“I don’t allow people much humor, Elder.” Hunting Hawk gave him a sour squint.
“In this case, I fear you will have to.” Panther clasped his hands together. “You see, Red Knot’s murder isn’t just a simple matter of taking a life. For that, we might depend on war, or vengeance, or even punishment for a crime. No, this is a different matter, for Red Knot wasn’t killed as part of a raid, or vendetta. Her death was an act of desperation.” He gave Hunting Hawk a bitter smile. “And therein, Weroansqua, lies the crucial difference.”
The room was totally silent, the only sound that of the crackling fire.
“How does a person become this desperate?” Panther raised an eyebrow. “Young Red Knot was in love with
High Fox. So much in love that she flouted the rules of her family and clan, freely coupling with the young man.”
Flying Weir started, then glared at High Fox.
Panther studied Hunting Hawk for a moment, curious at her lack of reaction. Not at the accusation—she’d heard it the day Panther had faced Copper Thunder—but at the public statement before witnesses. So, apparently the Weroansqua knew, or at least suspected. “The clan is everything,” he quoted. “And Greenstone Clan was in trouble. Copper Thunder had united the upriver villages, controlling the trade. The Mamanatowick had begun to put new pressure on the Independent villages. The balance had been upset.”
Copper Thunder laughed and crossed his arms, a smug look on his face.
“Oh, Grass Mat,” Panther chided. “I wouldn’t be so sure of myself, were I you.” He gave Hunting Hawk a knowing glance. “You thought to have it all your way, didn’t you, Weroansqua? Red Knot was becoming a problem, following in her mother’s tracks. What better way to rid yourself of a potential embarrassment than by-“
“I didn’t kill the girl!” Hunting Hawk had fire in her eyes.
With aplomb Panther said, “I didn’t say that you did.”
“But you …” Hunting Hawk snapped her mouth shut, glaring. “I was going to say, what better way to rid yourself of a potential embarrassment, than by marrying her off to Copper Thunder. It was a master stroke. Cunning old fox that you are, you would thus sting the Mamanatowick into action. Copper Thunder scared you, didn’t he? Here was a new dynamic leader upsetting the old balance-and right downriver from him lay the Independent villages. But there was a clever way to eliminate that threat, wasn’t there?”
“What?” Hunting Hawk scowled irritably at him.
Panther cast a measuring look at Copper Thunder. “With a marriage alliance between Greenstone Clan and Copper Thunder, the Mamanatowick would be forced to throw all of his might against the upriver villages. The perceived threat lay there, with the upstart. While the Mamanatowick fought it out with Copper Thunder, the Independent villages would be spared. Anyone’s best guess would be that Water Snake would crush Copper Thunder within two Comings of the Leaves. And then, when you faced him, Water Snake’s forces would have been weakened, buying you even more time.”
“That makes sense,” Nine Killer agreed, seeing the logic. “But killing Red Knot wouldn’t serve the Weroansqua’s purpose, would it?”
Panther shook his head. “I don’t believe that Hunting Hawk had the girl killed.” He looked at Copper Thunder, who now frowned uneasily at Hunting Hawk. “You and the Mamanatowick were being played like fish on a string, Grass Mat. The Weroansqua’s real fear was that you might deal with Water Snake—trade with him rather than fight. That realignment of power would have eventually strangled the Independent villages. Hunting Hawk understood from the beginning that you couldn’t build a chieftainship like the one you dreamed of. The upriver villages don’t have the resources to support it. What worried her was how you would react when you realized that truth.”
Copper Thunder’s eyes had narrowed to slits. “And the trick with Shell Comb? Did you toy with me, Weroansqua?”
Panther answered for Hunting Hawk: “Red Knot was dead. The Weroansqua’s plans were in jeopardy. She would marry anyone to you if it would create an alliance unacceptable to the Mamanatowick.”
Hunting Hawk stiffened, “I will not listen to this any longer! War Chief, seize him!”
“Where were you that morning, Weroansqua?” Panther asked mildly. “People said that you were absent all through breakfast. Why? What were you doing during that critical time?”
Nine Killer stood, flexing his hands, as he studied Hunting Hawk. “I would prefer to hear him out, Weroansqua. I think this is clan business.”