People of the Thunder(13)

“About going home. About my life, people, a woman . . . things she couldn’t possibly have known, but did.” Trader shrugged. “I just couldn’t get her and the Seeker out of my head. Curiosity will be the death of me one of these days.”

“So you went after them?”

“I caught up with them on the Mother Water in the Illinois territory. The Contrary knew I would. Being around her is just downright eerie sometimes.”

“And the war medicine?” Born-of-Sun indicated the intricately carved box.

“We were among the Kaskinampo.” Trader fingered his chin as he stared thoughtfully at the carvings on the wood. “And there I was, still burdened by the secret of the copper. How do you disguise a piece of copper that big and heavy? All of our packs had to be portaged around the three falls on the Tenasee River—and right under the eyes of the wary Kaskinampo. They have towns at each of the falls and monitor the Trade. So, back to the question: How do you keep a piece of copper like that from being discovered?”

“You found a way?”

“We gambled . . . and lied a little.” Trader cocked a knowing eyebrow. “Copper is heavy. Can’t really disguise the fact. So what’s heavy and square? Something you don’t want anyone to see? We told the Kaskinampo straight out that we were carrying a great stone with Power carvings on it. They didn’t even question since we were traveling with the Contrary. We told them we wanted a more secure box to carry it in, something to better hold the Power. And it led us right to the war medicine box.”

Trader smiled. “The Kaskinampo chief, Buffalo Mankiller, was most anxious to get us out of their territory. He wasn’t any more keen to have Power loose among his people than the Kala Hi’ki was to have us among the Tsoyaha. So he brought us a box . . . that one there.”

“But why the war medicine?” Born-of-Sun asked. “Surely they could have found something less valuable.”

“Buffalo Mankiller told us that from the moment they obtained it from you, the Sky Hand war medicine brought misfortune. From the beginning we made it clear to the Kaskinampo that we were headed for Split Sky City and the Sky Hand. The Kaskinampo thought the box should go home to its people.”

“For a price,” Born-of-Sun added.

“For a price,” Trader agreed.

“And what did you Trade?”

“I Traded Buffalo Mankiller a piece of silver, a large nugget from the far north. The man I got it from had obtained it from a Cree.”

“Never heard of the Cree,” Born-of-Sun admitted.

“They live way far to the north. But Buffalo Mankiller was happy. Value for value. And no sooner had we Traded than the box began to Sing to the Contrary. From that moment on the Kaskinampo almost turned themselves inside out getting us out of their territory and into yours.”

“Which you would have passed through but for the Kala Hi’ki?”

“He saw us coming and sent War Chief Wolf Tail to capture us.” Trader shrugged. “The rest you know. But I think that Power needed us to come here. Two Petals needed the Kala Hi’ki to help her control her Contrary Power.”

“And you, Trader? What did you need to come here for?”

Trader gave him a dry look. “If you will recall, the Kala Hi’ki wanted to torture me to death in one of your squares. When he learned I was born of the Chief Clan of the Sky Hand People, he wished to repay me in kind for what my people had done to him. And you, High Chief, made me wager my life and freedom on the outcome of a chunkey game.”

“Which you won.”

“Barely.” Trader grinned. “Fact is: I had to face my death. The moment I made that decision, I began to understand. Things like copper, status, and glory are distractions. I am only here to serve Power. It will do as it will with me.”

“As part of the wager on our chunkey game, you said you wished a runner to be sent to Split Sky City to tell the Sky Hand Chikosi that Green Snake was returning. Is that still your wish?”

“It is.” Trader sighed. “I would like the Council to know that I am coming home. Perhaps with that copper, I can make retribution for murdering my brother. After all these years, I would like to make peace with Rattle’s ghost and with my clan.”

“I have a man in mind. His name is Bullfrog Pipe, named for the magical pipe that slew monsters. He is brave, a man of honor. He will bear the sacred white arrow of peace before him.” Born-of-Sun hesitated. “They will honor the white arrow, won’t they?”

Trader nodded. “To do otherwise is to incur the wrath of Power. Believe me, the Chikosi take Power very seriously.”