WarDance (Chronicles of the Warlands #5)(56)

The large stone room was darker than normal, with wooden shutters drawn closed over the windows. Candles flickered as her entrance stirred the air, causing the tapestry behind them to rustle against the wall. The airion on the tapestry almost seemed alive as the cloth moved. A blend of horse and eagle, its wings flaring in the candlelight.

All of the chairs that normally surrounded the large Council table had been pushed back. The table was covered with large swaths of paper. ‘Maps,’ as Xyians called them. Many people were crowded about the table, but Amyu focused on the Warprize and her Warlord.

The Warprize was the first to speak, her fey blue eyes wide. “Amyu, is that blood?”

The talk in the room went silent, and every eye focused on her.

Amyu flushed, and looked down at the blood smeared on her leathers. “It is not mine,” she assured her. “I was at Master Healer Eln’s when a messenger from the Plains was brought in with a wyvern-sting.” Hopefully, none would question as to why she had been there. Amyu lifted her gaze, only to be caught by the Warlord’s piercing blue eyes as he stared at her.

“Report,” he commanded.

Faces grew grimmer all around as she explained Eloix’s injury. They’d known the warrior and they knew what happened to those wyvern-stung. But the Warprize held out hope. “Was Eln able to counter the poison?” Lara asked. Her face fell when Amyu shook her head.

“Were Eloix’s rites seen to?” Wilsa asked, her face a mask of pain. She stood next to Lord Marshall Warren.

“I aided her to thank the elements before she went to the snows. I did not presume to do more.” Amyu kept her voice steady, trying to hide her trembling. “Eln said he would keep her body there, until a warrior could perform the rites.”

“And her words?” Keir demanded.

“I have them,” Amyu said. She took a deep steadying breath and began, repeating Eloix word for word, translating it into Xyian as she went.

It was only when the Warprize went pale that Amyu realized she was reciting it as Eloix had spoken it, with every gasp and moan as she’d fought past her pain to deliver her charge. Amyu looked away, closed her eyes, and continued, concentrating on the recitation. But she made sure to stop before the death ritual began.

“That was all,” Amyu finished. “Other than her death.”

“Skies above,” Keir said, his voice a bare whisper. “You did well, Amyu.”

“You did,” Wilsa said. “I will see to Eloix’s rites myself.”

Lord Marshal Warren was standing next to the Warlord, and he frowned at her. “Are you sure that was all?” he asked. “That you got it right?”

Amyu stiffened at his words, but surprisingly Wilsa came to her defense. “Warren, you city-dweller. Remember our memories.”

“Ah, lass, I meant no insult,” Warren said ruefully. “I ask pardon.”

“What does it mean?” the Warprize asked.

Keir stood, his arms crossed, staring at the top of the table, brooding. “I don’t know,” he said slowly. “Simus is facing those bragnects alone.”

“Not alone,” Atira of the Bear spoke up from where she stood next to Heath of Xy, Seneschal of the Castle. “Simus has his people, including Yers. And more will flock to his side.”

“Should you go to him? Go to the Plains?” Lara asked quietly, and the pain and the strength in her voice was clear.

Keir shook his head, and wrapped an arm around her, pulling her to his side. “We are under attack by these monsters,” he said. “I must see to the safety of Xy before we discuss leaving. Let us deal with the troubles before us.”

“Here is what we know,” Lord Marshal Warren said, spreading out a large map of the City and the fields beyond.

The others drew closer to the table, but Amyu faded back to stand against the wall. She debated leaving, her message delivered, but she didn’t want to disturb their work. She’d wait, and slip out at the first chance. The solid stone felt good on her back, and its coolness seemed to leech out her tremors.

“The first attack was just yesterday, on the day of Heath and Atira’s wedding,” Warren continued.

“Bonding,” said Atira, giving Heath a fond glance.

“That was the first we saw of the beasts. Heath managed to kill it with one of the Plains lances,” Warren said. “We lost one man to the sting that day. As far as we could tell, it came down from the mountains, and its target was the horses in the courtyard.”

“The stinger,” Lara said. “That was given to the healers, correct?”

“Yes,” Warren said. “They’re still clearing the carcass. Hard to believe the size of its claws, and its horns.”

“It’s a fearsome creature,” Wilsa agreed. “But we know they can die. Since the first attack, dozens of the creatures have been sighted, all hunting in the fields beyond the walls. Since that first attack, we’ve kept the people and the animals in the City under cover.”

Warren spread out a new map, a larger representation of Xy. “It seems that the creatures roost in the mountains. Once we moved the herds down into the trees, there were fewer attacks. But they still go after horses and cattle.”

“And any riders on the roads,” Keir said grimly.

“Lances work best to kill them,” Heath said. “Crossbows as well.”