The New World (The Last Delar) Read Online Free PDF

child before accepting his offering.  Red Fist takes the child and begins to examine him.  Mia-Koda puffs the pipe, kneels down, and passes it to Grey Back.
    "Captain, your brother lost his only son to sickness, did he not?"
    Black Claw raises his head with suspicion toward his Chief, "Yes, he died from the black cough on a cold night last winter," he says to Red Fist.
    "Word has reached us that Dirty Hands' wife can no longer bear children and has slipped into a depression.  Your brother is a farmer and has a hut at the western edge of the city . . . Good parents you both had.  Close to your adopted father I was.  Good of them to take you in and raise you, considering the circumstances," says Red Fist.
    Black Claw stares at Mia-Koda.  Grey Back passes the pipe back to Red Fist, signaling that he supports his decision.  Red Fist stands and steps down from his throne.  "This child is in need and deserves our mercy.  I feel that he has already seen much evil and has suffered a great loss.  But I also believe this decision is not for the two Chiefs to make.  His fate we put in the hands of Captain Black Claw, for it is his brother's house the child will call home, and it is the captain's job to protect this city.  Either the child is taken by Black Claw's brother, or he is not welcome here."
    Red Fist passes the child to Black Claw and takes another puff from the pipe.  Black Claw looks down at the baby and glances up to Grey Back.  "Do you agree, Chief Grey Back?"
    "The child's fate is in your hands, Captain."
    Black Claw struggles with the decision while the Chiefs and Mia-Koda continue to pass the pipe.  Black Claw knows that a child would bring joy into his brother's life.  He nods his head in agreement, without looking at either Chief, but keeping his eyes fixed on the child.
    "Agreed.  The child will pass into the family of your brother," says Red Fist.
    "Wise and merciful is the Chief's counsel," says Mia-Koda.  "I will see the child to his new family and then depart." She bows to the Chiefs before turning to leave.
    The early dawn has faded into mid-morning, and the city market begins to fill with goods and gossip.  Children play in the dusty streets while young adults mingle in small groups.  Mia-Koda passes by the market and waves at the Menoli.  She is not surprised when her gesture of friendship is met with cold stares of indifference.  Although the city is filled with courageous and hard working people they are not trusting of outsiders.  To them the sight of strangers always foreshadows darker times.   Black Claw has not seen his brother in many moons and feels shame knowing why he has kept his distance.  Adopted by a poor Meno family, Black Claw has worked endlessly to gain the respect of the Salali he leads.  Now, he returns to the home where he was raised and finds himself lost in thoughts of his past.
    "You made the right decision, Black Claw.  A decision that will bring joy and love to your brother's family for many years."
    Stopping, Black Claw turns, "I know you have great wisdom as well as the power of will, but I have seen this child's eyes before.  They have haunted me since my son's birth, and only at my end will I understand their meaning.  My nephew he will soon become, so like family I will treat him, but trust him I never will for I see doom and death in those eyes."
    "You are still a shadow of your parents, Captain of the Salali.  That is why I knew you would help this child.  You have your mother's strength and compassion." Mia-Koda leans on her staff and looks deep into Black Claws' eyes.  "No matter what this dream you speak of may foretell, in the end nothing but love will you feel for this child."
    Black Claw turns and begins walking down the dirt path.  He leaves the road and walks into the forest underbrush, pushing it aside as he comes to a clearing. "His home is over there.  Wait here for me to bring them to you," he says to Mia-Koda. Black Claw walks up to