People of the Raven(19)

It was an old warrior’s ritual. No chief wished to arrive first and be made to endure the dishonor of waiting for his opponents, so he sent in his guards ahead to search the makeshift lodge and surroundings. When all was ready, the guards signaled so that all chiefs arrived at the same time.

A scar-faced warrior ducked out of the lodge and lifted a hand.

War Chief Talon appeared through the trees, his chin up, his old eyes like daggers. Red images of mountains and soaring eagles decorated his hide cape. He had seen four tens of summers, and wore his white hair twisted into a bun at the base of his skull. Abalone shell hair combs kept it in place. Two slaves followed him, both Elderberry People caught while raiding the southern coastal villages. He turned to his guard. “Make certain that no one comes close. We do not wish to be overheard.”

“Yes, War Chief.”

Talon warily scanned the camp, gave Rain Bear a hostile glance, then ducked under the lodge flap, leaving his guard and slaves standing outside.

Dogrib entered next. When he reappeared, he nodded to Rain Bear and took up his place two tens of hands from the lodge.

Rain Bear ducked through the doorway, stripped off his cape, then untied his weapons belt—which held his deer-bone stiletto and stone-headed ax—and dropped it beside the door. After the clear cold air of the forest, the heat from the central fire felt stifling.

Winter hides from bull elk covered the floor. Poles had been raised to create a framework to which fir boughs were lashed. Rain Bear took a position opposite Talon and nodded to the other occupant.

Sleeper, war chief of Deer Meadow Village, sat cross-legged, a martenhide cape over his shoulders. He placed a hand to his heart in greeting. Sleeper might only have seen two tens and five winters, but gray already touched his temples. Rain Bear returned the greeting, then looked at Talon.

“I thank you both for coming. I wasn’t sure you would.”

Talon settled himself on the hides, unlaced his cape, and let it fall from his broad shoulders. “Well, I couldn’t stay away. I’m tired of all the whispers.”

“As am I,” Sleeper said. “Have you asked the North Wind woman to come here?”

Word of both her presence and her warning had spread very quickly.

Rain Bear placed his palms in his lap. “No. I felt these were matters best discussed between Raven People. If we deem it necessary, I will ask her opinion on our decisions.”

“Do you believe her?” Talon narrowed his crafty eyes. “Is that why you granted her sanctuary?”

Rain Bear considered. “Let me put it this way: I don’t disbelieve her. Given what has happened to the northern villages, I can’t take the chance that she is mistaken.”

“But, why?” Sleeper demanded. “You’ve paid the tribute to Astcat and the Council. Much to our mutual disgust, and at no little risk to yourself and your reputation, I might add. Why would they alienate you, of all people?”

“I don’t know.” Rain Bear glanced from face to face. “I’ve heard, though, that Matron Astcat has lost her soul. Perhaps they have all gone a little mad.”

He reached for one of the wooden bowls near the roasting stick. The stick had been arranged perfectly, propped up with stones so that the large chunks of meat cooked slowly right at the edge of the flames. Rain Bear slipped several chunks of elk off the stick into his bowl. “Please.” He gestured to the others. “We have had many long and sleepless nights. Eat.”

Bowls clacked as each man stripped the steaming meat from the skewer.

Talon turned, and his white hair gleamed orange in the fire’s glow. “All right, Rain Bear, we’re here. What do you wish to tell us?”

Rain Bear set his bowl in his lap to let the meat cool. “There are three matters I wish to discuss. The first, of course, is what to do about White Stone and Ecan if they appear tomorrow.”

Talon’s sharp old eyes glinted. “After what they’ve done to us, I say we kill them on sight.”

“Starwatcher Ecan is a holy man,” Sleeper said; reverence tinged his voice. “He has the right to pass if he intends us no harm.”

Talon bit a hunk out of the steaming elk tenderloin. “I owe him no such courtesy, Sleeper. He lost all worldly rights when he burned my village.”

Sleeper’s mouth tightened into a white line, and Rain Bear could feel the tension building. They had been adversaries for so long, clan against clan, village against village; it was difficult even to speak without rancor, let alone about killing the great Starwatcher Ecan.

Calmly, Rain Bear asked, “If we allow him to pass, Sleeper, what should we do to assure our own safety? My scouts report he is traveling with over ten tens of warriors.”