Passion's Series (8 page)

A twinkle came to the Chief s sad eyes. "When I was in your land you said you could never refuse a good fight. This, my friend, is a good fight."

"What did New Moon say about this arrangement?"

Cloud shrugged his shoulders in a nonchalant gesture, "She is angry with me. But not so much that she will let it stop her. She told me I meddle in her life."

Chapter Eight

As James moved toward the Asi New Moon intercepted him. It had been four hours since he agreed to take her on the warpath, four hours of purging his guts out beside the other members of their party. He really did not feel up to a confrontation.

He looked down at her. She still wore the warrior's paint. It would be three days more before the men would come out of the Asi. He wondered briefly if she would go through her own form of purification in preparation for the warpath. Without saying a word she held out a bag of parched corn flour. His gaze traveled slowly to her hand, not missing any part of her anatomy in between.

It slid over the rise of her high check bones, lingered over her firm pouting lips, followed along her gently rounded shoulder, and over her arm to rest finally on the extended hand that held out the offering.

He was struck by the fervency in which these people held to their traditions. She was angry, probably with him for being the Chief s choice. Angry or not, he was...the one...so she would pledge herself to him for the duration of the warpath. By taking her offering, he accepted the responsibility of her safety. He couldn't suppress a grin.

He placed his palm flat against the back of her hand. His eyes searched hers, and for a moment he saw his own reaction to their touch reflected in their black depths. Still without a word, she slid skin against skin as she tilted her hand over and allowed the small bag to slip from her fingers to his.

Silent Deer stepped up behind James. He physically turned James toward the ASI, "Come, it is time to go in."

***

At the end of three days, the warriors emerged from the Asi. After going to water they gathered in the center of the village. Silent Deer was appointed by their chief to be their
Opae
,
their war leader.

It would be his responsibility to carry their ark of war, a small wooden box containing sacred and magical articles. Very bad medicine would befall them should this box fall to the hands of their enemy.

White Fox was appointed as their
Hetissu,
beloved waiter. He was the only other person allowed to touch the medicine box. Only he could place it on Deer's shoulders each morning and remove it each night.

Fox was also required to ration the meager supply of corn flour and present it to each warrior from his own hand at the end of the day.

The two large men stepped into the center of the circle of warriors and accepted their assignment with pride. They would require the strictest observance of the holy laws of war and each would protect the sacred box with his life.

The
Opae
raised his rifle above his head and fired the first shot, quickly followed by a loud volley as the warriors whooped and danced around in their excitement to at last begin the search that would end the cry for blood. With the grand gestures of the ceremony, the
Opae
turned and led the others in a quick march from the village.

As the warriors marched through the gate the
Opae
struck up a solemn chant sung only on such occasions. The warriors followed in one line at the distance of three or four steps apart.

New Moon fell in line next to James. He glanced down at her and chuckled softly. She cut her eyes at him. This was a solemn occasion, one that warranted no laughter or speech.

"It just crossed my mind, Little Wa-sa," he whispered softly for her hearing only, "how much safer my back
feels with you at my side
."

"Humph!" New Moon turned her face away to stare straight ahead.

The march and song continued until the party moved well out of the villagers' hearing; then the song came to an abrupt halt and their pace picked up to a brisk trot. They were no longer individual men, but rather one with nature.

The rest of the journey would be conducted in the strictest silence. Each must have the hearing and cunning of the fox. Their observant black eyes, and one pair of striking blue, would be as sharp as an eagle's and their tread as silent and graceful as the panther.

They traveled for hours, climbing over rocks when necessary, sprinting through dense forest when they could. New Moon remembered her fantasy of running at the white man's side, and glanced up at him through her lashes.

You are surprising, white man. You run like a warrior on the first day, but will your heart carry you to the last?
She asked him with her mind.

She turned her gaze back to the path they traveled. In the fading light the path narrowed, causing them to move closer together. She felt him beside her, an almost physical caress spanning the gap between them.

New Moon glanced again in his direction. Though he stood tall, well above her height, and his heavily muscled body was larger than any warrior of her village, he ran with ease. The heavy muscles of his thighs flexed and smoothed as they carried him silently and effortlessly. He breathed evenly without stress.

She breathed in deeply. His powerful body carried the smell of sweat and the scent of the pollen they passed through, but not the strong unclean odor that the white men were known for.

She stumbled in the fading light but was not allowed to fall as James' arm shot out and grabbed her about the waist. Without changing his pace, he swung her into his arms. Startled by the swiftness of his movement she threw her arms about his neck. He didn't look at her but continued on at the same pace.

She stared into his face. Do you think to carry me? She asked with her eyes, and was shocked to realize that was exactly what he intended to do. Putting a hand to his face, she tried to make him look at her, but he kept his gaze straight ahead.

Silently she studied the expressionless features and tried to quell the tiny quiver in her stomach that first appeared when he'd kissed her.
You will not look at me, but you are as aware of me as I am of you
. She mused.

He took a quick glance at her swelling ankle. Only a tiny muscle in his cheek revealed the grinding of his teeth. The slight movement drew her eyes to a circular scar on his cheek so small she had not seen it before.

It sat on the place of his cheek where a deep crease appeared each time he smiled. She thought how she would like to see it now. As if by magic, it appeared.

Her eyes flew to the darkening horizon, but her entire body, being held tight to his own, felt not only the moist warmth of his bare flesh and gentle beat of his heart against her side, but the silent rumble from his withheld laughter. It seemed he was forever laughing at her. Strangely enough, rather than becoming angry, her senses were filled with happiness.

New Moon was surprised that Silent Deer did not indicate for James to take her back. The three days of purification had given their prey too much distance. Deer would not allow the party to be slowed down by a woman. So far the white man broke no taboos; but if he could not keep up, she was sure they would both be sent back to the village.

Silent Deer raised a hand to indicate it was time to stop. White Fox searched for the proper logs or stones on which their holy vessel could rest. Once this was done he carefully lifted the small box from Deer's shoulders to its resting-place.

As soon as the ark was removed, Silent Deer strode purposefully up to James and looked hard at New Moon's ankle. On this trip New Moon was a warrior. If she was unable to keep up, if she slowed the hunt, she would be sent back.

He looked at New Moon, and to James' surprise she lowered her lashes and  nodded her head in understanding.

James tightened his hold and his fingers dug into the soft flesh of her side. New Moon turned her head and looked into at his face.

His eyes were hard and his jaw worked beneath his cheek. He was angry. At what…her show of respect to their war leader? She glared back. Did he understand nothing?

Deer looked hard at James. With a quick nod of his head he indicated for James to put New Moon down. James did so reluctantly. New Moon stood, most of her weight on her uninjured leg, her back straight and her intention of staying with the party etched into her features.

Deer did not take his eyes from New Moon as Fox passed among them and gave each one his ration of corn flour. As New Moon washed down her share with a quick drink from her water pouch, he turned on his heel and strode away.

As Fox had set the holy box on stone, James scooped New Moon up and carried her to a small flat boulder. At least, New Moon told herself, he understands that much. He lowered her gently to its surface and then knelt down to examine her ankle.

New Moon squeezed her fists tightly, digging her nails into her palms. Her ankle hurt terribly. She watched James closely as he examined her foot and leg. As his lines of worry disappeared, she felt herself relax.

When he looked up at her she saw past the cold, unemotional expression he had learned from her people to the fatigue in his eyes.

He rose smoothly to his feet. Bending, he slid an arm beneath her knees, one behind her back and lifted as easily as one would a small child. He continued to cradle her as he turned and sat down on the boulder.

Light from the bright moon cast the forest in which they rested into silent, motionless shadows. One by one the warriors disappeared into the darkness.

New Moon's rebel stomach rumbled with hunger and James surprised her by quickly putting a hand to her naked belly. Beneath the gentle touch she knew he felt her body's complaint in its need for nourishment.

Though darkness lay heavy over the forest, it did not shield her from the anger and impatience that shone in his eyes.

New Moon stiffened as her mind screamed in silent defiance
; I will prove myself to you. Blue Eyes.
You will see that I am a warrior with a warrior's heart. If you do not, then you will not be the one; and I will not walk the path with you.

James' expression was hard as he reached for his pack. He withdrew a handful of meal and held it up to her face. She swung her head from side to side and he tightened his grip on her as he brought his hand closer to her face.

New Moon challenged him again with her eyes.
If I deny you, Blue Eyes, will you dishonor me by sending me back?

As if he could read her thoughts, his grip tightened threateningly. The muscles of his upper arm pressing into her back as his fingers dug into her side.

I will eat your corn, white man, but you have proven nothing.
She placed both her smaller hands to his and pressed her tongue to the coarse meal. Her hunger overtook her. She ate all he offered and drank just as freely from his water pouch. When he was satisfied that she had taken enough, he put his things away and massaged her ankle.

Struggling, New Moon protested the gentle treatment. It was not the way of a warrior to show such gentleness to a woman who did not belong to him. Even though the vision told her she would walk the path with this white man, it did not mean she would belong to him! This was something he must understand.

She tried to pull her leg back. His hard fingers tightened like new rope around her weakened ankle and she glared into his eyes. He had the upper hand for now, she decided. She might as well relax and take advantage of his foolishness. If he continued to coddle her, he would not be able to finish the war march.

A small smile touched her lips as she settled more comfortably into his lap. She was the wiser...and she would win this battle of wills. Soon her body slumped and she slipped into sleep.

Warriors took turns watching for danger and James felt sure they watched him just as closely. He was painfully aware he treaded dangerous ground. DuPrey, who took much too much interest in his every move, must not be given a reason to question his actions.

Before the first hint of morning brightened the sky, the
Hetissu
gave each warrior and New Moon a measure of rations. She attempted to refuse when Fox offered her an extra portion, but James shook her briskly.

Pointing to the meal in Fox's hand James frowned menacingly. New Moon's black eyes flashed defiantly, but she did as he instructed. The other warriors visibly relaxed when she complied.

James walked a short distance from the others and quietly answered his call of nature. He was relieved that New Moon gave him no real trouble over his silent command to eat, but he hadn't missed the resentment in her eyes.

She remained such a puzzle to him. She was so different from the other women of the village with their downcast eyes and submissive ways.

Hell! New Moon was different from any woman he'd ever known. She had more pride than a prancing stallion.

Obviously she meant to prove something. He wanted New Moon to see him as a warrior, one worthy of her respect. Maybe he needed to allow her the same chance to prove herself.

He had coddled her as if she were a white woman. Tonight he would allow her to sleep at his feet. She would not like it if he did not acknowledge her strength and pride at being a woman of The Principal People.

With quick jerks he adjusted his covering. He would not, however, allow her pride to endanger her or the war party
. If I can get her back to camp with my purification still in tack I'll deserve the biggest damn war bonnet Cloud has got. Thanks a lot, ole’ friend
. He turned back to New Moon.