Child of the Sky
Chapter 25
Warfront
firefox369
Kocoum sighed, rubbing his temples as he crouched in the warmth of the large bonfire. The other men seemed just as agitated if their disturbed murmurs were anything to go by. Though they had been on the frontlines for weeks, they had always been at a standstill. Many were injured. Indeed, several were close to death, but none had died on either side. It was as if some strange wind were disturbing their arrows and hatchets, preventing the projectiles from hitting their mark and their slashes from cutting deep enough to kill. Some men saw this is a blessing from Skychild, a sign that her promise to keep them safe was in effect. Others cursed it, believing that this eternal battle was a punishment from the gods.
Never in his entire eighteen years had Kocoum felt such conflicting morale within his ranks. The troubled expression on the Chieftain's face said that nothing of the like had ever occurred in his lifetime either.
"Do you believe Skychild is behind this?" the Chieftain asked. Though he did not look Kocoum, the young warrior knew that the question was meant for him. The men fell silent upon hearing the soft inquiry and stared at Kocoum.
"No" he replied shortly. He barely even had to think to know that this was not her doing. She may have spiritual powers, but she could not control the wind so easily. If she could, she would have used that as an argument to come with them.
The Chief smiled.
"Ahhhh," he sighed, "that is good. The Massawomecks spoke of their own Skychild. It is good to know that theirs is benevolent, as well."
Kocoum's lips turned downwards. "No. She would not command her men to kill so many people if she were. Something changed her mind."
The way the Chieftain spoke, it was as if he had figured out what the Massawomecks were doing and was waiting for Kocoum to figure it out, as well. Just what was he missing?
Her initial goal was to kill Kagome, but after sending those scouting parties there hadn't been any malicious intent. Just what exactly was the purpose of sending those scouts? If they didn't return, she should have had more of a reason to attack to kill. There would be no flighty skirmishes. No deathless battle. Every encounter should be a massacre. Unless she got the information she needed, the supposed "Skychild" with the Massawomecks would charge relentlessly. She wouldn't have gotten that information, though. All of the men she sent were killed. Not unless...
Kocoum suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
Not unless the mysterious woman with the Massawomecks was commanding them since long ago. Her commands would be different from their previous commander's. At the time he had been so overcome with anger that he had not properly thought everything through. Of course she wouldn't send the same number of people, the same number of scouting parties. The men he found were meant to be found. They were meant to be a distraction, to ease his worries and lull them into a false sense of security. There was another man, one or two, that stayed hidden in the shadows. A single, undetectable spy. The attacks on the other villages, their ruthlessness, was to draw out their anger. If Kagome was a possible friend, she would use the movement of the armies to speak to her privately. If Kagome was her enemy, she would...
Shouts could be heard in the distance, and Kocoum was forced out of his thoughts. A messenger?
"Where's the Chieftain?" came the gasping voice of Ahanu.
"Ahanu, what news do you bring?" Though his voice was calm, Kocoum could feel fear clenching at his heart.
"The Massawomecks approached the village. They took her. Skychild told us to withdraw, though her expression was filled with hatred."
Kocoum silently clenched his fists. He should have known. The way the Massawomecks pranced around them was to figure out if Kagome was friend or foe. Kagome and that woman were acquainted. They came from the same place. Everything the Massawomecks did was planned from the very beginning.
His fists trembled.
They had played right into that Massawomeck woman's hands.
The Chieftain, sensing that Kocoum had worked something out, nodded at Ahanu.
"We leave tomorrow morning. Kocoum, come with me."
Kocoum obeyed, but as he stared at the Chieftain's broad back he couldn't help but wonder for how long the Chieftain had known and how much the Chieftain had willingly played the role of puppet.