“There’s some truth to that,” Panther muttered. “But those warriors drill and practice all day long. They don’t take time off to hunt and fish, unless it’s just for the pleasure of.it. All they do is practice war.”
Nine Killer gave him a clear-eyed stare. “That’s exactly what Copper Thunder tells the boys. If they will come to him, they can be full-time warriors, and live as such, their every need met.”
Panther put down his gourd and steepled his fingers. “My, my, little Grass Mat is ambitious indeed. But how on earth does he suppose he’s going to support this army of his?”
“Pardon?” Nine Killer gave him a grim stare.
“The Serpent Chiefs have many warriors, it is true, but among them, only one in ten tens is a full-time warrior. He must be supported, War Chief. He must be given a house, a wife, and his food, clothing, and adornments. For that, it takes nearly thirty farmers and craftsmen.”
“Why not three warriors for every ten tens, then?” Nine Killer asked. “You could have an even bigger army.” “Ah, but who flakes the arrowheads, makes and fires the pots, attends to the rituals, monitors the celestial observations, organizes the workers, supervises the sowing, weeding, and harvest of the fields, builds the canoes, raises the mounds, cuts the trees, and repairs the houses? War is but a small part of a great chieftainship. The priests, carvers, Traders, weavers, and others all must do their part, and many of these must also be supported by others.”
Nine Killer made a face. “Then, Copper Thunder really can’t do things as he wishes—at least, not right now.”
Panther shrugged. “I’m not sure he can ever do them. The lands around Salt Water Bay are not like the great river flood plains in the interior. Their cornfields look endless, all tended by laboring clans people Here, the land is a-jumble with ridges and steep slopes. The rich soil is often restricted in extent and depth, easily exhausted. The bottoms are swampy, and flood often. No, the difference here, War Chief, is that we must collect so much of our food. The Serpent Chiefs have masses of people to grow theirs for them. They don’t rely on the fickle nature of the fish, the deer, the nuts, or the shellfish. To them, corn is life—and they can grow a great deal of it.”
“Then we should discount the Great Tayac’s stories?”
“I’m not sure.” Panther frowned at the gourd he picked up in his gnarled hand. “You know, this would be pretty if you painted it. Maybe a picture of a deer?”
“I’ll consider it. I’m more worried about Rabbit wanting to run off and become a warrior for the Great Tayac.” Nine Killer jabbed his stick into the fire, rolling it in his fingers, watching the flames char the end. “He’s doing the same thing that happened to him as a boy, isn’t he? Trying to impress the little boys. Seeking to make them want to be like him.”
“I believe so.” Panther glanced down the length of the long house to where Rosebud was bustling around the cooking fire. “Do you think she’s making squash again tonight? That stuff that she made last night was wonderful. I could have eaten that until I burst wide open.”
“You almost did.”
Panther sighed, returning his attention to the fire. “I think, War Chief, that we’ve come to the point where we have asked the normal questions, and found enough normal answers. Lots of people have reasons for murdering your cousin Red Knot. High Fox because she might have decided to expose his dalliance with a girl forbidden to him by age. Flat Willow for thwarted love. Hunting Hawk because the girl’s death eased her out of a dangerous relationship with an ambitious spider. Copper Thunder… well, he’s still a random clap of lightning-we don’t know if he struck, but if he did it could be for a multitude of reasons.”
“And the Mamanatowick’s warriors? Winged Blackbird was here to stop the marriage.”
Panther narrowed his eyes. “Oh, I don’t know. Perhaps, War Chief. But somehow, no. I think I’d know his odor if it were involved in this, and I can’t smell him.”
“Easy for you to say, Elder. I’ve been living too close to him for too long.” Nine Killer glanced to the rear where Rosebud was adding the final touches to dinner. “You should know, Elder, that I’m going home to my wife tonight. I’m leaving you in the capable hands of Rosebud. I doubt that she’s as skilled in the arcane uses of plants as you, but I think she’s over the urge to poison you.”
Panther raised a hand, gesturing Nine Killer to be off. “No, indeed, War Chief, I think she’s rather come to like me. But, well, don’t you worry. I think you can leave me here with a clear conscience. Unlike so many of these ill-mannered serpents these days, I respect the hearth and hospitality of my host, and wouldn’t dare creep into your sister’s robes unless she invited me most adamantly.”