“So, you have your peace,” the gruff voice interrupted Jaguar Hide’s reeling thoughts.
He centered himself on the threat hidden in that deep voice. Turning, he met Deep Hunter’s narrow stare with his own. “We have our peace. You and me, old enemy.”
Deep Hunter shot a look over his broad shoulder to where Anhinga and Salamander stood in the center of a knot of people. “It didn’t quite turn out the way you expected, did it?”
How could he know? Old reflexes from countless Council sessions and clan meetings came to his rescue. “You tell me. Is that boy really the Owl Clan Speaker?”
Deep Hunter nodded, amusement in his eyes. “He is indeed, confirmed by the Council after his brother was stuck dead by the Sky Beings.”
“Then, being only somewhat familiar with your laws, his action carries a great weight with your Council.”
Deep Hunter sensed the trap. “It does, but his decision to marry your niece does not bind the Council. We will discuss this peace of yours. We can still dismiss it out of hand.”
Jaguar Hide handed the last piece of fish to Deep Hunter before folding up the bag. “I understand that. But Owl Clan is bound, isn’t it? If the other clans should decide not to accept my offer of peace, it would appear that Owl Clan will have a singular and unlimited source of sandstone. And—excuse me if I’m unsure of your ways—that would grant them a great deal of status, wouldn’t it?”
“Status, prestige, authority, it comes and goes like the wind, old enemy. Look at how Owl Clan has fallen, from the top to the bottom, and just within a few moons.”
“They could rise again, just as quickly, I would assume. And yet another clan could fall like a dropped stone. A lesson I would well remember, Speaker.” Jaguar Hide grinned wickedly. “If this could happen to the great Wing Heart, I’d say none of you is truly safe. Wouldn’t you?”
“You didn’t come here seeking peace.” Deep Hunter’s eyes were probing.
“Ah, old enemy, but I did.” He gestured at his niece, looking like a surprised deer suddenly surrounded by a ring of hunters with nocked darts. “Let’s you and I see what the future brings, hmm?” Somewhere deep down between his souls, a voice cackled in raucous laughter. No matter the way of it, his weapon was planted. From here on, he must hope that Anhinga was as tough and singleminded as he believed her to be.
“Welcome to the future, Deep Hunter.”
Night Rain ran as she had never run, breath pulling at her throat as she sprinted full tilt across the plaza to her clan grounds, passed the first two ridges, and rounded the borrow pit. She charged along the row of houses, her kirtle flapping, her young breasts bouncing. She leaped a barking dog that rushed out to intercept her. The cur continued growling and snapping at her ankles. Ripping a stick from a firewood pile outside her cousin’s house, she paused long enough to smack the dog along the side of its head before charging headlong past the last house and into her yard.
“Sister! He’s married!”
“What?” Pine Drop asked, poking her head through the door. Ground smilax root covered her hands in a paste.
“Salamander! He’s married!” She was gasping, one hand to her burning throat.
“Well of course he is, you silly toad. To us!” Pine Drop had an irritated look on her face.
“Yes, to us! And to this Swamp Panther woman!” She pointed to somewhere behind her. “It just happened! Out there … on the Turtle’s Back. I told you you should have come!”
“What on earth are you talking about?”
“Jaguar Hide! The Swamp Panther! The meeting he wanted with Owl Clan? It was to make a peace. This Anhinga is part of it.”
“Who is Anhinga?”
“His new wife! Salamander married Jaguar Hide’s niece to seal the agreement! It just happened!”
Pine Drop looked confused. “He wouldn’t have married this quickly. He’d need time to discuss it with his clan. This must be some sort of joke.”
“No, I swear, Sister, Salamander just took this woman for his wife. It happened so quickly no one could do anything about it. It even caught Mother and Uncle by surprise.”
“So, what are we going to do about it?”
That question caught Night Rain flat-footed. “I don’t have any idea.”
“What did Uncle say?”
“He told Salamander no. And then Salamander defied him in front of everyone. Uncle is fuming.”
“What did he say to you?”
“He said to come and tell you. Right away!”
Pine Drop’s brow lined, puzzlement mixed with disbelief. “Well, he’s certainly not bringing her here!”