Walker of Time by Helen Hughes Vick Page A

spear point into Walker’s skin.
    Walker felt the point prick his chest. He stared into the cold, black eyes. Never had he seen such hatred, bitterness, and contempt in one’s eyes before.
    â€œI cling to no one’s skirt. Nor do I hurt harmless women,” Walker stated in a low but steady voice. His heart was hammering in his chest, but he stood tall against the spear, his eyes locked with its carrier.
    â€œWho are you?” the young man shrieked. His shrill voice echoed off the canyon walls.
    Walker felt drops of warmth ooze down his chest as the spear point was thrust deeper into his skin. Still he stared into the hostile eyes without flinching. The putrid smell of death filled his nose and lungs.
If I am to die, then I will die as a man
, Walker thought. “One that knows better than to scream his wants to the sparrows and mice,” Walker answered.
    The man’s eyes glared with anger. With a deep growl, he curled his thin lips back, showing his brown, rotting teeth.
    â€œHe is right, Gray Wolf. You sound like a naughty child howling demands—demands that you have no authority to make.” The firm, authoritative voice came from behind Flute Maiden.
    Without lowering his spear, Gray Wolf swung his head around to the direction of the voice. Walker followed his gaze.
    On the path above Flute Maiden was a second group of armed men. The man who had spoken was taking long, confident strides toward them. He was about the same age as Gray Wolf and about the same height. He, too, looked underfed yet strong. He wore a short, red loincloth. Hisblue-black, shoulder-length hair was tied in the back. He wore the same straight bangs above his eyes as the others. Tension showed in his handsome, round face. His intelligent, black eyes were large, his nose broad, his back straight and strong.
    â€œWhite Badger,” fumed Gray Wolf. Hatred seemed to boil in his eyes as they met White Badger’s for an instant. Walker heard him growl again.
    The men lowered their spears, letting White Badger pass. Taking Flute Maiden’s arm, he helped her up. “Sister, are you all right?”
    Flute Maiden nodded her head. She whispered something to him, nodding toward Walker and Tag. With long, powerful strides, White Badger stalked down to them, his eyes never leaving Gray Wolf. With a quick, powerful jerk, he wrenched the spear away from Walker’s chest, out of Gray Wolf’s hand, and hurled it to the ground.
    â€œYou have no right to harm my sister,” White Badger said in a low voice. His intense eyes were locked with Gray Wolf’s. “And you have no authority to question these visitors. Only the Warrior Chief has such authority when the High Chief is gone. Or maybe you have forgotten that it was I who was chosen Warrior Chief, not you.”
    Gray Wolf lashed back, “I have every right to stop strangers who are here to steal our food and bring the spirit sickness.” His voice was as sharp as a knife.
    White Badger’s face was tense, but his voice was even. “If they were here to steal our food, why would they save Flute Maiden from a rattlesnake?”
    Walker saw Gray Wolf’s eyes widen, then blink. “So these—these boys just appeared even though all trails and entrances into the canyon were closely guarded. How didthey get here? Through the air? And they can control rattlesnakes!” Gray Wolf was looking around at the other men in the group, trying to gain their support. “What more do we need to know! They are two hearted—witches! Witches here to spread more sickness and pain. Witches that have come to steal our very spirits away!”
    Walker heard mumbling around him. He could see fear and confusion in the faces of the men surrounding them. Some took steps backward, others lifted their spears toward them.
    â€œI say kill these witches right now! Cut out their double hearts and burn them before any more hunger and death come to our