Page 309 of The Priory of the Orange Tree

“I was sure this day would never come,” she said as they slowly followed the rest of the court. “The day a Berethnet queen would have to announce that we are once again at war with the Draconic Army.”

The palace gates were not yet open. The city guards were out in force beyond them, while the court assembled behind. Lords and peasants faced each other through the bars.

“You asked about my wedding. I meant to marry Tharian as soon as you woke,” Margret said, “but I can hardly do it now, without Loth.”

“When, then?”

“After the battle.”

“Can you wait that long?”

Margret elbowed her. “The Knight of FellowshipcommandsI wait that long.”

The crowd outside grew larger and louder, calling for their queen. As the hands of the clock edged toward six, Tané came to stand beside them. Someone had combed the knots out of her hair and garbed her in a shirt and breeches.

Ead returned her nod. She could sense the siden in the Easterner now, bright as a hot coal.

Bells chimed in the tower. When the royal fanfare began, the crowd at last fell silent. The sound of hooves soon broke it. Sabran rode forth on a white horse in full barding.

She wore the silver-plated armor of winter. Her cloak was crimson velvet, arranged so the ceremonial sword could be seen at her side, and her lips were red as a new rose. Her hair was braided in the ramshorn style that Glorian the Third had favored. The Dukes Spiritual rode behind her, each carrying their family banner. Tané watched them pass with an opaque expression.

The war horse stopped outside the gates. Sabran gripped its reins as Aralaq prowled out from behind and took up a defensive stance beside her. He growled low in his throat. With her head held high, the Queen of Inys faced the stunned eyes of her city.

“My loving people of Virtudom,” she said, and her voice was her power, “the Draconic Army has returned.”

68

East

It had been centuries since an Eastern fleet had crossed the Abyss. Armed to the hilt with harpoons, swivel guns and siege crossbows, the forty ships were covered by great plates of iron. Even their sails were coated with an iridescent wax, made from the bile of Seiikinese wyrms, that made the cloth harder to burn. The colossalDancing Pearlwas at the front, with theDefiance, which carried the Warlord of Seiiki, beside it.

And all around, the dragons swam.

Loth watched one of them from the staterooms of theDancing Pearl. Every so often, its head broke the surface so its rider, who bestrode it on a saddle, could breathe. The woman wore facial armor and a helm with lames to protect her neck. She could be warm and dry on a ship, but instead she chose to stay in that black water with her wyrm.

If the two sides of the world could reconcile, this might soon be a common sight in all seas.

The Unceasing Emperor nursed a glass of Lacustrine rose wine. They were deep in a game of Knaves and Damsels, which Loth had taught him the day before.

“Tell me about your queen.”

Loth looked up from his hand of cards. “Majesty?”

“You wonder why I ask.” The Unceasing Emperor smiled. “I know very little of the rulers from over the Abyss, my lord. If Queen Sabran is to be an ally to my country, it would behoove me to know something more of her than her famous name. Do you not agree?”

“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.” Loth cleared his throat. “What do you wish to know?”

“You are her friend.”

Loth considered for some time. How to paint a portrait of Sabran, who had been in his life since he was six. Since a time when all they had worried about was how many adventures they could fit into a day.

“Queen Sabran is loyal to those who are loyal to her. She is kind-hearted,” he finally said, “but hides it well to protect herself. To seem untouched. Her people expect that of their queen.”

“You will find that people expect that of all rulers.”

That must be true.

“Sometimes a great melancholy comes upon her,” Loth continued, “and she takes to her bed for days. She calls them her shadow hours. Her mother, Queen Rosarian, was murdered when she was fourteen. Sabran was there. Since then, she has never been truly happy.”

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