Warlord

two."
    I nodded, intent on his words.
    "You are guarded now by warrior-priests, but he has others watching over you as well."
    "I've seen them."
    Heath nodded. "They did that on purpose, Lara. The Warlord says that the warrior-priests are not to be trusted. If you are in need, cry out and help will come."
    I relaxed a bit at that knowledge, but Keekai's words about blind hatred came back to me as well. Heath flashed a smile at me. "Keir made me repeat this next part over and over. He does not trust my Xyian memory!"
    He put down his bread on the table, and deepened his voice, as if imitating Keir. "All will be well, fire of my heart." Heath knit the fingers of both hands together. "Know that I love you, and that we will be together again soon." My eyes filled with tears, and I looked up into Heath's understanding eyes. "Heath—"
    "There is one thing more." His eyes twinkled. " 'But please, beloved, keep that temper of yours!' " My mouth dropped open. "Why, that man ..." I sputtered.
    Heath laughed. "Oh, I think he knows you well, little bird!"
    Amyu appeared in the entrance, clearly checking on our progress. Heath gave me a sly grin. "Eat up, Xylara, Daughter of Xy."
    I watched as he reached for the meat dish with the red flakes in it, and didn't say a word.
    "This courting is over!" I jerked open the tent flap. The entire structure shuddered under the force of my pull, but I just kept moving, not caring in the slightest if the entire tent collapsed on the Warlord Ultie. The arrogant, loud-mouth, overbearing, obnoxious, bad-breathed Warlord Ultie. It would serve him right.
    Amyu and my warrior-priest guards had made themselves comfortable nearby. Caught by surprise, they scrambled for their cloaks and gear. I didn't stop, just stormed off down the walkway, biting my tongue to keep from speaking my thoughts out loud. That self-centered, boorish cretin. How dare he talk about Xy that way? About Keir that way? To my face? I gritted my teeth as my anger grew with every step away from that—
    "I would guess that this courting did not go well?" Amyu moved up to walk next to me. I glanced at her, surprised to see the first very faint hint of approval on her face. I scowled. "That man is a—" I resorted to Xyian for the rest of the sentence.
    "They are not all Keir of the Cat," came her very soft response. I didn't say anything more, ever conscious of the listening ears of my warrior-priest guards. But I did slow a bit, as we headed toward my tent. It was mid-afternoon, and the Heart was beating with the pulse of its people.
    Life on the Plains had a certain rhythm to it. The mornings were for chores, all the necessary things that needed to be done for life to be sustained. Afternoons seemed focused more on play and gathering, or maybe teaching was a better way to put it. Children were playing all around us, mock fighting with wooden swords and daggers. They ran and yelled, warbling cries just like their elders. I smiled to see them, but I knew there was a more serious tone here than just children playing. They were developing the skills that would keep them alive in this world.
    I tried hard to let go of my anger and frustration. I was worried about what was happening. But there was no one I could ask who would answer. So I gritted my teeth and tried to be patient. But I feared for Keir.
    Two women were playing chess between some tents, their board set on a stump between them. They hunched over, intent on the game. Four children had gathered close, watching the play. I could hear them asking questions, hanging on the older women.
    A few steps more, and I was surprised to see a group of horses standing in the walkway, seemingly unat tended, watching as two warriors examined the hoof of one of the mares. They had the leg up, and were checking it over, as the horse craned its neck to look too.
    "They allow horses in the Heart?" I asked.
    "Of course," Amyu responded. "If they wish. They are free to come and go."
    "Don't they soil the area?"
    "Do you?" Amyu answered, with a puzzled look on her face.
    Honestly. I mentally rolled my eyes at that. For the love of the Goddess, they were just horses. I spoke too soon. There, in front of my tent, stood Greatheart.
    He neighed and trotted over when he spotted me. I smiled as he butted his head against my chest. "Hello, Greatheart."
    Which earned me a few confused looks from my escort. I ignored them as I reached up to scratch between Greatheart's ears, and then along the scar that