Warlord

I'd have done it when Antas was yelling at me that first night."
    "As to that," he replied, "you must know that the Council has decided that while you are not yet confirmed, the courting should begin now. The snows approach, Daughter of Xy, and there is no time to waste."
    My throat went dry. This had been explained to me, but I'd managed not to think about it. "Now?"
    "The other warlords will be given a chance to court you. Each will send word, and Amyu will escort you to their tents. Each will try to convince you of their strength and skills." Essa smiled at me. "You control the courting, Xylara. If you wish it to end, you have but to say so. If you wish it to continue, indicate that as well."
    I nodded, but didn't speak.
    Essa looked over at Amyu, and then back at me. "Have your needs been seen to, Xylara? You have but to ask for something and it will be provided."
    "A bath." I found my voice quickly enough. "With hot water." Essa gave me a puzzled look.
    "Xyians bathe under the bells," Amyu offered.
    "Really?" Essa didn't seem impressed with the idea. "If that is what you wish, I will see what can be done." He rose and adjusted his robes and weapons, about to depart. "Is there anything else?" I looked at him, tall and straight, really looked at him. He waited patiently, allowing me to study him, and that bird's wing around his eye.
    "Would you sing something for me?" I blurted out.
    Essa's eyebrows went all the way up. Amyu looked shocked.
    I fidgeted slightly, and looked away. "I'm sorry. I heard Joden sing a few times, and he has a wonderful voice. You are a full Singer and I wanted to . . ." My voice trailed off.
    "I am honored." Essa tilted his head. "What songs have you heard?" I grimaced. "Mostly sad songs." I sighed. "Although Joden sang a funny breakfast song for us when we celebrated the ehat hunt."
    "Perhaps something more fitting your mood, yes?" He took a deep breath, and began to sing. His wonder ful voice filled the tent. It wasn't as deep as Joden's but it held the same kind of power. I listened, spellbound, as he sang. The first verse spoke of the sun rising, and lovers laying in the cool grass, their bodies bathed in the light of the dawn. As the star disappeared from the morning sky, they ap peared in his lover's eyes.
    Essa took a breath, and the second verse talked of the sun at the nooning, with the lovers riding their horses side by side. Their shadows danced over the grasses and their skin was slick with warmth and sweat. The Plains shone gold in the daylight, but the stars were still in his lover's eyes. Another breath on Essa's part, and the sun sank down, to set on the Plains. Now the lovers danced in the light of the fire, their bodies yearning for one another. The stars were still hidden in the light of the sunset, but he turned to his beloved to see their gleam in her eyes.
    The last notes of the song died away. Essa closed his mouth, and looked at me. I swallowed hard. "That was beautiful, Eldest Singer Essa. But," I felt myself tearing up as I spoke, "there is another verse, isn't there?"
    "There is." Essa tilted his head to look at me. "Would you hear it?"
    "Yes. Please."
    In the song, the sun was gone. The moon was high in the endless darkness, and his beloved had gone to the snows. His body ached for her scent and touch. The words explained that the darkness covered his sorrow, and his blade would end it. For even the stars cannot compare to the warmth of her eyes. I dropped my eyes, remembering Isdra, and her pain.
    As the last notes faded away, I looked up. Essa nodded his head to me, and left the tent. Amyu wasn't going to go with me on my walk, claiming the press of chores. But I convinced her to come with me, since I knew that the warrior-priest guards wouldn't talk to me, or answer my questions. In point of fact, I noticed that the guards that appeared when I left the tent were older, and more experienced. I suspected that the younger ones had been replaced after the incident with Simus, but I didn't say anything.
    Besides, I was proud of myself, that I could start to tell them apart. Once Keekai had told me of the one distinctive tattoo, it was much easier.
    I exited the tent, putting on my cloak, and stopped dead in my tracks.
    "Xylara?" Amyu was behind me, her cloak over her shoulders.
    "I thought there was a wide walkway here. Last night, I am almost positive ..." I looked around, puzzled. There was a wide open area in front of the tent now, with other tents surrounding