The People of the Black Sun by W. Michael Gear Read Free Book Online Page B

chance to prove…”
    His voice faded when he noticed Jigonsaseh’s grip tighten on the shaft of her belted war club. CorpseEye was cold tonight. Stone cold. As though the Spirit of the club had sailed far away, to another place and time.
    Anxiety widened Sindak’s dark eyes. “What’s he telling you?” He pointed to CorpseEye.
    â€œNothing. We’re safe. For now.”
    In relief, Sindak sagged against the palisade and exhaled hard. “Don’t do that to me. If my good friend Towa had been here, he would have run screaming.”
    A half-smile turned her lips. “I’d forgotten you once held CorpseEye.” The night you saved my life by throwing me my club. The night you and your best friend fought on my side with great bravery. “How is Towa?”
    â€œHe is well. He married eight summers ago and moved to Riverbank Village. He’s spent most of the past twelve summers off on some wild Trading expedition. In fact, a Flint Trader came through Atotarho Village two moons ago, and said he’d seen Towa carrying a pack of buffalo horn sheaths he’d gotten in the far west. He was headed to the Mountain People villages to Trade them for corn.” He paused and his brows knitted. “However, about one-half moon ago, when the violence intensified, Towa returned home to Riverbank Village.”
    â€œI doubt he found much corn in the Mountain villages, but if he did, he’s a wealthy man now. Most villages have already eaten their seed corn, which means they have nothing to plant next spring.”
    Desperation and despair seemed everywhere. She briefly closed her tired eyes and rubbed them. When she opened her eyes, she found Sindak looking at her solemnly.
    â€œWe are not spies, Matron,” he repeated. “I give you my oath.”
    â€œWill you and your warriors swear an oath of loyalty to the Standing Stone nation?”
    He glanced down at his people. Many of them were staring at him, talking in low voices. “That, Matron, would be treason. Of course not.”
    â€œYour warriors do not consider themselves traitors already? I’m fairly certain the Hills Ruling Council does.”
    â€œWhich Hills Ruling Council?” he countered.
    She tilted her head. “Ah. I see.”
    â€œDo you? Let me explain so that I’m certain we understand each other. We did not turn against our nation. We turned against Atotarho. So far as we are concerned, we follow the rightful leader of the People of the Hills, his daughter, High Matron Zateri.”
    Down in the plaza five people started a round dance, their arms around each other’s waists. As though nothing was wrong in the world, their voices rose in song. One man kept stumbling, laughing.
    The sight left her hollow. Were they still so flushed from yesterday’s “victory” that they thought themselves invincible?
    As though reading the tracks of her souls, Sindak said, “I’m sure you’ve heard the same things I have, but just in case you haven’t, your villagers are saying that it doesn’t matter if Atotarho attacks again, because Sky Messenger will protect the Standing Stone nation.”
    â€œI’ve heard that foolishness, yes.”
    â€œIs it foolishness?” Sindak propped an elbow on the palisade and searched her face.
    â€œYou can’t believe that. He’s just one man.”
    â€œTrue, but I was there when he called the storm. I saw it crash down over the hill, sweeping my army from the battlefield—”
    â€œAnd every other army,” she added.
    Curiosity lit Sindak’s eyes. “You don’t believe he called the storm?”
    â€œWhat I believe is that he is right about this Peace Alliance. That is enough for me.”
    A confused smile creased his lean face. “I wouldn’t let that get around, if I were you. If his own mother does not believe—”
    â€œI believe in peace, Sindak,” she