Goddess.
I looked away, only to discover from the movement around me that the dancers weren't theonly ones seeking 'comfort'. People were embracing their neighbors, hands reaching out,clothing being removed, caresses being exchanged. There were two men near us, and to myamazement, one reached for the other, stroking and kissing and…
I hid my face against Keir's chest.
He drew the blanket up over my head, chuckling softly. "My shy one."
"Keir," I whispered in his ear. "Men with men?"
He shrugged. "Each to their own preference. It's not one I share." He helped me to my feet,then swept me up and started toward our tent.
I pressed my face to his neck, hiding my eyes, embarrassed by what was happening, but alsoembarrassed at the heat growing within me, a hunger for him, for life. I wrapped my armsaround his neck. "I'm sorry, Keir. I know this is your way, but—"
"It is not yours." I felt the movement of his head as he nodded his understanding. "They butcelebrate life, Lara." His breath tickled my ear.
"I don't mind celebrating life." A laugh escaped me as he picked up his pace. "Just in theprivacy of my own tent."
"As you wish, my Warprize." His voice was low and hungry and I felt my own desire flarewithin me.
We'd reached the entrance, and I was so distracted by the look on his face that I didn't seeMarcus standing there until he spoke. "Warlord."
Keir turned, and my stomach dropped as I saw the look on Marcus's face. "Oh no," Iwhispered. "Not the Sweat. Please, Marcus, don't tell me it's returned."
"No, Lara." His face held a strange look of regret. "It's not the disease."
They'd found Isdra sprawled on the ground, a dagger in her stomach up to the hilt. There was alot of blood, and she had a puzzled expression on her face. I didn't have to touch her to knowthat she was dead, but I did it anyway. There was warmth in her flesh, but no life.
"No, no, she promised to stay with me." I cried as Keir pulled me back to his side. Marcus hadcome with us, and he'd managed to find Rafe and Prest as well. I looked at Marcus. "Shepromised, Marcus."
"Epor's call was stronger, Warprize."
"As it should be." The Warrior-Priest walked up. "Her place was at her bonded's side."
"I would have done the same." Keir said.
I looked at him in horror, but he met my eyes calmly. I looked away, angry at his acceptance.
"Before, she was ready for it—even offered Epor's weapon to Prest. Why would she do it thisway?" I scowled, wiping my tears with my hands, then turned to look at Prest. "Do you believethis?"
Prest let his eyes flicker over the crowd that had gathered, but said nothing. With a long step,he took the war-club off of Isdra's body, and walked away.
The sun was rising as we prepared to depart.
As was her preference, Isdra was given to the sky. A platform was erected, with her nakedbody exposed to the elements. At my insistence, they'd placed it in the center of the burnedvillage, by the stone well. As close to where Epor had burned as I could arrange it. I'd dugthrough my supplies to find those few dried lavender flowers to place around her body. Jodenchanted a soft, sad song in the crisp, cold air.
I stood there in the blackened ruins. I'd known, of course, that the village was being used forthe pyres of the dead. But that hadn't prepared me for the sight of black cinders and ashes,spread out over such a large area. The smell of smoke seemed overwhelming. I stood next toKeir, and leaned against him. He wrapped his arm around my waist, and held me close.
Rafe and Prest were there, with Marcus. Some others were in attendance as well. Yveni wasbehind us, with the horses. Ander was there as well. Keir had summoned him, and asked him totake Isdra's place, and Ander had agreed.
The last notes of Joden's song hovered in the air. In the silence, we all turned and walked toour horses. The crows were already gathering as we left.
I did not look back.
With Isdra gone, I'd made the decision to send little Meara back to Xy, to Anna's care. Thebabe had recovered well, although she'd been quieter than normal. But she had a ready smilefor all of her theas. I couldn't ask for better caretakers than the fierce warriors that hadsurrounded her. But despite their protests, she was a child of Xy, and I wasn't sure of herwelcome in the Heart of the Plains. The comments by Iften and the warrior-priest's attitudemade me nervous. Keir agreed with my decision. He'd gathered a swift group of riders toescort her back, and they had left with the dawn. I had no fears for her safety.
The command tent was being dismantled when we returned. Marcus started to complain aboutthe way they were loading the horses before he even stopped his horse. Everyone dismountedto pitch in, and the remaining gear was loaded very quickly.
This time I was to ride by myself, and I was delighted to find that it was the same brown, withthe scar on his chest. He seemed happy to see me, sticking his nose in my hair and snuffing me.
