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 couldbe 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?”
