Illied glanced around, no doubt to gauge people’s reactions. She had obviously planned to earn back her tribe’s approval after the fiasco with Sav and had figured her knowledge of Addie’s meeting with Qalae was an ace up her sleeve, but now her own daughter was foiling her plan.
Illied went on the offensive. “I have eyes and I have ears. What they were doing was wrong and I had to tell the chief. I know wheremyallegiances lie.”
Melmie was on the verge of tears. “You’re lying. You didn’t justhear and see. You spy on everyone! You always look for dirt on other people, for something you can learn about them and use to your advantage. Like you had sent Oh’na and me to spy on Addie when she had first come around.”
Startled, Addie regarded Illied in the new light. Nothing was what it appeared. And her first meeting with Illied and Chele had not been a chance meeting at all. And the girls’ visits, the only bright spot in Addie’s old lonely life, had not been due to their curiosity but because Melmie had been instructed to do so.
Illied’s own cheeks reddened. “Ungrateful daughter!” She gave their audience a sweeping glance. “You all should be grateful to me. We live in such difficult times, and these two, what are they doing?”
A murmur of condemnation sounded from around them.
The High Counselor and the chief finished their discussion.
“The chief has spoken,” Chemmusaayl announced. “He wishes to wait until the men return to decide the women’s final fate. Until then, they’ll be tied to the post.”
Addie’s hand went to her stomach. Qalae caught her wrist and held on tightly, giving strength or drawing it - Addie didn’t know. Visions of Oh’nil assaulted. He, strong as an ox, sagging against the ropes, losing consciousness… Her body wouldn't last half the time Oh’nil’s had held on, and with the baby inside… A terrible throb developed in her head.
“She’s pregnant, High Counselor,” Qalae said.
“And you are not,” came a swift comeback. “You schemed and plotted not to be. That’s how you’ve come to this shameful place in your life. You betrayed the chief and your people, Qalae.”
“It’s not about me. Yes, I’m to blame. I ordered Addie to prepare the herbs for me. Let her be. The tribe needs her child,” Qalae pleaded while Addie remained silent.
“We don’t need her child,” Chemmusaayl sneered. “Of this weird creature? And fathered by a ruined, crippled man? No. Besides, one of our own women has fallen pregnant.”
The stick pointed at Illied.
“What? Is it true?” someone asked.
“Yes.” Now Illied acted all shy and demure. “Klarm is a better mate than Wixab ever was. I’m going to have a baby. A strong, normal-looking one.”
Addie felt sick from doom.
Chief Net’ok raised his hand to the silence. “Enough.” He motioned at Klarm and another young man, a scout who also stayed in the settlement. “Tie them up.”
“No!” Oh’na burst through and latched herself to Addie’s side, wrapping her arms tightly around her middle. “Not my Addie. Let her go.” The last words came muffled as Oh’na buried her face in Addie’s dress.
Addie’s lips trembled and she fought hard not to sob. “Please, little one, go back. They will beat you and I can’t bear it.”
“I love you, Addie.”
“I love you, too. Always.”
Oh’na suddenly let go of her and whirled around. “She did it!” She flung her arm, pointing at Chele who was trying to blend in with the teepees in the back. “It started even before Addie came to us. Chele was the first to give the queen those herbs.”
“Oh’na!” Chele gasped as the women parted like a curtain at the theater, giving the chief and the High Counselor a clear view of her. Chele’s hands nervously kneaded the ends of her sash. “This… isn’t true!” She gave a forced laugh. “I don’t know why she’s saying it. Oh’na, come home right this instant!”
Oh’na turned on Qalae, her little face fierce. “Tell them, my queen! Chele thinks I’m dense, and maybe I am, but I know what I see.”
“Chele was first,” Qalae said easily.
“Chele?” It was the chief who asked.
“I… no!”
“Yes!” Oh’na screamed. “You were!”
Chele’s face twisted in pain and fury. “You ungrateful little animal. I can’t believe you’re my daughter’s child. You don’t even look like her, all fat and coarse. I wish you were never born!”
