People of the Lightning(189)
Kelp said, “But your father—”
“Oh, yes, he loved us very much, but … I don’t know how to explain it. Father’s love was gentle and warm. Fun-loving. He was our best friend. Mother’s love was like a bear in our souls, always ferocious, urging us to leap upon anyone who threatened us. Willing to do it herself if necessary.” Diamondback laced and relaced his fingers. Anguish lined his face. “I cannot tell you the number of times I have sought my memories of that love when I thought I might die. And it’s always been there. Looking out of my souls at me with fury in its eyes, telling me to get up and fight.”
Pondwader had gone silent.
Kelp reached out and stroked his arm. “Are you all right, Pondwader?”
He closed his eyes. “I have to go after her.”
“What?” Kelp demanded. “Don’t be crazy! You can’t just walk into Standing Hollow Horn. Cottonmouth will kill you!”
Pondwader opened his eyes and grimaced into his pale green tea. “Hanging Star told me that Cottonmouth didn’t want Musselwhite at all. He said Cottonmouth wanted me.”
Diamondback leaned forward. “Who is Hanging Star?”
The darkness seemed to ripple when a gust of wind ran through the forest. Broken shards of moonlight danced over their camp, and all around them oak leaves whipped loose from branches, gleaming like feathers as they tumbled through the air.
“Hanging Star is one of Cottonmouth’s warriors,” Pondwader answered. “We met him on the trail. Hanging Star, Beaverpaw, and my—our mother were traveling together.”
“Great Mouse,” Kelp groaned. “You saw our mother?”
Pondwader nodded. “I didn’t talk with her for long, but it was during that conversation that Hanging Star said the only reason Cottonmouth sought to trap Musselwhite was because of me. He told me that Cottonmouth wanted me very badly.”
“Are you saying that Beaverpaw is in Standing Hollow Horn Village?” Diamondback asked breathlessly.
“I hope so. Beaverpaw and Musselwhite laid out a plan for rescuing your father. Beaverpaw was supposed to create a diversion, tonight, one hand of time after moonrise.”
Diamondback rubbed his numb face. “Blessed ghosts. If we have an ally in the village—especially a War Leader of Beaverpaw’s skill—we just might be able to beat Cottonmouth.”
“Musselwhite thought so, too,” Pondwader said.
Fear ran along Kelp’s limbs on icy spider feet. She gripped her brother’s hand hard. “What are you two talking about?”
Pondwader crushed her hand in his.
“What’s wrong?” Kelp asked.
“It’s just that … well, I see no reason to fight. If Cottonmouth wants me, perhaps the best thing I could do is to give myself up. Maybe I can bargain with him, me in exchange for Musselwhite and Diver.”
Diamondback shook his head vehemently. “No, Pondwader. Don’t even think about it. Cottonmouth would just kill all three of you.”
“But why? If he—”
“Because,” Diamondback said harshly. “He hates my mother! He’s hated her for tens of summers. He will never let her go. And I suspect he hates my father just as much. Our best hope of rescuing them is to find Beaverpaw and work out a new plan.”
“But,” Kelp said, “even if we can depend on Beaverpaw, Cottonmouth has ten tens of warriors. How can we ever hope to slip two people through his net of guards?”
Diamondback shook his head. “I don’t know. I need to speak with Beaverpaw. You must describe him to me in detail. Then, I think I will go to Standing Hollow Horn for the sunrise ceremonies tomorrow. If I can—”
“No!” Kelp protested, her pulse racing. “You have survived several attacks by Cottonmouth’s warriors. There will be someone there who can recognize you, Diamondback. I am the logical choice. None of them have ever seen me. Besides, I know exactly what Beaverpaw looks like. I could find him much faster than you!”
Pondwader winced suddenly. Bringing up a hand, he massaged the space over his heart. His face had gone as white as the moonlight. He winced again, and a shudder went through him.
Kelp murmured, “Pondwader? Are you … is everything all right?”
With a sad smile, he said, “Music, Kelp. I hear beautiful music.”
“Music?”
He nodded. “Do you know how wolves call each other from across the forest? One wolf howling until another answers?”
Kelp wet her lips, glancing down at his hand. His fingers pressed so hard on his ribs that the blood had retreated from his nails. “Yes,” she said.
Quietly, Pondwader said, “I’m being called to Standing Hollow Horn Village. The Lightning Birds want me there. I think it’s the only way to save Musselwhite.”