The Savage

“Why are they taking so long?” Summer asked Short Dress, whose hand she was clutching fiercely.

The Mexican woman shook her head and told Summer to have patience. She had only been permitted to attend because she might be called on to speak, but she would be sent away if she interrupted the men—and she didn’t want to shame her husband, did she?

“You must be brave,” Short Dress admonished. “The People respect courage and have only contempt for those who show fear, especially whites.”

Summer clenched her teeth and subsided, yet she considered it one of the most difficult tasks she’d ever performed in her life, to sit there for three interminable hours while Amelia’s fate was deliberated.

The warriors spoke in turn, beginning with Fights Bear, who told of his promise to help his brother ransom Amelia. Then his emissary spoke—one of the young men who had gone in search of Amelia. He had eventually located her with a band of Antelope Eaters two days’ ride northwest of here, but her owner would not return her for any price.

Lance, to Summer’s immense gratitude, asked about Amelia’s condition, and if she was fit to travel. The young man replied that she seemed like any white captive—cowed and groveling—which brought guffaws of laughter from the Comanche warriors around the circle, and made Summer taste blood, she bit her lip so hard. She could only console herself with the fact that her sister was still alive and that Lance would not abandon her.

He didn’t. After more general discussion, Lance expressed his intention of rescuing Amelia himself, which sparked a good deal of argument from the Comanches. No one, not even a peace or war chief, had the power to prevent him from conducting a raid on his own, but they were not required to support him either, and he would likely need help if he meant to appropriate Amelia from her owner. Someone suggested that they try more diplomacy first, and Fights Bear waded in with a proposal that supported a diplomatic initiative.

The council meeting dragged on for what seemed an eternity, primarily because the decision had to be unanimous. Compounding the difficulty was that Amelia belonged to another Comanche band, and Comanches did not make war on each other.

Finally, though, the peace chief announced a plan of action that had heads nodding in agr

eement.

“What did he say?” Summer demanded of Short Dress in an anxious whisper.

“Fights Bear will lead a party to visit the camp of the Antelope Eaters, and will conduct the bargaining himself. When they see that a powerful war chief makes the request for ransom, they will likely reconsider their decision.”

Closing her eyes, Summer almost gave a sob of relief. The battle for Amelia hadn’t been lost yet. She could almost kiss Fights Bear for throwing his powerful weight behind his brother.

The council meeting continued for a while longer, but Summer scarcely cared what decisions were made. Short Dress paid more attention and explained that the People would hold a dance tonight to make medicine for the success of the venture. It was not a raid precisely, nor a hunting party, but Fights Bear needed medicine. Then the warriors would slip away at night, one by one, because it was bad medicine to begin a venture in daylight.

The discussion still wasn’t finished when Short Dress gestured for Summer to leave. “Come, we have much work to do to prepare for our husbands’ departure.”

The preparations consisted of readying food and horses and weapons, and the women of the camp pitched in eagerly. Fights Bear’s grandmother directed all his wives, and Summer as well, scolding them all to hurry and to take care in the packing.

Everyone knew of the venture, for as soon as the council meeting concluded, the camp crier rode through the village, heralding the decision. Shortly the volunteers who planned to accompany the party began bringing their shields to hang on a rack before Fights Bear’s doorway to absorb the all-powerful medicine of the sun.

Summer was filling a parfleche with dried meat and mesquite bean meal when Lance returned to the tepee to take charge of his weapons.

To her surprise, he gave her a grin of reassurance. “Do you realize how big a victory you won today?”

“Victory?”

“When Fights Bear decided to take up your cause. I’ve never seen him take the side of a white before, especially a woman. But he swayed the council. Good thing, since I couldn’t have managed it on my own.”

“I’m glad he wasn’t offended because I didn’t want to sleep with him,” Summer said in a small voice.

Lance’s mouth twisted wryly. “Far from it. He admired your bravery for daring to approach him with your suggestion. And he was pleased to gain the extra horses. You impressed him, even if you are white.”

She didn’t feel impressive. All she felt was trepidation about the upcoming mission.

“Hey,” Lance said softly, “why the long face?”

“Amelia…” Her voice broke on her sister’s name and she pressed a hand to her mouth.

“She’s alive, princess. Be grateful for that.”

Her green eyes swam with tears. “I know. It’s just that… I’m afraid…”

“Fights Bear’s negotiations should work. His name commands a lot of respect among the Comanches.”

“What if it doesn’t?”