People of the Lakes(318)

And his own life with Pearl, though short, had been wonderful.

“And you. my old friend,” Otter said softly, placing his cheek against Catcher’s soft head, “you have an easy life ahead of you. Pearl will probably feed you so much that you’ll get fat and lazy and spend all your time sleeping in the sun. Do as she and Black Skull tell you. Guard their packs for them.”

Catcher yawned and licked Otter’s nose as he tried to stretch his legs in the confined space.

What would it be like to drown down there in the cold, clear water? Soon he would know firsthand. If not anxious, at least he was ready.

Perhaps Power hurried them to their goal, or perhaps Wave Dancer had communicated with the Spirits of the water, for even as they sighted the shoreline ahead of them, Black Skull could tell that this must be their destination. A flock of crows wheeled in the sky above a narrow inlet. All along the eastern horizon, the tree line extended in a solid, unbroken mass of green.

The wind had finally abated, and in its wake, high clouds mottled the sky, dispersing the light into the most extraordinary display that Black Skull had ever seen.

“Look,” he said softly, pointing.

Green Spider followed his finger. “It’s all gray to me.”

“Magnificent, isn’t it?”

“Ugly, warrior, as ugly as you’ve become.”

“Very well, fool. I’ve made my bargain. Just tell me one thing. Are the Khota here? Did they beat us to this point?”

Green Spider’s gaze wavered. “So far ahead of us, warrior.

They wait with such intensity that the trap is unsprung.”

Black Skull ground his teeth, unsure. “Point the way to them, Contrary.”

Green Skull pointed at the mouth of the inlet, and Black Skull grinned. “Then with the wind trap, we’ve passed them! Excellent.

Very well, fool, let’s go find your Mask, and the beautiful Star Shell. And then, when all are safe, I shall find the Khota!

Will they come from water or land, Contrary?”

“Water, water, always water. With their moccasins still dusty and their canoes ready for pursuit.”

Black Skull hesitated, then reached back for Green Spider’s hand and patted it hard. “Thank you, my friend. As soon as you have the Mask and Star Shell is safe, order Otter to cast off and paddle like mad back upriver. When the Khota step out of the trees with their accursed wet boots, then the Black Skull shall be among them.”

The Contrary’s gaze drifted here and there like a butterfly in flight. “Among them! Indeed, a whirlwind of death. Dance, Killer of Men, and your wind shall blast away the treacherous souls.”

Black Skull took a deep breath and nodded, grabbing up his Heavy paddle, the wood richly stained with his sweat. With an unaccustomed vigor, he dipped his paddle and sent Wave Dancer flying for the inlet.

As they entered the channel, he was surprised to see a number of houses on the high banks, many with mounded shell middens running down into the water.

“Greetings!” Otter called to the first canoe they passed. “Is this the way to the Roaring Water?”

“Yes, Trader. But beware!” a man called, waving. “The river splits up ahead. Follow either branch, for it is only the River Spirit seeking to avoid the drop ahead. Past the island, when the channels come together, you must stay close to shore.

If you get into the rapids, you are lost!”

“We understand. We must avoid the rapids!”

“Yes.” The fisherman hesitated. “You can’t get past with a canoe that big. Not even the Bear Clan will help you portage such a boat. Why don’t you stay and Trade with us, here? We’ll take you down in a small boat to see the Roaring Water.”

“Thank you. We’re not going over the falls. Here!” Otter tossed the man a great pink conch shell. “We’ll be back. That’s for giving us information!”

The man caught the shell, a happy smile curving his lips. He lifted it, nodding appreciation. “Remember! Avoid the rapids at all costs!”

“We will. Thank you!”

Black Skull studied Otter’s face, seeing the resignation, the indomitable courage, of one who believed in his destiny.

I should tell him. But of course he couldn’t. Otter would do something foolish like diving headfirst over the side just to deny Black Skull his rightful death.

Pearl, too, seemed to be steeled for something. Had the Trader told her of his planned demise? Was it a knowledge shared between them?

No, it couldn’t be. She still looks at Otter with a warm love reflected in her eyes-. No woman, no matter how brave, could look at a man like that when she knew he was going to die.

Whatever Pearl thinks, she doesn’t believe that Otter is going to perish. It must be that being so close to the end has turned her pensive.