“Then it looks like we have found our Accord,” I said, doing my best not to reveal my fierce relief. “Can we say the words and finally be done with this long, unexpected day?”
There was more muttering, but to a man, they all stood to attention and recited the Accord.
We speak of one mind.
We act of one body.
We order with one heart.
Any who stands against my brother makes an enemy of me.
I sighed with relief when it was done. “Thank you. All of you,” I said earnestly. “Tomorrow will be a first in our society. And I don’t deny that it will bring frustrations and challenges I’d rather avoid. But I also agree, she comes at the hand of God. And so, we will answer appropriately. Sleep well tonight. Prepare to lead your men. Because there will be many questions and it is our job to ensure they’re answered—and the appropriate boundaries are adhered to.”
As soon as we broke up, most of the men stood to speak with their friends and allies. Feroz nodded to me, but walked to the door, which meant he had nothing to add.
I answered a few unrelated questions from the men, then led them all out of my office, because this day was not yet done for me.
I had servants to check, resources to arrange, and a King to visit.
The formal acknowledgement of the first female Flameborne in existence was not a petty piece of information to leave floating on the wind of gossip.
The King must be informed before he was told by a servant and subsequently took his shock out on my hide.
10. Not Alone
SOUNDTRACK:Weakby Grace Blue
~ BREN ~
I slept for longer than I should have and was woken by a pair of servants bringing clothes, food, and blankets. Or rather, by Akhane in my head warning me that they were there.
‘Wake up, Little Flame. They have gifts for you. They’re afraid of Kgosi and won’t step foot in the stable, which is probably for the best.’
I stumbled out of that little room into the big airy stable which was dimmer now that the sun had dropped behind the mountains. I could immediately see why the servants didn’t want to enter. Kgosi lay just inside the doorway. He hadn’t gotten to his feet, but his ears were back and he watched the doorway with sharp eyes. The two women stood a outside the open door looking self-conscious and fearful.
I wasn’t entirely sure of him myself, but Akhane huffed in my mind.‘He will protect you with his life, Bren. You may move around us freely. We’ll correct you if there’s need.”
That didn’t seem reassuring, but there wasn’t time to ask her what she meant because the two women had caught sight of me and looked relieved.
“Hello,” I said as politely as I could, wondering if I was supposed to curtsey or salute? But as I stood there, gripping my skirts, the nearest one smiled. Both sides of her hair were in tight braids that fell almost to her waist. She wore a pinafore that fell to her knees, and thick stockings underneath. She held out the blankets and sheets she’d carried, with a tray on top of the stack that held a full plate of gravy smothered meat and roasted vegetables that looked delicious and were still steaming. I blinked.
“Thank you!” I said earnestly as my stomach grumbled.
The woman glanced at Kgosi to my left warily, but she nodded. “There’s more bedding to come. But these are the first. We’ll make certain you have changes.”
As I took the bundle from her, careful not to let the precious food drop or spill, the other woman spoke up, her voice quiet and a little shaky. She was also in braids and wearing skirts, though her top was a clean, white blouse tucked in to the thick waistband, and she wore boots rather than stockings and shoes.
“The Quartermaster says you should come in for measuring tomorrow—your leathers will need to be specially made,” she said with her eyes wide. “But these things will suffice to replace your old clothing before your training.” She held a large bundle wrapped in paper and tied with string, but I had no way to carry it, so begged them both to wait while I took the other things to my room.
By the time I’d taken the first bundle and returned for the second, there was a third woman standing in the doorway to the stable—taller than the first two, and blonde against their dark. She was older than us, likely a peer of the Commander.
“You must be Bren,” she said with a bright smile. “I’m Terra, I’m a Furyknight Healer. Commander Arsen sent me to see if I could help?” Her hair was also braided tightly. I would have to ask if it was required. I often braided my hair for work, but hadn’t for this trip because Ruin always liked it down and—
The thought made me freeze, my mind tumbling back to the painful night of walking and that awful morning and everyone staring at me while I just stood there, dumb.
“Hello! Yes! I’m… I’m so sorry,” I gasped. “I just—”
‘Don’t apologize for carrying a heart in your chest, Little Flame,’Akhane said gently, but with a firm tone.
