Wing Heart drew herself up, back stiff; she looked ready to lash out.
“Do not fight me over this, Elder,” Moccasin Leaf crossed her arms. “You and your lineage have dominated this clan for three generations. You have done well for us.”
Wing Heart’s lips moved, her voice little more than an unintelligible mumble.
“Those days are over. You have no heir.”
Wing Heart’s glazed eyes wavered as she said, “The Speaker will deal with you. The Speaker …” The rest trailed away into babble.
“Give it up!” Moccasin Leaf stepped forward. “Half Thorn is the logical choice for the next Speaker. He has the age, maturity, and respect of the clan.”
Wing Heart blinked, expression turning empty as she shook her head.
Moccasin Leaf smiled sourly. “Ah, I see. You will do anything to maintain your authority.”
Her features sharpened as though she had just awakened. “My concerns are for the best interests of the clan.”
“She lies.” Wing Heart worked her hands, stepping forward. “We must deal with her, Speaker. This is intolerable.”
Moccasin Leaf watched, seeing Wing Heart’s souls begin to fray, her control shredding. Snakes! What is she thinking?
“Yes, Cloud Heron, I agree. Let’s wipe that arrogant face clean of that nasty smug look,” Wing Heart muttered. She had balled her fists, back arching, and taken another step forward.
A sudden panic flushed Moccasin Leaf. She swallowed, retreating a step. Panic spurred her as she read Wing Heart’s breaking rage in those glittering black eyes.
Don’t do this! a pleading voice called from down in the hollowness in Moccasin Leaf’s breast. She lifted placating hands. But Wing Heart wouldn’t stop, the threshold had been breached. In one more step she would …
“Good evening,” a pleasant male voice interrupted. Wing Heart stopped short, trembling. Moccasin Leaf spun to find Mud Stalker standing beside Water Petal’s house. His mangled arm was cradled in his good left. A smirk bent his lips as his face reflected amusement.
“How long have you been standing there?” Moccasin Leaf demanded tartly to cover her fear-shaken relief.
“Long enough to decide it would be prudent to announce my presence. Bloodshed is always a nasty business. It upsets my stomach, and I’m expecting a delightful feast in honor of a newly made man later tonight.” He stepped forward, greased skin gleaming in the fading evening light. “Elder, I have come to collect your son, Mud Puppy. We are ready for his initiation.” He nodded at the bark-covered pit, where the first threads of steam carried the odor of baking. “That smells exquisite.”
“The boy is up on the Bird’s Head with the Serpent.” Wing Heart waved absently at the distant mound. She seemed to half stumble as she dropped to a sitting position. Her back against the ramada pole, Wing Heart’s expression slowly grew blank, as if when the rage leaked away, it took her souls with it.
Moccasin Leaf stared in fascination. What is happening to her?
Mud Stalker, too, seemed amazed at Wing Heart’s behavior. Unwilling to be caught gawking, he glanced toward the high mound. “Good. I’m sure the Serpent has prepared him for the ordeal much better than I could.”
“And what do you care for an Owl Clan boy’s initiation?” Moccasin Leaf demanded. “What is he to you?”
Mud Stalker’s eyes were half-lidded, his smile neutral and pleasant. “He is about to marry my cousins.”
She couldn’t stop the shocked look. “You mean to go through with that?”
He studied Wing Heart thoughtfully, then replied, “Oh, yes. Snapping Turtle Clan’s alliance with Owl Clan is still solid and irrevocable. Which, if you will excuse me, brings up the matter of Half Thorn’s appropriateness as a Speaker.”
“You have no business meddling in our clan’s decisions.” Moccasin Leaf wagged her finger back and forth in chastisement.
“Of course not.” Mud Stalker yawned, stifling it with his good hand. “But I do want you to understand that should Half Thorn be nominated to the Council as Speaker, his confirmation would be heatedly disputed.” A grizzled eyebrow lifted. “It would be unpleasant for him, especially since I believe that Eagle, Rattlesnake, and Frog Clans will vote with me. As to Alligator Clan, well, perhaps, Moccasin Leaf, with the appropriate incentive, you might manage to sway them to your side. Have anything in mind? I’d be happy to mention it to Deep Hunter and Elder Colored Paint, just to see if they’d be receptive. Call it a personal favor to you.”
Moccasin Leaf stood frozen. In horror, she shot a look at Wing Heart, but the Clan Elder seemed oblivious.