Free Warlord by Elizabeth Vaughan

flame.
     
    Prest held up his other bowl. "Death of air, birth of fire." He tipped the burning coals into Yveni's bowl, and placed the bowl on top, smothering the smoke.
     
    Yveni turned with her other bowl. "Death of water, birth of air." She tipped her other bowl's contents into Rate's, sending up a burst of steam from his bowl.
     
    Rafe held his other bowl high. "Death of earth, birth of water." With that, he turned to Ander, and poured out the water onto his remaining bowl.
     
    Keir jumped up, and the crowd rose with him, screaming their appreciation. I was up too, amazed that my bodyguards could dance so well.
     
    Rafe, Prest, Ander, and Yveni turned in their places, and bowed to each of the four directions. Then they were running, their smiling faces proof enough of their joy. They disappeared into the crowd.
     
    We all settled back, except Keekai, who stood and called out, "Where is Joden?"
     
    There were many cries, and people's heads turned, until finally Joden stood before us. "I am here, Keekai of the Cat."
     
    Keekai laughed. "Well and true but why are you not singing, Singer-to-be? Why not sing of the hunt?"
     
    There were many calls to this, as people shifted so that they could see Joden clearly. He was seated next to a warrior-priest. I was fairly certain it was the one that had claimed to heal Iften.
     
    Joden shook his head, his broad face gleaming in the light. "The song of this hunt will take time to make, Keekai. But I would sing, if you wish."
     
    "I wish it so!" Keekai laughed out loud. "A song of your choosing, Singer."
     
    Joden shrugged off her compliment, looking around at his fellow Firelander. His gaze drifted over to where I was sitting with Keir, and I felt Keir tense beside me. I turned my head slightly and raised an eyebrow.
     
    Keir looked at me ruefully, then leaned forward just enough to whisper in my ear. "He who can praise can also mock."
     
    I turned back to see Joden glance at us. It seemed to me that he knew Keir's concern. The warrior-priest next to him leaned over and made some comment for Joden's ear alone. I bit my lip. Would he . . .?
     
    Joden drew a deep breath, and walked forward. He turned in a circle raising his right hand, palm to the sky. "May the skies hear my voice. May the people remember."
     
    The response rose from the crowd. "We will remember."
     
    Joden lowered his hand, took a deep breath, and then he laughed, a deep strong laugh, and spread his arms wide. "The sun is rising and I have slept well. The day calls to me—but my belly rumbles. What shall I have for breakfast?"
     
    Everyone laughed, delighted, and started to shift their positions, sitting with their legs crossed, and patting the ground next to them. Keir relaxed, and got into position as well, his smile catching my eye. "You will see."
     
    With that Joden started the first verse, about a root found growing by streams. The verse told us what to look for, and how to peel the bark back and scrape out the soft white insides. I laughed, for this was clearly a teaching song, but the tune was infectious and everyone joined in on the chorus. Keir started clapping, slapping his hands on his thighs, and then on the ground beside him.
     
    Everyone started following that pattern as well, slapping their thighs and lifting their hands to sway to the music. It was like dancing except no one got to their feet—instead everyone swayed to and fro, laughing and chanting. It didn't take me long to follow along.
     
    Joden started the next verse and sung about berries, red berries that were sweet, green ones that had to be boiled first. And a warning to avoid the white berries, for they would make the shit run down your leg!
     
    Joden hunched over, wrapped his arms over his lower belly, and groaned. He swayed back and forth, groaning aloud, and repeated that verse.
     
    The warriors laughed, and followed right along. I laughed and clapped as well, but stopped when Keir rose from his seat in the middle of