“Osiyo,” Timpoochee jumped into the discussion again, to grumbles from behind him.
“I know the Medicine should not be forsaken. I know it has sustained our people since we came into being.
“But the Medicine does not seem to be helping our Anigusa, Anistata or Anita cousins deal with Yonega in the flat lands. More and more Yonega trouble them with each passing moon. Will it be only time before they move against us in the same way?
Yufala rose to address the entire council.
“Perhaps in the impatience of your youth it does not seem the lessons of ancient time are helping our cousins in the low lands,” he said. “Indeed, it may not be helping. Our Medicine comes from our land, our plants, our animals, all creatures. Without the knowledge to extract it we remain ignorant to the ways of Shaconage.
“The plants and animals have sustained us for thousands and thousands of seasons. We must learn to respect the other creatures and help them so they will, in turn, respect and help us.”
Yufala bent over to stir the fire. Its flames suddenly leaped ferociously into the air.