Likewise garbed in a blend of flowing, silk skirts already donned for the wedding and her ceremonial shamanic regalia, Smoke Cat Watching is dancing, one last time and at the last possible minute, in augury for her adopted sister Springing Doe's bonding ritual. Her magic is strong and, as she loses herself in the sacred movement, glimpses of the future open before her mind’s eye. The portents are good, all is going well and smoothly until the appearance of her spirit animal, the mythical smoke cat, who brings a dire warning. Someone is ill-wishing the marriage, someone who evidently does not want peace between the clans and is cowardly enough to choose this way to go about ruining the negotiations.
Smoke Cat Watching is a powerful young shaman but, at only two years older than Wolf Calling, she lacks experience with curses of such a high level of force. This degree and type of malice smacks of demon mischief, of interference from the netherworld at the instigation of one who has traded bits of humanity for influence over others. It is termed “mischief” because to envision an all-out assault by demons is more than a sane mind can handle. Smoke is not sure whom to trust, even within Sun Horse Clan, as clearly there is someone she doesn’t know as well as she believed; yet, Rolling Thunder is at risk, also. Specifically, Grey Owl is in danger, for it is a death spell cast over the betrothed pair.
"What shall I do?" she asks the clouded, charcoal-hued smoke cat, which, as usual, after delivering its message, yields no further intelligible aid, instead speaking her own wisdom back to her. This is the way of totem animals. And, especially, it is the way of cats.
"Watch! And watch closely!" is her answer. Although it would be helpful to have a clue as to what she should watch for, the shaman knows better than to pester a panther-sized feline for hints it is unwilling to provide. Solemnly, Smoke Cat thanks her spirit animal for its help, its care, and the trouble it has gone to on her behalf. After all, it didn’t have to bestir itself to deliver its warning.
