High Dance’s stomach clenched and knotted, his heart dropping like a rock in his chest. His knees went weak, and it was all he could do to keep from collapsing.
“You’ll recall my advice concerning him,” Bead said absently. He reached out, fingers under the Tula’s chin as he inspected his handiwork. The messenger with the copper staff stared owl-eyed at the severed head.
“My boys?” High Dance’s voice sounded like gravel rubbed on a board.
“Oh, they’re quite fine. A little nervous, but having an adventure the likes of which they’ll be able to talk about for years to come.” He turned loose of the Tula and went about securing his paints and returning them to a small carry box. “Or, well, maybe they’ll be talking about it for years to come. That’s the thing about a grand adventure, isn’t it? I mean, if you know you’re going to survive, that sense of urgency really isn’t there. Nor does that rush of relief run through you when you realize you’ve made it. You’ve felt it, haven’t you? That sense of euphoria that you only experience when you’ve beaten the odds? Breathing is fresher, the blood racing in your veins warmer. Food tastes better … and driving your shaft into a woman?” He waggled his finger at High Dance, a knowing glint in his eyes. “That, my friend, becomes the ultimate reaffirmation of existence. A cry to the earth and skies of, ‘Here I am! Unstopped! Shooting my seed into the future!’”
High Dance reached out, imploring. “I’d like for the boys to have that moment.”
Bead glanced sidelong at him as he closed his paint box. “Good. It would make my life easier and simplify things if I could bring them home to you as soon as possible. Is that satisfactory?”
High Dance swallowed hard. “It is.”
“Excellent.” Bead clapped his hands in delight, a grin spreading across his face. He glanced at the messenger and the painted Tula. “Go. Be about it.”
As the two left, he walked up to High Dance, his dark brown eyes agleam with excitement. “Let’s see, we were … Yes, yes, bringing the boys home. Perhaps within the next hand of time? Would that be convenient?”
His gut churning like a whirlpool, High Dance said, “It would.”
“Good.” Bead rubbed his hands together in satisfaction. “I’m sorry I’m not thinking quicker, but I was up most of the night. I get so irritable when I don’t get enough sleep. How about you?”
High Dance nodded, unsure where this was going.
“So, yes, I’d like to nap.” He gestured around. “But not here. Too many people know where it is. And, as you’ll see, there’s much to do this afternoon. Oh, and I’d appreciate it if you would stand down the guard. The boys will be right behind us.” He raised his finger. “Less chance of misunderstandings that way. I wouldn’t want them to accidently lose that future chance to relate the adventure of their kidnapping.”
High Dance, the sick feeling growing in his gut, shook his head. “No,” he whispered, “you wouldn’t.”
“See? You’re a very responsible father, concerned with the fate of his boys. I like that, I really do. My father?” He waved it away. “You really don’t want to know.”
“So, you’re bringing the boys? With us? Right now?” He shook his head. “I could just take them with me. Leave you to your—”
Bead’s clever eyes narrowed. “You do understand, Great Chief High Dance, that the boys will follow along behind, at the rear of my column of wolves. I will be with you, listening as you stand down the guard, and then order the entire household staff into the palace with us.”
“But why?”
Bead reached up, patting him reassuringly on the cheek. “Because I want to deliver a message to your sister, High Chief. It’s not that I don’t trust you. I do, I swear. But I certainly don’t trust her! Or that nasty little dwarf of hers.” He paused. “He will be there, won’t he?”
“It’s hard to say.” High Dance’s mouth had gone dry. “If it’s just a message, I could—”
“Some things, High Chief, must be delivered in person. This is one.” He shrugged. “Relax. She can say yes or no. And then I will be on about my business.”
“Then why take the boys hostage? Why do all this?”
“Did they really make you High Chief on purpose? Are you this slow? I told you, I don’t trust her! I have sixteen Tula to accompany me. Doing it my way, I deliver my message. It doesn’t end in a fight, people don’t die.” He extended a toe to rock Brown Bear FiveKiller’s head. “Well, but for him. Trust me, you truly, truly needed to replace him.”