Warlord

appeared, to take his seat beside Essa. "Still, the treatment of the Daughter of Xy was too rough. It will not happen again." He gestured, and my guards melted away.
    "Lara, are you alright?" Keir asked, still seething.
    "I'm fine, belov—"
    "As if you really care!" Antas stood, and walked over to face Keir. "You, who have dallied with another, even as your so-called warprize attempts to claim you."
    Dallied? Did that mean what I thought it meant? I flushed, and then went cold at the idea that Keir would turn to another while—
    "Lower your hood, and show all how true you are to the one you would bond with." Antas pointed at Keir. "Do it now, warrior."
    There was absolute silence in the tent as Keir glared at Antas. But then his expression changed slightly, and his eyes crinkled in silent humor. Keir lifted his hands and lowered his hood to reveal a small purplish bruise on his neck. A love bite.
    Oh Goddess above. I blushed bright red, heat flooding my face. My love bite. Keir arched an eyebrow as the Elders reacted to the sight.
    Antas, however, was nearly foaming at the mouth. "You see? You see? He has broken faith with this Xyian even before she—"
    It took everything I had to say the words aloud before the entire Council of Elders. "I put that there."
    "Eh?" Antas twisted to face me.
    I drew a deep breath, and raised my voice. "That is my mark on his neck." As the group reacted to that, my blush deepened, if that was possible. Then I made the mistake of looking at Keir, and had to cover my mouth to prevent myself from laughing. He looked so smug. Simus was under no such handicap. He was howling with mirth.
    Antas was scowling, as were Essa and Wild Winds. "How so?" Antas snapped. "You have been kept apart from—"
    "Her bath." Amyu spoke. "It had to be during her bath." I looked over my shoulder to see that she was none too happy either. I turned back to face the Elders.
    "It was in my bath," I admitted. "Keir snuck in to see me." As one, the Eldest turned to glare at Keir.
    Keir shrugged.
    Simus laughed and slapped him on the back. "The skies favor the bold." Antas paused as a ripple of laughter swept the room again. "So you talked to Keir, despite our rules, de spite our—"
    "We didn't waste time talking," I snapped right back, glaring at him. Then I realized what I'd announced to the room, and blushed bright red.
    "HEYLA!" Simus shouted. "Truly, the attraction between Warlord and Warprize is as the heat of the summer!"
    Joden's head jerked up at that, and the movement caught my eye. He gave Simus a startled look, and then looked at me, as if seeing me for the first time.
    The Eldest were all talking among themselves. I saw Keekai up on the tier, and she gave me a bright look. I looked over at Keir again, and he gave me a warm smile, full of reassurance. I flushed a bit under his approval, and smiled back, content.
    Essa stepped forward. "Daughter of Xy. You speak the truth when you say that you did not talk to Keir of the Cat?"
    "I did not. We ..." I kept my eyes on him, resisting the urge to look down. "We spoke only with our bod ies, Eldest Singer."
    "What does she know of truth?" Antas growled. "She lies at any time, as she sees fit."
    "I do not!" I replied hotly, stepping forward to face the Eldest Warrior.
    "You lied to Atira of the Bear." Antas folded his massive arms over his chest, and sneered at me.
    "How so?" I demanded.
    "Atira of the—" Antas bellowed, but Essa cut him off.
    "Before you bawl out for a truth, we will call this senel to order." Essa turned to face the Elders, who began to settle down. He turned back, and gestured to someone behind me. Amyu appeared, with a folding stool, that she set up for me between the fire pits.
    I adjusted my satchel and sat. Amyu remained at my shoulder, standing just behind me. Essa stood before all, watching as everyone settled down. As far as I could see, the tiers were full, almost crowded. Those that stood on the edges were clearly warriors of stature. Keir had taken his position as close to me as he could, on the other side of the fire pit. Liam and Simus stood with him, with other familiar faces just behind. I drew a deep breath, tried to relax my shoulders, and turned back to face the Elders.
    "I call this senel to order," Essa announced in a strong voice. Everyone quieted magically. Essa turned to me. "Daughter of Xy, welcome to our tent. May we offer you kavage?"
    "No, thank you," I answered.
    "Daughter of Xy, we have now heard the truths of