his longsword, chuckling, showing his contempt for a female opponent, and Belran started to bellow that he had broken the rules, making contact with the opponent before the proper signal, but the words were punctuated with a solid thud as Jai's longsword whistled, even with its padding, and landed against the young warrior's head.
'By Du,' Belran roared, 'no contact before the signal.' But he was trying to hide a grin as the young warrior, stunned, was dragged away by two of his companions.
'We need an opponent who knows the rules,' Belran roared. Duwan stiffened as Noo, son of the Predictor, stepped forward, holding his swords out to be padded. 'I know the rules,' he said. The ceremony began anew. Then Jai was crouched, waiting for Noo's move. He came forward cautiously and made two formal thrusts. Noo had not, Duwan remembered, been one of the most skilled trainees. He watched Jai's tense, waiting form and whispered to himself, 'Now, Jai,' and as if she heard she leaped to the attack and delivered a smashing blow that was barely countered in time by Noo.
Noo had more respect for the female now, and he fought carefully. Duwan started to worry, lest the bout go on so long that Jai's lesser strength began to work against her. He had seen three flaws in Noo's technique that would have been fatal had he himself been the warrior's opponent, and he was willing Jai to see them just as she lunged, feinted, slashed the padded tip of her longsword across Noo's chest and sent the shortsword stabbing into his belly. He sat down with a huff and it was over.
'An impressive exhibition,' said the elder who had questioned the fighting ability of slaves. 'How long, Duwan, did you train this female?' Duwan would not lie, although he sensed the hostile intent of the question. 'Through a winter.'
'And will we be given that much time to train our army in the south?'
'Did you, during your stay in the south, influence a large number of slaves to join you?'
'How many of the so-called free runners joined your cause?' The end of it became predictable. One by one, the chief elders of the villages rose and announced their decisions.
'We will not risk our females and our young in such a venture.'
'Our home is here. We have been here for generations.'
'While we sorrow for those who are enslaved, we must remember that our ancestors did not accept slavery, but risked all in coming to this valley.'
'Our home is here.'
Duwan the Elder rose sadly. Only his own village had not voted. He looked around, and Duwan was near enough to see that he had tears in his eyes.
'We are free,' he said. 'I respect your votes, while deploring your decision. I will not ask the people of my village to vote, for to take such a small number into the land of the enemy would be foolhardy. It has been decided by proper procedure that the Drinkers will not move south, will not retake the land of our ancestors. So be it.'
Duwan wandered alone in the dark, stunned. He found a spring and lay on the damp earth, feeling the heat of the steam, his heart aching, his mind confused. He heard a sound and then heard his name being called softly. He wanted to be alone, but it was Jai calling, and she was unfamiliar with the ground and could, in the dark, fall and injure herself.
'Here,' he called, and her form emerged, a shadow in shadows, and he took her hand and pulled her down beside him. Neither spoke for a long time.
'This is a good place,' Jai said, at last. 'There is no cold. I hate the cold so.'
'There is no sun, no eternal life. They have voted to let the ancient victory of the enemy stand, and it is not just the pongs of the south who will continue to be punished, but we, ourselves, for we are denied the bounty of the land, the Du-given right to go back to the earth after our time as mobiles.'
'Don't try to contest their decision, Duwan,' she whispered.
'No. They are free, just as I am free to do what I choose to do.'
'What will that be?'
He mused for a long time. 'I told Tambol I would return.'
'He could well be dead by now,' Jai said.
'I gave my word. If you think this is a good place, stay.'
'I meant that it is a good place for you,' she whispered.
