wakened suddenly by steps inside the shed. Opening his eyes, he saw her standing above him, like a spirit on the air. She had come to see the lambs. Two-feathers lay still. He shut his eyes and concentrated upon invisibility. But she began to speak soft words to the newborns and his concentration was broken. Such a pleasant voice she had. Such a gentle soul. And there was her smell, a fragrance of flowers, floating on the air like thistledown. Still, she did not see him hidden in the hay and he might have avoided detection had she not stepped on his foot. But he pulled his foot away and the movement startled her. She jumped back and stared at the hay with horror, as if looking for a snake. He raised his head and stared at her calmly, the way he would stare to calm a startled deer, to keep her from being overcome by fear. She was struggling in the shedâs darkness to see the whole of him. She didnât scream. Two-feathers rose to his feet and brushed the hay from his bare torso and limbs. They stared at each other for a moment without speaking. She was shorter, with unbelievably light skin and hair that looked so soft and golden compared to the black, oily curls that fell across his shoulders. Her eyes were blue, like his. He saw that she spied the turquoise pendant around his neck and was fascinated by it. She stared without a word. She wore a shy smile, made a slight bouncing movement with her hands on her rainbow garment, dropped her eyes and left the shed.
When darkness finally fell, Two-feathers couldnât get back to his den fast enough. He was dying of hunger and thirst. He would collect mussels from the beach, steam them in the fire and make a feast of them with fresh cranberries. He would collect water and make tea from the leaves of the bloodroot plant. And while he feasted he would offer prayers to the spirits. He wanted to ask their advice. He was smitten with the girl who dressed like the rainbow.
As smoke filtered through the boughs of his fire canopy Two-feathers offered up his prayers and his request. The smoke split into thin streams, each finding its way separately into the air, so that they could not be seen from a distance. The spirits answered Two-feathers in his dreams that night. They warned him to be careful. To desire anything too much was to invite suffering. The girl who dressed like the rainbow was not from his people. Yes, said Two-feathers, but she was from the same people as his father. Therefore they had something in common. All the same, answered the spirits, to want something so much was a sure way to pain. Two-feathers nodded to show his understanding but was glad the spirits had not forbidden him to seek her friendship. Perhaps he would feel pain. Perhaps he would feel happiness. In any case, he would like to have the chance to find out.
Chapter Eleven
T he first time I saw him I thought I was dreaming. My watch post was on the Kingâs bastion, the largest corner of the fortress wall, which jutted out like an arrowhead into the swamp. It was also the quietest corner of the wall, and though I was supposed to stand alert and keep my eyes peeled, I immediately sat down and nodded off to sleep. I only wished I could have read, but keeping a light on watch was punishable by a stint in the dungeon. The only thing I needed to stay alert for was when the patrol guards would pass. But I could hear them coming from a ways off and would jump to attention in time. It was awfully boring, but at least it was a peaceful spot and I was left alone and didnât have to march. The nights were even lovely sometimes because it was so quiet. Strangely, I often picked up the scent of roasting fish or meat from the swamp, as if someone was out there feasting. And then, I saw him.
He looked like a ghost at first. Like a shadow he ran along the ground, then disappeared. It was dark, but I had definitely seen something moving. Rising to my feet, I stared without blinking for the longest time,
When darkness finally fell, Two-feathers couldnât get back to his den fast enough. He was dying of hunger and thirst. He would collect mussels from the beach, steam them in the fire and make a feast of them with fresh cranberries. He would collect water and make tea from the leaves of the bloodroot plant. And while he feasted he would offer prayers to the spirits. He wanted to ask their advice. He was smitten with the girl who dressed like the rainbow.
As smoke filtered through the boughs of his fire canopy Two-feathers offered up his prayers and his request. The smoke split into thin streams, each finding its way separately into the air, so that they could not be seen from a distance. The spirits answered Two-feathers in his dreams that night. They warned him to be careful. To desire anything too much was to invite suffering. The girl who dressed like the rainbow was not from his people. Yes, said Two-feathers, but she was from the same people as his father. Therefore they had something in common. All the same, answered the spirits, to want something so much was a sure way to pain. Two-feathers nodded to show his understanding but was glad the spirits had not forbidden him to seek her friendship. Perhaps he would feel pain. Perhaps he would feel happiness. In any case, he would like to have the chance to find out.
Chapter Eleven
T he first time I saw him I thought I was dreaming. My watch post was on the Kingâs bastion, the largest corner of the fortress wall, which jutted out like an arrowhead into the swamp. It was also the quietest corner of the wall, and though I was supposed to stand alert and keep my eyes peeled, I immediately sat down and nodded off to sleep. I only wished I could have read, but keeping a light on watch was punishable by a stint in the dungeon. The only thing I needed to stay alert for was when the patrol guards would pass. But I could hear them coming from a ways off and would jump to attention in time. It was awfully boring, but at least it was a peaceful spot and I was left alone and didnât have to march. The nights were even lovely sometimes because it was so quiet. Strangely, I often picked up the scent of roasting fish or meat from the swamp, as if someone was out there feasting. And then, I saw him.
He looked like a ghost at first. Like a shadow he ran along the ground, then disappeared. It was dark, but I had definitely seen something moving. Rising to my feet, I stared without blinking for the longest time,
Similar Books
