“Windwolf?” Skimmer said.
He turned and saw her wending her way up the tunnel. Was this the same woman? Dipper must have given her clean clothing. The front of her foxhide cape was open, and he could see a green dress beneath, painted with soaring white seagulls.
When she got closer, she looked up at the gap and asked, “What are you doing?”
He gestured to the gap. “We don’t want Nightland warriors to cast darts through these gaps.”
“Or climb down,” Fish Hawk added. “So we’re covering them.”
Skimmer frowned at the men on the boulders above, then said to Windwolf, “May I speak with you?”
“Of course.”
On the other side of the gap, the tunnel narrowed, until it was just barely wide enough to walk through without turning sideways. He led her through it, and into another pool of dawn light, another gap they would have to fill.
A curious stinging sensation invaded his stomach. He glanced up at the gap again, and wondered if—
“I’m sorry to disturb you,” she said. “I know you’re trying to prepare the village.”
“It’s all right. What did you need?”
She appeared tired, as though she hadn’t slept well. Long black hair clung to her face, framing her dark eyes and straight nose.
“Ashes told me something this morning, and I thought you should know about it.”
“What is it?”
As though suddenly chilled, she pulled up her foxhide hood. “She and Silvertip spoke in the middle of the night. The boy told her that he’d had a Spirit Dream the night before his Aunt Mossy was killed.”
Windwolf folded his arms, listening impatiently while he glanced at the gap and the narrow portion of the tunnel. “And?”
“In the dream, Silvertip saw Raven Hunter swooping down over this village, his black wings blotting out the sky.”
He shifted his weight to his other foot. “Are you saying you think maybe the boy is a Spirit Dreamer? That he saw the future?”
“It just worries me. I think these people should leave here before it’s too late.”
“I’ve tried. They won’t listen.” He frowned up at the gap again. “Besides, I thought you didn’t believe in Wolf Dreamer and Raven Hunter?”
“I—I don’t.”
She fumbled nervously with her cape ties, pulling them closed, but not bothering to lace them. Just watching her obvious discomfort made him uneasy.
“Was there something else?” he asked.
She stepped forward and whispered, “He mentioned Keresa.”
He frowned at her for several moments. “Kakala’s deputy war chief?”
She fixed him with a look that made his shoulder muscles contract.
“Is there something I should know?” Some undercurrent of emotion had stirred the depths of her voice. He couldn’t quite figure out the source. “You were her captive.”
“I never saw her up close.”
He waved a hand. “Well, I don’t know where to begin. First of all, thinking about her gives me a stomachache. Once upon a time, she and Bramble were friendly. They liked and respected each other. Secondly, I’ve often thought she might be the real talent behind Kakala’s raiding strategies. Why do you care so much?”
Almost breathless, she said, “Silvertip heard her name repeated over and over in a great black wind that overwhelmed Headswift Village.”
He grunted softly. “You’re definitely a believer. You just don’t want to admit it.”
She ignored the accusation. “What could that possibly mean?”
He pointed to himself. “You expect me to answer that question? Go find a holy man. I’m just a warrior.”
She took a couple of nervous paces, her hair flashing with a bluish fire when she passed through sunlight.
“Why does it matter, Skimmer?”
She brusquely waved a hand to silence him while she thought, and he lifted his brows. The only other woman who’d ever made him feel like a subordinate was Bramble.
Finally, she stopped and said, “May I ask you one last question?”
“Go ahead.”
“Do you think happiness or suffering is more prevalent in the world? Does it depend on where you are? In some parts of the country is happiness on the increase?”
Almost mesmerized by her eyes, he responded softly. “I don’t think so. Suffering seems to be increasing everywhere I’ve been.”
“Oh …”
“Why did you ask?”
Tears glittered on her lashes. “You called me a ‘believer.’ I’m afraid I may be. Just not in Wolf Dreamer.”
She turned and started to walk away.
Windwolf called, “Don’t forget. In less than one hand of time, I want you, Dipper, Ashes, and Silvertip safely hidden in Dipper’s chamber.”