Meeting at Citadel Rock Pt. 1

Tall Trees, 1896

Runs with the Wind was woken up with the familiar punch to the stomach.

“Rise and shine, boy. We’ve got a long ride ahead of us.”

He hated that the kept calling him boy. He was more of a man than any of the men at the camp; he had earned the right to be called a man. His disgust must have shown on his face and it caught the eye of Samuel, who was standing by the fire sipping a cup of coffee.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Do you not like us callin’ you boy? Well then, let’s come up with somethin’ else.”

Samuel paused for a moment as he put down his coffee and began to walk towards Runs with the Wind.

“How about…savage. Would you prefer that? I mean…that’s what you are anyway. That’s what you all are!”

Samuel always spoke in a way that demanded an audience; like every word he was saying was the most important thing in the world. Maybe that was why he was so powerful. He could bend anyone to his will with the charismatic way he spoke. Perhaps that was why Runs with the Wind was crazy enough to agree to help him.

“With your primitive ways of life and lack of respect for authority you are nothin’ but a bunch of savages. You can’t see the world changing around you and soon enough the weight of the world will crush you all. Would you prefer us to call you savage? Because that can be arranged.”

Runs with the Wind didn’t say anything. He was too angry to speak, and he knew that if he said anything, he’d soon regret it. His eye hurt terribly from the night before and he didn’t want to bring any more pain upon himself.

“That’s what I thought.” Samuel replied. “Now, let’s get you some food. We’ve got a two-day journey ahead of us and we can’t have you dyin’ of starvation before we get there.”

The way Samuel spoke made it seem as if he was being so generous, allowing Runs with the Wind the luxury of food to eat. The longer he was in his presence, the more Runs with the Wind wanted to kill him.

Once the wagons were packed, Runs with the Wind – with hands tied behind his back - was placed in the back of Samuel’s lead wagon. He was accompanied in the back by the man whose punch he had become all too familiar with.

“Can’t have you escaping’ out the back of the wagon now can we.” Samuel smirked as he climbed into the passenger seat of the wagon.

Runs with the Wind didn’t fight being thrown into the wagon. He was exhausted and just glad to be able to lie down for a while. He had barely slept the night before. Sleeping standing up while tied to a tree wasn’t the most comfortable way to sleep and the sound of wolves running through the forest 

made him feel uneasy.

He had asked himself many times throughout the night why he had agreed to help Samuel. Why didn’t he just let Samuel kill him? All he could think about was his brother, that’s what kept him going. He wanted to be able to look Samuel Wyatt in the face as he took his last breath. Being Samuel’s hostage was by no means ideal, but it kept Runs with the Wind close to him. He was hoping to learn more about Samuel on this trip; to learn who he kept close and who his enemies were. Any information to take the advantage and make sure his next assassination attempt was successful once he was finished being Samuel’s pawn.

  

The journey to New Hannover was relatively smooth. Runs with the Wind was thankful to be able to finally get some much-needed rest, though the floor of a wagon wasn’t much of an upgrade from the tree. He had hoped to be able to overhear any plans or business dealings Samuel had going, but the trip had remained fairly quiet. Perhaps, Samuel knew he’d be listening and was careful not to give anything away.

As they crossed the Dakota River into New Hannover on the second day, the wagon train was met by a stagecoach accompanied by escorts. The wagons slowed to a stop and two smartly dressed gentlemen stepped out of the coach.

“Ah, Elias, William! Good to see you both.” Samuel greeted the men as he stepped down from the wagon. Runs with the Wind was ordered by one of the men to stay put, but he inched to the front of the wagon to try and get a better look.

“So, Elias. I trust everything is in order with Mr. Cornwall?” Samuel asked Elias, the older of the two gentlemen.

Runs with the Wind couldn’t get a good look at them, but from what he could see he could tell they came from money. The two gentlemen wore black suits with gold pocket watches in their breast pockets. Elias donned a top hat and William wore a bowler hat.

“Ah yes, everything is ready to go, assuming your meeting today goes as planned.”

This must have been what Samuel was talking about the other night. If the Wyatts buy the land at Citadel Rock, they must be selling right to Leviticus Cornwall.

Runs with the Wind had never met Leviticus Cornwall as he was just a boy when their land was taken from them to make way for Cornwall Kerosene and Tar. Cornwall had found their land to be the prime location to expand his business and wanted to acquire it by any means necessary. Cornwall had enlisted the help of George Wyatt who had talked Runs with the Wind’s tribe into giving up the land, making it seem like they had no other choice. Ever since their land was taken, his tribe was forced to move around, constantly running from the white man. Runs with the Wind hoped he wouldn’t have to meet with Cornwall after this was over. He just wanted his freedom.

“If this deal goes well you will make Mr. Cornwall a very happy man, and all of us richer beyond belief.” William chimed in. “Let’s hope those Indians know what’s best for them and surrender the land peacefully.”

“Don’t worry, William. We’ve got just the thing to ensure that they comply.” Samuel gestured over to the wagon where Runs with the Wind was sitting. “We’ll make sure he convinces them.”

Runs with the Wind moved back out if sight. He didn't want Samuel to see that he was listening in to the conversation, though he figured Samuel knew. 

Samuel and the two men said their goodbyes as the men stepped back into the coach and rode off toward Cornwall Kerosene and Tar. Samuel stepped up into the passenger seat of the wagon and turned around to look at Runs with the Wind.

“Alright, boy. You’ll do just as I say and nothing more. There’s a lot ridin’ on this deal and I don’t need you screwin’ it up, ya hear? You so much as take one step outta line and you’ll be shot dead before you can say freedom.”

Runs with the Wind looked Samuel in the eye, a twisted, angry look on his face. He wanted so badly to put a bullet in his head, but he knew any move he made would get him killed as well. He just nodded in compliance as Samuel turned back around.