Elma realized then that the city seemed to have gone quiet. The parade stood unmoving, waiting for her to rejoin its ranks. Luca and Rune stood just behind her, tension radiating from them — they were ready to strike at anyone, even, presumably, children. There was no music, and even the crowd along the street was silent, watching this exchange with something like frightened awe. King Rafe had never done this, Elma realized with a sudden certainty. He had never spoken to his subjects, let alone stopped a parade to do so.
