"Blueberry also said there were many many Others. More than we could kill . . . more than we could scare."
"Then we'll die anyway. At least waging war will buy us time."
"Time for what?"
"Who knows, maybe for my silly brother to find the hole in the Big Ice. Maybe for the Star People to curse—"
"There's no hole!" Crow Caller growled.
Raven Hunter looked up to meet his hot black eye. ' 'Then we'd better be able to push the Others back."
"How can I help?" The question came low and resentful.
"The People have grown slothful. We have to harden them,
make them tough and resilient so they have the heart to fight. With your Dreams of our success to buoy spirits, we'll raid and win, living off the bounty of the Others' hunt, begetting more young men from their women."
"You upset the ways of the People." Crow Caller shook his head. "Killing and—"
"We don't have a choice." Raven Hunter exhaled on his dart point, breathing spirit into the stone, wood, and binding. "Until your Power returns and you can Dream another way out for us."
"I don't think—"
Raven Hunter slammed a fist into the hides he sat on, a crazed look welling in his eyes. He leaned close to Crow Caller, twisting his head curiously. "What if I do turn the People's way upside down? It'll be much worse if we give up and let the Others kill us. How will one of our women feel when some sweaty Other is parting her legs and making her his second wife?"
"I still don't like it."
"You know of another way? Tell me, I'll listen."
Crow Caller frowned, jaw propped on a fist. "We've no place to go but into the Big Ice. And Runs In Light? Well, I'll die of an Other's dart before I lend anything to him." He shook his head. "I'll tell the young men to go with you. I'll make Power for them. Make it so they know they'll go to the Blessed Star People if they die."
Raven Hunter nodded, a knowing glint in his eye. "I thought you would. We'll do well together, you and I. Indeed, we'll do well. And your Power will return, old friend. Just wait."
Crow Caller resettled himself, fingering his beak nose. "You've got an interest in Dancing Fox."
Raven Hunter shrugged and shifted his gaze to stare at his spirit bundle, tracing the magical lines drawn on the hide with his eyes while he contemplated his answer. The old man's tone hadn't been hostile, only curious and maybe a little jealous. Their current alliance was fragile. Could he risk the truth? Softly, he said, "Does that bother you? You threw her out."
"You argued for her life."
Raven Hunter looked up sharply. "One day she'll be my
wife. I've seen it. I've also seen a child—a powerful child-springing from her womb. I'm sure . . -." His voice faded, eyes going blank for a few moments. "I'm sure it's mine."
"You've Dreamed?"
Raven Hunter ignored the question. "Besides, she amuses me. And despite her shame, there is no other woman who draws me so."
"Dreams? But you're nothing but a boy, just like that brother of yours!"
Raven Hunter clenched the dart shaft, muscles bunching on his forearm. "Beware, Crow Caller. There are worse things than the spirits of the Long Dark. The time when you could call me boy are long gone."
"I meant no harm," Crow Caller clarified quickly, a weak smile on his lips. "Friends shouldn't snap at each other. Not when so much is at stake for the People, eh?"
"And Dancing Fox?"
He opened his arms, shrugging. "What do I care? She
would have left me to go with Runs In Light eventually, any
way. " - -
Raven Hunter nodded, looking half-lidded at Crow Caller. "Then we understand each other."
Chapter 37
Sitting cross-legged in her shelter, a small crackling fire before her, Heron wearily rubbed the back of her neck. Wavering shadows crept over her collection of skulls, accenting the hollow eye sockets and glistening fangs of wolves and bears. The human skull studied her soberly, a macabre understanding in its empty orbits. ,
Yes, you know. The dead see so clearly. Only we who live constantly blind ourselves with trivialities. Tell me, noble dead, will I . . . will I be strong enough ? Can I make the
transition to the Dancer? Or will I fail again? Tell me, kind dead, what vision fills your—
Broken Branch ducked under the hangings, head cocked as she looked at Heron. "He's gone. I walked him down the trail to that big boulder."
She nodded, rumbling nervously with the hem of her caribou skirt as she looked away from the skull. Broken Branch followed the path of her gaze, jaw working uneasily as her eyes slitted. The old woman stiffened, hands going to her hips.