The Night Bird

CHAPTER 2 ROSE OF TAMBERA

Allegra dozed for most of the day, too drunk to stay awake. For dinner, they gave her citrus fruits. Day faded into night, and she slept sitting up against a crate, afraid of what Vardok might do if she lay down.

She woke in the dark with a painful thirst. “Water? she asked. Her voice croaked.

The wagon continued to jolt along.

“Please, she said, slumped against the chest. Memories of streams, lakes and tumblers of icy relief tormented her.

Something rustled in the front of the wagon. “Eh?

“Im thirsty.

“So m I, someone muttered. A scratching noise came toward her, and Sots sleepy voice. “Azi said to give you wine.

Allegra groaned. “No, not that. She could smell him now, onions and sweat and whiskey.

“Here. He raised a bottle to her lips. “S not wine.

Relieved, she took a swallowand choked as whiskey burned her throat. Spluttering, she spit some of it out, but the rest went down.

“Dont waste it! Sot said, pulling away the bottle.

“Wait. She managed to catch the bottle in the dark and fold her hand around its circular base. Power stirred within her. Dents in the glass deformed the shape, but it might still work.

“Would you like me to sing to you? she asked.

“No! If Azi wakes, hell get mad at me for touching you. Sot clumsily stroked her hair. “Youll be all right.

She pulled away. “Stop that.

“Come on, pretty, pretty. His lips smeared her cheek. “Kiss me.

Allegra whacked him on the head. “Behave yourself.

“Not so loud, he muttered. Grumbling, he moved away, taking his smell and his bottle with him.

Allegra shuddered and folded her arms on the crate, resting her head on them. This misery had to end. She wasnt safe enough to sleep, had to stay alert

Allegra awoke into daylight, still slumped against the crate with her head on her arms. Her body ached from sleeping that way, but the pain in her limbs had eased. Either that, or she was too woozy to feel it. Before this mess, she had barely tasted alcohol; now she had been inebriated for nearly four days. She doubted she could run even if she had the chance. Hell, walking would be a challenge.

Sot lay sprawled on his rugs, snoring loudly, his face slack. Vardok had fallen asleep on a pile of rugs across from her, but he had a tensed, alert quality. She realized then he was the one she had called Fist. Stubble was studying a map he had unrolled on his crate.

“Did we ride all night? Allegra asked. Her voice slurred.

“Thats right. Stubble didnt glance up.

“Doesnt the driver have to sleep? she asked.

“He did. Vardok drove for a while.

“Oh. She had other concerns right now. Before, when she had needed to relieve herself, Stubble had given her a pot and held a rug in front of her. She wanted more privacy, and also a bath. Water. Blissful, clear water.

Allegra spoke awkwardly. “What do you do to, uh, clean up? She hoped he knew what she meant, because she was too embarrassed to say more.

Stubble didnt answer, and she wasnt sure he heard. Then he climbed to his feet, looming over her. Startled, she pressed back. But he just went to the front of the wagon. Leaning over Sot, he pulled apart two flaps of cloth.

“We need to stop, he told someone outside.

Another man, the driver apparently, answered, words Allegra couldnt hear. Stubble let the flaps fall into place, then came over and crouched in front of her. “Were going to rest the oxen. Ill take you out then. But if you give me trouble, we come back in. Understand?

As she nodded, the wagon rumbled to a stop. Vardok rolled onto his back and grunted. Sot kept snoring.

“Come on. Stubble stood up.

Allegra tried to rise, but her legs buckled. “Cant, she muttered.

Stubble helped her up. “Just stand until your head clears.

She swayed for balance. When her stomach settled, she looked up at him. His whiskers had thickened into a beard, and he didnt smell so great.

He smiled slightly. “Ready?

“Hungry, she said.

“Later. He guided her forward, holding her up by the arm.

At the back of the wagon, Stubble drew aside the flaps, and she squinted as morning sunlight poured across them. It was a relief to breathe in the crisp air after the stale wagon.

Then she saw the land.

Saints almighty. Gone were Aronsdales pretty meadows. To the east, a huge mountain range loomed out of a desert like teeth in the jaws of a gigantic skeleton with its mouth open. Their peaks stabbed the washed-out blue sky, and the rising sun just crested their tips. Closer by, stretches of red and ocher desert alternated with serrated rock formations that stood at the height of a tall man or higher. The land had an eerie quality, as if they had reached a place ruled by the mythical Shadow Dragon, where humans traveled only on sufferance of that Jazidian god.

Stubble indicated the peaks. “Those are the Jagged Teeth.

“Never expected tsee em. She tried again. “To see them.

He jumped to the ground. Before she could react, he had lifted her out of the wagon and set her next to him.

“Can walk on my own, she mumbled.

He laughed softly. “Are you sure?

“Yes. She wanted to sock him for that smirk.

“All right, he said. “But if you run, Ill catch you.

Right. She was tipsy, not stupid. Given how little she knew about survival in the desert, she wouldnt take off even if she were sober. She had no supplies, map or horse. She would bide her time until she had a better opportunity.

“Weve been following the Stoneblue River, Stubble said. “You can clean up there.

Water! She set off in the direction he indicated and did her best to walk a straight line. When he rested his hand on her shoulder, offering support, she glared at him and pulled away.

The air smelled strange, so parched and dusty. Its dryness added to her thirst, until she could think of nothing but stoneblue water. She wasnt sure how long it took to reach the river, as her mind kept drifting, but they were soon above it. The water coursed fiercely, as wild as the land, roaring over steep drops, with rapids and small waterfalls. Spray jumped around needled rock formations that jutted out of the froth.

Stubble found a barrier of rocks that created a pool where the river flowed more slowly. He stood on the bank behind Allegra, holding her in place with his hands on her shoulders.

“I dont want you to drown, he said uncertainly.

She shrugged off his hands. “I cswim fine.

“Sober, maybe.

She ignored him and sat on the bank, her legs dangling in the pool. With a sigh, she eased into the water. She lifted handfuls of the precious liquid and drank and drank and drank, slaking the thirst that had plagued her.

Stubble sat on a boulder a few paces back from the pool. “Dont go anywhere.

Self-conscious with him watching, she crouched behind the riverbank so he could see only her head. Then she pulled off her wet shift and tossed it up on the ground. It wouldnt be dry when she finished her bath, but she had wanted the water so much, she hadnt cared.

“I need to wash my hair, she said. It would give her an excuse to disappear underwater, maybe swim away. More likely she would drown, and she had nowhere to go, but the water had returned a little of her strength, encouraging her to think about escape.

Stubble took something out of his pocket and tossed it to her. Startled, she grabbed it out of the air. It was a rough bar of soap, gritty and orange.

“Stay where I can see you, he warned. “Or Ill come in after you.

“Dont do that, she said hurriedly. He had so far kept the others from mauling her, but no one would stop him if he changed his mind about the rules he had set up.

Watching her face, he sighed. “Look, Ive a wife at home. Two children. I love them. I dont dishonor my wife by taking other women, and I dont force girls I find in the forest. More quietly, he added, “But Ive a living to make, and youre going to bring us a lot of wealth. So if you try to get away, Ill come after you, whatever it takes.

“Well, good for you, not wanting to dishonor your wife, she said sourly as she soaped her arms. “You just sell the girls you find in the forest to someone else to rape. How the hell can you justify that if you think its wrong?

“Dont talk to me like that. His fist clenched on the rock. “Youre in Jazid now. A horse has more rights than you do here.

“Thats appalling.

He started to say more, then stopped and stared at his fist as if he hadnt realized he had clenched it. Taking a breath, he relaxed his fingers.

“Does Vardok have a wife? Allegra asked. Then she added, “Maybe he likes horses better. Ill bet they dont talk back.

Stubble glowered at her. “He has neither wife nor horse. And before you say no one wants him, he does have several children.

“Do they neigh? Allegra asked sweetly.

“By the Shadow Dragon, Stubble muttered. “Woman, you do have a tongue.

She turned her back to him and lathered her hair. Despite his claim otherwise, he obviously had qualms about his work. Maybe he loved his family, maybe he had a conscience, but that just made it worse, because he went ahead with this anyway, out of his desire for wealth, with no apparent remorse.

Allegra wrestled with her anger. If she was going to get away, she had to keep her wits. Taking off into an unfamiliar desert without preparation was more likely to earn her death than freedom. But eventually an opportunity had to arise. To take it, she needed to be alert and strong, and she would be neither if they kept her drunk and in need of food and water.

She wished she could make a spell to soothe her agitation. She pressed her hand between her breasts where her pendant had hung. She felt more naked without it than without her clothes. Every mage had a maximum shape she could use. The greatest form Allegra had ever managed had six sides, in three dimensions. A cube. The disk on her pendant hadnt been as strong a shape, so it didnt create as powerful a spell, but she liked the sweetness its circular form added. The few times she had tried higher-order forms such as octahedrons, she had managed nothing but a headache.

Floating around, she saw Stubble watching her. She folded her arms over her breasts.

His voice gentled. “Whats your name?

“Allegra.

“Ive never heard a name like that before.

“Its the feminine form of the musical term allegro.

“Well, Allegra, listen, he said. “Try to accept whats happened. It will make things easier for you.

“I wont ever accept it. You broke the law, scuzzermug.

“Scuzzermug? He gave a startled laugh. “Whats that?

“You know those yellow slugs that go under rocks?

“Ah. I see. He rubbed his hand over his unkempt beard. “I dont suppose it would do any good to suggest you speak with more honeyed words.

She felt about as “honeyed as a cactus. “Why should I?

“I would not have you brutalized. And you will suffer if you speak this way to whoever buys you.

“Im not a possession.

He squinted at her. “Such fire in a woman is strange.

“Why? she asked, curious. “Dont your women have backbones?

“Im sure they all have vertebrae. They also have a better sense of what is in their best interest.

She snorted. “I dont see why they put up with it.

“Weve so few women. When she started to retort, he held up his hand. “Its because so many miners come here, not because the women leave. Jazid has a lot of precious ores, gems, that sort of thing. The atajazid offered incentives to attract miners.

“The ata-what?

“The Atajazid Daz Ozar. The Shadow-Dragon King. He sat on the Onyx Throne before Cobalt the Dark murdered him.

“Oh. Of course. Cobalt Escar, king of the Misted Cliffs, had conquered Jazid, Shazire and Blueshire, and married the woman who was heir to the Harsdown Throne, which meant his son would rule Harsdown as well. Escar was a king no longer; people called him the Midnight Emperor.

“Slavery is illegal in the Misted Cliffs, Allegra said. “Ill tell Cobalts soldiers what youve done.

He shrugged. “You wont see any of them where youre going.

“I thought one of the buyers was a general.

“Thats right. He regarded her intently. “You will go to a man of means and influence. Dont throw that away by running off into the desert. You wouldnt last a day before someone caught you, and chances are your situation with him would be a lot worse.

She noticed more what he didnt say than his actual words. “Why wont you tell me about the auction? she asked.

He just shook his head, and she wondered if he was protecting himself. Who were these bidders? With a shudder, she turned so she didnt have to face him. She longed for the comfort of a spell. Several holes in the rocks across the pool resembled circles. The pool was only waist deep, but the rippled water helped veil her nakedness. So she swam to the rocks, going underwater to rinse off the soap.

At the other side, she ran her fingers over the stone ridge. Water poured over it and cascaded into the pool, eroding holes in the rock. Most were irregular, but one was almost round. Laying her hand over the hole, she closed her eyes. The uneven shape might allow a small spell.

To do what? She had so few options. Spells went according to color, like a rainbow. Red brought warmth and light, orange eased pain, yellow soothed emotions, green read emotions, blue healed physical injuries and indigo healed emotions. As far as she knew violet spells didnt exist. Just as a mage could use shapes up to a maximum number of sides, she could do any spells up to her maximum color. Allegra thought her limit was probably yellow.

Red and orange mages were most common. Yellow was rarer. The only greens she knew of were the Harsdown queen and the mage mistress of Aronsdale. She wasnt sure about the Aronsdale queen. Blue, maybe? She couldnt imagine an indigo mage; who could survive having that power? Some tales claimed the Aronsdale kings were mages because so many of their ancestors had married the strongest mages they could find. Although she knew of only women, she saw no obvious reason why a man couldnt be a mage.

The best Allegra could do was soothe pain and comfort people. She liked to, especially because the spells affected her, too. In theory, she could reverse them and cause pain or grief, but she had no more interest in such spells than doctors had in causing injury or illness. Besides, if she tried such spells on anyone else, she would also experience whatever she inflicted. Now, though, she wished she had learned how.

She laid her head on the stone, her wine-soaked mind filling with sadness. She thought of the songs she had learned for her loved ones, and tears slid down her face. As the oldest of seven children, she had spent a great deal of time helping care for her younger siblings, which included persuading them to sleep. She chose a lullaby from among their favorites:

Sleep little flower, sleep my wild storm

Lie in your bowers, so softly and warm

She went through several verses, crooning to the cherished siblings she might never see again. The spell calmed her, golden in its soothing power. It made her sleepy even as tears ran down her face.

Eventually she let her voice and the spell fade, and she became aware again of the river swirling around her body. Raising her head, she wiped the tears out of her eyes. Stubble stood by his rock, staring at her, his face flushed. He seemed angry, perhaps because she had taken so long.

He came to the bank and knelt down. “Come here.

Biting her lip, Allegra stayed put. She crossed one arm over her breasts and splayed the other hand over her pelvis, covering herself underwater while she pressed against the rock.

“Im not going to hurt you, he said, his voice softening. He wasnt angry, she realized, just intense. “That was beautiful. Youve an incredible voice.

Her voice shook. “Could you move back? So I can dress?

He stayed there, and she feared he would refuse, that he would pull her out of the water if she came to the bank. Then he exhaled and said, “All right. He stood up and stepped back a few paces.

Allegra swam over, staying low until she reached the bank. She reached for her tunic and pulled it on while she was in the water, soaking the portion from her hips to her thighs. When she climbed out, the cloth clung to her, the top portion damp and the bottom drenched. Water dripped down her legs.

Stubble watched her as if he were hungry. “Ach, he muttered. He spun away and strode to the rock. Then he whirled around. “All right. Lets go back. He was obviously upset, though Allegra wasnt certain if it was at her or at himself.

By the time they reached the wagon, the sun had risen high enough to scorch the day. The fourth nomad was sitting on his drivers bench above the oxen. Driver, she thought of him.

The wagon looked like the pictures in geography scrolls, the way it stood in the desert with oxen and its bright colors. Once, those drawings had seemed exotic and enticing to her, but no more. She struggled with the tears welling in her eyes. Damned if she would let them see her cry.

They were soon on their way, bumping among the jagged hills.

Throughout the day, Allegra tried to sleep, to conserve her strength and keep her wits sharp. She managed only an uneasy doze. Vardok exuded hostility, but Sot seemed more interested in his bottle than in her. Stubble read for a while, then sharpened a knife he wore on his belt. Vardok changed clothes, and Allegra averted her eyes, but not before she saw the scars on his back and legs. She wondered if he had fought in the war against the Misted Cliffs.

Later Sot drove for a while. Driver settled in the wagon where Sot had been sprawled and took bread, cheeses and dried meat out of a crate. Allegras mouth watered; they had given her only a mug of thin stew today. When she turned to Stubble, he shook his head. She clenched her fists so hard, her nails dented in her palm. Hunger gnawed in her stomach.

Eventually Driver went to work on some sort of bookkeeping scroll. Allegra wondered if they listed her on those inventories. Angry, she lay down with her back to them and pulled a carpet over her body. The cold night descended like a stone dropping. In the glades of Aronsdale, days were warm and benign, never with the oppressive heat of the desert here, yet the nights were warmer than here. Jazid was a land of extremes and honed edges.

“Ho!

Allegra lifted her head. The call came from outside. The wagon lumbered to a stop, and the lack of movement felt strange. Vardok had been dozing, but now he stirred, his gaze bleary.

“Finally, Stubble said to no one in particular. He stood up creakily and stepped over to Allegra. “Come on. Grasping her upper arm, he pulled her to her feet. “Lets go.

Apprehension tickled her throat. “Go where?

“We live here, he said. “My wife will tend to you. Tomorrow well have the auction.

Panic swelled in her. “No. I cant.

Vardok scowled at her. “Youve been a lot of trouble. Now youre going to get perfumed or coddled or however else women waste their time. So quit complaining.

“Would you call it coddling if four men grabbed you? Allegra asked. “Trussed you up, hauled you across the desert, then scrubbed you down and put you up for auction?

Vardok stared at her with incredulity. Then he turned to Driver. “Why dont you hit her? He waved his hand angrily at Stubble. “He wont let me.

Driver gave him a wry smile. “Im wary of her punch, Vardi. And her tongue.

“Is that your intellectually subtle solution to everything? Allegra asked Vardok. “Beat up people?

“Allegra, Stubble said. “Its time to go. He pulled her to the back of the wagon.

Sunset greeted them outside. The western horizon had turned a red so deep, the sky seemed on fire.

“You wanted me out of there before my refusal to act like a mouse got my face bashed, Allegra said after they jumped to the ground. “Cant rough up the goods, after all. Her words were bravado; she was scared. After the auction, no one would stop the buyer from doing whatever he wanted to her.

“Well, since you asked, Stubble said. “Yes.

“How can you do it? she asked him. “How can you make your living this way?

“Its a good living. Im a wealthy man. How do you think I could buy such a lovely wife?

“You bought your wife? Thats horrible.

Stubble seemed bewildered. “How else would I get one?

“Oh, I dont know, Allegra said. “Maybe court her. Woo her. Treat her well. Ask if shell marry you.

“It doesnt happen that way here.

“Are you selling me as a wife?

“No. A pleasure girl.

“Whats the difference?

“A woman can be a wife, a concubine or a pleasure girl. A wife has the most status. Then a concubine. A pleasure girl is just for, well He cleared his throat. “Pleasure.

“Great, Allegra muttered. She spun away from him and stalked around the wagon.

And stopped.

An astonishing camp lay before her. Brightly colored tents with peaked roofs clustered together. As the sunset darkened, people were lighting lamps that hung from poles, tinted-glass blossoms with flames flickering within. The nomads wore long robes with hoods, men in black and charcoal, women in gold or red silks. No one she could identify as a woman was alone; guards escorted the few who were out this evening.

Stubble came up beside Allegra. “Here. He wrapped one of the charcoal robes around her. “You cant go into camp undressed like that. You wouldnt get more than a few steps.

Right. But it was all right for her to spend four days cooped up in that wagon with their smelly selves. She wanted to pound her fists against him. Instead she drew in a breath, seeking calm. It could have been worse. Regardless of what he may have wanted to do to her, he had held back and kept the others off her. Bitterly she thought that might be why these mysterious buyers had chosen him to set up the auction; they knew the “merchandise would be in good condition.

Allegra raised the hood of the robe to hide her face. Breezes rippled the cloth around her body, but with night descending so fast, it would probably soon be too dark for anyone to see she wasnt a man.

“You live here? she asked.

“When Im not traveling. He rubbed the small of his back. “After the auction, well move to our next camp.

“Why move all the time?

He blinked. “Why would we want to stay in one place?

“Its home. Allegra thought of her familys dairy. “I lived in the same house all my life.

“Strange, Stubble mused. “I would feel He thought for a moment. “Trapped. Confined.

Her voice caught. “Then you know how I feel now.

No answer.

The other nomads unloaded the wagon and saw to the oxen while Stubble took her into the camp. As they walked among the tents, men nodded to him, and he nodded back. She wasnt certain if they recognized him or were giving a ritualistic greeting. They soon reached a yellow tent larger than many of the others, with red tassels swinging in the wind. Two brawny men sat on stools by the entrance, talking, both armed with swords.

As Stubble and Allegra approached, the men rose, their hands on the hilts of their weapons. “What do you want? one asked.

Stubble pushed back his hood. “Light of the evening.

“Aztire! The man strode forward and clapped Stubbles arm. “Its good to see you, brother. He grinned at Allegra. “Heh, Vardi.

“Its not Vardok, Stubble said. He motioned to the tent. “Let us go inside.

Stubbles brother eyed Allegra curiously. He wasnt as tall as Stubble, and his hair was brown rather than black, but they otherwise looked alike.

The other guard at the tent smiled, his teeth a flash of white in his black beard. “Its good to see you, Azi.

“Azi? Allegra asked Stubble. “Is that your name? Aztire?

Both guards froze. Then Stubbles brother said, “By the dragon, what do you have in there?

“Who, Allegra said. “Not what. She lifted her hands to push back her hood.

Stubble caught her arm and swore under his breath. Then he pushed her into the tent. His brother followed. The other man stayed outside, but he stood close to the entrance, undoubtedly listening.

“Dont show yourself in public! Stubble told Allegra. “Its for your own safety.

“Is it all right in here? she asked, irked.

“Its fine, he said more calmly.

She pushed back her hood as she looked around. Blue carpets with bird patterns layered the floor. In the corners, braziers shaped like dragons glowed, with smoke curling up from their nostrils. The tang of smoke filled the air, but a hole in the top of the tent let out most of it. Large, tasseled pillows tumbled everywhere, and the gold dragons on them breathed embroidered plumes of fire, probably depictions of the Jazid dragon god.

All these dragons looked strange to Allegra. In Aronsdale, the people worshipped saints. Legends claimed the saints were ancestors who had lived so far in the past, no histories remained of them. Others named them as the first mages, who formed the court of the Dawn Star Goddess, namesake of the House of Dawnfield. Taka Mal had a similar mythology, but rather than a goddess, they revered the Dragon-Sun. They believed their dragon fought Jazids Shadow Dragon in an endless, daily battle for dominion of the skies.

Saints, hear my prayer, Allegra thought. Help me.

Someone was asleep on the far side of the tent, deep in the shadows. From the way Stubble looked there, with such warmth, Allegra suspected she was about to meet his family. Or maybe not. For all she knew, “pleasure girls werent allowed such introductions.

“By the dragon, Azi, Stubbles brother said. “Where did you find her?

Startled, Allegra turned back. Stubbles brother was staring as if she were an apparition of smoke that might dissipate any moment.

“He found me in Aronsdale, she said, annoyed he didnt acknowledge her. “Which, by the way, has a treaty with Jazid. Kidnapping Aronsdale women is illegal.

The brother gaped at her.

“She talks a lot, Stubble said.

“Shes gorgeous. His brother lifted a length of Allegras curls. “Ive never seen hair this color before. It looks like sunlight. He moistened his lips. “Is she well formed?

“Stop talking about me as if Im not here, Allegra said. She barely held back the quaver in her voice. The day was beginning to crash down on her, her disorientation heightened by her lack of sleep and food, and her muzziness from the wine.

“Azi? A womans sleepy voice came from across the tent. “Is that you?

Stubble turned, an expression of welcome flooding his face. “Did I wake you? Im sorry.

“Its all right. Rustles came from the shadows, and a small woman appeared in a yellow robe that glistened even in the dimness. When she saw Allegra, she shot a startled look at her husband.

Stubble spoke gently. “Shes for an auction tomorrow, thats all. He pulled the woman into his arms, and they embraced, Stubble resting his cheek on her head. When they drew apart, he smiled. “The children?

“Both asleep. She hesitated. “Shall I wake them?

“No need. Ill see them tomorrow. He inclined his head to Allegra. “The auction is the one I told you about. Weve sent word to the buyers.

The woman regarded Allegra with large, dark eyes. She was younger than Stubble, with a heart-shaped face, a small nose and gold hoops in her ears. Her dark hair fell down her back like a black waterfall. “So you found what they were looking for?

“Finally, yes, Stubble said. “I think theyll be pleased. He sounded nervous.

“I hope so, the woman said. Before, she had seemed to fear Allegra, probably thinking her husband had brought home another woman. Now Allegra had the disquieting impression the woman feared for her.

“Can you tend her tomorrow? Stubble asked. “Pretty her up however you do that.

“Of course, his wife said. She wouldnt look at Allegra.

“You really come from Aronsdale? Stubbles brother asked.

“Yes. Allegra met his gaze. “Your brother broke the law.

He glanced at Stubble. “Shes lively.

Stubble regarded him dourly. “Thats a polite way to put it.

The woman took Allegras arm and drew her away. “Dont mind them, she said. “They act rough, but theyre a good lot.

Allegra wondered how she could call men who sold people a “good lot. Then again, Stubble had bought her.

The woman gave her a tentative smile. “I am Rose.

“Im Allegra. She glanced at the small heaps under a rug several paces away from them. “Your children?

“Two daughters. We are blessed. She tugged Allegra down on a pile of carpets near the children. Stubble and his brother stayed across the tent, conferring about who knew what.

“How would you feel, Allegra asked Rose, “if a good lot of men hauled off your daughter and you never heard from her again?

Rose shot her a terrified look. “Dont say that!

“Then you know how my mother will feel when she finds out Ive vanished.

The woman sat cross-legged and folded her hands in her lap. “You werent well guarded?

“I was my own guard.

“Well, then. Rose spoke as if that answered everything and reflected poorly on Allegra and anyone else involved in her life.

Allegra tried again. “In Aronsdale, what your husband and the other men did would be considered repugnant.

“That doesnt matter here. She spoke with a painful gentleness. “Were I your mother, I would mourn. But that changes nothing. It is the way of life. Men die and women suffer.

“Do you really see life that way?

“Of course. Rose patted the carpet where Allegra was sitting. “You may sleep here tonight. Tomorrow we will prepare you to meet the buyers.

“I dont want to. Allegra meant the words to be firm, but instead she sounded afraid.

“Shh, Rose murmured. “It wont last long. They will look at you, talk to you, touch you some and then it will be over and you will go with a powerful man. You will have nice things and a rich life.

“I dont need nice things, and I already had a life as rich as I wanted. Allegra didnt miss what else Rose had said. A powerful man. “Do you know the bidders?

Rose paused, and Allegra thought she would be as taciturn as her husband. But then she said, “They are fugitives.

“Tell me.

“They are under a death sentence from Cobalt the Dark. If they are found, they will be executed.

Great. Just great. “I thought one of them was a general.

Rose nodded uneasily. “General Dusk Yargazon. He wants a pleasure girl to replace one he lost, a girl with fire hair.

“Another woman from Aronsdale?

“She came from Taka Mal, Rose said. “But they say her grandfather was an Aronsdale man. He married her grandmother and went to Taka Mal with her. She sounded perplexed. “Ive no idea why.

“Thats how its done where I live, Allegra said. “The man moves to his wifes home. And it makes sense if the grandfather came from southern Aronsdale. Its the only place in all the settled lands where yellow or red hair is common.

Rose touched a tendril curling over Allegras shoulder. “Gold. Like the sun. It is an astonishing color.

Allegra had a question about the General. She dreaded the answer, but she had to know. “What happened to the woman?

“The official story is that the Taka Mal military rescued her. In a low voice, Rose said, “Really she escaped his interrogators. No one knows how. But he can never get her back.

“Because its illegal to own people in Taka Mal?

“No. She is the wife of Queen Vizaranas cousin in Taka Mal! Rose seemed pleased to have someone to gossip with. If women were as scarce here as Stubble had implied, she might have few female friends. “She had married Baz Quaazera, Rose continued. “But no one knew. Several nomads captured her and sold her to the General. Her face paled. “That night the General racked her, to see what she knew about the Taka Mal army. He left her to be cleaned up, so he could have her later. And she escaped!

“He did what to her? Allegra was certain she had misheard.

“He put her on the rack and interrogated her.

Good gods. What if this general decided Allegra knew secrets of the Aronsdale military? She was having trouble breathing. She inhaled deeply and let it out slowly. “His name is Yargazon?

“Dusk Yargazon. People call him the General. He commands the outlaw Jazid army that supposedly doesnt exist. She spoke with intensity. “They have the boy king in their protection. One day they will rise against Cobalt the Dark and throw his forces from our country! Emperor Cobalt has put a great price on the Generals head. Even the Dark Emperor fears him.

“You know, Allegra said wanly. “This isnt helping. Maybe you should tell me about the other bidder.

“Well, Im not sure Rose wouldnt look at her.

“Hes that bad?

“You could do no better. She wasnt smiling.

Allegra felt as if butterflies danced in her throat. “Then why do you look as if Im going to the gallows?

Rose finally looked at her. “His name is Markus Onyx. He is the eldest son of the atajazid who died in the war.

That caught Allegra off guard. “A nine-year-old? She gave an uneven laugh, giddy with relief. “This is the dire fate you dont want to tell me? It seemed silly for the boy-kings advisors to encourage him to pick out a pleasure girl, but what the hell.

“Im not talking about His Majesty, Rose said. “The atajazid is not the oldest son.

“Hes not? Her mood plunged. “Then why is he the king?

“He is the only legitimate son. Prince Markus is his older half brother, and the imperial regent for the Onyx Throne. He is thirty and some years. I dont know exactly.

“Oh. Allegras shoulders slumped. So this Markus was illegitimate but not without power. “Who was his mother?

“A concubine of the deposed atajazid. Rose nodded as if verifying the half brothers fitness as regent. “Prince Markus is called the fiercest of all men.

Allegra didnt want to hear about fierce. “Why is Markus a prince, if his mother wasnt the queen?

“His father legitimized him. Apparently the new atajazid has made Markus his heir until the boy is old enough to sire his own. Rose leaned closer. “Markus has no mercy. He kills as easily as you or I can cry. He will defeat Cobalt the Dark and place the despots head on a pole in front of the Onyx Palace. His warriors will destroy the armies of the Dark Emperor and lay waste to the Misted Cliffs.

“Doesnt sound like hell have time for a pleasure girl, Allegra muttered. “What with all that killing.

Rose gave her a dry look. “Men always have time.

“I dont understand why the regent is betting in an auction against his own general. Wont that cause rancor between them?

Rose shook her head. “It is an ancient custom, that two men of power each have the opportunity for a woman of extraordinary beauty. Because there are so few such women. The prince regent has invited Yargazon to show his esteem for the General. Whoever wins, the other will respect and honor his claim.

Right. Extraordinary beauty. She had two heads, too. “Do they? she asked. “Honor the others claim, I mean.

“It is expected, Rose said. “I dont really know. This sort of auction is rare. But nothing could interfere with them working together to destroy the armies of the Misted Cliffs in vengeance for what Cobalt has wrought in Jazid.

Allegra squinted at her. “What exactly has the Misted Cliffs wrought here that is so terrible?

“They are monsters, Rose confided.

“What do they do?

“Make changes.

“Like what?

Rose looked scandalized. “They say that women should have the same rights as men.

Allegra groaned. “And this is terrible how?

“Shh. Rose glanced across the tent, where Stubble and his brother were drinking and laughing. “Dont let them hear.

“I already told them that about women.

“You didnt!

“I did indeed.

“Did they beat you?

“No. Allegra grimaced. “Vardok wanted to, though.

“You must never say such to Prince Markus or the General. They will put you on a rack or some such. She regarded Allegra with sympathy. “I am glad I am not you.

“Well, thats reassuring.

“Ah, Im sorry. Rose took her hand. “Lets talk about other matters and have a good time tonight. Youll feel better. Tomorrow we will make you the most beautiful of women.

“How about we make me the most ugly of women? Allegra said. “Maybe theyll lose interest and leave.

“Come, dont be silly. Rose regarded her expectantly. “You must tell me about Aronsdale. Is it as exotic as they say?

“Well, I dont know what they say. But I would love to tell you about it. Did you know women own all the property there?

“Oh, you are funny. Rose smiled. “But no joking. I would really like to know.

“Im serious. My parents run a dairy, but my mother owns it.

Rose seemed bewildered. “Your mother cannot own a dairy. She cannot own land. Or livestock. Or anything.

“Of course she can.

“But how?

“Her mother owned it before her. And her grandmother before that. For many generations.

“If you say so.

“Its true.

“Well, you are gone now. So who will own it?

That felt like a kick in the stomach. Allegra had always assumed she would marry, probably after she finished her studies at the guild, and she had hoped she and her husband could help in the dairy. Or she might teach, as she had done for the last two years, helping an older instructor in the village of Spindle Vine. As a mage, she would be asked to help ease the lives of the people in her village, singing warmth, light and health. Of course, she might have fallen in love with a man who didnt want to milk cows. Nor was she sure why the guild had invited her to study there. It seemed far-fetched to think the invitation was connected to Prince Aron, but she had seen the looks her parents passed when they didnt know she was watching. They wondered. She lacked the mage strength the royal family sought, but if no one else had it, either, they might consider her.

Allegra had thought of asking Tanner if he would marry her. He had come around a lot before she left for Crofts Vale, and he had hinted he would wait for her. She didnt love him as a woman should love a husband, but she could do worse than to marry her best friend. The passion might come, someday.

Surely that couldnt all be gone. Someone ought to tell his purportedly perfidious Majesty, Cobalt the Dark, that nomads in his conquered territory were selling Aronsdale women as pleasure toys to insurgent warlords. Maybe he would throw this general and prince regent in chains.

“Dont look so grim, Rose said. Her wistful gaze went to Stubble and his brother. “Azi can stay over there tonight. Ill stay with you, to talk if you want, or just to be here. Things will seem brighter in the morning.

“I hope so, Allegra said.

She feared it would only get worse.