It Wakes in Me Read Free Page A

he’s right, I must do something.”
    Did she mean they were about to be attacked? Perhaps by the Loon People? “Do something? To stop what?”
    She turned toward the chieftess and squinted as though it pained her to see her lifelong friend looking utterly helpless. “I pray she will understand. In the end.”
    In a clipped voice, he said, “She may, Matron, but I certainly do not.”
    Matron Wink ran a hand through her graying hair as though to ease a building headache. “I want you to obey Flint as you would me. Is that clear?”
    He stepped closer to her and, just above a whisper, pressed, “Matron, if I am to protect our chieftess, I must know what I might be facing out there. Please tell me this new information.”
    She seemed to be considering it. Her lips pressed into a thin bloodless line. “I can’t risk it. Just do as Flint says. He knows far more about this than I do.”
    Feather Dancer’s gaze shot to Flint, and the man had the audacity to smile at him. His white teeth gleamed in the firelight.
    Matron Wink would never give control of her war chief to anyone unless the situation was grave and a transfer of power absolutely necessary.
    Feather Dancer asked, “Where is the Loon People’s war chief, Grown Bear?”
    Grown Bear had stayed for the Healing Circle at the Matron’s request.
    Flint rose to his feet, and his bushy black brows plunged down over his straight nose. “Gone. He left right after the Healing Circle failed. Grown Bear said that if he hurried, he could catch his warriors on the trail home. Why do you ask?”

    “I don’t trust him. He believes Chieftess Sora killed his chief, Blue Bow. Grown Bear is in a difficult position. If he returns home without having taken some kind of revenge, his people will cut him apart and feed him to their dogs. Matron, I recommend you have a war party accompany us until we reach the northern lands of this Healer, Priest Long Lance.”
    “No.” She shook her head. “As you’ve pointed out, we are in danger. We need our warriors here. You’ll have to protect yourselves.”
    Though it angered him that she would throw him into a boiling pot with a man he would just as soon stab as look at, in her position he would probably do the same. Chieftess Sora was precious to the Black Falcon People, but her single life was nothing compared to the hundreds who might die if Blackbird Town was attacked. They would need every man and woman who could wield a bow.
    “Matron?” Priest Teal propped his walking stick and gingerly started across the floor.
    She hurried to meet him halfway. “Sit down, Teal, before you collapse. Over the past few days you’ve worked so hard to Heal her that you’ve barely slept.”
    His head trembled. “I will rest once our chieftess is away. One last time”—he paused to give the matron a piercing look through his white-filmed eyes—“are you certain that Long Lance is the person you wish to Heal her?”
    “Yes, I—I think so.”
    Teal stared at her, apparently waiting, perhaps hoping she would change her mind. When she didn’t, he turned to Flint and said, “Don’t give the chieftess any more of the sleeping potion until tomorrow night.”
    “But what if she wakes during the day?” Flint asked. “If she starts screaming—”
    “Tie her up and gag her if necessary, but do not give her the
potion more than once a day or you will poison her and she will never wake up. I know you think you are a Healer, Flint, but trust me, you are a novice at best. Listen to me. ”
    Flint’s expression hardened, but he tilted his head in reluctant agreement.
    Feather Dancer felt as if a huge hand were squeezing his chest. He narrowed his eyes at Flint. All of this is your fault.
    “Feather Dancer?” Matron Wink said. “Before you leave, I want you to come to my chamber. You may be questioned along the way. I must give you her ceremonial celt to verify her identity.”
    A celt was a ceremonial chert war club, only carried by rulers.