othing about what happened at the Bad Axe. Maybe I
took too much."

Redbird glanced down at Eagle Feather. His mouth was a circle, and his
blue eyes as he stared up at Owl Carver were so wide that she could see
the whites above and below them. He strained toward Owl Carver, his
longing to follow his father and grandfather in the way of the shaman
showing in every line of his body.

She had always felt that same longing.

"Let me try your sacred mushrooms," said Redbird. "Sun Woman says
sometimes women can see into places where men cannot see."

Owl Carver set the medicine bag down between himself and Eagle Feather.
He sliced his hand through the air, palm down, in refusal.

"The magic might get into your milk and be bad for the baby."

Resentment was a bitter taste in Redbird's mouth. But she had to admit
there was no telling what the mushrooms might do to Floating Lily's
unformed spirit. Still, she knew Owl Carver welcomed that excuse because
he did not want to give the mushrooms to a woman.

Eagle Feather shouted, "Look!" He pointed up at the sky.

Owl Carver and Redbird both looked up. Scanning the cloudless midday sky
for a moment, she saw two tiny black shapes high up, circling slowly.

"Eagles!" said the boy. "My guardian spirits."

Redbird squinted. Yes, those were the wide-spreading wings of eagles.
The birds were searching for prey. Like the long knives and their
Winnebago allies. Their remorseless circling frightened her.

Those bright blue eyes of Eagle Feather's saw farther than hers did,
thought Redbird. She looked down at him proudly, as he wiped his hand
across his mouth and smiled up at her. His pointed chin reminded her of
White Bear.

"If the Winnebago find us here, will they kill us?" she asked her
father.

Owl Carver waved his hands. "They are not our enemies, but they will do
what the long knives demand."

In a strange voice Eagle Feather said, "Mother?"

Frightened by his flat tone, she reached for him. But with the baby in
her lap she could not get to him before Eagle Feather fell over on his
side with his eyes shut.

She screamed.

She laid Floating Lily on the ground and picked up Eagle Feather. He lay
limp in her arms, his head lolling, his mouth hanging open.

After all they had been through, this was more than she could bear. She
burst into tears, her heart thudding like a deerskin drum.

"What is it?" She turned to Owl Carver. "Help him."

The shaman crouched over hi