Isdra stepped up to grasp my fingers. "Warprize, I've seen to your safety. Epor awaits, and I'meager to join him." She hugged me tight. "Lara, this is our way. Try to understand and accept."
I pushed her back, holding on to her arms for support. "No, I don't accept it. Keir, tell her notto do this. Command her—"
"Lara."
I looked over my shoulder to find Keir shaking his head. "In matters of bonding, I cannotcommand." His gaze flicked over to Marcus then back to me. "The choice is hers and hersalone."
I turned back to her. "Then choose to stay. I need you, Isdra." A soft cry rose from theblankets, which caught my attention and hers. "The babe needs you, too."
With a patient look, Isdra gripped my forearms and lowered me to the bed. "Lara, you are wellcared for, as will be the babe."
"I am the Warprize. I can—"
"You cannot." Isdra stood. "None have the right to interfere in a bonding, Lara. Not even aWarprize." She took a step back, and bowed her head to Keir. "Warlord."
"Warrior."
Isdra turned, but before I could protest, the tent flap opened. Chill air flowed into the tent andJoden appeared, his broad face grim.
Keir spoke first. "Joden? What is wrong?"
"The plague. It's in the camp."
Chapter 6
My father loved to dance. On impulse, he'd command the musicians to play, and would join thelords and ladies in cavorting around the throne room, anything from a stately promenade to asprightly jig. One of his favorite dances was where everyone held position when the musicstopped unexpectedly. It reduced his normally stuffy court to giggles and guffaws when theytried to keep still until the music started again. Due to Father's illness, and my less thanpopular position at court under my brother's rule, I hadn't seen that dance in years. But thatwas the memory that swirled in my head when we all froze as Jo-den's words sunk in.
Keir was the first to react, sweeping up his swords and strapping on the harnesses. "Horses?"
"Outside." Joden stepped further into the tent. "Enough for all."
"We'll go." Keir jerked a blanket from his bedroll and moved to my side. He snapped theblanket out, and wrapped it around my shoulders. I stared at him, numbed at the idea that thismight have made its way to the camp, but he gave me no chance to speak.
"I's got the supplies." Gils started packing even as Marcus moved toward the babe.
Keir had me bundled up and in his arms before I could say a word. I wrapped my arms aroundhis neck and used them to pull myself higher so that I could look over his shoulder. "Isdra?"
As if my voice had cut off the music, everyone froze again.
Isdra stood in the center of the tent, weaponless, looking naked and vulnerable. I'd never seensuch pain as I did on her face. She was torn right in two, longing pulling her in both directions.
She hesitated, licking her lips, indecisive for the first time since I had met her. Joden's faceheld a puzzled look as his eyes took in the scene, until a brief look around the tent answered hisunspoken question. He closed his eyes in pain, and the loss of Epor stabbed at my heart allover again.
In that suspended moment, Keir's lips brushed my ear with the barest of whispers. "I can't ask.
You can." He turned slightly so that I faced Isdra.
"Isdra." I made my voice firm. "I need you. You've been through this, can speak of it to theothers. I need you to stay. Please."
The pain was still in her eyes, but the uncertainty vanished. "For now, Warprize."
As if the music started again, we moved. I tightened my grip as Keir spun for the tent entrance,with Joden right behind. Marcus and Gils scrambled to follow. Isdra calmly stepped into thecorner of the tent and grasped Epor's warclub as the flap fell to cut off my view.
There were seven horses waiting outside. One, a big black horse, neighed a welcome, andadvanced to meet us. He was followed closely by my own brown mount, with the scarred chest.
Keir handed me to Joden, then swung up into the saddle of the black. I opened my mouth toprotest, since there was a horse for me to ride, but one look at Keir's face and I decided itwasn't the time to press the issue.
I did take advantage of the slight delay. "Joden, how many are sick?"
