Simus extended his arm, and I took it. The buzz of talk started before we were over the threshold and into the hall. As the doors swung shut, I took the crown off with a sigh. “Simus, do you have any kavage in your chambers?”
Simus laughed. “I do indeed.”
Chapter 13
Anna had assigned Simus servants and they brought hot kavage as we settled into the chairs by the fireplace in his quarters. Even with the flames roaring, there was a chill in the room. I took the offered mug and sipped the bitter liquid carefully. The servants bowed and retreated from the chamber. Simus had a mug of his own, and settled in a chair opposite me. “I swear by the skies that my tent is warmer than this stone castle of yours.” He grumbled in his own language.
I nodded and ran a hand through my hair, thankful to be rid of the weight of the crown. It sat on the table next to me, gleaming in the firelight. The taste of kavage was bitter on my tongue, yet soothing. I could almost feel my headache fade with every sip.
“You did well, little healer.” Simus leaned back, stretching out his long legs, cupping his mug in two hands. “You showed knowledge and strength.”
I stared down into the dark liquid left in my mug. It was time. “Simus, as Queen of Xy, I must obey you as the representative of my liege lord, right?” I used his tongue, mindful of those who might overhear us.
Simus nodded. “Yes, I speak for the Warlord until he releases his claim. You have sworn fealty to him.”
“But I haven’t sworn, have I?” I looked out of the corner of my eye.
Simus was puzzled, but he answered my question. “Your system allows oaths to pass from heir to heir, am I not right?”
I nodded slowly. “Yes, but the oath must be ratified.”
Simus shrugged.
Casually, I continued. “And as warprize, Simus?”
“Eh?”
“As warprize, must I obey you?”
Simus tensed. It was a slight movement, involuntary on his part, but I caught it. He recovered well. “You are no longer warprize, Your Majesty.”
“But if I were?”
“As warprize, you would rank me.” He looked at me closely, but his eyes betrayed nothing. “But you are no longer claimed as warprize.”
I tilted my head and smiled at him over the brim of my mug. “That’s odd.”
“Odd?”
“I’m sure that Joden told me that once claimed, only the elders could confirm or deny my status as warprize.”
Simus stared at me, his eyes wide.
I thumped my mug down on the table, hard enough to rattle the crown. “You will tell me now, Simus, and tell me the truth, with the flames as a witness.”
Simus dropped his mug, groaned and dropped his head into his hands. “Who told you? Keir was sure that—”
I stood, furious. “No one told me the entire truth. I had to figure it out for myself.” I breathed in, trying to maintain my anger and control my delight. “I must be confirmed as the warprize by the Council of Elders, yes?”
Simus nodded, head never leaving his hands.
“I remain the warprize until the elders confirm or deny me, yes?” I pressed him hard. I was rewarded with a muffled ‘yes’. I pressed on. “Keir can’t change my status once he claims me, can he?”
“No.”
“As warprize, I answer only to my chosen warlord and I haven’t yet formally chosen a warlord, have I?
That’s why he denied me access to the camp, so I couldn’t talk to Marcus or Joden, isn’t it?”
