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.I leaned forward, holding my hand in front of Marcus s face. It s wonderful, Marcus.Give me yourknife and I ll show you how it works. Skies above. Marcus jerked his head back and the horse danced beneath us. It s more like you ll cutyour hand off.Not with my knife! Isdra laughed, and moved her horse closer. Show me, Warprize. She pulled her knife and sliced deepinto the meat beneath her thumb.Blood welled up quickly.I took the leaves and twisted them, crushing their fibers.A strong scent of mold rose into my nostrils. Take this and press it to the cut. Isdra wiped her blade clean on her trous and sheathed it, then used her fingers to press the mass to thecut.The leaves turned color almost immediately as it drank up the blood, changing to a pale green.Gilscraned his head to see, and Isdra lowered her hand to let him get a good look.At my nod, she pulled theleaves away.The skin was healed, with only an angry red line left to show she d been hurt.Isdra held herhand up to show the others, and let the used leaves fall to the ground.Prest and Rafe were clearly impressed, and Rafe started to gather the crop in earnest.Gils knelt, staringat the bloody leaves intently.I watched for a minute, then smiled. Gils, I don t think it will take rootwhile you watch. Oh. He was clearly disappointed as he started to gather more. And what do we have to be careful of when we use this plant? I asked him gently.He frowned a bit, then his face cleared. Not to use it on a dirty wound.It will seal the dirt inside, if youare not careful. He bit his lip. I could not have used it on your feet. Marcus grunted at that. Does it have to be fresh? I was told that it works just as well dried, just not quite so quickly. I can think of other uses. Isdra smiled slyly. It would be handy at moon times.Would it grow on thePlains? I flushed even as I shrugged.She spoke so casually about something that wasn t discussed out loud bymy people.Epor had dismounted, and was looking at the leaves he was holding.His horse nosed his hand, but threwits head up when he offered it the leaves. Would it work on a horse? Why is it always about horses with you people? I snapped, suddenly irritated.There was an uncomfortable silence.The surprised looks on their faces made my pique vanish.I lookeddown at Marcus s back and mumbled. I don t know. Gils, bless his youth, was oblivious. How much will you want, Warprize? His arms were filled with hispickings. As much as we can take. I looked around, amazed to see that the little plant was spread through thegrass as far as I could see. Two handfuls in each warrior s kit would be useful in case of injury. Gils quickly handed out his crop, making sure that each had at least two handfuls.Even Marcus took asupply.Gils placed his own in his saddlebags and then mounted. I ll pass the word, Warprize.Two-handfuls Tell them to dry it well, Gils. I called after him as he galloped off. We ll see to Cadr once we stop forthe night. Rafe mounted up as well, and Marcus headed us back toward the army at a more sedate walk. Hisselfwill not like his warriors stopping to pick posies. They all have to pass water at some point, don t they? I pointed out.Rafe laughed, but Marcus just grunted.As we returned to our position in the flowing mass of warriors, Marcus was careful to thread his wayback into the direct center.Rafe and Prest rode ahead of us a little ways, and Epor and Isdra fadedbehind us.They didn t really try to maintain any kind of positions, since there were warriors all around us.I shifted, trying to get comfortable, and tried not to sigh in Marcus s ear.Marcus must have heard me, for he cleared his throat. Epor meant no offense, Warprize. I know, Marcus. I yawned, tired now that the excitement was over.It had been a brief change from the monotony of thedays since Keir had taken me up on his horse and re-claimed me as his Warprize.I fingered the leavesthat I still held in my hand.Eln would be so pleased to hear that bloodmoss thrived in this area.I couldsend him a plant with the next messenger, dig it up, roots and all, and wrap it in wet cloth.Even his dourface would crack with a smile at the sight.I d laugh to see it except that I wouldn t be there.Suddenly, it all seemed too much.A flood of sickness rose up in my body, a sickness of the heart forwhich there was no cure.I was all to familiar with this feeling, for I was sick for my home, for the castleand the people that I d left behind in Water s Fall.For Anna s stew and Heath s teasing, and my old room with its four familiar stone walls.I sighed again, trying not to feel sorry for myself and failing. You ve not been yourself, Warprize. Marcus had his head turned, and I could just see his nose and lipsunder the hood of the cloak.His voice dropped to a low gentle tone. You re not eating, and I mthinking that you re not sleeping either. I watched the ground pass below us. I m fine. Are you pregnant? I dropped my head onto his back and groaned. Marcus& It s a fair question. Marcus replied. Our women take precautions in the field, but you Xyians havesuch strange ways& I am not pregnant. I growled.I didn t want to think about that, although he was right.I hadn t takenany precautions.My courses were due any day.But the idea of being pregnant raised issues that I didn t want to consider. Then what is wrong, Lara? The fact that he was using my name told me that he was worried.I opened my mouth, but the truth wouldnot come. I m fine, Marcus.Truly. He snorted. As you say, Warprize. He stiffened in the saddle, and I knew that I had upset him.Thisscarred little man had come to mean a great deal to me within a short period of time.He was fiercelyloyal to his Warlord, and I was included in that loyalty.I wasn t sure that was by virtue of my own self,or that fact that I was Keir s chosen Warprize.Regardless, how could I confide my worries and fears tohim? He already held Xyians in contempt on general principals.My fretful complaints could only heapwood on that fire.I settled for an obvious question. When do you think we ll stop for the night? A few hours yet, Warprize.Hisself will keep us moving until we lose the light [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
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.I leaned forward, holding my hand in front of Marcus s face. It s wonderful, Marcus.Give me yourknife and I ll show you how it works. Skies above. Marcus jerked his head back and the horse danced beneath us. It s more like you ll cutyour hand off.Not with my knife! Isdra laughed, and moved her horse closer. Show me, Warprize. She pulled her knife and sliced deepinto the meat beneath her thumb.Blood welled up quickly.I took the leaves and twisted them, crushing their fibers.A strong scent of mold rose into my nostrils. Take this and press it to the cut. Isdra wiped her blade clean on her trous and sheathed it, then used her fingers to press the mass to thecut.The leaves turned color almost immediately as it drank up the blood, changing to a pale green.Gilscraned his head to see, and Isdra lowered her hand to let him get a good look.At my nod, she pulled theleaves away.The skin was healed, with only an angry red line left to show she d been hurt.Isdra held herhand up to show the others, and let the used leaves fall to the ground.Prest and Rafe were clearly impressed, and Rafe started to gather the crop in earnest.Gils knelt, staringat the bloody leaves intently.I watched for a minute, then smiled. Gils, I don t think it will take rootwhile you watch. Oh. He was clearly disappointed as he started to gather more. And what do we have to be careful of when we use this plant? I asked him gently.He frowned a bit, then his face cleared. Not to use it on a dirty wound.It will seal the dirt inside, if youare not careful. He bit his lip. I could not have used it on your feet. Marcus grunted at that. Does it have to be fresh? I was told that it works just as well dried, just not quite so quickly. I can think of other uses. Isdra smiled slyly. It would be handy at moon times.Would it grow on thePlains? I flushed even as I shrugged.She spoke so casually about something that wasn t discussed out loud bymy people.Epor had dismounted, and was looking at the leaves he was holding.His horse nosed his hand, but threwits head up when he offered it the leaves. Would it work on a horse? Why is it always about horses with you people? I snapped, suddenly irritated.There was an uncomfortable silence.The surprised looks on their faces made my pique vanish.I lookeddown at Marcus s back and mumbled. I don t know. Gils, bless his youth, was oblivious. How much will you want, Warprize? His arms were filled with hispickings. As much as we can take. I looked around, amazed to see that the little plant was spread through thegrass as far as I could see. Two handfuls in each warrior s kit would be useful in case of injury. Gils quickly handed out his crop, making sure that each had at least two handfuls.Even Marcus took asupply.Gils placed his own in his saddlebags and then mounted. I ll pass the word, Warprize.Two-handfuls Tell them to dry it well, Gils. I called after him as he galloped off. We ll see to Cadr once we stop forthe night. Rafe mounted up as well, and Marcus headed us back toward the army at a more sedate walk. Hisselfwill not like his warriors stopping to pick posies. They all have to pass water at some point, don t they? I pointed out.Rafe laughed, but Marcus just grunted.As we returned to our position in the flowing mass of warriors, Marcus was careful to thread his wayback into the direct center.Rafe and Prest rode ahead of us a little ways, and Epor and Isdra fadedbehind us.They didn t really try to maintain any kind of positions, since there were warriors all around us.I shifted, trying to get comfortable, and tried not to sigh in Marcus s ear.Marcus must have heard me, for he cleared his throat. Epor meant no offense, Warprize. I know, Marcus. I yawned, tired now that the excitement was over.It had been a brief change from the monotony of thedays since Keir had taken me up on his horse and re-claimed me as his Warprize.I fingered the leavesthat I still held in my hand.Eln would be so pleased to hear that bloodmoss thrived in this area.I couldsend him a plant with the next messenger, dig it up, roots and all, and wrap it in wet cloth.Even his dourface would crack with a smile at the sight.I d laugh to see it except that I wouldn t be there.Suddenly, it all seemed too much.A flood of sickness rose up in my body, a sickness of the heart forwhich there was no cure.I was all to familiar with this feeling, for I was sick for my home, for the castleand the people that I d left behind in Water s Fall.For Anna s stew and Heath s teasing, and my old room with its four familiar stone walls.I sighed again, trying not to feel sorry for myself and failing. You ve not been yourself, Warprize. Marcus had his head turned, and I could just see his nose and lipsunder the hood of the cloak.His voice dropped to a low gentle tone. You re not eating, and I mthinking that you re not sleeping either. I watched the ground pass below us. I m fine. Are you pregnant? I dropped my head onto his back and groaned. Marcus& It s a fair question. Marcus replied. Our women take precautions in the field, but you Xyians havesuch strange ways& I am not pregnant. I growled.I didn t want to think about that, although he was right.I hadn t takenany precautions.My courses were due any day.But the idea of being pregnant raised issues that I didn t want to consider. Then what is wrong, Lara? The fact that he was using my name told me that he was worried.I opened my mouth, but the truth wouldnot come. I m fine, Marcus.Truly. He snorted. As you say, Warprize. He stiffened in the saddle, and I knew that I had upset him.Thisscarred little man had come to mean a great deal to me within a short period of time.He was fiercelyloyal to his Warlord, and I was included in that loyalty.I wasn t sure that was by virtue of my own self,or that fact that I was Keir s chosen Warprize.Regardless, how could I confide my worries and fears tohim? He already held Xyians in contempt on general principals.My fretful complaints could only heapwood on that fire.I settled for an obvious question. When do you think we ll stop for the night? A few hours yet, Warprize.Hisself will keep us moving until we lose the light [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]