Warlord

others about, cavorting in the water, men and women warriors alike. I still flushed at some of their antics. But most knew my customs, and I noticed that an effort was made to stay out of my view.
    Keir, however, made sure I could see him.
    Once he was dry, he dressed. Marcus had given him some soft brown leather trous, a vest of black leather, and a tunic of soft white cotton. I could hardly wait to get him out of it, if I were to be honest with myself.
    But that would have to wait.
    We started back, laughing and talking. He was describing the celebration to me, how the ehat spirits would be thanked, the honors awarded, the first meats handed out, and the merriment that would follow well into the night.
    I took his hand as we neared the camp. "I've yet to see you dance, Keir."
    "I'll dance this night," he promised. "I'll dance this night for everyone to see, and then we'll dance together, you and I." He pulled me close. "In the privacy of our tent, beneath the blankets. I blushed, and he laughed, keeping his arm around my waist. We walked right into their midst without a warning, not even aware they were there.
    It was Marcus's stiffness that told us both something was wrong. Marcus jerked his head to the side, and we turned to see a horde of mounted warrior-priests, filling the intended dance grounds, their eyes glittering, their faces stiff and serious. The light of the fire pits made their multi-colored tattoos almost move over their bodies.
    I gasped, without thinking, and Keir stepped forward, placing himself in front of me. The warrior-priest in front urged his horse forward a pace. "We have come for the Warprize." With a swift move, he plunged his spear into the ground at Keir's feet.
     

 

     
     

Chapter 4

 

     
     

     
    "No." Keir's voice was cold and hard as steel. Every warrior around us had his or her hand on a weapon, but who supported whom I couldn't say. I swallowed hard, and stayed as still as possible. The warrior-priest looked down at Keir with disdain. "It is the order of the Council of Elders, Warlord, that we separate you from the Warprize, and take her to the Heart of the Plains. Would you defy them?"
    "Yes," Keir snarled, a sound much like I imagined the cat at the river's edge would have made. A strong female voice cut through the night. "Even if I am the Elder?" The horses of the warrior-priests moved aside, and a woman rode forward, pushing back her hood. Everyone around us dropped to one knee, which caught me by surprise. I'd never seen a Firelander bend knee to anyone before. Keir remained standing, but he had relaxed. "Keekai. You honor us." She tossed her head and gave him a sly smile. "I do, don't I?" She looked around. "Am I in council, or sit ting in judgment? Up, up, all of you!"
    The warriors rose, and Keekai dismounted and faced us. I was taken aback, for she looked enough like Keir to be his mother. She had his height and build, and wore armor with practiced ease of many years. Older, certainly, as Keir might look in another twenty years. But she had the same black hair and blue eyes; eyes that examined me closely. "So. This is the Warprize, Keir of the Cat?"
    "She is, Elder. Xylara, Daughter of Xy, from the Kingdom of Xy." Keir smiled and gestured to our tent.
    "I would offer you the welcome of my tent. Would you hear my truths, Elder?"
    "I accept the courtesy of your tent, and would hear your truths." Keekai tossed her reins to the warrior-priest nearest her.
    The man caught the reins, but he was frowning, looking severe. "Keekai, we are to return to the Heart of the Plains with the woman, as soon as possible." His dark eyes flickered over me. "They are to be separated. As soon as possible."
    Keir frowned and opened his mouth, but Keekai took control. "Pah. They have just returned to the Plains and there is a four ehat hunt to be celebrated. What is one more night, eh?" The grim man opened his mouth, but Keekai forestalled him. "My old bones need food, heat, and sleep before I set forth. Make camp. We will wait for you, and then Keir can begin the ceremonies." I looked at Keir, to see how he reacted to this assumption of his authority, but he seemed content to let Keekai deal with the warrior-priest.
    The warrior-priest was anything but content. His lips pressed firmly together as he contemplated us.
    "Your bones seem conveniently old, Keekai."
    "A challenge, Still Waters?" Keekai gave the man a steady look. Still Waters? Was that his name?
    The warrior-priest's eyes