People of the Lightning(139)

“Don’t kill me!” he yelled.

It took a few moments for Diamondback’s face to change. The stiletto hovered. “Dace?” he said. “What are you doing out here?”

“Get off me! And I’ll tell you!”

Diamondback slid off and slumped to the ground, breathing hard. Even in the wavering moonlight, Dace could see the flush that rouged his cheeks.

Dace rolled over and slammed a fist into the forest floor. Gray puffs twirled up. “I am so stupid! I could be dead now!” he whispered harshly. “How could I have thought … You’ve been in many battles. This is my first war walk!” He slammed his fist down several more times to relieve his humiliation. “I can’t believe I tried it! You are a real warrior!”

Diamondback slipped his stiletto back into his belt, and braced his elbow on the ground, propping himself up. “That may be …” he panted. “But you are … lucky to still be dry. I came out here to empty my bladder.”

Dace looked up, chuckled, then broke into a roar of laughter.

Diamondback laughed, too. When their mirth began to die down, Diamondback wiped tears from his eyes and said, “You took a grave risk, Dace. So, tell me. What were you doing sneaking up on me?”

Dace sat up and heaved a heavy sigh. “I was going to kill you.”

“Why? What did I do?”

“Probably nothing.” Dace shrugged, rubbing his aching stomach.

“I don’t understand.”

Dace sucked in a lung full of air and bent forward. “Do you have a sister, Diamondback?”

The warrior’s eyes tightened. “I used to. She’s dead. Why?”

Dace brushed at a root that snaked across the trail. “None of my brothers or sisters lived past the age of five summers. Kelp has been very special to me. She is like my little sister, and I …” He waved a hand helplessly. “I was worried that you might not realize how precious she is.”

Diamondback smiled. “I think I do,” he said. “Anyway, I would never hurt her, if that is what was worrying you. I like her very much.”

Dace glanced up. “I could tell. I saw the way you were looking at her earlier and I knew what you were thinking.”

“Of course I was. What’s wrong with that?”

Dace’s eyes narrowed. “What’s wrong with that?” he blurted. “She is not a woman yet! That’s what!”

Diamondback’s jaw slackened as his eyes widened. A swallow went down his throat. “She didn’t tell me that.”

“Well, no, of course not! Did you ask?”

“No.” He shook his head. “That makes this even worse.”

“Makes what worse?”

Diamondback peered unblinking at Dace. “Do you know she’s planning on following Pondwader?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Pondwader is heading for Standing Hollow Horn Village, right into Cottonmouth’s lair, and—”

Dace shouted, “Why?”

Diamondback held up a hand, and cautiously surveyed the area near the fire’s glow. The voices had stopped. Shadows moved across the trees. “Shh,” he whispered. “I don’t want my grandfather to hear about this until I tell him.”

Dace crawled closer to Diamondback and sat down again, whispering, “Why would Pondwader—”

“He is with my mother,” Diamondback said, then wet his lips uncertainly. “At least I hope he is. My mother left to go and rescue my father, who is being held prisoner by Cottonmouth. Pondwader ran off to follow her.”

“Oh, no.” Dace dropped his head into his hands. The pain in his stomach intensified. “Pondwader can’t even muster the nerve to throw a snail into boiling water. This is terrible.”

“I know.” Diamondback nodded. “So the question is this: Should we go and help them, or not?”

Dace filled his cheeks with air and blew it out in a gush. “Well, I can tell you this. If Kelp thinks Pondwader is in trouble, nothing will stop her. With or without us, she’s going to go after him.”

Diamondback put a friendly hand on Dace’s shoulder. “Thank you for affirming my greatest fear. Is Kelp good with an atlatl?”

“Better than good,” Dace replied. “She can dart a dragonfly in the head at ten tens of paces.”

Diamondback’s brows lifted appreciatively. “Well, then,” he said. “We had better start making plans.”

“But what about your leg?” Dace asked, staring at the thick bandage. “Can you—”

“I must. I’m the only one of us who knows the forest trails that far north.” Diamondback massaged his leg as if to reassure himself. Pain lined his face. “Now, Dace, go back to your camp. Let Kelp talk you into going. She practiced every word on me.” He smiled and shook his head. “She can be very convincing—and charming.”