Rain Bear inhaled a breath and let it out slowly. The survivors would come looking for her. If they found her here … “I have heard, Matron Evening Star, that those of your kin who survived fled eastward, across the mountains. Beyond that, I know nothing more.”
“Matron?” Her expression strained. “Please, Chief Rain Bear, do not call me that. The last man who did …”
Grief briefly tightened her features; then she lifted her pointed chin, and hatred shook her voice. “Starwatcher Ecan took me as his slave while I was standing in a pool of my mother’s blood. I’m sure Cimmis thought it was the ultimate insult to my mother’s memory.”
“How did you escape from Fire Village?”
She studied him through steely blue eyes, as if trying to gauge how much she could safely say. “That need not concern you, only that I did, and I am here now.”
He, too, considered. The story he’d heard was that Kenada himself was keeping her captive. He had a reputation for cutting babies from the living wombs of captive women.Yet she had slipped past his watchful eye?
His expression must have pinched.
“You think I’m lying?” Her blue eyes sharpened.
“Well, it just seems unlikely, that’s all. Kenada is legendary.”
Defiantly, she said, “A legend is all that he is now. And the sooner forgotten, the better.”
“You mean he’s dead?”
She walked around the fire and stopped less than a pace from him. Her cape swayed around her lithe body. When she looked up into his eyes, he swore his heart began to flutter. Rot take it, he hadn’t had such a reaction in years. What was it about her?
She said, “I slit his throat and ran.”
“You killed Kenada?”
“Just tell me how I can find Dzoo, and I will be gone from your village immediately. I do not wish to place you or your people at risk.”
“It’s a two-day run if you travel by trail across the passes. You might make it in three days if you go by canoe to the mouth of the Wolverine River, then take the north trail along the bank.” He made a gesture at her blank look. “No matter.You’ll never make it. Refugees are arriving as we speak. Ecan burned their villages, and his war party is between you and Dzoo.”
He could see her wilt inside, like a popped fish bladder.
“Matron … excuse me, Evening Star, traveling anywhere will expose you to capture.”
She seemed to will herself erect again, and then stepped close. She searched his eyes, asking, “You were husband to Tlikit?”
He nodded. “For ten and five years.”
“She gave up everything for you.”
“We gave up everything for each other,” he corrected.
Her searching gaze continued to probe. For long moments, they stood in silence, each trying to see into the other’s soul.
Finally she said, “I came here to ask for Dzoo’s protection. Since she is not here, I must ask for yours. Will you give it, or should I go elsewhere? I haven’t much time. Please tell me quickly.”
By midday every village for a day’s walk would know who she was and that Rain Bear had denied her sanctuary. By nightfall, villages within a day’s run would hear. By the time she made it that far, someone would have captured her to gain favor with Ecan and Cimmis.
But if he offered his protection, could he see it through? Guards would have to protect her day and night. What if Ecan showed up at the head of a war party demanding her back? Could he face down Ecan, Cimmis, and the might of the North Wind People? So many things could go wrong it was stunning.
“Why would you ask this of me?”
“Were she alive, Tlikit would be my cousin. What would she have told you to do?” She arched a delicate eyebrow. “I can help you, Chief. I know some of the things that are being planned by the Council. Orders that Cimmis will be giving.”
“Such as?”
“You are right about Ecan’s war party. They’ll be here soon.”
“Why would he come here? We delivered the tribute we owed Cimmis. I had to strip my village to …” And it hit him. “He’ll be coming for you.”
She smiled grimly. “I’m only incidental. He is headed for War Gods Village, and passing through your village will give him a chance to analyze your strength and disposition before they attack this place. You only think you’re safe, Great Chief.”
“Why attack us?”
“Because they must. You’re too dangerous to ignore. You’re a leader, a man trusted by the people. You alone could rally the Raven People to resist. Even some of the North Wind People would back you.”
“I have no desire to rally my people against yours.”