It Sleeps in Me by Kathleen O’Neal Gear Read Free Book Online Page B

I did this! It was a poor shot! ”
    Sora had blinked in confusion and answered, “We need the meat, Skinner. Kill it and let’s take it back to your village. Your mother will be proud of you.”
    He’d jerked his chert knife from his belt, wiped his eyes on his sleeve, and slit the fawn’s throat; but as its blood drained out onto the forest floor, Skinner had hung his head and silently wept.
    At the time, she’d wondered how he would ever be able to kill an enemy warrior when he couldn’t even kill a fawn.
    Voices sounded down the hall, and Wink said, “Your problem is easier to solve than you think.”

    “How’s that?”
    “When you see Skinner next time, you can either ask him straightly if he’s a berdache, or just invite him into your bedchamber and see what happens.” She picked up the painted box and headed for the door.
    “Blessed Ancestors, do you have to be so blunt?”
    “Yes,” Wink answered.
    Sora sighed and followed her down the hall to the meeting room at the front of the Matron’s House. The house, which sat upon the second-largest mound in Blackbird Town, measured eighty paces long and thirty wide. Though this mound wasn’t nearly as tall as Sora’s, it still stood three times the height of a man. No torches lit the hallway, but a pale stream of light penetrated around the curtain that draped the front door.
    As she walked, Wink said, “Incidentally, we must do something about young Touches Clouds. He stole his cousin’s knife yesterday.”
    “How many does that make?”
    “Three knives in one moon. Apparently he’s hiding them somewhere, because his family has repeatedly searched his belongings. They’ve found nothing.”
    “Do you think it’s time to arrange a Healing Circle?”
    “Yes. We can’t let this go on. Nothing his uncles say seems to make any difference to him.”
    Touches Clouds was an unruly boy of eight winters. He’d begun stealing about three moons ago, little things at first: a polished bead, a bit of copper, a wooden spoon. His family couldn’t prove he’d taken them, but they suspected the worst by the violent way he reacted when they questioned him about the missing items. His uncles had been counseling him for the past two moons, explaining their values, trying to convince the boy that his actions hurt the people who loved him most. Apparently their words had done no good. It was time to take more dramatic action.
    Sora said, “Make the arrangements. Let me know when the Circle will be held.”

    “Very well. I’ll speak to his uncle this afternoon.”
    But for treason, the Black Falcon People did not punish wrongdoers as other nations did; they almost never killed a criminal. Instead, they gathered him in their arms and told him how much they loved him, all the while explaining how his actions hurt others.
    As they neared the council chamber, Long Fin and Rockfish ducked beneath the front door curtain.
    Rockfish gave her a concerned smile. He’d pulled his gray hair away from his wrinkled face and tied it in back with a cord. His plain brown shirt was cinched at the waist with a bright red sash.
    Long Fin held the chamber door curtain aside for his mother, then Sora.
    As she ducked in, Rockfish whispered, “Are you well? You were up early this morning?”
    “I won’t be well until all these negotiations are over and done.” He squeezed her shoulder gently. “Tell me what I may do to help you.”
    Four benches surrounded the fire hearth. Wink and Long Fin sat on the north bench, to Sora’s left. She and Rockfish sat on the west bench, their backs to the door. A tripod with a tea pot stood at the edge of the fire, near Wink. Cups rested on the hearthstones, keeping warm.
    Long Fin said, “May I dip a cup of tea for anyone?”
    “Yes, I’d like one.” Rockfish smiled his thanks.
    As Long Fin went to the tripod and dipped the ceramic cup full, Rockfish asked, “Did you two have a chance to discuss the strange new stone?”
    Wink and Sora