“Yes, Matron Daga?”
“As Chief Yellowtail has pointed out to me, we should all be united on this issue. If Sky Messenger, Hiyawento, and Gonda can go to the others nations and say that we all agree peace is the way, it will, perhaps, lend more weight to their message. I would, therefore, like to change my vote to yes.”
Every person standing along the walls quiets. “Is there any further discussion of this issue?”
No one speaks.
“Very well. We have achieved One Mind of Consensus. Your requests have been approved by the High Council of the Standing Stone nation. Sky Messenger, you may leave any time you wish. Gonda, you will wait until Sky Messenger sends word for you to meet him at Wenisa Village, then you may leave.”
Gonda nods his thanks.
“As for the rest of us…” Kittle pauses. “We must begin preparing for war.”
Kittle gazes out at the crowd. “You all know your assignments. We do not have enough warriors to effectively defend two villages. So, temporarily, the people from Yellowtail Village will be moving into Bur Oak Village. The Snipe Clan and Wolf Clan will get the Bur Oak Village palisades rebuilt as soon as possible, while the Deer Clan fills Bur Oak with water and food. The Hawk Clan will be responsible for making good arrows that fly true, and stockpiling them beneath the catwalks of the three rings of palisades. While the repairs are coming along, the Bear and Turtle clans will be responsible for protecting the villages. Any questions?”
There were none.
“Very well, I fear we haven’t much time. This council is dismissed. Let us get to work.”
A soft din rises as people begin filing out of the council house.
Kittle stalks past me with barely a glance.
People rise from the benches and filter around me. Over Mother’s shoulder, I see Father making his way through the crowd, heading for the exit. Atotarho’s former war chief, Sindak, walks at his side. They glance at each other uneasily. It is a strange sight. Less than one-half moon ago, Sindak led the war party that destroyed Father’s village, White Dog Village.
Black Cape, whom I call The Voice, since frequently that is all I know of him, is slowly circling the walls of the house, waiting for me. The hair at the nape of my neck prickles. What does he want? It must be urgent for him to brave the crowds of the council house.
Tutelo stands alone on the southern wall, beside Gitchi. But she seems to be watching The Voice. A long time ago she named him Shago-niyoh. None of us know his true name.
Mother says, “Are you still committed to this foolishness of going alone into the heart of enemy territory?”
“I am.”
“You know, of course, that as soon as Atotarho hears of your mission he will dispatch warriors to murder you.”
“Oh, I’m sure of it,” I casually reply.
Mother scowls at me. “And you still refuse to carry weapons?”
“When Hiyawento arrives, he will guard me.”
“That may be many days.”
“I’ll be all right.”
She shakes her head. “This is a bad decision, my son. I pray the Forest Spirits take pity upon you.”
As Mother walks away, following the crowd outside, the black form closes in, and I smell his distinctive scent, as though the odor of ancient destruction clings to his cape.
When only Tutelo, Gitchi, and I stand alone in the council house, The Voice walks straight to me, leans close, and whispers, “Sodowegowah has seen her face.”
“Who? Whose face?”
As if blown by a wind I cannot feel, his cape billows. He backs away, and gracefully walks out the door.
When he is gone, it takes me a moment before I can manage to get a deep breath into my lungs.
My sister walks forward with Gitchi at her side. Her eyes are tired, tortured. She loved her husband very much. “What did he say?”
“That Sodowegowah has seen her face.”
“Did you understand?”
“No.” I reach down to stroke Gitchi’s gray muzzle. He affectionately licks my hand.
As we walk outside into the morning sunshine, I slip my arm around her shoulders. “How are my nieces?”
“Still sleeping, I hope. It was a hard night for us.”
“Baji said to tell you she loves you. She says you’re the bravest person she’s ever known.”
Tutelo looks up. “I wanted so to see her this morning. Is she gone?”
“Yes.”
“And when are you leaving, brother?”
“As soon as I’ve filled my pack, and said good-bye to Taya.”
“I didn’t see her at the council meeting.”
“She wasn’t feeling well this morning.”
Tutelo slips her arm around my waist and holds me close as we cross the crowded plaza to the Deer Clan longhouse.