People of the Black Sun(111)
“I will.”
“Well, I do not wish to be part of any alliance that allows the Mountain People to live,” she said. “They must be destroyed! My clan will accept nothing less.”
Sky Messenger spread his arms in a quieting gesture. “Let me explain the alliance. First, each nation that joins must pledge to give its life, and lives of its people, for every other member. Second, any alliance member that violates this oath will be punished by the combined might of the alliance. If the Landing People join, the alliance will help to protect your borders. We will also send more Traders to you, so that you may exchange the magnificent bowls you make for our corn, or our blankets. When necessary the members of the alliance will pool a portion of their harvests and redistribute the food to needy villages, no matter their nation. We—”
“How quickly could you send food?” Weyra asked almost breathlessly.
Ravenous looks entered the eyes of every council member.
“Once you join us, we will begin pooling what little we have so that we may take care of hungry villages like yours. I won’t lie to you. No one has much this winter. But we will do the best we can.”
Weyra blinked around the house, as though judging the mood of the other council members. “I have doubts about the alliance’s ability to keep its promises. Does anyone else?”
Nods went round.
Sky Messenger said, “Please explain these doubts.”
Weyra looked back at him. “Prophet, we are far away from the countries of the current alliance members. What if the Mountain People refuse to join you? They are our closest neighbors, and they wish to destroy us. How will the alliance get here in time if we ask for help to defend ourselves?”
Sky Messenger sat back and squared his broad shoulders. “Details will have to be worked out, of course, but I think the wisest course may be to have each nation assign warriors to your borders to block raids into Landing country.”
Elders whispered behind their hands.
The Beaver Clan elder said, “And how will you feed such huge numbers of warriors? You don’t expect us to provide for them, do you?”
“No, that would be too great a burden. I think each nation should be required to contribute equal amounts of food to sustain the army.”
Council members cast glances at one another, unwilling to openly state their opinions at this time.
Sky Messenger lifted his hands. “Allow me to say one final thing, and then I will go and leave you to your deliberations. Elders, I truly believe that no nation can create an empire by conquering its enemies. Empires arise when enemies forget their own interests and become of one mind, one heart, and one body.”
The Bear Clan elder sneered. “And how can such a thing be accomplished? We have too many different clans—”
“We must remember the truth of our origins. We are all relatives. Clans of alliance members shall recognize each other as such. Every member of the Bear Clan, no matter his or her nation, will be my relative, and I will treat him as such. Wolf Clan will be Wolf Clan. Turtle Clan will be Turtle Clan. We will return to the ways of our Blessed Ancestors.” He laced his fingers and squeezed them together in one hard fist. “One mind, one heart, one body. We will become one Haudenosaunee, one People of the Longhouse.”
High Matron Weyra’s elderly face slackened, as though she was beginning to understand the kind of alliance he proposed. “So, the clans will be the binding that holds the alliance together?”
“As they are in individual nations, clan mothers will be the heart of all decisions. In my vision, I see clan mothers from every nation sitting around the same fire, guiding the course of the alliance, assisted by a Ruling Council of chiefs.”
The elders began a spirited discussion.
Sky Messenger rose to his feet and slowly took the time to meet each gaze. “I must return to my home. I am needed there. If you wish to join us, please send word to me as soon as possible, and I will begin organizing the alliance to help you. Or better yet, send emissaries from your Ruling Council to Bur Oak Village so that you can meet with alliance representatives personally. We hope to welcome you soon.”
He bowed deeply and walked around the fire. Hiyawento and Towa followed him down the central aisle, through the leather door hanging, and stepped outside into the crowd. Six guards, including War Chief Nokweh, stood just outside the council house door with worried expressions on their young faces.
Hiyawento swore another thousand people had squeezed into the plaza. He stepped in front of Sky Messenger, shielding his friend with his body. “Stay close behind me,” Hiyawento ordered.
“Blessed Spirits, I can’t believe—”