Besides, Karl reminded himself, he might be hopeless in the bush, but you’re not that much better in a city, now are you?
“That might be a very good idea,” he said after a moment. “No way she’d use the same questions over again, but I really would feel better if I could talk it over with someone who’s already survived her course once!”
* * *
With Knot Binder providing direction, the Landless Clan set about building a net in which they could catch and hold another Person. This was not an easy task, for a Person’s claws were very sharp and could slash through just about anything, if given time. Nor was it a fast one. However, because they were small compared to enemies such as death fangs and snow hunters, People were also very patient, and Knot Binder’s assistants knew careful preparation could mean the difference between living and dying.
Knot Binder supplied an exceptionally tough cord that combined the fibers of several different plants with the shed fur of People. This type of cord required so much time to make that, even with fire raging closer and closer, Knot Binder had insisted on bearing a coil of it away with her. Now she showed the others how to work it into a net with a noose closure, so that it could be pulled into a sort of bag.
As a final refinement, Wonder Touch—who was one of the clan’s healers and wise about plants and their properties—supplied a bitter-tasting paste with which the strands of the net could be coated.
<It burns a little,> she cautioned, <so apply it with a brush. However, it should keep our captive from either biting through the net or tearing it apart as quickly.>
Keen Eyes thanked her. <We do not wish to keep him imprisoned very long, but anything that will gain us a little time is very welcome.>
The next stage of Keen Eyes’ plan was more complicated. After conferring with the Landless Clan’s scouts and hunters, he had confirmed his own impressions. He was the scout who had gone most deeply into the territory held by Trees Enfolding Clan and the only member of the clan who had actually encountered a member of Trees Enfolding.
Well, other than poor Red Cliff, and he cannot help us now.
This likely meant the Trees Enfolding Clan was actively avoiding the area. It was not as if there was much incentive to go into the sun-rising parts of their range, given the poor pickings. In any case, with winter coming on, every spare adult would be involved in preparing whatever food the hunters and plant gatherers brought in.
<I have encountered only Swimmer’s Scourge and Nimble Fingers,> Keen Eyes explained. <My guess is that Swimmer’s Scourge is in charge of watching our edge of their territory and that he has taken a few family members as assistants. We all know that it is easier to speak to a Person once he is known to you. Since I am at least somewhat known to these two, they will hear me before anyone else will. I will go into the general area where I found Red Cliff’s body and set the net. Then I will think angry thoughts. My hope is that one or both will come to confront me.>
<Why would they do that?> asked Sour Belly, who was not in the least happy with the prominence young Keen Eyes had recently acquired. <Why would they not just ignore you?>
<I am counting on basic curiosity,> Keen Eyes replied. <But if that is not enough, I have other tactics in mind.>
Sour Belly sniffed as if he did not believe this was the case, but he did not ask for details. Keen Eyes did not volunteer them, either. He was committed to this course of action and though he thought he had some good ideas, he did not want Sour Belly’s nasty comments to undermine his confidence.
<What help do you need from the clan?> Bowl Shaper asked. In the absence of a fully-trained memory singer, she seemed to be taking on some of the leadership role that would have belonged to Wide Ears.
<I could use a couple of strong hunters to come with me to help carry my captive if he will not come willingly,> Keen Eyes responded promptly. <I had thought about asking Hard Claw and Firm Biter if they can be spared from the hunt.>
<There is nothing to hunt,> Hard Claw replied promptly. <Red Cliff was life-partner to my own littermate. I would be happy to capture the one who killed him.>
Anger flooded Hard Claw’s mind-glow, showing how dangerous his “happy” cooperation could be. Keen Eyes had suggested Hard Claw and Firm Biter because, like him, they were among the Landless Clan’s unbonded males. Now he wondered if he had been unwise.
<We are not seeking revenge,> Bowl Shaper cautioned. <We are seeking a place where we have a hope of surviving the winter. All hope will be lost if you use your much-storied claws out of turn. You do realize that?>
<I do,> Hard Claw replied. His mind-glow brightened, although not all the anger left it. <Perhaps making this killer see what he has done will be a better revenge than death’s quiet. You can count on me. I will follow Keen Eyes’ commands and do my best to make sure his plan succeeds.>
<Thank you,> Keen Eyes said, flooding his mind-glow with the tremendous gratitude he felt. He was relieved to feel honest pleasure balancing Hard Claw’s anger. <I will ask you and Firm Biter to stay to sun-rising of me, out of the range where your mind-glows could be easily detected. I will also ask you to concentrate on muting your mind-glows as much as possible.
<Our plan will work best if the one we seek to trap believes me alone. I will bait the trap. When I call to you that we have our captive, you will race forward and help me bear him away as quickly as possible.>
<But this captive is sure to call for help,> Sour Belly sneered.
This time Keen Eyes was not even tempted to offer any further explanation. <I think I have a way to keep him from calling.>
Knot Binder fluffed her tail in a nervous fashion. <Keen Eyes, you keep speaking of “he,” as if you are certain you will face a single opponent. How can you be so sure?>
<I am not sure,> Keen Eyes admitted, <but I plan to do what I can to make matters go the way I wish. First, I will direct my mind-voice to one and one alone. I had thought to try to call Nimble Fingers, because he seemed more sympathetic than his uncle. Nimble Fingers also seemed quite junior to me. I will go out at a time when it is likely his senior will be taking his ease…I was thinking of the hours when night is giving way to dawn and neither the day-prey or night-prey are active. That is when a senior hunter would rest.>
<And if your cleverness does not work?> Needless to say, this came from Sour Belly.
<Then I must rely upon courage,> Keen Eyes returned levelly. <As Bowl Shaper said, winter will remove all our choices. We must act while choice remains.>
* * *
“We’re running out of time, Gwen,” Oswald Morrow pointed out a bit diffidently across the table. The two of them were dining in an expensive restaurant whose clientele were prepared to pay inflated prices in return for guaranteed privacy as they dined. “They’ve only got another week or so before they head back to Sphinx.”