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 thebabes 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.
