Savage Betrayal (48 page)

As she watched Fighting Wolf walk out of her life, an eerie feeling of emptiness passed over Sarita. She loved him and she was letting him go. Why? She’d already proved her point. If he was intent on dragging her back to Ahousat, he’d have been pulling her across the rocky beach even now and she’d have been kicking and screaming every step of the way. She gazed at his retreating back and thought once more of her child…no, their child. Did she really wish to deny the man she loved his own child? Suddenly she knew the answer.

Jumping up off the old log, she raced after him. “Fighting Wolf,” she cried.

He kept walking. “Fighting Wolf!” she screamed this time. Desperation laced her voice. Wind whipped the loose hair about her face, and carried her voice to him.

Halting, he whirled to face her. She ran towards him, both arms outstretched. He reached for her, a grim look on his face. She bounded into his arms and he caught her to him tightly. “Oh, Fighting Wolf,” she moaned. “I do love you. I—I couldn’t let you go, either.”

Golden eyes looked up into jet black ones. A brilliant smile lit up her face as she entwined her arms about his neck. She leaned forward and rubbed her nose affectionately against his. “Yes,” she whispered huskily. “Yes, I’ll marry you.” She paused and drew back to look at him. “That is, if the offer is still open,” she said uncertainly, waiting for his reaction.

A grin spread over his handsome face. “It is,” he assured her, kissing her heartily. “It is!”

Suspicious Hesquiat and Ahousat warriors turned to watch the two lovers walking hand-in-hand on the wind-torn stretch of rocky beach. Ignoring the many eyes upon them, the two soon slipped silently into Thunder Maker’s longhouse, in search of the old chief.

They found him sitting, resting near the fire, while Cedar Bundle gently massaged his neck and shoulders. The old man nodded as they approached. “You have something to tell me,” he guessed.

Feast Giver padded up silently from the shadows, Precious Copper in tow. His look was guarded as his ebony eyes darted from Fighting Wolf to Sarita and back again. Then he saw the two touching hands, and he relaxed his stance somewhat.

“Yes, Nuwiksu,” began Sarita, addressing him politely. Her effort at manners was not lost on her father. “We wish to tell you that we want to get married.”

Thunder Maker nodded. “I’ve already given my approval,” he said.

Sarita looked at him in astonishment, then turned to the man beside her. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously as she asked, “I don’t suppose you knew anything about this?”

Fighting Wolf looked guilty, but said nothing as he shrugged casually.

“Nuwiksu,” Sarita cried exasperatedly, “Nuwiksu, you’ve done it again!”

“Done what?” asked that man, baffled.

“Married me off without my permission,” she screeched.

“Sarita, your manners—“ he warned.

Suddenly the ludicrousness of the situation struck her and she began to laugh. “Three times,” she chortled, between gasps, “Three times that old man has tried to marry me off!”

Thunder Maker managed to look scandalized. “Have I succeeded this time?” he asked, anxiously.

Sarita could only nod, she was laughing too hard. “Just barely,” she finally exclaimed.

“I convinced her that she would be better off with me than with the Kyuquot,” offered Fighting Wolf smoothly.

Thunder Maker nodded. A wise choice. His daughter had more political savvy than he had thought.

Thunder Maker led the way out of the longhouse to the beach outside.

Surly Hesquiat warriors turned to watch the small party proceed down to the waterline. Mistrustful Ahousats eyed the Hesquiats warily.

“It is my great pleasure,” crowed Thunder Maker in a loud voice, “To announce the marriage feast of my daughter, Sarita, to Fighting Wolf, war chief of the Ahousats. The feast will take place tomorrow night.”

Gaping in disbelief, the Ahousat warriors could only stare dumbfounded at the grinning Fighting Wolf. What was this? Another plot? Looking hastily at one another for answers, their confused murmurs reached the war chief’s ears.

He strode forward. “It is true, men,” he confirmed. “Sarita has consented to be my wife. I am very pleased. I hope you will join me in welcoming the Hesquiats into my family!”

There were a few halfhearted cheers, but the men were still wary. Fighting Wolf shrugged. They would soon realize he was sincere about this marriage.

The reaction of the Hesquiat warriors was little better. They too could only gaze in utter bewilderment at the smiling young couple. Feast Giver’s keen ears caught disgruntled mutterings in which the word “trick” figured prominently. He went to his father and whispered discreetly to the older man.

Thunder Maker nodded then held up his hand for silence. “I have a further announcement,” he stated clearly. “Tomorrow at the same time, the marriage of my son, Feast Giver, to Precious Copper, sister of the Ahousat war chief, will also take place.”

Fighting Wolf frowned then looked at Precious Copper. The glow on his sister’s face told him of her happiness. He decided he didn’t mind that she’d accepted Feast Giver’s proposal, after all.

At the second announcement, both groups of warriors broke into loud cheers. One marriage might be a trick by those wily Ahousats, but two? Not likely. The tension was broken as the Hesquiat warriors surrounded the two couples and vocally extended their congratulations.

The Ahousat warriors stood up and stretched their cramped limbs. Then, curious, they joined the others on the beach.

It was some time later that the happy couples managed to slip away from the crowd of well-wishers to Thunder Maker’s longhouse.

Sarita was still holding Fighting Wolf’s hand as they walked through the family’s living area. She caught sight of Crab Woman, slumped over, asleep by the warm fire. The older woman’s snores sounded comfortable, though a trifle noisy.

Sarita couldn’t resist the temptation in front of her. “Crab Woman,” she said slowly, standing over the woman. “Crab Woman, wake up!”

Crab Woman grunted and snuffled as she slowly woke up. “Get up, woman,” continued Sarita in the same loud voice. “You have a feast to give tomorrow night. You’d better get started right away!” The older woman jumped, still half-asleep. When she peered up, she saw with surprise that it was her stepdaughter ordering her about.

“What…What’s the matter with you, Sarita? Talking to your old mother like that?” she demanded testily.

Sarita laughed, never before having heard Crab Woman acknowledge such a close relationship between them. “Crab Woman loves to prepare feasts,” she explained jocularly to Fighting Wolf.

“Who are you talking to? Who’s that you have with you?” went on the older woman, blinking at the large shadowed figure behind Sarita. She gave a sudden yelp. “Watch out it’s that Ahousat! He’s back. Run, Sarita!”

She scrambled to her feet far faster than Sarita would have ever thought possible for such a bulky woman. Grabbing a heavy piece of nearby firewood, Crab Woman was about to swing it at Fighting Wolf’s head when Sarita’s shout stopped her.

“Crab Woman, it’s all right!” laughed the younger woman. “He’s my husband-to-be. Put that stick away.” The old woman blinked owlishly at the two in the dim light. “He’s the reason you have to prepare another feast,” explained Sarita patiently. “We’re getting married tomorrow night. Just a small ceremony, of course,” she added.

Crab Woman appeared dazed, but quickly recovered herself. “Of course,” she mimicked. “Would you like something like the last wedding feast I prepared for you?” she asked acidly. “I’m sure the bridegroom would be happy to supply the weapons.”

“Not necessary,” responded Sarita airily. “Oh, I almost forgot. Feast Giver and Precious Copper will be getting married at the same time.” She smirked as Crab Woman gaped in surprise.

“Has everyone gone mad?” inquired the older woman. “Why does he want to marry that—that slave?”

Feeling Fighting Wolf bristle beside her, Sarita sought to defuse the situation. “She’s not a slave. She’s a high-ranking Ahousat noblewoman. And he loves her. That’s why he’s marrying her.”

“Oh, of course,” responded the irascible old woman. “Are there any other marriage feasts I should know about?” she asked in a mockingly polite tone.

Her words gave Sarita a jolt. “Not at the moment,” she managed absently. She tapped her chin gently with one long forefinger as her thoughts raced. “I’ll be sure to let you know in plenty of time should there be any other weddings.”

“Hmmph,” grunted Crab Woman. “Now will you get out of here? I can’t start organizing everything with you two getting in my way. Out!”

Laughing in sheer good spirits, Sarita allowed Fighting Wolf to lead her back outdoors. She wondered briefly why Crab Woman’s acerbic comments no longer bothered her. Maybe it was because she sensed that, under that gruff exterior, the older woman actually cared for her. Or maybe it was because now that she was in love, and loved, everything looked brighter. She certainly felt kinder. Which reminded her…

“I must speak with Spring Fern. Soon,” she said to Fighting Wolf.

“Oh? Who’s she? Another stepmother?”

“No, I have enough, thank you,” Sarita laughed. “Spring Fern is my slave. I have something important to tell her.”

“Really? Are you in the habit of confiding you marriage plans to your slaves?” he asked politely.

“Not my marriage plans,” she smirked. “But wedding plans nonetheless.” She refused to divulge another word, despite his questioning. But the thoughtful smile on her lips warned him she was up to something.

The Kyuquot war canoes circled the narrow inlet in the pouring rain. The sound of the men’s chanting was blown away by the wind.

“What do you want?” asked a sleepy Sarita, as Fighting Wolf shook her awake. Still groggy from last night’s celebration, she gradually woke up. Her golden eyes met and held his piercing black ones. “My husband,” she said softly.

“That’s right, wife,” he responded. “I’m your husband. As of last night. Now we tell the Kyuquots.”

“The Kyuquots?” She jumped up, reaching for her kutsack. “I’d forgotten all about them.”

“Evidently they haven’t forgotten about you,” he said, an ironic tone in his voice. “They’re here now.” He didn’t wait for her to dress, but headed for Thunder Maker’s quarters. “I’ll be back soon,” he called over his shoulder. “I want to see if your father needs any help in handling the situation.”

“Wait for me, Fighting Wolf,” Sarita called, to no avail. It looked like she had some work ahead of her in this marriage, she thought ruefully. One of the first things she’d have to do was to teach Fighting Wolf to obey her!

Hastily combing her hair and putting on her earrings and bangles and anklets, she rushed after him.

She needn’t have hurried. The Kyuquots were slowly floating into the beach in their large canoes. Some of the canoes looked damaged, but most were piled high with goods. Wedding gifts, she thought guiltily.

She was about to run down to the beach for a closer view when Spring Fern’s voice halted her. “Mistress, please. Don’t go down there. You might be in danger.”

“There’s no danger,” Sarita answered. “What can the Kyuquots do? Fighting Wolf has more warriors—and better ones, too.”

“Still,” her slave pleaded, “Don’t risk yourself. Wait just a little while. Let the men work this out.”

Sarita turned to her and asked gently, “Why are you so concerned about me?”

Surprised, Spring Fern answered, “I’ve always been concerned, mistress. I’ve always cared about what happens to you.”

Her simple words left Sarita feeling warm. “You’ve always been a faithful friend,” murmured Sarita. Turning away thoughtfully, she decided to watch the confrontation on the beach from a safe distance.

Thunder Maker and Fighting Wolf stood side by side, facing the approaching Kyuquots. Throws Away Wealth stepped daintily out of his canoe and walked cockily up to them.

“Who invited the Ahousats to my wedding?” he asked arrogantly. “Get rid of them, Thunder Maker.”

Thunder Maker looked nervously at Fighting Wolf before answering. He cleared his throat. “I see the storm delayed you, my friend,” he began carefully.

“Of course the storm delayed me,” snarled Throws Away Wealth. “It was the worst storm I’ve ever been in. Lost twenty of my men. Did countless damage to my canoes. We even lost a few canoes that were overloaded.” He added pointedly, “Overloaded with wedding gifts.”

He rubbed his hands together to warm them. “The middle of winter is a damn foolish time to hold a wedding celebration, if you ask me.”

“Yes, well, that’s too bad about your men and canoes,” offered Thunder Maker politely. “At least you’ve arrived safely.”

Fighting Wolf raised an eyebrow at the older chief. Throws Away Wealth turned to him. “What are you doing here, Ahousat?” he asked belligerently.

“Fighting Wolf is visiting me as a guest,” cut in Thunder Maker before Fighting Wolf could say anything. “He’s welcome in my village at any time.”

“Really?” asked the Kyuquot chief sarcastically. “That’s not what you told me the last time I was here.”

“Hmmph, yes, well—“

“What Chief Thunder Maker means,” said Fighting Wolf smoothly, “is that he can’t very well keep his daughter’s husband out of his village.”

“You’ve married off another daughter?” asked the Kyuquot jovially. “Didn’t know you had so many marriageable daughters.”

“He doesn’t,” said Fighting Wolf succinctly.

“You can’t mean—“ began the Kyuquot, anger beginning to flush his tanned face.

“Yes, he does mean that,” stated Fighting Wolf triumphantly. “Sarita is now married to me.”

The Kyuquot turned to Thunder Maker. “Is that true?” he cried.

“He speaks the truth,” confirmed Thunder Maker neutrally. He shrugged uncomfortably. He didn’t want to alienate the Kyuquots. They would be formidable enemies, despite what Fighting Wolf had said earlier about their fighting capabilities. He sighed. “I realize this must be a terrible shock—“

The anger on Throws Away Wealth’s face surprised Thunder Maker. He hadn’t thought the man valued an alliance with the Hesquiats so highly.