by Adair, Mary
Just as James put the final touches to the rib binding a young boy called for entrance.
"Come," James called out.
The boy poked his head in and looked around before he anxiously stepped into the lodge. It was plain to see the young boy held the big white man called Red Panther with a great deal of awe.
"Red Panther," he panted, "Dancing Cloud asks that you come to him. There is another Red Coat here to see Hunting Bow."
James glanced at Smythe and raised a brow, "How many did you tell that ridiculous name to, Lieutenant?"
"Dancing Cloud heard you call me Beau, I didn't know of any other way to translate it except as a hunting bow."
"Well at least that makes a certain amount of sense."
James tightly capped a jar of foul-smelling ointment and followed the boy from the lodge, Smythe close on his heels. Before they reached the gathering, he said to Beau, "Let's see if we can get through this without you revealing who I am."
James stepped up to the council circle and took his place, careful to keep his eyes downcast as he lowered himself to sit in the typical cross-legged position at the council fire.
The sergeant, a gruff-looking fellow in his late forties, glared at James and shuddered. Obviously he mistook James for a half-breed and hated him for it.
Upon seeing Lieutenant Smythe, the sergeant raised his hand in a salute.
Smythe returned the salute and indicated that the sergeant should sit.
"At ease, Sergeant." Smythe sat and reached out his hand to take the dispatch.
The startled sergeant quickly handed the pouch over but looked about him at the number of Indian braves who crowded around the small fire.
"Sit!" Smythe barked as he flipped open the leather pouch and withdrew the communiqué. He scanned the paper while the sergeant eyed Dancing Cloud as if he were a bug he wished to step on.
"Dancing Cloud holds the King's confidence, I assure you, Sergeant," Smythe said and handed the empty pouch back to him. "You may tell the Governor that his communiqué was received and understood. Also report back to the Governor that Col. Fitzgerald has been located and all is going well. I hate to send you back so soon, Sergeant, but Governor Glenn will be waiting my reply."
The sergeant rose stiffly to his feet and raised a hand in salute, "Understood, sir."
Smythe returned the salute without rising.
The sergeant jumped as Silent Deer took him by the elbow.
Smythe looked up at the startled sergeant, "You are excused, sergeant. Silent Deer will escort you to your horse. I'm sure Dancing Cloud would love to have you stay and visit a while, but like I said, the Governor will be waiting to hear if you found me. By the way, sergeant, personally see to it that the Prime Minister's man receives the word about the colonel."
"Yes, sir." The sergeant pulled his arm free. "I'm on my way, sir." He gave Silent Deer a hard look and walked from the fire.
As soon as the sergeant departed, Smythe handed the paper to James who quickly read the hastily scrawled words and then tossed the paper into the fire.
Dancing Cloud watched the papers curl and turn black. "What did the talking leaves say?" he asked.
"It's not so much what they say as what they tell me. It seems that the Governor is trying to take a few matters into his own hands."
"Lieutenant Smythe, I will leave for Great Tellico first thing in the morning. That means you will be responsible for getting Gentle Rain back to her father, Red Shoes. I want her there as soon as you can get her there. If you find that she or the babes are unwelcome, tell Red Shoes that you will return her and the children to me. Tell him that I fear no bad medicine and will care for her and her children. Then you take them to the trading post and explain the situation to George Hague. She is not to be mistreated. Understood?"
"I understand, Colonel."
"Then go to her now, but have a care, Lieutenant. If you cause her any grief, I'll follow you to hell."
James knew the threat was unnecessary. He felt certain that given the opportunity Beau and Gentle Rain would find happiness together.
"I understand, sir," Smythe answered and then left the council fire.
James turned to Dancing Cloud, "I will buy a wife. I will pay you four fine mares and a stallion. I will bring them back when I return from Great Tellico."
Dancing Cloud appeared to consider the offer. "New Moon is my little sister, but she is also a brave warrior. She has gone to war with me many times. If you buy her she will be watching your back, not mine when we go to war."
James grinned knowingly, "When she went to war at my side she was much trouble. I would never let her go to war beside me again. Also, she is no longer young. She has been married before to a mighty warrior and bore no children. If you do not sell her to me you may not get another offer."
Dancing Cloud sat silently for many long moments.
"She is not old. My sister still has many useful years ahead. What if she does not choose you?"
"Then you may keep the bride price," James answered magnanimously.
"You may ask her."
James knew where to find New Moon and hastened there as soon as he could politely remove himself from the chief s company, who suddenly felt a great need to show James the bow he had just finished and the new leather pouch his wife made for his arrows.
James immediately spotted New Moon as he slipped between the boulders that surrounded her beloved refuge. She rose from the buffalo robe she had placed beneath the bent branches of an age-old willow that nestled against the large boulder. As always, she stood proud, her shoulders squared and her dainty chin tilted in a defiant angle that told him life with her would never be boring.
Her eyes held his, and sparks arched between them though several feet separated them.
"Gentle Rain has had a son. She will be returning to her father without shame." His voice was barely above a whisper, but it carried to her on the gentle breeze.
New Moon raised her arms and James closed the distance between them in a few long strides. He pulled her into his arms and held her close as he breathed in the scent of her hair.
He pressed his lips to her ear and whispered, "I have offered Dancing Cloud a bride price. Will you accept me, my little Wa-sa?"
Joy filled New Moon's heart as she answered, "Yes. I will be the wife of Red Panther."
New Moon wrapped her arms about her warrior and leaned into his embrace. His lips found hers in a kiss so achingly tender her heart cried out for more.
Together they lowered to the buffalo robe. James lay back against the trunk of the old willow and pulled her into his arms. He put a hand to the back of her head and pulled her face down to his chest. She nuzzled there beneath his chin, smelling his scent and listening to the strong steady beat of his heart.
They nuzzled together beneath the gently swaying branches of the old willow while the spirits looked on with favor. Strong callused hands gently traced her features while he spoke whispered words of love and promise and commitment.
She moved her hands caressingly over his hard chest and bulging arms while her heart soared. In her soul she would not deny the happiness she felt or turn her back on the pain that was sure to follow.
Chapter Nineteen
James left Chota at first light. He'd not seen New Moon after he left her at her lodge entrance the night before. Now, as he rode toward Great Telleco, he remembered their time together, the promises they'd shared and the plans they made.
He'd made love to her only with his words and soft kisses. To do more would have been to go against the spirits of the willow and of Grandfather River.
A smile curved his lips as he considered how far he'd come, not just in terms of the distance he'd traveled from his homeland but in the very perception of all around him.
His eyes scanned his surroundings as he pushed his horse faster. He would like to smell the air and feel the crisp morning breeze, to take time to hear the spirits of the earth.
Not long ago, though h
e'd been drawn in a mighty way to this land, he didn't understand the true beauty of it, or the life flowing through it to man. He would have scoffed the same as other white men at the talk of spirits or man's brotherhood with nature. Living among the Choctaw had helped him understand, and loving New Moon brought about a heightened awareness for the native people and their culture.
Two days after his journey began, the warrior Red Panther called for entrance into the city of Great Telleco. Permission came and he led his horse through the narrow passage.
Once inside the village he went directly to the lodge of the old shaman, the dida:hnvwi:sg, and called out, "I am Red Panther."
"Enter," said a voice from within.
James stepped through the doorway. "I have come," he said solemnly and noted that Du Prey sat beside the old man.
Gray Bear chuckled, "Yes, you have. It is good!" The old shaman's face shone with pleasure at a visit from the warrior who had done so well in the ball play. He indicated for James to sit.
"I see you now wear the warrior's feathers," he said, a wide grin splitting his weathered face. Clapping his hands loudly he called, "Wife, come serve our new guest."
Then to James, "You must tell us the story of how you earned the name Panther. It is a name of great strength and cunning."
James nodded in acceptance as Gray Bear's wife lowered to her knees beside him and reached across to set a bowl of roasted deer-meat on the cane mat that lay on the floor between the three men. He looked into her face and was surprised by her youth. She glanced at him and then quickly lowered her lashes.
"Do you like her?" Gray Bear asked.
"She appears strong and able to bear many sons."
The old shaman put a gnarled finger under her chin and tilted her face upward and toward James. "And she is good to look at."
James looked at her again. She was too young to be married to an old man. She was hardly more than a child.
"Yes," he answered, a sense of apprehension tingling along his skin.
"Good! I give her to you for the night." Gray Bear waved his arm impatiently at the trembling girl, "Go! Prepare yourself and the guest lodge. Our guest is weary."
James looked to DuPrey and saw both amusement and challenge in his eyes.
He turned back to Gray Bear, "I thank you for your, gift. It is wonderful beyond my ability to express..." he paused.
Gray Bear sat straight and proud. He waited to hear much praise on his ownership of such a young and lovely wife, and the greatness of his gift.
James felt uncertain how to proceed. He was familiar with the custom of a warrior buying a girl to be his wife. He would turn her over to his older wife to train and then when she was of an age to be truly married the ceremony would be performed. No custom allowed for adultery among the Cherokee.
A warrior was proud of his family and would kill another for the virtue of his wife. Only women who were unmarried but had been married before were offered to visitors and only then if they were agreeable. This girl fit into none of these categories.
"Our Emperor does honor you greatly with such a gift," DuPrey interrupted his thoughts. "Little Dove is our Emperor's youngest wife. She was married to him when she was fourteen summers. He has seen to it that his other wives trained her in all things necessary to be a good wife and now, at sixteen summers she knows all that is necessary for a wife to know. Look around you and you will see all the many things she has made for her husband."
James looked at the beaded moccasins, the soft leather quiver, woven baskets and painted bowls, even the mat on which their food sat and the back rest against which they leaned. Every item in the lodge showed the careful even hand of its creator.
"Can you see why she is his favorite?"
James covered the emotion in his eyes as they slid back to DuPrey. The little Frenchman must indeed have a great deal of influence on this tribe of the Ani-Yunwiya. He felt the responsibility of his mission bear heavily down on him.
Extracting DuPrey from this camp would not be an easy matter. The governor's foolish attempt to intervene could very well backfire. If he did manage to extract DuPrey, many of the white settlers living on the frontier near Cherokee lands would pay the price with their lives.
DuPrey took three puffs from the pipe that now made its way around the small circle and passed it to James.
"Little Dove has just returned from the woman's lodge. It was her first visit there. The Emperor does truly honor you by giving her to you first."
James saw the challenge in DuPrey's eyes. Did he hope to introduce this new custom to Chota Town through him? If he accepted the door would be opened to his village.
If he refused his influence in this village would be blocked, not to mention whatever danger might be in store for him personally.
Nothing in his life had prepared him for these events.
His undercover missions had often involved undercover activities of a softer nature. He had particularly enjoyed that aspect of his duty. But never before had a father sent his daughter to him for protection or a husband thrust his wife under his nose. How would he explain this one to New Moon?
He made his decision. DuPrey had to be stopped. He could not allow his personal feelings to undermine his influence in this village. His mission was too important to England and too important to the Cherokee as well.
James turned to Gray Bear and accepted the gift as graciously as he could. As he let the beautiful speech roll easily from his tongue he killed DuPrey a hundred times over in his mind for planting this seed of corruption in a tribe of people he'd grown to love and respect.
As the evening wore on he listened to DuPrey, who proclaimed the shaman to be Emperor and himself the Imperial Majesty's Principal Secretary of State.
"I have taught The People many useful and wonderful things," he announced smugly. "I have shown why a woman ought not to belong to only one man. A Great warrior should mix his blood with that of many women whose ancestors were also great warriors. This is the quickest and surest way to build a might army."
The hair on the back of James neck tingled but his expression remained solemn, revealing none of what he felt. He saw Gray Bear dozed. Now was his opportunity to get out of the lodge before he convinced himself to kill DuPrey with his bare hands.
"I grow weary, Emperor," he addressed Gray Bear. The Dida:hnvwi:sg nodded sleepily and James rose to his feet.
"I will walk with you to your lodge," DuPrey offered and rose as well.
Once they were outside and on their way to the rear of the village DuPrey asked, "Why are you here, Red Panther?"
"I am going to the trading post. Since I have never been to Great Tellico and it is only a short distance out of my way I decided to come by here first."
"How is it that you are Cherokee and have never been to Great Tellico?"
"There are many Cherokee villages. Some of these villages are far from here. I decided to leave my own and travel to Chota town. There is much talk in my village of Chota Town and the Chief, Dancing Cloud. Do not the warriors from your own country sometimes travel far from their own home?"
DuPrey's grunt was noncommittal.
They walked the rest of the way in silence. As they stepped up to the visitor's lodge a large Indian standing guard at the doorway moved to one side. Around his shoulders lay a heavy buffalo robe, which he held tight against the night, chill. James glanced at his face and though it was too dark to see clearly, the moon reflected in his black eyes. James saw strong emotion flash quickly and then disappear.
"We are honored by your visit," DuPrey said at his side. "It will be an even greater honor to our Emperor if you leave your seed behind in his youngest wife."
James turned to face DuPrey. "I suppose it could pose a problem when your community children are ready to marry and have their own children. It has never been a custom of our people to mate within the same clan or to share our women. I do not believe they will accept this in Chota Town."
DuPrey looked up into th
e icy blue eyes of this strange breed that stood at least a head taller than himself. "Why were you going to the trading post, Red Panther?" He asked suspiciously.
James smiled and a visible tremor ran through DuPrey's body. "To talk of trade to Hague and Brown. I will trade for horses."
"Horses," DuPrey looked genuinely confused.
"Yes," James answered. "I will buy a wife. And," is voice lowered to a deadly tone, "I will not share her with another warrior."
With this James stepped through the doorway of his lodge. There, before him, in the center of his sleeping furs, naked and trembling with her head bowed low, was Little Dove.
If not so distracted by the trembling girl in his bed, James would have been able to concentrate on a feasible story for his guard to let him leave the lodge.
He knew he should follow DuPrey. Instead he walked over to Little Dove and pulled a pelt up over her thin shoulders.
She looked up at him with frightened eyes and he thought of another young girl with the big frightened eyes of a doe.
"Do not fear me, little one. I will not hurt you," he told her in the beloved tongue.
Her lower lip quivered and she caught it between her teeth. She pushed the heavy pelt from her shoulders and let it drop. James looked deep into her eyes. She was afraid of him or of what would happen to her if she did not give herself to him.
He smiled gently and rearranged the pelt so that it would cover them both. He slid her down beneath the covers and lay down beside her as he pulled her trembling into the warm circle of his arms.
She placed a trembling hand to his chest. He felt the heat of her body against his and thought of New Moon. Soon he would be holding her in his arms. He gently stroked Dove's cheek pushing the hair from her face and then pulled her head forward to rest beneath his chin.
Taking heart by his gentle touch Dove moved her hand lower along his stomach to the bindings of his waistcloth.
James drew in a quick breath. He wasn't made of wood. His own thoughts of New Moon and the soft feathery touch of Doves fingers brought about an immediate reaction. He hastened to take hold of Dove’s hand and brought it back to his chest.