People of the Raven(39)
Tsauz beamed, finished rolling the hides, and tied them with a sea-grass cord. “Why do people flock to him? Why don’t they come to us for protection?”
Father paused, and Tsauz could feel his rage; it made the very air seethe.
In a clipped voice, Father said, “Rain Bear offers them things that we cannot. He has been pillaging villages for a long time. He has amassed great wealth, especially dentalium, and uses it to pay them to fight against us.”
“But we have great wealth, too, don’t we?”
“Yes, but we cannot afford to give it away to the filthy Raven People. We need everything we have to purchase food for ourselves. Our fishing and hunting last autumn produced barely half of what we needed to survive the winter.”
Tsauz edged closer to Father, eager to repeat the words he’d overheard. “Father, is that why we’re leaving Fire Village, because there’s no food?”
Father went still. Angrily, he snapped, “Who told you we were leaving Fire Village?”
“I—I heard you say it. I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it. When will we be moving to Wasp Village?”
Tsauz could hear Father’s breathing turn shallow. “Very soon, my son. Wind Scorpion arrived last night with word that Old Woman North has had a vision. She said the North Wind People must abandon Fire Mountain. But no one is supposed to know. Do you know why?”
“No, Father.”
“Because if the Raven People knew that the North Wind People were going to abandon the Fire Mountain villages, they might take the opportunity to attack us. It would be easy enough. We will be traveling, strung out on trails for several days to get down to the coast.” Father turned and seemed to be staring across the lodge. “According to Wind Scorpion, Old Woman North said that if we travel at night the Meteor People will lead us. Wasp Village will be the rebirth of the North Wind People.”
Tsauz stroked his puppy. Runner’s fur felt soft and warm. “We will have all of our warriors on the journey, won’t we?”
“Yes, but the Raven People still might be tempted to attack us. They hate us, my son. Hate with a passion that you will never fully understand. That’s why the North Wind People have been packing in secret. We don’t want to give the Raven People time to plan and prepare an attack.”
“Are we safe here, Father?”
“I’m not sure we’re safe anywhere. And today I need you to be very brave. A huge camp of Raven People is just a short distance away.”
Tsauz’s belly clenched. “B-but we’ll be safe when we get to War Gods Village, won’t we? And we’ll get there today?”
Father patted Tsauz’s cheek. He always seemed to use a little too much force; it hurt. Nothing like when Father really got mad. Then it hurt for days afterward.
“It will depend upon how much snow has fallen on the trails, my son. But we will be there tomorrow morning for certain.”
“Then matron Weedis will give us shelter, won’t she? She’s one of the North Wind People. She won’t let anyone hurt us while we’re there.”
“Of course not.” But something hid behind his voice.
Tsauz turned blind eyes on his father. “I am looking forward to the Moon Ceremonial. Will there be many people?”
“I suspect the entire mountaintop will be infested with Raven People,” Father said distastefully. “But we will make the best of it, won’t we?”
Tsauz nodded. Father had hated Raven People for tens of summers, since the day Raven warriors destroyed his village and he saw his parents slaughtered before his eyes. He said Raven People weren’t really human beings. More like vermin with a language. It had always puzzled Tsauz that his mother had been one of the Raven People. But she had been very beautiful. Father had often shouted that men always watched her with longing in their eyes, and that she was his alone. Perhaps that explained it.
“Will I be able to touch the stone bodies of the gods, Father? I have always wished to touch them. The Traders speak of them with such awe.”
“That’s why I wished you to come with me on this journey. I think you will be astounded. The twin War Gods are enormous and perch right on the very edge of the mountain overlooking Mother Ocean.”
“Can I help you with the Moon Ceremonial? You said I could if matron Weedis didn’t object.”
“Are you certain you wish to fast and pray while everyone else is feasting and dancing?”
“Oh, yes, Father,” Tsauz said reverently. “Someday, I plan to be a very great holy man, just like you.”
“Well, if that’s true, we’ll have to start looking for a proper teacher for you. Old Rides-the-Wind has recently placed himself in a most precarious position. As a way of making amends, I’m sure he will be willing to instruct you.”