"You saved his life," Sun Woman said, so softly only Redbird could hear the words.
"I did nothing," Redbird protested. Silently, Sun Woman took the snowshoes, the water bag and the blanket roll from her.
Owl Carver stopped at the doorway of the medicine wickiup. He danced from one foot to the other, shaking his staff.
He nodded at Iron Knife, and motioned him to carry Gray Cloud into the dark interior.
Redbird followed. The owl-headed stick barred her way.
"Go with your mother," Owl Carver said softly. "You have done enough this night."
She could not tell whether he was praising or reproaching her.
Will he live? she wanted to ask. But his solemn face forbade her to speak.
She turned away from his remoteness and faced her mother's anger. Her heart was still full of terror for Gray Cloud, but she knew that the instant she lay down she would fall into an exhausted sleep.