Warlord

She must come out from under your protection and influence. The entire Council is agreed, Keir." Keekai gave him a long look. "Would you truly defy them, and destroy this chance?" There were noises from outside, and Keekai drank more of her kavage. "In the morning, I will come to your tent and we will hold the separation ceremony. Xylara, you will answer my questions, and we will depart."
    "Questions?"
    Keekai rolled her eyes. "You haven't even told her that. What have you been doing with your time?" Keir and I exchanged a glance, and I blushed.
    Keekai snorted. "Well, make the most of tonight, for it is all I can give you. It will be days before you see him again." Keekai stood, and pulled her cloak on. "She will be under my protection until we reach the Heart, Keir. She will be safe. For now, tell her what she needs to know. Of the questions, the ceremony, the champion— enough to get her through tomorrow. I will tell her more on the journey."
    "I will not be stopped, Keekai." Keir's voice was low and determined, and his grip on my hand tightened.
    "I will break their power over my people."
    Keekai stopped and turned her head. She looked so much like Keir in the firelight. "That is why I fear for you, Keir of the Cat. They will kill you if they can."
    Keir's nostrils flared. "Let them try," he grated.
    With a shake of her head and a swirl of her cloak, Keekai left the tent. In the silence that remained, the fire crackled and flared up.
    "Skies," Keir growled. "This is the work of the winds." I leaned in close and he pressed a kiss to my temple. "Lara, I—"
    I reached out and put my fingers over his lips. "The last few weeks, since the plague cleared, have been blissful."
    Keir closed his eyes and nodded, his lips brushing against my fingers.
    "We've both been avoiding this, haven't we?" I whispered softly, my eyes tearing. "Neither one of us wanted to face this. Both our faults."
    Keir didn't open his eyes. "I didn't want it to end." He pulled in a deep breath, and reached up to take my hand and press a kiss to the palm. "I thought we had time, at least until we reached the Heart."
    "And now, we have tonight." I took a shaky breath. "After the celebration, we will talk. All night, if we have to."
    His bright blue eyes looked at me from beneath his black hair. "I am tempted to defy them. I would not have you go. Keekai is an Elder, and powerful, but you—"
    I twisted my hand in his, until our palms were together. His large, callused fingers were a marked contrast to mine. I slowly curled mine until my fingers interlocked with his. "Two peoples into one, Keir. You and I, working together, for ourselves and our peoples."
    He pulled me into his arms. "Tonight, after the celebration. We will talk." I pulled back just enough to look up into those wonderful blue eyes, and gave him a smile. "Just remember, you promised to dance for me, Warlord." The gleam was back. "I did, didn't I?"
    Much of the celebration was a blur. It was as if I was two people, one watching from a distance and the other wrapped in worry and fear for the future. A platform had been built, so that we could see out over the firepits and the dancing grounds. Keir conceded the center seat to Keekai, and sat to her left, I was next to him, and the other warleaders were also scattered about the platform. Although Keekai had joined us, the warrior-priests were seated together off to the side. They seemed in tent on keeping themselves apart.
    Marcus made himself busy, directing his helpers to offer water for washing and giving thanks. As he offered to pour the water for me, Keir leaned over, and murmured a question. "Iften?"
    "In his tent. Being tended to by the warrior-priests. They use their powers to perform another healing," Marcus said. His tone expressed his opinion of that bit of news.
    I snorted softly, which earned me swift smiles from Keir and Marcus, and a frown from Keekai. Keekai opened her mouth, but Keir held his hand up. "Marcus, see that Iften is taken a share of the meats. And enough for the warrior-priest as well."
    Marcus scowled, but jerked his head in acknowledgment of the order.
    Keir stood and held his hand up. The warriors quieted until all that could be heard were the crackles of the fires.
    "We gather this night, to thank the elements. We thank them for the gift of the hunt, and for our return to the Plains. HEYLA!"
    "HEYLA!" roared the warriors in return.
    "Lail of the Badger, stand forward."
    The scout that brought word of the