Warsworn

cHAPTER 7

Except Isdra had other plans.

The blade sliced the binding that tied me to the windlass. She had me tossed over her shoulder and the babe’s basket in her hand before I understood what she was about.

The flames were rising all around us, crackling at the dry wood, sparks jumping to the sky. Smoke was filling the air. I was gasping from the smoke and the realization that I was still alive when Isdra spun on her heels and ran for the main gate.

“Isdra, NO!” I cried out, struggling against her hold, beating on her back with my bound hands. She didn’t understand the risks, she had to stop. Isdra grunted when I struck, but her pace never faltered.

The gate must have been open, for she took me through it with ease. The light of the flames was replaced by a cool, velvety darkness. I couldn’t see for a moment, but I didn’t have to.

Keir was there.

All I could see was the ground, and Isdra’s legs through blurry eyes. But I sensed him, standing there, waiting just beyond the gate. I blinked through the sweat as he took me from Isdra’s shoulder and held me in his arms. For a timeless moment I rejoiced at the feel of his body as he drew me in close. Joy filled me at the sight of his face, but only for a brief instant before horror followed in its wake. “What are you doing?” I whispered.

Keir didn’t answer, just looked at me, a strange light flickering over his stone face.

“Oh no, no, Keir, beloved, why?” The sickness in my heart had nothing to do with the fever that racked my frame.

The light came from torches that Marcus was holding, one in each hand. Isdra had put the basket down and was dragging brush in front of the gates. Keir moved back a few steps as Marcus began to set fire to the tinder.

The babe fussed, and Isdra saw to her before she took the other torch from Marcus and moved off to fire more brush that was off to the sides. Even in my fevered state I could see that tinder had been set along the length of the walls.

Frantic, I struggled to get Keir to release me, but he just tightened his hold. His strong arms didn’t budge, impervious to my struggles. “No, Keir, don’t do this.” I tried to push at him with my bound hands. “I wanted you safe, please, please—”

“Hush.” His voice was soft, but firm. He tucked my head under his chin. I sagged against his chest, taking comfort from his strength for just a moment. But guilt and anger made me renew my struggle. He didn’t understand the danger, didn’t know what he was doing.

“Hush,” he repeated, his voice warm and solid in my ear. His grip tightened to hold me still. “Save your strength, Lara. Fight the enemy, not me.”

I cursed him then, using every phrase and word I could think of.

“What does she say?” Marcus’s questions made me realize I was yelling in Xyian. I slumped back, all my strength spent, struggling to catch my breath. The heat of the flames, of Keir, no, of my own body was building and I burned. I put my head back against Keir’s chest, too exhausted to even weep.

“She is displeased.” Keir’s voice was dry. “Isdra, report.”

The voices around me continued as we moved. I wasn’t strong enough to care. Everyone in the village had died, and now Keir had condemned himself and Marcus.

Isdra’s voice rose and fell as we moved. I could feel Keir’s muscles tense, holding me tight as he covered the ground with his long stride. The scent of his skin eased my headache. His voice would reverberate in my ear as he questioned Isdra, but I couldn’t concentrate enough to understand what they were saying. Just as well, I didn’t really want to hear a retelling of events or of the deaths. I kept my eyes closed so that I couldn’t see Keir’s face as he learned of my failure.

Then we were within a tent, and I was lowered onto a bed. Warm hands moved over me. I opened my eyes to see Keir beside me. Isdra was still talking, repeating the portion of her tale that spoke of the steps I had taken with my patients.

“Lotus? You are sure it was lotus?”

I jerked at the sound of Gils’s voice. It couldn’t be, and yet when I slowly turned my head, he was there, with his red hair and gangly arms, with healing supplies on a table next to him and a very determined look on that freckled face.

“No…” I whispered, and turned back as Keir removed my boots. “Oh, Keir, why have you done this? Why?”

Keir looked up, his eyes glittering. “I will not lose you, Lara.” His voice was strong and urgent. “Fight this, Lara. Fight for me. For us.”

A sound came from Isdra, and I shared her grief at hearing the same words she’d spoken to Epor but hours ago. I looked at her with eyes clouded with tears and sweat. “Isdra, why? Why do this?”

“My Warlord commands, and I obey.”

Anguished, I dropped my aching head to my chest and let a sob escape me. Keir knelt down beside me, and cut the binding on my wrists. “Oh Keir, you should have listened. You stupid man.”

But Keir simply continued to undress me. “I listened, Lara. Iften has charge of the army, and they are about a mile off. We will remain isolated from them. We will care for you until you are well enough to continue to the Plains. All will be well, fire of my heart.”

“Drink this.”

I looked into Gil’s face. He stood there with a cup, trying to look so firm and competent. As I had felt the first time I’d dealt with a patient by myself. I licked my dry lips, looked at the cup, and then back at his youthful face.

“It’s lotus.” He gave me the best stern look he had. “Drink.”

I raised a trembling hand but Keir took the cup, sat next to me and urged me to drink. Not that it took much urging. I welcomed the drowsiness that the lotus would bring. As soon as the cup was empty, Keir finished stripping me, and urged me flat on the bed beneath a rough blanket. “She’s sweating, Gils.”

“I will see to her.” Gils replied, the barest trace of trembling in his voice. “We will need more water.”

“The stream is close. We can get more easily.” Marcus answered, gathering a few buckets. He paused to look at me with concern. “If the Sweat is as bad as you say, maybe we should cut her hair. It will be hard to keep clean, and will tangle.”

“No,” Keir answered softly. He was beside me, running his fingers through my hair, pulling it off my face. “No need. I’ll braid it for her. I’ll not see it cut.”

Marcus snorted, and left the tent. Isdra followed, but not before I caught a glimpse of her face, and saw her naked grief. Gils was busy getting his cloths ready. I stared up at Keir as he worked his fingers through my hair, and cradled my head in his hand. His fingers gently massaged my scalp, easing the headache even further. Or maybe it was the lotus starting to take effect. I seemed to be floating slightly, but I wanted to tell him. Sorrow filled my heart, and my eyes welled with tears. I’d killed him, my strong, handsome lover, killed him with my pride and arrogance. I reached out blindly, and felt his cool hand grasp mine. I concentrated, trying to focus as he lowered his face to mine. “Lara?”

“It’s all my fault.” I whispered carefully. “I’m so sorry, so sorry.”

“Lara,” his voice was soft and urgent, but the lotus pulled me away.

“Papa? Papa!” It was so hot, so dark, where was Papa? The garden was withered and the sun seared my skin. I ran along the path, trying to find Papa. Xymund was behind me, so angry, so furious. He was going to kill me. I cried as he caught me, and struck out at my attacker. Papa’s voice cut through the fire, but he wasn’t talking to me, wouldn’t hold me. What had I done, that he was angry with me ?

“Papa? What is’Papa’?”

“A name they call male theas. She thinks you’re her father.”

“Her thea?”

“Talk to her. Get her to drink something.”

“Hush, Lara.” Papa’s voice sounded odd somehow, but it was deep and gentle and his cool hands touched my face. “Be easy. I am here, little one.” A cup clinked against my teeth. “Drink.”

I swallowed as the water flowed into my mouth, easing the dryness within. I let myself relax back into Papa’s arms, soothed. I was safe, safe, Xymund couldn’t get me here. The flames could still hurt me though, and Papa rocked me in his arms.

But when had Papa been so badly burned?

I stood by the well in the village square, which was silent and dark. As I looked about, I saw the morning larks laying on the ground, their little legs stiff, their songs silenced. As I covered my mouth in horror, the doors of the

buildings opened, and the dead began to emerge. They were moving slowly, murmuring over and over, stumbling toward me, their eyes glittering with rage.

The door of the shrine opened and Epor stepped out, his gentle, smiling face easing my fears. I called out to him, and he started toward me. But as he grew closer, his face contorted into a snarl and he joined the villagers in their chant. “You killed us. You killed us.”

“No, no, no, oh, Goddess, forgive me, please forgive me, Epor.”

I pressed against the well, feeling the windlass cut into my back. They kept coming, pressing in, chanting their accusations. Rahel stood there, her arms raised, cursing me in a voice that rose to the skies.

I turned, looking into the well, seeking escape. But the dead were there, too, their arms lifted as if to pull me into the depths. I cried out again, terrified and looked back to see Epor before me, his club raised to strike me down. “Epor, please don’t hurt me!”

“Epor would never hurt you, Lara.”

“She can’t hear you, Isdra.”

Terrified, I sought a way to the gate. But the dead had piled themselves at my feet, their dead and dry carcasses pressed against my legs like cord wood. Xymund stood before me, the madness dancing in his eyes, with a flaming brand in his hand. “Die, whore.”

He threw the torch at my feet, The flames flared up, I cried out…

I burned.

The castle was dark, but the stones were cool under my feet. I welcomed the silence and the quiet. But as I walked the halls the very stones began to warm, blistering my feet. The familiar halls became a maze where I wandered, lost and confused.

“She’s stopped drinking.”

I stumbled into the kitchen. Anna was there, lying on the floor, sweating and moaning. Othur was seated at the table, a mug of ale in one hand. When I touched his shoulder, he collapsed to the floor like a broken doll.

“Her eyes are so sunken, like Epor’s.”

I fled, running, crying out to the Goddess for aid. When I burst into the chapel, the benches were filled with the dead and dying victims of the sweat.

Archbishop Drizen and Deacon Browdus stood before the statute of the Lady, their vestments drenched in sweat, dragging on the floor as they went about the service. Two acolytes, the men in Rahel’s loft, were assisting with the offering.

“Can you think of anything else to try, young’un? From her teachings?”

They all ignored my pleas and cries as they moved about the base of the marble statue. The cool peace of the chapel filled me then, and I sank to my knees. The Goddess reached out to me and with a glad heart I stretched out my hand to touch hers, wanting nothing more than the peace of her gardens, there to dwell forever.

But her hand withdrew before it touched mine and it was only when I looked up into the Lady’s face that I realized that she was sweating too. Suffering as Her people suffered. The marble moved then, the Lady raised her arms and called out to her husband, the Sacred Sun, and the flames rained down on my skin.

“I’s have an idea.”

I burned.

“… Death of earth, birth of water...”

I burned.

The heat within my body was all encompassing, and there was no escape. It was in my blood, in my lungs, and every limb of my body. I tried to lick my lips, to find some precious moisture in my mouth, but there was none. My tongue was a dry and lifeless thing, and my lips cracked and stung. I could feel the sweat under my breasts and behind my knees, but it dried as fast as it appeared. There was only heat and I burned. I tried to open my eyes, to see what was happening but there were only blurs about me. Nothing seemed to have any substance except the pain behind my eyes and the flames that licked my flesh. I tried to reach out but my hands grasped nothing but dry air.

“… Death of water, birth of air . . .”

I was flying beneath a field of blurry stars against a clear black sky. My eyelids rasped, dry and itchy, but still I stared at the blooms of light above me. There were figures around me, moving with me, chanting softly. I flew, but my hair hung heavy, seeming to brush against the tall grass. The heat was still with me, the hearth located in my chest. It was impossible to move with the weight that pressed me down. Each breath was an effort. All I could do was hold open my weary eyes and stare.

“… Death of air, birth of fire .. .”

The chanting was muted, soft, as indistinct as my vision. It seemed somehow to first raise me closer to the sky, then lower me to the earth.

I cried out as something cold bit my skin, surrounding me, covering me, stealing my breath and the heat from my body. My mouth opened as the flame died, and I sucked in great gulps of air, even as I rose high in the air… “… Death of fire, birth of earth ...”

Keir. It was Keir beside me, Marcus on the other side. I blinked as the water ran off my face. I was in their arms, cradled, being lowered back into water as cold as death. Keir was letting cold water trickle from his cupped hand onto my face, and I blinked as the drops hit my eyes. I felt clean. Clean and cold and alive.

“… Death of earth, birth of water...”

They lowered me again, into the stream, letting the heat flow from my body with the water. I was wrapped in a blanket and Isdra and someone else were holding my legs, chanting as they lifted me, dripping and gasping. Wet cloth clung to my body, as the hands supporting me lowered me into the water once again.

“… Death of water, birth of air.. .”

The waters flowed over me, driving away every breath and thought. My hair grew heavy, drawn away from my head as the current caught it, fanning it out in the water. My parched lips softened, and I ran my tongue over them, trying to get moisture into my dry throat. Keir used his cupped hand to dribble water into my mouth. I shuddered in relief even as the cold seeped into my very soul.

“Enough.”

Gils? Was that Gils? There was a reason that thought was important, a reason that it was wrong to hear his voice. But my concerns were wispy and I couldn’t keep them. They were pulled from me even as I was raised from the water. Before I could gather them back, I was dry and under warm furs and a hand was pressing softly on my heart. My eyes refused to open. A cup at my lips, a few swallows and the warm darkness welcomed me back.

I opened my eyes, and stared into the darkness. It seemed familiar somehow, to lay so, in a tent where the only light came from braziers. I was too weak to move, or do much more than simply breathe. It felt good, and it took long moments for me to understand that I was feeling better. Utterly drained of any strength, but I wasn’t hot, wasn’t sweating. My breath came slowly and I enjoyed the sensation for a while in the quiet warmth of the tent.

A soft sound drew my attention. I thought about that for a moment, then slowly turned my head toward the noise.

Keir was sitting on the floor, leaning on the bed. His one hand braced his head, the other lay close to mine. He was asleep, and snoring, something I hadn’t heard him do before. He looked so tired, so haggard. Hair mussed, his chin rough and unshaven. If he slept like that for much longer, he’d have a sore neck. With some effort, I managed to move my hand enough to brush his fingertips with mine.

His head snapped up, eyes wide. He stared at me in the dim light, then joy flooded his face, and he grabbed my hand. “Lara?”

I tried to smile, but it became a yawn instead.

“My heart’s fire.” Keir’s voice was soft, and I blinked at him. “Are you well?”

My curiosity forced me to make an effort to talk. “How… long?”

He stroked my hand, gently. “Three days.”

I stared at him, trying to make sense of the images and memories in my mind. It was all so jumbled.

There was a sound of someone stirring, but I couldn’t lift my head to look. Marcus moved into my line of sight, with Gils right behind, looking anxious. When he saw that I was conscious, his face split into a toothy grin.

“How?” I whispered.

Keir glanced at the others. “We were losing you. Gils came up with an idea, to place you in the stream to quench the fire within.”

“You… were… chanting.”

Keir nodded. “A ritual. We wanted you to be prepared if…” Keir’s voice cracked and he swallowed hard.

Marcus cleared his throat. “For mercy, Lara. If the stream had not returned you to us, we were prepared to grant you mercy.”

I looked into Keir’s face, so tired, so full of pain. “Oh, my Keir.”

He crawled onto the bed, and pulled me into his arms, which trembled even as they crushed me close. Voices spoke, but it was too much effort to try to understand. I closed my eyes, let my head rest on Keir’s chest and concentrated on breathing, content. It was so comfortable to be held, listening to the rapid beat of his heart.

Eventually, Keir eased me back, supporting my head and neck, and a cup of cool water was placed at my lips. I swallowed gratefully. It was replaced by a bowl, and I recognized the scent of the broth that Marcus makes so well. I managed a few sips, to the delight of someone.

Then someone put a dose of fever’s foe in my mouth and I crinkled my nose, recognizing the taste as it flooded my throat. I heard Marcus snort. “Don’t like the taste of your own, eh?”

Keir chuckled, and I pulled my eyes open again to focus on him. He still looked tired, but the crinkles at the corners of his eyes were back. I took a deep breath, and then made a face. He leaned in, “What is it, Lara?”

I had to take a deep breath to get the words out in a croak. “You stink.”

The laugh burst from him, his entire body shaking, and he pulled me in, holding me tight to his chest. “Ah, my Lara.” He lowered me down to the bedding, eyes bright with what looked like tears. “I suppose I do, at that.”

“She’ll sleep now.” Marcus growled. “Gils and I will watch over her. You need to care for yourself. I’ll have food ready when you’re done.”

Keir made as if to protest, but I frowned at him. He sat back with a sigh. “Fair enough.” He reached over and stroked my cheek with his hand. I closed my eyes at his touch, and fell back into sleep between one breath and the next.

The fever had broken, but the lethargy held me in its grasp. I lay in the tent for the next day, with barely the energy to draw breath.

Gils kept forcing liquids into me, regularly appearing with a cup of sweet, cold water, or a bowl of Marcus’s broth. At first I was eager, since I was wrung dry by the fever. But after a while, it was an effort to drink and swallow, more exhaustion than inability. Keir was beside me constantly, bracing my head, encouraging me to drink. I slept more often than not, awakening to a cup or a bowl.

As my exhaustion continued everyone’s faces grew grim. They were worried, and had I the strength, I’d have been as well. But with each passing moment, the life seemed to fade from my body, bit by bit after the last bout of fever.

“Out.”

I opened my eyes to find Marcus shooing Keir and Is-dra from the tent. Keir made as if to protest, but Marcus cut him off. “She’ll feel better for a bath. The young’un is all the help I need, and none of your prying eyes.”

“We’ll help.” Keir frowned.

“No such thing,” Marcus insisted. “Go out and do something useful.”

“What?”

Marcus threw up his hands. “Chop wood. Carry water. Sharpen your sword. Anything to get you out from underfoot.”

Keir made a growling noise, but he and Isdra cleared out of the tent. Marcus and Gils fussed for a bit, with Gils going to fetch a bucket of warm water. I appreciated his efforts to honor my ‘shyness’, although I wasn’t sure there was a point to it anymore. Everyone had seen me in all my glory at some point. But I couldn’t even muster the energy to be embarrassed.

Marcus moved to the side of the bed, and pulled back the bedding. “We’ll wash your hair, Lara. You will feel better, yes?”

The idea had appeal, but I’d no energy to contribute to the effort. I sighed as Marcus helped me roll closer to the side of the bed. He must have heard me, since he made the same kind of soothing sound that I’d heard Isdra use on the babe. I smiled weakly, even as he beat a gentle rhythm on my back, just as Isdra had done.

I coughed.

Pain gripped my chest, and I went into a spasm of coughing, a horrible deep racking sound. It left me gasping, hanging over the edge of the bed, trying to clear my throat. Marcus was holding me, calling frantically for Keir and Gils. I stared at the mess I’d made, and gasped for air, trying to make sense of what had just happened.

Keir and Gils came running in, demanding an explanation. Marcus sputtered an apology, even as he tried to push me onto my back. But I resisted, sure that I knew what was happening. The fluids were in my chest. Building slowly, instead of sweating out, drowning me. The exhaustion had masked it, but Marcus had…

“Again. Do that again.” My voice wasn’t more than a rasp, but it cut through the babble about me. Keir had his arms about me, and Marcus was pale as a cloud.

“What did you do?” Keir asked sharply.

“I drummed her. I thought to offer comfort…”

“Again.” I struggled in Keir’s arms. “Do it again.”

“It hurts you,” Marcus objected.

“Have to…” I coughed again.

Gils knelt by the bed. “She’s purging her body of the bad water, when she coughs. Is that right, Warprize?”

I nodded. “Again.”

Marcus flinched back, but Keir adjusted his hold on my body. “I’ll do it.” His warm hand gently tapped on my back.

It worked, although I almost wished it hadn’t. The cough was harsh and rough, and my chest ached. Gils wanted to give me one of my cough remedies, but everything in my supplies would sooth the cough, not encourage it.

We settled into a routine of having someone drum my back every hour. That gave me time to recover enough for the next bout. With every session, I could feel an improvement in my well-being. But it was an agony, and Keir took to bribing me with treats to get me to cooperate. Not that there were many treats to be had in our little camp. But I took great pleasure in watching him play with the babe, making faces and silly noises. Odd how a Warlord, so fierce in combat, could make a baby coo.

“Letters have come. From Water’s Fall.”

I looked over at him, standing in the entrance of the tent. He seemed pleased with himself for some reason. Marcus was behind him.

“They threw them to us, Lara, so no contact, as I promised. Gils is trying to read Simus’s for us.” He moved closer, pulling back my bedding. “But first you must cough.”

“I’m so tired, Keir.”

“I know. But each time there’s less pain, less water. You are doing better.” Keir opened his arms and I moved into them. He helped me into position, and I rested my head on his chest for just a moment, enjoying his strength. He paused, and pressed me close to his heart.

“You’re still well?” I asked, worried that he’d start to sicken before my eyes.

“We are all well, Lara.” Keir’s hand rubbed a warm circle on my back. “Marcus, Isdra, the babe, Gils, we are all well. Stop fretting so.”

With that, he started to drum my back, and I began to cough. Maybe it was his warmth, or his soft words of encouragement but this time seemed easier than the others, and it was over quickly. Marcus came in to help settle me back into the bed. Keir eased in behind me, to help prop me up, and Marcus fussed over the bedding.

Once I was established, Marcus provided hot kavage. Isdra stepped in, the babe in her arms. The child was gurgling and kicking, happy and well. That alone put a smile on my face. But I frowned as well. How was it that the child was so healthy?

More to the point, how did she stay healthy? She’d spent hours next to her dead mother, time with us in the village, and had been in this tent with me during that time. Yet here she was, plump and pink, and no trace of fever. In my experience, children were the first to succumb to illness. What was different here?

Keir interrupted my thoughts. “Is he ready?” Keir asked.

Isdra smiled, and stepped aside to sit next to Marcus on a stump. I looked at Keir questioningly, but he simply pointed to the tent entrance.

To my surprise, the flap was pulled roughly aside, and Gils leaped in, striking a pose, his fists on his hips, his legs wide apart, and his chest puffed out. I smiled, recognizing Simus in the stance. But what looked powerful on a tall, muscular man with black skin looked terribly silly on a gangly youngster.

“HEYLA, little healer.” Gils boomed out, trying to deepen his voice. “These are the words of Simus the Hawk, and they are written even as I speak them!”

I had to laugh out loud at that, and looked up into Keir’s face. While there was no smile, his eyes were crinkled in the corners, and I could see the laughter hidden there. I leaned back, safe in his arms, and watched as Gils struck another pose, gesturing with one hand.

“All is well within the stone tents of Water’s Fall. Have no concern for your people. Although your Council talks too much, and have sent you many dry words on paper. Do not read them. I have told all that their senels waste breath and sunlight. Othur turns bright red when I say so, and Warren laughs and laughs.”

Gils started to pace, swaggering back and forth in front of the bed. I covered my mouth not wanting to hurt his feelings, but from the side glances he gave me, I

knew that he was trying to make me laugh. So I did, loud and clear, as he continued.

“One of the council is worth her words, one Mavis. A fine woman. She fancies me.”

Keir snorted.

“Our people have settled here with not too much trouble. The stone walls make us all uneasy. There have been only a few fights, and no deaths that I know of, although Eln of the Healers has sharp words for me each time I see him.

“Othur rules well. Anna makes good food. She fancies me. Warren is a strong warrior and we have tested our blades against each other. Eln has said that Atira is fine. I was forced to share my kavage with her, as her pleas were pitiful. My own leg heals well.

“I have attended a High Court and am not impressed. We of the Plains can teach your people much about senels and celebrations. The women dress in drab colors and act oddly. They pretend to fear a warrior such as I, but they admire my strength and prowess. They all fancy me.”

I laughed so hard, I started to cough, and Gils waited until the spasm passed.

“Send word of your lives to me. Send kavage, for I will grow ugly without it. I have sent words for Joden’s song. Read them to him.”

Gils came to stand at the end of the bed, his hands on his hips, chest thrust out. “Tell that Warlord of yours that all is well, and that he could have no better voice than I. Fare well, little healer, Xylara, Daughter of Xy, Warprize and my friend.” Gils bowed, and I laughed, looking up into Keir’s face again to share the moment. His eyes softened as he returned the look.

Gils approached, his eyes alight. “Warprize, here are the others. I could only read that of Simus. The words in the others are too hard.”

“You did very well, Gils.” I smiled at him, and he blushed.

“Now.” Marcus stood. “Isdra and I have to wash the babe’s things before we are overcome with the stink.” He fixed his good eye on Keir. “You are getting flabby. Go spar with Gils. Leave her to her letters.”

Gils went pale, his eyes wide.

Keir raised an eyebrow at Marcus, then looked at me. “Do you need anything?”

“She’s fine.” Marcus started to push him out of the tent. “Are we not within calling distance? Go. Work out your frustrations, yes?”

“Why me?” Gils protested, as they all filed out.

Simus was right. The formal letters from my council were dull and dry. They’d all been sent some time ago, so there was no mention of the plague, or its effects on the city. Simus had included another letter for Joden, with his version of the events that had reunited me with Keir. I tucked that one away to read to Joden once we were all together again.

The parchment of the various missives crackled under my fingers. Othur had included a short, private note to tell me that he and Anna were well and that Lord Durst was still recovering from the blow that Keir had dealt him.

The next set of letters would tell me what had happened. If the plague had hit the city. If Eln had gotten my warnings in time. As much as I longed for word, I dreaded it as well. Eln would want the details of what had happened, and how I had managed to survive an illness that killed a warrior in his prime and the entire village of Wellspring. How Isdra and the babe remained healthy when everyone else succumbed. I had no answers.

From outside the tent I could hear the sounds of sparring, and water being sloshed in buckets. Probably Marcus and Isdra washing the babe’s cloths. The guilt rose in my chest, and my eyes filled. The entire village, the babe’s mother… the babe’s name… we’d lost all of that. Rahel’s remedies and cures, her stash of notes, all gone in a matter of days. What kind of illness was this, that some lived on for days, and others suffered for a few hours, but all die? All except me.

Of course, they hadn’t had Gils. I smiled, wiping my tears. I couldn’t ask for a better apprentice. He was so passionate about his new skills. He’d taken an old saddle bag, and was using his spare moments to make it into a kind of satchel, stitching on a wide strap, and adding pockets for ‘lots of useful things’. He’d offered to give it to me, but I’d told him to make me another one when he was done with his.

My smile faded slightly. Gils had found a way to break my fever, which had left me with enough strength to fight the lethargy and the fluids that had built up in my lungs. But I doubted that Eln would be satisfied with my new remedies. He’d want an herbal cure and I’d nothing to offer.

All I had to offer was a desperate way to bring down a raging fever, and a touch that caused the body to do what it should do on its own. Those were not the weapons with which to defeat an invisible enemy.

The tent flap opened and Keir stepped in, sweating in his armor. He gave me a gentle look, and I flushed a bit, conscious that this was the first time that we’d been alone since the fever had broken.

He came to stand at the foot of my bed. “All’s well?” He nodded toward the letters.

“It was.” I gathered up the documents. “I need to send a message to Eln and tell him what has happened.”

“Good. We’ll do so before we leave for the Plains.”

Startled, I looked up at him. “Surely before that. We can’t leave for some forty days.”

It was amazing how those blue eyes could change in an instant. They sparked like flint as his body tensed. “Another day will see you well enough to travel. We’ll leave for the Heart of the Plains the day after tomorrow.”

“You can’t be serious.” I gaped at him. “Keir, we have to stay isolated from the others for forty days. I have explained this to you—”

He cut me off, raising his voice to drown me out. “With the elements favor we will make up the lost days on the journey. We will rejoin the army, and depart this place.”

The letters scattered over the bed as I struggled up out of the blankets. “This illness killed an entire village, not to mention Epor. For the love of the Goddess, Keir, you must listen to me!”

The sound of our voices had attracted attention. Marcus came into the tent, with Gils peeking around the flap. Isdra stood behind them, considering us carefully, a serious look on her face.

“You survived. Isdra and the babe survived. We are well.” Keir threw his head back, his nostrils flaring. “I will not be denied in this, Warprize.”

I struggled to get out of the bed, but the blankets defeated me. Marcus moved to my side, but I was so agitated that I fought him off. My anger flared for the first time in days. “You stupid man. Why am I here, if you won’t listen to me?”

That was a mistake. Keir’s face closed. “You are here because you will bring the gift of healing to my people.”

I sucked in a breath, bit my lip, then lashed out. “So the very thing that I bring to your people is what you ignore. If you do this, it will bring only death.”

Keir glared. “Rest. Gather your strength. Tomorrow night I will give the orders. We leave on the morning after next.” He stomped out of the tent, practically tearing the flap from the tent as he left.

The fight fled my body and I grabbed at Marcus’s arms to support myself. “Marcus, he can’t mean it. Can he?”

Marcus eased me down. “Hisself is determined, Warprize.”

Gils crept into the tent, avoiding my eyes. Isdra came in, bringing the sleeping babe. She sat on the edge of the bed, and showed her to me. “She does well, Lara.”

“It takes time to know that the illness is gone.” Worried as I was, I smiled to see the babe’s sweet sleeping face. Isdra lay the child on the bed next to me. “She’s thriving, that’s true. With a strange fondness for gurt.”

Isdra nodded. “She’ll need to be marked soon.”

“Tattooed?” I looked at her in horror.

Gils laughed. “Not one so young, Warprize. We use a stain to mark babes with their tribe.”

“You must design a mark for your tribe, Lara.” Isdra seemed to be studying the floor of the tent. “The tribe of Xy. The Elders will require such before our blood combines in children.” Isdra stood abruptly. “I have some things to see to, Warprize. I will leave the child with you.”

I smiled. “Of course, Isdra. I am well tended here.”

She gave me an odd look. “That you are, Lara.”

Needless to say, the air in the tent had turned frigid since Keir and I had argued. Gils was very clever in avoiding any contact with Keir and I, especially when our tempers flared, and flare they did over the course of the evening. Marcus just grumped at both of us. Isdra kept her distance as well. I wasn’t so occupied with arguing with Keir that I didn’t notice the distant expression on her face. I thought she was thinking on Epor’s death, and Keir’s folly, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Later the next day Isdra walked into the tent, her face so sorrowful, it scared me. She looked different somehow, but it was the reaction of the others that brought me up short. Keir sat up a bit straighter, and Marcus stopped what he was doing. Gils looked up from the book of herbs that I had him studying and closed it slowly. At their reactions I looked again. Isdra wasn’t wearing any weapons or armor, just a plain tunic and trous. Although she carried Epor’s warclub in one hand, she looked naked to me, as if the warrior had been stripped away somehow to reveal the vulnerable woman underneath. She looked at each of us in turn, then focused on Keir. “Warlord.”

“Warrior.”

“It is time, Warlord. Past time. I’ve completed our tasks, Epor’s and mine.”

Keir stood. “A task well done, Isdra of the Fox. I thank you for your service, and wish you well.”

I looked from one to the other, puzzled. “What’s going on? Are you leaving, Isdra?”

Isdra looked at me, but then looked back at Keir. “I’d ask that you give this to Prest, Warlord. He’ll wield it with honor.” She held out Epor’s warclub.

Keir stepped forward, and took the weapon with a nod. My heart started to pound in my chest. “Isdra?”

“Safe journey to the snows, Isdra.” Marcus spoke softly. “And beyond.” The sorrow in his face and eye reflected hers.

Gils stood as well, his face a mask of stoic pain.

“No.” I cried out, certain now what she intended. I pushed the blankets off my legs and tried to stand. “No, Isdra, you can’t.” I stood, swaying and reached a trembling hand toward her.

Isdra stepped up to grasp my fingers. “Warprize, I’ve seen to your safety. Epor awaits, and I’m eager to join him.” She hugged me tight. “Lara, this is our way. Try to understand and accept.”

I pushed her back, holding on to her arms for support. “No, I don’t accept it. Keir, tell her not to do this. Command her—”

“Lara.”

I looked over my shoulder to find Keir shaking his head. “In matters of bonding, I cannot command.” His gaze flicked over to Marcus then back to me. “The choice is hers and hers alone.”

I turned back to her. “Then choose to stay. I need you, Isdra.” A soft cry rose from the blankets, which caught my attention and hers. “The babe needs you, too.”

With a patient look, Isdra gripped my forearms and lowered me to the bed. “Lara, you are well cared for, as will be the babe.”

“I am the Warprize. I can—”

“You cannot.” Isdra stood. “None have the right to interfere in a bonding, Lara. Not even a Warprize.” She took a step back, and bowed her head to Keir. “Warlord.”

“Warrior.”

Isdra turned, but before I could protest, the tent flap opened. Chill air flowed into the tent and Joden appeared, his broad face grim.

Keir spoke first. “Joden? What is wrong?”

“The plague. It’s in the camp.”