Warsong (Chronicles of the Warlands, #6)(13)

“Essa, like the Eldest Elder before him-”

“—and before him—”

“—and before her,” and now the cackle was back. “Would not take the old paths. A child, afraid of shadows and death.”

“But there are shadows on the old paths,” and now the whisper was back.

“And there is death,” came the quaver.

“There is always death,” Joden said. “It comes in an instant, all know that. Why won’t you tell Essa—”

“He will not pay the price,” the center one growled. “Will you, Joden of the Hawk?”

“There is always a price-” Joden started, but they cut him off.

“You do not fully understand the cost,” the whisper was full of regret.

“And you won’t, until you pay it,” the cackle was harsher.

“What will you sacrifice, Joden of the Hawk? What price will you pay?” asked the quaver, as if in hope.

“Tell me,” Joden demanded. “Tell me the old paths.”

From the folds of the center blanket emerged two hands, almost skeletal, reaching out to the right and left. They too raised their hands, and once joined began to chant together.



The fire warmed you; we thank the elements

Offer your mind; sing to the flames



The earth supported you; we thank the elements

Offer your body; be buried in earth



The waters sustained you; we thank the elements

Offer your soul; wander the snows



The air filled you; we thank the elements

Offer your heart; be reborn in the winds



The power surrounds you; we thank the elements

Offer your dreams; seek to prove your worth



Joden sat, spellbound, as they went silent, and their hands pulled back within the blankets. Eyes that had been bright turned back to milky white.

“I’m cold,” came the quaver.

“I want kavage,” the whisper came.

“What does that mean?” Joden demanded. “That chant?”

“Seek out Essa,” came the cackle. “His feathers will be well and truly ruffled by now.”




Indeed, Essa was pacing when Joden walked up the rise toward him. He’d worn a path in the grasses.

“What did they say to you?” he demanded. “They have never done this before, never spoken with a candidate without me, never did more than offer a blessing. What did they say?”

Joden drew a deep breath. “Tell me, Eldest Elder. Tell me of the old paths.”





Chapter Five


“Rest days,” Amyu said. “This confuses me. There are no days of rest on the Plains,” she told the Warprize. “One does one’s duties every day.”

“Well, you are in Xy,” The Warprize gave her one of her gentle smiles as she nursed baby Kayla. “As such, you will take a rest day.” She gave Amyu an impish grin. “Marcus had to take one.”

Marcus snorted from his place by the fire, where he was keeping baby Keirson busy. “Foolishness,” he grumbled.

Amyu returned to folding the clean nappies for the babies. Of all the places in the castle, she felt most comfortable in these rooms. A large bed of gurtle pads, covered in blankets and furs filled one wall. There were wooden chairs before the fireplace, and a warm fire burned in the stone hearth. A chess board was set up to the one side on a table, its pieces carved to look like strong Plains warriors and clever, sharp city-dwellers. The Warprize’s satchel slumped over on a wooden chest where she stored clothes. The Warlord’s various weapons hung on the walls, and there were thick, colorful rugs on the stone floor. A blending of the traditions of both the Plains and Xy. A blending of the lives of both Warprize and Warlord.

“Give him here,” Lara gestured to Marcus, who surrendered Keirson willingly and took Kayla in his arms.

“You’re sure you’ve milk enough?” the disfigured man said, watching critically as the babe latched on to Lara’s breast. “We’ve goat milk, though gurtle milk would be better.”

“So far,” Lara settled back in her chair, and gave Marcus that gentle smile. “We’ll see as they get bigger. We’ll put them down for naps after this. You will stay with them?”

“Of course,” Marcus said.

Lara adjusted her breast to aid Keirson’s sucking. “Rest days actually started as holy days of the Sun God,” Lara told Amyu. “Xyians are supposed to use the day of rest to contemplate the blessings that the Sun God and the Lady of the Moon and Stars have given us. Being of the Plains, you should contemplate the blessings of the elements and find something to do other than your regular duties.”

Amyu looked at her out of the corner of her eye.

Lara laughed. “Yes, I know that is a contradiction in truths. Marcus and Keir have both pointed it out to me.”

Keirson lost the nipple, and let out a sharp cry. Lara helped him back and he settled down, sucking for all he was worth.

“Besides, you shouldn’t stay cooped up in the castle all day, every day.” Lara said.

“But what should I do?” Amyu frowned at the pile of nappies.

“Spar,” Marcus said as he eased Kayla onto his shoulder, and started gently drumming her back. “Sharpen your weapons. Practice with your bow.”