“Clear the tent,” Essa said calmly. “Of all except for your Token-bearer and yourself.” Essa turned to look off to the side where Joden hovered, looking almost wary. “And you, Joden of the Hawk.” Essa pointed to one of the gurtle pads directly in front of him. “Sit.”
Joden obeyed and sat.
Yers gave Simus a worried look, but herded the other warriors out. Snowfall moved to close the flap, but Essa stopped her.
“My warriors will see to the bells. Sit.” Essa looked up at Simus. “You too,” he said.
Simus sat next to Joden, and Snowfall sat next to him. “This is my tent,” Simus said mildly, keeping his anger in check.
“Truth,” Essa said. He watched as his escort secured the tent flap, and wove bells into the ties. “But there are some truths that I wish to tell that are best not shared with all.” He raised an eyebrow, and fixed Joden with an imperious look. “You have been avoiding me,” he said.
Joden blinked and shook his head. “No, Eldest Elder. I was just waiting for the best time to—”
“A Singer must be impartial in all things,” Essa said, overriding Joden’s explanation. “A Singer’s word is above suspicion of any influence or taint. You understand this?”
“Yes, Eldest Elder.”
“Have you offered Simus your sword?” Essa demanded.
“No,” Joden exclaimed, startled.
“At least you have that much sense,” Essa said. “You would be a Singer?”
“Yes.” Joden sat up straighter.
“And yet you are housed in Simus’s tent, and fed by his people,” Essa scoffed. “If you are to enter the Singer Trials, you must do better, Joden of the Hawk. Gather your gear. You will leave this tent with me, and you will not return.”
Simus exchanged a startled glance with his friend, and then opened his mouth to protest. “Eldest Elder—”
Essa held up a hand to forestall him. “No. Joden, go.”
Joden rose and headed to his sleeping area.
Simus made to speak again, but Essa shook his head and they sat in awkward silence until Joden emerged with his gear and left with one of Essa’s warriors.
“Quartis, escort Joden to my tent. The rest of my warriors will wait outside,” Essa commanded.
Simus watched as they departed, thinking to catch Joden’s eye, wish him well if only with a nod. But his friend kept his head down as he and Quartis left, leaving only himself, Essa, and Snowfall in the tent. The tent flap was closed from the outside, and Simus heard the chiming of bells as it was secured.
Essa spoke. “It’s for the best, Simus. He must walk his own path. Worry more about yours.”
Simus kept still, feeling the loss of his friend. It felt wrong, to have him taken so quickly. But Joden had dreamed of being a Singer for as long as Simus had known him, and he would not stand in his way. Still...
He glanced over his shoulder. “What harm in a simple farewell?”
Essa ignored him. “Snowfall,” he said. “Has there been any message from Wild Winds?”
Snowfall looked at Simus.
Simus scowled at Essa. “None. And if there had been, I’d have sent you word.”
Essa gave an exaggerated sigh. “Not that kind of message.”
“Oh,” Simus said, and looked at Snowfall.
Snowfall dropped her eyes. “I am no longer in Wild Winds service, Eldest Elder.”
“What does that matter?” Essa said.
