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glance at Darksky. And I think I already know
one of the men I d pick for a position on the council.
In fact, I think I know of several people worthy of
places on the Clan s council.
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Chapter 4
Settling In
Outside the storm howled and screamed but
Darksky had sealed the entrance so no trace of
dust entered the caves. Flame could only be glad
they d reached this haven before the storm had.
It was far stronger and was lasting much longer
than the one they d waited out in the canyon.
Around him the Clan sorted themselves
and their possessions out with remarkably few
squabbles about who had what cave...so far.
Even the children were helping by moving things
from the first cave into the caves their respective
families had settled on. The only one s looking
lost were the children he d found on the way.
He smiled at them.  We need to find you a
place to stay too, he said.
 The man with blue hair took Lightwind with
him, the little girl he d healed offered before
sticking her thumb back in her mouth.
Flame frowned and looked around. With
everyone so busy, nobody had given any thought
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to who was looking after these children. Breeze
appeared to have taken one child under his wing
and Flame was happy to take on one or two of
the others but that didn t help the rest.
 Star, he called as the greenmage passed him
to gather more things.
She turned and smiled.  Yes, My Chief ?
 We need to find homes for these children
but I don t want anyone to take on a child they
won t care for. Could you ask around some of
the women, see what they think.
Star s smile died.  Most of them have enough
children of their own to be too keen on the
idea. I think Breeze wants the littlest girl and
I ve spoken to Wind and Spring and we re happy
to share our camp with the brother and sister so
they can stay together.
Flame nodded.  That helps, thank you. Storm
and I will take one on, perhaps even two if need
be.
Greycloud, who was nearby helping
Goldstone and Waterlilly one of the slaves
they d rescued when they d gotten Oasis out of
Lord Lucas home cleared his throat and came
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closer to the two of them.  I ummm... wanted
to ask you about one of the children, he told
Flame. He opened his mouth to say something
else, but Goldstone tapped him on the shoulder.
 Where should we put these two barrels of
flour? the other young warrior asked.
Greycloud frowned.  Forgive me, my Chief,
he said to Flame as he turned to motion toward
the area of the main cavern that had been
hurriedly remodeled into the Clan s communal
kitchen. Darksky had added many shelves and
storage cabinets, though, from the look of things,
there d need to be additional changes later.
Storm had put Greycloud in charge of
organizing the kitchen supplies and, from
what Flame could see, Greycloud was doing an
excellent job.  Put them over in that unused
corner. It s the only place they re going to fit and
still let anyone get flour out.
Goldstone smiled.  Good point. Sorry for
bothering you, he said and returned to where he
and the former City slaves were unpacking the
community supplies.
 Sorry, my Chief. He gave Flame a nervous
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smile.  I know I m not married. I m not even
bonded to a swordbrother yet, but I wanted to
ask about Spider. He seems to have taken a liking
to me. He s bright, curious and he s going to be a
handful, but I d really like the responsibility.
Flame glanced down at the little boy called
Spider.  Would you like that, Spider? The
child nodded and charged at Greycloud before
proceeding to climb up the young warrior s leg.
Flame chuckled.  I think you re right, he is going
to be a handful. I can t see any problems as long
as you and Spider are happy with the idea.
The little girl removed her thumb from her
mouth and ventured another remark.  I want
to stay with you cos you made the pain in my
shoulder stop.
Flame caught her up in his arms and hugged
her.  I think I want to stay with you, too, but
there s a rule. The thumb has to stay out of the
mouth from now on and you need to tell me
your name.
Two thin arms crept round Flame s neck as
the child said,  I m Redbird.
Greycloud smiled at Flame.  Looks like we ve
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both become fathers, he remarked as he picked
up the boy called Spider.  I d better get back to
work now, my Chief. He gave the boy a hug
and added,  Thank you for letting me try to raise
him alone.
Star chuckled.  There are enough of us around
to keep an eye on Spider if you should need a
break, Greycloud. She smiled at Flame.  Your
problem seems to be solved, My Chief.
Flame didn t smile. He was gazing down at the
last child, a sturdy boy of about seven summers
and hoping Storm didn t object to two children.
 Not quite, he said softly.
 I ve got a feeling you re a stonemage in the
making, am I right?
The boy nodded his eyes alight with
excitement.  I can shape sand already, that s why
I m called Blacksand. The light died.  At least,
that s what my parents called me before one of
my fathers argued with the Chief. Both my
fathers and my mother vanished after that.
Flame still held Redbird so he couldn t clench
his fists the way he wanted to. Dragonwind had
so much to answer for, so many senseless and
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needless deaths. He wondered just how many [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]