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.So far, that seemed the only use for a warprize. WHERE S HIS TOKEN!I jolted up, clutching the blankets, to find Keir half out of bed, sword in hand.There were sounds ofmany men outside and grunts, as if they were carrying a heavy load. MARCUS! The voice bellowedagain. WHERE IS THAT FOOLOF A WARLORD? The very walls of the tent seemed to tremble.Keir collapsed back on the bed, still clutching his sword, his face twisted in a grimace. Simus must havetalked to Joden. SILENCE! I jumped again as Marcus called out, his voice loud enough to rival Simus s. I d no sleeplast night and none this morn, thanks to your bellowing!I flushed, and looked at Keir. I m sorry about last night.He turned his head and gave me that impish smile. I m not.Since it means that you were in my armsmost of the night.More heat flooded my face. Get me in this tent, and bring me his damned-by-the-snows token, Simus bellowed again. I ve a fewchoice truths to tell.Keir stood, and shouted back. You ve not bothered to use my token in years, why start now? Keirgrabbed up a tunic and belted on his sword. Easy! Be careful, I m a wounded man, not a dead deer!A man backed in through the flap, carrying Simus on a cot.Simus was sprawled on his stomach, holdingon to the sides.There were four men carrying him, but they only seemed to be getting in each other sway. Here, Simus directed. Put me down here. The cot was dropped, and before Simus couldcomplain, the men were gone.Simus growled, since he was half in, half out, with the flap laying on thesmall of his back.He fixed his glare on Keir. What, your brain was in your sword last night?Marcus appeared from the other entrance and thumped a pitcher of kavage on the table, along withmugs. I suppose you ll be wanting food, now that you ve frightened the herds with your cries? I ll need it to keep up my strength so that I can beat sense into this one s head. Simus adopted an air ofinjured dignity.I clutched at the blankets, and ran my hand through my hair, trying not to give intohysterical laughter.Marcus snarled and clucked like an old chicken as he turned to go. Body can t get any rest, what withthe screaming and the crying out all night. He stomped out of the tent.Keir poured kavage, handing a mug to Simus. I had good reason  To gut one of them? In their own throne room? Simus rolled his eyes. Let me guess, you insulted theirpoor excuse of a king as well? When I frowned, Simus glared at me. I m voicing truths here, Warprize,and you ll pardon me if I don t fear your blade. How s your leg, Simus? Keir asked pointedly, as he handed me a full mug.Simus ignored him. And your reasons, oh great Warlord of the Plains? For throwing rocks at ruttingehats?I frowned.What was an  ehat ? The man gave insult to the warprize, Keir responded. He called her a whore. He used the Xyianword. Eh? Marcus was bringing in food. What s that?I took a long drink of kavage as Keir explained.How did they not have a word for that? What did thatmean about these people? That any were free to lay with all? That seemed so barbaric. They sell it? Marcus looked slightly ill, then moved away, muttering something about water for bathing.Simus said nothing, merely drinking from his kavage.Keir sighed, and sat down on the corner of the bed nearest Simus. I knew I d made a mistake even ashe slid off my blade.Simus remained quiet. How can I ask my warriors to change their ways when I couldn t change mine in that instant? Keir rana hand through his hair. Change is easy to talk of, hard to do. Simus s voice dropped, his eyes serious. You tell them the truth,of course.Marcus came in with two buckets, and disappeared into the privy area. You tell them that you regret his death, but that all must take heed from this incident. He s not dead, I spoke up. The last we heard, he still lived. He did? Simus asked, then let his eyes slide over to Keir. Losing your touch?A cry of outrage filled the tent.I grabbed at the blanket, as Keir stood, sword in hand.Simus had twodaggers that appeared from nowhere.I looked at the privy entrance, to see Marcus standing there,waving my underthings in his fist and shaking them in the air. Where did the likes of these come from?I jumped up and grabbed for them, but that scarred little man dodged me. Those are mine! I madeanother attempt, darting around the bed.Simus roared out his laughter and Keir got out of the way.Marcus danced away again. The Warprize accepts nothing, except at the hand of the Warlord! Hisface was bright red, the scarring a dull white against it. Give me those! I went after him again and this time managed to wrestle the cloth from his hand.Flushedand breathless, I shoved them behind my back and faced down Marcus, toe to toe. You have nobusiness  Nothing, except at the hand of the Warlord! Marcus roared out, spittle flying from his mouth. You bragnect! I bought them with his coin!Marcus blinked.Apparently it was an effective curse in their language, since it seemed to leave himspeechless.His recovery was quick. Could have asked Hisself or 1.I rolled my eyes, just imagining that conversation. No more than she could tell us about the dress, apparently.My turn to lose my tongue.Keir s tone was mild, but his look sharp.Simus was watchful, his twodaggers gone, and the kavage back in his hand. Tell us, Warprize.Tell us what you did not tell usyesterday.Marcus scowled, eye darting between the two of us. Dress? What was wrong with the dress? We don t have cloth like yours, with the colors so strong, so bright. I ran my free hand through my hair,pulling it back.Marcus snorted. City folk all dress like drab, dull geese, waddling about, squawking at Keir had seated himself at the table and was filling his plate. They acted as if I had branded you, markedyou somehow. He tilted his head. Did I?Marcus snorted, turning to Keir.I took the opportunity to tuck my underthings under one of the pillowson the bed. It s a fine dress, the color of flame, it honored her.How is that a problem? For us, it is an honor. He pinned me with his eyes. For you?I sighed. In Water s Fall, only a whore wears red [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]