“You are very kind, Moonsnail, but I fear he’s right. We should be heading home. Our village has been in danger every moment we’ve been gone. He is probably as worried about Windy Cove as I am.”
Moonsnail nodded. “Well, I understand. If things work out, we will see you soon anyway, but I’ll let Seedpod explain that to you. Now, let me see … Kelp, if you will fetch me a bag, I will put together some food for your brother and his new family to take on their journey. And get me one of those big narrow-necked gourds, too. They’ll need fresh water.”
Beaverpaw stood in a circle with Dark Rain and Bowfin, his gut twisting as he looked up at the giant oaks around them, their gnarled branches silhouetted darkly against the pink sunset sky. Owls perched in the tops. With the coming of evening, crickets and grasshoppers had come alive in the grass. They chirped and churred.
“I cannot believe it!” Beaverpaw said. “We’ve been very careful. How could anyone have found out?”
Dark Rain thrust out her chin. She looked glorious when she did that. Starlight sheathed her beautiful face, and her full lips pursed, as though longing to be kissed. “I don’t know! But I overheard my mother hissing the story to Floating Stick, so someone did! Believe me, Beaverpaw, they know.”
He flapped his arms against his sides. “Well, what should we do?”
“We must all leave,” Dark Rain said.
“But what of my wife and children? Who will take care of them? I can’t just—”
“Forget them! Unless you wish to go around for the rest of your life with your penis in a basket by your bed! And that is the least of what they will do to you!”
Beaverpaw stared at her magnificent face and felt sick. He loved his children … and his wife. He had never planned on leaving them. The very idea tore his souls to shreds. He had only wanted to have a little fun with this strange, erotic creature. Now, it did not seem like such fun. The faces of each of his young children floated before his eyes, smiling at him, touching him gently, loving him. How could he live without his children? Little Manatee Flipper had only begun to learn how to cast a dart—and his son had been so joyous when Beaverpaw had first started teaching him. Who would teach him now? It would break the boy’s heart if Beaverpaw left. And despite Waterbearer’s ugly face, she had always stood by him—even when he’d been wrong. She had been the sharp blade that had protected him from criticism and prodded him to greater achievements … . Beaverpaw owed her everything.
“I don’t think the village elders will recommend such harsh punishment,” Beaverpaw said. “I’m sure Waterbearer will take me back, and if she does—”
“She may not have a choice!” Dark Rain spat. “Do you remember ten summers ago when Dry Cloud was found dipping his manhood into young Bog? His wife screamed for his release! But the village elders ordered his death! How could you have forgotten?”
Blood drained from Beaverpaw’s head. How had he forgotten. Dark Rain was right. Dry Cloud had been tied to a tree and every warrior in the village had darted him. But that had been a unique circumstance. Bog was only ten. Not even close to a woman yet. The village elders had been certain she’d been forced. Still … Dry Cloud’s wife had begged for his life. And wept and pleaded and done everything possible to save Dry Cloud. But he’d been killed anyway. For the sake of the clan.
A tingle of terror climbed Beaverpaw’s back. “Blessed Brother Sky,” he whispered, and massaged his forehead. “How did I ever get here?”
But he knew how. He fancied himself in love with Dark Rain. Every time she smiled at him, his souls soared and his manhood hardened. No woman had ever affected him so powerfully. The lightest of her touches left him quivering.
Bowfin laughed, a low laugh that made Beaverpaw’s blood turn to ice. A grin spread across his long face and his deep-set eyes glinted. He reached out, grabbed Dark Rain by the arm, and kissed her hard. She pretended to struggle, but kissed him back. “I’ll tell you how you got here,” Bowfin said. “This woman has a body like Sun Mother’s, so hot and bright you must reach for it, or go mad.” Dark Rain rubbed herself against him, smiling and making those soft sensual sounds that could, indeed, drive a man crazy with longing.
Beaverpaw reached out and dragged her away, back to his side. Dark Rain slipped her arms around his waist, clinging to him, but he ignored her. His gaze fixed on Bowfin. “And you, my young warrior, what will you do? You have been consorting with a woman Outcast by our clan. The elders will certainly cast you out, too.”