“Amyu, please call me ‘Lara’.” I held up a hand to silence her protest. “At least within the confines of the tent.” I stepped within and put my satchel on the bed.

“As you wish.” Amyu looked at the brazier that burned in the corner. “The lake is not far, if you wish to bathe.”

I sighed. “No, I don’t think so. Maybe just a bucket of warm water and a few cloths?”

She looked at me, puzzled. “As you wish.” She bowed and left before I could explain, which was fine with me. I knew from experience that the people of the Plains had no understanding of basic Xyian modesty.

I tucked my satchel in by the bed, and removed my slippers to rub my feet. I was still feeling the effects of our wild ride, and yawned again. But while my body was tired, my mind was still whirling. Was Keir here? In camp?

Oh, I hoped so. I wanted this over, so that I could be in his arms again. I drew a deep breath, but the scent of this tent was different from Keir’s. Only the faint aroma of vanilla was present, and that came from my own body.

A noise from outside brought me out of my thoughts.

“Out of my way! My healer is within, and I must see her!”

Voices rose in protest, and I lifted the flap just in time to see a large, black man force his way into the main tent. My smile had already started when his eyes met mine, and his white teeth flashed against his coal black skin.

“LITTLE HEALER!”

Chapter 9

“Simus!” I ran over and he swept me up in a bear hug, laughing loudly. The sound made my heart dance, and I laughed with him as he twirled me around and then set me gently on my feet.

We were surrounded by my four guards and Amyu and everyone was talking at once, but that never dimmed the gleam in Simus’s eyes. He put his hands on my shoulders and looked down into my eyes. “Are you well?”

“As well as I can be.” I smiled at him. “I am so glad to see you.”

His eyebrows danced and he turned to face our foes. “SILENCE!”

Everyone obeyed.

“The Warprize is my healer,” he said, using the Xyian word. “She must see the wound that she tended. Out, all of you! This is done under the bells!”

They all looked at one another, and one of the youngest looking warrior-priests shifted his weight from foot to foot. Amyu spoke first. “Our orders are that she not have contact with Keir of the Cat, or his supporters.”

“Pah.” Simus walked over to one of the stools and sat. “You may listen, if you wish. I will not use the bells. But outside. NOW!”

They scattered.

Simus looked at me and grinned. I couldn’t help grinning back at him, even as I shook my head. “That was rude, Simus of the Hawk.”

“They should not have sent girls to do woman’s work.” He replied in perfect Xyian. “They don’t know how to deal with me. But they will have sent word to someone who does. So let us speak, eh?” He stood, and started to unbuckle his belt. “Let me show you the scar, Warprize. It is a wonder.” He spoke in the language of the Plains, loud enough that anyone could hear.

“Should I get my satchel?” I tried not to laugh.

“Yes, by all means, please get your wondrous herbs and potions,” Simus bellowed, yanked down his trous and sat back down. “Eln said to tell you that he thought it was doing very well.”

I went and got my satchel, and returned to admire the scar along his thigh. It had healed well. “Did it give you any trouble on the way here?”

“None,” Simus replied, then switched to Xyian. “And we rode hard. The Council sent word that they required the truths of Atira. I knew that you and your beloved would need my help. So, we are here.”

“We?” I pulled out the scar ointment from the depths of my satchel, and started to open it. How odd it was to hear my native tongue again. I almost had to think before I spoke.

“We,” Simus replied. “Atira, Keir, Marcus, and Joden. And one of your land, the son of the cook.”

“How is her leg?” I asked, absently. But then my head snapped up in surprise. “Heath? Heath is here?”

“He is,” Simus replied in Xyian. He paused for a moment, then spoke again loudly, switching languages. “The friend of your youth, Heath of Xy, he is here with messages of your people. I will send him to speak to you, if these fools will permit.” Simus gave me a grin, switching back to Xyian. “I will send him with messages.” He stretched his leg out, to give me access. “Keir is raging like a wounded ehat, furious that he cannot see you. But Marcus and I, with Keekai’s help, are talking sense into that thick head of his.”

I smiled. “I know what an ehat looks like now.”

Simus laughed, and switched to his language. “You must tell me of the hunt. All the details, now!”

I laughed, but Simus grew serious, and switched back to Xyian. “There are dangers here, Lara. Make no mistake.”

“There was an attack—”

“Keir and I know of it.” Simus sighed. “What we do not know is who was behind it. You are safe enough here.”

“Am I?” I asked softly, in Xyian. “Amyu is of the Boar and the guards are all warrior-priests.”

“The honor of the entire Council depends on your safety.” Simus looked grim. “Amyu is a child and will obey her elders. Your guards will protect you. But they will report if you try to see Keir, you understand?”

I nodded.

“Watch for Iften, and Gathering Storm. There is a warrior-priest not to be trusted.”

“Gathering Storm? Which one is that?” I asked.

Simus grinned. “The one you doused with that stink, remember?” He turned his face slightly and spoke loudly for the listeners, switching languages easily. “You worked a marvel, Warprize. My leg is as new.”

“Is there any pain when you walk?” I asked, following his example. I smeared the ointment on the scar, to soften the tissue.

“None.” Simus gave me a genuine smile. “You saved my leg and my life as a warrior, Little Healer. May the elements allow me to return the favor some day.”

I smiled at him, but looked away, and spoke in Xyian. “If you have spoken with Joden, then you know how he feels about me now. After the plague, he no longer supports us.”

“Pah.” Simus gave a snort. “The man is merely confused. I will set him straight.” He leaned in closer. “The telling of truths begins tomorrow. It is not likely that you will be allowed to listen. But do not fear, Lara. All will be—”

Wild Winds strode into the tent, with my guards and Amyu just behind.

Simus looked over casually. “Ah, Warrior-Priest. Come to see the work of the Warprize? A Master Healer.”

Wild Winds arched an eyebrow, then took another step to stare down at Simus’s leg. He looked closely. “A deep wound.”

“To the bone,” Simus replied proudly. He stretched out his leg for everyone to see. Everyone stared at it, even Amyu, with particular fascination.

“What is the purpose of that?” Wild Winds gestured to the jar in my hands.

I stood and offered it to him. “An ointment that aids the healing. It will help the scar to fade.”

“What?” Simus protested. “Why fade an honorable wound, honorably earned?”

Wild Winds raised an eyebrow. “Regardless, the Daughter of Xy is not to have contact with Keir of the Cat, or those—”

“We spoke of healing matters.” Simus stood, and pulled on his trous with great dignity.

“They spoke in the tongue of city-dwellers,” one of the guards piped up.

Simus let his eyebrows raise. “You do not know the tongue? I didn’t realize that.” He turned then, and gave me a bow, reaching for my hand to kiss it. “My thanks again, Xylara, Daughter of Xy.”

I gave him a curtsey, and he smiled, and turned back to face Wild Winds. “After you, Warrior-priest.”

He herded them out, all but Amyu, who gave me an odd look as she tied the tent flap closed. I ignored her, and returned to the sleeping area and sat on the bed. I opened my hand and stared at the small bar of vanilla soap that Simus had pressed into my hand. I could hear him arguing with the warrior-priest, his voice fading in the distance.