Allegra and Ozarson stood with Shadow on the dock. The horse snorted and shook his head. Ahead of them, beyond the pier, a few shacks lined a dirt road; beyond that, the Pyramid Foothills swelled into the sky. Compared to the soaring, broken majesty of the Fractured Mountains, these hills resembled beanbags strewn across the land. Grass rippled around the shacks, and scattered wildflowers added color to the edges of the road.
“Is this Aronsdale? Ozarson asked.
“I guess so, Allegra said. It didnt look like much.
He glanced around. “Were the only ones who got off the ferry. No one else wants to go here.
“Not today. She started down the dock, leading Shadow. The aroma of baking crab wafted around them. “Well ride south to Crofts Vale. We might reach it by tomorrow night.
He regarded her curiously. “Is your family there?
“No. A surge of homesickness hit her. “Theyre farther west, near the border of southern Aronsdale with Shazire.
“Shazire. His gaze darkened. “Cobalts lands.
“Actually his mother governs there.
“His mother? He seemed mystified by that information. “A woman?
Allegra smiled. “They usually are.
He walked for a while, thinking. Then he said, “His empire is Shazire, Blueshire, Jazid and the Misted Cliffs. But he calls it the Dawn Star Empire. Why?
“Ive no idea. For his wife, maybe? Shes a Dawnfield.
“People say shes a sorceress, Ozarson confided.
“Shes just a mage. Stronger than me, though.
“Were in the land of mages! Ozarson ran down the dock. At the end, he spun around and spread his arms. “Shell put all of Aronsdale to sleep!
Allegra burst out laughing. “I hope not.
“Lets go see Crofts Vale, he said, his eyes dancing.
Within moments, they were on Shadow, galloping down the road.
They reached Crofts Vale in the late afternoon of their second day in Aronsdale. Sunlight slanted across the hills, which were lush with grass. Skybells bloomed, and larks flitted through glades of trees draped with mossy vines. The fragrance of night-blooming starlights filled the air as the white flowers opened even though the sun had yet to sink behind the hills. A waterfall tumbled over a ledge and into a pool where Shadow stopped to drink. Above it all, Castle Suncroft stood on a hill, overlooking the village and countryside.
Allegra gazed at the castle. A croft for the sun. Such a modest name for so lovely a place. Towers with purple turrets rose at its four corners, and crenellated walls protected the interior. The setting sun gilded the castle and filled the valley with antiqued light, as if a gold haze shimmered within Crofts Vale.
Ozarson was sitting in front of Allegra, in her arms. He had been silent since they came into view of the valley, but now he said, “Its just as lovely as you said it would be.
“It is. This was actually her first time seeing it, too. She could understand why so many songs praised the beauty of this valley.
“Are we going to the castle? he asked.
“To the village. The Song Weavers Guild. She couldnt just show up and ask for the king. The guild would send a message to Della No-Cozen, the castles mage mistress, to let her know Allegra had arrived.
Allegra wasnt certain what to expect at the guild. She was many days late. They hadnt known exactly when to expect her, though, and she had been taking her time on the journey here, enjoying herself before the TAmbera wreaked havoc with her life.
Boys and girls dashed in games of chase and jump-a-jump across the meadows, and adults relaxed in the grass, watching the children, picnicking, enjoying the evening. The women wore flowing tunics and leggings in green, blue, rose and yellow. The men had on dark trousers and shirts in bright colors.
Three girls tumbled into the grass only a few paces away from where Shadow was walking. They scrambled to their feet and ran after a boy who was laughing and teasing them with calls. When he saw them racing toward him, he shouted with alarm and took off, sprinting for a cluster of other boys farther down the slope.
Ozarson watched in silence. It was so unlike his usual response to new places, it worried Allegra.
“Ozi? she asked. “Are you all right?
“Yes. His voice had an odd sound. Crying?
“Honey, whats wrong? she asked.
“Why do you call me that? He was crying. “Im not a sweet spread for a sugar roll.
“I thought you would like it here, she said.
“I do.
“But why does it make you cry?
He sniffed and wiped his sleeve across his nose. “Its all so pretty. The children play and play. Everyone looks happy.
Allegra leaned her forehead against the back of his head, her heart aching. Aronsdale was no paradise. People here struggled for enough to eat, a family to love, a livelihood that would see them through their days. They had nothing of the wealth Jazid miners took for granted. But compared to what Ozarson knew, it probably looked idyllic.
“Do you want to play with the other children? she asked.
“I dont know them, he said. “Its not like at the river, where no one knew anyone.
“No, I guess not. The other children would also realize he didnt come from here. Although most people in eastern Aronsdale had dark hair and eyes, possibly because far more Jazidian women ran away to Aronsdale than Markus thought, Aronsdale softened those who lived within its dales and meadows. Ozarson was pure Jazidian, with his obsidian hair, tilted eyes and proud features. Just as most people could tell a Jazidian thoroughbred from an Aronsdale horse, so she doubted anyone would mistake him for an Aronsdale boy.
They rode on, beneath the hill with its golden castle.
The Song Weavers Guild was in a large house of bronzewood that turned coppery-red in the sunset. The stairs up to its wide porch were smoothed from years of feet going up and down them. Inside they entered a big room filled with serenity. Stained-glass windows glowed with aged sunlight and cast pools of gem colors on the floor. Bronzewood tables stood around the room, surrounded by chairs with gold cushions. Shapes were everywhere, vines flowering with circles, squares, polygons and more. Shape carvings adorned the poles supporting the ceiling, borders on the walls, furniture, even worn patterns on the parquetry floor. For the first time in days, power stirred within Allegra.
Ozarson gaped at the room. “Is this where you live?
“Maybe. Allegra no longer knew what would happen. She had cast more complex spells in the past few days than she had thought possible. The mage mistress had wanted to find a green or blue mage for Prince Aron. It seemed presumptuous to think they might have invited her to meet him, but she was beginning to wonder if Della No-Cozen had suspected her power more than Allegra had herself.
Allegra mentally shook herself. She had no business thinking about Aron. She was married. She could challenge the contracts since Markus had forced her into the union, but she wasnt even sure if she wanted to end her marriage. Then again, it probably didnt matter. Markus surely hated her now, after she took Ozarson.
She longed to go home, lean her head against her mothers shoulder and seek comfort in her familys love. But she had responsibilities. She had to warn someone about the Jazid army. She felt helpless to stop the war, but if she said nothing and thousands of people died, she could never live with herself.
A plump, older woman was coming toward them. Her brown hair curled out from under a white cap, and she had a white apron over her blue tunic. She stopped in front of Allegra and spoke coolly. “May I help you boys?
With a start, Allegra realized how they looked: two grungy fellows gawking in the entry of a guild house for young women. She couldnt fathom why people mistook her for a boy just because she wore old clothes and flattened her chest, but it worked.
“Im sorry. She pulled off her cap, letting her hair tumble around her shoulders. “My name is Allegra Linseed. Im expected.
“Allegra! The womans entire manner changed. “Child, weve been worried si
ck.
“I had aside trip. She suddenly felt tired. She didnt know what to say to anyone.
“Goodness, lets get you settled. The woman wiped her flour-dusted hands on her apron. “Im Marnie, the cook. Ill show you where you can wash up and change. Then we can go meet the guild mistress. She frowned at Ozarson. “Your letters didnt say you were bringing a brother.
“Hes my ward, Allegra said.
“Well, he cant stay in here, Marnie said sternly. She thought for a moment. “I guess he could sleep in the stables.
“The stables! Allegra had no intention of leaving the king of Jazid to sleep in a stable. “Cant he stay with me?
Marnie crossed her arms. “You cant have a boy with you.
“I can sleep in the stables. Ozarson looked delighted with the prospect. “Ill look after Shadow.
“Shadow! Marnie exclaimed. “Youve another boy here?
Allegra smiled at her aghast expression. “Hes our horse.
“Ah. Marnie relaxed. “Well, its settled then. She even beamed at Ozarson. “Youre a handsome fellow, eh? Better watch out or the girls will chase you.
Ozarsons face turned red.
“We should look after the horse, Allegra said, rescuing him. “Ill be back as soon as were done.
“Ill tell the guild mistress youre here. Marnies strict demeanor eased. “The boy can come into the dining room to eat. But hes to stay out of the rest of the house.
Allegra hoped Ozarson wasnt upset. For a child who was used to adults kneeling to him, the past few days must have been quite an experience. He hardly seemed to notice, though. He was already out the door.
Allegra spoke in a low voice to Marnie. “Hes from Jazid. He lost his parents during the war.
The cooks expression softened. “Well, he can stay as long as he needs. In the stable, though. Just dont tell anyone.
“Thank you, Allegra murmured.
The stable turned out to be a barn with a couple of stalls. Fresh hay lay everywhere, filling the air with its aroma. She found Ozarson rubbing down Shadow. A boy with yellow curls was lounging against the half door of the other stall, watching him.
“Thats surely the biggest horse Ive seen, the boy said.
“Hes part Jazidian Black, Ozarson told him.
“You from Jazid? the other boy asked.
“Thats right. Ozarson kept his attention on his work.
Shadow whinnied as Allegra came toward them. Ozarson whirled around, then relaxed when he saw her. “Look at all the hay. He motioned around the stable. “Its everywhere.
“What, your horse doesnt have hay? the other boy demanded. With a grin, he scooped up a handful and threw it at Ozarson.
Ozarson dodged the flying hay, then stood with his mouth open.
Laughing, the other boy threw more hay. “You look like you forgot to think.
“Hai! Ozarson glared, then grabbed a load of straw and heaved it at the towheaded boy.
Within moments, straw was flying everywhere. Allegra tried to duck into Shadows stall, where he watched the proceedings with a dubious air. Then someone showered her with hay. With a whoop, she grabbed an armful and hurled it in the direction of whoever had attacked her.
“Allegra? Marnie said from the door of the stable.
Laughing, covered with straw, she turned around. Except it wasnt Marnie. An older women with ruddy cheeks stood there, her face framed by gray curls. She was taller than most women, and her gaze held a calm authority. She wore a white and violet tunic with gold layers, the colors of the royal House of Dawnfield.
Mortified, Allegra stared at her. “Mage Mistress No-Cozen. II didnt expect you so soon.
“Marnie saw us walking in the village and called us over.
Allegra felt like an idiot, covered in hay, dressed in a stable hands scruffy clothes, her hair tangled, her face smudged, standing with two rapscallion boys who gaped at the mage mistress.
“Us? Allegra asked weakly, wondering if she was about to embarrass herself in front of someone else.
Della stepped asideand a youth walked into the stable.
Prince Aron.
CHAPTER 16
SUNCROFT
Allegra thought she would die of embarrassment. She went down on one knee with her head bowed. She had seen portraits of the prince, but even without that, she would have known he was a Dawnfield. He wore a violet and white tunic with the royal seal on the left breast, swords crossed on a field of stars.
Silence filled the stable. Aron said nothing, which seemed odd. She glanced to her left. The yellow-haired boy was on one knee with his head down, his hair falling across his face. Peeking the other way, she saw Ozarson
Standing up.
Damn! He was watching Aron curiously, waiting to see what he would do. The prince looked back at him, puzzled. They were a study in contrasts. Ozarson was, for all appearances, a scamp in worn clothes. Aron looked exactly the way Allegra had imagined a prince, with a handsome face and light brown hair, the classic Aronsdale curls falling down his neck and over his ears. He couldnt be more than nineteen or twenty. Her age.
“Ozi, she said softly. “You must kneel. This is Aron, the kings heir.
He gave her a quizzical look, and she wondered if he had ever knelt to anyone in his life. She took his hand and tugged. With an awkward motion, he dropped to one knee and lowered his gaze.
The hay crunched and then someone knelt in front of Allegra. She looked up into Arons face. He smiled and offered his hands to her. She didnt know what to do, so she took them.
He drew her to her feet. “You are Allegra? The mage?
“Thats right. She wanted to hide.
He let go of her hands and pulled straw out of her hair. Then he grinned, his boyish smile sparkling in a way guaranteed to break hearts all over Aronsdale. “That looked like fun.
Allegra flushed, acutely aware of Ozarson. He also stood up, though Aron hadnt given anyone else leave to do so. The prince seemed to have forgotten. He stared at Allegra, and she wondered if she had straw stuck in some strange way in her hair or clothes.
Then concern washed over Arons face. “Who hit you?
She put her hand on her cheek. The black eye had healed some, but the bruise was still visible. “I got into a fight, she improvised. “Just a little scuffle.
“A fight! He laughed, and a brown curl fell into his eyes. Pushing it aside, he said, “Ill have to remember not to anger you. Im afraid my combat skills are rusty.
Saint Verdant. Did he have to be charming as well as gorgeous? She knew why he was looking at her, asking her name. She hadnt been presumptuous. He was supposed to marry the strongest eligible mage. They had invited her here to help her develop, and Allegra knew now she had the ability they sought. If Prince Aron had found another mage to marry, he would already be betrothed. Well, he wasnt betrothed. She wanted to run, to hide from him, because he was fresh and sunny, perfect in every way, but she couldnt encourage him, for she already had a husband and saints help her addled brain, when she looked at Aron, she thought of Markus.
“Im honored to meet you, Your Highness, Allegra said. “But II must clean up after my travels.
“You look lovely, he said. “Like a forest sprite.
How would she get out of this? “I must go now. Augh, that sounded rude, and to a member of the Dawnfield royal House no less.
“Perhaps you could dine with us tonight at Castle Suncroft? he asked.
“Allegra? Ozarson said. He sounded stiff. Cold.
“I, uhI dont know She stumbled on the words.
Della No-Cozen came forward and extended her hand to Allegra, somehow gracefully extricating her from Arons grip. “Im sorry to put a damper on matters. But before Allegra goes anywhere, I need to discuss her placement at the guild. She gave Aron a stern look. “We must let our guest relax. Shes had a long trip.
Aron gave Allegra a rueful smile. “If Ive pushed, please accept my apologies. Perhaps another night would be better?
“Thank you, Allegra said
. “Youre most gracious.
She felt Della watching her and suspected the older woman saw more than Aron did. Ozarsons presence was like a smoldering coal at her side. But she couldnt react, not here, not in any way that might give away his identity and endanger him.
Allegras guild room was furnished with bronzewood pieces similar to those downstairs. Shape carvings scrolled in delicate curves along the door frame and windowsills, and sunlight poured through the arched panes. Mage power swirled in Allegra.
“Well, here we are, Della said.
“Its lovely. Allegra set her bags down on a stool. Then she laid her palm on the round table and murmured an ancient lilt:
Heal my heart, falling eve
Veiled in scraps of mist
Soothe and I will believe
In dreams I thought Id missed
A green haze formed in her thoughts. She felt Dellas mood, the mage mistresss worry for Allegra, her puzzlement over Ozarsonand her hope. It pleased her to see Prince Aron respond so well to the young mage she had invited to the guild.
Allegra spoke quietly to Della. “Please come in.
Della closed the door and joined her at the table. She touched its varnished surface, then looked up at Allegra. “When I tested you three years ago, you had no green spells.
Allegra met her gaze. “A lot has changed.
The older woman glanced at her dusty bags, which had a tasseled cord in the Jazid style. “Did you really have a scuffle? She turned back to Allegra. “Why are you wearing those clothes? And that boy. Hes from Jazid, isnt he?
Allegra sat at the table and rested her elbows on it. Then she put her head in her hands. “Ah, Della. I cant go to the palace to dine with Prince Aron, not tomorrow or ever.
The mage mistress sat next to her. “Can you tell me why?
Allegra looked up. “I was coming here to study. I rode the last part of the journey alone. The days were beautiful, and I was so happy. Her voice cracked. “So happily, stupidly naive.
Dellas voice quieted. “What happened?
“Do you know of the TAmbera?
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