WarDance (Chronicles of the Warlands #5)(9)
Chapter Four
Simus stared up, blinking at the pillar that towered over them, swirling around and around like one of the deadly wind storms that came in the spring. Somehow he knew in the core of his being that it was so much more than light. It was power, vast and terrible and yet so beautiful.
Eloix threw up a hand to shield her eyes. Simus stood, enthralled, watching as the bright pillar swayed and twirled, linking the land and the stars.
A bell-tone sounded again. Simus had heard the big bells of the city-folk, but that had been nothing like this. This sound seemed to come from the land itself, from the very—
Something came rushing toward them across the grass, something deep in the grass.
Simus brought his weapons up, only to see a broad band of light flying toward them, expanding out. The thick band of pure sunlight looked like it was traveling under the earth, illuminating the grasses from below. It moved so fast, like fleeing deer.
Eloix took a few steps back, as if to run. Simus’s knees shook, but he locked them and gripped his weapons. The bell-tone was still sounding in his ears, trembling in his chest.
The light passed under them so swiftly that there was no chance of flight. For a moment, he and Eloix were covered in light. Then it was gone, climbing the rise behind them, passing beneath the other warriors. It left behind a sense of warmth...and joy? Yes, joy flooded through Simus, as if the earth and skies exalted together.
Simus turned to watch it go, and then turned back when another tone sounded, ringing through him as the light passed through him again. And again. But in the wake of the fourth wave of light, the horses returned from the Heart, prancing and tossing their heads.
The pillar of light was gone. Simus blinked, letting his eyes adjust as the stars came back.
As if nothing had happened, the Plains seemed to right itself once more. The stars returned in the night sky, the horses returned to their grazing. All that was left was the thumping of Simus’s heart in his chest, and his fierce grip on his weapons.
“Did you feel that?” Joden ran up beside him, his sword in hand. “Did you feel—”
Other warriors ran up, all talking at the same time. Simus sheathed his blades and gestured for them to kneel, so as not to be outlined against the night sky. The grasses and the horses would shield them.
More warriors joined them, staying low, some taking up guard positions around the group, watching the land that surrounded them, all with strained faces and questions in their eyes. The joy was gone, leaving fear and uncertainty.
Simus waited until they’d all appeared, in various states of dress, but all with weapons at hand. He raised a hand, signaling for their attention. “I do not know what has happened, but we will discover the truth of this. We ride for the Heart, and we ride as if for war.”
“Aye, Warlord,” came the responses.
“We will go in tight formation. Have your lances at hand.” Simus looked over his warriors, meeting their eyes. “I do not wish to shed the blood of those of the Plains. Let no warrior raise a weapon, except on my signal,” he continued. “But if we are attacked, we will answer in kind.”
His warriors all nodded their agreement. Their eyes held fear, but not doubt. Simus nodded, satisfied.
“Eloix.” Simus looked at the woman at his side. “I have a hard thing to ask of you, warrior.”
She waited, lifting an eyebrow.
“We will ride to the Heart, and I do not know what we will find there,” Simus said. “But whatever we find or learn, Keir and Lara must know of it. Gear yourself with extra food, and extra horses, for if we are attacked, if swords are raised against us, don’t wait for my command. Break off and ride for Xy.”
Her eyes went wide, then narrowed. “Warlord—”
Simus cut her off. “You are known to Keir of the Cat. More so, you know Xy and speak their language. Your tentmate, Elois, she remained in Xy. What little we know, they must be told. No matter how wild the tale is, you will be heard and believed.”
Eloix huffed. “I had hoped to contest to be your Token-bearer.”
“If you wish to hear the winds laugh,” Joden murmured, “tell them your plans.”
“Keir must know.” Simus glanced at the Heart. “He must hear the truth of this, and he knows you and will trust your truths. Stop at the border, where Liam of the Deer waits in protection of Xy. Tell him these truths as well, but do not linger.”
Eloix sighed and nodded. “Warlord, I obey.”
“Take this truth with you as well, when you go,” Simus said. “Tell Keir that if the warrior-priests have destroyed the Heart of the Plains, they will die at my hands.”
“Three scouts, to the front, right and left,” Simus directed as they started. “Stay within sight of us and each other,” he continued softly. “Keep an eye on us, as we keep watch on you.”
There was enough starlight to see by, and it was easy to follow the wide swath of flattened grasses left by the herds when they’d charged toward the Heart.
Three riders went forward, one at the fore, two off to the sides.
There was nothing about the night that set it apart from any other, silent but for the jingle of harnesses. Yet the tensions were there. Simus recognized the sharpened awareness of anticipated battle as the blood coursed through his veins. Even the breathing of the others seemed louder, harsher than normal. The colors were muted in the night, with only the occasional gleam of starlight off the armor and weapons of the warriors. Simus could feel his shoulders tighten as they grew closer to the Heart, the glow ever larger on the horizon.