"Heyla!" Keir called out, and the crowd around us returned his call with a loud shout ofapproval.
"Behold, the last two that contest for the position of the Warprize's guard. They both meet withmy approval, and so the winner of this combat shall have the position."
Another cry of approval went up. Keir had met with each of the candidates the night before,talking to them about their duties and responsibilities. The man he knew from other campaigns.
The woman had battle experience, but this was her first time under Keir's command. Yers hadgiven them both praise and Isdra told Keir she could work with either one. Marcus hadn't hadanything negative to say, other than his usual complaints.
"But this position requires one who is sharp of skill and wits. Who can both attack and protect.
So, I have decided to change the rules." That brought quiet, as everyone leaned forward, intenton Keir's words. He smiled, his dark hair shining in the sun. "Marcus. Rafe."
Marcus and Rafe moved to stand together, back to back, with something in their hands. Theyeach paced out five steps, and then knelt to press something into the ground.
"Hear now the rules for this combat. Behind each warrior is a horsehair braid, tied between twostakes, a hands-length above the ground. The goal is to cut your opponent's braid. Do youunderstand?"
Ander and Yveni both considered the ground as Rafe and Marcus moved away. They studiedthe stakes and the braids, and then took positions in front of them, facing each other.
Sal was to judge the combat, and she stepped forward at Keir's nod. "Are you ready,warriors?"
They'd barely nodded when Sal cried "Begin!'' They sprang forward, their blades clashed, thecrowd roared, and the fight was on.
They were both using swords and shields and moved so fast I was sure to miss something if Iblinked. The location of the stakes restricted their movements. While there was no formalcircle, the warriors never wandered far from their braids. Keir and I were seated on a bit ofhigher ground, giving us a better view. Rafe and Prest were behind me, Isdra at my side,watching with a careful eye.
Iften and the Warrior-Priest were off to one side, also using the rise to their advantage, butmaking sure not to come close to Keir and I. The warrior-priest had a sullen look, but Iftenseemed to be awfully pleased with himself, almost happy. I narrowed my eyes, trying to get abetter look at his arm, which was hanging loosely at his side. I'd been told that the healing hadtaken place, with the sounds of chanting coming from Iftens's tent, with clouds of purple-bluesmoke billowing from the tent. But I couldn't get a very good look, with all the people in theway.
The Warrior-Priest was unhappy because Keir had warned off the rest of his party. He'd toldthem to return to the Plains, bearing the message concerning what had happened here. By thetime he'd crawled into our bed, he'd been hoarse from the shouting. But the messages had beenunderstood, and they departed in haste from the area. Apparently warrior-priests travel withsome kind of servants, who care for their needs. Being without didn't strike the wild man'sfancy.
In the morning light, my first impression still stood. The man wore only leather trous, and aratty fur cloak. The colors in the tattoos were very bright, and I wondered how that was done. Ididn't recognize any of the designs. And his hair! I thought it looked remarkably like a rat'snest, but I kept my opinion to myself. From the way people were standing upwind, he still hadn'tgotten rid of the skunk smell.
I forced my attention back to the fighting. Ander and Yveni moved, considering one another,each looking for an advantage. They'd exchange ringing blows, and then break off. To my eyeit seemed they were evenly matched, with no one having a true advantage over the other.
Ander seemed to have a bit more power behind his blows, but Yveni had greater speed.
The fight continued, but my gaze was drawn back to Iften. Was it possible that he'd beenhealed? I looked back just in time to see the warrior-priest hand him something that lookedlike gurt, only brown in color. Iften placed it in his mouth, and started chewing.
I stiffened. His right hand, his sword arm. He'd used it with no obvious pain, grasping the foodwith fingers that I'd seen swollen and numb. The same arm that Isdra had broken.
How was that possible?
THWACK.
I flinched, and turned at the sound. Ander's sword had bit deep into the wood of Yveni's shield.
He tugged hard, but the blade did not come loose.
Yveni moved back, trying to pull the sword from Ander's hand. He followed, trying to rock theblade from its prison. Ander concentrated on his sword, never once watching his feet. Sheyanked the shield back again, dancing a few paces sideways. Ander followed, intent on hisweapon.
It was the laughter from the crowd that finally drew his attention, making him look up and takestock of his situation. Yveni had danced him around, moving both of them, until she stood amere step from Ander's braid. Her sword arm was extended, the tip of her blade just under thetaut braid.
Yveni grinned at him, her teeth flashing.
Ander shook his head, then laughed, raising both hands in the air.
A roar of approval went up as Yveni cut the braid.
In Xy, chess matches are quiet things. Two players, sitting at a table in silence, making moveson a board,
It was an entirely different matter for the Firelanders.
