Savage Ecstasy

by Janelle Taylor

  “Lese is not… my woman? No, winyan means woman… I think…

  maybe, she caled me your sweetheart or love. I’m sure that would infuriate you. So…” she daringly teased him, “I am not your woman or love. If you don’t watch out, I just might find a way to change your feelings for me. That would realy prove to be a shock to you.”

  She could not suppress a laugh as she added boldly, “For their great warrior to fal in love with the enemy he captured, that would realy be something to see. If I weren’t so wel acquainted with your hatred and cruelty, I might be tempted to try it. Your hate is more of a reality to me than the coming night.”

  Gray Eagle fought to suppress the smile and laughter he felt at her words and comments. She couldn’t be further from the truth if she realy believed he hated her and that she was not his woman. Anger raged deep inside him as he recaled her last question. He would deal with the old woman later. How dare she cal her a whore!

  He moved over to the buffalo skins and sat down to work on his arrows. Alisha put the remains of their meal on the rock beside the fireplacc. She studied him from under lowered lashes. He had not seemed to mind her trying to speak his words until she used that particular one. She must remember never to say it again. Stil, he had not offered to teach her any other words. He must think I only need to know those kinds of words that concern the work of a slave to his highness.

  She went to sit upon the other end of the buffalo skins near him while he worked. She began to pul and work at the tangles in her long hair with her fingers. She moaned and yelped as she puled at the entwined tresses. Soon, he got up and left the teepee. He at the entwined tresses. Soon, he got up and left the teepee. He returned shortly with what appeared to be a brush made from the tail of a porcupine. He handed it to her and returned to his seat and work. She stared at him dumbfounded.

  Clean clothes… food … a hair brush…. What was he up to?

  Why was he being so nice for a change? She would never understand him, so why try? She began to brush her hair, thankful for any kindness or consideration from him, no matter how smal. When she had managed to free al the tangles, she brushed it until it was shiny and silky. She decided the coolest way to wear her long hair would be in braids as the Indian women did. That should also help to prevent tangles. As she finished one braid, she realized she had nothing to hold the end secure. She thought for a moment, then moved down to where Gray Eagle worked and knelt before him. He ignored her until she lightly touched his arm and caled his name.

  “Wanmdi Hota?’ she said hesitantly, unsure-of how he would react to her forwardness and the use of his name, if it was his name. He raised his eyes to meet hers. “Sha?”

  Timidly, she held the end of the long, heavy braid out to him and said, “Thong…” touching his hairband with her finger. He knew what she wanted from him and nodded understanding. He picked up a long strip of rawhide he was using to secure his arrows and cut two lengths from it. He handed them to her and said, Pahin iyakaska…”

  She stared at him, confused by his new words. He touched the thong ties in her hand and repeated his words. She realized he was teling her the name of the hairbands. She nodded her head in understanding and then slowly repeated the words to him as she held up the two ties.

  held up the two ties.

  “Sha.”

  Automaticaly, she smiled at him and thanked him. She returned to her former place and continued with her hair. She had not noticed the strange look he gave her when she flashed him that dazzling, bright smile. She lay the brush down on the mat when she was done and sat watching his hands work so quickly and skilfuly. Soon, her eyes began to wander across his proud, handsome features and down his strong, virile frame. She could stil feel the pressure of those powerful arms around her. She could recal the feel of his lips on hers and the touch of his hands on her body. His smel and presence filed her senses.

  Suddenly, she became aware of her rapid, erratic breathing, the trembling in her body, and her thoughts about the warrior sitting near her. Horrified, she turned her back on him, praying he had not noticed the effect he was having on her. Her prayers were in vain, for he had been al too aware of what she was feeling and thinking. He had not dared to speak or look at her, fearing that to do so would break the spel he was having on her. It would be best to let such feelings and thoughts flourish and grow in her. He wanted her to see she could reach out to him and accept him as a man. He waited …

  Nervously, she jumped up and began to pace around the teepee aimlessly. This close and private confinement with him nibbled at her nerves and emotions. Her eyes and attention kept straying to him. She would find herself watching him hungrily and intently. He could feel the heat and tension of her eyes without looking up.

  She wanted to breathe fresh air, or walk barefoot in the cool grass, or feel the warmth of the sun on her face or just feel relaxed grass, or feel the warmth of the sun on her face or just feel relaxed and free. Most of al, she wanted to be away from him and out of his reach and sight. But how? she fretted.

  The chores! She picked up the water skins, the dirty clothes and soap. She approached him. As she held the items up for his approval, she asked, “Ya mni?”

  He looked up at her and the things she held so tightly in her trembling hands. “Sha.”

  She left his teepee and folowed the trail to the stream. She knelt by the water’s edge to wash the clothes. Later, she moved upstream a way to fil the water skins with clear water. She gathered everything together and stood up to head back to the camp.

  She was startled to find him sitting not more than ten feet away from her, just watching her nonchalantly as she worked. She expeled the air in her lungs with a sudden rush, not realizing she had been holding her breath. Her pounding heart slowed to normal as she thought, so, he does not realy trust me. But why should he?

  After al, they were enemies and she was his prisoner. He stood up and leisurely stretched his lean, tal frame. He headed for his camp with her trailing along close behind. When they reached his teepee, she hung the water skins on side pegs and the dress on another peg to dry. She picked up the wood sling and came to him again. “Wanmdi Hota, can?’

  He looked up and nodded yes, then returned his attention to his work.

  This time, she looked behind her several times as she headed for the forest, but he did not folow her. She scoffed, he knows I am not stupid enough to try to escape. Or does he? He probably thinks I have no brains at al. How could I blame him? Who but a dimwit I have no brains at al. How could I blame him? Who but a dimwit or dunce would have tried to help him in the first place? I doubt if I’m the only person to give aid to their enemy unknowingly. Maybe that’s why I’m stil alive. Perhaps they are superstitious about kiling lunatics and idiots. When I find a way to escape from here and him, he’l see just how smart I am.

  She let her thoughts ramble as she gathered the firewood. She scouted around picking up smal branches and pieces of scrub wood and placing them in the wood sling. When it was ful, she folded it up and left it where it was for now. She assumed most of the Indians would be inside napping or resting as was their daily custom in the heat of the day. Those who chose not to sleep would work or rest quietly while their family members did. She believed there was no one around at this time. Carefuly, she looked around and seeing no one, she sat down on the plush green grass. She admired the beauty of the landscape; the ful, verdant trees and bushes; the tal, wilowy grasses; and the smal wildflowers of blue, yelow and white scattered al around her. She stretched her face to the sun and absorbed its warmth and life. She inhaled lungs ful of fresh, crisp air. She lay down on the soft, fragrant bed of grasses and flowers, not wanting to return to the vilage just yet and Gray Eagle’s watchful gaze.

  She lay on her back studying the clouds as they lazily drifted in the sea of blue above her. Impishly, she imagined each cloud was a person or object as she had done so many times as a child with her father. Often, she would laugh out loud at the impression the shape made
on her mind. It was as if she were the only person alive in this garden of nature.

  Unfortunately, she was not. She sighed deeply and sat up. Reluctantly, she got up, knowing she must have been gone too long. Reluctantly, she got up, knowing she must have been gone too long. She must hurry back or he would come looking for her. If only she had the means and courage to flee right this minute and not go back to him. But there were many dangers besides him in this wilderness. She leaned over and picked up the wood sling. She hooked it over her arms, alowing it to rest on her back. She headed back along the forest path. Suddenly she halted and stared straight ahead. She was not alone …

  Chapter Five

  Startled, she exclaimed, “How do you move about so quietly and secretly? You frightened me!”

  She sighed in relief. Surely, he had been nearby al the time. He leaned against a large tree, chewing on an aromatic twig which smeled like peppermint. Strangely, she felt relieved by his guard instead of angry at his mistrust. As long as he was nearby, no one and nothing could harm her.

  She laughed and commented in jest, “My very own cavalier. Who or what would dare to harm me with the bravest and strongest warrior as my .. .” She flushed a bright pink as she realized what she was saying, but, more so, for what she was thinking. She tried to force a closed expression and guard on her face. Her thoughts and words pleased him as much as her relaxed mood. He could read her face like the signs on his teepee. In time

  …

  He straightened up and headed back toward the camp. She folowed close behind him as usual. Along the path, they met several Indian women headed for the stream with garments, water skins, and wood slings.

  He halted and moved aside to alow them to pass with their burdens. They nodded and spoke their thanks, for it was their place to alow his passing first if he so chose. Alisha stood quietly and respectfuly at his side as they passed them. The women stared ahead, ignoring her presence completely.

  It was at that moment she saw Kathy Brown not far behind It was at that moment she saw Kathy Brown not far behind them. She was being led by a rope encircling her neck. She was filthy! Her clothes were torn and nasty and her hair was in tangled, matty disarray. Her head was lowered and shoulders slumped in sad dejection, fear and submission. Alisha stared at her in shock and pity. She had the appearance of some terrified wild animal. As filthy as she was, Alisha could stil make out the signs of abuse and il treatment on her body and face. Her eyes quickly scanned the smal group for the others, but they were not there. They must either be with other Indian women or stil in the red teepee. She couldn’t bear to think of them tortured or kiled. She refused to think about what had happened to Kathy or the others in that terrible teepee Ben had told them about. Although she could not pronouce the Oglala word for it, it meant no more than a slave brothel. How could they treat helpless women like that?

  Kathy was slowly staggering along behind the woman who held the rope in her hand. As she yanked on it to speed her up, Kathy tripped and fel. She saw Alisha as she was puling herself upright, amidst pokings and taunts. Her sad, holow eyes livened for a time, until she took in Alisha’s appearance and companion. Her stare went from Alisha to the handsome, virile brave next to her. She instantly recognized him and the meaning of the situation before her. Her eyes took on a look of contempt, envy and hatred which could rival Gray Eagle’s for the wasichu.

  Her expression and its abrupt change were noted by both Gray Eagle and. Alisha. Alisha stil made an attempt to go to her aid. Gray Eagle instantly seized her arm and commanded, “Hiya!”

  She turned pleading, sympathetic eyes to him and begged,

  “Please, let me go to her. She’s one of my people and she needs help. She needs food, water and care just as you did once. Please, help. She needs food, water and care just as you did once. Please, Wanmdi Hota… Wota… Mni… Yuzaza … Sha…”

  His cynical look told her he would show Kathy no mercy or pity, but not why. She turned back toward Kathy. Alisha’s eyes widened in disbelief and her face paled as she watched Kathy mouth some of the vilest words and curses she had ever heard. She didn’t know the meaning of many of them and was glad. As Kathy cast cruel accusations and words of hatred at the shocked Alisha, the Oglala woman yanked on the rope and led her away down the forest path.

  Alisha stared after her in despair and torment. Gray Eagle had watched and listened to the brutal confrontation between the two women. Her suffering did not bring gladness to his heart. She spoke just above a whisper in a voice filed with anguish,

  “She hates me far more than I realized. Such vile and cruel words from a woman… I am not to blame for your suffering and problems, Kathy. I’m not…”

  In great need of some understanding and consolation, she lifted tear-filed eyes to Gray Eagle and asked, “Am I truly responsible for al of this because I saved your life? Would your death have changed anything for my people?” She cried out to him,

  “Tel me I’m not to blame for al their deaths and sufferings! Tel me I only did what I had to! Tel me I am innocent and guiltless, Wanmdi Hota! Tel me!” She covered her face with trembling hands and sobbed.

  He watched her, wanting to pul her into his embrace and comfort her. He longed to ease some of her guilt and hurt, but dared not. Someone could come along the path. How could he explain his comforting, or even caring, to anyone? Instead, he said softly, “Hiya ceya… Ku-wa. Winyan Brown witkowin!”

  softly, “Hiya ceya… Ku-wa. Winyan Brown witkowin!”

  At his words and tone, she looked up at him. He touched her tears and repeated, “Hiya ceya…”

  She gazed into his softened eyes with confusion and questioned, “The Brown girl is what?’

  When he did not offer to explain further, she tried again,

  “Brown winyan witkowin?” He nodded yes, nothing more. “But what is witkowin?” No answer or response. Exasperated by his refusal to explain, she replied, “It cannot mean what I thought or you would not have said it about Kathy. You said it in contempt like the old woman did. I do not understand.”

  She realized he would not, or could not, answer her and was forced to let it drop for now. She knew now it was something bad. She stared down the deserted forest path and asked him, “Is that what wil become of me when you tire of me?” She didn’t expect any answer. She added bitterly, I“m sure the girl caled Chela would love to have me at her mercy and command.” She visibly trembled at that thought.

  Impulsively, she grabbed his arm and pleaded, “Please do not give me to her, Wanmdi Hota! Let me stay with you forever! I promise I wil be good and give you no more trouble. I only want to belong to you!”

  Wanting to be sure she knew and meant what she was saying, he pressed her for an explanation. He would see if she would try to make him understand her pleas. He lifted his shoulders and eyebrows in question. He touched his forehead with his fingertips and said, “Hiya.”

  She knew he did not understand and was asking her to try to explain her meaning. For the first time, he actualy cared what she wanted and was trying to communicate with her. She was wanted and was trying to communicate with her. She was dumbstruck at first, but did not want to give up this chance for truce.

  She thought for a few moments about how to explain herself to him. She used the first words which came to mind. “Lese . .. Wanmdi Hota’s winyan… Kaskapi… ShaΓ

  He nodded understanding or agreement and waited for her to continue.

  Slowly and hesitantly, she did. “Lese hiya ya Chela… Hiya ya… teepee… Lese ya Wanmdi Hota teepee … Sha?”

  He searched her features and replied, “Lese de mitawa. Ya Wanmdi Hota teepee. Hiya Chela. Lese Wanmdi Hota kaskapi.”

  Hoping he meant she belonged to him and he would keep her, she flashed him a warm, radiant smile and sighed with relief. He turned and headed up the path once more for his camp. She folowed close behind with a lightened heart. He took her to his teepee and left her there. He was gone for about two hours. He returned with two fat rabbits, al
ready cleaned and gutted for cooking. She smiled timidly as he handed them to her. He had purposely brought her the rabbits. He knew she could prepare them for eating, since that was what she had brought to him at the fortress that night. Until she learned more about his ways and foods, he would try to bring back game she was familiar with preparing. He was aware of the differences in their diets and cooking methods. It would take time and patience for her to learn these things and he had a lot of time and patience in that area of their life together. This was a difficult period for her and he was wiling to be lenient in some matters.

  She started the fire as she had been taught by the old woman. She used the hot puck and smal twigs, then slowly added larger She used the hot puck and smal twigs, then slowly added larger pieces of wood. When she had the fire going wel, she took two long wooden skewers and placed the hunks of meat on them. She reached inside the pouch the old woman had caled a wozuha and sprinkled some of the finely ground herbs onto the meat. She placed the skewers between the two forked posts on either side of the campfire.

  She took a round, bowl-like container and poured some of the corn meal, acorn flour mixture into it from another wozuha. She slowly added water from a mni skin and mixed it together until she had the right consistency for the aguyapi. At this moment, she was happy she was needed for something other than bed service. She would show him she was more than a mistress.

  The rabbits roasted slowly and the air began to fil with a delicious aroma. She placed little pats of the aguyapi mix on the flat, hot rocks at the edge of the fire. She watched as the little pones of bread began to cook and brown. She lifted them with the utensil made from a buffalo horn and turned them over. Within a few minutes, they were done, crisp and brown. She smiled, pleased with herself and her new talents.