"I'll be there," Varian said, and the sister left their room.
Chapter Twelve
As soon as Moonrazer arrived in the dining room, the kitchen servants began setting dishes of food on the table.
"I'm looking forward to the History Cycle," Adazzra said as she took her seat. "The Sarl past is fascinating."
"There are many exciting episodes in our history," Moonrazer said, "but I am not sure this performance will highlight any of them."
"Why not?" Adazzra took some small pieces of fruit.
"The History Cycle is a legendary retelling of the story of the Sarl from Grayskin to Moonbird the Second, the Exalted Warrior before Staffthrower the Coward. Originally, from what I understand, an entire performance of it took half a day, from the midday meal until sunset. It has not been performed since Staffthrower IV took control of the Sarl, and of course, that means that for at least seven generations no one has seen it."
"But surely the History Cycle is written down somewhere," Adazzra said. "The Mother Prioress must have a copy."
"There was nothing written down." Moonrazer pushed chunks of seasoned meat around with her knife. Her anxiety about the afternoon's activities had taken her appetite. "The History Cycle was always intended to be an oral presentation of our great stories. My mother told me often how the Navin stole that from us because no one alive had ever heard the recitation, and therefore it was lost to us forever."
"What will we be seeing then?"
Moonrazer took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I truly do not know. While the History Cycle itself was never written down, the stories it is based on were."
"So, then, there should be no problem."
"I do not know about that. Whiteshadow, with no formal script to refer to, would be able to pick which stories to include and the manner of their presentation. Of course, we will not be hearing the whole history of the Sarl."
Adazzra nodded. "So, likely, Whiteshadow has selected stories that she thinks illustrate the best in Sarl traditions."
Moonrazer picked up a piece of bread and tore it into smaller pieces. "And I am sure there will be some that are intended to remind me of my duties."
****
After the meal, Moonrazer stood looking out the window at the end of the hallway near her chambers. The Candidates were gathered at the Gate, waiting for her to escort them to the performance hall.
The hastily erected building had been constructed at Whiteshadow's direction for the History Cycle. The Mother Prioress had instructed that the hall be situated several battlefield lengths from the Tower. This was to make it necessary for the men to ride there and allow Moonrazer to observe their equestrianism.
Most of the men had brought their own mounts, but few of those had much experience in the kind of environment found here. It would be interesting to see how they maneuvered through the ice and snow.
The men who had not brought horses would be given one from the Exalted Warrior's own stable. Virtually all of those animals were descended from the same stock that had produced Wind Rider, her battle mount and favorite horse.
These animals were bred for and experienced at traveling in the severe climate, and Moonrazer was curious how the men would handle these sturdy creatures.
The Candidates were not the only ones milling around the Gate. It seemed to Moonrazer that everyone on Carrick must have come to see the pageant. The gathering of Sarl and others had a festival atmosphere to it, but the Exalted Warrior herself wished they could dispense with all this and just get to the Challenges and the Offering, as much as she dreaded them.
The presence of these men was a disruption to the normal routine of the Tower. Several of her servants seemed to spend more time discussing the relative merits of various Candidates than they did on their assigned tasks.
Only the Holy One knew how these men affected the warriors who dealt with them more closely.
"There is no use hiding up here." Adazzra, followed by Oakgold, came down the hall toward her. "Whiteshadow is eager to get this event going."
"Yes, Warrior," Oakgold said. "She was insistent that I find you and make sure you are ready to watch the Candidates ride…"
Moonrazer stopped her with a raised hand. "I understand. The Mother Prioress can be quite formidable when she wants to be." She pulled herself up to her full height. "I am ready. Let us go."
Oakgold bowed as the Exalted Warrior and Adazzra walked toward the stable.
****
Moonrazer and Adazzra rode up to the theater erected for the History Cycle, each wrapped in a heavy fur cloak. When they arrived, Moonrazer looked across the field to watch the Candidates.
She saw Whiteshadow, surrounded by the Sisters of the Flame, standing to one side of them, speaking to Lucan. From the expression on her face, he had said something very funny. Moonrazer felt a small twinge of jealousy, wondering if he would ever speak to her in such a manner.
Where did that thought come from? she asked herself. Then she turned her attention back to judging the Candidates on their riding ability.
She squinted across the field through the lightly falling snow.
A particularly heavy Candidate wobbled in the saddle as his mount stumbled. He clearly had not bothered to switch his horse's shoes for the studded ones typically employed on Carrick. Moonrazer watched as he, and a few others, struggled when their horses stamped to remove the clumps of snow accumulating in the curve of the shoes. She shook her head.
Many of the riders were inexperienced. Instead of keeping their balance by following the rhythm of the horse's movements, they did so by holding the reins tightly or by squeezing their legs. Some shivered and clutched their arms across their chest to ward off the cold.
Lucan was the most natural rider, but there were a few others who did well. She eyed them closely. There was a Sarl hunter, another shorter man with a pointed beard who displayed the colors of World Andarnnon, and another from a territory whose colors she did not recognize. They would be the ones to watch.
****
The Candidates were across the field, gathering near the theater, and Varian urged his horse forward to catch up.
As he drew nearer, Varian saw the Mother Prioress talking to the Exalted Warrior, and he was surprised how feminine Moonrazer looked under the masculine armor she wore. He'd noticed that all the Sarl women dressed this way, but something about the way this one carried herself made her seem appealing and sparked his curiosity.
What kind of woman was she really?
She exuded an air of confidence and strength, but at the same time she appeared approachable. Perhaps it wouldn't be difficult to speak to her about his other reason for being here.
"The Exalted Warrior isn't as striking as Duchess Ariana," Anthelme said, "but she is pleasant to look at."
Varian tore his gaze away from her and looked down to rub his thigh. "She carries herself like some warrior goddess of mythology."
"Warrior goddess, eh?" Anthelme stroked his beard, then narrowed his eyes as he looked back at the Exalted Warrior, a wicked smile curving his lips. "I'll bet she's a fierce one."
Varian clicked his tongue. "Don't be crude. She looks like she would defend her people with the same ferocity as a mountain lion, but could be tender and kind as well."
"First ferocious, then tender. Maybe I should enter this contest, too," Anthelme said, still staring. "It might be worthwhile to be this woman's mate."
Varian slapped him in the back of the head and Anthelme laughed.
The valet sobered. "You do realize that if you wed her, it might help Tellan stay out of Rillaur's hands."
Varian shook his head. "I don't think we can depend on that. There are only six months until the Dragon Moon. Even if I win the Choosing, any child will be a mere five months in the womb."
Anthelme grinned. "Yes, but you could have some fun trying. She is attractive."
"Let's just move closer to the group. That Prioress woman is saying something."
****
>
"Exalted Warrior," Mother Whiteshadow called, moving away from Lucan and closer to the center of the group. "The Candidates have arrived."
All of the men bowed their heads respectfully toward Moonrazer, and she noticed, more clearly than she had as they rode across the field, that many of the men were too old or fat or weak to complete the Challenges.
After discounting those men, only about ten remained and Moonrazer was not eager to mate with any one of them.
Her glance fell on Lucan, who smiled, but she looked away quickly. It wouldn't do for the other Candidates, or Whiteshadow, to see something in her face and assume the contest was already decided.
As she surveyed the gathering, she spotted a latecomer dashing across the field on a black horse nearly seventeen hands high. While he was still too far away to see clearly, he moved with a grace and confidence that nearly rivaled Lucan's.
Another man, apparently a servant, rode beside on a smaller gray horse.
The black steed was unlike any in her stable, and Moonrazer wondered how the animal's bloodline would contribute to those bred on Carrick.
The man was dressed in a way that protected him from the weather but allowed him to sit confidently and tall on his beautiful black horse. Most people who were not used to the cold of Carrick found it difficult to stay warm enough to be able to ride competently. Moonrazer was impressed.
She found herself drawn to his face. No Sarl man had eyes that shade of blue, and the color fascinated her. She had to force herself to stop staring.
He wore a sword under his cloaks, but it would be easily available to him if needed. Of course, for this event, the weapon was unnecessary, but Moonrazer smiled to think that he was so well prepared.
The Mother Prioress approached, walking slowly, taking Moonrazer's attention away from the newest arrival.
As Moonrazer leaned toward her, Whiteshadow spoke for her ears only. "Prince Varian arrived late. He should be sent away and disqualified from the rest of the Rituals."
"I see no reason to do this," Moonrazer said.
Whiteshadow looked at the Exalted Warrior as though she were a slow child. "According to the traditions, as far as I can tell, any man arriving to the Gathering after the Exalted Warrior is unable to continue with the other parts of the Rituals."
Moonrazer rubbed her shoulder. "He was not late. He arrived just as I did. There is no need to send him away." She gestured with her head. "You would be doing some of these other men a favor by sending them away. They will not survive having to hunt something out on the glaciers. This prince, however, looks more than able to hold his own."
Whiteshadow looked over her shoulder and nodded. "I am afraid I agree with you about many of them, sister. However, the writings are quite clear on this matter." She took a breath and opened her mouth to say something else, but Moonrazer touched her arm to stop her.
"Wait," she said. "'Let no man be counted worthy who arrives more than a quarter candlemark after the Exalted Warrior. Let him be sent back with a downcast face and no shoes on his feet.'"
Whiteshadow said nothing, but her eyes grew wide.
Moonrazer smiled at the reaction. "This prince arrived a few beats of a hawk's wing after me at most. Do you think I have read none of the scrolls and know none of our traditions? What is it about him you do not like?"
"I was just trying to help you, sister," Whiteshadow said, bowing her head. "There are many Candidates here. More than I anticipated, to be honest, and I thought if we could eliminate this prince, that would be one less to have to reject later."
"If you are looking to eliminate any men, this prince does not seem like the best choice. Look around us, sister. There are many others that should never have come here at all." She sat up straighter on Wind Rider's back. "Let us get on with all this."
Whiteshadow said nothing in reply as she faced the men again.
****
The performance hall was empty except for the two dozen Sisters of the Flame, all dressed as warriors, when Mother Whiteshadow and Moonrazer entered.
However, the Exalted Warrior was amazed at the interior. It looked as though an area of Carrick had been moved inside.
Huge rocks had somehow been brought into the room, stacked against one wall and painted white to resemble a glacier. Other boulders had been arranged in another corner to look like a cave.
White, rough fabric covered the floor in the presentation area and plants of various kinds indigenous to Carrick were placed all around. Standing in this re-creation of the landscape caused Moonrazer to shiver as though she were outside.
The Mother Prioress approached the Sisters of the Flame. "The Exalted Warrior has come to give us her blessing."
Moonrazer closed the door, effectively shutting out the guests, Candidates, and others who were waiting for the performance.
She walked over to the group of women who were now on their feet. "It has been hundreds of blizzards since the History Cycle has been performed on Carrick," she said. "You all do me a great honor by reviving this special piece of Sarl tradition during my reign as Exalted Warrior. Our children will never fear losing our heritage again."
Whiteshadow's eyes narrowed, but she smiled. "The Sisters have added a segment about your finding of the Sword of Justice."
Moonrazer tipped her head in a gesture of thanks. "I look forward to seeing your interpretation of these historical incidents."
"We will, of course, be faithful to the ancient writings," Whiteshadow said.
"I have no doubt."
The Mother Prioress looked as though she was trying to find fault with Moonrazer's words, but the Exalted Warrior merely met her eyes and said nothing.
Whiteshadow clapped her hands, and the Sarl servants watching her opened the doors to the hall, allowing the Candidates and guests in.
Moonrazer bowed her head to her sister and went to take her seat on the throne.
Some benches had been brought in for the Candidates and honored guests. Any other Sarl who wished to attend this performance had to stand.
There was a special seat set up on Moonrazer's right side for Whiteshadow who was, at present, with the Sisters of the Flame in the presentation area.
On the other side of the throne, another chair had been set up. The Candidates, one at a time, would have the opportunity to sit next to Moonrazer so she could talk to them and get to know them a little better.
With so many Candidates, Moonrazer feared this afternoon would be the longest of her life. She hoped at least a few of the men had enough brains to be able to hold a conversation that did not center on her skill with weapons or his prowess with his own sword.
"It won't be as bad as you think." Adazzra's whisper startled her.
Moonrazer looked at her friend, who stood just behind her left shoulder. "Have you taken up mind reading?"
The Tree Woman laughed. "I wouldn't have to. You look miserable. Surely you are interested in seeing this pageant that hasn't been seen in living memory. This has to be a historic event."
Moonrazer rolled her eyes. "Do not tell Whiteshadow that. She will have the Sisters add another scene about it." She gestured with her hand toward the stage. "I am looking forward to seeing how they interpret the episodes they have chosen. I am not eager to spend time talking to these Candidates."
"But you have to select one." Adazzra looked around the performance hall. "There are some attractive men here."
"I suppose there are a few." She spotted Lucan leaning on the wall near the entrance. He was alone, and Moonrazer told herself he stood out because of that, but something inside her suggested that his looks and confident bearing were what made him so noticeable.
"All you have to do is meet them," Adazzra said. "After the History Cycle play, you'll have the chance to show them the glacier you're so proud of. Maybe there is one you could be friends with."
"There might be one." Moonrazer nearly whispered.
"You've met one of them?"
The Exalted Warrior faced h
er friend. "When I went out riding yesterday, I met one of the Candidates at the stable, and he wanted to see the glacier. It was nice to have someone to ride with."
She thought about how he regretted some of the things he'd done in his search for adventure. This was something they had in common.
Adazzra beamed as though she'd heard the happiest news in her life. "Then your problem is solved. You choose that man, and your sister leaves you alone."
"I do not want to choose some man just because Whiteshadow demands it to fulfill some ancient tradition." She stopped and rubbed her old arrow wound. "However, I guess there is nothing else to do but go through with all this."
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