”

  “What?”

  “Aw, sis, it was an accident. You know my problem. I bumped into her on my blind side.”

  Even thought she knew her brother hated to resort to his wound as an excuse it was the

  truth, she snorted in disgust. How could she reprimand him, but he could cause problems between the clans.

  “Jason, my sweet, you know of the trouble I’d caused when I first was captured and brought here by Blue Thunder. I’m afraid I had stretched the red man’s patience and compassion to the limit. You must stay away from the maiden, her brother, Paytha Ouray-Fire Arrow, is known to be very protective of his sister. My words are final.”

  His shoulders slumped more. “I know, but I’ve fallen in love with her.” Her loud groan made him look up. “'C’mon, sis, it cannot be that bad?” He jumped up when she doubled over, a puddle of fluid at her feet. “Sis! Is it your time?” Clutching her belly, she nodded, her mouth turned up impishly at his stupid question.

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  “Go get Laughing Tree! Hurry!” she cried.

  He nodded and ran to the flap but turned and retreated. “Let me help you lie down.”

  “No, go!” she ordered. Again her brother turned and it looked like he might make it to the flap this time but once more he turned. He was acting like a chicken without its head.

  “No, you must recline first,” he insisted, sweating profusely. She had to agree if she ever expected to get any help. Then he ran out shouting at the top of his lungs.

  Jason bumped into a brick wall; he didn’t have to look up to see who it was.

  “Whoa! One Eyed,” laughed Blue Thunder. “Is the camp under attack?” he said tongue-in-cheek.

  Jason shook his head wildly. “No! Melissa is, is... Oh, her water broke! I must get

  Laughing Tree,” he stammered but when he looked up, the big Apache was all ready running to his hut.

  Jason and his brother-in-law paced outside the Wickiup, occasionally bumping into the expecting father. Blue Thunder grumbled each time, something to the fact that the white man should look where he’s going and each time Jason apologized. The whole clan also waited and when a baby’s wail emanated from the hut, a whooping cry of joy went up around the knot of people. Blue Thunder froze to the spot and he lost some of his bronzed complexion. Jason believed that it took an infant’s wail to scare the big brave more than a charging bison. He slapped his back, congratulating him but the new father merely stood until an infant wrapped in fur was brought out by a smiling Laughing Tree. She handed the baby to Blue Thunder and he removed the wrapping to discover he had a beautiful dark haired girl. Naked, he raised the infant up in the air for all the Apache’s to see. Another round of cheers went up.

  Jason slapped the proud father on the back again. “Sorry old man. I don’t have a cigar for you.” Blue Thunder’s confused frown was priceless and he laughed and said,” Never mind.”

  He followed Blue Thunder inside. “How’s my sister?”

  Melissa was still groggy and she said that her body was so sore but when her husband walked in with the baby looking so happy and proud, she admitted that all the agony of child birth was quickly forgotten. The new father kissed her sweaty brow.

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  “You make husband very proud, wife. Our daughter, Blue Moon is beautiful.”

  “Blue Moon?”
Melissa yawned. “I like that name. I believe husband that you had a hand in her beauty.” His sister closed her eyes ending any further conversation.

  “Come, we let her sleep.” He placed their daughter by his wife’s side. Once outside, he said, “Come, we smoke pipe.”

  “Okay, but I like cigars better.”

  Jason slapped the new father’s broad shoulder and laughed at the stymied look that once again appeared on the big Indian’s dark countenance.

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  THIRTY

  Melissa settled into the happy routine of a mother. She worked along with the women carrying her daughter in a papoose. Blue Moon was a good baby and never cried. At first she thought it was terrible to hold the child’s nose when it started to whimper. She argued with Blue Thunder that she would not abuse her daughter that way. But he explained that someday, if they were attacked and she was hiding, the baby’s cry could give them away. He told her the white man thought nothing of slaughtering Indian women and infants. Melissa shuddered at the thought and decided a little discomfort was better than what could happen otherwise.

  One day when she was picking corn with other woman a young maiden, Ih-tedda, whom Blue Thunder said, “It means young girl,” doubled over with cramps. She shifted the cradle on her back that held Blue Moon and went to the girl. Melissa called her Tedda.

  “Are you all right, Tedda?”

  She blushed. “Today I am coming of age,” she replied beaming with pride.

  Melissa frowned and then she caught on what the girl meant. “Oh, you got your menses?”

  “Menses?” the maiden frowned then ran from the field leaving her staring opened mouth. She knew Tedda had to sit in a separate lodge until she was cleansed, a ritual she wasn’t particularly fond about since it keep her away from her family. She had pointed this out to Blue