It Wakes in Me Read Online Free PDF Page B

another bite of stew and ate it while his gaze scanned the dark lake and trees.
    “We have to talk, Feather Dancer. We’ll be on the trail for moons. Besides, I’d like to get to know you better. You’ve been war chief of Blackbird Town for what? Two winters?”
    “Yes.”
    “Sora appointed you right after she murdered her mother, Chieftess Yellow Cypress, didn’t she?”
    “Chieftess Sora appointed me right after her mother died in an accidental fall.”
    “Accidental? Do you really believe that?”
    Feather Dancer didn’t look at him. He concentrated on emptying his stew bowl. He vividly remembered how heartbroken Sora had been, but she’d taken quick, decisive action to repair the damage done by her elderly mother’s last bad decisions. They’d been on the verge of going to war over a silly insult from the Red Owl People. Before the war party could leave, Chieftess Yellow Cypress had fallen to her death. Sora had accepted the position as chieftess and immediately reconvened the Council of Elders. She’d convinced them that an insult
wasn’t worth losing the lives of their young men and women; then she’d suggested something everyone found shocking. She’d told the elders that her mother’s war chief, White Pelican, had grown old and much too fond of warfare. She wished to replace him with Feather Dancer. After days of arguing, the council had finally agreed. White Pelican was outraged, of course. It had taken Feather Dancer several moons to smooth over—
    “Where has your soul drifted to?” Flint asked.
    Feather Dancer chewed and swallowed before answering, “You wouldn’t remember it. You were gone by then.”
    Flint’s bushy black brows pulled together. “Then you’ll have to tell me about it. What happened?”
    “Nothing.”
    Flint grimaced. “Oh, tell me. What else do we have to do?”
    Feather Dancer looked up from his bowl. “I could accuse you again of plotting the downfall of the chieftess.”
    “I’d just deny it. What’s the point?”
    Feather Dancer reached for his pack, drew out his ceramic cup, and dipped it into the tea pot hanging from the tripod to his right. Fragrant flower-scented steam curled from the cup. He smelled it and took a sip. “You have everyone of importance in Blackbird Town believing my chieftess is a murderer. I just don’t understand why. How does it benefit you?”
    Through a taut exhalation, Flint replied, “She’s been killing people since she was seven winters old, Feather Dancer. It has to stop. I spent half my life trying to learn enough about Spirit Plants to Heal her. I was apparently too dim-witted … or just not Powerful enough to do it. We must get her to someone who can Heal her before Wink has no choice but to end Sora’s life to protect the people of Blackbird Town.”
    “Chieftess Sora killed no one. How did you convince both the matron and Priest Teal that she was guilty?”

    Flint took a drink of tea and rested his cup on his drawn-up knee. “It doesn’t matter, does it? No matter what I tell you, you won’t believe me.”
    Feather Dancer shoveled more stew into his mouth, chewed, and swallowed. “Are we really taking her to Priest Long Lance? He’s very old, isn’t he?”
    “Yes. Too old, maybe. I’m not sure he’s strong enough to handle her. She is a Powerful personality.” Flint stared into his bowl, but his gaze was far away, perhaps roaming the past.
    “Then why did you choose Long Lance?”
    “I didn’t choose him. Matron Wink did.”
    Feather Dancer frowned, and he could feel the scars that wormed across his forehead pull tight. “Did she have any other choice?”
    Flint chewed his last bite of stew before continuing, “Yes. She did. Teal and I both told her we believed Sora’s only hope was Priest Strongheart. He is the greatest Healer in our country. I think he may even be more Powerful than Long Lance. He’s certainly younger. He’s seen only twenty-three winters.”
    Wind Woman whimpered as she meandered