Warcry Read Online Free PDF Page B

happy as he provided a rag and some water for Lanfer to use. Lanfer was none too pleased to accept it, since the cloth looked like it had seen better days. But he held it pressed up to his nose for a moment before he dabbed at his clothing.
    “You are Lord Enali’s son, I believe,” Lara said.
    Lanfer looked up at that, and his eyes widened. Heath couldn’t blame him for that. In Xy, extremely pregnant women withdrew from society in the months before the birth. It was rare to see a woman with such a belly, and Lara was huge with child.
    Lara let him stare for a moment, then she raised her eyebrow again and extended her hand with a patient air.
    Heath stifled his grin, but he had to give Lanfer credit. The man didn’t hesitate. He advanced, went to one knee before Lara, and took her hand. He bowed his head, looking every inch as if he was in the throne room. “I am, Your Majesty. I am Lanfer. Please forgive me. I did not expect such a welcome.”
    “You offered insult to a Plains warrior,” Lara said. “Consider yourself lucky that you don’t have a sword in your guts.” She withdrew her hand, and Lanfer rose with an easy grace. “I was told you have a message for me.”
    “Yes, Your Majesty. From your Council.” Lanfer stood, eyeing Keir, a faintly puzzled look on his face.
    Heath knew why. Lara had just required him to acknowledge her as Queen, but had not made an issue of Keir’s status as Overlord. Just as well. They faced enough of a challenge without forcing the Xyian nobility to bow to one of the dreaded Firelanders.
    Lara still had a patient look on her face. “May I have it?” she asked, holding out her hand.
    “Your Majesty, the news I bring is of events that occurred yesterday. I regret to inform you that Lord Othur, Warden of Xy collapsed while holding a Queen’s Justice.”
    Heath stiffened. His father . . . ill?
    Lara sucked in a breath. “How is he?”
    “He lies in his chambers, Majesty, tended by Master Healer Eln.” Lanfer had a pious look on his face. “The Council fears for his life. Lord Othur has worked night and day in your absence, dealing with the worries and matters of state.”
    Heath’s hand tightened on his sword hilt. The tone, the manner—the bastard was implying that Lara had neglected her duties as Queen. He forced his hand to ease off, even as he worried about his father. His father was not a young man, and he was fond of his wife’s excellent cooking. But to collapse?
    “Is there any sign of treachery?” Keir asked.
    “No,” Lanfer responded. Then he faltered as Lara’s light blue eyes burned into him. “No, Warlord.” Lanfer managed to regain a bit of poise. “He was surrounded by the Guard at the time. The castle throne room was filled with people seeking resolutions to their problems. Lord Othur was in the middle of hearing testimony when he clutched at his chest and fell back into his chair.”
    “Were his lips blue?” Lara asked sharply.
    “Your Majesty, I was not present at the Justice.” Lanfer shook his head, as if deeply grieved that he had failed her. “I am unable to supply any details.”
    That was deliberate on Lanfer’s part, to Heath’s way of thinking. The smug bastard was standing there, talking about Heath’s father without so much as looking at Heath.
    Lara’s face was pale, and she glanced at Heath, then back at Lanfer. Heath’s mother and father were as dear to her as they were to him, but she was refusing to rise to Lanfer’s bait.
    Heath crossed his arms over his chest in grim determination. Who knew that for all their adventures, they would face greater challenges from their friends than from their foes?
    Lara raised her chin imperiously. “I thank you for your message, Lanfer. You may return to the Council with my thanks for their care of me.”
    “Your Majesty,” Lanfer bowed to her. “The Council will wish to know when you will arrive at Water’s Fall.”
    “Tell them that the Warlord and I will arrive at the gates