“And?”
A derisive smile came to his lips. “Most of them don’t believe you.”
“They think I’m lying to further my own ends?”
“No, they think you’re lying for Cimmis.”
Anger speared her veins. “That’s—that’s ridiculous! Cimmis burned my village and slaughtered my family! Why would I—”
He held up a placating hand. “Please, Matron. I’ve done a good deal of thinking since I first spoke with you. I can find no logical reason why you’d spy for Cimmis.”
But he had considered it. She crossed her arms defiantly. “So, you’re making plans to defend yourselves against Ecan’s attack?”
“We are.” But he tilted his head as though uncertain about something. The firelight shone on his high-arching cheekbones and drew a line of gold along his strong jaw. “Before we proceed, however, I have a few more questions.”
She said wearily, “I’ll tell you whatever I know.”
Rain Bear frowned down at the open food box beside the fire. His eyes fixed on the half-empty cup of salmon oil. “Forgive me for disturbing your breakfast. If I could, I would come back later, but I must attend a Council meeting shortly.”
“You are not disturbing me, Chief.” She gestured helplessly at the small lodge. “My universe is no longer the pressing place it used to be.”
He paused. “Did you sleep well?”
“Does knowing how I slept help you defend against Ecan?”
He walked around to stand on the opposite side of the fire, looking suddenly self-conscious. “I just thought you might want to spend a few moments talking about something that didn’t matter.”
She squeezed her eyes closed. “Then my nightmares are not a good subject. What’s the weather like this morning?”
“Foggy and cold. Not a fit day for humans or animals. Wear your mittens when you go out.”
“I can go outside?” She enjoyed a sudden leap of hope.
“Go anywhere you like. But I want your guards to be close at hand.”
Evening Star arched a challenging eyebrow. “Ah, indeed? Worried about my safety, are we?”
The earnest look he gave her left her oddly unsettled. “Yes, Matron, I am. And not just because some of my people might wish to cause you harm. I suspect that if Ecan can’t take you back by force, the Wolf Tails will be sent sniffing.”
A sudden chill went through her. To change the subject, she said, “Ask your questions, Rain Bear.”
He folded his arms. “You said Ecan had perhaps ten tens of warriors.”
“Yes.”
“He’s split his forces. Eight tens of them are headed toward Antler Spoon’s village. I’ve also heard that Ecan’s son was with the war party.”
“Splitting his forces is a diversion.”
“Perhaps.”
“He must know that I’m here, warning you. It’s a game, Great Chief. Strategy to keep you off your guard.”
“And the boy? Why is he along?”
She seemed puzzled by his concern. “Kenada spoke of that. It’s the boy’s first War Walk. What difference does it make if his son is there?”
He slowly walked around the fire toward her. She tried to read his expression, a combination of unease and hope. “Under the right circumstances, it might make a great deal of difference. How old is the boy?”
Comprehension edged through her. “Ten summers. But Tsauz will be well guarded. I suspect that capturing him will be more difficult than defending your village.”
“Tsauz? That’s his name?”
“Yes.” She gave him a curious look. “He’ll have ten or more guards around him. Do you know why?”
“Because he’s Ecan’s only son, isn’t he?”
“The little boy is blind, Rain Bear.”
“Blind?” His surprise was complete. “Scan took a blind boy on a War Walk?”
“Apparently.”
“Why haven’t we heard, this? Surely one of the traders would have mentioned that Ecan’s son was blind?”
“His blindness is recent. He lost his sight in a tragic fire. His mother—and most of her family—was burned to death. That Tsauz was rescued otherwise unharmed by a passing warrior was a miracle.”
Through a long exhalation, he said, “Well, that does complicate matters. What about Ecan? Is there a chance we might be able to capture him? Does he have any curious behaviors, like bathing alone, or walking out by himself for morning prayers?”
“He insists on placing his lodge in the very middle of the camp so that he’s surrounded by warriors, but he only goes alone up the cliffs to deliver the morning prayers because he has to. People hate him, and he knows it.”