Iften's smug look was an open grin. "You would delay forty days?"
Marcus frowned when Keir failed to respond, his gaze shifting from my face to Keir's. I froze,terrified that I'd gone too far. I'd lured him into this trap, but what choice did I have? Thepeople of the village needed my help. But I'd seen his anger before. Would he support me, or—
"For the safety of our people." His voice a rasp, Keir turned his head to look at Sal, letting mesee the small muscles in his jaw clenching. "Forty days. Plan accordingly."
Coward that I am, I avoided Keir and kept Gils at my side after the senel. Marcus hadgathered all of the pack horses, and Gils and I split the supplies evenly between us. I talked tohim as we worked, going through the various plagues and their treatments. I'd alreadyprepared the letters for Othur and Eln and the messengers had left for Water's Fall at a gallop,with strict instructions to throw the letters to the guards at the gate. I was fairly certain thatwithin a few days, a week at the most, Gils would have help.
Gils listened earnestly, his gaze locked on my face, absorbing my words. He nodded fiercely,and repeated things back to me, constantly reassuring me that he would be watchful and that hewould remember what I said.
As we worked, I was aware of a brooding presence close by. Keir had not spoken to me, but Ifelt his gaze scorch the back of my neck.
Keir had gathered Marcus, Joden, Epor, Isdra, Rafe and Prest near him, and they were talkingquietly. I didn't know what they were discussing, but there were occasional glances in mydirection. I continued with my work, conscious of the tension in my shoulders and neck and thatmy feet were starting to throb.
It was only when Gils and I had finished that Keir stood, and stalked over to me. The othersfollowed, their faces grim.
"I am ready to go." I had one of the horses. Gils had kept the others. Keir's eyes pierced me,but I kept my gaze steady. I'd come too far to break down now.
"You will not go alone." Keir gestured, and Epor and Isdra stepped forward. "They willaccompany you."
"Keir, it's too dangerous. They—"
"No." He cut me off, leaving no room for argument. "We have seen no sick or dying. It couldstill be an ambush. You will have warriors by your side, or you will not go."
"We have chosen this, Warprize." Isdra's voice was reassuring.
'To face an invisible enemy? What songs they will sing of us, eh?" Epor smiled. "Joden isalready humming under his breath."
Joden shrugged and everyone except Keir chuckled uneasily. Keir's face was still a stone,marred only by the tiny pulsing muscle in his jaw.
"There is one more thing." I paused, not sure how to phrase this request.
"Whatever it is, I am sure you will have your way, even if you have to lie to make it so." Keirspat.
There was a pause, and the others started to step back, as if anticipating the bells. But Keirraised his hand. "No."
Everyone stopped. Gils flushed a bright red, and was staring at his feet. My face was hot, but Ididn't drop my eyes.
"Speak."
"We need to arrange signals. To let you know what kind of plague it is. To communicate whatis happening. Because as soon as we know the kind of plague, we will need to send someone toWater's Fall to shout the news to them. Those warbling cries, maybe?"
Joden smiled. "They are used in battle, or in the hunt, Warprize. They are not meant for talk.
But let us see what we can do."
Thankfully, with their memories, it didn't take long to assign new meaning to the calls. Ithought up as many contingencies as I could, then cleared my throat. "We need one more. Forif all three of us sicken and all the villagers are dead. We must set fire to the village and killourselves, to prevent the spread of the disease."
Keir's face was stark. The others were grim. Joden spoke softly. "I thought mercy was notyour way, Lara."
"It is not, Joden. But I will not allow this illness to spread. To your people or to mine." I lookedat Epor and Isdra. "Do you understand what you are risking?"
"We do." They spoke together.
"And do you swear to—"
Keir broke in. "You are not yet confirmed, Warprize. Do not exceed your authority."
I glared at him. "But I am a Master Healer. They have to promise—"
