Copper Thunder smiled thinly. “A man is often sleepless before his wedding night, War Chief. Or have you forgotten that?”
“I’ve forgotten a great many things. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve some matters to attend to.”
As Nine Killer turned away, Copper Thunder added, “If you need help subduing him, my men and I are at your call, War Chief.”
A cold shiver crept down Nine Killer’s spine. The way he’d called him “War Chief” had been filled with derision, as if the man knew something he didn’t.
He’s fishing, that’s all. He didn’t know about the war club. It’s all a ruse. But knowing that made no difference. Something had gone wrong somewhere; Nine Killer just couldn’t be sure where, or what, and now all of their lives might depend on it.
When Nine Killer entered the House of the Dead, Panther was seated in the antechamber. On his lap was the blanket Nine Killer had recovered from old man Mockingbird. The carefully tanned hide was smooth, warm over his stiff knees. Beside him a large basket rested.
Sun Conch crouched over the fire, hands extended to the blaze. Her skin was greased, a mantle over her left shoulder, but mud spattered her feet and calves. She looked up, meeting Nine Killer’s hard gaze.
“We couldn’t leave before the fog cleared,” she said. “And I’m not sure that Black Spike would have, had the fog not been so thick. I think he needed to prove that he was still a Weroance, and not even The Panther could just order him around.”
“Foolish pride,” Panther growled, and ran his fingers over the patterns of peak. He folded the blanket and laid it carefully over the contents of the basket. “Are they all eating and drinking?”
“They are,” Nine Killer said darkly.
At his tone, Panther looked up. “Yes, War Chief?”
“Elder, something has changed.” Nine Killer crossed to the fire and stared thoughtfully down into the flames. “Copper Thunder just volunteered that he’d seen Black Spike outside the palisade the morning of Red Knot’s death. He said that the Weroance was carrying his same war club.”
“He might just as well have come right out and said that Black Spike killed the girl.” Panther frowned. “But, why now?”
“He’s hunting, Elder. Dangling bait to see what rises to take it.”
“Oh?”
“Black Spike’s war club has a single knob on the end.”
Panther grunted, jerking his head in a nod. “Il matters not, War Chief.”
“Oh? Isn’t that one of the things we’re missing? A war club with two spikes in it?”
“Not anymore.”
“I don’t…”
Panther grinned. “All in good time, War Chief. It’s safe for the time being. When the moment is right, I’ll send for it.”
“Send for it? Elder I don’t—”
“Now, why do you think Copper Thunder would be hunting for information at this late date?” Panther cocked his head, staring uneasily at Nine Killer.
“He’s acting too cocky. Something about the way he talked to me, almost insolent.”
“That’s Copper Thunder at any time.”
“No, this is more. His tone was insulting.”
Panther took a deep breath. The final piece seemed to teeter in his mind, just ready to fall into place. “So many things have been right before my eyes.” He glanced at Sun Conch. “Did Stone Cob arrive? Is the old woman with him?”
“He did, Elder. He arrived a short time ago.” Sun Conch nodded, then added, “Stone Cob said he would follow your instructions.” She hesitated. “Elder, Stone Cob asked if he would be restored to his position of trust after having faithfully performed this mission.”
“Will he, War Chief?” Panther asked, glancing at Nine Killer.
Nine Killer scowled at the fire, his hands plucking at the edge of his breech clout “Trust him as my second? How can I? He ran off and warned Three Myrtle Village of my raid. I can’t overlook that.”
“Everything for the clan?” Panther asked gently. “Isn’t that what we’re taught? From the first moment we slide from the womb, covered with tissue, wet, and streaked with blood, it’s all for the clan. Everything.”
“Are you trying to tell us something, Panther?” Sun Conch gave him a knowing look.
“Only that the clan can get in the way of being human,” Panther answered sadly. “And then, sometimes, the innocent must die to protect the guilty.”
“I don’t follow you,” Nine Killer said uneasily.
“Tonight,” Panther replied, “I’m afraid you will, War Chief. Now, more than ever, I will need you to keep your wits about you. I need you to trust me, and, above all, to think before you act. Do you understand? This must be done as delicately as possible.” But that didn’t lessen the tension and sorrow in Panther’s heart. People remained the same capricious creatures they’d always been.