“Allow me safe passage to speak to the Weroansqua. I will deliver my message, and be gone.”
More and more warriors slipped from the forest, joining Nine Killer’s forces. A bad situation was getting worse. Winged Blackbird bit his lip and shrugged at Nine Killer’s continued silence. “It is up to you, War Chief. If you wish a battle, you will probably win. In your position, I would be considering just that. But, I urge you, think this through. If you start this, are you ready for the consequences? These are perilous times. The Mamanatowick might react with rage at the murder of one of his messengers. Is an easy victory today worth the kind of war you will have to fight tomorrow?”
“Yes … and no,” Nine Killer replied as he allowed his bowstring to slacken just the slightest. He seemed to be mulling the notion in his head. “I think you had better give me your message. Before the gods, I will deliver it to the Weroansqua word for word.”
“And why do you not wish me to tell Hunting Hawk in person?”
Nine Killer gave him a deadly grin. “Because Copper Thunder is in Flat Pearl Village. I suspect I can control my warriors, and their passions. I’m not sure I can control him, or his—nor that I would want to try.”
The nervous chill intensified. “Then this marriage is a finished thing?”
“If I were gambling, I wouldn’t bet against it, War Chief. That’s your message, isn’t it? To tell Hunting Hawk not to allow this alliance with Copper Thunder? You must have just heard that Red Knot had begun her bleeding. That’s why you only have two tens of warriors. Corn Hunter panicked, sent you before you could prepare a larger party.”
Curse him! What does he do, read minds? “My Weroance does not panic! We did not want to threaten Flat Pearl, only to give, as you would say, friendly advice.”
Nine Killer drew his bow back fully again. The advice is given—now go. Take your warriors, and don’t let the sun set while your feet are still on Flat Pearl ground. I give you your life, War Chief. Don’t make me regret it.”
Nine Killer jerked a nod and the warriors behind Winged Blackbird melted away. “There is your way out, War Chief. Leave now.”
Winged Blackbird backed up, aware of a bead of sweat that trickled down his temple and over his painted cheek. They might have come quickly, but now they left at a run. “Close, wasn’t it?” Blood Berry asked, running easily at Winged Blackbird’s side.
“Very.”
“What will you tell the Weroance when we return?” “Just what happened—and that we delivered his message.”
“And then?”
“That will be up to the Weroance, and the Mamanatowick. But look about you carefully, Blood Berry. I don’t think this is the last we’ve seen of flat Pear) territory.” “Then, Nine Killer might indeed live to regret letting us go?”
“To use his words, if you were a gambler, you’d best not bet against it.”
The last thing Nine Killer needed was to have Copper Thunder trotting down the trail at the head of his warriors, but here he came, arrogant as a rutting bull elk. The Great Tayac looked fearsome, the cloud-filtered light giving his gruesome tattoos a threatening appearance. Maybe that was why the far-off Serpent Chiefs liked to wear that forked-eye design. It made them appear less than human. The copper spike in the Great Tayac’s war ‘ club looked bloody in the dappled shadows cast by the trees.
“What news, War Chief?” Copper Thunder asked, slowing to a walk. His warriors glanced around curiously at the men who stood vigilantly on each side of them.
Nine Killer scuffed the leaf mat with his toe. “Oh; a great deal of news.”
“You have found the girl?”
“She is a woman, Great Tayac. Red Knot. And, no, we haven’t found her.”
Copper Thunder lifted his heavy war club. “Then why are you standing here? It would seem that if a search is being conducted, your men should be spread out. Searching.”
“I’m waiting to make sure that my scouts don’t report that Winged Blackbird has doubled back.”
“Winged Blackbird?” Copper Thunder’s lips pressed into a hard line. “I don’t like riddles, War Chief.”
“No? Great Tayac, I’ve just intercepted a war party from White Stake Village. These warriors were under the command of Winged Blackbird. He works for the Weroance, Corn Hunter, of White Stake Village. Corn Hunter is Water Snake’s brother. It seems that Winged Blackbird was sent with a message for Hunting Hawk. The Ma manatowick doesn’t want you marrying Red Knot. I’m to deliver that message to Hunting Hawk.”