It Sleeps in Me Read Online Free PDF

her left, as was appropriate for the chieftess’ husband.
Grown Bear sat to her right and pulled a small, elaborately painted box from his belt pouch. He clutched it to his chest.
    “My husband tells me you bring important news.”
    “Yes, Chieftess.” He nervously wet his lips. “Chief Blue Bow apologizes for the recent confusion surrounding the death of your warrior Walking Bird and asks that you hear and consider his proposal. He offers this gift as a token of his loyalty.”
    “Loyalty?” she said suspiciously. “He’s holding eleven of our people hostage. He told me he was going to roast them over a slow fire if I didn’t—”
    “He regrets his words, Chieftess. Truly, he wishes nothing but friendship with the Black Falcon People. He says if you agree to his proposal, he will return your hostages and you may cross his lands freely, without payment, at any time.”
    He held out the box, and Sora took it.
    “And in return, he wants … what?” she asked.
    Grown Bear gestured to the box. “Please?”
    She opened it.
    Rockfish sucked in a surprised breath.
    The enormous brooch was stunning. Rimmed in pure glittering gold, it was the size of her two hands put together and made of a green translucent stone that very few people among the Black Falcon Nation had ever seen before.
    “I feel like I’m looking into the richest depths of the Lake Spirit’s heart. What is it?” Rockfish asked in awe as he touched the stone.
    Grown Bear smiled. “It’s called jade. My clan paddled south along the coastline for sixteen days until we encountered the Scarlet Macaw People. They are idolaters, with strange ways, but we Traded with them.” He pointed at the brooch. “They consider this common. They’re willing to fill our canoes with this stone.”
    Sora glanced at Rockfish. His natural Trader’s instinct had been roused. His brown eyes sparkled, but it was with a mixture of suspicion and desire.
    Rockfish cocked his head. “Who is ‘our’?”

    Grown Bear leaned forward. “Whoever has the strength to help the Scarlet Macaw People defeat the owners of the quarry.”
    Rockfish sank back on the bench and exhaled hard. She could see thoughts roiling behind his eyes.
    Sora said, “I’m not sure I understand. Are you asking us to commit warriors to a war party you will lead south to attack the enemies of the Scarlet Macaw People?”
    “Yes. Chief Blue Bow promises you half of everything we obtain.”
    Rockfish gestured derisively to the brooch. “Is this paltry jade all they have to offer? Or will they Trade more valuable things?”
    Eagerly, Grown Bear answered, “You won’t believe the things they have to Trade. Their fabrics are extraordinary. And the things they do with gold! I could barely believe my eyes! If you will commit just two hundred warriors—”
    “It sounds like a fool’s errand to me.” Sora halted the discussion with a wave of her hand.
    For more than six thousand winters, the Black Falcon People had ruled this land. Though she had never seen a Scarlet Macaw Trader, her grandmother had told her many stories about them, none of them complimentary. More than three centuries ago, they’d begun showing up with beautiful pieces of jewelry—gifts for the clan matrons. “Every time one of the Scarlet Macaw People leaves our village we find things missing. They steal our sacred art and stories! They rob our graves! They are idolaters who want nothing more than to strip us bare before they send their warriors in to conquer us! Have no dealings with them. Ever. They are not trustworthy.”
    “Don’t be hasty, my wife,” Rockfish said. “We should at least consider this proposal.”
    “I will discuss this with Matron Wink, of course,” she answered, “but I think it’s too risky. Blue Bow is asking us first to ally with him; then he wishes us to send our warriors south to ally with another people, to fight against a foe whose numbers and strength we do not know, to gain access to a quarry