Wild Winds was an imposing figure, with those matted braids, and the tattoos that covered his body. The dim light made it seem as if they moved, intertwining, dancing over his skin to the sound of Wild Winds's voice. The skulls seemed to tremble with the sound, turning to grin at me. I blinked a bit, sat up straighter, and tried not to breathe so deeply.
"We are of the elements," Wild Winds spoke as the others continued the chant. "Flesh, breath, soul, and blood." He reached and pressed his right hand down on Sako's left hand. "The soul is made of fire, and sits within the left hand."
The boy gasped at his touch, his whole body jerking, his eyes flying open. Wild Winds reached over and brushed his hand over them, and Sako closed them in obedience.
"The breath is made of air, and sits within the right hand." Wild Winds pressed on Sako's right hand. The boy's breathing was slowing again, as his body relaxed. I watched carefully, trying to see a change in his condition.
"The blood is made of water, and sits within the left foot." Wild Winds reached for the boy's foot and I re membered where I'd heard these words before. That night, in Keir's tent, after he'd attacked Lord Durst in the heat of anger. He'd used the same phrases. I tried to use them on Keir when he'd been ill, but I'd gotten it wrong.
Wild Winds pressed the boy's right foot. "The flesh is made of earth and sits within the right foot." He leaned back on his heels. "The elements will heal you, warrior of the Plains." The brazier had stopped smoking, and the air was beginning to clear. Wild Winds reached out, and pulled the boy's blanket higher, over his shoulders. "Sleep now." Sako stirred, opened his eyes and smiled into that fearsome face. "My thanks, Eldest Warrior-Priest." He yawned, and blinked sleepily. "You have honored me."
"Sleep." Wild Winds rose. The others were rousing as well, lifting their heads, and looking about as if con fused. He looked down at them sternly. "Air the tent, but keep him warm."
"Our thanks, Eldest Warrior-Priest," Inde spoke, even as she and the other woman moved to obey, but Tant paused before me.
"I'm sorry, Warprize. I feared that the plague was here."
"You did the right thing, Tant." I stood as well, and gathered up my satchel. "We can't take any chances." Tant nodded his head, and moved to help the others.
"I will escort you to your tent," Wild Winds said, retrieving his cloak and pulling his staff from the ground. He held the flap open and I emerged into the fresh, cool air. A breeze had sprung up, and I wrapped my cloak around me, even as Wild Winds brought his own over his shoulders.
Apparently, even warrior-priests could feel cold.
Amyu and the guards were waiting, and they stepped back as Wild Winds walked past them. I fell into step beside him, and Amyu and the others followed behind, silent.
After a moment, I risked a question. "What was in the smoke?"
"What was in the jar?" Wild Winds fired back.
"Fever's foe," I answered, using the Xyian words. "You make it by—"
"You'd share that?" He stopped and stared at me. "With me?" I stood, and stared right back at him, ignoring the tattoos and focused on his eyes. "Yes." We stood there in silence. I refused to look away as he studied me. One of my curls chose that moment to work its way loose, and float down to dance in the breeze.
Wild Winds spun on his heel, and strode off.
I had to run a few paces to catch up, determined to walk beside him, and not behind. The way before us was crowded with people and horses, but it cleared, as all who saw Wild Winds coming yielded the way.
The silence between us continued until I broke it again. "I thought you were in senel with the Council."
"I was, until word came that your affliction had appeared." He spared me a glance. "We are not stupid, Xyian. Whether it is an affliction or your 'illness', we fear your unseen enemy."
"I never said you were stupid," I answered hotly, and would have said more but for the obstacle in our path. A jumble of children and wooden swords came crashing out of a nearby tent. Absorbed in their game, they attacked each other in a flurry of blows, causing them to trip and fall over each other, and sprawl at our feet.
"What is this?" Wild Winds demanded, glaring down at them.
Three heads, covered in red curls, popped up. Pale faces, covered in freckles, went even paler, as three pairs of green eyes widened in horror at the sight of the warrior-priest. I gasped. Gils . . .
A woman's voice rose from a tent, seeking the three troublemakers. That set the boys scrambling away through the tents, disappearing as quick as their legs could carry them. Wild Winds snorted, and continued on his way.
I hesitated, but Amyu and my guards pressed me, and we followed behind.
Wild Winds didn't speak until we arrived at my tent. He turned to face me, folding his arms over his chest. His glare didn't bother me in the slightest. I just stood there, and crossed my arms too. And narrowed my eyes for good measure. "I do not understand your healing," I said.
"I do not understand yours," he replied.
"You use no herbs."
"You do not invoke the elements."
