Warlord

those that we have called before us, all but Joden of the Hawk. We delayed his truths, because Iften of the Boar and Eldest Warrior Antas, also of the Boar, have asked that his words be given the weight of a Singer, although Joden cannot yet claim that status." So Antas was a pig, too. I wasn't surprised.
    Essa folded his arms over his chest. "We have kept you out of these meetings, for you are not of the Plains. But now, a decision must be made, and we have decided that you should be heard on this matter."
    "First, she must prove that she knows what truth is!" Antas jumped to his feet. "I say that she has lied to a warrior of the Plains."
    "I deny that," I responded calmly, as my heart beat in my chest.
    "Atira of the Bear," Antas called out. Atira stepped forward to stand before them, moving well. She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Antas as if she wished to slaughter him with the sharpest weapon she could find.
    "Tell us again, how the Xyian lied to you," Antas demanded.
    "You are the only one that calls it a 'lie', Eldest Warrior." Atira's words were polite, but her voice dripped with contempt. "I say that the Warprize saved my leg and my life."
    "Tell it!" Antas thundered.
    Atira scowled, then turned to face me. She gave me a full nod. "Warprize."
    "Atira." I greeted her with a smile. "How does your leg?" Essa cleared his throat.
    Atira winked at me, but turned back to face him. I was pleased to see her standing so tall and proud, her blonde hair gleaming in the lights of the fire. "As I spoke my truth before, so now I speak the truth again. I was practicing mounting a running horse from a standing position when I fell and broke my leg ..." Atira retold the story of her fall, and how I insisted that she let me heal her leg. I was amazed at the detail that she could recall, right down to the words that I'd spoken.
    ". .. she reached over and handed me a piece of willow bark to put between my teeth. 'All right, Atira. Ten deep breaths, then we begin.'" Atira shook her head. "I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Then another. Then, as I drew the third breath, she grabbed my ankle and my world exploded into pain."
    "Thus I am proven," Antas said with satisfaction. "She lied." A murmur washed through the crowd.
     

 

     
     

Chapter 14

 

     
     

     
    There was an outburst from Keir's direction, but I just gaped at Antas, caught off guard. "You can't possibly be that stupid."
    It was Antas's turn to gawk at me. I pressed the point, speaking loudly enough to be heard by all. "That is not a lie. That is a skill. A trick of the trade. If you wait until the tenth breath, the patient tenses up, and the muscles fight against the healer." I crossed my arms over my chest. "Is it a lie to hide in wait for an animal while hunting?"
    Antas scowled. "A warrior is no animal, to be—"
    "Enough." Wild Winds stood. "The snows come. Do not waste time on this. The Xyian knows what truth is."
    "Agreed?" Essa turned to the Elders. They were all seated, and no one moved. But Essa turned back, as if the matter was resolved. He looked at Antas. Antas glared, but sat back down. Essa then turned his attention to me. "Then, we will proceed. Daughter of Xy, Joden of the Hawk has been in training to become a Singer of the Plains. You know this?"
    "I do."
    "All listen well to the words and truths of a Singer of the Plains. They hold our ways and our knowledge. You understand?"
    "Yes, Eldest Singer."
    "Now, there are those who would have Joden of the Hawk named Singer now, without the normal contests, ceremonies, and celebrations."
    Contests? I glanced over at Joden but he was studying the floor. Essa continued. "This has been done in the past, but under dire circumstances." He glanced over at Joden. "There are those that oppose this, be cause Joden of the Hawk has not held to our ways."
    "Because of Simus?" I looked over to where Simus stood next to Keir, tall, proud and healthy. "But if Jo den hadn't stayed his hand—"
    Essa raised an eyebrow at my interruption, but he nodded in agreement. "Yes. Because of his failure to grant Simus of the Hawk mercy."
    "For which I am deeply grateful," Simus chimed in, a large smile on his face. There was a stir of amuse-ment amidst the Elders.
    "No doubt," Essa spoke dryly, but there was a hint of a smile on his lips. "If I may continue?" Simus grinned then, and inclined his head, as if giving permission.
    Essa gave him a telling look, then turned back to me. "But only the Singers