People of the Thunder(114)
“Gods,” Morning Dew whispered, a hand to her breast. “She’s alive! Tell me everything.”
Trader related their time in White Arrow Town, answering her questions as best he could. Beyond Old Woman Fox, he could supply little information about who was or was not alive.
“All right,” she finally admitted. “I’m just excited, that’s all.” She grinned. “I’m finally going home.” Then her expression fell. “How do I tell them what happened here?”
“You will find a way.”
“How soon will this happen?”
He winced. “Well, that’s a problem. Old White and I have some obligations here. It may take a while.”
She nodded. “But you’re Traders. You can go when and where you wish. You came all the way down from the upper rivers, through the Yuchi . . .” Morning Dew’s eyes sharpened. “From upriver. Cahokia. The Yuchi bowl . . .”
“Yuchi bowl?”
“You’re Green Snake.”
“Are you always this quick?”
She nodded to herself. “That’s why Heron Wing panicked when she saw you. If Smoke Shield learns that you’re seeing Heron Wing . . .” She reached out. “Come on. Let’s go look for your lost Contrary. We need to make this look good—something Violet Bead would believe. So, what do we do? The Trader explanation won’t be good for more than a day or two. She’s going to be eaten alive with curiosity.” Morning Dew studied him with different eyes. “You do resemble your brother. But you’re just enough different.”
“We were twins, but not identical.”
“No wonder I didn’t like you.”
“That’s all right. I don’t like him, either.”
She took his hand, leading him out into plain view. “We’re holding hands.”
“Why? I thought we were looking for Two Petals.”
“Yes, we’re looking for your spooky friend.”
“And we have to hold hands to do that?”
“Of course. You’re my new lover.”
“Do I have anything to say about this?”
“Do you want to be close to Heron Wing? Any other way and rumors will fly straight to Smoke Shield’s ears.”
“Ah, I see. No one would care about a man sniffing around Heron Wing’s slave.” He grinned. “I’m only a little slow.”
Old White sat on the log before their house, poking at the fire with a long branch. He had been everywhere, even peeking into society houses where he had no business. He had asked after Two Petals, describing her looks, how she was dressed. Nothing.
He growled to himself. He’d been too concerned with Trader that morning, aware the man was half-shocked by the revelations about Smoke Shield.
Why didn’t I keep my eye on her?
Because she’s the Contrary, guided by Power.
But was Power enough to keep her safe?
“Seeker?” Trader called from the darkness.
He glanced up, seeing Trader and Swimmer approaching with Two Petals in tow. “Thank the gods, you’ve found her. Two Petals, I’ve been worried half out of—”
The woman wasn’t Two Petals, but almost matched her height and age. This woman was thinner, lithe and athletic. She considered Old White with clear and intelligent eyes.
“You didn’t find her?” Trader asked, stepping into the firelight.
“No.” He glanced at the woman. “And this is?”
“Morning Dew.”
“Ah, of course.” He arched an eyebrow. “When did you see Heron Wing to make the Trade?”
“Power got in the way. For the moment, Morning Dew is my new lover.”
About to say something, Old White snapped his mouth shut. Then after a breath, he managed to rasp, “If I only had half the complications you have with women, I would die a happy man!”
“It’s a show,” Trader said, “a way of keeping suspicion away from Heron Wing.”
“Are you really the Seeker?” Morning Dew asked, bending down to peer at Old White.
“Are you really Old Woman Fox’s granddaughter?”
“I am.”
“Then we have two for two.” He smiled up at her. “Come and sit. We’re not sure how to get you back to White Arrow Town yet; but sometime soon we’ll figure it out, even if it means slipping you to Great Cougar’s warriors.”
“No Trade yet,” Trader said, pausing as Morning Dew seated herself. “Morning Dew will fill you in. I want to run down to the canoe landing. Maybe Two Petals went to the canoes for some reason. Come on, Swimmer.” The dog followed happily as he slipped away into the darkness.
Morning Dew dropped her head into her hands. “Great Cougar is sending warriors?”