People of the Thunder(86)
“Stunning, isn’t it?” Black Hand asked in Trade Tongue.
“I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Come, the high minko awaits you.”
He followed Black Hand through the gate, finding the area enclosed by the palisade to be suddenly cramped, the building taking up most of the space. Two fierce-looking eagles had been fashioned for guardian posts. They watched him pass with malevolent eyes. He rounded the corner of the building, finding that the entry faced east.
More guardian posts confronted him with threatening visages.
At the Great Palace door, Black Hand called in Mos’kogee, “A Yuchi messenger, High Minko.”
“Send him in,” a voice answered. “Guard the door, Warrior. No one must pass.”
“Yes, High Minko.”
Bullfrog Pipe saw surprise and no little disappointment on Black Hand’s face. Bullfrog Pipe mustered all of his courage and stepped inside. As he entered the room, he held the white arrow before him as if tendering an offering.
The room was impressive, but not more so than Born-of-Sun’s. Only the huge carving of the Seeing Hand on the rear wall startled him. That single eye seemed to be looking right through to his souls. The old Yuchi relief on the opposite wall reassured him. When had the Chikosi stolen it? What tales of woe and suffering could it have told?
He walked forward, taking a position before the fire. There he raised the white arrow over his head, the slim shaft resting on his open palms. “I am Bullfrog Pipe, of the Chief Society, and born into the Bear Clan. I come here as a messenger of the Tsoyaha. I am sent by High Chief Born-of-Sun. I bear my high chief’s blessing with words to be given to the Council of the Sky Hand.” He spoke in flawless Mos’kogee, one of the reasons he had been chosen for this great task.
The high minko was an older man, white haired, with a gleaming copper headpiece supported by a tight bun pulled severely behind his head. He wore a spotless white apron, its point hanging down almost to his knees. A stone ceremonial mace rested in his hands. This would be Flying Hawk. He looked oddly worried, worn, and old. His face was lined, as if the weight of leadership had grown too great.
The man who walked off to his right was young and muscular; a terrible scar marred the side of his face. He watched Bullfrog Pipe with a curious intensity in his black eyes. The scarred man stood stiffly, as if his back were immobile. A thick thong was pulled into his throat, as though it were tied too tight. He, too, wore a white apron. Something about him didn’t seem right. Even standing the man radiated the bunched energy of a cougar ready to pounce.
The high minko spoke. “I am Flying Hawk, high minko of the Sky Hand Mos’kogee, of the Hickory Moiety, born of the Chief Clan. You are welcome here.” He indicated the scar-faced man. “This is War Chief Smoke Shield, also of the Hickory Moiety and the Chief Clan. We wait to hear the words of the Yuchi high chief.”
“Bullfrog Pipe?” Smoke Shield asked. “What kind of name is that?”
Bullfrog Pipe shot the warrior a sidelong look. Why did the man insist on standing off to the side? Or was this some silly protocol the Chikosi adhered to? “It is a name of great honor. Among my people, it is told that in the beginning days, Wind sent his four sons off to the west. Many days passed but none returned. Wind became concerned. He, himself, went west, taking a bullfrog pipe with a pipe stem made of a snake. When he reached the land of Stone Man, he realized that this was the being who had harmed his four sons. Though Stone Man tried to trick Wind, he cunningly evaded all of Stone Man’s sorcery. Because Stone Man was made of rock, no weapon could kill him. To achieve that end, Wind built a smoke in his bullfrog pipe, and using sacred tobacco, blew the smoke through the pipe, onto Stone Man. When Stone Man inhaled the smoke, it killed him. Thereafter, Wind was able to retrieve his sons from the waters where Stone Man had drowned them.”
“Ah.” Flying Hawk nodded. “Yes, I have heard that story. Your people must have great respect for you to have given you that name.” He arched an eyebrow. “I would hope that you do not consider me to be Stone Man.”
“No, High Minko. Though our peoples are enemies, my message is carried in peace. With my chief’s blessing, I bear the words of another party for your people.”
“And what might that message be?” Smoke Shield asked mildly.
“I am supposed to deliver those words to your Council.”
Flying Hawk made a dismissive gesture. “And so you shall, brave Yuchi.” Then he smiled warmly. “Very well, we can all relax now.” He stepped down off his tripod, walking forward, taking Bullfrog Pipe’s hand. “Be welcome here. I have sent for food and drink. You must have had a long trip. Tell me about it.”