She shot him a scathing look. “No.”
He nodded, backing away. This was going to be as bad as he had imagined. “Where is Pine Drop?”
“Inside. She took the stew in before it blew full of dirt. As if you’d care.”
He took a deep breath and walked to the door as Pine Drop called, “Night Rain? Who is it?”
“Our husband, Sister. Evidently his barbarian camp bitch has given him time to come collect his things.”
Salamander ground his teeth, a sinking in his chest.
“Come in, Husband.” Pine Drop’s face appeared in the doorway. “If you don’t, you’ll be blown away. Oh, would you mind helping Night Rain with the loom? Another gust like that last one, and she’ll be blown clear down to the Panther’s Bones.” At that she smiled. “And, fortunately for us, you’re probably the only man here with the ties to get her back without bloodshed.”
The tone in her voice shocked him. Apparently it flattened Night Rain, for she made no other comment as he helped her maneuver the loom through the doorway while the wind tried to rip it away.
Inside he peered around in the gloom. To his surprise his belongings were just as he’d left them. Truth be told, he had expected to find them piled outside the door and reeking of dog piss.
Pine Drop resettled herself behind the fire. Newly kindled, the first flames were licking up around the sides of her carved soapstone bowl.
“It’s still warm, but if you’ll wait it will be hot soon.” She looked up at him and smiled. “Please, be seated, Salamander. We have a lot to hear about.”
He opened his mouth, but words stuck in the bottom of his throat. Still mute, he seated himself, aware that Night Rain, too, was gaping.
“Sister?” Pine Drop asked. “Could you pour some of that raspberry juice from the gourd for our husband?”
“N-No!” Night Rain sputtered. “He can drink toad urine for all I care!”
To Salamander’s complete surprise, Pine Drop reached out and slapped her sister hard across the cheek. “You will do as I say, Sister. Pour our husband some of that raspberry juice. Now!”
“No, it’s all right,” Salamander managed to blurt. “I didn’t want to be any trouble.”
Night Rain was speechless, her eyes wide, fingers to her cheek. She gaped in disbelief at first her sister, then Salamander.
“It is no trouble, Salamander,” Pine Drop said. “It is only your due as our husband. And before I forget, thank you for the baskets of fish you had your kinsman, Bluefin, deliver to us. We really appreciated them.”
“I would have brought them myself,” he said through a tight throat. “I was busy. Every waking hour …” How did he finish that?
“It took me more than a half moon to build this house,” she replied reasonably. “You and your kin did it quickly.”
Night Rain unsteadily reached for the gourd hanging on the peg by the door and handed it to Salamander. She was still stunned as she said, “You hit me!”
Pine Drop shot her a glance as she used a stone knife to slice sections of lotus root into the stew. “And I’ll do it again if I ever hear you use that tone of voice with me.”
“What has gotten into you?” Night Rain demanded hotly.
Pine Drop fixed her with a hard stare. “Responsibility, Sister. My lack of it, and yours.”
“What?” Night Rain’s face twisted.
“Very well, let’s discuss this. Has our husband failed in any of his responsibilities to us?”
“He married that barbarian bitch!” Night Rain thrust a finger at Salamander.
“Our husband is Speaker for his clan.” Pine Drop sat back on her haunches, hands on her brown thighs. “The Swamp Panthers came to Owl Clan, offering a daughter to them in return for an agreement to stop raiding. It was not our business what he did. Since that time, our husband has had to find lodging for his new wife.” She lifted a wry eyebrow. “Or did you intend to welcome her here?”
Night Rain’s mouth opened and closed as if she were a fish.
“That’s what I thought,” Pine Drop finished, then looked at Salamander. “You have behaved as an honorable man should.” She lowered her eyes. “We, on the other hand, have not.”
“I don’t understand.” To cover his discomfort, he sipped the thick raspberry juice. Sweet and delicious it helped to snap him out of his confusion.
Pine Drop met his eyes with an honesty he had never seen there before. “Salamander, we have behaved badly. You are our husband, and for as long as this marriage lasts, we are your wives. You have fulfilled your responsibilities to us without flaw. From this day forward, we will fulfill ours. Isn’t that right, Night Rain?”