People of the Wolf(167)

They all shifted as Raven Hunter continued to eat, rationing himself piece by piece, savoring the taste so as not to bolt the food and vomit.

Green Water's glittering eyes never left him. A defiant woman as well as an attractive one? He'd find a lot of satisfaction in driving himself between her legs. He'd have to kill One Who Cries—or perhaps the coward wouldn't challenge his authority.

"A new land, a new leadership." He wiped his mouth with his sleeve. "You see, from now on, the strong will dictate where the bands move. We've made a mistake all these years listening to the likes of Buffalo Back." He pushed the corpse with his toe. "As a result of their decisions, we're wasted, ground away by war and disease. That won't happen again, I promise. I'll rebuild the People. Make them strong so that no Others anywhere will ever wear us away again. Like the wolves, our strongest will lead."

He looked up, chewing, hearing the young men whispering back and forth. "Do you like that? Would you be wolves? Or like the musk ox, slow and stupid?"

A gleam had settled in the young men's eyes. Raven Hunter smiled. "Yes, you remember the honor I led you to. You remember the strength that was ours before Wolf Dreamer tricked us." He looked around. "What does one do with a witch?"

"You know nothing of Power, young idiot," Broken Branch spat from where she hunched before him. She started to scuttle away, but he hooked a toe under her arm and hauled her back, chewing thoughtfully as he looked down into her hate-filled eyes. Green Water started to her feet as he kicked the old woman to the ground and settled his worn-out long boots over her neck. Green Water froze, fear of him bright in her eyes. The corners of her wide lips trembled.

"A worthless woman, you know?" He chewed and swallowed. "She's borne all the children she'll ever bear for the People. Should have killed her clear back at Mammoth Camp. Remember the discussion we had? About how a woman was good only to grow a man's seed? Now she eats our food, drinks our tea. Without her, there's more for everyone."

"No!" Laughing Sunshine and Curlew rushed forward, stopping as Green Water thrust her hand out.

"That's right." Raven Hunter plucked up another small piece of meat, plopping it in his mouth, feeling life born again in his aching joints. "He who challenges, faces not only me, but the White Hide. You rush forward, the old hag dies. You kill me, the Power of the White Hide is unleashed against the People. I'm the future. I'm destiny. Bring me new long boots, a new parka. This is winter. A leader of the People shouldn't be dressed in rags."

"What of your wounded arm?" Salmon Bone asked.

"A man of Power needs no arm." Raven Hunter yawned, staring at them through slitted eyes. And still no Runs In Light? Oh, this is good indeed! The Power of the White Hide must have gutted the poor fool, filled him with fear. Real Power has that ability.

"You're sick," Green Water whispered. "Twisted. Filled by some wretched ghost."

He laughed. "I'd expect a statement like that from someone who doesn't understand—doesn't see with the clarity I do. It's in the Hide. My visions have been true all along."

He smiled at Green Water. ' 'And beginning tonight, I shall plant my seed among the People."

She sucked in her breath. "You wouldn't . . ."

He pressed down slightly on Broken Branch's neck while the People shuffled nervously, the young men's eyes veiled. In the background, Raven Hunter saw One Who Cries start forward, hearing the last. Hard hands grabbed him back, people whispering tersely in his ear.

"People," Raven Hunter added reasonably, "have certain responsibilities to those with Power. I was born of Father Sun's seed! I am the gift of Father Sun—the way to the new life. What woman with sense wouldn't want to share my strength?"

"Me!" Broken Branch hissed from under his foot. Raven Hunter looked down.

"The old way must go." He smiled at her. "As I speak, I'll crush the life out of your thin neck, old hag. The Power of the White Hide—"

"—is nothing in your hands!" a strange and powerful voice commanded.

People turned, squinting into the blackness of the forest.

Raven Hunter balanced his foot, the breath wheezing in and out of Broken Branch's constricted throat.

They walked in from the side, ten people. Eagle Cries, Dancing Fox, Crow Foot, and . . . and Ice Fire? Red Flint? Raven Hunter's eyes narrowed, confused.

"No closer," he ordered. "The White Hide's mine! The Power's mine."

Ice Fire walked carefully forward, calmly parting a way through the People. Behind, the Others advanced, Red Flint supported between Singing Wolf and Broken Shaft.