Savage Splendor (Savage Lagonda 2) (8 page)

Palomas's face became a mask of fury as he faced Matio. "I charge you with the fault, Matio. You should have prevented her from trying to make the crossing. You knew it was dangerous."

"I obey my queen, which is more than I can say for you. I will not stand here and listen to you insult her as if she were a child," the daring, foolish young warrior declared.

Matio had no time to defend himself as a strong hand shot out and grabbed him by the throat.

"I should kill you for what you did," Palomas hissed.

Mara, knowing Palomas's strength, tried to wedge her body between the two men. "Release him, Palomas. It is I who am at fault."

Suddenly Mara heard two gunshots ring out simultaneously. She saw Palomas release his hold on Matio with a look of disbelief on his face. "Mara," he whispered as he reached out to her and then stumbled backwards to fall into the churning waters below.

"He has been shot, Matio. Did you see the blood on his chest?" she screamed, but when she looked back to Matio, she saw that his face was covered with blood. Reaching out her hand to him she watched as he crumpled at her feet, face down.

On the inside Mara was screaming in agony, but no sound issued from her mouth, and she could hear nothing above the raging floodwaters that carried Palomas's body downstream. Her beloved Palomas was dead. She dropped to her knees and tried to turn Matio over. She heard him groan and knew he was badly injured.

Matio tried to rise, and, getting halfway up, fell backwards. Through a haze of pain he saw the two white men making their way down the side of the bank. Mara was making whimpering sounds as she tried to pull him to his feet. "Get up, Matio, get up," she cried. Clasping her hands together she saw they were covered with blood.

"Oh, God no!" she screamed. Darkness was closing in around her and she tried to hold it at bay. Her mind could not accept what she had just witnessed. Palomas and Matio were both dead and she, who was the cause of their deaths, was still alive. "No! No!" she screamed and her voice echoed and reechoed around the surrounding canyons. Something inside Mara's mind snapped and she fell to her knees.

She reached for the golden medallion that hung about her neck and pulled on it until it came loose in her hand. She felt as if a dense fog was closing in on her and everything was spinning around in her head. She slumped forward in total darkness, thinking and feeling nothing. She was surrounded by shadows, and her mind retreated behind a dark curtain.

5

I seek who I am, I cried out in despair.

My cry went unheeded, as it danced on the air.

The two trappers made their way down the embankment and stood over Matio's body.

"Damned thieving redskin," the eldest of the two replied as he kicked Matio with the toe of his boot. "He ain't gonna cause anyone no trouble no more."

The other man was examining Mara. "Lookie here, Jake, she is passed out cold, but she don't seem to be hurt none."

"Lucky for her we came along when we did," the man called Jake spoke up. "She sure is a pretty little thing, ain't she?"

"Damn me, Jake we done went and saved her from the two savages that were fighting over her. We best get her out of here before any more of them red-devils shows up."

Tajarez looked around the anteroom and motioned for the wife of Unat to come forward. "I know you have been told of how bravely your husband died. Nothing we can say can bring him back to you, but I share your grief. I have known him since he and I were young boys, and I shall miss him."

Unat's widow raised her head proudly and looked her king steadily in the eyes. "I, as his wife, feel pride in the way he died, my king. I know if he could speak to us from beyond the grave he would say to us that he lived the way he died, with honor and bravery."

"It is so, Balon. I am told that he was buried with gold that the queen gave him," Tajarez told her.

The woman bowed her head, and when she looked up Tajarez saw tears sparkle in her eyes. "I had not been told that he was buried with the gold, my king, I thank you for the honor."

"Balon, I know that it was difficult for you to come here today, but, as a friend of your husband's more than as your king, I want you to know you will be provided for. The queen has sent word that there was no fear in Unat's heart when he met his death. As the widow of a brave warrior who found death protecting his queen, you shall receive the death duties, which should keep you and your daughter in comfort for as long as you live."

Balon dropped to her knees and lowered her head. "It is good, my king. I am honored."

Tajarez stood up and offered the woman his hand and helped her to her feet. "May the Great Father comfort you in your sorrow, Balon," he said as he led her over to Sasha. "Sasha will find a woman to go with you to your home and see that you have all that you need, Balon."

Sasha led Balon away and Jeffery moved to Tajarez's side. "My lord, Tajarez, did I hear correctly? Was Unat slain protecting Mara from a rabid wolf?"

"Yes. It seems he died in her stead."

"I wish she were safely with David now; anything could happen to her. No matter how good the protection is something can always go wrong."

Tajarez tried to close his mind. He did not want to hear his own fears spoken aloud by his brother-in-law. When he had been told about Mara's experience with the wolf, he had died a thousand deaths thinking she had almost lost her life.

"It does no good to speak of this, Jeffery. Is there not something you should be doing now?"

"You sent for me."

Tajarez looked beyond Jeffery to the gold sheeting on the wall. His footsteps were soundless, the golden sandals made no noise as he walked across the room. When he reached the stairs that led up to his room he turned back to Jeffery.

"I did send for you, but I have changed my mind."

Jeffery watched Tajarez climb the stairs, wondering what he had wanted with him.

Tajarez walked toward the nursery, glad that his common sense had returned. When he had first heard about the rabid wolf, he was prepared to send out a large party of warriors to guard Mara on her return trip. Seeing Balon, who had just lost her husband, standing so bravely before him made Tajarez feel shame. He, like his father before him, must appear above such weakness. At least outwardly.

When he reached the second floor where his apartment was located, he opened the door of the nursery and saw Tamera toddling toward him on unsteady legs. She laughed gleefully when she saw her father and held her arms out to him. Tajarez lifted her into his arms and smiled at the kiss she planted on his cheek. "Do you miss your mother, little Tamera?"

Tamera nodded her head. "Mother," she said in her brand of baby talk.

Tajarez handed her to Vista and picked up his son, Hamez, who had been named for his father. Lifting him over his head, Tajarez was rewarded with a happy giggle from his small son.

Little Hamez fixed his father with an intense gaze with his green eyes. It was almost painful for Tajarez to look into Hamez's eyes, since they so closely resembled Mara's. Mara's and Hamez's eyes were a clear emerald color, while Tamera's were green with brown flecks.

"Are the children eating well, Vista?"

"Yes, my king," she answered with a smile on her face. It was not for her to tell the king that he had asked that very same question only that morning when he visited the nursery.

Tajarez kissed Hamez on the cheek and placed him back in his bed. Ignoring his son's loud protest, he walked to the door. "I will be back to see the children later this evening, Vista."

She smiled. There was no need for him to tell her he would return. He was a most devoted father, and Vista thought the people would be surprised if they could witness the many occasions on which their king sat on the floor playing with his offspring. He was a very loving man, and since Mara had become his wife, he showed his affection openly to those who were close enough to the family to witness it.

To his people he appeared a commanding figure, but many were the times that Vista had seen the soft look of love in the king's eyes when he looked at the young queen. It was a special look that warmed Vista's heart.

Vista's brother, Palomas, was protector of the queen, and their family had been honored to have two members serving the royal family. The positions she and Palomas held were coveted by many.

She picked up the young prince royal, trying to soothe him. The two infants missed their mother greatly, and Vista would be happy when the queen returned. It seemed the young queen could brighten up a room just by entering it, and Vista, like many others, had been the recipient of the queen's kindness on many occasions. The queen had insisted that Vista's own baby daughter be brought to the nursery so she could have her near her. There were two other women assigned to help her with the twins, but Vista preferred to do most of the personal things for the young prince and princess herself. Her husband, Naras, had been given a position in the royal stables so the family could be together.

"Do not cry, little prince," she soothed. "Your mother will be home soon. Until she returns Vista will speak to you each day of her, so you will not forget she loves you."

*                                          *                                          *

Tajarez entered the anteroom and found Sagas pacing the floor. He watched the old man in silence for a moment. Sagas stopped in front of Tajarez and glared at him.

"You took your time coming. Did not Jeffery tell you that I sent for you?" Sagas demanded.

Tajarez smiled slightly. Sagas had the habit of addressing the king as if he were
his
subject. But Tajarez took no offense. It had been no different when Tajarez's father had been king. Sagas the all knowing, the sage, was a very dear and trusted friend and advisor.

"Had I known the summons was an order, I would have rushed to you, Sagas." Tajarez told him lightly.

Sagas waved Tajarez aside. "I have to go away for a while," the old man said wearily.

Tajarez saw nothing unusual in this. Sagas was always going into the mountains where he would disappear for long periods of time, and no one knew what he was doing or when he would return.

"Where are you going, my old friend? When can I expect you to return?"

"I am going to the mountains, and I do not know how long I will be away."

Tajarez was thoughtful for a moment. "Did you hear about Unat's death?"

"Of course," Sagas said impatiently.

Tajarez raised his eyebrow. "You are in a rare good spirit."

Sagas favored Tajarez with a look of disgust. "I have no time to pass pleasantries with you."

"I was not aware that Unat's death and the danger Mara escaped was pleasant," Tajarez snapped. "Do you care to tell me why you are going?"

Sagas avoided Tajarez's eyes. "I go into the mountains because I have seen a vision that disturbs me, and I need to be alone where I will not be distracted."

Tajarez did not press Sagas. His long experience with the old man had taught him to ask no questions. Sagas would only tell him as much as he wanted him to know, and no more.

"Can I reach you should the need arise?" Tajarez said, trying a new approach, hoping Sagas would tell him more of his plans.

"You cannot reach me. When the time is right I shall return. There are black days ahead. Do not always believe the worst, but keep the faith," the old man said, looking inward. Tajarez watched as Sagas walked away from him with his white robe flapping against his bony legs.

"Wait, Sagas, what do you mean about dark days?" he asked, feeling fear. Sagas was never wrong. If he said something would happen, it would always come to pass. "Sagas, is Mara in danger?"

Sagas turned to Tajarez as he reached the door. He saw the worried frown on his king's face. There was no need to worry him unless he could not find Mara. "Be at peace, my king. Mara was caught in a flood, but she was saved."

The color drained from Tajarez's face and he rushed across the room to Sagas, and grabbed him by the arm. "What are you saying, Sagas, tell me about my wife!"

Sagas knew he had already said too much. He had not intended to upset Tajarez. It was just that he himself was upset. The spirits had been unable to locate Mara since she had been taken away by the two white men. Mara must have removed the golden medallion.

"There is no need for you to be concerned, my king. As I told you, Mara survived the floodwaters." He shrugged Tajarez's hand off his shoulder. "I must leave you now. Keep good thoughts."

Tajarez wanted to call him back to make him explain about Mara being caught in floodwaters, but he knew Sagas would say no more. Wild thoughts kept nagging at Tajarez's mind. That night as he tried to fall asleep, his thoughts were still troubled.

Sagas climbed the high mountain, not needing the bright moonlight to guide him. His footsteps were sure and accurate, for he had made the trip many times in the past. It was near morning when he reached the huge cave. The entrance was hidden by the thick foliage that grew along the rock wall. Across the opening of the cave there was a large boulder. With superhuman strength Sagas rolled the stone aside and entered the dank, dark cave. The first thing he did was to light a torch, which he placed in a metal holder that was attached to the stonewall of the cave. Sagas did not need the light. He knew the inside of the cave as well as a mother knew the face of her own child.

He sat down on a rough buffalo hide, the only comfort he allowed himself. Closing his eyes, he looked inward to where his true sight could be found. No one knew it, but Sagas was almost completely blind.

His voice was but a whisper as he rocked back and forth. "I am searching for you, Mara. I told you not to remove the medallion. How can I reach you? How will I guide you home?"

Sagas saw only darkness. He was silent for a long time. Suddenly he saw a pinnacle of light, and Matio's face flashed before his eyes. "Ah, I have a tool. I will use the young warrior, Matio. He will be my eyes and my legs," Sagas said loudly. "I will find you, Mara," he said in a voice that shook with emotion.

The Lagonda warriors searched both sides of the river thoroughly, desperately, hoping to find their queen. They found Palomas washed up on the shore. He was gravely wounded and they feared he would not live. For many days they continued to search, but they found no clue to lead them to their queen, and the young warrior Matio was missing. They did not find his body. It had been raining for some time and the downpour wiped out all footprints. There was no clue for them to follow.

Miraculously, no one had thus far lost his life because of the flood, unless the queen and Matio had drowned, or unless Palomas died from his wounds.

Palomas was taken back to camp and examined by the young medicine man who was traveling with them. It was discovered that his wound had been made by a white man's bullet.

Falon knelt down by Palomas with tears in her eyes, while Minet nervously clasped and unclasped her hands.

"I wish Palomas would awaken. Perhaps he has some knowledge of the queen," Falon cried.

The medicine man looked from one maiden to the other. "I fear Palomas will not recover. I doubt he will ever open his eyes again."

It was a week after the queen's disappearance that the weary, dejected warriors returned to camp. Each man dreaded the thought of returning to the Seven Cities to tell the king Mara was missing, probably drowned.