"If Keir dies, we will need someone to lead this army."
Yers gave him a searching look. "You side with Iften?"
Joden sighed deeply. "I have no love of Iften. But don't let your bias against him blind you tohis actions. Perhaps what he is doing is a wise precaution, given the way things are."
The way things are. From where we stood, I had a clear view of the lake shore. People beingimmersed in the water in a desperate attempt to bring down their fevers. Iwatched for a moment, then asked a question I didn't really want an answer to.
"How goes it?" I asked, turning my head to focus on Gils.
Gils shifted his weight nervously, adjusting the strap of Ms satchel, looking everywhere but atme.
"The truth, Gils." I said.
'Tell her." Yers said.
Gils sighed. "The deaths continue. About one dead for every ten sick."
I lifted my eyes in the direction of the village, where black smoke rose into the sky. One forevery ten, in an army of thousands.
"But, Warprize, I's thinking that there are fewer new sick in the last few hours." Gils spokequickly, trying to offer reassurance.
Yers nodded. "I agree. And the warriors are all cooperating to aid the sick. We will fight on,Warprize."
"Joden," I turned to the large man, his broad face grim and unsmiling. "Would you continueKeir's work with the army? Keeping their spirits and minds focused as he did?"
Joden was silent for a moment, staring at the shoreline. He spoke, but would not meet my eyes.
"I would decline, Warprize. My place is to assist with the dead."
"I will take up that task, Warprize." Yers covered an awkward silence with his words. "Itshould be mine anyway, since I am now Keir's Third."
I nodded, then watched as they both walked off. Not once did Joden look at me.
"I's never thought I'd witness anything like this." Gils's voice brought me back.
"It only happens once in a lifetime." I responded.
"Once in a lifetime will be enough, Warprize." Gils heaved a deep sigh, then adjusted the strapof his satchel. He looked me up and down with concern. "See that you eat and rest, Warprize."
Prest snorted and I laughed out loud at the gangly lad with his red curls, freckles andoh-so-serious face who stood before me, looking offended. It seemed he was trying to soundlike Marcus. My apprentice, who learned so much so fast in the short time we'd been together.
He'd grown before my eyes, older suddenly, with an air of confidence that he hadn't had before.
"I will, Gils."
"See that you do." He huffed.
"I promise."
He grinned then, like the boy he was.
"Prest, I want you to help Gils. Be sure to check on Rafe."
Prest frowned at me.
"You'll do more good among the sick. Isdra and Marcus will aid me."
Prest gave one of his shrugs in response. "Very well, Warprize. Call if you need aid."
