People of the Fire(160)

Someone stirred up the fire, dropping rocks in the blaze to heat stew. Someone else arrived with a paunchful of spring water, hanging it on a tripod. Glaring, he turned, seeing her standing there, lithe and powerful, wearing a finely worked dress. She cocked her head, a grin on her lips.

"With the Wolf Bundle, we can't lose. Thank you for coming and swelling our ranks. Within a couple of days I want you to take a band of warriors to the south. You'll know by the-"

“You don't give me orders.'' He leveled a finger. ''I lead the Red Hand."

She tensed, eyes slitting in the sudden silence. Looking around at the silent people, she nodded. "Then come, let's settle our differences. We have too much to lose by bickering among ourselves. Be seated and I'll present our option-now see them. You can give me yours. I wouldn't force a man to assume anything his spirit rebelled at."

People nodded assent around the fire.

Blood Bear's anger rose. Still, some warning tripped in his mind.

“We can't afford trouble," Tanager said reasonably. "It's enough to fight the enemy. You, Blood Bear, must follow your own path as you will."

He filled his lungs, glancing about, seeing all eyes upon him. "I am the rightful leader of the Red Hand. I am the Keeper of the Wolf Bundle!" He lifted it high to be seen. "I've come now. I will direct the fighting against the enemy. ''

Tanager lifted her arms and let them slap to her sides. "That's fine. Only I will continue to lead those who follow me in my own way. As I wouldn't expect you to accept my orders, I cannot in turn accept yours."

"But you will."

She shook her head, a muttering rising among the warriors. "No, Blood Bear. I've received my own Power. White Calf told me-"

"That Short Buffalo witch? She told you what?"

"That I would become the new leader of the Red Hand." She stood before him, arms crossed, no give in her expression.

"Perhaps you've forgotten the Wolf Bundle."

She shook her head. "I've never forgotten the Wolf Bundle. Suppose I told you a Dreamer was coming?”

"Dreamer?" Blood Bear laughed from deep in his belly. "What Dreamer?"

"I don't know." She walked up to him, looking up at the Wolf Bundle. "He's a man."

"And that bothers you?"

"That bothers me." The anger burned bright in her "I don't serve any man. That day—if it ever existed —is done. I know my way."

Blood Bear reached for her, catching her hand in squeezing with all his might as she grunted Looking into her blazing eyes, he added, "Perhaps we'll discuss this in the trees, eh? Perhaps you'll bed me tonight?" He increased the pressure on her fingers.

"Don't be a fool," she hissed through clamped teeth. "You'll anger every person here."

Already men and women had begun to stand, uncertainty in their eyes as they fingered their darts.

In a low voice, he added, "Is it so important to keep from dividing the people? Then walk out into the trees with me."

Already his mind had begun to put the pieces together. He still held the Wolf Bundle. All she had to do was say yes. Then, when he took her, no one could call it rape. He could demonstrate his strength.

A panic vied with the pain in her eyes. Slowly, she shook her head. "I'll see you dead first."

He laughed and cast her down, his strength overpowering her. "And you call yourself a warrior, woman?"

She glared up at him, massaging her fingers, taking time to wave the warriors back. "How many camps have you saved, Blood Bear?"

He looked around, meeting the angry eyes of his people. In that moment, he understood that she'd won. Or had she? He smiled around. "It has long been the policy of the Red Hand that the Keeper of the Bundle has certain prerogatives. You know me. You know that I've married only once. I would now take this woman, Tanager, as my wife."

"You what!" Tanager sprang to her feet again.

"What I just did—though some might have wondered— was test your dedication to the Red Hand. Yes, I want you as my wife."

"That's insane! First you challenge me? Then ..." Her face reflected confusion.

"Name another woman as worthy as you, Tanager?" He patted the Wolf Bundle. "Together you and I will—"

"Never!"

"Let's ask the people here." He turned before she could reply. "How about it? Would you rather have us working together? Would you rather have the leadership united in—"

"Never!" she insisted, stepping up to him. "You'll never touch me! Never take me to your bed!"

“And that's how you lead the people? Cut the Keeper out from under them? Perhaps, Tanager, you've let your emotions betray you after all. I've asked to marry you, to make you a successor to the Wolf Bundle. And you'd turn down that honor? Drag the trust of the people through the dirt?^