"You are not. A warrior, someone who speaks Xyian and can defend himself is. You would haveme send a boy to do a man's job."
I flushed, but he held up his hand. "It's a saying of my people, Lara. Send the right person forthe task the first time. I will send a speaker of Xy. We will give the village a chance tosurrender and explain themselves. You will be kept back, until we know more." He fixed mewith a look. "I will be obeyed, Warprize."
I took a deep breath and opened my mouth to argue, but the words never emerged. Marcuslaunched himself at my throat.
In an instant I was down on the ground, flat on my back, my breath gone from my lungs.
Marcus's thin body was on top of me, pinning me with all the considerable strength in his wiryframe. Worse, he had a blade at my throat, the metal cold against my skin.
I opened my mouth, trying to gasp in air, my heart hammering in my chest. No one else moved.
"This is no child's game," Marcus hissed, his voice as harsh as I had ever heard. "You haveno skill, none—and death comes in an instant."
I just stared at him, his disfigured eye, his puckered skin, frightened and wide-eyed.
"Do you understand?"
I nodded carefully and swallowed hard, very aware of the sharp blade pressed against the pulseof my neck.
Marcus pulled back and just as fast as he took me down, I was up on my feet and in Keir'sarms. I clung to him, shaken. "That was harsh."
"And the elements are not?" Keir asked me softly.
"Better you learn at my blade than at another's." Marcus brushed off my back.
I shrank from his touch, trying not to cry. "Keir…"
"Harsh, but the lesson is true, Lara." He tightened his arms around me.
I buried my face in his chest and tried to get myself under control. "I'll do as I'm told."
Keir chuckled. "At least until the shock has worn off." He drew in a deep breath. "It won't stopyou from flinging yourself to the aid of others, I know. All I ask is that you think before you do,and that you let us protect you. Yes?"
"Yes."
He leaned down and nuzzled my ear. "Ah, my Lara. I took you from your sheltered den,kitten."
"No." I straightened, wiping my face. "I left my den and chased you, remember?"
Keir smiled and kissed me gently. "I will send someone to speak to the village. You will staywith your guards, toward the center of the main army, back from the front."
Rafe cleared his throat. "I have enough of that tongue, Warlord. I am willing to go."
Marcus spoke up as well. "I can fill his place as Lara's guard." Keir looked at him and Marcusshrugged. "You will have no need of me, and it takes four to watch over this woman." Marcusgave me a wicked grin, but I looked away.
Keir lowered his head to speak softly in my ear. "Lara, understand this. I will send Rafe to thegates. But one rock, one arrow, one word of defiance and I will destroy the village."
"Keir, there are innocents there." I leaned back to look into his face. "Women and childrenwho have no part in this. If we can talk to them, we can convince—"
"I will not take back an oathbreaker, nor will I leave one unpunished."
"But—"
He released me. "What would the penalty be, Lara, if a village broke its oaths of fealty to theKing of Xy?"
I looked away. "I do not know. It hasn't happened that I know of."
"Because the penalty is severe. My hand can rest lightly on this land, but not on those whodefy me. I will do what must be done."
