Текст книги "Warlord"

Автор книги: Elizabeth A. Vaughan

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Текущая страница: 9 (всего у книги 19 страниц)

Another breath on Essa’s part, and the sun sank down, to set on the Plains. Now the lovers danced in the light of the fire, their bodies yearning for one another. The stars were still hidden in the light of the sunset, but he turned to his beloved to see their gleam in her eyes.

The last notes of the song died away. Essa closed his mouth, and looked at me.

I swallowed hard. “That was beautiful, Eldest Singer Essa. But,” I felt myself tearing up as I spoke, “there is another verse, isn’t there?”

“There is.” Essa tilted his head to look at me. “Would you hear it?”

“Yes. Please.”

In the song, the sun was gone. The moon was high in the endless darkness, and his beloved had gone to the snows. His body ached for her scent and touch. The words explained that the darkness covered his sorrow, and his blade would end it. For even the stars cannot compare to the warmth of her eyes.

I dropped my eyes, remembering Isdra, and her pain.

As the last notes faded away, I looked up. Essa nodded his head to me, and left the tent.

Amyu wasn’t going to go with me on my walk, claiming the press of chores. But I convinced her to come with me, since I knew that the warrior-priest guards wouldn’t talk to me, or answer my questions. In point of fact, I noticed that the guards that appeared when I left the tent were older, and more experienced. I suspected that the younger ones had been replaced after the incident with Simus, but I didn’t say anything.

Besides, I was proud of myself, that I could start to tell them apart. Once Keekai had told me of the one distinctive tattoo, it was much easier.

I exited the tent, putting on my cloak, and stopped dead in my tracks.

“Xylara?” Amyu was behind me, her cloak over her shoulders.

“I thought there was a wide walkway here. Last night, I am almost positive ...” I looked around, puzzled. There was a wide open area in front of the tent now, with other tents surrounding it.

“There was.” Amyu stepped forward, and my guards moved into position. “But the Tribe of the Snake wishes to dance tonight, for a new babe, born into the tribe.”

“So they moved their tents.” I took a few steps forward. “Does that happen often?”

“Of course.” Amyu looked at me oddly. “They’re just tents.”

“Of course,” I echoed. We started walking, skirting the open area to a walkway off to the side. “But if everything moves, how do you know where anything is?”

She took my question seriously. “Some things do not move. Waste areas, fire pits. And the herds are always beyond.” She flashed me a look. “We have a saying. ‘The Heart of the Plains is always beating.’ ”

I nodded in response, too busy looking around to talk.

There were people everywhere. Talking, laughing arguing. In front of tents, repairing tents, knocking tents down. Even as I watched, a section of tents collapsed, and warriors were loading them onto pack beasts.

“Are they moving?” I asked.

Amyu shrugged. “Moving or leaving. The snows come, and many are setting out.”

“Does anyone stay here during the snows?”

Amyu shrugged. “A few. The lodges here are small.”

The sun was warm on my face, but there was enough of a chill to the breeze that I was glad for my cloak as we walked.

But the people had caught my attention again. A group of small children ran past, laughing and chasing each other. They all had a wooden dagger in their belt, and a wooden sword at their side or strapped to their back. The children swirled around us, and then ran off between the tents. I laughed, enjoying their innocent mirth.

Then a man stepped between the tents, and blocked my view.

I looked up, right at Prest.

He stood there, tall and strong, with Epor’s warclub strapped to his back. He’d shaved his head when he’d been sprayed with ehat musk, so his hair was still very, short. I sucked in a breath in surprise at seeing him.

He waited until he knew I had seen him, winked at me, and walked off.

I stumbled a bit, but Amyu was walking ahead of me, so I focused on following her. None of my guards had noticed anything.

I stifled my grin. “So, do the Tribes stay together when they camp here?”

Amyu shrugged. “Most warriors like to be close to the theas and the little ones. So Tribes do camp together. But there are no formal lines that are drawn. All are free to camp where they please.”

A fight broke out to our left, two female warriors taking blades to one another. My warrior-priest guards moved to avoid the clash when it spilled onto our path. I allowed myself to be steered off to the side. A flash of red caught my eye, and I looked behind us for a moment.

There stood Ander and Yveni, just behind us. Ander was grinning like a fool, and Yveni was smirking. They stepped off the path before anyone noticed them standing there.

I didn’t bother to suppress my grin this time.

We rounded a corner, and I spotted a crowd gathered around something on the ground. Two warriors were sitting there, studying something on the ground between them. Others stood over them, watching intently.

As I drew closer I realized they were playing chess.

“I want to see this,” I told Amyu, and moved closer, not waiting for her approval. I craned my head around to see the board that lay before them. Sure enough, it was chess, with pieces carved of wood. I chuckled when I saw the castles had been replaced with ehats.

One of the players looked up. “Warprize!” He scrambled to his feet. The crowd eased back so that I could get closer.

“Warrior.” I gave him a nod. “How goes the game?”

He laughed. “I am showing them all my prowess, Warprize.”

“Where did you learn it? Were you with Keir’s army?”

He nodded. “I was, Warprize. Didn’t last long in the tourney, either. Keir of the Cat is too good at the game.”

The mention of Keir’s name made my guards restless. I gestured for him to return to his game. “Good luck, Warrior.”

“My thanks, Warprize.” His voice followed me as he settled back to his game, and I returned to my guards.

Amyu was frowning. “I thought they planned a pattern dance.”

I shook my head. “It is a game of Xy, called ‘chess’. I taught it to Keir and some others. It is very popular with the warriors of his army.”

We kept walking, and I soaked it all in, the sights and sounds of Keir’s people. It was only when Amyu suggested that she needed to prepare the meal for the nooning that I agreed to return to my tent.

It was as we were strolling back that I spotted him. It wasn’t easy to do, but a movement in the shadows of a tent caught my eye.

It was Marcus. Fully cloaked, and hidden between two tents.

I almost felt like crying, but I kept moving, not wanting to put him at risk. How hard was it for him to move about, in a city of people who thought him afflicted?

They were here, all here, and that meant that Keir was close as well. I drew a deep breath of satisfaction, and kept walking.

We were almost to the tent, when a warrior came towards us, at a run. “Warprize! Warprize!”

“Here!” I called out, and the warrior ran over. My guards reacted, drawing their weapons as if to ward him off. The warrior stopped just outside their reach.

“Warprize.” He sucked in air in order to speak. “Warprize, there is one that is ill. You must come.”

“No.” One of the guards spoke.

The warrior ignored him. “Warprize, I fear it is the plague.”

Chapter 10

For a brief instant, my heart filled with joy. It was a ploy. Keir would be waiting in a tent, pretending to be ill—

But then I saw the fear in Tant’s eyes, and knew it was no gambit of Keir’s. Tant was terrified. No one who had lived through the horror of the plague would ever take it lightly.

Goddess, no.

Deep within, a part of me started to wail in fear. The image of this city of tents burning, of these warm and vibrant people dead, flashed before my eyes.

But the other part, the Master Healer, awoke with anger and determination. Not here. Not if I had anything to say about it. I clutched the strap of my satchel. “Where?”

Relief flooding his face, Tant turned to lead the way, and we both ran into two of my guards, who had moved to block our path. “No. This is not—”

“Bracnect,” I snarled. “Follow if you wish, but get out of my way.” I pushed past them, pulling Tant with me.

“Xylara,” Amyu called, but I ignored her. I knew well enough that they wouldn’t hurt me. As if to confirm my thought, two guards ran off, no doubt to report my transgressions.

“Keep moving,” I whispered, and Tant obliged, moving off at a trot. I followed close behind, my thoughts racing with my feet.

Could it be the plague? We’d waited the required forty days after Gils died. A flash of sorrow cut me as I remembered the boy. His had been the last death caused by the illness. We’d waited the forty days, and dawdled as we’d traveled. Tradition said that was time enough for the plague to fade away.

But the sweat had been like no other, killing quickly and striking fast. Maybe we hadn’t waited long enough. Maybe we’d carried it with us, an unseen enemy, into the Heart of the Plains.

My mouth went dry, but my eyes started to tear. Oh, Goddess, please, no. All these people. All these children. In my mind’s eye I saw again the blackened village, used as a pyre for the dead.

We were at a tent and in before I could take another breath. The tent wasn’t large, and held a pallet with a child on it, surrounded by three women, a small brazier off to the side. I focused instantly on the child, a boy, hair plastered to his forehead, damp with sweat. He turned wide, frightened eyes towards me.

“I found her,” Tant started, but then Amyu and two of my guards burst into the tent.

“Outside,” I barked.

They hesitated.

“Outside!” one of the women snapped, repeating my order with a glare as fierce as Marcus’s.

That was too much for them, and they retreated out through the tent flap.

I knelt beside the pallet. “I am Lara, of—”

“Tant told us.” The woman spoke. “I am Inde of the Bear, thea to Sako.” She nodded her head toward the boy on the pallet. “Tant told us of the ‘plague’ and gave us this.” She held out a jar of fever’s foe. “We didn’t know how to use it, and Tant said that you must be brought here, to treat the child.”

The other woman protested. “She should not be here. Who is she, a city-dweller, to treat a child of the Plains? You offend the elements and the warrior-priests.”

Inde’s glance was a quelling one. “I will risk that, to protect the life of this boy.”

The woman scowled, but closed her mouth in a tight frown.

“How long has he been ill?” I reached out to feel the boy’s forehead, smiling at him. He stared at me un-blinkingly. His wooden weapons were next to him, on his pallet, set out much the same way that Keir positioned his. That had to mean he was between three and four years old.

“A few hours.” Inde took up a cloth, and bathed the child’s forehead. “He complained of feeling tired ear lier, and I put him to bed. I should have realized when he didn’t protest that he wasn’t well. I checked on him and found him sweating.”

Tant was hovering over us. “I couldn’t risk it, Warprize. Not after—”

“You were right, Tant.” I gave him an approving glance, and he relaxed. “We can take no risks when it comes to the plague.” I placed my hand against Sako’s forehead. “But I doubt this is the sweat.”

There was a noise outside. Before we could do more than look up, Wild Winds swept into the tent. “What is this?”

Tant and the women had lowered their heads, their eyes down. So I spoke up. “A sick child, Eldest Warrior-Priest. They feared that it might be the plague, and asked me to see the child.”

Wild Winds’s eye narrowed, and he took a step closer. Tant pressed himself to the canvas to allow the man to pass. “Is it?” he demanded, the skulls hanging from his staff rattling against one another.

“No. It isn’t.” I answered firmly.

Tant sagged with relief, muttering a soft prayer to the earth.

“How so?” Wild Winds demanded.

“Do you hurt, Sako?” I asked softly. “Can you show me where?”

The boy nodded, and rubbed his throat and ears.

“Open your mouth,” I asked, and sure enough, his throat was raw. “Does it hurt to swallow?”

He nodded again, his large brown eyes darting between myself and the warrior-priest.

“This is common for children among my people.” I glanced at Inde and got a quick confirming nod. “It is not the plague.”

Wild Winds turned, saying something soft to one of the guards outside. I heard running feet as Wild Winds turned back and folded his arms over his chest. “And how would you heal this, Xyian?”

Startled, I looked up into that tattooed face, but all I saw was honest curiosity.

“I would have the child rest and sleep. I would have his thea give him a dose of the fever’s foe.” I caught a flash of fear over Tant’s face. “Out of the jar that I have given them.” I reached for it, and scooped out some on my finger. “This much, every two hours.” I showed it to Wild Winds, then turned back to Sako. “Open up. The taste is bad, but you are a warrior, eh?”

The boy bravely opened his mouth, and I scraped the fever’s foe on his tongue. He made no protest to the taste, warrior that he was. But that didn’t stop him from screwing up his face in disgust.

“How do you know this is not the plague?” Wild Winds demanded.

“The plague strikes fast, and is very deadly. The fever is hot and fierce. Any who take ill tend to lose their wits, and sweat much more than this child.” I looked at the theas. “There is also an odor with the plague, a very rank smell. Almost as bad as ehat musk.”

“So if the child had the plague, he would already be dead,” Wild Winds stated.

I nodded, even as the woman sucked in a breath in horror. But Inde was made of sterner stuff. She’d fol lowed our conversation intently, and now spoke. “Warprize. I would ask for your token.”

Caught off guard, it took me a moment to hand her the jar of fever’s foe. “You have my token, Inde.”

Inde took the jar, and cradled it in her hands. “Warprize, I would tell you a truth. The skills of the Warprize are spoken of with praise, and you are known to be a ‘healer’, with fabulous powers over life and death.” She kept her eyes averted, but turned her head toward Wild Winds. “I would not offend, but I would ask the warrior-priest to cast his spells of healing as well.” She shifted the jar in her hands. “The health of the child is the most important thing.”

Sako’s eyes got even bigger, and he swallowed hard, with obvious pain.

Magic. I might get to see magical healing. I kept my face calm but my heart jumped at the chance. But when I cast a look up at Wild Winds’s face, he returned my look with a neutral glance. I shifted my eyes away, but the silence continued to grow. Was he really going to refuse to heal a child?

I reached for my satchel, and shifted away from the boy’s side. The theas were startled by my movement, but I ignored them. I tried to make my voice sound normal. “I am not offended, Inde. You are right. What matters is the boy’s well-being.”

I stood then, and stepped away, as if making room. As I brushed close to Wild Winds, I challenged him with a look, but said nothing.

Wild Winds arched an eyebrow in response, but also remained silent. I thought he would refuse, but then he let his cloak drop to the floor, and plunged his staff into the ground. With one step he moved to stand at the boy’s side.

With wide eyes, the theas moved as well, Inde moving to Sako’s head, the other woman to his feet. Tant was summoned with a flick of Wild Winds’ finger, and placed opposite him.

Wild Winds took something from a belt pouch, and added it to the small brazier. Then he sank to his knees beside the boy. The others sank as well. Out of courtesy I sat down too, but with much less grace. The staff wasn’t far from me, and those human skulls seemed to move on their own, dangling from the end of braided leather strips.

Wild Winds began to chant, calling the elements to him and asking for their aid. His voice was deep and strong. The others took up the chant as well, their heads down, their voices a soft undertone. Sako was perfectly still, his breathing deep and slow, his eyes closed.

Smoke puffed from the coals, and, to my surprise, spilled down over the sides of the brazier, a lovely, deep purple. It flowed down, covering the floor of the tent, and then started to rise slowly around us. It made me uneasy, but the others didn’t seem to mind. I realized that their eyes were closed, and they were swaying slightly to the beat of the chant.

Wild Winds was an imposing figure, with those matted braids, and the tattoos that covered his body. The dim light made it seem as if they moved, intertwining, dancing over his skin to the sound of Wild Winds’s voice. The skulls seemed to tremble with the sound, turning to grin at me.

I blinked a bit, sat up straighter, and tried not to breathe so deeply.

“We are of the elements,” Wild Winds spoke as the others continued the chant. “Flesh, breath, soul, and blood.” He reached and pressed his right hand down on Sako’s left hand. “The soul is made of fire, and sits within the left hand.”

The boy gasped at his touch, his whole body jerking, his eyes flying open. Wild Winds reached over and brushed his hand over them, and Sako closed them in obedience.

“The breath is made of air, and sits within the right hand.” Wild Winds pressed on Sako’s right hand. The boy’s breathing was slowing again, as his body relaxed. I watched carefully, trying to see a change in his condition.

“The blood is made of water, and sits within the left foot.” Wild Winds reached for the boy’s foot and I re membered where I’d heard these words before. That night, in Keir’s tent, after he’d attacked Lord Durst in the heat of anger. He’d used the same phrases. I tried to use them on Keir when he’d been ill, but I’d gotten it wrong.

Wild Winds pressed the boy’s right foot. “The flesh is made of earth and sits within the right foot.” He leaned back on his heels. “The elements will heal you, warrior of the Plains.”

The brazier had stopped smoking, and the air was beginning to clear. Wild Winds reached out, and pulled the boy’s blanket higher, over his shoulders. “Sleep now.”

Sako stirred, opened his eyes and smiled into that fearsome face. “My thanks, Eldest Warrior-Priest.” He yawned, and blinked sleepily. “You have honored me.”

“Sleep.” Wild Winds rose. The others were rousing as well, lifting their heads, and looking about as if con fused. He looked down at them sternly. “Air the tent, but keep him warm.”

“Our thanks, Eldest Warrior-Priest,” Inde spoke, even as she and the other woman moved to obey, but Tant paused before me.

“I’m sorry, Warprize. I feared that the plague was here.”

“You did the right thing, Tant.” I stood as well, and gathered up my satchel. “We can’t take any chances.”

Tant nodded his head, and moved to help the others.

“I will escort you to your tent,” Wild Winds said, retrieving his cloak and pulling his staff from the ground. He held the flap open and I emerged into the fresh, cool air. A breeze had sprung up, and I wrapped my cloak around me, even as Wild Winds brought his own over his shoulders.

Apparently, even warrior-priests could feel cold.

Amyu and the guards were waiting, and they stepped back as Wild Winds walked past them. I fell into step beside him, and Amyu and the others followed behind, silent.

After a moment, I risked a question. “What was in the smoke?”

“What was in the jar?” Wild Winds fired back.

“Fever’s foe,” I answered, using the Xyian words. “You make it by—”

“You’d share that?” He stopped and stared at me. “With me?”

I stood, and stared right back at him, ignoring the tattoos and focused on his eyes. “Yes.”

We stood there in silence. I refused to look away as he studied me. One of my curls chose that moment to work its way loose, and float down to dance in the breeze.

Wild Winds spun on his heel, and strode off.

I had to run a few paces to catch up, determined to walk beside him, and not behind. The way before us was crowded with people and horses, but it cleared, as all who saw Wild Winds coming yielded the way.

The silence between us continued until I broke it again. “I thought you were in senel with the Council.”

“I was, until word came that your affliction had appeared.” He spared me a glance. “We are not stupid, Xyian. Whether it is an affliction or your ‘illness’, we fear your unseen enemy.”

“I never said you were stupid,” I answered hotly, and would have said more but for the obstacle in our path. A jumble of children and wooden swords came crashing out of a nearby tent. Absorbed in their game, they attacked each other in a flurry of blows, causing them to trip and fall over each other, and sprawl at our feet.

“What is this?” Wild Winds demanded, glaring down at them.

Three heads, covered in red curls, popped up. Pale faces, covered in freckles, went even paler, as three pairs of green eyes widened in horror at the sight of the warrior-priest.

I gasped. Gils . . .

A woman’s voice rose from a tent, seeking the three troublemakers. That set the boys scrambling away through the tents, disappearing as quick as their legs could carry them.

Wild Winds snorted, and continued on his way.

I hesitated, but Amyu and my guards pressed me, and we followed behind.

Wild Winds didn’t speak until we arrived at my tent. He turned to face me, folding his arms over his chest. His glare didn’t bother me in the slightest. I just stood there, and crossed my arms too. And narrowed my eyes for good measure. “I do not understand your healing,” I said.

“I do not understand yours,” he replied.

“You use no herbs.”

“You do not invoke the elements.”

I dropped my arms, and sighed. “I’ve been known to pray to my Goddess.”

Wild Winds hesitated, then gave me a quick nod. “I’ve been known to use certain plants.”

We regarded each other. This time Wild Winds broke the silence. “Keir of the Cat despises warrior-priests and all of our ways. He would see us destroyed. This is no secret.” He lowered his brows, and looked at me intently. “And you?”

I thought for a moment. “Keir is my Warlord,” I said. “But there was a time when I feared all Firelanders. I thought they were savage killers who breathed fire, and killed all living things.”

Wild Winds’s eyebrows shot up, but he simply nodded. “I will think on this.”

I nodded as well. “So will I.”

He turned and strode off without another word, and I watched him go, suddenly confused. Had I just made a friend? No, that was too strong a word. As was ‘ally’. What did that mean?

“Wait,” I called impulsively. Wild Winds paused and looked back at me over his shoulder. I took a few steps closer. “I want to know what is happening. What is going on before the Council?”

He scowled, the tattoos on his face moving to show his displeasure, but I took another step forward. “It’s my life the Council is deciding and it’s not right to keep me ignorant of—”

Wild Winds turned and walked away.

My mouth open, I watched as he strode off again.

“The warrior-priests keep their own counsel,” Amyu spoke from behind me in condescending tones.

It was just as well that no one nearby understood Xyian. I vented my feelings with a few short, pithy comments about warrior-priests in general and stomped right into my tent.

A figure moved in the dimness, and I paused in the entrance, startled. “Who?”

A deep voice chuckled. “Pray to the Sun God my mother never hears you talk like that.”

“Heath!”

I flung myself into my childhood friend’s arms. Heath laughed, and leaned down to press our foreheads together, a ritual greeting just between the two of us. Then he lifted me up and twirled us around, holding me tight, and for a moment I was a child again, safe in the arms of my older ‘brother’. I squeezed him again as he set me on my feet. “Heath, I am so glad to see you!”

“And I, you.” Heath stepped back and spread his arms wide. “Look at you, Lara! A woman of the Plains.”

Amyu paused inside the tent, frowning slightly. I smiled at her, taking Heath’s arm to turn him toward her. “Amyu, this is Heath. He is of Xy.”

Amyu’s face cleared. “I was told of his coming. You may talk over the nooning, Daughter of Xy. But the Warlord Ultie has asked to court you after the meal.” She removed her cloak. “I will bring kavage and food.”

Heath laughed. “Well, I understood ‘kavage’ and my name. But not much else.”

“This is Amyu of the Boar,” I said. “A Warrior of the Plains.”

Heath nodded his head. “Greetings, Warrior.” He spoke the words slowly and carefully.

In a blink, Amyu’s entire posture changed. Wooden-faced and stiff, she inclined her head and left the tent. I would have followed her, to ask how I offended, but Heath had all my attention. He pulled me toward the stools and table. “Lara, there isn’t much time. We must talk.”

I was so full of questions, I didn’t know where to start. “Why are you here? What is happening in Water’s Fall? How are Anna and Othur? And Eln?”

Heath shook his head, his own brown curls dancing. “Calm down, little bird! Let me get a word in edgewise!”

I laughed. We’d looked so alike as children, there’d been those that thought I was his sister, and daughter of Anna and Othur. But now his brown eyes regarded me seriously as he continued in Xyian. “But we’ll speak this tongue.” I gave him a questioning look, and he shrugged. “The Warlord thinks it wise.”

Keir. He’d spoken to Keir! I sat up straight, and opened my mouth with a dozen more questions, but Amyu entered at that point, bearing kavage and a small bowl of gurt.

I accepted a mug, but Heath waved it away. “How can you drink that stuff, Lara?” Heath gave a mock shudder. “It’s so bitter, and one mug sets my hands trembling.”

“I’ve grown to enjoy it.” I took a sip as Amyu left. Heath’s gaze followed her as she left the tent.

“All was well when I left Water’s Fall,” Heath spoke softly. “There wasn’t much time for farewells or letters, Lara. A messenger came, one of those fearsome looking warrior-priests, who walked in during a Council session in the throne room.” Heath rolled his eyes. “The ladies of the Court fainted dead away at the sight.

“The warrior-priest brandished a spear and demanded that Atira go to the Heart of the Plains and appear before the Council to speak her truths.” Heath’s face grew grim. “Simus agreed, but once the messenger left, Simus told us that something was wrong. He swore Atira would not ride alone. We’d barely enough time to gather weapons and gear before we were on our way.” He grimaced slightly. “I’ve never ridden that far, that fast before. We rode as if mountain demons were on our tails, changing horses every hour, or so it seemed. I suspect my body will feel it for days to come.” He shifted a bit on the stool. “Mother and Father would have sent letters, but there wasn’t time.” He grinned. “Mother has taken the baby to her breast, and is cooing and clucking like a hen. It was a good idea to send Meara to her, Lara. The babe has filled her arms and her heart.” Heath rolled his eyes. “But you should have heard her shriek when she saw the babe’s tattoo.”

I grinned, remembering my reaction. “Stain. They stain the babies.”

“Stain,” Heath corrected himself.

“Good.” I was glad the babe from Wellspring was in Anna’s hands. “But, Heath, I understand Simus’s coming,” I replied, “but why did you come?”

There was a touch of red on his cheeks. “I told Warren that we needed a representative of Xy with Simus. He wasn’t happy, but had no time to argue.”

I gave him a hard look, but he avoided my eyes. “When we reached the border, Simus and Atira started that weird warbling cry. It wasn’t long before we found Keir and his men.” Heath corrected himself. “His warriors. The Warlord was furious, having just received news of the attack on you.” Heath reached out for a handful of gurt. “More horses and we were off again, riding hard. We arrived, exhausted and weary, only to have the Council summon Keir to appear before his feet even touched the ground.”

“You were there?” I leaned forward.

“Oh, yes. I followed everyone into the tent. That huge tent was crowded, filled with people.” Heath popped some gurt in his mouth and started to chew. “The Warlord, Simus as his Second.” Heath grimaced. “Atira and Joden. And the one called Iften. They were all there.” He popped another piece of gurt in his mouth.

“How can you eat that stuff? I’ve tried and I still can’t stomach it,” I said, more to distract myself than because I wanted to know. Was I the only one that was not at these sessions? What purpose did that serve?

Heath gave me a surprised look. “It’s good!” I crinkled my nose, and he chuckled. “I guess I got used to it on the journey here.”

“So, what happened in the senel?” I asked.

“Well, it was all in their tongue, Lara, so I understood only a word here and there. They were talking so fast, practically spitting their words at each other. I kept expecting them to come to blows more than once.” He shook his head in admiration. “But the Warlord stood there before all of them, tall, strong, and defiant. He gave as good as he got, Lara, and never once released his temper or drew his sword. But Simus, oh, Lara, now there’s a man for an argument. He’d pace back and forth, talking with his hands, smiling as if to charm the entire Council.”

Heath grew serious for a moment. “After what seemed like hours, Keir sat, and that Iften spoke. Now there is one full of piss and wind. I’d not turn my back on him. Arrogant, he was, and strutting like a rooster.”

Amyu came in, bearing bread, and meat with melted gurt. Her face was stony, and she didn’t speak.

I knew something was wrong, but all my attention was focused on Heath. “And?” I demanded.

Heath picked up some bread, and waited for Amyu to leave the tent. “Iften ranted, Lara. I was sure at one point that Simus would pull his sword, but he didn’t.” Heath tore at the bread. “Lara, no one has told me the details, but I think Keir was punished by the Council. Their faces were grim as they spoke, and when Keir left the tent.”

“Punished?” I asked. “How?”

Heath shook his head. “I do not know, Lara. They spoke so fast, and with such anger. Odd that such fierce warriors never once pulled their weapons during the council.”

“Heath, you must take care.” I put my hand on his arm to make my point, and felt the muscles there. ’ ”These people are fantastic warriors, and if they take offense, they attack without warning.”