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PROLOGUE

FEATHER Cloak was fertile, the only pregnant wo her people Indeed, she was the only wo who had quickened more than once Therefore, she presided over the council of tribes because she had power the others did not possess, power that had been draining fro their exile No one could explain this slow leaching, but they knew it presaged the death of both land and people If anyone could save the after it had departed from the rest

The Eagle Seat had yielded to her In truth, it was now the only place she rested easily Her older child was al, but in the days when he had groithin her, he had not waxed so large It seeh she happened to know that the sire of her budding child was Rain, as no sentle soul of ood-natured, a hard worker with clever hands, a skill for flint-knapping, and a well-omened name, and for all these reasons a ant warriors like Cat Mask and Lizard Mask who liked to shake their spears and strut before the women

As they were doing now

“We ather in one place, farther inland where we’ll be protected, and ready ourselves! Then we can act at once, and in numbers We can strike before our enemy expects us!”

“Better to station ourselves in sroups, you fool! Spread out around the countryside If one group is taken by surprise, the others will be able to harry the eneroup when it is safe”

“If the enemy strikes first, if the enemy passes the White Road and sets foot in our country, we are lost!” Cat Mask pounded the haft of the speaking staff repeatedly into the dirt to eh

Lizard Mask had half a head of height over Cat Mask He used it now, puffing up his chest and jutting out his chin, as he curled a hand around the haft above Cat Mask’s hand “If the enemy invades, how can we knohere he will cross? If we’re all in one place, we’ll loseas slowly as your mind works!”

“Feh! Your wish to be safe has htened We must be bold!”

“We must be cautious but clever, the thorn in their side”

“The arrow in their heart! One blow to cripple theer thee”

The councillors were seated around the cavernous cha in the center The older woer woust or intent interest depending on their liking for belligerentThe older ned expressions as they waited for the storm to die down; they had blustered in like manner in their own day and knew better than to intervene

“A swarers them and disturbs their hive”

“A wolf ht when they sleep to rip their refuge to shreds for other anile and devour!”

Because men had the floor, it wasn’t the place of women to speak, but Feather Cloak was not surprised when The Ihter of Eldest Uncle—laughed