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the Cousin River Village has been cursed because of me,” Chakliux said softly.
    “That is because they do not know who you are!”
    “Nothing has changed. I am the same person I have always been,” said Chakliux, but even as he spoke, doubt pricked his heart.
    Gguzaakk had died in childbirth. Had he cursed her? He shook his head. No. He knew why she had died. It was one reason he was here. How could he bear to stay in his own village with that knowledge tearing him apart?
    Then he felt the comfort of Gguzaakk’s spirit close to him, and he reminded himself that even his son had been born whole and perfect. No deformities, no marks that told of curses.
    Wolf-and-Raven and his wife, Blue Flower, sat without speaking. They watched their daughter as though she were a dancer, performing. Finally, when Snow-in-her-hair was exhausted, she dropped down to cry, lying with her face in her mother’s lap.
    After a moment, Wolf-and-Raven cleared his throat. Chakliux waited for the man to speak, and as he waited, he gathered words for his reply. He must convince Wolf-and-Raven that neither he nor old He Talks, the shaman of Chakliux’s village, had intended to harm Snow-in-her-hair or any person in the Near River Village. They only wanted everyone to live together in peace.
    “There are those who say the Cousin River People sent you to curse us,” Wolf-and-Raven finally said. He was a man of long face and loose skin, and his lips were too large for his words, smearing them together so Chakliux had to listen carefully to understand what he said. “I do not believe this.”
    Chakliux raised his eyebrows to show that he agreed with the man.
    “I saw your surprise when Day Woman claimed you. I think you came to bring peace. That is something we need. I do not remember the last time of fighting between our villages, but there are those who do. If what they say is true, I do not want the same thing to happen again.
    “I also knew your father, your true father. You have his face, though it seems you do not have his spirit. And Day Woman is not one to lie. Nor Ligige’.” He stopped to point with his chin at Chakliux’s feet. “She said your toes are like those of a baby she delivered long ago—Day Woman’s son. That child was taken to the Grandfather Rock. Even your Cousin River mother has said you were found on the Grandfather Rock.”
    Yes, Chakliux thought. Found by his mother. He knew the story well. How could he not, being Dzuuggi?
    “But we need peace,” Wolf-and-Raven said. “I have spoken to your grandfather, Tsaani. He agrees with me. Snow-in-her-hair will not be your wife. I cannot force her. I do not know the ways of your village, but here a woman is not given as wife against her will.”
    “It is the same in my village,” Chakliux said quietly.
    “We ask you to stay. To hunt with us and fish with us, to spend this year with us, so our people will see that you are not a curse. The young hunters need to understand that if they choose to fight, they will kill good people—men just like themselves.
    “For now, you will live with your brother. Your mother’s husband does not want you in her lodge until he knows you are not cursed. Your brother, though, is a strong hunter. He and his wife say you are welcome in her lodge.”
    “His name is?”
    “Sok. You have seen him. His wife makes the pattern of the sun from pieced skins on his parkas and boots.”
    Yes, Chakliux thought. He knew the man. He was strong-looking, not tall but big. His voice was loud and he laughed often. He seemed to be a man who sought attention, who enjoyed the envy of others. It was strange to think of him as brother.
    “For my daughter’s sake,” Wolf-and-Raven said, “I wish you were animal-gift. For myself, I do not care. Animal-gift or not, we need you to stay in the village, to bind our people together in friendship. Too many will die if we become enemies.”
    The man’s words washed through Chakliux like clear water. If there