Warlord (21 page)

I glanced at her, surprised to see the first very faint hint of approval on her face. I scowled. "That man is a—" I resorted to Xyian for the rest of the sentence.

"They are not all Keir of the Cat," came her very soft response.

I didn't say anything more, ever conscious of the listening ears of my warrior-priest guards. But I did slow a bit, as we headed toward my tent. It was mid-afternoon, and the Heart was beating with the pulse of its people.

Life on the Plains had a certain rhythm to it. The mornings were for chores, all the necessary things that needed to be done for life to be sustained. Afternoons seemed focused more on play and gathering, or maybe teaching was a better way to put it. Children were playing all around us, mock fighting with wooden swords and daggers. They ran and yelled, warbling cries just like their elders. I smiled to see them, but I knew there was a more serious tone here than just children playing. They were developing the skills that would keep them alive in this world.

I tried hard to let go of my anger and frustration. I was worried about what was happening. But there was no one I could ask who would answer. So I gritted my teeth and tried to be patient. But I feared for Keir.

Two women were playing chess between some tents, their board set on a stump between them. They hunched over, intent on the game. Four children had gathered close, watching the play. I could hear them asking questions, hanging on the older women.

A few steps more, and I was surprised to see a group of horses standing in the walkway, seemingly unattended, watching as two warriors examined the hoof of one of the mares. They had the leg up, and were checking it over, as the horse craned its neck to look too.

"They allow horses in the Heart?" I asked.

"Of course," Amyu responded. "If they wish. They are free to come and go."

"Don't they soil the area?"

"Do you?" Amyu answered, with a puzzled look on her face.

Honestly. I mentally rolled my eyes at that. For the love of the Goddess, they were just
horses.

I spoke too soon. There, in front of my tent, stood Greatheart.

He neighed and trotted over when he spotted me. I smiled as he butted his head against my chest. "Hello, Greatheart."

Which earned me a few confused looks from my escort. I ignored them as I reached up to scratch between Greatheart's ears, and then along the scar that ran over his chest.

"Greatheart?" Amyu asked. "What is that?"

"It's his name."

"You name horses?" one of the warrior-priests asked, in an insulting tone.

I turned slightly, and glared at all of them. "Yes. Xyians name their horses." I arched an eyebrow. "It's also a Xyian custom to exchange names when you meet someone." I glanced at each warrior-priest in turn, making my point as clear as I could.

They returned my look with stony faces. Amyu shifted her weight, and spoke after she gave them an uneasy glance. "It is the custom of the warrior-priests not to give their names, Daughter of Xy."

"And not to speak, except to insult someone or their ways." I turned away, and buried my face in Greatheart's mane. He smelled of horse and grass and freedom. "Are you recovered from our ride, my friend?" I whispered, and watched as his ears flicked in response to the sound of my voice.

Greatheart snorted, and buried his wet nose in my hair, drawing in deep breaths as he took in my scent.

"The Warlord Osa wishes to pay court to you, Xylara." Amyu's voice came from behind me. "When you are ready."

I sighed for a moment, letting my fingers still. "Just how many warlords are there?"

"Four for each of the four elements," Amyu answered. She continued hastily when she saw my face. "But only eight wish to court you, Xylara."

I bowed my head, hid my face with my hair and rolled my eyes. It was all so frustrating and tiresome. Keir was
my
warlord, he would remain
my
warlord; they could parade all the stupid arrogant lummoxes they wanted before me, and he'd still be
my
warlord.

Greatheart snuffed and stamped his foot, and I resumed the scratching. I thought for a moment, and then spoke. "Amyu, is there any chance that this Warlord would want to go for a ride?"

It felt so good, to be on Greatheart's back and feel him move under me. We were galloping through the grasses, the wind in my hair. The sun was bright, even if the air was cool, and I smiled, taking deep breaths. It made my spirits rise, to be out and riding.

The blue sky was glorious, but it seemed to me that the reds of the grasses were muted, duller than when I'd first seen the Plains. Just like the trees of Xy lost their vibrant red and yellow leaves before the snows. Winter was coming to the Plains.

Amyu gestured off to the side, and I saw a rise ahead where we could wait for the Warlord Osa. I pulled Greatheart to a stop and turned him to face the city.

Below us sprawled the Heart of the Plains. The first time I'd seen it, I'd been exhausted, unable to appreciate what lay before me. But now I could look my fill, and marvel at it.

The lake lay glittering in the distance. The huge Council tent was pitched on the shore of the lake, and the city of tents formed around that in a half circle. There was so much color there, in the tents and the banners. It looked like one of the patched quilts I'd had on my bed in the castle. I narrowed my eyes, and studied it for a moment. The city seemed different too, from the first time that I'd seen it. I'd been tired, granted, but still...

"It looks smaller, somehow," I commented.

"Some have left, for the snows are coming," one of the warrior-priests responded gruffly.

"The Heart doesn't beat in the snows. It sleeps, to beat again when the Plains awaken," Amyu offered, her tone just a bit more friendly. I sighed, and kept my eyes on the Heart. I was getting very tired of the disapproving looks, whether it was due to my skill as a rider, or my evil Xyian ways.

Of course, just as we'd mounted, it occurred to me that going off with only my warrior-priest guard wasn't the wisest course of action. But I'd wanted air and exercise, and I'd asked impulsively, without really thinking.

I'd underestimated Keir's cleverness. There was a constant flow of warriors in and out of the Heart; it was almost as busy as Water's Fall. I'd spotted Prest and Rafe in the first moments of our ride and had relaxed. If Amyu or the others had noticed our shadows, they'd not commented on it. So I was free to admire the sights and await the coming of the Warlord Osa.

He'd better not be like the last one. Goddess, that man had been just plain rude from the moment I'd stepped into his tent. Proclaiming himself to be superior to Keir in every way, and offering to bed me to display his skills. I scowled at the memory. If this new Warlord was the same arrogant ass, I'd leave him here without a word.

The pounding of hooves drew my attention to a group of warriors headed our way. I tensed, thinking it was an attack, but Amyu spoke. "Osa."

At the head of the group was a woman warrior, with hair like flame. She rode a pure white stallion, with a lovely long mane and tail. As they drew closer, I could see that she was dressed in rich brown leathers from the tip of her toes to the top of her ... breasts. I was taken aback a bit, but I knew that the leathers were not intended as armor, since her more than ample breasts were thrust up and apart in an astounding display.

Her skin was fair, and she had a whip tied to her belt, opposite her sword. A stunning woman. She reined up close by, and I could see that her eyes were brown, and flecked with gold. She was the loveliest woman I had ever seen.

"Xylara, Daughter of Xy." She inclined her head in a regal manner. "I thank you for this opportunity."

All the breath left my body.
Goddess above, she was the Warlord Osa.

Just as well that she turned then to wave off our escorts, and reached to tie bells in the mane of that lovely white horse. It gave me a chance to snap my mouth shut and recover my wits. Even my warrior-priest guards obeyed without question, melting away in the heat of her confident authority. She took no note, as if she expected to be obeyed. Her attitude reminded me so very much of Keir. That alone was enough to tell me that her power was equal to Keir's. In every way.

She was a picture of perfection as she turned and smiled at me. "I am the Warlord Osa of the Fox."

"Women can be warlords?" I blurted out. "I know they can be warriors, but—"

One perfect brow rose, but Osa was polite in her answer. "Of course, Xylara." She tilted her head, and studied me with warm brown eyes. "I'd heard that your ways are far different from ours, but surely not that different."

I opened my mouth, but words failed me. How could I explain my culture to this woman? I settled for the simplest explanation. "Woman warriors are rare in my land. Woman warleaders are rarer still."

She nodded then, knotting her reins in front of her, and starting to pull off her brown gloves. I was suddenly very conscious of my tangled hair, and my clothes. A little brown bird next to a phoenix.

I had to know. "Have you ever slept with Keir?" I blurted out, my face flushed in embarrassment even as the words left my lips.

Honestly surprised, Osa gave me an elegant shrug. "No, Xylara. Once I met my obligations to the Tribe, my bedmates have all been women. Men are not to my taste." She gave me a sly glance. "Which is why I asked to court you. I'm told that you had no experience before Keir. You might find the ways of loving between women to be more to your liking."

Goddess above.

Just as well that I was seated on a horse. My entire body went cold, then flushed hot as the world tilted around me. And I wasn't sure if it was fear, embarrassment ... or curiosity.

Goddess above.

Osa's gentle chuckle brought me back, a gentle sound for so fierce-looking a woman. "I've shocked you. Maybe your ways are so very different from ours, yes?"

I swallowed hard. "I—I'd not give offense."

"I take none. And it didn't occur to me to ask for your token, so I hope I have given none." Osa shook her head, and her red curls danced in the sun. "What does it matter who sleeps with whom, as long as it is by agreement?"

A thought occurred. "Osa, is there rape here?"

"Rape?" I'd used the Xyian word without thinking. I explained and she grimaced in understanding. "Rare, Xylara. There are too many blades among us, and all are skilled in their use."

"Even the theas?"

"The theas are some of the deadliest of us all, Xylara. They guard and guide the young." She gave me a smile. "I suppose Ultie offered to show you his body and skills?"

I rolled my eyes. "He dropped his trous to show me his 'weapon'!"

Osa laughed, a warm, rich sound, then crinkled her nose. The gold flecks in her eyes seemed to dance. "And you wonder that I would choose women over men? Or you over Ultie?"

I choked on my own laughter, and coughed to clear my throat. "I am promised to Keir."

"So?" Osa gave an elegant shrug. "What of that?"

"My people do not have sex outside of a bond," I tried to explain.

Osa moved her horse closer, and she leaned in toward me. "What of that, lovely lady? You are not yet bonded. You are free to taste the pleasures of many before you commit to one." I watched mesmerized as she leaned in, her breasts moving within the leather, close enough to touch. Close enough to ... kiss.

I jerked my head back in surprise. Greatheart shifted under me, responding to my movements, putting a bit of distance between us. Her smile gone, Osa pulled back and watched me intently, like a phoenix might study its prey.

I licked my lips. "Osa, I—" I had to breathe. "I can't."

She shrugged again, and somehow I knew that her elegance was as natural as breathing to her. She probably killed with the same exquisite movement.

"I was told that you had honor, Lara." Osa's smile was back. "And that your ways are strange. I take no offense."

"Thank you," I replied, still feeling a bit unsettled.

"So. Since I cannot court you, perhaps you would come to my tent, and we can share a meal. I wish to know more of your healing skills. I can promise to be better company than Ultie."

I made a face. "That wouldn't be a challenge, Warlord."