Rage shot White Bear forward like an arrow from a bow, arms outstretched to grapple with Wolf Paw. He lifted his medicine stick as if to strike at the red-crested brave.
Hands gripped his arms. He struggled, blind with fury, flailing his arms and kicking. Wolf Paw, his teeth bared, wrenched the medicine stick from White Bear's hand.
"Do not harm the medicine stick!" shouted Owl Carver.
Without looking at the old shaman, Wolf Paw handed him White Bear's medicine stick. Two big warriors held White Bear as Wolf Paw approached him, stretching his lips in a grin.
"A woman speaks for peace with the pale eyes," Wolf Paw said, "because peace is women's way. I once saw Redbird going to White Bear when he was on his vision quest. Maybe he gets his visions from her."
More and more men were on their feet, and they roared with laughter at Wolf Paw's gibe.
Sun Woman had made her way into the inner ring around the fire and now held Redbird.
"Come away, daughter," she said in a strong but soothing voice. "This does not help White Bear."
"Look!" shouted Wolf Paw. "Now he has both his wife and his mother at the council fire."
He shook out the red and blue cloth. It was a woman's dress.