Seventy-eight

Tonka’tzi Wind sat in her great room, atop her litter where it perched on her dais, and studied her visitors through slitted eyes. Spotted Wrist had a look of triumphant joy. He wore a scarlet cloak over his shoulders, a striking white apron embroidered in black that fell to a point between his knees, and a gleaming copper headpiece, worthy of the Morning Star.

Rising Flame had a painted bunting–feather cape over her shoulders, shell necklaces around her neck that hung down between her full round breasts, and a calf elk–skin skirt, finely tanned and scraped, that clung to her hips. Her hair was up in a matron’s bun, pinned with eagle feathers.

How did this happen?

Looking back, she couldn’t think of a more ironic way to wake up. Over the years, she had awakened to tragedy, to every type of bad news imaginable, to the loss of friends and family, to news of defeat, even catastrophe.

She had never awakened to the reality of being a hostage in her own palace and that her enemies had not only dared to invade her sanctuary but had done so with impunity. The action had been so well handled that she had slept right through her own downfall, and only found out when she’d rolled out of bed, called for her head of household, and saw Spotted Wrist himself come striding through her door, saying, “Ah, up at last, I see. Good. I thought you needed a good night’s sleep.”

“Where is Wild Rose? What are you doing here?”

“Your head of household has the rest of your people preparing breakfast for me and a select few of my warriors. Oh, and don’t bother calling for your guard. They’re currently huddled down on the avenue, trying to figure out what to do with themselves.”

So she’d dressed, surprised that they’d let her mount her dais and adopt the trappings of her office.

Now she sat, the remains of the breakfast she’d forced herself to eat like a stone in her stomach as she considered Spotted Wrist and Rising Flame. She found it ominous that they were the only two allowed in the room.

The Keeper was saying, “… nothing changes. This afternoon, escorted by my warriors, you will be transported to the Council House to conduct the city’s business with the Pacaha, Tunica, and Quigualtam embassies. There are also messengers who have arrived from several of the colonies. I suspect you’ll get an update from the Cofitachequi expedition, perhaps even word on the progress of your niece.” He paused. “If you hear anything about Squadron First Blood Talon and my warriors, please alert me first thing.

“Other than that,” he continued, stepping close to fix her with his hard stare, “be careful. You do understand careful, don’t you? It means that for the moment you are useful. I need you here, doing what you do. It’s called creating the illusion of stability and continuity.”

Rising Flame had stood with her arms crossed, one slim leg forward. Periodically she cast emotionless glances at Spotted Wrist, and then at Wind. Whatever was going on behind her expressionless face, Wind couldn’t tell.

Spotted Wrist added, “Actually, the transition should come as a relief. Your life just got a whole lot easier. You can sleep late, don’t have to worry yourself sick about House or Clan politics. All you need to do is show up when asked and do as you are told. Simple, really.”

He paused. “So simple that if you fail to do as I’m requesting, if I discover that you’re unable to follow instructions, or are working against me, you will be replaced. No matter how inconvenient it would be for me. You see, Green Chunkey, down at Horned Serpent Town, is hoping that you fail. If you do, if you give me the slightest reason, he’s the next tonka’tzi.”

So that was what you promised him? But then, it would have had to have been something good to overcome the bitterness between the two Houses after the near bloodshed they’d teetered on late last fall.

“That should just about cover it.” Spotted Wrist turned to go, hesitated, and looked back. “Oh, and one more thing. My people detained one of those pesky Red Wing women last night. The ones your sister took in. She showed up at a most unimaginable time. Middle of the night. I thought about hanging her in a square, but I’m offering her to you. Consider it a peace offering of sorts.”

“I’ll take her.”

“Odd how your lineage has this predilection for heretics. I’ll have the section first in charge of your palace send her in to you.”

Purposefully, he strode across the large room and out into the day.

“I find myself moderately surprised that I woke up alive this morning,” Wind told Rising Flame. “Is the Hero of the North slipping?”

“He let you live at my request,” Rising Flame told her, face still emotionless. “I made the point that when Blue Heron and Columella brought their grievances to you, you could have condemned him, sided entirely with your sister. Instead, despite family, you ordered each side to settle it. I emphasized that despite family ties, you were acting for the good of the city.” The first flicker of emotion crossed her brow. “Please don’t prove me wrong.”

“What’s happening out there? I’m cut off. Essentially a prisoner. My recorders, messengers, household staff, everyone’s missing.”

“For a couple of days now, Spotted Wrist has been assembling his squadrons. I was informed late yesterday. He moved on River House last night. By this morning, if all went according to plan, Three Fingers is sitting on the high chief’s chair at the River Mounds City palace. I haven’t a clue what they decided to do about War Duck, Round Pot, and their children.

“Another of his squadrons marched all night to take positions around the Great Plaza; some, as you know, control your palace. Others are occupying the Council House and courtyard, which controls access to Morning Star’s palace. They also took control of the Four Winds Clan House, the Men’s House, and the Recorders’ Society.”

“What about Morning Star?”

“They’re leaving him alone for the time being. Spotted Wrist isn’t sure what Morning Star’s relationship is with Five Fists. Until he knows for certain, he’s not going to move on the war leader. He is, however, monitoring who goes up and down from Morning Star’s palace. Ensuring that orders aren’t given to the Morning Star squadron that would end in an unfortunate effusion of blood.”

“I see.”

“The bulk of Spotted Wrist’s forces, however, are headed to River Mounds to control the canoe landing and to build strength before moving on Evening Star House.”

Wind closed her eyes, struggled for breath. “You heard Columella. She’ll make a fight of it. Is that what you want?”

Rising Flame’s full mouth narrowed to a distasteful pucker. “Cahokia needs new blood. The old Houses were in a constant state of chaos. The Keeper says he can bring harmony.”

“He took the city!”

“Why are you surprised? He worked out exactly how to do it at Red Wing Town.”

“And you just let him?”

“Life was a great deal simpler back when you were clan matron. You never had to face the question: What do you do when a charismatic and much too ambitious war leader returns from the field with three fanatically loyal squadrons who will follow his every order? My first concern was to ensure that Serpent Woman House and Horned Serpent House didn’t go to war. Appointing him Keeper, with his warriors to back him up, ensured that.”

“But you created a monster.”

Rising Flame shrugged, a calculating look behind her eyes. “I spent most of my youth among the Nations in the south. Those who are unified, who don’t fight among themselves, are great and lasting. When Black Tail founded the Houses, he seeded dry rot into our system. My first challenge as clan matron was stopping a war between the Houses. Spotted Wrist was my tool to do that. I didn’t expect he’d take things nearly this far. Whether it was right or wrong, I’ll just have to see. But for the time being, with the exception of Evening Star House, the Four Winds Clan is at peace. And as for Columella, if I have to turn Spotted Wrist loose to crush her House, I’ll do it.”

“I’ll be interested to see if you can control this cougar you have on your leash.”

Rising Flame shrugged. “Time, and perhaps the Morning Star, will tell. In the meantime, I very sincerely suggest that you heed the Keeper’s warning and do as he says. I won’t be able to save you a second time. As it is, there’s been a fire at Blue Heron’s palace. It’s still too hot to see if she was inside or not. When it cools we’ll be able to search for bodies. I wouldn’t get my hopes up, however. If she had made it out, one would think she’d have raised the alarm, be on the avenue, giving orders. But no one reports seeing her.”

Wind sat stunned as the woman turned on her heel and left. For what seemed an eternity she remained motionless on her litter, her stare vacant as she tried to absorb the enormity of her loss.