Warcry

assured her. “Have you thought of how you are going to resolve this?”
    “Oh yes,” Lara nodded. “I have a few ideas.”
    “And are you going to share those ideas with your Seneschal?” Othur arched an eyebrow.
    “What, and ruin the surprise?” Lara smiled, then shook her head. “I will wait until they have presented their cases, Othur. Then I will decide. They deserve to have their truths heard.”
    “Just remember, Lara,” Othur said. “Some of the lords wait to see what actions you will take before deciding on their own. You need to be careful—”
    A commotion outside the door caught everyone’s attention. The doors opened, and Anna spilled within, her arms filled with cloth, followed by two maids, their arms filled as well.
    Othur took the wisest path and pressed himself against the wall, well out of the way.

    ATIRA WATCHED IN AMAZEMENT AS ANNA GLARED around the room. “Don’t you know there’s a wedding this night? And you’re all standing around like there’s nothing needs doing.”
    “There’s a Justice,” Heath offered, but Anna would have none of that.
    “They’ll wait.” Anna went to a small table off to the side and set her burden down. “I sent sweet rolls and herbed tea to the lot, and with any luck, they will stuff themselves silly and be happy and sated when you arrive.”
    “One could only hope,” Othur muttered.
    “And where have you been?” Anna demanded. “There’s been a thousand and one things that needed deciding, and you not to be found.”
    “Alas, I was concerned with the Justice,” Othur said. “I am sure whatever you decided will be fine. But Lara needs to go—”
    “They can wait a while,” Anna said firmly. “They can’t start without her, now, can they? Time enough to measure you for a dress.”
    Lara sighed and looked ruefully at the fabric. “It’s traditional to wear your mother’s dress, but I’d never fit into it. The noble ladies are all going to whisper behind their hands and talk of my belly.”
    “Since when have you cared one whit for what those geese think?” Anna said. “And you can wear the regalia of a royal bride easily enough. I’ve the mantle here.” She gestured for the maids, and they started to unfold the bundle of fabric.
    “I don’t care. Not really.” Lara sighed again, shifting in her chair with a grimace. “It’s just that . . .” her eyes welled with tears. “I just wanted to be pretty.”
    Atira caught her breath, sharing Lara’s sorrow.
    Keir knelt, putting his arm around Lara and looking up into her eyes. “You will be the loveliest woman there, flame of my heart.”
    Tears ran down Lara’s face, and she pulled Keir into as much of a hug as her belly would allow. “I’m so sorry—I can’t seem to stop being silly.”
    Atira looked away in time to see Anna and her women spread out a lovely cloak that seemed to stretch out for miles. She gasped as the light glittered on the gold cloth.
    “What is that?” Amyu asked, her voice hushed as she drew nearer.
    “The mantle of Xy, worn by the royal brides for many years,” Anna said proudly.
    She was right to be proud. The mantle was of embroidered gold cloth that shimmered as it moved. Along the collar and the edge of the entire garment was a trim of white fur, with spots of black.
    “The fur is ermine,” Anna explained to Amyu.
    “What are these?” Amyu asked, her fingers brushing the embroidery that decorated the mantle all down the back and along the length. “It’s the same as on that cloth hanging in the hall.”
    “That cloth is called a tapestry,” Anna explained. “An ancient symbol of the House of Xy—a creature of legend called an airion. The body, head, and legs of a horse, with the beak, wings, and claws of an eagle. They were the ancient protectors of Xy, keeping us safe from the monsters of old, or so the stories say.” Anna pointed at the animal. “Look at the detail in the stitching. You don’t see that these days.”
    Lara lifted her head from Keir’s embrace. “I’d forgotten how lovely it is,” she said, wiping her eyes.
    “And I’ve white cloth to match for a dress,” Anna said. “So stand up and let us be about this.”
    “But the lords are waiting,” Othur protested.
    “They can just wait. Time enough to make a dress, but we need to make sure of things.” Anna scowled at the lot of them. “You men can just scoot. Go on now, shoo. Shoo!”
    “We have our orders,” Othur said as he headed for the