Negano braced his feet. “My Chief, as you well know, our warriors have fought two hard battles in as many days. They’re exhausted. Many of their friends and family members are injured. Some are dying. Our warriors expect to take them home where they can be properly cared for.”
Atotarho calmly rested his stick across his lap, and sternly repeated, “I told you, we are not returning home.”
“Do you plan to remain here until the wounded can travel?” It was the only reason he could think of.
“At dawn, we’re going back to Bur Oak and Yellowtail villages.”
When Negano cast a glance at Nesi, the giant frowned and shook his head; he was just as confused as Negano. Negano said, “Do you plan to attack those villages again?”
Wolves got into a fight over one of the bodies in the killing pen, and a snarling, growling cacophony arose. Negano could see eyes coalescing around the pair that fought, creating a jewel-like silver ring. The battle lasted barely ten heartbeats before one of the wolves yelped and whimpered away.
Atotarho waited for the commotion to die down. “I wish you to dispatch a messenger tonight to the new High Matron of our nation. Inform Kelek that we will remain in Standing Stone country for another half-moon, perhaps even a moon. That should be long enough. Also, after our war parties have destroyed the traitorous villages, she should immediately dispatch two thousand warriors back to Bur Oak Village to aid us.”
“Very well.”
“I also wish you to dispatch messengers under white arrows to carry the news of our great victory to other nations. Have them say that the Standing Stone nation is on the verge of extinction, and we are about to assure it.” He aimed a crooked finger at Negano’s heart. “I especially wish messengers to be sent to the Mountain People. Tell them that if they wish to ally with us for a few days, we will be able to exterminate the Standing Stone nation even faster.”
“I doubt they’ll accept, my Chief. They hate us. Even if they do accept, it will take them seven or eight days to arrive.”
Atotarho just stared at him.
“I’ll dispatch the messengers immediately. Now, Chief, if we may, I’d like to return to our former discussion. What will we be doing in Standing Stone country for another moon? How will we feed our warriors while camping in a winter forest?”
Negano waited for an explanation of how he planned to use their current force of one thousand seven hundred warriors, and then another two thousand.
Atotarho did not answer. He’d occupied himself tossing more branches on the fire. Sparks whirled through the air.
“Chief, three thousand seven hundred warriors is a huge force. I ask again, how will we feed them?”
“Now that you know we are not going home, you should start by stripping the Flint bodies of every shred of food they have in their packs, then ration it to our warriors. It will take days for our reinforcements to arrive. By then, I’m sure you will have thought of something to keep the army fed. After all, you are War Chief. It’s your responsibility.”
When Atotarho offered no further information, Nesi, who stood where the chief couldn’t see him, stabbed his war club at the Chief, insisting that Negano ask the necessary questions to finish the discussion.
Negano sighed and asked, “What is it you wish to accomplish in Standing Stone country, my Chief?”
Atotarho prodded the fire again. The burning logs crackled and spat. Orange light fluttered like huge wings through the nearby pines, and sparks gushed into the darkness. Atotarho lifted his wrinkled face to watch them climb into the Sky World. He appeared to be offering a silent prayer.
When he looked back at Negano, the old Chief murmured, “I plan to teach a lesson none of our enemies will ever forget.”
Negano’s eyes narrowed. “What lesson? Do you plan to take the Standing Stone villagers hostage? To make them slaves? I’m sure our villages would appreciate being able to increase their numbers, but there are thousands of survivors from the Bur Oak and Yellowtail battle. How will we feed so many on the way home?”
In a low deadly voice, the Chief replied, “We’re not going to feed them.”
Negano let that sink in. “Very well, but it is my duty to inform you that I believe capturing them will be harder than you perhaps realize. Despite the fact that we have one thousand seven hundred warriors left after this afternoon’s battle, the Standing Stone clans will have spent all day repairing their damaged palisades—and three rows of palisades surround each village,” he added forcefully, and saw Nesi nod in approval. “They are not fools. We nearly destroyed their entire army yesterday. They must be expecting us to return to finish the job. By the time we arrive, they will be prepared for us. We—”