Tender Ecstasy

by Janelle Taylor

  Rebecca dauntlessly and unknowingly stood between them just as Powchutu had once done. Deadly glimmers of violence sparked within those obsidian eyes which raked over her. Before he could charge Rebecca, Bright Arrow’s powerful grip halted him. Gray Eagle whirled to confront the person who dared to interfere in his affairs. Igneous coal eyes fused and locked with guarded ebony ones.

  “Do not strike her again, Father. Do not force me to battle my own father to protect my mother. Your anger and hatred have stripped away your control and reason. Think before you bring harm and sadness to the woman you love above life itself,” he sternly advised, praying his father would listen and settle down.

  Gray Eagle frowned at his defiant son whose prowess matched his own. “You have no place here, Bright Arrow. I must settle this trouble once and for all time.”

  “You are wrong, my father. The white girl is my captive. Shalee is my mother. Tell me what trouble causes you to strike her down so cruelly,” he insisted boldly.

  “The white girl must leave now. Shalee does not wish this. She defies me. Is this not so, Shalee?” he arrogantly demanded, knowing she would never confess the devastating truth to their son. How could she admit to being totally white herself? How could she tell her son the truth which would alter him to a lowly, despicable half-breed? How could she tell her son who and what Powchutu was? She would keep silent, for their lives depended upon it!

  Bright Arrow released his firm grip upon his father’s arm. He crossed the short distance to where his mother sat staring at Gray Eagle with a look of alarm and disbelief which he had never before seen upon her lovely, now bruised, face. He dropped to his knees before her. He gently captured her flawless face between his hands and turned it to him. Her wide eyes remained upon the puissant warrior who stared insolently back into her gaze.

  “Mother? Are you injured?” he asked in deep concern and affection. “Did he speak the truth? Did you defy him?” he helplessly sought the truth.

  With sarcasm dripping from his words, Gray Eagle scoffed, “Our only son wishes to know if his father lies to him, Shalee. Our only son asks if my honor is stained with deceit. Did I punish you for rebellion and disrespect? I said the girl must leave here. You rebelled against my words and orders, did you not?” he contended, knowing she would be compelled to agree with his words.

  Infused with pride, Shalee got to her feet and brushed the dust from herself. She lifted her chin with dignity. Her mood was strangely calm. Her green eyes were inscrutable and her expression impassive. Her voice was steady and soft, concealing the maelstrom of emotions which stormed her mind and body. Tormented, shamed, and disillusioned, she replied to his challenge with the most unexpected and shocking words he could ever imagine.

  “Only you know what is in your heart and mind, my husband. To this day, I have been given no reason to doubt either your honor or your words. Why should I do so now? I did not mean to anger or to shame you with my foolish outburst and unforgivable defiance. You said Rebecca must leave. I wished her to remain. Your boundless anger did not permit me the time to tell you why I wished and needed for her to stay here. I will do so now.”

  Gray Eagle tensed, not daring to speculate upon her alleged confession. Shalee noted his reaction, but ignored it. “I wanted the white slave to remain here with us because I will soon require help and strength with the chores. Many times you have spoken of other children. I have often prayed to the Great Spirit to permit me to give you another son. I wished to be sure of my suspicions before I told you the Great Spirit has finally answered my prayers. I wished to wait until there was peace within our hearts again before I shared this precious news with you and our only son. As your patience and temper have grown short and fiery with age, I must now pray we are not too old to raise another child.”

  Each time Shalee used words such as “permit,” “only son,” “defiance,” and “honor,” her tone of voice held a special inflection which said much more to her stunned husband. Touching her lower abdomen, she stated, “Once more I carry the child of Gray Eagle within me. He should be born before the winter snows cover the sacred mountains. I will guard his life with my own. I will not lose this child. I will permit nothing and no one to endanger his life and safety. I was about to tell you this wonderful news when Rebecca arrived and all went wrong. Since I have not been myself lately and have been overly tired and tense, I enjoyed Rebecca’s company and help. If you wish her gone, then find me another slave to ease the burden of work which could take away this gift from the Great Spirit. You are the warrior and our chief; you must decide what is safe and best for your unborn child. I will do as you command. I grow weary of these battles which steal my strength and joy.”

  “Another child?” he murmured in astonishment. This news was staggering, totally unforeseen. For years they had wanted another child. And now, it was to be? At their ages? He stiffened in suspicion and studied her intently. Revenge? Was this a spiteful trick to keep Rebecca here? Could his love be so cruel and vindictive? “You are sure?” he questioned.

  Shalee sighed woefully, guessing his reasons. She shook her head in sadness. Was this where their destiny was heading: to lies, deceit, and betrayal? “Unless the Great Spirit plays a cruel joke upon me, then I carry your child. It has been so long since Bright Arrow’s birth that I hesitated until I was certain. Yet, all the signs are present. If you do not wish Rebecca to remain here to help me, then find another captive who meets with your approval before I have need of her strength. I do not want to risk injury to this new child with hard work or an accident. I am no longer a young woman; to carry a child at my age will demand much from my body and my energy.

  “I only ask you give Rebecca to a worthy man who will treat her as she deserves. My love and loyalty belong to my family, not to Rebecca. Perhaps it would be safer and wiser for all of us if she left this very moment. My love and protection belong to my children, not someone else’s. If your keen mind were free of such troubles, you would have noticed a change within me. If you doubt my words and honor, the truth will soon be visible for all to see,” she declared, caressing her stomach. “I am weary in mind and body. This day has been too long and too demanding. Do as you will with the white girl. I must be alone.”

  She attempted to brush past him on her way out. He gently caught her forearm and stopped her steady progress. “You swear you carry my child,” he pressed for the words which would make his final decision about Rebecca for him.

  Without meeting his piercing gaze, she emphasized, “Before the vengeful echoes of yesterday called out to you, there was no need for such promises. I will not resist the fate you select for Rebecca. I could not alter your decision even if I tried. Her coming has caused enough trouble. I am not responsible for her or her tragic fate. I am more concerned with Bright Arrow and this new child I now carry.”

  She looked up at him, gluing her blank eyes to his. “No, Gray Eagle; I will swear nothing to you. You have no reason to doubt my words and honor. I say it is so; that is sufficient, or would have been seven moons past. In a short time, the truth will stand clear; it always does. I shall pray for truth and patience to come before our child does or before we are cruelly divided forever by this black shadow which threatens us. Do not ever strike me again or unleash your temper upon me. To do so shows dishonor to me; it might endanger this new child. If you unleash it again, I will return to my father’s tepee in the camp of the Si-ha Sapa. Do not force me to seek safety for me and our unborn child with my people. There is nothing more to say. I wish to be alone now. I have many things to think upon…” She knew her husband could not prevent her protective flight to her alleged father; to do so would reveal deadly and shameful secrets.

  “Shalee…” he began in a rueful tone, feeling shamed. “My anger has cooled; my reason has returned. I did not understand why you behaved so strangely or why you wished her to stay. You should have told me about our new child. We must talk,” he cautiously stated, his tone contrite and entreating. But he had overreac
ted, and she was not ready or willing to forgive him yet. The hurt from his incisive words was too fresh and painful to encourage her to hear him out.

  “We can speak later. I wish to be alone for a time. Speak to your only son; he has many questions and doubts which you need to answer. Do what you must with Rebecca before I return. I will not allow myself to interfere again. I had forgotten the savage price for rebellion. Stay, Wanmdi Hota; I wish this torturous matter ended while I walk and think. Too much has happened this day.”

  Gray Eagle knew if he left her side for two days that things would never be the same when he returned. He could perceive her withdrawal from him. He had hurt her deeply. He had humiliated her. He had struck out at her in a blind rage. He could have injured her and their unborn child. He followed her outside, out of Bright Arrow’s hearing range. “She cannot stay with us, Shalee. Do you not understand this? Already she speaks the name of her real father, just as I feared. It is dangerous. Deadly secrets from our past could return to battle and defeat us. I tried to withhold the truth, knowing how it would affect you.”

  “As before, you chose to remain silent. If you had told me the truth seven moons ago, I would have insisted upon her leaving that very day. Now there are lies between us once more. Even your son suspects some ominous reason for your hatred of her. What can you tell him? He is cunning and bright. He knows something is terribly wrong. How could Rebecca have revealed a deadly truth which only you possessed? Once more, your hatred and revenge carry a big price, Gray Eagle. Your words to me were cruel and untrue. Perhaps your love and faith in me are not as great as we both believed. Perhaps this is why the Great Spirit chose this moment to give us another child. Perhaps He seeks to show you the past is dead. Perhaps He hopes this child will remove the hatred which still dwells within your heart against all whites,” she declared meaningfully.

  “I love you and trust you, Shalee,” he instantly protested.

  “Then why did you lie to me? Many times I questioned you about the truth behind your hatred of her. You did not trust me enough to tell me who she is. Knowing your feelings for Powchutu, I would not have pleaded for her to remain for even one moon in your tepee and sight! Powchutu’s ghost can come between us only if you allow it, which you did. In all that matters, she is the daughter of Mary and Joe. Can you repay our old friends by sending their innocent, defenseless child into shame and torment? There are many good warriors; choose one of them. Please…”

  He lowered his head in deliberation of her words. As he comprehended the truth behind his actions and feelings, she softly reasoned, “There is no need for you to fear the past. I have loved and desired no man but you. Powchutu came between us while we were still enemies, while we were seeking each other. Our love is strong now; his ghost can do it no harm unless you allow it. Rebecca was raised by Joe; she has never known Powchutu. Joe’s love and influence rules her head and heart. The past is dead, my love. No person should claim another’s glory or submit to his punishment. I am here with you and will always be at your side for as long as you desire it or until you cruelly drive me away. I beg you, my love: do not destroy our love and happiness with deeds long buried.”

  He sighed heavily as he rubbed his smooth face. “You are right, Shalee. I permitted myself to forget such things. When I heard how our son had slain an Indian brother to possess her, a strange feeling washed over me. Then to hear her speak of words which gave away her true name, a warning sang within my head. The deeds of the past came rushing back to live again. Over and over Powchutu’s face appeared before me. The pain he caused us was vent upon her. It was as if his daughter had come to avenge him, to take you and Bright Arrow from me. I have not been wise or just. I want nothing of the past or of him to ever touch our lives again. There is danger in my continued hatred of him. I must dispel or conquer it for all time. You must forgive me and help me,” he earnestly entreated.

  “How so? You must remove the barrier which you placed between us. You have revealed inner thoughts and feelings which I never knew existed; this frightens and saddens me, my husband. Do I truly know you?”

  Before he could respond to her words, several warriors rode into camp. Dust flew about them. Lathered horses wheezed and neighed. The warriors halted before Gray Eagle himself. Their leader was dressed in sienna-colored buckskins and lowcut mocassins. He wore a breastplate of linked bones from the wings of many giant birds of prey. Several black feathers were situated in his stygian hair which settled wildly about his powerful shoulders when he reined in his horse. Bold slashes of red and black marked his stoic features.

  In Cheyenne, he stated dramatically, “I have come for the life of the white whore who caused the death of Standing Bear. I call Bright Arrow coward and betrayer for slaying his Indian brother for a while slave. I must return to my village with this girl and with three pieces of Bright Arrow’s scalp or there will be war between our tribes. White Elk has spoken. Standing Bear must be avenged before his spirit climbs the ghost trail in search of the Great Spirit. Call Bright Arrow out to face the punishment of his evil deed! Or does the aimless arrow quiver in the shadow of a noble eagle? Does the Eagle’s fledgling also desire the beautiful body of a white-eyes?” he brazenly taunted the intrepid warrior whose eyes blazed in unleashed fury at this daring affrontery. Shalee inhaled sharply, then flushed crimson. She glared at him, daring him to insult her again. His response was a roguish grin.

  “Do you foolishly seek your death as Standing Bear did?” Gray Eagle thundered. “He challenged Bright Arrow to battle. Many saw and heard this. Dishonor and betrayal do not demand vengeance! My son is a man. He speaks and fights for himself. Does White Elk?” Gray Eagle mocked the arrogant warrior who was observing Shalee more closely than he was watching him! Gray Eagle was sorely tempted to yank him down and beat him. It was perilously clear that Bright Arrow had accurately and wisely sized up this matter…

  Chapter Nine

  Bright Arrow stepped outside their tepee into the warm sunshine. He gently grasped his mother’s forearm and sent her back inside with Rebecca. He took his place at his father’s side, his stance aggressive and confident, his eyes and expression alert and fathomless.

  White Elk’s gaze flickered from one fiercely proud and intrepid warrior to the other. Although his expression never changed, a wave of uneasiness and dread washed over his brawny frame. If he followed Standing Bear’s wily plan, he could win the same valuable prizes that reckless brave had forfeited. If he failed…

  The key to his success lay in disarming and irritating the Oglala warriors. Impatience and anger took a heavy toll upon a brave’s concentration and accuracy in battle. He smiled satanically, for the fresh injury upon the beautiful face of Shalee revealed that there already was no peace in the tepee of Wanmdi Hota. He could easily imagine that gentle beauty taking the side of a vulnerable girl, white or Indian.

  “We have ridden together many times, White Elk,” the younger brave began. “Why do you call me to challenge over Standing Bear’s loss of face? Red Cloud stood at his side that day. Surely he told you his words of treachery and betrayal. This new challenge does not speak well of a great warrior such as you. You bring sadness to my heart.”

  “The death of Standing Bear brought sadness to many Cheyenne hearts. He claimed the white whore first. You left him no choice but to battle you for her possession and his honor,” he lied boldly.

  Bright Arrow stiffened. “You speak falsely, White Elk! I saw and touched the white girl first. Standing Bear mocked and taunted me before our warriors. Your vision is clouded with envy and grief. Have you not heard how I tried to reason with him, how I did not wish to fight him, how I sang the Death Chant for him? What dark reason makes you deny such acts?”

  “If you speak the truth, the Great Spirit will guard your life. If I speak the truth, He will guard mine,” White Elk stated his purpose.

  “You call me to a death challenge!” Bright Arrow exclaimed in disbelief.

  White Elk glared down at the handsome
brave who had captured the hearts and eyes of countless women, at the mettlesome man who would feel obligated to accept this fight. “Yes,” he said coldly. “Say the time and place.” An insulting grin mocked Bright Arrow.

  Bright Arrow glanced over at his father who had been witnessing this display. “Father?” he began.

  White Elk harshly cut into his words, “Are. you a child who must ask his father’s permission to save face? Does the bright arrow dull and waver when it faces a real warrior, one not under the dangerous spell of a white slave?” he ridiculed him.

  Bright Arrow’s truculent gaze shifted back to White Elk. “I speak to Wanmdi Hota as chief of the Oglala, not as my father,” he sneered contemptuously. “When I am leader, I will need no one to speak for me or to counsel me, White Elk. In our camp, Wanmdi Hota is the law and the speaker for all warriors.-Is this not so in the camp of the Cheyenne?” he craftily parried the brave’s insult.

  “I speak for White Elk. Does Wanmdi Hota speak for you?” he insisted, knowing he must defeat Bright Arrow first, hoping his brutal death would grieve Wanmdi Hota to the point of carelessness-and defeat. Then, he could take both women! Without question, the mighty Oglala would naturally follow the valiant warrior who had vanquished two powerful legends! Still, the planning of this daring deed was far easier and braver than carrying it out!

  “As chief, I must try to prevent this shameful action, White Elk. As his father, I grant him the right to choose his own fate. My son has spoken the truth,” Gray Eagle implied the Cheyenne brave was a liar. “The Great Spirit will protect him as He did at Standing Bear’s shameful challenge. Go. Prepare yourself to die the death of a betrayer. When Wi sits overhead, return to walk the Ghost Trail with Standing Bear,” Gray Eagle declared.