Lakota Surrender (9 page)

Wahtapah grinned, but pretended no interest, while Neeheeowee openly scowled. Tahiska, however, ignored them both. Leading the way, he changed the direction of their path to intersect with the lively sounds of laughter.

The young women, unused to the silent approach of the Indian, didn’t notice the three men until they were right before them, and even then the Indians simply strode by, barely paying any attention to the two white women.

Tahiska, however, glanced at Kristina and smiled before disappearing from view beneath the swell of the land.

Kristina sat so perfectly still she might have been a part of the scenery. Julia, however, was not so set. She gave her friend a curious gaze. “It appears they haven’t left at all,” she said. “Did you notice that one of them smiled at us?”

“I know,” Kristina replied. “We’re acquainted. He appears to be the leader of the three. Do you remember I told you I barely noticed the other two Indians, but that I had spoken to one at length? He is the one. And, Julia,” Kristina endeavored to talk in calm tones while she struggled to bring her body under control, “I never did believe they were gone.” She didn’t really understand what was happening to her. She had merely glanced at Tahiska and her pulse raced, her heartbeat pounded, her stomach clenched tightly. Even her breathing was shallow.

“Kristina.” Her friend touched her shoulder. “They’re quite exciting, aren’t they? I’ve not seen anything like them. But do you think we’re safe here? Shouldn’t we return to the fort? After all, when we came out riding, we didn’t realize the Indians were still so close.”

Kristina released her pent-up breath, and shaking her head, glanced at her friend. “Yes, they’re exciting, though in truth, for the one I believe I would use the word ‘devastating’. Yes,” she said, rising, “that’s the correct word. And you’re right, we should be returning to the fort.”

The young women were gathering up the blanket, shaking it and folding it when Tahiska returned alone.

“Leci u wo,”
he stated, smiling, then signed, “Come here.”
“Leci u wo,”
he voiced again, his arm outstretched toward them.

Kristina’s legs felt as weak as the wilted flowers at her feet, but she managed to nod her head toward him nonetheless. “He wants us to come with him.” She translated to Julia while she smoothed down her dress.

“Do you think we should?” Julia touched her friend’s arm, staying her. “After all, they’re savages. What might they do to us?”

Kristina grinned at the other girl. “Believe me, Julia, if they intended us any harm, we wouldn’t be standing here discussing it.” Kristina deposited the basket of berries on the ground, picked up the front of her skirt, and strode toward the Indian. “Come on, Julia,” she called over her shoulder, “we’re perfectly safe.”

They followed the Indian to his camp. Though it took only a few minutes, to Kristina the time was much too long, as she was tempted with a perfect view of Tahiska’s backside.

He had been bearing an elk around his shoulders when he had passed them earlier, but now all he carried were his quiver and bow slung over his back. He wore only deerskin leggings, breechcloth, and moccasins, and with his long hair falling over his bare back, she could see small patches of copper-colored skin. He strode with an ease and grace Kristina admired, but had never before noticed in a man, and she wondered how he could look so lithe yet masculine all at once.

As though he were aware of her study, he twisted halfway around to smile at her just before they reached the Indian camp. Kristina didn’t know what to think of that. Was he trying to put her at ease or was he telling her he knew of her intimate feelings, or was it both? Whatever the intention, Kristina blushed profusely. She couldn’t control her reactions toward him and worse, she was sure that he knew it.

They had tread well into the Indian camp before Kristina became aware of the smell of fire burning and of meat roasting. The Indians had pitched a small, skin-covered lodge near a stream which ran its course through this stretch of prairie. Their unusual belongings lay scattered all around, and Kristina felt, oddly as if she had stepped into another world. Around the lodge and near the stream were cottonwood trees, obscuring the dwelling from view. The fire was centered in the clearing and beside it sat Tahiska’s two companions, who spared but a brief glance at the women. One of them muttered, the other shook his head, and both redirected their attention back to their labors.

Kristina glanced around the camp, noting that the elk had already been slaughtered, gutted, and skinned. She wondered idly if it was elk meat roasting.

Tahiska motioned to them to sit, indicating the ground next to him, and with as much grace as possible, both women complied.

He had long been seated himself and was preoccupied with unstringing his bow when the two women at last made themselves comfortable.

“Toniktuka hwo?”
He glanced at them briefly, then signed to Kristina, “How are you? Have you recovered from the accident?”

“I’m doing well, thank you,” Kristina gestured and he nodded.

The silence that ensued was only broken now and then by a spark flying from the fire. Julia began to fidget nervously, prompting one of the other Indians to make a comment; all three laughed and then again the silence fell. Tahiska didn’t bother to sign, and Kristina assumed the Indians were speaking about her and Julia.

Kristina boldly queried Tahiska about it.

Tahiska laughed, shook his head, but motioned back, “He says you look as frightened as jack rabbits.” He paused, then asked. “Do you fear us?”

“No,” she said, signing. “But we are uncomfortable. We did not know that you were still here. If my father knew you were camped nearby, we would not be allowed outside the fort. I think we had best leave to get back. The sun will soon leave the sky and we must be home before then.”

He nodded in understanding, then placing his bow and quiver aside, rose fluidly to his feet.

“Come,” he motioned, “I wish to show you something.”

Kristina hesitated only a moment, and looking around, arose as gracefully as possible and with a quick word to Julia, trailed after the Indian toward the stream.

Julia watched her friend leave, and turning her head back in the direction of the fire, glanced hesitantly at the remaining two Indians. Her gaze fixed on the knives they were using to skin the small game. She shivered, then with a deep sigh, she settled her hands in her lap and prepared to wait. She could only hope that Kristina was right. Personally, she didn’t feel safe at all.

Kristina followed Tahiska toward the stream and around a swell of land until they were out of sight of the others.

Pausing, he pivoted around to face Kristina. But she wasn’t prepared to match his quickness of foot and rushed straight into him, causing his arms to enfold her, steadying her. He seemed unwilling to release her and Kristina thought she might die from the pleasure of it.

Her heart was racing so fast she was certain he could hear it; she was trembling so, she knew he could feel it. When she raised her eyes to his, the intensity she saw there caused a knot in her stomach. His hand lifted from her waist to caress her neck, his fingers firmly held against her pulse there. She shut her eyes against the exquisite feeling until he took her hand and stretching it flat against his breast, invited her to feel what
she
was doing to him. His heart raced as quickly as hers, and when she again stared up at him, he smiled.

It was the most beautiful thing anyone had ever done for her and she wanted to stay like this forever.

Her hand lay flat against his chest. She shifted it, excited by the feel of his skin beneath her fingertips. Her hand burned with the contact and she had the pleasure of hearing him groan before he stifled its movement against him.

The fingers he’d held at her neck brushed up against her cheeks, her nose, her eyes. He felt her every feature as though he were a blind man, all the while his head descended closer and closer till his cheek brushed hers.

Kristina was amazed at the smoothness of his face, completely without beard.

She wanted more. She longed for his kiss. Didn’t Indians kiss? His lips were so close, she couldn’t stop herself.

She initiated the contact and touched her lips to his. Her overture had been tentative, shy even, and Tahiska, responding, finished it for her. His lips nibbled at hers, his tongue nipped in and out, his breath filled her till she thought he might be breathing for her. She could hardly bear the sensuality of it. She wanted more. Her tongue met his each time he thrust within her mouth and she moaned, forcing herself against him until at last he slanted his mouth over hers, taking the sweet nectar she offered.

Kristina’s arms reached around his neck, her fingers combing through his long hair, her hands dropping to caress his bare back. She still wanted more and leaned against him. His arousal was evident and Kristina felt a wild urge to know him more intimately.

His hands rubbed her back through the material of her dress. When he brought one around to smooth over her breast, Kristina thought she would melt. She arched her back, inviting him to do more and brought her hips in closer to his, her hands on his waist.

His breathing was ragged when he dragged his lips from hers. He set her slightly from him and rested his forehead against hers. And though his hands continued to caress her, his breathing became more even.

Kristina gradually drifted back to earth, and when her breathing, also, at last slowed, the realization of what she had done set in.

What must he think of her?

A cry welled up inside her, but she stifled it. Instead she straightened away, backing up until at least a foot separated them. Raising her eyes to his, she saw that his were sill glimmering with passion.

A deep longing swept through her, but before she could fall victim to it again, she moaned and spinning around, fled back toward the camp.

Tahiska watched her go, feeling the deep ache inside, yet unwilling to fulfill it. For this long week, he had thought of nothing but her. Revenge, war, the two murderers—these things no longer consumed his thoughts. It was only Kristina. Sweet, lovely Kristina. He thought of their passion. It was good. But she was innocent. She was also good medicine and he would not disgrace her. Besides, Tahiska was pure Indian. He was a patient man.

Parties at the fort were lighthearted events. The whole fort closed down and everyone was invited: Indians, trappers, traders, settlers, and soldiers alike. These occasions were characterized by an abundance of food, good music, lots of laughter, and an ample supply of liquor for anyone who wished to indulge.

This party was no exception. Given in celebration of a wedding between a local trapper and an Indian maid, all at the fort were enjoying the function as a sort of holiday.

Because the garrison closed its gates at sundown during the summer months, the wedding vows were taken midmorning, and by noon the women were serving the wedding dinner while the men hitched up a buggy and rolled out the platform for the band. Soon the celebrating and dancing would begin.

All shops and trading centers were closed, all soldiers except a skeleton crew were given liberty, and the fort bustled with the shouts of fun and laughter.

It was into this scene that Tahiska and his friends entered the fort. They were not made to state their business, nor did anyone meet them to divest them of their weapons. With the gates wide open, they slipped in, each carrying a handful of furs, and each armed with several weapons of his trade.

Unlike the few previous times they had visited the white man’s fort, no one paid the three Indians any attention today. Tahiska had necessarily caused their trips to the fort to be few over these last several weeks. He did not wish too much contact with these people. He found many of the officers offensive, the traders dirty and unkempt, and the soldiers antagonistic. All seemed to adopt an attitude of superiority which Tahiska failed to understand. The white man was a notorious liar and braggart. No, from his first several visits, Tahiska had ascertained all the information he required. He knew that the two men he sought were not now in residence; he had sized up the army as opponents, searching out their weak points; and he had compared the trade, seeing it as generally fairer but not so much so that the long trip for his tribe would be justified.

He had no reason, really, to maintain relations with the fort. An occasional trade, a sporadic trip to determine whether the trade wagon had arrived, these were the only reasons for the Indian to come into the fort. But Tahiska’s visit today was touched by none of these. Today he had made an exception. He wished to see Kristina. This was his only motive.

The white woman brought him pleasure, and not just physical. She amused him; she fascinated him. He yearned for her company, her conversation, her charm. He no longer tried to keep her from his thoughts, and he found his mind playing and replaying scenes of her—in the colonel’s office, at the piano, at his camp, by the stream. Indeed, the white woman was never far from him in thought.

The few times he had appeared at the fort since their meeting upon the plains, Kristina had practically burst with emotion, her gladness at seeing him undisguised. And
this
Tahiska didn’t understand. It was not something he expected in a maiden, though secretly he had cherished her happiness.