Sand Wasp granted him a wary smile of respect. “You are right, Great Chief. He sent White Stone to us several days ago and laid out our defensive strategy.” He knelt on the floor, and his cape folded around his moccasins. “I will show you how he plans to defend against your attack.”
Dogrib exchanged a look with Rain Bear before he knelt beside Sand Wasp.
“These are the places Cimmis thinks the North Wind People will be vulnerable.” Sand Wasp made a dot in the dirt with his finger. “Fire Mountain.” He drew the main trail down the mountain between Fire Village and Wasp Village. “Tomorrow, he will send war parties to begin securing narrow, confined, and dangerous sections along the trail. Scouts will sweep the country for hidden enemy warriors in an attempt to deny you the element of surprise.”
He tapped the dirt. “But he still expects you to reach the trail with enough warriors to pose a threat. His best spear throwers will encircle the North Wind People like a great wall as they travel.”
Dogrib smoothed a hand over his jaw. “How many warriors does he have at his disposal?”
“He has ten tens of his own and another ten tens from nearby North Wind villages, but five tens of those belong to Matron Kaska.”
Dogrib’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Rain Bear. “We may be able to glean ten tens of warriors from the camps here, but I suspect it will be more like eight tens, and many of those will be inexperienced youths. We will be badly outnumbered.”
“Yes,” Rain Bear said quietly, “but there will be a few hands of time where Cimmis’s forces are split three ways. That is when we must attack—before they can reunite around the North Wind People.”
“That will be tricky.” Dogrib tapped the map on the ground. “If we’re not very careful, we will end up with enemy warriors in front of us—and behind us.”
Sand Wasp rose to his feet. “Matron Evening Star, if you have no further need of me, I will leave you to your plans. It will take me two days to get home. Matron Kaska will send a messenger with her answer.”
“Go, Sand Wasp. I pray the Star People watch over you.”
He bowed to her and left.
“Seven days,” she said, and gave Rain Bear a heartrending look.
“We don’t have much time.” He smiled encouragement to her. “But first, let’s attend to that arm. We can’t have the next great matron bleed to death from an oath.”
Forty-nine
Word had arrived long before Pitch’s party could make its way up the trails. Ecan watched his son’s messenger as he was borne on a litter up the trail from Salmon Village.
Sunset’s soft amber gleam flooded Fire Mountain, turning the men who carried Pitch’s litter into wavering shadows. People crowded the trail, calling greetings, shouting questions.
Ecan smoothed his hair. In preparation, he had pulled it away from his face and twisted it into a bun at the rear of his head. The style gave his chiseled features a stark look that he liked.
He shielded his eyes. No less than six warriors bore the litter. Pitch had one arm in a sling, and it left him off balance. Though he gripped the side poles with his good hand, he bounced every time the warriors’ feet struck the ground. The party had been traveling for two days to reach Fire Village.
Ecan straightened his long white cape and headed for the gate. As he marched down the trail, Cimmis stepped out of a group of warriors. His blue cape flapped around his tall body.
When Cimmis caught Ecan’s eye, he broke away from the warriors and strode toward him. Two guards, Hunter and Deer Killer, followed. Cimmis had his square jaw clamped, and his windblown hair and beard made a snarled gray halo around his face.
“The matron and I will meet with the messenger in the Council Lodge, Starwatcher. We will send for you when we are finished.”
“But, my Chief,” Ecan said in surprise, “my son sent the messenger. He may—”
“I am aware of who sent the messenger. If Singer Pitch does carry a message for you from your son, I will make certain you have the opportunity to speak with him after the matron and I do.”
“But that’s foolish! I may be able to understand things that no one else can.”
Hearing the unbridled anger, Cimmis gave him a narrow-eyed glare, then swept past him and headed toward the Council Lodge. Hunter and Deer Killer stood uneasily to either side. Wind Scorpion leaned on a nearby lodge, his dark eyes missing nothing.
Sharply, Ecan asked, “What are your duties, warriors?”
“The chief ordered us to bring the messenger to him, Starwatcher,” Hunter said, squaring his shoulders. “Then he wishes us to stand guard at the entry to make certain they are not disturbed.”