“You are the only one that calls it a ‘lie’, Eldest Warrior.” Atira’s words were polite, but her voice dripped with contempt. “I say that the Warprize saved my leg and my life.”

“Tell it!” Antas thundered.

Atira scowled, then turned to face me. She gave me a full nod. “Warprize.”

“Atira.” I greeted her with a smile. “How does your leg?”

Essa cleared his throat.

Atira winked at me, but turned back to face him. I was pleased to see her standing so tall and proud, her blonde hair gleaming in the lights of the fire. “As I spoke my truth before, so now I speak the truth again. I was practicing mounting a running horse from a standing position when I fell and broke my leg ...” Atira retold the story of her fall, and how I insisted that she let me heal her leg. I was amazed at the detail that she could recall, right down to the words that I’d spoken.

“... she reached over and handed me a piece of willow bark to put between my teeth. ‘All right, Atira. Ten deep breaths, then we begin.’” Atira shook her head. “I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Then another. Then, as I drew the third breath, she grabbed my ankle and my world exploded into pain.”

“Thus I am proven,” Antas said with satisfaction. “She lied.”

A murmur washed through the crowd.

Chapter 14

There was an outburst from Keir’s direction, but I just gaped at Antas, caught off guard. “You can’t possibly be that stupid.”

It was Antas’s turn to gawk at me. I pressed the point, speaking loudly enough to be heard by all. “That is not a lie. That is a skill. A trick of the trade. If you wait until the tenth breath, the patient tenses up, and the muscles fight against the healer.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “Is it a lie to hide in wait for an animal while hunting?”

Antas scowled. “A warrior is no animal, to be—”

“Enough.” Wild Winds stood. “The snows come. Do not waste time on this. The Xyian knows what truth is.”

“Agreed?” Essa turned to the Elders. They were all seated, and no one moved. But Essa turned back, as if the matter was resolved. He looked at Antas. Antas glared, but sat back down. Essa then turned his attention to me. “Then, we will proceed. Daughter of Xy, Joden of the Hawk has been in training to become a Singer of the Plains. You know this?”

“I do.”

“All listen well to the words and truths of a Singer of the Plains. They hold our ways and our knowledge. You understand?”

“Yes, Eldest Singer.”

“Now, there are those who would have Joden of the Hawk named Singer now, without the normal contests, ceremonies, and celebrations.”

Contests? I glanced over at Joden but he was studying the floor. Essa continued. “This has been done in the past, but under dire circumstances.” He glanced over at Joden. “There are those that oppose this, be cause Joden of the Hawk has not held to our ways.”

“Because of Simus?” I looked over to where Simus stood next to Keir, tall, proud and healthy. “But if Jo den hadn’t stayed his hand—”

Essa raised an eyebrow at my interruption, but he nodded in agreement. “Yes. Because of his failure to grant Simus of the Hawk mercy.”

“For which I am deeply grateful,” Simus chimed in, a large smile on his face. There was a stir of amusement amidst the Elders.

“No doubt,” Essa spoke dryly, but there was a hint of a smile on his lips. “If I may continue?”

Simus grinned then, and inclined his head, as if giving permission.

Essa gave him a telling look, then turned back to me. “But only the Singers can allow this, and the Singers will not. I have consulted my brethren and we will not rush to allow Joden of the Hawk within our ranks. That is the end of that, for that is not something within the authority of the Council of Elders.”

“I don’t understand, Eldest Singer.” I shifted a bit on my stool. “If you will not let him become a Singer, what is to be discussed?”

“The weight that his truth will be given.” Essa answered plainly. “Joden of the Hawk is well respected. He has witnessed many of these events. Antas argues that his words should be given the weight of a Singer’s, even if he does not yet have that status. The Council is free to determine the value and weight of his truth.” Essa sighed, glancing back at the tiers of Elders behind him. “There has been much talk about this.” He faced forward and grimaced slightly. “Too much talk.”

There was another stir of amusement at his words, and I took a chance and glanced over at Keir. His face told me nothing, gave me no hint as to what was going on. I licked my lips, and turned back to look at Essa as he spoke. “So, Daughter of Xy, what say you? How shall we treat the truths of Joden of the Hawk?”

I looked down at my hands, clasped tight in my lap, and considered his question. The tent fell silent around me, with only the crackle of the fire to be heard. “May I have some kavage now?”

“Of course.” Essa’s voice was full of amusement. “And a moment to collect your thoughts, if you wish. But kavage would be welcome for all, I think.”

I kept my eyes down, thinking. I could hear the sounds of people moving, and the clatter as mugs were filled. Amyu held a mug out to me in silence. I took it with whispered thanks, but she said nothing. It was hot and black, just like I liked it.

The room settled back down. I placed my mug on the floor and stood before I spoke, lifting my eyes to the tiers, trying to look confident. “Joden of the Hawk was the first to call me ‘warprize’ after Keir of the Cat claimed me in Xy. He was the first to help me understand what ‘warprize’ truly meant.” I glanced over at Joden’s solemn face, but his dark eyes gave nothing away. “He was also the first to come to me and explain his opposition to Keir, and to my ways.”

I focused back on Essa. “I have seen what happens to a land when its leader surrounds himself with men who speak only the truth he wants to hear.”

I looked pointedly at Iften, standing opposite Keir on the other side of the fire pits. “I’ve seen what prob lems it creates when opposition is not expressed openly or honorably.”

Iften bridled, glaring at me and putting his hand on the hilt of his sword.

I turned back to face the Elders. “I value Joden as an honorable friend and warrior. His truths deserve to be given the highest value.”

“Even if his truth is spoken against you?” Wild Winds prodded.

“Even so.”

That created quite a stir. I couldn’t resist looking at Joden. He was considering me gravely. I inclined my head to him, and after a brief hesitation, he did the same to me.

“Keir of the Cat has said much the same,” Essa commented, drawing my attention back to him. “Thank you, Daughter of Xy.”

I sat down.

“So.” Essa turned, speaking to the tiers of Elders. “Enough has been said. Do we give the truths of Joden of the Hawk the weight of a Singer’s?”

A few of the Elders stood up, but the majority remained seated on their stools. Was that how they indicated their position?

“Very well.” Essa stretched a bit, flexing his back. “This decision made, it grows late. We have been at this since the dawn. Let us meet again in the morning, to hear the truths of Joden of the Hawk.”

“No,” Antas demanded, as he jumped to his feet. “Let us do this here and now. The snows come, Essa.”

“I know that well, Antas,” Essa snapped. He glared for a moment, then turned to Joden. “Joden of the Hawk. What say you?”

Joden shook his head. “Eldest Singer, I’d ask for the night to think on my words. The burden of this is heavy and I’d wish to—”

“NO.” A shout came from Iften who stepped forward, gesturing toward Keir. “Do not allow this! Joden will be influenced by Keir, by Simus—”

“By what right do you challenge, Iften of the Boar?” Essa pulled a dagger, and advanced on Iften. “You, who hold no status within this Council?”