Warcry

I’d really like to return to my chamber.”
    “We’ll manage it,” Heath assured her. “We’ll put Keir in the lead, and he can stalk in front and clear the way with his glare.”
    “I live to serve,” Keir said. He put Lara’s hand on Heath’s arm. “Prest, Rafe, take point with me. Ander, Yveni, and Atira, take the rear.”
    Othur smiled at Lara, and placed a kiss on her cheek. “You did very well, Daughter of Xy. But I must go and check on preparations. I will see you before the ceremony.” Othur looked down at Aurora. “Handmaiden Aurora, would you like to meet my ladywife, Anna the Cook? I bet she’d give us biscuits and tea, if we ask nicely.”
    Aurora broke into a grin and slipped her hand in Othur’s. “Yes, please.”
    As they left, Lara leaned heavily on Heath’s arm and put her hand to the small of her back. “I will be just as glad when this is done,” she said with a sigh.
    Heath had one eye on the door as Keir slid through after Othur. Rafe and Prest followed close behind. “We’ll all feel better about this once the babe is born.”
    “But one can never drop one’s guard, Warprize,” Atira said.
    Lara grimaced, then looked around the room. “Would you do me a favor, Heath?” she asked quickly.
    “Of course, little bird.” She had his full attention now. “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing really. I—” Lara bit her lip. “In one of the packets we sent to Othur from the Plains, I sent a separate note to Ismari, the goldsmith. I asked her to craft . . .” she flushed up, and looked away. “I’d hoped . . . I wasn’t sure . . .”
    “Rings?” Heath whispered softly, bringing his head close to hers.
    Lara drew his head down and pressed her forehead to his. “Rings. Would you go and—”
    The door opened and Prest appeared. “It’s clear.”
    Heath smiled into Lara’s blue eyes. “We’ll take you to your chambers so that you can rest. Then I will take Atira, and we will retrieve your tokens. What is a wedding without rings?”
    Lara’s smile was radiant.

    DURST STOOD IN THE COURTYARD OF THE CASTLE and watched as Korvis prepared to mount.
    “Sorry, Durst.” Korvis pulled on his glove and yanked it tight. “I cannot support your cause.” The man paused and looked up at the castle. “You have a legitimate grievance, I admit that. But the Queen’s justice is fair.” His gaze settled on Careth, mounted and waiting sullenly with Korvis’s escort, and he heaved a sigh. “The Queen’s embassy through the mountains may be just what Careth needs.”
    “You are blinded by greed,” Durst snapped.
    Korvis gave him a level look. “Tell me you would have turned such an opportunity away for your sons, had they lived?”
    Durst snarled. “But they didn’t, did they? And that Firelander lords over us all, and—”
    “Your hate blinds you,” Korvis said bluntly. “Bedell is well satisfied, given his daughter’s resistance to the marriage. He is honored that she will be the Queen’s handmaiden and more than satisfied that the betrothal stands. As am I.”
    “Traitor,” Durst spat. “Xylara is a whore, as was her mother.”
    Korvis stared at him. “So old hatreds rear up and cry for blood? No. I will not be a part of this. As a lord of Xy, I have always considered the needs of my people before my own. Return to your lands, Durst. Live out your life in peace. Your wife is still of an age to give you children. Don’t you see—?”
    Durst turned on his heel and limped off, seething in rage. He heard Korvis mount up, and the pounding of the horses’ hooves as Korvis and the others rode through the gates.
    Lanfer was waiting by the doors to the castle, leaning against the stone wall, arms crossed over his chest. He stood in silence as Durst limped past and fell in behind. They walked the halls and the stairs to Durst’s chambers. In silence, Durst opened the door. Browdus rose as they entered the room.
    “I heard,” Browdus said.
    Durst walked over to the hearth where a small fire burned. “New trade routes. Who’d have known that a Firelander would be so wily?” He stared into the flames. “Will the Archbishop perform the marriage ceremony?”
    “If you think he is capable of defying the bitch and her Firelander, you are mistaken.” Browdus folded his hands into his sleeves. “He will never have the courage to stand before them and deny them the rite.”
    Lanfer stood silent, his hand on the hilt of his sword, waiting.
    “Korvis will not support