“Good thing it didn’t end up that way, then.” I turned away, Mariyah eyeing my every movement. “I can show you to the food now if you’d like.”
“Thank you.”
He followed me through the crowds, which parted with wide eyes and whispered asides as we walked to the tables laden with food. There were roasted vegetables, salty cheese, bowls of honey, warm bread, sun-dried fruit, and trays laden with grains tossed with butter and herbs. I handed an earthenware plate to Commander Talon. This close, I could smell the mountains on him: the fir trees and the cool air, the leather from his armor, andsomething metallic…his sword? Shazeera always said I had almost as keen a sense of smell as a horse.
He spent some time looking at each of the dishes of food, but occasionally, his gaze would shift to me, as mine would to him. I didn’t expect him to suddenly attack me after everything that had happened, but I couldn’t seem to explain that to my heart. He seemed to be suffering the same problem if his glances at me were any indication.
Don’t worry, I’m not going to suddenly unleash the power of the wind on you.Though even as I thought that, the wind made an appearance, swirling around me and bringing the scent of the mountains. As long as you stick to the peace treaty, that is.
Normally the feel of the wind lifted my spirits, but now it only reminded me of the recent harm to my ability to communicate with Shazeera. In an effort to push all those thoughts away, I said perhaps a little too loudly as I indicated the food before us, “No meat, as I said, but everything is delicious.” I pointed to a clay jug. “That holds kir, which is fermented goat’s milk and honey.”
“Fermented is good,” he said, and I glanced at him sideways to see if he was joking. Shockingly, I couldn’t tell if he was or not.
“Have as much as you’d like, then,” I said and handed him an earthenware cup.
For a barbaric meat eater, he didn’t shy away from filling his plate with a little of everything, and I followed him to fill one of the big horse bowls with grains for Shazeera.
“What about your eagle? Will he need to…?” I couldn’t bring myself to sayhunt.
“He’ll be fine. He’ll hunt later tonight.”
“As long as it’s far from here,” I snapped, with a sharp look.
To my surprise, he smiled. A real smile that actually reachedhis eyes. It made his face seem much less harsh. “None of your horses or livestock will be in any danger, I promise.”
“Never again, right?” I said.
“That’s what the treaty says.”
And it will be up to me to make sure all of you abide by it,I thought. I held up the bowl full of grains. “I should get this to Shazeera. Enjoy your dinner.”
As I made my way back to Mariyah and Shazeera, many watched me go by and reached out to touch a part of my clothing, heads bowed. A smile played at my lips as I tried to absorb this good memory of my people before I left. Of them happy and relieved because the war was finally almost over. Of their never having to watch their horse or sibling or mother slaughtered before them again.
I could do that for them. I could be the First Daughter they needed.
“Finally,” Mariyah said, pulling me from my maudlin thoughts as I set the wide bowl of grains down before Shazeera. “It’s your last night, and we haven’t even danced yet.” She turned to Shazeera. “Hurry and eat that and then join us.”
Shazeera only sent amusement across our bond as she enjoyed the honeyed grains.
Mariyah’s own mare was already at her side, coat glistening like copper in the light of the fire.
“Well?” Mariyah said, holding out her hand to me.
I agreed because I knew this might be the last time I ever got to dance with my people.
17
Talon
The food wasn’t bad. It wasn’t what I was used to, but all the flavors complemented each other. Salty and sweet, tangy and fresh, savory and herbal. I didn’t feel overly full when I finished my food like I usually did at our own feasts, but it made me wonder if I’d be hungry again in an hour.
The food wasn’t the only difference between our feasts and this one. Ours were formal affairs with heavily decorated tables, porcelain plates, and silver utensils. We ate quietly, the conversations kept to the person next to us, in a polite murmur. We had music, but it, too, was quiet and reserved. Only the elite nobles were invited by the emperor, in contrast to the massive crowd present here.
All around me, the Children of Earth spoke loudly, boisterously, and it was clear by their smiles and laughter that they were enjoying the food and each other. The music, once it began, was almost primal, with drums that throbbed through my body, the beat swimming in my blood. Many were dancing, and it was nothing like our controlled synchronized movements. Theirbodies followed the music, moving in time to it until they shone with sweat and their cheeks were flushed.
Why are they thrashing around like that?Neo asked, his sharp eyes darting rapidly to keep up with them.Are they convulsing?
No,I thought back with an inward grin,they’re dancing.
