Authors: Jess Allison
ROAD TO CORDIA (35 page)
“I’m not so little.”
“But definitely a warrior…and soon to be an adult.”
“It’s been huge meeting you,” admitted Ja‘Nil. “I mean… a wolf!”
He threw back his head and laughed. “Do you prefer me as a man or a wolf?”
She thought about it. “Well, you’re an awfully impressive looking wolf.”
“Ah, little warrior.”
One of the soldiers came up to them leading a beautiful red and black horse, thankfully on the small side. Ee’Rick helped her to mount. Then he captured one of her hands and raised it to his mouth. “I salute you, Ja’Nil.” When he released her hand, she placed it lightly on his head, feeling his thick hair.
“You growled at me the last time I touched you,” she said.
He looked startled, then grinned. “You scratched me behind my ear.”
“Goodbye, Obilon Ee’Rick.”
He studied her face. “We will meet again, Ja’Nil. This I promise.”
Huge!
The caravan moved out. Ee’rick watched it go, and then turned back to deal with his clan’s business.
CHAPTER 37
Shall I order the trumpets played, Lady Ja’Nil?” asked the officer in charge of escorting her home.
She had told him she wasn’t a Lady, but he insisted on using the honorific. He had also insisted on sounding the trumpets at every village and crossroads that they came to in the last five days. This time Ja’Nil put her foot down.
“They know we are coming,” she said. “I assure you a caravan of this size and color has not escaped notice. No trumpets.”
He all but pouted, but his good humor was restored when he started shouting orders about “dressing up that line,” whatever that meant. Flags and pendants were unfurled. The soldiers sat straighter in their saddles and precisely lined up their horses. Even the teacher put down her book and looked around as they entered the village.
Doors opened. Children were running out into the street, and women stepped down from their stoops, peering at the approaching caravan. Men were running up from the fields and harbor. The Lodge doors opened and Jo’Oner and several other elders, dressed in their best clothes, stepped out to await the Queen’s caravan.
Ja’Nil, riding a beautiful red striped pony, stopped before them. Behind her, she heard the trumpets sing out. There was even a drum roll. Ja’Nil held up her arm, and abruptly the trumpets and drums stopped. The village people crowded closer. She could make out both Sidly and Rog. In fact, the entire village, except those out fishing, was present.
Jo’Oner peered nearsightedly up at her. “Ja’Nil?”
“Yes.”
He looked behind her at the soldiers, at the wagons of goods, at the Royal flags and pendants. He looked at the beautiful strong horses, at the teacher up on the wagon seat, at the young Cloud Person woman on a smaller pony, and at her wagon painted brightly with the Healer's Clan markings.
“What’s all this?” He seemed bewildered and slightly afraid.
“You sent me on a mission,” she reminded him.
“But...?”
She gestured at the Cloud Person. “I have brought the village its Healer.”
THE END
THE ROAD TO CORDIA
is the first in a series of
Cancordian Adventures
.
Be on the lookout for the further adventures of Ja'Nil and Ee'Rick in the second book in this series.
***
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