“You don’t have the authority.”
“He does,” Henry inserted.
“My lord Hawkvale, promoted me to scoutmaster of the Western Wind division as a reward for my part in hisrescue.”
“He can’t do that.” Indra’s voice rose as sheturned to Fallon.
“He can. He did,” Fallon told her lazily.“Perhaps you will be more careful in your insults next time.”
Indra’s hands clenched into fists at herside. She swept away as her followers melted into the crowd as ifthey had never been there.
The volume in the crowd rose as shedisappeared.
“Disperse.” Fallon’s voice cut through itall, leaving no room for argument.
Faster than Shea had thought possible, thenormally stubborn Trateri scattered, leaving only Fallon, the oldman, Trenton, the Horse Clan’s leader and Shea standing in theclearing.
The Horse Clan’s leader gave her a small nodbefore continuing on his way.
Trenton grabbed her around the neck andtugged her in his wake. “Come on, you. Let’s get you cleanedup.”
“I thought there was another phase.”
Trenton grinned at her. “Don’t worry. You canbe clean for it. In fact, it’s kind of a requirement.”
“Hmm.”
Chapter Twenty
“What’s the verdict?” Fallon asked.
Meynard’s bushy white eyebrows lowered overhis eyes thoughtfully. “She’s not much of a bodyguard.”
Fallon waited patiently, knowing it wasuseless to rush Meynard when he was in a mood.
They already knew Fallon would never let herplace herself in danger in his stead.
“Her sword skills are shit. She’s got prettygood endurance though.”
“Pretty good,” Caden snorted. “That’s anunderstatement. He threw everything he could think of to get her tocry mercy, and she just kept on coming. I’ve known hardenedwarriors who have puked after the sessions he put her through, andshe acted like it was no big deal.”
Meynard smacked his lips in displeasure atCaden’s interruption. With a shrug, he conceded the point.
“Would’ve liked to see what sort of traininggot those sorts of results,” Meynard said. “Maybe I could use it tolight a fire under some of these lazy slugs you keep sendingme.”
Caden snorted again. Meynard said that aboutevery batch of young warriors he trained.
Fallon felt a thread of impatience at thedirection of the conversation.
“Will she pass?” he asked.
The other two got quiet.
“Well?” Fallon rumbled.
“Hard to say.” Caden spat on the ground.
“She’s got her endurance going for her, andshe has spirit,” Meynard added. “With the right kind of training,she might have given Trenton a run for his money. And did you seehow she stood up to Indra? Not many willing to take that viperon.”
