The Blue Sword

Though Corlath defeated her in the duel, the crowd cheers Harry on and proclaims her the winner of the trials. Mathin guides her away from the crowd to rest and recover, and many Riders and former opponents come to pay quiet homage to her. Among them is a young woman named Senay, a fellow laprun competitor.

The next day, Harry and a group of Riders journey into the City, which is built almost entirely of stone. As they ride through the streets, Harry is greeted as laprun-minta, first in the trials, by the citizens, who look upon her with awe. She arrives at Corlath’s castle, a massive fortress built into the hills.

That evening, Harry is prepared for a banquet in her honor. She is bathed, dressed, and presented with her torn maroon sash. Mathin explains it’s a badge of honor, and many Riders wear sashes cut by the king or another champion. She is to mend her own sash, as tradition dictates. 

At the banquet, Harry takes her place among Corlath’s elite Riders. When the ceremonial Water of Seeing is passed around, most Riders have disturbing visions of war and the Northern enemy. Harry sees herself riding to the gates of the Outlander General, and later is caught in the middle of a chaotic, losing battle.