“We know that feeling, too.” The first nodded gravely. His two friends were sometimes as irresponsible as Raven himself. “There have been few war parties lately where a very young brave might win booty and eagle feathers.”
“I say tonight, we change all that.” Raven was in a fury. “We go raid a ranch or two, those shoyapees who have treated us most badly; perhaps that isolated trading post that has cheated us!”
The two looked at him, then at each other. “It will cause more trouble.”
Raven snorted with derision. “How much more trouble can there be? You are beginning to sound like old women. The whites treat us like dogs and Chief Joseph allows it.”
“They outnumber us. As chief, he and his leaders, too, must think of the welfare of the whole tribe.”
“Since when does a Nez Perce brave care if he is outnumbered? Besides, the whites treat us badly, no matter if we grovel in the dust like dogs,” Raven said. “Even our own people don’t accept us as warriors.”
The other two looked at each other. “What you say is true, but we have no wish to die this night.”
Raven snorted again, reining in the horse that danced under him. “I speak not of dying, but of living like a man, not a dog! None of us has war honors, so the women we want will not consider us.”
The pair looked at the ground, silently acknowledging this humiliating fact.
“Think,” Raven challenged, “think how it would feel to ride into our camp with fresh white scalps hanging on our lances; carrying trinkets that delight women, driving a big herd of stolen white men’s horses before us!”
He watched their dark faces, experiencing with them the image, that shout of exultation and victory as they rode in, singing a warrior’s song of fresh scalps and captured loot. The three young men would finally gain simiakia, some attention; women would smile at them.
The other two paused uncertainly. “If we do this, there will be much trouble from the war leaders like Ollokot.”
Raven swore the white man’s oaths he had learned. “They have their war honors and their women, well might they tell us no.”
“If we came driving a big herd of horses and carrying much booty, it would be difficult to disapprove of us; especially since we are about to leave this area,” Five Stars thought aloud.
Raven came up with the final, winning argument. “If we hit that distant trading post, there will be good rifles for the taking and much whiskey.”
“Let us do this thing,” Pony said.
His friend nodded. “We may die before dawn or we may finally win war honors; either way, it will be better than crawling on our bellies like dogs.”
Raven grinned and nudged his horse. In his mind, he saw himself throwing his trophies down in front of Willow, making her regret that she had chosen Bear, perhaps yet changing her mind. “Let us go then.” He quirted his horse and the three took off at a gallop.
It was not yet dawn as Willow opened her eyes, glanced around, tried to figure out where she was. When she moved slightly, her body hurt and she had to bite her lip to keep from moaning. The glow of the small fire revealed that she lay in the sleeping Bear’s arms. The events of last night came back to her. Reverend Harlow might be searching for her even now to beat her some more. She stirred and Bear’s dark eyes opened. For a long moment, he, too, looked puzzled, then he smiled at her. “Are you all right, green-eyed girl?”
Fear returned to her soul. “The preacher will be coming for me, probably with a sheriff or the general to make me return to town.”
He shook his head, didn’t release her from his embrace as he reached out and brushed a lock of hair from her eyes. “You are safe, Willow, I would protect you with my life. Whatever you want to do, wherever you want to go, I’ll try to help you.”
She looked into his gentle dark eyes as he smiled at her. Bear had made love to her with a passion, taken her to heights of ecstasy she had not known she was capable of.
“You don’t answer,” he said with a somber face, “you regret giving yourself to me? That was my fault, I shouldn’t have taken—”
“I love you.” She reached up and kissed him.
“Oh, Willow.” He pulled her close, trembling with emotion. “I was afraid you would regret last night; I have never even dared hope a girl like you would love me.” He began to kiss her lips, her eyes, her cheeks.
“But you don’t love me enough to want me for your woman?”
He paused, looking down at her. “I never dreamed you would even consider that. I thought this morning, after you had a chance to think it over, you would go back to the settlement, make peace with your guardian and marry the lieutenant.”
“Not if you’ll keep me yours forever,” she whispered, “and take me with you when our people go from this place.”
“What will we do about Raven?” He kissed her forehead.
Raven. She remembered now the startled anger on his handsome face as she had brushed past him and run into Bear’s protective embrace. “Neither of us ever meant to hurt him. Even if I hadn’t loved you, I wouldn’t have been his woman. Where is he?”
Bear’s face furrowed with concern. “I don’t know; probably off drinking whiskey with his friends. He was hurt and angry; I should go look for him now that I’m sure you’re all right.”
She caught his arm to keep him from getting up. “He’s a wild, irresponsible boy,” Willow soothed, “he’ll get over this.”
“I promised my mother I would take care of him.”
“I know,” she said, touching his face, “but sooner or later, he needs to take some responsibility himself or he will never be a respected warrior.” She kissed him again and he responded with ardor, but suddenly pulled back. “You’re hurt and bruised.”
She felt tears come to her eyes as she smiled up at him. “You are the only person who has ever been kind and gentle with me.” She kissed his fingertips and placed his big hand on her breast. “It feels good to belong to you,” she whispered. “I want to please you.”
“I can wait.” Yet his hand seemed to cup her breast instinctively and it felt good there. She felt desire stir deep inside, even though her body was bruised.
“Now that you have taught me this thrill, I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you.”
“Nor I you,” he murmured and began kissing her feverishly. “If I took you a dozen times a day, I would never have my fill of you.”
“I am and will always be yours and yours alone.” She reached to put her hand on his big manhood.
“Oh, Willow, are you sure you want to become a Nez Perce woman? Think of what you’ll be giving up—”
“I think only of what I gain.” She slipped her arms around his sinewy neck and kissed the corners of his mouth. “As soon as possible, I want to give you a son. What do we need to become man and wife in the Nez Perce way?”
His eyes grew moist. “We stand up, embrace each other, and say vows that we will never be parted until death. Only after that may you belong to someone else.”
“Then may you live forever,” Willow whispered. “Let us say these words quickly, my dear one, before anyone can separate us.” She stood up and reached down to him.
Bear took her hand and his eyes never left her face as he stood up very slowly, reached to wrap a blanket around the two of them in a ceremonial manner. “I, Hohots, pledge that there will never be another in my heart but you, Willow.”
Willow took a deep breath and put both small hands on his dear, dark face. All her life she had been alone and searching, but she hadn’t known what it was she yearned for. Now she knew; that perfect love, given by a man who adored her enough to give his life for her, make any sacrifice. “And in my heart, only you,” she vowed. She touched her left breast. “I hold you in my timine.” Then she kissed him.
He held her close against his wide chest, stroking her hair. “I had not known a man could care so much for a woman; it scares me.”
She laughed softly and looked up at him. “The gre
at warrior, Bear, is scared? I promise that I, in turn, will do anything for you, go anywhere you go. No hardship is too great; no distance too far; no sacrifice too much.”
Very gently now, he pulled her close and kissed her. “If I could be sure Raven was happy, that would make my joy complete.”
“He’ll get over this,” Willow said again, “and within days, no doubt he’ll be looking at other maidens.”
“I wish I could be that sure; I feel I have betrayed him.”
She shook her head. “You made the offer for him, it was my choice. It is high time Raven stop feeling self-pity and grew up.”
“It’s more than self-pity,” Bear answered, “it’s guilt.”
“The only way Raven will ever feel like a real man is when he stops depending on you; begins to act like a warrior. When dawn comes, then you can organize a search for him.”
“You are right, of course.” He looked into her eyes. “There is only one thing more now we must do to complete the ceremony; the ritual pleasing of each other’s body after we say the words, but it can wait—”
“Oh, please! I want it finalized; I want to belong to you totally and completely so it cannot be changed, ever.”
“In that case. . . .” He pulled her to him and kissed her. “I will be gentle with you, Green Eyes.”
She smiled and returned his kiss, slipping her tongue between his lips and rubbing her breasts slowly against his muscular chest.
She heard his sharp intake of breath and he pulled her closer against his hard manhood.
“Gently,” Willow reminded him as he pulled her down to the soft fur robe before the fire and opened her thin calico dress so that he could cover her breasts with his big hands.
With a groan, he kissed her breasts, laved them with his tongue until she, too, was gasping. His mouth began to caress every inch of her body, beginning between her breasts and kissing lower to the hollow of her belly. “I will please you, my woman, without hurting you, I promise.”
Before she realized what he intended, he kissed his way down one of her silky thighs and reached to part them.
“You-you aren’t going to kiss me there?”
In answer, he did and she instinctively let her thighs open, arching her body up to his hot, eager mouth. She should stop him. She should . . . then his tongue probed and she forgot everything except catching his dark head between her hands, holding him there so he could pleasure and probe her sweetness. Nothing else mattered as he loved her, while his hands covered her breasts and caressed her nipples until they swelled with desire. Willow was only vaguely aware in her need that his big hands slipped under her small hips, lifting her to his hot, wet mouth where he could drink in her nectar like a bee dipping deep into an exotic blossom.
She grasped his manhood, wanting to do the same. However, her excitement was building and she began to slip into blackness.
“Wait for me, Willow,” he whispered, “wait for me....”
“I-I can’t!” She couldn’t stop herself from convulsing with passion. Her fire ignited his and she felt him gasp and stiffen, then a hot rush of seed flowed over her hand. For a long, shuddering moment, she knew nothing but darkness.
When Willow opened her eyes again, he leaned on one elbow, staring down at her while he brushed damp, dark hair from her eyes. “Such a waste. Had I planted that seed deeply, you might already be creating a son for me.”
“I’ll do that yet,” she promised. “I’ll give you sons; more than one.” She realized the first gray light of dawn was filtering into the tipi.
Bear stood and began to dress hurriedly. “Now I must go look for Raven before he gets into trouble.”
“Perhaps he has calmed down; has not done anything rash.” She sat up and watched his muscular body as he moved. Yes, he was scarred, but they were dear scars to her, scars of bravery. He was more virile than any man she could have dreamed of.
“I know Raven better than you.” He sighed. Evidently, looking out for his spoiled brother was becoming a heavy task.
“Then kuse timine,” she whispered in the Nez Perce language; go with a good heart.
He turned and smiled at her. “I love you so. I’ll be back soon; we have to get this camp ready to move. I—”
At that moment, she heard shouts and galloping horses outside that interrupted Bear’s words. Dogs began to bark and people yelled. A rudely awakened baby wailed as the camp came awake in the confusion. Willow and Bear looked at each other, ran outside just as Raven and his two friends galloped into camp, driving a small herd of lathered horses. Their faces were painted scarlet and black, their ponies painted for war. When Willow took a deep breath, she smelled the reek of cheap whiskey.
Raven looked down at her, drunken anger in his dark eyes, then held his hand high, threw his head back and shouted a triumphant war whoop. “See what I do? I kill our tribe’s enemies while my brother lies abed with a woman!”
Willow stared at the bloody thing in his hand, the scarlet trail it left running crookedly down his arm. When she realized what it was, she screamed and Raven snorted with derision, threw the scalp at her feet. “What kind of warrior’s woman are you? You are supposed to give a victory trill, not tremble and scream like a weak white girl!”
Bear gave an oath of disbelief, reached to drag his brother from the rearing pony that neighed and rolled its eyes at the coppery scent of fresh blood. “Raven, what have you done?”
“Done?” the younger man sneered. “I go kill and raid our white enemy, not dally in a lodge with the woman who was promised to me!”
“I never promised—!” Willow began, but Bear was already slapping Raven’s face.
“You young fool! Do you realize what you’ve done? You bring our people trouble, stain our honor—”
“Don’t speak to me of honor!” Raven snarled and swung wildly. Bear dodged away, but his drunken, enraged brother came after him.
Willow looked around. A crowd was gathering, and already, the other two riders looked abruptly sobered and shocked at what they had done.
Bear backed away from Raven. “Don’t, Brother. You’ve had too much to drink. What will Joseph say—?”
“Don’t lecture me.” Raven staggered toward him. “You who sleep with a half-breed whore. Why, the lieutenant has no doubt already—”
Bear hit him then, hit him hard and watched him stumble and fall in the dirt. “Willow is my woman,” he said, his face cold and grim. “I will kill you if you slander her.” He brought his fist back again, but Willow grabbed his arm.
“Bear, he’s drunk and he’s just a boy. There are other things to think of; there’s going to be trouble over this.”
“You’re right. The Nez Perce have no time to fight among themselves.” Bear looked around the circle of curious faces, the two somber young friends still sitting their horses. “You want to play at being warriors?”
No answer. Raven was still attempting to stand up. Men were coming now from every direction.
Bear reached down, jerked his brother to his feet. “You’ll get to play warrior, all right! I have no doubt white soldiers will be on their way here soon.”
“They would come anyway,” Raven snarled, “since you take the half-breed woman as your own.”
Willow raised her chin proudly. “He does not take; I give. We did not mean to hurt you, Raven, but your rash action will bring trouble to us all.”
Bear looked around. “Where is Joseph? Some decisions will have to be made.”
“He’s gone to round up his horses, remember?” the old grandmother said.
“Then get Ollokot,” Bear ordered, and gestured. “Everyone get ready to move out; teueze inpeze!” he shouted for them to take down the lodges. “Because of what these young fools have done, no doubt the army will be coming to take vengeance.”
“We will fight them!” Raven swayed on his feet. “I am no longer the great Bear’s little brother, I am a warrior!”
Bear wheeled in disgust. “You are a reckless fool who
has brought trouble to your people; I should have let that grizzly have you.” He turned and strode to Willow. “You can still change your mind,” he whispered, “you can go back to town; the parson is no doubt filled with guilt and will treat you better, or you could marry the lieutenant. What’s ahead is going to be very difficult and there will be danger and maybe death.”
Willow shook her head. “No, you are my man; wherever you go, I will be by your side.”
“Then begin to pack our things and take down the tipi,” Bear said. “The Nez Perce will have to move fast if the soldiers are coming!”
Back in the settlement, word spread quickly from the soldiers at the fort that a number of white men had been killed, horses run off, ranches burned in last night’s raiding.
Lieutenant Warton rubbed his hands together in satisfaction as he talked to Deek Tanner. “This is what comes of General Howard’s mollycoddling Injuns. Once the settlers and the politicians are stirred up, we’ll deal with them soon enough.”
Deek grinned and scratched his dirty beard. “If I was you, soldier boy, I’d be careful and not underestimate them warriors or you’re liable to get yourself killed.”
“Killed?” Billy brushed his hair from his eyes. “Why, I’m not scared of a bunch of miserable savages; I expect to come out of this with a promotion and maybe some medals.”
“Uh-huh; big talk. Don’t lose track that what we’re really after is that Nez Perce gold.”
“Don’t lecture me.” Billy’s lip curled and he wondered how soon he could rid himself of this partner. Once they found the gold, it would be easy enough for an accident to befall the filthy scout. Billy’s mind went to Willow again, lush, beautiful Willow. Billy wanted her as much as he wanted the gold. “Let’s go uptown and see what the talk is.”
The settlement was in a black mood, Billy and Deek soon discovered; milling around on the main street as they waited for further word of damage and Indian raids.
“It ain’t right!” a store owner opined as he stroked his bald head. “Decent folk got a right to live peaceable without worrying about being scalped in our beds!”
Song Of The Warrior Page 15