The Night Bird

CHAPTER 15 THE GILDED LAND

The day passed in a swirl of wind and colors. Allegra loved the river. She ate enough for the first time in days, and her bruises began to heal. Each time the schooner stopped on the river, she scanned the shore for Jazidian soldiers. She saw none. That night, she and Ozarson camped next to Shadow. At first, she watched over the boy. Incredibly, when she collapsed into sleep, he watched over her, the king of Jazid acting as a guard to a commoner in the smelly under-deck of a Taka Mal scow schooner.

The next day was just as exhilarating. As night fell, many passengers gathered on the upper deck. Everyone passed around wine bags, Aronsdale cheeses and citrus fruit from Taka Mal. They sang ballads and folk songs. It delighted Allegra to lift her voice purely for the joy of singing, with no worry about spells. Ozarson sat on a big coil of rope, listening, his eyes glowing in the light from covered lamps suspended on ropes. When someone launched into a ballad about a Jazid folk tale, he joined in with a boys treble voice, untrained but clear and full.

That night, she and Ozarson slept under the stars, curled in a pile of rope. When a sailor called them a pair of turnip sprouts, the atajazid laughed. In the morning, they bought oranges from the citrus peddler. Their hexacoins were running low, though; if they didnt reach Crofts Vale soon, they would run out of money.

On the third morning, the Saint Verdant turned southward. The port-crier strolled through the ship, calling out destinations at the next stopincluding the Pyramid Foothills of Aronsdale.

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 sick.

“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.