Warlord

herds." Keir grunted. "Still. Out as far as where the Snake Tribe keeps its gurtles? Why so far?"
    "The dead did it," I offered. "Greatheart ran, and they surrounded us and urged us on. Gils, and Isdra and Epor." I hesitated. "And Keekai."
    We all went silent. A sob filled my throat. "She helped me so much." I looked over at Keir, the grief etched on his face.
    "She believed in us," Keir offered. "And died to protect you." I moved into the shelter of his arm and Keir hugged me a bit closer. "It took three warriors to take her down, Lara. And she still managed to take one with her. An honorable end."
    "One to sing of," Joden said softly.
    I nodded in sorrow, but then looked at everyone around me. "I am so glad you all survived. But, Prest, where is Epor's warclub?"
    "Broke." Prest looked satisfied. "Gathering Storm answered to it."
    "He fell like a stone when Prest hit him, and never got up again," Rafe added. "The club split clean down the center."
    Joden was sitting next to him, and had an odd look on his face. Either he was playing chess in his head, or he was composing a song.
    I leaned forward. "But what happened here? Keir threw me on Greatheart and . . .?" Amyu looked confused, but Marcus leaned over. "Herself names her horses." Amyu's eyes widened. "All of them?"
    Simus set his empty bowl down and belched. "Once you were away, and out of danger, we could focus on the fight. Before that we were hard pressed."
    Joden frowned. "I knew that Iften and Antas were relying on my truths to support them. And I would have spoken against you, Lara. But it struck me, when you ran to Keir, that is when I remembered—"
    "'Like the heat of the summer sun,' " I quoted.
    He nodded, embarrassed. "I didn't know that they'd use their swords to force the issue. When Antas called for your death, I was stunned."
    "Not so stunned that you didn't leap to help us," Keir said.
    Joden shrugged. "I may not support your ideas, Warlord, but I will not see them be silenced with death."
    "Enough of the Elders felt the same way that their swords aided us," Keir added. "Or the results may have been different."
    Marcus passed the Ravage. "So Antas fled?"
    "Essa almost took him down, but it was a struggle." Simus seemed impressed. "I'd not thought Antas the better warrior."
    "Gathering Storm went for Wild Winds, who was caught by surprise. If not for Keekai charging down, he might have killed the Eldest Warrior-Priest," Simus commented.
    "Warrior-Priest against warrior-priest. What does that mean?" Yveni asked.
    "I wish I knew," Joden responded.
    "A trick, perhaps," Keir suggested. "To disguise his role, in case of failure." Simus shook his head. "He had the true look of a man taken by surprise. And Keekai drove Gathering Storm off—"
    "To face me," Prest added smugly.
    "When Gathering Storm went down, Antas called for his warriors to flee," Joden explained.
    "Wild Winds is hurt," I offered. "So is Essa. They try to hide it, but they both move with pain."
    "Ah." Joden looked at me, questioningly.
    I shrugged. "They know what I am willing to do, Joden. They know where I am." Keir growled.
    The talk continued as I blinked a bit, relaxing in the warmth. Others had been involved in the fight, names that I didn't know. But it was wonderful to be surrounded by my friends, warm and fed, with Keir by my side. I smiled, content, until I realized that Marcus had asked me a question. I blinked at him in confusion. He gave me a wry smile. "Enough. Herself is exhausted, and we wear her out with this chatter." Keir looked into my face, concerned. "Lara?"
    Marcus stood. "Out, all of you. I've a Warprize and a Warlord to put to bed." Keir scowled and opened his mouth to protest, but Marcus snorted. "A Warlord who has not slept these last few days. Or eaten, for that matter."
    Simus stood and stretched. "I'll sleep out here, in front of the entrance. Are you others able to take the night?"
    "There's not that much left." Rafe stood as well. "Another mug of kavage and we'll do until dawn." Prest nodded his agreement.
    "Then we'll sleep and relieve you." Ander and Yveni rose and left.
    "It seems we have no say," I chuckled, looking into Keir's face. His eyes flickered, and there was no amusement in those eyes. I stood, and stretched, reaching for Keir to steady myself. He reached for me as well.
    "Some warm water, Warprize?" Marcus asked.
    "That would be good." I nodded. "And another bowl of stew, Marcus." I tightened my grip on Keir's hand and took a step toward