“We need to talk,” Heron Wing said, seating herself. She flashed a look at Trader—one that communicated more than just greeting. He caught himself before smiling back.
She said, “I have told Pale Cat some of the things you have told me.”
“How do I know we can trust him?” Old White asked.
“You may trust him.” Trader seated himself, trying not to edge too close to Heron Wing. Gods, if he could so much as hold her hand, it would be a gift. “If he is even half the man I knew, we are safe.”
Pale Cat smiled wearily. “I would hope that I am. But we may not have much time. If the wind stops, well, I’m not sure I want to be seen leaving here.”
Heron Wing shrugged. “Everyone will want to see the palisade. Some of the houses to the south may have been crushed. Who knows what the extent of the damage might be?” She got straight to the point. “Have you found the Contrary?”
“No.” Trader gave Old White a narrow look. “And we’ve heard nothing. Have you?”
Heron Wing shook her head. “Neither of us have. And believe me, Pale Cat would be informed if anyone had a Contrary in their care.”
“Then she’s gone to Smoke Shield,” Old White said softly. “I would just like to know if she did it willingly.”
“A woman has been in the war chief’s room in the palace,” Pale Cat told them. “She arrived a couple of nights ago. The guards let her pass because she claimed to come at Smoke Shield’s request.”
Trader winced.
“We’ve had this conversation,” Old White reminded. To the others he said, “Trader doesn’t share my faith in the Contrary’s abilities.”
Trader took a deep breath to calm himself. “I just hope he doesn’t hurt her.”
Old White grunted. “Power protects its own.”
“Smoke Shield has little respect for Power,” Pale Cat told them darkly. “Unless it’s red and filled with pain.”
“He should learn humility,” Old White muttered. “A failing that no doubt can be laid at his uncle’s feet.”
Heron Wing clasped her hands. “Wide Leaf stopped by this morning. Something happened among the Albaamaha last night. She didn’t have many details, but the mikkos met.”
Trader glanced at Old White before saying, “For the moment, the Albaamaha are the least of your worries. The mikkos heard the entire story from Lotus Root, but they also heard from us and one of their Prophets.”
“They have a Prophet?” Pale Cat asked.
“A woman named Whippoorwill,” Old White told him.
“Ah, yes.” Pale Cat crossed his legs. “I have spoken with her in the past. What did she tell them?”
“That the Chikosi and Albaamaha cannot afford to fight.” Trader shot the Hopaye a measuring look. “She had a vision; in it, the Albaamaha and the Chikosi split sometime in the future.” He gestured around. “When this place is abandoned.”
“Abandoned?” Heron Wing asked, frowning.
Old White sipped his stew and said, “Matron, cities are born, grow, live, and die. Only the rivers are forever.”
Pale Cat nodded. “If that is the will of Power, so be it. What else was said?”
“If we can figure out a way to get them into the tchkofa”—
Old White stared thoughtfully into his bowl—“they will present their evidence against Smoke Shield in the Council.”
“In the Council?” Pale Cat and Heron Wing asked in unison.
Trader gave them a grim smile. “Assuming we can figure out a way to get ourselves into the Council, it should be a very interesting session.” His expression fell. “But we have a more pressing problem. Great Cougar is on his way here with a Chahta war party. A big one.”
“But the palisade just collapsed!” Pale Cat stiffened.
In a reasonable voice, Old White said, “That seems like as good a reason to broker a peace as any other I can come up with. Our problem is that we might not have a great deal of time.”
Pale Cat frowned. “Smoke Shield recalled most of the scouts. They should be here within a couple of days. He only left a scattering of them to watch for the Chahta. I have to warn him.”
“No,” Trader said sharply, “you do not!”
Pale Cat and Heron Wing stared incredulously at him.
“We don’t need a party of warriors rushing out to fight the Chaktaw,” Old White insisted. “That will only compound our problems.”
“But what about the farmsteads?” Heron Wing asked. “The Albaamaha will be defenseless.”
“That has been seen to,” Trader told her. “The mikkos sent runners out last night. The Albaamaha are being warned to withdraw, to take everything they need, and stay out of the way. By the time the Chahta charge down from the divide, they should find empty houses in their path.”