As Winged Blackbird turned toward them, Panther said, “Wait!” He took a deep breath. “Very well, Water Snake. I left because of a woman.” He paused. “Her name was … was Warm Fall.”
“She was my aunt.”
“If you are Blue Gill’s son, she is. She was promised to my brother, White Fire.”
“You’re telling me… what?” Water Snake made a distasteful face.
“I’m telling you that she was promised to my brother, and I was in love with her. I’m telling you that I couldn’t stand the thought of her going to him. I despised White Fire. He was a pampered monster, even as a child. And Mother promised my precious Warm Fall to ii’m!”
Water Snake leaned forward, searching Panther’s face as if for a clue to this bizarre twist. “You were firstborn. You were in line to be Mamanatowick. And you turned that down because you were denied a woman? You expect me to believe that?”
“Believe what you will, nephew. I was a very young man, and I loved her with all of my soul. She begged me to run off with her, to take her away, but I had learned my lessons very well. Everything for the clan: duty, honor, responsibility. My body, soul, and heart belonged to Sky Fire Clan. Instead of dishonoring my clan by running off with Warm Fall, the woman promised to my brother, I only dishonored myself. I watched her marry him, watched her take his hand and dance with him-and in that moment I knew I couldn’t stay, couldn’t live next to her … next to him.” He shook his head. “I never allowed myself to love another woman.”
“Blessed Okeus,” Nine Killer whispered.
“Please,” Panther said, raising his hand. “If you must bless, do it in the name of Ohona.”
Water Snake was thinking, his face grim. “The disappearance of Eight Rocks has been a great mystery. Some things make sense now.”
Panther struggled for breath, wondering at the tightness in his chest. “That night was unbearable. I could only imagine him mounting her. I wanted to beat my brain out, but instead, I left the village and headed west. I couldn’t stand to dishonor her any further.”
“So you’ve just wandered? Like some ragged Trader?” Water Snake asked. “Why didn’t you come home? It sounds like you wasted your life.”
“Yes, nephew, I wasted a great deal of it.” Panther shrugged. “But come home I did. And, when this is all over, I shall retire to my island and live the rest of my life as I please.”
“If you are Eight Rocks, you will come back with me. Back to your clan and family.”
“No, nephew. I made my choice a long time ago. But for stopping this attack of yours, I would have died as I have lived: alone and unknown. The only reason I have revealed myself to you is to keep you from destroying Flat Pearl Village. I am an elder of Sky Fire Clan—”
“The Elder of Sky Fire Clan. The rest are dead.”
“Very well. As the Elder, I want this attack stopped.”
Water Snake gestured out toward the village, now just visible in the rising mist. “The usurper who calls himself the Great Tayac is in there! I have waited for this moment. I can crush two problems with one great blow.”
Panther drew himself upright. “Before you do, you will strike me dead. Right here.”
“Why are you doing this?” Water Snake cried, rising from his seat. “What are these people to you?”
“I have friends here. One is a young woman by the name of Sun Conch. She’s not quite a woman yet, but I want her to have that chance—and not as one of your slaves. Another is named White Otter. I would like her to grow up to become a woman like her mother.”
“Because of your wishes, I should stop an attack I’ve dreamed of for ten Comings of the Leaves? All that, for a couple of girls!” Water Snake raised his arms incredulously. “Given what I’ve seen in my life, I can’t think of a better reason. Make your choice, Mamanatowick: Leave Flat Pearl village, or kill your clan elder.”
Water Snake brooded for a moment. “There’s got to be another way. I could just order my warriors to hold you until—”
“No, Mamanatowick.” Nine Killer stepped forward. “Issue that order, and I will kill you. I am Nine Killer, War Chief of Flat Pearl Village. I am the elder’s escort. I am here to protect him from his enemies.”
Winged Blackbird immediately nocked an arrow in his bow, but Water Snake waved him back. “Elder, your escort is a brave man. Worthy of your status and rank. For that service, Nine Killer, I shall spare your life.”
“You will spare more than that,” Panther growled. “War Chief, hand me your club. If necessary, I will fight Water Snake for the right to rule the Sky Fire Clan.”