Warcry

This one in particular.” He gestured to one of the assistants, who unrolled and displayed a parchment filled with colors and lines.
    “What are these?” Elois asked.
    “Maps.” Keir leaned forward, watching as Remn pointed at something on the parchment. “Very, very old maps.”

    “SO, IF THERE IS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION OF THE terms,” Lara said as she shifted in her chair. “We can conclude this meeting.”
    Heath knew full well why she was uncomfortable. It felt like they’d been at this for hours.
    “One thing, Your Majesty,” Lord Reddin said, his chair scraping the stone as he rose.
    Heath stiffened. Reddin supported Durst.
    “Yes?” Lara asked.
    “The phrase here regent for the child born of Xylara, Daughter of Xy .” Lord Reddin tapped his finger on the copy before him. “I believe a different wording would be appropriate. Let us change the word child to heir .”
    Othur frowned. Heath couldn’t see Lara’s face, but her tone was cautiously neutral. “Why so, my lord?” she asked.
    Lord Reddin shrugged elegantly, as if it was of no matter. “I desire specificity, my Queen. It’s my understanding that Firela—” He paused with an expression of apology that looked false to Heath’s eyes. “That those of the Plains routinely bear twins. Should Your Majesty bear more than one child, we would be better served that there be no question as to which child the document refers to.”
    Lara said nothing, just reached out to the table to draw the document closer so that she could read it. Heath kept his face neutral, but his thoughts raced furiously as the silence grew.

    ATIRA CRANED HER NECK WITH ALL THE OTHER warriors, straining to look at Remn’s maps, and listen to Keir’s words. The idea that the land could be captured on parchment and cloth was a new and frightening one. Colors, lines . . . it was hard to believe it meant something.
    Of course, she had thought that about words before Heath had taught her to read. And there stood Remn, the short, fat man, pointing and explaining about mountain passes.
    “Liam of the Deer is due to arrive shortly,” Keir announced over everyone’s heads. “Warren and Wilsa have not yet returned from their task of ridding the land of bandits.”
    Everyone started to settle, listening to his words.
    “I do not ask any warrior to decide here and now”—Keir flashed a smile—“for the decision you make is an important one. But consider well before you decide, for understand one thing.” Keir paused, waiting for everyone’s attention. “I will do this. I will be Warking. The Warprize and I will unite these lands, for the betterment of both our peoples.”
    Keir stopped there, but the message was clear. The Plains warriors all looked at one another.
    “Consider well your choices,” Keir said. “This senel is closed.”

    FOR HIS LIFE, HEATH COULDN’ T SEE A PROBLEM with the request, but he’d trust Lord Reddin about as far as he could throw him.
    “I see no problem with the change, Your Majesty,” Lord Pellore said softly. Other heads were nodding.
    Pellore was fairly neutral as far as Heath knew. He saw Lara’s head turn toward Othur slightly, saw the faint nod Othur gave her.
    “Very well,” Lara said. “Let us have the scribes make the final changes, and be about it.” She shifted in the chair with a sigh as the document was removed and rushed to the waiting scribe at the corner desk. “In the meantime, my lords, I will hold a High Court feast this night, in celebration of our safe arrival in Water’s Fall. I’d ask all of you and your ladies to attend.
    “On the morrow, we will hold the Justice, to resolve any pending issues.” She placed her hand on her belly. “After that, I will withdraw from view for a time.”
    Most of the lords looked a bit uncomfortable at that statement, but Pellore smiled and nodded. “May I say, Majesty, that we wish you well in the coming days.”
    Heath watched as Lara thanked him, even as the other lords offered their best wishes.
    All except for Durst.

    ATIRA HEAVED A SIGH OF RELIEF ONCE THE WARLORD was back in his chambers, the Warprize safe at his side. Lara was yawning her head off as Keir took her into the sleeping chamber and closed the door behind them.
    “That’s done,” Heath said, his own relief in his voice.
    Prest and Rafe were starting to settle before the hearth, watching Marcus grind beans for kavage. Ander and Yveni were making themselves comfortable as well, and there were