Warsong (Chronicles of the Warlands, #6)(7)

Yers nodded. “I started to worry when Snowfall appeared. She’s a warrior-priestess, who had been Wild Winds’s apprentice.” Yers shook his head, and rubbed his nose. “Simus took her oath, and allowed her to contest for Token-Bearer.”

Keir took a breath. “A warrior-priestess?”

“Yes,” Yers said. “Well, she only had partial tattoos. But still… Simus allowed it. I couldn’t understand it. He seemed to come under her influence more and more.” He drew a deep, shuddering breath. “Then Joden disappeared.”

Both the Warprize and Warlord jerked in their seats. Keir leaned forward. “What do you mean, disappeared?”

“Simus said that the Eldest Elder Singer had demanded that Joden go with him to enter the Trials of a Singer,” Yers said. “I couldn’t find any who had seen him depart, and it felt wrong. Without farewells? Without good wishes?” Yers shook his head, then winced and put a hand to his head.

“You’re hurt,” Lara said.

“It’s nothing,” Yers said.

“Did Simus become Warlord?” Keir’s impatience was controlled, but it was clear.

“I do not know for certain,” Yers said. “On the last day of the Trials, at the last hour, I rescinded my oath and challenged Simus. And lost.”

Every Plains warrior in the room went still. Amyu saw Heath give his bonded Atira a glance, but she gave him a quick shake of her head.

“I feared that Simus had been corrupted. Influenced.” Yers said flatly. “I feared… I still fear that he will take those warriors loyal to you and turn on you under the influence of that warrior-priestess.”

“You lost?” Keir said.

“Yes,” Yers swayed slightly. “A head blow.”

“Simus pulled it,” Keir said and there was no question in his voice.

“I do not know.” Now Yers looked away. “As soon as I could stand, I took to horse to bring you word.”

“So, we do not know,” Keir said. “We do not know if Simus is Warlord. If Joden lives. If this Snowfall is Simus’s token-bearer.”

“No,” Yers said. “I left, and I rode… things get confused after that.” He frowned, blinking at both the Warlord and the Warprize. “I remember riding, and black birds flying over,” he said slowly. “Big, black birds…”

The Warprize stood and walked forward. “Yers, come. You’re exhausted. Let’s have Heath take you to the kitchens and get you kavage and food, and I will send for Master Eln.”

“But the Warlord needs—”

“Obey the Warprize,” Keir told him. “Not that she will give you any alternative.”

Lara threw him a smile, then reached out and lifted Yers’s chin. “You may think you have recovered, but your eyes are still not quite right.” She took him by the arm and headed toward the main doors, Heath following behind. “Are you seeing double by any chance?”

Their voices faded off as they left the room together.

Marcus appeared from the shadows behind the Warlord’s throne. “Yers is a good warrior. His truths have always been strong.”

“He is angry,” Atira pointed out. “And rage blinds one to truths.” She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at the doors. “To rescind on the last day? Challenge at the last hour?”

The doors opened, and Lara came back inside, a worried look on her face. Keir rose as she advanced.

“He clearly took a bad head blow,” Lara said. “It’s a wonder he could ride at all.”

“He is of the Plains,” Marcus snorted. “He could ride dead.”

“I do not know what to think,” Keir said. “Or what to believe. Simus loathes the warrior-priests as much as I do, but—”

“Keir,” Lara put a hand to his chest. “I was once told by someone I trusted that I was to be a slave to a vicious Warlord.” She looked up into her Warlord’s eyes. “Wait for Simus. Hear his truth.”

“The plan was that Simus would become Warlord. Guard Xy’s border with Liam’s help so that I could return next season to try to become WarKing.” Keir covered Lara’s hand with his own. “If only we knew what was really happening.”

“If Joden was here, you know what he would say,” Lara said.

“If you wish to hear the winds laugh, tell them your plans.” Marcus snorted.

“True enough,” Keir said. “I will wait for word. In the meantime, we need to keep working on those potential weapons to use against the wyverns when they return. I’ll not leave Water’s Fall helpless before them.”

Amyu followed behind as they all swept from the room, intent on their tasks. The Warprize was trained as a healer, and she cared deeply for the lives of her people. It was what made her a great Queen and Warprize, for she considered the people of the Plains her people as well.

But Amyu was a warrior of the Plains, and whatever else she might be, child or adult, she could make her own decisions and give her life to the Tribe—both of her tribes—on her terms.

She followed behind, silent and determined.

She was going to find the airions.

She was going to fly.





Chapter Three