The Tortallans sheathed their weapons as the Bazhir dismounted.

Muktahb bowed to Jonathan before taking a closer look at the dead men.

"Forgive me. I should have foreseen this," Muktahb said.

Suddenly they heard a cry from the ground. The man Micah had speared wasn't dead.

"Malik!" one of the men accompanying Muktahb cried and ran to the man's side.

"He's one of yours?" Jonathan asked.

"Yes, he is a good man but must have been led astray by Akhnan Ibn Nazzir," the tall man standing to Mukhtab said miserably.

Alanna turned a questioning look to Jonathan, who responded with a slight nod. She went to her saddlebag and pulled out her healer's bag before kneeling next to the fallen man.

"You do not have to show him mercy after he -" Mukhtab lost his composure for a moment when he realized the healer was a woman. "- showed you none," he said, squinting at Alanna then darting a glance at her horse and her sheathed blade.

"I am not here to assert dominance but to build trust between our peoples," Jonathan said. "Allow me to introduce my companions. I believe you know Sir Myles of Olau."

"Indeed. You are most welcome among us again," Muktahb said.

"My soldiers are Micah Beyers and Keel Swiftfoot," Jonathan continued, "And tending to your man is Lady Alanna of Trebond. I am required to travel with a healer, and Lady Alanna has been assigned to my care."

Alanna was deep in concentration and didn't look up, but Muktahb continued to study her carefully.

"It is them, I know it!" a man said loudly from behind Muktahb.

"It is not! They were taken to the heavens in a chariot. And clearly, that is a woman. The Burning-Brightly One was a god!" Another snapped back.

"Silence," the man beside Muktahb commanded quickly.

"This is Halif Seif, Headman of the Bloody Hawk," Muktahb said by way of introduction.

Alanna finally looked up and announced, "He'll live, but he's lost a lot of blood and will need to rest for several days with plenty of food and water."

"You have our gratitude, Lady Alanna," Muktahb said. "Halef, will you see to his care and see that these soldiers are taken care of? I would like to have a private word with the nobles before we reach camp."

Soon it was just the four of them left.

"May I speak freely?" Muhktahb asked Jonathan while looking at Alanna.

"Please. Anything you would say to any of us, you may say to all of us." Jonathan said.

"In that case, it is good to see all of you again, especially you," he said, turning to Alanna, "as last I heard, you were dead...also male."

Jonathan and Alanna traded quick glances that the Voice did not miss. "The truth, if you please," he added.

Jonathan paused a moment then began, "It's a long story and one that my father does not like us to tell, but she is, as I introduced her, Lady Alanna of Trebond. 'Alan' was the deception. I only learned that myself the last time we were among you. She is officially along on this trip as my healer, but she is also a most trusted friend and formidable protector."

"You are not a knight then?" Muktahb asked Alanna, his face unreadable.

"My identity was exposed while we were at war," Alanna explained, "and women are forbidden from becoming knights. We spread the story about my paralysis and eventual death to...uncomplicate matters, and I began training in healing and have found this way back into Prince Jonathan's service."

The Voice smiled. "If I remember correctly, you were not actually supposed to accompany the squires to Persopolis six years ago, but your Prince found a way to make an exception. It is nice to see that hasn't changed."

"It worked out well for me last time," Jonathan said with a smile for Alanna.

"Indeed. So now you are a woman who rides like a man, who both fights and heals. Most unusual. But then so is a northern prince working to become the Voice. Have you decided to take me up on my offer?"

"I have," Jonathan said.

"Well, perhaps this visit will be every bit as eventful as your last."

"Always is with these two," Myles said.

"Something to look forward to then."


Their first night involved a welcome feast, but there was evident tension under the surface despite the food and attempt at a festive atmosphere. No one could forget the two men of the tribe who they had killed earlier that day, and there were more than a few disapproving looks at Alanna sitting among the men, face bare, while the other women sat apart with faces veiled.

Finally, when the meal was cleared, the men of the tribe and their guests stayed to talk business.

"We are without a shaman. This must be fixed," one said.

"The one who slays a shaman takes his place; that is the custom. Which of you slew him?" another asked Myles and Jonathan.

"I assume you're talking about the man that was hurling magical flames at us?" Jonathan asked. "Lady Alanna slew him."

"A woman? What is this sacrilege?" another man exclaimed.

"I told you! I told you! You are the Night One and the Burning Brightly One, are you not?" the man from earlier asked.

"Wait, I remember you. You're the man we bribed at the gate," Alanna said before realizing what she had just revealed. You wanted no more secrets, she reminded herself.

"It is them! Plain as day."

Arguments broke out all around them before Muktahb stood and said, "It is them, and as such, they deserve our respect."

An evil smile touched Jonathan's lips before he quickly remembered to hide it. "Lady Alanna will serve as your shaman while we are here, as is your custom. She is an accomplished healer and well-versed in other magics. That will give you time to find a more permanent solution."

Alanna kept her glare for Jonathan as small as she could to keep from being obvious to anyone but him.

"This is your best shot at getting them to accept you as you are," Jonathan whispered. "Unless you'd rather hide in your tent and learn to weave or something?"

Halef Seif looked distinctly uncomfortable, but he was trapped by Muhktab's proclamation and Jonathan's words. "We will consider your offer...until other arrangements can be made."

"She is not one of us," someone protested.

"But she has earned the right," the headman said. "We did not plan for a trial by combat, but one occurred nonetheless. Who slew the other man?"

"I did," Myles said, "though Prince Jonathan's magic shield did most of the hard part for me."

"You were all victorious in combat then. Prince Jonathan, it is my understanding that you wish to become the Voice of the Tribes. To do that, you must join with the Bazhir. Is that what you wish to do?" the headman asked.

"It is," Jonathan said.

"Do your companions wish to join with us as well?"

"I follow my Prince wherever he leads," Myles said.

"As do I," Alanna said.

A long debate followed, culminating in a series of silent votes.

By the end of the evening, Jonathan, Myles, and Alanna all participated in the simple blood right to join the Bloody Hawk, and Alanna was named shaman.


Alanna was sitting up waiting for him when Jonathan slipped quietly into her tent after everyone had retired for the evening.

"A productive first day, wouldn't you say?" Jonathan asked as he slid down next to her.

"What in the goddess's name have you gotten us into, oh Great Night One?" she asked, leaning against him.

"I wish I knew, Burning-Brightly One. I wish I knew."