Page 59 of Sun Warrior

“Mari, what is the news from the Tribe of the Trees?”

Mari searched the crowd until she found the bright-eyed questioner. “Hello, Isabel. It’s good to see you again.”

“And you, Moon Woman. You have been to the City in the Trees, haven’t you? Is it still on fire?”

Mari noted that Isabel was sitting near Rose and Fala’s puppies. She glanced at the pile of pups and sent a silent thanks to the Great Goddess.If you orchestrated this, it was brilliant. There’s not much that touches the heart of a Clanswoman more than a baby—be it Earth Walker or animal.She also noted that Sheena, Captain, and O’Bryan had moved closer and, along with Rose, Sarah, and Lydia, were waiting expectantly for her answers.

“I have been to the City in the Trees, and the forest fire has been stopped,” she said.

There were sounds of relief from Sheena and O’Bryan, as well as Rose, Sarah, and Lydia. The Clan was very silent.

“But I think it appropriate that the new Sun Priest answer any other questions about the Tribe.” Mari nodded to Nik, motioning for him to join her in the center of the circle.

Looking grim, Nik faced the small group of Companions. “First, you should know that my father is dead.”

Mari watched the reactions of the Companions closely. O’Bryan and Sheena, of course, already knew, but none of the rest of them did. Sarah and Lydia began crying softly, hugging each other for comfort. Fala crawled onto Rose’s lap, nuzzling her—though the woman was too shocked to comfort her Companion.

“That’s why Laru is with you,” Rose said. “He didn’t come as your protector or your guide. He’s truly yours.”

Nik nodded. “Yes, he chose to live and be my Companion, rather than to die with my father. And for that I’ll always be grateful.”

“I don’t understand. How can you be our new Sun Priest? There has been no vote. No Council Meeting. No ritual Call to the Sun for approval.” Mari didn’t think Sheena sounded belligerent, just confused.

“You’re right, Sheena. None of those things have happened, but I’m not claiming to be Sun Priest for the Tribe of the Trees. I am Sun Priest for a new group of peoples, a group we call a Pack.”

“Oh, sunfire! Are they all gone? All of our families and friends?” Rose asked on a sob.

“No,” Nik assured her hastily. “Though it’s bad. I don’t know how many of the Tribe of the Trees survived. Rose, I’m sorry, I don’t know if your parents and sister are alive.” He turned to his cousin. His voice broke with emotion. “O’Bryan, your parents—Aunt Sherry and Uncle Lindy—they didn’t make it. I’m so, so sorry.”

His cousin’s head bowed as he nodded, and Mari saw silent tears tracking down his face. “I was afraid of that. They were heading to the Channel when the wind shifted.”

“So the Tribe has been decimated,” Sheena said.

“It has,” Nik said.

“And you don’t plan on returning and rebuilding with them?” she asked.

“No. I don’t,” Nik said firmly. “I find that I don’t agree with the old Tribe ideology.” He cast his gaze around the Gathering as he continued. “My Pack will never take any captives. I swear this on my father’s memory.”

“Which won’t change the old Tribe of the Trees, though,” Sora said.

“You’re right, Sora, but I can’t speak for them. I don’t know how many Elders survived,” Nik said.

“But what’s your guess, Companion?” The question came from a Clanswoman on the far side of the circle. Mari recognized her as Gwyneth, a talented weaver who had been friends with her mother—and had been taken captive by the Tribe of the Trees more than three winters ago.

Nik considered for a moment and then answered in a clear, honest voice, “My guess is they won’t change. My guess is as soon as they’ve rebuilt one of the first things they’ll do is go on a Hunt for new captives.”

A restless murmur washed through the Earth Walkers. Mari raised her hand, and they instantly went silent.

“We have time. Sheena was right. The Tribe of the Trees has been decimated. Rebuilding will not be fast. And it’s not just the City in the Trees they have to rebuild. The floating cages on Farm Island were completely destroyed, so they have to make new ones before they begin hunting us. Before that happens I give you my oath as your Moon Woman that we will come up with a plan to keep us safe. All of us.”

“Butareyou our Moon Woman?” This time Gwyneth stepped forward, speaking directly to Mari. “What about Sora?”

“Oh, I’m also your Moon Woman,” Sora said with no hesitation. “Mari and I have decided to make some changes. The first of them is to do away with the Law that says there can only be one Moon Woman per Clan.” She shrugged. “It just doesn’t make sense.”

“But that’s how it always has been!” said another Clanswoman Mari didn’t get a good look at.

“Do you have any idea how exhausting it is to be the only person responsible for healing, Washing, documenting, and counseling an entire Clan?” Mari said, hands on hips, facing the muttering Clan.