Passion's Series (15 page)

Silent Deer flinched at the prodding touch, "That woman you call mother!"

James laughed then moaned as the effort sent a new stabbing pain through his skull.

"You should not laugh at me!" Silent Deer puffed up even more. "I saw you run from her when she made war on you with that weapon you made for her."

James grinned but he knew better than to laugh again.

"That was no weapon, Silent Deer. That was a spoon," he said the word in English because he knew no word in the beloved tongue to use.

"Her spoon," Deer struggled with the strange sounding word, "is broken. Do not make for her another one."

James sat quietly, knowing this was not the time to tease his friend about an old lady's war cry on his head. There would be time enough for that when his wounds healed.

"Come," Silent Deer said as he hauled James to his feet. "You must go to the Old Beloved Man. He is in the Asi."

James obediently followed Silent Deer. Perhaps it was best to allow Gentle Rain to have her young the way her people have been doing since the beginning of their existence.

When the two mighty and battered warriors reached the
Asi
, Silent Deer turned and left James alone. James stripped himself of his meager clothing and raised the flap of the
Asi
.

"Come in Red Panther," the old Magi ordered. In the hours that followed, James spoke freely to the old man of his love for New Moon and his obligation to Gentle Rain and his blood brother.

"No sacrifice is too great for love," the shaman told him. "It is because of this love for the people and for all the brothers and sisters in nature and of the spirits in nature that a warrior becomes great and is a protector. It is the way. It is as it must be for our people to survive."

James listened to the tales of the spirits in nature and how the Principal People, by living as brothers to all around them, were protected and nourished by the spirits.

By the time it reached James' ears that Gentle Rain was delivered from her labor, he felt more at peace with his life than he had for a very long time. Stepping from the
Asi
, he dressed hastily and hurried to the Village Square.

Standing in the center of the large circle created by the villagers stood the old Beloved Woman. In her arms was a tiny bundle wrapped in soft doeskins, the acceptable wrap for newborn girls.

The circle parted as Red Panther walked toward the old Beloved Woman. He looked down at the child in her arms that, for all intent and purposes, was his daughter. The villagers crowded in just as anxious to view the new life as Red Panther.

James unwrapped the child and made a quick examination of her fingers and toes while the warriors cheered and slapped him on the back. Before the old woman knew what he was about, he snatched the infant from her arms and cradled her protectively.

A hardy wail was heard above the whoops and cheers and sudden silence settled over the gathering. As the crowd parted, James saw
Akachee
pushing her way toward him. In her arms was another bundle, this time wrapped in panther hide.

James hurriedly handed the tiny infant girl to the old woman and gently accepted the child from
Akachee
. All was quiet. It was not a good omen for twins to be born, and James knew that where Gentle Rain would have been accepted with one child, she would never be allowed to stay with twins.

James took the boy from the hide and raised him high above his head. "A tsu tsa," he called out in way of introducing the small child to the village. Then placing the child in the bend of one strong arm, he took his daughter from the old woman in the other and again addressed the crowd, "A geyu tsa."

Leaving the crowd, the babies still cradled in his strong arms, he made his way back to his lodge. By naming the infants he'd accepted the twins for the time being.

He knew there would be a meeting. It would be decided that the children and their mother would have to leave the village. But with any luck, he would be able to hold them     off until Gentle Rain was better prepared to withstand the journey back to her father's village.

James stepped into the lodge and walked over to Gentle Rain where she rested on fresh furs. Her large doe eyes reached his and he saw the fatigue and also fear in them.

"The babies are strong and healthy," he said to her. "You must not worry about them; they will be fine. I will not let any harm come to them."

Gentle Rain smiled weakly and then let her eyes travel to the faces peeking from their skins. She had faith in Red Panther and in everything he said. If he said she could keep both babies, then she knew it was true.

James placed
A geyu tsa
in her arms and she smiled at her tiny daughter. He then placed
A tsu tsa
in her other arm and rubbed a large finger against his soft cheek.

They both laughed as the tiny mouth chased after his finger. He adjusted the tiny bundles so each could latch upon a breast.

Gentle Rain sighed contentedly and looked up at him. He expected her to question him on how he planned to keep the babies safe. His mind searched frantically for an answer.

"Where is Hunting Bow?" she asked.

James was confused. His brows furrowed as he studied her eyes. "What? Hunting Bow?" He was worried about how to protect her and her newborns and she was asking about someone named Hunting Bow? He spun toward the door just as
Akachee
, who was stopped in her tracks by the fierce scowl on his face, entered. "Take care of her, Mother," he said as he angrily strode past.

Chapter Eighteen

An unseasonably warm day cast the village into a lazy carefree lethargy. Occasionally a dog barked or a small child cried for his mother, but for the most part little activity took place.

"Damn!"

Dancing Cloud looked up from his knapping to see how badly Red Panther chipped his flint this time. The two sat quietly beneath the sprawling limbs of the old oak for most of the day. Dancing Cloud knapped flint into useful arrow and spear points while Panther ruined one piece after the other.

"You are ruining all my flint," Dancing Cloud grunted irritably.

James tossed down the ruined flint and antler tool.

Absentmindedly he raised a hand to caress the sore lump on his head. He didn't understand why Deer thought it necessary to hit him so hard with that tomahawk.
Akachee
had already battered him sufficiently about the head and shoulders with her blasted spoon.

"Beau and New Moon have been gone for two days. I thought you said you told him to bring her back if she wouldn't except him."

"Maybe she did except him," Dancing Cloud offered happily.

Thomas, who had just walked up, snickered.

James snarled as he dusted his hands by slapping them across one another, "I hope for his sake that she didn't."

Dancing Cloud cleared his throat and rubbed his nose vigorously as he reached for another piece of flint.

"That knife ya lost ta me in wager is a real nice piece, Chief. Would ya like to maybe make another friendly bet?"

Cloud's chuckle mingled with Thomas’ until they both looked up to see James scowling at them.

The chief quickly busied himself flipping through his flint while Thomas helped by picking up one piece after the other, asking if this or that piece would suit his needs.

A cry for entrance soon interrupted the peacefulness of the village. James leapt to his feet and turned toward the gate in time to see Smythe ride through. With him was New Moon, and she seemed quite comfortable relaxed against the scoundrel's chest!

Her eyes met his and her chin rose slightly. God, how he loved that spark of fire! He saw Smythe's arm wrapped protectively around her waist, and his stomach knotted as his worst fear came to mind.

New Moon must have seen the look of dread in his eyes and her expression softened. Their eyes met again and with them they spoke, without words, to one another of reassurance and understanding.

You are home
, his heart spoke to her.

She caressed his every feature with her gaze
. I will never leave you again
, she seemed to say with her eyes.

A muscle worked in his clenched jaw.
I
will never let you go, he promised himself as well as her
. He was answered by a smile that held promises of its own.

This mountain of communication between two like souls remained undetected by all around them, except Dancing Cloud who knew and loved them both.

Smythe swung down from his mount and then helped New Moon down. Not until he turned to face the two men that anxiously awaited their return did James finally notice the condition of the Lieutenant.

Smythe's right eye was swollen almost shut, the angry black bruise spreading from above his eyebrow to his misshapen cheek. He hugged his ribs as he approached James.

New Moon stepped up to Dancing Cloud and said solemnly, "I do not accept this warrior." Then without a backward glance she headed for her own lodge.

James reluctantly pulled his gaze from New Moon's swaying hips to Lieutenant Smythe's battered person. Knowing he looked no better, he said with grudging humor, "The natives have been unusually restless of late."

Thomas cackled out loud. Dancing Cloud grunted but said nothing.

"I assume that you are now ready to resume your duties?" James asked Beau.

Smythe looked with surprise at James. He'd done no less than desert his post with one of the Colonel's women and expected no less than an immediate execution. No trial, no considering the effect wilderness life can have on a man's reason, or that the Colonel had more women than any man had a right to. Yet it appeared that his superior officer intended to overlook his error in judgment.

"Come with me, Smythe. I have decided to turn your lodge into a clinic of sorts, not that any of the Principal People will allow me to treat them, but I'll see what I can do for you. You'll no longer be needing it."

Smythe followed James through the village toward the new established medicine lodge. As they passed James' lodge an infant began to cry and Smythe stopped. "I hear that your child has finally been born," he said with more bitterness than he intended.

"Yes. That is Gentle Rain's daughter."

James did not miss the fallen expression or the drop of his shoulders. Then another blood curdling scream, worthy of any warrior rose in volume to cover the first.

"And that is Gentle Rain's son," James added.

Smythe looked at James, "So are you keeping her or are you sending her back to her father?" he asked a bit too hopefully to suite James.

"The council agreed that she could stay until she is strong enough to travel back to her own village. Though, I don't see how that should concern you," James answered and pushed Smythe forward.

James worked quickly over Smythe's wounds and bound his ribs tightly. During the procedure, Smythe remained silent. He watched the muscle in the jaw of his superior officer work angrily. It was obvious to Smythe, though the colonel let his actions slide, any unofficial disciplinary action he planned was still up in the air.

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.