For a split instant, Ecan saw anger glitter in the youth’s eyes. As quickly, it vanished.
“Forgive me, Starwatcher,” Deer Killer whispered.
Ecan turned, glaring at Dzoo. Their eyes met across the distance. “What is she doing to us?”
She couldn’t have heard, not from that far away; but she threw back her head, and her eerie laughter mocked them all.
Forty-four
As the whirlwind spun through the village and blasted away down the mountainside, Cimmis braced a hand against the wall. In the roar of wind he couldn’t hear his own thoughts, but he watched the twister as it played havoc with his village before rattling the palisade, whipping up red cinder, and heading down to lash the trees.
Red Dog brushed gray-streaked black hair from his dark eyes and squinted at Cimmis. “What’s going on down there?”
“It has something to do with Dzoo.”
Cimmis watched the ensuing drama as Ecan berated his warriors at the central fire.
“Do you think she caused the whirlwind?” Red Dog asked in a hoarse whisper.
“She’ll be blamed for every unusual thing that happens in Fire Village.”
People were stepping out, staring around uncertainly. Some went looking for items blown away. Here and there the village dogs came slinking back from their hiding places.
“Come,” Cimmis said. “Let’s talk in my lodge where we won’t be overheard.” He led the way to his dwelling, pulled his leather door curtain aside, and gestured for Red Dog to enter.
“Yes, my Chief.” Red Dog ducked inside.
The fire in the center of the floor cast a ruddy glow over Astcat’s slack face where she lay in the rear. Her soul had been gone since dawn. Cimmis had been dribbling water into her mouth to keep her body from drying up.
“You must be tired and thirsty after your run.” He went to the fire and dipped a cup of gooseberry flower tea from the bag hanging on the tripod.
Red Dog eagerly took the cup and sniffed the aroma appreciatively. As he crouched opposite Cimmis, he said, “Thirsty but alive. There were moments when I doubted I’d ever see Fire Village again.”
“Rain Bear treated you poorly?” Cimmis seated himself on a folded buffalo robe.
“When he realized I was your emissary he gave me food and drink, and provided a warm fire. I was surrounded by two tens of warriors, but comfortable.”
As Wind Woman toyed with his door curtain, it swung, and allowed the rays of sunrise to flash across his painted shields. Killer Whale and Eagle seemed to move. Red Dog turned slightly as though he saw it, too.
“All right, tell me everything.” Cimmis laced his fingers over one knee. He hadn’t slept well since Red Dog left. His visits to the Above Worlds had been tortured. All of his ancestors kept shouting at him, telling him he was being a fool.
“I repeated your words exactly, my Chief. I told Rain Bear that if he did not leave the Raven People and flee, your assassins would quietly kill him and his entire family.” Red Dog took a long drink of tea, almost emptied his cup, and looked across at Cimmis. “He did not accept your offer.”
“I see.”
He’d expected as much. Now everything hinged on the second phase of his plan. His craftiest Wolf Tail would have arrived yesterday. Evening Star and Ecan’s boy would be headed his way, or their bodies were being prepared for burial. The advantage fell to Cimmis with either result. If Coyote had managed to extricate them, Cimmis could quietly kill Evening Star and hand the boy to Ecan, obligating the Starwatcher forever. If it went the other way, Ecan would be rabid over the death of his son and willing to do anything to avenge himself on Rain Bear. The final advantage Cimmis accrued was the effect the murders would have on Rain Bear. His followers would know he was powerless to protect them. Perhaps, just perhaps, to save his precious family, he would choose to fade away like the morning mist. If he did, any chance for an alliance among the Raven People would go with him.
Red Dog was watching him as he thought. The old warrior wet his lips and said, “Rain Bear had an offer of his own to make. He said that in memory of Tlikit, if you would secretly send Astcat to him, he would do his best to protect her from the Raven People’s wrath.”
Cimmis felt a shiver run through him.
Red Dog frowned down into his cup. “He also said he regretted he could no longer do anything to protect you.”
“Yes, I’m sure he regrets that very much,” he said tartly. Rain Bear had shamed him before the entire village six and ten cycles ago. He could still hear Old Woman East’s shouting, You are the great chief! Your daughter has run off with a slave warrior? How could this have been going on beneath your very eyes? Of all the things Rain Bear could have offered, this was like a slap to the face.