"The chiefdom," Badgertail said fervently. "We're fighting to keep the chiefdom intact. To protect our way of life."
"Then why doesn't it feel like it, cousin? Do you know that Tharon called me to the temple five times today? You know what for?" Locust shook a fist angrily. "To rant and shout, vowing to obliterate his betrayers."
"He did die same to me."
Badgertail paced the shabby hides that lay on the floor. His house was a long rectangle, forty hands by thirty. A variety of war coups decorated the walls. The entire western side was covered with shields painted in bright yellows, reds, and blacks. Stumpware sat in every comer, supporting exotic pots and baskets acquired during battle-walks. His sleeping platform stood along the northem wall at the junction of the wall and roof. A ladder led up to it. The doorway opened to the east, facing the palisade wall and Father Sun's first moming rays.
On this warm night, Badgertail had pinned the door-hanging up so the light of the moon could drench the interior. A liquid silver film poured through the opening, so radiant that it sparkled in every hair on the elk hides that lay strewn across the floor. By comparison, the firebowl sitting in the southem comer seemed a pale caricature.
"Badgertail, tell me what we're going to do."
"We're going to obey the orders of our chief, Locust."
"How can we? He just commanded us to destroy a little village of a hundred people and then kill anyone who won't join forces with us! It's insane! It will destroy the chief-dom."
"No." Badgertail massaged his forehead. "No, I don't think so. We'll have to initiate the attacks properly, but if everything goes as I'm planning, the only thing we'll destroy will be the troublemakers."
"Who isn't a troublemaker these days?" Locust shouted as she shook her fists in frustration. ""Who?"" She clenched her teeth so tightly that her jaw stuck out.
"Locust ..."
For a long time Badgertail evaded her gaze. He had been fighting a losing battle against a tide of despair ever since the attack on River Mounds. His dawn discussion with Black Birch had only augmented the sense of futility. The man had lost his sense. He just wanted revenge—and revenge was the business of the clans, not of the chiefdom. Badgertail had left the meeting with an overwhelming urge to slam his fists into something, preferably Black Birch.
To calm the sick dread tormenting him, Badgertail had gone to walk the shooting platforms that lined the palisades. And all day he had listened to his warriors laugh about the war in the offing, cursing Petaga and the traitorous villages that had joined his cause, boasting of their prowess and of how quickly they would destroy these upstart enemies. Every warrior had hung on Badgertail's words, most of them staring at him through eyes reverent with faith. They believed he could lead them to victory and honor. Others, however, had studied him with a measured . . . what? Skepticism? He batted away the thought. Too much is happening for you to heed absurd notions.
"Badgertail, listen to me." Locust leaned forward. "Our warriors do not understand yet what sort of orders Tharon is giving. When they do . . ."
Badgertail lifted his hands and shook them helplessly. "What would you have me do. Locust? Shall I join forces with Petaga? Do you want me to assassinate the Sun Chief? What?"
"I don't know, cousin. I just want you to think about it. You know I'm on your side, no matter what you decide."
By the Long-Nosed God, she meant it! Badgertail's soul shriveled, twisting like a slice of meat tossed carelessly into the middle of a blaze. Did everyone have faith in him except himself? He had never felt so alone in his life. Desperation began tugging at his guts with the keen talons of Eagle.
"I'll think about it. Locust. But you know what my decision will be in the end."
Locust glanced uncomfortably at him. Badgertail had seen that same look once before, the night they had carried Bobcat's body from the Inner Chamber at River Mounds. Forced loyalty—the loyalty of a warrior who knows that what she is doing is wrong but feels she owes too much to her war leader to back out of the battle, no matter that it might cost her her soul.
Locust lowered her eyes and sighed. "Wolf Pup has risen. I'd better go to escort Nightshade."
"Thank you. Maybe she can help untangle this mess."
Locust stood. "E)o you really believe that?"
"I want to believe it."
"She hates us, Badgertail. If she could influence your actions to our doom, she would."
"I know that, cousin. Leave it to me. I think I'll be able to tell if it's the latter."
"I certainly hope so," Locust growled as she left.