At the foot of the slope, Otter met his brother and lifted his bag. “This is the last of it.”
Four Kills forced a smile, worry bright in his eyes. “I wish you weren’t going.”
“Your tongue will grow tired of saying that, brother.”
“But it’s true.” Four Kills raised his arm, extending the blanket.
“I want you to take this. It will be cold up there. You’re going way up into the north. It’s not much, but Red Moccasins and I … well, you’ll need this.”
Otter ran his fingers over the blanket, feeling the smooth warmth of it. The workmanship was superb, the weave as thick as a man’-s finger. “Thank you. I can tell from looking at it that I won’t spend any cold nights.” Nor will you, brother, with Red Moccasins at your side.
“And here, this is the rope I was telling you about. I’ve never made a better one, or one as strong.” Four Kills smiled. “Perhaps I anticipated that you would need it. It’s my best work, Otter. Maybe it will save your life. Take it. Along with my love, it’s the most important thing I can give you.”
“I’ll take good care of it, I promise.” Otter studied the fine workmanship. The rope was twined out of right-and left-hand twists, all tightly wrapped. Had he been able to find the purchase, he could have hung the world with a rope this fine.
Four Kills’ smile faded. “Be careful. And no, my tongue won’t grow tired of telling you that.” He glanced away. “I
talked to Green Spider last night, or tried to. I’m not sure of what he was really trying to tell me. He … he was in the process of painting himself inside-out.”
Otter smiled. “He does look inside-out, doesn’t he? Curious things, Contraries. What did he say?”
“Not very much, just that it will be dangerous for you.”
“The river always is.”
Blue Jar had stopped several paces behind. Now she stepped forward, extending a small leather sack, the top drawn tightly closed with a cord. “This is for you. A Trader, a friend of my brother’s, saw it in a Khota village. He Traded two pipes and a sheet of mica for this. Later, when he came this way, I Traded him a hot meal and a comfortable night’s sleep in return.”
Her fingers-closed on Otter’s as he started to open the bag.
“Not now. Later. When you’re on the river and have time to think. Promise me.”
“Very well, Mother.” Otter weighted the bag in his hand.
Heavy. But what would it be? And from the Khota?
His mother’s eyes bored into his. “You’ve always been different, Otter. And perhaps because of that, I’ve tended to favor Four Kills.”
“Mother, I’ve never—”
“No. Hear me out. We both know the way of it. I just wanted you to understand that I’m so very proud of you. I only wish … well, that I could have had you all to myself instead of sharing you with the river.”
“You have me, Mother.” He took her into his arms, hugging her. Her responding hug was powerful.
“I’ll be careful.”
“See that you do.” And at that, she stepped back, the shine of tears in her eyes.
Otter patted her shoulder and took a deep breath. Catcher had already threaded the maze of human legs and leaped onto the stowed packs. He stared back from Wave Dancer, his tail swishing as if to say, “Well, what are we waiting for?”
Walking beside his mother and brother, Otter said his farewells as family and friends crowded around. Finally, he faced Old Man North.
The wizened Elder stared up at him with eyes that gleamed like obsidian. “May Power go with you, Otter, son of Blue Jar.
You, of all of your party, have the most courage.”
“Me?”
Old Man North made a gesture of assent with his gnarled hands. ‘ ‘ Spider lives wrapped in his Vision, disconnected with the realities he must face in this world. The Black Skull, despite his bluster and haughty posture, is frightened of the unknown.
Be kind to him, Otter. He’ll need your help.”
Otter glanced at the burly warrior, who still stood at the edge of the crowd. Not a trace of unease could be detected in his graven-stone expression, but the black eyes burned with a frightening intensity. One that boded violence rather than fear.
“Trust me,” the Elder stated. “He can’t allow anyone to see his vulnerability. Reassure him, if you can.”
I’d rather try to reassure a water moccasin than Black Skull!
“I will do my best, Elder.”
The old man patted him with a wrinkled hand and gave way to the others. Only as Otter turned to go did he suddenly find himself face-to-face with Red Moccasins. For that startling instant, they stared into each other’s eyes. He sought to capture every detail of her smooth skin, her delicate nose, the graceful line of eyebrow. Her full lips parted slightly, showing the white gleam of even teeth. She radiated the allure that had always captivated him.