WarDance (Chronicles of the Warlands #5)(70)

“Have the winds taken your wits?” Yers demanded, coming to a halt before him. “That you would risk all on a child’s weapons?”

Simus paused with his mug before his mouth. “The skies favor the bold,” he said, raising his cup in a salute.

“And the earth covers the stupid,” Yers snapped. “Marcus would gut you were he here, for risking everything Keir of the Cat has worked toward on a stupid—”

“You already said that,” Simus said mildly.

“—rash, foolish, gesture.” Yers started pacing again.

“I agree with the ‘rash’,” Snowfall said softly. “But he accomplished this much: No other young warrior will offer challenge and risk humiliation.”

Ah, a win. Simus smiled into his mug. “See,” he said smugly. “Snowfall thinks I am right.”

Yers gave Snowfall a glance, opened his mouth to reply, but a call came from outside.

Tsor stuck his head in. “Snowfall, a challenger for you.”

Snowfall gave a nod of her head and left the tent. Yers watched as she left.

“You wish her defeated,” Simus said, his pleasure in the moment fading.

“Yes,” Yers said shortly. “It would be for the best. Bad enough to have one in your ranks. In a position of trust...” Yers shook his head, then gave Simus a sharp look. “And do not think to distract me from my point.”

“Yers.” Simus set down his kavage. “I thank you for your truth. It was a calculated risk. I knew he’d lose his temper at the insult—”

“Don’t try to convince me that you had thought it through,” Yers said. “And how much of that was an effort to impress her?” Yers jerked his head in Snowfall’s direction.

Simus stopped smiling. “None,” he said shortly.

“This was not Keir’s plan.” Yers shook his head. “You haven’t changed. I thought you would step up, embrace the trust Keir placed in you and take your duties seriously. Instead, you hazard all to impress a warrior-priestess,” Yers continued. “For your own pride, you—”

“Enough,” Simus growled.

Yers drew up short, staring at Simus.

“What battle plan survives the first sight of an enemy?” Simus said. “Keir seized upon the opportunities the skies gave him; I will seize mine. That is my choice, and my decision to make.”

“If you survive the challenges,” Yers said.

“If I survive,” Simus agreed with a nod.

“I ask leave to go,” Yers said, his anger clear in his eyes.

Simus nodded his permission and watched him go with regret. If Yers was having doubts, what of the rest of his warriors? He picked up his kavage as he thought about it, then shook his head. Enough. For this day, there was only one thing to focus on.

“Warlord.” Snowfall appeared in the tent entrance. “Another challenger.”




At the nooning, Simus entered the tent, grateful for the break.

Snowfall had prepared a full meal, but Simus shook his head as he took up a cloth to wipe the sweat from his brow. “I won’t eat that heavily,” he said, gesturing toward the food. “And don’t bother with more kavage. Water only.”

“But—” She looked at the dishes. “You’ve fought more challengers this morning than the last three days combined. You need to keep up your energy.”

Simus gave her a grin as he sat on his gurtle pad. “I forget that you haven’t done this before,” he said, taking a handful of gurt. “Yers should have said something to you.”

“I didn’t know to ask,” Snowfall said quietly, fetching him water. “Those of us in training as...warrior-priests...were not permitted to mingle with warriors. Only those that had earned their full tattoos had that privilege.”

“And strutted around like arrogant cocks.” Simus nodded. “Still, this is normal, the number of opponents, the speed of the combats. But I won’t eat heavily tomorrow, and will drink only water. Which I will sweat out; I’ll have no need to make water.”

“So water, gurt, and drying cloths,” Snowfall said.

Simus nodded again. “Dried meat, and berries. And salt the gurt,” he said. He took up another handful of the white pebbled cheese and stood. “And don’t worry if I pace. I don’t want to risk getting stiff.”

“They will keep coming at you like that?” she asked.

“Yes,” Simus said. “But the more serious challengers will wait, watch, and approach when they think I am weary. Later this day.” He glanced over at her somber grey eyes. “But remember I control the pace. I can rest and renew between, as long as I don’t keep them standing overlong. The same is true for you.”

“Some don’t seem serious contenders,” Snowfall said.

“No,” Simus said. “Their goal is to wear me down for what is to come.”

“You can outlast them,” Snowfall said and it pleased him that there was no doubt in her voice.

“I can,” Simus confirmed. “I have been training and preparing for this day for seasons. I will win.”

Snowfall tilted her head. “Unless they get lucky.”

“Ah, but luck has always been on my side,” Simus grinned.