Warlord (20 page)

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."

"I know about tokens, and their use," Heath tried to reassure 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

When he and I were very, very young, Heath lost an argument with a porcupine in the castle gardens. Eln, who was the castle healer at that time, took control of the situation. He soothed Heath's tears, directed the castle staff, and dealt with Heath's pain calmly and carefully. It made a big impression on me as I watched him heal my friend, my own tears drying on my cheeks.

But now I looked into Heath's face and saw pain that I knew was beyond my abilities as a healer.

Would that the pains of the heart could be healed like the pains of the body.

I knew, of course, who it had to be. "Atira."

"Atira." Heath closed his eyes and sighed. "We started sparring when she was up and moving, at Eln's suggestion. She was so lovely, and so strong, determined to heal, to learn to read and speak Xyian. She learned our language so fast, and laughed at my attempt to learn hers. I helped her learn to read, she taught me some fighting moves, and, well. . ." He gave me a sheepish look. "One thing led to another, and..."

I gave him a gentle smile. "You don't have to explain to me, Heath."

He chuckled. "I guess not." He sighed deeply then, and looked off over my shoulder, lost in thought. The boy I'd known all my life was gone. In his place was a man.

"Your parents?" I asked softly.

"Mother and Father are less than pleased. I think they had plans for a placid Xyian wife and grandbabies." He used his free hand to run his fingers through his hair. "But Atira holds my heart."

I smiled.

Heath rolled his eyes. "Of course, Atira is not happy either. She wants nothing to do with 'bonding' and is displeased that I followed her. But I could do nothing else." He gave me that wry smile again. "I am of stubborn Xyian stock, and will not take 'no' for an answer."

"Heath—"

"Enough of my troubles, Lara." Heath drew himself up briskly, and helped himself to food. "The Warlord wants you to know that the truths are almost finished, and that the Council of Elders only have two things to do before the final debate and decision. First, they must determine what weight to give Joden's words. Then, they will hear your answers to their questions and accusations. The Warlord expects this to all come together within the next day or two."

I nodded, intent on his words.

"You are guarded now by warrior-priests, but he has others watching over you as well."

"I've seen them."

Heath nodded. "They did that on purpose, Lara. The Warlord says that the warrior-priests are not to be trusted. If you are in need, cry out and help will come."

I relaxed a bit at that knowledge, but Keekai's words about blind hatred came back to me as well.

Heath flashed a smile at me. "Keir made me repeat this next part over and over. He does not trust my Xyian memory!"

He put down his bread on the table, and deepened his voice, as if imitating Keir. "All will be well, fire of my heart." Heath knit the fingers of both hands together. "Know that I love you, and that we will be together again soon."

My eyes filled with tears, and I looked up into Heath's understanding eyes. "Heath—"

"There is one thing more." His eyes twinkled. " 'But please, beloved, keep that temper of yours!' "

My mouth dropped open. "Why, that man ..." I sputtered.

Heath laughed. "Oh, I think he knows you well, little bird!"

Amyu appeared in the entrance, clearly checking on our progress. Heath gave me a sly grin. "Eat up, Xylara, Daughter of Xy."

I watched as he reached for the meat dish with the red flakes in it, and didn't say a word.

"This courting is over!" I jerked open the tent flap. The entire structure shuddered under the force of my pull, but I just kept moving, not caring in the slightest if the entire tent collapsed on the Warlord Ultie. The arrogant, loud-mouth, overbearing, obnoxious, bad-breathed Warlord Ultie.

It would serve him right.

Amyu and my warrior-priest guards had made themselves comfortable nearby. Caught by surprise, they scrambled for their cloaks and gear. I didn't stop, just stormed off down the walkway, biting my tongue to keep from speaking my thoughts out loud. That self-centered, boorish cretin. How dare he talk about Xy that way? About Keir that way? To my face? I gritted my teeth as my anger grew with every step away from that—

"I would guess that this courting did not go well?" Amyu moved up to walk next to me.