Chronicles Of The Warlands - Warlord Part 20

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 G.o.ddess."

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'smy 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 G.o.d 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 p.i.s.s 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."

"I know about tokens, and their use," Heath tried to rea.s.sure me. He turned his head and smiled, and in that moment, I realized that my childhood friend had changed. He was thinner, harder, his muscles more defined. When he looked at me, his eyes seemed filled with pain, and a determination that I'd never seen before. "It helps that I still don't know the language that well. I'm careful what I say and who I say it to, that's all."

"Heath ..." I cleared my throat. "What aren't you telling me?"

There was a long pause as he slowly chewed the gurt. I kept silent, and waited, knowing full well that eventually he'd speak. After a long moment, he raised his head and spoke. "You are not the only Xyian who lost their heart to one of the Plains."

Chapter 11.