Savage Splendor (Savage Lagonda 2) by Constance O'Banyon Page B
Authors: Constance O'Banyon
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical, Native Americans, 19th century, Marriage, King, true love, queen, wife, Beloved, Indian, husband, American West, Lagonda Tribe, White People, Reuniting, disappeared, Continuation, Night & Day
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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.
Mara halted her horse at the edge of the river, not allowing him to drink since he was lathered and had been running hard. Matio was beside her and she glanced up at him. "What do you think, Matio, will we need a raft to cross?"
His eyes grew soft as they always did when she spoke to him. He could not yet believe that she had chosen him to be among the personal guards who surrounded her. She had chosen him over older and more experienced warriors. "I do not know, my queen. Palomas is checking the depth now."
"It does not
"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.
Mara halted her horse at the edge of the river, not allowing him to drink since he was lathered and had been running hard. Matio was beside her and she glanced up at him. "What do you think, Matio, will we need a raft to cross?"
His eyes grew soft as they always did when she spoke to him. He could not yet believe that she had chosen him to be among the personal guards who surrounded her. She had chosen him over older and more experienced warriors. "I do not know, my queen. Palomas is checking the depth now."
"It does not
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