WarDance (Chronicles of the Warlands #5)(22)

“I do not wish—” Snowfall started.

Wild Winds cut her off. “Keir, Simus, and Joden lead the herd in this. They must come to trust us.”

“They would trust you,” she argued.

Wild Winds barked out a laugh at that. “No, that deer has bolted. Simus must needs come to know us, and how better than to offer him your service? Besides, with Hail Storm alive, there is the issue of protection.”

That brought a frown to her lovely face. “You think Simus needs our protection?”

“No.” Wild Winds shook his head, his dreadlocks dancing over his back. “I think we may need his.”




Pain filled Snowfall’s heart. “Master.” She slowed her horse, and met her master’s eyes. “I have no wish to leave you.”

Wild Winds stopped his horse. Snowfall did as well, letting her gaze fall to the reins in her hand. The others continued on. The wind was picking up, and the rain was starting to splatter Snowfall’s hood.

“Snowfall.” Her master’s voice was a rumble. “I do not wish this either. You have been an excellent student, and we both know you are close to attaining mastery, closer than any other.”

“Master.” Snowfall didn’t look up, letting the pleasure at his words mingle with her pain.

“This is a path you alone can walk to try to bring peace back to the Plains,” Wild Winds said.

“Lightning Strike—” Snowfall started.

“Has a temper he still struggles with,” Wild Winds said smoothly. “Can you see him trying to deal with Simus?”

Snowfall allowed herself a small snort. “No,” she admitted.

“You have the patience and the cool head. Your skills, your use of the power lies more in protection and defense of others,” Wild Winds said. “You are my truth that I send to Keir and Simus. My truth, my teachings—you have learned them well. Stand at his side, and let there be no more secrets. You can offer your blade, and your knowledge, and provide Simus with your truth.”

Snowfall raised her eyes. “My oaths are sworn to you.”

Wild Winds nodded, and gave her a bittersweet smile. “No longer can I hold you at my side, warrior-priestess in training. Dismount.” He slid from his saddle to stand at her horse’s side.

She obeyed from long habit, and they stood, facing each other, sheltered by their horses.

Wild Winds held out both his hands, palm up. “Give me your hands.”

She placed her hands on his, and then with a long sigh, slid them up his arms to grasp his elbows. His warm fingers grasped hers as well.

“Snowfall, warrior-priestess of the Plains, let the elements witness that I release you from my service. Your training is complete, your powers under your control. Your tattoos are free from my control and—”

Golden light surged up from the ground, dancing along their bodies. Snowfall looked into Wild Winds’s startled eyes, wide as her own as the light surrounded them.

Deep within, as if settling next to her heart, a feeling grew. Joy, and a feeling of wild freedom. But then an urgency, a sense of dread.

Their tattoos moved, powerfully. Wild Winds’s writhed all over his body, the colors dancing as they watched. Snowfall’s vines stayed on her shoulders and upper arms, but they danced as well, growing and adding new leaves.

Wild Winds licked his lips and continued to speak, his voice hoarse with emotion. “—and your gifts are your own to use in the Service of the Plains. Serve them well.”

The golden light twirled about them once more, then sank within the earth.

“Does that happen?” Snowfall whispered.

“Never before,” Wild Winds whispered back.

Snowfall tightened her grasp on his arms. “That feeling you spoke of, of uncertainty, of dread.” She looked north again. “I feel it, Master.”

“Master no longer.” Wild Winds looked at her with a soft smile that set her heart aching. “Every ending is a beginning, and every beginning an end.” He released his hold, and turned to mount his horse. Once in the saddle, he looked down at her. “Seek out Simus. Look deeper, Snowfall.”

“And if he is not worthy?” Snowfall asked.

Wild Winds gathered up his reins, and urged his horse on. “Return to me,” he said over his shoulder and left her there, following the others.

Snowfall sat, watching him disappear into the grey rain, lifting her face slightly so none would know if it was rain or tears on her cheeks.

So here was the sorrow of her heart, and yet pride as well, for she was a full warrior-priestess now, if that was what they still were. So many questions, so many changes to explore, and she wanted to do so at her...at Wild Winds’s side.

But...an itch of curiosity turned her head toward the Heart. Toward Simus. Toward a new path. So many questions lay there as well, so many challenges, including the challenge to her fighting skills.

She could ignore Wild Winds’s command. She was released, her choices were her own. She could mount and follow and take the path that walked at his side.

“Who else can speak words of peace, Snowfall?”

She stood for some time, in the sprinkling rain, fighting duty and her own desires, letting them war in her head, until her horse stamped in frustration.

She mounted, and turned her horse’s head back toward the Heart.