Earthmaker, I beg you, do not let your children die.
She heard a rustling beside her. She gasped in fright and her hands went cold.
Eagle Feather was up on his hands and knees.
The boy crawled out from under the lean-to, climbed to his feet and stood straight.
A half-moon hung over the little lake, and she could see Eagle Feather's set face, one side red with firelight and the other pale white in moonlight. His bright blue eyes fixed on Wave, he strode forward, a small, determined figure.
Astonished, Redbird could only stand and watch. How could this be happening?
He stood before Wave and held up his hands. For a moment there was silence in the camp, disturbed only by the crackling of the fire and the rustling of the birch leaves around them.
"No!" Black Hawk cried, his rasping voice full of anguish. "Do not do it!"
"Stop!" The Winnebago Prophet reached for Eagle Feather. Owl Carver quickly blocked his way.
"You must not touch him. He returns from a spirit walk."