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The Old Woman finally completes her diagnostic, finding no apparent faults with her handiwork. She takes a series of herbs into a corner and begins mixing them with a mortar and pestle on a table. The Gaunt Indian waits until she’s out of the way, then seats himself on the interior step leading up to the doorway.
“Yewa Ku’lu ö, or as his name is to you, Talons-on-the-Tree, is no longer of the Maidu’Wail.” He leans forward, resting his chin on the backs of his hands, a forlorn look on his face as he continues.
“All saw you rise high into the night sky. All saw Raven turn his eye upon you, and all saw you shatter as the splintered branch. Talons-on-the-Tree saw this, yet he would not stand for it. Why he did what he did for you I do not know, but he called out to Raven the only way Raven would listen. He cursed Tsö’ye, he cursed Owl and broke her totem and threw it into the black pyre. Raven looked upon him, and Yewa…Talons-on-the-Tree made a bargain to spare your life, and in return he would spend his own life. Someone has stolen one of Raven’s treasures. He thinks it is the Maidu’Wail, and Talons-on-the-Tree has staked his life on finding that treasure as a servant of Momil. If he cannot, he will be consumed by a horrible death beyond death. Yet even if he does, he has cursed Owl, and so he is cast out of the tribe forever, to wander the world as part of no people, with no home.”
The Indian falls quiet. For a time the only sound in the house is the Old Woman grinding her herbs. You are in shock. Why? Why would he do that for you? The answer is obvious, Kule. You helped him when nobody else would, so he did the same for you. Wait…Kule!
“Red man, whatever I’m to call ye, there were a boy with us, who was faint and holdin’ dear to life last night. Has he…where is ‘e?”
The Indian looks up from his hands as the Old Woman hands you a cup of herbs and water. You wait for a response.
“You will call me Badger Tail, and the boy, Kule’Kawik, he is sleeping. He lost much blood, and must have been on the snowy ground for a long while. He almost died the cold death, and could not be allowed to sleep until only a few hours ago. I do not know if he will live, but I believe it is more likely than not.”
You accept the cup from the Old Woman, and try not to purse your lips as the bitter concoction passes your tongue. You feel warm in your chest, and an immediate relief from some of the aching. Badger Tail stands, and motions to the Old Woman, who heads to the door.
