The Night Bird lc-5

by Catherine Asaro

  CHAPTER 13

  THE KINGS COURSEWAY

  Allegra sang.

  She crooned sleep to the guards who snored outside the pavilion. She rolled the cart in the direction the stable boys had taken the horses and sang for anyone who might cross her path.

  The horses were in a pen rather than a stable, under a rock overhang. She wheeled the king of Jazid into the enclosure and stopped singing, letting out a breath as she saw the stable boys fast asleep on the ground. Unfortunately the horses were also asleep. She couldnt rouse Shadow at all. She bit her lip, wondering what she had done. She had never managed a spell like this before, and she had no precedent to judge the results.

  Allegra leaned her head against Shadows neck and sang so only he could hear, murmuring the lilt she used to wake her youngest brother, who was only four:

  Rise little sprout

  Someday a mighty tree

  Come softly child

  Come softly with me

  Shadow whinnied in protest, as if the idea of waking offended him. She kept singing, easing him awake, until finally the great horse nuzzled her shoulder. She gave him part of an apple she had taken from the dinner.

  Allegra found riding supplies in a hut by the pen. She took a blanket, stuffed a second bag with trail food, filled sacs at the water trough and added feed bags for Shadow. She changed her uniform with a stable boys nondescript clothes, and pinned up her hair under the cap to hide the yellow color, which would otherwise stand out in Jazid and Taka Mal like a sunrise at midnight.

  Shadow stepped restlessly as she prepared him for the ride, but he didnt protest. It surprised her. Granted, he had carried her for several days, but she had expected him to resist any rider except Markus. Perhaps the spell had affected him somehow. Or maybe he liked her. Who knew? She was just glad he consented to her presence.

  Ozarson remained fast asleep, his legs hanging out one end of the cart and his head balanced against the pole. She had no idea how she would lift him onto the horse.

  “I know you want to stand, she told Shadow. “You even sleep standing up, eh? But I need you to kneel, beautiful horse.

  Shadow shook his head and stamped. He knew they were ready, and he wanted to go.

  “Come on, she coaxed, tugging on his bridle. “Here you go.

  After some persuasion, and the rest of the apple, he knelt for her. She heaved Ozarson onto his back and shifted the sleeping atajazid so he straddled the horse. Sliding on behind him, she put her arms around the boy to hold him secure. Then she lifted the reins and said, “Ho! Now you can go, my restless Shadow.

  The horse surged to his feet. He knew how to leave the pen; he even nosed aside the gate. Allegra left it open. If the horses did wake up sooner than the men and wander into camp, well, it would take that much longer to organize search parties when all the people awoke.

  She crooned the lullaby as she rode past sentries asleep on the ground. It astounded her that so simple a spell could neutralize an armed camp. Or maybe it wasnt so simple; it drained her so much, she had trouble staying upright. She switched to the waking song for Shadow and herself, but when Ozarson stirred, she went back to the lullaby, to keep him asleep.

  They passed the outskirts of the camp and rode into the desert. Worried about sentries, she continued to sing softly, with green in her spell so she could touch the moods of soldiers on patrol. With that warning, she was able to avoid them. She didnt let the spell fade until she was far out into the barrens, well beyond the foothills where the army had hidden their camp. Her voice was hoarse, and she prayed for its recovery, for without it, she could do no spells. Even with her voice, she wouldnt be able to do much for several days. She had stretched too far. With rest and proper care, her magic would probably return, but she had used everything she had tonight for her escape.

  Ozarson had become a heavy weight in her arms, and she groaned as fatigue pressed on her. But she couldnt risk dozing while she rode because the boy might slip out of her arms.

  The call of a night-wing eagle came from above her. Raising her exhausted gaze, Allegra saw the bird gliding on currents of wind. Fly far and long, she thought to the magnificent creature. And I will fly with you, for if I am truly a night bird, then I shall be as free as you. Markus had given her the name, and the part of her that had begun to care for him wanted to keep it. If her escape succeeded, it would be all she had left of him. But if she were to be a night bird, it would be on her termsas wild and as strong as that glorious eagle in the sky.

  Allegra rode on, her weary mind in a haze, rousing only enough to guide the horse by the stars. With the border of Taka Mal so close, Shadow would cross it sometime in the night, but she had no idea when. The maps indicated they were south of a tributary to the Saint Verdant River in Taka Mal. A few days ride along the smaller river should take them to the great Saint Verdant, with its thriving communities. She hoped the waterway would help disguise their trail, and that they would be harder to locate in more heavily populated regions than out here in the desert.

  Quaaz, the capital of Taka Mal, was a logical destination. She could reach it in four days. But then what? She knew neither the people nor the customs, nor what to expect for a woman and a boy traveling alone. Markus and his advisors would probably assume she went there, since it was the closest major city where she could find help. If she went to Aronsdale instead, it would take longer, but they were less likely to search in that direction.

  She reviewed the geography in her mind. The nomads had ridden eastward for about four days from where they had caught her. Markus had ridden east for three more days. That put her roughly seven days out of Aronsdale. If she rode straight to the border, she could probably reach Castle Suncroft in six or seven days.

  If Markus didnt catch her.

  She brushed her hand over his cheek. “Please be different. Be a man I could love.

  Markus touched her lips. “I can only be what I am

  Allegra jerked awake as someone jolted her. Confused, she tried to orient herself. She was on a horse

  It all rushed back. She had escaped.

  Shadow had slowed to a walk across the desert. Another sigh brought her fully awake, and she remembered what else she had done. The king of Jazid sat slumped in her arms.

  “Are you waking up? she asked. He needed water and food, which he couldnt take in his sleep, and her arms ached terribly from holding him upright.

  The boy shifted, but showed no sign of rousing.

  “Wake up, she sang softly, holding the octahedron. “Wake little sprout, someday a mighty tree, come softly my child, softly with me. She didnt know if she had enough strength left to affect him. No matter what, this would be her last spell for a while.

  Ozarson sighed and opened his eyes. “Allegra?

  “Good morning, Your Majesty.

  He lifted his head. “Where are we?

  “In Taka Mal. Weve been riding all night. The sun had just risen above the distant mountains. “Would you like some water?

  “Yes, that would be good, he mumbled groggily.

  She pulled out a sac and gave it to him. “Try not to go through it too fast. Im not sure when well reach the river.

  He took a few sips. “How did we get out here?

  “I put everyone at dinner to sleep with a spell.

  “A spell! He laughed sleepily. “Do you know magic tricks?

  “This isnt a trick, she said. “I knocked out your bodyguards, put you in a cart and stole Shadow. Then I rode away.

  He gave her the water bag. “You kidnapped me? He sounded more perplexed than alarmed.

  “Well, yes, I did. She stowed the bag with their supplies.

  He was silent for a while. Then he said, “When they catch us, Allegra, I wont let them execute you.

  She grimaced. “Im hoping they wont catch us.

  The boy rubbed his neck. “Im stiff.

  “Youve been sleeping while we rode. His lack of concern surprised her. She would have expected more indignation from
a king, even one who was only nine.

  “I had a lovely dream, he said. “It was the place you sang about, the hills of Aron and the purple edgerows. Everything was beautiful there, and no one wanted to kill me.

  It broke her heart to hear him talk so matter-of-factly about something that would chill most adults. She felt guilty for taking him as a hostage. A part of her just wanted to get him away from the warlords perpetrating violence in his name and destroying his childhood. They treated him with deference, and she didnt doubt it was genuine, but she also had no doubt they were in control of his life. It wasnt her business, and it could be what Ozarson wanted, but she couldnt help the maternal feelings he evoked in her. Perhaps that made her a fool; she knew only that she didnt want him hurt.

  “Maybe we can find you a place like that, she said.

  “Are we going to Aronsdale?

  “I was thinking of it.

  “Markus and General Yargazon will catch us.

  “They might. Uneasily she said, “If I didnt kill Yargazon.

  “What a thing to say. He seemed more amused than outraged.

  “Im not joking, she said. “We had a fight. I pushed him, and he fell onto one of your chests. His head hit the corner.

  “By the dragon, he said, sounding like a youthful version of Markus. “Was he breathing?

  She nodded, then realized he couldnt see, sitting in front of her. “Yes. He started to wake up.

  “Hes all right then. Hes tougher than anyone else I know.

  “I hope so. As much as Yargazon terrified her, she hadnt meant to kill him.

  Ozarson laughed softly. “The prettiest girl in Jazid fought with my fiercest general and carried me off. No one will believe me. Theyll think I made it up.

  She was glad he didnt really understand what had happened. His version of events was far more palatable. He hadnt seen all her bruises, for one thing. Her fight with Yargazon would leave some bad ones, including a black eye. Gouges ached where the skirt had bit into her skin when he dragged her across the carpet. And yetshe felt strangely exhilarated. She had fought a person who terrified her, someone far stronger and more powerfuland incredibly, she had won.

  “You didnt really put us to sleep, did you? Ozarson said. “We drank too much wine.

  “You didnt drink any wine at all.

  “Markus doesnt let me, he grumbled. “Major Gaizz does. So does General Yargazon. But never Markus.

  She smiled at his grouchy tone. “Markus is a wise man.

  “Ive never known anyone who claimed to do real magic.

  “Mages are rare.

  “Whats a mage?

  “A woman who does spells.

  “Like the queens in Aronsdale?

  “Something like that.

  He snorted. “Markus told me that wasnt true.

  Allegra smiled slightly. “I think hes changed his mind.

  He thought for a moment. “When he catches us, Ill say I told you to ride with me out in the desert. Hell believe me. Im always saying I want an adventure.

  Allegra knew Markus wouldnt believe it for a moment. But she said only, “Well, you shall have your adventure.

  “I shouldnt run off. I have duties.

  “You didnt run off. Guiltily she said, “I kidnapped you.

  “As a hostage. He didnt make it a question.

  “You know thats why I took you?

  “Isnt it?

  “Well, yes, she admitted. “Im sorry.

  “Its an honorable military tactic, he told her. “Jazid and Taka Mal have done it for centuries. A hostage exchange ensures no one attacks anyone else.

  She was beginning to understand his response to what she had done. “Is that what you want? To resolve matters without a war?

  “Sometimes you must fight. He had the same withdrawn quality as when he talked about his fathers death. “But sometimes He took a breath. “I wish we could find other ways than killing.

  He had a great deal more to him than she had expected. “I wish that, too.

  His voice turned wistful. “I dream about places with plants instead of sand. No one is angry or needs a sword. If I could decree it, I would. He sounded subdued. “But ordering people aroundthat isnt really what it means to be the atajazid. I have to do what is right for my people.

  “Its true. She was struck by the boys maturity. It also spoke well of Markus that the young king in his care understood the responsibilities of his position rather than just seeing it as a title that led people to kneel to him and cater to his wishes.

  “Well find you someplace beautiful, she added. She realized she wanted that for him more than she wanted a hostage. She knew she shouldnt let such feelings interfere with her plans. It was difficult, though; she liked him.

  “My mother is in a place like that, he said.

  His mother. Not the father he worshipped? “Ozarson, she said, then stopped, unsure how to ask about her.

  He settled back in her arms. “You may call me Ozi. Then he said, “Youre sort of my mother now, arent you? Because you married my regent.

  “If you would like. Using this boy for political gain was going to be a lot harder than she had thought.

  He watched the shifting shadows of the predawn desert, all dim reds and browns. “I would like.

  She spoke gently. “May I ask what happened to her?

  “My mother?

  “Yes.

  He just shook his head and kept looking ahead. They rode in silence. Shadow didnt seem tired, but she thought they should stop soon, to tend the horse and break their morning fast.

  Up ahead, a line of green edged the sands. If it was the river rather than a mirage, they had made good time. Had Markus come after them right away, he might have caught them by now. She had needed a spell to wake Ozarson, though. He had received more of her sleep song than the others, but probably not enough to make a large difference. Maybe everyone else was still out. Eventually they would awake, but without her intervention it might be a while yet.

  “She was at the palace with me, Ozarson suddenly said.

  “Your mother? Allegra asked.

  “Yes. When we learned aboutabout Fathers death.

  “How did you find out?

  “A company of the emperors men came to the Onyx Palace. They said Cobalt had claimed the Onyx Throne. His voice cracked. “They had Fathers body with them.

  “Ah, Ozi, Im so sorry.

  He fell silent after that. She didnt push; this boy had too many nightmares in his life, he barely knew her and she had taken him away from Markus. She had expected him to seek control of Shadow or demand she return to the camp, but he seemed content to ride, nestled in her arms. Part of it seemed to come from his idea that this was an “adventure. But she remembered last night, when he had implied he didnt expect to live long enough to grow up. His fatalism broke her heart, and she felt it from him now, too, as if it didnt matter where he went, for he would be dead soon.

  “Ozi, she said, hugging him. “Ill take care of you.

  He rested his head against her shoulder. “Youre only one girl. How can you stand against Markuss army?

  It was a good question. “Would you like to visit Aronsdale? We could go to the king.

  “Why?

  “To ask for help.

  “Hell send me to Cobalt, and Cobalt will kill me.

  “I wont let him.

  “How can you stop him? Do you know him?

  “No, she admitted. She was nobody in Aronsdale, as well. She had caught the attention of the castle mage, but that hardly meant she had the kings ear. She didnt really know how she could help Ozarson. He needed a stable, secure home and a normal life, neither of which were likely to happen.

  Markus wanted to protect Ozarson by conquering anyone who threatened the boy. It was an endless cycle. Cobalts father had attacked Aronsdale and lost; Cobalt avenged his father and ended up conquering many countries, including Jazid; now Markus sought to avenge his father. When he was done, who would be left, filled with misery
and hate, to rise against Jazid? Markus and Ozarson would die then, possibly her, as well. Or she would become someone elses slave. She recalled the saying Rose TAmbera had told her: Men die and women suffer. It would never end.

  “Well go to Aronsdale, Allegra said.

  “Are there really edgerows there?

  “I dont actually know what an edgerow is, she admitted. “Its an old word. But weve beautiful meadows with flowers.

  “I would like to go, Princess Allegra.

  Saint Azure, was that really her title? “You mustnt call me a princess. People might guess who we are.

  “What does Allegra mean?

  “Its from the musical term allegro. It means to play or sing sprightly. With energy.

  “Thats a good name for you.

  “I like it. Up ahead, the green line was growing into a row of trees. She prodded Shadow and they galloped toward the oasis.

  Caravans, families and riders crowded the banks of the Ata-Daz, or Kings Courseway. It was only a moderate river, despite its grand name, but in the barrens of Taka Mal, it offered a ribbon of life. Sand covered Ozarson now, hiding the high quality of his clothes, so he and Allegra looked like a hundred other ragged boys wandering the river. No one paid attention to them, though some men spared a glance for Shadow. She could see why; he was a magnificent horse.

  Ozarson gazed around as if he couldnt take it all in. When they dismounted to fill the water sacs, he stood on the bank and watched a gaggle of boys in ragged pants and no shirts splashing in the river.

  “That looks like fun, he said.

  “Go ahead and join them, Allegra said. “We could use a bath. She would have to find somewhere private, but she didnt see any reason why he couldnt go with the others. It would help their disguise; who would believe the Shadow-Dragon King of Jazid was carousing in the river with a cluster of other ragamuffins?

  “I dont know how, Ozarson said.

  She gave a snort. “Dont give me that, young man. Everyone knows how to take a bath. Even nine-year-old boys.

  “I mean, I dont know how to play in the water.

  Allegra blinked. “How can you not know how?

  “The camp has no children or river, he said. “Just springs. No one at the palace ever allowed me to go in a river. My mother bathed me in the royal suite.