Warsworn

holding him back. Isdra glared at Iften, clutching the babe to her shoulder.
    "For myself, I will offer to the elements to protect what is left of this army. And leave you to your business." Iften turned, and stalked off.
    Marcus collapsed back onto the ground, and I leaned into him. He wrapped his arm around me, sharing his cloak. We sat in silence for long moments, the crowd about us quiet, as if in shock. Warm hands touched mine and I turned my head to find Ortis kneeling next to me, that huge, lumbering man with the deep voice. His hands were a warm contrast to mine. "Joden is not here. May I do the honor?"
    I didn't know what he meant, but Marcus and Isdra both nodded, so I did too. Ortis sat back on his heels, and spoke. "The fire warms you."
    The crowd responded, their voice in such unison that it raised the hairs on the back of my neck.
    "We thank the elements."
    "The earth supports you." Ortis said, his voice a bit louder and stronger.
    "We thank the elements."
    "The waters sustain you."
    "We thank the elements." I joined in, stumbling over the phrase.
    "The air fills you."
    "We thank the elements."
    Ortis stood. "We thank the elements, for the life of this child and the power of the Warprize." A loud cry of triumph and thanks rose as people stood and somehow made their way to Isdra's side, to touch the baby's foot or cheek in farewell. There were no open smiles, but many faces filled with a quiet joy and tears. Many nodded to me as well, although I was too numb to appreciate it. When the crowd was down to just a few, Ortis spoke again. "You are exhausted, Warprize. Let us tend to her."
    "She needs to be upright, Ortis, and her lungs kept clear." I looked up at him, my tears falling down my face.
    Meara's cries were softer now, and her coughing was mere hiccups. Isdra had her on her shoulder, patting her back gently. Someone provided a warm blanket and Marcus draped it over Meara carefully. My tears spilled as they worked, watching as Isdra made sure her tiny feet were well covered against the cold.
    We stood, but when I reached for the babe Marcus put his hand on my arm. "No, Warprize."
    "You have been ill." Ortis used the Xyian word. "Many hands will care for her, Warprize. It will raise our spirts to tend her."
    Isdra looked over at me, the bundle in her arms. "I'll make sure she is cared for, Lara." I nodded, biting my lip, noting the lines of pain on her face. As she turned I managed to croak out her name, unable to voice my true fear. "Isdra?"
    She stopped, but did not turn for a moment. Then she turned her head and gave me a grim smile. "I've given you my word, Lara."
    Marcus stood, and wrapped an arm around my shoulders as she and the others carried Meara away.
    "Strip. You need to be out of those wet clothes." Marcus urged me into the stilltent. I was so numb it was all I could do to stand there. "You're just as wet." Marcus chuffed at me. "I'll send for clothes for both of us." He stepped outside the tent for a moment, calling to someone. I managed to lift my hands to the collar of my tunic, but stopped there, unable to move. Marcus entered, and without a word lifted the tunic off and over my head. 'The living need you, Warprize. More than the dead. You should return to the command tent. I've cleaned any trace of that fool."
    "I need to be here, Marcus." I wanted the familiar surroundings of my medicines and herbs, more comforting by far. I shivered, and he pulled a blanket from my pallet and wrapped it around me. The rough blanket warmed quickly against my skin.
    Without a word, Marcus reached under the blanket and pulled down my trous, then sat me down on a stump so that he could remove my boots. He didn't give me time to be embarrassed, just matter-of-factly removed my wet things from around my feet. "Kavage. Kavage, soup and sleep. Best thing for you now."
    I clutched the blanket tight around me, knowing that his fussing covered his own exhaustion.
    "You're tired too, Marcus."
    "I have not been ill." Marcus pulled off my boot. "And have no plans to be, either. What will Hisself be thinking, if he sees you like this?"
    Tears filled my eyes at the thought. He'd blame me for the babe, blame me for all of this and rightly so. "We should send word. Tell him what happened before someone else does."
    "I did, Warprize." Marcus's voice was soft. "He will be told." There was a noise at the tent entrance. Marcus intercepted whoever it was quickly. "Here now. Herself has rules about privacy, yes? Don't