People of the Wolf(170)

Ice Fire frowned, staring. "Mine? What—"

"No, it was mine!" Raven Hunter insisted, slamming a fist into the White Hide.

The Other warriors mumbled in fear and rage, easing forward on cat feet.

Wolf Dreamer bowed his head and watched the flames dance for what seemed an eternity. His thoughts drifted away, images of Heron's visions floating through his mind. Sights, sounds, rising mounds of dirt along a winding muddy river. Rock-walled shelters rising five stories high, the corners of the rooms sharp against the sky. Long shelters, built of bark, all centered around tended fields of long-eared grass, its yellow kernels spilling life upon the mats of the Peoples.

Hunters came, long-limbed men, bearing darts as they stalked the buffalo. As the plains dried, women slapped desert plants, knocking the seeds into woven containers. A long thin creature crawled on its belly, fangs in its head, tail hissing in a buzz. Far to the south, men built mountains of stone while Father Sun descended to earth, plumed in feathers and scales.

"It can be saved." Ice Fire's voice penetrated the Dream. ' 'Saved . . . saved . . . saved ..."

Wolf Dreamer nodded. "Yes. That which has been sundered must become One again.''

"Let me help you," Ice Fire offered, striding slowly closer to Wolf Dreamer.

In a shimmering fog, he saw him stop. Wolf Dreamer gently reached out a hand and touched his father's chest, the place the white light flowed from. It warmed him, sending tendrils of harmony rushing through him. Before he realized what had happened, Ice Fire had enfolded him in strong arms and hugged him tightly to his breast.

"My son, you've done well for the People."

Wolf Dreamer's gazed at Dancing Fox. She stood rigidly, though her eyes lay warm on Ice Fire. He widened his eyes, seeing the tiny dot of white light growing in her belly.

"A son . . . for a son," Wolf Dreamer breathed, "now I understand, Heron."





Chapter 66



Wolf Dreamer floated in the bliss of Oneness with his father, eyes blind to the world of illusion fluttering around him.

Through his haze he faintly heard Raven Hunter say, "So, the fawn has lain with the bear. Look, warriors! This will be the death of the People!"

A rumble of hostile voices pierced the stillness.

Reluctantly, Wolf Dreamer pushed Ice Fire away, breaking the embrace, and focused on his brother. Raven Hunter stood tall, chest thrown out arrogantly. His feet straddled the dead body of an old man.

"You killed Buffalo Back," he said softly.

Raven Hunter laughed. "And I'll kill you—as I should have years ago."

As Wolf Dreamer stepped forward, Dancing Fox reached to pull him back.

"Don't do this! He's not worth—"



He smiled at her, and tenderly reached down to lay his hand on the new life that sparkled in her belly. She started, but didn't pull away, gazing up questioningly. "You hold the strands of the web. Did you know? From you it will shoot forth, spiraling across the face of the world."

"What?" she asked feebly.

Tired, he felt suddenly very tired. From the corners of his mind, he heard the faint call, an eerie familiar howl. He turned slowly, looking over his shoulder to the south. From out of the forest, Wolf loped to stand at the edge of the gathering, one foot raised, nose up scenting the air. A tremor shook him. "Is it time?"

"You've shown them the way, man of the People. Come. "

Wolf Dreamer swallowed hard and closed his eyes, nodding. Then he turned back to Ice Fire. "Let no one interfere."

"But you can't—" Dancing Fox cried.

Ice Fire's arm restrained her as she started forward. "No one will interfere."

"I call you witch, brother!" Raven Hunter roared, eyes gleaming in hatred. "I'll kill you before you destroy the Peo-' pie!"

Behind him, he heard Dancing Fox plead with Ice Fire, "Let me go, he's not strong enough! Raven Hunter has—"

"No."

Raven Hunter circled the fire cautiously, his good hand gripped into a tight fist. A surge of young warriors followed him, ready for the battle to break out.

"Stop them," One Who Cries shouted, running forward.

"No!" Ice Fire caught him by the shoulder, whirling him around.

"They're your sons! You can't let them—"

"It's the Dream!" Ice Fire whispered urgently. "Don't meddle in what you don't understand!"

"But your sons!"

Wolf Dreamer stood serenely, feeling the gaze of Wolf on him as Raven Hunter charged, roaring like a wounded bull, "I'll kill you, brother!"

Wolf Dreamer listened to the words, his soul still reeling from Wolf's presence. For a brief moment, he'd almost for-

gotten the Dance. Now he whispered with the mushrooms singing in his blood.