People of the Longhouse by W. Michael Gear

Author:W. Michael Gear
Language: eng
Format: mobi, azw3, epub
Tags: Native American & Aboriginal, Historical, Fiction
ISBN: 9781466815575
Publisher: Forge Books
Published: 2011-01-31T18:30:00+00:00

Twenty-four

Odion

Gannajero’s shrill voice makes me sit bolt upright. Crystalline snowflakes fall from a lavender sky.

Last night was freezing. I barely slept. All night long I lay with my body curled around Tutelo’s trying to keep her warm while I listened to the terrifying sounds of the camp. Sobs and cries filled the darkness.

I lift my head. I don’t see any of Gannajero’s warriors. By now, I have memorized some of their names: Kotin, Hanu, Galan, Tenshu, Waswan, Ojib, Chimon … . But several of the gamblers remain rolled in their blankets, snoring. A few wander about unsteadily. Weapons clatter as belts are strapped on and quivers slung over shoulders. I watch two men walk into the forest. A short time later, the scent of urine carries on the wind. Where is she?

“Are you awake?” Wrass says softly.

I roll over. Snow coats the hood of his cape, encircling his narrow beaked face with a white frame. A bandage wraps his little finger. “Yes, I’m awake.”

He doesn’t look at me. I follow his gaze and see Gannajero. She’s hissing at Hehaka and one of the Flint girls. Shaking her fist in their faces. The girl weeps.

“What’s happening?”

“They’re being punished.”

“Why?”

“Hehaka was up all night. He was so tired he stumbled and sloshed corn brew on one of the warriors. I don’t know what the girl did.”

I sit up and see Gannajero’s warriors. They have gathered out in the trees. They already have their packs on, as though ready to march. “Are we leaving?”

“Yes, soon, I think.”

“Where are we going? Did you hear them say?”

Wrass shakes his head. “No.”

Several of Gannajero’s men disperse into the trees. Each walks away alone, heading in a different direction. This makes me frown. While several gamblers are still sleeping, only four warriors remain. Two guard us, and two—Kotin and another man whose name I don’t know—stand talking in the trees. “Where are they going?”

“They may be scouting the trail ahead.”

“But they walked away in different directions.”

“Maybe they’re scouting the trails in every direction.”

My heart pounds.

Gannajero grabs Hehaka and the Flint girl by the hands and drags them back toward us. She keeps growling at the girl. When she arrives she shoves Hehaka to the ground and grips the girl’s shoulders so hard the girl yips.

Tutelo jerks awake in terror and flings her arms around my waist. “Odion, what—”

“You little fool!” Gannajero shouts at the Flint girl. “If you ever try that again, I’ll let the man kill you. Do you understand? If it weren’t for me, you’d be dead right now.”

The girl sinks to her knees and weeps. “Let me die. Please let me die?”

Gannajero kicks her in the chest, and the girl falls backward, making hideous choking sounds. She can’t breathe.

For a few terrible instants Gannajero’s wild eyes fix on me. She leans forward and says, “After last night, you must be worried about your sister. Hmm?”

I can’t find my voice. Terror has killed it.

Wrass says, “Where did the men take the other two Flint girls? Why aren’t they back yet?”

Gannajero laughs and walks away.

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