Dakota Dreams (Historical Romance) (4 page)

Dakota reached out and clasped his friend's arm. "Do not be distressed for me, Shadow Walker. If I thought I could make Running Deer happy, I would not step aside for my brother. Although I love her, there is something missing between us."

"Can it be that your heart is not as one with Running Deer? Do you not feel a man's love for her?"

"How can I know if I love her? I have desired her, and I know of no maiden who has her beauty, but how can a man know if he loves a woman? Sometimes I think only of her, and at other times, I cannot even recall her face."

"If you have this doubt, then you do not love Running Deer. When a man loves a woman, she is in his heart night and day. Her face haunts him, and he could never forget her image."

Dakota smiled. "When did you learn so much about a man's feelings for a woman?"

Shadow Walker looked embarrassed for a moment, and then he, too, smiled. "Since I began to love Running Deer's younger sister."

Dakota's eyes clouded over once more. "Come, let us ride to the village with haste. I have an uneasy feeling that something is not right."

The two horses bound into the river, stirring up mud and causing ripples to reach the opposite shore. Dakota rode through the village, his eyes searching, wondering why his father had not joined the others who welcomed him home. Why was everyone looking at him with such sorrow? His eyes met Running Deer's and he read pain in their dark depths.

With heart beating in fear, he reached his father's tepee, and was surprised to see Levi Gunther waiting for him outside the entrance. The sadness and disbelief he saw on the old hunter's face wiped out any happiness Dakota felt at seeing his friend. He did not need to be told that something was wrong with his father; he could see the truth in Levi's eyes. He experienced grief so strong it tore at his heart. Raising his head, Dakota glanced into the dark eyes of Black Otter, wishing his brother would assure him that nothing had happened to their father in his absence.

Black Otter's eyes were cold. "Welcome home, Dakota. You have returned to watch my father die before you leave this village forever!"

3

Dakota took a step toward the tepee, still unable to believe his father was dying. Black Otter moved to block the entrance and poised his lance against Dakota's broad chest. "You will not be at my father's side when he draws his last breath. You have taken everything else away from me, and I will not allow you to rob me of my father's last hours."

Levi Gunther, and more than a dozen warriors, tensely stood by, knowing the trouble that had been brewing between the two brothers for years was about to come to a head. Everyone knew by the stubborn set of Dakota's jaw that they were about to witness a long overdue confrontation.

"Move out of my way, Black Otter. I will see my father if I have to go through you to do it." Dakota had spoken softly, but the glint in his eyes caused Black Otter to drop his own gaze and move aside. He was humiliated that Dakota had made him back down, and he swore to himself that he would find the means to humble his father's favorite.

Dakota quickly entered the tepee and went down on his knees beside his father. Two Moons opened his eyes, and the sadness Dakota saw there tore at his heart. The old war chief reached out a shaky hand and placed it on Dakota's.

"I began to fear that you would not come in time, my son. I am weak and have fought to hold on to the breath of life until I could see you once more." Two Moons' voice was surprisingly strong.

"I will not listen to such talk," Dakota said, unwilling to accept that his father was dying. "You will live to see many grandchildren."

"No, my son," Two Moons said sadly. "Before the sun sets today, I will join your mother."

Dakota, looking at his father's sunken, lusterless eyes, and the skin that was stretched taut across his face like fragile old parchment, could not hide the shadow of grief that came into his eyes.

"Why did you not send word for me to come home, my father? Did you not know that I would want to be with you to lend you my strength?"

"I knew you would arrive before I passed on." Two Moons looked upon Dakota's face. He remembered the sickly white baby that had grown to manhood and earned the respect and friendship of his adopted tribe. He remembered the pride he had felt for Dakota as he developed a sense of honor and became a fearless warrior. "You have brought joy and pride to my tepee, Dakota. I have always known you to be an obedient son."

"It was not difficult to obey you, my father. The tasks you have set for me have been tempered with fairness, and I have learned by watching you."

Two Moons grasped Dakota's hand. "Do you know that I have loved you well?" he questioned, his voice now weak.

"I have known this."

"Then know what I asked of you is done out of love."

"Yes, I will know."

Two Moons' eyes brightened feverishly. "After I am gone—"

"I will not hear this," Dakota interrupted.

Two Moons held up his hand, his voice insistent. "Hear what I have to say. After I am gone, I want you to go away with Levi Gunther."

"But-"

"Hear me, Dakota. There is danger for you here. I want you to go to your grandfather and learn the ways of the white man. It was selfish of me to keep you when you belong to a great and powerful family that needs your strength and wisdom."

Dakota was bewildered. "I do not like the white man's ways. I am Indian and will walk in the Arapaho way."

"I have seen a vision from your mother, and she has told me that you must leave the Arapaho. It is my wish that you return to the family of your birth."

Dakota felt a chill pass over him, and he was thrown into confusion. "This is the only home I have ever known. How can I leave?"

"Dakota, you are aware that your brother is jealous of you."

The young warrior dropped his eyes. "I did not know you saw this."

"I saw. What you do not know is that when I am no longer here to hold the peace, Black Otter will cause a division between the people. Some will follow him, more will follow you, but in the end it is the Arapaho who will lose, because they will fight among themselves. I would not rest easy knowing my sons were tearing the Arapaho apart."

"I will never fight against my brother, nor will I raise a hand against any Arapaho."

"You would fight because it would be forced upon you." A spasm of coughing shook Two Moons, and he fought to catch his breath. Helplessly, Dakota watched his father weaken before his eyes. Now Two Moons' voice was faint as he spoke. "Promise me that you will leave with Levi Gunther. Give me your word that you will do this for me." There was desperation in his father's words. "Promise me, Dakota, that no blood will spill between you and your brother."

Dakota knew his father was begging for his assurance. He fought against the tears behind his eyes and the tightening in his throat. When he spoke, his voice came out in a painful whisper. "You have my word that I will leave with Levi Gunther, if that is your wish. If the tribe becomes divided, it will not be because of me. If my brother's blood is spilled, it will not be by my hand."

Relief eased the suffering on the old war chiefs face and love was shining in his dark eyes. "It is good, my son. Now leave me and send in Black Otter. I must charge him with keeping the peace for our people."

Dakota hesitantly rose to his feet, knowing grief in the very depths of his soul. He looked upon his father for the last time, and turned away, fearing the weakness of tears would shame him. His voice broke as he said, "I have loved you well, my father."

"I have loved you since you drew your first breath, my son." Two Moons looked long on Dakota's face. "From the time I drew you from your white mother's body, you have belonged to me. No father has ever had a finer son. Know that whatever else you do, you have brought pride and joy to me and your mother. No matter where your destiny takes you, remember in your heart that you are the son of Two Moons."

***

By the light of the moon, Dakota tied his meager belongings to the back of his horse while the death chant for Two Moons filled the night air. Heavy of heart, he turned to Levi, who stood beside him. "I am going with you to honor my father's wishes, Levi, but nothing will ever make me think as a white man."

Levi nodded as he watched Running Deer approach Dakota. The young maiden's eyes were bright with tears, so Levi moved away to allow her and Dakota to say their good-byes.

Dakota took Running Deer's hand in his, wishing he could absorb her into his body. She represented everything he was leaving behind, and his heart was heavy. "I will often think of you and hope that you find happiness," he said.

"Take me with you," she cried, throwing her arms about his neck. "I do not want to live without you."

Dakota had no time to react because Black Otter rushed forward and tore Running Deer out of his arms and flung her away.

"You will leave now, Dakota. You are not wanted here," he said in a voice that throbbed with anger.

Remembering the promise he had made to their dying father, Dakota resisted the urge -to challenge Black Otter. "I will go, but only because I gave my word to our father. I do not wish you ill, Black Otter, for I have looked upon you as a brother. I hope you will one day know this."

Black Otter thrust his lance forward and rested the point against Dakota's neck, causing Running Deer to cry out in alarm. Levi cursed the fact that he would not be able to reach his rifle in time to help Dakota, while several members of the tribe gathered around, watching the two warriors confront each other.

"I want to forget all you were to my family, Dakota. Your skin is white, no matter how many times you would deny it. If I were to end your life, you would merely be one less white man the Arapaho have to worry about."

Dakota's green eyes bore witness to his anger. There was no fear in his heart as Dakota jerked the lance from Black Otter and thrust it against his throat. "You are no credit to the Arapaho or the father and mother that loved us both."

Black Otter took a step backward. "Would you have my blood on your hands?" he asked angrily, knowing Dakota had once more gained the advantage.

So tight was the restraint that Dakota was keeping on his anger that the muscles on his arms bulged and his hands trembled. With great effort, he remembered his promise to his father and broke the lance over his knee, tossing it aside. "No, your blood will not be on my hands."

Running Deer rushed forward and threw herself into Dakota's arms. "You must take me with you, for I love only you, and want to be with you always."

Dakota looked into her face, noting the way her dark eyes glistened with tears. With a heavy heart, he laid his cheek against hers, knowing he could never take Running Deer with him, even though to leave her would be one more pain he must endure.

Suddenly he heard a gasp from the crowd, and he felt Running Deer stiffen. A soft moan escaped her lips, and she went limp in his arms.

In his confusion, it took Dakota several moments to realize that Black Otter had picked up the broken lance and had plunged the sharp end into Running Deer's back! With an anguished cry, Dakota jerked the lance out of her back and gently picked her up in his arms, cuddling her next to his heart.

Murmurs of anger and disapproval rumbled through the tribe. Black Otter realized what he had done when he looked into the hostile eyes of his chief. He reached a pleading hand toward Running Deer's father. The chief drew and armed his bow. The flying arrow of vengeance struck Black Otter in the chest, and he slumped to the ground.

"Help me, my brother," he cried, reaching out to Dakota. "Don't allow them to kill me. You owe my father this."

Everything happened so quickly that Dakota was left dazed. He felt a heavy hand on his shoulder as Levi took Running Deer's body from him and gave her over to her mother and sister.

Dakota was aware of the hostile crowd that had gathered around Black Otter, for not only had Running Deer been the chiefs daughter, but she had been well loved. Uncontrollable rage burned in his heart as he pushed his way through the crowd to get to Black Otter. He stared at the man he had loved as a brother, for the first time seeing him as he really was. Bending down, Dakota grasped the arrow that protruded from Black Otter's chest and yanked it free, unmindful of the scream of pain that issued from his brother's lips. With trembling hands, Dakota poised the bloody arrow above Black Otter's head, ready to plunge it into his heart.

All reason was gone, and Dakota was driven only by hatred and anger. "You die, Black Otter," he hissed. "I will enjoy watching your blood spill for what you did to Running Deer. I will feed your dead flesh to the dogs!"

Black Otter weakly grasped Dakota's arm. "Are we not brothers? Would our father want you to spill my blood, Dakota?"

"Now, when it pleases you, we are brothers," Dakota ground out between clenched teeth. "The brother I once loved would not take a woman's life. You are a coward, and you deserve to die like a dog."

Levi rushed forward and grabbed Dakota's hand, forcing him to release the arrow. "Allow Arapaho justice to punish this crime. I do not ask this because of Black Otter, for he deserves to die. Rather, I remind you of your promise to your father. Let justice be done by Running Deer's father. Let no blood flow between you and Black Otter."

Slowly, Dakota's mind cleared. In his anger and grief, he had forgotten his promise to his father. Standing up, he glared at Black Otter. "As the old hunter said, I will leave your punishment to our chief."

Black Otter's face froze in anger, and he spat out at Dakota. "You had better kill me now, because if you do not, I will one day slay you."

"A shallow boast from one who will not live past the morning sunrise," Dakota hissed, stepping over Black Otter's prone body. For a moment he hesitated. That which his father had feared had come to pass. Blood had been shed and a life had been lost. The innocent Running Deer's life had been forfeit, and her only crime had been in loving him. "I do not fear a ghost, Black Otter. Before the sun sets again, you will walk in the shadows, but not with our father. You have shamed Two Moons' memory."

Black Otter pressed his hand against his wound, trying to stem the flow of blood. "I will not die tonight, Dakota. One day, you will know that nothing can stay my hand from killing you. I made no promise to my father."

Dakota had not known until today that his brother harbored so much hatred for him. With a last look at the Arapaho people he loved so well, he turned to Levi. "I am ready to go. Let us leave this place that I once called home."

There was sadness in many dark eyes as the Arapaho watched Dakota mount his horse and ride away beside Levi through the village, and across the river. Not once did Dakota look back at what he was leaving behind. Everything he loved was gone. Not one Arapaho tried to stop his departure, not even his friend Shadow Walker. They all knew that his destiny lay in a different direction.

He did not see Black Otter being dragged through the village. He did not dwell on what punishment would be wrought on the murderer of the chiefs beloved daughter. His heart was too full of grief, his mind unable to accept the losses he had suffered today.

***

That night there was no moon. Dakota stood alone beneath a star-sprinkled sky, feeling as if someone had ripped out his insides. Even though he knew a warrior should not cry, tears washed down his cheeks, for no one was around to see.