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Chapter 87

Amidst A Two-Legged Conflict

"I've been waiting for you to come
Staring out at the setting sun
You've been running around again
With that boy you call your friend

And it's driving me insane
Does he make you say his name?
And you can't get it off your tongue
Little girl, you are not so young"

– Setting Sun by Lord Huron

"CRAZY HORSE!"

The cry was so ferocious that it almost seemed to vibrate all earth. It was like thunder echoing throughout the wild prairies. So vicious, so menacing. Spirit had been dreading this exact moment all week...he knew he shouldn't be surprised and yet now that it was finally happening, he felt his heart squeeze within him and beat violently against his chest. His posture stiffened and his neck was tense as he eyed the raging human. By a mere glance, he could see that No Water had galloped his poor horse for days on end without a break. The unfortunate creature looked ready to collapse as the furious warrior dismounted. With a tomahawk in his left hand and a shotgun in his right, No Water continued spouting and screaming profanities; cursing both Little Creek and Black Buffalo Woman in his frenzied rage. Only Great Conquest, from the rest of the tribal horses, seemed to display the same distress Spirit did. Everyone else didn't even flinch at the two-legged drama that was swiftly unfolding before them. It appeared they were all used to it.

"Uh-oh...this can't be good." Conquest muttered in the golden stallion's ear, his eyes focused on the unpredictably dangerous man. "I think he's had a good amount of alcohol too."

"No shit." Spirit mumbled back, his anxiety and worry for Little Creek's safety rising within his core. What the hell was Little Creek thinking in trying to mess with a threatening lunatic like that? How could this possibly end with a happy outcome?

"You know, I heard that the special beverage makes humans do insane things."

Spirit attempted to rein in his racing emotions, but still he couldn't help the deep frustration that boiled over him. The spring had started well. Even though the colder months had been rather dull because of the heavy snow and harsh conditions, once the weather started to warm, Little Creek had developed a crafty plan in order to raid the military supplies for the cavalry. The experience had been ecstatic for Spirit! The thrill of relying on his speed and at the same time aiding his friend was just a marvellous sensation! It was even more rousing as he realized that no other cavalry mount could outrun or outwit them. He and Little Creek were just far too clever and far too swift. The satisfaction of assisting his human friend and the feeling of fighting for something important...something crucial, levitated the Mustang's whole spirit. His previous longing for his herd and family, had faded and were replaced with new exhilarating emotions. Instead of staying out of duty and honour, he actually found himself wanting to stay and fight alongside Little Creek till his last breath. But only now was he understanding that those emotions were simply an intoxicated state which he had rudely been awaken from. A week ago, Little Creek had done something reckless and foolish; he had snuck into Red Cloud's camp and had taken No Water's woman with him. Since that day, Spirit had an awful sensation in his gut that the angry husband would be back, seeking revenge on both Little Creek and Black Buffalo Woman. It was concerning how Rain's owner gave little to no thought to this. And now...it appeared it was too late. No Water had come, and he was maddened with unexplainable rage! He looked ready to rip someone into shreds. Rain's warning words rushed to Spirit's mind as he watched the infuriated warrior.

"A curse on you and your warlord!" He was shouting on top of his lungs as the other warriors gathered around him, trying to find out what the unrest was all about. "Shame! Dishonour! I spit on your coward Crazy Horse! What despicable leader he makes! May you all be wiped out by the bluecoats! How could you do this?! Come out, you shameless whore!" He was blinded with madness as Long Knife attempted to reason with him calmly.

"Where are they?!" No Water demanded, almost spitting his words into Long Knife's face. "Stop hiding them! Bring them out!" He was jabbing his finger at him.

Spirit drew in a sharp breath, his dark brown eyes wandered over to Little Creek's teepee. As one of the leading Shirt Wearers of the Renegades, his dwelling was decorated in symbols that represented his title. It wouldn't be long until No Water realized where he was. What would happen then? Spirit knew very well what would happen in his own world. When two stallions vied for the attention of a beautiful mare, they settled it with a customary combat. But humans, unlike his own kind, were always a lot more stranger. They were unpredictable...he didn't know how this troubling circumstance could end.

As if to prove Spirit's point, No Water, without any warning, rushed at Long Knife and gave him a solid punch, sending him on the ground. Perhaps, he had said something to irritate the already frenzied man, but whatever the reason, the furious warrior was marching towards Little Creek's teepee now.

"What the hell is he plannin' on doing?" Spirit pierced Great Conquest with an unnerved look.

The grey horse shook his head, uncertain about the whole debacle. "I don't know, but nothing good can come of it."

Instinctively, Spirit made to jog after the ferocious warrior, but the grey stallion halted him. "Be wise, Mustang! It is not up to us to engage in a human conflict."

"We're already amidst a human conflict!"

Spirit had not yet closed his mouth when a piercing sound of a gunfire deafened his eardrums. No! His heart heaved more violently as though it sought a way out of his chest. He saw No Water being tackled down by Long Knife and couple of other warriors, but the damage had already been done. He had already fired his weapon at the entrance of the tent. Spirit hurried to see what had befallen his friend when Little Creek and Black Buffalo Woman emerged from the teepee. The woman appeared unharmed, but she was screaming in panic. Spirit's wild gaze shifted to Little Creek; his eyes widened when he saw blood dripping from his human's jaw. Spirit released the breath he had been holding. While the wound looked incredibly nasty, the stallion sure was glad that Long Knife had rushed in time to stop No Water from blowing Little Creek's brains out.

"You brazen whore! How could you betray me like that?!" No Water fought against the men holding him down as he attempted to rush at his former wife. "May the gods curse you!" He spat at her.

"You almost killed Crazy Horse!" The woman shouted back at him unwaveringly. "I told you that it was over between us!"

"It's not over until I say it is! I will kill him! You hear me?! I WILL KILL HIM AND I WILL KILL YOU!" And like a rabid beast he cried, charging at the other warriors who had seized him, so that he could finish what he had started with Little Creek.

Spirit protectively stood over his friend, while Long Knife helped the bleeding man up his feet. It wasn't long until the warriors overpowered the raging No Water and send him back on his way. He uttered few more curses and menacing words before riding off on his half-dead horse.

"What fools!" Dissatisfied Sitting Bull turned to Little Creek afterwards, unable to hide his disappointment and shock. "What kind of spectacle have you unleashed amongst our midst? We have just received news from Chief Gall that his camp was attacked by the bluecoats. Have no doubt, we shall be next. We must be prepared, instead I find you frolicking with another warrior's wife! Shame on you, Crazy Horse! This is not how a warlord behaves!"

Little Creek's shoulders sagged as he recognized the truth in Sitting Bull's rebuke. However, Black Buffalo Woman instantly came to his defence. "My lord, No Water and I are no longer together. I have moved my belongings out of his tent. It has been over between us for quite some time now. Do not blame this on to your finest warrior. It is my fault."

"Women always cause trouble!" Sitting Bull said in disdain. "Crazy Horse is the leading warrior–"

"That's enough." Little Creek gasped, collecting his strength with a strain as he pressed a soft material against his bleeding jaw. "Black Buffalo Woman, please, stay out of this, my dear. There is no harm in love and everyone knows this. No Water was unworthy of you. Sitting Bull, I know I have disappointed you, but I couldn't leave her with that brute a minute longer. I followed my heart. If you deem it necessary, punish me...but leave her out of this."

Sitting Bull shook his head and sighed. "You are hereby stripped as a Shirt Wearer. Now get cleaned up and prepare yourself." He addressed other warriors as well. "The bluecoats are moving against us. We must stop them."

Exhaling softly, Little Creek accepted his punishment as the commotion died down and the people started to scatter. Thanking Long Knife and kissing Black Buffalo Woman, he turned to his loyal four-legged companion, who looked visibly disturbed by all of this. Whispering gently to him, he petted the stallion's neck. "Oh, Spirit...I am sorry." Soon, he would have to release the wild Mustang where he belonged and that thought brought him no small amount of pain. It would be a terrible loss, but the glorious creature deserved to be reunited with his family. He was born to run free, after all. He would grant him what he deserved. Rain and Wanbli and the wild herd needed him.

Spirit leaned his head against Little Creek's shoulder, nickering in his throat with gentleness. His liquid orbs regarded him with great affection that was mirrored in Little Creek's own eyes as well. Oh, these two-leggeds...what strange creatures they were and somehow, some of them still managed to creep into his heart.

Johnny casually eyed the corrals that Walker had built throughout the spring months. They were larger than any trap that he had seen or built in his entire wrangling career. It could hold up to three hundred horses, he was sure. In less than a day, frightened wild mustangs would be swarming in these enclosures like waves against rocks. A lot of cowboys had gathered for the drive. Even Miguel Diaz and Señor Morales, who were both rich rancheros, had showed up, eager to lasso a prized beauty for a personal gain. Walker's spotted filly was also amongst their swift steeds. Geldings and stallions alike were smitten with her, while the men praised Walker for the lovely animal.

"This is only the beginnin' boys." Grinned Walker in response to all the compliments. "My girl ain't just pretty, she's smart like no other howrse."

"What's her name, Walker?" Asked one of the cowboys.

Johnny chuckled in amusement. "Judas. Ain't it?" He turned to look at the proud man.

"She'll betray her own kind like no other, boys. She'll lead them straight into these corrals." Assured Walker in confirmation and nodded, sounding satisfied. "I've trained her well." The mare only nickered as if to affirm his statement.

The men were joking lightheartedly as they commenced to start up a campfire for the evening, while Gus cautiously made his way towards Johnny. Lowered his voice so that the others wouldn't hear him, he said. "There's a mysterious horseman, standing by the lone pine. He wants to talk with ya."

"I don't know anyone." Johnny waved away in dismissal. "Everyone I know is here."

"He insists."

"What's his name?"

"I didn't ask. He looks real young. And I mean, real young. Probably doesn't even shave yet."

It was this utterance that made Johnny snap his head up. He couldn't believe his ears. Suddenly, growing rather anxious and aware, he nodded at his friend and strode over to the unannounced 'gentleman'.

"What are you doing here?" He asked once he got a clear look at the stranger. "A lone woman amidst lonely cowboys is a dangerous endeavour, Jewels."

"My life in a nutshell." The woman muttered under her breath, not even shifting in her saddle. Sighing, she allowed her eyes to meet Johnny's. "That ain't new to me, Mister. That's why I'm still in this stinky attire."

Johnny smirked, raising his brows in amusement and curiosity. "Why are you here?" He crossed his arms.

"Thanks to your advice, Duncan got me a fine horse. I wanted to properly thank you." She flashed him a smile so beautiful that it unexpectedly made his heart flutter. Surprised at his reaction, Johnny cleared his throat, trying to look indifferent.

"So? I haven't done nothing generous. You're still a harlot and a horse thief in my book." He grunted.

Jewels didn't seem affected. Whether she had grown accustomed to it or hid her feelings well, remained unclear. "Either way, you could've handed me back to Hank, but you didn't so I'm in your debt. And I don't like owing debts."

"Are you offering me something interesting?" Johnny teased, his expression becoming slightly lustful.

Jewels rolled her eyes. Men! How typical! "I'm no longer that desperate. I asked 'round about you in town and I know you're trying to find a Black Stallion known as the Ghost."

"What do you know about that?"

"Just this: My father tried to catch him but he chose death instead. You're wastin' your time. That Ghost your lookin' for is dead."

Johnny took a step towards her, his hands in his pockets. "How do you know?"

"Because my Pa spent the rest of his life regretting it. 'I killed him' he often used to say."

"But I've seen at least two stallions like that infamous Ghost." Johnny argued.

"That would be his offspring and nothing more." Jewels said and shrugged. "I just thought you deserved to know the truth. Don't listen to silly legends. Don't waste your time. If you gotta catch yourself a nice mustang, go ahead and catch his offspring, but stop this wild goose chase...lest you repeat my Pa's mistake." Tipping her hat, she nodded respectfully at him and heeling her horse into action, galloped onwards.