“Traders do like to gossip,” White Bear noted.
“For which reason you plied us with question after question last night,” Old White said from the side. “Did we tell you anything about the disposition of Yuchi warriors? Or where they might have a weakness?”
White Bear arched an annoyed eyebrow. “To my complete irritation, you did not. You only spoke kindly of those sneaking vermin.”
“As we will speak kindly of the Chahta should we venture to Split Sky City,” Old White insisted. “I have been at this business for many summers, Great Chief. I have been whipped, beaten, derided, cajoled, threatened, and bribed to provide information about many peoples’ enemies. The reason I am here today is because even when certain mad individuals demanded that I break the Power of Trade, I did not.” He gave them a mild expression. “I would hope that here, among the noble Chahta, no one will give me reason to reconsider that vow.”
“Reason how, Seeker?” Clay Bell asked.
Old White steepled his fingers. “On occasion, extreme measures were used by the more enthusiastic of my past questioners. In doing so, they broke the rules of Trade, spurned its Power. What I would have withheld from their enemies, I parted with most readily.” He paused. “You see, the Power of Trade binds us all. And Trader and I are of the old way of thinking.”
“Point made,” White Bear said with a nod. “Very well, I accept your integrity. And I will tell you this to tell to the Chikosi in turn: We are preparing for them. They will not catch us asleep as they did at White Arrow Town. If they cross the hills in force, they may manage to have initial successes, but we have warned our people. We will retaliate.”
Trader shook his head. “I have seen this before.”
“As have I,” Old White mused. “Nothing good ever comes of it. Not when peoples are prosperous.” He looked up. “This isn’t a matter of leaving starvation behind and moving into better lands. Nothing would be served by a prolonged war between your peoples.”
“Many of us feel that way,” Clay Bell agreed. “But something must be done about the attack on White Arrow Town. Some seek vengeance for the people killed, the damage done. Power is out of balance. The ghosts of the dead must have revenge.”
Trader added, “Reparations could be made on both sides. Chahta sending gifts for the dead at Alligator Town, the Chikosi reciprocating for the dead at White Arrow Town. Power could be brought back into balance.”
“That,” White Bear said, “takes wiser heads than the ones at Split Sky City.”
Old White remained thoughtful. “Do the majority of the Chahta seek war?”
“Most would prefer to avoid it. Any prolonged fighting will only serve to weaken us,” Great Cougar said stiffly. “And once weakened, the Yuchi lie just to the north. They couldn’t resist the opportunity to come here, seeking captives, booty, anything to add to their own Power.”
At that point, Two Petals rose. She walked over and pointed at the captives. In Trade Tongue she stated, “You must want these people very much.”
White Bear glanced at Clay Bell, then back at Two Petals. “What do you mean when you say we want them?”
“You’re not going to Trade for them.”
“They are spies!” Great Cougar said stiffly. “We don’t Trade for spies. We teach them lessons.”
“I don’t think they’re spies,” Trader said in reply. “I think they’re telling the truth. Albaamaha wouldn’t flee into your territory unless there was no other place for them to go. Look at the man—he’s half-starved. By the gods, he’s got leaves in his hair.” Trader bent down, looking the old Albaamo in the eyes. “How long have you been living in the woods?”
With a heavy Sky Hand accent, the old man said, “Too long.” He looked up as if to see Breath Giver himself. “I was only joking about being hung to a Chahta square.”
The girl turned large dark eyes on Two Petals. “We were waiting for you, Sister.”
Trader started. He really got a good look at her, concluding that she was pretty—if thin. He was well aware that her eyes had the same Dreamy quality that Two Petals’ had. In terribly bad Albaamaha he asked, “Waiting for Two Petals?”
“And for you. It was in the vision,” the young woman said simply. “The three of you will bring Power back into balance.”
The old man barked, “What are you saying?”
Trader’s ear struggled a bit over the Albaamaha.
The captive said calmly, “They are the ones, Grandfather. Power has sent them.”