Princess Ces'alena (60 page)

Chapter Fourteen

The rumors of the attack on Fort Mims became a frightening reality, because of an attack on a group of Creeks by Alabama whites in Burnt Corn Creek of Spanish Florida. In reprisal for the attack, Fort Mims became the target of revenge; it was overrun by the Red Sticks on August 30, 1812…three hundred fifty to five hundred soldiers and settlers lost their lives. William Weatherford, one of the leaders of the Red Sticks, even sent warning, that they would be attacked. Laziness on the part of the commanding officer, who was known for his lax attitude, was reportedly drunk and had ignored the warning, and the gates to the fort were never closed.

February 1813, the winter was mildly cold, it snowed rarely, and when it did, again it left no sign of ever doing so. In the village of Chief Menomonee, the Indian wives, mothers and daughters were frightened because the Tennessee and Georgia Militia were seeking aid in the war against the Red Sticks, opposing Creeks that rebelled against the white government. Red Dawn was especially frightened, because Long Bow, for once, was considering joining and giving aid. They all sat in Chief Menomonee’s house discussing the details of the war that would be fought against the Red Sticks.

“The decision is up to you of course; but you must be aware, that teaming up with the militia does not guarantee or strengthen your own cause.” Thomas expressed his feelings.

He and Long Bow had grown very close since their meeting, they were fast friends, and Thomas knew of Red Dawn’s worry.

He knew he needed to tread carefully when it came to interfering in matters of conscience, when it came to the tribes. His purpose was to inform, educate…and nothing more, but he didn’t want his friend going off fighting a battle that may be fought in vain.

“I understand you feel it would be good to let the surrounding states know of your support and willingness to unite, but will it promise security for your people?” Thomas continued further.

“I believe that it will. We will become their support, therefore making them stronger – as an ally …I cannot see them turning on the very ones who would help them grow stronger in power.” Chief Menomonee asserted.

Red Dawn looked at her husband, waiting for his opinion.

“My brothers in Georgia have given their word that they will join in the fight, they feel by doing this, it will help in their relations with the neighboring white settlers. This act will assure them of their safety to dwell next to the Cherokee.” Chief Long Bow stated, then sighed deeply, feeling his wife’s frightened gaze on him. “While I have broken away from them, I want them to know, that we are still one – though apart. I … I have decided to join, -(he looked her in the eyes)- the Georgia militia along with my brothers…I will fight!”

Red Dawn’s eyes widened as she snatched her gaze from her husband’s, she did all she could to sit calmly and listen. Yet every second that ticked by, her insides quivered, melting down to a jumble of shattered nerves, she couldn’t stop her eyes from watering. Lena sat across the room watching her. Suddenly Red Dawn surged to her feet and ran from Menomonee’s home.

Long Bow sighed, his son sitting staunchly by his side. Lena rose next and quietly followed, shutting the door softly behind her. At Long Bow’s and Red Dawn’s home, Lena listened to her as she paced in worry, wringing her hands.

“Oh my God…Oh my God…I cannot let him do this. How do I stop him from doing this?” She pleaded in a prayer…her voice quivering with fear. Lena didn’t know what to tell her, she was just as upset…they had grown so close, and what one felt…the other felt as well.

“Lena…what will I do…please…help me?” Red Dawn pleaded almost in tears. Quietly Lena walked up to her, and offered her shoulder…there was nothing she could say. Red Dawn held onto her. “Every decision he has ever made…I have followed him through it without argument. I cannot this time…I simply cannot!”

“I know…” Lena didn’t know what else to say.

“How do you love someone so much…and survive saying goodbye, when you know you may never see them again?” She asked whimpering.

Lena thought back to the night before Manny left. She thought she would die that night, only the pain of losing her son…could outweigh the pain of knowing he was leaving her, and she might never see him again. Yet she lived on…and so would Red Dawn. But telling someone that - did little good when they were smack dab in the midst of having to let go. Before she could answer, the door opened as Long Bow, Red Crow and Thomas, who held Hope in his arms…entered.

The two of them slowly came apart. Red Dawn looked at her husband, and knew the fight to come.

“Ceś alena, you should get your things, we are riding back tonight. I’ve already sent one of the kids to fetch the Johnson’s.” Thomas instructed. Lena swallowed, and turned to her friend, grabbing her hand, she squeezed it to give support. “Thank you.” Red Dawn mouthed softly. Lena’s smile was sad when she went for their things, and soon they left.

After Lena and Thomas had gone, Red Dawn went into her kitchen to straighten up. The couple was quiet as the tension built around them. Long Bow sent Red Crow to stay with his uncle, Dark Shadow; and quietly entered where his wife busily put their home in order.

“Will you punish me with your silence for the remainder of this night?” Long Bow asked as she cleaned. Red Dawn continued on without answer. Finally she stopped sweeping and asked, “How much thought did you give this, while leaving me out of it?”

“Long Bow… I love you! I have never looked at you with those eyes! To say that you run! Have you forgotten the dying words of your father!? He called you, “The guardian of your people’s souls! That - is where your destiny lies! To keep your people safe! This war - is not - yours!” She argued passionately.

“I have done as my father pleaded! Those who would listen to me; those who would follow me, are here…and they are safe! I have done - as my father pleaded! Yet, if I am to stand as a man - as a brave - as a warrior and chief, the time will come…when I must fight! I cannot ignore the summons and plea of my brothers!”

“While I must protect those who seek protection, I must also stand by the side of those who struggle and fight for what is right!”

“Please do not do this! I am begging you-…”

“
You!
You, do not do this!” He fired off trying to get her to hear him.

“
Listen to me!”
She screamed - crying, tears racing down her face, her fist balled before her as she shook.

“
No! You listen to me!!! It is too late! There is a portion of Creek who are causing trouble for all, and they must be stopped! I fear Chief Blue Eagle’s warriors are among them.”

“Pleeeease-…”

“I am a man!!! And for the peace of all!! Thee must be war!!!”

“Oh Long Bow…how can peace, be obtained by war?” She was dizzy and weak from her struggle emotionally and otherwise. “The Red Sticks fight is out of retaliation for the-…”

“I know what you’re going to say! I know why they attacked Fort Mims! Are we to attack each other back and forth until no one is left?” He argued.

“It’s the same thing! This war will kill - Long Bow! Please! I do not want you in it!” She was sobbing now trying to stand before him as he stared at her. He knew the love she had for him was strong… probably as great as his love for her. As a man however, how could he hold his head up if he did not join in the forces that sought to bring about peace? How could he continue so, and his son not live in shame of him? Knowing that his father ran and hid instead of fighting. He had a long talk with Red Crow on the way back from Chief Menomonee’s cabin, that evening telling him.

“Son, there will always be a time in our lives, when we must flee for our lives. And there will always be a time when we must stand and fight…you must learn and gain the wisdom of which to do when. We will never live with our faces in the dirt but we will be honored to die looking up to the sun…standing tall. The day will come, when you will take my place, and you will have to put your pride aside, and do what is right for the people, as I have tried my best to do.”

Now standing before his wife…how did he make her understand that? Her arms were wrapped around her midriff as if she held herself on her feet. Slowly he walked up to her, replacing her arms with his own.

She flung her arms around him, holding on with all her might.

“Shh - shh-…”

“Please don’t - don’t leave me…I beg you - I beg you…don’t leave me. I can’t live – with out – you.” She cried, weeping softly into his neck. He turned, bending his knees and lifted his wife into his arms, carrying her into the back corner where their room was situated, through the door and straight to their bed. There he laid her down and made love to her as she reciprocated in a willing frenzy. As the tempest between them slowly calmed, with Red Dawn’s head laying on his chest, he stroked her hair and quietly said, “I will be leaving in the morning with Chief Menomonee and the other braves-…” Her body began to shake once again, “Nooo-…” Her voice was small in pleading, cracking from more tears.

“…-If - for some reason, I do not return-…”

“Noooo - noooo - noooo!!!”
She bolted up shaking her head pulling at her hair screaming to drown out his words, she was unable to accept it. He rose quickly, angrily snatching her by the upper arms and shook her from her hysteria to listen to him. Red Dawn covered her ears as she sobbed to block him out.

“Listen to me!! You – are – not - weak!! No, no you my Red Dawn, you will not cry as though one with no spine!!” Letting one of her arms go he pounded his chest with his fist, tears now in his own eyes as he shouted at her. “I am a Cherokee warrior!! Do you hear!?! A proud Chief – before my people!!” He swallowed and swiped the tears from his cheek as if ashamed of them. Red Dawn was bent over beside him with her legs curled beneath her. “I
cannot
change — what I am. I
can-not
change. This is what you married. I have listened to my father, and I have brought those I could to safety. Hear me and know my wife…this time…I will
not run
, I will
fight
!!
”

He pulled her back up by the arms, to look into her face, parting the hair that covered it, wet from sweat and tears. Her head rolled unable, and unwilling to hold up and look at him. He sighed gazing at her…the love he felt for her surged through him like a raging torrent.

“If I do not return…you will send our son to his grandfather O’Brien. He will send our son off to school in Boston, there - he will complete his education. I wish him to know the law. He will be a great lawyer…and he will fight further. But he will never have to fight - as I leave to do now. He will return to our people, and he will pick up…where I leave off. Do you understand?” She nodded her head as she choked back another scream, and he pulled her into his chest…and spent the night, touching her, memorizing every inch of her body, tracing the angles of her face…and telling himself…should he die, he would have known the greatest love of all.

His wife, Josephine Olivia O’Brien, whom he lay with now, touching and loving…had defied all, even the powerful, Jordan Lee O’Brien. Giving up all the comforts and riches in her life, to dwell as his wife. To live among his people, working and toiling always with an eagerness to learn and adapt. Never once had she complained of the drastic change that her life had taken. Never had her tongue muttered a word against him, or the decisions he made. He knew
that
night, beyond all knowledge gained in his life, that he would forever love Josephine O’Brien.

Red Dawn - with closed eyes, spinning mind and thrashing body…felt she floated on a weightless cloud, as her husband touched her in everyway a man could to cherish and worship a woman.
‘He will return.’
She kept chanting within her head,
‘He will return.- God - you will not take him - from me.’
She was so sure that he would return, she would hold the news of the child she carried until she saw his face again.

* * *

By the time the small group reached the plantation it was late into the night. Lena invited Thomas in when he walked with her to her cabin. As she put Hope to bed, he looked around - stunned, and resentful at all the things Manny had obviously given her - to hold her to him. She had never allowed him inside before this night, and now he could see why.