Ring of Fire III by Eric Flint

Author:Eric Flint [Flint, Eric]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3, mobi
Tags: Fiction, Science Fiction, Alternative History, General, Short Stories
ISBN: 9781439134481
Publisher: Baen
Published: 2011-07-05T04:00:00+00:00

6

Strong-Arm did not hesitate this time before entering the tent of Walks-In-Deep-Woods. The shaman sensed his anger and looked alarmed, but did not attempt to get to his feet.

“How may I be of service, mighty chief?” he asked, touching his thumbs to his forehead.

“Stand and walk,” Strong-Arm said. “Walk out of this camp and do not turn back.”

“I do not understand.”

“Understand this, you snake,” he said. “I shall burn this tent, and everything in it—including you—if you do not heed my words. You will leave the Oneida. Go wherever you wish. But if your shadow is seen in Oneida lands again, I will kill you. Slowly.”

Walks-In-Deep-Woods scrambled to his feet, perhaps realizing for the first time that Strong-Arm’s anger was genuine—and dangerous. In his haste he disturbed the blankets in his sleeping-place, and Strong-Arm saw something peeking out from under it: a bundle of paper, hidden among the other bits and pieces of the shaman’s art.

He pushed past the shaman, nearly knocking him off his feet, and picked up the bundle. “What is this?”

“It is—well, you see—”

“This is white man’s work.” He touched the pages in turn: there were many letters, and a single picture—of a man with the hair and beard of a Frenchman, next to a pattern...something familiar...

A banner. With the flowers of France.

“Can you read this? Is this your—your death medicine, old snake?”

“No. Yes. I—please, mighty chief!” he said as Strong-Arm grasped the necklaces at his throat and twisted them tight.

“You sent us to our death,” he said, and shoved Walks-In-Deep-Woods onto his back. The old man looked genuinely terrified now.

He took the papers and tossed them into the fire, then turned his back on Walks-In-Deep-Woods.

“Run,” he said. “Or burn. I do not care. I must go and tell my people the words of the great chief Champlain.”

“Champlain,” Walks-In-Deep-Woods managed. “He—he lives?”

Strong-Arm did not favor the old shaman with an answer, but left the tent.

After a moment, Walks-In-Deep-Woods could see the light of torches coming closer.

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