Death in the Time of Ice (23 page)

The herd he tracked was joined by other small herds and grew large. It became a huge herd, but kept running in the same direction.

The good tracker finally had to turn around and return to his village. But he felt they would keep running. The Storyteller of his tribe had the opinion that the horses were going to the place where the Hamapa came from in ancient times. They would go, he said, far to the north and across a narrow land. Then they would be in a vast land, like the one we are in. They could live there. Maybe they would not be hunted by so many large hunting animals.

Jeek was spellbound by the picture of the tiny graceful horses. He had never seen one and now it seemed he never would, if they were all leaving this land. There were many things in life that Jeek had not seen, had not even dreamed of. Maybe he was not an important enough person to see and dream everything. Maybe it was not up to him to save the tribe. But someone must. They must have food.

Panan continued.
Others have said the small horses traveled in the direction away from the Guiding Bear who turns with the Seasons in Mother Sky, to a land where it is always warm.

Wherever they went, they are no longer here. Sometimes creatures need to move in order to survive. This may be what the small horses have done. It is what our Ancient Ones did when they came here. And it is what we must do, as our Aja Hama has told us. We must all consider how to do this.

* * *

Enga Dancing Flower, while she waited for her turn to dance, studied Jeek to see if she could figure out what had made him so distressed early in the day. And so dirty. Now he looked cleaner, but sat still and solemn. After the gathering she would make sure they met and she would see if he could share whatever burden he carried on his small shoulders.

The Storyteller’s Saga of Vanished Horses had given them much to think about, but now they were celebrating noisily. They rejoiced in the recovery of Fee Long Thrower, and in the beautiful carving of Stitcher. Shouts and clapping urged the dancers on.

Lakala Rippling Water had helped Enga bring Ung Strong Arm out to the fireside and the two sat together, smiling and laughing softly. It would be awhile before Ung was able to dance.

Stitcher’s carving stood in a place of honor and the dancers, in dancing around the fire, danced around it, too. The flames brought out the shine of the wood and the flickering light made the statue seem as if it, too, danced. Could there be good and bad, both, in Stitcher? Could she have just misunderstood him so badly, and he also misunderstood her, that he thought she wanted him to couple with her? Enga shuddered at the remembrance of his attack, then, at the rattle of Hama’s gourd, flung herself into the dance, beckoning Tog Flint Shaper to dance beside her. There would be no harm in dancing for him instead of the spirits tonight.

Hama seemed to be enjoying the evening, but Enga thought she was forcing her good mood. She stood well away from where the carving shone, on the other side of the fire. Cabat the Thick stood near her, Sannum Straight Hair at their feet beating rhythm with his hollow log.

A startle washed over her and Enga turned to see Zhoo of Still Waters walking slowly toward the group, her son Teek Bearclaw at her side. A great cry of, “Ya, ya, ya, ya!” went up from the tribe. Teek was well enough to walk on his own!

Enga finished her turn dancing, following Tog out of the circle.

Tonight
, he thought-spoke to her.
Will you ask permission for our First Coupling tonight?

Enga wasn’t sure.
Is this a good time?

I don’t want to wait any longer.
He put his arm around her and drew her to his broad chest. Enga closed her eyes in pleasure as a little purring sound started up in her throat.

I will, Tog Flint Shaper. I will ask tonight.

Tog beamed like Sister Sun at the middle of the day.

Enga decided to do it now, before she could think about it too much longer. It would be good to get this done before any more discussion of the murder took place.

With a drum beating double-time in her breast and drops of moisture springing up on her palms, Enga marched over to Hama and knelt before her.

Most High Female of the Hamapa tribe, I, Enga Dancing Flower, seek permission to make a First Coupling in the Holy Cave with Tog Flint Shaper.
Enga communicated this with her face toward the ground, then waited in that position for Hama to touch her shoulder, giving her consent.

Moments passed. There was no touch. Enga grew cold inside. What was wrong? Was Hama not going to give her permission?

Hama finally returned a thought to Enga, a bright, wide open thought for the whole tribe.
You have already had a First Coupling in the Holy Cave. Without my blessing. This would not be your first.

Enga gasped and jerked her head up. She realized her tribal brothers and sisters all stood staring at her, silent.
No! I did not!

Ah, but you did. I saw you leave the Holy Cave. And right after you left, THAT one followed you.
She pointed to Stitcher, who sat with Ung and Lakala.
I saw you run from the cave and saw Stitcher walk out later. Your clothing was halfway off.
Hama sneered. She was enjoying this!
You have had your First Coupling, in the Holy Cave. Without my permission. You have defiled the Holy Cave.

Something shrank inside Enga. She looked around frantically for Tog. He gave her a questioning look, then looked down.

Chapter 19

Enga Dancing Flower leapt to her feet.

Yes, yes, I was in the Holy Cave with Stitcher. But not for a coupling. It was not my choice to be there for that.

The heavy disapproval of her tribe took her breath away. Dark thoughts flew at her, weighed her down.

From Tog Flint Shaper, the one she loved,
Did you not think of what you were doing? Did you defile the Holy Cave with that one?

From Sannum Straight-Hair,
My dear Enga Dancing Flower. You haven’t done such a horrible deed, have you?

Her birth sister, Ung, kept her thoughts to herself. Enga could feel no support from her, but only a shudder of fright.

No! We did NOT couple. He attacked me.
Enga sank to her knees.

But Hama continued, standing over her, gloating.
You willingly followed him there. I watched you. Then I saw you emerge with your clothing displaced. This alone is a good reason to expel you from the tribe, Enga Dancing Flower. You have disrespected me and our Holy Cave. But there is another matter, even more serious.

Hama drew herself up to her full height and looked down on Enga with a slight smile.
You defiled the Holy Cave with Stitcher. And you told no one, you kept it secret. What could be the reason for this? We all know Aja Hama disliked Stitcher. And you mated with him. What else have you done for him? What else has he bid you do?

What do you mean?
Hama’s face blurred through the flood of Enga’s tears.
I did not want to couple with him. He tried to force me. We did not couple.

I am waiting to hear what else you have done for him.

Nothing! Why would I do anything for him! He attacked me. He hurt me.

As Enga watched, Hama’s face distorted with hate, just for an instant. Her nostrils flared wide and her eyes, the white showing all around her dark center eye, frightened Enga. Hama drew her lips back from her teeth and her breath came fast.

Then she regained control and shut her face down. Hama radiated calmness and reason to the tribe. Her nasty smile was gone, her lips clamped in a thin, tight line. It was like she had become an animal for a brief moment.

Have you considered that Stitcher tried to harm me and he may have harmed Aja Hama?
thought-spoke Enga in desperation.

What reason would he have for that? I saw you go into the wipiti of Aja Hama just before the rest of us found her dead. You killed her. You killed my dear birth sister, our beloved leader. You must be expelled. And your birth sister with you.

This could not be happening. Not to her. Enga worked hard with her mind, her fists opening and closing.

Look how frail Stitcher is,
continued Hama
. You are strong.

He was strong enough to attack me! He is much stronger than he looks.

That is what you say. I do not believe he attacked you.

If she were expelled she might survive. But if Ung were expelled with her they would both die. Ung was still a cripple. She could not move fast enough to escape predators. Enga could not find food enough for both of them. She could not hunt, and protect her sister at the same time. They would both die.

Enga tried to rise, but didn’t have the strength. She fell back on the stones with a thud. Everyone stood staring at her, their backs to the fire. No one else saw Stitcher grab his carving and leave. Enga did not have the strength to send out a thought, to show this to the others.

Why did Hama accused her of murder? She could not think Enga had killed Aja Hama. Hama already said she wanted to expel her for unsanctioned coupling. So why accuse her of this? Her mind spun, then stopped at the point she had seen Hama, who was then still Nanno Green Eyes, right after Hama was found.

Enga stumbled to her feet, swiped her tears away with her cape, and faced Hama.

And you, Hama,
she thought-spoke.
You were in the wipiti of the Aja Hama earlier, before I was. You said she was dead, then. Was she? Or did you kill her yourself? When you came out after I discovered her, your hands were dirty. What had you done in there? Did you disturb the footprints so they would look like those of the Mikino? Is that how your fingers picked up so much dirt? Did you make false footprints, like Doon did for the beaver? Did you do that so we would not accuse you?

That look of anger and hot hatred flashed across Hama’s face once more, and was gone just as quickly as it appeared. Hama turned to Cabat, who now stood at her elbow.
Do you hear what she says about me? What do you think of that?

Cabat looked as though he wished he were far away. He did not want to answer the Hama.
I think
, he began, then stopped.

Panan stepped in front of Cabat.
That is enough, Hama. This girl did not murder Aja Hama. We have known her all of her life. She did not kill the woman who raised her. Enga Dancing Flower loved her very much and grieved with all of us when she died.

But
, interjected Cabat,
one of us killed her. I have come to a decision. Enga Dancing Flower is not a true Hamapa. She must be the one who killed Aja Hama.

But where has Stitcher gone?
thought-spoke Vala Golden Hair.
We should give him a chance to defend himself against what Enga Dancing Flower accuses him of.

The others craned their heads, but Stitcher was not there.

Enga whirled around. Her birth sister had come to stand beside her. Ung grabbed Enga’s hand. Enga searched for Tog. He stood at the front of the crowd. His mind was closed, but she thought she saw fear and pity on his face. Enga’s tears poured down her cheeks and dripped onto the stones.

My birth sister did not kill Aja Hama
, declared Ung.
But neither did Hama. That is my thought. You will have to look elsewhere to find her slayer.

Hama pointed at Enga and Ung with one hand and raised her gourd with the other.

“Hoody! Listen! The Most High Female Speaks. Enga Dancing Flower slew Aja Hama. Enga Dancing Flower is banished. Ung Strong Arm is banished. Mother Spirit of the Sky, Dakadaga, bless the Hamapa.”

Hama rattled her gourd with extra violence.

* * *

Ung Strong Arm slept, her breathing soft and even. Enga Dancing Flower, propped on one elbow, gazed upon her sister, wishing she, too, could fall asleep. There had been no reason for Hama to banish Ung. It had not been discussed, not even mentioned. But Hama and the Most High Male had overruled Panan One Eye.

An owl in the tree above them startled her with its low whistle. She shivered at the eerie sound and drew her cape close around her neck. The stiff breath of Mother Sky whipped through the bare branches above them. Enga clutched the flint knife she had been allowed to take with her tight in her fist. The two exiles had walked as far into the woods as they could, then bedded down in the underbrush. They had both agreed the woods would be better than the open plains. At new sun Enga would try and find a cave for them. And figure out a way back into the tribe.

As she had lined up her belongings in her warm wipiti, Enga tried to line her thoughts up in her head. But they would not stay in order and jumbled and tumbled about.

She had sent waves of appeals to Tog Flint Shaper, but his mind was still clenched tight against her. He had tried to warn her about Stitcher, she thought, but his warning had been too late. She guessed he had believed the lie of Hama, that Enga had coupled with Stitcher. But Enga had no more tears to cry over Tog. Now she must survive.

She had been taught that a spoken word was a powerful thing, meant to be heard by the Spirits. And once it was pronounced, it could not be un-pronounced. But, she reasoned, could not another Pronouncement be made? Panan had just made one. Maybe Panan could make a Pronouncement in her favor. Did she dare appeal to him? Probably not. He was outnumbered by Cabat and Hama. She would have to make the whole tribe see that she and Ung should not be banished.

Enga sat up and vowed to Dakadaga that she and Ung would not die out here. The wind stopped. The woods fell silent.