“Have Zateri, Kwahseti, and Gwinodje set themselves on the path of retribution?”
“I have no knowledge of any official statement to that effect, Matron. However, our former High Matron told Matron Zateri’s daughter, Kahn-Tineta, that she planned to appoint Zateri to succeed her. So…”
When he hesitated, she ordered, “So … what?”
“Well, there is talk that Atotarho knew this and had our former High Matron murdered before she could appoint Zateri. Rumors say that Kelek and the Bear Clan were accomplices. If it proves to be true, we have the right to retribution.”
Yi’s face slackened. Murder was the worst crime. It placed an absolute obligation on the relatives of the dead to avenge the murder. They could demand reparations, exotic trade goods, finely tanned beaver robes, food. They could also claim the life of the murderer, or the life of another member of his clan, including the new High Matron’s life. Such a blood feud would devastate both clans and tear what was left of the Hills People apart.
“Tell me about the storm.”
The messenger’s head jerked up. “How do you know of it?”
“Hundreds of our warriors have been flooding in for days. It’s all they can speak of. That and the fact that Zateri and her friends apparently managed to create an alliance between three nations, or portions of three nations.”
Awe filled his sparkling eyes. “Then you already know—”
“I wish to hear every detail, Skanawati.”
“Yes, Matron, forgive me.” He took a breath and let it out haltingly. “Gods, Matron, the storm … it was … enormous. It came boiling over the eastern hills like the wrath of the ancestors. I—”
“What was happening in the battle before the storm?”
The warrior seemed to refocus his thoughts. “The Flint People had just joined the fight on Matron Zateri’s side. The fighting was ferocious. When it started to look as though we had the upper hand, Chief Atotarho dragged Zateri’s daughter from his war lodge—”
“What?” Her heart seemed to stop. “I’ve heard nothing of this! Atotarho had Zateri’s last surviving daughter?”
Skanawati swallowed hard. “Yes. Actually, though, I said that incorrectly, Matron. The Bluebird Witch, Ohsinoh, dragged little Kahn-Tineta from the chief’s lodge, where the chief had apparently been keeping her in case he needed—”
“To use her against Zateri and Hiyawento?” she said in shock. “Are you suggesting that Chief Atotarho was working with … with the most evil witch in the land?”
“He was, Matron. Clearly.”
Yi stalked before the fire while blood rushed in her ears. “We wondered what happened to the girl. The day the former High Matron died, Kahn-Tineta and her cousin, Pedeza, vanished. We looked everywhere for them.” She suddenly felt very weary. “All right. Finish telling me about the storm.”
He nodded. “First, Matron, I should tell you that I was there. I was fighting not more than ten paces from Hiyawento when it happened. I saw these things with my own eyes.”
“Go on.”
“Chief Atotarho shouted at Hiyawento, ‘You dare to defy me! I should kill your daughter before your eyes! I will kill her if your forces do not surrender and pledge themselves to me.’” Skanawati paused to take a breath. “Truly, Matron, Hiyawento looked like he was dying inside. He told Atotarho he didn’t have the authority to order such a thing, that only the matrons could approve—”
“I know that. Continue.”
“Atotarho told him to get the authority, and as Hiyawento trotted across the battlefield for the matrons’ camp to the south, War Chief Sindak ordered your forces to disengage, to back away”—Your forces, not our forces. How can I ever repair this?—“then Ohsinoh hissed something to Sky Messenger, something I couldn’t hear, but the words affected him like stilettos plunged into his heart. He staggered. Then Sindak said, ‘Chief, end this battle. You’re asking your warriors to murder their cousins!’ He—”
“Sindak was right. It should have never happened.”
“Yes, well, then Sky Messenger said, as you just did, ‘Sindak’s right. Chief, clear the battlefield so we can talk to one another. Please, just give me fifty heartbeats.’ Atotarho laughed, Matron. He laughed out loud and told Sky Messenger that he’d always been a coward.” Skanawati’s eyes went huge, as though seeing it again. In a reverent voice, he continued, “That’s when Sky Messenger stepped away and lifted his hands to Elder Brother Sun. He shouted across the battlefield, ‘This war must end! We’re killing Great Grandmother Earth!’”