massive boar, a greedy, hungry light in them. But no one moved.

of vines. "This," she announced, her voice ringing with newfou

rough the crowd. They thought the

l open, and a cascade of huge, dirt-cov

instantly, replaced by stu

"Is this a joke? You bring us mud and roc

and his face went pale. He stumbled back in terror.

recoiled as if the tube

rity, made his way through the parting crowd. The Shaman, Gifford Martin

is voice raspy with age and power, "clansmen, starving, ate the spro

us food, she brought us poison! She means t

veral young warriors raised their spears

in front of her, a shield of tense muscle and killing intent

te. "The Star-Gods warned me: when the Devil's Root grows green skin and sprouts 'serpent tongues,' a dark poiso

ns were met with heavy doubt. The concept of hidden poisons entering and

defy the Shaman's authority, not when it was a matter of life and deat

The wall of ignorance was

n acted. He reached down and picked up one o

e went si

no trace of doubt, only a question. "You said thi

aze. A lump formed in her throat. She nodded, her voice

s all h

the Shaman. "I will test it," he announ

widened in disbelief. To willingl

fool's death. But it

as iron, "it proves she is innocent. And y

ot a free boar. If he lived, they got a new food source and a wa

, don't! It's not poisonous, but eating that much raw starch wi

it with his own. His thumb brushed the back of her hand,

ified, hateful, and hopeful eyes, Bronson

as he bit off a huge chunk. He chewed it, dirt

alight with vicious anticipation, wai