“Yes?” Lookingbill prodded.
Windwolf shrugged. “I’ve never been what you would call a strong believer in Power, Chief. But I felt it. Silvertip called it to him, and then, I’d swear, I saw great wings.”
“Raven Hunter?”
He met Lookingbill’s eyes. “Condor. I think the boy called his Spirit Helper, and used Power to save Bear Boy’s life.”
Lookingbill shot a worried glance at his grandson, now sleeping soundly on the hides. “But he’s still a boy. What do I do?”
“Begin preparing your people to travel west, Chief. Until Silvertip wakes, we’re not going to know how much time we have left. Meanwhile, I need to hear what the new refugees have to say.”
Keresa sat with her back to the stone, as far as she could get from the others. She had pulled her cape tightly around her shoulders, attempting to keep some sort of warmth around her body, because her soul was most definitely shivering.
She glanced up at the thin spear of light shining down from the mouth of their prison.
She gave Kakala a warning glance as he stepped over and lowered himself beside her. He had a puzzled look as he draped his hands on his knees.
In a kind voice, he asked, “How are you doing?”
“Confused,” she admitted.
He made a halfhearted gesture toward the high opening. “Kind of them to lower food down this morning. But it was almost a fight to ensure it was portioned out fairly.”
“Half of a yearling caribou.” She rubbed her face. “It was generous, considering the mouths he has to feed.”
“How many camps?”
“The hollow below the hill is filled with them. Too many, Kakala. He could have found plenty of reasons to ignore our wants.”
Kakala grunted assent. “I’m beginning to understand how he wins the hearts of so many.” He glanced at her. “What happened last night? When you came back, you looked terrible.”
She shot a look at the warriors, thankful they knew enough to give their war chief and deputy privacy. “I don’t know. That’s why I’m so confused. But I can tell you now, the ruse of playing Bramble isn’t a good idea.”
“Oh?”
“Kakala? Do you trust me?”
“With my life.” He smiled. “I’m sorry you thought you had to ask.”
She lowered her voice. “I offered to stay with him last night if he would let you and the rest go. He said he would, provided you swore never to raise your hands against the Sunpath or Lame Bull again.”
He studied his hands, flexing his fingers and watching the tendons work under his scarred skin. “He offered me that same option. He asked if there was a way we could go back without ending up in the cages. I thought it was some sort of trick.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think it’s a trick.”
“Why?”
“Because he respects us. Isn’t that odd … after the things we’ve done to him and his people?”
“We did as our Council ordered. Nothing more, and as it turns out, often less.” He gave her a knowing appraisal. “I’ve watched you since you’ve been meeting with him. I was curiously affected when you tried to kill Goodeagle yesterday. This offer to stay, was it more than just acting for the rest of us?”
She felt her soul tumble. “I would love to lie and tell you it was a calculating move to enable you to escape.” She stared at her hands. “But I am drawn to him as I have been to no other man I’ve ever met.”
“I see.”
“Do you?” She searched his face. “I feel torn in two, Kakala. I don’t know what’s right anymore.”
His lips curled in a faint smile. “I know you, Keresa. Perhaps better than I have ever known anyone … even Hako. You need a man who is your equal.”
She gave him a sidelong stare. “No jealousy?”
“A little. But not like that. We share our souls, our trust, and hopes. I depend on you. But our lives are separate.” He met her gaze. “If you can find more with Windwolf, take it.” He glanced away,
“Though, Raven Hunter knows, it might be short and miserable. The Council has no doubt learned what has happened to us by now. Karigi will be coming, and this time, not even Windwolf can stop him.”
“And when Karigi frees us?”
“You and I both know the penalty for failure.” He swallowed hard, a shiver tracing down his spine. “I won’t … can’t …” She saw his great muscles knotting, swelling the war shirt under his cloak.
“There is a sickness in our people,” she said bluntly. “It began with the return of Nashat, and has grown worse with the rise of the Guide.”