Sweet Savage Heart (8 page)

Lone Wolf eyed the mixed-blooded male with renewed interest. The man’s eyes and statements were startingly direct and confident. There was an air about Travis that could cause other men to be consumed with fear or to feel challenged. Yet Lone Wolf was not a man of fear or rashness. Seemingly without trying, the white man had used a tone of voice that suggested he was capable of challenging and defeating almost any foe or peril. Lone Wolf’s mind filled with respect for the other man. Yes, he recalled this half-white warrior and his legendary prowess. He knew Travis was speaking the truth and was offering him a tempting path to help his people. Was this the path of destiny that had been calling to his sister for many years? Should he force her feet upon it? He glanced at Nathan Crandall and requested,
“Lel usi yo.”

Travis told Nathan, “He wants you to come over here. Don’t worry, Nate; he can be trusted. Nothing’s settled yet, but he’s willing to discuss a trade.” Travis quickly revealed the warrior’s identity, his rank, and the fact that Soaring Hawk was dead. Nathan stepped forward to join them. The two white men stood side by side eyeing the powerful chief.

Lone Wolf slipped from his horse’s back. To convince
his warriors that there was no danger and to express his lack of fear to the white men, he rested his lance and shield on a nearby rock, then removed his bow and quiver to place them with his discarded weapons. He faced them and, as he did so, instantly decided that his sister favored the older man, especially in the coloring of the eyes. In fluent English, Lone Wolf inquired casually, “What will you do if I refuse to bargain with my sister’s freedom? Our peoples are at war.”

“If you do not accept our offer in exchange for Rana, I will try to steal her from your tepee. If I fail, her grandfather will bargain with the Army to fight for her release. Do not force me to battle my brothers for what we know is right for all concerned.”

“What if I order my warriors to slay you and your father friend? Why do you not challenge for Wild Wind in the Lakota way?”

Travis gently seized Nathan’s arm and shook his head in warning when the older man started to interrupt. He smiled affectionately and encouragingly at him, then answered the warrior in Oglala for privacy. “My friend’s protection and happiness come first in my heart, for he has given me love and acceptance as no other has. I am as his son. It would pain him deeply to cause my death while seeking the return of his loved one. He is getting old and needs me at his side. If I challenge for her, then she is mine, not her grandfather’s. I seek to marry no woman until love is a strong bond between us. We came under truce. If you slay us, your face would be stained with dishonor. If I challenge for Wild Wind, her bargain price and all it buys will be lost to you and your people. Accept our offer, Lone Wolf, for we will not leave the Dakota Territory without her. You must trust me. If I were a man of lost honor and hate, I would have entrapped and slain you and your warriors.”

Lone Wolf grinned, for he knew Travis could have and
would have done exactly as he had said, and probably would have succeeded. The warrior was cunning and astute. He knew Travis’s words were not a threat; they were a sincere warning, a statement of fact. He could tell that the two white men were determined to regain the white girl who had lived as his sister for ten winters. Lone Wolf knew he could refuse Nathan’s and Travis’s demands and offers, that he could slay both men. But these were men of courage and honor, despite their white skin, and they were offering something his people needed desperately.

Lone Wolf sat and crossed his legs. He had many responsibilities on his shoulders. He needed a clear head for planning their defense against the awesome white attack that was sure to come soon. Worries over his sister constantly clouded his reason and provoked his anger and impatience. He needed the weapons, supplies, and money that Nathan was offering for her recovery. He needed Wild Wind’s future settled. Undeniably, Wild Wind was Rana Michaels, and Rana was white. Perhaps she belonged with her true family, away from these conflicts between the Indian and white man. Perhaps the Great Spirit had sent this solution to him, for White Eagle had lived in both worlds and could help his sister adjust to her old life. Lone Wolf could not help but wonder what Wild Wind would say and do. Perhaps, he mused, it would be best for all if White Eagle and Wild Wind were joined…

Travis sat down before Lone Wolf. Black eyes locked with green ones. Travis could tell that the warrior was considering his offer seriously. Yet an air of mystery and a hint of amusement exuded from the warrior, which he tried to comprehend. Travis pressed his advantage by reiterating why Rana should be sent home and why Lone Wolf needed to accept their bargain. Recalling a fact mentioned earlier, he inquired, “Has the joining
ceremony been announced for Rana and Rides-Like-Thunder? Is that why you hesitate or refuse to bargain?”

The chief answered candidly, “Many have asked for Wild Wind, but she has rejected all warriors. She threatens to leave our camp if I force her to join on the full moon. She bluffs Lone Wolf; she has no place to go that offers safety and happiness, and she is too proud to disobey before the eyes of our people. She is to choose her mate or leave by the Sun Dance, or I will bind her to my Cheyenne friend. What if my sister refuses to go with her grandfather? What if she chooses Rides-Like-Thunder or another warrior over him?”

Travis smiled at the amusing and strangely pleasing revelations. “She has been raised Oglala, Lone Wolf; she will obey the commands of her chief and brother. Do not give her a choice. Order her to return home with Nathan. Explain the bargain to her; ask her to sacrifice herself for the survival of her Oglala brother and people.” Lone Wolf winced and frowned noticeably. “Such a brave and unselfish deed should make her proud and happy, perhaps earn her a tribal feast and
coup,
perhaps a special medicine wheel for her fiery hair,” Travis suggested cleverly.

Lone Wolf laughed. He recalled how she had earned her last one by defiantly trailing a hunting party, then warning them of a white ambush in time to crush their foes. “White Eagle has not forgotten the ways of the fox,” the warrior remarked, complimenting his cunning. He liked this half-white male, who he was beginning to think might make a good match for his sister. “Wild Wind was raised Oglala, but she carries white blood that makes her stubborn and defiant, as White Eagle was long ago. You have changed, my Hunkpapa friend. You have found peace and honor and acceptance in your new life. Would it be the same for my sister? Can you make her white again? Can I force her to obey me in this? Many
times her Indian heart wars with her white skin. If she does not remember her grandfather, she will not wish to return to him. She might fear leaving with strangers to go far from the people she knows and loves. In truth, she desires to be a warrior, not a woman. If I agree to your trade, White Eagle, do you have the strength, cunning, and patience to tame a wild wind for her grandfather?”

Travis scowled in annoyance, dreading to learn if Rana had inherited any of her mother’s bad traits or if she were anything like the twenty-eight-year-old Clarissa Caldwell, who could pass for twenty-three. Considering their personalities, it was no wonder those two Texas vixens had become close friends during Marissa’s last few visits home, even though Marissa had been ten years older than Clarissa. Lordy, even their names rhymed! he reflected sardonically. It still surprised Travis that Harrison Caldwell’s daughter had not persuaded Marissa to stay home and get rid of Raymond Michaels. From what Nathan had told him, the two women had stuck together during that last visit like a tick to a calf’s ear. No doubt Rana and Clarissa would take to each other just as rapidly and tightly. His mind ceased its foolish ramblings. “I was afraid she was named accurately. It sounds to me like I’ll be taking a problem off your hands. If you release her to us, I’ll do whatever is necessary to get her home and get rid of that rebellious streak. Perhaps a good spanking will work magic on her. That’s one white man’s custom I heartily approve of.”

Lone Wolf shook his dark head. “If she leaves with you, you must be kind and patient with her, White Eagle. Have you forgotten how hard it was for you to leave and to change?” he reminded Travis knowingly. “She is my sister and she is Oglala. I must speak with my council before I give you my answer. Come, you will wait and sleep in my tepee. Do not speak of this matter to my sister or to others. She will feel betrayed by our exchange. She
does not agree with trading for another person as is done with wives and captives. If we vote to keep her, you must leave in peace as you came. Do not force us to slay good white men, for they are few and we count them friends.”

“I cannot agree to leave without her, Lone Wolf, for I have given my promise to return her to her home and grandfather. Do not force me to battle for her. All Oglala warriors and their brave chief are needed to fight a real enemy, not their friend White Eagle.”

Lone Wolf pictured himself addressing his council on this matter. He would explain his warring emotions and predicament to the wise and heroic men who sometimes made him feel too young and ignorant to be sitting around the same council fire with them. But he could not make such a crucial and troubling decision by himself. He would ask for the opinions and reactions of each member. He would listen carefully to each reply, then allow each member to cast a vote on whether or not to accept White Eagle’s offer. With wry amusement he reflected that the council discussion and vote would be different if the young, unmated warriors of the tribe were deliberating and deciding Wild Wind’s fate. He was glad he had not mentioned his imminent decision about enforced marriage to his Cheyenne friend and relieved that Soaring Hawk was not alive to confront his heartrending dilemma. If the vote went as he expected, he would have to convince his sister of his love for her and his desire to do what was best for all concerned, including her.

No one spoke as Lone Wolf continued his silent study of the situation. The Oglala chief concluded that perhaps it was an ironic form of justice that a white man’s money and help would clear the tangled path to survival for his people. But there were dangers and obstacles to consider. The council might believe this was a bluecoat trick and order White Eagle and his friend put to death. The
council could vote to keep Wild Wind or to allow her to make her own choice. The council could vote to torture the white men until they turned over the much-needed money for supplies and weapons. Or the council could vote to trick White Eagle into getting the supplies and weapons before slaying them. Even as chief, once he went before the council, he could not go against their vote.

To prevent Nathan from hearing his words, Lone Wolf responded in his native tongue. “If the council votes against you, then we will speak of such matters. Come to my camp, I will call the council together. My head and heart belong to this problem and it confuses them. Others must help make this decision. Tell White Eagle’s friend to camp here with my warriors until the new sun glows in the sky. He does not know our ways and might interfere or offend. He is eager and afraid; he may speak words I do not wish others to hear. He is white. His words and presence could endanger two lives and our bargain.”

After Travis nodded understanding and agreement, Lone Wolf advised, “There is danger for you and your friend, White Eagle, if the council thinks you speak or act falsely. Do not enter my camp if you are afraid to face death or cannot keep your word. You know our ways; the council’s word is law even for their chief.”

“I fear no one and nothing except dishonor, Lone Wolf.”

“Speak to your friend; then we ride for my camp.”

Travis sat in Lone Wolf’s tepee awaiting the outcome of the council meeting, which had been going on for over an hour. It was near the eating time and Wild Wind had not appeared to prepare her brother’s meal. Travis wondered if Lone Wolf had ordered her to stay out of the tepee until his return. He was edgy, for there had been an
undercurrent in Lone Wolf’s voice and manner that he had been unable to grasp. Yet he did not feel as if the warrior would deceive or betray him. He only wished he felt the same way about his council and tribe.

Time dragged on and Travis’s tension mounted. Lone Wolf had not confined him to this tepee, but he wanted to be here when the girl arrived. He wanted to study her privately, to see what he and Nathan would be in for if they secured her release. He was annoyed by his anxiety and lack of patience. Had he forgotten that part of his Indian upbringing? Evidently Wild Wind had, for it was her duty to care for her brother’s tepee and needs, and those of his guests.

The village noises became muffled by the buffalo hides forming the Oglala dwellings, for most had gone inside their tepees for the evening meal. Eating at this early hour would allow time for final chores before darkness claimed the settlement.

For the countless time, Travis glanced at the closed flap of the tepee, unaware that his impatience actually had to do with wanting to meet Rana Michaels before Lone Wolf’s return. He had not been able to get her image out of his mind since his eyes had touched on it. If she did not come home soon, the fading light would deny him a good look at her, for it was too warm to build a fire inside the tepee this early.

Travis decided to take a short walk to the nearby river to freshen up and to revive himself. Just as he reached the tepee entrance, the flap was thrown aside and Wild Wind ducked to rush inside, slamming her head into Travis’s hard chest. Both were caught off balance and tumbled to the ground with exclamations of surprise. Wild Wind landed atop the man in buckskins who was struggling to keep her from being injured from the ramming and fall. An abundance of fiery hair spilled over Travis’s face and chest like soft hay falling from a loft and
covering him. His senses went spinning at her nearness and her fragrance.

Wild Wind instantly realized it was not her brother she had bumped into and landed upon. She lifted her head and stared at the grinning man beneath her. The smoothly tan face that filled her vision was breathtakingly handsome. In a flurry of observations she noticed the red band secured across his forehead and the wisps of deep brown hair playing over it, which danced in the breeze of her rapid respiration. Her eyes took in his full lips, the tiny cleft in the center of his chin, the strength of his stubbled jawline, those incredibly green eyes that sparkled as they watched her, and teeth that flashed shockingly white against his darkly tanned features. She noted that a
wanapin
with Lakota markings had slipped from beneath his clean, chamois-colored shirt and now rested near the hollow of his throat.