People of the Lightning(27)

Yes, Diver, if Moonsnail recalled correctly. Usually such a thing proved a minor factor in negotiations—the second husband would have to agree, for example, to perform all of the menial tasks which the first husband did not wish to, like digging tubers in the spring, or trimming the knots from dart shafts, or hunting mice or voles when no larger game presented itself—but if rumors could be believed, Musselwhite loved Diver with fanatical devotion. For tens of summers, Seedpod had been working to convince Musselwhite to take another husband, and Musselwhite had flatly refused. How, then, had Seedpod finally succeeded?

Moonsnail peered at Dark Rain. Her daughter had been right. Not in Moonsnail’s wildest dreams would she have dared hope for this. Could it be true? Or another of Dark Rain’s perverse amusements?

“Seedpod should have sent a runner to notify me, to ask for an audience and set up a time and place to discuss this matter. Why didn’t he?”

Dark Rain clapped her hands and laughed with delight. “Mother, I am that runner. Seedpod asked me to deliver the proposal. Isn’t it too good to be true? My Pondwader married to Musselwhite—for all that she’s too old to give him children, or much else, I’ll wager, except status. Our clan will be the envy of the—”

“Hush.” Moonsnail sliced the air with her walking stick. “This demands a good deal of thought. The complex sort of which you are incapable. Why would the Windy Cove Clan decide to seek an alliance with us? There are other clans with more wealth, and more prestige.”

“Yes, but they want us.”

“So you say.”

Through an exasperated exhalation, Dark Rain said, “All right, listen, mother. Three times since winter Celebration Day, Windy Cove has been raided. Twice at their Spring Camp far inland, and once since they arrived at Autumn Camp. It seems that Cottonmouth attacks his old lover no matter where she sets up her village. It must be an ancient vendetta between them. Musselwhite probably—”

“Your opinion is of no interest to me. What else did Seedpod say?”

Dark Rain ground her teeth. Stiffly, she answered, “He mentioned that Diver was gone on a war walk—but just to scout the clan’s territory.”

Moonsnail rubbed her aching hip while she considered this. Diver gone on a war walk? “Where was Musselwhite?”

“In the village. I saw her.”

If Musselwhite had stayed at Windy Cove while Diver went out scouting, then Musselwhite must have believed Cottonmouth might strike the village again. And that meant that Heartwood could also be in danger.

“Mother, you should have been there. Musselwhite is even more ugly than I remember. Much too tall for a woman, and she walks like a stalking panther. No wonder men loathe her. I mean, she …”

Moonsnail stopped listening. Musselwhite had always been stunning, not in Dark Rain’s mysterious erotic way, but stunning like the Lightning Birds, with flashing eyes that could just as quickly entrance or bore a hole through an opponent’s heart. And her voice … so rich and deep it seemed to thunder faintly in her listeners’ souls.

Moonsnail turned cold eyes upon her daughter. “Now,” she said, “let us discuss what you have to gain from this marriage.”

Dark Rain’s shoulders sagged. “Oh, Mother, do not insult me. I have nothing to gain. Except seeing my son happy. You know I have always loved him best. He—”

“Enough.” Moonsnail pounded the floor with her walking stick. “You’ve never cared about any of your children—until today. Why?”

Dark Rain flipped the ends of her belt, delaying.

“Why?”

“Well, Mother. I wanted to tell you later, after we had warmed to each other, but since that may never happen … I am planning on petitioning for readmittance to the clan. I have nothing left but my children, and you.” Dark Rain looked up at her from beneath long dark lashes and said in a contrite voice, “I won’t announce my petition today. This is a grand day for our clan. I don’t wish to spoil it, but perhaps tomorrow—”

Moonsnail lifted her stick and swung it with all her might, cracking her daughter across the knees.

Dark Rain cried out in shock, “Have you lost your souls! I am your daughter!”

“No,” Moonsnail calmly replied. “You are not, and before I allow you to petition the clan for readmittance, you will tell me what you have to gain from this marriage. What really happened at Windy Cove? Why would Seedpod speak with an Outcast woman? Eh? How much do you owe his clan? Is that the core of this? More gambling debts? Did you think to trade your son to pay them off?”