Forever Ecstasy (48 page)

“The vision did not show three men,” Hawk Eyes argued.

Morning Star leapt on his words. “If two can be a symbol for one warrior as you believe and reasoned, Hawk Eyes,” she contended, “why do you say one cannot be a symbol for two? Is it not strange two men come who match the vision? I say one does not come to prove the other false. I say let both work to help us. We must halt the trouble before buffalo season ends and the Bird People raid with guns from the evil white man. We have traveled far and much and our faces are known to enemies and those we doubt. His is not. He can do tasks at white posts we cannot enter. He was sent to join us, not to take Tanner’s place. The vision said our helper would have hair that blazes like the sun. Tanner’s hair is of the sun, but Sky Warrior’s has the light of the sun
and
moon. Tanner’s eyes are as blue and calm as the day he came to us; Sky Warrior’s are dark as a sky before a storm. We have ridden the vision trail. How can you say what we have done was not meant to be? Many bad things would be past if Sky Warrior came this late to help us.”

“Tell us what
great things
he has done” came Knife-Slayer’s words in a sarcastic tone.

Morning Star used patience and self-control as she related their adventures for the past thirty-two suns. She observed the men as she talked, to interpret their feelings and reactions to her news. As was their way, none interrupted. She noted
worried looks when she exposed the incriminating Red Heart arrows at the massacre of Crow hunters. Smiles and nods greeted news of their tracking of the attackers, their slayings, and the return of sacred possessions to the burial ground. Dismay was obvious when she told them of the Crow false clues left there and suggested the evil whites were provoking the tribes against each other. More smiles and nods came her way when she spoke of the fur-trapper ruse. She saw the men listen intently to information about Orin McMichael, the strange scout, Simon Adams, and Harvey Meade. She explained about the murder charge against “Tanner” and their visit to the fort to see Captain James Thomas. She told them how much they trusted this white soldier and how eager he was for peace with them.

Morning Star watched Knife-Slayer almost jump up to argue, but his father’s hand stayed the scowling warrior. She revealed how Zeke and George had arrived as they were leaving and explained that matter. She related their pleasant visits with Red Cloud and Spotted Tail and saw her pursuer’s scowl deepen and his eyes chill to hear of how her love was accepted by those two respected chiefs. Knife-Slayer’s envy, anger, and doubts increased as she spoke of their daring visits to three Crow camps as a trader, hireling of Snake-Man, and Arapaho squaw. When she asserted that Chief Two-Bulls was

a good man who wanted peace, the tense warrior could not contain his fury.

“He was sly and tricked you! We cannot have peace with Bird People! He trails you this sun to attack our camp to slay all Red Hearts.”

“If so, he and his warriors would be here by now. There has been time for such a dark deed, Knife-Slayer, but it has not and will not come to pass.” She saw Hawk Eyes prevent another outburst from his son.

Morning Star continued her revelations with a detailed description of the destruction of the wagons with guns, ammunition, and whiskey.

Once more, Knife-Slayer interrupted. “Why did you destroy the supplies? We need them to protect our lives and camp.”

Her patience was tried and strained, but she replied calmly. “I brought some to Father and Night Stalker and others, but it was all I could carry. We could not steal the wagons and reach camp before the evil ones caught up and slayed us; heavy wagons travel slow and leave a big track. We destroyed them so Black Moon’s band could not use them against us.”

“It was a brave and wise decision,” Sun Cloud remarked. He hoped his words would quiet the intrusive and belligerent warrior before he was compelled to scold him in front of the council. He was relieved when others concurred and Knife-Slayer silenced himself.

“Tanner goes to the fort to speak with our helper there. He carries proof of where the crates came from. He tells the soldier of the treachery of Black Moon and Talking Wolf. He goes to retrieve a message from Stede Gaston who gathered answers elsewhere for us. He will return in nine suns to ride the trail again. There is other trouble,” she alluded and withdrew the
wanapin
charm and headband from a parfleche. She told them about the payroll theft, massacre, and clues found.

“It is not mine!” Knife-Slayer shouted.

Morning Star smiled knowingly, “That is true,” she replied. “We told the soldier these are not Red Heart possessions; he believes what we tell him. But things like these and the false attacks on Crow and whites point to our band. We told the soldier how possessions are stolen from burial grounds and slain warriors, or made by others like these I hold. We do not know who leads the bad whites, but we are tracking him. We defeat many of their evil deeds. We have the Crow doubting them. We have the Army alert and suspicious.”

Proud and impressed, Sun Cloud asked, “What do you do now?”

“We will see what the messages say and what the soldier has learned since our visit there. That will tell us what trail to take.”

“The Crow do not raid yet. All are busy hunting for winter food. When it is done, they will come with guns from the men
you track to defeat.”

“The soldier will warn them and prevent war. Soon we will have the proof needed to bring Stede and the agent here to make treaty.”

Sun Cloud looked forward to the visit of Powchutu’s son and said so.

“Knife-Slayer,” Morning Star asked, “will you tell me what you saw when you spied on the one called Snake-Man? Did you see his hair and hands? Was his voice strange from other whites?”

The warrior liked the way she spoke to him this time. He smiled as he responded, “He is tall like Tanner. Hair is like night. I could not see his hands and eyes. His voice was the same as other whites. Why do you ask?”

“A man we suspect has a strange voice, but his hair blazes as a fire. It cannot be Orin McMichael. Another we suspect has black hair, is tall, and has a mark on his hand the color of a buffalo hide. He is Simon Adams. He works and lives in the post called Pratte’s at Pierre. Many clues point to him, but something tells us he is not Snake-Man. The one called Harvey Meade is at Lookout; he gave us no reason to doubt him. The soldier has our trust, but there could be another in the fort we have not seen.”

“You have worked hard and done much, Daughter.”

“Thank you, Father. Is there more you wish to hear?” she inquired, glancing around the many faces who nodded agreement with Sun Cloud.

As no one had more questions at that moment, the council ended.

“The journey has been long,” Morning Star told her father. “I will bathe and rest. Tomorrow I will help the women with their chores.”

Buckskin Girl joined her at a stream near camp. It was almost dark with the moon waning to half, so they had to hurry their task and talk.

As she washed away trail dust and perspiration from her body, Morning Star coaxed, “Tell me more about your love.”

Flaming Star had related news of the council meeting to his daughter, so she said first, “They did not vote who was Sky Warrior in the vision. Father says both men could be the vision helper; that would be good.”

Morning Star smiled and agreed, glad her friend was happy.

“My heart is filled with joy at his return. He has not found another mate. His looks say his past feelings for me still live. I let him see I love him and want him. I do not care about his bloodline and white looks. If I must be dishonored and banished to join a half-breed, I do not care. Great love is rare. Some Life-Circles are small. I must win him this time.”

“I hope he loves and wants you, too, my friend. It is smart to show your feelings. Men cannot read women’s heads and hearts as they read tracks. I do not believe his bloodline matters. It is the man who matters. You would not be shamed and sent away for joining to your true love. I will pray for Grandfather to help you win him.” “I must hurry before he returns to his tribe.” “Why that, when he was dishonored and banished?” “The shaman’s daughter bore his son. She killed it, for he favored his father. She became ill. Her head burned with fever; she revealed many things. Before she died, the truth was learned: my love was innocent. But he was gone and did not know they wanted his return. I have told him that news from Tashina, but he is not ready to return home. He wishes to help us because we did not scorn and reject him. We did not think him guilty. He wants to be a great warrior again, to ride home in honor and victory. He must be a part of the vision-quest to do this.” “What does he say and think of the vision? Of you?” “He says he will help with the task, but he is not the vision warrior,” the older woman admitted. “I do not know how he feels for me.”

Before Morning Star could begin her chores with the other women, the stranger approached her near her father’s tepee. She watched his self-assured gate and looked straight into his
secretive eyes. He was attired as an Indian, with a leather band around his sunny head of shoulder-grazing hair. His features were strong, his hairless chest broad, and his abdomen flat.

“I figured we should get something settled up front, Morning Star. I know about the vision, the contest, and your work with Tanner Gaston. I told them I wasn’t the man in Payaba’s words, but I do want to help you two. I think I can; and you do, too. Let me explain why I’m here.”

Morning Star didn’t halt him as she listened to him.

“I’ve been all over the place since I left here years ago. I already knew English from my mother, so it wasn’t hard fitting in with my white looks. Stop me if I talk too fast or say something you don’t understand. Buckskin Girl told me you speak English.” After she nodded, he went on. “I use the name Clay Thorne, after my mother. My last job was in St. Louis, loading and unloading boats. I kept hearing bad tales of what was happening here and what was expected to happen soon. I saw Red Heart and other Lakota possessions sold as souvenirs. I realized crates were bringing too many guns and too much ammunition to these parts. I knew the charges I was hearing about had to be wrong. When one trapper joked that the Army was going to ‘whip Sun Cloud and his redskins all over the place,’ I knew I had to come help.”

Morning Star watched the play of emotions in those secretive eyes. His tone and conduct were under his control, a result of his Indian upbringing and years of practice in the white world. He was strong and healthy, hard and sleek. He had a habit of stroking the scar on his jawline every so often, as if reminding himself it was there and why.

Aware of her gaze, Thorne/Sky Warrior disclosed, “Got it in that fight before I was banished. He was going for my throat, but I wasn’t ready to die.”

“I am sorry you knew such pain for many years. Buckskin Girl told me your story; I had not heard it before. You are welcome here always.”

“You speak excellent English,” he noted with undisguised surprise. To win her confidence, he sent her a lopsided grin and softened his gaze.

Morning Star was intentionally careful with her speech. She grinned before explaining, “My parents taught me. Tanner taught me more on the trail. We practice much. I teach him skills and things I know. It is a good trade. Where do the crates of weapons come from? Who sends them?”

He shrugged powerful shoulders as he replied, “I don’t know. They ship to Lookout, Pratte’s, and McMichael’s in this area. A few go farther upriver, but not enough to draw suspicion. I do know the man’s name on the slip to pick up the suspicious crates is always Zeke Randall. From what Buckskin Girl told me, you’ve already had run-ins with him.”

Morning Star went over those episodes quickly. She liked this man and felt he could be trusted. “You are much like your father and brother,” she observed. “They are good men, great warriors.”

Clay thumbed his scar. “You’re right. I’ve missed them.”

“Will you go home after you help us with the mission?”

“At least for a long visit, probably stay the winter. After that, I don’t know. I’ll have to see how much I’ve changed, and them, too. It was a bad time for everyone before I left home. When you’ve been done wrong by your own people, sometimes it’s hard to switch from resentment to forgiveness and understanding,” he confessed with a wry smile. “I didn’t know what happened in my camp after I left until Buckskin Girl told me. That was sixteen years ago to them, but only a few days for me to deal with it.”

“Buckskin Girl will be happy if you live with your grandmother’s band.”

The blue-eyed blond looked uneasy with that subject. Obviously, Morning Star deduced, he was one of those men who had trouble expressing feelings, or had trouble trusting women. She was glad it was not that way between her and Joe.

Finally, Clay replied, “She’s a fine woman. We were close before I left. I guess I’ll have to wait and see what changes there are in that area, too.”

“I will not speak of it again.” She changed the topic back to the vision. “Tanner will return in nine suns. He will like you; you will like him. We will speak and make plans for your
help.” Morning Star realized that meant she would no longer be alone with Joe, and prayed that coupled with Clay’s arrival were not signs from the great Spirit about their forbidden relationship. Yet she grasped that she could learn more about white existence from this half-Indian who had spent sixteen years among Joe’s kind. With Clay’s help, they could finish this task sooner, then work on their personal challenge.

Morning Star had to get to her chores. “We will talk more later,” she said. “I want to hear about your life in the white world.”

“We’ll have plenty of talking time on the trail.”

“Do you wish to be called by your white or Cheyenne name?”

“Here, by my Indian name. Out there, by my white name.”

“On the trail I am called Little Flower, Arapaho squaw.”

“That’s smart. The Crow would die to get their hands on Morning Star, daughter of Sun Cloud. Tanner’s protected you well so far.”