"I will." Marcus dismounted, and removed his saddle bags. He moved over to remove Keir's saddle bags as well.
"Keir?" I asked, concerned suddenly.
He flashed a grin at me, his face boyish and relaxed. "Off your horse, my Warprize." I dismounted, a bit puzzled. Greatheart seemed to know that something was up. He danced a bit as Mar cus took off his saddle bags as well. Once that was done, Marcus and I took positions off to the side, and I watched as Keir raised his face to the skies and warbled a long cry. To a man, the warriors below turned and looked in our direction. I saw that their horses were stripped of saddle bags, even the pack horses were bare. There was a great, expectant hush that settled over all of them, man and beast.
"HEYLA!" Keir raised his arms high, palms facing out. "WE ARE HOME."
"HEYLA!" The response was loud and thunderous, and the entire army charged out onto the Plains. The warleaders, even the warrior-priest, rushed to join them. Marcus's horse and Greatheart both surged forward. Keir slid from the black's back and it launched itself forward, belling with joy. Keir moved to my side and took my hand and we watched the spectacle unfold before us. It wasn't the mad race out into the grasses that I had expected. It was a dance, the likes of which I had never seen. Eventually the swirling, interlocking patterns became clear, as horses and riders moved together. The cries of joy, laughter, and the whinnies of horses came to us on the wind. Keir laughed too, a joyful sound. I looked over, and knew I was seeing a different Keir, without the weight of worries and responsibilities on his shoulders. For the moment, he was as light-hearted and happy as I'd ever seen him. I looked back just in time to see the riders slip off their horses, as if on an unseen signal. The people started to run, forming their own patterns.
The horses danced alone now. Goddess, it was a pattern dance with the horses!
I squeezed Keir's hand. "You should be out there."
He looked over, his blue eyes alight with a smile. "I'd rather stand here and see it through your eyes." I smiled back, then turned to Marcus, who stood with his arms folded tight to his chest, under his cloak.
"Marcus, you should—"
He cut me off with a jerk of his head. "In that confusion with a blindspot? Are your wits gone?" I turned back, and knew he was right.
The celebration continued for a few more moments, then to my wonder, the warriors began to re-mount. They would come together, horse and rider both at a run, then the warrior would reach out and pop into the saddle in an instant. In awe, I watched as more and more warriors returned to their seats, with no apparent effort or mishaps.
Three horses split off from the group and headed for us at a run. Keir's black, Marcus's mount, and Greatheart not far behind. They came pounding toward us at a full gallop. Keir dropped my hand, and moved a step away. The black came charging up, Keir reached out his arm
—and was mounted and gone.
Marcus, too, was up and away.
I watched in horror as Greatheart plunged toward me at full speed. I took a step back and turned to watch as he ran by, brushing the edge of my cloak.
Greatheart pulled up short, snorting, as Keir's laughter rang out. The big brown gave me a disgruntled look, shook himself, then ambled over to bump his head against my chest. I'd clearly disappointed him. I reached up and scratched his ears as a consolation.
Keir rode up, still chuckling.
Keir re-established discipline over his tired but happy warriors. Packs and saddlebags were retrieved. The scouts were sent back out, and everyone set about making camp for the night. I watched quietly, and noticed very quickly that camp on the Plains was different than camp in the Valley of Xy. There were no trees here, so the warriors searched for dried dung in the tall grasses to use for the fires. Fire pits were cut, wide swatches of grass sliced and pulled away to reveal the earth below. Marcus explained the dangers of grass fires, and the need for extra caution when the Plains started to dry. To be honest, the openness of it all, the sheer weight of the sky on my head, was a bit overwhelming. Since Marcus wouldn't let me do any of the actual work of making camp, I distracted myself by looking at the various plants of the Plains. Who knew what healing properties there were to be discovered? I dug out one of my precious blank journals, sat in an undisturbed patch of grasses, and started in. It wasn't just grasses. There were low bushes, and smaller plants, some of which held berries. I started picking, tasting, exploring with my senses to see if I could determine what they might do. If I picked and dried some leaves, I'd brew a few teas and drink them, being very careful to go slowly. This was more Eln's area of expertise than mine, so I'd make some observations, and then send him a few bundles with the next messenger.
I wasn't aware of the passage of time, until a voice cut through my studies. "Ah, my heart is filled with pain."
I looked up. The day had drawn on, arid from the scent on the air Marcus was preparing our nooning for us. Keir was stretched out full length, the plants matted below him, looking at the sky. His hands were folded, resting on his chest. "Keir?"
"My love disregards me, neglects me, for another."
I smiled, tucking the last of the leaves into my journal and closing it firmly as he continued. "What is a Warlord to do, when another attracts the eye of his Warprize?" he asked of the open sky. "When she snubs and igno—"
I cut him off with a kiss, which only ended when we both needed air. He broke it off with a laugh.
"Fool of a Warlord." I smiled, and used a piece of grass to stroke his cheek. He arched an eyebrow, with a gleam in his eyes. "I call your name, but you ignore me, your nose buried deep in dried grasses. What is a Warlord to think?"
"I'll show you." I leaned in closer to whisper in his ear. "In our tent. Tonight." His smile widened, and he rolled over, slipping his arm around my waist. "Why delay, Warprize? The tent is set up, and is but a few steps away." His voice was low and rough and even through our clothing I could feel his heat. "We could—" "WARLORD!!! EHATS!!!"
Chapter 3
"Ehats?"
Keir bounced up immediately and I was right behind. I'd heard so much about these animals, I couldn't wait to see one. The closest I'd come was when the warriors had stomped around the living chess board, pretending to be ehats. I stuffed my journal in my satchel, took Keir's hand, and let him pull me through the grass.
Marcus was before our tent with a scout and Tant. Others were gathering, drawn by the news. The scout and Tant were both grinning like fools as Keir strode up. "Ehats?" Keir asked again. The scout's smile grew broader. "Four ehats, Warlord."
Keir stopped, stunned. Then his face hardened. "You lie."
