Chapter Seventeen
Joden stepped toward Rafe, mentally practicing the words in his head.‘Greetings, Rafe. Greetings, Rafe.’
Rafe, a familiar face, with his dark hair, wide smile and the faint scar that ran down the side of his face. “Joden!” Rafe’s eyes were wide with astonishment. He reached out to clasp Jodan’s arm, joy suffusing his face at seeing an old friend.
Joden reached out as well.‘Greetings, Rafe. Greetings, Rafe’.
“G-g-g,” the words caught in his throat.
The warmth in Rafe’s eyes turned to concern, but in his despair, Joden didn’t see it. He grimaced trying to force the words out, but nothing, nothing…
He was nothing.
Amyu caught thesound in Joden’s throat, knew what it meant.
Rafe backed away in horror as Joden’s eyes rolled up and he started to convulse. Amyu was quick enough, getting her arms around Joden and lowering him to the ground.
The other warriors gathered and stared as Joden thrashed. Amyu got one of their blankets out and covered him, for warmth, yes, but also to block him from their prying eyes.
“What has happened?” Rafe’s voice was hushed as he knelt on the other side of Joden.
“I do not know,” Amyu said, watching carefully to see if she needed to turn Joden on his side. But the tremors were slowing, and his breathing was becoming easier. “I found him so, in the heights of the mountain.”
Rafe shook his head. “That makes no—”
One of the other warriors knelt at Joden’s side, her dagger flashed in her hand. “The fire warmed you,” she began the mercy ritual.
The three other warriors had gathered round, all women from Rafe’s tent. They responded with the rote words. “We thank the elements.”
Amyu grabbed the woman’s wrist. “No,” she snapped.
The woman looked out at her from under her black bangs. Her green eyes were dismissive as she raised an eyebrow. “He is ill, and deserves mercy. I am Fylin of the Snake, warrior of the Plains. You are but a child. Leave this to us—”
“No,” Amyu said again, squeezing Fylin’s wrist hard. “I will challenge, if you do.”
“You cannot—”
“Try me,” Amyu bared her teeth. “He needs food and drink, and not your stupidity.”
“Fylin, hold.” Rafe reached over to put his hand on their locked ones. “Look,” Rafe continued. “He’s stopped shaking.”
Amyu looked down. With her free hand, she touched Joden’s chest, feeling the strong heartbeat. His face was relaxed, as if sleeping.
She looked up to find Rafe watching her. “He will wake soon, and be well.”
“This has happened before?” The woman with the short curly hair asked, kneeling beside Fylin.
“Yes,” Amyu said. “Repeatedly.” And then cursed herself for saying so as the others exchanged glances.
“This is not the way of the Plains,” one whispered.
“True, Soar.” Rafe said. “But it is the way of the Warprize. Fylin, remember when you all tended me during the plague?”
They nodded.
“That was not the way of the Plains either, yet the Warprize saved many of us.” Rafe straightened, his face set. “Unless Joden chooses or asks for mercy, we will aid him and Amyu.” he said.
Fylin shrugged sullenly, and pulled her hand back, sheathing her dagger.
