Savage Conquest (58 page)

"I did not say to flee as a coward, but to walk away
proudly and wisely. Your people have warred since
the sun was born. If you wait until there is no battle
to fight, it will be too late. I want you to protect your
heritage, to record it, to make certain it survives this
monstrous devastation. Who will be left to lead those
who aren't slain? Who will there be to remind them
of their customs and history? I'm not asking you to
pretend you're white. If I wanted a white man, I
would not be standing here imploring you. I am
willing to challenge any danger for us. Is it so hard
for you to do the same? Isn't a compromise the
answer? We can have it all, Blazing Star, if you will
reach out and take it with me."

"You should not have come, Tamaha. You make it
harder for me to see my duty and to follow it. You try
to blind me with love, as you are blinded. Is it not
enough to know I love you, to know the truth?"

Miranda dropped her hands to her sides. It was no
use to debate with him, to plead or to reason. She clenched her teeth to control the trembling of her
chin and lips as her golden brown eyes filled with
tears. His thoughts and feelings were so ingrained
that she could not alter them. Her line of vision was
directed at his defiant heart, for she could not meet
his gaze and do what must be done.

"No, Blazing Star, it is not enough for me. If words
are enough for you, then your love is small and
unworthy of return. But I will accept your words of
rejection and go as I promised. May the Great Spirit
protect you in battle. Perhaps you will find another
who can share your life this way. I will always love
you and remember you. Always," she murmured,
then slipped under his arm to leave.

"Will you not kiss me and say farewell?" he asked,
needing to hold her one last time. He knew she was
telling the truth, that she would leave because he was
demanding it. But he wanted her and needed her.
Could he let her go? Could he pay the price to keep
her?

"I cannot. The pain in me is too great now. You
have cut out my heart and spirit, and I can take no
more agony. I would rather be tortured than touch
you for a last time. If a farewell is spoken between us,
it must come from you. I will never say such cruel
words," she whispered faintly without looking back
at him.

"Tamaha, I love-"

He tried to speak his heart one last time, but she
sharply injected, "Say no morel It is over, as you
demand."

Miranda turned and fled. Blazing Star's attention
was drawn to Reis when he said, "You are a fool,
Blazing Star. There are some things more precious
than dying heroically in battle. I thought I'd find you
lurking around somewhere. Why did you do that to
her? Why didn't you show some mercy and tell her
lies? Why didn't you say you only felt lust for her?
Why didn't you tell her you don't love her? No, you
had to play the long-suffering, unselfish hero.
Honor-you call what you did just now honor?
You're selfish and vindictive. You can't have her, so
you made sure she'd never want another man. You
wanted her to believe no man alive could compare to
you, could match you, could love her so much he
would spare her suffering and death!"

"Why do you spy on us? Why do you speak such
words?" the warrior snarled angrily at the white man
with fiery blue eyes.

"I came to fetch her to leave. Do you hear me,
Blazing Star? We are leaving this area at first light,
and she will be out of your life forever." Reis
realized it was time he gave Randy the help she
deserved.

"You do not understand. I cannot have her,"
Blazing Star argued, then gave Reis all his reasons.

When he finished, Reis explained about the Civil
War, his own battle for honor. He told how his
family had been killed. He revealed that he and
Amanda had been on different sides, enemies. He
compared the two conflicts, the two love affairs. Reis
told him how he and Amanda had overcome their differences, because of love. "My wife was a daughter
of the warring winds, Blazing Star. But that war
ended. Many on both sides are still enemies; many say
the battle will begin anew someday. But we cannot
live for future battles. Life is short and hard. We must
take what love and happiness we find, for both are
rare and precious. Your life will accomplish far more
than your death. Your blood should run in your
children, not on the dry earth. Miranda will never be
happy again, for she will never be-free-of your hold."

Observing the warrior's turmoil and anguish, Reis
was relieved that he had not met Amanda during the
war. He could not imagine how their lives and love
would be different if that Southern belle had first
looked upon him as a Yankee officer.

Reis clasped Blazing Star's wrist and murmured
what Miranda had taught him. "Wookiye wocin,
koda."

Blazing Star glanced at the white man who had
called him friend and wished for peace between
them. He said the same, then watched Reis vanish.
He slowly and helplessly walked to the edge of the
forest to observe their departure. He watched the two
women embrace Sun Cloud affectionately, bidding
him a last farewell. He watched the two men speak
their last words to the old chief. He watched the four
mount. He watched Sun Cloud exchange smiles and
waves with his child and granddaughter. He witnessed the look which passed between Joe and Marie,
a look which spoke of powerful love and total
acceptance.

Miranda did not glance toward the forest; she sat
alert and poised in her saddle. But Reis and Marie
watched the intrepid warrior who was observing
them. The white friend waved and turned, but the
Indian princess stared for a moment. Then Marie
looked at her rigid and somber daughter, so full of
pride and resolve, so full of anguish and disappointment. Marie's gaze returned to the warrior, so
rigid and somber, so full of pride and resolve, so full
of anguish and disappointment. She shook her head
sadly and joined her retreating family. Love and
acceptance had to come freely, and they had to be felt
by both. She could not interfere.

As the love story of Morning Star and Joseph
Lawrence echoed in his keen mind, Sun Cloud
caught the younger warrior's eye. The days of
greatness were past for his people. He had spoken
with his granddaughter, the mate of Sky Eyes, the
mate of Morning Star, and his own daughter. The
old man knew of the raging battle with Blazing Star,
one he now understood. Sky Eye's mate was right;
such a noble warrior should not die in defeat. His
voice rang across the distance like sweet music as he
fervently called, "If you are to catch her, Blazing Star,
you must ride swiftly. Tamaha belongs here with us
until the war's end sends you both to safety. My
father's spirit is restless this sun, for he fears his line
will die in you. There is no warrior greater than Gray
Eagle, and he refused to let white blood and battles
take his woman from his life. How can this love and
match be wrong when Tamaha carries more Oglala and Indian blood than Princess Shalee?"

Blazing Star hurried over to Sun Cloud. "You
think I should go after her? I should join with her? I
should endanger her life?"

"Only you know the feelings within your heart.
Each moment of life holds some unknown danger,
my son. But love and happiness are found rarely. If
she goes away, she will take the heart of Blazing Star
with her; what good is a fierce warrior without a
heart? Unless you love Tamaha more than life itself,
do not go after her. But if your love is such a love, you
are a fool to lose her."

Blazing Star's gaze shifted from the retreating
group to Sun Cloud, time and again. His decision
would be irrevocable. Finally his gaze settled on
Miranda's back as it became smaller. Soon, his love
and heart would be out of his reach. He raced to his
horse and mounted determinedly. He galloped after
her, shouting her name.

In her pensive state, Miranda heard nothing, and
Marie was compelled to shake her daughter's arm to
gain her attention. "He pursues his true love," she
teased, pointing toward the warrior racing their way.
"Go and speak with him. We will wait nearby.
Whatever you decide, little one, I love you."

Miranda smiled and hugged her joyfully. She
kneed her pinto and pulled on the reins to turn him
around. With a radiant smile, she raced toward
Blazing Star as swiftly as he was moving toward her,
his splendid features lit with love.

When they met, he scooped her off her horse and sat her before him. He held her tightly in his arms. "I
love you, Tamaha. Stay and be my wife, the mother
of my children. When the time comes, we will ranch
if peace is refused my people. You must not leave me.
All you said was true. It will be hard and dangerous
for many suns. But you must share those suns and
moons with me. I was the one blinded by love and
fear for your safety. It was meant to be between us; I
cannot deny it or resist it. You are my life and breath,
the beating of my heart." Their eyes met, their gazes
misty and rapturous.

He had spoke in English, but she vowed her love in
Sioux.-- Waste cedake. Ni-ye mitawa."

Exuberant laughter filled the air. "Yes, my love, I
am yours, as you are mine." His mouth closed over
hers as they hugged each other fiercely.

Joe and Marie Lawrence watched the romantic
scene, then exchanged knowing smiles. The road to
happiness would be rough but the lovers would
travel it happily.

Reis was consumed with relief and pleasure at the
sight before him, only wishing that Amanda were
beside him to witness this delightful scene. He knew
that he and Amanda shared a love as powerful as that
of Blazing Star and Miranda Tamaha Lawrence. He
was eager to complete this last mission and more
than ready to settle down with his beloved wife and
their eagerly awaited child. He had not decided yet if
they would live in Virginia or Texas; that was a
choice to be made with his wife. Perhaps a large
ranch run by brothers-in-law was an idea to ponder ... Yes, the twins would be close to each
other. And Reis could think of no better partner and
friend than the proud warrior. Perhaps he would
speak with Blazing Star before he left the Dakota
Territory ...

As Miranda snuggled into her lover's bronze
embrace and returned his passionate kisses, Joseph
Lawrence grinned and sighed tranquilly. Each of his
daughters had faced warring winds from within and
without. Each had discovered love and happiness
with the one man who could fulfill her destiny and
dreams. Watching the compelling scene before him,
Joe concluded that his two daughters had chosen
exceedingly well. He was proud of them and he loved
them deeply.

Joe knew the conflicts between North and South,
Indian and white, were far from over. But the raging
winds of Fate had swirled into gentle breezes for his
two daughters, and for his cherished love, his
Morning Star ...

As many readers are eager to learn more about the
lives and fates of real characters used in novels, and
often such information is difficult or impossible to
locate, the author of this tale will discuss the major
historical characters and their roles in history
following the end of this story in the autumn of 1873.

In mid 1874, Custer was sent on an exploratory
expedition into the sacred Black Hills of South
Dakota. In 1875, Philip Sheridan planned and
initiated the Plains campaign to finalize the white
conquest and the United States Government ordered
that all Indians be confined to reservations by
January of 1876. Lieutenant Frederick Grant, son of
the current President, became a party to the "gold
craze" exploitation of the Black Hills; thus, the
crucial Laramie Treaty of 1868 was broken when
countless prospectors, miners, settlers, and opportunists poured into that area and defiled the sacred and burial grounds.

The Indian/White conflicts and hostilities
mounted rapidly and ominously during 1875 and
early 1876. In June of 1876, Custer and his regiment
rode to the Little Bighorn Mountains in Montana to
attack the Sioux encampment there, little suspecting
the awesome force awaiting them. Custer's regiment
of approximately six hundred men was rashly and
fatally divided into three units-units commanded
by Captain Benteen, Major Reno, and Colonel
Custer. Custer did not wait for the regiments of
Crook, Terry, and Gibbon to assist in what was to be
his final battle. Tragically, Custer rode with only
several hundred men into the waiting arms of
thousands of Indians, mainly Sioux and Cheyenne.
In less than one hour, Custer and his unit were slain.

This monumental battle was led by Crazy Horse
and many other chiefs. Sitting Bull, Gall, Two
Moons, and Hump were a few of the illustrious
warriors present. After the stunning Indian victory
which would be recorded in history as "Custer's Last
Stand," Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull were hunted
with a vengeance. These two leaders held the power
to choose continual warfare or peace, but it would be
peace without honor.