“You can still sing,” Essa said. The others rose from their finished task, all nodding their agreement.
“You have songs that need singing, Joden,” Essa said firmly. “And the Ancients may teach you their songs. Come with us.”
Joden opened his mouth to tell him, but then closed it. He blinked.
Behind Essa, the horizon was clear. The armies were no longer there, the grasses were wide and empty except for a lone rider.
Wild Winds lifted his hand and summoned him.
Joden took a breath, and knew what he had to do. He focused back on Essa. “I will come,” he chanted. “I will come and tell you all. But first, I would celebrate with my friends, and say farewell.”
Essa nodded, clearly not pleased. “Very well. But do not make us wait too long, Joden. The rites should be completed before the Fall Council. And the skies know when the Ancients will appear to us.”
Joden nodded. “I will come.” He nodded toward where Veritt’s and Ietha’s warriors were moving off to the east. “Avoid them,” he suggested.
“I have a mind to travel west,” Essa said. “I will take word to Osa and Ultie, and shelter within their camps.”
“As soon as my business is finished,” Joden sang. “I will seek you out.”
The keep wasalight with joy by the time Joden returned. The celebration was going strong, with drumming and chanting echoing from its walls.
But he was stopped at the gates by watchful guards. Joden was pleased to see that those on duty had sharp, clear eyes.
The Great Hall was filled with the smell of roast cow, baked bread and kavage. Xyian and Plains warriors alike greeted him with smiles. “Keir of the Cat, WarKing of the Plains,” one crowed as he sloshed fermented mare’s milk from his cup.
Joden smiled, and continued on to the high seat at the end of the hall, by the huge fireplace. Keir had replaced the traditional high table with the low platform. He sat at the center, with Lara on his right and Simus on his left. Marcus was serving kavage, a rare smile on his face. For a heartbeat, Joden looked for Amyu.
She was not there, and would never be.
“You,” Lara called out, her expression a mix of joy and anger. “Joden, how could you let him take such a risk?” She and Anna were sitting side by side, the babes in their arms. Xykeirson and Xykayla were waving their arms, and staring at the commotion around them, fascinated.
Joden smiled as he walked forward, opening his hands wide to offer his apology. “The skies favor the bold,” he sang.
“And the earth covers the stupid,” Lara and Marcus said together.
All the warriors nearby laughed.
“We already tried that,” Simus said. “It didn’t work.”
“Join us,” Keir said gesturing to the platform. “We are another step closer to our goal.”
Marcus stepped down off the platform, bearing a mug and a pitcher of kavage. He offered the mug to Joden, and started to pour.
Liam appeared behind him, coming in from Marcus’s blind side.
Joden didn’t have time to react. Liam tossed his cloak over Marcus and struck his jaw, knocking him out.
The pitcher fell to the floor, shattering.
Marcus started to collapse, but Liam scooped him up and flung him over his shoulder. He stood for a moment, then patted Marcus’s buttocks.
“WarKing. Warprize.” Liam gave them both a nod. “I have supported you, and now I claim my prize.” He turned on his heel and strode from the hall before any could say a word.
In the stunned silence, Anna turned to Lara with a frown. “That’s not really about military tactics, is it?”
Later, when thefires had burned down and the celebration had ended, Joden turned to Keir and sang to him softly, “Will you stay here? On the border? Or return to Xy?”
Keir shrugged. “We have not discussed it. There is much to be done to prepare for the Fall Council.” He glanced at the stairs where Lara, Anna and the babes had disappeared earlier. “Lara will want to attend the Council, but the dangers…” he shook his head.
