People of the Fire(177)

"Come on," Tanager ordered, shouldering past them, a disdainful glance cast at the Dreamer.

Two Smokes pulled Fire Dancer to his feet, staying well clear of the writhing rattlesnake.

Already they could hear the faint boom of Heavy Bca pot drum. A mad fool?

Make it not be so.

Beyond the confines of his lodge. Heavy Beaver could hear the Dance, Singing, drumming, the chants of the Dusk fell about the camp like the drifting ash. DOBfi how lessening the Power of the occasion He here, not wanting others to overhear.

"Why don't I trust your motives?”

Throws Stones shot a quick glance at Fire At Night before stating, "This Anit'ah woman, this Tanager, has Power. We knew you were holding a Blessing. None of your warriors has more courage than we. Fire At Night and I have taken a vow to kill this Tanager."

Heavy Beaver watched through slitted eyes. He heard the half lie. "Tell me more."

Fire At Night cleared his throat nervously. "She Dances and Sings as she fights. I myself have seen men set themselves, take aim, and have their darts sail harmlessly past her. Straight Wood told us—"

"I've heard enough of Straight Wood and his stories!" Heavy Beaver clapped his hands to signify the subject closed.

"So we came to be Blessed, to have you Sing special Power for us. We had the Red Hand beaten before she rose to take the leadership from Blood Bear and his pathetic Wolf Bundle."

"There is no Power in the Wolf Bundle," Heavy Beaver stated calmly. "It is a pollution. If it comes my way again, I intend on burning it. I should have in the beginning."

And now what? He watched his warriors sitting nervously before him. If these two could have grown tired of the ceaseless war with the Anit'ah, how many more felt the same but didn't have the status to challenge him?

"What of the fire on the mountain? What caused it?"

Fire At Night shook his head. "We don't know. It started after we were almost down the trail."

"Could it be our fire?"

"Possibly." Throws Stones resettled himself as if he were uncomfortable. "Some of our men have been careless with fire before. Firm Dart almost set things on fire one night but got the coals stamped out."

The solution came. "Very well, I will make you special Power. Come." He rocked back and forth to get his weight moving and got to his feet. He led them out into the camp, into the middle of the Dance circle.

Raising his hands, he called, "People! Tonight we will make special Power! These two men come bearing tidings of a womanl Yes, an Anit'ah woman who claims to have Power! In the tongue of the Anit'ah, her name is Tanager—a little yellow bird!"

Someone laughed. Throws Stones shifted uneasily behind him.

"So I call you to witness. Someone bring a sharp km

Heavy Beaver turned slightly, seeing Fire At Night tures go ashen. An old man waddled forward, a hafted chert knife in his hand.

Heavy Beaver walked over to the roaring bonfire and extended his hand to the two warriors. "Before all the People, I Bless you!" He reached for Throws Stones' hand, taking the blade and slashing the man's arm. Blood welled. In turn he made a similar cut in Fire At Night's.

To the People who watched solemnly, he explained. "Now I mingle their blood!" And he pressed the wounds together. "So they are bound by this oath. The next time they see this Tanager, they must kill her!" He forced their arms over the fire, letting a few drops of blood drip onto the coals to hiss and spatter.

"It is done! Their word of honor is sent to the sky as smoke, proof to Buffalo Above of their worth!" And in a low voice he added, "And if you don't kill her when you see her, you're both Cursed with the sticks as I did to Sage Root so long ago. You know my Power."

For long moments he stared into their eyes, seeing the effect of his words shrivel their souls. "Now, Dance! Dance like you've never Danced before!"

And he turned, walking back to his seat of honor as the gathering dusk darkened the sky around him and the mountain flamed redly above. Heat lightning lit the skies to the north and south and east.

Yes, now they knew his Power. He gazed angrily up at the burning mountain. Flames had crossed the summits. Flickering in yellow tongues along the slopes. The People got up, awed by the sight.

Heavy Beaver experienced that flutter of his heart. Power roamed loose on the land. Mother? Where are you?

"Are we ready?" Two Smokes asked quietly as they came within sight of the camp. A huge fire lit the place. There would be no stealthy approach.

Fire Dancer had begun to stagger, his bitten arm swollen the other clamped tight on the snake so that Two Smokes thought more than once the animal might have suffocated.

Tanager lifted a shoulder in a pointless shrug. "I'm already dead. I can't be more ready than this."