He made it sound so simple: an arrowhead complete and undamaged plus a
cloud warrior in similar condition in exchange for new, long, powerful
sharp iron.
Rifles...
Cadillac responded with a baffled stare. There was no arrowhead. The
wrecks of the craft launched from the iron snake had been picked to
pieces. And the cloud warrior was long gone.
Mr Snow, seated on the other end of the talking mat, read his thoughts
and answered with a glum nod. 'You're right. I guess that means it's
down to you."
Sweet Sky Mother. Cadillac went cold at the thought.
For no Mute had ever returned from the Fire Pits of BethLem.
Mr Snow brushed aside his objections. Such ingratitude.
Was this how he rewarded Talisman - who had made him a wordsmith and
seer, and had now made him the equal of any cloud warrior? Gifts such
as these were given to be used on behalf of the Plainfolk. 'Don't ever
forget what I'm about to tell you,' he said, solemnly wagging
his-finger. ,There is no such thing as a free lunch."
'Free lunch.. '.?"
Mr Snow brushed aside the question and proceeded to explain the plan in
greater detail. Cadillac was to fly north to the Yellow Stone river,
then turn east towards the trading post in the lands of the San'Paul.
From there he was to follow the shoreline of the grent river, the first
of several. The last, which ran north to south, was called In.
Beyond its eastern shore lay the land of the Iron Masters and the
domain of Yama-Shita, lord of the wheelboats. To reach the trading
post would mean a perilous journey across hostile turf held by the
D'Troit and the C'Natti, but by flying high he could evade the bolts
from their crossbows. And although it was asking a great deal, it
would be safer still if he was prepared to fly when the world slept
under Mo-Town's starry cloak. By leaving at sunset before the next
full moon he would - if all went well - reach his destination sometime
during the following day.
At this point, Mr Snow broke off and rummaged through his untidy pile
of possessions. After much cursing he eventually unearthed two folded
pieces of cloth which, when opened out, proved to be rectangular
banners made of fine white fabric.
