The Night Bird lc-5

by Catherine Asaro

  “Oh. She let Shadow lap at the water. They were standing near a large boulder with moisture dampening its mottled surface. A man sat a short distance away, on top of the boulder, whittling a piece of wood. He glanced idly at them.

  “Nice horse, he said, raising his voice so they could hear.

  “Hes a good one. Allegra hoped she didnt sound like a girl. “Its our fathers.

  “Hmm. He went back to whittling.

  She nudged Ozarson toward the river. “Go on. Wash up.

  He glanced at her, a blush on his cheeks. He took off his shoes and shirt and set them carefully in the grass. Then he waded into the water.

  “Ho! one of the boys shouted. “Hes still dry. He hit the water and sent a huge swath over Ozarson. The atajazid stared at him, his mouth open, his hair and torso dripping.

  “Youll catch bottle-bees, the boy said, laughing.

  “Hes on our team, another fellow said. He grabbed Ozarsons arm and pulled him away from the first boy.

  An argument ensued over which team would get Ozarson, who was the largest of the boys. Allegras heart lurched. He didnt know how to play. He held back, but the others dragged him into their game without realizing he had no idea what to do. She doubted anyone had ever splashed him in his life. If a palace servant had done so by mistake, he would have been reprimanded. Ozarson had only been seven when the army took him away. Had he spent the past two years with no playmates, only an army major who tutored him in academics and military strategy? No wonder he seemed bewildered.

  Childhood had a healing power, though. Although he didnt loosen up as much as the other boys, he was soon splashing and laughing with them. Allegra tended to Shadow and checked his hooves for pebbles. Then she let him nibble grass. She sat near enough to the man on the boulder so people passing might think he was her father, but far enough away that he didnt pay her any attention.

  Eventually the man finished his statue, a small bird, and put it in a sack. Then he called, “Ho! Devi! Time to go.

  One of the boys stopped playing and turned with a thunderous look of protest. The argument that followed made Allegra smile. She had heard it often from her brothers when they wanted to keep playing in the lake and their father said it was time to go. For the first time since the TAmbera had abducted her, she dared hope to see her family again. This freedom was tenuous, though. If Markus and his men hadnt already given pursuit, they soon would.

  As Devi bid the others goodbye, his father glanced at Allegra. “Would your father consider selling that horse? He indicated Shadow, who was peacefully cropping grass.

  “I dont think so, she said. “Hes mighty attached to it.

  “Not surprised. The man hesitated. “He the one who gave you that black eye?

  Allegra bit her lip and just shook her head.

  “Shouldnt go around hitting children, he muttered.

  Devi came over, dripping wet, and glared at his father. “You could come back for me later.

  The man smiled laconically. “Come on. Youll survive.

  The boy waved at Ozi, who was wading out of the water. Then Devi took off, walking sulkily while his father handed him fresh clothes. Within moments, though, his interest was caught by the stalls that lined the bank, where merchants sold all sorts of goods, from food to bridles to mining equipment. People thronged the area, children ran and laughed, musicians sang for coins and acrobats tumbled in open stretches of grass. The place hummed with energy.

  “This is fun, Ozarson said. He was dripping wet, and he held his shoes and shirt dangling in one hand. “Lets explore!

  Allegra indicated a secluded space between two outcroppings. “After you change. The travel bag has some dry clothes.

  He fetched the dry clothes, then stooped behind the boulder so she could see only his head and changed into trousers and a worn shirt she had found in the hut at the horse pen.

  When Ozarson finished, he and Allegra walked together, with Allegra leading Shadow. The boy stared around at everyone and everything.

  “Ive never been outside without guards, he confided.

  “Does it bother you? she asked.

  “It feels good. He smiled just like Markus, with that gorgeous flash of white teeth.

  Longing flooded Allegra, but she fought it. She didnt want to miss Markus. He was the most maddening, arrogant man. Yet he could also be so compelling. Nor could she forget his beautiful body in the starlight. If she enjoyed making love to him, did that mean she wanted to be his wife? She felt as if her heart had betrayed her, trying to make her into someone she wasnt. It was all tangled up in her knowledge of his plans. Jazid and Taka Mal were going to war, and she was the only one who knew outside of his army.

  “Do you want to fight Taka Mal? she asked Ozarson.

  He glanced at her. “Markus says we must.

  “Markus may be wrong.

  “He isnt often.

  “Hes not actually in the military, though, is he? She had the impression he was a civilian.

  “He served for ten years, Ozarson said. “Father made him a colonel even though he was young. But Markus decided to work on the palace staff. He used to say, Ozi, Im a statesman, not a soldier. Pride touched his voice. “Hes a great swordsman, though. You should see. No one can beat him. He led a company of men when Father went to war against Cobalt. In a subdued voice, he said, “They brought his body back with my fathers.

  Saints above. Most adults she knew would have reeled with the shocks this boy had faced at age seven. “But he wasnt dead.

  “He was in a coma. They said he would never wake up. But he did before Cobalts people knew. Thats how we He stopped, then looked away.

  “Ozi? she asked.

  “Look. He pointed at a stall. “They have so many shoes.

  She could only imagine what it had been like for him to think he had lost his father and surrogate father on the same day. It was no wonder he didnt want to talk about it.

  She peered at the stall. Sandals, shoes and boots hung from the overhead slats and were stacked on shelves. A heavyset man stood calling out his wares. Watching him, Allegra had an idea.

  “Lets go see, she said.

  Ozarson glanced at her feet. “Major Talizs boots fit you.

  “Not shoes. Polish. Brown, I think. Well need a lot. She patted Shadows neck. “Everyone notices him. When Markus gets here, hell ask people if theyve seen us. Most wont notice two raggedy boys. But a huge black? That will stay in their minds. So well change his color. Theyll remember a big brown horse.

  “I dont think polish would work, Ozarson said, laughing. “Its probably not good for him, either.

  “We should do something. I dont want to sell him. Hes stronger than any other horse we could find. And he belongs to Markus. When she was free, she would try to have someone return the horse he so clearly valued.

  Ozarson considered Shadow. “Mud could work.

  “To make him look less valuable. Yes, thats a good idea.

  They found a secluded place on the river and let Shadow roll in the mud, which he obviously enjoyed. As they continued on, the mud dried and flaked, turning his coat a mottled brown. It looked terrible, which was good, but Shadow grew annoyed. He swished flies with angry swipes of his tail and whinnied, baring his teeth.

  Ozarson scratched the horses neck. “Dont be mad. Well clean you tonight. Besides, we think you look beautiful. He gave Shadow part of an apple. “See? We love you.

  Shadow ate the apple and seemed mollified.

  “We need more food, Allegra said. “Id like to find a lookout, too, to see if we can spot anyone following us.

  Ozarson waved his hand at the trees. “Have you ever seen so many? We can climb one! Ive never done that.

  She smiled at his enthusiasm. Every boy should climb a tree. “All right. After we buy food.

  “My guards always take care of He stopped, looking confused. “Do you know how to buy food?

  She didnt know whether to laugh or cry at his questions. He was one of the smartest
children she had ever met, yet in some ways, he knew less about life than a toddler.

  “We go to a stall that has what we want, she said. “We haggle over price, the merchant gives us the food and we give him coins.

  “Do we have coins?

  She regarded him guiltily. “I stole a bag from Major Gaizz.

  “If Major Gaizz had the coins, theyre mine. So you didnt steal them.

  She smiled. “Lets spend your coins, then.

  In no time, they had supplies and a spyglass. They found some sturdy trees and left Shadow at the bottom of one while they climbed into the branches. Ozarson took to it right away, and she could barely keep up with him. When they reached a good, solid branch, they sat on either side of the trunk with their legs dangling. They had a clear view of the land to the south. In the distance, the Fractured Mountains rose up, harsh and broken against the sky. It was so strange the way everyone went about their business here, oblivious to the three thousand warriors hidden in those mountains.

  She scanned the desert with the spyglass. Red and yellow sands jumped into prominence, and jutting spars of rock.

  “Do you see anyone? Ozarson asked.

  “Nothing. She lowered the glass. “Id have thought they would be after us by now.

  “Here. He held out his hand. “Ill look.

  She handed him the glass, startled by his manner. He didnt ask, as most children would. He expected people to do as he bid. He wasnt arrogant, at least not yet, but neither did he know any other way. His differences were subtle enough that so far no one had noticed. She just hoped it stayed that way.

  “I dont see anyone, either. He lowered the glass. “Yet. But you know Markus wont let us go to Aronsdale.

  “He cant stop us if he isnt here.

  Ozarson stared across the desert, then up the river, his face pensive. “It would be fun to travel like everyone else. To be a boy no one knows. No one special.

  Allegra spoke quietly. “All your advisors want to put you on this throne and that. But youve never said what you want.

  He thought for a long moment. “I am the Atajazid DAz Ozarson. It is my right to rule from the Onyx Throne.

  “But is that what you want?

  He regarded her steadily. “Yes.

  Looking at him, for a moment she glimpsed his future, the day when this boy became one of the most formidable sovereigns ever known. The image vanished from her mind almost as soon as it came. Maybe she had imagined it; precognition was among the rarest mage traits. Even without it, though, she sensed the greatness in this child. Whether or not he achieved that potential depended on so many fragile plans.

  “Do you want the throne of Taka Mal? she asked.

  “I dont know. He let out a breath. “General Yargazon says we must kill the queen and her baby. I dont want that.

  “Maybe we can find another way for you to retake the Onyx Throne. She had no idea how a boy and a young woman could manage such a thing, but she didnt know what else to say.

  “I dont see how going to Aronsdale will help, he said.

  “Theyre the only country not controlled by Cobalt, she said, thinking. “He rules the Misted Cliffs, Shazire, Blueshire and Jazid, and his wife is the heir in Harsdown. Even Taka Mal has his troops and cavalry. Only Aronsdale is free of his influence.

  “Not completely, Ozarson said. “His wife is kin to your king in Aronsdale.

  “Shes his niece. Allegra suspected Ozarson knew more about the intrigues of the royal houses than most anyone. “Do you think that would make Aronsdale more likely to support Emperor Cobalt?

  “I dont know, he said. “Maybe not. General Yargazon told me that your king threatened to help Taka Mal fight Cobalt if the emperor invaded Taka Mal. Its because the queen of Taka Mal married a man related to the royal family of Aronsdale.

  She wondered how they kept it all straight. “I can never sort out all those royal lineages.

  “I had to draw family trees, Ozarson confided. “The queens consort is Drummer Headwind. Drummers sister is the mother of Cobalts wife. The father of Cobalts wife is your kings cousin. So your king considers Drummer his kin. His face darkened. “Queen Vizarana in Taka Mal told my father she would marry him if he allied with her against Cobalt. Then she married Drummer. She betrayed my father.

  “But your father was already married.

  He averted his eyes. “I know.

  So even Ozarsons mother, the queen, hadnt been safe from his fathers caprices. “Even in Jazid, it isnt legal for a man to have two wives.

  “He was the atajazid. He could do what he wanted. The boy fidgeted with the hem of his shirt. “He already had a second wife. Queen Vizarana would have been the third.

  “Saint Azure, she muttered. “How many did the man need?

  He looked up at her. “He told the queen of Taka Mal that he wouldnt support her army against Cobalt unless she became his wife.

  “I thought she offered to marry him.

  “Well, no, he admitted. “She just asked him to ally with her. He said she had to marry him if she wanted his help.

  “That puts a different slant on it, Ozi. It was beginning to make sense. With Cobalt threatening Taka Mal, it had given Ozarsons father a way to take the queens thronemarry him in return for an alliance. By Jazid law, he would undoubtedly rule Taka Mal if he married the queen. But it couldnt be that simple in Taka Mal. Vizarana had married an Aronsdale man and continued to rule. Of course, he came from a country where the man expected to move into his wifes home and help with her livelihood. Allegra had hoped her husband would work in the dairy with her. Saints, what a thought, Markus milking cows.

  She couldnt imagine a marriage between Queen Vizarana and Atajazid DAz Ozar. No wonder Vizarana had turned to Aronsdale.

  “Ozi, I dont know the answers, she said. “But I very much would like to go home. To Aronsdale.

  He drew himself into a regal posture. “Then we shall go. His grin sparkled. “On the muddiest horse in Taka Mal.

  With a laugh, she said, “Come on, you.

  They climbed down the tree and up onto Shadow. Mud dusted all over their clothes, and they looked like itinerant wanderers.

  So they set off for Aronsdale.

  CHAPTER 14

  THE SAINT VERDANT

  They rode all day along the river, even in the river, to hide their trail. Every now and then, they encouraged the horse to roll in the mud, until they were all covered with caked dirt. They blended with all the other dusty travelers following the river, which offered the only viable route through a vast desert.

  That evening, as the sun slanted across the land, they cleaned Shadow near a secluded waterfall. While the horse grazed, they climbed above the falls and sat eating their dinner as the sun sunk to the horizon. Allegra scanned the desert with her spyglass

  And sighted soldiers galloping across the sands.

  “Damn! She offered Ozarson the glass. “Its them.

  The boy looked where she indicated. “Oh. Yes. He sounded disappointed. “Theyll probably ride through the night until they reach the river.

  “Were at least a days ride west of where theyll hit it.

  “They have more horses, supplies and scouts, though. He considered her. “Maybe theyll assume youre taking me to Quaaz.

  “It would be a reasonable choice. Yargazon might think Im going to tell Queen Vizarana about the invasion.

  “He must be embarrassed you knocked him out.

  She suspected embarrassed hardly began to describe it. The General probably wanted to flay her. “We should leave.

  Ozarson spoke firmly. “I wont let them hurt you. They must do as I say.

  Allegra knew he couldnt stop Markus and Yargazon, but his intentions touched her. She said only, “Thank you.

  They set off again, and kept going long after the sun left the sky in a wash of crimson fire.

  Yargazon slammed her against the freezing wall. “You drove him to go, looking for you, when he should have stayed with the army. You endangered our p
lans and put him in danger.

  She fought his hold. “Let me go!

  He swore at her and raised his arm.

  “No! Allegra woke with a gasp, shaking so hard, she almost slid off Shadow. And she was on the horse, leaning over his neck.

  “Youll be fine, Ozarson murmured soothingly. “Its just a bad dream. I get them all the time.

  As her mind cleared, she realized she was in front of him, and he was holding her as they rode. She barely recalled when he had told her they should switch places, acting more like an atajazid in charge than a hostage.

  “Are you better? Ozarson asked.

  “Yes. Youre right, it was just a bad dream. She feared it could become reality, but she didnt want to tell him.

  “We should stop, he said. “Shadow wants to sleep, too.

  “All right. She wished nothing more than to stretch out flat and sleep.

  Ozarson reined in the horse, and they slid down. As he lifted off the travel bags, Allegra lay on the ground and closed her eyes.

  Ozarson knelt next to her. “Dont sleep there.

  “Shadow needs to rest, she mumbled.

  “A little while. But if we dont stop long, we can reach the place where this river flows into the Saint Verdant by dawn.

  She was drifting off. “It can wait an hour.

  “Allegra, listen. He shook her shoulder. “I studied these places with Major Gaizz. The Saint Verdant is huge, the biggest river in the settled lands. Ships go up and down it, and that includes a scow schooner thats really fast. It can carry a horse. A barge carries horses, too, but its so slow, you could ride to Aronsdale, quickly. The majors reports were over a year old, but if the schedule is the same now, the scow only leaves once every few days. Its scheduled for this morning, at dawn.

  She opened her eyes. “As in, we could catch it, but Markus would have to wait days for the next one?

  Ozarson nodded, his face lit by starlight and a gibbous moon. “Thats right. Unless he left the horses behind.

  “They might do that. Buy more in Aronsdale.

  He folded his arms against the cold. “If Markus goes to Aronsdale and they catch him, they might not let him go.