People of the Wolf(125)

He did, seeing a dull red eye of fire.

"Your eyes will adjust. Come. Take two steps forward, then seat yourself.''

Wary, Raven Hunter did, feeling carefully before he lowered himself on soft pelts. A dim outline began to form before his grayed vision. "Very creative. A special act to leave me awed by your claimed Powers?''

"No. I am keeping myself in peace, brother. Keeping my mind clear. Attempting to learn to do what I must.''

"And what, pray tell, might that be? Conjure mammoth from clouds? Grow a lush grassy tundra here in this waste you've attempted to lure the People to? Come, Runs In Light, forget this—"

"Runs In Light is no more."

"Very well, Wolf Dreamer. Quite a name that. You know, Crow Caller is with me. He's looking forward to a ... shall we say, test of your Powers? Hum? Should be a most interesting Renewal."

"And why are you here?"

"You're my brother. What would the People say if I just let you go on with this foolishness?"

"I'm deeply touched that you take your responsibilities for your relatives so seriously.''

Raven Hunter laughed. "Oh, put your fears to rest, brother. I couldn't care less what you do to yourself. I, however, must at least claim to have made the attempt, you know? A brother has to show some compassion and try to bring his kin back to the true way of the People. I have a reputation to maintain. A certain status. People will think well of me when I tell them I tried to talk you back to your senses."

"Don't cross me, Raven Hunter. I see more than you can."

Raven Hunter laughed softly. "I suppose you'll Dream me away otherwise?"

In the darkness, he could make out Runs In Light's features

now. His brother reached, placing more willow sticks on the fire. In the increasing glow, he looked into Runs In Light's eyes; a thread of fear wound through him. A strength glowed there.

"I offer no threat, Raven Hunter. If you challenge me, I must break you. Discredit you. Throw you out. Pain and death stain your future."

A shiver traced Raven Hunter's spine. How serious Runs .In Light was. And he truly seemed to believe it. For a brief instant, a flicker of premonition edged at him. A premonition he summarily dismissed. He had to get the initiative back, take control of the conversation. A thought came.

"Jealous over Dancing Fox?"

His brother flinched, looking up with wide vulnerable eyes.

A nerve struck! In the dim firelight, Raven Hunter saw Runs In Light wet his lips anxiously. He laughed softly, repeating, "Jealous?"

"No. She's of no importance."

"But surely you know how much she loves you." Raven Hunter twisted the barb of his words. "Why her every waking thought is for you, brother. Surely after what she's suffered for you, you can't—"

"No!" He gripped his hand into a fist, eyes closed.

"No? And after her sacrifices?"

"I ... Impossible, Raven Hunter. That life is closed to me now.'' He shook his head sadly.

"You really believe this Dreamer idiocy, don't you?"

A slight smile crossed his brother's thin face. "Yes, I suppose so, brother."

"Then your delusion can't be swayed? There's no way I can bring you to my side. We'd make a good—"

"Your way is that of the darkness, brother."

"I'd not be making claims like that considering how the People feel about holes like this." He gestured around, seeing some of the eerie drawings and effigies placed around. The white lumps had re-formed themselves into various skulls. "You really are absorbed by this delusion. If I believed in such silliness, I might worry."

"Will you stand in my way, Raven Hunter?"

He cocked his head. That voice was so precise, so ...

convinced. "I must, idiot brother. This time your delusions stand in the way of the People's survival."

"You know you're half-Other?"

Raven Hunter stiffened, glaring. "I'm half—"

"Other." Runs In Light nodded slowly, assured. "Our mother was taken on the salt water. She died giving birth to us."

Raven Hunter caught himself. "Of course, more of your fantasy, hmm? Save it, Runs In Light. Save it for Singing Wolf and that gullible One Who Cries. Tell them of your imaginative phantoms. They'll believe your insane claims."

"Ask Crow Caller. Ask Buffalo Back. Ask Four Teeth. They know the rumors."

Raven Hunter shook himself. It couldn't be. No, this was another of Runs In Light's crazy notions.

"Ask!" he ordered. "It's our destiny, brother."

"I'll crush you before I—"

"Listen to me. I have no desire to take your life—but it's in the Dream, brother. Don't stand in my way!''

Silenced by the outburst, he fingered his chin, skeptical, eyes on Runs In Light. "You never cease to amaze me. It is the future of the People we're dealing with. I'll not see them led off into the wastes by your quaint delusions."