People of the Lakes(37)

some good out of them besides the sneaky Khota.”

Grandmother watched Otter through thoughtful eyes. “What do you think it means for us … this marriage?”

Otter took a deep breath. “Trade is going to change over the coming years. The Khota hope to bypass most of the river Traders.

They are planning on Trading directly for coastal goods.”

“Is it because so many Traders try to avoid them?” Round Seed asked.

“I think so,” Otter replied. “Even Traders new to the area do their best to sneak their goods through Khota territory. When the Khota openly killed the Serpent City Trader a couple of years ago, they lost a lot of Trade. Tension ran high on the river that year, and the Ilini villages above them threatened war if they ever did it again.”

“They threatened you, didn’t they?” Grandmother retorted.

“Perhaps it would be worth paying Black Skull and some of his warriors to travel with you.”

Otter chuckled. “It might at that, but what good will that do?

Trade is not a matter of war. Making it so would offend Power, maybe turn it against us forever. If the Khota just weren’t crazy … well, everyone would be happier.” “We do have an option,” Many Turtles said quietly. “We could wait, watch for their canoes, steal from them the way they’ve stolen from us. Tall Cane Clan would stand with us. So would most of the villages along the Father Water.”

Mutters of assent rose from around the room.

Grandmother stilled them with a raised hand. She studiously avoided glancing toward her son-in-law. “Someone might think that a good idea. But what would that gain us in the long term?” She paused. “As Otter said, they’re crazy. Robbing their canoes might bring a whole flotilla down river—one full of warriors.

We’ll all join the ancestors one day; let’s not rush to do so.”

“It is worth considering,” Heavy Rock said from his position behind Round Seed. “A little respect can go a long way toward keeping Trade stable on the river.”

Grandmother steepled her hands. “Perhaps my daughter’s husband should give this some thought: Canoes travel faster than word of mouth. The Khota could land a war party here before anyone was the wiser.’ They could do a great deal of damage to us. War—no matter what the reasons for it—wouldn’t be in our interest.” She lowered her voice, her eyes gone misty, perhaps in memory of her murdered son. “Even with the Khota.”

Otter rubbed his hands together. “I agree. That the Khota have mounted a Trading expedition demonstrates that the nun> her of Traders bypassing their villages has begun to worry them.

With normal people, I would expect them to apologize and learn from their past mistakes. With the Khota … well, they’re just lunatics.”

Grandmother nodded in sage agreement. “Very well, Otter.

You said that Trade on the river is going to change. What do you advise that we do about it?”

“Nothing, Grandmother. Like a flood in spring, you can’t stop it.” He steepled his fingers. “However, knowing that the flood is coming, you can prepare for it, and use it to better your fields. More and more Traders are going to pass here. Perhaps the White Shell Clan should consider ways to capture part of that Trade?”

“Buim a net across the river?” Round Seed asked.

“I don’t think you need to go that far.” Otter made a simple gesture. “Part of your work is already done. Traders have always been welcome here. Uncle began that tradition. Make them even more welcome. Perhaps a shelter should be built down at the canoe landing?”

Heavy Rock stirred where he sat behind Round Seed. “Won’t things disappear? I mean, these are strangers, people we don’t know. They could be … well, you know, untrustworthy.”

“Some will be,” Otter agreed. “But I want you to consider this, Uncle. Traders depend on good will. Those who steal, or cause trouble, soon find themselves unwelcome—like the Khota.

An unwelcome Trader does little Trading. And the rumors about him soon circulate. After all, a good Trader, like me, doesn’t want a bad Trader to prosper. I’ll tell everyone that What’s-His Name isn’t reliable, and that people should be wary about Trading with him. What’s-His-Name will find few villages open to him after a couple of seasons.”

Grandmother patted her knees. “Not all problems can be avoided, and more good than bad would come from having Traders here. Traders” bring luck; you’ve always heard that, haven’t you? Perhaps we should let it be known that a warm stew is always cooking at the landing.”