Warlord

Iften was there, standing slightly apart, a smirk on his face, two of the warrior-priests at his side. I still couldn't tell them apart, except that both of them were male. Keekai entered the cleared area, dressed in armor and looking so much like Keir that it took my breath away.
    "Xylara, Daughter of Xy, from the Kingdom of Xy, you have been claimed as Warprize by Keir of the Cat, Warlord of the Plains." Keekai's voice carried to the crowd that had gathered around the dance area. I could tell that she was concentrating on her words, changing them to fit the setting. "He has brought you to the Plains, so that you may go the Heart of these lands and be confirmed as the Warprize. Have you taken anything from the hands of another on this journey?"
    "I have not." I had to swallow to get the words out.
    "Has he provided for you?"
    "He has." My voice sounded stronger than I felt, which was good, since my stomach was filled with fluttering moths.
    "I am Keekai of the Cat, Council Elder. I've been sent by the Council to escort you to the Heart of the Plains." Keekai held out her hand. "Step out from the protection of the Warlord, Xylara." I walked forward, passing between Prest and Rafe, to stand alone before Keekai. I almost felt naked, I was so used to having my guards at my side.
    "You are now under my protection, Xylara." Keekai placed a hand on the pommel of her sword. "Keir of the Cat cannot command your obedience or your actions. Do you understand?"
    "I do," I said.
    "A true Warprize is a rare thing. A Warprize represents chaos and upheaval. New thoughts, new ideas, and change. If confirmed by the Council of Elders, you will hold equal status with the warlords, and a place on the Council itself." Keekai looked out over the people gathered around us. "But to be an instrument of change is not an easy thing. Dangerous, even." She looked back at me and tilted her head to the side. "As the Plains themselves are a dangerous place." I swallowed, but I held her stare.
    "Do you understand, Xylara?" Keekai asked.
    She wasn't telling me anything that I hadn't already heard. Still, it took me a moment to answer. "I do, Keekai."
    "So." She paused, then continued. "I would ask you—do you wish to go to the Heart of the Plains to be confirmed by the Council as Warprize? Or do you wish to return to your land, to the arms of your people, to your home?" Keekai paused again to consider me closely. "None can force your decision. Speak, and it will be as you wish."
    That was it, the offer of freedom. If I asked, I would be escorted back to Water's Fall, back to the arms of my loved ones.
    Keekai's eyes were grim. "Understand what you do, Xylara, Daughter of Xy. You step into our world now, into our ways. A land unknown to you. Do you truly wish to leave what you have always known, for the unknown?"
    She had sensed my fear. But the Plains were open and wide and something called to me to answer this challenge, and it wasn't just the love I felt for Keir. This was a chance to help my people and his. I turned my head to look at him, standing in the sun, wearing his chainmail, his arms crossed over his chest, a grim look on his face. But his eyes, they held the promise of all our tomorrows. I turned back to face Keekai. I could feel the eyes of all the warriors on me, but I had no doubts as to my answer. "I wish to go to the Heart of the Plains, there to claim my Warlord." Keekai's eyes were warm as the crowd parted to reveal Marcus leading Greatheart and a pack animal with supplies. Marcus came to stand just behind Keekai, hidden in his cloak. Keekai spoke. "The Warlord has provided for your journey, Xylara."
    "And did he provide that on her hip?" It was Still Waters, I think, or at least one of the warrior-priests standing by Iften. He was pointing at my satchel.
    "Bought and paid for by my hand, in the city of Water's Fall." Keir voice was a low snarl, just this side of polite.
    Still Waters sniffed, but said nothing more.
    Keekai turned back to me. "Xylara, you have the right to a Guardian on this journey, one warrior familiar to you, to stand at your back, to see you safely to the Heart of the Plains. Would you have a Guardian?"
    "I would." That caused a bit of a stir. Prest and Rafe exchanged glances and I could tell that they were pleased that one of them would be chosen. I was sorry to have to disappoint them.
    "Who would you choose as Guardian?" Keekai asked.
    I took a deep breath. "I choose Marcus."
    The crowd around us exploded in