"As will I." Marcus added.
"As will I." Gils echoed, his voice cracking. Keir looked at him oddly. "No, Warlord, I dounderstand. Better than you think."
Keir nodded. "My thanks." Nothing more was said, but I let my confusion go as Keir reachedfor the cup with shaking hands. I helped him, and he drank it quickly, grimacing at the taste.
Something about that teased at my memory as he smiled at me and spoke.
"I will fight this."
The bile rose in my throat as he repeated Epor's very words. I jerked my head up, meetingIsdra's eyes, which held the same horror that mine did. But the others did not know and Imanaged to control my face before they could see.
Keir was relaxing, letting the sleepease do its work. "Warprize."
I leaned over him. "Keir?"
"As Warlord, and Overlord of Xy, I command your obedience to my will. Return to Water'sFall."
I lowered my lips to his ear. "My heart's fire, there is only one way to make me obey yourcommand."
He turned his head slightly, his eyes unfocused. But I could see the question in his eyes.
"Live."
That heady feeling of command that I'd had a few days before had been replaced withbone-chilling terror. The warleaders, or their representatives, were looking to me to makedecisions that affected an entire army. I felt the weight of that responsibility press down on me,knowing for the first time the burden Keir carried with him every day. I'd asked Joden toattend as well, hoping that his presence would help. But he stood to the side, and kept his eyesfixed on the ground before him.
The wind blew my hair into my face, and I pulled it back with one hand. We were outside thecommand tent, standing in a loose circle, as many as could gather. Iften stood to the side. Prestwas behind me, as was Isdra. I'd insisted that we meet here, because I didn't want Keirdisturbed, nor did I want him to try to participate. He needed every bit of strength to fight hisbattles with the sickness. Marcus remained with Keir.
I was frozen with fear, standing before them. My teeth wanted to worry my lower lip, but Istopped myself. I needed to be confident and strong before these warleaders. Or, at least, tolook the part. Why hadn't I asked Marcus who to trust, or paid more attention during thesenels Keir had called?
I'd managed to convince the Council of Xy that being Warprize was best for my country andmyself. But I'd understood the motives and desires of the Council mem-bers, and managed tolearn enough, fast enough, to make a strong argument. But I felt lost in this military setting.
What did I know about the command structure, or who did what? I cursed myself for a fool, andvowed to pay more attention in the future.
If I had a future.
A mug of kavage was placed in my hand. All had been served, and now all eyes turned towardme as silence fell.Blessed Goddess, please help me.
I'd start where Keir would start. "The Warlord has taken ill." No looks of surprise on any face,so I took a breath and continued. "So let us consider the status of the army and what needs tobe done. Where is Sal?"
A woman took a step forward and inclined her head to me. "Warprize, Sal has been ill. She is inthe coughing stage and sends her regrets. I am Telsi. Supplies are holding, although I fearwe've come very close to stripping the area."
She started to go into detail, and I blessed the precious moments it gave me to think. I lookedcasually about, but I couldn't seem to remember anything about anyone. A sense of panic rose,then in my mind's eye I saw Master Eln, standing in his still room, stirring a pot. "If the
Kingdom were ill, what would you do?"
"What?"
"If the kingdom were to somehow stumble into the clinic, weak and ill, what would you do
first? "
I'd look at the symptoms and diagnose. I blinked, thinking it through. I'd determine the extentand the nature of the illness and I'd cure it.
I shifted my gaze to the side where Iften stood, a smug look on his face. No doubt there, of allthe warleaders he was the sickest, his hatred of Keir an oozing, pus-filled wound. Wesren stoodnext to him, shoulder to shoulder. He had the illness as well, but not quite as bad. It was morelike Wesren agreed with everything Iften said, instead of opposing Keir.
Something eased in my chest. I could do this.
Telsi was finishing her report. "We will be fine for at least a few more days, but Sal asks thatyou advise when she can send out hunting parties further afield."
