“I don’t know,” Simus said. He thought for a moment, watching the dancers as he considered his options. “It’s possible as a Singer-to-be he is on the outer edges.” He looked around again. “Send the question back. Does anyone see Joden?”
“Is that wise?” Yers asked quietly. “It might raise more doubts.”
“I’ll risk it. Better to know,” Simus said.
Yers turned to Tsor and sent the question out through Simus’s warriors. A gentle murmur rose and fell behind them, fading off as the question passed through the warriors.
The dancers swirled together, hands lifted to the skies, as the drums continued to beat.
The murmur returned through the crowd behind him and Yers reported. “No.”
“Perhaps he is not here at all,” Snowfall said, earning a scowl from Yers.
“I intend to find out,” Simus rose to his feet. “Stay here,” he commanded, and started to walk forward, skirting the edge of the crowd, toward where Essa was seated.
The warriors watching the dancing were laughing and talking. A few called out a greeting to Simus. He gave each a smile and a wave but continued on his way, intent on his target.
Essa was seated on a stool at the edge of the Heart, four warriors guarding him. He looked like he was watching the dancing, but a flicker told Simus that he had been seen. Simus strode up onto the stone, determined to get answers. But before he could get close, Essa raised a hand.
The drums stopped.
The dancers froze, and then ran back off into the crowds.
“Simus of the Hawk,” Essa called out. To Simus’s shock Essa’s greeting echoed through the crowds around them, repeated by his Singers.
Simus froze, wary now. To confront a Singer privately was one thing, but to do so publicly risked being made a fool. Simus drew a deep breath as he faced Essa. “Eldest Elder Singer,” Simus bowed his head, giving proper deference, stiffening when his own words were echoed by the Singers. The warriors of the Plains were to be privy to this conversation, then.
“You have spent time among the city-dwellers in the north,” Essa said.
“I have.” Simus gave him a wide smile. “I was very popular with the ladies of Xy.” He assumed a modest look, covering his heart with his hand. “They fancied me.”
Laughter arose from the crowd as his own words were echoed.
“More like you fancied them,” Ultie bellowed out, but his words were not repeated so Simus ignored him. He kept his gaze on Essa.
“What else have you learned from those fat city-dwellers?” Essa asked, looking nothing more than curious.
What was that cagey old buzzard after, Simus wondered. This seemed dangerous ground to traverse at a...
Simus spread his arms and gave Essa his widest grin. “Why, to dance, of course!” Simus laughed even as his words echoed out.
“They dance?” Essa asked.
“Filthy city-dwellers do not dance.” Ietha of the Badger stood, and folded her arms. Big-chested, blonde, and glowering at Simus, her words rang out over the crowd.
Simus couldn’t figure out how Essa arranged that, but the challenge must be answered. “Yes, of course they dance,” he said. “They even have special places within their stone tents for dancing.”
“City-dwellers are nothing but prey to our hunt,” Ietha spat. “What need we to know of them?”
Her words were not echoed, and in the silence after Essa gave her a cool look.
Ietha sat down among her warriors.
Essa turned back to Simus. “And what patterns do they dance?” he asked, and his words were repeated.
“Patterns,” Simus scoffed. “Xyians use no patterns.” He waited as his words echoed around. “Better to show you,” Simus said. His heart skipped a beat in excitement, and on impulse he threw out his hand. “Snowfall,” he called. “Come and dance with me.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
