Bittersweet Ecstasy

by Taylor, Janelle

  Big Elk was accurate; two Crow warriors were awaiting their daring comrades. When Sun Cloud had them in view, his heart began to drum heavily; Little Feet and her oldest son had been captured, along with Elk Woman, wife to Crowsheart. Before he was sighted, Sun Cloud loosened his last arrow and killed the warrior who was trying to load a bound Buffalo Boy on his horse. The boy fell to the ground, but was uninjured. The fourth Crow seized Little Feet’s hair, yanked her before him as a shield, and placed a blade at her throat. The Crow warned Buffalo Boy and Elk Woman to remain still and silent or he would slit Little Feet’s throat, then slay them.

  Sun Cloud daringly approached them and scoffed, “Crow are cowards; they hide behind women and children. I spit on you, white man’s dung,” he shouted, then spat on the ground as if removing a foul taste from his mouth. “You are so weak, I will fight you without a weapon to make us even.” With that, he drew his knife and flung it forcefully into the earth, the blade sticking deeply and the handle vibrating wildly.

  “You think Crows are fools,” the man retorted sullenly. “She is my shield. Others will come soon, and it is foolish to remain to prove I am a better warrior with both hands bound than you with two free.”

  The Oglala warrior laughed insultingly. “You fear the son of Gray Eagle this much, white man’s dung? You are no match for Sun Cloud.”

  That bittersweet disclosure was the other man’s undoing. In his astonishment, his grip loosened; Little Feet rammed the back of her head into his nose and jerked free. Sun Cloud surged forward to place himself between the Crow and his Oglala hostages to prevent his foe from grabbing and using one or all again. A lopsided grin teased over Sun Cloud’s face and brightened his eyes. He glanced at the knife in his foe’s grasp and taunted, “White man’s dung, were you taught how to defend your life when you have no female shield?”

  “I will slay you, son of a fallen eagle,” the man vowed smugly, gripping his knife securely to attack and ignoring his bloody nose.

  Sun Cloud agilely dove for his own blade and retrieved it as the man stumbled past him. He knew others had approached and were watching suspensefully, but his attention never strayed from his foe. The two men circled each other, looking for an attack point. The Crow lunged at him, but Sun Cloud first delivered a stunning chop to the man’s wrist and then to his throat. Almost in the same movement, his other hand sent his blade into the man’s left kidney area. His foe staggered, one hand covering the gushing wound. Sun Cloud had the urge to play with his foe, but that was not his way. He swiftly shoved the injured man backward, straddled him, and drove his blade home. He stood, then stared at the dead man for a moment.

  He turned to Big Elk and said, “The four scalplocks are yours. Wear them when we ride into battle with our white foes.” To others, he gave the Crows’ weapons, horses, and belongings, except for the wanapin of the man who had tried to kidnap Buffalo Boy, to whom he presented a skillfully carved buffalo’s head. He told Little Feet’s son, “Wear it always to remind you of my love and the power of your people.”

  Crowsheart rushed forward to cut his wife’s bonds and to embrace her with love and relief. He looked up at Sun Cloud and worriedly said, “This new coup is large, and it is special to me, but I cannot change my council vote because of it. Do you accept my gratitude and understand my problem?”

  Sun Cloud smiled encouragingly. “Do not worry, Crowsheart. You must follow the words Grandfather puts in your head and heart. It would be wrong for this deed to sway you. You owe me nothing. If those who voted against me were in danger, I would still risk my life to save them, as they would risk their lives to save me. It is our way.”

  Big Elk immediately summoned all warriors in camp to a meeting where he admonished some for their carelessness and cautioned all others to be more alert. Holding the scalplocks above his head and shaking them, he stated, “This is why Sun Cloud was ordered to burn his father’s possessions. If Grandfather had not made his spirit restless this sun and if he had not obeyed his father’s command, our chief’s sacred belongings would be stolen and his body dishonored and those of his bloodline would be slaves to our hated foes, as with others of our fallen warriors. If it had been a Crow war party, our camp would be under attack and many could have been wounded or slain. We ask Sun Cloud forgiveness for our anger at his actions that sad day. He has shown his many skills and courage this sun; it is good he is Oglala, not a Crow, or we would fear him greatly. I give you this eagle feather with great pride,” the war chief announced, placing it in Sun Cloud’s hair: a special coup feather with four markings to reveal he had slain four foes, and other markings to show he had captured enemy horses and possessions and saved three Oglala lives.

  “This will not be the last time someone tries to rob the scaffolds of our chief and his slain people. Other Crow and Pawnee crave the weapons, medicine bundle, and wanapin of Gray Eagle, for they know of their great power and magic. All Oglalas are known for their prowess and powers. We must also place a guard near our death scaffolds,” Sun Cloud suggested, and all agreed. “When we have defeated the whites, I will take their bodies to the sacred hills for safety.”

  “It will be as you say,” Big Elk replied, a new glimmer of respect for this young warrior in his eye. He grasped how cunning Sun Cloud was, for only Sun Cloud had realized there was a traitor among them. Perhaps Sun Cloud’s mind and body were not as young as his age.

  Crowsheart tried not to allow this deed to sway his thinking, but it did, especially Sun Cloud’s words and kindness afterward. Sun Cloud was not wild and undisciplined, as he had stated in the meeting. Nor was Bright Arrow, the first-born, more generous, as he had believed.

  Sun Cloud went to make certain Little Feet and Buffalo Boy were all right. “Why were you in the forest during the rest time?” he asked.

  Little Feet looked him in the eye and replied, “To give Sun Cloud another coup in his battle for the chiefs bonnet, as it should be.”

  Sun Cloud embraced her affectionately and whispered in her ear, “It is good to have you home, Little Feet. My heart is filled with joy to know my friend has reclaimed his lost love. But do not speak such words aloud, for they will cause pain in your father’s tepee. When Grandfather reveals his choice for chief, all will accept it.”

  Little Feet did not explain that she and her son had been restless too, and had gone to swim in the river. Her unexpected words had not been spoken from gratitude, but from her heart and mind, for she truly felt that Sun Cloud should become chief; and she prayed her father would come to know and accept that reality soon.

  Tashina hugged Sun Cloud and thanked him for rescuing her sister and Little Feet’s child. Sun Cloud caught her beautiful face between his hands and fused their gazes as he murmured softly, “Do not fear or worry, Tashina, for I will never allow Silver Hawk to take you. You belong with Soul-of-Thunder, and I will not allow evil to change your rightful destiny. This I swear on my life and honor.”

  Sun Cloud kissed the tearful and ecstatic girl on the lips, then smiled. “When it is possible, I will get word to your love and tell him not to worry or to react rashly at this offensive news.”

  “You have returned my heart and spirit, Sun Cloud. You have lived as a brother and friend to me, and I love you. I know of your prowess and truth, so I know my dreams are not lost. I believed my father should become chief; but now, I do not know for sure.”

  Sun Cloud tugged playfully on a lengthy braid. “I do not seek to win over my brother’s children to my side. Know only that Sun Cloud will help you and protect you from evil, and Silver Hawk is evil. The sun will rise one morning and reveal his evil to your father, my brother. If it is Grandfather’s will for Bright Arrow to become chief, I will accept it and I will ride with him into battle.”

  Bright Arrow and his band rode swiftly, taking only a few stops to rest and to water their horses. The night was half gone before they arrived in the forest which halted at the edge of the enormous clearing where Fort Dakota sat upon their lands. “We will ca
mp here. Remain alert and ready to ride at the first sign of danger. I will take Night Rider and Flaming Star and we will sneak near the campfires of the bluecoats and listen to their words,” he plotted, choosing the two men who could understand and speak English.

  “You must rest first; our ride has been long and hard,” Good Tracker reasoned.

  “We need the cover of darkness, my friend. We must go now,” Bright Arrow told him, genially clasping the man’s forearm.

  The others watched as the three warriors removed any item which might make noise or show movement. Then, gingerly and stealthily, the three sneaked toward the numerous tents which nearly surrounded the fort.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Flaming Star cautiously inched near one tent which had been erected near several wagons. He listened to the conversation in progress:

  One soldier declared moodily, “I agree with Major Ames; we were loco to bushwack those Sioux. What’s Major Butler gonna tell General Cooper when he arrives in two days?”

  “Probably a pack of lies, like them Sioux provoked us.”

  “You know Ames is gonna call him a liar.”

  “Not if he ain’t alive. Ames better watch his step; he’s made bad enemies in Butler and his sidekick Smith. I hear ‘em arguing all the time, and I seen the death look Butler and Smith put in Ames’s back.”

  “Yeh, but Butler’s lost some of his best allies; the Sioux got Rochelle and Red Band. That Smith’s damn lucky to be one of the two survivors of that crazy plan. I heard tell, Clint was so repulsed by the slaughter that he got sick and ain’t been the same since.”

  “Ever’body’s heard Clint’s wild tales about Gray Eagle being captured by Major Hodges when his brat was five or six and the Eagle traded himself for the kid, then walked out of the fort like he was on a Sunday stroll. Why, they’re practically friends, to hear Clint talk.”

  “Can’t blame ‘im. Not many Injuns spare your life when you’re helpless and they’ve tricked you. Looks like Clint will be getting out of the Army and leaving with that detail to Fort Meade next week.”

  “Probably for the best if he ain’t got the guts to kill Injuns no more, ‘cause we’re sure as fire gonna kill plenty after Cooper gets here with all those men and supplies. For once, we’ll have more than them.”

  “Smith says he hasta finish his duty on his feet, not on his butt in the infirmary. Smith’s gonna send him on every patrol he can, the bastard. You know some of them wild tales Clint throws around, happened right here. If’n you ask me, this place is bad luck. Them Injuns done rifled it once. What’s to stop ‘em from trying again?”

  “Us and General Cooper. You know they’re sending him here to finish off those Sioux for keeps. I say, get rid of all Injuns. I bet Major Butler grabs all the glory he can before Cooper arrives and takes over. He’ll have Smith sending us out to harry them ever’day.”

  “If I was Smith, I’d quit wearing that red bandana instead of the regulation yellow one. Makes him stand out like snow in July, and I’m sure there’s lots of Sioux who’d like to get their hands on ‘im.”

  “Red Band gave it to ‘im, said it was an Apache good-luck charm.”

  On another side of the fort, Night Rider was carrying out his duty.

  “I ain’t afraid to admit it; I’m scared shitless. I sure hope Colonel Sturgis gets here afore General Cooper and his bloodthirsty pack. Them Sioux must be real mad about now; maybe he can calm ‘em down a mite.”

  “Sturgis ain’t in the Army no more, and he’s an old man, sixty-eight, I heard tell, so he can’t interfere in Army affairs.”

  “He’s coming straight from the President, and the Army won’t go against the President’s man. Maybe he can make a truce with them Sioux; he did once before, with the Eagle himself. Met him face to face, and got him to settle down for years. Lordy, he scares me.”

  “The Eagle is dead, boy, so stop shaking like it’s winter and you got icicles in your britches. Smith saw him hit the dirt, dead. He was just like you and me and ever other man, bones and flesh and blood. Weren’t nobody thought he could be defeated, but he was. I bet that’ll shock the fool outta Injuns and whites.”

  “We don’t know he’s really dead. Smith didn’t bring back his body or none of his gear. Hellfire, man, we can’t get cocky or lax! He could still be alive or just wounded. I say he don’t die that easy.”

  “Them Crow scouts said he was dead, said them Sioux sung that Death Chant for ‘em. You ain’t scared of his ghost, are you, boy?”

  “What do them Crow know about anything except screwing their own kind. My papa always taught me, don’t trust no man who betrays his family or people. And you can bet, if any man can lick death or come back from Hell’s gates, it’s Gray Eagle. So don’t laugh at me. You can bet there’s certain men they’ll be coming after, like Smith.”

  “Shame Captain Rochelle was done in. He’s the only one who knowed how to make them grenades, or whatever he called ‘em. Those exploding balls he flung at them Injuns did some real damage.”

  “Not enough; it didn’t kill all of them.”

  Near another area, Bright Arrow was eavesdropping intently, and caught two very familiar names…

  “I think the Army should’a hung James Murdock!”

  “They can’t prove Murray knows who Bright Arrow is just ‘cause Red Band claimed Clay Rivera was Bright Arrow, and Clay and Murray were supposed to be good friends. I saw those two men that day, so did Major Ames. They didn’t look or talk like savages to me.”

  “Smith and some men rode over to where that Clay Rivera and his friend were supposed to be camping. Weren’t hide nor hair of anybody in that area. And Red Band said they covered their tracks after they left here. They just vanished. Something’s up, if you asked me. If Red Band was right, them Injuns know all we got.”

  “Don’t make no never mind. We’re covered until Cooper arrives, then we’ll have more than enough to finish ‘em off. Besides, them other Crow scouts told us Bright Arrow was banished, but we know that ain’t right. He’s been riding at his papa’s side for years.”

  “Red Band said that’s because they let him come back. If Red Band was right, he was living as Clay Rivera after he was kicked out for getting hung up on that white whore. Anyway, he’s a half-breed; so how do we know he can’t look and pass for white like his mama? Leastwise the Eagle and his brood got good taste in women; they prefer white ones. If they keep snatching white women and bedding ‘em, won’t be no Injun blood left in ‘em. Maybe they’ll get civilized.”

  Bright Arrow fumed at the insults about his lost wife, himself, and his family; but he kept still and silent. He realized he could never use his “Clay Rivera” identity again. He waited for the men to sneak swallows of whiskey before continuing with their potvaliant chatter.

  “I still say they should haul Murdock in and beat the truth from him. Lordy, man, he might know all about the Eagle and the Sioux.”

  “If Bright Arrow was playing Clay Rivera, Murray might not know it’s him. Murray’s a good man, and he’s white. We need his help. Nobody knows this area better than a trapper who’s been here long as he has.”

  “Murdock won’t work with us; that should tell you something.”

  “Yep, he wants to stay neutral to keep his hair and hides, but he’s agreed to meet with General Cooper when he gets here.”

  “Yep, probably to spy for his Injun friends. Red Band—”

  “Shut your trap about that stupid Injun! If’n he was so smart, why’s he dead like all the others Smith left behind out there?”

  “I was gonna say, if he was alive, he could recognize Clay Rivera.”

  “We don’t need Murray or Red Band to point out Bright Arrow to us. Major Timothy Moore is heading this way with General Cooper and, the way I hear it, Moore’s got a debt to settle with Gray Eagle’s son. Yep, Moore knows exactly what the baby Eagle looks like. We’ll see if it’s the same man who visited our fort.”

  The men laughed and talked a while about T
imothy Moore, and Bright Arrow’s capture, that time when Rebecca Kenny had enchanted the lieutenant and helped her Indian lover to escape Moore’s grasp.

  “Besides, it ain’t Bright Arrow we got to worry about; it’s his brother Sun Cloud. Lordy, boy, he’s just like his father. Sun Cloud would never capture no white woman and marry her. He would die before he weakened his Injun bloodline. I shore hope he don’t get chief.”

  “But the Crow scouts said the oldest son took a father’s place.”

  “I shorely hope this is one time them scouts know what they’re talking about, but I can’t see them Sioux picking Bright Arrow over Sun Cloud, unless they’re all dumb and reckless. Bright Arrow ain’t got what his father had or his brother has. We’ll be damn lucky if Sun Cloud don’t make chief, ‘cause we can whip Bright Arrow easier.”

  “Yep, that papoose’s gonna be a legend like his pa, if we let him live long enough. A real shame to kill such a great fighter.”

  “He’s already lived long enough to make a name for himself, boy. Ain’t no Injun in this area who can match Sun Cloud, including that other little eagle with ten more warriors added to ‘em; and there ain’t no soldier or white who don’t know and fear Sun Cloud like his papa. If Gray Eagle really is dead, all we gotta do is kill off his baby, and this war’s over for good. I need to get rid of some of this whiskey and turn in. We gotta ride out on patrol right after dawn.”

  Bright Arrow quickly and silently crept from their area to make his way back to the waiting warriors. No alert had been given yet, so his friends should be safe. He tried not to think about the white man’s opinion of his brother, or their opinion about him.

  When the soldier returned to his friend after relieving himself, he was chuckling. “What’s so funny?” the other man asked.

  “Oh, I was just thinking about Red Band and how he got himself killed in that ambush. I wonder how he knew where to strike at ‘em.”