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accepting Keir as Overlord, we'd all known that the outlying areas might not be quite so accepting. Messengers had been sent to spread the word, but events had moved fast, even faster than the pace Keir had set for our return to the Plains. It was possible that one of the smaller villages had decided to defy the command, but I thought it unlikely. No single village had the wherewithall to close its gates and refuse to submit. The long summer of fighting before Xymund had conceded defeat had taken men from the villages. There was a question as to whether we had enough workers to take in what was left of the harvest, much less resist a foe. For in one thing, Keir was implacable: oathbreakers are punished absolutely, and completely. If a village or town swore fealty to him, and then rejected his control, he would raze it to the ground and salt the cinders.
    I struggled with my hair, trying to free it from my tunic, as Keir waited impatiently. "I'm sorry. I should probably cut this mess off."
    Keir stepped forward, and eased his hands under my hair, pulling it free for me. "Don't." His hands were warm and I shivered as he brushed my neck. I tilted my head up and he lowered his and kissed me. There was a sense of desperation, almost fear in him, and I brought my arms up to hold him close. He wrapped an arm around me as well and deepened the kiss until I ran out of breath.
    He raised his head, and we stood in each others arms for a moment, until the sounds beyond the alders reminded us of the world around us. He stepped back with reluctance. I straightened my clothing, and he waited until I finished, but stopped me when I reached for the blankets.
    "Leave that." He turned, and started through the thick branches, again keeping the branches off my face as I followed. The birds protested again as we emerged from our haven to find Yers standing there, holding his and Keir's horses. Prest, Rafe, Isdra and Epor were coming up behind him.
    Yers handed Keir his reins. "There's a large willow at the top of a crest down the road. I've called the senel to meet there, and have summoned the scouts."
    I stood there, breathing hard, trying to braid up my hair. "What has happened?" Yers shrugged, his crooked nose twitching. "All I know so far is that the scouts were attacked by Xyians."
    "Injuries?" Keir asked.
    "Unknown." Yers responded.
    "Send word to Ortis that I want the scouts involved at the senel." Keir mounted, the leather creaking as he pulled himself into the saddle. "We'll go on ahead." He turned to speak to Prest and Rafe as Yers mounted his own horse. "Gather up the Warprize and her things, and bring her along. All four of you with her at all times. If they are offering challenge to me, they may well target her."
    Epor nodded. "Marcus has gone ahead to prepare. Something about 'doing things right by Hisself."
    Keir gave a grim smile. "Marcus would serve drink in the midst of battle, if he could."
    "Keir," I stepped forward, but he cut me off.
    "Lara, there's no point discussing this until we know more."
    "Keir, I—"
    Keir shook his head, and his horse jumped forward. Yers was quick to follow, leaving me standing there in the dust. I put my hands on my hips, glared at their backs and called out to them as loud as I could. "The least you could do is let me ride my own horse?" Yers had described it perfectly. The willow was old and bent, its long branches trailing on the ground, moving slightly in the breeze. I could make out people moving within its shade, and there was a smell of kavage in the air. As we rode up, Iften and Yers emerged from behind the branches, and Iften's voice was raised in complaint. "—wasting time, neglecting his duties, all he thinks about is plants and illness. Pah."
    Yers responded mildly. "You'd not think it a waste, were it to your benefit." They turned to look at us as we brought the horses to a stop. Iften had the usual sullen look that he carried whenever he saw me. I was riding behind Rafe. And saw him