People of the Moon(196)

She sighed. “I’d swear you put some sort of charm on my souls. For the moment all I can think about is you and what happens when we lay together.”

“Good.” He stepped close, pulling her head down and brushing his lips on hers. “Trust me; we’ll work it out.”

The problem was, they were heading into a war; and the last thing she needed was to have her thoughts constantly distracted by either his smile or his body.





A long-legged man could cross the Soft Earth Moiety kiva in Mid-Sun Town in eight paces. The roof with its large opening was rattled by the wind, and bits of ash drifted in. A fire had been lit in the central fire pit, a concession to the growing chill. Bad Cast had slipped inside after returning from his meeting with Ripple. He’d found his wife seated on the corner of the foot drum and had taken a seat beside her. Her expression was grim, her brow lined. She’d taken his hand in hers, grip tight.

Around the walls, lineage leaders sat cross-legged, eyes thoughtful. Ironwood stood in the north, a grim expression on his thin-lipped face. His single eye had fixed on the fire.

“Ironwood has asked for help in attacking Pinnacle House,” Soft Cloth whispered into Bad Cast’s ear. “Without the elders, it’s up to the lineage leaders.”

Under normal circumstances, the kiva would have been the preserve of the Priests and Shamans who were preparing for the equinox, a most special time this year since it coincided with Sister Moon’s homecoming. Now, however, with the presence of the war chief, the captivity of the elders, and Ripple’s looming vision, a special meeting had been called.

A Strong Back Clan man, Black Bush, who had married Yellow Petal, held the floor, a long dart in his right hand. “I have talked with my opposites,” he said forcefully. “My own inclination is to attack Pinnacle Great House according to the war chief’s plans. It seems, however, that others in my clan do not share this conviction.” He shot the war chief a sad smile. “It is their fear that if we help you attack, our Clan elder, Hoarse Caller, and War Chief Rose will be put to death by the First People. I must, therefore, respectfully decline your invitation, War Chief.”

Ironwood nodded. He’d obviously heard enough of this already.

Black Bush relinquished the long dart, symbol of a speaker during a war council, and returned to his seat beside Yellow Petal. She nodded encouragement to her husband and took his hand as he seated himself.

Bad Cast looked around, waiting for someone else to come forward. No one did. An uneasy silence spread through the room.

Someone, do something. Bad Cast glanced over his shoulder to where the Whisper and Muddy Water clan leaders sat. Most of them looked down at their hands, or anywhere but toward Ironwood.

Bad Cast nerved himself. Gods, he’d never done anything like this, but he took a deep breath, winked at Soft Cloth when she gave him a questioning look, and stood. His heart was hammering as he picked his way between the seated people and walked up to Ironwood. His hand was trembling as he took the long, fletched dart and turned.

He froze as every eye fixed on him. Words stuck in his throat. The carefully rehearsed argument vanished into air. For long moments he stood petrified.

“Bad Cast?” Ironwood said gently. “It is traditional to introduce yourself.”

A chuckle came from the floor, and Bad Cast grinned sheepishly. “I am Bad Cast, of the Blue Stick Clan.” His mouth was dry. “I am not a lineage leader. I’m a hunter, not a leader.”

He happened to glance at Soft Cloth, and saw the surprise and amazement in her eyes. As their eyes met, she smiled, nodding her encouragement. He stiffened his spine, planting his feet. “What I wanted to say here is that I was one of the first to hear Ripple’s vision. I was one of the men who rescued him and took him to the Mountain Witch. She believed his vision, and took it as a sign. In the meantime, I have lived with Ironwood’s people, and talked to the Dreamer, Poor Singer. He believes Ripple’s vision.”

He glanced at Ironwood, and drew strength from the slight nod. The dart shaft was slick in his sweaty hands. “Cold Bringing Woman told Ripple that the First People could be broken. I know it is difficult to decide what to do when our elders’ lives are at risk, but I think in my heart that we must support the war chief and Ripple.”

Was he making any impression at all?

“I cannot speak for my clan, not even for my lineage. I can’t even speak as a warrior. I speak only as a man. But I want every person in this room to understand that when the war chief and his warriors move against Pinnacle Great House, I will be with him.” He paused, looking out at the faces. “I do not ask you to come and fight with us, only that you be ready to do what your souls and honor ask of you. That is all.”