“I’ll send Wide Leaf over with a bowl of something for the family.”
Pale Cat glanced around. “Where’s Wide Leaf?”
“She has a new man. Builder, they call him. An Albaamo. He has a farmstead just beyond the palisade.”
Pale Cat grinned. “At her age? You know, some say you allow her too much latitude.”
Heron Wing arched an eyebrow. “A woman in my position doesn’t begrudge another a little companionship. Besides, it’s early yet, but they both seem most taken with each other.” A pause. “And she still serves me.”
“And what if he wants her for good?” Pale Cat tasted the stew. “This is excellent!”
“Thank Morning Dew. She made it.” Heron Wing flipped her hand absently. “Gods, Brother, if Wide Leaf wants to go, I won’t keep her. I’ll find some sort of Trade, maybe a new room on the back? Whatever we work out, Builder and I can come to an arrangement so that it all looks proper.” Heron Wing laughed. “Assuming he wants to keep her after he gets to know her.”
Pale Cat had cast an evaluative glance at Morning Dew. He didn’t bother to say, “That’s all right; you have another, younger slave. One who also makes excellent stew.” Morning Dew tried to keep her face blank, but couldn’t help grinding her teeth.
“Any other gossip?” Heron Wing asked.
“Your husband is still missing. Thin Branch claims he’s hunting.” Pale Cat glanced at the door, where jets of cold air crept in. “In weather like this?” He shook his head. “Whatever he’s hunting, it’s going to end up as trouble.”
Heron Wing grunted. “Maybe this time her husband will come home unannounced from a hunting trip with all of his brothers in tow. Armed and angry.”
“Do you think we could get that lucky?”
“Haven’t yet,” Heron Wing replied lightly. “But I still have faith in Power. It can’t always be looking the wrong direction.”
“Sister,” Pale Cat warned, admonishing with his spoon.
Heron Wing chuckled. “We’ve had this discussion before.”
“Power will have its due,” Pale Cat replied kindly.
“And the Albaamaha situation?”
At that Pale Cat frowned. “A lot of people are concerned. And not just among the Sky Hand. I have had Albaamaha coming to see me when no one is looking. They’re worried. Word got out—as it always does—about the last Council. I’ve had private assurances that no Albaamo killed the captives.”
Morning Dew closed her eyes, heart sinking. Her people … The hurt tried to seep out from her souls.
“But there’s been a new complication,” Pale Cat continued. “Red Awl and his wife have vanished. The story is that someone sent word that they were needed upriver at Bowl Town. The next morning, White Fish’s messenger arrived with news that he’d be at the solstice ceremonies. When I asked him about Red Awl’s sick mother, he replied that she’s fine. No sooner did that get out than tongues started wagging. People are wondering just why Red Awl vanished when he did.”
“Think he’s involved?” Heron Wing asked.
Pale Cat finished the last of the stew, saving one piece as an offering to the fire, and laid the bowl aside. “Red Awl? No. I can’t see it. He’s always been the voice of reason. I’ve talked to him several times about our relations with the Albaamaha. My impression is that yes, he wants the best possible for his people, but he’s a realist. He doesn’t like the idea of trouble between the Sky Hand and the Albaamaha. He knows it would go nowhere but wrong for everyone. What do you think?”
“I agree.” She considered for a moment. “He has always impressed me with his reasoning and tact. I like him. Respect him.” She lifted an eyebrow. “Amber Bead, however, is a different story. He comes across as a fool.” She waved off his look. “Oh, I know. Everyone thinks he’s harmless. But there’s something about his eyes, as if he thinks one thing, and says another.”
“Amber Bead? A plotter?”
Heron Wing studied her hands for a moment. “Only until the situation begins to get serious. He doesn’t have the stomach for the consequences if things go wrong.”
“The Albaamaha are nervous.” Pale Cat agreed. “Few think anything will come of Smoke Shield’s accusations, but they see this as a sign of things to come. There is already talk in the villages that when Smoke Shield becomes high minko, the Albaamaha will suffer for it.”
“He is not fit to be high minko.” Heron Wing tried to shrug it off. “But then, for years people said the same thing about Flying Hawk. Maybe Smoke Shield will show some sense when the responsibility falls on his shoulders.”