Lumps of snow marked places where the People huddled together. This was the end. They all knew it.
"You're a good girl, Fox," Talon whispered. "My legs are feeling warm. My feet feel like they're over coals. You know, comfortable."
Dancing Fox closed her eyes. "I'm glad."
''Freezing's not a bad way to go.'' Talon sighed. ''It really isn't. A person just sleeps."
"Grandmother, you're not going to—"
"Yes, I am. I got a deep cold inside me. A killing cold.
Odd that killing cold makes you ache all over—then makes you warm."
"Hush, save your strength."
"I'm going to sleep warm. Warm," she breathed, a faint smile curling her chapped lips.
Dancing Fox gripped her tightly, hugging Talon to her chest. The bones beneath the old woman's emaciated flesh felt as brittle as dried twigs.
"At least," Talon whispered, mittens stiffly tracing the patterns of light dappling their robes, "I won't die alone."
In the distance, she saw Crow Caller trying feebly to stand. Snow puffed from his robes. He struggled, weaving aimlessly, then fell back to the snow and tumbled to his side to lie still.
Fox smiled.
"A trail," One Who Cries said without emotion. He bent down, looking at the slashed snow, seeing the way it had drifted in. Moving a couple of steps, he kicked at mammoth dung, winter dung, thick with sticks.
Runs In Light glanced at the anxious faces around him. One of the children had been found, frozen in her robes. Singing Wolf supported a little girl who stumbled uncontrollably.
Mammoth? How could weak humans expect to kill a mammoth? Especially a full-grown adult? But the sticks in the dung proved that somewhere, at least, forage existed in the snow. Where enough remained to feed mammoth, perhaps a hare could be trapped? Perhaps caribou? Not even that hope penetrated the lackluster eyes of the People.
"We can't go further," Laughing Sunshine called listlessly. "I can't do it."
Green Water padded over, looking carefully into Laughing Sunshine's eyes, pulling a hand from her mitten to feel Sunshine's cheeks. "We've got to stop for a while. She's going to fall on her face if we push further."
"Me, too," young Moss agreed where he stood on trembling legs.
One Who Cries flinched, eyes searching the gray landscape, looking to the low-hanging clouds, feeling the bite of
Wind Woman's fury. Flakes of snow rushed past, borne on ~ the wind.
"Let's stop. Darkness is falling. Tomorrow, those who can stand will follow the mammoth's tracks."
Runs In Light watched, gnawing doubt leaving him empty. He bent his back, cutting at the packed snow, lifting the light blocks from the drift. If nothing else, his efforts might keep some of the People alive to starve later. His faith in the Dream had stretched as thin as a caribou hair. Had it been real? He no longer knew.
Green Water watched him through furtive eyes for a moment before walking slowly over to place a hand on his shoulder. "I don't know what you're thinking, but don't let Singing Wolf's words hurt you."
He shivered and blinked at her, feeling the horrible pang of doubt knotting in his chest. "Maybe he's right. I . . .I'm responsible. I led you here."
"You did your best, Wolf Dreamer. There's honor in that. No one can give more than—"
' 'My best?'' he whispered dully, scooping snow as his eyes darted over the wind-sculpted landscape. "Is that enough? I see their thoughts in their eyes. I see what they—"
"They're just tired," she chided. "Don't judge them so harshly."
He looked around dubiously, scanning the blood red sky behind them. Drifts hemmed them in like walls. "Singing Wolf called me a false—"
"I know. But he's confused. He's facing something he doesn't understand. For the first time since he sucked a teat, he's feeling helpless to provide for his family."
He lowered his eyes at the warm understanding in her frail smile. "None of us are providing for our loved ones."
"It's a terrible reality for a man to face."
"A man?"
Green Water nodded. "I've always felt sorry for men. They take responsibility for so many things that aren't their fault. Like Singing Wolf when he looks at Laughing Sunshine with the death of his baby weighing on him. He fears Sunshine might leave him for another man . . . a better provider."
"That's crazy." Wolf Dreamer chewed his lip. "She loves him."
"But Singing Wolf doesn't see it. Men are just that way." She winked at him. "You should be glad you have us around to keep you out of trouble. Women stay sane in times like these. We have to."
He clenched a fistful of snow. "I'm still responsible."
She patted his shoulder. "Come, rest. I believe in you. Laughing Sunshine, Ocher, and Broken Branch, we all believe in you. We all know what you've done—and appreciate it."