Warlord

by Elizabeth Vaughan

  Essa sank down on to the bed with a sigh. Wild Winds was tying bells into the flap. Essa looked at me, and gave me a weary smile. “I confess, I thought you would refuse.”

  “After all this?” I responded gently. “How could I?” I placed my satchel on the floor, almost afraid I’d lose it in the clutter. “Now, where are you hurt?”

  Essa, proud Singer of the Plains, blushed. Flushed right up like a maiden. Surprised, I stood and waited, my eyes on Essa.

  “It is not an honorable wound,” Essa admitted. He stopped speaking.

  I waited in silence for a moment, then cleared my throat. “A Healer treats a healing as a Singer holds words in his heart.”

  Essa looked at me closely. “Truth?”

  I nodded. “I know that privacy is important to the one being treated. I will speak of it to no other.”

  Wild Winds spoke. “Even Keir?”

  I looked at him, then back at Essa. “Do you tell all to your bed mates?”

  “No,” Essa confirmed. “I do not.”

  “Nor do I,” I responded. “Unless it is something like a plague, where the illness can affect others.”

  We sat in silence for a moment, as they considered this. I thought I heard Keir’s mail jingle in the other room. From the sound of it, my Warlord was pacing.

  Essa cleared his throat again. “All the hours of sitting in Council has made it worse. And the itching …” Essa shifted on the bed. “It’s enough to drive a man to the snows.”

  I arched an eyebrow, now knowing what the problem probably was, and started to dig into my satchel. “And your bowels? How do they move?”

  With the relief of a confessed sinner, Essa started to give me all the details. I listened carefully, and pulled out one of the ointments that I always carry. “Call for warm water, please. And some cloths.”

  Essa didn’t hesitate, nor did he pause when I asked him to drop his trous. I inspected the site carefully. “It’s not so bad, yet. But you must take steps to avoid it getting worse.”

  So I gave him the cream, and we talked about his diet. I urged him to drink more water and kavage and avoid spicy foods for some time. I recommended that he sit in warm water at least twice a day. “If you do not take these precautions, they can get so bad that they hang out.”

  Essa blanched as I turned to wash my hands. “That is to be avoided, if possible.”

  “If possible,” I agreed. “But I have ways of dealing with that as well. But let us try this first. The ointment will aid with the itching.”

  Essa sighed. “Council is over after tonight, for the season.”

  “That will help.” I stood. “You might also consider using a cushion.”

  Wild Winds said nothing the entire time. He’d found a stool in amidst the clutter, and sat there, his arms crossed over his chest, and watched as I explained the treatments to Essa. Now Essa looked at him. “Well?”

  Wild Winds’s face was impassive.

  “What?” I asked.

  “He took a wound—”

  Wild Winds cut Essa off with a gesture.

  I looked down at my hands as I dried them off carefully. Essa spoke first. “She holds it as a Singer holds confidences. You’re not a fool, Wild Winds.” Essa crossed his arms over his chest. “Stubborn, but not a fool.”

  Wilds Winds stared at me.

  I crossed my arms and stared right back at him.

  “So,” Keir said.

  We were walking back to our tent, holding hands. I gave him a glance. “So?”

  He looked at me questioningly.

  “Ah.” I looked forward, and leaned against him for just a moment as we walked. “You wish to know what was wrong with Essa.”

  “I didn’t think he took a wound during combat,” Keir mused. “Where was he hurt?’

  I sighed. “Keir, healers treat a healing as a Singer of the Plains holds words in his heart.”

  Keir frowned “You promised to tell me—”

  “Where I go to heal and why.” I smiled at him. “I will tell you who I treat, but not the details. What’s done under the bells is private, yes?”

  Keir grunted. We walked a few steps more and he spoke again. “But Essa took a healing from you?”

  “He did.”

  “And the Eldest Warrior-Priest watched?”

  “He did.”

  “I am satisfied,” Keir pronounced.

  “I am glad.” I gave him a smile. “I will show you how glad when we return to the tent.”

  Keir grinned.

  We entered the tent together, Keir pretending to drag me within, saying something about claiming his Warprize. We were brought up short by the sight of Marcus and Amyu standing there, facing us. “It is time,” Marcus said.

  Keir stiffened. “The ceremony is not until sunset.”

  Marcus glared at both of us. “Herself needs to eat and bathe. You need to prepare as well.” Marcus crossed his arms over his chest. Amyu copied him. “She will be well guarded, and protected, Warlord.”

  Keir scowled.

  Marcus scowled right back.

  Amyu looked nervous, her eyes darting between the two men. I waited for the inevitable.

  Keir huffed at Marcus. “We can eat together.”

  Marcus inclined his head, and he and Amyu stepped aside to reveal a table loaded down with food. “Do so,” Marcus ordered. “Quickly.”

  “So much food, Marcus.” I smiled even as I moved toward a stool. “Why—”

  “LITTLE HEALER!” Simus boomed from outside.

  Marcus rolled his eye, and I laughed as Simus entered the tent. “Greetings, Simus of the Hawk. Welcome to my tent.” I indicated the table with a sweep of my arm. “Join us for the nooning.”

  “Thank you, Warprize.” Simus stepped aside. “There is another that seeks your company.”

  Joden stepped within the tent.

  “Joden,” I greeted him warmly. “Please join us.”

  “Thank you, Warprize.” Joden inclined his head, and we sat together at the table. The first few moments might have been awkward, but Simus would not let that happen. He started in with pleasure, and started to tell tales of his adventures in Xy after we left. We were laughing helplessly soon enough, for his tales of sparring with Lord Warren over the tables at the High Court had me holding my sides and laughing until they ached.

  Marcus hovered, and made it clear that time was wasting. Simus and Joden rose as the last of the dishes were cleared. “Come, Keir,” Simus insisted. “Marcus has your gear in my tent. You will prepare there.”

  Keir opened his mouth, but Marcus would have none of that. “Go. I will see the Warprize started, and then help you.”

  Keir gave up, and we both rose together. I turned to him, and Keir took a step and took me in his arms. He kissed me hard, and I reached up to wrap my arms around his neck. It would only be for a few hours, but still. His mouth was warm and wonderful and I tried to kiss him back with the promise of tonight, our own private ceremony. He moaned and drew me closer and—

  “Enough of that now,” Marcus groused. “More than enough time for that later.”

  Laughter bubbled up within me, and we broke the kiss. Simus took the opportunity to grab Keir’s arm. “Now, Warlord.”

  Joden grabbed the other arm. “Come, Warlord.”

  Together, they pulled Keir from the tent.

  Amyu was clearing the last of the dishes, and Marcus took me into my sleeping area. “Come and see, Warprize.”

  I stepped within and gasped at the sight. There was a tub, a huge tub, easily large enough for me to bathe in. “Marcus! Where did you find it?”

  Marcus looked smug. “Providing for you is a task well within my skills, Warprize.”

  I would have hugged him, but he held me off. “Wait. There is this as well.”

  There on the bed was a dress, a dress as blue as I had ever seen. My mouth hung open at the sight. It was cut as a traditional dress of Xy, one piece that flared at the hips. I reached a trembling hand to touc
h it, and found that it was the same silky stuff as the red dress that I’d worn in Xy. There were slippers to match, as well as a few ribbons of the same color.

  “For your hair,” Marcus explained. “The color matches your eyes.”

  I reached out, and held it up. The skirt was long, with enough fabric that riding would not be a problem. It had lacings that ran up the back from the base of what I hoped would be my spine. It would fit, but there’d be no wearing underthings with it. Still, it was beautiful. I held it in front of me and smoothed the fabric down. “Marcus,” I whispered, my eyes brimming.

  “None of that now,” Marcus scolded. “Amyu will bring hot water, and help with whatever you need. You have your soap, yes?”

  I nodded, unable to speak.

  He frowned for just a moment. “You should have a belt, for a dagger. Or wear the spring knife. Death comes in an instant.”

  “No, Marcus.” I shook my head, still holding the dress. “I come as a healer, not a warrior.”

  “As you say, Warprize. Very well, then. I will see to Hisself.” Marcus moved to leave but I put out a hand. He paused, and looked back at me. Amyu entered the area with drying cloths in hand.

  “Will you be there, Marcus?” I asked. “For the ceremony?”

  Amyu’s eyes went wide.

  Marcus gave me a nod. “I will watch, Warprize. From the shadows.”

  I grimaced. “That is not right.”

  “But he is afflicted!” Amyu blurted out.

  “Amyu!” I scolded. She looked at me in astonishment. “That is not—”

  Marcus held up a hand. “Child, Herself holds a very different view of the world. Be careful, or she will open your eyes, eh?” He pointed at me. “Do not think to change everything overnight, Warprize.”

  I smiled, and inclined my head, placing the dress on the bed.

  “So.” Marcus smiled. “I will go see to the Warlord.”

  “He has to prepare?” I asked.

  Marcus’s mouth quirked. “Oh yes.”

  “How?”

  Marcus barked out a laugh. “You will see.” He turned away then, to go.

  “Marcus?”

  He turned back, his eyebrow up in a questioning look.

  “Death comes in an instant, Marcus.” I looked at him steadily. “But love lasts forever.”

  He rocked back, his face going pale, then his gaze dropped to the ground. “As you say, Warprize.”

  With that, he left the tent.

  Amyu placed the drying cloths at the end of the bed. “I will bring more hot water for the stub.”

  She left, and I seated myself on the bed to remove my shoes, pondering what preparation Keir might need to make. Rafe’s voice caught my attention. “Warprize?”

  A few steps took me back into the main area. “Rafe?” I answered.

  His head stuck in the tent. “Eldest Thea Reness wishes to speak to you.”

  “Of course,” I answered.

  Reness entered. “Thank you. This will take but a moment.”

  “May I offer you—”

  Reness shook her head. “I will not even sit. We need to discuss—”

  Amyu entered from the cooking area, buckets in her hands. She paled at the sight of Reness. Without a word she set the buckets down, kneeled, and pressed her forehead to the ground.

  “Amyu?” I would have moved to her side, but Reness held out her hand to stop me.

  “Amyu.” Reness looked down at her with a stern face. “Warprize, we need to discuss this child.”

  “But,” I looked at her sharply. “Amyu is no child.”

  “She is in our world.” Reness frowned at me. “A child who disobeyed an Elder of her Tribe.”

  Amyu quivered, but didn’t move.

  “To save my life!” I protested.

  Reness nodded in agreement. “Even so. But still she disobeyed. Not something a child is permitted to do. Ordinarily, she would be punished. You see?”

  I folded my arms over my chest. “No.”

  Reness pursed her lips. “This is the way of the Plains, Warprize.” She glanced over at Amyu, still prostrated before us. “The theas of the Boar have discussed the matter with me. We have decided that Amyu is still of the Tribe of the Boar. That given the circumstances, she will not be punished. However, she is released from the control of the theas, and given to your charge.”

  “Me?” I blinked. “But—”

  “No.” Reness shook her head. “Amyu of the Boar, Child of the Plains is now your responsibility.”

  I looked over at Amyu. “Amyu, is this all right with you?”

  Reness went stiff with disapproval. “It is done, Warprize. Her opinion matters not.” She turned to leave.

  “Reness, what of Eace?” I asked quickly.

  “Sore of arm and belly, but well.” Reness looked over her shoulder. “Come to see her tomorrow, when you wish. You may bring your child with you.”

  “There is one more thing,” I said firmly.

  Reness faced me now, clearly impatient. “What?”

  I lifted my chin to look her right in the eye. “You are Eldest Thea of the Plains. Therefore, I say to you that if I should bear Keir children, those children will be raised by my hand and no other. Our firstborn will be heir to the Kingdom of Xy.” I glared at her. “No one will take my child from my arms at birth.”

  Reness looked at me for a moment, and then bowed her head low. “I will inform the others, Warprize. None will challenge your word or your ways in this.”

  Before I could say another word, she was gone.

  Amyu rose unsteadily to her feet. “I will pour these into the tub, Warprize.”

  “Amyu.” I heaved a sigh.

  Amyu looked at me then. “It is fine with me, Warprize. Better this than punishment.” She hesitated. “Maybe you will open my eyes, yes?”

  I smiled, and she turned to her task. Maybe I would, at that.

  I bathed, taking full advantage to scrub myself clean with my vanilla soap. Amyu helped me braid my hair with the ribbons, so that they framed my face. The dress fit perfectly, as did the slippers. Marcus had seen to that, I was sure. Amyu helped me with the lacings in the back.

  I’d toyed with taking my satchel, but decided against it. I didn’t have the heart to mar the fit of the dress with its strap. I’d given it to Amyu, who promised to give it to Marcus. She looked at me, clearly pleased at the result. “Your eyes are as blue as the skies, Warprize.”

  I thanked her.

  “Little Healer!” Simus’s voice boomed from the entrance. “It is time!”

  I emerged from the tent to see that the sun was setting, the sky a riot of reds and golds, to match the land beneath. Simus was waiting, with all of my guards, mounted on horseback. Everyone looked like they had spent the afternoon polishing their armor. Even the horses had ribbons in their manes and tails.

  Simus’s smile was as wide as the sky. “Finally! It is time to claim your Warlord, Warprize!”

  I smiled right back. “Don’t you all look wonderful!”

  Rafe, Prest, Ander, and Yveni all smiled back at me, looking their best.

  Simus laughed, his gold earrings gleaming in the light. He dismounted with a flourish. “We are your escort, Xylara, Daughter of Xy, Queen of Xy, and Warprize of the Plains. We will ride to the Council Circle.”

  “Ride?” I looked over to where the Council tent was, only to find that it was gone. “Simus, where are we going?”

  “You will see.” Simus held out his hand. “Let me help you to your horse, Warprize.”

  I stepped forward. Simus wrapped his hands around my waist and lifted me easily to Greatheart’s back. Sure enough, the fabric of the skirt floated down around my legs with no problem.

  Simus mounted his horse, and we started to walk toward the lake. I looked around, astonished.

  The Heart was gone. Well, the tents were gone, all but mine. The only thing left was grass, both tall and flattened, to mark where the city had been. Ahead of us were the Pe
ople of the Plains, all seated on the ground, laughing and talking. There was one wide walkway through them, which Simus took us down, keeping to a slow pace. I recognized now that the firepits I thought so random through the tents were arranged in a pattern around which the crowds of people now sat.

  As we reached the edge of the crowd, a cheer went up, and happy cries of ‘Heyla’ filled the air. Not all the faces reflected joy, but for the most part, my welcome was warm. Simus and my guards sat proudly as our horses walked down to where the Council tent had been.

  The tiers were gone now, and only Essa, Wild Winds and Reness stood there, before their stools. I caught a quick glimpse of a cushion on the one behind Essa. Where the tent had been, only the odd stone floor remained, a large circle of grey.

  Simus stopped his horse and roared out to the Council, “Eldest of the Elders of the Plains, I bring before you Xylara, Warprize!”

  The roar went up as the entire crowd stood. The ground seemed to shake as they all stomped their feet, and raised their voices. The hairs on my arms stood straight up, and my body shook. The excitement on the air was intoxicating, to say the least. Whatever the Elders might think, the People of the Plains were welcoming me with joy.

  Simus dismounted, and helped me to dismount from my horse. Once my feet were on the ground, he offered me his arm, in the Xyian fashion. I smiled and took it, and we walked to stand before the Eldest. There, Simus bowed to them, and then to me, and walked off the circle and into the crowd.

  Wild Winds held up his staff and the crowd went silent.

  The sky had grown a bit darker now, and a breeze had blown up, teasing my hair. I lifted a hand to pat at it nervously, and waited.

  “Xylara, Daughter of Xy,” Reness spoke, her voice carrying over the crowd. I could hear her words repeated in the crowd behind me, creating an odd, echo-like effect. “You have been confirmed as Warprize of the Plains. We ask for the final time, do you wish to be released from this position?”