People of the Owl(135)
“I have come to see you.” The accented voice carried no hint of malice or anger.
“Assuming that your eyes work, you have succeeded. I am Anhinga. Daughter of Yellow Dye, who was daughter of Red Walnut, of the Sunrise Clan.”
The young woman nodded, every manner correct and polite. “I am Pine Drop, daughter of Elder Sweet Root who is the daughter of Back Scratch, of the Bluejay lineage of the Snapping Turtle Clan.” She smiled soberly. “I am also first wife to Salamander, Speaker for the Owl Clan.”
Anhinga started. Salamander had told her that his other wives could have cared less about her, as they had apparently cared so little about him. Yet here was this self-assured woman standing before her, bearing a basket.
“Is my husband available?” Pine Drop asked, her eyes straying first to the humming Wing Heart and then to the partially visible doorway of Anhinga’s new house.
“He has gone,” she replied carefully. By the Panther’s blood, she hadn’t come here to check up on Salamander, had she? “He is at his cousin’s. Water Petal, do you know her? Her infant is dead.”
The woman nodded, her eyes still taking Anhinga’s measure. “Yes. I have just heard. I have come offering my clan’s sympathy to my husband and his relatives.” She indicated the basket. “Food for the family. Smoked raccoon, some boiled crawfish, and smilax-root bread.”
“I wouldn’t have thought you would care.” The words just came out, surprising Anhinga of their volition. “Forgive me, that was not my right to say.” Rot it, Pine Drop might be straight out of the pampered Sun Town elite, but that was no reason for rudeness. And why do I care what she does or how she treats Salamander?
Pine Drop lowered her eyes, smiling ironically. “If you know Water Petal, you have heard some terrible things about me.”
Anhinga said nothing, guarding her suddenly impetuous tongue.
“I’m afraid most of them are true,” the woman replied, raising her eyes again.
“You admit to lying with another man?” Anhinga asked, curious to see how far she could go. “Just like that?”
A slightly raised eyebrow was the only reaction she elicited. “Among other things.” A pause. “I owe you no explanations.”
“He said he wishes to spend the next few nights with you.” Anhinga fingered the pestle, wondering why the woman’s presence bothered her so. She had known from the beginning that he was married, not just to this woman, but her sister also. Multiple wives were nothing exceptional. Her uncle had five, but why did she feel so possessive about Salamander in the presence of this woman?
“My sister and I will be looking forward to his company.” She hesitated. “I may be out of place, but if you need anything, come and see me. I was remiss not to have come to you sooner.” Her smile seemed honest, warm. “You are alone among a strange people, your souls must be longing for home.”
Blood and spit! Is it that obvious? “Thank you for your kind invitation. I shall discuss it with Salamander. If he approves, I may come and see you.”
“And the Women’s House?” Pine Drop asked. “Have you made arrangements?”
Anhinga jerked her head to the east. “I would prefer to seclude myself in the swamp. It would be better for all.”
Pine Drop’s expression tightened. “Out there? Alone?”
Anhinga laughed. “What man is going to bother me in that condition? Do you think he would want to be close to a woman during her bleeding? And besides, I am Swamp Panther. To me it is more like home.”
Pine Drop seemed to accept that. “As you wish, however, should you need, my clan would offer you space.”
Anhinga’s heart actually lightened. “Thank you, again. You are very kind.”
“I am keeping you from your work.” Pine Drop indicated the pestle and mortar. “I shall take this to Water Petal.” She glanced uneasily at Wing Heart again, and added, “Do come to see me, even if it is just to visit.”
“I will,” Anhinga promised. And she would. Here was yet another opportunity opening before her. “It was nice of you to come here.”
Pine Drop nodded and went on her way.
Anhinga watched the woman walk past Wing Heart’s house and follow the ridge down to Water Petal’s household with its grief and shattered dreams.
Anhinga placed more ground nuts into the mortar and began smacking the pestle home. The sound make a rhythmic thump-tump thump-tump.
The invitation to the Women’s House had been unexpected, and something that, had the roles been opposite, she wouldn’t have thought of had Pine Drop been at the Panther’s Bones.