Page 92 of Red Hawk's Woman

“Look to the shoreline.” He pointed to their right. “Do you see it?”

“No, what am I supposed to be observing?”

“Look closely.”

She did. “All I can make out here in the moonlight is the face of a canyon wall, with a… Is that a cavern?”

“It is.” He smiled at her. “’Tis an underwater cavern, and so has remained unseen to the eye of man. It is here you will find that which you seek.”

“Here? How do you know this?” She was already pacing slowly out of the water, so she might catch a closer glance at the canyon wall.

“I cannot tell you how I know. All I can relate to you is that this is where you will find the missing artifacts, because⁠—”

“Otohkat! I have sent him.”

The voice, which came from behind them, was deep, masculine and loud. Effie dived behind Red Hawk’s nude body for protection.

“What’s happening, Red Hawk?” she whispered from behind him. “Who is that?”

“Do not fear,” he said. “It is my spirit protector.”

“Your what? Did you know someone else would be here when you brought me?”

“Saa, I did not, and I will explain later who and what my spirit protector is. For now, simply listen.”

Something smooth and sleek dove in and out of the water—out there, in the deep places of the pool—but it caused barely a sound or a ripple against the current. As it rose out of the water once again, it said:

“Four golden images,

When all in a row,

Slaves, his people will be,

No more.”

“Red Hawk, is that a snake talking to us?”

“He is a sea dog.”

“That’s no dog.”

“Sh-h-h. Listen.”

“What you seek is here, water being.

But beware.

Once you find what you seek, you must not share.

For there are those among you who will steal what you have.

And use what is here not for good, but for bad.”

Had she lost her mind? Was a snake not only speaking to her, but reciting rhyming riddles?

“I don’t understand this, Red Hawk. In truth, I’m a little frightened.”

“Sh-h-h. Just listen.”