Warcry

and I’ll stuff them so full of food they will sleep for a day.”
    “You wouldn’t mind?” Lara asked. “I wouldn’t add to your work.”
    “No more extra work than stuffing their mouths for a regular dinner,” Anna scoffed quietly.
    “If we did that, I could announce the Justice for the day after next,” Lara said. “That would give us time to talk.” She smiled at Othur. “I have a few ideas.”
    “And give me time to call the warriors to a senel,” Keir said. “We will discuss the various truths.”
    “A brilliant idea, my ladywife.” Othur smiled at Anna. “Eln can announce that I have revived upon seeing Lara and all can rejoice at my miraculous recovery. I’ll get a walking stick and totter down to the baths tomorrow.”
    “You’ll go to the baths with a guard, Father. I’ve placed two at your door,” Heath spoke up. “For you as well, Mother. To be with you at all times, even in the kitchen.”
    Anna looked at him with wide eyes. “Surely that’s not necessary,” she started.
    Heath cut her off. “It is.” He faced Eln. “I didn’t think of you, until just now. But there should be guards for you, as well. Gods forbid we lose you before Lara is brought to her bed. If you will wait here, I will send for more.”
    “As you wish,” Eln said.
    Lara and Keir nodded grimly. “Lara will have her four bodyguards at all times,” Keir said.
    “And you, my Warlord,” Lara said softly.
    “What about Heath?” His mother turned on him, glaring even as she cradled the sleeping child. “They have already attacked you once!”
    “He’s mine,” Atira said.

    ATIRA KNEW THE WORDS WERE A MISTAKE THE moment they left her tongue. Her cheeks grew heated as everyone stared at her. She dropped her gaze to avoid seeing Heath’s face. “He’s my responsibility,” she clarified. “With your permission, Warlord.”
    “It makes good sense,” Keir said, with a glint in his eye. He looked as though he was about to say more, but thankfully, Lara yawned just at that moment.
    “Enough of this,” Othur said. “Off with you. The rest can wait until tomorrow.”
    “I’ll see to the guards,” Heath said, and he slipped out into the hall.
    “Is your back bothering you, Lara?” Eln frowned as he looked at her.
    Lara grimaced. “It wasn’t until I took a nap on the Xyian mattress in the Queen’s chamber. I’ve grown used to the way of the Plains.” She gave Anna a rueful look. “Don’t tell anyone, but Marcus and Amyu are making up a bed for me of gurtle pads and blankets.”
    “Best to sleep on what you’re used to for now,” Anna said. “You can return to a proper bed after the baby is born.”
    From Lara’s face, Atira could see that it was not something she looked forward to.
    “Send scribes to me in the morning, and I will weakly dictate the regency documents,” Othur said.
    “I will.” Lara took Keir’s arm and began to waddle toward the door. Keir raised an eyebrow in Atira’s direction.
    With a start, she realized that her charge was in the hall without her protection. Atira flushed, following Keir and Lara through the door.

    HIS ROOM WAS JUST AS HE’D LEFT IT.
    Well, not exactly. Heath smiled ruefully as he recalled throwing things around in his haste to pack his saddlebags and follow Simus and Atira. The light of the small candle on the mantel showed that the room had been set to rights. Heath suspected that his mother had washed all his clothing and put it in his clothes press.
    It was a small room with a simple bed, a chair, and a hearth in addition to the press. Nothing too fancy. His father had offered a larger chamber, but Heath knew full well that might cause hard feelings with his fellow Guardsmen. He’d avoided special privileges and taken some of the worst posts, just to prove himself to the men he’d be working with. It had earned him their respect, and to be honest, he was used to its plainness now. Although after so long on the Plains, the stone walls felt oddly wrong.
    His packs and bedroll were on the bed; there was another set against the far wall—Atira’s by the look of them.
    Heath knelt at the hearth and used a taper to light the fire already laid there. It would take the chill off the stone.
    The tinder caught quickly. Heath went to the window, looking out over the courtyard and the tree. There was a slight breeze, and the leaves rustled in its wake. He could just make out some of the stars appearing in a darkening sky. He started to close