Warcry

“Although I thought a warrior of the Plains would be the first to strike.”
    “Trust Heath to take the initiative,” Lara said, accepting a mug of kavage from Marcus. She ran her other hand through her hair with a sigh and gave Heath an amused look.
    The other warriors all chuckled.
    Heath ran his fingers through his own hair. “He deserved it,” he said. “Lanfer has always had a mouth on him.”
    “Which you should be used to,” Lara pointed out. She paused then, looking off toward the city. “Why do you suppose he of all people was sent with that message?”
    Heath shook his head. “I don’t know. But something is not right.”
    Keir gave him a questioning look.
    “The message was from Lara’s Council,” Heath said. “Not Lord Warren, not from my mother.”
    “All the prior messages were written,” Keir said. “That is also different.”
    Lara shook her head at that. “No, in an emergency they would send a spoken message. But there was nothing from Eln, or from Anna. Yet they know we are not that far away.”
    “If he left just after my father collapsed, they wouldn’t have any information for us,” Heath added. “But still . . . something is off.”
    “He didn’t even ask if you wanted to ride into the city with him, Heath.” Lara frowned. “Simple courtesy would require—”
    “Lanfer and I have never seen eye to eye.” Heath shrugged. “I wouldn’t expect him to make such an offer.”
    “If that’s known, could that be the reason why he was sent?” Keir asked. “And why is there no word from the warriors I left to secure Xy?”
    Heath shrugged again.
    “Poor Anna. She must be beside herself with worry.” Lara sighed, staring into her mug. “I wanted to make a formal entrance into the city, to let the people of Xy see that I have returned with my Warlord and an heir.” She turned a troubled face to Heath. “But maybe we should just ride to the castle as quickly as we can.”
    Keir’s smile flashed in the light. “We would have to ride. You just don’t move that fast, my love.”
    Lara made a face at him.
    “My mother may not write all that well, but she uses clerks,” Heath said slowly. “And she would have sent for me, if nothing else. Something is not right. We don’t have enough information.” He faced Keir. “I should go ahead to Water’s Fall tonight.”
    “A concerned son in search of answers about his father?” Lara asked.
    Heath shook his head. “Not just that. I know the castle. I can get in and out quickly without raising an alarm. I can bring back word.” He stood, brushing off his trous. “I am sure my father is well. He’s in Eln’s hands if he isn’t.”
    Lara smiled. “Eln is the best.”
    “I can be there and back by dawn, if not before,” Heath said. “I will find you along the road, or in camp.”
    “Alone? You’d go alone? I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Atira said.
    “Worried about me?” Heath asked.
    Atira glared at him. “What if he fails to return with the information? Another should go with him. One who is used to the city, and who knows the Xyian tongue.”
    “And that would be you, eh?” Marcus growled.
    “Well—” Atira said.
    “Enough,” Keir growled. All conversation stopped. “Heath, the idea is a good one. We need information. Take Atira with you, for she is correct, as well. We will camp here this night and leave in the morning.”
    “Those two?” Marcus snorted. “Is that the best idea?”
    “It is my command,” Keir growled.
    Atira bowed her head, then turned toward the horses. Heath followed.
    “Heath,” Lara called.
    Heath looked back at Lara.
    “Bring me news, Heath,” Lara said, her eyes bright with tears.
    Heath smiled with as much reassurance as he could muster. “I will, little bird.”
    But the uncertainty burned in his gut as he turned to go.

    LORD DURST OF XY EASED HIMSELF INTO HIS CHAIR by the fire and settled back to try to warm himself. His wife didn’t look up from her sewing, the white cloth covering her lap.
    The heat helped. For a moment he almost felt healthy and strong again, but then he took a breath, and the ache was enough to remind him.
    They’d brought him to these chambers in the Castle of Water’s Fall after he’d been brutally attacked by the cursed Firelander, Keir of the Cat. Brought him here and waited to see if he’d live or die. They’d given him the best of the chambers provided for members of the Council.
    Durst hated every inch of its