The Night Bird

CHAPTER 12 WEDDING DINNER

When Markus brought Allegra and Ozarson back into the main room, night had settled across the desert. Many candelabras were lit now, filling the pavilion with a warm glow. Less than an hour had passed since they had left the room, but someone had already prepared and laid out the dinner. Yargazon, Bladebreak and Jasmine reclined in cushions around a low table. One guard stood near them, and the others were posted around the walls.

Yargazon and Bladebreak were drinking and talking lazily. Jasmine sat with Bladebreaks head in her lap, stroking his hair. Her robe shimmered in the light, and the red silk had fallen open to show her long legs and a gleaming red halter and skirt similar to what Allegra had worn yesterday. With his head resting on her thighs, Bladebreak looked content. Yargazon also seemed at ease, but Allegra didnt believe it. She had never seen him without that coiled sense of lethal power, like a cobra ready to strike.

When Ozarson entered, Yargazon and Bladebreak started to stand, and Jasmine to kneel. The boy stopped them by waving his hand.

“You dont need to do that, Ozarson said, smiling.

They settled back, though Bladebreak didnt lie down again. Ozarson gave the marriage scroll to one of his officers with the directions Markus had explained. As the man left, Ozarson settled next to Yargazon. Markus nudged Allegra to sit by Jasmine, then put himself between her and Ozarson. Allegra wished she had a chair. If she leaned back, the cushions would give until she was lying down, and she would fall asleep at her own wedding dinner.

As Allegra rearranged her skirt so it covered more of her legs, Jasmine smiled shyly. “Congratulations on your wedding. She tilted her head toward Markus. “He is a fine man.

“Thank you. He could be a fine man, if he wantedexcept for the “small matter of keeping her against her will.

She salivated at the sight of so much sumptuous food. Curry steamed in ceramic bowls, and dishes with graceful spouts held sauces that wafted enticing aromas. Raw vegetables lay heaped on a square platecarrots, broccoli, cauliflower, radishes, squashes, string beansand a dish of sauce sat next to it. Breads warm from cooking added their delicious smells to the dinner.

Something about the settings looked odd, but Allegra was too hungry to concentrate. Ozarson wasted no time ladling curry onto his plate. The man standing by the table looked startled, and she suspected he was supposed to serve the atajazid. When he offered the boy some wine, Ozarson grinned and nodded. He stopped nodding when Markus scowled at him. With a sigh, the boy shook his head at the man with the wine.

As soon as Ozarson started to eat, everyone served themselves. With relief, Allegra filled her dish and spooned up a bite of the sauce-soaked rice. It tasted heavenly.

It finally hit her why the table settings looked strange. No curved shapes. In fact, she saw no useful shapes at all. Although some plates were squared off, they had scalloped sides for artistic effect, which looked beautiful but made them useless for spells. The wineglasses twisted in graceful spirals that destroyed their symmetry. Even the spoons were squared off and angled.

Eventually Ozarson slowed his attack on his food and sighed. Then he beckoned to his guard. As the boy spoke to the man in a low voice, Markus tensed. The prince regent said something, and Ozarson just smiled and shook his head. The guard bowed to them, then went to a chest across the room.

“I wonder what thats about, Allegra said to Jasmine.

“Dont stare, she murmured. “Avert your eyes.

She almost said, Why the blazes would I do that? She didnt have the energy to keep protesting, though. Resisting them wore her down. Instead she listened to their war council.

“We can have the army ready in three weeks, Yargazon was saying. “Well march on Quaaz. In this region, we can move with secrecy, but that wont last once were in the open. And when we start taking towns in Taka Mal, they will send messengers to their capital.

“Cant we stop the messengers? Ozarson asked.

“Some, Markus answered. “But eventually someone will get through. They can also send carrier birds.

“The last time you almost reached Quaaz, Ozarson said.

Allegra listened intently, remembering the meeting from last night. They had intended to assassinate the royal family of Taka Mal and attack in the ensuing chaos. After someone warned the queen, her army had met Yargazons forces, and they hadnt fought. Allegra wanted to ask how they had explained their presence in Taka Mal, but she held back. They probably wouldnt tell her, and if they realized how closely she was listening, they might become more guarded. She wanted to hear as much as possible.

“We were camped closer to Quaaz last time, Yargazon said.

“How long is it from here? Ozarson asked.

Candlelight glinted on the Generals crystal goblet as he lowered the glass. “I could ride there in about four days, if I stopped only to rest the horse. If I slept in the saddle, maybe in three. But for an army? Well be taking towns and setting up outposts. Six, seven, maybe eight days, depending on how much opposition we encounter.

“Its still so fast, Ozarson said. “It could be over in less than two months.

Markus exhaled. “Yes. Thats right.

“Its been two years, Your Majesty, Yargazon said. “Weve prepared, built up the army, trained the men. Its time. If we continue hiding, it could weaken morale. Nor can we evade Cobalts forces forever. The longer we wait, the more chance we will have to fight him here first.

“Weve more chance of success in Taka Mal, Markus told his brother. “Theyve a smaller army than Cobalt. If we move fast, we can have it under our control before we face his men.

“He has soldiers in Taka Mal, too, Ozarson said.

“Some, yes, Yargazon said. “But theyre spread thin. And we can reach Quaaz faster than the forces Cobalt has in Jazid. Were closer. By the time they arrive, well have taken the capital. If they try to take it back from us, the queens army will likely fight with us, to defend Quaaz. Better we have it than him.

“He cant pull many forces out of Jazid, either, Bladebreak said. “Or our people will rise against those left behind.

“Then we must move soon, Ozarson said. He tried to appear confident, but Allegra could see the prospect frightened him. Many boys she knew would have been excited at the idea of a battle. Such stories thrilled her students. But as stories. None of this was abstract for Ozarson. He would learn the truth of war firsthand, and if it didnt go as they hoped, he could die.

Markus was watching the boy intently. “You arent going into battle, Ozi.

“I wont sit in a tent while you all fight! Ozarson said.

“Your Majesty is very brave, Yargazon said. “But we cant risk your life. Its for you that we do this, so you may reclaim your throne.

Markus laid his hand on Ozarsons shoulder. “Youre too young for battle. You must survive. Otherwise all this was for nothing.

“Its never for nothing, Ozarson said, with pain and pride. “Its for Father. And Mother.

A fierce intensity came into Markuss eyes. “Yes.

Allegra felt a sinking in her stomach. Had the boy lost his mother, too? If he had other siblings, she had seen no sign of them. In fact, she had seen no children here at all. If that was true, it meant Ozarson had no friends his age, no family but Markus and no home but this army that stood ready to wreak havoc in his name so that someday he could reclaim the Onyx Throne and rule a dying country. He should have been running in fields and playing games with his friends, not planning a war. Instead both he and Markus could be dead in a few weeks.

The officer Ozarson had spoken to earlier had returned and was standing a few steps back, holding a box about a hand span wide. Markus touched Ozarsons hand, and when the boy glanced at him, Markus tilted his head toward the officer.

Ozarson turned to the man with a relieved smile. “Thank you, Major Gaizz.

Gaizz. This was the tutor Ozarson had mentioned earlier. It made sense he would be an officer; the boy had to learn far more about the military than a child his age should have needed.

Gaizz knelt by the table and gave him the box. “I checked the contents. Theyre sound and undamaged.

Ozarson beamed at him. “Wonderful!

As Gaizz moved back, Ozarson looked around at the others at the table. “No more war talk. This is a celebration for Markus and his bride. As he turned to Allegra, his face lit with pleasure. “I have a present for you.

Allegra smiled. “Youre very kind.

He gave the box to Markus. “Here. For her.

The prince regent watched him intently. “Are you sure, Ozi? You dont have to do this.

“Im sure. Shes your bride. She deserves the best.

Markus smiled, that same flash of white teeth that was so appealing on Ozarson. On Markus, it took Allegras breath.

“Youre generous, my brother, Markus said.

“Not until you give it to her! Ozarson told him, laughing.

Markus offered the box to Allegra. “His Majesty, the Atajazid DAz, wishes you to have this in honor of our wedding.

Her pulse leaped as she took the box. It was a perfect three-dimensional shape. Power thrummed within her. The box was large, which would add strength to a spell, but it had only six sides, keeping it within her ability. If she could put everyone to sleep, she might find the supplies here she needed to escape. To reach the horses, she would have to affect people outside, but a box this size could give the power she needed.

Slow down, she thought. Dont get ahead of yourself. She traced her hand over the top of the box. Onyx and ivory tiles inlaid the wood, fitting together to form a roaring dragon. Its ruby eyes glowed, and topaz flames curled from its fanged mouth. The care it must have taken to place all those tiny pieces spoke eloquently of the artists talent.

“Its lovely, she said, looking up at Ozarson.

“Open it. His eyes shone, but it looked like tears rather than happiness gave them that luster.

She raised the top. A tiara lay inside on a bed of red velvet, a delicate gold circlet inlaid with onyx, rubies, topazes and emeralds. Astonished at the fine workmanship, she lifted the scrolled headpiece. It sparkled in the candlelight. “Ive never seen anything like this, she said. “Its incredible.

“It was my mothers, Ozarson said.

Her heart lurched. No wonder the boy had tears in his eyes. How could she accept such a keepsake? She looked at Markus, trying to understand, and saw the fear in his eyes. She knew then, without doubt, that if she rejected this gift his brother offered, Markus would never forgive her.

She spoke gently to Ozarson. “You are generous, Your Majesty. I thank you for this unparalleled gift.

He smiled with a blush. “Try it on.

Allegra settled the tiara in her mass of curls. “Hows that?

“Beautiful, Markus murmured.

Ozarson nodded and wiped his eyes with his palm.

Yargazon spoke. “That piece has been given by Shadow-Dragon kings to their wives for centuries. Its an heirloom of great meaning to the royal family and the country. He regarded her implacably. “It should have gone to the atajazids wife, when he reached his age of majority and took his own queen. If his stare had been a dagger, he would surely have run her through.

Bladebreak was harder to read. Although he didnt look as if he approved, she didnt sense the same hatred as from Yargazon. Here with Jasmine, he seemed more at ease. Jasmine smiled at her with what looked like hope, though why, Allegra didnt know. Maybe because Jasmine so clearly wanted a friend, and with Ozarson showing his approval, Bladebreak might let her visit with Allegra.

“Ill probably never get married, Ozarson said. “Someone should wear it.

Allegra expected Markus or someone else to chuckle and say he would feel otherwise when he was older. Instead silence fell over the table. She saw the anguish in Markuss gaze and felt the tension as if it were tangible. Then it hit her. Ozarson didnt believe he would live long enough to take a wife.

“You will have the loveliest bride in all Jazid, Allegra told him. “Shell bear you sons just as smart and handsome as you, and the most beautiful daughters in all the land.

Ozarsons face turned red. “I will not! Now he sounded nine again. With dignity, he added, “Girls giggle too much.

“I suppose they do, Allegra allowed, trying not to smile.

Markus spoke kindly to her. “Sometimes they sing beautifully, night bird.

Allegra knew he meant her words to Ozarson. She felt a lurch at the thought of leaving him. She might not have another chance like this for some time, and she couldnt turn away from it, but it was going to hurt in ways she hadnt expected.

“She does sing well, Bladebreak said. “You should hear her, Your Majesty. Its a pleasure.

“You sing? Ozarson asked Allegra. “Oh, do sing for us!

“She cant, Markus said curtly.

“Why not? Ozarson asked. “Id like to hear her.

Markus glanced at the tiara Allegra was wearing, then said, “It would interrupt dinner.

Allegra wondered if he thought she could use the tiara for a spell. Although circular, it had too many deviations from an ideal shape. He didnt even glance at the box in her lap. Well, he had only seen her use curved forms, and he knew she had been around squared-off objects. They hadnt been ideal shapes, so she couldnt use them, but he didnt know that. No one else at the table showed any suspicion that her songs could be anything more than a musical diversion. It didnt surprise her; even in Aronsdale, song mages were rare. She had heard of only about thirty other mages, and of those, only three or four needed songs for their magic to work.

“Just one song, Ozarson persisted.

“Some other time, Markus said.

“My people have a custom, Allegra said. “At weddings. She was making up the “custom as she went along, looking for some way she could convince Markus to let her sing. He would never agree as long as she was touching the tiara. So she said, “The bride asks her new husband to hold her flowers.

Markus squinted at her. “What?

“What flowers? Ozarson asked.

“She wears flowers in her hair, Allegra improvised. “A circlet. To show her love to her husband, she offers the flowers to him. She looked straight at Markus. “He gives them back later, to share his love.

“Thats a lovely custom, Jasmine said.

Bladebreak snorted. “It sounds like something women would think up. What if the flowers wilt?

“Well, that can happen, Allegra admitted.

“You dont have flowers, Ozarson said. “I dont think we could find any here. Its mostly just sand and cacti.

“Im probably allergic to Aronsdale flowers, anyway, Markus grumbled.

Allegra held back her laugh. Honestly. The things he came up with. Sometimes she couldnt tell if he was serious or teasing.

“You arent allergic to this. She lifted the tiara off her head and offered it to him. “If you would do me the honor of holding this for me, my husband, until later. Please accept it as an expression of my affection.

“Oh! Ozarson grinned at her. “Thats clever.

Markus accepted the tiara. “Ill return it tonight. His smile quirked. “Perhaps when we decide to sleep.

Bladebreak guffawed at him, his face flushed from wine. “Ill wager youll never return it, then. Jasmine reddened and Ozarson looked confused.

Yargazon took a long swallow of his wine. “How civil of our young bride, to pretend she loves her groom. Amazing what a little persuasion can achieve. Thirty persuasions, so to speak.

“Dusk, Markus warned.

Allegra narrowed her eyes at the General. If he thought anyone could break her spirit by hitting her with a belt, he was mistaken. He met her gaze, and she saw the hatred in his icy stare. It chilled her to know she could have ended up with him, but it hadnt happened, and he had no say in her life. Watching him, though, she feared he wouldnt be satisfied until he saw her suffer for what he considered her offenses.

“I still want to hear her sing, Ozarson said, oblivious to the undercurrents of tension in the room.

“Ah, well. Markus glanced around the table, scrutinizing the objects. He reached over and took Allegras spoon, which had a curved section.

“Why did you do that? Ozarson said.

He tapped the spoon against his tumbler, causing the crystal to chime. “Singers need to hear a note before they start.

“Oh, good! Ozarson beamed. “Then youll let her perform?

“All right. Markus glanced at Allegra, his gaze narrowing. She understood his unspoken warning; if he felt the hint of a spell, he would stop her.

Allegra spoke to Ozarson. “I would be honored to sing for you, Your Majesty.

Bladebreak settled in the pillows and pulled Jasmine against his side. Yargazon looked bored and rubbed his ear, as if it hurt. Allegra wondered if he meant it as an insult against her singing. She tried not to let it bother her. Markus reclined in the cushions next to her and trailed his finger along her leg, pushing aside the chains of her skirt. He looked as if he simply wanted to touch his bride, but she had no doubt what else he was telling her; lying that way, he could stop her if she tried to cast a spell. It took several minutes for her spells to work, and the last time he had been awake again within moments.

The box lay in Allegras lap. She feared that if Markus kept stroking her, he would decide it was in the way. So she moved it to her other side and took his hand, for all appearances showing affection to her new husband. It surprised her how natural that felt. Holding his hand also kept it from wandering too far up her leg and embarrassing her. She discreetly left her other hand resting on the box. As long as she was touching the shape, she could build her spell. She didnt know what she could manage with Markus so alert; she would have to see how the spell felt.

She chose a ballad that pleased many audiences, though its archaic language was rarely heard anymore. The melody started high, and she hadnt warmed up her voice, but she drew in a breath and reached for the note. It poured out clearly, a lyrical match to the chime of crystal:

In the ancient hills of Aron

Find the hidden red lark

Send it to the dying barrens

Before the sky turns dark

Send it from these meadows green

With their purple edgerows

To that land in starkest need

For when the lark sings, life grows

Power built within her. These past two days, she had stretched her abilities beyond what she had ever tried before, but instead of draining her, the effort seemed to strengthen her abilities, as if she were exercising muscles she had never challenged. The box provided more clarity than the compass, for the shape was cleaner. Still, she couldnt do a spell if Markus stopped her the moment he felt drowsy.

Unless he has no time. Mages usually released their spells gently. A mage would no more use a spell as a weapon than doctors or midwives would use their knowledge in violence. A healer could do harm and a mage could use her spells for ill, but in both cases they swore to help rather than hurt. However, she could use speed. Maybe she could put Markus to sleep before he stopped her. Normally she wouldnt have thought she had the strength, but these past few days had revealed resources she didnt know she possessed.

Unfortunately the spell might put her to sleep, too. She tried not to imagine what Markus would do if she was here to face his anger when they both awoke. Seeing his advisors and guards knocked out had amused him, but if she did anything to Ozarson, she had no doubt he would be furious.

The spell swirled within her, burnished by the soaring notes of the song. She could barely contain its fullness. She hit the highest note, the E above high Cand released the spell with a great swoop of power.

It swept through Allegra, across the diners, across Major Gaizz and the guards, out of the pavilion and beyond. It filled her, and she fought the enveloping peace even as she fell into it like a baby into a down comforter. Markuss eyes widened, and his fingers stiffened on her leg. Then the tension flowed out of his body and his head fell onto her thigh as his eyes closed.

Everyone at the table slumped into the cushions. Ozarson sprawled on his back, and Yargazons glass fell out of his hand, soaking the pillow with wine. Jasmine and Bladebreak settled down side by side. The colonel snorted, his breath ruffling his wifes hair. Some of the bodyguards managed to sit before they fell, but the others crumpled straight to the ground. They were trained to defend Ozarson and Markus against attack or kidnap. No one had ever taught them to fight the most harmless of spells. Slumber.

Allegra sat, dazed, struggling to stay awake. With care, she lifted Markuss head off her leg and set it on the pillow. Looking at him relaxed in sleep, she felt a sharp pang of regret. She couldnt deny a part of her wanted to be his queen. But she couldnt live that life; it would force her to give up too much of herself.

As she stood, spots danced in her vision. When her head cleared, she went to Ozarson. He was sleeping soundly, his face angelic. She touched his cheek, wishing she could offer him more than the life and possible death of an exiled warlord. For all his power, he had so little.

She rose to her feet, deep in thought. Ozarson probably had maps here, maybe other records that would help her

Someone clenched Allegras ankle and jerked. It happened so fast, she had no time to gasp as she toppled into the pillows. She kicked out, frantic, as someone dragged her away from Ozarson. Twisting onto her back, she looked up

At Yargazon.

The General was awake and furious. He knelt over her with one hand beside her neck and grasped the collar around her throat.

“No! She choked as he pulled on the metal. Twisting hard, she wrenched out of his hold. He grabbed for her, but his motions were slowed. Groggy. She rolled out from under him and scrambled to her feet even as he struggled to recover. But when she whirled to run, the chains of her skirt tangled in her legs and she tripped.

Yargazon caught her arm as he lunged to his feet. He slapped her hard across the face, and she reeled with the blow. When he threw her down on the carpets, she barely caught herself on her hands. She flipped onto her back as he reached for her. Grabbing his hands, she thrust her feet up into his stomach and heaved backward, using his bulk against him, rolling him over her head. He thudded down with a grunt behind her head.

Allegra jumped up, and this time she pulled the chains away from her legs. Had she thrown one of her friends, it would have taken him time to recover, but Yargazon rolled easily to his feet, no longer groggy. As he came at her, she backed toward the pavilion entrance. She couldnt run outside and risk that someone was awake. He didnt bother to call for help; she doubted he even considered it. She knew why, and it wasnt only because he would consider the idea of needing help against her ludicrous. He wanted her to suffer for her defiance, and he intended to be the one who made her pay.

In the same instant he lunged for her, Allegra dropped to her knee and grabbed one of the braziers. She hurled its smoldering coals into his face.

“Ah! Yargazon swiped his hand across his eyes, knocking away embers, his face contorted. As Allegra jumped up, he said, “You fool! Are you trying to start a fire? He threw the burning coals into the curry, dousing their heat and splashing sauce all over the table. No one stirred; they all remained fast asleep.

Allegra backed away as he came at her. When he grabbed her, she tried to roll him over her body, but he anticipated the throw and turned it against her, swinging her around. He hit her openhanded across her face, then with his fist on her back.

“Oh, gods, Allegra groaned, stumbling.

Yargazon knocked her over, and she fell on her stomach. She tried to crawl away, but he dragged her across the carpet, the gems and metal on her clothes grinding her skin. He flipped her over, then lay on top of her, breathing fasterand the bastard was aroused, pushing his erection against her. He thrust his hand between their bodies and pulled on the ties of his trousers.

“You slime-scum asshole, Allegra saidand kneed him hard in the crotch.

With a shout, Yargazon curled forward, his face contorted. She heaved him off her body, desperate to free herself, and pushed to her knees. Even rigid with pain he managed to shove her off balance, and she fell onto a chest with a candelabra. Grabbing the metal holder with its burning candles, she swung it at his head. As he jerked up his arm to deflect the blow, he called her a filthy name she had never thought anyone would say to her. Then they were on their feet, both swaying. As Yargazon grabbed her arms, she swung away from him, unbalancing them. He fell sideways

And hit his head on the edge of the chest.

When Yargazon slumped forward, at first Allegra couldnt comprehend what had happened. She stood, heaving in breaths, staring at him, her hair tangled around her body.

“Ah, gods, she whispered, when she realized he wasnt going to move. Allegra knew what such a blow to the head could do. She hadnt meant to kill anyone! Dropping next to him, she leaned over his bodyand realized he was breathing. But when she pushed his head forward, blood ran over her hands from a gouge in the back of his head.

Yargazon groaned, and stirred, his eyes starting to open.

“No! Allegra heaved him onto his stomach. With a silent apology to Jasmine, she ripped a chain off her wedding dress and bound his wrists behind his back. She tied his ankles with a second chain. She ran to the table for the sash on Jasmines robe, and also snatched a cloth napkin. Returning to Yargazon, she stuffed the cloth in his mouth and tied the sash around his head, gagging him. Her pulse was racing. He probably wouldnt have killed her, but she doubted she would have felt much like living by the time he finished. It would have been his word against hers for what he had done. She could prove no more than a beating, and Markus might not censure him for it, given that she had also acted against Ozarson.

Allegra drew in a breath, shaking. It looked as if a whirlwind had struck the room, tables knocked over, rugs thrown around and the dinner ruined, with curry sauce splattered everywhere. The candles were no longer burning in the candelabra that lay broken on the rug, but the stench of the scorched carpet saturated the air.

Then Allegra noticed the white blob in Yargazons ear. She dug at it, and a wax plug fell into her hand. He hadnt rubbed his ears earlier; he had stopped them up so he wouldnt hear her sing. Maybe Bladebreak and Ardoz believed they had fallen asleep from wine in Markuss tent that night, but not the General.

As Allegra took the plugs out of his ears, her arm trembled. “Come on, she muttered. “Dont fall apart. She climbed to her feet and swayed, so dizzy. Her pulse was slowing, and she began to think more clearly. As much as she wanted to run, to leave this place as fast as possible, she needed a plan or she wouldnt survive in the desert. She also had to ensure everyone stayed asleep long enough for her to escape.

She ran into Ozarsons cluttered room, sweeping aside the jeweled curtain. She searched quickly through his cart of toys. Many of the blocks were perfect cubes, more clarified sources of power than a rectangular box, but they were smaller, which meant what she gained in the purity of the spell she would lose in power.

Then she hit gold: a block with eight sides, two four-sided pyramids glued together, base-to-base. An octahedron. When she picked it up, she uncovered an even more powerful form, two six-sided pyramids set base-to-base. Twelve sides. A dodecahedron. They were both small, fitting into the palm of her hand, but their lesser size didnt matter, for a little eight-sided shape was far more powerful than a big one with six sides.

Allegra had never tried a shape with twelve sides. She had thought it beyond her ability, but she wondered after these past few days. She understood better now why the mage mistress had wanted her to study at the guild. But whatever they might have hoped to learn about her suitability for Prince Aron had become moot, for even if she succeeded in her escape she was the consort of the man who commanded their enemies.

“Concentrate, she told herself. She needed supplies and information about the land. A quick search of Ozarsons room turned up several maps, but nothing to carry water or food. She dumped the blocks out of the cart and wheeled it into the other room. The whole time, she held the octahedral block. And she sang. Her spell wavered with the surging power of the unfamiliar shape, but it deepened the sleep spell so it would last longer and take Yargazon. She also strove to reach the guards outside the pavilion.

Allegra placed the tiara back in its box and set it by Ozarson. “It was a beautiful gift, she said. “It would be wrong for me to take it. She paused, her gaze caught by Markus. Her sense of loss was already building, and she pushed it away, afraid of where it would lead her.

Drawing in a breath to steady herself, she went to the smallest of the sleeping guards. She unclasped her bridal dress with relief and let it drop, rattling and clinking, into a heap. “Thank you for your kindness, she murmured to Jasmine.

Allegra changed clothes with the guard, drew his belt tight to keep up the pants, and rolled the legs into cuffs. She pulled a drape off the wall and ripped off a strip, then tied it around her chest, squashing her breasts, so she appeared flat under his shirt. Then she searched the other guards. One had a bag of gold and silver hexacoins stamped with the profile of a regal man, probably Ozarsons father. Another had a pouch used to carry messages, which she emptied and stuffed with vegetables and bread from the table. Dried food would last longer and take less room, but this would do for now. She could find water wherever they had the horses.

She paused and took a breath as reality descended on her. How would she outrun Markus and his men when they had so many more resources? Regardless of what she did, this army would march on Taka Mal. If they took the Topaz Throne, they would take on Cobalts army. If they persevered against him, then what? Aronsdale lay on their border, rich and fertile.

She had to warn someone, either King Jarid in Aronsdale or the queen of Taka Mal. But why would they believe her? Allegra was nobody. Nor did she have proof, except the marriage scrolls, and Ozarsons man had taken those. Jarid might think she made up the story to avoid marrying Prince Aron. She wouldnt be the first reluctant mage bride. Even if he did believe her, they had no leverage against Markus. He had lost everything; he had nothing else they could take.

Except

Allegra stood, breathing hard, and knew the solution lay in front of her, her proof, a hostage, the way to stop the fighting. Ozarson was possibly the most valuable human being alive, and if he stayed here, a good chance existed this luminous boy would be dead before his tenth birthday.

If she took Ozarson, Markus would never forgive her. At that thought, her anger stirred. No matter how much they beat, whipped and starved her, they couldnt break her. They had stolen her life, violated a treaty and drugged her. And what sentence did they suffer as a result? The nomads were rewarded by extraordinary wealth. Markus kept her for his own pleasure. Bladebreak and Yargazon would have raped her, and Yargazon wanted to torture her as well. She had never done anything to any of them, yet they used her with no remorse, and when she resisted, they hurt her. Damn it, they had no right.

Allegra gritted her teeth. She knew what they valued, what mattered to everyone in this godforsaken country more than anything.

She knelt next to Ozarson. “Im sorry, she said softly.

The boy was heavier than she expected, but she managed to lift him into the cart. His legs hung out the back and his head rested against the pole with the handle she used to push it. He murmured in his sleep, asking for his mother. It made her want to weep. She put the bags of food and coins on his lap and set the dodecahedron by his side, but she kept the octahedron clenched in her hand.

Then she wheeled the cart out of the pavilion.