People of the Lakes(286)

“At the mouth of the Serpent River, we heard that war was coming,” Otter said. “Has this happened?”

Tall Fisher rubbed her bony hands back and forth. “We cannot tell you, Water Fox. We live a long way from the Serpent Clans. News takes a moon or so to reach us. We have not heard of serious fighting, but tensions are still high.”

“A woman named Star Shell,” Black Skull murmured to himself.

“What of this dwarf?” Otter leaned forward, his chin on his hand. “The High Head respect dwarfs a great deal.”

“fall Man, the High Head Elder.” Shinbone’s white eye gleamed in the firelight. “He is considered to be very Powerful.

Among the Serpent Clans, he is known as the Magician.”

Tall Fisher was watching Green Spider play peek-a-boo with several of the little children who had wiggled their way through the ranks of adults ringing the fire. Now she said thoughtfully, “Star Shell and the Magician have taken the Mask … and the Water Fox comes from the south with Green Spider, a Contrary, to take the Mask back? And you say you are to go to the Roaring Water?”

Otter nodded, suddenly uneasy. Pearl squeezed his hand hard in warning, but he wasn’t certain of what. “That was Green Spider’s Vision from Many Colored Crow.”

“Not me!” Green Spider closed his eyes tight and proceeded to feel of everything within his grasp—a rock, a giggling child’s moccasin, a woman’s calf. He spent a little too much time there; the woman jerked away. “I never see anything! I just run into trees and fall over roots and bump into things all the time. Look at how bright it is in here!”

Black Skull asked, “And what of the way we must go? South, into the Upper Sea?” “That’s right,” Shinbone told them. “Follow the river and you’ll find yourself in a large lake. On the southwest side is another river like the one you took to get here. That will carry you south, right into Upper Lake. From there, your way lies to the east. A great many rivers run into Upper Lake, but only one river drains out of it, on the far eastern shore. There, on that river, you will find the Roaring Water. Don’t get caught in the rapids, however … you. might go over the Roaring Water, and it’s said to be a long way down.”

“This Mask.” Tall Fisher pressed her palms together and placed her fingertips under her chin. “Are you sure it’s such a good idea to rescue it? It is said that Star Shell’s husband, Mica Bird, committed suicide over this Mask. We were told that Sun Mounds burned the clan house with his ghost trapped inside, and that they are going to cover it with earth at the solstice. We have heard of nothing but heartbreak, war, and trouble when the Mask is mentioned.”

Green Spider stood then, stepping close to the fire to look down into the flames. His voice came out hushed and somber.

‘ ‘ is the way, man of the people. I show you the way to salvation.”

“What?” Black Skull asked as he shot a glance at Green Spider.

The Contrary turned, his vacant gaze chasing around Black Skull’s face like a mouse in the daylight. “Wolf, of course. He chewed on Flies Like A Seagull’s body. He was darted and eaten for that. I wouldn’t chew on the old woman’s body myself.

Someone might shoot me—and it would be a terrible thing to have the blood drunk out of your heart and then have it eaten.”

“What’s he saying?” Shinbone asked.

Anxious conversations broke out among the gathered people.

Black Skull made a nervous gesture. “His babbling always means something to someone, but it’s rarely clear what or who.

Don’t worry. After he’s been around for a while, you’ll realize that he’s an idiot. After he’s been around for a while longer, you’ll realize that you’re more of an ‘ than he is. It’s a puzzling experience.”

“Do his words have something to do with the Mask?” Tall Fisher asked as she watched the Contrary pensively.

“I don’t know.” Black Skull rubbed his broken jaw.

“Trader? What do you think?”

Otter raised his hands. “I’m not sure.”

At that moment, Green Spider clapped his hands and began whirling around. With outstretched arms, he Sang:

‘ ‘. Born of Father Sun.

Laid in the light next to night.

Choose, my people.

Dance the Father you don’t know.

South, ever south we go … Arise, people of the Spotted Loon!

Dance! Dance with the Contrary!”

Green Spider continued to Sing as he whirled around the edge of the fire. His face was beatific, a radiance shining out into the evening, touching and warming everyone in sight.