Hanstau looked up when he realized his horse had stopped moving. They were between two rises, next to a stand of alders.
Reness was already dismounting, and pulling the packs off her animal. “There’s a stream here,” she said softly. “Within this grove. We’ll set the tents, eat, and sleep.”
Hanstau fretted as they worked to make camp. He could help with the basics, carrying food and seeing to the horses. But he wasn’t much help with the small tent, even when Reness explained that it was actually two smaller tents combined into one.
She had him build a small fire as she finished. “Just enough for kavage,” she said.
Hanstau nodded, and set to work, finding the tinder and a striker. Easy enough to get a small spark, and sit and feed it tiny bits of wood and dried grass.
Reness settled next to him, and dug out a small pot, and some dried meat. She handed him a share, and for a long moment, they both sat in silence, chewing and waiting for the pot to boil.
“Give me your dagger,” Reness said softly. She was close enough to him that he could feel the heat of her body against his side. She took it, and tried to pull it from its sheath. The blade was stuck.
“Tsk,” Reness clucked. “You are supposed to clean it, you know. On the grass or the clothes of the enemy.”
“I’m sorry,” Hanstau sighed.
“No matter,” Reness stared at him. “I will clean it for you. But, Hanstau, what troubles you?”
Hanstau opened his mouth, but the pot favored him by boiling, and he managed to busy himself with the kavage. Once they were settled back, warm mugs in hand, Reness nudged his shoulder, and gave him a questioning look over the edge of her mug.
Hanstau sighed. “Reness,” he started, then rushed on. “I am no warrior. I am not muscled, not tanned, not strong. I am a stout, balding healer of Xy who, tonight, broke his sacred oath to bring harm to none.”
Reness leaned in closer. “He would have delivered you to Antas.”
“Or Hail Storm,” Hanstau shuddered. “But I could have found a way to—”
Reness kissed him. Her lips were warm, and soft, and wonderful. Hanstau closed his eyes, and kissed her back.
Reness broke the kiss. Her breath danced on his cheek. “You are who you are, Hanstau of Xy, and you are who I want. I have a need for you. A need to learn all of you.”
Hanstau opened his eyes, and stared into hers. Her eyes reflected the stars.
“Hanstau of Xy, would you share with me this night?” she asked.
“Yes,” he said, his mouth dry.
“Good,” Reness’s smile was bright. “Now, take off those boots.”
Chapter Twenty
Antas was fond of the scent of death and smoke on the battlefield.
Just not in his own camp.
The sun was just rising, just enough to see. Smoke and stench filled his lungs as he stood with his Token-Bearer and his Second, and considered the damage. All around them his warriors sorted through smoldering tents, stomping the few flames that remained.
Antas knew that every eye watched and every ear listened.
“Report,” he commanded softly.
“Every tent was hit,” Veritt said just as quietly. “Even the small ones. Some only scorched, some completely destroyed. An attack from within.”
Catha nodded, her arms folded over her chest, her head down. “The dead were all at Reness’s hands,” she said. “Your Warprize is nowhere to be found.” She glanced at him, as if expecting him to explode. “We assume he fled with Reness.”
Antas nodded, calmly. Now was not the time for rage. He’d save that for later. “Hail Storm?” he asked.
“No sign,” Veritt said. “He disappeared in the confusion.”
