Warsworn

ruefully at my flushed face. "Hold on, Warprize." As I put my arm around his neck, he urged the horse into a trot, away from the main body of the army. When my normal bodyguards made as if to follow, he waved them off. As he guided the horse, it gave me a chance to study the face of the man who had my heart. It hadn't taken me long to learn that the Warlord of the Plains, the feared Cat, Ravager and Destroyer had an odd sense of the ridiculous. Sometimes when Keir was being stern, he was laughing deep within. This was one of those times, for he had the oddest look on his face, the look he gets when he finds something funny but doesn't want to show it. I looked at him closely. "What amuses you so?"
    "Look behind us."
    Puzzled, I pulled myself up, looked over his shoulder, and gaped in surprise. Every warrior had a clump of bloodmoss somewhere on his or her person, their hair, their cloaks, their horses. Gils had spread the word well. They had all gathered bloodmoss. I choked back a laugh.
    "Now why do I think that you might have something to do with that." Keir's voice was solemn, but humor danced in his eyes. I couldn't help it. I laughed right out loud. Keir held me tight, allowing his grin to escape. "Care to tell me why all my warriors have weeds adorning their persons?"
    "It's bloodmoss. An herb."
    "I gathered that." Keir replied, this time in Xyian.
    I rolled my eyes and laughed again. Keir's command of my language was much better than my understanding of his.
    Keir continued, mock growling at me. "It's hard for my ravening hordes to strike terror in the hearts of the enemy when they are adorned in weeds."
    "It's very useful."
    "How so?"
    I explained, talking about its usage and offering to cut myself to show him how it worked. That brought a bellow of laughter from him, even as he declined my offer. I didn't pay much attention to our direction until Keir brought the horse to a stop. "Let's hope that you don't need that much bloodmoss anytime soon."
    We'd ridden a ways off from the army, to a large clump of alders, their branches thick with small leaves just starting to turn yellow. A warrior held Keir's horse as he dismounted. Keir looked up at me, smiling with anticipation. I look down into twinkling blue eyes. "What mischief are you planning, Warlord?"
    His smile grew. "None, Warprize. Shall I carry you? It's not far."
    "I can walk." I started to slide from my perch but Keir put his hands on my waist and slowly lowered me to the ground. The gesture by itself was not a suggestive one, but my face grew hot at its implication as he placed me gently on my feet.
    Keir chuckled slightly, and took my hand. "Come, shy one."
    My feet were still a bit tender, but I could walk in the soft slippers that Marcus had provided. Keir led me through the bushes, keeping the lower branches off me with his strong arm. Birds twittered and protested, taking flight as we worked our way through the growth. We emerged on the shore of a small pond, surrounded on all sides by thick, yellow alders. A blanket had been laid to the side, with bundles piled next to it. I had that brief glimpse before Keir swept me off my feet. "Perhaps the shy Warprize would enjoy a bit of seclusion, for a bath and a meal with her Warlord."
    "What? No guards? Just us?"
    "Oh, there are guards." He placed me on the blanket and started to divest himself of his swords and daggers. "Beyond the alders, out of sight. I can raise them with a shout, if I need to." He placed his weapons on the corner of the blanket, close at hand in case of need. "Iften is my Second. Yers is my Third. The army will be safe with them for a time. I have something more important to do."
    The blanket was soft beneath me, cushioned underneath with grasses. I lay back, and watched as he removed the stiff leather armor, stripping down the under-padding, leaving him in only his trous. My breath quickened as I watched him, and he knew it too, if the occasional flash of his blue eyes in my direction was any indication.
    With wonderful grace he settled on the blanket next to me. "Oh?" I arched an eyebrow at him.
    "And what important task would that be?"
    He gave me a knowing smile, and leaned closer, reaching out to pull me in to his body. I yielded willingly, loving the feeling of being wrapped in his strength. Ken-nuzzled my ear, and whispered softly. "One that requires my complete attention." His free hand worked its way under my tunic to stroke my waist. I caught my breath at his touch,