Don’t goad him, or he’ll have you roasted! Winged Blackbird smiled, seeking to ease the tension. “Weroance, please, hear me. Knowing that Nine Killer would send scouts after us to assure that we left his territory, we made it look good. We ran like rabbits—but just far enough to allay any of his suspicions. And then Two Bones and I doubled back, sneaking through the forest to see what was happening at Flat Pearl Village.”
“Ah.” For the first time, Corn Hunter’s expression seemed to warm.
“We crept close, Weroance, and saw the body of young Red Knot being borne into the palisade. She was hanging from a pole, limp, like a dead deer.”
“What?” For the first time, Corn Hunter looked mystified.
“That’s what I really wanted to report to you, my chief. She’s dead. And the Flat Pearl warriors were so demoralized by it that they forgot to post guards. Two Bones and I were able to creep close and listen that night. The best is, someone murdered her!”
For a moment, the only sound in the Great House was the popping of the fire as flames licked around the logs.
“Who?” Red Magpie asked, her eyes shining.
“I cannot tell you.” Winged Blackbird shrugged. “Many suspected us, since our presence sent a scare into them. Some suspected High Fox, son of Black Spike. I heard mutterings behind houses. Some suspected Copper Thunder, and yet others Hunting Hawk herself. Since none of my warriors killed her, it has to be one of them, doesn’t it?”
“And you saw no sign of other raiders? Perhaps the Conoy?”
“No, Weroance. The talk in the village that night was that Red Knot’s body hadn’t been violated. No trophies were taken. No sign was left. This wasn’t war; it was murder.”
For the first time that night, Corn Hunter threw back his head and opened his mouth. The laughter came rolling out of the depths of his belly, his fat sides shaking.
Nine Killer and Stone Cob stood to the side of the canoe landing, away from the other warriors who were preparing for the journey back to Flat Pearl Village. The fog had lifted, merging with the overcast sky. In the inlet, the water looked glassy, placid for once. Smooth water made for fast traveling.
Nine Killer cocked his head, watching Stone Cob absently chip at an ash tree that stood near the beach. The warrior seemed to take some perverse delight from driving his thumbnail into the bark and prying loose little half-moons from the stringy gray mass.
“I think I understand, War Chief. If you send me a piece of copper, I am to bring High Fox to you at Flat Pearl Village. If you send me a stone arrow point, I am to take the first opportunity to kill him. If you send me a bird’s feather, you have found the real murderer, and I can return to Flat Pearl Village. In the meantime, if anyone tries to harm him, I am to protect him with my life. Then, I am to notify you immediately of the assailant’ identity.” He paused. “Curious instructions, War Chief.”
Nine Killer propped his hands on his hips. “It’s a curious situation—or I wouldn’t be standing here, talking to you in this manner. No matter that I might have agreed with your decision to warn Black Spike in my heart, you still acted against me. Once, I would have trusted you with my life. Do this thing for me, and perhaps one day I can trust you again.”
“I did what I had to to save my honor, War Chief.”
Nine Killer waved it away. “I know what you did, and why. Were it not for your honor, I would be leaving another in your place. But know this, Stone Cob: For all that has passed behind us, this thing you do is between you and me. If the Weroansqua orders High Fox’s death, I will not send you the arrow point. Understand? I will only send it if I have proven to myself that High Fox was Red Knot’s murderer.”
Stone Cob smiled, weary relief in his eyes. “You, I trust, War Chief.”
“And in this matter, I trust you.” Nine Killer gave the man a sober stare. “You must tell no one what I have told you. So far as Black Spike is concerned, you are simply here to watch after High Fox, to insure that he doesn’t escape, and to see to the Weroansqua’s interests.”
“I understand.”
Nine Killer lifted an eyebrow. “I have checked. None of your clan is involved in this.”
“Thank you, War Chief.”
“Be careful, old friend.” Nine Killer hesitated before reaching out and slapping Stone Cob on the shoulder. “Let us pray that I send you a feather. If it’s the arrow point, killing him might cost you your life.”
Stone Cob frowned and chipped another piece out of the bark.. “If he killed Red Knot, he deserves to die for what he did to all of us. My life will be well spent, War Chief.” He gave Nine Killer a wry, sidelong glance. “And none shall say that I died without honor.”