Warlord

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 tub." 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,