Warlord

smile curved over my lips, and my body relaxed.
    It had been my choice to allow Keekai to bring me here. I wouldn't let the fear stop me. Stop us. I'd trust Keir, as he trusted me. As we'd learned to trust each other.
    I shifted slightly on the bed, and let my hand linger over my stomach. Still no sign of my courses. I'd no indications either way, but it was possible that I was carrying our child. Another memory flashed over my eyes, of Keir playing with Meara, making her giggle.
    My child would be my heir, and would take the throne upon my death. How could I make these people understand that? Would they understand? Or would they insist that my babe be raised in the tradition of the Plains?
    But from everything I'd seen of the Plains, their children were treasured and loved. They might not follow the traditions of Xy, but even the toughest warriors played and cared for their children. I yawned. What would our child look like? My curls? Keir's eyes?
    My eyelids grew heavy and I drifted off to sleep.
    I was eating breakfast when Amyu announced Essa the Singer's arrival.
    I'd just enough time to swallow my last mouthful and stand before he swept inside. He was a tall man, and very broad of shoulder. His robes were all different colors of green this morning, and his armor was hardened brown leather. He carried a sword and two daggers. But what really caught my attention was the tattoo around his right eye, of a bird's wing.
    "Good morning, Eldest Singer Essa." I gestured to my small table, and the other stool. "May I offer you kavage? Have you eaten?"
    He cocked an eyebrow, clearly aware of the irony, but he sat, carefully arranging his robes. "I would wel come kavage."
    Amyu served us both. Essa nodded his head as he took the full mug. "My thanks, child." We sat for a mo ment in silence as we drank our kavage and Amyu began to clear the dishes.
    "Daughter of Xy, the Council meets today to hear the truths of the Warriors that have been summoned. Your presence is not required."
    "What if I want to be there?" I asked. "To hear what is said of me?"
    "That would not be permitted," Essa stated firmly. "Each warrior will be heard separately."
    "Who? Who will speak?"
    He paused considering. "Simus, Atira, Yers, Iften. Some others, perhaps."
    "Joden?"
    Essa frowned at his kavage. I had the strong impression that he was upset about something other than my confirmation. "That has not yet been decided."
    "Why wouldn't you hear from him?"
    "It is not so much whether we hear, as to what weight his words are given." I fussed with my mug for a moment, covering my thoughts. "Is that because he is not yet a Singer?" Essa paused again, taking a long sip of kavage. He was stalling, probably trying to decide how much to tell me. I was fairly certain he wouldn't tell me anything, but he lowered the mug, and began to speak.
    "The words of a singer carry great weight. Iften of the Boar has asked that the Council treat Joden's truths as those of a Singer. He argues that this should be done because no full Singer was present." Essa shook his head. "But Joden of the Hawk has broken with our ways and there is debate as to whether this should be done."
    Now it was my turn to delay, and I took a sip of kavage, uncertain how to reply. Joden was a friend, but he had made it clear that he would speak against Keir and me before the Council. "What is your position in all of this?"
    Essa snorted softly. "You know that Singers hold words given to them in confidence close to their hearts?"
    I nodded.
    "They also keep their thoughts to themselves, as well."
    I blushed at the reprimand.
    Essa sat his mug down, and waved Amyu off when she would have offered more. I decided to change the topic. "If I can't listen to the truths, can I go out and walk around? I've never seen anything like the Heart of the Plains."
    While his face didn't change, I could tell that he was pleased. "Of course. You may come and go as you wish. But your guards will accompany you. They have instructions as to who you may have contact with. I would ask that you obey those restrictions."
    "I will follow your ways," I answered. "But may I see Heath?"
    "I do not know the name. Of what tribe?"
    "Of Xy." I smiled. "One of my lands, who came here with Simus of the Hawk." Essa's blank look was replaced with one of humor. "I see no harm." He gave me an intent look. "We keep you from Keir so that—"
    "So that I am free to make my own choice," I cut in. "Essa, if I was going to change my mind,