Savage Conquest (55 page)

"Miranda is called Randy by her family. What
have you done with her? Why'd you kill Major
Sheen?" Lucas demanded tersely.

"I have not seen Tamaha since she came to our
camp with the man called Reis. Why do you say I
captured her? I have not slain the white-eyes called
Sheen. What do your words say?" he probed, an
uneasy feeling assailing his keen senses.

"Where are Reis and Amanda?" Lucas insisted.

"They are in our camp. They are safe. Tell me
what happened this sun," Blazing Star pressed.
"How did Yellowhair learn of the parlay? Where is
Tamaha?"

The two men compared tales and facts until a
curious picture formed, one which puzzled and
alarmed them. Lucas vowed his cousins and Reis
were innocent. He related all he knew, and the more
they talked, the darker the mystery became.

Lucas muttered fearfully, "If you didn't kill Sheen
and abduct Randy, then who did? And why? Where is
she now? They said it was your arrow, one with a
black-and-red-tipped feather." Lucas then told the
warrior why Custer doubted Blazing Star had killed
Brody.

"Yellowhair has the mind of a fox and the eyes of
an eagle, for he sees the truth in my enemy's cunning.
We must return to my camp. I must get warriors to
help search for Tamaha. I do not like the cold winds
which blow over my heart. I must seek the face of my
enemy, one who dares to steal my woman, one who
slays a foe in my name. I will protect you with my life
if you return with me and speak to the council. There
is great evil playing in our lands. We must stop it."

Lucas and Blazing Star headed for the Oglala camp just before the first streaks of dawn tickled the
horizon with pink and gray fingers. At that same
moment, Bloody Arrow was scouring the countryside, seeking the place where Tom had concealed
Miranda .. .

Dazed and injured, the bloody and dirty Miranda
urged herself to keep walking on her sore, bare feet.
Often, she staggered and fell to the ground, but
stopped only briefly before forcing her body to move
forward again. She had no idea where she was, so she
followed the angle of the sun, knowing the Oglala
camp was in the southwest. But that was from the
fort, and that was if she was not already beyond the
camp.

She was so thirsty and groggy, yet she had to goon.
Time was of the essence, if it was not too late. She
tried to control her tears and sobs, for they pained her
throat and chest. She was so tired and her body hurt
all over. Soon, she was so exhausted that she dreamily
wondered if this mental and physical anguish was
worth it. When she knew she could walk no further,
she sank to her knees and cursed cruel fate with her
fleeting consciousness.

Three Oglala warriors hovered over the pitiful
body lying on the grass. One nudged the other and
asked, "She is Tamaha?"

The second warrior knelt, pushing her tangled
hair from her injured face for a closer inspection.
"Sha," he replied uneasily.

The three warriors who had been scouting the area
for signs of Custer's return discussed this problem.
They wondered how she had gotten here, who had
injured her so badly, and what they should do with
her. Her family was being held captive, but these
warriors were friends of Blazing Star's; they knew of
his love and desire for this half-white girl. What if the
council voted for her death? Should they try to warn
their friend? Should they conceal her until his
return? That was wrong, and she was hurt. It was
decided to return to camp with her.

When Miranda was taken to Sun Cloud's teepee,
Amanda screamed in disbelief. "My God, Reis, what
have they done to her?"

Both Reis and Amanda battled for freedom to help
Miranda. Sun Cloud ordered one of the warriors to
fetch the medicine man. Crazy Horse entered the
teepee and ordered Miranda taken to the medicine
lodge. Her strange wounds would have to be treated
before she could be questioned. There was a
disturbing mystery here. Had the whites tried to beat
the truth of the parlay from Tamaha? Somehow, the
war chief doubted she would talk even under torture.
It was no secret to him that Blazing Star and Tamaha
were in love. Had she escaped too late to warn the
Sioux?

The warriors and Sun Cloud departed with the
limp Miranda. Crazy Horse glanced at the terrified
and worried Amanda. He stated clearly, "We have
not harmed your sister. She was found injured by the
warriors. We will care for her wounds. Then we will have answers."

Shortly, Blazing Star and Lucas entered the teepee.
Reis shouted at them, "They have Mirandal I don't
know what they've done to her, but she's hurt badly.
Help her, Blazing Star," Reis pleaded urgently.

When Lucas tried to go with him, Blazing Star
ordered him to remain here where he was safe. He
promised to send news after he saw her. The moment
he left, Lucas seized a knife to cut Reis and Amanda
free. Before he could do so, two of the warriors
returned to guard them, but they did not bind Lucas
or free Reis and Amanda.

When Blazing Star raced into the medicine lodge,
he discovered Crazy Horse and the others staring at
Miranda oddly. As his dark eyes moved over her face
and body, pain and fury attacked him. He dropped
to his knees and pulled her into his arms. He held her
gently and protectively. "Who did this?" he asked in
icy contempt, his temper and control unleashed.
"There will be no vote for her life. I will take her and
leave. No one will slay her. I will battle any man who
steps into my path to stop me. She is my heart."

Blazing Star lowered her carefully, aware of her
numerous injuries. Suddenly he realized some were
bandaged. "Why do you treat the wounds you have
inflicted? She is as innocent as her sister and the
white man."

Crazy Horse locked his gaze on Miranda's face,
recalling the look in her eyes when she had awakened
briefly and told her incredible tale. Crazy Horse
temporarily ignored Blazing Star to ask Sun Cloud, "Do you think she spoke the truth? Is her mind
trapped by dreams or pain?"

The old man sighed wearily. "She did not lie. But I
feel shame at his great evil, for I did not see it with
these old eyes and weak heart. How could he hurt my
little Tamaha? How could he wish us dead?"

"What words do you speak?" Blazing Star demanded angrily.

"Tamaha said Bloody Arrow betrayed us to the
scout who betrayed us to Yellowhair," the chief
informed him then repeated Miranda's shocking
story of treachery.

Blazing Star revealed all he had learned from
Lucas. They realized Bloody Arrow had not been
present that awesome afternoon. They also knew he
had left camp right after Blazing Star rode away.

"Where is Bloody Arrow now?" Sun Cloud
wondered aloud, his old heart suffering with this
dishonor and distress. "Did he do such injury to her?
May Wakantanka forgive me for allowing such evil
in my teepee."

Sitting Bull, the medicine chief of great power and
wisdom, said, "She is weak, Blazing Star. She used all
of her fighting spirit to come here. She is very brave. I
will try to save her. But she is in the hands of the
Great Spirit; He will decide her fate."

Shivers ran over the warrior's bronze frame. "Are
you saying Tamaha ... could die?" His heart
thudded painfully when Sitting Bull nodded, his
steely gaze exposing his sympathy and respect for the
girl.

"She is only tired from her journey and her
wounds," Blazing Star protested in panic.

"She has many injuries, Blazing Star. Beneath her
garments, there is a blackness here," he explained,
touching her left rib area. "Her back bleeds and
flames red. She has many bad wounds, my son. We do
not know how long she has been without food or
water. Look at her feet," he instructed. "Look at her
hands. It is as if she dug herself from a grave. The
scout did this to her. Bloody Arrow wished to sell her
and Sky Eyes to the Apaches, but the scout wanted
her for himself. We will prepare for Bloody Arrow's
return."

Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull exchanged meaningful looks. The younger chief told Blazing Star to free
the prisoners and bring them to Tamaha's side.
When Reis, Amanda, and Lucas were shown into the
large teepee, Reis spoke first. He told Sun Cloud and
Blazing Star that Miranda must be taken back to Fort
Sully where the doctor knew how to treat such
injuries and had powerful medicines to use.

It was noon before Blazing Star and Sun Cloud
convinced Crazy Horse that the whites must leave. If
they did not leave, Miranda could die, and Custer
would surely start a search for them. They decided to
use the story that Tom had captured Reis and
Amanda when they happened upon him abducting
Miranda. Lucas came searching for them early this
morning, but they had been rescued by friendly
Indians. They would say Miranda had been injured
defending herself after Brody was murdered and
increased her injuries while trying to escape the vicious scout. They would blame everything on
Fletcher.

It was settled. A travois was constructed to carry
Miranda to the fort. Lucas, Reis, and Amanda were
given horses. A band of warriors would follow them
to the fort, to make certain they arrived safely. But the
warriors would also make certain they were not seen
escorting the white party home.

When all was prepared, Blazing Star knelt by the
travois to say farewell to his love. Soon, Reis and
Lucas would leave this land and take both women
home to safety before Reis delivered words to the
white leader. This would be the last time his hungry
eyes fed upon his Tamaha. She had come so close to
death, was still challenging it; he could not allow her
to remain where it lived each sun and moon. Death
and danger could not be averted, for Yellowhair had
been ordered to control this region and the Sioux at
all costs.

Amanda came to Blazing Star's side. "I'll make
sure she gets well. Is there anything you want me to
tell her when she awakes?"

Blazing Star did not care who was watching or
what they said or thought. He leaned over and lightly
kissed Miranda's lips, then her forehead. "There is
nothing to say, Sky Eyes. Our lives must take separate
paths. You must never let her return to our camp.
Take her far away from this death and evil. She must
forget Blazing Star and the Oglalas."

"She will never forget you, no matter how much
distance there is between you. I'm sorry, Blazing
Star," she murmured sadly, her meaning understood. "She will never love another as she loves you."

"You are kind, Sky Eyes. For as long as I breathe
the air of the Great Spirit, she will live in my heart
and mind," he vowed.

Reis helped Amanda to mount, then clasped wrists
with Blazing Star and Sun Cloud. Reis looked at
Crazy Horse and stated, "I will tell Chief Grant what
I have learned and seen here. Try to avoid as much
bloodshed as you can; that will please him. No
matter what happens, Crazy Horse, I will do my best
to bring peace to your lands."

Crazy Horse gave the sign of peace and friendship
to Reis. But his words were, It is too late for such
dreams. You leave in friendship, but do not come
again. I do not wish your blood to stain our lands.
You have warmed the heart of our old chief Sun
Cloud. It was good you came to us before his death:
Go in peace," he dismissed them.

When the dust settled and the small group was
gone, Crazy Horse looked at the courageous warrior
at his side. "I am sorry you cannot take Tamaha as
your mate. You have chosen the right path, Blazing
Star, but walking it will be hard for a long time. You
will ride as my chosen band leader, at my side. Come,
we must decide the fate of Bloody Arrow; he was
captured by Gall's band."

Blazing Star's gaze chilled. He declared, "Let me
battle him, Crazy Horse; it is my right."

"Ki-ci-e-conape?" Crazy Horse inquired knowingly.

"Yes, I will fight him to the death in challenge."

"Bloody Arrow is a skilled warrior, Blazing Star.
He is strong and cunning. He battles for his life, with
the power of evil behind him. If I allow the
challenge, the winner goes free," the chief argued.

"He must die at my hand. If he slays me, then evil is
greater than good, then evil is more powerful than
the Great Spirit. If such is true, we are all fools to
worship Him. He will guide my hand in battle, or I
will die as the fool I have been since birth."

"So be it," Crazy Horse agreed. "But if he goes free,
Blazing Star, I will be the next fool to challenge
him."

As they walked toward the teepee where Bloody
Arrow was being held captive, Crazy Horse said, "We
must move our camp closer to the sacred hills. Soon
the bluecoat with yellow hair rides there. We must go
and prepare to stop him. We must defend our sacred
grounds. Do you wish to send a message telling her of
our new location?"

Blazing Star caught his hint. Shaking his ebony
head of hair, he replied sadly, "It is best if she does
not know where to find me."

"What if she returns to this place when she is
healed?" Crazy Horse speculated.

"She will find nothing. She will not know where
to seek us, and she will go home. This is best,"
Blazing Star remarked dejectedly.

Crazy Horse watched him from the corner of his
eye and wondered, Best for whom?