People of the Nightland(140)
Windwolf said to Keresa, “Deputy, when the runner arrives, I would appreciate it if you would walk out and greet him.”
She gave him a wary look. “I’ll make him feel right at home.”
I would appreciate? Kakala looked back and forth between them, seeing the worry and concern in their eyes. Oh, Keresa, what have you gotten yourself into?
On the hilltop across from the ceremonial chamber, the guard waved a hand.
“He’s coming, Kakala. Are you ready?” Windwolf asked in a strained voice.
“As ready as I ever am when I have to answer ridiculous questions from the Elders.”
A small round of nervous laughter went through his warriors, just as he’d intended. They all knew how much he hated clan politics.
“All right, Keresa,” Windwolf said with a sigh. “He’s running up the trail.”
She stepped over to stand beside Kakala, looking down at the runner.
“Homaldo?” she called, and lifted a hand. “What are you doing here? Where are the others? What happened to you?”
“We thought the fight was lost, got cut off from the rest of you,” he called back, and pounded up the trail grinning.
When he got close, Keresa stepped out and smiled. “You should be home playing hoop-and-stick with your son.”
Homaldo stopped in front of Keresa and took her hand in a strong grip. “We thought you were all dead! It’s good to see you alive.”
“Of course we’re alive,” Kakala said indignantly. “Do our Elders judge me so poorly?”
Homaldo’s smile faded. “No, War Chief, not at all. I’m not supposed to be here. And if Nashat learns that I have come, the cages will be a merciful alternative to what he will do to me. Kishkat, Tapa, and Tibo are searching the caves for the woman Skimmer. We found her on the trail, and …” He glanced away. “We thought you were all dead, War Chief. But we took her to the Guide.”
Kakala narrowed an eye. “With an eye to saving your necks, no doubt.”
He gestured to the bandage on Kakala’s head. “It must have been a tough fight.”
“Windwolf jumped me at the last instant, but we got him. Even without your help.” He pointed to his head. “I have been unable to travel.”
Keresa added, “We’re still hunting down a few survivors. We should be headed home tomorrow or the next day.”
“With Windwolf,” Kakala said, and lifted his chin proudly. “I will personally be bringing him back alive as a gift to our Elders.”
Homaldo smiled broadly. “They will be glad to hear it. It’s another piece of good news.”
“Another?” Keresa asked.
Excitedly, Homaldo said, “Just before I left, the Elders came out and told us that the Guide has found the hole in the ice! We’re all packing to return to the Long Dark.”
The warriors sitting around the fire behind Kakala gasped and turned to listen.
Windwolf’s dart pressed into Kakala’s kidney. He winced and said, “Have you heard from Karigi? Where are Windwolf’s warriors? We’ve been expecting them to show up at any time.”
Homaldo spread his arms. “The news is mixed. They destroyed Hawhak’s war party. He, his deputy, and the rest are in the cages. Nashat says that because of their disgrace, they cannot accompany the Guide to the Long Dark.”
“And Windwolf’s warriors?”
“Karigi sent word that they all fled west. Karigi attacked three more camps and is herding tens of captives to the Nightland Caves, where he’s been ordered to set up a pen for them. And Deputy Ewin’s war party is on its way here. He should arrive tomorrow.”
From the corner of his eye, Kakala saw Windwolf’s expression slacken, as though he’d just heard his own Death Song being sung.
“Why is Ewin coming here?” Kakala demanded. “Do the Elders think I am so incompetent that I require his assistance?”
Behind him, his warriors responded to his outrage by shifting disgustedly. Moans and curses laced the air. He wanted to kiss them.
Homaldo wet his lips nervously. “War Chief, I don’t know. But there is a rumor that you had been captured. I, well, I’d die for you. We cast gaming pieces to see which one of us would come to see if it was true. I won the honor.”
Anxiety tingled in Kakala’s chest. If Ewin was headed here, Nashat knew of his failure.
Hawhak and his warriors are in the cages! They cannot accompany our people?
Kakala sagged against the cave wall, which forced Windwolf to pull his dart back. Unfortunately, he resettled it on Kakala’s spine. “Homaldo, I want you to run home immediately and tell the Elders we will be right behind you with our ‘gift.’”