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.”
I sucked in a breath at the insult, since there’d been no exchange of tokens. But the scout merely threw his head back and laughed. “I knew those would be your words, and can’t fault you, Warlord. But may the skies and the earth witness that I speak true. Four ehats, young males, away from the herd, unmated and qualified for hunting.”
Everyone stood there, stunned.
“Four ehats, Warlord.” The scout patiently repeated himself. “As many as the elements themselves, and upwind of the camp.” He paused for effect. “At least, for the moment.”
“Four,” breathed Keir. “A gift from the elements.”
“Or a challenge.” Joden spoke from behind us.
“Either way, it’s one I will take.” Keir looked back at the scout. “If this is true, I’ll honor you with first meats. If false, I’ll kill you with my own hands.”
“Done,” the scout responded, still grinning. “Know that you will gift the first meats to Lail of the Badger.”
“Summon the warleaders, but use no cries,” Keir ordered.
Warriors ran off, in every direction.
“We’ll need musk teams and kill teams, ten members each,” Keir snapped out. “Marcus, gather what we need for the musk teams, four in all.” With a nod Marcus disappeared to do his bidding.
“You’ll try for them all?” Joden demanded.
Keir gave him a defiant look. “The skies favor the bold, Joden.” Keir turned to face me, then looked back over his shoulder. “Besides, you need something to sing of, yes?”
Only I saw the look of shock on Joden’s face.
Keir faced me, his eyes alight. “An ehat hunt, Lara. It’s rare enough to find two, but four is unheard of. We will try to take all of them, together.”
“It’s dangerous, isn’t it?” I asked, stepping closer.
The warleaders were coming from all across the camp; I only had a moment to express my concern.
Keir drew me close, and lowered his voice. “Death comes in an instant, Lara. We both know that. But ehats are the finest meat on the Plains, and the leather, wool, everything down to the gut is valued for its use. Four ehats will fill the hands of all my warriors, and their hearts with the glory of the tale.”
I kissed him gently. “Have a care, my Warlord, for you carry my heart with you.”
I stepped back as Yers ran up, with Iften and Wesren right behind. The warleaders were gathered now, and Keir stepped forward. Yers smiled at him, with no hesitation. “Four ehats, Warlord? Simus will curse that he was not here.”
“Is this wise, Warlord?” Ortis asked, his voice carefully neutral. “To risk for all, when we could easily take one?”
“Perhaps we should let them go, to appease the elements,” Aret offered. She took one look at Keir’s face and hastily added, “In case we have offended.”
Sal snorted.
Iften stood, his arms crossed over his chest. “We are not worthy of this gift.”
Keir’s face was tight with anger, but he controlled it. “Our skill at the hunt will show our worth. Any who think they are unworthy,” he glared at Iften, “or have offended,” he moved his glare to Aret, “they are free to decline the hunt.” His upper lip curled. “They can chant for their evening meal.”
“I want fresh ehat, fresh from the fire.” Yers smacked his lips.
Keir laughed, nodding in agreement. “As is traditional, I will take the first musk team. Iften, if you would hunt, you may have the second. Yers—”
Iften interrupted. “I’d rather first kill.”
Keir raised an eyebrow in surprise. “You decline the honor?” At Iften’s nod, Keir wasted no more time. “Yers, you may have the second musk team.”
“An honor, Warlord.” Yers reached for the buckles of his armor and started to remove it.
“Ortis and Aret, if you would hunt, you may have third and fourth musk.” Ortis nodded, and handed his weapons to those around him. Aret paused, then shrugged, and started to remove her armor as well.
“Joden.” Keir started to unlace his leather. “I offer you second kill.”
This caused a bit of a stir, but Joden refused. “I must watch the hunt, Warlord, if I am to sing of it.”