"Later, we went to see what became of the blood mages who were the allies of the Obsidian King. For a league around their stronghold, everything was scorched and flattened. No plants, no trees, only the burned carcasses of animals. There was a crater where the keep had been. Wild magic still fills that place. It dried up the milk, made the crops die, killed the children. People fled. It's been a wasteland ever since."
"So if the Flow comes apart, we don't have a chance," Jonmarc finished.
"Raen's right. The Flow's very badly damaged," Carina said. "I don't know how to fix it, but if we don't come up with something, soon, it's not going to matter. Dark Haven won't be here—and neither will we."
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
"You're looking out of that window as if you're expecting to see something," Cerise said gently.
"I keep thinking that if I look southward, I'll be able to see Tris and his troops. The month Tris and I were together was so beautiful, but now he's gone and I'm homesick, Cerise." Kiara's hand fell to her belly. "And I'm tired of throwing up."
"Some things work the same for queens and commoners alike, my dear. Babies are one of them. Wars are another. The powders I gave you didn't help your stomach?"
"Not really. At least I won't be tempted by all the foods at Winterstide. Nothing sounds good at the moment."
"If it's any consolation, your mother was worse. She was sick for such a long time, we feared she might starve. But it passed."
"She nearly died when I was born. I hope I have an easier time."
"The women on your father's side are heartier in that respect. You'll be fine." Cerise took Kiara's hand and led her to a seat by the fire.
"Winterstide begins tonight," Kiara said, swirling a bit of sugar into her tea. "I miss father terribly. It's going to be so strange, celebrating without him."
"You were in Principality for Winterstide last year. Things have improved a bit since then, haven't they?"
"You mean that we're not in exile, being hunted by assassins? Yes to the first part, but after what happened to Malae, I'm not sure about the second." She shook her head and watched the flames dance in the fireplace. "I've been schooled all my life to become Mar-golan's queen, Cerise. I know how Winterstide's celebrated here. It's not carrying out the rituals or navigating the court that scares me. It's just that I had hoped, up until Tris left with the army, that there might have been a way to avoid the war."
"You're not alone here, Kiara, although we're far from Isencroft. Remember that. You've got Crevan and Mikhail to handle the castle. Harrtuck's sworn to keep you safe. Alle and Lady Eadoin are powerful friends. And the minstrels are your eyes and ears in the court." Tris's brown wolfhound roused from its spot by the fire and came to nuzzle Cerise's hand.
The mastiff and the gray wolfhound looked up from where they were dozing near Jae on the warm hearth. "Oh, how could I forget? You've also got Jae and the dogs!"
Kiara chuckled. "You're not about to let me feel sorry for myself, are you?"
Cerise hugged her. "There's nothing wrong with missing Isencroft. It's to be expected. But I've always heard that the Margolan court kept the Winterstide feast in fine form, and I'm looking forward to a front row seat!" She stood. "Speaking of which... Alle went to get the seamstress to fit your dress for tonight, and Macaria should be here any minute with your breakfast. There's a lot to do before the festival gets underway."
By noon, the courtyard of Shekerishet had been transformed. Strips of brightly colored cloth fluttered on the wind, tied securely in the bare branches of the trees. More strips adorned the tails of kites that flew high against the gray sky. The bits of colored cloth, each a prayer to the Lady or a request for favor, were considered to be heard when they were lifted by the wind. "Very auspicious, Your Majesty, this wind today," Crevan said. He stood behind Kiara's chair on the balcony overlooking the early festivities in the courtyard below. Just then, a cloud of white doves fluttered skyward, released from their cotes by servants below.
"Please tell me that you've locked the falcons up in the mews," Kiara said, watching the doves rise. On her lap, Jae stirred with a look of hungry interest. Kiara gently tapped the gyregon on his back and he settled into her skirt, accepting a small treat from a bag near her chair.
Crevan smiled. "Of course, Your Majesty. It wouldn't do for the Childe's doves to become dinner." Crevan looked harried, Kiara thought. It was the first major holiday Crevan had handled without Zachar's help. The abrupt transition had .gone hard on the nervous little man.
The sound of bells mixed with laughter as a crowd of children ran across the courtyard, some with kites and others with bright streamers that waved as they danced. Belled anklets and wristlets filled the cold air with music. The bells, sacred to the Childe, echoed in the songs of the minstrels who played near a large bonfire in the center of the courtyard. Chimes and bells of all sizes blended with the sound of flutes and the lilt of a piper, instruments favored by the Mother aspect.
Alle leaned over beside Kiara. She was nestled in a heavy fur cloak that nearly hid her long blonde hair. "I saw what the bakers and the candy cook have done for the festival. Mounds of sweets shaped like rose petals, and baskets of cookies in the shape of doves. If the children eat half of what's been baked, they won't eat any of tonight's supper!"
"That would be a pity," Macaria said. "While you were watching the baker, I saw what's being readied for dinner. Roasted venison and a full boar, with leeks and onions aplenty. And I'll warrant there'll be bread pudding with currants and sweet cream with dates before it's all done."
Kiara smiled. "Keep it up and you may even make me hungry. Carroway let it slip that there are some special entertainers tonight. What do you know about that?"
Macaria grinned. "Me? Not a thing. Unless, of course, the queen were to command me to tell..."
"Consider yourself commanded."
"Carroway brought dancers from Isencroft before the snows fell. With the army gone, there's no jousting this year, but he's got falconers to give an exhibition in Kait's honor. And of course, after supper everyone exchanges presents."
"I watched Crevan and the servants carrying in presents for you," Alle added. "There's quite a stack."
"After what happened at the wedding—do you think it's wise to open all those presents in public?"
Alle smiled. "Han-tuck assigned guards to unwrap and open all of the presents. He even managed to get one of the Sisters to be on hand, to make sure there was nothing magical. If there are any traps, they'll spring them. Once you've seen the gifts, we'll put them out for everyone else to look at. It's expected."
"I'm not used to quite such a display—we did that a little more privately in Isencroft."
Macaria gave an unladylike snort. "Are you joking? That's part of the holiday sport. Everyone wants to see what everyone else gave the king and queen. Since you're with child, and it's the festival of the Mother and Childe here in Margolan, you're sure to receive all kinds of things for the baby—it's the heir, after all. Gift-giving is a kind of competition for the nobility. And since the favored gifts for Winterstide are amulets and talismans, the jewelers and silversmiths can be assured that their shops will be busy when everyone crowds in asking for 'what the queen got from Lord So-and-So.'"
"Carroway may have something to say about it if we don't go inside soon," Macaria said with a glance toward the courtyard. "Looks as if the minstrels have moved indoors. Which means I'm probably due to perform. I'll see you at supper."