Tykota had been suffering agonizing stomach cramps, and although he was well enough now to leave his chamber, he had not yet regained his strength. He hoped he would not shame himself before his father by showing weakness. He took a deep breath to ease the pain still gnawing inside him. It wasn't often that he was allowed into his father's council room, and he did not know what to expect.
Valatar gave a small smile in encouragement. "Sit beside me, my son. The matters we discuss this night concern you."
Tykota stared at his stepmother and his two half brothers. Why were they standing before the chief when he was allowed to sit? Perhaps it was because he had been so ill.
Valatar turned his attention to the gathered elders. "You all know why I have called you here today. Petera, step forward."
Sullenly, she obeyed.
Valatar continued speaking. "Know you this, Petera-I have judged you to be a criminal, without honor. Therefore, you will be sent from this place to dwell once more among your own people."
She glared at Valatar. "You would shame me so?"
"You have brought shame upon yourself and your sons, who must share in your disgrace. Although they may share your guilt, I shall allow them to remain in Valle de la Luna. But henceforth let no man honor them."
Tykota gasped. He did not know why his two brothers should be shunned by the tribe or why their mother should be sent away.
He met the pale gaze of the white man, who seemed to be studying him intently. George Silverhorn smiled at him and nodded. Tykota was troubled and turned back to his father.
Valatar was now speaking to Tykota's half brothers. "If either of you choose, you may go with your mother. But know this: If you remain, neither of you are to call me Father."
Tears stung Tykota's eyes. Why was his father doing this? He felt pain in his heart because of the humiliation his half brothers were suffering. He met Petera's gaze, and she glared at him with hatred. He did not know his stepmother very well because he had lived mainly with Mangas since his own mother's death. But only a week ago Petera had brought him honey cakes, and, at her urging, he had eaten them all to please her.
His father was speaking again, this time directly to Petera. "You know why I send you away."
Her gaze bore venomously into Tykota. "I know."
"You wanted my son by my first wife to die so that one of your sons would one day be chief. Do you deny this?"
"You have already found the poisonous berries in my bedroll. Why should I deny it?"
Valatar's eyes narrowed, and she actually took a quick step backward.
"If you were a Perdenelas," he said fiercely, "you would have to die for what you did to my son."
"You have three sons," she replied through clenched teeth. "But you have never seen my sons as a father should. You think only of your poor, dead Llena and the son and daughter she gave you. I spit on you all!"
"These two are your sons, woman. I no longer know them." His eyes shifted to Coloradous, then to Sinica. "I do not know if either of you caused the other two accidents that almost took Tykota's life, but I have my suspicions that one of you aided your mother in this effort. If I know for sure who was guilty, he would die." He waved them away. "Leave me now. Go from my sight!"
Tykota's brow furrowed. Before his illness, he had been pushed into the deepest, swiftest part of the river by someone he had not seen, but he had managed to swim ashore. Did his father think his stepmother and half brothers were responsible?
Without thinking, Tykota jumped to his feet. "Please do not send them away, Father. You are wrong about my brothers."
Valatar's expression was fearsome, and his voice held a sharp reprimand. "Do not speak further of this, Tykota! I have made my judgment, and that is how it will be."
His eyes shining earnestly, the young boy said, "I do not believe Sinica or Coloradous would harm me-I am their brother!"
Sinica stared into Tykota's eyes with such a deep, dark hatred that Tykota drew back.
Coloradous hung his head and stepped forward. "Even though I bear shame for what my mother has done, I wish to remain with my people, Fathe-I do not wish to live with the Apache. Valle de la Luna is my home."
For a moment Valatar's eyes seemed to hold pity that he had judged his sons so harshly. Perhaps the guilt belonged to their mother alone.
Then Sinica spoke. "I go with my mother, and I am glad to leave this place. I curse the blood in my body that came from the Perdenelas. If it were possible, I would drain that part away."
Valatar stood, speaking in a decisive voice. "Go from my sight. Petera and Sinica, you will leave tonight and never show your faces here again. Coloradous, you may stay in the Valle de la Luna, if you choose, but my judgment stands."