way they nodded and looked at us as we walked out onto the beach sent a ripple of unease down my back.
No, if they were going to betray us, it would have been in the city, not on this lonesome stretch of beach
.
“My friends”—Seven Skull Shield grinned as he turned to us—”I’ve just heard. Your warriors are on the way from Horned Serpent Town. They should be here any time now.”
From where they sat on the sand, Sixkills and Cut Hand stood, smiles dropping as they read the rage in my eyes.
Before I could launch into them, Father led them to the side, talking earnestly in low tones. Good. He could inform them of the folly of their ways and whatever terrible retribution awaited them.
I walked over to the beached canoe. With our own under scrutiny at the main landing, I could only wonder where Seven Skull Shield’s people had stolen this one. It was a finely crafted vessel with Duck Clan markings on the bow, large, and hewn from red cedar. Twenty paddles lay within.
I was just straightening when I was grabbed from behind, held by powerful arms, and lifted. I filled my lungs to scream, only to have one of Seven Skull Shield’s men stuff a wad of cloth into my mouth. Within moments, I was bound and helpless.
Treachery stings the worst when it comes entirely by surprise.
Seven Skull Shield’s men callously threw me into the canoe. And there I remained as our warriors arrived from Horned Serpent Town. Father hugged them one by one and issued his final orders. Stunned, they shot disbelieving looks my way. Nevertheless they obeyed their high chief, stowed their packs around my thrashing body, and climbed into the canoe.
Father laid the copper falcon—still neatly bound in its protective cloth—at my head, saying, “Carry this safely home. See to its placement on the rear wall of the palace, behind the dais. This is our heritage, the symbol of our ancestors, our blood, bones, and spirit power. It is to be honored and handed down from generation to generation. I leave you this as a reminder to keep Cooper Falcon Town’s honor, and your own.”
“Why?”
I screamed into my gag.
With gleaming eyes, Seven Skull Shield and his men watched from the side.
Father glanced at them and smiled sadly at me. “I’m an old man, my son. And I know the Morning Star, the Tonka’tzi, and the Keeper in ways you do not. Were I to escape, that’s not a slight either their prestige or honor could allow. All of our people, all Copper Falcon Town, would suffer as a consequence.”
He reached down and laid gentle fingers on my head. “I’ve made my own deal with Seven Skull Shield. I’ve promised him that before his men hand me over, I’ll ensure he receives an even greater reward for me than what our copper falcon would have brought.”
Father stepped back, and we were pushed out into the river.
They didn’t untie me for seven days, being ever faithful to Father’s orders.
I’ll never know the details of his last days, or what he suffered. I’ve been told that he mysteriously died the day they tied him to the Morning Star’s square. Some deal he brokered with Seven Skull Shield?
Perhaps.
But to my surprise, despite the defeat of Makes Three, a squadron of the Morning Star’s warriors arrived less than a half moon after my return home. With our forces augmented, we swept through the T’so winter towns and drove the barbarians south of the divide. Somehow Father managed that, too, though the squadron first assured me of his ignorance of the politics involved.
And me?
I stand on the high bank, looking out over the broad Tenasee River with its wide valley patterned by cornfields. The tree-clad uplands rise to the distant ridges that mark the northern horizon.
Every time I look at the copper falcon I think of what my father sacrificed for honor, of a man’s word as his bond. Seven Skull Shield kept his word. And now, every time I toss her white stone high and feel its perfect balance as it smacks into my hand, I
No, if they were going to betray us, it would have been in the city, not on this lonesome stretch of beach
.
“My friends”—Seven Skull Shield grinned as he turned to us—”I’ve just heard. Your warriors are on the way from Horned Serpent Town. They should be here any time now.”
From where they sat on the sand, Sixkills and Cut Hand stood, smiles dropping as they read the rage in my eyes.
Before I could launch into them, Father led them to the side, talking earnestly in low tones. Good. He could inform them of the folly of their ways and whatever terrible retribution awaited them.
I walked over to the beached canoe. With our own under scrutiny at the main landing, I could only wonder where Seven Skull Shield’s people had stolen this one. It was a finely crafted vessel with Duck Clan markings on the bow, large, and hewn from red cedar. Twenty paddles lay within.
I was just straightening when I was grabbed from behind, held by powerful arms, and lifted. I filled my lungs to scream, only to have one of Seven Skull Shield’s men stuff a wad of cloth into my mouth. Within moments, I was bound and helpless.
Treachery stings the worst when it comes entirely by surprise.
Seven Skull Shield’s men callously threw me into the canoe. And there I remained as our warriors arrived from Horned Serpent Town. Father hugged them one by one and issued his final orders. Stunned, they shot disbelieving looks my way. Nevertheless they obeyed their high chief, stowed their packs around my thrashing body, and climbed into the canoe.
Father laid the copper falcon—still neatly bound in its protective cloth—at my head, saying, “Carry this safely home. See to its placement on the rear wall of the palace, behind the dais. This is our heritage, the symbol of our ancestors, our blood, bones, and spirit power. It is to be honored and handed down from generation to generation. I leave you this as a reminder to keep Cooper Falcon Town’s honor, and your own.”
“Why?”
I screamed into my gag.
With gleaming eyes, Seven Skull Shield and his men watched from the side.
Father glanced at them and smiled sadly at me. “I’m an old man, my son. And I know the Morning Star, the Tonka’tzi, and the Keeper in ways you do not. Were I to escape, that’s not a slight either their prestige or honor could allow. All of our people, all Copper Falcon Town, would suffer as a consequence.”
He reached down and laid gentle fingers on my head. “I’ve made my own deal with Seven Skull Shield. I’ve promised him that before his men hand me over, I’ll ensure he receives an even greater reward for me than what our copper falcon would have brought.”
Father stepped back, and we were pushed out into the river.
They didn’t untie me for seven days, being ever faithful to Father’s orders.
I’ll never know the details of his last days, or what he suffered. I’ve been told that he mysteriously died the day they tied him to the Morning Star’s square. Some deal he brokered with Seven Skull Shield?
Perhaps.
But to my surprise, despite the defeat of Makes Three, a squadron of the Morning Star’s warriors arrived less than a half moon after my return home. With our forces augmented, we swept through the T’so winter towns and drove the barbarians south of the divide. Somehow Father managed that, too, though the squadron first assured me of his ignorance of the politics involved.
And me?
I stand on the high bank, looking out over the broad Tenasee River with its wide valley patterned by cornfields. The tree-clad uplands rise to the distant ridges that mark the northern horizon.
Every time I look at the copper falcon I think of what my father sacrificed for honor, of a man’s word as his bond. Seven Skull Shield kept his word. And now, every time I toss her white stone high and feel its perfect balance as it smacks into my hand, I
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