r Snow and Cadillac went back to the

plateau and sat amongst the rocks overlooking the plain while a group

of clan-women tended the strips where the bread stalks and the

earth-food had been sown. Small mixed posses of Bears and She-Wolves

watched the sky for arrowheads while pupil and teacher continued the

conversation they had begun the night before.

'The M'Calls are a clan that have been favoured by the Sky Voices,'

said Mr Snow. 'Consider this. The D'Vine have no wordsmiths yet we

have two! But my stream will soon run dry. That is why you must never

join battle with the sand-burrowers, or challenge the warriors of other

clans, why you must never, ever, put the gift of words at risk. You

are the guardian of the clan's past and the light of its future. Your

brain must serve those who have nothing between the ears. When

Buffalo-Head forgets what the seeds of bread-stalks look like and when

they should be planted, it is you who must remind her. With the help

of the Sky Voices, you are their guiding spirit. Since Black-Wing

brought you to the door of my hut, I have poured my mind into yours."

He tapped Cadillac's forehead. 'Nine hundred years of Plainfolk

history is stored in that little bone box.

You know all that I know ' 'Not everything,' said Cadillac quickly.

Mr Snow waved his hand airily. 'What I have not told you, the Sky

Voices will. The great secrets of the earth cannot rest in the hot,

bubbling brains of young men. They will only enter when the passing

years have brought a calmness to your thoughts. When the mind lies

open to the sky like the darkly mirrored surface of a deep mountain

lake, still and unruffled by the winds of desire. Only then will the

great secrets enter, alighting like white waterbirds in the cool of the

evening."

His eyes fixed on Cadillac with a sudden intensity. 'These are the

birds of wisdom. Their wings have the power to move heaven and

earth.

Be ready to receive them when they come."

'I will be."

'And be patient also,' said Mr Snow. 'These things are not given to

all men -even those with such gifts as yours."

'What of Clearwater?"

'Ahh, yes ..." murmured Mr Snow. 'She, too, has a precious gift that

Mo-Town, the great mother of the Plainfolk, has given into the hands of

the M'Calls. As you can never be a true Bear, she can never be a true

She-Wolf."

Cadillac frowned. 'But she has great power. Is it not the task of a

summoner to aid the clan in battle?"

'Yes,' said Mr Snow. 'But like you she was born in the shadow of

Talisman. The Sky Voices that spoke at her birth told me that she was

linked to the Thrice-Gifted One. Just as your life-stream runs

alongside hers, both merge with the great river from which Talisman

draws his strength. The elders, your clan-brothers and sisters know

this. Know that you. are among the Chosen Ones. That is why you have

no need of standing. Even though Motor-Head may mock your manhood, he

and the other warriors are ready to lay down their lives for you.

Every man, woman and child in this clan is prepared to die to protect

you."

Cadillac sat back on his haunches, stunned by this revelation. 'I did

not know this. Talisman! Is that the truth?"

'I never speak anything else,' said Mr Snow.

'These words are heavy,' muttered Cadillac.

Mr Snow smiled. 'You have strong shoulders. You will learn to bear

them."

'But -' Cadillac wrestled with this new burden. 'What must I do?"

Mr Snow held up his left hand and counted off his fingers. 'Listen to

the sky. Seek wisdom, not glory. Act prudently. Love your

brothers.