Free It Wakes in Me by Kathleen O’Neal Gear Page B

look up at her. “Thank you for coming, Chieftess. We were frightened before you arrived. We’re stronger now. We know your warriors are coming to rescue us.”
    The words were like thorns driven into Sora’s heart. She
wondered how on earth she was going to accomplish such a rescue.
    She stroked Pipit’s black hair. “Yes. They’re coming. I promise you they are. Just stay alive, and you’ll be free.”

8

    HIGH MATRON WINK DUCKED BENEATH THE LEATHER DOOR curtain and into the council chamber. As she marched toward the four log benches that framed the fire hearth, the shells sewn around the hem of her pale green dress flashed. “A pleasant evening to you, Sea Grass.”
    Sea Grass, matron of Oak Leaf Village, looked up. The old white-haired woman sat on the south bench, to Wink’s right, holding a beautiful bundle on her lap. The fabric was exquisite, tightly woven in red, black, and blue stripes. “Did you bring it?”
    “Yes.” Wink held up the wooden box.
    “Good. I wish to see it before I take my son home in the morning.”
    Sea Grass petted the fabric bundle, and tears filled her eyes. The cleaned bones of her murdered son, War Chief Skinner, were inside, along with his eye-soul, which stayed with the body forever.
    Wink sat down opposite Sea Grass and placed the wooden box on the bench between them. They gazed at each other,
probably both thinking about her son. No one knew the exact details. Feather Dancer had found War Chief Skinner lying dead in the forest beside Sora. Both had been naked. Clearly Skinner had tried to kill Sora; his fingers were still wrapped around her throat, and she’d been clubbed in the head. In some still-unexplained way, Sora had apparently managed to slip poison into Skinner’s cup before he attempted her murder. When he’d started to feel the poison invade his veins, he must have attacked her.
    Wink expelled a breath and pulled her gaze from Sea Grass.
    All around the walls, the sacred masks picked up the reflections of the firelight, and the empty eye sockets flared.
    “Sea Grass, I hope you were satisfied with the way Priest Teal prepared your son for the journey to the afterlife.”
    “There is no one better than Teal. I know my son’s reflection-soul is safely in the Land of the Dead with our Blessed Ancestors.” She tucked a loose strand of white hair behind her ear and patted the bundle. “I will take his eye-soul home and place it in our charnel house so that my son can advise the Water Hickory Clan for the rest of our time on earth.”
    The hurt in Sea Grass’ voice touched Wink. “I’m deeply sorry this happened, Sea Grass. You must know that Shadow Rock Clan will help—”
    “Your chieftess killed my son, Matron. You’ve helped far too much already.”
    Wink’s lips pressed into a tight line, not knowing what to say to that. “Sora is sick. She has an Evil Spirit inside her. We are doing our best to find a Healer. Flint and Feather Dancer should have passed your village two days ago, and by now are well on their way northward to Priest Long Lance’s country.”
    Sea Grass gave her a cold look. “What if he can’t Heal her? Many have tried, including Teal, the best priest in the Black Falcon Nation. All failed.”

    “Just let me try one more time, Sea Grass. I beg you. If Long Lance can’t cast out the Spirit, then find her wandering reflection-soul and make it stay in her body … I … I will carry out my responsibilities to keep our nation safe.”
    Sea Grass’ eyes narrowed. Her voice came out a hiss: “You should have killed her long ago, Wink. If you had, my son would be alive, as would many other people.”
    Wink clenched her jaw to keep the hot words inside. After news of the murders and the failed Healing Circle spread across the Black Falcon world, there would be many who agreed with Sea Grass.
    “You asked to see the jade brooch that Chief Blue Bow ordered War Chief Grown Bear to bring to Sora. Do you still wish to?” Wink shoved the