Tykota's Woman(48)

Sinica's lips were moving, but he made no sound. Finally, he gasped, "I detest you." Then he stiffened and stared into nothingness. He was dead.

Tykota eased Sinica's head down and stood, speaking to the Apaches, who seemed frozen with shock. "Who will be next to challenge me for this woman? Who wants to be the next to die?"

Before anyone could react, they were distracted by at least forty Apaches riding up the mesa. When the dust cleared, only one man dismounted, obviously the leader. He carried himself proudly, and his dark eyes took in all that had occurred. Then he turned to Tykota.

Makinna was puzzled to see Mangas with the warriors.

Tykota faced Cochise, chief of the Chiricahua Apaches. "I have slain my brother." He tossed down his knife. "I have no wish to slay anyone else. If you want revenge, you will have no resistance from me."

"There will be no reprisal, Tykota. Sinica has caused the Apaches much trouble. He could not have lived long with his lust for blood. You can take your woman and leave, Chief of the Perdenelas."

Tykota's gaze fell at last on two tall braves in Sinica's band he recognized from his own tribe. "I do not know which path you will travel, but do not return to Valle de la Luna. You will find no welcome there, and every man's hand will be turned against you."

One brave had the good grace to lower his head in shame, but the other glared at Tykota.

"You are both a disgrace to the Perdenelas. Go out and find a better life. Never let me look upon either of your faces again."

Tykota motioned for Mangas to cut Makinna loose while he spoke to Sinica's followers. "If there is any among you who want to challenge me, for the death of Sinica, let him step forward now."

He was met by silence.

Cochise spoke in a commanding voice. "If any of you want to come with me, I will take you back into the tribe. But if you come, you will obey me in all things, and you will not war on anyone unless it is my command."

Tykota did not wait to hear more. He lifted Makinna into his arms, and Mangas handed him the reins of his horse. "Take her to our valley. She needs healing. You must hurry."

Tykota nodded. "Follow as soon as you are able, Mangas. I will need you beside me when I take my place as chief."

Makinna leaned her head against Tykota's chest. She wasn't sure just what had happened or why she was free. "You were very brave," she said through cracked, swollen lips.

"Hush. Do not think about it."

"I will always remember your courage."

He knelt down and held a waterskin to her lips. "Drink, Makinna."

She took only a few sips, as he had taught her to do.

He held her to him. "Fear no more, Makinna. I am taking you to someone who can help you."

"I am not dreaming?"

"No, beloved, you are not dreaming." He examined her closely, taking in the severe sunburn, the gash on her forehead, and the bloody wounds from the ropes around her wrists and ankles. "Did they... abuse you?" he asked.

"No. They only used me to capture you."

His arms tightened about her. "You are safe now."

"Safe," she whispered, closing her eyes and slumping against him. "As long as I am with you."

Although he would be breaking the tribal law by bringing a white woman to his valley, the medicine woman, Huara, was a great healer. And, besides, he could not let Makinna go. Not yet.

He gently lifted her onto the Indian pony and headed in the direction of Valle de la Luna and the Mountain of the Moon.





The horse was tired, and Tykota was forced to slow to a walk, although he was impatient to get Makinna to the healer.

After a while he had to stop because the horse could go no farther. He dismounted and lay Makinna down while he tended the pinto.

The moon was still bright, and he gauged it to be early morning. He was still a day's ride from the Mountain of the Moon.

He sat down and took Makinna's head in his lap. She stirred but didn't awaken. Besides the gash, her face also had bad bums from the sun. He only hoped her eyesight had not been damaged. He would have given his life to spare her this anguish.

He gently touched a tangled curl and tucked it behind her ear. "I know you cannot hear me, but you are the most amazing woman I have ever known, Makinna Hillyard."

She lay motionless, but he was encouraged by the even rise and fall of her chest. Her breathing was good.

At first light, Tykota was again on the move. He was thankful for the sturdy Indian pinto that carried both him and Makinna through the desert with ease. By early afternoon, he saw the twin peaks that looked like clouds banked against the sky. Unless someone accidently happened upon the narrow passage that led to Valle de la Luna, it was so well concealed that they would not know it was there.