People of the Raven(174)
Rain Bear stared at the ground, kicking pensively at the old leaves and duff. “Do you think there’s any chance our decoy scout can just wave them in?”
“Not any more. We must choose another place,” Dogrib said. “A place far enough ahead that we will have time to get into position. If we attack at dusk, close to Wasp Village, when they’re utterly exhausted from running and fighting, we’ll have an advantage.”
“They’ve been hit once today; they’ll be waiting for us around every bend.”
Evening Star touched his arm. “Think about attacking at Gull Inlet. It’s close to Wasp Village. They will be rushing to get there, thinking they are almost safe.”
Rain Bear nodded; then his black brows drew together. “Red Dog said they expected our attack there.”
She saw his mind wasn’t on war and asked, “What is it?”
“Something unexpected has happened. I’m not sure what to do about it.”
“What?”
“Matron Astcat has taken me up on my offer.”
Evening Star blinked. “What offer?”
Rain Bear turned and used his chin to gesture. Evening Star frowned down the hill at the litter being carefully placed in the shade. Four blue-shirted warriors were watching carefully as Sleeper and his men kept curious warriors at bay.
“I don’t … ,” she started, then stopped. Yes, she did understand. “She didn’t. She wouldn’t!”
“She would and did.” Rain Bear lifted his brows, silently asking her what he was supposed to do now.
Evening Star looked at the litter again. “Is she all right?”
“She’s alive. But her soul is gone.”
Dogrib said, “What are you speaking about?”
“See that new litter?” Rain Bear asked.
“Yes.”
“That’s Matron Astcat.”
Dogrib looked like he’d been bludgeoned. “What?”
Rides-the-Wind stepped forward, and his gray beard flapped in the wind. “Great Chief, Astcat has placed a strand of Power in your hand. How will you pull it?”
Rain Bear made a calming gesture with his hands. “I just need some time to think.”
Evening Star’s gaze drifted down the coastline, noting every unusual rock formation and the way the surf curled against the cliffs. “Well, you had better think fast. With each step, the North Wind People are closing the distance to Wasp Village. Once they are behind that palisade, you won’t be able to strike at them.”
“And you are now responsible for the great matron’s welfare,” Rides-the-Wind reminded. “If anything should happen to her all of your hopes will be dashed like a clamshell on the rocks.”
Rain Bear stepped out of the trees to stare down at the distant Wasp Village. “I am very aware of that, Elder.”
Evening Star watched him stroke his chin, a reservation behind his dark eyes. He stood so deeply lost in thought that he might have been stone.
He stiffened as if struck, a light behind his eyes. He glanced at Evening Star, then at the Soul Keeper. “Having the matron complicates things, but I think I know how to do this. If we are to succeed, I need your help. And you, Dogrib, can you carry out a particularly dangerous task?”
Sixty-two
Rides-the-Wind held Tsauz’s hand and looked over the side of the trail to the surf below. Mother Ocean raged beside them, throwing water at the passing people as though to wash humans from the face of the world. In the distance, Thunderbirds hunted a dark wall of Cloud People, flashing and soaring. If he concentrated he could hear the deep boom of thunder on Wind Woman’s breath.
Immediately to the south, Gull Inlet cut a wide notch in the cliffs. The trail split just before the inlet. One branch ran up over the cliffs, then followed the ridge where it jutted out into Raven Bay. The other branch, which Rain Bear’s warriors currently followed, ran parallel to the ridge.
If Rain Bear’s audacious plan worked, Rides-the-Wind could see a way out of their current dilemma. So much depended on timing and Rain Bear’s control of his warriors in battle. Even more depended on Evening Star’s courage, and Matron Astcat’s condition. May the gods help them if her soul returned too soon. If the North Wind lines held and Rain Bear’s warriors fled the wrong way, they’d end up cut off from retreat and would be driven into Gull Inlet. He could imagine tens of people fleeing into the surf, trying to swim through the rough swells. Many would drown.
Astcat’s four litter-bearers seemed tireless as they bore the great matron onward. In fact, their pace only seemed slowed by Rides-the-Wind and Tsauz. His old bones were hobbling along as fast as they could go, but already he was tired, fearful of his heart where it hammered so hard against his ancient ribs.