Warcry

see if it would settle.”
    “So I see,” Eln said. “But if your bowels are in an ill humor, adding heavy foods is not the answer.”
    “Indeed,” Drizin said with regret, looking at the pork.
    “I have a new remedy that seems to work wonders, Devoted One,” Eln said. “An herbal mixture.”
    “A drink?” Drizin said, his nose wrinkling in anticipation of the taste.
    “Oh no, Devoted One,” Eln assured him. “I will use it to flush out your bowels.”
    The Archbishop stared at him with dawning horror.
    “There may be some mild cramping,” Eln continued. “But you should be feeling much better almost immediately. In time to attend the Queen’s High Court feast this evening. I understand that Lady Anna is trying a new way of preparing chicken.”
    “I—” Drizin started, for the first time taking in the Master Healer’s guards. They were Plains warriors, all of which had very grim looks.
    Drizin swallowed hard. “Actually, Master Eln, I am feeling somewhat better.” He arose as fast as dignity would allow. “Perhaps if I tried again in the closet, I would feel more my old self.”
    “As you wish,” Eln said. “We can wait here, to see how things go. So to speak.”
    “Of course,” Drizin said. “Perhaps your guard could wait out in the—”
    “No,” said one of them. “We stay.”
    “Of course, Master Healer, you need not stay.” Drizin backed toward his sleeping quarters. “I am sure you wish to attend to the Queen. Due any day, I understand.”
    “True enough,” Eln said. “Only one thing could take me from her side.” The man focused his sharp grey eyes on Drizin.
    “Really?”
    “Concern for your health, Devoted One.” Eln pulled out one of the heavy chairs and settled into it. “In fact, we will wait and escort you.”
    “I am indeed blessed,” Archbishop Drizin said, fleeing the room.

CHAPTER 18
     
    OTHUR SMILED AS IAIN, THE YOUNG PRIEST ASSIGNED to the castle chapel, stood his ground before the hardened Plains warriors. Keir sat before the hearth, and the other warriors clustered around, their faces intent and questioning.
    “No,” Iain said firmly. “We do not worship people.”
    Othur had to give the lad credit. Although learned, Iain was barely out of his initiate, and he was a thin rail of a lad compared to the Plains warriors. He was pale, with a shock of curly, red-brown hair that seemed to rise straight up off his head. Othur had thought Iain would pass out when he’d entered the room and the Warlord had asked for his token. But Iain had stood straight and firm under the eyes of the Warlord and his people and told them they were wrong.
    Of course, only Othur could see that his hands were clenched white and trembling behind his back.
    “But there are people in the chapel,” Atira said. “I have seen the statue of the woman there and—”
    “No,” Iain replied, shaking his head. He took a breath and tucked his hands up into the sleeve of his white-and-gold robes. “We worship the Sun God, who is the god of purity and strength, and the Goddess, the Lady of the Moon and Stars, who is the goddess of healing and mercy.” He held up a thin, pale hand. “Yes, we personify them in pictures, glass, and statuary, but in truth, that is more to offer reassurance than the powers that control our lives . . .” Iain blinked. “Well, that’s probably more than you need at the moment.”
    “We do not turn the elements into people,” Prest said.
    “Nor do we.” Iain paused, staring at the floor for a moment. “Perhaps a better way to understand it is . . .” His voice trailed off for a moment.
    To Othur’s surprise, the Plains warriors waited quietly, respectfully, even.
    Iain nodded to himself and looked up at Keir. “When a child starts to learn, we give the child lessons about our faith. We teach them about the Sun God and the Goddess, the Lady of the Moon and Stars. We start simply, with simple images. You understand?”
    “The wind makes the grass dance,” Prest said suddenly.
    The other Plains warriors started to nod.
    “A child’s song,” Keir explained. “One of the first they are taught about the elements.”
    “So,” Iain said. “As we grow and learn, our understanding grows as well. And as our understanding grows larger and deeper, so does the Sun God. Grows beyond the pictures, the images.” Iain stopped and flushed a bit. “Perhaps I am not explaining this well, but—”
    “No,” Keir said slowly. “I think I understand