People of the Masks(88)
“We’d better hope he can’t.” Her dark eyes narrowed. “If the Walksalongs become mush, we’ll be looking at a long war with the Bear Nation.”
Wind Mother whipped through the forest, jostling the trees and battering the snowdrifts. A glimmering white haze spun through their camp. Sparrow bowed his head to fend off the onslaught, while Dust quickly pulled up her hood. The forest sighed and moaned before going quiet again.
When Sparrow looked up, his mouth open to say something else, his heart stopped.
A man stood next to the boulder behind Dust. Tall, with long graying black hair, and an oval face, an elkhide wrapped his shoulders.
Sparrow froze.
Dust’s hand slipped beneath her cape for the stiletto on her belt.
From behind her the man saw no movement. He cautiously stepped closer.
Sparrow did not look at Dust as he rose to his feet, but he knew she was watching his every breath, studying his movements to judge the threat.
Sparrow called, “It has been a long while, Blue Raven.”
Dust’s breathing quickened as she pulled her stiletto onto her lap, and slowly turned toward the Headman of Walksalong Village.
Blue Raven scanned both of their faces, then spread his arms. “I left my bow behind the boulder. I am unarmed. I came to talk. Please.” He glanced at Dust. “You are Dust Moon? Matron of Earth Thunderer Clan?”
Dust nodded.
Blue Raven took another step toward them.
“I have heard many people speak of your courage and kindness.” Blue Raven inclined his head to show his respect. “I hope you will extend some of that kindness to me this day. I give you my pledge that I do not come in anger.”
“Then why are you here?” Sparrow asked.
“I overheard you talking—”
“You mean you were spying on us!” Dust said.
“Well, Matron”—Blue Raven smiled wanly—“a man does not simply march into the camp of Silver Sparrow. Perhaps in the old days when he was a renowned Trader, but not now. For three moons’ walk, people cower at the mention of your husband’s name—”
“Former husband.”
Blue Raven seemed taken aback by that. He glanced at Sparrow, and continued. “Many people whisper that Silver Sparrow is no longer human, that he sails through the forests at night in the body of an owl, or bat. I thought it wise to watch your camp for a time before I stepped from my hiding place.”
Sparrow said, “What do you want?”
Blue Raven cautiously said, “The two of you are searching for the children, and I am searching for the children.” The lines on his forehead deepened. “Together we have more of a chance of finding them, and we must find them soon, or I fear—”
“You mean …” Dust lurched to her feet. “Rumbler isn’t with you?”
Blue Raven shook his head. “With me? No, of course not.”
“Didn’t you cut him loose?”
“Me?” Blue Raven cried. “I had nothing to do with it! My niece, a girl of twelve winters, was responsible. She must have felt pity for him. When I was asleep, she—”
“Ah.” Sparrow nodded, suddenly seeing how the pieces of the story fit. “Well, Blue Raven, many things have happened that you are not aware of. Please sit down. Share our fire.” He gestured to the crackling flames.
“I do not wish to sit. I—”
“You may stand if you wish, but the truth is not easy to tell or, I imagine, to hear.” Sparrow exhaled a frosty breath.
Blue Raven glanced back and forth between them, fear growing in his brown eyes. “Then, please, tell me quickly.”
Sparrow crouched and scooped more coals around the teapot. “Jumping Badger and twenty warriors are on your trail. Starflower ordered them to hunt you down because she thinks you saved Rumbler.”
“But that’s foolish! Why would I—”
“We don’t know the why of it. But they think you betrayed them.” Sparrow rephrased the story Cornhusk had told them: “Lamedeer supposedly said that I said the False Face Child would be the death of the Walksalong Clan. Correct?”
Blue Raven nodded. “Yes. Did you—”
“No, I didn’t, but that’s another story. Your people think you have doomed them by saving the boy. They have labeled you a traitor.”
Dust added, “And your niece, Little Wren, as well. They have condemned her to death.”
Judging by Blue Raven’s expression they had just confirmed his worst fears. “Oh, gods. This is much worse than I ever …” He shook his head. “Yes, much worse. I—I need to think. There must be a path through this insanity. A way to repair the damage. I just … I must find it.”