Antas dropped his voice, “I risk nothing.”
Veritt raised his eyebrows.
“I will challenge Keir to combat to the death,” Antas said. “I will offer this method to resolve our differences, and I will call on him not to spend the lives of his warriors. He will agree, for that is his weakness, Veritt. He will agree, and we will carve out a challenge circle between the two armies, and all will witness our fight.”
Antas thumped his chest. “If I kill him, so be it. But if he looks to be winning, you will be there. You will cry out loud that he has betrayed his word and attack Keir’s Second. That will give the signal for archers to fire. Keir and Simus will fall dead. If Keir’s Warprize is there, so much the better. She will die too.” Antas smiled and almost enjoyed the ache in his cheeks.
Veritt stood silent, his eyes on the ground. He shifted his weight, folding his arms over his chest. “This is not the way of the Plains,” he said softly.
Antas nodded. “There is truth in that, Veritt and I honor it. But I would restore what we have lost, and I will do that at the cost of honor if necessary.” Antas stood and put his hand on Veritt’s shoulder. “Our sacrifice, for the good of our people. Besides, none but you and I will ever know.” He paused. “I need to know I have your support in this,” he said.
After a long moment, Veritt lifted his head, and look Antas square in the eyes. “I will do what must be done,” he said.
“As your Warlord commands?” Antas demanded.
“As my Warlord commands,” Veritt said.
Quartis arrived lateto the hidden Singer camp. A senel was in progress, and he had to push his way through the crowded tent toward the front.
Eldest Elder Essa was seated on his platform, drinking kavage, and waiting.
Quartis made a bow, and then went to sit by Para.
“You’re late,” Para hissed.
Quartis rolled his eyes at her. “The Ancients?” he whispered.
“No sign,” came the soft response. “And he’s in a real snit.”
Quartis sat down, accepted water for the washing ritual, and then took a mug of kavage. He tried to keep his head down, but Essa’s eyes were on him.
“I call this senel to order,” Essa announced, his voice cutting through the conversation. “I commanded that we watch and see what actions the Warlords took. I would have your reports. Garso,” he gestured and a young woman rose to her feet.
“I was sent to the army of Niles of the Boar,” she began and from there it was a normal report, talking of raiding and successful battles.
Essa nodded, and then questioned each Singer in turn as to the Warlord they had been assigned to. All was normal, until he reached Annith.
“I was assigned to Osa of the Fox,” the Singer reported. “She did not take her army to the field.”
“What?” Essa asked as the tent stirred.
“She gathered her army, and then gathered at least two thea camps.” Annith said. “She kept them close until they joined with Warlord Ultie.
“This I can verify,” Roci stood. “I was assigned to Ultie, and I linked up with Annith when the armies came together. They sit together, off to the west of here, sending out scouts but not engaging.”
“They wait,” Essa mused. “For events.”
“As do we,” Quartis said, louder than he intended.
“As do we,” Essa nodded. “Report, Quartis.”
Quartis rose, and nodded to his Eldest Elder. “I have watched for activity near the Xyian border,” he said. “Both Simus and Antas head in that direction, separated by days. Simus’s path is direct. Antas is slower, perhaps because of the damage his camp suffered. Perhaps by intent.”
Essa gave him a nod, and Quartis sat back down, easing his dry throat with a sip of kavage.
“Thron, I sent you to the Heart,” Essa said. “What say you?”
Thron stood. “Would that I could offer good news, Eldest Elder,” Thron shook his head. “The lake is still surrounded by wyvern, who now feed their young in the nest. They are voracious in appetite, and it is only by the grace of the elements that I stand here. The Heart itself is empty of life, and there is an enormous dead wyvern rotting on the stone.” Thron made a face. “It will take an army to clear the area, if the wyverns leave.”
