The Dawn Country(37)
“—while three or four others dart into camp and drag off our packs, or maybe one of the children,” Sindak finished.
Despite the care they’d taken to be quiet, Wakdanek sat up in his blanket and expelled a long breath. “Where are they?”
Sindak pointed to the undergrowth of bayberry. “Over there. Why?”
Wakdanek threw aside his blanket and rose to his feet. The roughhewn angles of his gaunt face looked eerie in the moonlight. Almost … not human. More like a carved wooden mask. His size added to the effect. Towa and Sindak both had to look up to him. “Why don’t you two build up the fire while I handle this?”
Sindak blinked. “What do you mean ‘handle’ it?”
“Just wait here.”
Wakdanek stalked toward the trees, and Sindak said, “Do you think he’s going over there to scold them?”
“Maybe he’s the one with the death wish. I say we circle around behind the bayberries, just in case he needs rescuing.”
“You’re in favor of rescuing a Dawnland warrior?”
“It’ll give me more time to consider what else I want to say to you,” Towa said, and silently trotted south, toward the deer trail they’d followed to get here.
Sindak grumbled and tiptoed into camp to gently lay a few branches on the glowing coals. In less than ten heartbeats, flames licked up and sparks flitted into the night sky. Sindak waited for someone to wake. No one did.
When Towa slipped into the striped forest shadows, guilt overwhelmed Sindak’s good sense. He trotted to the north and entered the trees just above where the wolves congregated. Black shapes slipped through the darkness less than ten paces away.
Strangely, the Dawnland Healer never bothered to turn around and see where Sindak and Towa were. He marched straight ahead with his jaw clenched. When he reached the edge of the bayberries, Wakdanek started whimpering. It was a low pathetic sound, like a hungry pup calling for its mother.
The wolves pricked their ears. Sindak saw one, probably the lead female, lift a foot uncertainly and peer directly at Wakdanek.
“My brothers,” Wakdanek said softly. “I saw a herd of deer just beyond that rise over there.” He pointed. “Please go hunt them. We are your relatives. We don’t want to harm you.”
Sindak sneaked around until he could see two big males hiding behind a head-high pile of windblown leaves that had frozen against a rock outcrop. Wakdanek stood five paces from them. Had they wanted, the animals could have knocked him down and gutted him before he’d run three steps.
One of the wolves barked at Wakdanek; then the entire pack let loose in a spine-tingling chorus.
The skin at the back of Sindak’s neck crawled. He cautiously worked his way over to where Towa stood.
When Sindak got close enough, he could see Towa’s wide-eyed expression. He whispered, “You look petrified.”
“No. I’m just annoyed that my bladder is weaker than I thought.”
The eerie bark-howling conversation continued for another twenty heartbeats; then Wakdanek let out an authoritative series of barks, and the pack went utterly silent. As a final act, Wakdanek started growling. The low deep-throated sound made Sindak long to run. The sensation of threat rode the air.
Sindak watched in disbelief as the female loped away, followed by most of the pack. The two big males remained for a time longer; then they, too, chased after the pack.
Wakdanek propped his hands on his hips and expelled a breath. He made no moves to return to camp. He just stared out at where the wolves trotted away through the darkness.
Sindak softly called, “Do you do cat calls? I’ve always wanted to shoot a cougar.”
Wakdanek jumped when Sindak walked out of the shadows five paces from him.
The Healer squinted. “I didn’t even see you out there! Where’s your frien—”
“Here.” Towa stepped from the trees to Wakdanek’s left.
Wakdanek swung around so fast he stumbled and put a hand to his heart. “Blessed Spirits.”
“So … ,” Towa said. “We scared you, but the wolves didn’t?”
“I am Wolf Clan. Wolves are my brothers. I find humans a lot more frightening.”
“Oh. Me, too. I’m a warrior.” Sindak frowned when Wakdanek didn’t respond. He made an airy gesture with his war club. “As you are, yes?”
“I’m a Healer,” Wakdanek replied. “For me there is no glory in wounding or killing people.”
Towa said, “You must find that truly mystifying, eh, Sindak?”
Sindak scratched the back of his neck with his war club. “Yes. The only joy in war is coming home to a woman with wide adoring eyes who wants to know how many people you killed.”