Twenty

Blood Talon might have been in a fouler mood at some time in his life, but he really didn’t remember when.

He sat perched in the bow of a sleek and high-prowed war canoe that he’d “requisitioned” from a group of Fish Clan warriors who’d camped on the mucky sands of the canoe landing. The craft was seven paces in length, could seat three abreast, had a shallow draft, high bow, and squared stern. Six poles, three per side, could be fitted to support a fabric tonneau for protection from the sun or storm.

No one had questioned his authority when he marched up to the freshly delivered baskets of corn, squash, and beans—meant to outfit the expedition—and commandeered what he thought he needed.

The same with blankets, water jars, fish net, rope, and cordage. Then, before it could really settle in between his souls, he ordered his warriors to stash their weapons in the trim vessel, and without further consideration had the war canoe pushed out into the current.

“Shouldn’t be too hard,” he muttered as he stared out at the roiling river. “There’s twenty of us. Won’t be but a day or more before we catch up with a bunch of lazy Traders.”

“Not all of the men are happy, my friend,” Nutcracker whispered as he perched in the bow beside Blood Talon. “They thought they were traveling with the expedition. Hot cooked food, nice large camps, just linger about and make sure that no silly downriver chief messed with the high and mighty. Dress up on occasion in order to impress some backwoods colony and its chief. Now they’re paddling, headed off on some chase.”

Blood Talon looked back at the warriors. They were lined out in ranks of ten on each gunwale. “Here’s how it is: Yes, we’re on our own. Our orders are to make do with what we have, and it won’t be pleasant. But all we need to do is catch up with Lady Night Shadow Star, grab her, and kill the Red Wing. Should have done that last bit back in Red Wing Town and saved everyone a lot of trouble.”

He got laughter for that.

“Once we have her, we paddle our way back to Cahokia, deliver her to the Keeper, and we’re done. We relax. Take a half moon off to enjoy the city again. So, when you think about it, we’re home in less than a moon and all those poor friends of ours are gone for more than a year, maybe two, before they see Cahokia again.”

“Thought Night Shadow Star was doing something for the living god. Us going to get her? That’s not going to have us in trouble with Morning Star?”

“That’s the Keeper’s problem. We’re just following orders.”

But the notion seemed to stick sideways down in his souls. Grabbing Night Shadow Star to be married before the expedition left? Simple. That wasn’t interfering in anyone’s business but Lady Night Shadow Star’s. And it was done with the Four Winds Clan blessing, since Rising Flame herself had ordered the marriage. Dragging her back? That was something else. An event for which he was going to have to plan ahead.

“What are you thinking?” Nutcracker asked, reading his expression from long association.

“I’m wondering what happened to Spotted Wrist.” Blood Talon kept his voice low. “Ever since we returned from the north, it’s like he’s a whole different person.”

“He’s always been ambitious. Of all the Houses, Serpent Woman has traditionally been the weakest. Suddenly he’s the Hero of the North. They make him the Four Winds Clan Keeper. Used to be he’d be invited to Morning Star’s palace before or after a campaign to either plan or celebrate a victory. Now he almost lives there.”

“As I said, he’s different. I wonder if I even know him anymore.”

Nutcracker kept his gaze on the river ahead, adding, “It’s like he’s left the rest of us behind. But remember, he’s the most gifted war leader since Black Tail destroyed Petaga. The man is a master of planning, tactics, and field movements. We’ve always won because he had a better plan for defeating the enemy. For now, he’s fighting on a different battlefield, that’s all.”

“Of course.”

“That doesn’t sound like you really believe it.”

Blood Talon took a deep breath, lowered his voice even further. “Think back over these last couple of weeks. We’ve been following our old friend Spotted Wrist’s orders. Hopping, obeying, hardly getting time to catch our breath. We used to help him plan; we were the ones he tested his ideas against, used us to find the flaws. Now it’s Rising Flame he depends on. We’re not even consulted anymore, and what’s happened?”

“We’re on the river.”

“And nothing’s changed, Nutcracker. Every order he gave was for naught, right down to the burning of the warehouse. Old Blue Heron had the food replaced in a day. The only difference is that instead of us escorting Night Shadow Star and living in plush camps, we’re still chasing her. And probably doing it in defiance of the living god’s wishes. This isn’t like working with the Spotted Wrist we once knew.”

“So?”

“We’re going to follow orders. Bring her back. And then, I’m finished. Back to Snapping Turtle Clan. Offer my services to High Chief Kills Four and Matron Wide Swallow.”

“I see.”

“Yes, you should. This is my last mission for Spotted Wrist.” Blood Talon smiled warily. “Assuming it goes as easily as the war leader thinks it will.”

“Why shouldn’t it?” Nutcracker slapped him on the shoulder. “It’s not so tough. Like you yourself said, all we have to do is run down a bunch of Traders, kill the Red Wing, and take a woman back to Cahokia. What could go wrong?”