Star Shell shifted to prop herself on her elbows, trying not to think about the grisly Mask on the ground to her right. Did it know that Robin and his warriors were combing the forest? Was it trying to signal them? Or had the Mask called them, invaded their Dreams and told them where to search for her and Tall Man?
We were so close! The upper Moonshell lay less than a day’s march from here. Tall Man had told her of a man who lived near the Buckeye clan grounds, a man who took in Traders and knew the route. He would give them directions to the Roaring Water. But they would never make it now, not with Robin’s warriors sniffing out their tracks.
What are you doing, Magician? She longed to make a run for it, but she was too afraid for the moment to try—and the overwhelming fear made hiding here, according to Tall Man’s instructions, so much easier.
The moonlight had moved enough to cast new patterns on the thick stems around her. A glossy wealth of silver triangles and rectangles lit the brush. The penetrating scent of the sumac filled her until she could sense the sap rising in the stalks, feel the leaves breathing and building in the spring night. She sought to meld herself with the plant, to share the soil, winding down into the rich earth in harmony with the roots.
The rustling of leaves and the soft murmur of voices forced her to clamp a hand over Silver Water’s mouth.
“… Got to be here somewhere.”
‘ ‘ little runt could have lied.”
More thrashing about.
“We ought to wait for morning. We’d have better tracking light.”
“We saw him just up the trail. They would have to be here.
This clearing is about the only place to camp on this side of the ridge.”
“Here’s the fire pit!” one cried. “This is the place, all right.”
They stood so close that Star Shell could smell their sweat; it twined sourly with the wet fragrances of damp earth and tree bark. She tried to swallow, but her throat had constricted so tightly that she couldn’t.
“In there?”
“No. That’s poison sumac. Star Shell’s anything but a fool.”
“Even a fool will do something silly if she’s desperate.”
Star Shell glanced up at the leaves. He’s crazy! This is smooth sumac. The edges of the leaves have little teeth! Even a child would know the difference.
“Well, I’m not crawling in there,” one of the warriors muttered.
“I say we— What’s that?”
Star Shell tensed. A faint cry carried through the forest, high, shrill. She knew that voice, though she’d never heard it filled with such pain. Silver Water’s eyes widened to huge brown moons. She knew, too.
“Robin is making the Magician howl,” another of the warriors reported with a laugh. “I think that if I were that little Trickster, I’d be wishing I’d never been born.”
“He’s braver than I am, doing that to a dwarf. Mark my words, Robin will die a terrible death for treating the Magician this way.”
“He had a Dream. Power is tied up in this. Robin knows what he’s doing.”
Another growled, “Come on, keep looking around. Do you see anything?”
“You’re sure the Magician said they were camped here?”
“You heard. Probably a trick.”
“Well, if you ask me, they’re long gone—dashed into the forest, running for their lives. Would you stay? Just wait to be captured?”
“Why would the Magician betray his friends, anyway?”
“Torture has a way of loosening the strongest men’s tongues.”
Star Shell’s fist knotted in the musty leaves. How could Tall Man have been caught? A sorcerer of his Power should have
been able to escape! Couldn’t he have cast a spell to distract his pursuers? Or changed himself into—
“This is impossible!” one of the warriors bellowed.’ ‘ on.
Let’s go tell Robin. The Mask isn’t here. The woman has it … wherever she is.”
Star Shell lay rigid as they retreated through the rain-drenched underbrush.
“Mama?” Silver Water murmured against her hand.
Her lips to her daughter’s ear, she whispered, “You stay right here! Don’t you dare move—no matter what. I have to see if I can do anything. You stay! Do you understand?”
Silver Water jerked an unhappy nod.
Star Shell crept silently out of the sumac. Would the warriors have left a guard, someone to watch the little clearing? Could this be a ruse to create a sense of security so that she’d break cover—and step right into their arms?
Another anguished cry echoed.
What are (hey doing to you, Magician?
She used the trees as cover as she followed on the heels of the warriors. A shadow in a world of shadows, she traveled on silent feet. Now she could be thankful for the caked mud and the dirt that smudged her clothing and skin. With it, she blended into the forest.