Tender savage (22 page)

Viper rose to his feet, then scraped the fish left on their plates off into a bowl he placed outside on the porch for the cat. Turning back to her, he ordered gruffly. "Takeoff your slips, that way you won't make so much noise when you walk."

The f>erceptive blonde knew she wasn't welcome on the hunting trip, and since she had had to talk him into taking her, she didn't think she could demand he be more charming. "I suppose your buckskins are quiet?" she asked instead.

"Like the whisper of the wind," Vip>er assured her. He watched as she discarded the lacy undergarments, then slun^ his quiver and bow over his shoulder. He picked up his rifle and opened the door. "Stay right behind me. If I raise my hand, stop. Do not speak to me unless I first speak to you."

He was so serious about their mission that Erica did not

argue. "I will be like your shadow, quiet but always nearby."

That promise brought a smile to the brave's lips. "If I had a pretty wife who was as quiet as a shadow, everyone would envy me."

"Everyone will envy you whether I am quiet or not, now let's go." Erica slipped past him to go through the door, then waited for him to lead the way. The tomcat looked up only briefly, then went back to devouring the last bits of trout in the bowl.

Vii>er had certainly filled her life with adventure, Erica thought as she followed him into the forest, which lay on the north side of the bam. The farmer's cornfields were on the south, and she wondered who would harvest his crop. She didn't know the first thing about picking corn in the fields, and from what Viper said, neither did he. Well, they'd soon learn, she swore to herself, because surely it would be a sin to let the com rot in the fields when his people were going hungry.

IJnaware of the practical slant of his wife's thoughts, the brave walked with a light but sure step, stopping frequently to study the breaks in the underbrush for clues to the cougar's direction. The animal had run only a short distance then had lain down to rest before moving on. It was traveling steadily north, but Viper hoped to overtake it before it reached the safety of its lair. They walked one hour, then two. Viper turned back often to make certain Erica was keeping up with him, but she was never more than an arm's reach behind. She, too, had worn her cougar claw necklace, and he winked at her, thinking them a very strange hunting party, indeed.

When Viper heard the big cat moan, a low, mournful sound off to the right, he raised his hand to warn Erica he was about to stop and change direction so she would not run into his back. The underbrush was thick, but up ahead he caught a glimpse of the cougar they had been tracking sunning himself on a rocky ledge. Blood was trickling from the wound in his back leg and he turned his head to lick it away.

Viper could not get a clear shot from where they stood, so he gestured to a tree with an overhanging limb. Erica nodded that she understood, then held his rifle as he

climbed up and found a secure place from which to shoot. Regaining possession of the weapon, he took careful aim, then suddenly changed his mind and handed her down the rifle. Taking his bow and an arrow from his quiver, he then again took aim at the wounded cougar.

Erica didn't want to watch the animal die, even though she understood why he could not be allowed to live. She told herself it was the humane thing to put him out of his misery, but she turned away as Viper drew back his bowstring. A slight movement in the bushes behind them caught her notice, and she realized to her horror that the cougar's mate had begun stalking them. Before she could shout a warning to Viper, the female broke through the foliage and came running toward her, mouth open wide, her wickedly sharp teeth gleaming with the bri^t threat of death as she sprang into the air. Without allowing her total inexperience with a rifle to affect her actions. Erica pulled the trigger and watched in terrified fascination as the female's snow-white belly turned a brilliant red. In the same instant an arrow pierced the cougar's throat. Slain twice, the animal fell to the ground only inches from the blonde's feet, twitched convulsively, and died.

Erica turned to look up at Viper and found his astonished glance filled wtih admiration. His first arrow had also found its mark, and he leaped down from the tree to join her. "You were right," he shouted enthusiastically, "everyone will envy mel" He picked her up off her feet and spun her around, then set her down and kissed her soundly. "It is not every brave's wife who has the courage to shoot a cougar at point-blank range."

"Your friends will be impressed?" Erica whispered weakly.

"Yes. You are not only pretty, but also brave. They will like you," Vif>er assured her with another fervent kiss.

"Oh good," Erica mumbled as he drew his knife to begin skinning the first of the dead cougars. She then collapsed in a heap at the base of the tree, the rifle balanced precariously across her knees. She felt faint and sick to her stomach, but as long as Viper was proud of her, she would not complain.

One week melted into two, and Erica grew accustomed to the easy routine Viper had set. Each morning he would catch fish for their breakfast. Since she had proven her value, if he went hunting later, he would take her along. Sometimes they gathered berries together in the woods, always eating more than they ever managed to carry home. In the afternoons they would ride the stallion to the river to swim or merely to sit under the trees and enjoy each other's company. The evenings were spent in front of the fire, where Vip)er would recount die more colorful adventures from his youth to amuse his adoring bride. She had enticed him into sharing the feather bed at night, but it was clear to her, despite the fact that they were enjoying the comforts of the small farmhouse, that the man still considered himself an Indian through and through. It was a placid life, which gave them both pleasure, but it also had the elusive quality of a beautiful dream, and they each knew it could not last.

Often when they were together, Viper would be so preoccupied that Erica knew better than to disturb him with idle conversation. She resj>ected his privacy and did not pry, since she was certain he was silently dwelling upon the course of the uprising. She knew they were honeymooning in a valley torn by warfare, but she did not force the issue by asking him to discuss it any more than he already had. She enjoyed the hours they shared

too greatly to spoil them with talk of bloodshed, but she said prayers each night that the Sioux and the white men would soon be able to again live in peace.

After repeated washings and days spent in the sun. Erica's only dress had faded to as pale a shade of blue as that of a robin's egg. The soles of her slippers were nearly worn through, and she could scarcely imagine how they would survive the winter if they did not fina heavier clothes and a source of food. The fall weather was lovely, but she had heard the winters were harsh in Minnesota, and she did not want to spend several months wrapped in their one quilt huddled in front of the fire.

As they roue to the river one afternoon, Erica could no longer keep her worries to herself. "Where did your people get things like flour and salt. Viper? Were there stores at the Lower Agency?"

Viper was not unaware of the source of her concern, for he too had spent considerable time wondering how they would pass the winter months. "The government gave us flour and salt as paurt of their bargain to pay for our lands. Traders at the agency sold food, but they cheated us and charged more than it was worth. Then the Indian agents ignored our complaints and paid the traders' claims out of our money. Everyone cheated us. It was like a joke to them, but not to us."

"I certainly don't find it amusing, either, but if a shortage of supplies was a problem before, won't the uprising have made the situation even worse?"

"Yes," Viper agreed, "but now that we can hunt again on land the settlers have left, we at least have a chance to provide for ourselves. We had none before."

Every word he spoke was so damning. Erica was amazed the uprising had not taken place several years earlier. The Sioux had shown remarkable restraint, in her view, when they had been treated so badly. She was riding behind him that day and rested her cheek upon his shoulder. "You are so bright. Viper, you would make a fine spokesman for your people."

Viper disagreed. "No, I would not, for I know my words would be wasted. We have sent the wisest of our chiefs to Washington, Their pleas were heard but quickly forgotten. Talking does no good at all."

"And the killing will?" Erica asked skeptically.

"We will have to wait and see," Viper responded thoughtfully. "I should find my friends and learn what has happened."

"Will they still be living at the Lx>wer Agency?"

Viper hesitated a moment, then, certain she would never betray him, told her the truth. "There was talk of moving our camp up past the Yellow Medicine River so the warriors' families would be safe."

As they reached their favorite spot on the river, Erica looked around apprehensively. She never relaxed until she was certain there were no signs anyone had visited the site since they had left the previous afternoon. "Isn't the Yellow Medicine River a long way from here?"

"Yes," Viper agreed with a sly grin. "If we were to follow the Minnesota River, it would be a long trip. But if we followed the Cottonwood to its source and then went north it would be no more than a day's ride." He slid down off the stallion and then helped her down to her feet. "You were not afraid the first time you talked with me. Would you be afraid to visit my camp?"

While Erica thought she would be wise to be cautious where his p)eople were concerned, she did not want to admit the thought of meeting them frightened her witless. Without answering his question, she started walking toward the river, unbuttoning her dress with a carefree nonchalance as she went. They always swam nude, and she liked the feel of the water against her bare skin. She liked the way Viper's body felt against hers, too. Swimming nude would have created a scandal at home, but here in the woods it seemed a very natural thing to do.

Viper tethered the stallion where the animal could graze, then followed his bride down to the water. They spent so much time out of doors that her fair skin had turned a light golden tan, and if possible, her hair seemed even more blond. He walked up behind her, wrapj^ed his arms around her narrow waist, and gave her a loving hug. "I must go soon, Erica. Do you want to come with me, or stay here?"

"You know I cannot stay here alone," the troubled blonde complained. "If you leave, then you will have to take me with you." She placed her hands over his, wishing with all her heart he would choose to stay there with her instead.

"Your dress is nearly worn out, our food is scarce. We will have to find the others before winter comes." Knowing each day he remained with her would make it all the more difficult to leave, he forced himself to make a painful decision. "Tomorrow we will go to the Yellow Medicine River. We will learn all we can, and then decide whether to go or stay."

Erica sighed regretfully, "I like it here. Viper."

"So do I," the brave readily admitted. "I do not mind living in a house if I do not have to be a farmer, but I am a warrior, and I cannot leave my friends to fight alone."

"I understand," Erica murmured softly, glad he could not see the tears that filled her eyes. She broke away from him then, hurriedly stepped out of her clothing, waded out into the river, and began to swim.

He knew her moods so well it was plain to Viper that Erica did not understand at all. Quickly discarding his buckskins, he swam out to her. With a flip of his head he sent his hair out of his eyes, then leaned forward to give her a light kiss. "It is not a choice of loving you or being a warrior, Erica. I do love you, and I am a warrior. You have always known I am Indian."

"Just as you have always known I am white," Erica reminded him. Now that they had finally taken up the subject she had been so afraid to discuss, she did not back away from it. "When other whites are being held captive, how can I ride with you into Little Crow's camp? I can no more go there than you could go to Mankato with me to look for my aunt and uncle. Each of us would be seen as the enemy by the other's people. You know we would."

Viper frowned slightly, for while he knew in his care she would not be in danger, he did not want her own people calling her a traitor. "I will tcike you with me, but leave you hidden nearby and enter the camp alone. The captives cannot be wandering about freely. When I am certain you will not be seen, I will return for you. Now stop worrying about meeting my people. They will not spit on you, even though your kind has never treated us well."

It was the bitterness of his tone that convinced the worried blonde to be still. She had chosen to become his wife when she had realized she loved him too dearly to forsake him. Every action in life brought consequences, some good, some bad, and she knew she would simply

have to face them. "I could not bear to lose you," she confessed in a shaky whisper.

"You never w^ill," Viper promised. He sw^am a few yards away and then came back to steal another kiss. He teased her until she began to laugh and join in his game of tag. She knew how to swim, if not nearly so well as he did, but he would let her catch him rather than take pride in how easily he could get away. They played until his mood became more passionate than playful, and then she no longer tried to slip from his arms.

Viper gripped Erica's hands and towed her toward the shore where a soft blanket of moss made an inviting bed. As he dropped down by her side she did not pretend ignorance of his intentions, but entwined her legs in his with a seductive purr, her joy in his love having grown deeper with each new day. He might have known far more about making love the first time they had been together, but she was an imaginative young woman who had led him with an enticing eagerness to learn even more. She met his every kiss and caress as though it bestowed a flood of rapture. Her whole body seemed alive with the essence of her love, making her endlessly responsive to his every gesture.