Ryan suspected that the tree city was inestimably old, far older than recorded human history. It looked as if the forest had grown around the crystal disks. The settlement didn’t appear to have been built solely for human use. As it was, few people were in the forestways. The community seemed too big for the number of people he saw.
Yet men, women and a few children, clad alike in buckskin, ran toward the troop of riders. Joe gave them a proud wave of his hand, like a returning hero who had conquered fearsome enemies.
The people gaped in excited avarice at the blasters in the companions’ possession. More than once the whisper of “Maza Wakan!” rippled through the crowd. Both Ryan and J.B. recognized the Lakota word for “blaster.” In lower, almost frightened tones they heard ” kaga” repeated over and over.
“I don’t get it,” J.B. said lowly. “A big place like this, yet they’re crazy over a few blasters.”
Joe led the way toward a complex of structures made of a wide belt of gigantically trunked trees. The huge limbs were intertwined, like wooden fingers, connecting one tree to the other. A canopy of leaves and branches formed a vast roof that blotted out the star and moonlit sky.
Little Mountain, with the captive wolf, went around the center tree. Joe reined in and dismounted. The other warriors followed suit.
“We need not talk to the other chiefs until morning,” he announced. “All of you must be tired.”
Ryan hadn’t realized the full depth of his weariness until he dismounted.
“Where do we sleep?” he asked. Joe gestured to the central tree. “I will show you. Your weapons must remain with me.”
Ryan sensed his friends stiffening with sudden tension. “No need.”
Joe’s response was unruffled and smooth. “I can assure you they will be well guarded.”
“They will,” Ryan replied stolidly. “By us.” Joe and Ryan locked stares for a long moment. The warriors looked back and forth from their chief to the one-eyed outlander.
Not caring to participate in a second firelight in less than half an hour, Ryan said, “It’s for the best, Joe. In unskilled hands our weapons would be dangerous to the people they’re supposed to defend.”
Joe considered the response for a second, then shrugged and walked through the archway into the tree.
The door was like that of a cathedral, and the interior was broad and empty. Light flickered from torches of resinous wood flaming in crude sockets that looked like knotholes. Joe led them through an empty expanse into a small suite furnished with wooden chairs and bed frames piled high with soft furs. The workmanship was passable, utilitarian and not fancy.
The room had only one window, covered by the pelt of some small animal.
“Food will be brought to you shortly,” Joe said.
“Tomorrow, after you’re rested, we will talk.”
“Yes,” Ryan agreed. “About many things.”
Joe’s eyes narrowed, but he nodded. “Many things, indeed.”
Chapter Eighteen
As Joe left the room, J.B. stared after him, suspicion hardening his sallow face. “He’s too goddamn cagey. He’s got a joker in his pack.”
Ryan sank onto one of the beds. The fur robes were soft and almost sensually comfortable. “Then we’ve got to find an ace on the line to play against him.”
Krysty sat beside him, brushing a few strands of flame red hair away from her face. “I’ve never received impressions like this before.”
Doc sat gingerly in a chair, wincing as his backside met the hard wood. “Unfortunately I have. Like the one I’m receiving from my gluteus maximus.”
“What kind of impressions are you receiving?” Mildred asked.
Krysty frowned. “It’s a jumbled mixture of human and animal emotions.”
“Animal?” Jak questioned, eyebrows raised.
“I’ve picked up animal emotional impressions before,” Krysty explained. “The higher animals, anyway. Generally their feelings are simplefear, hunger, curiosity. What I detected from the wolves was stronger, very pure and clean. The animals here might not be as intelligent as humans, but their emotional reactions are similar in intensity.”
Grunting, J.B. stretched out on a bunk, pillowing his head with his arms. “What was that business Joe pulled with the gold piece?”