People of the Wolf(97)

Ice Fire's thoughts drifted, mind leaping space and time to imagine the pretty girl doing chores in the camps of the Enemy. The thought of her there left a burning resentment in his stomach. They'd have raped her by now. For all he knew, she already carried a child in her young womb. Pray to the Great Mystery they hadn't hurt her.

He'd become so lost in his thoughts, it took Broken Shaft

clearing his throat to bring him back. He looked up, somewhat startled to see the stew depleted by several horns, the haggard Broken Shaft looking respectfully his way.

"You have been to the Round Hoof Clan? And to the Tiger Belly Clan, too?"

Broken Shaft nodded, slipping into formal tones. "Yes, Most Respected Elder. The tidings are mostly good. Some of the pressure is easing to the west. Something happened out there. The Glacier People are moving south along the coast. Some of the other tribes are moving north still, others . are slowing as our clans hunt out the game. The Great Mystery also punishes those who seek to drive us. Some terrible disease, a sickness of the soul, wastes their warriors. Oozing sores cover their bodies. For the moment, they aren't fighting as fiercely as before."

Ice Fire digested that, lost in thought. "Then our clans didn't lose so much land this year?"

"No. In fact, we gained some back." Broken Shaft grimaced and shook his head, glancing briefly at Red Flint.

Ice Fire followed his gaze, noting the older man's absent-prodding of the fire with a willow branch. He turned back to Broken Shaft. "What's bothering you?"

The warrior raised his eyebrows expressively. "The salt water, Most Respected Elder.''

"The salt water?"

Broken Shaft gazed nervously at the fire for a moment. "The land between the Round Hoof and Tiger Bellies." He shook his head. ' 'Smoke and I passed at the beginning of the Long Light and traveled through Buffalo Clan to the Tiger Bellies. On the way back, not more than two moons ago, I tried to follow the same trail with Caribou Foot of the Buffalo Clan. The water had covered the old route. We had to go several days' journey to the north. It's eerie, plants sticking up as the water covers them. The land is narrower through there now. The northern salt water moves south, too. The seas are trying to meet. Not only that, but Caribou Foot tells me the rivers have never been so full. Half his clan were cut off from the dancing this year by the great western river. You know, the one that runs out of the other side of these mountains to the west. Not even the strongest and bravest would try to cross the swollen flood."

"So soon ..." Ice Fire reflected to himself, a tendril of anxiety winding through him. A sweet child's voice penetrated his mind. His gaze drifted slowly to the sea bundle. "Is that it?" he whispered, eyes narrowing. "It's happening sooner than I'd thought?"

Broken Shaft swallowed uneasily. "What is, Elder?"

Ice Fire continued staring at the green and blue bundle, but it had hushed again. Blinking, he looked back to the warrior. ' 'The seas are going to cut us off from the Glacier People."

"How?"

"By flooding the land."

Broken Shaft sat still and somber. "What if the water cuts us off from the Tiger Bellies? They're pushing back into land abandoned by the Glacier People."

Ice Fire lifted his shoulders in a shrug. "Then they'll have to face the Glacier People alone—as well as this horrible disease."

Broken Shaft swallowed and shifted, eyes turning to his darts. "If the water is going to drown the world, are we safe?"

"Don't worry about it. You'll be long dead by the time it follows us this far." He smiled, glancing at the bundle from the corner of his eye. Won't he?

Red Flint licked his lips and straightened. "Are the other clans sending warriors to help us fight the Enemy? We have to get our families back!" Viciously, he slammed a fist into the dirt floor.

Broken Shaft lowered his eyes as Ice Fire reached a comforting hand across to squeeze his friend's shoulder. "We'll get her back," he softly affirmed.

Red Flint relaxed a little, nodding tensely. "I . . .1 know, Elder."

Ice Fire released his grip reluctantly, asking, "How many are coming?"

"Many," Broken Shaft said certainly. "With the Glacier People going south to take the land of the sick tribes, there is no one brave to fight. Warriors from all the clans are on their way here, to find honor fighting the Enemy with us."

Red Flint nodded again, a fist clenched. "This year, our warriors will win the Sacred White Hide back for our clan."

Broken Shaft grinned. ' 7 plan on it.''

Ice Fire smiled proudly. The hide was the sacred center of the tribe, the heart of the people, the promise of survival. Without the supreme Power of the hide, the Mammoth People would cease to exist. Each Long Light, it passed to the clan that had shown the most valor, gained the most honor for the tribe.