“All that, all that, I swear, Warprize.”
Atira was so serious, so earnest, that I had to smile.
“Well then, if all is well here, I have something to show you.” Keir tugged on my sleeve and pulled me toward the entrance. Prest and Rafe were also standing there, grinning like fools.
I gave them a narrow look. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.” The reply was in unison. My skepticism must have been obvious, because they all laughed.
The day had turned overcast, and held the promise of rain. Keir took me by the shoulders and turned me to walk around the corner of the tent. Prest and Rafe were slightly ahead of us.
There was a second, smaller tent there, that had been put up recently. I looked at Keir, who smiled.
Prest and Rafe stood next to the tent flap. “Look!” said Rafe as he pulled the flap aside. Keir gave me a light push and I entered the tent. They followed.
I stood there, stunned.
There were all the supplies that I had requested, crates of them, everything that I had asked for, and…
Stillroom equipment. I moved forward, eyes open in wonder. There were flasks, and bowls, and mortar and pestle, and small braziers, and jars and bottles. They covered the three tables in the tent. I turned and stared at Keir. He was smiling, looking back at me. Prest and Rafe were laughing.
“When did you do this?”
Keir grinned. “Last night and this morning. When you told me of a ‘stillroom’ and what it contained, I sent Sal to your friend Remn. They gathered what I wanted and what was needed. Now, you have a ‘
stilltent’, yes?” His smile faded as he looked around. “I had not thought… these items are fragile. We will need a way to carry it when we move.” He moved around the small tent as he thought. “I will talk to Sal and see what she thinks.”
I stood there, a tangle of emotions. Joy at the gift. Fear at the idea of leaving. I laid a shaking hand on Keir’s arm. “Thank you.”
He smiled down at me. “I would help, but Warren is coming for the nooning with some of his men. He has sent a messenger to confirm that he will come, and to tell me that Durst still clings to life with the aid of Eln the Healer.”
I caught my breath. “Eln is very skilled. I apprenticed to him.”
Keir cocked his head. “Skilled with porcupine quills?”
I smiled. “Yes, that too.”
Keir lifted his chin, a gleam of humor in his eyes. “We will review battles and tell lies about our bravery.
Do you wish to attend?”
I looked around the tent. “There’s so much to do here. Do you mind?”
“No.” His lips twitched. “Although you are missing Simus at his best, full of food and drink and tales of his prowess.” Keir shook his head. “Prest and Rafe have asked to be there. I will send someone to relieve them.”
I shrugged and smiled. “I’ll be fine.”
Keir frowned. “No. They will be relieved. I’ll have food brought to you as well.” He reached up, cradled my head in his hand, and kissed me. His lips lingered on my mouth. “I will be thinking about you.” He lowered his voice. “And about this morning.” He leaned forward and whispered in my ear. “And about tonight.” He stood and smiled at my blush.
“Maybe there will be night horrors again tonight?” He chuckled as he left the tent.
I threw myself into the work, rather then try to think about anything else. Prest and Rafe helped me arrange the tables, with the crates below. It took a while to sort through everything and to get the heavy crates maneuvered into position.
At last, we were down to one unopened crate. Prest had found something to pry off the top. He and Rafe were wrestling with it when their relief arrived, hailing from outside the tent. With one last heave, Prest pried the lid off. They both scrambled to their feet, eager to go.
Rafe pulled the new guards inside. “Warprize, this is Epor and Isdra. They will guard while we are gone.”
Prest and Rafe turned and left with my thanks floating behind them.
