The Night Bird lc-5

by Catherine Asaro

  The queen raised her eyebrows. “For thousands of people?

  She exhaled, unable to lie. “No.

  “Drummer thinks you did it in desperation, to save him and yourself, and that it destroyed your ability to do spells.

  Allegra didnt want to dwell on what she had lost. She could no more imagine living without her spells than being blind. “Maybe someday it will come back.

  Vizarana spoke quietly. “My husband would have died. You gave him back to me, at great cost to yourself. You forever have my gratitude.

  Allegra nodded, unsure how to respond. Vizarana didnt seem to expect an answer, though. She considered Allegra. “Tell me what you think of this boy, Ozarson.

  “Hes a remarkable young man. Allegra smiled. “It would probably embarrass him to hear me say this, but hes very sweet. Brave. Incredibly smart.

  “Thats an odd description for an Aronsdale woman to give of a Jazid man. Wryly the queen said, “Even one whos only nine.

  “I doubt Ozi will ever be like his father, Allegra said. “But what happens in the next eight or so years will make a dramatic difference. If Markus raises him without Yargazons influence, I think Ozi could become an inspired leader. If Yargazon raises him, especially without Markus She shook her head. “So much depends on Markus. But no matter how much he abhors Yargazons personal behavior, I dont see him repudiating the General.

  Vizarana grimaced. “I dont suppose you could put Yargazon to sleep permanently. When Allegra gave her a startled look, the queen sighed. “Maybe not.

  “He is Allegra couldnt think of anything tactful to add, so she said nothing more.

  Vizarana rose to her feet and paced to the waterfall. “Prince Markus is a hostage of your king. She turned to Allegra. “Maybe he should become a hostage in Taka Mal instead.

  Allegra couldnt imagine Jarid turning Markus over to the queen, especially given that Vizarana wanted Markus dead. She said only, “I dont follow you.

  “Jarid could release Markus into custody of my House, Vizarana said. “You would be free to live here with your husband, if you wished, without the threat of Dusk Yargazon. Ozarson would relinquish the Topaz Throne but live here, as a hostage rather than a sovereign.

  Allegra couldnt believe she so blithely suggested the impossible. For all that the hosting of such political “guests had a long history in the settled lands, she saw no motivation for anyone to agree to such an arrangement in this case.

  “It seems unlikely, she said.

  “A few days ago, I would have agreed, Vizarana said. “Im no longer sure. She rested her hand on a sculpture of the Dragon-Sun with its wings spread wide. “I would never have expected Ozars sons to offer that ancient compensation, or for the boy to insist on taking his regents place. She turned to Allegra. “I spoke at length with Jarid last night, and he has said similar about how they surprise him.

  “That may be, Allegra said. “But I cant imagine they would relinquish the throne or have Markus come here.

  “Dont be certain. Vizarana studied her. “I need you to answer a question. You must think with great care before you do.

  “Yes?

  “This boy. Ozarson. If he were to grow up here, with you and Markus as his guardians, without Yargazonwould he become a man of good character? A decent man.

  Allegra didnt hesitate. “Yes. But she had to add, “If Yargazon can hold Ozarsons claim to the Topaz Throne, he would never leave Ozi alone here with Markus and me.

  “My throne, Vizarana said flatly, “is not up for claiming. She tilted her head toward the hills where their armies camped. “We have by no means lost this war.

  “It will be ugly no matter what happens, Allegra said quietly. “If Jazid loses, there is still the emperor.

  “Maybe. Vizarana watched her intently. “What if Prince Markus had reason to relinquish this claim on the Topaz Throne?

  Allegra couldnt imagine any reason. “He wont.

  “For the sake of argument, suppose he did. Yargazon would have to take his army back to Jazid. Cobalt must leave Taka Mal then. He cant declare war on me without provocation. The Dawnfield armies would join us against him. That instance is specifically in my treaty with Aronsdale.

  “Why would Yargazon take his army home?

  “If the prince regent orders it, he must comply.

  “Even if Markus relinquished Quaazwhich I cant see happeninghis army has taken other villages in Taka Mal.

  “Terms would have to be worked out, Vizarana acknowledged.

  Allegra shook her head. “My husband wont send Yargazon home.

  “And if I gave him a good enough reason?

  “What reason?

  Vizarana gazed at the spires and bulb towers of her palace. Softly she said, “Dragon-Sun guide me.

  Allegra waited, wondering what drove the submerged conflict she sensed in the queen.

  Vizarana turned to her. And then she said, “If my daughter and Ozarson are betrothed now and marry when they come of age, it will meld the Houses of Quaazera and Onyx. Ozarson would never sit on the Topaz Throne, just as Cobalt will never sit on the Harsdown Throne. But a child born to my daughter and Ozarson would rule Taka Mal. She regarded Allegra steadily. “If Prince Markus will accept this arrangement and agree to let Ozarson live here, we can avert a war no one but Yargazon and your husband wants. The Topaz Throne will stay in my line and go to Onyx. In a low, fierce voice, she said, “And someday my House may raise an army that no one on this Lost Continent can withstand.

  A chill went up Allegras back. She suddenly remembered Ozarson standing at the rail of the ferry, his hair blowing back from his face. In that moment, she had seen not a boy, but a king beyond all others.

  She mentally shook herself. That “premonition had probably been born of fatigue more than anything else. She understood Vizaranas logicand her anguish. The queen wished happiness for her child. If Ozarson were his fathers son, Vizarana would no more want her daughter married to him than she had wanted to become Ozars queen.

  Yargazon would never agree. But Markus? A tendril of hope crept into her thoughts, then shriveled. The Generals hold on Markus was too great. Or maybe it was true, what Markus had told her last night, that she wanted him to be someone other than who he was or desired to be.

  So many questions needed answers. She hardly knew where to begin. “What did you mean by the Lost Continent? she asked.

  “Surely youve heard the tales, Vizarana said. “Supposedly an ancient mage cursed these lands. Each century we would become more hidden from the world, until one day we would be forever cut off. Some people think its already happened.

  Allegra had never thought much of the legend. She remembered Drummers mumbled words to Ardoz about a lost continent. “It seems an odd thought.

  “Our priestess finds many odd tales buried in the archives. The queens voice quieted. “However, we must speak of the reality we face today.

  “I dont know if the betrothal could work. Allegra steeled her resolve. “But if you wish me to bring this idea to the prince regent, Ill talk to him.

  Vizarana inclined her head. “Please do.

  CHAPTER 28

  THE DEATH OF INNOCENCE

  The only light in the Aronsdale tent came from coals in a brazier shaped like a horse. It dimly lit Markuss face as he sat cross-legged on the pallet with Allegra.

  “It would never work, he said.

  She willed him to consider the compromise. “Ozarson could live here in Quaaz, rather than in hiding.

  He held up his hand with his thumb and forefinger almost touching. “Were this close to taking Taka Mal. I dont think the Dawnfield armies will help Cobalt.

  “Yes, you might conquer this country, Allegra said. “But at what price? More death and destruction that drives yet someone elses thirst for vengeance?

  “Thats the price of war.

  “You dont have to fight! She wanted to shake him. “Jarid will never release you to Yargazon. Youre a hostage for the Generals behavior. Dusk Yargazon will rais
e Ozarson. Is that what you want? Sitting in front of him, grasping his hands, she said, “I dont know if Jarid will give you to Taka Mal, either, but surely hell consider it. He doesnt want to choose sides in this impossible war. And think of this, Markus. No one wants to risk Jarid and me doing more spells. Theyre afraid. It could encourage them to consider this compromise.

  “I would still be a hostage, he said.

  “You would have both Ozi and me. And your House will someday rule in Taka Mal. She didnt know if having her meant enough to him to give up Taka Mal, but Ozarson was another story. “If you let this war go on, youll have neither.

  His voice hardened. “I wont stay a hostage, Allegra, no matter what your kingor his son, Arondo.

  “Is that what you want? To break my country, too? It was the only way he could force Jarid to release him.

  “We didnt come to fight Aronsdale, he said. “If we must, we will, but that isnt my wish. He closed his hand around her forearm. “I wont be anyones hostage, Allegra.

  “You would rather fight? She thought of the threatening blend of sexuality and aggression she had felt from Yargazon and Bladebreak. “Do you enjoy war so much?

  “Do you think I would have resigned my commission if I did? I was a good officer. I earned my rank through more than heredity. But I prefer governance. Except that isnt what fate handed me. Bitterness tinged his voice. “What would I like? For Cobalt to return the throne and pull his troops out of Jazid. While were dreaming, lets add a population of ten million with a social and governing structure to support that many. A medical system that provides decent care. Guilds, real cities, a system of roads, wells and irrigation, and hell, if were really dreaming, how about it goddamn rains more than twice a year. He lifted his hand, then dropped it. “That isnt going to happen. And Cobalt isnt going to leave unless we force him out.

  Allegra wondered what would have happened if Cobalt had never taken Jazid after Ozars death. Markus would have made a good leader. Cobalt was too removed from the country. His people there were primarily military, and they considered the Misted Cliffs their home. Although Cobalt didnt seem to wish ill for the country, she didnt think he cared about developing it, not in the way Markus dreamed. Cobalt wanted the immense riches Jazid had to offer; beyond that, it seemed fine with him if they went on as always. Markus looked to what his country could become, visions that he, and Ozarson after him, had the ability to make real.

  “Work with the Quaazeras instead of trying to crush them, she urged him. “Your two Houses together may someday defeat Cobalt. If the emperor brought all his forces to bear, he would have over eight thousand men, but he would have to pull them out of other countries he held. It was a risk. A big one. “If Jazid and Taka Mal strain his forces to breaking, he might let Jazid go rather than imperil his sway elsewhere.

  “We can defeat him now, Markus said.

  “Even if you win here, you still lose.

  He frowned at her. “What does that mean?

  “Suppose you get what you want, she said. “Taka Mal joins you and helps free your country. Then what? Do you think they will just accept Jazid sovereignty? You have to hold what you win, Markus, and you need only look at Cobalts reign to see how difficult that is. Hes not the most involved sovereign, but hes not hurting Jazid, either, and even then, your people resent him. How will the people here feel about Ozarson taking the throne by force? Vizarana offers you a genuine alliance. It isnt what you want, and I truly am sorry. Believe it or not, I agree Ozi should sit on the Onyx Throne. But ultimately, what the queen offers is better than what you will win even if everything goes as you hope.

  “Every campaign has its ill side. He shook his head. “Dusk will never agree to her idea.

  “ Youre the prince regent, damn it! She jerked her hands away from him. “Be a man of vision.

  His voice hardened. “I see. So its vision only when it agrees with what you want.

  “Ah, Markus, maybe I just dont have the ability to show you why I think its better. She shook her head and started to rise.

  He caught her hand and tugged her back down. “You arent staying here?

  “I cant.

  “I dont want you to go.

  “Markus

  “Stay, Allegra. He pulled her into his arms.

  Allegra pushed against his shoulders. “Let me up. She heard the quaver in her voice and hated her rush of fear. But after what had happened with Yargazon, she wasnt ready for physical intimacy. Markus wasnt hurting her, not after Jarids spells had helped her wounds heal. But she ached inside in a way even an indigo spell couldnt soothe, and when Markuss touch turned from simple embraces to more, it was too much.

  “Dont do this. Markus sounded bewildered. “First you hate me, then you love me, then you hate me. I cant bear it. He drew back her head and kissed her. “Just love me.

  “Markus, stop. She pulled away, panic lurking at the edges of her mind. He didnt understand about Yargazon, but that just made it harder to talk about it with him. And he was holding her with his legs on either side of her body. Two days ago it wouldnt have bothered her. She had liked it. But now it reminded her of how Bladebreak had held her. She hated that he and Yargazon could so deeply injure the fragile affection she and Markus had been building, but she couldnt stop her reaction.

  “This is what I am, Markus said. “Either accept me or leave me. Dont torment me this way.

  “I cant stay with you. Not like this.

  “Why? The words tore out of him. “Always you say this. You cant stay with me. You cant bear my decisions. You despise me. Well, more the fool am I, because no matter how much you push me away, I cant let go. You say I held you against your will. But youve put me in a prison I cant escape. And now you want me to become a hostage for years, possibly for the rest of my life.

  “Markus, no, I dont despise you. Its just She wrestled with the words. “This is like last night.

  He stared at her in disbelief. “Youre comparing me to Dusk?

  “No! I dont know. Markus, let me go. Please.

  “No. He bent his head and kissed her again.

  Images of Yargazon ripping her tunic, touching her body, kissing her, burst into her mind. She saw his hunger, saw him raising the belt. She jerked back from Markus and hit her fists on his shoulders, though in her mind she was striking Yargazon. “Dont hurt me!

  He grasped her hands and held them in front of his body. “Everything I am hurts you. He spoke as if his heart were breaking. “I never claimed to be a good man. But gods, Ive tried. Ive never beaten you, never forced you in bed, never denied your humanity. But you want me to bend so much, Im breaking. He took a breath. “You have to tell me something. Say it, and Ill let you go from this tent, from my life, from everything. I want to hear it before you leave me.

  Her pulse lurched at his tone. “Tell you?

  His voice was barely audible. “Say, I love you, Markus.

  She stared at him. Did he feel the only way he could hear those words from her was to force them? She hated that she was starting to cry, and she wasnt even sure why, if it was for him, for them or because of last night. “What has your life done to you, that you cant separate love from violence?

  “You wont even say it now, will you?

  “Please. Let me go. A betraying tear ran down her face.

  “Hells dragon, dont cry. Markus groaned and released her.

  Allegra scrambled to her feet, and he rose more slowly. When she backed to the entrance of the tent, he didnt stop her. She paused with her hand on the flap. He stood watching her, his hair tousled, his clothes rumpled, with the intensity that had always both compelled and frightened her.

  “You didnt need to threaten me to hear those words, she said softly, hurting so much. “You needed only to say them yourself.

  Then she left.

  In the relentless light of dawn, they all reconvened in the Hall of the Dragon-Sun, the lords of the settled lands, the queen of an ancient dynasty and a boy far too old for his age. Allegra thoug
ht it truly was a Lost Continent, lost to violence and anger. They would talk and challenge and posture, and when it was done, they would go back to their armies and start fighting again, until one side wiped out the other.

  When Vizarana met her gaze, Allegra could only shake her head. She felt everyone watching them. Speculating. She had told only Markus about her discussion with the queen. Drummer knew; she saw it in his tensed posture. With that slight shake of her head, he let out a breath, though whether in relief or disappointment, she didnt know. She doubted he and Vizarana wanted their daughter betrothed to Ozarson. But the alternatives were worse.

  When everyone had taken positions by their chairs, Cobalt said, “Let us begin.

  Before anyone could sit, Muller Dawnfield spoke in a tired voice. “To what point? Lets be done with this. I have made my decision. I will not join this battle of vengeance.

  Allegra drew in a sharp breath, and Jarid jerked as if Muller had unexpectedly struck him in the knees. She didnt know how Markus felt; she couldnt look at him. Everyone stayed on their feet as if the announcement had frozen them in place.

  The only person who appeared pleased was Yargazon. He turned to Jarid with satisfaction. “Is that your decision also?

  The Aronsdale king glanced at his cousin, and Muller regarded him with what looked like apology. Both men seemed worn-out, and Aron wasnt much better off.

  Jarid turned to Vizarana. “Your Majesty. He spoke with impeccable formality. “I will honor the terms of our treaty. My forces will join yours.

  Her exhale was almost invisible, just the barest lowering of her shoulders, but that slight gesture spoke volumes about her relief. She inclined her head. “We thank you for your support.

  Yargazon didnt react, but Allegra knew he could do the numbers as well as she. Counting the Jazidians who had deserted Cobalts army, he had almost four thousand men. If Jarid and the queen combined forces, they had about three thousand. Cobalt had another three. The numbers didnt tell the whole story; Allegra had no doubt Yargazons men were well trained. They also knew desert fighting better than either Cobalts or Jarids men, whereas the Jazidians who had deserted Cobalts army had been training with soldiers from the Misted Cliffs, learning their methods. No one had enough of a margin to ensure victory.