Savage Splendor (Savage Lagonda 2) (6 page)

Matio was pleased that she had learned how quickly he had been accepted. He himself could not yet believe he now wore the silver and turquoise. He had tried very hard to prove himself, and he had defeated the royal teacher in hand-to-hand combat, a feat that had not been accomplished since Palomas had done it. If a warrior could defeat Lagno he automatically won a place in the royal guards.

"I am pleased with your accomplishment, Matio. Tell me, do you like your duties as a royal guard?"

"Yes, my queen," he replied, not daring to look into her beautiful eyes again.

"I am curious. Do you not wish you had married the girl you were pledged to?" Mara asked, looking at Falon and smiling slightly.

"No, my queen. I have come to know that I was fortunate that she chose my brother over me. I hope my brother will find happiness with her."

Mara laughed, and the sound of her laughter was so beautiful to Matio's ears. "Take care, Matio, that your duties in the guard do not take up all of your time." She smiled at Minet, who was looking boldly at the handsome warrior, and then her eyes rested on Falon, who stared wistfully at Matio.

"Matio, I would like it if you would join my personal guard. Would that please you?"

His eyes widened in disbelief and he went down on his knees before her. "I would gladly die in your service, my queen."

Mara stood up and motioned for him to rise. "I do not ask that you die" for me, Matio. Rather, I would ask you to live."

Matio stood as if frozen to the spot as he watched the queen walk away from him. He was startled when Palomas's voice sounded beside him.

"If you are to be in the queen's entourage, should you not mount your horse?" Palomas said, thinking Mara was up to matchmaking. He had observed the proceedings, seeing the way Falon and Minet had looked at Matio. He smiled inwardly, wondering which of the maidens Mara had picked out for the unsuspecting Matio.

"She is so lovely. Her voice is as the wind whispering in the trees. Her eyes seem to draw one's heart from one's body. There has never been such a queen. There is no woman living or dead who can rival her."

"It would be wise if you kept such feelings to yourself," Palomas warned.

Matio realized he had spoken aloud, and, worse yet, that Palomas had overheard him. "I meant no disrespect. I spoke foolishly," he said quickly.

"Watch your tongue or you will find yourself walking among the spirits. I suggest you look to your duties and not at the queen."

"Is it not permitted to admire the queen?" Matio asked.

"It is permitted to admire her silently," Palomas answered him.

"It will be as you say, Palomas," Matio said. "I will not forget," he added.

The days that followed fell into a familiar pattern. They would ride hard most of the day, stopping only to rest the horses and to eat. They would make camp early while there was still plenty of light.

Mara's tent was set apart from the rest of the camp. It was huge and made of white doeskin. She had every comfort. There were soft fur rugs to cover the ground and a bed of white ermine skins, soft white cushions to sit on, and golden plates and goblets for her to eat and drink from. She was pampered and looked after in a way that might have spoiled anyone of lesser character than Mara. She was of such a loving nature that those who knew her well adored her. She was known for her kindness, and her bravery was legendary.

Often they passed Indians from different tribes, but the Indians never attempted to communicate with them in any way and let them pass over their lands unmolested. The legends of the power and strength of the Lagonda tribe had reached far and wide, and none wanted to meet with their displeasure. The few Indian tribes who had dared come up against them in the past had faced defeat. It was said that they were ruled by a great king and lived in a hidden valley. Anyone who would dare harm a Lagonda warrior met a swift death.

It had been three weeks since Mara had parted from Tajarez. There was an emptiness deep inside of her, but she did not allow the others to see it. She pretended to be happy and lighthearted. Mara missed her twins. She resented the fact that Hamez and Tamera would grow and develop while she was away. She would miss all the cute things that babies do, and she would not be there when they started to walk. If only time would pass quickly. If only it was not such a long journey to St. Louis and back, she thought.

They had left the prairie behind and were now traveling in a heavily wooded country. Although it was early May, it was often cold at night. Several times it had snowed, and Palomas had told Mara that spring would be late this year. She knew when they reached the mountains that the snowfall would probably be heavier.

On this particular day, Mara was dressed in a fawn-colored gown that was beaded with gold. Her hair hung down her back in a single braid and was encircled with a leather and gold headband. Because of the cold weather Minet had unpacked Mara's fur-lined cape, which Tajarez had given her before she left the city. It was a beautiful cape of white doeskin lined in ermine, and Mara treasured it because Tajarez had had a woman make it for her as a going-away present. She had thought it much too grand to wear on the journey and she had told Tajarez so. He had laughed and told her nothing was too grand for his queen. She was now grateful for the warmth of the cape. There was an icy wind blowing and the smoke-colored sky hinted that it would snow before they made camp for the night.

Mara saw that they were approaching a river and dreaded the delay. The rivers they had crossed were always tested by Palomas, and if he thought it unsafe to swim the horses across many rafts would have to be built to take them across, which sometimes caused them to lose a whole day.

Mara halted her mount while Palomas tested the waters. She watched as he entered the water and rode midway across. He then returned to her side. "It is safe to cross here," he told her.

Mara sighed. She dreaded the thought of crossing in the icy waters. The current was swift and she did not relish the possibility of falling from her horse into the icy water. She gave an involuntary shiver as her mount balked. Palomas took the reins and led her forward.

"Do not despair, I shall see you safely across," Palomas said.

She gave him a half-smile as she pulled the hem of her cape up and tucked it about her waist, not wanting it to be ruined by the river water.

The icy winds seemed to intensify as she guided her horse into the river. She gave a grateful sigh when they reached the opposite shore.

Palomas held up his hand for the others to halt. "We will camp here for the night," he ordered.

4

While I seek a haven, 1 find a hell.

My eyes reach upward, while downward I dwell.

Mara walked away from the camp and sat down on a fallen tree trunk. She wrapped her robe about her for warmth. Looking up over her head, she thought how strange the branches looked. They had already started to bud, and the tiny unfolded leaves were covered with a light layer of snow.

She looked in the direction of the setting sun and smiled as she remembered what Palomas had told her about the battle between the sun and the moon.

"The moon wins again," she said to herself.

It was that time of day that can be called neither day nor night. The mountains in the distance, which were snow-covered, took on a rosy hue. It was peaceful sitting alone, Mara thought. Privacy was such a luxury to her. She seldom got the chance to be alone. Palomas was always beside her unless she was inside the tent, and then Falon and Minet were her constant companions.

Mara had stolen away from camp hoping she could enjoy the peace and serenity of her surroundings. She knew at any moment someone would discover her absence and she would have to return.

What was Tajarez doing at this moment, she wondered. Did he miss her as much as she missed him? "My dearest love, being parted from you is so painful," she said to the now darkened sky. She was so overcome with homesickness she could feel an ache deep inside her. Standing up, she walked over to a small incline and stood with her back against a tree. She tried to think of something else. She was almost nineteen years old. A wife, and a mother of twins. Surely she could act like an adult instead of like a child who was away from its mother for the first time.

Transferring her thoughts, she tried to think about Sagas's predictions about the white man's moving into this wilderness, cutting down the trees and destroying the land, pushing the wildlife further north. Mara smiled. She was already beginning to think like an Indian. She hardly thought of herself as white anymore. Her people were the Lagonda, and her husband their king.

She thought of Jeffery and Sasha. She was sorry she would not be home when Sasha's baby was born. The baby was due in June and there was no way she could be home by then. Mara had already decided she would spend no more than two weeks with David and Linda; that way she could be home by July instead of August as was planned. Mara smiled to herself. Tajarez would be surprised when she returned early.

Suddenly Mara sensed a change in the atmosphere. The birds that had been nesting in the tree over her head took wing and flew into the sky. She frowned. It was not her presence that had disturbed the birds. She had been standing under the tree for a long time and the birds had not been disturbed by her. Fear made the back of her neck tingle. She had the strongest feeling of danger. Her hand automatically strayed to the golden medallion that Sagas had given her. It felt warm in her hand, almost as if it were alive. It seemed as if Sagas's face appeared before her and she could plainly hear his voice: "
Run, Mara, Run
!"

In her fear and confusion, her feet would not obey the command to flee. Suddenly she heard a deep growl coming from somewhere in the darkness in front of her. She strained her eyes in the near-darkness, trying to see the animal that threatened her.

She drew in her breath as she saw the wolf. He was crouched not twenty yards from her, ready to spring. The animal inched closer, and the deep growling that issued from his mouth made Mara feel the strong taste of fear. She took a step backwards and found her back against an overhanging cliff. There was nowhere to run. The wolf stood between her and the safety of the camp.

She tried to call for help, but the only sound that issued from her mouth was a soft groan. She kept her eyes glued to the wolf, which was not much more than a furry blur. The animal seemed to sense her fear as it edged closer, giving her a better view of it. It was huge, she thought. Its coat was gray matted fur, and its ears stuck up in a point. It flashed through Mara's mind that the wolf did not look much different from a large dog. Looking at its bared teeth she knew she could easily be ripped apart by them. White foam covered the wolf's mouth, and Mara watched fascinated as it ran down the gray shaggy coat and onto the snow-covered ground. She had not known that a wolf foamed at the mouth. How could she, she had never seen a wolf so close up before. She observed the animal as it leaped to its feet and lunged toward her.

Mara heard someone screaming Tajarez's name and realized it was herself. She was going to die, and no one could prevent it from happening. Palomas would have to return to the Seven Cities and tell Tajarez she was dead, she thought in horror. She closed her eyes tightly, wishing she had brought a weapon with her. She waited to feel the sharp teeth tear into her skin. A new sound made her open her eyes, the sound of the wolf attacking. But it was not she who was the victim, but one of the Lagonda warriors who had seen she was in trouble and had come to her rescue. She could not see who the man was, it was too dark. He was rolling in the snow with a grip on the wolf's throat, and by sheer strength was holding the wolf's sharp teeth away from him. The animal was making horrible noises, and Mara could see its fangs rip the man's arm open. She ran toward the man, but strong arms went around her waist and she was lifted up into Palomas's arms.

"Help him," she sobbed. "He will be killed!"

Palomas was grim-faced as he looked down at her. "It will be better if the wolf kills him."

"What are you saying! Are you mad?" Mara looked at Palomas in disbelief, thinking she had not heard him correctly.

"I order you to help him, Palomas," she shouted so he could hear her above the horrible sounds the animal was making. She closed her eyes when she saw the snow was covered with blood. She noticed the man now, his name was Unat, keeper of the horses. He had a death-grip on the wolf's throat.

Mara shuddered as she saw Unat being ripped apart. It was his blood she saw on the snow. She buried her face against Palomas's chest. By now others had gathered around. What was the matter with them? Why did they not help Unat?

"You know what to do, Matio," Palomas said as he tightened his hold on Mara and started walking back to camp.

"What is Matio going to do, Palomas? You are acting very strange," Mara said, not understanding anything that was taking place.

"It is best you do not know. I do not want you to see," he answered.

"I asked you what Matio is going to do, Palomas, and I expect an answer. As your queen I demand to know."

"Mara, Unat is a dead man already. Were he to survive we would have to slay him," Palomas told her softly, wishing he could spare her the horrible truth. He did not feel guilty for being relieved that it was Unat who must die, and not Mara.

Mara tried to wriggle out of Palomas's arms. "You told Matio to slay Unat. My God, are you such a monster that you would order a man killed just because he might lose his arm? I never have been ashamed of you until now, Palomas. I order you to stop Matio, and if you do not, Tajarez will hear of this." She tried to sound strong and authoritative, but the horror of what she had witnessed and the unwillingness of the others to help their companion was too much for her.

Palomas paused at the tent opening. "Mara, the wolf had rabies. Unat will not want to live. Matio is performing an act of mercy."

His words hit her with a force that took her breath away. Now she could understand why everyone was acting so strangely. "Oh, dear God, say it is not so. Is there nothing we can do?" She pleaded as her body shook with pent-up emotions.

"Mara, by now the deed is done. Unat walks among the spirits. He knew when he saw the wolf that it was rabid. It was his choice to die."

"It is my fault," she sobbed, overcome with grief. She remembered Unat as always laughing, and his eyes had always lit up when she spoke to him. It was hard to believe a man so strong, so alive, was now dead.

"It was not your fault, my queen," Palomas said, as a way of reminding her that she
was
the queen and that she must act the part. He placed her on her feet inside the tent and she sank down on the soft robe, knowing her trembling legs would not support her. She buried her face in her hands, and wept. Minet and Falon came to her immediately and took her in their arms.

"Look after your queen, I will return shortly," Palomas told the two young maidens.

"We saw what happened, my queen," Falon told her sadly. "Palomas was right, it was not your fault. If Unat had survived he would have gotten the fear-of-water sickness, and he would have died in agony."

Mara raised her tear-stained face. "Does it matter? He is dead, and death is so final."

"No, my queen, by now he walks among the spirits. He will tell the Great Father that he died so his queen might live, and he will know great honor," Minet said.

"I did not want him to die," Mara said in a pitiful voice. "So many have died because of me," she said remembering the Kiowa raid, when the Kiowa chief had tried to take her away from Tajarez.

"You are the queen," Falon said, as if that justified so many dying on her behalf.

Mara's mind was tortured, and she tried to think what Tajarez would do in this situation. That gave her the courage to do what must be done. Rising to her feet, she walked over to the jug of water that stood by the tent opening and washed her face. She then ran shaky hands down her gown. A golden strand of hair had come loose from her braid and she tucked it behind her ear. Squaring her shoulders, she removed the cape Tajarez had given her, and carrying it over her arm, walked out of the tent.

The warriors were gathered in a circle, and when they saw Mara they moved aside to let her pass. She tried not to close her eyes when she saw Unat lying bloody and mangled upon the snow-covered ground. She could see where an arrow had pierced his heart, and she swallowed the bile that rose in her throat. Kneeling down beside him she saw that, despite the fact that his body was a bloody mass, somehow his face was mercifully untouched. Mara touched his face, knowing he had given his life without hesitation to save her. There was a gasp from the crowd of warriors as she leaned forward and kissed Unat on the forehead. Standing up, she placed her fur-lined cape over him, and then spoke to the group of warriors who watched her to see what she would do next.

"Let it be known that Unat died the death of a brave warrior. I, as his queen, decree on this day that his name shall be honored. Did he have any family?" Her voice was clear and did not show the sorrow she was feeling.

"He had a wife and a small daughter," Palomas said.

"Listen to me, my people. I want it known that a brave man has forfeited his life. Palomas, it is my wish that Unat receive great honors. Let him be buried with this symbol of my esteem," she said as she removed the golden armband that spanned her upper arm and placed it down beside Unat's dead body.

The crowd of fierce-looking men bowed their heads in silence knowing Unat had received the greatest honor a warrior could hope for, to be buried with the gold. It was a symbol to be carried to the spirit world so all would know he was honored by his king and queen.

Palomas stood with his arms folded across his broad chest, feeling very proud of Mara. She might look weak and fragile, but inside her beat a heart of courage, and she was wise beyond her young age. Once again he thought the Great Father had created the perfect woman in her. Looking around him he saw the adoring look on all the faces of the fierce Lagonda warriors, and knew they were wishing they could be honored by their queen as Unat had been.

"Palomas, I want you to select one man to return to the Seven Cities to take the news of Unat's death to his family. Instruct him to go first to the king and tell him what has occurred so he can bestow the honor on his wife and daughter. Then I want Unat laid to rest in a manner befitting his courage."

"It will be as you say, my queen," Palomas said.

Matio watched as the queen walked into her tent. Never had he seen such a woman. He envied Unat his opportunity to choose to die for her. Her kindness was well known by all, and her bravery was legendary. Everyone knew she had once slain a great chief to save Tajarez's life.

Unat's body was wrapped in Mara's fur-lined cape for burial. Mara lay down wearily, knowing she would not sleep, fearing her dreams would be haunted by the sight of Unat in his death struggle with the rabid wolf. All night she longed to be held in Tajarez's strong arms, so she could find the comfort that only he could give her.

The days followed each other with no change except in the country they were riding through. Where before they rarely saw another human being, they now saw scattered cabins. The crude cabins appeared to belong to trappers. On rare occasions, they would see a small farm that had been carved out of the wilderness. The weary travelers never slowed their pace. It was now the end of May, and the weather was much warmer.

They were now nearing a wide river, and Mara looked at it with a feeling of dread. It appeared to be a river that they would need a raft to cross. As they reached the bank she knew Palomas would insist they build rafts, and that would cost them a whole day. Mara had worked herself into a fevered state wanting to get to St. Louis so she could quickly return to Tajarez and the children. Her heart seemed to grow heavier with each passing mile, and she wanted nothing better than to turn her horse westward and return to the Seven Cities.