Elizabeth Vaughan Chronicles Of The Warlands 01 Warprize

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. Tell me, she said tell me about them. There was a scowl as she drank her kavage. I must needs dealwith them for supplies.These ways are new to me.Tell me how they deal and what they are like.I chuckled.I knew that look now.It was the same look that Remn got in his eye when he was hagglingover the price of a book.We talked for a long time.Sal had questions about sellers of livestock, produce, cloth, and everything anarmy could want.She already knew all the types of coins used in the kingdom of Xy, and their relativevalues.She was not so interested in the butchers and bakers, and I couldn t answer her questions aboutthe dealers in swords and armor.She seemed well satisfied, and stood and stretched, looking out theentrance of the tent. I ve kept you late, Warprize.My thanks. With that, Sal left as quickly as she hadcome.I looked after her in surprise. Is she always that abrupt?Rafe and Prest chuckled at my expression. Unless you re haggling, Warprize, said Rafe. Let me check Atira one more time.Atira blinked at me as I checked the leg, and smiled drowsily. Warprize. Atira.How do you feel? Good, Warprize.I sighed. Lara.My name is Lara.She yawned. Yes, Warprize.I sighed.Apparently I was wasting my time.On the walk back to the Warlord s tent, we paused to look at the stars that hung in the sky, and themoon riding low.Rafe was explaining the significance of the fact that Joden wanted to talk to Atira. It san honor, to be in a song.Prest nodded. A great honor. To be honored for a broken leg? I asked, skeptical.Rafe chuckled. Well, it would be better if it were a battle deed, but it is rare indeed to be in a song.Unless you re particularly brave or cunning Or dead. Prest added. Or dead. Rafe agreed. Joden must also be planning on singing about you, Warprize. Me? I stopped outside the tent.Rafe laughed. Why sing about the injury unless you sing about the healing? He clapped his hand onPrest s back, and they walked off, leaving me standing there with a foolish look on my face.Marcus greeted me when I entered the tent. Can I get you anything, Warprize?I put my hands on my hips. Lara.He turned his one eye up to study the tent. Kavage, perhaps? Some hot water?I snorted, but was too tired to fight him. No, thank you.I think I will go to sleep.Marcus nodded. I will add some fuel to the braziers.The Warlord is still with Simus, and I think theywill talk the stars away. He bustled about, as I sank down onto the bed, and bade me good rest whenhe left.I yawned, my face almost splitting with its strength.The bed felt wonderful when I crawled underthe blankets and furs.Later, much later, I woke to find Keir had crawled into the bed at some point.He lay off to one side, onhis back, sleeping peacefully.There on his bare arm were those tattoos.I stared at him in the soft glow ofthe coals, then went back to sleep.The dress was bright red.Bright, bright red.Marcus smiled at me. There, now.That will do us proud.I tried to smile back at him.The morning had started well enough.When I awoke, I found the bed empty and Keir already gone.After breakfast and kavage, I returned to the healing tent, to find Gils there feeding everyone and askingas many questions as he could with one breath.After some negotiation, I allowed some of Atira s friendsinto the tent, so they could make their plans.Whenever I wandered in their direction, they would coverup the board, and wave me off.The only times I pushed the issue was when I needed to check the leg,other than that I left them to their schemes.The morning passed quickly, and I soon found myself hustledback to Marcus and food and the dress.As dresses went, it was quite comfortable.A high neckline and long sleeves, with a flared split skirt.Iespecially liked the skirt, given the chance of a side-saddle in this army camp was nonexistent.The fabricslid between my legs like water glides over skin.It was nothing I d ever seen or felt.Somehow Marcushad even gotten slippers that matched the dress.I soothed the dress, running my hands over the fabric with mixed emotions.I certainly didn t fill thebodice, the cut being made for more generous curves.The skirt fit fine over my more than ample hips,and the cloth flowed down my legs.Ordinarily I d be pleased to own such a dress.But not a scarlet dress.In Water s Fall, red was the color worn by women whose profession I was not supposed to knowabout.At times, some of the bolder women of the court would dare to have a scarf, or some trim of thatcolor, but not a whole dress.What made it that much worse was that I had never seen a red like thisbefore, so bright and vivid.It was the bright red of new blood, brighter even than the roses in the briar ofthe palace garden.It put all the Xyian colors to shame, making them look drab and dowdy.A dress likethis, as bright as it was, all but screamed my position in no uncertain terms.I bowed my head, hiding my face with a curtain of hair.If I said something, Marcus might not understand,but he might not make me wear the dress.Trous would raise eyebrows, certainly, but this dress wouldhave the lord and ladies of the Court collapsing with seizures.I didn t want to offend him, but I couldn twear this.In the back of my head I heard Great Aunt Xydella s quavery voice. Speak up, child. She dsay. I can t read minds. Of course Great Aunt Xydella would have worn the dress and loved everyoutrageous minute of it.I bit my lip, then opened my mouth. Marcus Keir walked into the tent and stopped short.His eyes widened, and his face lit up. Fire s blessing. Hestood, looking at me with approval.I swallowed what I had been about to say.Keir made a gesture, and I turned slowly, allowing him to see it. Marcus, where did you find such adress?Marcus drew himself up and arched his eyebrow. The clothing of one woman is a task well within myskills, Warlord.Keir smiled and acknowledged Marcus with a slight bow. I stand corrected, old man. He straightened.He was outfitted in full chain that held a high gloss, with a black cape edged in fur.The hilts of his swordspeeked over his shoulders.He moved to stand before me, a look of pride on his face.He held out hishands, and there were the bracelets that I had worn at the surrender ceremony.I stiffened and looked away [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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