Mutters of both assent and dissent rose in response.
Rain Bear spread his hands in a gesture for silence. “I do not know the whole vision. He would not say. I do know, however, that Thunderbird told Tsauz that only the matron of the North Wind People could stop the war. His message was for her alone.”
Talon straightened where he sat behind Black Mountain, and his white hair glinted in the firelight. “Then, you do not know what message Pitch carries to Matron Astcat?”
“Tsauz told no one except Pitch.”
Disagreeable grumbling broke out.
He shouted above the din, “But Tsauz told us other things you must know! They are the reason I called this council.” He lifted his arms again and waited for the din to hush. “Tsauz told us that the North Wind People will be leaving Fire Mountain, abandoning Fire Village, and moving to Wasp Village. They will be on the trail and vulnerable for several days.”
“Then this may be our chance!” old Bluegrass shouted. “When?”
Black Mountain twisted around to speak to Talon, then turned back and called, “None of us wish to fight, unless we have to. Have you received an answer from Cimmis? Will he and his wife step down and turn over their Starwatcher to us?”
“We have received no answer. But it no longer matters. If we are to end the North Wind People’s attacks, we must strike in the next few days.”
Every chief turned to whisper to his war chief, and a rumble of voices filled the lodge.
Goldenrod loudly called, “As you know, my war chief is not here. He and several of our warriors are still out keeping vigil along the trails, so I am hindered by not having his counsel today—but I have serious doubts about all this.” He turned to Rain Bear. “You lived in Fire Village for many summers. Chief Cimmis is not a fool, is he?”
“He is not a fool,” Rain Bear agreed.
“Then isn’t it possible that the boy was left behind at War Gods Village just to give us these words? Perhaps if we attack the North Wind People on the trail to Wasp Village, we will be leading our warriors into an ambush. Perhaps they are not moving at all.”
Heads nodded and conversations hushed.
Rain Bear gave them a serious nod. “It’s possible. Cimmis would love to crush our forces in a single blow. But I think the boy was telling the truth. Regardless, I believe it is prudent to attack the North Wind People if they leave Fire Mountain.”
Brush Wasp clamped his jaw.
Rain Bear noted it, and let his gaze drift around the circle. Many of the chiefs here were new to him. They’d come in for the Moon Ceremonial and had remained to hear this new talk of an alliance.
Bluegrass rose to his knees and propped his hands on his narrow hips. “Would someone please tell me why the boy would reveal this? He has no reason to. We are his enemies. Telling us about the North Wind People’s move will endanger the lives of his relatives.” He waved a hand in self-deprecation. “This makes no sense to me, but perhaps I am just not seeing as clearly as others in this lodge.”
Black Mountain glared across the fire at Rain Bear. “Bluegrass is right. Why would the boy tell us this?”
Evening Star said, “He was bargaining with me.”
“Bargaining? With you? To what end?” Black Mountain asked.
She answered, “He asked me to help save his father’s life.”
“Save Ecan!” Bluegrass cracked his walking stick across a hearthstone, and his toothless mouth twisted in rage. “Over the dead bodies of every member of my clan!”
“Hear me out!” Evening Star shouted as the lodge exploded with questions. “If you can attack and win against Cimmis’s warriors, you can break the North Wind People once and for all! Isn’t that worth sparing the life of one man?”
“No!” Bluegrass struggled to his feet. He had to brace both hands on his walking stick to remain standing while he glowered at the other chiefs in the circle. “How many of you watched your families murdered before your eyes while Ecan stood on a hilltop out of spear range giving orders?”
“I did.” A young man to Rain Bear’s left rose. His fists clenched at his sides. “My mother was tortured to death while Ecan roasted my father’s intestines five paces away! If I have the chance, I’ll kill him myself! No matter what agreements you’ve made, Evening Star! Who are you to say what happens to Ecan?”
Just above a whisper, she answered, “No one.”
Bluegrass pounded his walking stick on the floor. “Have you agreed to this, Rain Bear?”
He glanced at Evening Star. She had her head down. Red hair spilled down the front of her cape, glinting in the firelight.