People of the Lightning(29)

Kelp entered the shelter, ignoring her mother, and knelt at Pondwader’s side. “You look better,” she said. “How are you feeling?”

Pondwader reached out and weakly gripped Kelp’s hand, then mouthed the words, Be careful.

Kelp nodded, and Pondwader smiled faintly.

Moonsnail noted the exchange. “Kelp,” she said, “can you hold Pondwader up while I refill this cup with water?”

“Yes, Grandmother.” She slipped an arm behind her brother’s back to support him. Pondwader gazed at Kelp as if his spirit floated far away and he only half saw her, but knew the danger she faced and feared for her. She whispered, “Everything is fine. Don’t worry.”

He nodded.

Moonsnail turned to dip more water from the big gourd behind her, then tipped the gourd cup to Pondwader’s lips again. He drank and drank. Rivulets ran down his cheeks and soaked Kelp’s arm.

“There,” Moonsnail said, “that’s enough. I’ll give you more later. I want you to rest now, Pondwader. Your fever’s broken. Try to sleep some more.”

Barely audible, Pondwader responded, “I’ll try.”

Kelp eased him down to the sleeping mat and pulled the blanket up over his pale throat.

Moonsnail sank back on the mat. “Kelp, your mother is back.”

“Yes, I see that. Welcome, Mother.”

Dark Rain laughed. “Great Vole, look at you. You’ve barely enough flesh on your bones to even attract a man’s eye. How do you ever expect to get a decent husband?”

“I do not wish a husband, Mother.”

“Not wish a husband! What kind of talk is that? Are you ill, or just stupid? Thank the Spirits that Pondwader has enough sense to realize it’s time he took a wife.”

A wife! The very word sent a shiver through Kelp’s souls. Marriage … just as Dogtooth had said. And Kelp knew precisely the sort of woman her mother would find for Pondwader. Before she had been Outcast ten-and-four moons ago, she had taunted Pondwader with possibilities. One night just after winter Celebration Day, Dark Rain had stretched out on her stomach before her children and propped her chin in her hands. She had returned from a visit to the western shore and wanted to tell Pondwader a very funny story she’d heard, a story of a young man murdered by his own clan on his marriage day because he had taken one look at his intended bride and run away screaming. “She had the Madness, you see,” Dark Rain had whispered, “and was staked to the ground so she could not tear his eyes out. She spread her legs for him, and he saw the oozing sores lining her thighs.” When Pondwader had shuddered, Dark Rain had laughed wickedly. “Be a man, Pondwader. The clan must come first. Don’t worry. I shall make the best match I can for you, and you will obey me and marry whatever wretch I choose. Even one so diseased she can barely walk.” At her son’s horrified face, Dark Rain had rolled onto her back and laughed until she’d choked. Kelp had dragged Pondwader away and they’d hid all night in the forest.

Kelp’s brows lowered. “Have you asked Pondwader about this? Does he want the woman?”

“What he wants is of no importance. It is time. He is ten-and-five summers.” Dark Rain showed her pointed teeth. “By the time I had reached his age you were already born, Kelp. Shall we allow your brother to romp about like a wolf-pup forever? It is his duty to put the puny manhood between his legs to work. And you, my daughter, are next. I want a man’s penis in your hands by next summer Celebration Day.”

Kelp could not explain the effect her mother’s words had on her. She seemed to know exactly how to sink her talons into Kelp’s braided soul and rip it apart.

“Dark Rain,” Moonsnail said as she slammed down her gourd cup. “I will speak with Kelp and Pondwader alone. Leave us.”

“Oh, Mother!” Dark Rain jumped to her feet. “I’m the one who managed the great feat. Why can’t I tell them?”

Moonsnail slowly lifted her chin. Rage lit her old eyes. “If you do not leave this moment, I will kill you with my own hands, you bitch in heat.”

Dark Rain’s chin jutted out defiantly, then she whirled and stamped away.

Kelp fell back to the floor mats and shook her head. “Why does she always have to dart people with her tongue?”

“It is your mother’s only talent, Kelp, so she practices it constantly.” Moonsnail filled two cups with prickly pear tea, and handed one to Kelp. “Now, let us speak of more important things.”

“Was she lying? About Pondwader marrying?”

Moonsnail grunted softly. “No. There is a woman who is interested in your brother.”