Warcry

suspect until it’s too late.”
    Lanfer pulled his head off the tip of the cane. “I will obey,” he growled.
    “Good.” Durst turned to the man tending him. “How bad is it?”
    Browdus shrugged. “I’ve got the bleeding stopped. The wound is small but fairly deep. We can’t risk a healer, so he will have to suffer my ministering.”
    “Suffer is the word,” Lanfer said.
    “I’ve washed it with wine, and I’ll bandage it as best I can.” Browdus took the clean rags from Beatrice.
    “You need to get back to the church,” Durst said. “My wife can apply the bandages to his ass. I don’t trust the Archbishop’s nerves.”
    “Best if I keep him far from the court.” Browdus stepped back, taking up his cloak.
    “As far as you can.” Durst smiled grimly. “Let there be no reminders.”
    “Plans within plans,” Browdus said. “Remember that plans fail and—”
    “Rest assured, priest,” Durst arched an eyebrow. “My plans do not call for bedding.”
    Browdus flushed, bowed, and went swiftly out the door. “What was that about?” Lanfer asked. He was clearly trying not to flinch as Beatrice packed the wound.
    “Nothing you need know of.” Durst limped over to the window. “Just an ill-conceived plan that Browdus came up with early on.” Durst settled into his chair with a sigh. “Admittedly, it was done quickly, with little time for planning. But my web has been woven over months.” He settled back with a sigh. “They will never see the blows coming.”

    “I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A BIT OF A RUCKUS last night,” Lara said as she stepped out of her sleeping chambers. Her eyes were lit up with mischief.
    “Did Keir and Atira leave already?” Heath asked, trying to avoid the topic. Bad enough he still had the taste of willowbark tea in his mouth.
    “Yes, and Marcus, with Keir’s token.” Lara frowned at that thought, plucking at her skirts. Once again she was dressed in the Xyian manner, with a high-waisted blue gown. She’d slung a belt over her belly, a dagger at her side. It looked odd, but that hardly mattered. Other than her walk into the city, Heath doubted she’d ever be without a weapon again. “Keir wouldn’t take anyone else with him,” Lara continued. “He left them to guard me.”
    “The Warlord needs no others for a senel,” Amyu said. “Worry about yourself, Warprize.”
    “Prest and Rafe are waiting in the hall,” Heath said. Yveni and Ander were rising, strapping on their weapons. “You’ll have the four of them and myself with you at all times.”
    “As if I have a choice in the matter,” Lara said crossly. She titled her head, considering Heath for a moment. Then her smile was back. The impish one. “Anna told me all about it when she brought breakfast.”
    “If you are ready, Your Majesty?” Heath extended his arm. “Your Council is waiting.”
    Lara laughed, placed her hand on his wrist, and they started off.
    “Seems an animal of some kind crushed Anna’s chicken coop last night,” Lara continued. “Smashed it flat. Set off a terrible racket, with chickens squawking and fluttering around.” She gave him a sly look. “Isn’t that just under your hiding place?” she inquired innocently. “The one where you’d star-gaze for hours at a time?”
    “A fox, perhaps,” Heath suggested. “I’ll have the Guard set some traps.”
    “That seems a lot of damage for a fox,” Lara said. “I told Anna I thought it was a bear.”
    Heath gave her a look out of the corner of his eye. Lara laughed.
    “Father is already in with the Council,” Heath said softly, changing the subject. “He limped in early with the documents. They have been poring over them for about an hour.”
    “Good,” Lara said. She pressed her free hand to her belly. “I want this resolved quickly.”
    “You’ll be back in your chambers with Keir at your side before you know it. He said he didn’t think his senel would last any longer than your meeting,” Heath said.
    “Maybe.” Lara sighed. “With all the truths being exchanged, he will be longer at it than I will.”
    “I don’t know,” Heath paused. “Lord Durst is in there.” He nodded down the corridor.
    Lara stopped abruptly, standing in the hall, looking sick. “That’s right. He is on the Council. I’d forgotten. Last time, he wasn’t able to attend—”
    “Because Keir thrust his sword through his chest,” Heath finished for her.
    “Goddess.” Lara closed her eyes and took a deep breath.