Warprize (16 page)

Marcus ran in, looking as if he had been roused from sleep. He took one look at Keir and was on his knee, head down. I struggled to cover myself, fumbling with the shirt.

Keir barely gave Marcus a glance. “Someone has injured the warprize.” He stomped over and towered over me. His hands gently turned me so that the bruises were visible. “Look.”

Marcus looked up. His eye widened at the sight. He dropped his eye again almost immediately. Keir pulled the shirt back up to cover my breast and shoulder. “Who did this?” he said, in a very calm, very deadly voice.

I took the example Marcus had set, sank down on one knee, and bent my head as well to let my hair conceal my face.

Keir resumed his pacing, moving like a caged animal. “I am waiting for an answer.”

I swallowed. “Warlord, it was an accident. I was at the tents of healing, tending to those in need.” My mouth was so dry I could barely get the words out.

“You’ve been hurt. No one touches what is mine.” Keir was almost roaring, his anger white hot. I trembled at the force of his voice, but did not move or look up.

“Warlord, I was treating a wound.” I swallowed hard, trying to get some moisture in my mouth. “The warrior was startled. The fault was mine.”

“Are you trying to get yourself killed? Destroy the peace?” There was an odd note of anguish in his voice.

“No! I wouldn’t betray—”

“You will tell me who it was. He will answer to me.”

“No.” I closed my eyes and held my breath.

Keir came to stand next to me. I could feel his hot glare, hear his heavy breathing.

Yet, somehow I knew that he would not hurt me. Slowly, I raised my head and looked up. His anger had not abated, it was merely held in check. Carefully, I reached out and placed my hand on his arm. The muscles underneath quivered with tension. “Warlord, I am unhurt. The bruises will fade.”

He was unappeased. “You’re under my protection. Whoever did this will pay for his actions.”

“When the action was unintended?” I rose up slowly and moved my hand to his shoulder. I moved carefully, staying as close as I dared. I could just make out Marcus, still kneeling by the entrance. “A warrior taken unaware?”

“As Simus was in the garden?”

I nodded.

He seemed to understand, but had a grim expression on his face. “You are defying me.” His voice rumbled, but it was softer then before.

“Only in defense of one who does not deserve your wrath.” I looked up into angry blue eyes. “Don’t you take the occasional bruise when you practice with your weapons?”

“No.” He snorted, but I could feel some tension leave his arm. “I am better than that.”

“Well, I’m not.” I shivered. “Forgive me.”

“Marcus. Leave us.” Marcus was out of the tent as fast as he had entered.

In no time, I was covered in the furs, warming up nicely. Keir lay beside me, on his side, head propped up with his hand. I yawned, trying to fight sleep, unsure of his expectations.

“You have no skill with weapons.” It was more statement then a question.

“You mean, like a warrior?” It seemed an odd question.

“You can not defend yourself.” His voice sounded odd.

I yawned again. “I can always run.”

He snorted. There was a pause as my eyelids got heavier.

“You are untouched.” His voice rumbled in my ear.

“I got bruised.” I argued.

“No,” he paused again. “I mean you are untouched. You have no children.”

I sucked in a breath, suddenly wide-awake. “I am an unmarried Daughter of the House of Xy.” I stared at the ceiling, and worried my lower lip. “I am…” I rolled my eyes and considered the absurdity of this conversation. It was hard to continue, but he waited patiently. I could feel his eyes on my face. “I was a candidate for a marriage of alliance. As such, I was… am…” The rest froze on my tongue.

“Untouched.” He looked at me through half-closed eyes, studying me like prey. “Ignorant.”

I blushed, then frowned. “I am a healer. A Master Healer. I am not ignorant. I have the knowledge. I just lack…”

“Experience.” He raised an arm and brushed a curl off my forehead.

I moved my head away from his hand, but a huge yawn overcame me again. “That’s right. Knowledge, but no experience.”

“Yet you heal. You see…”

I could feel the heat on my cheeks. “Yes, I know what men and women look like and I know what they do. I just haven’t…”

“This is your peoples’ way?”

“Yes.”

He sighed and rolled over onto his back. As I watched, he closed his eyes and sighed again. Without opening his eyes, he spoke. “Sleep, Warprize.”

I closed my eyes, wondering if I would ever hear my own name again.

I woke when something rumbled next to my ear.

There were voices, speaking softly. Keir was talking to someone. I wasn’t really interested in opening my eyes. It was so warm and I felt so boneless under the furs. It felt so good to just lie there.

The voices stopped and footsteps faded off. Keir spoke softly. “I must be up. Sleep awhile longer.” With that, he slid out, letting in cooler air, ignoring my mumbled protests. I crawled over into the warmth, trying very hard not to wake up. The splashing noises, and the scent of breakfast made that impossible.

Whatever was cooking smelled spicy. When my stomach made its opinion known, I sat up and let the furs pool around my waist as I adjusted my tunic, which had twisted in the night. I reached my arms up, twining them around each other and stretched, arching my back. When the bones in my back had realigned themselves I lowered my arms.

Keir was standing there, watching me.

He was naked from the waist up. Water still glistened on his face and neck.

He had the oddest look on his face.

I flushed and looked away. Once out from under the covers, I darted into the privy area. There was plenty of warm water left, and someone had left a change of clothes for me on one of the benches. I splashed through a wash as quick as I could.

When I emerged, Keir was already eating and Marcus was standing there, his arms crossed. He pointed to the other chair, and I sat quickly. Marcus fixed me with his eye and didn’t stop staring at me until I started eating. He gave me a last look and left the room.

Keir leaned back, a cup of kavage in his hands. “You wish to return to the healing tent?”

I nodded, my mouth full of some kind of porridge. He drank his kavage hot and bitter. I noticed that he did not add anything to it. “And check Simus, if I may.”

“I am calling senel at the nooning. I want you to be there.”

I nodded and wondered what a senel was.

Keir continued. “I am assigning two guards to be with you at all times.”

I choked on my food.

Marcus had come in with more bread. “Good,” he muttered, and left the room.

Keir held up a hand as I tried to clear my throat. “No arguments. I would have you protected, something you can not do for yourself.”

I sputtered. “I am not helpless.”

His eyes strayed to my upper arm. I flushed at the implication and opened my mouth to argue. He cut me off with a gesture. “If it is not acceptable, you may stay here, nap and let Marcus feed you.” I heard an exclamation from the other room.

I glowered at Keir.

He was impervious. “I have sent for the guards. They will be here shortly.” He finished his kavage and stood. I grabbed some bread and tore at it, trying not to watch as he strapped on his weapons.

Marcus came in and started to clear dishes. “It’s for the best, Warprize.” I glowered at my mug of kavage. “And yourself?”

“Simus and I need to talk,” Keir responded.

“The attacks on the horses.” Marcus’s tone was grim, and he muttered something under his breath.

“Aye.” Keir caught my questioning look. “Someone is shooting at the herds, killing horses. We believe they are your people.”

I opened my mouth to deny it, but closed it with a snap. Keir was watching me carefully, but he said nothing further. I finished my food in silence, as Keir armed himself, and Marcus fussed.

Sounds at the outer entrance let me know that my guards were coming, and I quickly started to peel the bark off the stump I was sitting on. Marcus demanded to know what I was doing, as Keir moved to greet the guards. I looked up to see Prest and Rafe standing there, grinning like fools. I smiled when I saw them. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Keir led the way, with Rafe and Prest flanking me. Marcus voice called out behind us. “Mind now, be here for the senel. With time to get cleaned up!”

Simus was not in the best of moods. “About time.” He grumped as we entered his tent. Rafe and Prest took up positions outside. “What about these attacks? Any sign it’s the damned city—”

Keir cleared his throat as I entered.

“Good morning, Warprize.” Joden greeted me with a twinkle in his eye. “Be warned that Simus has not yet had enough kavage to be human.”

Simus growled, and I almost laughed out loud. Who’d think a patient in a foul mood could be such a comfort? “I could come back later.” I offered.

“No!” Simus struggled up on his elbows, furious, then drew a deep breath when he realized I was teasing. A small smile crept over his face. “Good Morning, Warlord. Warprize.”

“Good morning, Simus of the Hawk.” Keir sat on one of the stumps off to the side. “Can’t say that I blame you for being in a foul mood.” He gestured toward the leg. “I’d not have the patience to endure.”

Simus glared at him. “Made all the harder when I get no word of what is happening—”

Keir held up a hand. “Let the warprize look at your leg.”

“You talk while she works.” Simus was pushing aside his blankets and furs, exposing his leg. Joden moved to help him, and I knelt along side.

“There were no attacks last night. Bolts were found in the horses that were slain. We will discuss our actions at the senel that I called for this nooning.”

Simus grunted. “Which of us uses crossbows? Even if we did, none of us would do such a thing.”

“I’ve decided to send Iften to the Xyian King, to inform him of the attacks and to get answers.”

“Iften?” Simus’s full attention was on Keir now. “Why Iften? Why not go yourself?”

I looked over my shoulder, curious as to what Keir’s response would be, only to find him giving me a veiled look. “I’ll not leave camp.”

“Ah, well. Maybe ‘tis best. Let him show his true—”

Keir cut him off. “Let the warprize finish her work and be on her way. You and I have much to discuss. Including Joden.”

I glanced at Joden, but his face was impassive. Simus was not so silent. “There’s nothing to talk about.”

“No?”

“No.” Simus looked at Joden, then gave Keir a sly look. “Joden’s not the first to deny mercy to a friend.” When Keir didn’t react, Simus grinned. “Joden and I will be at the senel.”

“Simus…” Joden was standing there frowning.

Simus glowered at his friend. “We will both be there.” He raised a hand to prevent Joden from saying anything further. I looked at both men’s faces. Joden was clearly unhappy, and Simus looked angry. I didn’t understand that at all, but Joden was uncomfortable. I cleared my throat and drew Simus’s attention. He shifted his gaze, focusing his dark eyes on me. “Well?”

“It looks well enough. But only a few steps.”

“Hah!” Simus brought his hand down into his fist. “You watch, little healer. I will dance out of this tent.”

I rolled my eyes. “I am sure. But just in case, let Prest and Rafe support you for the first few steps.” Simus grimaced, but was willing to put up with anything just to get a chance to walk, calling in my guards impatiently. Rafe and Prest supported him on each side as he rose from his bed and managed a few steps. Very quickly, he was grey and shaky from the effort. We got him back onto his pallet and Joden helped him get comfortable. Once that was taken care of I knelt and began to strip the bark of the stumps in his tent.

Simus coughed. “Warprize, what are you—”

I ignored him. “It’s a medicine.” I kept peeling. “I’ll use it to brew fever’s foe.”

He rolled his eyes. “Oh, great joy. I must confess, little one, that muck tastes terrible.”

Prest and Rafe left the tent, hands filled with bark. I moved to follow, with both hands full.

“I will see you at senel, little healer.” Simus called after me.

I turned, and brandished my bundle as if to admonish him. He raised his arms to ward off a blow. “I know, I know. They will carry me to the tent.” I smiled at him. I turned to find Keir in front of me.

He stepped in close, lifted my chin. “Be on time for senel.” Then he kissed me, hard and fast. I just looked up at him when he pulled back. With a smug look, he nudged me on my way.

As we moved away from the tent I looked over at Rafe. “What is a ‘senel’?”

He puzzled for a bit. “A gathering, a taking of advice from others, a…” He looked to Prest for help, but Prest just shrugged. Rafe rolled his eyes.

“Who will be there?”

“The leaders, Keir’s…” He screwed his face up. “Secondaries? We call them warleaders.” The morning sun caught the glint of metal off to the side. I turned my head to see a group of warriors in a large practice field. A tall woman was standing in the field, as a large horse raced toward her.

I stopped in my tracks. “What?”

Rafe chuckled. “Watch, Warprize.”

Prest was giving her a sharp eye, and grunted. I turned back to watch as the horse charged the woman. At the last moment, the horse brushed past her, and suddenly she seemed to leap into the saddle. There were shouts from the group watching as she swung the horse back toward them. She seemed pleased with her performance.

“How did she do that?” I asked.

“Practice,” said Prest.

Rafe nodded his agreement. I gave him a doubtful look as we continued walking. “No, its true, Warprize. We all practice our riding skills in the same fashion. Each is required to be able to mount a galloping horse.”

I sighed. “Rafe, you used my name in the city.”

Rafe nodded. “True. But you are now the warprize.”

Prest nodded in agreement.

At the healing tent all was well. It took almost no time to check the wounded, and take care of their needs. The worst was the one who’d been whipped, but he was still asleep, so I waited to check him. Instead, I started a pot of water boiling on one of the braziers and corralled one of the wounded into watching it. I was careful to explain that he had to add water as it boiled away. As I moved among the cots, the only problem was that I kept bumping into Prest and Rafe as they hovered over me. Finally, I turned to Prest.