Tribe: The Red Hand (Tribe Series Book 1)
Page 10
Despite a surge of pride at what she had done, she knew her brother had planned everything that had happened tonight, even if she could not guess why. Aiden went on.
“What Kes saw is exactly what the Ancestors showed her, and only fools and cowards would dare balk at the will of those who watch over and guide us. I am neither a fool nor a coward. Nor is my sister. My hope,” he finished, his gray eyes touching each face, “is that none of you are, either.”
A chorus of affirming yells went up, but halfhearted at best. No one wanted to be counted a fool or a coward, but it was also apparent that none of them could understand why the Ancestors would have them make war against the Tall Ones, a terrible enemy that even the crazed Black Ears avoided.
“Even if this is the will of the Ancestors,” Matthias said slowly, “the Elders and the Warchiefs must discuss this matter further, unless—” his eyes shifted to Kestrel “—the Ancestors gave you a strategy?”
Kestrel looked upon her father and her brother, the other Elders and Warchiefs, then the expectant faces of her people. She felt caught in a rushing stream, tumbled and turned, her mouth and throat filling with thick, muddy water. She wished she could begin the day over—truth told, she wished she could turn back time to the moment she had first stepped out of the village to begin her hunt for the Kill. But such ability was beyond her, so all she could do was shake her head.
“Very well,” Matthias continued. “For now, we will feast in honor of our newest Red Hand, Kestrel, my daughter.”
The villagers leaped at this opportunity, as if they had been waiting for a way to escape the discussion. Kestrel watched them break quickly into chattering groups. Just short of running, they dispersed across the knoll, torches bouncing in their hands, the children darting and laughing, unaware of what all the fuss was about, all heading to the edge of the clearing where food and firewood had been stored earlier in preparation for the feast. Even the Warchiefs fled, leaving only the Elders, Kestrel, and her brother.
“Father,” Aiden called. “If we deny the will of the Ancestors, no matter what our hearts tell us is the right thing to do, it will, in time, ruin the faith of our people.”
Matthias studied his son for a long time before speaking. “The moment you became a Warchief, you have wanted to attack the Tall Ones.” Learning that the Elders had known all along of Aiden’s plan made Kestrel feel as if someone had clubbed her, but Matthias was not finished. “I find it troubling that now your sister claims the same.”
“It is not her claim,” Aiden corrected. He glanced her way, his expression unreadable. “Or am I wrong?”
Kestrel hesitated. Earlier she had believed the Ancestors had shown her a vision about how to overcome her brother … but what if they really wanted her to join Aiden? Before she could make sense of all that had happened, let alone find a way to say it, her father spoke again.
“We will discuss this later,” Matthias said.
“We can discuss it all we want,” Aiden countered, “but we cannot deceive ourselves. Our future is war, as decreed by the Ancestors.”
“No one is deceiving themselves,” Matthias said, sounding doubtful. “Now, go join the feast.”
If there was any doubt that he was finished discussing the issue, he abruptly joined his peers and together they moved away with their heads bent together. One-Ear Tom glanced at Kestrel once, his features unreadable. Kestrel knew the Elders would gather after the feast and argue long into the night.
She scowled at her brother. “What are you playing at?”
He favored her with his usual sneer. “I have no idea what you mean.”
“Why did you really help me against the Stone Dogs?”
“Can’t a brother aid his sister?”
“You never have before! Besides that, you were not supposed to help me. It is forbidden. You were supposed to observe, nothing more.”
He shrugged. “I’ve known for some time that I needed someone else to help me convince the Elders, as well as our people, about what they must do. Then I looked at the least likely person … you.”
Kestrel’s frustration mounted to the point that her head felt ready to burst. “What does that mean?”
“You heard father. I’ve been trying to convince the Elders how dangerous the Tall Ones are since I became a Warchief. They listened to my warnings, then they made excuses, sounding wise and reasoned. But I know the real reason they hesitate—they are cowards. I had no choice but to use you to help me bring them around, and the Bone Tree ceremony was the best time to do that.”
Kestrel narrowed her eyes. “The only way I could help is if you knew what the Ancestors would show me.” She hesitated. “Did you know?”
Aiden laughed. “You really believe I’m so favored?” His smug expression suggested that he believed he should be. “No, Kes, I didn’t know what they would reveal, any more than you could have known. My plans had nothing to do with the Ancestors. I only intended to make you into a champion, someone who could rival even me, and then convince you to help me stir everyone else to action.”
“I would never have agreed to help you do that!”
“Of course you wouldn’t have—not my precious little sister! But when you grew feverish, I saw an opportunity to turn you into my champion by going back and retrieving the Stone Dog’s head. It was a gamble, I admit, and there at the end when Father brought both skulls out of the box, I thought sure my gamble had failed. I was certain you would tell everyone that this entire ceremony had been a farce. But you kept quiet.”
The shame burning in her cheeks spoke louder than any words she might have said, or any excuse she might have made. She had believed the Ancestors were showing her a way to turn everyone against him and his ridiculous plan.
Her brother added, “When you told of what the Ancestors showed you, I was as surprised as everyone else.” A strange, feverish light came into his gray eyes. “But at the same time, Kes, I knew at that moment that I had been right all along: the Ancestors want us to go to war against the Tall Ones.”
Kestrel felt as if the world were spinning around her. Could it be true? Did the Ancestors, who she felt sure had accepted the blood she offered in exchange for aid during the rite of the Kill, actually want her people to make war against the Tall Ones?
She did not want to believe it, but denying the apparent truth was impossible. The Ancestors had spoken through her, and their will must be done, even if she could not understand it.
All of it came down to a single, undeniable certainty. Sometime soon, in order to obey and keep the favor of the Ancestors, her people would make war on the Tall Ones.
So ends
Tribe - Part One: The Red Hand
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For all my current fans, thank you so much for reading, and I can’t wait to continue the adventure with you!
~Kaelyn
Can’t Wait For The Next Book?!
Tribe: Part Two: The Ghosts of Yesterday
Coming mid-January 2015!
Be sure to check for updates about the release date on my blog and Facebook page:
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About the Author
Kaelyn is a full-time young adult author who loves just about everything! Some of her favorites, though, are playing with her Mini-Schnauzer Max, riding her horse Annie, and cuddling with her husband (who is quite forgiving of all the horse hair when they cuddle!). She loves to travel and meet new people, and to hike the mountains near her home in beautiful Montana.
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