People of the Thunder (North America's Forgotten Past) by Gear W. Michael & Gear Kathleen O'Neal

Author:Gear, W. Michael & Gear, Kathleen O'Neal [Gear, W. Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780765352941
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates
Published: 2009-11-03T00:00:00+00:00

Finding a replacement for the bow Lotus Root had stolen hadn’t been easy. Smoke Shield had used the bow Fast Legs had given him during the Chahta raid, but it hadn’t really suited him. The bow Smoke Shield now held was a good one. Made of imported Osage orangewood, it was a tightly grained stave. He had often admired the bows that came through Trade from the west. This one was perfectly balanced, just the thing he needed to replace the weapon Lotus Root had made off with.

This piece had been offered by a Trader down at the landing, a fellow from Thunder Town who claimed to have obtained it several years ago. The Trader complained that the pull was too heavy. Smoke Shield had found a suitable string made of gut that appeared to be the correct length. Now he slipped the loop over the notches and bent the bow stave behind his leg. Grunting, he slipped the upper loop into the grooves and settled the string into place. Lifting it, he tested the pull.

It took effort, but with this, he could drive an arrow clear through a man. The next thing would be to shoot it.

“New bow?” Flying Hawk asked as he entered the palace great room. He was winded, puffing from the long climb up the Sun Stairs.

“I Traded with a Deer Clan man from Thunder Town.”

“Don’t lose that one,” Flying Hawk said darkly.

“Uncle.” A surge of frustration began to build. “Don’t try—”

“High Minko!” A warrior burst into the room. “A canoe has just landed. It is a Yuchi! He brings a white arrow.”

Smoke Shield’s rage filtered away. “A white arrow? He is a messenger?”

“Yes, War Chief. He wishes to address the Council.”

“Go and alert the tishu minko. Tell him to call the Council,” Flying Hawk ordered.

“No!” Smoke Shield reached out, placing a restraining hand on his uncle’s arm. He gave Flying Hawk a warning look. “Bring him here, Black Hand. The high minko and I will see him alone.”

“Alone, War Chief?”

“He carries a white arrow, does he not? We will be perfectly safe. The high minko and I will hear his message, and then, having time to consider it, will bring him before the Council.” He gave his uncle a wink where Black Hand couldn’t see. “We are better forewarned as to his intentions. That way we can inform the Council before he makes his announcement.”

“Do it,” Flying Hawk ordered.

No sooner had Black Hand turned and left than Smoke Shield hurried to the door, looking out. Reentering, he waved down Flying Hawk’s question and asked, “Is anyone else here?”

“My slave.”

“Send him away.”

Flying Hawk’s eyes had narrowed. “What are you plotting this time?”

“This Yuchi may just turn out to be the solution to a very large problem.”

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