The Will of the Gods

8 Denial—and an oath to follow

“I simply do not understand,” said S’Heernoh, looking upon the pipe he held, seeing it clearly in the glow of our fire. “Never before has such a thing been.”

“I take it from that that you are still unable to reach the Snows,” said Mehrayn from where he crouched beside the other male. “Are you able to know the reason your spirit and the wench’s are unable to attain release from your bodies?”

“Attaining the release of our spirits is not the difficulty,” said S’Heernoh, his voice earnest as he looked upon Mehrayn. “The Clouds of Seeing take us up as quickly as ever—yet are we immediately hurled back to our bodies at the touch of the mist which covers the Snows. We may approach the Snows, yet we may not walk them.”

“Nor may we look upon that-which-is-coming-to-be,” said I with all the bile which filled me, pulling angrily at the grass upon which I sat. “Three times we have tried, and still the numbers and disposition of our enemy remains unknown!”

“War leader, our being barred from the Snows may not be the loss you think it,” said S’Heernoh, his earnest dark eyes now turned toward me. “Progress through the Snows is a slow and trying thing, for ever must one begin his Walk near to the point which is his present. To see that which lies far ahead, one must risk being parted from one’s body for too long a time. The battle you thought to look upon may well have been too far ahead for us to reach.”

“And again it may not have been,” said I, not to be soothed as a child too small to take up dagger use. “How may we know till we have made the attempt?”

“One with sense would by now begin to suspect that the gods frown upon such an attempt,” said Mehrayn, his light eyes seeking to draw mine. “Disobedience to the gods often brings unexpected punishments.”

“How long will that mist remain upon the Snows?” said I to S’Heernoh, paying Mehrayn no more mind than I had for the six feyd behind us. “How long has it been known to remain?”

“Never has it been known to remain even as long as it already has,” said S’Heernoh, speaking quickly in the face of Mehrayn’s sudden anger. “At times are certain happenings barred to us all, yet for all of it to be barred! Perhaps it is indeed the will of the gods.”

“Even the gods are constrained by the will of the Snows,” said I with a gesture of impatience, still deeply annoyed. “So was I told by Mida upon the journey which brought me to her, and little reason was there for her to speak other than the truth. We cannot be barred by the will of the gods.”

“Clearly, then, are you barred by the will of the Snows,” said Chaldrin, his words drawing nods of agreement from both warriors and Sigurri, who sat not far from him. “There is something which must not be looked upon, and surely is it within reach of seeing, else you would not be barred from it. To continue your attempt to see that which you are not meant to see would be foolishness, girl.”

“Mida take it, you have the right of it, brother,” said I, looking upon Chaldrin with newly uncovered eyes. “The doing is close before us, therefore would I find it possible to see it upon the Snows if I were not barred from the White Land! What doing might it be, and for what reason am I refused a knowledge of it?”

I rose to my feet to pace with agitation, weakness not touching me at all, for my spirit had not been parted long enough from my body. The heat of the fire was no lure in the warmth of the darkness, yet did I begin to pace about it.

“Perhaps it would be unwise for you to consider the point,” ventured S’Heernoh from his place in the grass. “There are certain events which will not come about should even the least hint of them come to the key mover of the sequence. It may well be pain or harm which might be easily avoided with prior knowledge, a pain or harm which is utterly necessary to bring about a further key event. Few of us would not seek, even unconsciously, to avoid what pain and harm we might, even though we knew that acceptance of such was necessary. Even might it be other than pain or harm, pleasure, perhaps, which must be accepted, a pleasure which one would forgo if one were to think upon the doing. Foreknowledge will negate what is meant to be, and might well cost you a victory in some manner.”

“Mida take it all!” I shouted, then did I turn in great fury and stalk away from those others who rode with me, to sit alone. Ever was Jalav to strive without sight in those tasks set to her hand, for sight would perhaps smooth the path she rode, and perhaps also bring victory more easily to her grasp. No other thing than difficulty was to be her lot, with none about even to raise weapon to in frustration!

“So it might well be pleasure which you are not to avoid,” came the voice of Mehrayn as he halted beside me, to look down upon me. “in that event you must remove your life sign once again, so that what comes might be properly accepted.”

Had it been my wish to acknowledge the existence of the male, I would easily have pointed out that I was to do naught to alter matters as they were, not act to change them. The male saw the point as clearly as I, I suspected, therefore did I indeed do naught save turn my back toward him and stretch out upon the grass on my side, the more easily to stare into the fire.

“Had you not replaced that life sign, I would already have taken the anger from you,” persisted the male, his own frustration clear in his voice. “I have given my word not to interfere with the tasks given you, wench, yet was I to have my woman in return. As the time passes without my woman beside me, the strength of my vow grows weaker and weaker, soon to be no more. Do as you will, Jalav, for so shall I, most especially at the time when my patience is no more.”

Having spoken his annoyance the male then took himself off, leaving me annoyed myself. I cared little what the male attempted for he was not mine, yet were his insistences beginning to anger me. Did Mida not soon curb him, I would find it necessary to do the thing myself. There were matters of true import before me, matters far removed from the foolishness of males, yet Mehrayn refused to see this. Happily there was not much trail time ahead before he might be left behind, and that calming thought assisted me in finding sleep.

The following feyd passed one into the other, filled with riding and practicing what Chaldrin taught, and feeding, and occasional attempts to gain the White Land. The brightness of Mida’s light dimmed slowly to rolling gray, with the mutter of thunder in the far distance, as though rain fell elsewhere ahead of us, yet were we given naught save the grayness. To Chaldrin’s satisfaction, my skill and that of my warriors slowly grew, yet was that the sole satisfaction to be found among us. The White Land continued to be barred, I continued to take no note of Mehrayn, Mehrayn’s frustration continued to grow, and those about us took to walking softly indeed when near to Mehrayn or myself. Our tempers were such that blood would surely have been spilled had there been words exchanged, therefore were we ever kept one from the other by many contrivances of Chaldrin’s. The state suited me well, yet Mehrayn was not equally pleased with it.

The fey came at last when we reached Midanna lands, therefore did Ilvin, the Summa, and I seek out a place to halt for our mid-fey meal which would also serve as a camping place for the Hitta and the males. Ilvin knew well enough that she might not accompany me, and she had grown to know and have trust in the Summa who had become her sisters, and was grimly pleased that they would be beside me. The Summa had sworn to stand beside me in any battle which came to be, save against their clan sisters, and Ilvin knew the worth of their words. When our meal was done the Summa and I rose to our feet, yet did I gesture Chaldrin back as he made to do the same.

“Our journey together is at an end, brother,” said I, seeing the frown which took Chaldrin and the surprise of the other males. “From here the Summa and I continue on alone, for there is no place among the clans for a male such as you.”

“There had best be a place for me,” said Mehrayn before Chaldrin might speak, standing slowly to rest one hand upon sword hilt. “If there is not then they shall find the need to make one, for I will not remain behind. My sword cannot protect one who is not beside me.”

“And have you forgotten my vow to Sigurr, girl?” asked Chaldrin, also rising to his feet. “Would you have me be forsworn?”

“Were you to accompany me, brother, then would you be forsworn,” said I, looking upon Chaldrin alone. “You will remain here, and should any come to fetch you save Wedin or Dotil, you will know yourself faced by enemies. Bide in peace, Chaldrin, for we are meant to stand together against the strangers.”

I turned from the deep upset upon Chaldrin with a gesture to the Summa, and we three began to move toward our kand. No more than two steps were gone beneath our feet, however, when it became clear that one came behind us. Dotil glanced back in annoyance, then did she voice a very low groan.

“Wherever you ride, there shall I follow,” said Mehrayn, his tone so inflexible that I halted where I was. “You may ignore me as you wish, wench, yet do I also do as I wish. When darkness has fallen to end this fey, I shall take that life sign from you, and then we shall see how long you are able to continue to ignore me.”

The words of the male were more than challenge, yet had I no further anger to waste upon him. Mida knew well enough what his presence would mean, and if I were to be ended in such a manner, then so be it. The Midanna would have no war leader to take them into battle against the strangers, and all by cause of spite. If this was in accordance with the wishes of the goddess, there was naught I might do to change it. After no more than the slightest hesitation I again began walking toward my kan, unaware of the fact that the Summa no longer paced me till Wedin spoke.

“Should you ride with us, male, it will surely mean the war leader’s life,” said she, addressing Mehrayn with more compassion than impatience. “No Midanna may lead a free male to the place of the clans, else is she ended with the greatest pain possible. Perhaps if you were to accompany her to the place of her own clans the matter might not be viewed in the same manner, yet to do such a thing with those who believe themselves to be enemies to her—She would not even be allowed to speak in her own defense.”

I reached my kan and ran my hands over him, aware of the silence which had fallen behind me. The male undoubtedly sought a path about the wall which Wedin had erected, for his often-voiced concern for Jalav would become hollow indeed were he to merely brush aside the words of caution given him. He would not do other than accompany me, I knew, for he had at last determined to have me again, no matter the cost of his appetites. I freed my reins from the bush to which they had been tied and began to back my kan from the press of the others, yet was halted again by the voice, not of Mehrayn, but of S’Heernoh.

“You said, ‘free male,’ lady Wedin,” said he, a thoughtfulness to his tone. “Are there men, then, who are allowed among your clans, men who are not free? What is done to restrain these men who are not free?”

“Those males who have begged to follow a warrior are not free,” said Wedin, a lack of understanding clearly touching her. “They are forbidden weapons, and they must obey the word of she whom they follow, else are they slain. No slightest disobedience are they allowed, for they must forgo their own will in deference to the will of warriors. With their lives held hostage to their word, what further restraints might be necessary?”

“Then there is the manner in which you might be safely accompanied,” said S’Heernoh, the smile of his triumph bright as he looked about, yet did Dotil’s laughter immediately dim the radiance.

“You believe a male of our set other than yourself would behave in such a manner?” she asked, also looking about at the others. “Few males choose to follow a warrior, for few males have so small a sense of self to allow them to obey properly. Males are far too arrogant, S’Heernoh, and these more arrogant than any others I have seen. To be brother warriors, yes; to be followers of warriors? Never.”

All of the males seemed to take some small insult at Dotil’s amusement, as though they thought themselves capable of being followers despite the truth of the words spoken. I sighed without sound at such colossal foolishness and gathered my reins to mount, yet was it Chaldrin who this time halted me.

“Arrogance is a coin I have in the past been taught to spend little of,” said he, reaching down to open his swordbelt. “As my life has already been dedicated to following a wench, I have only to give up some small bit of my pride to see my vow fulfilled. Will I need to continue on without a sword once those enemy wenches are yours, girl?”

I stared upon Chaldrin with narrowed eyes, for surely the male knew not what he said. This former leader in the Caverns of the Doomed, he who was foremost among the fighters there, he who took females to please him whether they willed it or no, was to follow meekly after a war leader?

“One who no longer lives has little need of a sword,” said I, looking upon the male with scorn. “Think you the sisters of the Summa will smile with acceptance upon one who wishes to treat with them as equals? Males are less than warriors, considerably less, and so must they conduct themselves when among those who have the power and ability to take their lives. Also will there be none to ‘take a fancy to your furs,’ for you will have no furs. No more than the sleeping leather of the warrior who uses you will you have, she whom you must serve whether you will it or no. Should your temper be lost your life will soon follow, and that I will not allow. Should you wish to obey a war leader, you may do so by remaining here.”

“I wish to follow a war leader, sister,” said he, unabashed by my words, a faint glitter of amusement in his dark eyes. “Indeed have I sworn to do no other thing, and will not see my vow broken through lack of tenacity. Without all weapons will I follow you, and should you ride from me in the forests and leave me to make my way alone, my blood will be on your head. I give you my word that I will not turn back.”

He had stepped forward away from his swordbelt and had folded those massive arms across his broad chest, making me know that the word he had given me had not been idly given. Sister he had called me, just as I called him brother, and well he knew that I would not leave him to die in the forests. I continued to gaze upon the male in silence, disliking the need which had been forced upon me, yet was there naught I might do for it.

“Very well, male,” said I at last, nodding coldly, telling him that no longer would he find himself brother to me. “As you wish so heartily to follow a war leader she will allow it, yet are you to prepare yourself for prompt and absolute obedience. Should you behave in any other manner, it will need to be my sword which takes your life. Do you understand the words I speak?”

“Indeed,” said he, losing a deal of the satisfaction which had filled him with the first of my words. “Should I do aught to cause my life to be taken, the pain of taking that life will be yours long after my last breath has been drawn. I will recall that I have sworn to keep pain from you, and will give you no cause to end me.”

“Such is my sincere hope,” said I, unable to keep the dryness from my tone. “Males are scarcely of such great value that they will be kept no matter their doings. One alone may be used to serve many—if he is properly cared for between the times of his use.”

Chaldrin’s jaws tightened as I taunted him with a reversal of his own words upon the subject of female slaves in the Caverns, yet was he not so great a fool that he protested his indignation aloud. He accepted my words in a becoming silence, therefore did I indicate that he and the Summa were to mount up. Just as they began moving toward their kand, it was proven that the matter was not yet over and done with.

“Wait,” called Mehrayn, frustration having turned to decision in his eyes. “Where one might go, so might another. I, too, wish to follow a war leader.”

His hands opened and removed his swordbelt, then let it fall to the ground as his eyes challenged mine. Again did a low-voiced groan come from Dotil, for the male was well-nigh made of arrogance. One such as he would never truly follow a warrior, and any Midanna who looked upon him would know this without doubt.

“Go to your knees and bow your head, and say the same again,” said I with a snort of ridicule, seeing the manner in which the male’s head rose in annoyance at such a suggestion. Wide-legged did he stand, with shoulders unbowed and red-maned head high, and one such as he was to follow and obey? Far better were I to open my own throat upon the instant, and save the enemy clans the effort.

“Speak seriously and I will obey,” snapped Mehrayn, angered that I had turned once more to my kan. “Just as you would not obey such a command, neither might I be expected to.”

“The war leader has no need to obey such a command, male,” said Wedin when I failed to turn again to Mehrayn. “Never has she begged to follow a warrior, the very thing that you insist you do. Are you unable to see that she need not coax forth approval of her commands from one who truly follows, before obedience might be expected? To follow a warrior, a male must be capable of giving complete, unquestioning obedience; this, I think, is beyond you, brother.”

I knew a moment of startlement when Wedin gave Mehrayn the name of brother, yet in the silence which followed I found little to keep me from jumping to the back of my kan. I thought the foolishness was then at an end, however turning my kan about brought me more than startlement. With his light eyes directly upon me Mehrayn put himself to his knees, then did that flaming head bow in humility.

“I ask to be allowed to follow a war leader,” said he, the words as humble as the posture. “So deep is my need to do so that I will pledge myself to absolute obedience for the time that I follow her, swearing to do only and precisely as I am bidden to do. Should I be refused I will follow without this vow, and stand with naked blade against any who attempt to bring harm to that war leader by cause of my presence. No other thing than one of these may I do, and I leave it to the war leader to decide between them.”

Again were those light eyes upon me, calmly awaiting what decision I would make, calmly ignoring the anger I made no effort to conceal. That the male would follow after, I had no doubt, nor did I doubt the fury which would grip the enemy clans at sight of him. To keep the blood from flowing like water it was necessary that I accept his vow, yet was my anger not destined to be denied.

“You may consider your pledge accepted, male,” I informed the light-eyed gaze upon me with grim pleasure. “You are now no longer free to do as you will, only as I will. Take yourself from your knees and find your mount, then follow along behind your betters—in silence. There is much for you to learn, and it shall begin immediately.”

Many were the stares which came to me as Mehrayn rose slowly to his feet, his not the least among them, yet was a war leader well used to having many eyes upon her. S’Heernoh and the two Sigurri males stood silently beside Ilvin the while those who rode with me at long last got themselves mounted, yet did it seem that the gray-haired male sought words which might be spoken to me without adding to my anger. The sack containing the grains which brought the Clouds of Seeing hung from his belt, for it had been my decision that to carry the sack with me was to jeopardize the contents unnecessarily. Far better to leave the sack behind me, and again attempt its use when the matter of the enemy clans was done. Perhaps then the mist would be gone from the Snows, and Jalav would see what she sought to see. Before S’Heernoh found the words to approach me with, I raised a hand to all in farewell, turned my kan, and rode from the camp.

Growing anticipation and anxiety turned the Summa silent during the balance of the fey, my word upon the matter doing the same for the males. Anticipation grew within me as well, yet was there more determination than anxiety to accompany it. It would be glorious indeed to see all the Midanna ride as one, most especially against an enemy which was common to all. It would be wearying to have so many more war leaders to command—and be commanded by—yet would the time be for the battle against the strangers only. Afterward all would become as it had been, sister Midanna and enemy sister each going her own way—directly after the Hosta and Silla were freed. That final doing would also free Jalav, to seek out Mida and speak of many things—or possibly to end in the attempt. The thought brought me little agitation, no more than pleased anticipation, and so did the fey lower toward darkness in pleased contemplation.

Darkness camp saw three Midanna served by two males who followed them, large and well-made males who wore no weapon and made no objection to that which they were commanded to do. Silent were these males, for they had not received permission to speak as they would, and somewhat disturbed were they that the Midanna they rode with now took no true note of them, as though they were well beneath notice. Wedin and Dotil knew well that the only true safety for the males lay in their being no different from those other males who followed warriors, therefore did the presence of Mehrayn disturb them considerably. The male served with a silence like Chaldrin’s, yet was there some manner of difference to him.

“I cannot see what he does that Chaldrin does not, yet are they clearly not the same,” fretted Dotil, speaking of the male as though he were elsewhere, properly unconcerned that every word was listened to by him. “He will draw immediate attention, Jalav, of the sort we will find most unwelcome.”

“Perhaps Chaldrin does a thing which he does not,” suggested Wedin, attentive to the paslat she fed upon. “We will be among the clans mid way through the next fey, war leader. I doubt there is time enough to discover the true difficulty.”

“The difficulty is that Chaldrin finds no insult in standing back from the doings of warriors,” said I, continuing to apply myself to my own provender. “The other feels the need to bring himself to the attention of those he serves, a vanity I am familiar with. There is a cure for the thing, one which did well with a previous male who followed me, and one it will do little harm to attempt with this one.”

Only then did I allow my eyes to touch Mehrayn where he and Chaldrin crouched, awaiting what further service would be required of them, their own provender having been bolted down in anticipation of being summoned. A glint of hidden anticipated amusement showed in the eyes of Chaldrin, yet Mehrayn’s light gaze held only wary unease.

“Rise and stand before us, male,” said I to Mehrayn, my tone no warmer than it should be with one who served me with less than satisfaction. In truth I was wont to treat my males with a good deal more kindness, yet was Mehrayn of a different ilk than those others who had followed me. Those others had not been permitted to force their presence upon me when they were unwanted, yet Mehrayn had done no other thing.

“In future,” said I to him who stood looking down upon me, “upon reaching a halting or camping place, you will immediately remove your body cloth and put it from you, not to be donned again till our journey resumes. You may begin the practice upon the moment, for we have not the time to await the new light.”

“May I speak?” said the male, a tightness to the line of his jaw, a hardness to the look in his eye.

“Briefly,” I acknowledged, taking my eyes from him and returning my attention to my provender.

“I alone am to do this thing?” he asked, his words uneven despite his attempt at calm. “Chaldrin will not be required to do the same?”

“Chaldrin makes no attempt to present himself with overblown importance,” said I about a mouthful, seeking around me for the wet cloth which my male had earlier brought. “To serve warriors bare and continue to invite their attention is to ask to be used, upon your back and only to the extent that those warriors care to use you. Should it not be your wish to be used in such a manner, you will quickly learn self-effacement in the presence of those you serve.” Then did I raise my eyes and look directly upon him. “Need I repeat a command?”

“No,” said the male, growling, his gaze hard upon mine. “The war leader who holds my pledge has no need to repeat a command. Much does it seem that you are quite at ease commanding men to your will, war leader.”

“I have, in the past, had some experience with such,” I replied with a shrug, watching as the male before me reluctantly began to obey the command given him. Little effort was needed to remove the black body cloth, and then did Mehrayn attempt to stand uncaring before the Summa and myself. He it was who had remarked upon the good fortune of Midanna being unencumbered with a sense of body-shame, yet had he then been but one bare among many. Now he alone stood so, gazed upon by warriors who grinned and murmured in appreciation of his form, his brother male continuing covered, and something of the red of the last of Mida’s light brightened the tanned skin of him.

“I had not sooner noted how well hung he is,” said Dotil, gazing thoughtfully upon Mehrayn with approval in her light eyes. “Has he skill with that which he possesses, Jalav?”

“Some small skill,” I conceded, noting with amusement that Sigurr’s Sword was scarcely pleased to be praised so. “I was also told by those Midanna who used him in Bellinard that he was deemed—adequate. Do you find interest in him, Dotil?”

“Indeed,” said she, continuing to look upon Mehrayn, the single word spoken in such a manner that the male foolishly allowed his gaze to be drawn to hers. For many feyd had Mehrayn kept himself from the use of any female, a doing I had little understanding of. That he had at first not wished my use, then had not been allowed it, should not have kept him from seeking among the other warriors of our set, yet it had. No use at all had the male had, and he one who had great appetites and needs. His gaze touched that of Dotil, moved quickly all about her reclining form—then Wedin laughed aloud in great amusement.

“The male also seems to find interest in you, sister,” said she to Dotil, bringing a grin to the face of her sister Summa. At once Mehrayn took on a closer resemblance to the dying light of the fey, yet was there naught he might do to change or deny his interest. Most evident had that interest grown, so evident that I, too, could not keep from chuckling. Wedin attempted to catch the eye of the male as Dotil had, yet did he avoid the gaze of both and close his eyes as though in pain. Clearly was it humiliation rather than pain that the male felt, a humiliation not often visited upon so doughty a warrior, and Wedin bethought herself to give him something of ease.

“I would have what more there is of this toothsome paslat,” said she, glancing toward me as she smoothed away her amusement. “I would be grateful, Jalav, if you were to bid your male bring it to me.”

“Certainly, Wedin,” said I, nodding in an agreeable fashion, then did I look toward Chaldrin. The dark-haired Sigurri male crouched with elbow on thigh and hand rubbing face, striving diligently to keep his usual calm from sliding into laughter. Wedin’s eyes followed mine and amusement flashed briefly, then did she speak again before I might do so.

“I would have your red-haired male serve me, Jalav,” said she, no more than the lightest hint of amused reproof evident in her tone. Had she not called Mehrayn brother I might perhaps have felt insult, yet had she indeed addressed him so.

“As you wish, Wedin,” said I with an uncaring shrug, seeing that the Summa had not thought through her desire to give Mehrayn assistance. “Fetch for the warrior Wedin what paslat remains, male.”

The male nodded shortly and turned from us, taking sight of his humiliation from our view; then he went to the fire, not looking at Chaldrin. The second male continued in his calm crouch, also looking not upon he who avoided his eye, his face now serene as it had not earlier been. A brief moment did it take for the last pieces of paslat to be gathered, and then had Mehrayn returned with them to Wedin. He stood before her, unthinkingly leaning down to offer the paslat, and Dotil’s laughter pealed out to echo throughout the forest.

“Indeed a toothsome choice, sister,” said she to a Wedin who sighed with defeat at the manner in which Mehrayn flinched and immediately straightened himself. “What hunger you have must surely dictate that choice, nor will it be easy. The hungers of a warrior are never easily seen to.”

“It seems I erred in suggesting this solution to the difficulty the male gave,” said I, smiling at Dotil’s amusement. “He has not only not given over his previous actions, he now presents himself in an even more forward manner.”

My observation caused Dotil’s laugh to ring out a second time, drew Wedin into falling to chuckling, and brought a deep sigh of pain to Chaldrin. I knew not what ailed the dark-eyed male, till it came to me that Mehrayn looked down upon me.

“It is my sincere hope that the war leader I follow has found a great deal of amused enjoyment,” said he who was called Sigurr’s Sword, his voice soft. “Come the fey my word no longer binds me, she will find a great need for memories of enjoyment.”

The darkness had fallen too close about us for his features to be easily seen, yet had I no more need for seeing them than did Chaldrin. The white-clad Sigurri had known of Mehrayn’s anger even before it was voiced, yet I, unlike him, felt little disturbance over it.

“Have you at last found a reason to give me the challenge, male?” I asked, leaning down to one elbow in the grass so that my comfort might be increased. “Humiliation is a strong goad toward that end, is it not? Should it be your choice then to give me the challenge I will not refuse you, yet do you now continue bound by a vow of obedience—and have spoken without permission. See to the balance of your tasks quickly, the while I consider what punishment is to be yours.”

For a long moment the male stood unmoving, seemingly wishing to speak again, yet had he been commanded to silence. The need for obedience was a greater stone in his throat than he had anticipated it would be, so great that it well-nigh choked him before he turned and took himself to his tasks with frustration-stiffened movements. The remains of our repast needed seeing to, and this he began even before Chaldrin rose from his crouch to assist him.

“Should you continue to cause anger in him, Jalav, he will not learn,” said Wedin in a soft voice, having put aside the paslat she had not truly wanted. “As he accompanies us solely to stand in your cause, it would be less than honorable to allow his life to be lost by cause of your need for turnabout. Do you truly mean to give him punishment?”

“He accompanies me by cause of his own stubbornness, Wedin,” I returned with some annoyance. “The cause he stands in is his own, as ever it has been, and much has he earned a taste of turnabout. As for the matter of punishment, his arrogance needs taking down a bit. Did he follow you, would you allow him to speak as he did to me?”

The dark-haired Summa warrior turned her part-shadowy, part fire-lit face from me, choosing to remain silent rather than speak against the one she had called brother. Well did she know that she would not have permitted such a liberty with a male who followed her, yet had she accepted Mehrayn as warrior rather than male, much as I had done with Chaldrin. That I spoiled Chaldrin far less than she attempted to do with Mehrayn was not a matter which might be pointed out to her; a warrior treated with other warriors as she willed, allowing them liberties if that was her desire; a war leader required respect and obedience from those about her, else was she useless to her clan, both in battle and in peace. It was not possible that I overlook Mehrayn’s insolence, nor would I have done so even had it been possible. After having forced himself upon me, it was no more than male idiocy to believe he would not be made to regret the doing.

Though Wedin looked only upon the fire, Dotil’s gaze rested directly upon me, her shadowed eyes asking a silent question. I had no need to see her to know the question she asked, for I had expected the request. I nodded once, with a smile, and saw that smile reflected upon Dotil’s face before she turned her attention toward the two males who labored by the fire. The question of Mehrayn’s punishment would require some thinking upon, and best would be to keep the male occupied the while, learning to do as he must do among the clans. I, too, looked toward the males, waiting for their tasks to be completed.

When all which needed attention had been seen to, the males left the fire with a good deal of relief. Full darkness was then upon us, and with it had descended the sultry, overcast heat we had had so much of. That the males looked forward to rest and sleep was clear, yet were they less than pleased that they had been denied the covered pelts they had till then taken their rest upon. Those pelts they had been made to leave behind them, for those who followed warriors did as those warriors did. As the two looked about themselves I gestured them to me, then rose to my feet.

“First watch this darkness is mine,” said I, looking at the two as I loosened my sword in its scabbard. “Those who are unarmed stand no watches, even were they permitted to do such a thing under other circumstances. Best we seek our rest as quickly as possible, for the new fey will bring much to occupy us. ”

Chaldrin nodded with calm acceptance as he looked down upon me, more so than Mehrayn who, though he also accepted my words, nevertheless was not pleased with them. Sigurr’s Sword then began to turn from me, most likely to seek a place to take his rest, however Chaldrin remained where he was, apparently suspecting that there was more to come. I smiled at the perceptiveness of the male, then nodded my head.

“You, Chaldrin, will serve the warrior Wedin this darkness, obeying her as you would me,” said I, sending approval to him with the smile. Mehrayn’s attention returned to me immediately, therefore did I look upon him with considerably less approval. “You, male, will serve the warrior Dotil,” said I, watching him closely. “You will give her all the pleasure you are capable of giving, and will obey her as you are bound to obey me. Are my instructions clear to you?”

“Aye, completely clear,” growled the male, hands closed into fists at his sides. “And who is to serve the war leader?”

“The war leader desires no service,” said I, touching my life sign as a faint smile came to me. It disturbed the male that I had no desire for him, yet was I greatly pleased by the circumstance. Best indeed was it for a warrior to keep herself from males, most especially ones such as Mehrayn. “As for the matter of your punishment,” I continued, “we will see to it with the new light. I would not have you made unable to perform properly for the warrior who desires you.”

“Ah, of course,” said he, nodding with understanding as his great arms folded themselves across his chest. “It would be inconsiderate to allow my punishment to interfere with the duties given me. Accept my thanks for your consideration, war leader, and be assured that I shall serve the warrior Dotil to the very best of my abilities.”

The nod he sent to me was more than cordial, and then had he turned from me to make his way toward Dotil, not far from where Chaldrin already began seating himself beside Wedin. Much did it seem that his words called for a reply, yet was I unable to conceive of what that reply should be. With some very faint, unexpected disturbance I turned from them all and began to move about the camp, a disturbance the following hind did naught to clarify nor dispel. The darkness dragged on a very long time, most especially after Dotil screamed with pleasure.