The room was silent.
Bad Cast tightened his grip on the dart and tapped it against the kiva floor before handing it back to Ironwood. “That is all.”
He knew that Ironwood’s single eye followed him as he went back and seated himself beside Soft Cloth.
Ironwood pursed his lips as he stared thoughtfully at the floor. “Well, at least I have one of you with me. Thank you, Bad Cast.”
A voice from the door called, “Whatever Bad Cast has gotten himself into, you can count on me, too.” Wrapped Wrist ducked through the entryway, followed by Crow Woman and, most surprising of all, by a worried-looking Orenda.
Ironwood jerked a curt nod. “Thank you, Wrapped Wrist. Your support is deeply appreciated.” To Crow Woman, he said, “Good to see you, warrior. We’ve been worried.”
He stiffened when Orenda said, “War Chief? Might I have a word with you outside?”
Ironwood addressed the room. “If you would excuse me for a moment, I’ll give you time to digest Bad Cast’s words.” Then he followed the others as they stepped out.
Bad Cast stood, retraced his way through the crowd, and ducked out into the smoky day. Behind him, voices rose in sudden bedlam, although a voice shouted, “Order! Order! One at a time!”
Bad Cast slapped Wrapped Wrist on the back. “Good to see you. Where’ve you been?”
Wrapped Wrist gave him a sober grin. “Having interesting times. What happened on the Dog’s Tooth?”
“Leather Hand surprised the Council of Elders up there. He captured White Eye, Whistle, and the elders, and burned the place on the way out. He’s taken them up to the great house. No one has seen him or them since.”
Orenda had led them several paces into the center of the small plaza. She turned, looking Ironwood in the eye. “I have no way to tell you this, but the camp has been attacked. Leather Hand killed many, took others.” She drew a breath. “Night Sun is his captive. He and his troops have taken her south. Perhaps to Flowing Waters Town.”
Ironwood’s flinty expression began to sag. “How long ago?”
“Three days now.” Orenda wrung her hands. “They went straight to the camp, Ironwood. It was as if they knew exactly where we were.”
Crow Woman asked, “You said they caught Whistle?” A pause. “That’s how they found us.”
Orenda threw her hands up. “One other thing: Ravenfire was with them. It was he who captured Night Sun. I swear it, War Chief. He gave her up to them.”
Ironwood looked stunned.
“We saw her,” Wrapped Wrist added. “They were carrying her on a litter. Some of the other women and children were walking. Ravenfire was with them, walking freely and carrying a weapon.”
Crow Woman cocked her jaw. “You should also know they butchered some of the bodies. Took the flesh with them for meat.”
Ironwood’s face was as ashen as the sky. “By the gods.”
Bad Cast fought the urge to reach out and steady the man.
“War Chief?” Crow Woman asked, stepping forward.
Aware of Soft Cloth as she walked up behind him, Bad Cast said, “Come. My house is but a stone’s throw from here. Let us have some tea and consider what to do.”
“We can save her,” Crow Woman insisted. “It will have to be done quickly and carefully. They’ll most likely have her in Dusk House. We can sneak most of our people inside, then, with a good diversion, break her out.”
“Do that,” Bad Cast said, “and we’ll lose any element of surprise here.”
Crow Woman shot him a withering glare. “Who are you, hunter, to advise the war chief?”
“He’s my husband,” Soft Cloth said, stepping forward.
“Well, woman, our Matron has been taken, and that supersedes any attack on First Moon Mountain. Besides, the situation here has changed. If the First People took Whistle, they know everything.” Crow Woman turned to Ironwood. “He would have talked rather than endure Leather Hand’s torture.” Even as she said it, her face blanched, and she turned away.
What was that all about? Bad Cast wondered.
Soft Cloth, fuming now, started forward, lifting a finger to launch into Crow Woman. Bad Cast held his breath as he interposed a warning hand. One could never predict results when dealing with enraged women. Fortunately, Soft Cloth stopped short.
“Easy,” Wrapped Wrist said in a calming voice. “We’re all on the same side here. The smartest thing that’s been said is that we go somewhere and think this through. Hasty action now could lead to disaster, whatever action is finally chosen.”
To everyone’s relief, it was Orenda who took Ironwood’s arm and started him in Bad Cast’s direction.