“I will,” Simus vowed. “I will be their Warlord in all things. Their flesh is my flesh, their blood is my blood.
“Simus of the Hawk, the Council of the Elders names you Warlord of the North.” Essa drew a deep breath, and placed the tips of his fingers on Simus’s blade. “May the very air of this land grant you breath.”
Wild Winds moved closer and placed his fingers on the blade. “Simus of the Hawk, the Council of the Elders names you Warlord of the North. May the very earth of this land support your feet.”
Haya placed her fingers on his blade. Her voice sounded oddly rough, and Simus glanced up to see tears in her eyes. “Simus of the Hawk, the Council of the Elders names you Warlord of the North. May the very fires of this land warm your skin.”
Nires was next, and there was no hesitation in his actions or voice. He placed his fingers on the blade. “Simus of the Hawk, the Council of Elders names you Warlord of the North. May the very waters of this land quench your thirst.”
“Rise, Warlord, and serve your people,” Essa commanded.
Simus did, sheathing his sword and standing tall. And ever after remembered his pleasure in the moment, for the goal achieved, for the blue skies above, for the horns in the distance, for the cheers of the warriors around him...and the joy in Snowfall’s eyes.
Chapter Forty-One
Amyu was dismayed to discover a man at the cheese cart instead of Kalisa. She hesitated, letting the crowd swirl around her in the busy marketplace. With the wyverns gone, life had returned to normal in Water’s Fall.
She tried to settle her nerves. She’d the permission of the Warprize, and she was an adult in this world. A warrior. She could do this. And if the old one knew anything of airions...
Amyu marched over before she let herself think.
“Excuse me,” she said.
The man was finishing a trade of cheese and hard bread. He flashed her a grin as he pocketed the coins. “How may I aid you, m’lady?”
“I am Amyu,” she said, repeating the words the Warprize had said she should say. “I am in the service of Queen Xylara. I wish to speak...to hear the words of Kalisa, the cheesemaker.”
“I am Anser,” the man replied. “Aunt Kalisa could not work the cart today, due to her aches. I cannot leave the trade,” he continued. “But my wife will be by soon with my midday meal, and she would gladly take you to her.”
“I wish to hear her tales,” Amyu said. “Because she is old. As old as any the Queen knows.”
Anser barked out a laugh. “Well, don’t tell her that, or she’ll bite your ear off. Old Auntie is sensitive about her age.”
Amyu raised her fingers to her ear.
Anser laughed again. “I forget you Firelanders...those of the Plains...take everything at its word.” He sliced some of the yellow cheese, and put it between two crackers. “She would not bite your ear off. She would be offended if you tell her she is old.” He offered her the food.
“Ah,” said Amyu. “That is good to know.” She frowned at the food. “I have no coin.”
“You serve the Queen,” he said with a smile. “That is payment enough. Take it.” He offered the food again, and nodded over to a shaded spot, against a wall. “Tuck yourself up over there. Mya won’t be long.”
Amyu did so, nibbling on the cheese and crackers, trying very hard to be patient. She wasn’t even sure that this Kalisa would hold any answers, but both the Warprize and Iian had said it was worth a try.
She stared glumly at her hands.
The glow was back. Since the night of the pillar of light everything seemed tinged with golden sparkles that looked like the rings of light that had swept through the Castle that night. She’d had odd headaches too, usually when the sparkles were at their brightest.
Master Eln, when she’d finally been able to speak to him, hadn’t known what to do other than give her willow-bark tea for the headaches. She wrinkled her nose; she drank it but it wasn’t very nice. It did help with the headaches.
But not with the sparkles.
Master Eln had promised to keep her words close, and she’d decided not to share these truths with anyone else. There were more than enough troubles; she’d not add hers to the mix. It didn’t hurt, really. It was just distracting.
Amyu took another bite of cheese and cracker, and distracted herself watching the city-dwellers be about their ways.
Finally, a woman appeared with a basket and jug, and a smile meant only for Anser. He greeted her with a hug, taking her burden and leading her over to Amyu, explaining as they came. Amyu rose to greet them.
“You want to hear Auntie’s tales?” Mya said with surprise. She was a plump woman, her hair tied up in a knot. “You’d be more than welcome, but I fear she’ll talk your ear off.”
