That will take care of the dead, Isdra. Forty days, you understand?"
She stared at me, not asking the question I had not answered.
I sobbed, the pain in my head building. "Isdra, I ask for mercy. Kill me."
"That is not your way, Lara." She frowned, clearly unhappy with my request.
"I'll not risk you or the babe, or any of the others. Grant me mercy, Isdra, then burn the villageand leave." I drew in a shuddering breath. "I command it. As the Warprize, I order—"
Isdra stood. "I will do what must be done, Warprize." She helped me out of the chair. My headhad started to pound, and it was hard for me to think. I leaned on her gratefully, my feet madeclumsy by the pain.
She took me out into the square and sat me by the well. The cold stone felt good on my back. Iblinked in the sunlight. Isdra knelt at my side, reached out and pulled the damp hair off myface. "You must be sure about this, Lara."
"Isdra, grant me mercy. Kill me, take the babe and flee. But promise me," I clutched at herarm. "Promise me that you will stay apart. Keep Keir safe for me, Isdra. Please?"
"So." She set her shoulders back, as if relieved and grateful for the task. "You will be wild withfever soon. I will bind you here, to keep you from wandering." She gripped my wrists firmly andI watched as she bound them together with a bandage. Once that was done, she lifted my boundwrists to the windlass and secured them to the stout wood. I closed my eyes, holding my wristshigh to make it easier for her.
She knelt before me again. "I must prepare the village, Lara and then do what must be done.
You understand?"
I bit my lip. "Do you promise?"
She nodded. "I will keep to my oaths."
I closed my eyes and leaned my head back against the stones, listening as her steps faded off.
The only sound was my ragged breathing. Even the larks were gone. But in the back of myhead, I could hear the litany, a prayer for the dying and the dead. It seemed to ring in my earsas if I could hear the words echoing in the temple as they'd been chanted at my father's bedside
…
Gracious Goddess, Lady of the Moon and Stars, be with me in the hour of my death… Oh, Iwas going to die and never see my Keir again, never ask his forgiveness or feel his bodymoving in mine. Tears overcame me, and I wept at my loss, the loss of his love, of what mighthave been between us, he was so angry with me, so very angry…
Gracious Goddess, Lady of the Moon and Stars, full of forgiveness, forget my offenses and my
flaws… I'd made so many mistakes, and my pride had made me think I could deal with thisillness and treat these people and now they were all dead and it was all my fault, my fault, ohforgive my arrogance and…
A sound and I blinked open blurry eyes to see Isdra place a large basket at my side. The babelay sleeping inside, tucked in with extra swaddles and her feeding cup. Such a lovely babe,whose name was lost now, because I didn't want to think that I could fail. I blotted my tearswith my sleeve and let my head fall back again.
Gracious Lady of the Moon and Stars, full of mercy, see my true repentance… for I deeplyregretted my er-rors. Don't let anyone else suffer for my mistakes, oh please, keep Marcusand Keir, oh my Keü, and Othur and Anna safe, dearest Goddess, please… my people and hispeople… safe… the pounding was getting worse, my clothes were drenched yet I burned. Iclosed my eyes for what felt like hours, but dragged them open to see Isdra as she moved frombuilding to building, opening doors and arranging fuel of any kind in the entryways.
Gracious Lady of the Moon and Stars, full of kindness, incline your ear to my plea, and Shewas, for I could see in the gathering dusk the first twinkling of a star over the mountains. But Icouldn't keep my eyes open to see Her gift because the sweat was in my eyes and burningthem. I tried to wipe them on my sleeve again, but the cloth was soaked.
Gracious Lady of the Moon and Stars, full of glory, guide me to a place in your garden and let
me dwell there in peace. There'd be problems, I knew. My death would create such problemsfor Othur and the Kingdom. The cousins would try to claim the throne, and all would sufferthereby. But I couldn't find the strength to care, I'd be in the garden of the Goddess withFather, and we'd abide in the peace of that place together. And Keir, my Keir, would be safe,wild and free on his Plains. I smiled as I saw him mounted on his black horse, galloping in thesun, wild and free and safe, oh Goddess, please let him be safe and well.
At some point, I faded out and awoke to find Isdra arranging Epor's body on a pyre that shehad made of a table from one of the homes. She placed him close to the well, as if in a place ofprominence. She was arranging his hair, and seemed to be speaking but I wasn't sure. What Icould see was that she had strapped Epor's war-club to her back. I caught my breath at thesight.
Finally she came to my side, and knelt to offer me water, and wipe my face. She took a longdrink as well. "Almost done, Lara." She stood, and seemed to look around with satisfaction.
"A fitting tribute to my Epor." She looked down. "I have only to light the fires, Lara. Beready."
"You… you are sweating." Fear bubbled in my chest.
"With effort, nothing more."
Gracious Lady of the Moon and Stars, full of glory, embrace my soul. I closed my eyes,content. All my beloved family and friends would be safe, and Keir, my beloved Keir, he toowould be well and strong. Tears flowed and I gave up fighting my sobs. He's been so angry.
