People of the Lakes(307)
“Look at this, Otter. So much darkness, it spreads around so that the eye can see in the brightest of nights. And yet, the next day, what do you have left? Pale wood. Is it because fire takes all of the light out of the wood that you have charcoal?”
‘ ‘ makes sense. I never thought about light being locked in a piece of wood. Maybe that’s why charcoal is black—but you can burn a piece of charcoal again and it will glow red until it’s all down to white ash. Brown to black to white.” Otter smiled. “At least in my way of thinking.”
Green Spider’s vacant eyes remained fixed on the fire. In a mournful voice, he said, “I can’t answer all of your questions, Otter. Some. But not all.”
“Why not, Green Spider?”
“Because I don’t know all of the answers yet.”
Otter took a deep breath. “It’s not going to be as easy as the Vision portrayed, is it? Not with Khota and High Head magic involved.”
“Only the hardest things are easy. But, no. Otter, this isn’t going to be like the Vision.”
“You were out with the wolf this evening, weren’t you? Is it the same wolf we saw that night outside of the Ilini clan grounds?”
“His name is Watcher.” Green Spider’s lips pinched. “He’s a very old wolf … at least his soul is. He’s taken me places, and I’ve seen amazing things, Otter. I’ve met Foxfire, and old White Calf, Sunchaser, and Bad Belly. And Heron—the First Woman—who lives in a cave with a tree growing up through the middle. I’ve kissed the roots of that great tree of life, the red cedar, and felt its branches where they touch Father Sun.”
“What’s happening, Green Spider? What are we heading into?”
Green Spider’s focus seemed to sharpen. “Oh … Otter, I only see parts. You see, the poorest of all gambles is made on the human soul. Not even Many Colored Crow, who understands so much about people, understands completely.”
“Does this have to do with saving the Mask?” Green Spider smiled. “Sometimes the only way to save something wandering, seemingly distracted by each flicker of the fire. “You see, there is-this bridge … where opposites are reconciled. Earth and Air. Water and Fire. All rising, twining. That’s the Power of the Roaring Water.”
Green Spider’s mouth opened slightly, as though he wanted to say more but didn’t know quite where to begin. Confusion, or perhaps hopelessness, glimmered in his eyes. The look made Otter’s stomach muscles clench. He’d seen it before … on the night of the Dance at the Spotted Loon village. The night that tears had traced lines down the Contrary’s face.
Otter leaned forward. “Green Spider, I know this may be hard for you, but … has Many Colored Crow abandoned you? Is that why you no longer—”
Green Spider laughed out loud. Then his mirth dropped to periodic chuckles as he shook his head. “Oh, yes. He’s left me all alone in the wilderness, with only myself to talk to! The animal! To do such a thing to his chosen Dreamer! What a beast.”
“But I—I don’t understand. I mean, I thought—”
“Otter.” The Contrary squeezed his eyes closed for a long moment, as though concentrating very hard. When he spoke, the words came out soft and strained. “I … I don’t know the end of this journey anymore.”
“But you did when we began.” “I know that there is mist,” he said with great precision, as if speaking like a normal man required great effort now. “And I know that the bridge is there in the heart. But I can’t see it.
Do you understand? The mist is so thick, I … “
Otter gave him more time, but he added nothing further. Otter said, “Green Spider, tell me. What about the Khota? I don’t care about myself, but can you promise me something? Can you ensure that Pearl will be safe? And Black Skull?”
“You would give yourself up? To ensure their safety?” The Contrary turned glassy eyes on him, and Otter’s soul quaked.
“I remember Four Kills’ Dream. At the time, I scoffed, but that’s the price, isn’t it? My death? Very well, I’ll pay it. For Pearl and Black Skull … and to ensure your safety as well.”
“Why? Tell me, Otter. Why, when your soul has begun to Sing again, and your flute musiqcharms the stars … why would you give that up for the rest of us?”
Otter rubbed his hands together, lost in the fire himself, hearing Four Kills relate the story of his Dream. “I’m to drown, aren’t I? Four Kills saw that. You know about his Dream. The only way you could know is if you saw it when Many Colored Crow granted you your Vision. My corpse, spinning around, Dancing in the water.”