Heron Wing hesitated. “Could you look at me for a moment? I need to ask you something.”
Morning Dew lifted her gaze, meeting Heron Wing’s as the woman asked, “Did Smoke Shield say anything when you were with him? Would you have any hint as to why he went up the river?”
“Who knows what possesses that man?” Morning Dew shook her head. “The last time I saw him, he was in a rage over the captives.” She swallowed hard. “And … and what happened to them.”
“What did he say in particular?”
“He thought the Albaamaha did it.” She couldn’t help herself, but glanced back at her hands.
“I know that was a difficult day for you.” Heron Wing sat back on her haunches. “The Council gave him direct orders to leave the Albaamaha alone for the time being. But then Red Awl disappears. Now Smoke Shield comes home from a hunting trip without his weapons and coat. And he’s in a foul mood on top of it. His clothes have spots of blood, and his lip is swollen and bloody. If you ask me it looks more like it was bitten; but he tells a story about falling in the forest.”
Morning Dew said nothing.
Heron Wing was still watching her. “Look at me, Morning Dew. There, that’s better. Listen to my words: You are a captive, but you are also a matron. Granted, you are young, but one thing you are not is stupid. I would like to know what you think. Come on, you can do that, can’t you? Think?”
Morning Dew met Heron Wing’s eyes, saying, “I’m afraid my thoughts would either get me a beating, or worse, sent back to Smoke Shield.”
Heron Wing couldn’t stifle her laughter. “Well, how about this? For this one moment, let us forget what is between us, and just speak as two women. I can well imagine what goes through your head, because the same thoughts would be in mine were our roles changed.” She shrugged. “And who knows, one day they might be. The future is a frightening place, and forever uncertain. But for now, just be honest with me. We can go back to playing master and slave if anyone should happen in on us.”
Morning Dew frowned. “Why should I do this? Anything I say could be held against me.”
Heron Wing arched her brow. “Oh, I don’t know. I suspect that you wish we were all dead. I think you wish you had Smoke Shield hanging from a square in White Arrow Town. That way you could roast his shaft and balls with a cane torch just for the simple pleasure of hearing him scream. What more could there be?”
Morning Dew pursed her lips. That’s about it in a pecan shell.
“At least,” Heron Wing continued, “that’s exactly how I’d feel were I you. And believe me, I know the pleasures of Smoke Shield’s bed. But here’s the thing: You were raised in the middle of clan politics just as I was. I want to know what you think.”
“About what?”
“Do you think he could have gone after Red Awl?”
She glanced at the doorway, running through her options. Caution finally surrendered to the opportunity to vent her feelings. “I think he’s the most dangerous man I’ve ever known. Do you remember what Pale Cat said the other night, about Smoke Shield never saying he regretted anything? He has a soul sickness, Heron Wing. Something is dark, black, and twisted inside him. What makes it worse is that he is Chief Clan. If he fixes something in his mind, he will accomplish it.” She winced. “Just like he wanted me.”
Heron Wing nodded. “You have no idea.”
“Then why does Flying Hawk put up with it?”
“Because the high minko was a lot like Smoke Shield once upon a time. Flying Hawk sees a younger version of himself. He keeps thinking that Smoke Shield will change when he assumes leadership. And, he’s desperate. Flying Hawk is the last of his line. If Smoke Shield doesn’t follow him as high minko, the leadership will go to a cousin.”
“He’ll be dead by then. What difference does it make?”
Heron Wing patted out another of the cakes and greased it. “Myself, I think it has something to do with killing his brother. He has spent his entire life overcoming the stigma attached to that one passionate act. My guess is that when he dies, he wants to find his dead brother’s souls and say, ‘See, it’s all right. I kept our family’s prestige intact. I was a worthy successor in spite of what I did to you.’ And then there’s Green Snake.”
“Who is he?”
“He was Smoke Shield’s brother—the man who gave him that terrible scar. Green Snake was a … well, he was a wonderful man. Everything that Smoke Shield isn’t. Kind, compassionate, and thoughtful—everyone liked him. Even as a boy there was talk about what a good high minko he would make. Smoke Shield was jealous, and being Smoke Shield, he managed to drive Green Snake into enough of a rage that Green Snake struck Smoke Shield down with a war club, then ran away, horrified at what he’d done.”