Warsong (Chronicles of the Warlands, #6)(104)

Everyone rose, and did just that. Gilla called the cats to her tent, and they loped behind her, with only a few last lingering looks for moving feathers.

Amyu paused, and stood watching the flames. If she thought of Joden, and she did more often than she cared to admit, her heart would race with an urgency she didn’t understand.

She lifted her eyes to the night sky, and the stars peeking through clouds. “Be well, beloved,” she whispered. “For I fear the dawn.”





Chapter Thirty-Six


The messenger horns blew shortly after the nooning.

Joden was riding next to Lara’s wagon. He jerked his head up to see four riders coming down the side of the road. The warrior in the lead was tall and straight in the saddle, his long hair flowing in the wind.

“L-l—liam,” he said to Lara.

Lara stood as the wagon stopped, reaching out to balance herself on the shoulder of the driver. “Keir just left; he will have heard the horns.”

Out of the corner of his eye Joden saw Marcus disappear deeper into his hooded cloak, and sink to the bottom of the wagon. Anna gave him an odd look as she tried to see who was coming.

“Warprize,” Liam pulled his horse to a halt beside the wagon, just past Lara. “Simus approaches the border. He sent word that he is coming, and that his army would remain at the bottom of the embankment. He will come up the switchback trail.” Liam was speaking to Lara, but his eyes were fixed on the cloaked figure in the wagon.

“Keir’s not far,” Lara said, signaling for her horse. “He will be here shortly, I imagine.”

Liam nodded, still staring at Marcus.

Anna noticed. “Are those two still arguing about military tactics?” she asked Lara.

Lara ignored her as a warrior brought Greatheart over.

“What is that?” Liam asked, staring at the saddle.

“Never mind.” Lara climbed into saddle from the wagon. She took the reins just as Keir rode up at a gallop with Prest and Yers.

“What word?” Keir demanded.

Liam explained. “I told Warren where to take up positions,” he continued. “In case.”

Keir nodded. “Prest, Joden, Yers, Marcus, join us.”

“Not I,” Marcus’s voice was muffled by his hood. “I stay with the babes.”

Liam scowled, but Keir just gave a sharp nod. “Let’s ride.”




They were just past the vanguard of the army when they saw Simus and his party riding toward them.

Joden recognized Elois and Tsor, most likely Token-bearer and Second. And the woman beside Simus was Snowfall.

And in Simus and Snowfall’s ears glittered the ear weavings of a bonded couple.

Joden heard Keir suck in a breath even as he pulled his horse to a stop and dismounted. They all followed his lead, Prest aiding Lara from her saddle.

“Be ready,” Yers hissed. His hand was on his sword hilt.

Simus and his people rode a bit closer and then they too dismounted, and walked forward. Simus’s face was grim as he strode closer. Joden couldn’t read his— “LITTLE HEALER!” Simus ran forward and swept Lara into a bear hug, sweeping her off her feet.

“Ooopfh” Lara grunted, and then laughed as Simus spun her around. “Fool! Put me down.”

“But you are no longer big of belly,” Simus laughed. “Where are the—” his eyes went wide. “Joden?”

Simus slowly lowered Lara to her feet, and then stepped closer, his face filled with amazement. “JODEN!”

With two long steps Simus swept his arm around Joden and pounded his back. Joden hugged him back, grinning like a fool “We thought you taken by the Singers,” Simus said. “Or dead. Or worse. What happened? We had no word—”

A gentle, cool voice spoke from behind him. “Simus.”

Joden looked over with Simus.

Snowfall stood there, her hands folded over her chest, an eyebrow raised. She nodded to their right.

Keir stood there, hands folded over his chest, his face a mask.

Simus released Joden, his smile gone. He turned to face Keir, pulled his sword, and dropped to one knee in one smooth move.

“I, Simus of the Hawk, Warlord of the North do hereby swear my sword, my truths, and my warriors to Keir of the Cat, Warlord of the Plains, Overlord of Xy,” he took a deep breath. “And WarKing over all.”

Joden sucked in a breath, even as Lara gasped out loud.

Keir’s lips parted, his eyes glittering. He stepped forward and placed his fingers on the blade of Simus’s sword. “I accept your oath. I will be your WarKing in all things. Your flesh is my flesh, your blood is my blood.”

Simus bowed his head. “May the very air of this land grant you breath.”

Elois took a step forward and knelt. She bowed her head to Keir. “I, Elois of the Horse, Token-Bearer, acknowledge the oath of my Warlord. May the very earth of this land support your feet.”

Tsor took a step forward and knelt. He bowed his head to Keir. “I, Tsor of the Bear, Second, acknowledge the oath of my Warlord. May the very fires of this land warm your skin.”

Snowfall took a step forward and knelt. She bowed her head to Keir. “I, Snowfall of the Plains, Bonded of Simus, acknowledge the oath of my Warlord. May the very waters of this land quench your thirst.” She lifted her head, and looked Keir in the eye. “May the powers I wield serve you, WarKing.”