The ceiling had a shiny gleam. Every night when the slaves brought in a fresh supply of wood, it melted, but refroze while he slept.
“And what does the Guide demand?” she asked.
Nashat’s eyes narrowed. Discussing Ti-Bish gave him a stomachache. “He demands whatever I tell him to.”
“Where is he? He set me free!”
“Does it matter? He’s an idiot, Blue Wing. I assure you Ti-Bish could care less what orders I give War Chief Kakala. Did you hope Ti-Bish might order me to stop attacking your relatives?”
“I just hadn’t seen him in a few days, and I wondered where he was. That’s all.” She stared at the floor, her hopes dashed.
“Ti-Bish went to his Dreaming Cave. Raven Hunter called him suddenly.” He sighed. He couldn’t help it; it was so ridiculous.
“You demean your Guide and his Spirit Helper?”
“Demean? No. I take Spirits very seriously. A wise Elder can build an empire on the back of a Spirit.”
“You don’t believe in Raven Hunter?”
“I believe in Raven Hunter’s Power. And I appreciate what he’s done for me.” He motioned to the magnificent chamber with its wealth of hides. Precious shells from the far oceans, and bits of painted hides and bark collected from Sunpath ceremonial lodges were stacked here and there. Painted mammoth-hide shields sat on tripods around the chamber—more loot taken from Sunpath chiefs who no longer needed them.
She said, “The Guide is Powerful. He’ll hear what you’ve done to me.”
“Powerful? The Sunpath People are crying out for him to save them, but has he answered them? No. He’s locked away in his Dreaming Cave, talking to the great and mighty Raven Hunter.”
At that moment, young Cedar called from beyond the room hanging. “Elder? I have news. The Guide wishes to see you.”
Blue Wing took that opportunity to stalk past him.
He waited until she’d ducked beneath the curtain before he called, “I’ll just have the guards bring you back. Shall I offer them a reward for your return? Perhaps a few hands of time with you?”
Her steps went quiet in the tunnel. It took several heartbeats before she returned. The look of total defeat on her face delighted him.
He said, “Life comes at a price, Blue Wing. Never forget that. Be grateful for what you have. Meanwhile, I want you to stay here until I return.”
He set his tea cup down and walked out into the ice tunnel where two guards stood. “Blue Wing is spending the night in my chamber. See to it.”
“Yes, Elder,” the young warrior, Cedar, said.
Nashat lifted one of the little oil lamps from its hole in the wall and strode through the magnificent arching tunnels. He followed an old tunnel, traveling deeper and deeper into the Guide’s personal labyrinth—a strange series of interconnected ice caves that led into the very bowels of the Ice Giants. No one would live down here but Ti-Bish. The groans and squeals of the Giants were often so loud even he wanted to run, screaming.
It is only for a while longer.
He lifted his flickering lamp high, and it illuminated the arches and rounded domes. If he were not a wiser man, he, too, might fear coming around a bend and suddenly standing face-to-face with the legendary Raven Hunter.
As he walked around a curve in the tunnel, he saw two slave girls dressed in grimy hides. An oil lamp with a hide wick burned on the floor at their feet.
“Little Deer? Pipe? What are you doing? You’re supposed to carry food to the Guide.”
The girls looked up, suddenly wary. Little Deer said, “That crack has been growing wider over the past moon.”
Pipe said, “The Guide says that in the deep tunnels tens of tens have appeared.”
“Have you seen them?”
Fear glittered in her eyes. “I don’t go there. That would scare me. There are ancient monsters that live down there.”
“Where did you hear that?”
“The Guide told us,” Pipe said. She had a round face with wide dark eyes.
Nashat gave her a mean look. He’d never liked her.
But she would learn. Both girls were young. Little Deer had seen ten and one summers. Pipe had seen ten. Their breasts had not even begun to bud. Perhaps that’s why Ti-Bish kept them close. They would not distract him from his holy mission.
Nashat patted Little Deer on the head as he passed. “You’re a good girl, Little Deer. Someday I’m going to reward you handsomely for your loyalty. Perhaps I’ll give you a buffalo hide.”
Her mouth dropped open at the thought of such wealth. “Thank you, Elder. I wish you a pleasant morning.”
“And you as well.”
The cracks are widening. How long before it all falls down on my head?