Warlord

walk beside him, and not behind. The way before us was crowded with people and horses, but it cleared, as all who saw Wild Winds coming yielded the way.
    The silence between us continued until I broke it again. "I thought you were in senel with the Council."
    "I was, until word came that your affliction had appeared." He spared me a glance. "We are not stupid, Xyian. Whether it is an affliction or your 'illness', we fear your unseen enemy."
    "I never said you were stupid," I answered hotly, and would have said more but for the obstacle in our path. A jumble of children and wooden swords came crashing out of a nearby tent. Absorbed in their game, they attacked each other in a flurry of blows, causing them to trip and fall over each other, and sprawl at our feet.
    "What is this?" Wild Winds demanded, glaring down at them.
    Three heads, covered in red curls, popped up. Pale faces, covered in freckles, went even paler, as three pairs of green eyes widened in horror at the sight of the warrior-priest. I gasped. Gils . . .
    A woman's voice rose from a tent, seeking the three troublemakers. That set the boys scrambling away through the tents, disappearing as quick as their legs could carry them. Wild Winds snorted, and continued on his way.
    I hesitated, but Amyu and my guards pressed me, and we followed behind.
    Wild Winds didn't speak until we arrived at my tent. He turned to face me, folding his arms over his chest. His glare didn't bother me in the slightest. I just stood there, and crossed my arms too. And narrowed my eyes for good measure. "I do not understand your healing," I said.
    "I do not understand yours," he replied.
    "You use no herbs."
    "You do not invoke the elements."
    I dropped my arms, and sighed. "I've been known to pray to my Goddess." Wild Winds hesitated, then gave me a quick nod. "I've been known to use certain plants." We regarded each other. This time Wild Winds broke the silence. "Keir of the Cat despises warrior-priests and all of our ways. He would see us destroyed. This is no secret." He lowered his brows, and looked at me intently. "And you?"
    I thought for a moment. "Keir is my Warlord," I said. "But there was a time when I feared all Firelanders. I thought they were savage killers who breathed fire, and killed all living things." Wild Winds's eyebrows shot up, but he simply nodded. "I will think on this." I nodded as well. "So will I."
    He turned and strode off without another word, and I watched him go, suddenly confused. Had I just made a friend? No, that was too strong a word. As was 'ally'. What did that mean?
    "Wait," I called impulsively. Wild Winds paused and looked back at me over his shoulder. I took a few steps closer. "I want to know what is happening. What is going on before the Council?" He scowled, the tattoos on his face moving to show his displeasure, but I took another step forward. "It's my life the Council is deciding and it's not right to keep me ignorant of—" Wild Winds turned and walked away.
    My mouth open, I watched as he strode off again.
    "The warrior-priests keep their own counsel," Amyu spoke from behind me in condescending tones. It was just as well that no one nearby understood Xyian. I vented my feelings with a few short, pithy comments about warrior-priests in general and stomped right into my tent. A figure moved in the dimness, and I paused in the entrance, startled. "Who?" A deep voice chuckled. "Pray to the Sun God my mother never hears you talk like that."
    "Heath!"
    I flung myself into my childhood friend's arms. Heath laughed, and leaned down to press our foreheads together, a ritual greeting just between the two of us. Then he lifted me up and twirled us around, holding me tight, and for a moment I was a child again, safe in the arms of my older 'brother'. I squeezed him again as he set me on my feet. "Heath, I am so glad to see you!"
    "And I, you." Heath stepped back and spread his arms wide. "Look at you, Lara! A woman of the Plains."
    Amyu paused inside the tent, frowning slightly. I smiled at her, taking Heath's arm to turn him toward her.
    "Amyu, this is Heath. He is of Xy."
    Amyu's face cleared. "I was told of his coming. You may talk over the nooning, Daughter of Xy. But the Warlord Ultie has asked to court you after the meal." She removed her cloak. "I will bring kavage and food."
    Heath laughed. "Well, I understood 'kavage' and my name. But not much else."
    "This is Amyu of the Boar," I said. "A Warrior of the Plains." Heath nodded his head.