I'd brought the feeding cup, and Isdra filled it with water, trying to get her to drink. But thelittle lips were limp, and she did not swallow.
"Here, let me try." Marcus switched Meara into Isdra's arms. The wet tip of Isdra's braid,Meara's favorite toy, brushed against her cheek. Meara opened her eyes to look at Isdra. Thewoman warrior crooned to her. "You'll be fine, little one."
Meara closed her eyes, hiccuped and drew a last breath.
I knew, oh Goddess, I knew. One so small, so tiny. I reached out and grabbed Marcus's arm ashe lifted the feeding cup. He looked up startled, staring into my face as I shook my head,unable to speak the words. Then he knew as well, and the pain tore though him. "Skies, no."
He raised his head, and let out an anguished cry.
Isdra threw her head back as well, wailing to the skies.
An answering lament rose from the shore. The crowd that had gathered raised their voices asone, sending a mournful cry like I had never heard into the air. For all the warriors that haddied, I'd seen no outward grief. But for a tiny baby of a Xyian village, these hardened warriorsraised their voices in sorrow, tears in their eyes.
But the sight of Marcus's head thrown back, his neck taut, his pain raw filled my soul with rage.
I snatched Meara from Isdra's arms and flipped her over, cradling her chest in one hand. "No,no, no." I denied this was happening even as I slapped my hand down on her tiny back. Thiscan't happen, I won't let it happen, Goddess, please, Skies,please.
I struck her again, and again, turning as Marcus reached to stop me, calling out to any powerthat would hear, begging—
Meara took a breath.
I froze as I felt the movement of her chest, holding my own breath as I waited for more, turningagain to avoid Isdra, hoping—
Meara took another breath, and then my heart leapt as a cry, a wonderful, angry cry filled theair.
Isdra and Marcus were beside me, and helped me lift
Meara up onto my shoulder, crying and coughing and spitting her outrage.
Joyous voices rose from the beach, and we staggered back through the water, supporting eachother. Many hands reached out to help us as we drew near, pulling us onto the shore, takinggreat care not to disturb the crying babe in my arms. As one, we sank to our knees, as thosearound us knelt as well. I lay my head on Isdra's shoulder, crying, as Meara's keeningcontinued and the crowd swirled around us.
Meara was furious, her eyelashes thick and dark with tears. Someone handed us a dryingcloth, and Isdra took the babe to get her dry. I reached to cradle her cold foot in the palm of myhand, trying to warm her perfect little toes, never so happy to hear a baby cry. With one armaround Isdra's shoulders, I closed my eyes, and we rocked her gently. Just a babe, the last ofher village, whose name I'd lost. The scent of lavender still lingered on her skin. So close, sovery close.
What's a babe, amidst all the dead about us? Yet all hovered about, enjoying the miracle of achild almost lost to us. I drew a ragged breath, wishing I could voice my joy. But I was soexhausted, all I could do was lean against Isdra, and try to stifle my sobs.
"So this is what comes, of being accursed." Iften's voice cut through my sorrow. He wasstanding there, outside the mourners, his hands on his hips. "This city-dweller's filth threatenschildren."
Marcus glared at him. "We are not accursed."
"Cover yourself, cripple." Iften's lip curled in a sneer. "You offend the skies, and the verywaters of this lake."
I caught my breath, expecting an explosion. But Mar-cus flinched back, and sagged to theground, flinging one arm up over his head.
"We are not accursed." Isdra spat. "It is an illness, as the Warprize has said."
There was a rustle in the crowd about us, and from nowhere a cloak appeared. Marcus grabbedfor it, and was soon wrapped in its folds. He said nothing.
"As the Warprize has said." Iften scoffed, pointing off in the distance to the smoke rising onthe horizon. "Such a comfort, her brave words. But one less body to add to her tally, eh? Onemore she sickened so she could claim to have healed?"
Marcus struggled to his feet, but I grabbed his arm, holding him back. Isdra glared at Iften,clutching the babe to her shoulder.
"For myself, I will offer to the elements to protect what is left of this army. And leave you toyour business." Iften turned, and stalked off.
Marcus collapsed back onto the ground, and I leaned into him. He wrapped his arm around me,sharing his cloak. We sat in silence for long moments, the crowd about us quiet, as if in shock.
Warm hands touched mine and I turned my head to find Ortis kneeling next to me, that huge,lumbering man with the deep voice. His hands were a warm contrast to mine. "Joden is nothere. May I do the honor?"
I didn't know what he meant, but Marcus and Isdra both nodded, so I did too. Ortis sat back onhis heels, and spoke. "The fire warms you."
