Dindi
Smoke made everything hard to see.
Dindi woke to cries of panic. She heard Brena shouting to the Blue Waters women. They were under attack. Everyone should grab a weapon if they could.
That seemed like good advice.
Dindi ran outside and found a warrior in a bear mask groaning on the ground. A bow and quiver lay beside him. She grabbed them.
It took her a while to find Brena. She was down by the docks. Gwenika was already there, along with Gremo and Svego—but there was no sign of Kavio or Rthan.
Dindi heard shouting and fighting coming from deeper inside the clanhold. Smoke from burning buildings blocked the view. She guessed the two warriors were still fighting there.
Brena divided the people into two groups: those who could use a bow, and those too old, too young, or too hurt to fight.
She told the pregnant women and the Shunned to leave in the boats. She kept the healthy women with her. Then she turned to Gremo and Svego.
"You two, take the others and hide them," she said.
"I should stay and fight," Gremo argued.
"No," Brena said firmly. "The weak need at least one warrior with them."
She handed Svego the Staff of Peace.
"I pulled this from a burning house," she said. "You must protect the envoy. If he dies, the Blue Waters tribe will blame us. They'll say we broke our promise of peace, and we'll all be cursed."
"I can go with you," Gwenika offered.
"No," Brena said. "These people need a healer."
"But—"
"Gwenika, you will obey me. Go!"
Brena turned and ran toward the battle, taking the other women with her.
It was true—many people were already hurt. Some had burns. Others had wounds from the attack. Still, Gwenika muttered complaints as they rowed away.
They didn't go far. Just down the river to a small cove where fish-drying huts had been set up a few weeks ago.
The group cleaned up the area as best they could.
Dindi looked around, unsure who to ask for instructions.
"What do you need me to do?" she asked.
Was Gwenika in charge now, since she was a Tavaedi? Or was it Gremo, since he was Kavio's helper? Or Svego, as the peace envoy?
Gremo hesitated.
Gwenika didn't. She took charge at once.
"We start healing the injured. The ones with bad burns come first. Then those with arrow wounds or broken bones. Anyone who breathed too much smoke needs a special tea.
"Dindi, boil water. Lay out my healing herbs."
She paused.
"I can dance a healing tama," she said, "but if I dance alone, it won't be strong. I need a partner."
Gremo spoke quietly. "I can dance Yellow. I haven't practiced much. But long ago, my mother taught me some tama before I was supposed to take my Initiation."
Gwenika looked unsure. "But… are you allowed? You're not a Tavaedi."
Svego stepped forward. "Kavio told me all Olani are counted as Tavaedi in your tribe."
Gwenika's face lit up. "Yes, that's true. Then let's pick one of the huts to be our kiva. No one but Tavaedies may see us dance."
"I know," said Dindi. "But I'll help clean the hut. I'll also keep watch outside while you dance."
She lifted the bow she had taken.
"Do you know how to use that?" Gwenika asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Of course. I once hit three quail with one arrow. Well… it was an accident. They were tied to my uncle's rump at the time. But he forgave me. Eventually."
Gwenika and Gremo exchanged a look. Gwenika patted Dindi's arm.
"I'm sure we're in good hands. Just aim away from the hut."