Diamondback nodded. “Hand me one of those darts you gathered up, will you, Grandfather? I’ll use it to brace myself as I cross the village.”
Seedpod turned, picked up one of the darts and handed it across to Diamondback. The youth placed it at his side, and continued stuffing goose into his mouth and swallowing it as quickly as he could. Fat smeared his face and hands. “That must have been a fine feast,” he commented.
Seedpod smiled. His heart throbbed. “Oh, yes, it was. Heartwood Clan spared no expense. Baskets and bowls were heaped with food. It was a grand wedding.”
“I wish I had been there.”
“I do, too. It would have made your mother happy.”
Diamondback set his bowl down and braced the butt of the dart on the mat to help him rise. Pain tensed his face, but he smiled at Pondwader when the young Lightning Boy followed Thorny Boy into the shelter, standing uneasily in his long robe with his white hair blowing about the edges of his hood. He had his arms hanging at his sides, and his sleeves covered his hands.
Diamondback said, “I’ll guard Mother while you are here, Pondwader, if that’s all right.”
“Oh, yes, Diamondback.” Pondwader tried a smile, but it vanished before it had even begun. “Thank you.”
Diamondback patted Thorny Boy on the head. “Come along, little brother. You can help me guard Mother.”
“But I wish to stay here,” Thorny Boy said, craning his neck to look up. Obviously, he wanted to stare at the Lightning Boy some more—in the protective presence of his grandfather and brother.
“No, you don’t,” Diamondback corrected. “Grandfather wishes to speak with Pondwader alone. You and I are not welcome. Let’s go.” Diamondback hobbled across the village with a reluctant Thorny Boy at his side. Thorny Boy kept peering at Pondwader over his shoulder.
Seedpod gestured to the floor mats. “Sit down, Pondwader. Help yourself to some food. You must be starving.”
“I—I haven’t even thought about food.”
“Well, you must eat. Sit down.”
In that fluid way of his, Pondwader sat on the floor and pulled a thick piece of goose from the wooden bowl by the fire. He looked upset, vulnerable. His eyes glistened with pain. Seedpod sat quietly, waiting until he had finished his first piece of meat and was well into his second. The youth needed something in his stomach before Seedpod began this discussion. Pondwader, he had discovered, possessed an extremely tender heart, and Seedpod did not wish to hurt him anymore than Musselwhite already had—and would, over the next few hands of time. But there were things that must be said, no matter how unpleasant.
When Pondwader had finished, and began wiping his greasy hands on the hem of his tan robe, Seedpod poured himself another cup of hanging-moss tea. The delicate tartness had healing Powers and soothed raw nerves. He filled a gourd cup for Pondwader too, and handed it to the boy.
“Thank you,” Pondwader said as he took it. He sipped the tea and frowned. “She is intent on going, Seedpod. Alone. She wouldn’t even listen to me.”
He nodded. “I know. That’s what I wished to speak with you about. I’m sure she must have wounded you tonight. When she is frantic she grows blunt, sometimes even cruel. It isn’t because she wants to hurt you, Pondwader. It’s just that she hasn’t the time right now to explain herself. She—”
“I’m going with her.”
Seedpod paused, startled, then took another drink of his tea. Quietly, he asked, “And will she allow this?”
“She doesn’t wish me to, but I—I don’t care. I’m going,” Pondwader said stubbornly. “I won’t allow her to go alone. It’s too dangerous.”
Seedpod turned his cup in his hands, and Pondwader watched him expectantly, his pink face flushed. “Did it occur to you, Pondwader, that your presence might actually make it more dangerous for her?”
“She told me I would be a burden, but I—”
“You would. Don’t you see, with you there she will have to worry about your safety. She cares about you, Pondwader. You will distract her. She will not be able to concentrate on the forest, on anomalies of color or shape—all of which might allow her to see an enemy warrior before he sees her. No, instead she will be worrying about whether or not you can see that poisonous snake in the grass, or see her signal you to stand still and be quiet, because there is movement ahead. And what if you don’t, Pondwader, and it turns out to be one of Cottonmouth’s war parties? Your poor vision might kill both of you.”
“But I have to be there, Seedpod!” he said. “You don’t understand! It’s not because I wish to go! The very idea scares me to death. I must be with her. It’s …” He pushed awkwardly at his long sleeves. More softly, he finished, “It’s what the ghosts told me.”