I selected a place where the earth was hard and where shade from the mango grove cast relief from the heat. It would require some effort to drive in my stake, but once in place, it would hold. The morning was swiftly dawning and already promising to scorch. Sweat dripped down my face, but I focused all the pent-up frustration of the previous night into my task. I struck with my mallet as though I struck at the head of the Beast! I could feel the eyes of the guards above watching me at my work.
The patter of hurrying feet gave me brief warning. The next thing I knew, Fairbird’s arms were about my waist, clinging. I dropped the mallet in my surprise. With some effort, I pried open my sister’s grasp, turned around, and knelt so she could fling her arms around my neck. I held her, rocking her and stroking her head as I had done so many times before. How much of the goings-on did she understand, I wondered? She had been terrified yesterday while held in Wolf Tongue’s grasp, but did she comprehend his demands? Did she know the fate in store for me?
At last I pushed her back. “Fairbird,” I signed with shaking hands, “you must watch over Frostbite for me while I am gone.”
“Where are you going?” Her hands were so frenzied, I could scarcely read the signs, but her face asked the question with perfect clarity.
“Far away,” I replied. “Far, far away.”
“When will you come home?”
How to answer such a question? I drew her to me once more, my mind desperately searching for what to say. The guards above were shifting, their spearheads sharp against the brightening sky. I had little time.
Once more, I pushed her from me so I could use my hands. “Fairbird,” I signed, “I know your true name. I am going to our mother now, and where she is, I will have a voice as strong as any man’s! Listen for my voice, Fairbird. Listen for me calling your true name. And when you hear it, we will find each other again. I promise you!”
She did not believe me. How could she believe such wild fancies? “Don’t leave me,” she signed.
The guards would call me soon, and if I did not come when summoned, they would fetch me. I did not want Fairbird to see that. So I set her firmly aside, retrieved my mallet, and went back to driving the stake in deep. She pulled at my clothes, tears falling down her cheeks. I dared not look at her.
At last the stake was placed. I took the rope and called Frostbite to me. The poor dog had sat nearby, whining as she watched Fairbird cry. I tied the rope to her neck and secured the other end to the stake. I tested my knots. They would hold. They had to!
I turned to Fairbird again. “Watch over Frostbite. She needs you,” I signed. I turned to the dog next. “Watch over my sister. For me, dear one!” I could only hope she understood me. The dog wagged her tail, but her ears were back and her eyes sad. I patted her once. Then I turned to go.
Fairbird lunged for me, grabbing my hand and tugging for all she was worth. She nearly pulled me off my feet in her desperation. I knelt. There was no stopping my tears now. They coursed down my face unhindered. Beasts and devils eat those spying guards for seeing me cry! But I could not stop myself.
“Fairbird,” I signed at last. “Fairbird, go sit with Frostbite.”
Defiance flashed through her eyes. But then she bowed her head and did as she was told. She sat cross-legged, and Frostbite lay down to put her head in her new mistress’s lap.
I marched up the hill to where my guards waited. And I listened to Frostbite’s forlorn howls. But more painful to my ears was the awful silence of my sister.
Our journey was long. We crossed many rivers, descending the gorges, canoeing across, and climbing the other side. We passed through many hostile lands. But the warriors of those lands laid down their arms at a word from Wolf Tongue. The Beast would have his prey. And afterward . . . who could say where loyalties would lie?
Warriors headed our procession, cruelly armed but painted for sacrifice, not for battle. Behind them came three priests, all dressed in deerskin dyed red, their faces painted in black streaks, like tears, but with swirling patterns and dots. Behind these walked the elders of all the villages and lands loyal to the Eldest.
My father walked behind them, rich and powerful in his skins, his face painted red and black. He was so stern, so handsome, and silent as death.
I made the long journey with twelve other maidens. They wore black, and their feet were bare. They represented each tribe of the Land, even those not loyal to the Eldest. For even those tribes who warred against each other must pay homage to the Beast. He, their great god and greatest enemy.
When we passed through the Crescent Lands, I glimpsed Elder Darkwing and his warriors some way off, watching our progress. Darkwing wore the same collar of black feathers I had seen him don on the night of my betrothal. At that distance, he looked like some strange, dark spirit. I feared he would order an attack. Even from so far away I could feel his desire for vengeance. I wondered if Darkwing heard, as I had, the voice of Sun Eagle crying on dark nights.