Warcry

door. “I’ll head down to the throne room and stall for a bit. But do not keep us waiting too long, mind.”
    “Your escort will be outside,” Heath said.
    Keir stood. “I’ll go and armor myself.” He looked down at Lara with a twinkle in his eye. “Apparently a wedding is like any battle. We show up, obey our orders, and hope that the plan survives the first engagement with the enemy.”
    Lara laughed as Anna protested and fussed all the rest of them out of the room.

    DURST TRIED NOT TO SHOW HIS WEAKNESS AS HE took his seat at the morning table. Mornings were the worst; it took time for his body to rouse for the day.
    Lanfer paced nearby, anger barely held in check.
    Durst sighed within, and for a moment thought of his lands and his home. If they left now, in four days they’d be within sight of his own small keep. There would be peace there, and Xylara would probably allow him to live out his life there in seclusion and privacy. But even as the thought formed, the vision of Degnan’s head and body being carried by the guards—his wife’s keening voice raised at the sight—flashed before his eyes. His rage returned so hot and hard he choked on his drink.
    Damn the Firelanders to the deepest hells.
    His resolve strengthened. His land needed him to prevent what was about to happen. Xy must be kept pure and the Firelanders slaughtered or driven from the land.
    His wife’s gentle hand came into view, placing warm bread and oats before him.
    Lanfer had the courtesy to wait until Durst had swallowed his spoonful of oats before speaking. “If we wait, Warren will return, and that will be even more blades against us.”
    “Many of the lords are waiting to see what happens,” Durst said mildly. “If Lara rules against the marriage, then they will join our cause. Aurora’s father is so angry, he may take up a sword himself.”
    “It’s risky,” Lanfer growled.
    “It’s prudent,” Durst growled back. “We will wait. Now, if you don’t mind, I wish to eat before I go to the throne room.”
    “They will start any minute,” Lanfer warned.
    “Xylara will arrive, and they will start the proceedings,” Durst corrected him. “And if Lord Korvis starts to espouse about the interruption of his son’s marriage, it will be a good while before anyone else is heard.” Durst took up his cup. “There’s time.”
    His gaze fell on his wife, standing at the side table, slicing bread with a steady hand. She caught his eye, and they exchanged a long, steady look.
    “Plenty of time.” Durst smiled.

CHAPTER 23
     
    “COME FORTH! COME FORTH!” HEATH COULD HEAR the Herald’s voice even through the walls of the antechamber. “Come forth, all that would petition and submit to the Queen’s Justice!”
    “They’re already in there,” Atira said, standing by the door. “Why does he bellow?”
    “Tradition, more than anything else,” Lara said.
    “And to remind the people of the Queen’s absolute authority,” Othur said firmly. He adjusted the sash of the Sword of Xy over his chest.
    “Prest and Rafe are already beside the throne,” Heath said. “And I’ve put castle guards along the walls. Atira and I will stand with you, and there are guards outside the doors as well.”
    “I will be the brooding presence beside the throne.” Keir offered his arm to Lara.
    “You do that so well, beloved.” Lara took his arm. “Then let us be about this.”
    Atira opened the door.
    The Herald pounded his staff of office on the floor three times. “Lord and ladies, all hail Keir, Warlord of the Plains, Overlord of Xy, and Xylara, Queen of Xy, and Warprize.”
    Heath’s gaze swept the room as everyone knelt at Lara’s and Keir’s approach. There was no sign of trouble, but the fact that many bore swords in the Queen’s presence was a concern.
    The Herald had done his work well. The Xyian families had all been herded onto the left side of the throne room, and the right had been kept empty for the Plains warriors who would appear and answer to Korvis’s demands. Between the two areas were two groups of clerks and between them the aisle for the Queen.
    Heath looked over at the old Herald and nodded his head in respect.
    Kendrick’s face never changed, but there was a definite glint of acknowledgment in his eye.
    Lara reached the throne and sat with Keir’s help. Anna had seen to it that there was a thick pad on the marble seat. The participants rose to their feet as she settled down.
    “Good morning to