Osa shrugged. “Many say so.”
“The warrior-priests alone cannot make Antas WarKing,” Joden pointed out. “That requires the full Council and the Eldest Elders.”
“And round and round we go,” Osa said. She tilted her head, and studied Joden. “And do you support Keir as WarKing?”
“I take no position,” Joden said.
“And if you were Singer?” Osa pushed.
“You ask me to comment if I were Singer? If the Council re-forms, if the Eldest Elders are found, if the Warlords are chosen and the armies formed?” Joden chuckled. “You might as well ask in what pattern the clouds will form tomorrow.”
Osa’s smile was wry. “A Singer’s answer.”
Joden shrugged.
Ultie started to turn his horse. “Well, this talk will not settle anything, and I’ve had my fill for this night. We can talk further as we sit and wait for the warrior-priests to finish whatever they would do at the Heart.” He spat in the grass. “Elements grant that the prey they stalk turns on them.”
“Night comes. Time enough tomorrow to beat theses grasses flat,” Osa agreed. She took the bells from her horse’s mane. “Seems we must wait on events.” She wrinkled her nose, gave them both a nod and rode off.
Simus watched after them, then looked at Joden. “What do you think?”
Joden shrugged.
“A Singer’s answer.” Simus rolled his eyes, turned his horse, and headed for where his warriors were making camp. Joden followed silently.
As they rode up, warriors met them to take their horses. Eloix came up on foot as they dismounted. “We’ve strong kavage, and meat spitted over the fire.” She looked them both over. “You’ve the look of too much thinking, Simus.”
“Aye to that,” Simus said, feeling anger simmering under his skin. “I’m in need of a sparring session to work out my frustrations.”
Eloix sidled up next to him and nudged his hip with hers. “Perhaps I could offer a better distraction?”
Simus gave her a warm smile, and reached out to stroke her cheek lightly with his fingertips. “Afterward, lovely one. I would call a senel tonight. The warrior-priests may have kept us from the Heart, but I would keep us to the path I have chosen.”
Joden straightened as did Eloix. They both lowered their eyes, and gave him the traditional bow of respect. “Yes, Simus.”
Simus grinned. “We will begin the rituals tonight.”
Chapter Two
“I call this senel to order,” Simus announced, letting his joy and satisfaction ring in his voice.
From the faces around him, the warriors shared his pleasure.
They may have set a temporary camp with no large tents, but they’d done him proud with braziers heaped high, the flames burning merrily. The light surrounded the group with a golden glow, one that could probably be seen for miles since the sun had dipped beyond the horizon.
Simus stood among them and raised his hands. “The fire warms us,” he recited.
The crowd responded, their voice rising together. “We thank the elements.”
Simus raised his voice a bit louder and stronger. “The earth supports us.”
“We thank the elements,” they responded, raising their voices with his.
Simus let joy fill his voice. “The waters sustain us.”
“We thank the elements,” came the echoing response.
“The air fills us,” Simus said, booming out the words.