Like the pause after an indrawn breath, a curious silence held them. Wind gusted through their camp, scattered the embers in the fire, and whipped the flames into crackling fury.
When it died down, Thona said, “Peace is a comforting notion. I understand. However, at this very instant Atotarho is planning to wipe our faction of the Hills People from the face of Great Grandmother Earth. If we do not strike him first, that is exactly what’s going to happen. Perhaps, peace can wait a little longer.”
“No,” Zateri said firmly. “I, like my husband and Sky Messenger, believe peace is our only hope.”
Gwinodje and Kwahseti spoke softly again, then Gwinodje turned. “Yes, Zateri, but how do we accomplish it before our villages are annihilated?”
She sat for some time on the mat before the fire that overlooked the long slope to the west, her shell bracelets flashing in the sunlight that fell through the swaying branches. A queer rhythm pulsed her blood, not like her heartbeat, more like music trickling up from a covered pit that fell forever into a black abyss.
“We must use the clan mothers, not warriors.”
Kwahseti’s brows drew together as she frowned. “How?”
Gwinodje sat forward. “I think I understand! First, we must dispatch messengers to Yi and Inawa, telling them that Tila’s last words were to appoint Zateri as her successor—and Zateri claims that right.” Words spilled from her lips. “Then we must ask them to dispatch messengers to the other ohwachiras! We—”
“Every ohwachira except those of the Bear Clan. We should leave that decision to Yi and Inawa,” Zateri said with a lifted finger. “The Bear Clan must be overjoyed at Kelek’s ascension, probably celebrating their new power. Our words will be of no consequence. We are traitors in their minds.”
“But if you think the Wolf Clan should take a stand against Kelek, we should tell Yi and Inawa,” Kwahseti said.
Zateri carefully considered her next words. She had the sense that they were all suspended upon a zephyr above oblivion. The slightest wrong move now …
“I think Yi and Inawa will know what to do without any suggestions from us, Kwahseti. We are at a great disadvantage. We must be careful. While we have declared independence, if we ever wish to reunite the nation, we must work with the established clan authorities. Yi and Inawa face Kelek every day. Kelek must be swelled with triumph right now, and lauding her victory. However, the Wolf Clan must give her a chance to defend herself before it—”
“Zateri,” Kwahseti said with a touch of malice, “she ascended to her position as High Matron through underhanded negotiations with Atotarho. You know it’s true. Atotarho must have assured Kelek that she would become High Matron in exchange for something. What?”
Hiyawento said, “In exchange for retaining his position as chief. He knew that as soon as Zateri became High Matron she would remove him.”
Zateri nodded. “I would have.”
Thona spread his feet and squared his broad shoulders. “How do we survive long enough for the clans to take action? And I think we must fight back if Kelek does not step down as High Matron.”
Zateri quietly said, “I don’t think so, War Chief. I agree with my husband. We must take no action against Kelek or the rest of the nation. It’s not up to us. No matter what Kelek has done, punishing her must remain the prerogative of the Bear Clan. If a Wolf Clan matron had ascended to the position of High Matron through treachery, we would claim the right to deal with it ourselves, wouldn’t we?”
Kwahseti nodded. “Absolutely, and if any other clan tried to depose her, regardless of her crimes, we would declare a blood oath and hunt them down.”
Gwinodje turned to look at her war chief. “Waswanosh? You have not spoken in a while. Should we fight, as Thona suggests, or merely defend ourselves while we rally the support of the other ohwachiras?”
“Forgive me, Matron. I am … off-balance. However, I find myself more in agreement with High Matron Zateri. If we can use the ohwachiras to accomplish our task, we should. Thona is right, too, though. There must be a time limit. If we wait too long, we will be two nations forever.”
Zateri waited for more comments.
They all stared at her.
“I fear our patience will be determined by what we find at Riverbank Village tomorrow.”
“And at Canassatego Village the day after,” Gwinodje said with trepidation in her voice. “If all of our villages are gone…” She sucked in a breath at the thought. “I will cast my voice with War Chief Thona and commit my warriors to destroying Atotarho, and anyone who sides with him, no matter the cost.”