People of the Wolf(99)

"It's Wolf Dreamer!" One Who Cries shouted back, lifting a hand to wave.

He waved back, a smile lighting his deeply tanned face. The band trudged up to meet him.

"Well," Singing Wolf said, puffing out his cheeks. "We're here. I can't say how much I dreamed of this little valley in the last year." He turned, smiling. "It's good to see you, Wolf Dreamer."

"And you, cousin," he said, clapping the man gently on the shoulder. "Seeing you kindles a warmth in my breast. How was the Renewal?"

Singing Wolf exchanged a glance with One Who Cries before lowering his eyes to frown at the icy ground.

Wolf Dreamer tensed, gaze roving the People. So many new women. He studied them, sullen, bent under heavy burdens, eyes filled with hatred. The dogs were packed, even the puppies. So much baggage? For only a seasonal migration? He spied Mouse; she'd remarried to Three Falls. Her hair was cut short. Quickly he looked over the group. So many widows.

"What's happened?"

One Who Cries said through a long exhale, "The People are in trouble."

"What kind?"

' 'Raven Hunter raided the camps of the Others all summer." Singing Wolf looked away. "I went with him, once. I saw things that sickened me."

"Have they returned the attacks? Is that why so many of the women—"

"Yes, many times. All the clans are suffering. Our own young men are running off to defend their villages or avenge -deaths even as we speak."

An ache touched Wolf Dreamer's stomach. He whispered, "During the Long Dark? That's crazy. No one can survive."

"Crow Caller," One Who Cries said reluctantly, "is promising the warriors spirit protection from the Soul Eaters."

His gut twisted at the name. He clenched his fists tightly to still the rising tide of emotion. "Don't they know by now he's a false Dreamer?"

Singing Wolf lightly kicked an ice-encrusted rock rooted to the ridge top. "Your brother has convinced most otherwise."

"Blessed Star People!" He squeezed his eyes shut, concentrating on the chill breath of Wind Woman flooding his face and flapping his hood. "Heron will know what to do. Come, let's seek her counsel."

"Are you sure she won't mind us being around?" Singing Wolf moaned. "We don't want her mad at us."

"She sent me to find you. She won't mind—at least not for a while.''

In relief, Singing Wolf and One Who Cries laughed and

nodded, heading up the trail. People straggled behind them, the Other women casting hard looks at him as they labored past. Green Water herded several small children.

She smiled as she climbed to stand beside him. "You're looking well, Runs In ... Wolf Dreamer."

He returned her smile feebly, wanting desperately to ask about Dancing Fox, but frightened of the answer. "You too, Green Water," he said lamely.

She laid a tender hand on his sleeve, a pained look in her soft brown eyes. "She's not here."

"She stayed with—"

"No. It's a long story."

"Tell me."

"She followed you, ran away."

"What ..." The air went out of his lungs. She tried to come to me. "What stopped her?"

"Your brother found her before she escaped and dragged her back to Crow Caller.''

Hatred welled hotly. His brother . . . always trying to hurt him. "What happened then?"

"Crow Caller accused her of adultery and cast her out. Raven Hunter . . . took 'care' of her." She tilted her head awkwardly, face downcast.

"Are you trying to tell me he . . ."

She lifted her eyes to probe his apologetically. "He kept her alive."

No! His own brother had raped the woman he loved? He rubbed hands roughly over his face, hiding his shock and disgust. "Raven Hunter. Everything comes back to Raven Hunter."

Green Water chewed her lip for a moment, looking at him from reserved, pool-like eyes. "She is coming."

His gaze shot to the trail and he took a halting step forward. She caught his arm.

"It won't be for a while."

"Why? Where is she?"

"Talon befriended her after Crow Caller cursed her soul. Together they left the camps, lived for a while in exile. Now she comes here, fleeing Raven Hunter's robes. Talon left the band to go off and die. Fox went looking for her and found

us the next morning, saying she would stay with her friend until the end."

"The storms are coming!"

Green Water pulled him back by the sleeve as he started up the trail. "She'll be fine. She's . . . well, not the girl you once knew. The last year has hardened her, like a good dart shaft in fire. She's fine out there. The girl you knew is gone ... as is the young man she once smiled at."