My Sister the Moon by Sue Harrison

Author:Sue Harrison [Harrison, Sue]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General Fiction
ISBN: 9781480411920
Publisher: Avon
Published: 1992-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

38

WOMAN OF THE SUN and Kiin sat together in the ulaq. Woman of the Sun had begun another weaving, and Kiin had offered to help her. Woman of the Sky had left the ulaq while it was still morning, and now it was noon.

“She will not tell the men about your babies,” Woman of the Sun said.

The thought had not occurred to Kiin, but she nodded, wondering at the trust she now had in the two women.

“Too many of the men would kill both babies at birth, taking good with bad.”

“You must do what is best for your village,” Kiin replied, her fingers sorting and rolling lengths of grass for the weft of the mat. Then Kiin realized that her words had come easily, without stammering. A good sign, she thought. A good sign.

“Yes,” said Woman of the Sun. “My sister and I have agreed that there are only two men in the village strong enough to be your husband. She went to make sure at least one of them makes an offer for you.”

Kiin’s hands tightened on the ball of grass she was holding. Qakan had little power. His spirit was weak. Why should he be allowed to claim her for trade? The old women had food and a warm ulaq. Kiin would be safe with them. She cleared her throat and asked, “Could I stay here and take no husband?”

Woman of the Sun laid her hands in her lap and looked at Kiin. “Every woman wants a husband,” she said. “And the two we seek for you are the most powerful men in the tribe. Ice Hunter is the one who brought you here last night. He is chief hunter, but his wife died two summers ago and in his grief he has not taken another. The other man is Raven. He hopes to become shaman of our tribe. He has two wives, but he is a man who always wants more.” She picked up several strands of grass. “I would choose Ice Hunter,” she said. “He even speaks the First Men’s language. But perhaps he will not make an offer.”

Kiin smiled, remembering Qakan’s awkward use of the Walrus language when all the while Ice Hunter understood First Men words.

“Ice Hunter seems to be a good man,” Kiin answered. “But I do not want a husband. If I stayed with you, I could help in many ways. I could gather sea urchins and bird eggs. I will help you weave.”

“We weave death mats,” said the old woman. “With the babies you carry, it is best you do not help us much.”

Kiin quickly raised her hands from the grass she was sorting, but Woman of the Sun smiled and said, “This is only a ulaq curtain. Something for us.”

Kiin cleared her throat. “I will bring food. I can fish, dig clams.”

“We are given food for our mats,” the woman said. “And Ice Hunter brings us much meat.” She smiled. “He is my sister’s son.”

The words did not surprise Kiin. There was a strength in Ice Hunter that spoke of Woman of the Sky’s care.

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