People of the Black Sun(131)
Is he alive?
Whispers of awe and fear ran through both armies. These warriors were clearly terrified of what the Prophet might do to them … as Negano was. Just a few days ago, Negano had seen Sky Messenger lift his hands and call the monstrous whirling blackness that had swept down over the battlefield.
But … as he stared down at the Prophet lying helpless and alone, completely surrounded by his enemies, it seemed somehow unreal, like a made-up dream from another time.
Atotarho’s wrinkled face hardened as he watched Wenisa’s theatrics. “Why did you bring him to me? As a gift?”
“A gift?” Wenisa laughed. “Of course not. He is mine to do with as I please. At dawn, I’m going to drag him—”
A soft voice sounded behind Negano, “War Chief? Forgive me?”
Negano turned to see Yekonis standing with his fists clenched. Negano bowed, said, “Forgive me, I mean no disrespect,” and stepped away from Atotarho’s circle to grip Yekonis’ sleeve and escort him a few paces away where they could speak privately. “What did you find?”
Yekonis’ gaze darted around the meadow, as though to reassure himself that they were indeed surrounded. “War Chief, one-hundred-ninety-six blankets are empty.”
Negano hissed, “Are you telling me we have only four hundred warriors left?”
Yekonis nodded. “Less. I went to the place of the wounded. Around thirty died in the night.”
The hand Negano used to grip the young man’s sleeve shook. The ramifications were just beginning to sink into his exhausted souls. “Wenisa will not know the truth until dawn when he can see our forces with his own eyes. I want you to quietly move through our ranks. Inform everyone of this. They’ll know soon enough anyway. Tell them to be prepared for the worst.”
“But … what does that mean? They’re on our side, aren’t they?”
Negano hesitated. He didn’t want to panic his warriors. The first chance they got, they’d run off. He squinted out at his camp and the Mountain army that stood so still around it. From the moment Sindak had betrayed them, this entire effort had been a gigantic failure. He’d already lost more than three-quarters of his forces, and would lose more today, maybe even all of them. Negano would go down in the history of his People as the War Chief who had gutted the nation by destroying his entire army. Stories of his missteps would be told for generations, as warnings to others.
His fatigued eyes returned to Atotarho. I let a madman ruin my name, my family’s name, and taint the legacy of my clan for generations. By obeying his orders, I did this. I killed my friends, my relatives.
“War Chief?” Yekonis was staring at the man lying curled on his side at Atotarho’s feet, and said, “Is that really Sky Messenger? Is the great Prophet dead?”
Negano shook his head. “No, but don’t expect him to conjure a miracle to save you from the Mountain army. I don’t think he has long to live.”
Yekonis swallowed hard. “So … you don’t think they’re on our side?”
Negano’s jaw clenched. He stared at Yekonis, then his gaze shifted to Bur Oak Village. As the darkness brightened, he could start to make out warriors standing on the palisade. He scanned each one until he thought he saw Sindak. He appeared to be speaking with another man, probably trying to decipher the events happening in the meadow.
Strange and treasonous notions slipped around Negano’s skull.
It took him a few moments to work up enough courage to face them. He released his grip on Yekonis, and said, “There’s something I need you to do.”
“Yes, War Chief?”
“As though nothing’s wrong, I want you to organize a party of three men, including yourself, to go down to the marsh to fill water bags. Take your time. Three water-bearers shouldn’t be a threat to anyone. While you’re there, I want you to deliver a message for me.”
Yekonis gave him a confused look. “To whom? The only people down by the marsh…” His voice trailed away. As though the devastating truth of their situation was really settling into his souls and he, too, was trying to fathom a way out of the calamity that might well descend upon them shortly after dawn, his eyes scanned the Mountain army that surrounded them on three sides. “What message? To whom?”
Negano began, “After you deliver it, do not return to this army. I’m releasing you. Do you understand?”
Yekonis’ eyes had a glazed look, a combination of terror and relief. “No, but … I’m listening.”
Fifty-one
“Who are they?” Sindak asked.
The bottom seemed to have fallen out of Gonda’s stomach. He shifted on his oak crutch, wobbling around to survey the positions of the warriors who had just oozed from the trees like dark specters. Breathlessly, he suggested, “Reinforcements from the Hills nation?”