Grey Eagle: Savage Ecstasy Part 21

"Yes Sir," he replied and nodded. He walked to the gates and waited for the guards to swing the huge wooden doors open. He walked outside. He listened as the gates were pushed shut and relocked. He gazed out at the sight before him and fearlessly walked up to the warrior who sat in the place of the tiospaya itancan. He knew he had nothing to fear at the talk. The Indian was a man of his word and would not attack under the talking lance. Later, maybe...

but not now.

He halted before the warrior and spoke, "I am Powchutu, scout and speaker for the cavalry. The general wishes to know what you want. Why have so many braves and chiefs come dressed and painted for war?'

and painted for war?'

The n.o.ble warrior answered in a deep, steady voice, "Iam Wanmdi Hota of the Oglala, son of Chief Suntokca Ki-in-yangkiyapi." He had alertly noticed the effect of his name on the scout. The scout's face had registered recognition; then had it been hatred and anger?

Powchutu thought and felt exactly that, and more. I guessed who he is from his bearing and courage, he thought. He is indeed al I have heard-a man to melt the heart of a woman, but bring terror to the heart of a man.

Gray Eagle continued, "I have come to demand an apology for the raid on my vilage and payment for the ruin your bluecoats did there. You wil give me the ska wincinyanna as this payment. I demand insult and shame from you through her, for the disgrace and suffering you brought to me and my people! If you value your lives and this fort, you wil bring her to me, now!

"If you refuse, we wil attack the fort and destroy it and al inside. If she survives the raid, she would stil become my kaskapi. A battle would cost many lives from both sides. But you must be made to suffer as my people did because of the contempt of the one with the yelow hair. I wil teach your people torment and dishonor through the girl. They wil see and know the foolishness of such actions. They wil be made to know humiliation by giving the girl to me wilingly to save their own lives." He spoke with confidence and boldness as he observed the scout's expressions.

Powchutu fired at him, "She is innocent of the raid on your camp! Demand the lives of the men who did this thing, not hers!

You have caused her enough pain and dishonor. Why should we give her back to you for more, or worse? Why do you not ask for the life of the other white girl?" Powchutu suddenly wished he had the life of the other white girl?" Powchutu suddenly wished he had told Gray Eagle that Alisha had died from the beating. But he had not thought quickly enough.

Gray Eagle answered calmly, "The life and sacrifice of a witkowin means nothing to either of us, but the life and sacrifice of the pi-zi ista girl would bring much dishonor and anguish from al of you. The men responsible for the raid would be tortured and kiled quickly and the deed soon forgotten; but living with the knowledge of what they had been forced to sacrifice for this evil deed would go on in their hearts and minds for a very long time. It is far easier to die with honor than to live with shame."

Powchutu realized how very cunning the warrior was. Just like the angry wolf, he went for the jugular vein of his prey. Powchutu's muscles stiffened uncontrolably. His voice was tinged with both sadness and fury as he accused, "So, you have realy come for Alisha, just as I believed you would one day. But I wil not alow them to send her back to you and your cruelty." Powchutu's expression belied his words.

Gray Eagle appeared to ignore his statement. He spoke with an icy, deadly calm in his tone, "She wil be brought here to me before the sun is straight above my head, or we wil attack at that hour. If we are forced to attack, no life wil be spared."

Powchutu chalenged "What if she wil not come?"

Gray Eagle's eyes narrowed and darkened and his jawline tightened. His expression warned Powchutu he had overstepped his bounds in meddling in a warrior's demands. He glared at Powchutu and demanded, "If she wil not come wilingly, then you wil force her to come."

Powchutu tried for another opening, "What if the cavalry holds her as a hostage or refuses your demands?"

her as a hostage or refuses your demands?"

Gray Eagle handed him a rawhide leash and thongs. He vowed, "In the time given, you wil talk, vote and decide on life or death. If you choose life, lead her here to me, bound and secured with these. If you choose death, then prepare for al inside the fort to perish, including the girl, if need be." He sounded cold and daring.

Powchutu struggled to suppress his anger and bitterness. He could not resist one last plea for the girl he loved. He asked through gritted teeth, "Has she not suffered enough at your hands? Why do you hate her so? Is it right to make her pay and suffer for the evil deeds of others? She has done no harm to you or your people. She is as gentle as the morning light and as pure as the snows in the sacred mountains.

"I see why she hates and fears you. But I tel you this, Wanmdi Hota, if you harm her again, I wil hunt you down and kil you with my bare hands!" Gray Eagle could not miss the look of anguish which touched his eyes as Powchutu continued. "You have judged the ista skas wel and true. I am sure they wil return her to you to save themselves. But I tel you this, it wil be by force!"

Gray Eagle stared as he walked away, wondering at his strange words and pleas. How could a hanke-wasichun know her so wel and in such a short time? Had she dared to befriend an Indian? Would she not fear and hate al of us? he thought. Once more I have underestimated her gentleness and strength. Wil I ever fuly know this woman I love and want?

Perhaps this scout secretly wishes and desires her for his own. Their friends.h.i.+p is too close I fear. I wil know more of this man and Alisha. I do not trust the look of love which filed his eyes when he spoke of her, nor the look of hatred and revenge at my coming for spoke of her, nor the look of hatred and revenge at my coming for her.

The white men and the scout are convinced I hate Alisha and only want her back for vengeance. This is good for now, but you must soon know the truth, Cinstinna. I fear they would kil you if they guessed the real truth. The scout's love for you is very strong if he would risk a chalenge to me to save you. He dares much in his speech and manner.

Bird of my heart, fly to me quickly and safely ... It has been too lonely and long without you. Great Spirit help me if they reject my bluff and we are forced to attack ...

Powchutu walked back toward the fort with a heavy heart. He knew what the outcome of this day was going to cost him. Why hadn't he taken her away from here before now? The fort wil easily give her up, he thought, but wil she go wilingly? What choice wil they give her? d.a.m.n them al! he fumed angrily.

Could he possibly let Gray Eagle have her back without a fight? There was no way he could stop him from taking her, or the others from sending her to him. He hides his feelings wel, for I am not sure if he desires her, or if he might love her. Wil he truly attack and kil us al, including Alisha, if we do not turn her over to him?

Gray Eagle does not make idle threats. There is no doubt he would attack, but kil Alisha? Powchutu could not venture the answer to this haunting query.

I wil find a way to save her from al of them, Powchutu vowed. I wil take her far away from this place and al of those who would harm her. She wil one day be mine. I wil give her back the happiness and love they have denied her for so long. A wishful thought suddenly touched him. What if this was only a bluff? What if he wished to protect her from disgrace and harm?

a bluff? What if he wished to protect her from disgrace and harm?

The wooden gates opened to let him re-enter. He quickly walked over to the general's office, ignoring the many questions from those around. He tapped lightly on the door and was let inside. He went to stand before the general's desk. He disregarded al the other officers and Jeffery as he gave his report. He repeated the words of Gray Eagle and placed the leash and ties down on the desk. The general listened, white-faced. The others glanced from one to the other in surprise and confusion. Powchutu's face was void of al emotion as he related the terms of withdrawal and truce. He said nothing of his own pleas concerning Alisha. He tried to make the demands sound cold and brutal for Alisha's sake and honor.

The general exclaimed incredulously, "He what? Surely you misunderstood, or is this some kind of joke? Why would he want the girl back so badly? His pride and honor, you say?" He glanced around as he thought on the perplexing demands. His face brightened with an idea. "Maybe this Brown girl's right. Maybe she is his squaw and he wants her back. Wel, wel, wel, this puts a different light on things. I'd say she's managed to fool us al, hasn't she? The little tramp! Trying to get us al kiled, is she? How the hel did he convince the others to help him get his white squaw back?"

Captain Tracy spoke up, "From what I hear, Sir, those Injuns would cut off their right hand for that Gray Eagle. Half of 'em love and respect him, and the other half fear and honor him. You're d.a.m.n right they would help him do anything! No matter why he wants her back, he'l get her one way or another. You know what shape we're in. We don't dare cal his bluff."

The general paced the floor nervously as he weighed the possibilities. He could either return the girl and take the chance possibilities. He could either return the girl and take the chance Gray Eagle spoke the truth and would leave, or he could keep the girl as hostage. What if she was being innocently, but vilely, used as a taunt to them? No matter, either choice was dangerous and deadly. Without a doubt, Gray Eagle could take the fort apart and kil them al.

Powchutu's heart flamed in anger at their cowardice. He spoke acidly, "She is not, and was not, his squaw. Not for the reasons you think. She was his slave and prisoner. He only uses her to taunt the white man. He hopes to punish you by forcing you to witness his taking her, and to shame you by forcing you to give her to him wilingly. He cares nothing for her as a man would for a woman. I have seen this hatred of the white man in his eyes. If you return her to him, it wil go worse for her than before. He wil be more brutal to her this time out of anger and spite for the raid on his camp. He holds her responsible for the raid, for it was done to rescue her. It is wrong to treat her as you have, but far worse to return her to him!"

The general retorted, "Don't moralize to me, half-breed!" But Galt knew he had been forced into a corner. He said, "Powchutu, you fetch the girl. Let's hear what she has to say about al of this."

Powchutu went directly to the Philseys' quarters and rapped loudly on the door. Mrs. Philsey answered it and glared contemptuously at him. He told her what his orders were before she could open her mouth. She backed away from the door and let him pa.s.s her to head for Alisha's room.

He knew he must talk quickly if he was going to have time to tel Alisha everything before he took her to the general's office. He wanted her to know the truth from him. He knocked on her door and caled her name. Mrs. Philsey informed him she had not shown and caled her name. Mrs. Philsey informed him she had not shown herself since that incident the day before. His malevolent look silenced the spiteful woman.

Alisha slowly opened her door and stepped aside for him to enter. What possible difference could it make now for him to visit her? Things couldn't be any worse than they were now. Why should she deny entrance to the only friend she had? She realized that something was afoot, for this was the first time he ever visited her during the daytime.

Powchutu guessed from her appearance that she had no idea what was taking place outside. Her red swolen eyes told him she had been weeping.

Anger flooded him. He knew he must relate the dreaded news as hastily as possible. Bluntly and simply, he stated, "He is here, Alisha. He has come for you, just as I warned he might."

She looked at him blankly. The last person to come to mind at this time was Gray Eagle. She queried, "Who has come, Powchutu?

What are you talking about?"

His tone became soft and gentle. "Wanmdi Hota! He waits outside the fort wals for you to be brought to him as a prisoner. He has come with a large band of warriors. He demands you be returned to him as an apology for the raid on his camp. He demands your life as a peace-offering, or he wil attack us."

He watched her face blanch and her green eyes widen in disbelief. Her lips parted to speak, but she could utter no words. She had dreamed he might come back for her one day, but not like this. He had not come to rescue her, as she had so often prayed. He had come to shame her, maybe even kil her. It wasn't supposed to be like this... She began to tremble.

Powchutu went on, "The general wishes to see you and talk Powchutu went on, "The general wishes to see you and talk with you about this." He lifted her chin to force her to look into his eyes. He placed his hands on her shoulders to steady their quivering. "They wil ask you questions about your life with him. You must get ahold of your wits and emotions. Fear does strange things to a man's judgment," he warned.

She desperately asked, "What did he say when you spoke with him, Powchutu? After al this time, why does he want me back now? Does he intend to execute me right before them for revenge?

Surely they would not send me back to him?"

He knew it was cold and brutal, but she had to know what she faced. He reluctantly repeated, word for word, his talk with Gray Eagle and the general. She was totaly stunned by both their words. She wavered slightly and caught Powchutu's arms to steady herself. She hesitantly asked, "He says he'l kil everyone here, including me, if I am not returned to him, wiling or not? Is this also a matter of his honor and pride, Powchutu? I think not! This is but a matter of hatred and spite. I was wrong..."

Powchutu tried to calm some of her greatest fears and doubts. He spoke of how he would act if he were Gray Eagle. "I believe he wants you back for himself. He uses this trick to save face with the Indian. Also the need for your honor and safety makes this trickery necessary. If it would punish him, the cavalry would turn you over to him dead."

He alowed his words to sink in before he continued. "I do not know how he convinced the other warriors to go along with this deceit. They must think it is a proper humiliation to the whites for them to be forced to apologize and sacrifice you to their worst enemy. He is awed and loved enough they might permit it anyway, even if they were aware of his true motives. I just do not know."

even if they were aware of his true motives. I just do not know."

He could not tel if she understood any of his reasoning. He added, "For his and your pride and honor, he must treat you coldly and cruely before al of them. You must not be harmed."

"Pride and honor! Face and shame!" she cried. "I have none of those left! Between my people here and his there, they have taken everything from me but my life. What does my life or freedom matter to any of them? It is only a trick! It does not take a whole band of warriors to reclaim war booty! I would not trust him this time."

She walked over to the window and peeped out at the frantic people moving about outside. In a subdued tone she murmured, "He wil surely kil me this time. I have been too much trouble to him. He holds me to blame for things I have no control over. How could I have so foolishly forgotten what he did to me before I was rescued ... rescued!"

She laughed and cried at the same time. "He knows no mercy or kindness. I could have died that day for al he cared."

Al the suppressed doubts, fears and hurts resurfaced to fil and frighten her anew. She had unwisely alowed herself to forget for a time; to forgive, When forgiveness was not honored; and worst of al, she had foolishly alowed her heart to fal more deeply and strongly in love with him. Her ilusive lover was not the man who sat outside the fort waiting for her to be brought to him in disgrace and sacrifice. She had been ensnared in the trap of blind trust and love, and the hope of his love in return someday. Her shattered ilusions cut into her heart like a white-hot knife.

"Alisha, you have forgotten. He did not kil you. He must not have wished your death, for he was caring for you." As much as he hated defending his rival, Powchutu hoped his argument would ease hated defending his rival, Powchutu hoped his argument would ease her pain, but it did not.

"Only so he could have the pleasure of hurting me again, Powchutu. Such a powerful warrior wouldn't let a little thing like death steal his best slave," she spoke bitterly. She began to cry and he puled her into his embrace to comfort her.

She looked up into his eyes and pleaded, "Please don't let him take me back, Powchutu. You are the only one who can help me. You are my only hope."

Powchutu crushed her to his chest and held her tightly and possessively. He answered, "I would give anything to save or help you, my love. If I tried to stop them, they would be happy to kil me and send you to him anyway. You would only feel guilt at my useless death. I cannot fight them, Alisha. There are too many on both sides. But I promise you, I wil find some way to help you. I wil get you away from him and here. Somehow..."

She leaned back and gazed up into his face, knowing he spoke the truth. "I am sorry. This is one time no one can help me, not even you. We can do nothing to stop or alter their decisions. I wil live for you to come and fulfil this promise." She smiled bravely into his sad eyes and kissed him lightly on his lips. He tenderly cupped her face between his hands and gazed lovingly into her emerald eyes. He spoke to her without words, but she misread his meaning. She had not realized he spoke of love, the love of a man for a woman, not the love of friends. He leaned over and kissed her ful on the mouth. She did not pul away or refuse his kiss. It was a kiss of sharing love and promise, comfort and hope. It was soft and gentle in the giving and taking. He hugged her fiercely once more as he whispered into her ear, "Remember, I wil come for you, little heart. Do al he says and he wil not harm you."

for you, little heart. Do al he says and he wil not harm you."

She thought on his words, "al he says," and trembled. The general would be sending someone to look for them. Alisha seemed to have regained her courage. He stated, "Alisha, come. The general wil have to decide what is to be done. Let the final word be his. It wil be best for you if he orders your return."

The solution now out of her hands; she went with Powchutu. Gossip had spread the news around the fort. The word was out that Gray Eagle had come for his captive and would attack if she were not promptly returned to him. As she and Powchutu walked toward the general's office, the people glared at them in open hostility. Their cool, hard stares caused her to falter. This was the first time they had seen her since the episode the day before. Here was the girl who had chosen a half-breed scout over a das.h.i.+ng white lieutenant!

Some of the men hurled insults and threats at her. Soon, others from the crowd joined the derision. "Go back to your Injun lover, s.l.u.t!" "We don't want no Injun squaws here!" "We ain't gonna die for no white wh.o.r.e!" "Harlot! b.l.o.o.d.y red harlot!"

She somehow found the strength to get to the general's office. She felt she was walking into her own grave. Powchutu blazed in fury at the people's words.

Alisha forced a brave smile to him. She softly said, "It doesnt matter anymore, Powchutu. They only prove this is necessary. I couldn't stay here now. They're scared children, and I'm the only one around they can vent their fear and anger on. They don't dare do it to Gray Eagle so they choose the next best person-me, because he wants me. It doesn't matter why. Maybe they're right. Maybe I wil be better off back with him, dead or alive." Her last rays of hope had dimmed for she knew the outcome of the meeting rays of hope had dimmed for she knew the outcome of the meeting before she went inside the general's office.

The door opened and they quietly slipped inside. General Galt tried to avoid the eyes of the girl standing before his desk. He got up and moved about nervously. He tried to decide how to begin this sour, unpleasant task.

"I suppose Powchutu has filed you in on our crisis here?"

She nodded yes, but did not speak. He looked into the ashen face with the somber green eyes which were filed with anguish. d.a.m.n! He realized she was going to make it hard for him. He tried to ignore the shame of what he was about to do.

He asked her bluntly, "What do you think we should do, Miss Wiliams? You've lived with him. Wil he do as he says? Could he want you back so badly?" His words carried double meanings, and she caught both.

She swalowed hard and spoke softly, "Why do you ask me, Sir? You're in command here. The final decision is yours. I have only seen and known one side of him-the brutal, vindictive warrior. He never made promises to me, only threats. If he knew of your abuse of me, he probably would ask you to keep me. Al of our lives would be more miserable that way, and that is what he hopes to accomplish with this demand. He has his revenge on us al now, regardless of your decision. You know the truth, Sir, but refuse to look it in the face."

General Gait spit the tip of his cigar into the bowl on his desk and turned to face her. "I have hopes this Gray Eagle won't be as cruel to you this time. Maybe Powchutu can plead with him to go easy on you. He can tel him you had nothing to do with the raid on his camp. One thing I'm sure of, those people out there won't stand for my giving you sanction here at the fort at the cost of their lives. I for my giving you sanction here at the fort at the cost of their lives. I have no doubts he wil carry out his threat if you remain here. I'm afraid I have no choice but to turn you over to him."

There, it was said and done! He waited for any of his officers to plead her case, but none did. The reality and finality of it hit Alisha instantly. She bravely accepted the inevitable. The men sat stunned.

Alisha chalenged, "Are you al sitting there and waiting for me to offer myself as a martyr for you and this fort? You should know I would never wilingly agree to return to him and his brutality. I have seen and felt his hatred for the white man. I carry the scars to prove it. If you order me to go, then I wil not refuse. But never wil I volunteer! I place my safety and life in your 'capable' hands, Sir."

General Galt nervously cleared his throat and voiced his decision. "I think it best for al concerned that you be sent back to him. The safety of this fort and its people depends upon it. There is no other choice possible."

"Then you are ordering me to go?" He nodded yes. "The safety and best you speak of does not include mine?" she mockingly queried. His black, angry scowl answered for him.

"No, I guess I am not that important," Alisha spat at him.

"You certainly can't alow such a dangerous, despicable person to live among decent, honest folk, now can you, Sir?"

Powchutu was leaning against the door, silently cheering her on. He wore a smug, pleased grin on his face. General Galt reddened in guilt and fury. "If I had more men and supplies, Miss Wiliams, I would gladly offer you sanctuary here with us, and to hel with what anyone thought or said!"

Alisha turned to Jeffery with a sweet, innocent smile and asked, "Does this decision also include your approval, Jeffery?"

asked, "Does this decision also include your approval, Jeffery?"

Jeffery boldly locked gazes with her and replied, "Go with your brave, Alisha. That is where you belong now."

Alisha walked to the lieutenant and spoke softly. She had no need to shame him publicly. Her refusal of him had already accomplished that. She said, "One thing I know for certain, Jeffery. You are less than half the man he is, in every possible way."

She turned to Powchutu and stated, "Since I have no personal belongings, I'm ready to go."

As she reached the door, she turned and spoke to them for the last time, "Tel yourselves each night for the rest of your lives that you are sorry that this could not have been prevented. But you al know it is a lie. I would have been better off if you had never rescued me, for then I would never have known the evil and hate which lives here in the hearts of al of you. I hope you always remember you held my life and fate in your hands for a brief moment before you cast it upon a pagan altar in sacrifice for your own. May my death be upon your heads, and my blood upon your hands! There is only one real man in this entire fort, and he stands here at my side!"

She walked out, leaving the men shamefuly avoiding each other's glances. She and Powchutu made their way through the sulen crowd to the gate. The crowd had instantly known the outcome of the meeting in the general's office. A hushed, embarra.s.sed quiet settled in the fort as Alisha walked to her fate with head held high.

But Alisha felt strangely detached from the whole scene. Her thoughts were on what awaited her outside the gates. She and Powchutu halted by the heavy gates to alow the guards to open them just enough for them to pa.s.s through. Her eyes touched them just enough for them to pa.s.s through. Her eyes touched Kathy's who stood smiling triumphantly. She gazed at the pathetic girl and said, "I hope this vengeance tastes sweet, Kathy. You surely worked for it. You might have won the victory here, but what have you realy gained? Al you have left is your hatred and bitterness. And now, you wil have no Alisha to vent them upon. Be certain that you wash my blood from your hands tonight. And remember: while you sleep with every bit of sc.u.m in this fort, I wil be sleeping with only one man-the brave and handsome Gray Eagle."

For once, Kathy was completely speechless. She could not believe that the gentle Alisha had struck back. But Alisha's walk to her own death made her brave-and brutaly honest.

The gates closed behind Alisha and Powchutu. She listened as the huge bar fel heavily back into place. Eternaly and brutaly she was being shut out of their lives; and they, from hers. The inhabitants of the fort did not realize that their destinies had just been sealed with the closing of the gate. She was free; the fort was helpless. The warriors quickly realized that things were going just as the Great Spirit had shown them in their vision.

Alisha and Powchutu walked a short distance from the fort, just out of earshot of its traitorous inhabitants. He tugged at her elbow to halt her steps. She lifted inquiring eyes to his pain-filed ones. His heart was aching at her obvious anguish and raging at his inability to help her. They both sensed that this moment could be their last time even to talk.

She stood beside him in the bright morning light, wis.h.i.+ng that time could be suspended, and with it, the torment and shame that it had brought into her life. She lifted her face up to the sun and inhaled deeply several times, trying to calm her racing heart and to inhaled deeply several times, trying to calm her racing heart and to bring some smal measure of comprehension into her confused brain. The need to show courage and dignity was past. Powchutu could read the desperation and hopelessness in her misty eyes. He cursed both the Indians and the white man for what they were doing to her, for never had there been one so beautiful and so blameless as she. The abject voice which spoke to him sliced his heart more quickly and expertly than his own hunting knife could have done.

"How is such injustice and hatred possible? Why can't Gray Eagle leave me alone if he refuses to have a meaningful truce with me? Why must he continue to torment me this way? He has even turned my own people against me. It isn't fair, Powchutu. I have done nothing to deserve al of this. Why must it be this way?"

He lowered his head, ashamed for his own guiltless part in her sufferings. "How can I explain what I do not understand myself?

The Great Spirit wil surely punish al of them for this dishonorable deed," he declaree heatedly.

Alisha felt as if her tender heart was being pierced by countless tiny arrows. "My whole life has gone topsyturvy in only a few short months, months which seem more like years. I feel as if each side has a cruel gri upon my life and is tearing it down the middle. I have no strength or means to stop them. I have seen such evil in this land, in these people. I hate the ugliness which surrounds me here. I hate what they have done to me. Worst of al, I hate these feelings of hatred and revenge which they have instiled within my heart," she murmured sadly, just above a slight whisper. He studied the face of the English girl that he had come to love more than life itself. He wondered at the drastic changes that she had brought into his life and his heart. He, a half-breed scout, was in had brought into his life and his heart. He, a half-breed scout, was in love with a white girl whose heart and life were imprisoned by the fiercest warrior of al time. Far worse, she had unwisely alowed herself to fal in love with her dreaded enemy. He could not imagine how Gray Eagle could bring himself to hurt such a fragile woman. Powchutu recognized what his friends.h.i.+p had cost Alisha. He recognized emotions within her that she herself was unaware of possessing. He recognized that there was far more to this strange demand of Gray Eagle's than met the eye. He gazed longingly into her tearful eyes and spoke from his heart, "I wil pray to both our G.o.ds that he wil not harm you this time. He is no fool, Alisha; he knows that you cannot be blamed for the raid upon his camp," he stated to rea.s.sure her.

She sadly shook her head, auburn curls swaying gently around her slender shoulders. "But he can and wil blame me. To him, I am white; I am his enemy. My innocence or guilt wil not matter to him. They never have before." Yet, even as she spoke these words, she had the strangest feeling that they were not wholy true. The sun had slowly climbed higher and higher, until it was almost directly over head. The mid-day air was arid and motionless. As she stood halfway between the long rows of painted warriors and the spiked fence of the fort, she could almost feel the surfaced hostilities. The moment of her fate had arrived; yet, she felt almost as much excitement as she did fear.

Both the warriors and the soldiers watched the tender and baffling scene taking place between the stunning white girl and the half-breed scout. Everyone was wondering what was being said between them. They wondered what was causing their delay. They pondered why the scout was not bringing the girl promptly to Gray Eagle. They had waited for a long time.

Eagle. They had waited for a long time.

The people inside the fort became very apprehensive and angry as more time pa.s.sed and Alisha did not make a move to go directly to the waiting warrior. The thought crossed many minds that she and the scout were intentionaly trying to antagonize him, perhaps hoping for revenge upon al of them. Fearfuly they asked themselves, why not? Hadn't they forced her to return to that savage warrior? Had any of them cared that she had come from his camp only a few weeks ago, come with a ma.s.s of weals from the flogging that he had given her? They feared that she only wanted to force a fight between them, a way to punish both sides. They could not help but fear that she would not help the people who had refused to befriend her.