Warprize

steps. It took a moment to orient myself. Everything seemed slightly fuzzy, which was one of the effects of lotus. It was tempting to drift back into the warmth and the darkness, but the sound of the pacing drew me out of the covers. Keir was pacing back and forth. I yawned and watched him move in those black leathers. I frowned when I realized that he hadn’t gotten any sleep. “Keir? What are you doing?”
    “Keeping watch. You are under my protection. You have been hurt. It will never happen again.”
    My eyes widened at that and the fuzziness receded slightly. I managed to get up on my good arm and stare at him. “Keir, there is an entire army out there. They can…”
    “It wasn’t good enough, was it.” He paused and looked at me. “It will be tonight. I put the entire army on alert, with double watches.”
    I groaned, closed my eyes and let my head sink back on the pillows. No one was getting any sleep tonight.
    Keir came to my side. “Are you well? Should I call Gils?” I studied him, and the lines of worry on his face.
    “Keir,” I spoke very firmly. “Take them off the alert.”
    His frown deepened. “You must be…”
    Enough. I interrupted. “I’m safe. I’m here with you.” I curled myself down into the bed. Keir hesitated, then moved to the flap and went out. I lay in a kind of stupor, imagining an entire army of warriors muttering about having to protect the Warlord’s prize. With double watches, yet. I yawned, closed my eyes and drifted.
    At some point Keir came in and stood by me. I reached out from under the covers, taking his hand. It was cold, and I could feel the tension in his muscles. I yawned and tugged. He looked at me oddly, but allowed himself to be pulled under the covers. I moved over, letting him have the warm spot. Through the haze, I could feel his body was easing a bit. I moved closer, putting my head on his chest. The black leather warmed slowly under my cheek.
    We lay there for a moment, warming each other. I yawned again, and my jaw cracked. He chuckled and stroked my hair. “You should go back to sleep.”
    I raised my head and tried to focus, but it was a losing battle.
    Keir’s chest rumbled with another laugh. “I think you will be sleeping late tomorrow, Warprize.”
    Tomorrow. I dropped my head back down. “What is a pattern dance?”
    “Eh?”
    I raised my all too heavy head. “What is a pattern dance?”
    “A group dance. Many men and women dancing in a pattern that they weave with their bodies.” I felt Keir shrug. “It’s hard to explain. You have to see it to understand.”
    “See it tomorrow.” For some reason I felt happy about the prospect. Keir’s hand stilled. “I canceled the dance.”
    I tried to lift my head again, but only succeeded in rolling off Keir’s chest to lay by his side. I managed to focus on his eyes. “They’ll hate me.”
    He turned onto his side to face me. “They won’t blame you.”
    I lost the focus, and his face blurred. The next yawn made my eyes water, and my jaw cracked again. I said something, but it came out all fuzzy. Like my vision.
    Keir sighed, and shifted, moving out from under the covers. He tucked me in, letting none of the cooler air touch me. “I’ll take care of it. Sleep.”
    I drifted off, wondering what I had said.
    * * *
    The evil taste in my mouth woke me first. Another of the effects of lotus. The irony of suffering the same effects that my own patients complained about was not lost on me. I would have to remember that the next time I dosed someone with it. It wouldn’t stop me from giving it to them, but I’d try to be more sympathetic.
    The bed was empty, and I could tell that it was fairly late in the day. My stomach was reminding me that I had missed at least two meals. I stretched under the blanket, being careful not to include the arm. The worst of it was my neck, stiff and sore. The arm hurt as well, and I really didn’t want to move. The tent flap from the main room opened, and Keir stuck his head in. “You’re awake.”
    I nodded as I moved to sit on the edge of the bed, feeling heavy and dull. I still had my trous on, but my shirt had been removed. My breast band had dried blood on it, and I made a face. Keir pressed his lips together as he studied my throat. I grimaced, imagining that the bruising was at its worst now. “I’ll get Marcus for hot food, and kavage. We’ll send for Gils.”
    “I want a bath.”
    Keir cocked his head. I repeated my request. He frowned.