Old White Eye gave a slight wave of his wrinkled hand, as if dismissing the idea. “Sometimes reputations serve us well, don’t they?”
“I—I don’t understand.”
That horrible white eye fixed on him.
“Your reputation brought you Blue Gentian, didn’t it? Wasn’t she drawn to you because of the rumors? Hmm? Wasn’t she curious to find out if they were true?” The smile was anything but reassuring. “And, fortunately for you, they were. She found herself enchanted by your shaft. It filled her in a way she had always hoped for.”
“Elder, please listen. I’m sorry. I’ll never touch the woman again. It was a mistake. I know it could cause problems if Willow Pole ever—”
“Quiet!” The glowing white eye pinned him. “The trouble you will make for Blue Stick Clan is nothing compared to what I wish to talk to you about. But, just to show that I am not without a certain pity for the young and stupid, here’s how it will go if you persist in slipping your staff into the artful Gentian’s willing sheath. Willow Pole will eventually figure it out, as he has in the past. When he does, you, young hunter, will most likely vanish into the forest, and perhaps, someday, your bones will be tripped over by some other hunter.” He tilted his head, the movement birdlike. “You see, unlike you, Willow Pole understands the ramifications of clan politics. When he deals with you, it will be quietly, where no one knows. He will not leave a mess for his clan to clean up through expensive reparations in order to keep the peace.”
This time Wrapped Wrist’s swallow stuck halfway down his throat.
Old White Eye let him stew on that for a long time. The only sound was the slight moan of the wind in the ventilator and the crackling sparks as the wood burned down.
In a gentler voice, the old man finally said, “Very well. Now, let’s get to the important matter.”
“Yes, Elder.”
“Your friend, Ripple.”
For a matter of heartbeats, Wrapped Wrist’s soul stumbled in confusion. “Ripple? He has nothing to do with Gentian. She doesn’t even—”
“It might save everyone a great deal of trouble if you simply walk up to Willow Pole, tell him how his wife is dancing on your manhood, and let him kill you.”
WrappedWrist’s mouth was hanging open stupidly. He snapped it closed. The old man continued, “You’re not very smart. Knowing that, you would be well advised to listen before you speak.”
Wrapped Wrist nodded vigorously.
“You were on the mountain with Ripple? You carried an elk quarter down for him?”
“Yes, Elder. I still have some. It’s good meat, and I’d be honored to bring you a portion of the best—”
“Gods, boy. Hush!”
At the tone, Wrapped Wrist lost his ability to breathe.
Old White Eye glared for a moment, then, as if speaking to a simple child, said, “The rumor is that he had a vision. Is it true?”
It took a moment for Wrapped Wrist to find his voice. “Yes, Elder. At least, I think so.”
“You think so?”
He nodded.
“Did he or didn’t he?”
Wrapped Wrist made a futile gesture. “Well, he says he did. He says that Cold Bringing Woman came to him in the night. That she said the First People could be destroyed. I know Ripple believes it. And the elk, Elder …”
“Yes?”
“It was frozen solid. All four quarters. And the plants around them, they were wilted, the way they would be after an early frost.”
The old man pondered that. Wrapped Wrist waited, afraid to say anything more.
“What else?” the old man asked.
“Ripple thinks he needs to go find the Mountain Witch. Something about allies in strange places.”
Finally, the old man nodded. “Yes, for the first time, this makes sense.”
“Elder?”
The old man waved it away and turned his single baleful eye on Wrapped Wrist. “You, and your friends, must see that he reaches her.”
Wrapped Wrist frowned in confusion.
“Don’t you understand, boy? If I have heard of this vision, it won’t be long before the First People up in their abominable great house will hear of it, too. And when they do, they are going to want to have a little talk with you, Ripple, and the rest of your innocent friends.”
Wrapped Wrist felt his guts drop.
“The First People are frightened right now,”White Eye continued. “Their world is changing. The rains no longer come like they used to. Crops are dying in the fields. The Underworlds are angry. Remember how the Rainbow Serpent rose into the sky just after Talon Town was sacked and Sternlight was killed? The First People certainly haven’t forgotten. Now Matron Featherstone is dead.” He smiled like a hungry bear. “And soon the First People’s Priests will be returning to our mountain for the Moon ceremony.”