Forbidden Fires (22 page)

It took only a few minutes to gather an armful of wood and then, with a heavy sigh, she returned to Rainbow Woman’s lodge.

It was just after noon when the women began to play a game. Each woman had four sticks that were blackened with charcoal on one side and white on the other. Caitlyn stood behind the players, trying to discover the object of the game. After several rounds, she realized that when all four sticks were thrown and came up black, the player won two points, all white was one point, and mixed colors were zero. She was surprised to find that the Indian women were avid gamblers, wagering robes, moccasins, and household goods on a single throw.

As the betting grew heavier, a couple of warriors joined the group and the game grew louder and more intense.

As time passed, Caitlyn noticed that one of the warriors often looked her way. She saw him whisper to Summer Wind, who nodded. The warrior looked up at Caitlyn and smiled and Caitlyn felt a sudden chill.

Her uneasiness increased when the warrior left the circle, then returned leading a fine bay mare. He pointed at Caitlyn and then at the horse, and though Caitlyn could not understand what he said to Summer Wind, she knew that he was wagering his horse on the next throw. If he lost, Summer Wind would have a new horse; if he won, he would have a new slave.

Summer Wind glanced over her shoulder at the white woman. Dare she accept Tonkalla’s wager? She quickly weighed Stalking Wolf’s anger against the prospect of ridding herself of the white woman. The fact that Caitlyn did not belong to her was of no consequence. She was white, the enemy.

Summer Wind turned back to Tonkalla. “It is a bet,” she said, and tossed the sticks on the ground.

Caitlyn murmured, “Oh, no,” as all four sticks came up white.

A muscle worked in Tonkalla’s jaw as he took his turn. It seemed to Caitlyn that the sticks fell in slow motion. The warrior loosed a loud cry of victory as all four of his sticks showed black. He had won.

Caitlyn shook her head as he walked toward her. “No,” she said, backing away from him. “I don’t belong to you.”

Panic rose within her, shattering her outward calm, as the warrior laid his hand on her arm. “No!” she screamed. “Leave me alone!”

Summer Wind jumped to her feet and handed the warrior a strip of rawhide.

“No,” Caitlyn sobbed as the warrior bound her hands behind her back. “No, you don’t understand. I’m Rafe’s wife.”

But her protests were in vain. The warrior did not understand English so her words meant nothing. She struggled in vain as he dragged her through the camp toward his lodge and pushed her inside.

Caitlyn fell to the floor, unable to break her fall with her hands bound behind her back. Scrambling to her knees, she scooted to the rear of the lodge, her heart pounding with fear, but the warrior did not approach her. Instead, gesturing for her to stay there, he returned to the game.

The hours passed slowly. Each time she heard footsteps nearing the lodge, her heart lurched in dreadful anticipation, but no one entered the lodge. She could hear the Indians as they went about their business—women laughing, calling to their children, the high-pitched shrieks of young girls at play, the shouts of the boys, the soft cry of a baby. Dogs seemed to be barking constantly. Frightened, she closed her eyes and prayed that Rafe would come back soon.

The hunt was a success. Shinte Galeska had found a small herd of buffalo grazing in a meadow not far from the village and the warriors chased the herd, each man bringing down one or more of the huge shaggy beasts.

Rafe had loved every minute of it, the thrill of the hunt, the exhilaration of the chase. It had been exciting, following
pte
again, feeling the surging power of the horse beneath him, hearing the sibilant hiss of the bowstring as he let an arrow fly, and lifting his voice in the age-old cry of victory as he brought down a prime cow.

The warriors had feasted on the choice parts of the buffalo, smacking their lips at the taste of fresh liver and tongue. Because they had not brought any women along, the men skinned the carcasses and quartered the meat, which they then packed in the hides. There would be a big feast when they returned to the village, with singing and dancing and food for all.

Rafe was feeling jubilant as they rode into camp two days later. His eyes quickly scanned the lodges, looking for Caitlyn. But it was Summer Wind who came running to meet him, a smile of welcome on her face as she reached for the reins of his horse.

“The hunt was successful,” she remarked.

“Very. Where’s Caitlyn?”

Summer Wind lowered her gaze. “I have done a terrible thing,” she murmured.

“What are you talking about? What terrible thing?”

“I let Rainbow Woman talk me into playing the stick game,” she said, still not meeting his eyes. “One of the warriors offered a fine bay mare against the white woman. I was sure I would win and the horse would be mine. She was such a lovely mare. But…” Her voice died away. She could feel Stalking Wolf’s tension as he began to realize what she was saying, and suddenly the thought of facing his anger was more than she could bear.

“Go on,” Rafe said, dismounting.

“I lost.”

“Where is she?”

“Tonkalla has her in his lodge.”

“Damn!”

Rafe turned on his heel and started off across the camp.

“Where are you going?” Summer Wind called.

“To see if I can buy her back. Rate replied.

With an effort, he fought down his anger as he made his way to Tonkalla’s lodge. Taking a deep, calming breath, he scratched on the lodge cover.

“Enter,” Tonkalla invited, and ducked inside. He saw Caitlyn immediately. She was sitting in the back of the lodge, her hair mussed, her face drawn and pale, her eyes filled with apprehension. He shook his head slightly, warning her to keep still.

Tonkalla smiled at Rafe as he invited him to sit down.

“Are you hungry, my friend?” the warrior asked.

“Yes, a little,” Rafe replied, knowing it would be considered a breach of etiquette to refuse his host’s hospitality.

Tonkalla’s wife offered Rafe a slice of smoked buffalo meat and then left the lodge. Rafe ate without really tasting it, trying to decide how best to approach the reason for his visit.

Tonkalla offered Rafe his pipe next, and the two men smoked and then spoke of the hunt. There followed a lull in the conversation, and Tonkalla looked at Rafe expectantly.

Rafe cleared his throat. “I wish to buy back the white woman you won from Summer Wind,” he said, deciding the direct approach would be the best. “Summer Wind is jealous of the yellow-haired woman and she gambled her away without my permission.”

Tonkalla shook his head. “I do not wish to part with her. My woman, Little Deer, will give birth soon. Her mother has gone to the place of spirits, and I have no female relatives to help her. She will need a woman to help with the work after the child comes.”

Rafe nodded sympathetically. “I understand. But I have become very fond of the white woman. She is good beneath the buffalo robes.”

Tonkalla smiled, and Rafe cursed his choice of words. Telling the warrior that Caitlyn was good in bed was not the way to get her back. Most Indian men did not have intercourse with their wives until after a baby was weaned.

“That is another reason I desired to have the white woman,” Tonkalla admitted, sending Caitlyn a lust-filled glance. “A slave is less worrisome than a second wife, and more easily disposed of if she causes trouble.”

Rafe nodded, suddenly glad that Caitlyn did not understand the Cheyenne tongue. “I will give you my horse and rifle for the woman.”

Tonkalla frowned thoughtfully. A new rifle was tempting indeed, but not so tempting as the woman with pale skin and yellow hair.

“I will keep the woman,” the warrior decided, a note of finality in his voice.

Rafe swore under his breath. Rising, he glanced at Caitlyn, and then at Tonkalla. “May I speak to her?”

“Of course,” Tonkalla said generously. “I will leave you alone to say goodbye.”

“Le pila mita,”
Rafe murmured. “My thanks.”

When they were alone, Rafe knelt in front of Caitlyn, his hands cupping her shoulders. “Are you all right, Caty?”

She nodded, too close to tears to speak.

“Caty, I’m sorry.” He drew her into his arms and held her close, his hand lightly stroking her back. He could feel her trembling in his arms and he cursed Summer Wind for her treachery. “I tried to buy you back,” he said, “but Tonkalla refused.”

“You can’t mean to leave me here!” Caitlyn exclaimed.

“Of course not.” He held her tighter. “I’ll think of something, don’t worry. In the meantime, do whatever Tonkalla tells you.”

“Do you want me to sleep with him, too?” Caitlyn asked, pushing him away.

“Don’t be silly.”

“I’m not being silly. I’m scared. I want to go home, and I want to go now!”

“Caty, please be patient. I can’t just walk out of here and take you with me. Not now, not in broad daylight.”

“When?”

“Tonight if I can arrange it.”

Caitlyn nodded, her eyes filling with tears.

“I’ll get you out of here as soon as I can,” Rafe said quietly. “I promise.”

She didn’t say anything, only stood there gazing at him through eyes damp with tears. “Caty, Caty.” He took her in his arms and held her close. He could only imagine how frightened she had been in his absence. Guilt rose in his heart as he realized that while he had been out having a good time, she had been sitting in Tonkalla’s lodge, frightened and alone.

“I’d better go,” he said reluctantly. “Don’t be afraid. Tonkalla won’t hurt you.”

Caitlyn sniffed back her tears. “Tonight,” she reminded him. “I’ll be waiting.”

“I’ll come for you.” He kissed her then, savoring the sweet taste of her lips, knowing he would kill Tonkalla or any other man who dared touch her.

Stepping outside, Rafe saw Shinte Galeska striding toward him, a huge grin on his face. “My woman told me of your loss,” the warrior said, chuckling. “Two women in one lodge can be trouble sometimes, but Summer Wind seems to have solved it for you.”

“Yes,” Rafe agreed, forcing a grin.

Shinte Galeska slapped Rafe on the shoulder. “I know you were planning to leave us tomorrow, but you must stay for the feast. The women are preparing the food even now.”

Rafe nodded. He had no intention of leaving the Cheyenne camp without Caitlyn.

Chapter Seventeen

Caitlyn sat outside her captor’s lodge, the remains of a meal in a shallow bowl on the ground beside her. The Indian food was palatable, if different, but her mind was not on food. The women had been cooking all day and now, with the feasting over, the Indians were dancing and singing and generally having a good time. The babies and toddlers had all been put to bed, the older children could be seen playing on the outskirts of the adult circle. Several men were engaged in a boisterous dice game off to one side, while a number of young maidens strolled around the camp, showing off in their new finery.

But Caitlyn had eyes only for Rafe. She was seeing him through new eyes as he made himself at home in the Indian village. He seemed to belong here, among these dusky-toned people. Time and again she wondered what she would do if he decided to stay. And time and again she reassured herself that such a thing would never happen. Rafe loved her. She knew it, even though he had never said the words. He would not leave her at the mercy of another man.

Summer Wind hovered near Rafe, smiling at him, touching him, openly admiring him, and Caitlyn felt her jealousy flare. Rafe was only a man, after all. How long could he gaze into Summer Wind’s adoring eyes and not be moved? How many times could Summer Wind smile at him, caress him, before he took what she was so boldly offering?

Caitlyn closed her eyes, unable to watch the two of them any longer. She gave a strangled sob as images of Summer Wind and Rafe sharing the same bed within a dark lodge played across her mind.

In desperation, she tugged against the rope that bound her hands, but it only caused her pain as the rawhide bit into her wrists. Tears flooded her eyes and she bowed her head so no one could see her weeping.

Lost in misery, she uttered a sharp cry when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

“Caty.”

Joy filled her whole being at the sound of his voice.

Rafe swore under his breath when he saw the tears glistening in Caitlyn’s eyes. Cupping her face in his hands, he kissed her lightly and then, very gently, he wiped the tears from her cheeks with his fingertips.

“Don’t cry, Caty,” he murmured. “Please don’t cry.”

“I want to go home,” she pleaded. “You promised to come for me last night. Where were you?”

“I couldn’t get away. I waited until I thought everyone was asleep, but Summer Wind followed me out of the lodge.”

“Summer Wind! Summer Wind! I’m sick of that name, of her and your promises!”

“Dammit, Caty, be reasonable. I’m doing the best I can to get us both out of here with a whole skin. I don’t like this any more than you do, but Summer Wind is Shinte Galeska’s cousin and if she tells him the truth, I could be killed for being here, and then where would you be?”

Caitlyn was instantly contrite. He was right, of course, only it was so hard to be patient. So hard to bide her time when she was so frightened all the time.

“I’ll come for you tonight if I can, Caty. Please believe me.”

“I do. I’m sorry for what I said. You must think me an awful coward.”

“No, you’re doing fine. Just hang on.”

“I will.”

“Be still,” he said sharply, and stood up.

Caitlyn frowned, and then scowled blackly as she saw Summer Wind hurrying toward them.

“Oh, there you are,” Summer Wind said, smiling archly. She went to Rafe’s side and placed her hand on his arm. “I’m tired,” she said, speaking English for Caitlyn’s benefit. “Shall we go to bed?”

Rafe sent a pleading glance in Caitlyn’s direction, his dark eyes begging her to trust him.

“Come along, husband,” Summer Wind said, tugging on his arm. “It grows late.”

Rafe started to disengage her hand from his arm but then Tonkalla appeared out of the shadows. He nodded at Rafe, then grabbed Caitlyn by the arm and hauled her to her feet.

Caitlyn sent Rafe a look that tore at his heart before the warrior dragged her into the lodge.

“Shall we go, husband?” Summer Wind said sweetly.

“Shut up,” Rafe hissed. And at that moment, he didn’t know who he hated more, or the man who now owned Caty, or the woman who had made it possible.

Caitlyn scrambled to the rear of the lodge as Tonkalla pulled the flap closed. Thus far, he had not touched her, but she feared that was about to change.

Murmuring to her in his own tongue, the warrior walked toward her and when she tried to avoid him, he reached out and grabbed a handful of her hair. Dropping to his knees, he jerked her down beside him. His hands were rough as he ripped her shirt, his eyes hot as he admired her fine white skin and full breasts.

Caitlyn uttered a small cry as he yanked her skirt down and then dispensed with her underthings. She cringed as his hand slid down her thigh, then moved toward her breast.

Help came from an unexpected source. Shrieking like a banshee, Little Deer charged into the lodge, a stick in her hand. Screaming in Cheyenne, she pounded her husband’s back with the stick, berating him at the top of her lungs for trying to bed the white woman.

Covering his head, Tonkalla ran out of the lodge. Sweet relief washed through Caitlyn, and then she gasped with pain as the stick came down across her bare shoulders. Little Deer was shouting at her, obviously reviling her, warning her to stay away from her husband.

Caitlyn nodded, her shoulders stinging with pain where the woman had struck her.

When Little Deer’s anger subsided, she pushed Caitlyn to the ground and tossed a buffalo robe over her nakedness. Then, muttering to herself, Little Deer crawled under her own covers and closed her eyes.

Caitlyn smiled in the darkness. Thank goodness, Indian women were jealous, too!

Summer Wind pulled Stalking Wolf into the shadows. They never had a chance to be alone in Shinte Galeska’s lodge, but here, in the darkness, it was peaceful and quiet. And private.

“What are you doing?” Rafe asked as Summer Wind drew him deeper into the forest.

“Finding a place where we can be alone.”

“Why?”

“Do you not want to be alone with me?”

“Not now. I’ve got to find a way to get Caitlyn away from Tonkalla.”

“You do not need her,” Summer Wind said urgently placing her hands on his chest. “I will be your woman. We can stay here with our brothers, the Cheyenne. We could have a good life together.”

His eyes burning with rage, Rafe thrust Summer Wind from him. “Caitlyn is my wife,” he hissed. “I cannot abandon her.”

“She is not your wife any longer,” Summer Wind retorted. “She is Tonkalla’s slave now and nothing you can do will change it.”

“Is that so? Well, my conniving little vixen, I can always tell Shinte Galeska the truth, which is what I should have done in the first place.”

“Hah! He will be insulted if he learns that you have lied to him. Perhaps he will kill you. Perhaps he will kill us all.”

“I could easily kill you myself,” Rafe muttered irritably.

Summer Wind’s expression softened. “Let me be your wife, Stalking Wolf. I will do anything you ask.” She put her arms around him and kissed him, pressing herself against him so he could feel her breasts.

But all Rafe felt was disgust. His hands closed over her arms and he pushed her away. “That won’t work this time, Summer Wind. I’ve tasted your lying lips before, remember?”

“You will not change your mind? You will not stay here with me?”

“No.”

“Very well. I hope you do not regret it.”

“What the hell’s that supposed to mean?”

Summer Wind shook her head. She had asked him to stay with her, had practically begged him not to leave her for that pale-skinned woman. She would not ask again. Wordlessly, she left him standing there, her mind racing as she plotted her revenge.

Rafe gazed after her for a long moment, a sudden chill replacing the warmth of the night.

When he returned to Shinte Galeska’s lodge some twenty minutes later, he found Summer Wind, Shinte Galeska, and seven warriors waiting for him.

Rafe let out a long breath. Judging by the smug expression on Summer Wind’s face, and the grave look in the eyes of Shinte Galeska, he knew he was in trouble.

Shinte Galeska stepped forward and then Rafe noticed all the men were armed.

For a fleeting moment, he considered making a run for it, but there was no way he could outrun an arrow; no way he could leave Caitlyn when there was still a chance, however slight, that he could get her away from Tonkalla.

He did not resist when one of the warriors tied his hands behind his back, then relieved him of the knife he carried on his belt.

“Come,” Shinte Galeska said curtly, and led the way toward the chief’s lodge.

All the high-ranking warriors of the tribe were present in the lodge of Two Moons when Rafe and his escort arrived. The low murmur of voices subsided as Shinte Galeska and the other Cheyenne sat down, leaving Rafe standing in the center of the lodge, alone.

He stood straight, his head high and proud, as his gaze slowly swept the lodge.

The council listened attentively as Shinte Galeska stood up, and in a voice laced with conviction, accused the warrior known as Stalking Wolf of having willfully violated the laws of the People. He explained the reason why Stalking Wolf had been banished from the Lakota, then went on to say that not only was Stalking Wolf guilty of killing one of the People, but that he had lied to the Cheyenne, as well, by claiming the woman Summer Wind was his wife, when, in truth, he had kidnapped her and the white woman from Fort Laramie.

Rafe swore under his breath, quietly damning Summer Wind for having concocted such an outrageous lie.

He thought briefly of calling her a liar, of demanding that they summon her to the lodge and make her tell her lies to his face, but such a move would gain him nothing. The council would not be inclined to take his word over Summer Wind’s.

His jaw tightened as the council deliberated his fate. There were three choices available to them, they could kill him, punish him physically, or let him go.

He knew, by the stern expressions on the faces of the assembled warriors, that they would not let him go.

He held his breath as the chief of the tribe stood up.

“Stalking Wolf, you have heard the accusations against you. Have you anything to say?”

Rafe shook his head. What
could
he say? He
had
been banished from the People, he could not deny the most serious of the charges.

“Tomorrow, at dawn, you will be stripped naked and whipped out of camp.”

“Damn.” The single word, softly spoken, carried a wealth of frustration.

Whipped out of camp.
Not only would it be painful, but humiliating as well. It was a severe punishment, one he had escaped at the hands of the Lakota only because he had not killed Hump Back Bear in cold blood. He had not expected the Cheyenne to impose it upon him now. He would have to run the gauntlet and survive so that, somehow, he could come back for Caitlyn.

Summer Wind was standing outside when Rafe followed Shinte Galeska out of the chief’s lodge. Their eyes met briefly, and Rafe could almost hear the sound of her vindictive laughter. “I hope you do not regret it,” she had said. Well, he was regretting it now, he thought ruefully. Regretting the fact that he hadn’t left her back at Fort Laramie.

Dawn came much too quickly.

Stripped naked, his hands tightly bound behind his back, Rafe was led to one end of the village. Ahead of him, forming two parallel lines, stood the men and women of the tribe. All were armed either with sticks, clubs, or lances.

A heavy stillness hung over the village. Even the dogs were quiet.

He saw Summer Wind standing at the far end of the line, a sharp stick in her hand. He threw her his best devil-may-care grin and then, amid a thunder of drums, he hunched over and began to run. The earlier stillness of the village was broken by the steady beat of a drum and the shouts’ of the crowd as they rained blows on his head, back, shoulders, and legs.

Sticks and clubs fell on him like angry fists, raising long red welts, while lance tips pierced his skin, drawing crimson drops of blood. He ran steadily onward, the rhythm of the drums echoing inside his head. Knowing it would be death to fall, he struggled to keep his legs under him.

And then, miraculously, he reached the end. The blows stopped. The drumming ceased. The crowd fell silent.

With an effort, Rafe stood erect. Turning, he raked the crowd with one long disdainful glance. Then he saw Caitlyn standing near Tonkalla’s lodge, her eyes revealing her horror at what she had seen. She took a hesitant step toward him, and he shook his head, warning her away.

Then he headed away from the village, his head high, until he knew he was out of sight. Only then did he surrender to the pain. Slowly, he dropped to his knees, his head hanging, his breathing ragged. Closing his eyes, he fell heavily to his side, waiting for the worst of the pain to pass. He could feel blood dribbling down his side, mingling with the sweat that bathed his body.