It was only after she had been treated with bloodmoss, had creams and ointments rubbed on every bruise, and been handed a cup of vile tea that Amyu worked up her courage to ask. “How does Kalisa?”

Master Eln snorted as he handed a cup of the same tea to Joden. “The only thing wrong with her is old age and attitude, neither of which I have a tea for.” He glared at Amyu. “Drink.”

Amyu took an obedient sip, then shared a glance with Joden, who shared a grimace with her.

“I fear it comes down to just that,” the Warprize said softly, casting a look at the door behind her. “Her family told me they had never seen her so angry as she was before she collapsed. She’s not really been coherent since they got her here, and she’s not eating. I fear her time is near.” She narrowed her eyes at Amyu. “I haven’t pressed for more information. She gets upset and agitated when we do. Why were you asking her questions about airions?”

The door burst open, and Prest ducked into the room. He dropped his armful of chain armor, leathers, and weapons on the table. “Joden,” he said, then nodded to Amyu. “Rafe told me of your need. We are of a size.”

“P-p-prest,” Joden exclaimed. “Wh-wh-wh—”

Prest waited patiently.

“Wh-what are you doing here?” Joden finally got the words out.

“Guarding a stubborn Warprize, who insists on coming to the Healers without proper escort,” Prest growled. “One that needs to return shortly to nurse the babes.”

Lara gave them an impish smile. “I sneak down in healer’s robes and a cloak and no one is the wiser. But he’s right, I need to get back to the castle. Answers can wait. I will say my farewells to Kalisa’s family while you dress.” She slipped out the door.

“Rafe said your leather trous were torn.” Prest handed Amyu a bundle from the pile. “This is from him, he is closer to your size.”

Amyu took the bundle with a nod of thanks.

“I must keep an eye on my charge,” Prest said. “She is as slippery as a snake, and I do not trust her.”

“She is the Queen of Xy,” Master Eln said with a huff. “Her people love her.”

“I do not trust them, either,” Prest said, as he disappeared out into the hall.

“I am going to make up packets of tea to take with you,” Eln said, as he too went to leave. “Dress quickly. I need the room for people who are actually sick.”

Joden started dressing, feeling better at the touch of cloth and the weight of the chain on his shoulders.

Amyu was quicker, pulling on leathers and tightening her belt. She fussed with the buckle, not looking up. “The visions,” she said quietly. “You did not tell them.”

Joden adjusted his own sword belt, making sure both dagger and sword were secure. He shrugged, not willing to try to speak.

“You saw Eloix die?” Amyu spoke in the barest of whispers.

Joden glanced at the table, which thankfully remained empty. He nodded.

Amyu bit her lip, frowning. “The next time it happens, put a hand on my shoulder. No one needs to know until you are ready to tell them.”

“M-m-my thanks,” he managed to get out.

Amyu gave him her soft smile. “Ready?” she asked, looking around the area.

Prest stuck his head in. “Come, quickly. The Warprize is ready to leave. Rafe and the others are waiting.”

 

 

Joden felt more like himself with armor over his chest and a sword and dagger at his side. The weight of the chain and the leathers was a comfort.

Not to mention boots.

Even better was the lack of visions as he went toward the Castle of Water’s Fall.

They’d slipped through the back streets with Lara leading the way, over Prest’s protests. But even Prest had to admit that she knew the ways better than he, but that didn’t stop him from grumbling.

Once through the gates of the castle walls, Lara took them through the gardens toward the kitchen. “I’ll get Anna to feed you,” she said as they crossed the yard, past a sparring circle. “I need to check on the babes.”

A shriek split the air. Joden spun on his heel, and watched as two naked bodies tumbled off the roof and hit a small wooden structure, shattering it beneath them. Chickens squawked, and feather flew into the air.

“Joden?”

Heath rose first, moving stiffly, helping Atira to her feet. They were both laughing and shushing each other as they fled the scene, climbing the large tree and disappearing into a window above.

“Joden?”

Amyu was at his side, the others staring at him in confusion.

He gave them a weak smile, intending it to be reassuring even as he reached out and squeezed Amyu’s shoulder. But Lara’s frown deepened.

The door opened behind her, and Keir stepped out, a bundled babe in his arms. “Lara?” he asked then stopped dead. “Joden?”

Lara reached for the babe. “Kavage,” she said firmly. “Kavage and food before any questions.”

Keir’s astonishment faded from his eyes, to be replaced with concern as he took in Joden’s appearance. Keir gave a sharp nod. “Follow me.” They all followed within.

The kitchen was filled with people, noise, and wonderful smells. Joden’s stomach rumbled even as the noise overwhelmed him.

Then the room went silent and dark, the absence of light and heat almost as disorienting. The fires were unlit, except for one lone candle casting shadows about the room.

Anna, seated at a table, weeping alone with a nightshirt in her hands.

Her pain hit Joden like a blow.

Noise flooded back into his world, bringing light and sounds and scents. Anna stood before them in her glory, in her kingdom, but not happy to see them invade.

Joden stared at the contrast of the vibrant woman before him with the sorrowing one in his vision.

“Out with ya,” Anna commanded, wooden spoon in hand, her chins all wobbling as she scolded. “I’ll send up the nooning shortly.”

Joden swayed, then a warm body pressed against his side, and without thinking he reached for Amyu’s shoulder.

Amyu stood close, strong and solid. He took in her scent, her presence, more powerful than those hated teas.

She glanced up, giving him time. When he returned her look, she waited for him to take a step, and then stayed close as they followed Lara and Keir out of the kitchens and into the halls.

Joden took steadying breaths, and concentrated on moving his feet. The stones around them were grey and cool, lit by arrow slits along the way, but at night he knew—

The hall went dark as the night, with no torches to light the shadows. The assassins leapt at Heath from behind.

Joden squeezed Amyu’s shoulder, feeling her leather armor under his fingers, her solid bones beneath that.

The corridor grew light again, with no blood, no blades.

“Kayla had just started to fuss,” Keir was telling Lara as they walked. “Keirson is with the wet nurse.”

“We can eat and talk in our chambers,” Lara said. She glanced back at Joden. “Privately. Joden has much to tell us.”

And no words to tell you with, Joden thought.

 

 

Marcus waited for them in the chambers. He allowed Keir and Lara to pass, and Joden. Amyu was not surprised when he blocked her way. “We will talk later about the pain you have caused Herself,” he growled.

Amyu nodded.

Marcus huffed, allowed her in, then blocked Rafe and Prest. “Herself is about, feeding,” he announced. “Go about your own work.”

The Warprize may have adopted many of the ways of the Plains, but she was still of Xy.

The wet nurse was already in one corner nursing Keirson, but that was acceptable. “She does not speak the language of the Plains,” Lara said, avoiding the Xyian tongue. She settled in one of the chairs before the hearth where a small fire burned, just enough to take the chill from the stone.

These chambers had not changed, and yet it felt strange to Amyu. Different. But her real focus was Joden. She stepped forward, and saw to it that he settled in one of the more comfortable chairs, facing the Warlord and Warprize.

The Warlord leaned forward, his blue eyes intent. “Joden, how do I come to find you in Xy?”

“Amyu,” Marcus jerked his head at her. “Aid me with the nooning.”

“No,” Amyu stood by the arm of Joden’s chair.

All three looked at her in astonishment.

“At least,” she amended. “Not yet. I will tell the beginning of the tale from my truth. Joden can speak after he has eaten.”

There was a clatter at the door, of servants and dishes. The smell made Amyu’s mouth water.

Keir leaned back in his chair. “As you say,” he said mildly. “Tell me your truths.”

Amyu took a breath, and felt the slightest pressure of Joden’s hand against her hip. The smallest of things, but it gave her confidence.

“I went into the mountains, searching for airions,” Amyu started, using the same words she had given to Master Eln and the Warprize. But this time she left nothing out, about the caves, and the animal attack, and almost giving up until she saw a flutter of white and heard a snatch of song.

Lara rose to trade babes with the wet nurse. “You heard singing? Coming from Joden?”

She returned to her chair with Keirson in her arms, and put him to her shoulder, patting his back. “Are you sure?”

Amyu shrugged. “He was unconscious when I found him, Warprize.” She continued to describe his condition and the actions she had taken. She told of Joden walking toward the edge, but didn’t mention the visions. That was Joden’s part of the tale to tell.

She kept an eye on Joden as she talked, making sure he ate and drank as he listened, occasionally nodding his agreement.

Once she was sure he’d eaten his fill, she wrapped up the tale with meeting Rafe and the others.

Marcus shoved a plate at her, with a mug of kavage.

“Joden?” Keir leaned forward. “How did you get there from the Plains?”

 

 

He’d dreaded this.

Joden took a sip of kavage, and then stared down into it. Whatever else he was, he was no coward.

The babe in Lara’s arms started waving his fists around. Lara moved her face away, avoiding those tiny hands.

Joden smiled at Lara. “Th-th-the T-t-tribe h-h-has g-g-grown. Th-th-the t-t-tribe h-h-has f-f-f-” he closed his eyes, and screwed up his face. “F-f-f-lourished.”

Lara returned the smile a thousandfold.

Joden lifted his head, and looked Keir in the eye.

“I-I-I,” he paused and took a breath, fighting panic. How was he going to—

Amyu settled down on the floor with her meal, just in front of his chair. She leaned back slightly, putting pressure against his leg. With no other obvious sign of support, she started eating.

Joden puffed out that breath and tried again. “T-t-the T-t-trials of S-s-singer,” he forced out. “I ch-ch-chose an old path.”

There was a flicker of pained sympathy over Keir’s face, but then he settled back in his chair and waited.

Joden frowned, more to himself than anything, trying to decide what to say. “I-I-I c-c-cannot tell all. B-b-but the winds t-t-took me wh-wh-where they w-w-willed.”

Marcus had taken Kayla into his arms, and the wet nurse slipped out the door. He brought the babe to Keir, who took her with a smile of thanks. Kayla was fussing, and Keir put her to his shoulder and drummed her back softly.

“And Simus? When did you leave him?” Keir asked.

Joden struggled on, telling of Simus’s trials and Snowfall’s appearance. It took what felt like hours, but he didn’t give up. Keir had to know, and had to hear it from Joden.

“Y-y-yers w-w-wrong,” Joden said finally. His head was pounding, and his neck and shoulders ached with the strain of trying to speak. He was tired and frustrated, but his truth needed to be said. “S-s-simus is l-l-loyal t-t-to y-y-you.”

Keir stood, taking the babe to a cradle nearby. His face was grim, his silence speaking more than words.

Keirson started to cry as Lara rose. “This boy,” she said, shaking her head. “I swear he hates to sleep. Like he might miss something.” She rocked him for a bit until he settled, then put him in the cradle next to his sister.

Everyone held their breath, but Keirson settled quietly.

Lara turned, her voice hushed. “Enough. The babes need their sleep, and I think everyone could benefit from rest. I, for one, am taking a nap.”

Joden rose, as Keir gestured toward the door. “Come. Let’s see to a room for you.”

Joden took a step, then hesitated, looking back at Amyu, still seated on the floor. She gave him a nod of encouragement, and it was enough.

Joden nodded back, ignoring the glances of the others. He turned and followed Keir. They eased out of the door quietly, but once it was closed behind them, Joden shook his head.

“S-s-spar?” he asked.

Keir’s face lit up. “There’s a practice ring outside the kitchens.”

 

 

Amyu rose quietly as the others left. The Warprize had already eased herself onto the bed, and the babes were sleeping. She’d follow Joden and see to it that he—

Marcus was in front of her, dirty dishes in hand and a glare in his eye.