“Oh?”
She smiled crookedly. “Of course. I could put a little pressure on the aggrieved family, negotiate a deal with the culprit’s clan, and impose a fine. I might have to surreptitiously funnel a couple of canoe loads of corn, copper, and puccoon to one side or the other, but I could buy off both parties and reach a compromise. I could have done it this time if Red Knot was marrying anyone but Copper Thunder, but I can’t make a quiet fix of this. Not with Copper Thunder in the middle of it, and Water Snake out in the woods scheming against me.”
“No, you can’t.” Nine Killer stared down into his tea. “Red Knot’s death has created a crack in our alliance. At first opportunity, someone is going to wedge in a digging stick, and pry us apart.” “I think that will happen anyway.” She pulled at the wattle of skin hanging under her chin. “I’m not accustomed to seeing this dullness in your eyes. You don’t look excited about this raid on Three Myrtle.”
“Elder, before I was Blackened and killed, I dreamed of being a warrior. And since I became a man, I’ve dedicated myself to my clan and my people.”
“And very successfully, too.”
“But for the first time, I wonder who I am fighting. Where is the enemy? These men I’ve shared the war trail with? The ones I’ve stood shoulder to shoulder with in battle against the Mamanatowick’s warriors? The ones who covered my back when we drove off Conoy raiders?” “The very same. Things change, War Chief.”
Why was she here? Hunting Hawk always had ulterior motives. This was more than her seeking her War Chief’s opinion. She was probing, looking for something.
Nine Killer shifted uneasily. “And if I raid Three Myrtle, what have I protected? Have I saved any lives? Have I defended any territory? Is the Water Snake weakened? Is Stone Frog?”
“This isn’t about those things.” Hunting Hawk sipped her tea and studied him thoughtfully.
He knew that cunning look. She was hiding something. “Then what is it about? Glory? Honor? I feel a warrior’s pride when I stand over a defeated enemy. I don’t think I will feel that way when I stand over my cousin’s bleeding body in Three Myrtle Village. I won’t see it when I look into the women’s eyes, and see them weeping for men I knew, and respected. So much for courage, and skill.”
“I could almost think you didn’t believe that High Fox was the killer. Is that what makes you hesitate?”
“Weroansqua, I have to be honest; too many questions about the girl’s death are unanswered. Something about all of this isn’t right.”
“Exactly what isn’t right? You’ve heard Flat Willow’s account of what happened. Could it be any more obvious?”
“No, but, well…” He frowned, trying to put it into words. “I’ve got a stirring in my gut that we’re missing something, some bit of information that would make it all understandable.”
“And I’m supposed to trust your gut?”
He shrugged and glanced away. “It’s the best I can give you for the moment.” “Would you prefer that I find someone else to lead this raid?” Her hard black eyes bored into him to read the secrets of his soul. Was she digging for weakness? “No, Weroansqua. I am the War Chief of Flat Pearl Village. A man doesn’t have to enjoy a duty to do it well. If this thing can be accomplished, no one is more capable of it than I am. If it is to be attempted, it must be done as efficiently, quickly, and cleanly as possible. We can’t afford mistakes that would turn a bad situation into a disaster. The best we can hope for is to strike like lightning, grab the boy, and be gone with the least amount of damage done to Three Myrtle Village and its defenders.”
“Keep the anger and resentment to a minimum?” Hunting Hawk’s questioning eyebrow rearranged her wrinkles. “That, War Chief, might be our only hope. If you can enter, seize High Fox, and make your escape without killing too many, we might be able to reach a compromise in the aftermath. The trick is not to stir them up beyond the point where we can repair the damage.”
“To do so,” Nine Killer whispered softly, “will take a miracle. We’d best pray that Okeus sleeps late on that day.”
“You’d do almost anything to avoid this, wouldn’t you?”
“Wouldn’t you? You know the risks.” “To be sure, War Chief. Find me a clean way out, and I’ll take it. I swear by Okeus.” She drank the last of her tea, and waved him off when he tried to help her to her feet. She made a face as she straightened her back and said, “Sleep well, War Chief. Dream of ways to make this raid work. I want that boy, and without too much bloodshed.”