Frozen in indecision, Ti-Bish raised a foot, only to cringe when the guard looked his way, squinting in the faint light.
Ti-Bish fought the urge to flee, then sighed. He was caught. Wearily he walked up to the man, seeing reserve melt into recognition.
Now I am in real trouble.
To his surprise, instead of calling out to Nashat, the guard dropped to his knees. He wore a caribouhide hunting shirt with hair out around the shoulders. The man’s long black hair was pulled back in a braid. Looking up with reverential eyes, he whispered, “Guide!”
“I don’t mean to bother you.”
The man slowly shook his head, eyes oddly gleaming. “No bother, Guide. Do you wish to summon the Councilor?”
“No, I—”
“Unacceptable!” Nashat’s harsh voice boomed from behind the curtain. “You left here with fifty warriors, Hawhak! Fifty! And all you had to do was destroy a couple of villages, and return with a handful of captives!”
“Councilor, we were ambushed! Silt came out of nowhere, with all of his warriors! Not even Kakala—”
“Kakala’s in a cage! Which may be where you belong!”
Ti-Bish winced at the violence in Nashat’s voice. He glanced at the guard, only to find the man’s attention fixed entirely on him.
“Kakala’s really in a cage?”
The guard nodded, expression still awed. “The Councilor ordered him there two days ago. He failed to kill Windwolf.”
Ti-Bish frowned. “I don’t understand.” He flinched at each explosive outburst from beyond the curtain.
“The Councilor ordered it in your name. You must be enraged at the war chief’s failure.”
Ti-Bish opened his mouth, closed it, then shook his head. “I need Kakala. He’s going to bring Skimmer to me.”
“But, I …” The guard shrugged helplessly, then licked his lips, as if daring to say something.
“Yes?” Ti-Bish prompted, hoping to hear more about Kakala.
“My child, Guide. My wife told me how you fixed my little baby … how you fixed his soul. I thank you, Guide. With all my heart, I just wanted you to know.”
Ti-Bish smiled. “Yes, I remember. The child is doing well?”
“Oh, yes, Guide. Smiling, eating, it’s … it’s a miracle.” The man’s face beamed with worship.
“I am glad.”
From behind the curtain, Nashat bellowed, “You will wait until Karigi’s return, and then, before the entire Council, you will tell us just why you failed!”
Ti-Bish glanced furtively back the way he’d come. Then, to the warrior, he said, “I must do something. Please, do not tell Nashat that I was here.” He clasped his hands, hoping desperately that the man wouldn’t order him back down the tunnel.
To his amazement, the man nodded, “Of course not, Guide. Do you have any other orders for me?”
“I … well, no. Only that I urge you to keep your faith. It won’t be long now.”
The man nodded, hanging on every word. “Thank you, Guide. Thank you so much.”
Ti-Bish gave him a weak smile, and hurried on.
Kakala is in a cage? This is terrible!
Twenty-four
Windwolf followed Dipper up the dark starlit trail that led through the rocky warrens of Headswift Village. Skimmer and Ashes followed behind him, though he could hear the little girl’s dragging steps. The miracle was that she’d made it this far after days of hiding, running, little food, and the terror she’d survived.
Skimmer was another matter. Every time he turned, he caught sight of her brittle eyes, scrutinizing the whispering villagers who lined the trail.
Windwolf said, “Many of these are Sunpath People. Where—”
“Survivors,” Dipper said. “They have heard we offer protection.” Then she added, “My father has been praying for two hands of time that you would return soon. He ordered me to bring you to him as soon as you arrived. He doesn’t know what to do with all of the Sunpath People. And there’s … something else … .”
“What else?” Windwolf asked.
“My father will tell you.”
Skimmer frowned at Dipper’s back. “How did your father know we were coming?”
“He didn’t. He’s just been begging Wolf Dreamer to bring you here.”
From the corner of his eye, Windwolf caught Skimmer’s roll of the eyes. Indeed, she no longer believed. He considered that. But then, after what the woman had been through, how could he blame her?
Dipper hurried up the slope with her mourning-short black hair flopping about her ears.
When they entered the ceremonial chamber, Windwolf slowed. The place was dark—not at all like the last time he’d been here for the Renewal Ritual. A tiny bubble of light gleamed in the rear. Dipper led them toward it.