Humiliated and bitter, she determined she would starve before she would grovel and beg food and water from him or his people. His stern voice broke into her thoughts, "Ku-wa!"
In her black mood and with intense thoughts of hate and anger, she had not noticed the old woman"s return. She was carrying more food and a chamois-colored skin over her arm. Again, he motioned and caled for her to come to him, "Kuwa!" He patted the earth beside him, saying, "Yanka!"
She came forward and sat down near him. The brave had already finished eating and sat watching her closely as the old woman handed her the roasted meat and pones of bread. She fidgeted nervously, al too aware of his keen observation of her. She had to force herself to eat slowly and lady-like for she was ravenous and the food tempting. It was hot, juicy and delicious was ravenous and the food tempting. It was hot, juicy and delicious and al thoughts of rebelious starving fled instantly. The old woman had laid the skin, which appeared to be a garment of some type, beside the brave. She slowly and quietly left the teepee, secretly studying the winyan kaskapi. Once more, they were alone. The silence and tension in the air were pressing in on. Alisha as she eyed the brave suspiciously. She expected him to seize the bowl from her grip at any moment, but he did not. She was surprised that he sat immobile, making no attempts to taunt or torture her in any way. He was totaly unpredictable and a mystery to her. She ate as he watched her, relieved he did not have to use force on her this time. She is aware of who has the power here, he mused. She wil think twice before she defies me. She wil come to learn I stay my hand of punishment when she obeys my commands. She finished eating and set the dishes down beside his and turned to him.
He picked up a strange-looking garment and stood up. It was of an oblong shape, a few inches wide with two long strips on either end. He puled Alisha to her feet and reached to remove the blanket from around her slender frame. Comprehending his intent, she clutched it tightly until her knuckles turned white. She began to back away from him, shaking her head in refusal.
He looked at her with those icy, black eyes and commanded coldly, "Hiya!" as he shook his head from side to side. Stil, she held on in defiance of yet another humiliation. He gripped the edge of the blanket and tore it from her grasp, leaving her standing naked before him. Her cheeks flamed and her eyes quickly lowered in embarra.s.sment. She stood motionless before his gaze. How could she fight against his strength? She was no match, nor even any compet.i.tion, for him.
nor even any compet.i.tion, for him.
His hand touched her leg and forced her thighs apart. Her face reddened even more and spread down her neck and lightly onto her chest. He puled the cloth between her legs and tied it o either side on her hips by the two long strips. He pointed to the breechcloth and said, "Cehnake... cehnake..."
She eyed the strange contraption and grasped its purpose and his meaning. She touched it with her fingertips and repeated his word, "... cehnake..."
He nodded and replied, "Sha."
He leaned over and picked up the other garment. He lifted her arms over her head and this time she did not resist him as he slid the garment over her head and puled it down into place. It was of a fawn color and very soft to the touch. There were smal white teeth from some animal sewn onto the yoke in a pattern. He touched the dress and said, "Winyan heyake ..." He lifted her chin and laced the neck ties. She watched him in confusion. His gentleness as he dressed her had a dangerously disarming effect on her. She asked herself if this could be the same man who just yesterday... just last night... kiled ... raped ... and terrified her.
His gaze rose to meet her curious, bewildered stare. She could read nothing in those dark, unfathomable eyes of his. She lowered her eyes to the dress and touching it lightly said, "Winyan heyake?"
He replied, "Sha." He lifted her chin and pointed to the buffalo skins and said, "Yanka!"
Quickly, she went to obey, taking advantage of his good mood and kind treatment. She did not think it wise to anger him unduly at a time when he was like this.
He lifted the flap and went outside. Hours pa.s.sed as she sat He lifted the flap and went outside. Hours pa.s.sed as she sat there not knowing what else she could do. She wondered what had happened to Ben and the others. Where had the brave gone just now? What was he planning for her? She was totaly mystified by his actions this morning. She realized that he was capable of showing a little mercy and kindness. But why now and after what he had done to her yesterday?
Nervously, she jumped up and began to pace around the inside of the teepee. She was scared, confused, angry and edgy. She tried to decipher some of the noises and sounds that reached her ears. She could make out children"s laughter, women"s voices talking and singing, men"s voices, dogs barking, horses neighing and many other varied sounds that she did not know or recognize. She doodled in the sand, hummed songs from childhood and paced some more... Agitated, she went to the flap and lifted it, hoping for some fresh air and release from her tension and boredom. As she furtively opened it and peeped out, she stared directly into the scowling face of Gray Eagle as he stood talking to that other brave. She blanched and quickly dropped the flap back into place.
She walked over to the buffalo skins and sat down, nervously waiting for him to enter. Would he punish her for her inquisitiveness? From the look on his face, she guessed he would. When he did finaly enter, he seemed oblivious to her presence. He picked up his weapons and placed his bow and quiver of arrows over his shoulder. He turned to her and said, "Kuwa! Ihakam ya!"
She rose and folowed him outside into the warm sunshine, squinting at its brightness. She folowed close behind him as he made his way through the vilage. She was aware of the many made his way through the vilage. She was aware of the many curious stares she received and was happily surprised at the lack of open hostility from anyone. Until they met Chela ...
The two women locked gazes for a short time. The Indian girl"s hatred could be felt in the air and noted in her voice when she spoke with Gray Eagle. To Alisha, she appeared to be pleading with him about something important. As the girl talked, she gazed hungrily into his face, laying her hands on his bare chest. Her pleading and begging turned to anger as he seemed to refuse her words and wishes. Alisha watched the many emotions of love, hate, anger, desire and jealousy come and go on the girl"s face and in her ebony eyes. He was a man to stir and evoke al of those feelings in a woman. Had she herself not felt al of those for him at different times? She could easily understand the girl"s turmoil of emotions. Jealousy! The thought struck her like lightning. Could that be her source of anger and hate? She is furious because I am his captive and... sensing Alisha"s stare, Chela turned and glared contemptuously at her. Chela returned her ful attention to Gray Eagle. She caressed his face lightly with her fingertips as her other hand seductively fondled his smooth chest and broad shoulders. Chela"s tone, mood and intention became clear and embarra.s.sing to Alisha and she shifted restlessly at the heated scene before her. Alisha looked away as Chela tried to put her arms around Gray Eagle"s neck and kiss him.
He roughly pushed her away from him and puled back. He grabbed Alisha by the hand and walked off. Chela"s stare bore into Alisha"s back until they were out of sight. Alisha knew if their places had been reversed, she would feel the same way Chela did now. She was alarmed to find herself thinking, if he were mine and he brought another to take my place, I would fight for him and hate he brought another to take my place, I would fight for him and hate her. What is that girl to him? I wonder. Surely not his wife for she does not live with him. Perhaps his fiancee or sweetheart? If so, then why does he treat her like that? It is cruel and mean. Maybe their relationship is one-sided. Maybe, this love and desire she feels for him is not returned. That thought brought a smile to her lips and a leap of joy to her heart...
Just maybe, he does not love or want her. The way she touched him and behaved toward him ... a spark of anger and jealousy flickered uncontrolably in her own heart and mind. Defensively, she asked, why should I care what is between them?
He can have whom he pleases! Perhaps she could take his attentions from me. Fearfuly she realized, if she did, then what would he do with me? Would he give me to one of his friends?
Maybe Ben was right. If I do what he says, perhaps he wil keep me for himself. That way, I would be under his protection ...
But why did he choose to keep me? Surely my help meant nothing to him or he wouldn"t have been so cruel to me last night. She franticaly asked herself, if he only desires me or wants to hurt me, what wil happen to me when his l.u.s.t and revenge are sated?
While I remain here in his demesne, she resolved, I shal endure until the time for freedom comes.
They stroled toward the forest and entered the trees. It was exhilarating to be outside in the fresh air and sunlight, to smel the greenery, flowers and nature"s aromas and to move about with a smal measure of freedom. It was delightful to walk barefooted in the cool gra.s.s and inhale the heady, woodsy air. It was almost as if they had suddenly stepped into another world and time. Al around Alisha could hear the sounds of the forest creatures and the rustle of the leaves in the light breeze. Sunlight filtered through shady trees, the leaves in the light breeze. Sunlight filtered through shady trees, sending shimmering rays to the ground or playing on the leaves and flowers. The bushes and trees were covered with heavy green foliage. Wildflowers sprang up here and there, offering their color, fragrance and beauty for them to see and enjoy. A gentle wind whipped through her hair and dress and played across her skin. The singing of many birds filed her ears. A quiet calm settled in her mind as she walked along the forest path behind Gray Eagle. She was reminded of the many long walks she had taken with her father at Thad"s estates back in Sheffield or in the park near their townhouse in Liverpool, especialy in the early spring or fal. She stopped and gazed up at two squirrels chattering noisily and shaking their tails in warning to each other. It appeared as if they were arguing over who would be the owner of a cl.u.s.ter of spruce cones. She laughed softly as she stood observing the animated scene. Forgetting where she was and why, she caled out quietly to Gray Eagle, "Look! Aren"t they cute?" She pointed to the scene above her as she suppressed her laughter with her hand. She did not know he had halted when she had and had been watching her the entire time. He had noted the sparkle of life and gaiety which lit her eyes like stars. He saw how the bright eyes and dazzling smile intensified and heightened her beauty. As he listened to the musical laughter, he almost joined her merriment. Displeased with himself for his lax, unguarded reaction to her, he spoke roughly, "Ku-wa!"
Startled at the unwarranted iciness in his voice, she jumped and stared at him. The smile and laughter faded instantly. As he turned and walked on ahead of her, she impishly stuck her tongue out at him, then proceeded to folow along behind him again. He knew he had extinguished her newfound lightheartedness and knew he had extinguished her newfound lightheartedness and regretted his harsh tone. Hadn"t this walk done exactly what he had hoped for, by slightly relaxing her fear and mistrust? That was until she had caused him to relax just a little too much too soon ...
Later, they came to a wide, rock-filed brook and he sat down. He patted the ground beside him and said, "Yanka, Cinstinna."
She glared at him, then sat down a little way off with her back to him. He grinned in amus.e.m.e.nt at her open display of hurt feelings and her attempt to punish him for his harshness. He would alow her to lick her wounds for the time being.
He watched her as she unconsciously plucked wildflowers and one by one picked the petals off them in anger. He thought teasingly, she pretends it is my body she tears apart with her bare hands.
Alisha listened to the drone of the bees colecting nectar. She heard the singing of the katydids and cicadas. She watched the flowers and leaves dance in the sunlight and breeze. She listened to her heart beg for truce and understanding between them. Its pleas tugged at her. Hadn"t there been enough hatred and cruelty between them? How could she bear to live this way forever?
Would he... could he... accept truce between them? She was lost in her ilusions when White Arrow came up and joined them. White Arrow sat down and began to talk with Gray Eagle as he threw smal pebbles into the water. The stones. .h.i.t with a "plip"
and rings rippled in ever widening circles until they disappeared. Alisha watched the ripples, wishing she knew their tongue. If she did, then she could hear and know their secrets.
She was thinking this place was a glen for lovers, not a place to speak of death raids and vengeance, as she was sure they were to speak of death raids and vengeance, as she was sure they were doing. Lovers could lie among the flowers in the cool gra.s.s and ...
Her face pinkened as she realized what she was thinking and visualizing with Gray Eagle as her lover. Alisha! she scolded herself. What are you thinking? Have you gone completely daft?
Gray Eagle caught her elbow and puled lightly on it. She turned to see what he wanted. He said, "Wayaketo!" pointing into the forest across the brook.
Her gaze folowed his direction to where a female red fox was coming to drink with. her young pups. No matter how hard she tried to appear disinterested, her eyes kept straying back to the scene on the other bank. The mother had a reddish-orange coat of silky fur which was thick and fluffy. Her ears, throat, paws and tail were tinged and tipped with milky white. The pups could hardly be more than a few weeks old.
The vixen sniffed the air and walked along cautiously as her pups ran and tumbled in the tal gra.s.s behind her. One pranced and chased a gra.s.shopper before starting to tumble with one of his companions in the gra.s.s. She could hear their immature growls and laughed in spite of herself.
The pups discontinued their play and began to nip at their mother"s tail as it swished from side to side. She would nudge them lightly and send them roling in the flowers. She came to the water"s edge not far from them to drink. She watched the three people very carefuly as her pups came to drink, ready to give the warning cry to flee if necessary. Sensing no danger from the humans, the mother turned and led her pups back into the forest and out of sight. Alisha had been totaly captivated by the little drama and had not realized she was the center of attention of both the men. They had both been watching her as beauty and wonder lit her face and had both been watching her as beauty and wonder lit her face and jade eyes with fascination and tenderness. Never had they seen such warmth, depth and innocence radiate from a female before. Her eyes had a way of coming to life with a sparkle and vitality al their own. Without knowing it, she had created stirrings of desire in both men.
Gray Eagle cleared his throat as he gave White Arrow a warning glare at the heated gaze in his eyes which rivaled his own in depth. White Arrow groaned, smiled and nodded understanding. He said, "Pi-Zi Ista has much inner beauty also, my koda. It is rare to find both beauty and gentleness in a woman, and almost impossible among the wasichu. I see why you wished to have her for yourself. It is a shame that she is so much afraid of you, my koda."
Gray Eagle"s eyes left Alisha"s features to meet White Arrow"s gaze. He answered, "Sha, she is much afraid of me for she has cause to do so. But there is more to her feelings for me than fear. She tries to hide her hunger for me from both of us. When I am gentle with her, she forgets and accepts my touch. She forgives my being her enemy. I have done much to cause this mistrust and fear you see in her."
White Arrow laughed heartily and jested, "Then you must only be gentle and loving to Pi-Zi Ista. I would think her touch and acceptance would be much more enjoyable than her fear and anger."
Gray Eagle quickly retorted, "And have my warriors think me weak and wayakayuha to a winyan"s touch? Never! She wil be the one to show weakness and be my wayakayuha. She wil learn to obey my commands. You know our people would view any kindness to her from me in jest and anger. She must earn the right to kindness to her from me in jest and anger. She must earn the right to be treated wel."
"She is unlike most winyans. She has already earned the right to be shown mercy because of her help to you at her fortress, my koda. I would be careful not to punish her too greatly as you teach her obedience. Perhaps, you might instil too much hate and fear for her to overcome and accept you," White Arrow chided and warned his friend. "I see her as one who responds to love and gentleness more than strength and hate. She wil give more in-love than by force."
His tone carried a solemn sound as he continued, "I have spoken to Chela. She is like the mountain lion ready to pounce, teeth bared, claws out and filed with the urge to defend what she cals her own. She does not like the place you have given the ska winyan in your teepee. It would be wise to watch her closely."
Gray Eagle"s face showed a look of concern and worry for a moment or two. He replied, "Sha ... I have seen this also and it angers me greatly, Wanhinkpe Ska. I belong to no winyan and never wil! Chela chalenges me when she pushes me this way and this far. She cannot stand in the shadow of Cinstinna in many ways. She forgets that she is Oglala and behaves as the ska winyans. She wil soon learn that I wil not be forced or told what to do. Her kiss and touch stir nothing in me since I have found and taken Pi-Zi Ista. If she is not careful to guard her tongue and ways, I wil refuse to join with her when the time comes!"
White Arrow stared at him with astonishment and disbelief in his eyes and on his face. "You cannot refuse the ways of our people! You must take Chela to join! Does the white girl so inflame your blood that you turn against your laws and customs? It wil not be accepted, Wanmdi Hota. This wil bring much hate and anger to be accepted, Wanmdi Hota. This wil bring much hate and anger to her and you. They would accept her place in any teepee for life, but not in the life and heart of their leader and greatest warrior, my koda. Think on my words before the act is done and cannot be changed."
Gray Eagle answered, "I do not turn my heart from my laws or my people, Wanhinkpe Ska. But I wil not alow Chela to show her anger and jealousy at my yuonihansni! No woman wil take my honor and face before my people. The white girl is mine and I wil let no man tel me what I must do with her, nor any woman! If I choose, I wil keep her! I did not mean the white girl would take the place of my chosen one. But if Chela dares me long and hard enough, the chosen one wil not be her."
As they continued to talk, Alisha stood up and walked to the edge of the brook and knelt to drink. She lifted water to her lips with cupped hands, then patted some onto her warm face. She knew she needed privacy but did not know how to ask for it. She pondered her predicament. She rose and went to kneel before him, her face glowing with embarra.s.sment and discomfort. When he looked at her and asked, "Sha?" she pointed to herself and spoke hesitantly, "Lese .. ."and pointed to the grove of smal trees across the water.
He folowed her gaze to the trees, then looked at her rosy face. "Lese wonahbe .. ." He pointed to her, to the trees and then repeated, "Wonahbe..."
Hoping he understood her request, she got up and walked across the rock-covered stream to the clump of trees on the other side. She turned to see him sitting and calmly talking to the other man. She went behind the trees and excused herself. When her business was complete, she returned to sit by the When her business was complete, she returned to sit by the water, splashing in it with her bare feet. After White Arrow left them, Gray Eagle touched her shoulder and caled, "Ku-wa, Cinstinna." She stood up and folowed him back to the camp in a mildly relaxed mood and spirit. She forced al her yesterdays far back into the recesses of her mind-at least, for today...
Not too far away at that same moment, Ben was also thinking of cool water and a big, tal, green shade tree. He had been bound spread-eagled on the hard, stony ground in the blazing sun since dawn.
The sun continued to beat down unmercifuly as his upper torso burned and cooked. His eyes hurt from the constant strain of squeezing them tightly shut against the harsh brightness. His mouth felt as if it were filed with cotton and his throat dry and parched. His lips were swolen to the point of cracking and bleeding. He knew from the past experience of finding a man lost for two days in the desert that the sun could be a relentless tormentor and kiler. It slowly and painfuly sapped a man"s life from his body. Sweat poured from his burly body. Salt stung his eyes and lingered on his lips and tongue. A man his size and strength would be very slow dying this way. Of course, they knew and wanted just that very thing for him.
His thoughts wandered back to the smithy shop he had built in Virginia. He recaled how the scouts and returning traders had recruited volunteers for wagon trains West to where land, game and opportunity were abundant and for the taking. They had painted a rosy picture to al the innocent, gulible people who were tired of poverty, injustice or who were just trying to flee pressing problems.
"Land for the taking! That"s a joke! Freedom! That"s a joke, too! Al we found out here is blood-thirsty savages ever"where, too! Al we found out here is blood-thirsty savages ever"where, h.o.a.rding the land and game like it al belongs to them alone. Stingy Injuns! b.l.o.o.d.y red b.a.s.t.a.r.ds! There"s enuff land and game for ever"body. d.a.m.n selfish b.a.s.t.a.r.ds! n.o.body told us they"d be like this, kiling, raping, scalping and G.o.d knows what else they"ve done to others. Hel, they said we wouldn"t have no problems controling them or pushing them out. We"s stupid to think we could fight "em and win. There"s too many of"em and they"re too powerful. They took that fortress like it was made of straw and we was using toy grins! d.a.m.n them lousy, lying scouts! d.a.m.n "em!"
Ben shuddered as he recaled the height of the attack, realizing there would be no escape for them. He had kiled his wife and r.e.t.a.r.ded son to prevent their capture. That was how he had been taken alive. He hadn"t seen the Indian come up behind him before he could turn the gun on himself. The Indian hit him on the head with a warclub, rendering him senseless. Upon regaining consciousness, he had found himself a prisoner.
At first, he had a.s.sumed he was being tortured for kiling two potential slaves. But when he saw Gray Eagle walk up to him and laugh in his face, he guessed vengeance was the real reason for his stil being alive and a captive. He wants blood payment for that beating, Ben thought.
"This heat"s murder," he groaned. At least, his family did not have to witness his torture and death, or worse, to be tortured and kiled themselves. Suddenly, the thought came to Ben, only the men who were directly connected with the brave"s capture and beating were taken prisoner. Sure, they had taken a few females captives, but no other men. Did that mean he wanted personal revenge on them? But why had he placed Alisha with them instead of with the female captives? Did he intend to torture and kil her, too? That is, female captives? Did he intend to torture and kil her, too? That is, when he finished with his other ideas first?
She hadn"t done anything bad to him. In fact, she tried to help the devil. He wondered if the brave was keeping her as his slave because she did try to help him. Could it be he likes her? Or could it be he plans to let her be an example for al the other white women? Ben trembled in anger and fear at thoughts of her position. He wondered where she was now and what was happening to her. Maybe I was wrong to suggest she be nice to him and do whatever he says, he thought with regret. Could only make him madder. Hel! How kin you ever tel what they"s thinking or what they"l do? I guess she"s learned by now, the hard way, we told her the truth about them savages. I bet she wishes now that she had let us kil the devil.
His emotions and thoughts ran one way and then another. The sun climbed higher into the azure sky and grew hotter. He felt as if his very brain would cook and his head split open. Blisters began to appear on his torso and face. "I"d give anything for a sip of water and a little shade," he sighed in misery and pain. He drifted in and out of semi-consciousness. He experienced crazy halucinations, realistic mirages and weird dreams. Stil, the heat and torment continued. He knew the heat could drive a man mad if no succor came. And none would, he realized, not this time. Once, he dreamed the brave stood over him, taunting and mocking him. "So, the wasichu is now a red man, too. Your arms can no longer hold a whip, ista ska, nor your tongue cry insults and curses to me and my people. You wil suffer and die as al other ista skas who steal our lands, kil our game on the great plains and forests, as those who desecrate our sacred burial grounds and rape our women and girls. We would have shared our game and land our women and girls. We would have shared our game and land with kodas, but your greed made you hunger and take more and more. You leave behind only death and destruction. You kil the hehoka, mato, capa, suntokoa and our brothers the buffalo. We must stop you before there are no lands, forests and game left for the Oglala and his brothers. Your name and face are known to us as a kiler of our people. The winyan Alisha wil also taste of my vengeance for her deceit," he taunted to further torment Ben. With a few swift kicks in Ben"s ribs, he spit on him and said, "I curse you and spit on you, sunka ska! You wil pay with your life and blood for the lives of Chenhula and Okiliea as the other two did. If Wi does not take your life, Hehoka Sapa wil with his knife. Okiliea was to be his winyan." As the sun finaly began to sink in the far horizon, Ben was only vaguely aware of being untied and taken back to camp. He was retied to the same post once more. To his surprise, he was given water, but only enough to keep him alive for a little longer, not enough to quench his great thirst. Water was then thrown into his face and onto his bare chest.
Reviving him only made him more aware of the intense, fiery pains on his face, mouth, chest, arms and his left side. Pains shot through his mid-section with each breath. Ben questioned, my left side? Why should it hurt like hel? Memory flooded his foggy brain and he knew he had not imagined the Indian"s visit this afternoon. He knows our tongue! he realized. He knew ever"thing we said to him and about him at our fortress! No wonder he"s so d.a.m.n mean. That explains what he did to Horace. Ben tried to recal al they had said to him and about him, looking for some clue to his fate. If he hears and knows al we said, he reflected, then he knows what Miss Alisha did. d.a.m.n him to treat her like that knowing al along she saved him! That sorry son of a b.i.t.c.h! He knows she along she saved him! That sorry son of a b.i.t.c.h! He knows she helped and he don"t give a d.a.m.n! She ain"t got no idea what a fix she"s in. He"l know ever word she says to him. He"l go to punishing her right and left and she"l never know the why of it al, poor girl. I gotta find a way to warn her afore he uses that evil agin her. But how? I kin hardly move or swalow, much less yel loud enough for her to hear me. "Gawd, help me this one time," he prayed. "Give me the way and voice to warn that innocent girl. She don"t deserve none of this hel and punishment."
His opportunity would present itself very soon. Alisha had been left in the care of the old woman while Gray Eagle had gone hunting. She was to teach the new kaskapi part of her new duties, such as how to cook the Indian way, where to fetch water and where to gather wood. The old woman showed her how to prepare the meat for roasting and the aguyapi for cooking on the hot, flat rocks in the edge of the fire. They had gone to the stream to fil the skins with mni and to the forest to gather can in a sort of back sling made of leather.
The water and wood were placed in Gray Eagle"s teepee and the cooking lessons were being given in the old woman"s teepee. Alisha suspected that she might be watched, so she did as she was told and made no attempts to escape or disobey. She had made a few attempts to converse with the old woman, but was rudely and coldly ignored and silenced. That is, except for the old woman teling her how to say the words for wood, water, bread, food, no and be silent. There were a few other words and signs she could not say or understand, like "witkowin." It was a word the old woman used frequently when she did something wrong or too slow. Alisha thought how lonely life would be in a world of icy commands and silence. When the lessons were finaly over, the old commands and silence. When the lessons were finaly over, the old woman took her by the wrist and said coldly, "Ku-wa, witkowin!"
and led her toward Gray Eagle"s teepee. Alisha mutely folowed. As they were pa.s.sing the center of camp, a scratchy voice caled low, "A... li... sha..."
She jerked her head up to see who caled her name for she had not recognized the hoa.r.s.e voice as Ben"s. Her eyes widened as she took in his condition and appearance. What had they done to him? He looked terrible and was obviously in great pain. He looked like he had been burned. His skin was blood red and covered with numerous tiny blisters. His eyes were swolen nearly shut and his mouth was cracked and bleeding.
"Ben!" she screamed his name in alarm and pity.
She tried to pul her wrist from the old woman"s grip and run to him. The old woman yanked her back. "Hiya! Ku-wa, witkowin!" she ordered.
Alisha could not pul free from the woman"s grasp. She was amazed at the old woman"s strength and the tightness of her grip.
"I must go to him! Sha!" she pleaded, using her other hand to try to free the imprisoned one. "What have you done to him?
Ben..."
Seeing Alisha could not get free to come to him and knowing his only chance could be lost soon, he waited no longer. He began to stammer low," A ... li... sha ...the...brave...he can... he can..."
Without warning, a yelow-tipped arrow was imbedded deeply into his throat. Al she heard was a swift "swish," a heavy thud and a bubbly, gurgling noise as blood and air gushed out. Alisha screamed in horror and fought to pul free and go to him. She gaped at the calous murder as she watched Ben"s blood flow down gaped at the calous murder as she watched Ben"s blood flow down his neck and spread over his bare chest. She watched the torment fil his eyes, but he never cried out.
She whirled to trace the flight of the deadly arrow. She should have known who she would see standing there before she turned. Glaring at her with eyes narrowed in fury was Gray Eagle. She felt suspended in time, between reality and ilusion, of knowing what she had just witnessed and not wanting to believe it. Her lips were parted in an unspoken curse. Before her stood the very person responsible for al the torment, pain and mental anguish she had been forced to see and endure. There stood the man who had kiled her people, friends and uncle, the man who had destroyed her hopes, dreams and life, the man who had reduced her to a mere slave and chattel, and now this ....
She watched as he walked toward her, his eyes never releasing their hold on her. Those unfathomable jet eyes blazed with fury and that stern, stoical face was taut with rage. She trembled visibly as fear raced throughout her body and mind. He grabbed her by the arm and began to forcefuly drag her toward his teepee. "Hiya! Ku-wa! Ya teepee." His tone was cold and ominous.
She stumbled along beside him until they reached the entrance to his teepee. Suddenly, it was al too much for her. She dissolved into near hysterics. She jerked back on her arm and screamed at him in a shril voice. "You murdered him! You"re just as coldblooded and savage as they said you were! I hate you! I hate you!
If you ever touch me again, I"l kil you. Murder..."
She raised her hands to slap and claw at his face as she continued to scream at him. Instantly, he had both her hands caught behind her back and imprisoned there with one of his. With his free behind her back and imprisoned there with one of his. With his free hand, he slapped her several times as he demanded, "Iyasni! Hiya!"
But she refused to stop or be silent.
"I hate you ... I hate you .. ." she cried out over and over. Her head rolicked from side to side from the force of the blows. Livid red prints appeared on her ashen cheeks and blood began to flow from the corner of her mouth. He shook her roughly by the shoulders and warned, "Lese! Hiya!"
The use of her name caught her attention and she froze for a moment, staring at him. She ceased her struggle and verbal a.s.sault on him. Her frenzied fury spent, she faced her antagonist in quaking terror and dreaded alarm. The comprehension of her wild attack on him petrified her. She immediately realized her grave mistake. Her chin began to quiver with suppressed tears and growing fear. Her trembling fingers covered her lips. She shook her head in disbelief and cried out in dismay, "My G.o.d! What am I doing?
What is happening to me? Now you have me acting like a savage, too. I"m sorry... Wanmd..." She left the sentence unfinished. It was too late for apologies and he wouldn"t even understand her anyway.
She was panting in short, labored rasps. She backed away from him and ran inside his teepee. She flung herself down upon the palet and wept as if her heart were being torn apart. He stared a the quivering flap and listened to her heart-rending sobs for a time, knowing what must be done and somehow dreading it. Ben lived just long enough to hear and witness her tirade. He died praying her death would be swift and merciful. Surely, the brave would kil her now... or worse...
Eventualy, her weeping subsided and she lay drained of al emotions and tears. She lay in the semidarkness imagining al sorts emotions and tears. She lay in the semidarkness imagining al sorts of gruesome tortures and punishments. What now? she asked herself. Anguish filed her heart and mind, knowing she would be the next and the last to die.
Gray Eagle did not return for a long time. Near exhaustion, she drifted into a troubled, restless sleep. Her dreams tumbled together in a colorful kaleidoscope of images and scenes, each one coalescing with the other.
She watched Gray Eagle smirking at Ben. She saw the yelow arrow embedded in Ben"s throat. She watched as he struggled vainly to tel her something urgent. His lips moved, but she could not hear his words. She saw her mother and father riding rapidly in a phaeton into total darkness and oblivion. She cried out for them to stop and wait for her, but her only answer was the toling of the death bels from the cathedral tower.
She tried to flee from the sight of dead bodies covered in dirt and blood. She was surrounded by them. They were lying al over the ground, floating face down in the river, hanging from trees and piled up like stacks of wood for burning. She saw women stripped and dragged to a teepee drenched in fiery red blood. She covered her ears with the palms of her hands to shut out their screams and pleas.
Her nostrils were filed with the smel of smoke. Her eyes burned and teared from its irritating sting. The smoke obscured her vision and breathing became difficult. The heat of the flames grew hotter and closer. There was no escape. Suddenly, she was imprisoned in a deep, dark pit as cold as death itself. She realized she was trapped alive in a grave.
Her lungs ached and burned in her struggles to breathe. Her heart pounded wildly as she thrashed about on the palet in a cold heart pounded wildly as she thrashed about on the palet in a cold sweat. Her terror mounted as she realized someone was holding the grave closed, preventing her escape. Unspeakable fear gripped her. She opened her mouth to scream, but no sounds would come forth. Strong hands held her down as dirt was shoveled into the grave and her face. Soon, it would be too late for succor.
"No!" she cried out, "please don"t bury me alive! I can"t breathe! No! Father help me... help me..."
She fought the hands that prevented her escape. She pushed at the imaginary dirt in her face. She gasped for air, and coughed from the omnipresent smoke.
The image of Gray Eagle formed before her. He stood straight and tal before her, emitting power and strength. From somewhere deep inside her mind, she knew he was her only salvation. She held her open arms out to him and pleaded, "Wanmdi Hota, save me ...
help me..."
His hands closed on her shoulders in a grip of iron as he shook her and caled out to her. The voice from far away reached her.
"Lese! Ku-wa! Lese..."
The bonds of the nightmare gave way and released her. As she came fuly awake, she was looking up into the face of Gray Eagle leaning over her, shaking her and caling her name. "Lese, Ku-wa!"
And come she did! She threw herself into his arms. She placed her arms around his neck and clung to him tightly, crying in relief. For a minute or two, he held her in his embrace and let her draw comfort from his touch and gentleness.
Then he pushed her down onto the skins and took her brutaly and forcefuly with no tenderness or preliminaries as punishment for her earlier display and outburst.
her earlier display and outburst.
Shocked back to cold reality, she struggled fiercely against his attack. She whispered words of hatred and defiance to him. When he finished, he roled off her and lay beside her. She turned her back to him and lay facing the teepee on her side. She vowed softly, "One day, I"l make you pay for your cruelty. I"l escape and you"l never be able to hurt me again. I hate you and al your people..."
He listened to her words, knowing he must keep a watchful eye on her for a long time to come. Earlier, he had remained in his father"s teepee until his anger had lessened. He was furious with himself most of al. He had alowed his hate and anger to talk to the ista ska today, and he had almost told the girl his closely guarded secret. His actions this day and just now were unlike him. Usualy, he held his anger and emotions in rigid control. He was greatly alarmed and concerned at the feelings the girl gave him and for his reactions to her and the situation she created. He was disturbed by the position she had placed him in today. She had forced him to strike out at her to save his face and honor before his people. He was even more alarmed to find it bothered him to do it. Who was she to come into his life and wreak such havoc with his emotions and judgments? Who was she to force him to show his feelings openly and be unable to control them completely? He knew his answer was that she was the first and only woman to cause such stirrings and desires in his heart and body. Why did she have to be white and his enemy? Why did it have to be that girl he wanted above al others? Why had he been unable to forget her? Why did she steal into his mind without warning? She is only a winyan, Wanmdi Hota, and a white one at that! But, never had he known one like her.
one like her.