The words trembled on his lips: The long knives are more powerful than you can imagine. We cannot stand against them.
And yet he did not want to speak. He feared that Owl Carver would think him a traitor, as he did He Who Moves Alertly. And, in a way, he felt as Owl Carver and Black Hawk did. He became angry every time he thought about how the tribe had been driven from its homeland.
Owl Carver puffed on his pipe. "You will answer He Who Moves Alertly not just as one who has been among the pale eyes. The day after tomorrow, you must go to the cave of the ancestors and seek another vision."
White Bear's heart sank. "But I am to marry Redbird tomorrow night. Would you have me leave her the next day to seek a vision?"
Owl Carver spread his hands. "The council starts in three days." He grinned, showing the space where the tooth had been. "And it is not as if you and Redbird have never known the joy of the marriage bed."
White Bear felt his face grow hot, and he lowered his eyes. Since his return they had tried to crowd into a few nights all the pleasures they had missed over the last six years.
"You will not be gone from her for long," Owl Carver said.
"But why do you not prophesy?" White Bear asked. "You have been the shaman since long before I was born."
Owl Carver nodded sadly. "I have tried. It seems the spirits have nothing to say to me."
Maybe because you do not want to hear what they say.