People of the Wolf(166)

"Yes, but it wasn't—"

"And two sons were born, taking my mother's life in the birth." He cackled the Power of it. "A woman can't bear Father Sun's children and live. The Power is too great. That's why I've always seen. I'm his new way for the People. Look, old hag, see the White Hide? We're here, south of the ice, and Father Sun has given me the strength to carry the White Hide away from the Others. Father Sun has tried me, molded me through hardship and suffering. He's shown me fear and cold and hunger and pain. And now, he's shown me the way to lead the People."

"You killed Buffalo Back!" Broken Branch cried feebly, pointing with a gnarled finger. "You've broken the People's peace. Last time, Wolf Dreamer kept us from casting you out. But this . . . this is too much!"

He closed his eyes to slits. "You'd try me, woman? One step closer, and I'll kill you. That's the Power of the White Hide. Unless you can feel the Power, you can't understand what it gives me." He reached, energized by the touch of the Hide, grabbing up her skinny arm. He closed his thick fingers around the wailing woman's wrist, feeling the brittle bones sliding across each other. Her hideous cry fueled him, goading, as the bone cracked and snapped and Broken Branch screamed agonizingly.

He released her, letting her collapse in a whimpering heap at his feet. The cold Power radiated through him, as his hot gaze cataloged their horrified faces. None could meet his eyes; they backed away, swallowing, shaking their heads.

He seated himself, careful of his swollen arm. "Is this how

you treat the bearer of the White Hide? Is this a hero's welcome? Bring me food. Hot roasted liver, thick steaks rich in fat. Now! Or the old woman dies."

Green Water separated herself from the crowd, ignoring his attention as she gently bent over Broken Branch, attempting to lift her.

"I didn't say she could leave." Raven Hunter glared icily.

"I didn't ask you." Green Water met his eyes, a strength there he'd never seen before.

He moved quickly, tumbling Green Water aside with his foot.

Overbalanced, she rolled, catching herself on propped hands. Green Water's eyes sparked like flint off granite as she stood, jaw muscles jumping with anger.

I've never noticed how attractive she is. Perhaps she can warm the White Hide for me until Dancing Fox arrives? He chuckled to himself. How long since he'd had a good woman?

He reached down, dragging Broken Branch closer. The old woman huddled over her broken arm, clutching it as she moaned to herself. His eyes didn't leave Green Water's.

"Sit," he ordered, gesturing to the ground before him. She started to shake her head as he reached down, gripping the back of the old woman's neck. Green Water froze as Broken Branch stiffened.

"Sit," Raven Hunter repeated, voice soft.

"Don't do it!" Brown Branch raged, slapping and kicking at Raven Hunter. "Your head's blowed up like a walrus bladder. What makes you think we'll obey your foolishness?"

He easily shoved her aside and leaned down to glare into her withered face. "You won't have a choice," he said, stroking the Hide. Then he turned back to Green Water. "I said sit!"

Eyes locked with his, Green Water lowered herself, lips twitching, missing no detail of his actions.

Two girls, almost to womanhood, set a hide boiling bag full of meat before him, then darted nervously into the night. After taking note of the silent people, Raven Hunter attacked it with abandon, eating heartily but slowly, knowing the risks of overeating on an empty stomach.

"Where is my brother?" He looked up, saliva filling his mouth with the blissful taste of fresh meat. Strength, drawn

for so long from the White Hide, was replaced in his stomach.

Jumping Hare's tight expression barely changed. "He's out there, in the dark. One Who Cries went to get him."

Raven Hunter cocked his head. "Out in the dark?" He burst out laughing. "My idiot brother's out in the dark when his better comes to lead the tribe into a new land?" He laughed again. "Oh, that's rich, isn't it? That's the man you trusted yourselves to?"

Some of the young men began looking back and forth. The demonstration of Power over Buffalo Back, Broken Branch, and Green Water had shown the White Hide's gift. Raven Hunter nodded, catching their eyes. "Yes, my friends, think of it. You turned your backs on me at Heron's. Thought you'd seen a greater strength than mine, eh?" They lowered their eyes, heads bowing to the validity of his words. "But who comes in out of the night, the White Hide of the Others over his shoulder? And where is Runs In Light? Oh, excuse me. Wolf Dreamer." He cocked his head. "What? No answer? It wouldn't be because he's out in the dark . . . having false Dreams!"