For a woman of the city. Have no fear. All will be well."
"Why such a long face, Warprize?" Isdra took over for Jo-den, and had me on her saddle in amoment.
"Isdra, if one more person pats me on the head like a child and tells me not to worry, I amgoing to scream."
Isdra laughed. "You can't blame them. For us, one who bears no weapons is as a babe, to beprotected and coddled."
I paused, uncertain. Isdra seemed so confident, so sure of herself. I wasn't sure that myconfidences would be welcome or tolerated. "Isdra, Marcus said that you and Epor arebonded."
"Marcus told you that?" Isdra's voice rose in surprise. Next thing I knew, Isdra had bells inher horse's mane, and we were being avoided by those around us. "Warprize, I must ask foryour token."
I blinked, taken aback, but I fumbled in my pocket for a stone I had learned to carry. "Have Ioffended?"
"No." Isdra took the token over her shoulder and held it in her hand. "At least, you have notoffended me. Lara, I would tell you something that is known, but not discussed. Do youunderstand?"
"Yes. I think so. Something that everyone knows, but it's not talked about." I groped forwords. "Like the people in Xy avoid talking about my brother's death. For fear of my grief. Oranger."
"Aye. You have it." Isdra nodded, then took a deep breath. "Lara, Marcus was bonded."
"Really?" I jerked my head around, to spot Marcus be-hind us. His chin was on his chest, andhe appeared to be sleeping in the saddle as his horse walked along. "But his ear—" I stoppedmyself. His left ear had been burned away in the accident that left him scarred.
Isdra nodded again. "Aye, his ear spiral melted away with his flesh. I do not know the details,Lara. Don't ask him, even with token in hand, bells all around, and the Warlord at your side.
Marcus is known to lash out when the topic is raised. Epor and I try to be considerate, but weknow we cause him pain. I was surprised when the Warlord named us your guards, to be opento the skies."
"Oh, Goddess. Was she killed, Isdra?"
Isdra shook her head. "I will say no more, Lara. For lack of knowledge, and for courtesy. But ifyou wish to speak of bonding. I will chatter like the magpie I am." I could almost feel her grinas she handed back my token.
"Tell me about bonding."
"I'll say to you as I would teach a young one. Not to offend, but to inform." I could hear arhythm in her voice, as if she were reciting it as she had been taught. She took my silence forassent, and continued. "Here is the way of the Plains. Once the required babes are birthed, andhonor won through battle, one has the freedom to choose to enter a bond. Bonding binds twosouls, and as with all bindings it can cause pain as well as pleasure. Where once one mind andbody worked together, now so must two mesh. This is more of a challenge than the fiercestbattle, for a battle lasts but hours, but the work of a bond is constant and never-ending.
Adjusting to each other, the bond grows or withers with every breath. Rare is a bonding, butwhen it is found, it is priceless in the joy it bestows."
"You can't bond until you have had children?"
"And served the tribes as a warrior, yes."
"So," I licked my lips. "Bonded couples don't sleep with others?"
Isdra was silent for a moment. "I have heard that Xyians have different customs than we do.
How do you mean, 'sleep'?"
My face grew hot, and I was just as glad that she couldn't see me. "For a man and a woman tohe together. To touch in ways that bring pleasure to both of them."
"Ah. Then yes, bonded couples do not 'sleep' with others."
"How does that—" I fumbled my words, unsure of what I really wanted to ask. "How does thatfeel?"
Isdra seemed to understand what I was asking. "Ah, Lara, Epor is my heart's fire."
She turned her head and my eyes followed. Epor was off to the side, riding about a horse-lengthin front of us. His blond braid was shining gold in the sun, and the light caught the beads andwire woven into his ear. One of the other riders said something, and Epor threw his head backand laughed. I felt Isdra sigh, as she looked ahead. "He's a fine-looking man, Isdra."
"Oh, yes."
"Was there a ceremony?" I asked.
