Warcry

meaning of her words sank in, but Lara raised her hand. “But our justice also includes the wishes of Aurora and Careth in this matter, and it is clear that neither is ready to make the pledge of marriage to the other.
    “But while the betrothal stands,” Lara continued, “the wedding will not go forward.”

CHAPTER 24
     
    “YOUR MAJESTY?” KORVIS LOOKED AS CONFUSED as Heath felt.
    Lara smiled. “Aurora shall enter the service of the Queen as handmaiden until such time as I see fit to release her from her duties. While she is in the Queen’s service, she will be educated and trained to such skills as she wishes, including the traditional domestic skills of Xy and such skills of the Plains as she expresses an interest to learn.”
    The murmurs were growing now, but they were more confounded than angry.
    “In the meantime, your families can act under your agreements to increase your trades. To that end, I have a charge for you, Lord Korvis, and for your son, one that will benefit your families and all of Xy.”
    “Your Majesty?” Korvis was alert now, and interested.
    “It is our intention to restore the trade routes to the kingdoms of Nyland and Cadthorn,” Lara announced. “We would send you and your son as our emissaries to Cadthorn. Another lord.” Lara paused just long enough to look pointedly around the room. “Another lord will be named to journey to Nyland.”
    Heath looked for his father’s reaction; his father looked pleased. So he’d known that this was in the wind. Korvis’s and Bedell’s expressions said it all. They weren’t happy, but they were interested.
    “You’d clear the mountain passes of obstacles?” Korvis asked. “There’s been no one through there but the odd, wandering tinker in decades.”
    “Yes,” Lara said. “With the aid of the warriors of the Plains, we can clear the passes of all their dangers. Wild animals, bandits, and the like.”
    “Cadthorn has a seaport,” Bedell said excitedly. “That would open trade to . . . to . . .”
    He fell speechless, as if looking off into a future of prosperity.
    “We’ve old maps of the routes and what trade goods were desired,” Keir said, his voice a smug rumble. “We have a need to open ourselves back up to the world around us.”
    The throne room buzzed now, everyone talking excitedly, lords and craftmasters alike. Heath knew word of this would explode from the room like sparrows from a bush once the doors were opened.
    Lara shifted again on the cushion and grimaced. “My lords, I fear I must close this Justice. Aurora, stand with me.”
    Aurora looked up at Elois, who smiled down, then whispered in her ear. The girl walked over to stand at Lara’s side.
    “Craftmaster Bedell, Aurora can visit with you as often as she wishes, but this day, I have a need of her. There is much to be done to prepare for tonight’s ceremony.” Lara braced her hands on the armrests. “As we have spoken, let it be done, for our decree is absolute and the law of this, our kingdom. Our decision given, this Justice is at an end.”
    The Herald thumped his staff down three times, and everyone knelt as Keir escorted Lara to the antechamber with Othur, Aurora, and their bodyguards.
    Heath gave Atira a nod as the crowd rose and started to mill about, voices getting louder and louder as they filed from the throne room. Heath met Atira at the antechamber door.

    ATIRA MADE HER WAY ALONG THE WALL TO THE door to meet Heath. It was easier to deal with all these people in a crowded place if you had the wall to one side.
    She arrived just as Heath did and stood beside him as they both scanned the departing crowd. “Lara will wait within, until the halls have been cleared,” Heath said softly.
    “Wise, given all that has happened,” Atira replied. “She did well, did she not?”
    “Oh yes,” Heath said with a smile. “She said no to their plans and then dropped a nice, juicy plum right in their laps.”
    “Plum?” Atira asked.
    Heath chuckled. “You know what I mean.”
    Atira gave him a smile as the last of the people filed through the doors. Heath finally opened the door behind them, and they slipped inside.
    “. . . three dogs,” Aurora was saying, standing by the fireplace as Lara walked up and down, leaning on Keir’s arm. “They run and play with me everywhere I go.”
    “Well, we’ll see to it that you get to visit them.” Lara was breathing hard, clearly uncomfortable. She glanced at Heath. “Are the halls cleared?