The crowd responded, their voice in such unison that it raised the hairs on the back of my neck.
"We thank the elements."
"The earth supports you." Ortis said, his voice a bit louder and stronger.
"We thank the elements."
"The waters sustain you."
"We thank the elements." I joined in, stumbling over the phrase.
"The air fills you."
"We thank the elements."
Ortis stood. "We thank the elements, for the life of this child and the power of the Warprize."
A loud cry of triumph and thanks rose as people stood and somehow made their way to Isdra'sside, to touch the baby's foot or cheek in farewell. There were no open smiles, but many facesfilled with a quiet joy and tears. Many nodded to me as well, although I was too numb toappreciate it. When the crowd was down to just a few, Ortis spoke again. "You are exhausted,Warprize. Let us tend to her."
"She needs to be upright, Ortis, and her lungs kept clear." I looked up at him, my tears fallingdown my face.
Meara's cries were softer now, and her coughing was mere hiccups. Isdra had her on hershoulder, patting her back gently. Someone provided a warm blanket and Marcus draped itover Meara carefully. My tears spilled as they worked, watching as Isdra made sure her tinyfeet were well covered against the cold.
We stood, but when I reached for the babe Marcus put his hand on my arm. "No, Warprize."
"You have been ill." Ortis used the Xyian word. "Many hands will care for her, Warprize. Itwill raise our spirts to tend her."
Isdra looked over at me, the bundle in her arms. "I'll make sure she is cared for, Lara."
I nodded, biting my lip, noting the lines of pain on her face. As she turned I managed to croakout her name, unable to voice my true fear. "Isdra?"
She stopped, but did not turn for a moment. Then she turned her head and gave me a grimsmile. "I've given you my word, Lara."
Marcus stood, and wrapped an arm around my shoulders as she and the others carried Mearaaway.
"Strip. You need to be out of those wet clothes." Marcus urged me into the stilltent.
I was so numb it was all I could do to stand there. "You're just as wet."
Marcus chuffed at me. "I'll send for clothes for both of us." He stepped outside the tent for amoment, calling to someone. I managed to lift my hands to the collar of my tunic, but stoppedthere, unable to move. Marcus entered, and without a word lifted the tunic off and over myhead. 'The living need you, Warprize. More than the dead. You should return to the commandtent. I've cleaned any trace of that fool."
"I need to be here, Marcus." I wanted the familiar surroundings of my medicines and herbs,more comforting by far. I shivered, and he pulled a blanket from my pallet and wrapped itaround me. The rough blanket warmed quickly against my skin.
Without a word, Marcus reached under the blanket and pulled down my trous, then sat medown on a stump so that he could remove my boots. He didn't give me time to be embarrassed,just matter-of-factly removed my wet things from around my feet. "Kavage. Kavage, soup andsleep. Best thing for you now."
I clutched the blanket tight around me, knowing that his fussing covered his own exhaustion.
"You're tired too, Marcus."
"I have not been ill." Marcus pulled off my boot. "And have no plans to be, either. What willHisself be thinking, if he sees you like this?"
Tears filled my eyes at the thought. He'd blame me for the babe, blame me for all of this andrightly so. "We should send word. Tell him what happened before someone else does."
"I did, Warprize." Marcus's voice was soft. "He will be told."
There was a noise at the tent entrance. Marcus intercepted whoever it was quickly. "Herenow. Herself has rules about privacy, yes? Don't come barging in without asking, eh?"
He returned with a bundle of clothes and hot kavage. He poured a cup for me, and placed abowl of soup close at hand. He watched me take my first sip. I frowned at him, standing there inhis leathers, soaked to the skin. "Change, Marcus."
