Page 69 of The Last Warrior

Irena nodded, she smiled, and then she was gone, weaving her way through the crowd, toward the two gentlemen of the Plains.

Looking pleased, Suzette drew her glance away from the entrance and the men, and decided to mingle with the rest of the show people and cowboys. In a far corner of the room was Annie Oakley. Who would believe such a small, delicate woman could be a professional sharpshooter? That she was also a woman of sympathy toward the Indians was well-known, for Sitting Bull was her fast friend.

Suzette made a move toward Annie, when a deep baritone voice sounded from behind her. “I have heard many people say tonight what a good captive you make.”

She grimaced. Even if he hadn’t spoken, the scent of rawhide and mint was enough to announce Black Lion’s presence behind her.

She said, without turning to greet him, “I am no man’s captive, and I never will be. I am afraid to tell you, Mr. Lion, slavery is dead in our world today.”

“Hau, it is good, and yet too bad, for I would enjoy seeing you decorate my lodge.”

“I am also not decoration, and I would like to remind you I have by no means changed my mind about you.” She was afraid to spin around and look at him, apprehensive of him simply being too good-looking for her peace of mind. “By the way,” she said over her shoulder, “who is your friend? I have not seen him before tonight.”

“He is an old medicine man from my tribe. He has come here to give me advice.”

“Advice?”

“Hau.” Black Lion stepped around to face her, making it all but impossible to ignore him. “Advice. My mission, as well as another matter…” This last was said against her ear, which stirred to life tingles of excitement all along her nerve endings.

She reminded herself she was upset with this man. “Oh, yes. Your mission.” Here was yet another justification for her to doubt this man. His mission, which was an esoteric task which, though steeped in legend and mystery, was impossible.

Yet she had promised him she would not pass judgment on him because of it, and she would keep her word. It didn’t necessarily follow, however, that she believed him. Indeed, not.

“Well, then,” she said, trying to keep from looking at the man directly, “I assume you and he have much to discuss. It would be ill of me to detain you in such a circumstance as this. Pray, feel free to leave me so you might humor him.”

“We have already had our talk.”

“Oh?”

“And so you see, I have much time…time to plead my circumstance to you in the hopes you will listen to me.”

“Mr. Lion, let it not be said that I will not listen to you. However, at the moment, I am awaiting the engagement of⁠—”

“Miss Joselyn?”

Suzette turned her head to watch Nate Salsbury, Buffalo Bill’s partner, approach them. He said, “Miss Joselyn, the musicians are ready for Irena’s performance. Do you know where she is?”

“Why, yes, I do. She is by the entrance…” Suzette hesitated as she glanced there now, but there was no sign of Irena. “Hmm… She was there only a moment ago. Perhaps she has stepped outside.”

“Thank you, I am sure she has. I shall look for her there.” Salsbury tipped his hat and departed immediately.

“This is stunning regalia, Black Lion.” Annie Oakley and her husband, Frank Butler, joined Suzette and Black Lion, leaving Suzette no choice but to acknowledge Black Lion. Annie continued, “It looks to be ancient, and I have not seen anything like it in the show.”

Frank smiled and raised his glass in greeting, but remained silent. It was up to Black Lion to answer. “It belonged to my father. It is his ceremonial shirt.”

“Ceremonial?”

“It is the tradition of my people that, when one is to attend a celebration with others, one dresses in his ceremonial best.”

Annie nodded. “Yes, and, Miss Joselyn…”

“Pray, please call me Suzette.”

Annie grinned. “Suzette, what a spectacular performance you presented to the audience this afternoon. It was a stroke of genius.”

Suzette returned Annie’s smile. “Thank you, but I’m afraid the congratulations should go to Mr. Lion, here, whose idea it was. Like many in the crew, I was as stunned as they were when he departed from the script.”

“Indeed?” Annie gave Black Lion a considering glance.