《The Nameless Warrior *New Cover*》Everything Except That Which Mattered Most
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The village was silent as the warriors descended the hill, followed by the twins and the Obsidians. The cheerful cook smoke no longer escaped from the tops of the tents. The sun had risen without the voices of the priestesses, and it barely melted the frost on the ground. Kaye held Kindra’s hand tight in hers, dreading the moment she would have to let go. She may never see her sister again.
The warriors formed a ring around the village and the only Obsidian allowed inside was Corbin. He followed Kaye to the Odion tent. Inside, Loria’s gaze travelled from the twins to Corbin, to the arrowhead around his neck. Her eyes narrowed as she stood.
“He cannot enter.”
From the tone of her voice—unsurprised that an Obsidian should be at her door—Kaye knew the High Priestess had warned her. Corbin waited just outside, holding the door flap open to make sure there was no trap within.
Facing her mother was almost as bad as facing Kindra. Kaye tried to smile, but it felt less a smile than pulling her lips over her teeth. “I’m to be the first woman of the Obsidian Nation, and mother of their next chief.”
“So I hear.” Loria wrapped her in a hug. Kindra wouldn’t release Kaye’s hand, but didn’t try to join them.
“I’ve packed some things,” Loria continued as she held Kaye. “I’ll come with you and stay until you’re settled.”
Kaye squeezed her eyes closed as relief flooded through her. It would be nice to have a friendly face in Fie Obsid, but she didn’t want to leave her sister here alone. “They won’t let Kindra come.”
“They won’t deny a mother.” Loria squeezed her one last time. “It’s my right to see my daughter married.”
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Kaye looked at Kindra, but she stared at the spear propped against the wall, probably debating the merits of trying to kill Corbin now, while his men were stuck outside the village. Kaye squeezed her hand and finally released her. The emptiness that grew in the space between them reminded her of when they were sixteen and Kaye cut Kindra’s hair to join the warriors. It was the first time they’d looked different, and Kaye had always regretted being the one to separate them in such a way.
Kindra grabbed the spear like a comfort blanket and sat on her cot while Kaye went through her things and decided what to take with her.
“Everything you need will be provided,” Corbin said.
Kindra glared at him. “Shut up.”
Normally Kaye would chastise her for rudeness, but she couldn’t help agreeing. She didn’t want to hear the strange accent of a man whose first language was not Aledan. She would be surrounded by it soon enough.
Kaye packed her ceremony dress, a necklace her grandmother on Loria’s side had given her, and the priestess bag of herbs and stones she was never without. She packed her little knife so she could hunt for herbs in Fie Obsid, and finally she packed a doll Kindra gave her when they were children, that hadn’t seen the light of day since she started training as a priestess. When it was all in the bag she stared at it—all the things of her life stuffed into such a small space. Everything except that which mattered most.
There was nothing left to do except say goodbye. She wished she’d had some warning—some time to prepare. It would be noon before word reached her mother’s family in Fie Bradach. Kaye’s priestess friends were scattered throughout the other tribes. The only people who would be out in Fie Eoin were the warriors, and of those she was only close to Monk and Gar.
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She couldn’t think of leaving Kindra. Kaye’s words had been brave on the cliff, but how could she leave half of her soul behind while she started a new life in enemy territory? She dropped her bag on the bed, grabbed her sister, and the tears finally flowed.
Kindra dropped the spear and held Kaye so hard she thought her wings might break. Let them. If they were the only reason Chief Obsid wanted her then maybe he’d turn her away if they were broken.
Corbin cleared his throat and Kaye wiped her face, her arms still around Kindra’s shoulders. When her tears were dry she spoke softly, reassuring them both. “When I’m settled you can visit, and after I’ve given him a son I’m sure he’ll let me visit. I’ll be his wife. He can’t deny me that.”
Kindra nodded, but didn’t speak. When her arms didn’t slacken, Kaye kissed her cheek. “I have to go now.”
She had to reach behind her and pull Kindra’s hands away, and they went right back to the spear. The look on her face scared Kaye more than the thought of living in Fie Obsid. It was the same look Kindra had after their father died. Empty. Broken.
Loria hugged Kindra next. “I’ll be back as soon as I know Kaye is safe and settled.” Mother and daughter had never been close, but they would have only each other now.
Kaye ducked out of the tent into a fire circle full of warriors. She wanted to say goodbye to the High Priestess, who had been a second mother to her, but the woman was hidden from the Obsidians. Above all the High Priestess must be kept safe. Still, it hurt that she wasn’t there to see Kaye off.
She hugged Monk, who had been an older brother to her, and then Gar. “Look after Kindra,” she whispered. “Don’t let her fall into despair.”
“I promise. Be safe.”
She nodded and pulled away. There was no putting it off any longer. With one last hug for Kindra, Kaye said, “I’ll see you in the spring. I promise.” Then she turned her back on her sister and home and followed Corbin north to Obsidian Territory.
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