Warrior's Soul (Book 3 of The Warrior Chronicles)

Chapter 22

"Straighten your back! Fix your arm!" Leyla pushed Tai's elbow up, then stood back to check his posture. He was trying to keep the bow steady, but his arm was shaking from fatigue. A quick look down the line showed the Hayvani youths were doing no better; it was time to give them a break. "Release!"

Thirteen arrows went flying; four of them managed to hit the makeshift target which was two more than the previous day. Not bad. Leyla turned to the older Hayvani male who was serving as her translator: "Tell them to run five laps around the perimeter of the camp, then they can go to Malia for a meal."

"Yes, Protector," the man spoke in heavily accented Sky, then turned to the youngsters.

"Five laps, really? We already did ten laps earlier!" Tai groaned beside her.

Leyla suppressed a smile and raised a brow, "Six laps for you."

"But I -" the boy heaved a sigh. "Yes, Protector." He rushed off then to catch up with the Havyani kids who were returning their bows and arrows to the weapons shed.
                     
Taking a deep breath, Leyla looked around the camp with satisfaction. It had only been six days she put returned from the medicine hunt, but the log wall around the camp was almost finished and several defensive measures were in place.

The grounds were now neatly divided into sleeping, eating and training areas. Anna, who had once been a sergeant, was training the weaker adults in knife throwing while helping the stronger ones develop their fighting skills. Peter was overseeing the building of the wall and the laying out of traps along the approach paths to the camp. As for Leyla, she was handling the training of archers and lookouts.

"Protector!" Peter drew her attention as he approached from where the Hayvanis were working on binding newly buried logs to the rest of the wall. "The gate should be in place before nightfall."

They were finishing a day ahead of schedule. Leyla was pleased, but the dark circles under Peter's eyes were a concern. She couldn't have her best fighters exhausted when a Bone Eater attack could happen at any moment. "You've worked hard, Peter. Now get some rest."

The Warrior raised a golden brow and snorted, "I'll rest when the Protector rests."

She recognised the unyielding expression so did not push, "Fine, but if you can't perform in a fight, I'll stab you myself."

"Yes, Protector!" Peter laughed, then he was running his hand over his short cropped hair and looking around with a frown. "Is Athiri sleeping?"

Her lips twitched at the question. Peter, like many others in the camp, was growing fond of the beast. Not that Leyla was one to talk. She didn't know how it had happened, but she found herself looking forward to the moments in the day when the feline would put his head on her lap and purr.

"He is with the Sage."

"The Sage again," Peter crossed his thick arms over his chest. "Who does that man think he is?" Leyla sighed, but kept quiet in hopes that that would be the end of it. Unfortunately silence didn't work to stall the coming tirade.

"Really, Protector. First that hut, and now he is taking Athiri away from you?! He must be planning something -"                                                                                                           

"Enough," she cut him off. Leyla knew Peter was speaking from loyalty, but this was ludicrous! Yesterday, when she returned from hunting with the Warrior couple, they found the Hayvani had built two log huts; one for the Protector's use and one for the Sage. And since then, both Peter and Anne were irate, complaining that the Sage's hut was bigger despite knowing that it was built that way to accommodate patients.

They were worried that her control over the camp was being challenged. Of course, they didn't realise that Leyla had no desire to retain control. All she wanted was to help set up a system that would allow for the survival of the people, before she left. And when she did leave, she needed Peter and Anne to work together with the Sage to keep this place safe.

"The Sage is a wise man with great medical skill and the people of this camp are lucky to have him."

Peter opened his mouth, but shut it just as quickly. Despite his annoyance, he knew well that what she said was true. "You treat him like an equal, Protector."

"An equal?" Leyla sighed. "The Sage is a man who has dedicated himself to helping others and wants nothing in return." She put her hand on the Warrior's shoulder for a brief moment, "I am not his equal."

"Phwwwweeee Phwweeet." The loud whistling sound had them both looking out past the gap in the wall towards the tall trees in the distance. The lookouts were practicing the calling method she taught them.

"Did they get it wrong?" Peter frowned, trying to understand the code. Leyla shook her head, "I taught them a variation on the Warrior call."

"Incase we have Warriors approaching," Peter understood her intention, then looked to her for clarification.

"Add two short whistles to the start of Warrior code and finish on a long tone," Leyla instructed. Then she raised her palm in the direction of the gate, "You respond."

The day continued at the same busy pace. New tents were erected, training continued, the hunting party came back with food and the gate was completed. Most of the camp was asleep by the time Leyla finished a final check on the patrols, then headed to the Sage's hut.

She found Waru sleeping just inside the entrance, his chest rising and falling to the beat of Athiri's soft snores. Leyla smiled, looking at the Hayvan who had curled up beside the peaceful looking Kaya in the far corner. Close by to the twosome, the Sage slept with his back propped against the wall.

His dress was immaculate as always; cream coloured tunic and trousers under a long red coat. His only concession to sleep was having let the strip of white cloth that normally covered his eyes slip to his lap.
                  
There was no obvious scarring that Leyla could see on his face and she wondered for a moment, how the Sage had lost his sight. What happened to his eyes and to his family for that matter? How did he end up here...?          

Leyla shifted her weight as she continued to watch his sleeping form. Would he answer any of her questions if she voiced them? Would she answer him, if he did the questioning?

No. It was better not to be interested in people she would soon leave.

Turning back to the door, Leyla was about to step out of the room when a soft voice stopped her:

"You're not taking Athiri?"

Leyla shook her head in wonder at his senses. "Let him sleep, he looks comfortable. You on the other hand, do not."                              

The Sage gave a little laugh, then stretched his arms. "I fell asleep while waiting for you. I'll lie down properly now."

He was waiting for her? Before she could question what he meant, the Sage continued: "Get some sleep, Protector. Too much worry leads to illness."

Worry? She wasn't worried. At least not for herself. But for them...

"Goodnight, Sage," she moved to the door.

"Kim Al Sa, Protector."