Warcry

is an up in cities.”
    “Aye,” cried the warriors.
    “Heath,” Keir gave him the nod.
    Heath turned his horse and led the way to Xy.

     
    THE SILENCE WAS DAUNTING AS THEY APPROACHED the walls.
    Atira could see heads up there, in the battlements, but there was no sound beyond that of their horses’ hooves and the rattle of their armor. She was tempted to pull up, to see if the entire city had turned against the Warprize.
    But Heath was taking them right to the gates, and she could have no less courage than he.
    Heath pulled his horse to a stop and looked back over his shoulder to see if all was in readiness. His eyes flashed under his curls, bright in the sunlight. He sat his horse well, better than most city-dwellers. With his broad shoulders under that tabard, he was—
    Atira shook her head. She needed to focus on her task. She scowled as she made sure her bow and arrows were at the ready. Why couldn’t he understand that there was no sense in their bonding? He wanted her leashed, shackled, imprisoned within the walls of his city and his heart. That wasn’t the way of her—
    A blast from a horn brought her back to her task.
    Heath faced the gates, and two more crystal-clear blasts rang against the walls. Then he shouted, “Water’s Fall, open your gates for Queen Xylara, Daughter of Xy.”
    There was an unending moment of silence, then a rumble as the gates began to open outward to reveal a mob of people lining the square, standing silent, watching.
    Heath urged his horse forward at a slow walk.
    Heads were craning, people were looking . . .
    Atira watched as Rafe and Prest dismounted and assisted Lara down from the Warlord’s horse. They set her carefully on her feet and stepped into their guard positions.
    Heath was watching, and at the right moment, he blew his horn and shouted to the crowd, “People of Xy, behold your Queen!”
    Lara let her cloak fall and walked forward through the gate.
    The crowd erupted into wild cheers.
    The noise was deafening, echoing off the walls and reverberating on the ear. Amyu had dismounted to retrieve the Warprize’s cloak, and she looked up, her eyes wide in astonishment. Atira couldn’t blame her. It took some getting used to, and Amyu alone of their number had never been in the city before.
    Not that prior experience made it that much easier. Atira concentrated on up , keeping an eye on the windows above them.
    Lara advanced, glowing in her white dress, raising her hands to acknowledge the cheers. She was smiling and laughing as people started throwing flowers along her path.
    There were quite a few gasps as well as cheers. Atira could see looks of astonishment and horror that seemed to melt into joy at the sight of a very pregnant queen. Lara had said it might offend at first, but her people would understand her message. Seemed that she was right.
    Then a figure rode up, a noble from the looks of him. Prest had a blade out and his teeth bared. The man pulled his horse to an abrupt stop.
    “Your Majesty, I was sent by the Council to escort the warriors to their quarters while you proceed through the city,” the man called out, shouting to be heard over the crowd.
    “My thanks,” Lara shouted back. “But the Warlord insists that he and his warriors accompany me.” She gave an artful shrug, as if she’d love to help, but what was a woman to do? Then she looked over her shoulder. “Perhaps you’d see to my servants, and escort them and our possessions to the castle?”
    Atira stifled a chuckle. The man had little choice, since Lara had already turned away and resumed walking. Marcus and Amyu were pulling off toward him, leading the packhorses away. Best for Amyu to be out of this for now. And the skies help any that tried to harm her or the gear. Marcus would cut them to ribbons.
    The cheers weren’t dying away. In fact, they seemed to be growing stronger as they advanced through the main street that wound through the city. Atira appreciated that there was no direct path to the castle, but it would make for a long walk for the Warprize. But clearly the people were pleased, for the cheers and roars increased every time she turned a corner and they saw her in that dress.
    Now they were leaning out of every window and even seated on the roofs. Atira tried to keep her focus high, as she knew some of the others were doing.

    HEATH WAS SURE THE CITY HAD NEVER SEEN A DAY like this before. Maybe when Xyson had returned to the city in triumph. But that had been