第13节

ours without a break, sleeping on

their feet as birds do on the wing; guided by some mysterious internal

navigation system.

The running cloud drifted against the grey-blue shadowed land beyond,

burning with orange fire as it caught the slanting rays of the sun.

Cadillac hurriedly loaded his own crossbow. 'Could those two crows

have flown to more of their brothers?" he asked anxiously. From his

experience of Mr Snow's powers he knew that if it left the summoner

exhausted, it did not come quickly again. If those who now ran towards

them were marauding Lion-Hearts ...

'Make me tall and I shall tell you,' said Clearwater.

Cadillac cupped his hands together so that Clearwater could climb up

and stand upon his shoulders. He sucked his breath in sharply as her

added weight compressed his slashed ribs.

Clearwater who, like most Mutes, was blessed with remarkably sharp,

almost hawk-like vision, quickly focussed on the tufts of golden

feathers on the side of the runner's head-masks. 'They are Bears -'

She waved vigorously then leapt nimbly to the ground and faced Cadillac

with a smile.

'- come to escort their warrior-wordsmith home in triumph."

The posse of M'Call Bears reached them some fifteen minutes later.

They were led by Motor-Head, the most fearless of cadillac's

clan-brothers. A powerful young warrior, heavily built like the dead

Shakatak, but who had filled not one, but two head-poles. With him

were Hawkwind, Chainsaw, Black-Top, Brass-Rail, Steel-Eye, Ten-Four and

Convoy, all of them bearing - as was the custom - Names of Power that

had once belonged to the Heroes of the Old Time. Each was dressed in

the eccentric fashion of Mute warriors, their leather body plates,

adorned with trophies and emblems attesting to their prowess and

courage, and they arrived carrying the limp bodies of Cannonball and

Freeway slung like ded fast-foot from newly cut saplings.

Motor-Head circled the bodies of Torpedo and Shakatak, gave an

approving nod, then walked over to Cadillac and threw an arm round his

shoulders. 'Good work, little sand-worm."

Motor-Head waved towards the bodies of Cannonball and Freeway. 'You

must have frightened them mightily.

Their running cloud was like a tower in the sky!" cadillac exchanged a

sideways glance with Clearwater.

She bit back a smile, then said, 'He also brought down the capo."

This news brought grunts of approval from Cadillac's clan-brothers.

Convoy counted the branched horns. 'Ten points! No one has done

better!" Motor-Head added his grudging approval. 'So, sand-worm - is

wrestling with words not enough to fill your day?

Would you also fight and hunt and run with the Bears?"

Cadillac faced up to Motor-Head's mocking gaze. 'Does not the

branch-worm become a leaf-wing? Why should a sand-worm not become a

warrior worthy to bear his Name of Power?"

Motor-Head chuckled and planted himself before Cadillac with folded

arms. 'Your tongue strikes sparks, wordsmith. And now your hands have

held sharp iron. You have cut down meat, and you have chewed bone."

He turned towards the other warriors. 'How say you, brothers - is he

worthy to be one of us?"

One by one, Hawkwind, Chainsaw, Black-Top, Brass-Rail, Steel-Eye,

Ten-Four and Convoy solemnly thrust out their right arms towards

Cadillac, the fingers clenched, the thumb raised.

Motor-Head took off his feathered head-mask and placed it on Cadillac's

head. 'Welcome, blood-brother Bear! May your arm strike hard and

true, may your heart be strong, and your name be honoured in the fire

songs of our people!" 'Hey~YUH! Hey-YUH! Hey-YUH!!" chorussed the

others. Clearwater's eyes glistened with tears of joy as she joined

with the others, raising her arms as they shouted the traditional

accolade.

It was a sweet moment of triumph - which Cadillac spoilt by fainting

from loss of blood.

FOUR