Shadow's Son by Shirley Meier, S.M. Stirling and Karen Wehrstein ...

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"Hello, gentle - and not-so-gentle-folk.Nye'yingi ." Yeoli for hello. She spotted two Arkan warriors
sitting in a dark corner. Different from a few months ago; not swaggering. And wearing their swords
peace-bonded; the Benai could enforce that with them again, now.You dog-suckers will have lost a
whole war , she thought,if Yeoh-es made it to their border . She smiled. Many others in the bar looked
as if they were going to enjoy this, too.
"As our dear friend Nikolakiaj says, I do indeed have news," the bard said happily. "Unexpected,
indeed unprecedented news. News beyond your wildest conceptions, and you will see I do not
exaggerate. Good Nikolakiaj said I would give news and song, as is customary. But this information so
inspired me, dear listeners, that you will have the rare good fortune to hear both in one." Suddenly his
face sobered and his voice dropped. "Tragic and pathetic news, I bring. In fitting with its somber nature, I
must adopt a somber mien…" Anticipatory snickers echoed, including one from Shkai'ra. "My ballad's
title: A Lament for the Empire of Arko."
More snickers. Shkai'ra grinned like a wolf. Megan peeked at the two Arkans, who looked as if they'd
rather not hear this, more inclined to hide behind their tankards. The bard strummed a rich cord, and
sang.
Pity the day when the Eagle of Arko
First cast its eye on Yeola-e's plains.
When battle is finished twixt Eagle and Circle,
The world will count up the losses and gains.
Long long ago, a great sage of Yeola-e
prophesied gravely, that this century,
His people, who'd lived so content in their borders
The conquerors of a great nation would be.
Now storming to Kaina, led hard by Chevenga,
They'd won to the edge of the lands bought so dear.
New risen from shackles, and calling for justice,
They cried to each other, "Why should we stop here?"
"We know what it is, to be conquered by Arko.
The world is not safe, while the Eagle still flies.
Now that it runs, we should chase it down flaming
For our land burned, our loves raped, our children's death-cries."
Debate raged like fire, all over Yeola-e
Until in Assembly, a Servant asked this:
"Our precious Chevenga, no one has worse suffered
By Arkans than you have. What is it you wish?"
"What wishes a demarch," he said, "does not matter."
Refusing to answer, though uproar they made.
E'en strode from Assembly, was dragged back and
fin'ly On pain of impeachment, replied, "To invade."
So chalk went the vote, to strike down the great Eagle.
Four ten-thousands heed the Invincible's call-