When they reached the edge of the steaming pool, Heron disappeared into a crack in the rocks and returned with a pile
of caribou hides. "Here," she said, dropping them on the snowy ground. "I got more inside that you can use to make a shelter. While you do that, I'll put on some moss tea and get out some meat for dinner."
A tremor of relief went through the People. Hurriedly, they joined hands to make hasty lodges. Hours later, Heron returned and surveyed the shelters approvingly.
"Come and sit down now," the old woman instructed. "We've got things to talk about."
Gratefully the People gathered around the edges of the deep pool to drench in the warm mist. Heron had built a fire in front of her rock shelter and the flames licked upward, casting long shadows over the surrounding boulders and flickering amber across the greenish pool. She passed out sacks of meat and told people to help themselves to the bags of hot moss tea.
When everyone had settled down to eat contentedly, the Spirit Woman declared, "I can feed you all for a couple of weeks on what I've stored. But after that ..."
Singing Wolf nodded, cupping a horn full of thick black tea. "How much game is here?"
Heron lifted a thin shoulder. "Enough. A small herd of caribou winters out in the basin down by the river. The wind sweeps it clean. They can get willow there, dig for moss and grass. Seems like every year more grass grows. Lot of changes since I came here . . . let's see . . . Well, no matter—back when Broken Branch there was still young enough to steal my man."
Broken Branch stiffened, stopping in midchew to narrow her eyes.
"As far as hunting goes," One Who Cries said, clearing his throat, "we can build a drive line. Green Water and Sunshine can work the wings, the extension of the lines, with the children between cairns to keep the animals moving. With Singing Wolf, Jumping Hare, and me, there are three men to run down the—"
"Four," Heron added, jerking her head toward Runs In Light, who sat silent, head down.
People grumbled among themselves. Now that their bellies were full, they'd started complaining again, calling Runs In Light a false Dreamer.
Heron lifted a brow, spitting, "You fools. He's seen more than you'll ever understand."
An awkward silence descended, the flames lighting tense
faces.
"Grandmother." Runs In Light spoke. "Don't worry. I-"
"Hush, boy. You and I aren't done yet." She turned and looked at him, heedless of his embarrassment. "Don't know what you are yet, eh? Keep that attitude and you might never know."
"Wolf Dream," Broken Branch muttered, her eyes bright again.
Heron turned, head cocked. "You saw it?"
"It was in his eyes."
Heron nodded. "Much has changed since I've been gone? No Dreamers?"
Broken Branch waved miserably. "Crow Caller had it once. I think he killed it. Dreamed sour . . . like maggot-filled meat. These young ones, they've never seen a real Dreamer before. You need to come back, Heron. The People need you. There's no heart. No fire. The old ways, the true ways', they've gone like smoke in Wind Woman's breath."
Heron turned, pointing. "He's the future."
Wolf Dreamer shook his head in the silence. Ashen, he got to his feet and vanished into the night beyond.
After the long pause, Broken Branch shook her head. "I don't know. His spirit left him." She sighed. "It's no longer in his eyes."
"You're wrong." Heron grinned. "As usual."
Singing Wolf cleared his throat. "He's young. Like his brother, Raven Hunter, said, he's susceptible to delusions."
"Raven Hunter?" Heron whirled, a thin finger jabbing at Singing Wolf like a dart. "You'd listen to him!" Her eyes narrowed wickedly. "What's happened to you? Has that maggot-mouthed Crow Caller broken all of your Dreaming? Curse you all. There is no life without Dreaming!'''
Singing Wolf's chin stuck out as he mumbled, "Runs In Light nearly Dreamed us to death."
"Idiots." Heron shook her head. "Do you think you're all just eating machines? Huh? That your only purpose here is to eat and make babies to do it all over again after you're
gone? Curse you! No wonder the People are dying! You have to Dream to LIVE!"
"Yes!" Broken Branch cried, clasping her hands together. "See?" She pointed at Heron. "There's Power! There's a Dreamer! Hear how she speaks? Hear the Power? Ha-heeee! Wolf brought us here. Wolf Dream!"
"What of the boy, Wolf Dreamer?" Heron crossed her arms, eyes on Singing Wolf where he looked away, shame creeping up his face.
"He's feeling guilty." Broken Branch waved it away. "We lost one little girl, though the rest of us are here."