Moonsnail swiveled around to see Pondwader and Musselwhite walking into the village hand in hand. They wore their marriage garb, Pondwader his blue robe, with the hood pulled up, and Musselwhite her yellow sandstar-print tunic. Pondwader’s hair hung down over his chest, very white against the deep blue of his robe. Musselwhite had plaited her hair into a single long braid. Both looked very tired. Moonsnail grinned. When Pondwader got close enough to see them, he smiled and waved.
Kelp ran out and threw her arms around his neck to hug him. Brother and sister laughed, then Kelp bowed respectfully to Musselwhite, and followed them into Moonsnail’s shelter.
“Good Morning, Grandmother,” Pondwader said as he bent down to kiss her on the forehead. He smelled of woodsmoke and persimmons. “You look lovely this morning.”
“Bah!” Moonsnail said. “I couldn’t sleep for worrying about you, and how much strength you had. Now, sit down. Kelp and I were discussing something important.”
Pondwader glanced at Kelp’s suddenly downcast face, and said, “What’s wrong?”
“It’s Mother,” Kelp responded as she sank to the mats beside Moonsnail’s walking stick.
“What’s she done this time?” Pondwader asked.
Musselwhite said, “Shall I leave? I could help my father pack—”
“No, stay. This is your family now. You have a right to know our debility.” Moonsnail lifted her stick and pointed at Dark Rain, who stood in the plaza with young Bowfin. “And there it is.”
Musselwhite turned and frowned. “Your daughter?”
“Only by blood. She’s been Outcast for ten-and-four moons, and the clan has refused her petition for readmission.”
Pondwader knelt on the floor mats beside Kelp and shoved his blue hood back, revealing his long white hair. His pink skin had a curious glow today. Musselwhite leaned against the shelter pole to Moonsnail’s left, and folded her arms. Against the background of sky, she looked very tall and slender.
Pondwader grimaced. “Tell me, what did she do? Offend one of the Spirit Elders? Gamble away Kelp’s life? What?”
The idea pulled a laugh from Kelp. She playfully slapped her brother on the shoulder. “No. Not yet. That will probably come next moon. But she may have threatened Beaverpaw’s.”
“Beaverpaw?” Musselwhite said with a frown. “What does he have to do with this?”
Moonsnail sighed, “Apparently he and Dark Rain are lovers.”
“Ah,” Musselwhite said and bowed her head. Lines etched her brow. “I’m sorry to hear that. He seemed a capable War Leader. I will miss his knowledge.”
“What do you mean?” Pondwader asked.
Musselwhite glanced at him gently, and turned to Moonsnail. “I assume he will be stripped of his title immediately.”
Moonsnail nodded. “I’m sure of it. Then the Elders will convene to discuss other punishments.”
“Who will be War Leader, then?” Musselwhite shifted, and her long braid fell over her shoulder. In the plaza behind her, Bowfin’s high-pitched laugh rang out, followed by Dark Rain’s seductive murmuring.
Moonsnail responded, “Hard to say. Perhaps Bowfin. Maybe young Tailfeather. His reputation is growing.”
“Yes,” Musselwhite said and nodded firmly. “I’ve heard of Tailfeather. He is much respected. From what I know, he would be a good choice, though I realize it is not my place to recommend.”
Under her breath, Kelp said, “Much better than Bowfin.”
Moonsnail yanked her neck around. “What’s wrong with Bowfin? Do you know something else?” And her gaze went back to the plaza. Dark Rain sidled up next to Bowfin to whisper something. Bowfin’s smile broadened. Moonsnail might not know much, but she knew what that grin meant. “Great Mouse. I am getting old.” She swatted the floor with her walking stick.
Kelp whispered, “I shouldn’t have said anything. He’s not married. So, I guess it doesn’t matter what he and my mother do together.”
“Oh, yes, it does!” Moonsnail snapped. “She is Outcast from our clan. He shouldn’t be consorting with her at all!”
Moonsnail sank back against her blankets, and mopped her forehead with her sleeve. “Great Shining People. I don’t know how Dark Rain does it. Adultery and clan infighting, all in a matter of days.”
Pondwader shook his head. “My mother can be truly exasperating.”
Musselwhite suppressed a smile at the gross understatement, and Kelp clamped both hands over her mouth to muffle her laughter.
Moonsnail gave him an irritated look. “Enough of this. Let’s talk of other things. Musselwhite, I tried to talk your father into staying for another night, but he didn’t seem inclined to do it. Will you speak with him? It would be our honor if you two—”