People of the Nightland(132)
Nashat chuckled from her left. She turned to look at him. He tilted his head in an oddly seductive way and pinned her with cold black eyes. “It doesn’t matter now anyway. In the past moon, War Chief Kakala and Deputy Karigi have destroyed most of your insignificant little bands. The few pitiful survivors have dispersed across the land. The Sunpath People are no more.”
Skimmer’s heart raced. Could it be true? Or a clever lie?
Ta’Hona ran a hand over his bald head and said, “Soon, we will head south and move into your old lands, perhaps even into your old lodges, those that are left standing. There’s nothing you can do to stop—”
“No,” Ti-Bish softly said, and his eyes went wide. “We won’t.”
Nashat scowled at him. “How dare you contradict an Elder? What do you mean?”
Ti-Bish stepped forward. His voice was like buffalo wool, soft and warm. “I’ve found it.”
All of the Elders turned to face him. “Found what?” Khepa asked.
“The way.”
Nashat turned to the other Elders and exchanged glances. No one seemed to know what the Guide meant.
Nashat said, “The way … to do what?”
“The way.” Ti-Bish swallowed hard and lifted his chin. “The hole in the ice. I can lead our people to the paradise of the Long Dark!”
Fifty-five
Skimmer stared at Ti-Bish in disbelief. The Paradise of the Long Dark? It was real?
The Council chamber was silent for a moment, the expressions of the Elders that of shock. Even Nashat was speechless.
Khepa and Ta’Hona were on their feet in a heartbeat.
Satah walked up to Ti-Bish, and in a reverent voice said, “You’ve found the way to the Long Dark?”
“Raven Hunter showed it to me. He said I’d been good.”
Gasps were followed by cheers; then laughter rose. Tears streaked their elderly faces. Nashat, however, sat to the side, fingering his chin, eyes narrowed to slits.
Ta’Hona asked, “When can we leave?”
“Soon. Raven Hunter told me that our people must start packing. But they can only take their most precious things. The trip is long and difficult.”
Satah spun around, and the other Elders smiled toothlessly at him. “We must tell our people immediately. We’re going back. Back through the hole in the ice to the Land of the Long Dark, where we will never be hungry again.”
Laughter again, joyous. The Elders rose to their feet, and as they filed out, each gently touched Ti-Bish’s shoulder.
Skimmer watched, amazed. They are old fools! Men who no longer think, no longer walk in the world like the rest of us! The image of puppets, the sort that adults used to entertain children, flickered in her soul. And the one who guides them … ?
Only Nashat remained. He waited until the voices of the other Elders had vanished before he said, “Now that the foolishness is over, let’s discuss Headswift Village.”
Skimmer blinked. His entire demeanor had changed. His cold eyes fixed on Ti-Bish, and he said, “Guide, come and sit down. It makes me nervous when you stand by the door as though you’re going to bolt at any instant.” He pointed to the buffalo hides.
Ti-Bish came forward with a frightened look on his face and sat down as he’d been ordered.
Skimmer frowned, the memory of stone hammers whistling in the night, sounding in her head. Where once it would have brought horror, it now stirred a terrible anger.
Nashat … someday, I will repay you for all of this.
Nashat said, “First, what’s this idiocy about the hole in the ice?”
Ti-Bish bowed his head. “I found it.”
“You’re going to have all of our people racing around stuffing their packs full preparing for a journey they will never take.”
Trembling, Ti-Bish had the courage to lift his gaze and look at Nashat. “We need to go soon. Very soon. Raven Hunter says—”
“Oh, Blessed Spirits, you’re talking to me now, not the fools who believe you’re going to lead them to the promised Long Dark. We have more important issues to discuss.” He thrust an arm out at Skimmer. “It’s a good deal more critical that we push the Sunpath People out of the nut forests, than it is—”
“We’re going,” Ti-Bish whispered. “I’m going to lead our people through the hole in the ice and back to the Long Dark, where tens of tens of mammoths, giant buffalo, and bears live. We don’t need the nut forests. We’ll never be hungry again. Raven Hunter will be there to watch over—”
“Ti-Bish.” Nashat propped his hands on his hips and shook his head as though terribly disappointed. “Try to listen for a time.”