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.”

Keir nodded. “Rise, all of you, and serve our people.”

“HEYLA,” Simus shouted, flashing a grin of white teeth against dark skin. “That’s that, then.” He jumped to his feet and sheathed his sword. “Is there kavage? I am dry as dust.”

A grin the likes of which Joden had never seen split Keir’s face. The WarKing reached out and hugged Simus, the two of them laughing and beating each other’s backs in welcome.

They finally broke apart, laughing and breathless.

“Come,” Liam said in a dry voice. “There is much to discuss.

 

 

Before discussions could be had, basic matters had to be seen to. Keir and Simus issued orders to their warriors, making camp both around the keep and on the Plains. Lara and Marcus settled Anna and the babes safely in a room at the top of the tower, with a strong guard around them of both Xyians and Plains warriors.

When they finally gathered in the Great Hall of the keep, they found a meal waiting for them. Joden was glad to see fresh loaves of hot bread, spiced gurtle, roasted ogden root, pots of kavage—

And Eldest Elder Thea Reness and Hanstau waiting for them at the tables.

Amidst exclamations of welcome, Warren stared at both of them. “Two armies crawling all over the Plains and you snuck through them?” he asked.

“She is a thea,” Hanstau said. “Please pass the butter.”

“You could have sent word,” Keir complained as they ate.

Simus shook his head. “I didn’t feel I could risk it. The Plains crawl with scouts. Some I figured were Antas and his allies, others may be Singers watching from a distance. It felt as if the entire Plains was watching us, and I would not risk a warrior. I didn’t think it was necessary,” Simus said but then he glanced at Yers, seated at one of the other tables. “But I can understand the doubts.” Simus put his mug down and looked Keir in the eye. “Snowfall is my bonded,” he said. “And I am hers. I trust her with my life. But you must judge for yourself.”

Joden could hear the joy in Simus’s voice and see it in his eyes. But there was something more. A sense of contentment from his friend. Or perhaps completion was a better word.

Keir gave Simus a nod of agreement. “Oaths have been given,” he said. “I am satisfied.”

Simus turned his head to look Joden in the eye. “You are awfully quiet for a Singer, old friend. What say you?”

Reluctantly, Joden opened his mouth but Lara, elements bless her, interrupted. “Joden’s tale is long,” she said. “And we have more urgent things to discuss.”

Simus nodded. “Truth. Antas is not more than a few days behind us.”

“No,” Lara said firmly. “More urgent than that.”

 

 

The room the babes were housed in was not large, but everyone squeezed in. Joden watched as Anna took a stance next to the babes’ basket, guarding her charges with a suspicious eye. Lara made introductions. Anna seemed particularly unimpressed at the mention of ‘thea’.

Reness just smiled at her. “What is that scent?” She asked.

“I tucked some of the lavender into the clean nappies,” Anna said. “The scent will sooth the little ones.”

“A good idea,” Reness said, and Anna seemed to soften a bit.

“What fine warriors,” Simus exclaimed. He picked up one of the babes and cradled it in his arms. “What did the elements name this one?”

“Xykeirson,” Lara said. There was pride in her tone, but Joden could also hear her worry. “And this,” she lifted the other bundle. “This is Xykayla.”

Simus smiled as he rocked the babe in his arms. “The Tribe has grown,” he said gently and with pride. “The Tribe has flourished.”

“I need you to tell me—” Lara’s voice trembled and her eyes were tearing as she turned to Snowfall. “If they are well. If they are safe.”

Snowfall’s surprise was clear. “Forgive me, Warprize. I do not understand. Why would you think there is something wrong?”

“Kalisa,” Keir said grimly.

Joden listened as Keir explained the doubts and fears that the old Xyian woman had roused in them. Lara rocked Xykayla with a quiet desperation as Keir spoke, nodding at his words but clearly overwrought.

Snowfall listened intently, never interrupting, her lovely face expressionless. She waited until Keir finished, and gave it a moment before she spoke.

“WarKing, Warprize, please know that there is no way to tell if your children are gifted,” Snowfall said. “Not yet, at any rate. They are too young to have the will to use the gifts.” Snowfall stepped forward, and reached for Xykayla. Lara put her into her arms without hesitation.

Snowfall’s lips curved in a small smile as she looked down into the babe’s eyes. “I can tell you that I don’t see any touch of the power upon them. Both of them,” She added, looking at Keir.

“Neither do I,” Hanstau said.

“You?” Lara asked.

“Yes,” Hanstau said. “And you were right, Snowfall. I need training.”

Snowfall frowned. “But weren’t you north?”

Hanstau shook his head.

“Your Amyu, then,” Snowfall said to Simus.

Joden jerked his head up. “A-a-amyu?” It caught him off-guard to hear her name.

Simus stared at him, but Joden ignored him.

“It seems she might have the gift as well,” Snowfall said and explained about what she had sensed. Hanstau nodded beside her, but didn’t interrupt.

“Warprize, I have never known a child hurt by the power of the elements.” She placed the babe back in Lara’s arms. “With the power returned in force, we will have to be watchful. But that is a truth of this world, yes?”

“Yes,” Lara responded with a resigned sigh. Joden was pleased to note that both she and Keir seemed more relaxed.

“Enough, shoo, all of you.” Anna took Xykeirson from Keir’s arms. “These babes need their sleep.”

“She’s right,” Lara said, and the others slowly drifted out of the room, and down the circular stairs to the Great Hall.

Simus put a hand on Joden’s shoulder. “I think it’s your turn to talk, my friend.” he said, guiding Joden back to the benches.

“Yes,” Joden sang. Simus’s eyes narrowed.

But a ruckus at the door stopped them all.

A warrior appeared, flushed and breathless. “WarKing,” he called. “A messenger from Warlord Antas.”

 

 

Keir agreed to meet with Antas at noon the next day.

The messenger waited as they debated who would go. Lara was adamant about attending, and nothing anyone could say would dissuade her but Joden convinced her. “If you die,” he sang. “Our WarKing would go into battle rage, and most likely die as well. Who then raises the babes?”

Lara’s eyes welled up as she sputtered without an answer. Keir swept her into his arms, and kissed her face as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Prest, tell the messenger that Simus and Joden will stand at my side tomorrow.” Keir said. “Pardon us,” he added as he headed toward the stairs with Lara in his arms. “The hour grows late.”

The others as well said their goodnights. Snowfall rose, touched Simus on the shoulder, and left with the others.

Simus poured out more kavage. “Tell me. What happened?”

Joden did. He sang to his friend, then dropped into his normal speech, fighting the words. He told him of the old trials, told him of the mountainside. As much as he tried to avoid it, over and over again he told of Amyu’s aid, her strength, for she was a major part of the story. His story. Simus sat listening, intent.

“So you have not seen Essa,” Simus said.

Joden shook his head.

Simus studied his mug. “Your eyes change when you speak of Amyu,” Simus said.

It was not a surprise. Simus was an old tent-mate, and knew Joden better than he knew himself. Joden shrugged, dropping his gaze. “She is a child,” Joden sang sadly. “And I am not as I was.”

“And Snowfall is a warrior-priestess.” Simus stood and stretched, then looked down at Joden. “Don’t be stupid.” He walked off toward the stairs.

Joden sat staring at the dying coals until their spark was gone.