"But that lesson can wait," Marcus announced. "His-self will be making camp soon, and themeal will not make itself." He headed toward the horses.
Thankful for the reprieve, I followed with my guards.
Since we'd resumed our march to the Plains, Keir had made some changes to my sleepingarrangements. My tent was a bit bigger now, enough that I could stand upright in it. He'darranged extra padding for my bedding. It was saddle blankets folded and piled high, whichmade a very comfortable mattress. They were made from some kind of wool that I didn'trecognize, but knew from its use in camp. But the biggest change, and the best change, was thatI slept within his arms every night.
When we'd left Water's Fall, Keir had continued his practice of moving up and down the lengthof his army, in sight of his warriors and dealing with their morale. He'd left me in the center,where he'd thought I'd be better protected. But that had meant many nights of separation.
But now, with the events of Wellspring behind us, I traveled with him. Neither one of us wantedto be apart for any length of time. He continued to work with his warriors, of course,disappearing during the day to deal with any problems that arose. But every night he returnedto our bed. To my arms. To me.
This night would be no different.
Marcus bustled about, keeping an eye on the warriors that set up our tent, and cooking over anopen fire at the same time. I sat close to his fire, watching as he worked. Rafe and Prest hadgone off to see to their own camps but Anders and Yveni remained, keeping watch over me.
Once Keir arrived,' they'd leave as well. While Keir circled our tent with guards, they stayedwell back now, giving me an illusion of a bit of privacy.
Firelanders had a very different attitude toward privacy then the customs I was raised with. Forthem bathing together and strolling nude was the custom, with no regard for modesty, evenbetween men and women. As Joden had pointed out to me, there was little privacy to be foundin the tents of the Firelanders.
I sighed. Joden was something else I didn't want to think about.
In the overnight camps, no one wasted time cutting down trees for seats. Instead, we used thesaddle blankets as pads. Dirt and moisture seemed to fall right off the odd wool. Seated by thefire, with a cloak over my shoulders, I was comfortably warm. Winter had moved into themountains, and while we were moving down onto the Plains, frost still nipped at our heels. Thesky was clear, it would be cold tonight.
Marcus was cutting meat and brewing kavage and would tolerate no help from me. I was tootired to do much more than sit. So I pulled my satchel close and opened the flap. I'd been usingit since—
Since Gils died.
My hands stilled on the scarred leather. Gils was the young Firelander who'd asked to be myapprentice, breaking the traditions of his people. The image of his freckled face and red curlsflashed before me. He'd been so young, so eager, with dancing green eyes and that cheekygrin.
I closed my eyes, and fought my tears.Goddess, hold him close.
And hold the souls of Epor and Isdra. The warriors who'd entered the village with me, andwere the first to face the plague. Well, Epor had. Isdra had chosen to join her bonded, on thenight of the mourning ceremony. Their faces, too, flashed before me. Along with the hundredsthat had died of a sickness that I couldn't prevent or cure.
If only…
"Here," Marcus's gruff voice interrupted my thoughts. A cup of kavage was held under mynose. "Drink. Stop thinking on the dead."
I took the cup, the dark and bitter brew steaming in the cool air. "Marcus—"
"Lara." Marcus's voice softened and I look up at him through my tears. "We have mournedthe dead, and will bid them farewell on the longest night. It is enough."
"But, I miss them." I answered, wiping my eyes with my free hand. "And I regret—"
"They ride with us until the snows." Marcus responded. "Send your thoughts to them, yes. Butnot always the sorrow. Remember the joy as well. Like when the young'un read Simus's letterto you. Yes?"
I smiled at the memory. "Yes."
Marcus grunted in satisfaction, then returned to his work. I blew on the surface of the kavageand took a sip. The heat spread through my body, and I continued to sip, remembering Gils'seagerness, and the time I caught Epor and Isdra kissing by the well.
But there was still in ache in my heart.
The satchel had been Gils's. He'd made it from an old saddlebag, adding a thick strap and lotsof pockets for 'useful things.' I'd used it since he'd died, but hadn't really cleaned it out Justkept stuffing things in and rummaging around without really thinking about the contents. Ipulled it closer, intending to empty it out and re-pack it
"Heyla!"
Keir was coming as a gallop. The sight brought a smile to my face, for he was quite a figure,dressed in his black leathers, on his big black warhorse, framed by the setting sun. I threwback the cloak and ran to greet him.
He pulled his horse to a stop and dismounted with one swift move. His black cloak swirled outaround him as he caught me in his arms, and hugged me tight, claiming my lips in a kiss. Hesmelled of horse and leather and himself, and I returned the kiss with passion.
He broke off with a laugh, and swung me up into his arms, striding toward our tent. I wrappedmy arms around his neck, and nuzzled his ear, certain of his intent and in complete agreement.
