People of the Raven(2)

Red Dog scowled at the eastern horizon. Only a few Star People remained visible against the gleam of dawn. At death, the souls of North Wind people traveled to the Above Worlds, where they became stars. Soul Keepers, like Rides-the-Wind, spent their entire lives trying to seek the wisdom of those ancestors. Such elders never fought, or used a knife, no matter for what purpose, but dedicated their lives to seeing beyond this world.

Red Dog asked, “Which one of our ancestors is planning on dropping out of the sky?”

Rides-the-Wind lifted a gnarled finger and pointed. “That one. See how his hair is blowing out behind him? He’s flying toward us very fast.”

It did look like long hair streamed out behind the Star Person. He glanced back at Rides-the-Wind. “When will he arrive?”

“When he wishes to. The Star People travel in far greater time circles than we do. I think it will take him a few moons. But when he arrives …” Rides-the-Wind turned toward Waket’s Nose; the rocky point jutted out over the water like a giant’s beak. “He will soar down right there—at least, that’s what my calculations indicate.”

Red Dog’s eyes widened. Waket’s Nose was noted for strange happenings. As a boy, Red Dog’s own grandfather had seen one of the giants appear there. Grandfather had been canoeing with friends when the giant had stepped out onto Waket’s Nose and leaped into the sea. They hadn’t been able to see the giant’s face, but as he plummeted into the water, his hands shook like a Dancer’s. A tremendous splash rose when he hit Mother Ocean, nearly swamping his grandfather’s canoe and hurling spray for hundreds of body lengths. Summers later, two women from Red Dog’s clan had seen a huge mountain goat walking on the water at the exact spot where the giant dove into the ocean. When they stood up and gasped at the sight, a storm rose that overturned their canoe and drowned them. He’d heard the story from the very person onshore who’d seen it happen.

Worried, Red Dog said, “I pray I am far away when the Star Person arrives.”

Rides-the-Wind gazed up at the deep blue sky. “Oh? You irritate him, too?”

“No, Elder, of course not, I—”

“Myself, I pray to be right here. I would give my very life to speak face-to-face with one of the Star People. The miracles they must see from up there. I can’t even imagine.”

For a while, they just stared at the twinkling lights of the ancestors; then Rides-the-Wind heaved a breath and said, “Very well. What news do you bring from Fire Village?”

The North Wind People—who had been here since Song Maker created the world—centered their affairs at Fire Village. There, the Four Old Women, the ruling Council, met, decided the law, and governed not only the North Wind People, but also the Raven People, upon whom they relied for tribute.

Red Dog said, “Chief Cimmis sent me to tell you that the woman, Evening Star, is gone. Escaped from Ecan’s lodge.”

Rides-the-Wind’s dark eyes blazed. “Fools, you should have never meddled with her. She is more than you know.” A pause. “Wasn’t Ecan’s young brother one of the guards assigned to her?”

“Kenada is dead, Starwatcher. She slit his throat with such vehemence she almost severed his head.”

For a time, Rides-the-Wind just stroked his long gray beard, as though deep in thought. He smiled warily. “Next you will tell me that Ecan has sent a pack of his mangy guards out after her.”

“Yes, Elder. Runners were sent immediately. I’m sure they’ve caught her by now, but Ecan orders you to curse her. He wants it done where the Raven People can see you do it. Just in case.”

The old man’s withered mouth pinched. “Curse her? In a way that makes the Raven People fear to help her?”

“Yes, Elder. Exactly.”

“And just why should I do that?”

Red Dog made an airy gesture. “Well, if you don’t, Starwatcher Ecan will kill you.”

Rides-the-Wind closed his eyes and chuckled under his breath. “Humans. Such strange creatures. They forever remain a child in one part only: their fear of death. That’s why they dwell on it. Death is the only thing in our lives that never fails to fill us with childlike wonder.”

Red Dog tucked a windblown lock of graying black hair behind his ear. Rides-the-Wind rarely made sense to him. “Which means … what?”

Rides-the-Wind gave him an annoyed look. “You wouldn’t understand. When did the woman escape?”

“Two days ago. It has taken me that long to find Ecan, and then you. Oh, and Chief Cimmis orders you to return home immediately. He says that while Ecan is away leading the war party, he needs your services in Fire Village.”