I nodded, but kept chewing.

“Now, the stupid one that spoke out last night was Antas, Eldest Warrior. You saw how we were seated?”

I frowned, trying to remember. Keekai sighed, dipped her finger in her kavage, and drew on the wood of the table. “The four closest to the floor are the Eldest Singer, Warrior, and Warrior-Priest, and Eldest Thea.”

I frowned, and swallowed my mouthful. “I thought you didn’t count years,” I pointed out. “How do you know who is Eldest?”

It was Keekai’s turn to frown. “Elder is not because one is old. Elder is because one is best, or has the support of many others.”

“So you are an Elder because of status?”

“Exactly so.” She drew four damp circles in a row. “The Eldest sit here, closest to the earth and the flame.”

She drew more circles behind the three. “Here sit the Elders whose rank is just behind. I sit among them. We are between the elements, earth and fire below, air and water above.”

She dipped her finger again. “Behind us, on the highest tier, are the newest of the Elders. They are closest to the air and the water.”

“So seating denotes status.” I studied the damp spots as they soaked into the wood.

“Just so. The Eldest are always four. One Warrior, one Warrior-Priest, one Singer, One Thea. Antas is the Warrior, and Essa is the Singer. Wild Winds is the Warrior-Priest. The Eldest Thea rarely attends.”

“I remember Antas,” I said dryly.

“He is a fool,” Keekai responded. “I told you that the winds had brought us word of you, but Antas listens only to the worst.” She tapped the table with her finger. “Although it surprised me that he acted so. I’d have expected it from Wild Winds before Antas.”

Once again, she dipped her finger in the kavage. “Those who would speak to the Council are placed between the fire pits.” She drew the rest of the tent in for me. “Those who would observe, or wait their turn, stand on the other side of the pits, along the edges of the tent. Those who provide for the Council, they are behind the tiers.”

I dipped some fresh bread into the meat dish with the red flakes, taking only a little with a large piece of bread. Warned this time, I nibbled at it carefully. It stung my mouth, but the taste wasn’t bad, just different. Keekai chuckled as I ate. “You will become of the Plains before you realize it, Lara.”

I took a deep breath as the spices filled my nose. “Has there been any word from Keir?”

Keekai shook her head. “It’s too soon.” She looked at me with sympathy. “I’m sure he’ll be here as fast as he can, Lara. But even if he arrived today, they would keep you apart.”

I nodded, staring down at the food. “I understand.”

“Now, of the Elders present—” Keekai broke off, looking over my shoulder. “What is it?”

I turned on my stool to see a warrior at the tent flap. “A messenger from the Council, Elder.” The woman smiled at me. “For the Warprize.”

“Ah.” Keekai arched an eyebrow. “Send them in.”

I hastily chewed and swallowed my last bite, wiping my face with my hands.

A young girl walked into the area, obviously conscious of the importance of her mission. She faced us, tall, slim, and confident. “Greetings. I am Jilla of the Bear. I carry a message for Xylara, Daughter of Xy, from the Council of Elders of the Plains.”

Keekai deferred to me with a gesture. I cleared my throat. “I am Xylara.”

Jilla gave me a nod. “Daughter of Xy, the Council bids me ask if you would be able to attend a Council senel this afternoon.”

I glanced over at Keekai, but she deferred to me again. “As you will, Warprize.”

“Please tell the Council that I will attend,” I responded.

Jilla gave me another nod. “The Council wishes you to know that every courtesy will be offered to you. An escort will be sent, once the Council is met.”

I nodded at that, and she slipped between the tent flaps and vanished.

“As close to an apology as we are likely to get,” Keekai offered.

I turned back to the table, and reached for my kavage. Keekai continued on. “They may honor you with your own tent, Lara. And appoint new guards for you. This is an honor, but it also serves to separate us, something that will please Antas.” She hesitated then. “We could delay them, if you wish. Claim that you are too tired to appear.”

“No.” I shook my head. “I want this over with. Now, please, help me remember Antas’s accusations. And tell me more about the Council members.”

“Welcome to the Heart of the Plains, Xylara, Daughter of Xy.”

I nodded my head slightly, giving them no more, or less, than their due.

This time, Eldest Singer Essa greeted me as I walked into the tent. He was standing in the center, between Antas and Wild Winds.

Antas was in full armor, an impressive sight to be sure. Even more impressive was the expression on his face, dark and forbidding.

Wild Winds had a neutral look, as if I was no more than another warrior that appeared before them. He was seated, his arms folded over his tattooed chest. I took note of the tattoo over his left eye, determined that I would know him in the future.

I stood before them all, in the flame-red dress and matching slippers. I’d put on the bracelets, dotted a bit of my precious vanilla oil between my breasts, and braided my hair down my back. I also had my satchel slung on my hip, and while the strap may have marred the cut of the dress, I’d carried it anyway. In my own way, I was armed for combat, although they might not recognize the dress or satchel as such. Still, there had been a stir when I’d entered the pavilion, and it had given me a bit more confidence.

I would take every morsel I could find.

Essa continued. “We offer you the warmth of our fire, and a seat before us.”

The tent we were under was huge, and it covered a stone floor that seemed perfectly circular. I was standing between two fire pits, where coals smoldered, providing heat. There were also other braziers scattered around, and a few torches as well, for light.

The three Eldest were before me on a low wooden platform, their stools behind them. Behind that rose three wooden tiers, also filled with Elders on their stools. The result was that the entire Council could sit and glare down at me.

A warrior strode out and placed a small bench between the two fire pits. I took my seat, placed my satchel by my feet, and adjusted my skirts.

“We offer you food and drink, Daughter of Xy.”

Two warriors, one with a small table, another with a tray, approached. I was offered water to wash my hands, and then kavage and gurt were placed within my reach.

“I thank you for your courtesy.” I poured a mug of kavage and took a sip. While the scent of the vanilla helped, there was still a tight knot between my shoulder blades. The Council had proved that it was willing to attack me at a weak moment. The person speaking may have changed, but I wasn’t fooled. The claws were still there, merely sheathed for the time being.

Keekai and I had gone over the members of the Council, but everything was jumbled together in my head. Without being obvious, I drew a long, deep breath and tried to calm myself.

And I’d thought the Council of Xy had been hard to deal with.

“Xylara, Daughter of Xy, from the Kingdom of Xy, you have been claimed as Warprize by Keir of the Cat, Warlord of the Plains.” Essa’s words sounded familiar for some reason. “You have been brought to the Heart of the Plains, so that you may be confirmed as the Warprize.”

He was repeating the ritual that Keekai had performed when she had taken me under her protection. I relaxed a bit, recognizing the questions.

Essa continued. “Have you taken anything from the hands of another on this journey?”

“No.” My voice was clear, and as strong as I could wish. “My Warlord has provided for me.”

There was a stir at that, and Essa lifted an eyebrow. “Keir of the Cat is not yet your Warlord, Daughter of Xy.”