He nodded, served me and moved off. Epor and Isdra took up positions behind me, but Marcusdidn't offer them anything. I'd learned that they wouldn't eat or drink while on guard duty. But Inoticed for the first time that he never really looked at them at all. Just past them, as if it wastoo painful to see them standing there. I looked into my cup of kavage and sighed. I'd been solost in my petty misery. What else had I missed?
I could almost hear Great Aunt Xydell scolding me. "Pay attention, chit."
Keir was obviously taking precautions. The senel and the tree were surrounded by guards,watching over us and the horses. Rafe and Prest were beyond the branches, but had positionedthemselves so that they could see me clearly. It was comfortable here under the tree, but atightness had crept into my neck and shoulders. If some of my people were resisting, afterthey'd pledged their fealty to Keir, the consequences would be severe.
The area was starting to fill with the members of the senel. They stood, mugs in hand, asMarcus moved among them. I watched and considered.
Senels are basically councils for the army. I still hadn't figured out the details of the commandstructure, but I'd learned that the army had one Warlord, who had ten War-leaders under him.
Each Warleader had command of a section of the army, and additional duties as well. Simushad been Keir's Second, Iften his Third. Their ranks were determined through a series ofcombats, not necessarily by the Warlord's choice alone.
I glanced to the left of Keir's 'seat', where Simus would normally reign. I missed Simus. Hislaugh, his smile, his eyes gleaming in his dark face, his overwhelming confidence. As Keir'sSecond and as his friend, he'd sat at Keir's left hand in senels before this. But Simus hadremained behind in Water's Fall with half of Keir's forces to secure and protect the City, andbe Keir's voice in Council. I'd had one letter from Othur, the Warden I'd left in my place, whichindicated that things were going well. Beneath Simus's smile and good humor was a man ofhonor and wisdom. I felt the lack of his presence and voice.
I looked back at the others milling about. I was familiar with a few of the warleaders already.
I'd met Sal when she'd come to me for advice on equipping the army and dealing with the Xyianmerchants and traders. A stocky woman, with weathered skin and grey hair turned white by thesun, she loved to bargain for supplies. Yers, an average-sized man with brown hair and acrooked nose, had been Gils's Warleader, and had been involved whenGils had surprised everyone with his intentions of becoming my apprentice.
Iften made himself known by being rude and obnoxious, something he was skilled at. He'dshown early on that he despised me and all things Xyian, and didn't hesitate to voice hisopposition to Keir at every opportunity.
I smiled to see Joden enter the area, and he smiled back. Joden was not a warleader, but wasacknowledged as the potential Singer that he was.
The others I was less sure about.
"Isdra?"
"Warprize?" Isdra took a step forward and knelt by my side.
"Can I ask you about the warleaders, without bells?"
She chuckled, keeping her voice low. "Yes, Warprize. You know Yers, and?"
"Iften." We exchanged wry glances. "Sal, I've met before. She takes care of supplies for thearmy."
Isdra nodded. "Aret is standing with Iften." She was referring to a tall, thin woman with short,curly brown hair. "She's in charge of the horses, and the herds when in camp, seeing to theirwell-being. Yers has the training and discipline of young warriors. Iften is now Second, so thesenior warriors are also in Yers's care."
Iften had that position because Simus of the Hawk had remained in Water's Fall.
Isdra continued. "Wesren is the warleader in charge of encampments, Ortis, the large man atthe back, is charged with the scouts."
Wesren was a short, thick man with thick black hair and beard. Ortis was a huge, lumberinghulk with a shaved head. He made Wesren look like a boy.
"Uzaina and Tsor are warleaders in charge of the army when on the march. Uzaina takes thelead, Tsor works the rear."
I looked over, studying them. Tsor had skin the color of kavage with milk in it, and short blackhair with traces of grey at the temples. Uzaina caught my eye, for she had her black hair inwhat looked like hundreds of small braids, each ending in a bead. They brushed her shoulderswhen she moved her head, making an odd clicking sound. Her skin was the color of darkamber, and the combination was very striking.
"So each has a duty beyond fighting. Right?" I asked.
"Yes. Except Seconds, who have the duties as the Warlord assigns. Duties do not change,ranking does. You understand? If Keir were to fall, skies forbid, Iften would lead."
"Become warlord?"
"No. That requires the Elders." Isdra made a slight snorting sound, which I interpreted tomean that event was unlikely.
Marcus approached, and frowned at Isdra.
Isdra made a face at him, but stood and stepped back, which seemed to appease him.
Marcus knelt to fill my cup. "Hisself will be here shortly."
