He held Runner with one hand and felt for the doorframe with the other. When she pulled the hanging back, he entered the lodge.
Evening Star followed.
It was clean, everything in its place, though the chief seemed to have few belongings. A woodpile was stacked near the door, and three baskets sat near his bedding hides in the rear. She noted the two polished spears and a war club. Leaning beside the door, opposite the woodpile, stood a fishing pole and fishing spear. Two extra buffalohides lay rolled near the fire, probably to sit on. She guided Tsauz toward them.
“Let’s make you a bed near the fire. You’ll be warmer there.”
He shook off the hand she placed on his shoulder and used his toes to feel the way.
“Keep going, Tsauz.” She walked at his side until they were a pace from the flames. “That’s far enough. Let me spread out the hides for you.”
She spread one hide, and said, “All right.”
He gently put Runner down, and sat, nervously twisting his hands in his lap. As she unrolled the bedding, he said, “They’re going to kill me, aren’t they?”
“They will have to go through Rain Bear first.” She tried to force assurance into her voice and wondered if the little boy heard through it.
Twenty-eight
Tsauz curled onto his side and pulled his dead puppy against him. Evening Star draped the other buffalohide on top of him, the hair side in, to keep him warm.
“You are about six hands from the fire, Tsauz, so you must not roll into the coals.”
The whimper caught in his throat. He closed his eyes. He could see better when his eyes were closed. Twinkles of firelight danced on the backs of his eyelids.
“I’m going to go fetch more wood for the fire. But I’ll be right back.”
He heard her duck outside.
Sticks clattered.
Tsauz whispered, “It’s all right, Runner. We’re all right.”
He knew he should try to run, but he longed to sleep. He’d hurt himself when he’d fallen down the mountainside. Besides, he didn’t know where Rain Bear had gone. He was probably right outside. Even if he weren’t, there were many other warriors who’d catch him before he got away.
Cold air blew in through the lodge flap as Wind Woman played in the fir branches outside.
Evening Star returned and placed more wood on the coals. In almost no time, sparks popped and flames licked up around the tinder.
Evening Star said, “Sleep well, Tsauz. You’ll feel better this afternoon.”
“Are you …” He hesitated and heard her turn.
“What is it?”
“Are you my father’s slave? The matron he brought home from Obsidian Cliff Village?”
Her cape rustled as though the question disturbed her. “I was. I escaped.”
“People said you killed my uncle Kenada.” A huge black bubble of pain welled in his chest. Uncle Kenada had always been kind to him, bringing him gifts from War Walks, running races with him. “Did you?”
“Yes.”
“You slit his throat with his own knife?”
The way she moved, he thought she might have nodded. “I did.” A pause. “Do you know why?”
Tsauz closed his eyes and hugged Runner’s cold body. He whispered, “You’re Rain Bear’s woman now, aren’t you?”
“No. He granted me sanctuary, that’s all.”
“He treats you like you’re his woman.”
He had heard in Rain Bear’s voice a softness he used with no one else, including his own daughter. Evening Star must be his woman. Why would she deny it?
“I counsel him when he asks me to. That’s all.”
The unexpected sob caught him off guard. “You are his woman! He will listen to you. Please, please tell him to let me go home!”
She knelt beside him, and he smelled the scents of wood smoke and wet leather that clung to her. “I will do everything I can to help get you home, but it’s going to take time. Do you understand? I can’t do it right away. It’s too dangerous.”
Tsauz snuggled his face into the buffalohide and cried.
Evening Star petted his hair. “There are warriors everywhere. By noon today, they will know you are here. The trails will be filled with people who want to hurt you. We must be cautious.”
“I know! I heard the people calling me names on the trail!” He whimpered and tried to look at her. “I’m your enemy!”
He heard her sigh. “No, Tsauz.You are not my enemy. You are just a boy who got lost in a battle. A boy caught between two warring forces. We just want to keep you safe.”
“But my father is your enemy.”
Evening Star hesitated. “He is that. But he is also my distant cousin, Tsauz, as you are. As relatives I don’t wish to hurt either of you.”