Savage Ecstasy

by Janelle Taylor

He excitedly related his idea to White Arrow. “When the akicita-heyake-to sees such a large band of warriors outside the wooden fort, al I have to do is convince them we wil not attack if they give me the girl they took from my vilage. They wil not dare to refuse. We know they are very low on supplies and men, for we have not alowed them to pass our scouts for a long time. We have also prevented their hunting parties from taking game. They cannot have enough food or mazawakans to ward off a heavy attack for have enough food or mazawakans to ward off a heavy attack for very long. They wil be in. great fear of this raid.

  “I wil be very careful not to alow them to see her importance to me, or they may try to hold her as hostage. I also cannot alow the other warriors to see this is more than a show of power and humiliation. Al must see only hatred and vengeance in my words for the raid upon my camp. I wil tel them her life is demanded in payment for the damages to my camp and people. I wil say I demand apology and sacrifice from them for what they did to me. I wil say the cause of the raid must be returned to me for punishment.”

  White Arrow listened to his words and was impressed by his koda’s inteligence and boldness. “It wil work! I am sure of it. Who could dare to stand before the mighty Wanmdi Hota and not tremble with fear? They wil be happy to give up her life rather than their own. But what if she begs for their protection? Wil they not listen to one such as she and refuse to give her up to us without a fight?” He laughed as he answered his own question, “No, for the white-eyes are frightened and helpless. Besides, Pi-Zi Ista is brave and she would not alow others to die for her safety.” He agreed with his friend. .

  Gray Eagle gazed in the fort’s direction again, but this time with a smug smile upon his lips and deviltry glimmering in his inky black eyes. Soon, I shal feel the softness of your body next to mine and taste the sweetness of your mouth, he thought. I wil see the sparkle in your eyes and hear the music of your voice. This time, you wil be far too frightened to fight or defy me. You wil submit and I wil not have to be harsh or cold to you. Yes, Cinstinna, this time wil be different…

  The entire day before the raid, the chiefs and leaders went into The entire day before the raid, the chiefs and leaders went into one sweat lodge, and the warriors went into another. This was a teepee with very little ventilation and was covered with thick, heavy buffalo hides. They built a large, hot fire in the center of the teepee and placed many rocks in it. As the rocks heated, the teepee became very hot, causing the men to sweat profusely. This ritual was done to release al impurities, evil spirits and fear from their bodies. This was always done before al battles and contests to renew and cleanse them in body and mind.

  After they left the sweat lodge, they went to the ceremonial lodge to the Warrior Society meeting. The pezuta yutas were passed around and eaten to instil endurance and courage for the next day. They chanted and prayed to the Great Spirit as the euphoric halucination began. Gray Eagle prayed silently: Wakantanka, hear us;

  We cal to you for help and guidance.

  The white bird you gave to me has been taken away. The white bird you gave to me must be returned.

  She holds my heart and spirit with hers, Return her to my teepee, Return her to my heart and life. Wakantanka, hear me; Send me your sign…

  Gray Eagle weaved to and fro as he spoke of the vision he saw. Under the influence of the peyote, the others believed they heard and saw the same vision he was experiencing. Mass halucination was taking place under those circumstances of close contact and empathy of mind and body.

  He spoke of the great eagle soaring free and wild in the heavens when it spied a smal white bird lying injured on the ground heavens when it spied a smal white bird lying injured on the ground far below him. He gave a shril cry and swooped down. He gently gathered the little bird into his sharp talons. As he flew homeward, many other birds tried to steal her from him. Being of superior strength and courage, he protected the little bird from further harm. He cared for her and protected her until she was almost healed. One day while he was out hunting food for them, a large flock of bluejays came and stole her away from his nest. She vainly tried to resist them and flee, but she was stil too weak. She caled out for him to’come and help her, to free her. When he returned home, he found her gone and saw the blue feathers al around his nest. He soared high into the heavens to search for her. He untiringly flew al around the skies and lands day and night for a sight of her. At last, when he was about to lose hope, the great Thunderbird appeared to him and told him where to seek her. He quickly flew there and engaged in a fierce battle with the bluejays. He kiled al his enemies and freed his little bird. She flew home with him, protected under his great wing, to live forever in his domain and under his care.

  Gray Eagle talked on and on under the influence of the peyote. Al of the others could mentaly see and hear the battle and the other events he described in vivid detail. The halucination began to slowly fade and relaxation came to each of them. Later, they related the vision from the Great Spirit to al the other warriors in the council meeting. They believed the mutualy shared vision to be powerful magic and of great importance.

  The Oglala understood what the vision signified— what Matu had known the moment she saw the strange half-moon scar on Alisha. The tribe concluded, “The white girl has been given to you by the Great Spirit for your bravery and generosity. She has shown by the Great Spirit for your bravery and generosity. She has shown courage and friendship to our people. We did not understand the Great Spirit meant for her to live here. That is why you were sent to their fortress many moons ago. He wished you to find her and save her, and now you must do this once more. She has been taken by our enemy, but we have been told to help you bring her back here. The Great Spirit has a purpose for wishing her life spared. We wil do as he has commanded when he alowed us to share his vision guidance to you. We wil be your spirit helpers. We wil free the girl before the battle and restore her to you. You wil place her under your wing and guard her wel until the Great Spirit chooses to reveal her purpose to you. We shal kil the invaders of our lands and forests. We wil tel the other chiefs and warriors of this message when Wi rises in the heavens. She wil be spared and returned. We listen and obey you, Great Spirit, knower of al things.” The council had decided and voted to return Alisha’s destiny to the hands of Gray Eagle.

  Gray Eagle and White Arrow were so excited about the vision of her rescue and return, neither of them could sleep. By the time of the new sun, she would once more be among the Oglala. The pre-dawn light found the warriors prepared in their linked-bone breastplates and dressed for war. They took their weapons and mounted their finest, fastest war ponies. Their breastplates were an important item of their dress, for they were believed to protect the warriors heart from the magic of the mazawakan. Their hair was adorned with varying colors of feathers, which by the number and position of the feathers indicated that brave’s coups.

  They were prepared to ride away as the Tokeh-pi-iceyapi Itancan’s voice sang loud and clear. He could stil be heard as they Itancan’s voice sang loud and clear. He could stil be heard as they rode away as he repeated the war chant for the fifth time: Wakantanka, hear us,

  We cal to you for help;

  Give us your sign,

  Give us your guidance;

  Show us your great love and protection.

  Wakantanka, hear us,

  Our Mother Earth cries;

  Our forests and their creatures cry,

  Our slain warriors and brothers cry,

  Our winyans and papoose cry,

  The waters and Wi cry,

  Al cry for the leaving of the wasichus from our lands. Wakantanka, hear us,

  We wil take the wasichus mazawakans;

  We wil take the wasichus woyetu;

  We wil take the wasichus sunka;

  We wil take the wasichus spirits and lives.

  Wakantanka, hear us,

  We wil be revenged;

  We wil free the forests and the creatures,

  We wil free the plai
ns, and our brothers the buffalo, We wil free the children of Wakantanka and Makakin; Wakantanka, hear us and help us…

  The cry as they left was thunderous: “Yekiya wo! Ku-wa, Oglala, kodas, ihakan ya!”

  Oglala, kodas, ihakan ya!”

  They rode like the wind until they neared the fort, then halted. In the early morning of the twenty-eighth day since the raid upon the camp of the Oglala, dawn was approaching with breathtaking majesty, as if she sent her own, special blessing to the Indian. Gray Eagle sat proud and erect upon his appaloosa before the entrancing sunrise. Its tawny hues sent rays like shimmers from heaven to outline him against the cobalt skyline. He appeared awesome and forbidding, sitting there like a god of war ready to swoop down and conquer the entire world.

  It was time.

  Gray Eagle urged his horse forward and forcefuly hurled the lance he carried into the dirt. It struck with a great force and stood quivering at the vigorous impact. The two feathers at its end began to gently waver in the light wind.

  Gray Eagle sat waiting for the fort to respond to his signal to talk. He sat proudly and boldly before Fort Pierre and the warriors. There was no indication of fear in him.

  Tension and panic ran rampant throughout the fort. The sight of the enormous band of Indians outside their wals was alarming. Terror broke loose at the vision of the awesome event about to take place. The soldiers scurried about like mice, getting their weapons and preparing to defend their lives and the fort. The few civilians present hurried inside their quarters to hide in dread. Everyone anticipated death; or worse, torture.

  The lookout watched the Indians closely for any movement. He stared at the tal, arrogant warrior sitting before the others. He wondered if that was the infamous Gray Eagle of the Oglalas. Who else would be so daring and fearless?

  General Galt caled up to the lookout, “How many would you General Galt caled up to the lookout, “How many would you say are out there? Can you tel the tribes involved?”

  “About two thousand, maybe more, Sir,” came the reply. “I’d guess there are five or six different tribes out there. They appear to be waiting for something. Could be for others to join them or…”

  That was when it happened. He caled down, “There it is, Sir! They want to talk. That warrior out front has thrown the talking lance into the ground and is waiting for an answer. My God!” he shouted excitedly. “The feather is yelow! It’s him, Sir. It’s Gray Eagle himself!”

  Jeffery quickly spoke up, “Best we send Powchutu out to see what he wants.”

  “After that raid you puled on his camp, lieutenant, it should be obvious what he wants! It’l take some doing to talk ourselves out of this predicament.” Stil, the general heeded the lieutenant’s suggestion. He ordered, “Powchutu, it looks like they want to talk. I’m sending you out there to see what they’re up to.” His apprehension was apparent to the scout and Jeffery.

  “Yes Sir,” he replied and nodded. He walked to the gates and waited for the guards to swing the huge wooden doors open. He walked outside. He listened as the gates were pushed shut and relocked. He gazed out at the sight before him and fearlessly walked up to the warrior who sat in the place of the tiospaya itancan. He knew he had nothing to fear at the talk. The Indian was a man of his word and would not attack under the talking lance. Later, maybe…

  but not now.

  He halted before the warrior and spoke, “I am Powchutu, scout and speaker for the cavalry. The general wishes to know what you want. Why have so many braves and chiefs come dressed and painted for war?’

  and painted for war?’

  The noble warrior answered in a deep, steady voice, “Iam Wanmdi Hota of the Oglala, son of Chief Suntokca Ki-in-yangkiyapi.” He had alertly noticed the effect of his name on the scout. The scout’s face had registered recognition; then had it been hatred and anger?

  Powchutu thought and felt exactly that, and more. I guessed who he is from his bearing and courage, he thought. He is indeed al I have heard—a man to melt the heart of a woman, but bring terror to the heart of a man.

  Gray Eagle continued, “I have come to demand an apology for the raid on my vilage and payment for the ruin your bluecoats did there. You wil give me the ska wincinyanna as this payment. I demand insult and shame from you through her, for the disgrace and suffering you brought to me and my people! If you value your lives and this fort, you wil bring her to me, now!

  “If you refuse, we wil attack the fort and destroy it and al inside. If she survives the raid, she would stil become my kaskapi. A battle would cost many lives from both sides. But you must be made to suffer as my people did because of the contempt of the one with the yelow hair. I wil teach your people torment and dishonor through the girl. They wil see and know the foolishness of such actions. They wil be made to know humiliation by giving the girl to me wilingly to save their own lives.” He spoke with confidence and boldness as he observed the scout’s expressions.

  Powchutu fired at him, “She is innocent of the raid on your camp! Demand the lives of the men who did this thing, not hers!

  You have caused her enough pain and dishonor. Why should we give her back to you for more, or worse? Why do you not ask for the life of the other white girl?” Powchutu suddenly wished he had the life of the other white girl?” Powchutu suddenly wished he had told Gray Eagle that Alisha had died from the beating. But he had not thought quickly enough.

  Gray Eagle answered calmly, “The life and sacrifice of a witkowin means nothing to either of us, but the life and sacrifice of the pi-zi ista girl would bring much dishonor and anguish from al of you. The men responsible for the raid would be tortured and kiled quickly and the deed soon forgotten; but living with the knowledge of what they had been forced to sacrifice for this evil deed would go on in their hearts and minds for a very long time. It is far easier to die with honor than to live with shame.”

  Powchutu realized how very cunning the warrior was. Just like the angry wolf, he went for the jugular vein of his prey. Powchutu’s muscles stiffened uncontrolably. His voice was tinged with both sadness and fury as he accused, “So, you have realy come for Alisha, just as I believed you would one day. But I wil not alow them to send her back to you and your cruelty.” Powchutu’s expression belied his words.

  Gray Eagle appeared to ignore his statement. He spoke with an icy, deadly calm in his tone, “She wil be brought here to me before the sun is straight above my head, or we wil attack at that hour. If we are forced to attack, no life wil be spared.”

  Powchutu chalenged “What if she wil not come?”

  Gray Eagle’s eyes narrowed and darkened and his jawline tightened. His expression warned Powchutu he had overstepped his bounds in meddling in a warrior’s demands. He glared at Powchutu and demanded, “If she wil not come wilingly, then you wil force her to come.”

  Powchutu tried for another opening, “What if the cavalry holds her as a hostage or refuses your demands?”

  her as a hostage or refuses your demands?”

  Gray Eagle handed him a rawhide leash and thongs. He vowed, “In the time given, you wil talk, vote and decide on life or death. If you choose life, lead her here to me, bound and secured with these. If you choose death, then prepare for al inside the fort to perish, including the girl, if need be.” He sounded cold and daring.

  Powchutu struggled to suppress his anger and bitterness. He could not resist one last plea for the girl he loved. He asked through gritted teeth, “Has she not suffered enough at your hands? Why do you hate her so? Is it right to make her pay and suffer for the evil deeds of others? She has done no harm to you or your people. She is as gentle as the morning light and as pure as the snows in the sacred mountains.

  “I see why she hates and fears you. But I tel you this, Wanmdi Hota, if you harm her again, I wil hunt you down and kil you with my bare hands!” Gray Eagle could not miss the look of anguish which touched his eyes as Powchutu continued. “You have judged the ista skas wel and true. I am sure they wil return her to you to
save themselves. But I tel you this, it wil be by force!”

  Gray Eagle stared as he walked away, wondering at his strange words and pleas. How could a hanke-wasichun know her so wel and in such a short time? Had she dared to befriend an Indian? Would she not fear and hate al of us? he thought. Once more I have underestimated her gentleness and strength. Wil I ever fuly know this woman I love and want?

  Perhaps this scout secretly wishes and desires her for his own. Their friendship is too close I fear. I wil know more of this man and Alisha. I do not trust the look of love which filed his eyes when he spoke of her, nor the look of hatred and revenge at my coming for spoke of her, nor the look of hatred and revenge at my coming for her.

  The white men and the scout are convinced I hate Alisha and only want her back for vengeance. This is good for now, but you must soon know the truth, Cinstinna. I fear they would kil you if they guessed the real truth. The scout’s love for you is very strong if he would risk a chalenge to me to save you. He dares much in his speech and manner.

  Bird of my heart, fly to me quickly and safely … It has been too lonely and long without you. Great Spirit help me if they reject my bluff and we are forced to attack …

  Powchutu walked back toward the fort with a heavy heart. He knew what the outcome of this day was going to cost him. Why hadn’t he taken her away from here before now? The fort wil easily give her up, he thought, but wil she go wilingly? What choice wil they give her? Damn them al! he fumed angrily.

  Could he possibly let Gray Eagle have her back without a fight? There was no way he could stop him from taking her, or the others from sending her to him. He hides his feelings wel, for I am not sure if he desires her, or if he might love her. Wil he truly attack and kil us al, including Alisha, if we do not turn her over to him?

  Gray Eagle does not make idle threats. There is no doubt he would attack, but kil Alisha? Powchutu could not venture the answer to this haunting query.

  I wil find a way to save her from al of them, Powchutu vowed. I wil take her far away from this place and al of those who would harm her. She wil one day be mine. I wil give her back the happiness and love they have denied her for so long. A wishful thought suddenly touched him. What if this was only a bluff? What if he wished to protect her from disgrace and harm?