Bittersweet Ecstasy

by Taylor, Janelle

  Soul-of-Thunder warned the women, “The journey is” long and hard and dangerous. We must work together, or all is lost. Obey me swiftly when I speak. The others will trail us for a time and conceal our tracks.”

  Rebecca mounted behind Singing Wind and placed her arms around the female’s waist. Singing Wind whispered before they galloped away, “I promise, Wahea, all will be as you remember it and wish it.”

  The women’s escape was not discovered until the changing of the guards at dawn because Clint had slammed his forehead against the wall to create a bloody wound to use as a pretense of a dazing blow, but the too-forceful blow had stunned him for hours. What Clint and Ames did not realize was that Clint’s blow to Moore’s right temple had killed him…

  When Clint was questioned in the infirmary, he was distressed to learn of the murder he had committed accidentally, but he stuck to his story about Moore being responsible for his injury and bonds. He told them Moore had been trying to rape Rebecca Kenny and he had tried to prevent it, even after he was bound; he alleged that Moore had whirled on him in a drunken rage when he had threatened to shout for help and had shoved him into the wall, where he had struck his head and lost consciousness and could only assume what had happened afterward: the women must have overpowered Moore and escaped.

  Ames speculated cleverly, “Evidently the women didn’t know they had killed him or they wouldn’t have bound and gagged him. You can’t blame them for trying to defend themselves against his brutal attack.”

  Butler glanced at Cooper before he argued, “There’s only one problem with your story, Corporal Richards: the Crow scout says a fierce fight went on in there, a fight between men wearing boots. Yep, he says there are three sets of boot tracks in the blockhouse: Corporal Richards’, Colonel Moore’s, and…I wonder who that third set belongs to? Comstock wears moccasins and he was drunk on his butt before ten last night, so it wasn’t him who helped her escape. Too bad those outside got mussed or we could see where they lead. He also says the two women were bound at one point and were cut free. Tell me, how did they get free to attack Colonel Moore? We all know how you feel about them Injuns, so think hard before you answer.”

  Clint glanced at Ames as if to ask, what’s going on here?

  Ames asked, “Just what are you hinting at, Major Butler? The other tracks probably belong to the guard who locked them up or to the man who brought their food and water. I don’t like your tone, sir.”

  “Neither of those men entered the blockhouse, Major Ames. There should only be two sets of female tracks and two sets of boot tracks, Moore’s and Richards’. I find it odd there are three sets of boot tracks. We have an officer dead, Major Ames, so I want all the facts. Savvy?”

  Clint found his wits and suggested, “Maybe somebody came in after I was knocked out. Maybe those extra tracks belong to the morning guard. Maybe Moore freed one of the women and she got the drop on him. I told you, sir; he said he was going to rape both of them. He was crazy with whiskey and hatred, and stronger than a bull. Maybe that white girl tricked him; they knew each other from way back.”

  “And maybe we got us a traitor in camp,” Butler murmured.

  Clint protested, “You ain’t got no right to make such a charge!”

  “Settle down, Corporal Richards, I wasn’t talking about you. I think you’re right; I think somebody came in after you were knocked out and helped those little savages escape. Yep, this incident bears a little more investigation and study. Don’t you agree, Major Ames?”

  Ames smiled and replied, “Give it up, Butler. I know you want to be rid of me, but you aren’t going to hang this absurd charge on me.”

  “We’ll see, won’t we?” Butler scoffed. “I think you should return to your duties, Major Ames. We’re expecting a little trouble soon, and we need to have the men and supplies ready. You do recall that I outrank you?” Butler hinted tauntingly.

  “How could I forget it? You remind me at least once a day. Take it easy, Clint; that’s a nasty bump on your head. I’ll check on you later.”

  “Thanks, Major. I’ll be fine,” Clint replied, then smiled, for he realized he had done the only thing he could last night. He would be out of the Army soon, and he could hardly wait to return to Georgia.

  Outside the infirmary, Butler said to Cooper, “Those two need watching, sir. I got me a feeling they both know what really happened in that blockhouse last night.”

  “Timothy was a fool, Major; he let his loins burn with more revenge than his head. I saw how he looked at that girl after her arrival; I should have warned him to stay clear of her, or to have a guard stand watch while he settled the past on her.”

  “You mean, you would have let him have her?” Butler inquired.

  “Damn right! She owed him, and how else can a beautiful woman pay off such a large debt? I wouldn’t have minded having a taste of her myself. Damn him,” Cooper muttered in irritation. “That isn’t any way for a good officer to die, or to be found and remembered. I want those two savages back, then we can finish what Timothy started; we’ll punish them real good. Right, Major Butler?”

  Butler’s eyes sparkled with anticipation and he grinned broadly. “Right, General Cooper. I’ll take the patrol out myself. We’ll have those two bitches back in custody before nightfall.”

  “When we aren’t on duty or around the other men, call me Phillip, Gerald,” Cooper encouraged, deciding this man would replace his deceased friend Timothy Moore, for he needed somebody he could trust and depend on fully out here. Besides, he needed a woman real bad, and he wanted a white woman, even if she was an Indian’s mate. He realized how valuable and useful Bright Arrow’s wife could be…

  Butler whispered lewdly, “You get ready to question her real good, Phillip, because I’ll have her back for you pronto. She couldn’t have gotten far on foot, and I doubt she’s been gone more than a few hours.”

  It was late afternoon when the two combined Oglala bands reached their camp. The tribe was thrilled by their victories, but saddened by the deaths of many warriors, including shirt wearers Good Tracker and Touch-the-Sky and their war chief, Big Elk. The two bands were informed promptly of the astonishing attacks on several Indian villages, particularly the Blackfeet camp from which Singing Wind had been captured. The bands learned of how the tribes had been lured from their joint assault on the fort and of how they were awaiting the return of the war parties to hold a new war council.

  Sun Cloud was angered and alarmed by the capture of his love, and he swore to himself he would rescue her. He carried Bright Arrow to his tepee and had the shaman come to tend his wounds. After the shaman left, Sun Cloud confessed his love for Singing Wind to his brother.

  “I should not have kept silent about the truth this long, Bright Arrow. I love her and she loves me. We mated before your vision, but you claimed her in council before I knew of your plans. I tried to back away from her until this matter between us was solved, but I could not. She is mine in body and heart, as I am hers. I had taken her first and by right she was mine, but I could not death-challenge my own brother for her, and I could not free her to join you. It was wrong to continue meeting her secretly when all believed and accepted your claim on her, but I could not stop myself. I endured the Sacred Bow ritual and Sun Dance ceremony so Grandfather could send me a message, so He could tell me what to do. Forgive me for taking her and the chiefs bonnet from you, but they are my destiny, and a man cannot reject his fate.”

  “They were never mine to take from you, Sun Cloud. I was blind and foolish, and greedy. I know it is meant for you to have both, and I accept this truth. Grandfather opened my eyes before the war council, but White Arrow advised me to hold silent until your vision proved your claims. Big Elk is dead. Do you still wish me to take his place after you are voted chief? The vote must not wait; the time is now.”

  “Yes, you will be our war chief. But the vote for chief must wait until I have rescued Singing Wind and our foes are defeated, and your love is returned to you. Gra
ndfather seeks to remove all reasons why others voted against me, and He seeks to fulfill my vision so all will know I spoke the truth. Once I have proven myself and my vision, the vote will go easier for all concerned. It must be this way for all to have confidence in me. My heart sings with joy to hear your eyes have seen the truth and you accept it. It is good, my brother.”

  Bright Arrow and Sun Cloud locked hands and exchanged smiles. Bright Arrow replied, “It is more than good, my brother. I will remove my claim on Singing Wind. Save her and join her, as it should be. I thank you for saving my sacred shirt.”

  “Rest and heal, Bright Arrow. I will ride to the war council on the new sun. I cannot get into the white man’s fort, so I must find another way to retrieve what is mine. They will not harm her; they will seek to use her against us. She is brave and smart; she will be safe for a time. Grandfather will help us,” he vowed confidently.

  “I wish I could ride with you into battle, Sun Cloud, but I can feel my weakness. I would only endanger the lives and safety of others if I did not remain here to become strong and well once more. It is hard, but I must yield to it. I will join you in a few suns.”

  Late the following day, four important events took place. The joint war council met and made new plans; Derek Sturgis and James Murdock arrived at Fort Dakota; Singing Wind, Rebecca, and Soul-ofThunder evaded Butler’s patrol and came to within a few hours ride of the Oglala camp; and General Cooper decided to use all of his men to, one by one, attack and destroy all Indian camps in the region.

  The sixty-eight-year-old Derek Sturgis, ex-colonel of Fort Meade and current special agent for President James Monroe, absorbed the shocking reports of each officer at the meeting. He was more than vexed to hear the details of the grim happenings in this area and wondered if he had arrived too late to halt them and to prevent more. He was staggered by the rumored death of Gray Eagle, and prayed it was not true, for he deeply respected the Oglala chief and needed his help to form a workable treaty. He listened intensely and observed the men around the table, especially General Cooper and Major Ames.

  Sturgis ordered firmly, “I want all hostilities to cease immediately, General Cooper. We’ll let tempers and bloods cool for a few days, then I’ll try to arrange a meeting with Gray Eagle or his son. The President wants a truce, and he sent me here to make sure he gets one.”

  “Are you crazy, Sturgis? Those Injuns have been slaughtering my men left and right. This is Army business, so keep your nose out of it. In a few days, we won’t need a treaty with those savages, ‘cause there won’t be any left to sign one.”

  “The President gave me full authority to handle this matter any way I choose, General Cooper, which means you will do exactly as I say. With a lot of luck and work, we might save the rest of our men. You have no idea what you’ve done, and I can’t allow you to do more damage. I fully intend to bring charges against this Major Butler, if he returns. And I’ll bring them against you, too, if you force my hand. You can’t beat these Indians, especially the Sioux. But if you keep challenging and provoking them, you’ll get a lot of good men killed. I know Gray Eagle, and I know this uprising wasn’t his doing.”

  Derek Sturgis looked at Major William Ames and asked, “Would you mind telling me everything you know about this situation?”

  Ames glanced at Cooper as he replied, “No, sir. In fact, it’s about time somebody sets the record straight.”

  “Major Ames, I’m ordering you to silence,” Cooper warned.

  Sturgis caught the bad currents between the two men and decided to speak privately with Ames. “This meeting is over, gentlemen. Major Ames, you stay behind and have coffee and a chat with me. We’ll have another meeting around noon tomorrow. See you gentlemen then.”

  Cooper said, “I have a patrol out there with one of my best men. I plan to take another one out to look for them in the morning. I’m afraid the safety of my command comes before your silly meeting.”

  Sturgis settled back in his chair. “That’s fine, General. Go look for your men, just make certain you don’t intentionally engage the enemy. I’m here to make peace, not war.”

  When Ames and Sturgis were alone, Sturgis sent for James Murdock. “Murray, I want you to hear this too; then you can tell Major Ames what you’ve learned. I need to know every detail, Major Ames, every detail, no matter who it hurts. If we can’t get this conflict settled soon, this entire area will be bloodwashed.”

  William Ames eyed the two men and decided he could trust them completely. He took a deep breath and confessed all he knew.

  General Cooper went to the cookhouse after he had visited the infirmary. He ordered the man on duty to prepare a large pot of coffee for “Mr. Sturgis and his guests.” When it was ready, he sent the man to fetch some sweet rolls left over from the evening meal. While the man was retrieving them and placing them on a platter, Cooper poured sleeping powder into the coffee, milk, and sugar—to make certain each of the three men ingested plenty, enough to keep them knocked out until noon tomorrow. To cover the bitter taste, he placed a bottle of Irish whiskey on the tray, hoping the men would lace their coffee with it, then drink plenty to keep them awake to talk.

  Cooper watched the cook head to Sturgis’ room with the drugged items and smiled evilly. By the time his foolish rival awoke, it would be too late. He and his men would ride out at dawn, and they would not return until every camp was destroyed and every Indian was dead. After all, Sturgis had not shown him any official credentials or orders, so he was still in command for a while, and he was not about to allow Sturgis or the Indians to make him look like a coward or a weakling. By noon tomorrow, it would be too late for Sturgis to interfere…

  In the war camp, it was decided that an all-out attack on the fort would take place the next afternoon, as soon as all tribes could reach the meeting point and band together. First, they would try to lure the inhabitants out by using Sun Cloud dressed as Gray Eagle as bait. If that failed, they would lay siege to the fort, and refuse to pull out until the bluecoats surrendered.

  “I will miss my friend Bright Arrow in the battle. Will you return to your camp to lead your warriors?” Fire Brand asked Sun Cloud.

  “Thunder Spirit will summon them for me. I ride to the fort to study it for weaknesses and to watch it. I will wait for you there.”

  When they were alone, Thunder Spirit asked Sun Cloud, “Are you sure it is safe to go alone? The soldiers will be watching for scouts.”

  Sun Cloud looked at his friend and said, “I must go. Her life is as important to me as my own. If I can locate the secret gate which Bright Arrow told me about, perhaps I can rescue her before our attack. I must go quickly, for I need the cover of darkness to help me.”

  At their last rest stop before reaching the Oglala camp, Singing Wind finally completed her explanation to Rebecca. “When we reach camp, if he is there, you will hear the truth from his lips. I am happy you have returned to us. Do not let foolish pride ruin this moon.”

  Rebecca realized the Indian girl was telling the truth, and was giving her good advice, advice which she could follow. “I must see him alone, Singing Wind. Can you stay with another?”

  Singing Wind smiled knowingly. “We will sleep in the tepee of Little Feet. I must wait in your camp until Sun Cloud returns.”

  “You do love him very much, don’t you?”

  “Yes, very, very much,” she replied happily. “I pray he is in camp so I can see him. If he knows of my capture, he will worry.”

  “It seems both of our men are in for big surprises in a few hours.”

  Soul-of-Thunder joined the two laughing women. “All is good now?” he asked, for he had allowed them time to talk.

  “We must get home quickly, my son, so you can return to your wife. I do not wish her to worry about us. When our land is at peace, bring her to visit me.”

  They mounted and continued their journey, to arrive at the camp shortly after midnight. They were confronted by guards, who allowed them to pass once they were recogn
ized. Singing Wind and Soul-ofThunder headed for Little Feet’s tepee, to reveal her mother’s survival and return, and to spend the night with her.

  Rebecca laced the flap to the tepee and made her way forward. She was glad there was a small fire which cast a dim glow inside. She visually scanned the tepee, delighted and warmed to find that her surroundings had changed little during her year’s absence.

  On trembly legs, she went and knelt beside Bright Arrow’s sleeping mat. Her eyes filled with tears of joy and dismay. Her frantic gaze examined the injuries on his broad chest—they were smeared with a healing salve made from special herbs and roots—and the two bound wounds, one on his left forearm and one on his right bicep. Her gaze hurriedly and anxiously checked the bruises and marks on his handsome face, concluding that he had not fared well during this last battle. From the looks of them and from Singing Wind’s words, they must be a few days old. She realized how close she had come to losing him before she could reach home. She hated to awaken him, for he appeared to need this healing rest, but she had to see his eyes and hear his voice and feel his touch. They were alive, and they were together again.

  Rebecca’s quivering hand reached out and gently stroked his brow, then she leaned forward to allow her lips to press kisses there. She sat down near his waist and allowed her starving senses to absorb him greedily. As if his hunter’s instincts caught her presence, she saw his eyes flutter, then slowly open. He smiled at her as if it were a reflexive action. She nuzzled his left hand when it reached up to caress her cheek. When he pulled her downward to seal their lips, she was careful not to put her weight upon his injuries.