Sixteen

Turned out that getting into the Morning Star’s great mound complex wasn’t the hard part. Lady Night Shadow Star had given him free use of her palace and its assets. This included not only the finest of noble dress, warm robes, furs, and jewelry, but the ability to choose from a couple of Four Winds Clan staffs of office.

While Green Stick, Winter Leaf, and Clay String wailed at the impropriety of it, Seven Skull Shield was able to dress himself like a noble, paint his face, and brandish a staff of office like it was a grass flail.

The hard part was leaving Farts behind. He and the dog had shared some of the most outlandish adventures.

“This time, you stay behind, my friend,” he told the panting and drooling dog. Bending down on one knee, he mussed the canine’s floppy ears, only to wince at the fetid breath issuing from the beast’s mouth.

Farts watched him with his odd blue-and-brown eyes, the big tail slashing back and forth, knocking a water jar from one of the benches to spill on the matting.

“You don’t mean to leave that … that thing here?” Winter Leaf asked shrilly.

“Well, if he goes along, I’m not making it past the guards at the bottom of the stairs, right? What Four Winds noble do you know who goes everywhere with a big Spirit dog like this one? So, keep him here. Keep him out of trouble. Willow Blossom, you know Farts, don’t let him out.”

“What if he has to go?” she asked. “You saw how much water he drank.”

“That was my cooking water,” Winter Leaf told him through gritted teeth.

“Well, don’t leave it just sitting unattended on the floor like that.”

“I have to throw what’s left out now.”

“Oh, come on. You’re going to boil it, right? Surely a little dog spit doesn’t affect the taste.”

Winter Leaf had her fists clenched at her sides, her body literally shaking. “This is impossible! What did we ever do to the lady to deserve this?”

“Must have been something good,” Seven Skull Shield told her as he climbed to his feet. “She wouldn’t turn a place like this over to just any old thief. She wanted someone outstanding.”

He stepped to the door, setting it aside, and waved for Farts to stay. “I mean it, don’t let him out.”

And with that, Seven Skull Shield set the door back in place behind him.

He peered out through the falling snow. Cahokia was oddly silent, the only sound the soft shishing patter of flakes as they landed on the accumulation.

Seven Skull Shield plodded across the yard, nodded to the snow-capped guardian statues. For once neither Piasa nor Horned Serpent looked very dangerous, their heads mounded in soft white caps of snow. Made them almost look cuddly.

The stairs leading down to the avenue were treacherous. He picked his way one step at a time, feeling the first chill as it ate into the gaps in his clothing. The fine scarlet shirt he’d found in a box was too small.

“That was her first husband’s!” Green Stick had cried in dismay. “You can’t wear that!”

The garment was the only appropriate raiment that came close to fitting. As if Makes Three would care. He’d been dead for years now, his soul disposed of in the Underworld by Fire Cat before Spotted Wrist’s army had paid Red Wing Town a reprisal visit.

At the base of the stairs, Seven Skull Shield slopped his way through the wet snow to the Avenue of the Sun, then along the Great Mound’s base to the snow-cold guards and miserable porters. The latter stood, stamped, batted the snow from their soaked clothing, and shivered as they awaited their masters.

“I bear a message from the Lady Night Shadow Star for the Morning Star,” Seven Skull Shield announced with a flourish and lifted his staff as if it were an invincible weapon.

“Go on,” the guard told him. “Watch out for the steps, had one bad fall already tonight. Bear Clan chief from down south. Got lucky, just broke his leg.”

Seven Skull Shield tested each step, climbing carefully. At the Council House Gate he repeated his claim, was admitted to the Council House courtyard. The climb up the Great Staircase to the Morning Star’s rarefied domain actually unnerved him as wind pasted snow against his clothing and sought to topple him off the slippery and snow-packed wooden steps.

At Morning Star’s palisade gate, the guard, snow-caked and shivering, took one look at the staff and waved him through.

Here and there people huddled in the high courtyard. Snow stuck to one side of the World Tree pole, its top lost in the dark and swirling flakes.

Before entering the palace, Seven Skull Shield hesitated at the great double doors. Little tufts of snow clung to the deeply engraved image of Morning Star.

Did he really want to do this? He could just turn around, head back to the warmth and safety of Night Shadow Star’s palace. Bury himself in Willow Blossom’s soft and welcoming body. Then, in the morning, he could wander the short distance up the avenue to Blue Heron’s palace and ask her what to do.

Nerves weren’t one of his normal responses. He’d sneaked into countless palaces, stolen from some of the most dangerous people in Cahokia, and brazenly courted disaster since he was a snot-nosed kid. But this was different. Sure, he’d been seated across from the living god a time or two, but always in the company of Blue Heron or at the invitation of Night Shadow Star.

This time he’d be going in alone. Literally into the god’s lair. Not as an observer, but as one of the players. Not to mention one who stood right out front. This time he wasn’t working from the shadows, nor was there a safe line of retreat. It was him, alone, in a world he didn’t really like, let alone fully understand.

What if they don’t like Night Shadow Star’s message? Wouldn’t be the first time it got taken out on the messenger.

If only she hadn’t trusted him.

Seven Skull Shield made a face, hated the roiling in his stomach—full as it was with Night Shadow Star’s food—and with a sigh, pushed open the door and slipped into the warmth.

He took a moment, caught his bearings.

Lots of nobles, of course. Many seated, sharing food from large wooden platters. The women were perfectly dressed, hair done, pale shell necklaces at their throats, and faces painted. The same with the men.

Just this side of the fire sat Matron Rising Flame, her hands gesturing as she discussed something with Spotted Wrist. Some of the other nobles were people Seven Skull Shield could only place by their clan insignia. Warriors stood in ranks along each wall, watching the proceedings with bored eyes.

Across the fire, Morning Star reclined on his litter while a pretty young woman dressed in fine fabrics, her hair piled high and pinned, plucked meat from a turkey thigh and plopped it into his mouth.

And here came Five Fists. The lop-jawed old warrior pinned Seven Skull Shield with hard eyes as he crossed the intricately woven matting. He stopped before Seven Skull Shield and fixed on the staff.

“I know you.” The old warrior grinned; crooked as his jaw was, it didn’t come off as friendly. “Tow rope. That thief we were sent after. Blue Heron’s … what? Spy? Confidant?” A pause. “Thieves aren’t welcome here. Bad choice if you were thinking of lifting wealth from anyone, let alone the living god. And you’d better have a most convincing explanation for why you are carrying Makes Three’s staff.”

“Listen, I don’t want to be here any more than you want me here. Lady Night Shadow Star sent me with a message for the Morning Star. The staff was to get me past the guards.”

“What message?”

“She said to tell Morning Star that she’s chosen her own way to deal with the problem in the east. One way or another. And that Morning Star would understand. So, if you’ll just go tell—”

“What problem?”

“She didn’t tell me. She had that spooky look like she gets when Piasa is talking to her.”

“Why didn’t she come to tell the living god herself?”

“She’s gone.”

“Where?”

“Didn’t tell me. So there, you know. I’ve done my duty. That being the case, I’ll be more than happy to leave your high and exalted company and remove any temptation you might have to—”

“War Leader?” Morning Star’s voice carried across the room, silencing the conversations. “Who comes?”

Seven Skull Shield made a face as he felt that knot in his stomach begin to turn runny.

Five Fists answered, “The thief, Seven Skull Shield, Lord. He comes bearing a message from Lady Night Shadow Star.”

“Bring him forward.” Morning Star had now fixed his hard, black eyes on Seven Skull Shield.

The fleeting thought ran through Seven Skull Shield’s souls that he could charge, smash Five Fists off his feet, pivot, and sprint like a terrified fox for the gate and stairway. Maybe leap onto the mound’s slope, hope he could slide down on the thick wet snow and not kill himself when he hit the bottom.

But even as he did, two warriors were closing in from either side to act as an escort when Five Fists led the way forward. All eyes in the palace were fixed on him. He felt like an orphan fawn being led to slaughter before the solstice feast—and the hungry diners were watching his every move in anticipation.

Five Fists stopped before the great fire, stepped to the side, and, when Seven Skull Shield hesitated, the warriors behind propelled him forward.

Had he ever felt so alone, vulnerable, almost naked and defenseless?

“Prostrate yourself, fool,” Five Fists hissed before giving Seven Skull Shield a shove. Burning with embarrassment, Seven Skull Shield dropped and touched his forehead to the matting.

“Rise. What message do you bear?” Morning Star asked, leaning forward on his litter. The living god propped an elbow on his knee, painted face with its forked-eye design done in black and white. The shell masks in the form of human heads gleamed where they covered his ears.

Seven Skull Shield, figuring he was dead already, stood, shrugged. “L-Lady Night Shadow Star w-would like you to know that she has decided to deal with the problem in her own way. She said to tell you that she’d handle it. One way or another. That you’d know what she was talking about.”

The fire snapped and shot sparks into the air, the only sound in the room.

Morning Star studied Seven Skull Shield, something cunning behind his eyes. “What are your thoughts, thief? Do you think she means it?”

Means what?

Think!

Seven Skull Shield pulled up all the courage he could muster. “Whatever this is all about, Lord, my impression was that she’s determined. There wasn’t any give in her.”

Both Spotted Wrist and Rising Flame had clambered to their feet and were fixed on him the way a hawk fixed on a fat rabbit.

“When did she leave?” Morning Star asked.

“About midday.”

“And you just came to tell me?”

“I would have come immediately, Lord. I was in the process when a bunch of warriors showed up figuring they were going to grab her. They tore her palace up looking for her. Someone had to make sure those warriors didn’t steal the lady blind. Green Stick would have let them have—”

“Stop. Go back. What do you mean she’s gone?” Rising Flame demanded.

“She, uh, left.”

“Headed where?” Spotted Wrist stepped forward, a fist clasped before him. “And who are you? What are you doing with Makes Three’s staff of office? You’re not Bear Clan, and no noble I know.”

“He’s Blue Heron’s thief,” Rising Flame said. “The one she keeps around for entertainment. One of her spies. A clanless bit of human flotsam.” She smiled, eyes hard. “And not the sort that Night Shadow Star would leave to keep an eye on her things while reputable warriors were around.”

Seven Skull Shield shrugged, a cold sweat breaking out as people around the room began whispering back and forth.

Spotted Wrist reached out. “Give me Makes Three’s staff, thief.”

“Not mine to give.” Seven Skull Shield hoped his voice wasn’t the quavering warble he feared it was. “Lady Night Shadow Star said to tell anyone who objected that I was acting as her agent. You got a problem with that, you’ll have to take it up with her when she gets back.”

Spotted Wrist took another step, only to have Five Fists impose himself, breastbone to breastbone, and locked eye to eye.

“Stand down, Clan Keeper,” Morning Star said softly. “This man is a messenger in the service of Night Shadow Star. You do not seize a messenger’s staff, no matter to whom it once belonged.”

Spotted Wrist turned to Morning Star, hands out, imploring. “Lord, we’re to believe that Night Shadow Star, of all people, would leave a known thief unsupervised in her palace? Seriously?”

Seven Skull Shield finally managed to get a swallow down his too-tight throat.

“War Leader Five Fists,” Morning Star spoke reasonably, “you have had dealings with the thief in the past. Have you any doubts about his service to Night Shadow Star?”

This is it. I’m dead.

Five Fists had never been anything close to sympathetic when it came to Seven Skull Shield—not that he’d started with a good impression that day when Blue Heron first found him in the shell carvers’ workshop. Calling him “tow rope” was ample reminder of that.

Which meant Seven Skull Shield was going to have to make a break for it. Maybe get his hands on one of the warriors’ war clubs before they knew what was happening. Do his best to take as many with him as he could before …

To Seven Skull Shield’s total surprise, Five Fists said, “Night Shadow Star sent Blue Heron to find the thief when Walking Smoke was murdering Four Winds Clan nobles right and left, Lord. He played an important role in bringing that to a conclusion. He has served Morning Star House since.”

“Preposterous!” Rising Flame hissed loudly enough that half the room heard it.

Somehow Seven Skull Shield managed to keep from wincing.

The living god, who had been staring thoughtfully at Seven Skull Shield, shot an irritated look at Rising Flame. “Do you wish to contradict the war leader, Clan Matron? Perhaps explain how Five Fists might be in error?”

“No, Lord. My apologies.”

“I don’t understand,” Spotted Wrist groused. “Lord, granted, the Cofitachequi expedition is delayed, but it is still under the command of Lady Night Shadow Star. She most assuredly isn’t shedding her responsibility for the expedition. I need to know her whereabouts.”

“Why?” Seven Skull Shield blurted. “So you can send Blood Talon and twenty warriors to kidnap her like some petty chief’s daughter? What’s wrong? Can’t find a woman who wants you?”

Snickers ran through the crowd. Spotted Wrist turned a shade of red.

Five Fists was glaring his own reprimand.

“Sorry,” Seven Skull Shield muttered. “Shouldn’t have noted the obvious.”

“I’ll give you one chance, fool,” Spotted Wrist said through gritted teeth, a promise of death in his eyes. “Where is she?”

“Gone,” Seven Skull Shield said warily. He glanced at Morning Star, the god taking in every nuance of the interplay. “My suspicion, Lord? This thing that has to be dealt with in Cofitachequi? After watching the expedition assemble? She’s hired a canoe and gone to deal with it in her own way. Fast. Simple. And effective.”

Morning Star’s lips quivered in a knowing smile. “I suspect so. Thank you for delivering the lady’s message. You may go on about your duties for her.”

Seven Skull Shield dropped to his knees, touched his head to the matting, and rose. Spotted Wrist’s glare was as dark and cutting as obsidian. Rising Flame’s jaw was locked, her eyes drawn down to angry slits. Ooh, no love there.

As Five Fists led Seven Skull Shield to the rear, under his breath he said, “You’re either an idiot, or you have a death wish. Spotted Wrist’s never going to forget this night.”

“Why’d you back me?”

“I don’t like you. Don’t approve of you. But you have your uses, thief.”

“I’ll remember you said that.”

They were at the door, Five Fists throwing it open enough that Seven Skull Shield could slip out into the snow. As Seven Skull Shield hurried out, the old warrior added, “I’m tempted to say remember this night. But a memory is something you get to keep over time. And after tonight, time is something I don’t think you’ve got a lot of.”

The door closed, leaving Seven Skull Shield shaken down to his bones in a way he’d never been. Out in the darkness. And falling snow.