The anger deepened upon the features of Galiose, and his hand left my shoulder at the reminder of my previously stated position. “You refuse to address them?” he demanded, his anger quite cold.
“Have I not said so?” I asked most reasonably. “Is Galiose now prepared to face me with sword?”
The male stared at me for a moment, then he turned angrily to another who stood beside him. “When the wenches have gathered,” he snapped to the second male, “I, myself, shall address them!” Then he walked from all to stand alone, his gaze lost among those who continued to arrive.
Ceralt, beside me, uttered a small sound of surprise, and I turned to see that he, too, gazed upon my warriors, yet was there little to be seen among them to cause surprise. One group of perhaps two hands of warriors stood somewhat apart, and happily engaged themselves in a game of stone casting. The game was one for young warriors-to-be, ones who had not yet learned the full way of weapons, and my warriors, having had their weapons taken from them, used the game to keep hand and eye well honed. They each held large stones in both hands, and circled warily, watching in all directions, for one must cast as well as evade during the game. To be hit meant loss of game, and each might choose her target as she would. Those who succeeded in scoring hits while remaining untouched themselves formed a later, smaller set, to produce the winner of all. Once had I seen two excellent warriors facing one another, each well skilled in meeting her mark, each as fleet of movement as a nilno on the run, and then did the game take on a true beauty, a dedication to the glory of all Midanna. As I watched, Gimin, who played as well as one might, cast her stone and threw herself to the left, thereby evading a stone cast at her. Her stone landed well and truly, striking a tall, light-haired warrior upon the forehead, and the warrior fell senseless to the ground, as yet unknowing that her place in the game had been lost. Three others were quickly struck as well, the game proceeding slowly as was to be expected when played by warriors of skill, yet were there suddenly males among them, seizing the stones left to the players and angrily casting them aside, then roughly pulling my warriors away to stand beside them as they spoke more angrily yet. Those warriors who lay upon the ground were anxiously tended to by other males, who seemed quite beside themselves at the condition of the fallen. Most annoyed were the others at their game having been disrupted, and well was I able to appreciate their view, yet Ceralt nodded in approval of the disruption, and then folded his arms.
“Well halted,” he muttered. “The foolish wenches would all be senseless, were it to be allowed to continue. It is easily seen that all the Hosta require those with wits to guide them.”
“The Hosta require only their freedom and weapons,” said I. “Had their weapons not been taken, little need would there have been for indulgence in a child’s game.”
“A child’s game!” exclaimed Ceralt. “You cannot mean that children are permitted so dangerous an activity?”
I gazed with puzzlement upon him, for his meaning was unclear. “Children are not permitted such activities,” I informed him slowly. “The Hosta young are taught such games, preparing them for the battles of adulthood. How else are warriors to be made?”
Quite long and soberly did Ceralt gaze upon me without speaking. “The making of warriors,” he muttered faintly. “Praise be to the Serene Oneness that such is no longer to be done.”
Frowning, I was about to pursue such an odd statement, yet Galiose chose then to approach, grasp my arm, and roughly lead me to the edge of the set of steps. Nearly all of my warriors stood before us with the males who had taken them, and many eyes watched the actions of the High Seat, and listened for the words he would address to them. Galiose stared about at warrior and male alike, and then his head raised slightly as his hand still grasped my arm.
“Heed my words!” said he in a voice which carried easily to all. “The city of Ranistard has welcomed the presence of Hosta wenches, yet have these selfsame wenches returned the welcome with ungrateful and shameful rovings in the darkness! The activities which the Hosta have indulged in shall cease, and cease immediately, else shall their leader, Jalav here, be punished for their actions! Should you not wish to see this wench hung by the wrists in the city’s center and beaten, pass the darkness in peace with those men who have claimed you! I, Galiose, High Seat of Ranistard, have spoken, and shall not speak again upon the matter!”
An angry mutter arose from my warriors, and a growl grew as resentment against such reference to a war leader fired my warriors’ blood. The males among them attempted to silence them, but they were unwilling to be silenced. Movement was there, here and there among the throng, and Galiose frowned mightily at such reaction to his words, Foolish, indeed, was the High Seat of Ranistard—thought he that Hosta warriors would be pleased to hear of proposed pain to be given their war leader? No more than a moment did I stand in such silent consideration of the throng, then I, too, raised my voice.
“The Hosta have ever been free to act as they would!” said I above my warriors’ growls. “Let it continue to be so as long as they live!”
Cries of, “Jalav!” and “War leader!” came in salute from my warriors, in concert with their laughter, and the fingers of Galiose tightened about my arm.
“Bravely spoken,” said he for my ears alone, and his dark eyes showed hard and grudging respect. “Yet, should the matter come to it, wench, the lash shall be given unstintingly. Best you hope that it may be received with equal bravery.”
Briefly, I shrugged as I met his gaze. “Should Mida wish it so,” said I, “it shall be so. Jalav lives in accordance with the will of Mida.”
“And I in accordance with the will of the Serene Oneness,” said Galiose, and his hand left my arm. “Perhaps they shall, at some future time, move us both in concert.” Then his eyes left me, to touch Ceralt and Telion, and one or two others. “Return your wenches to your homes,” said Galiose to them, “and then attend me in my study with your full force. Plans have been made, and I would have you know of them.”
The males nodded in obedience to Galiose, and soon were my warriors and I separated once more, with no opportunity for speech among us. Most anxious had I been to speak of my thoughts upon leaving Ranistard, yet were none allowed to approach me, though Larid and Gimin and Fayan wished to do so. All were taken firmly away by the males who stood beside them, and I saw with amusement that Fayan still refused to acknowledge the presence of Nidisar. Quite irate did Nidisar appear to be at such a condition, yet, despite the fact that Fayan limped somewhat, as though in pain, she was Hosta warrior enough to discount that and continue as she would. Most pleased was I with the warrior Fayan, and pleased, too, was I to learn that the dwelling of Telion lay closest to that of Ceralt. Larid was taken there as I was led by Ceralt to his own entrance, and once inside, Ceralt laughed at the evidence of the chill upon me, then left once more, saying he would return as soon as might be, and I was to remain within the dwelling. Most happily did I remain within, for I wished to think further about leaving Ranistard, and also to speculate upon the plans which Galiose had spoken of. Did the males concern themselves with that which would interest the Hosta? That they sought the third Crystal, I well knew, yet were they prepared to act in an attempt to reach it? Slowly I mounted the steps which led to Ceralt’s room, and thoughtfully I stretched myself upon the cloth before the fire. The hind passed in silent contemplation of the future, only once disturbed by the arrival of Inala with something to feed upon. I fed as silently as I had lain, and then returned to my thoughts alone.
I knew naught of Ceralt’s arrival till the hunter’s arms circled me and pulled me to him, and so eager was he for the use of Jalav, he took me there, upon the cloth before the fire. Most surprising were these actions, yet Ceralt refused to speak of it. His need well seen to, we descended to the room of red silk, partook of the meal set before us by Inala, then returned once more to the room. Firmly was I lifted to the platform, and small chance had I to descend again, for the darkness was filled with Ceralt’s need, which seemed to be immense. No understanding had I of why, yet was I used to satisfaction and beyond, without halt, till the new light was little more than a hin away, then was I held to the broad chest of Ceralt, as the hunter knotted his fingers within my hair. My face was raised by the pull upon my hair, and the hunter pressed his lips to mine with great heat, then he chuckled.