According to Legend (20 page)

“Will that ease your conscience?” I knew it was a low blow but I was so angry now I couldn’t stop myself.

“Yes, no, I don’t know. That has nothing to do with it. I just want to do the right thing by you now, Pam.” He raked his hand through his shaggy hair.

“I’m going to the service station now to get my car,” I said as I reached for my purse.

“I’m going to follow you and I am paying the bill. I insist.”

“Whatever.”

“Come on, Pam. Don’t do this.”

I ignored him, grabbed the car keys, and said, “Let’s go, Half-Breed. Come on, boy.”

David followed me to the service station in his truck and he did pay the bill. I thought it was the least he could do considering all I had been through. I was angry, and allowing him to pay the bill made me feel better, although I could see that he was trying to make things right and prove himself to me.

I pulled out of the service station parking lot and headed to my house. When I looked into my rearview mirror, I was surprised to find that David had turned in the opposite direction. As I drove the short distance home, I was thankful that the service manager’s call preempted the hiking trip with David and was thankful he had chosen not to follow me back to my house. “I guess we’ll go on that hike another day, Half-Breed.”

That’s okay, Princess. We have other things to concentrate on.

We do?

Yes. Aren’t you going to see about using the treasures from the cave to pay the debt?

Oh, yes. I almost forgot about all those trinkets. That was your idea, too, wasn’t it?

Yes. Perhaps gold or jewels will have value in this realm of time.

Half-Breed, you wouldn’t believe how valuable those things have become over the centuries.

Do you think it will be enough to release the debt?

There’s only one way to find out. Tomorrow we’ll get it all appraised.

That night, in my dream I was with the People but they were all busy preparing for some sort of celebration and Moheeladeck was overseeing the construction of additional lodges. The men arranged the branches to form the structure of the lodges while the women covered the structures with bark. Other women were busy gathering what little remained in the gardens and still others preparing a feast. Great fires were burning and the enticing aroma of roasting meat filled the air.

When he saw me approaching, Moheeladeck came to greet me. He put his arms around me and his kiss brushed my lips.

“What’s going on?” I asked, distracted by the heat of his touch.

“Today we will be visited by a tribe of our brothers from the far north, the Iroscotay. They seek permission to pass through our lands as they travel to their winter encampment far to the south. They will take a meal with us and spend the night before they continue on their journey.”

“I see. They must be pretty important for you to go to all this trouble.”

“We will help our brothers on their journey just as they would help us if we were moving through their lands.”

“What can I do to help?” Lightheartedness and happiness filled me at the thought of helping in the physical labors that tribal life required.

“Weekatay has some baskets which must be filled with corn and beans. We will give this to the travelers for sustenance on their journey.”

I nodded and went to help Weekatay. She took great pride in the colorful baskets she wove and helping her fill them with the bounty of our harvest would be a delight. She always had wonderful stories to tell.

Before long, our scout, Narwanee, came running into the village with word that the visiting tribe was approaching and would soon be entering our lands. The People scurried about in final preparation for the visitors. It wasn’t long after Narwanee’s announcement that the scout from the visiting tribe entered our village.

I went to stand beside Moheeladeck, to welcome our brothers. He presented Moheeladeck with furs, a gift sent from his Chief to the Great and Generous Chief Moheeladeck, in thanks for allowing the visitors to pass through our lands. Moheeladeck accepted the gift and sent word of thanks and welcome to the Chief of the Iroscotay Tribe.

When they entered our village, I was immediately drawn to the striking differences in this tribe’s appearance. The visiting Iroscotay Chief and braves wore the same deerskin leggings that our warriors wore, but their tunics were made of rich luxurious fur. Even the women were clothed in capes of this rich fur. But the differences were not limited just to what they wore. This tribe from the far northern regions had blond hair and blue eyes, not much like the Indians most people would imagine.

Moheeladeck greeted their Chief as if he were a long lost brother. Then turning to us he made the proper introductions. First he introduced Emanudeck, then Weekatay, and then he turned to introduce me. I studied the face of the visiting Chief. He had deep blue eyes that seemed to burn into my soul.

“And this is Takshawee,” Moheeladeck said. “Our Tribal Princess, and my lovely bride.”

The visiting Chief’s stare remained on me. He had full sensual lips and a brilliant smile that would have melted the North Pole. This was all too familiar.

Moheeladeck then turned to me. “This is Divakar, the Chief of the Iroscotay, our brothers from the far North.”

Good God, wasn’t that the name David had mentioned being called in his dreams? I stared at him. The face was slightly different, but those eyes and that smile were . . . David! He took my hands into his and gazed into my eyes. As soon as we touched, memories flooded me. Memories of David kissing me in his truck. Memories of his words,
I would die for you, Pam
.
I’m in love with you
. My hands shook as near panic rose in me. I tried to force myself to remain calm.

“Greetings, Princess,” he said.

I could only smile as I quickly drew my hands away from his.

“Come, let us rest here and take some food.”

Moheeladeck’s voice rescued me from the uncomfortable moment.

We sat on logs around the central fire with our guests. This feast before us reminded me of a Thanksgiving meal. Roasted wild turkey and pheasants, squash, corn, potatoes, and even stuffing made of ground corn, nuts, and berries. We all sat together and the tribes intermingling were like extended family, however, through the entire evening I felt Divakar’s eyes on me burning into me like hot coals. Although I was aware of his stare, I talked and laughed with all the People. But I sensed him continuing to watch me and couldn’t ignore the catcher vibrating softly over my heart.

I had to put aside this feeling. I was the wife of the Chief of the Aloscotay People and had to make our guests feel welcome, despite how self-conscious their Chief made me feel. Many times throughout the evening I looked up only to find my gaze being met by the depths of his smoldering blue eyes. Moheeladeck leaned closer to me and whispered, “Is something upsetting you, my love?”

“No,” I said. “I just want to be sure our guests’ needs are met. I do not want to cause you embarrassment.”

He smiled down at me, love shining in his eyes. “Our People love you and it appears our visitors are quite taken with you as well,” he whispered in my ear.

He is teasing me
, I thought,
and he’s enjoying it
. Apparently he hadn’t missed the way Divakar was looking at me. Half-Breed’s words from long ago in another time came to my mind.
He looks at you like a starving dog.
I tried to focus, to continue to smile and nod when appropriate, but I was finding it difficult.

After the meal, there was much talk of the migration south and Moheeladeck asked Divakar what our tribe could offer that would bring the best trade in the south. With the two Chiefs engrossed in conversation, I excused myself and went to help Weekatay prepare the bedding for our guests.

“What troubles you, daughter?” she asked, as we unrolled the mats and furs in the newly built lodges.

“What makes you think something troubles me?” I asked.

“You have said little tonight and it is not like you to be silent. Does Divakar make you uncomfortable?”

“Yes,” I answered, realizing I couldn’t hide my true feelings from Weekatay.

She chuckled. “He certainly seems quite taken with you.”

“He is aware that I am wed to Moheeladeck.”

“Yes, but to some that makes little difference.”

We were joined then by a few of the younger women of our tribe, who were hoping to make good matches with the single young men of the Iroscotay tribe, and some of them even had their sights set on the handsome Chief. It was amusing to listen to them. It reminded me of high school, so long ago for me, but it struck me as funny that the ways of teen girls had changed so little over the centuries.

Later, around the fire pit, there was much storytelling and spirited dance. Soon the fires were burning low.

I sat on the log next to Moheeladeck and Divakar sat directly across from me. I leaned sleepily against my husband’s shoulder. I’d had a very long day and fought to keep my eyes open.

“We cannot go to our lodge before our guests are all settled in and ready to retire also,” Moheeladeck whispered.

“I’m sorry. I’m not being a very good hostess,” I murmured and attempted to hide a yawn behind my hand.

“It appears your bride is eager to seek the comfort of your lodge,” Divakar said as he stood and approached Moheeladeck.

Moheeladeck rose and I with him.

Divakar took Moheeladeck’s hands in his as he said, “Perhaps it is time that we all find sleep. My tribe will be leaving at sunrise. We have a long journey and you have been most kind to accommodate us. I will leave before the light and will not see you again, so let me thank you now for allowing us to pass through your lands and for providing such a bountiful feast for my People. You and your lovely bride have been most gracious. I will go on ahead with my scout and a few men to reach the lands we must next pass through, lands which belong to another tribe to the south. I want to be there to request passage, as is proper. Good night, my brother.”

“Good night, sleep well and good journey to you,” Moheeladeck said.

As Divakar made his way to the lodge we had prepared especially for him, he turned back. My eyes met his smoldering stare, and I could not avert my gaze. Then he turned and hurried into his lodge.

Moheeladeck took me by the hand, as he always did, and led me into our lodge. He held me close and whispered, “I’m sure that by the time Divakar reaches his winter encampment, the tale of the beauty of our Tribal Princess will be legendary.”

“Oh yes, until he comes to the next village. Then his tale will be of the legend of the beauty of their Princess.”

Moheeladeck laughed as he leaned down to kiss me. “You are not only a beautiful woman but also a wise woman, my love.”

“I’m a tired woman,” I said, placing my head upon his shoulder.

“Then let us take rest. We have prepared all the items for the Iroscotay to take south for trade, and tomorrow morning we will see them off. In their trek back through our lands in the spring, they will bring us many beautiful and useful things. Our woven baskets will bring good trade in the south.” He held me close and whispered, “And I have asked Divakar to look for something especially beautiful as my gift to you.”

“You are so kind to me,” I said with a yawn.

“You are very tired. Let us sleep.”

As we snuggled under the furs, he held me close, his heart beating in time with mine and our breathing was as one. He gently rubbed my back and soon I feel into a deep sleep.

It seemed that I had just closed my eyes and it was already morning. The sun hadn’t really risen, but the birds were chirping and the sky was just beginning to lighten. There was a lot of work to do in loading up the items Divakar’s tribe would take. I wanted to help our People as much as possible and was grateful that Divakar would already be gone.

I knew I couldn’t really wake up without a morning shower and realized with regret that I wouldn’t get a hot shower here. I lay under the furs thinking that perhaps if I went down to the stream to splash some cold water on my face, I would feel better. Moheeladeck was barely awake. He rolled over and pulled me into his embrace.

“Good morning,” he whispered as he kissed my forehead.

“Good Morning,” I said, snuggling into the warmth of his body.

“Do you feel well rested?”

“I feel like I need a hot shower.”

He chuckled. “From what I recall of your shower, I think I would like that as well.”

I giggled. He leaned closer and kissed me gently. “I know we have a busy morning before the visiting tribe will leave us, but do you think it would be possible for me to go down to the stream to wash?”

“Yes, I will make arrangements for a guard to take you.”

“No. Don’t take others away from the work that’s necessary here just to watch me wash my face. I’ll be fine.”

“Take Half-Breed with you,” he said. “Half-Breed!”

The wolf stuck his head into our lodge. “Take Takshawee to the stream so that she can wash.”

The wolf bowed his head in agreement.

We both got up and quickly dressed. We agreed to meet at the central fire pit later.

The early morning air was crisp and clear. I stood at the edge of the stream and took a deep breath. Kneeling, I dipped my hands into the cool water and splashed my face. It was so refreshing that I longed to feel its coolness upon my skin. Removing my moccasins, I lifted my skirt and waded into the stream. The cool water swirled around my bare legs. I closed my eyes and felt one with the earth. I was unaware of anyone or anything around me and I didn’t hear the Iroscotay scout when he approached. Half-Breed’s bark warned me. Startled, I turned. “Oh, Half-Breed, it’s okay. It’s a friend,” I said, looking at the tall muscular blond man standing before me.

“I’m sorry to disturb you, Takshawee. Moheeladeck has asked me to send the wolf back and to wait here to escort you back to the village.”

I had no reason to doubt the scout or question my husband, so I told Half-Breed to go, and, of course, the wolf obeyed.

I made my way out of the stream and was leaning over to put my moccasins on. That was the last thing I remember before the sharp pain in my head and everything going black.

When I regained consciousness, I found I was slung over a man’s shoulder and being carried at a rapid pace, nearly a run. I tried to lift my head to see where we were going, but the pain in my neck and head was intense. I tried to lift my hands to touch my throbbing head, but found they had been tied behind my back. The warm stickiness of blood ran down my forehead.

I vaguely recalled bending over to put on my moccasins.
Wasn’t the scout of the visiting tribe there? Wasn’t he supposed to protect me, or was he the one that hit me? What danger had befallen me? Who was this person carrying me and where was he taking me?

I didn’t know how long it had been since I blacked out. I looked to the side to try to figure out where we were. I saw moss on the trees.
Moss grows on the north side of trees, I think, so we appeared to be heading south.

“Hey,” I screamed as I began thrashing and kicking. “Who are you and where are you taking me?”

He didn’t answer me nor did he break his stride. I started to scream for help, but was pretty sure no one could hear me.
How could I have been so stupid as to let Half-Breed leave me?
Moheeladeck would be looking for me soon. It seemed that we were traveling for a very long time when I realized that we had changed direction and were no longer headed south.

Then it dawned on me that as soon as I had the opportunity, I would use the catcher to escape. I would merely touch it and order it to send me to Moheeladeck. That thought calmed me and I stopped thrashing.