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People of the Thunder(21)

By:W. Michael Gear


“And that final cast?”

“That look I gave you, it was surrender. I didn’t know what was right. Should we go on to Split Sky City and face whatever terrible thing awaits us? Or was it better that we stay with the Yuchi? So I was trying to tell you: ‘Here it is.’ Then I made my cast. But just at the last moment, I closed my eyes, letting the lance seek its own path. I didn’t make that throw. I let Power do it.”

“And shattered the lance.”

“Which I regret!” He gestured with his pipe stem. “That was the best lance I’d ever made. It will take time to craft one as good.”

Old White nodded, a look of relief on his face. “The Contrary knew. She tried to tell me. Stone would shatter wood.”

Trader sighed, remembering his complete calm. “We are destined to arrive at Split Sky City.”

Old White blew smoke up at the threatening sky. “What did you think of that messenger, Bullfrog Pipe? Was that his name?”

Trader shrugged. “I made him memorize my message word for word. He was quick. He had it after two attempts. We talked some about how long it would take for you and me to Trade our way through the Chaktaw and make our way up the Black Warrior to Split Sky City. Assuming we don’t have some unforeseen problem, he should arrive sometime before we get there.”

“I’m still not sure that later wouldn’t be better.”

“We talked about this.”

“I know. I’d just like to be sure that the Sky Hand honor the white arrow.”

“Seeker, anyone who refuses to honor the white arrow would bring disaster down on their heads. No, Bullfrog Pipe will be quite safe. And once his message is delivered, the Council will be expecting us to come from the north. I was explicit. Bullfrog Pipe is only to tell them that I’m coming to make restitution for Rattle’s death.”

“Well, it will lay the groundwork for our final meeting with the Council.”

For a long time they sat and smoked, each lost in his thoughts. Trader noted that Two Petals had drifted off to sleep. She looked so delicate in the firelight. Her glossy black hair hung around her; a peaceful expression had settled on her smooth face. Lately she had come to his Dreams. More often than not, it ended in some erotic Dance in which her naked body hovered just beyond the reach of his straining manhood.

It’s just that you’re a man and she’s an attractive woman. Forget it, she’s Contrary.

“The Kala Hi’ki says that a Horned Serpent lives under Split Sky City in the Black Warrior River,” Old White said suddenly. “He told me the story of his escape. According to him, he died, and Horned Serpent took him to the Underworld and healed his wounds. Then it left him on the banks of the Tenasee for his people to find.”

Trader lifted an eyebrow, happy for a distraction. “Then, maybe we’d better not go to Split Sky City.”

“Oh?”

“You’ve heard the stories. Horned Serpents are supposed to be enamored of copper. There are legends that if you can follow one down to its lair, you would find a huge cache of copper. I’ve heard that for copper, Horned Serpents will do great favors, grant wishes and Power to anyone who can meet their price.” Trader narrowed an eye. “Even drag an enemy’s canoe underwater and drown someone.”

Old White gave him a tired sigh. “Beware, Trader. Sometimes I think you covet that copper more than your own life.”

He chuckled. “That’s all right. Giving up the copper might be worth it if I could see a real Horned Serpent. In all my travels, I should have seen at least one. Several times, I thought I had, but closer investigation proved they were just submerged logs. How about you? Ever seen a Horned Serpent, or Tie Snake?”

Old White shook his head. “Not without the help of Spirit plants or a high fever.” He paused. “But then, I never tried luring one in with copper, either.”

They enjoyed a companionable silence before Old White added, “I have gone to places—caves, springs, empty canyons—where people have sworn Spirit beasts lived, but none ever appeared to me in this world. Over the years, I’ve grown skeptical. On the other hand, it doesn’t matter where you go, people believe these things. Whether it is Sedna, at the bottom of the sea, or Nanabush in the far northeast, none have appeared to me.” He smiled. “When the Katsinas came to me to tell me to go home, my souls were floating with the Power of a cactus button.”

“I don’t know that plant.”

“From the far south, in the desert, north and west of the Azteca. The Huichol call the Spirit Peyote. I have some if you would like to try it sometime. But the point is: I think the world of the Spirit beasts lies side by side with ours. Remember our discussion of the Healer’s bits of bone? We are separated, kept apart by some barrier I do not understand. One must pass through the portals to move from this world to the next. In the case of the Kala Hi’ki he had to die first. Because he did, he sees out of that world into ours.”