The Night Bird

CHAPTER 23 DAWNS MARCH

Soldiers were everywhere. Thousands. Three armies converged at Suncroft: Chamberlight, Harsdown, Aronsdale. Allegra could only stare in astonishment.

The guards escorting Markus, Allegra and Ozarson stopped a short distance outside the castle and stood waiting. People covered the hills: men strode in groups, warriors oiled weapons, horses trampled the grass and tenders packed up cooking pots, extinguished campfires, loaded supplies into carts. A stream of humanity flowed between Crofts Vale and the encamped armies. Barracks for the Aronsdale soldiers were on the other side of the castle, and a good portion of the population in Crofts Vale were the families of the men quartered there. A good portion of Jarids men would stay here, though, with several companies of Cobalts men to protect the Dawnstar empress and her son.

Most of the soldiers around Crofts Vale wore armor emblazoned with the crossed swords of Aronsdale, but many Chamberlight men were mixed in with them. To the south, the jaguar flags of the Harsdown army rippled. Pennants snapped everywhere. A woman from Crofts Vale untied a ribbon from her hair and gave it to a man in Aronsdale armor. He put his arm around her waist and kissed her, then tied the ribbon to his spear.

Markus stood with Allegra, scrutinizing the forces. She could almost feel him sizing up what he saw, the men, horses, weapons. His gaze burned. If all these men fought for Cobalt, the prince regents forces would lose.

“Markus, Allegra, look, Ozarson said. “Its Shadow. His voice brightened. “And Thom!

Following his gaze, Allegra saw Thom leading Shadow through the crowds. His father walked with him, a slender man with brown hair streaked by the sun.

“Who is that? Markus asked. “Why does he have my horse?

“Thom is the stable boy at the guild, Allegra said.

“Thom! Ozarson called out, waving.

Their guards tensed, and one dropped his hand to the sword sheathed on his belt. Then the grizzled captain said, “Its just the boy with the horse. That apparently made sense to the others, for they relaxed.

Thom thrust Shadows reins at his father, then took off running up the slope. His father followed with Shadow and studied the Chamberlight warriors. With so many soldiers about, Thom seemed oblivious to the tension of the eight surrounding Ozarson, but his father obviously noticed them.

Thom threaded his way past the guards, oblivious to their hard stares. “Where were you last night? he asked Ozarson.

The atajazid motioned at Suncroft. “Here.

“Hai! At the castle? He pretended to punch Ozarson in the arm, and Ozarson laughed. “They have better stables here, eh?

One of the guards reached to pull Thom away, but the captain shook his head. Allegra wondered if it was as odd for them to see the atajazidthe king whose existence had spurred this great confluence of armiesacting like a normal boy.

“I didnt sleep in the stables last night, Ozarson said.

“No? I know you didnt sleep in a castle! Thom peered past Allegra to Markus, who was watching him curiously. “Who are you?

The prince regent blinked at him. “Markus.

“I remember! Thom said. “Youre the soldier who was here yesterday.

“He came from Jazid to find me, Ozarson told him.

“Thom, a man said. The boys father was a short distance away, beyond the guards, holding Shadows reins. The big horse whinnied and pranced as he tried to follow Thom.

“Let the horse go, Markus said. His deep voice carried with a snap of authority.

Thoms father shot a startled look at Markus. He dropped the reins and motioned toward Allegra. “There she is, boy. Go on.

As the guards around Allegra stepped aside, Shadow walked forwardnot to Allegra, but to Markus. The great horse nosed Markuss shoulder, then snuffled and tried again.

Markus laughed, averting his face from the insistent horse. “Im glad to see you, too. But I dont have any treats. With his hands behind his back, he had to turn to keep his balance as the horse pushed him.

“Just scratch his neck, Thom said cheerfully. “He likes that. His voice trailed off as his gaze fell to Markuss manacled hands. His eyes darted to the armed warriors around them, and for the first time he seemed to realize they werent just soldiers milling about.

“Thom, his father said. “Come on back.

“Ozi should come with us. Thom turned a worried gaze on Ozarson. “We can watch the armies from the hill.

Allegra sensed Ozarson longing to say yes, to run off with his friend and watch from a safe distance. And in that aching moment, she saw something die inside the boy. It was as if another piece of his childhood fell away, broken off, irretrievable.

Ozarson spoke quietly. “I cant go with you, Thom.

“Whats wrong? Thom lowered his voice. “Are you in trouble?

“Thom! His fathers voice was urgent. “Come back here. He shot a worried look to the east. “ Now. Hurry up!

Allegra followed his gazeand inhaled. Cobalt was riding toward them with several officers. The emperor sat astride a huge black warhorse, a mammoth animal large enough to hold even someone his size. His men were leading two horses draped with Chamberlight colors, blue and white.

Thom started toward his father, then paused, looking back. “Ozi? His gaze darted to the emperor.

Ozarsons voice caught. “Goodbye and be well.

Markus spoke in a low voice. “Allegra, take Shadow.

She caught Shadows reins just as Cobalts group reached them, and the emperor reined his horse to a stop. Markus stepped out to face him. He waited, a solitary man with his hands locked behind his back facing warriors astride giant horses.

The emperor motioned to his men. One rode forward, bringing one of the extra horses. Watching Markus, Cobalt indicated the horse. “You can ride that one. Allegra will take yours.

Allegra closed her eyes, so relieved he wouldnt put Markus back in the dungeon, she almost missed Markuss response.

“manacled, I cant keep my balance, Markus said.

“Youll manage, Cobalt told him curtly. He jerked his head at the horse. “My men will help you up.

Ozarson came to stand with Markus. It was impossible to miss the fear in his eyes, but he carried himself with remarkable aplomb. He addressed Cobalt as if he were speaking man-to-man. “Your Majesty, I thank you for releasing my regent from the dungeon.

The emperor regarded him from high on his mount, and Allegra could have sworn he almost smiled. He inclined his head to Ozarson as if they were both of an age. He indicated the other horse, which another of his men had brought forward. “You may ride that one.

Allegra stiffened, and Markus tensed, as well. Yes, Ozarson was comfortable with horses, but riding a giant warhorse on his own was another story. Could a child even control a horse that size? She didnt miss the thrill that flashed on Ozarsons face, though. Cobalt had chosen to treat him as a man rather than a child. She just hoped Cobalts treatment didnt extend to the sentences men meted out to their enemies.

“Hes too young for that horse, Markus said.

Cobalt looked down at Markus. “Then he can ride with me.

“I can go on my own, Ozarson said quickly.

A soldier brought over a three-legged stool and let Ozarson use it to climb onto the horse. The animal stepped restlessly as Ozarson slid into the saddle, and the boy grabbed the reins with a jerk. One of Cobalts officers rode forward, leaning over to help. By the time he reached the boy, though, Ozarson had his animal under control.

The guards helped Markus onto his mount. They looped and tied the reins, letting them lie where he could have grabbed them had his hands been free. Markuss gaze flicked to the ground far below. He had nothing to keep him in the saddle except stirrups and the pressure of his legs on a horse he had never ridden. His horse, though spirited, responded well to the directions he gave with his knees and legs. Allegra didnt doubt that with his experience, he could manage, but for an entire day? She wished Cobalt would let him ride Shadow, an animal he knew. Then again, that was probably why the emperor separated them; Shadow would be more than willing to abet any escape Markus tried.

Thom watched Ozarson with his mouth open. His father stayed at his side, his hand clamped on his sons shoulder. Taking a breath, Allegra handed Shadows reins to one of her guards and walked over to Thom. Two of the other guards came with her, including the hard-faced captain. She felt his impatience, but she kept going, determined to speak with Thom and his father.

Thoms father tensed as she approached and he drew his son closer to his side, though she thought it was more to keep him away from the guards than from her.

Allegra stopped in front of them. “I wanted to thank you. Her voice caught. “For giving him a day.

“A day? Thoms father asked. “Who do you mean?

She tilted her head toward Ozarson, who was riding behind Cobalts men. “Ozi.

The father paled. “Who is he? He called that man his regent.

Allegra spoke quietly. “The boy is the Atajazid DAz Ozarson of the House of Onyx. The man is the prince regent of Jazid, Markus Onyx.

“Saint Citrine! Thom looked suitably impressed. “And I just thought he was the smartest stable boy I ever met.

Although she wasnt certain Thom understood the significance of Ozarsons title, the father was a different story. His face went ashen. “That boy slept in the stable with my son.

“And for one day, Allegra said softly, “he got to be just a boy with his friend. It means more than youll ever know. It will probably never happen again.

The guard captain spoke to her. “We must go. Despite his respect, his words brooked no refusal. If she delayed any longer, they would probably put her on Shadow whether she agreed or not.

“Goodbye, she murmured. Thoms father nodded, and she thought he understood.

When Allegra returned to Shadow, the guards helped her mount. Up that high, she had a better view of the ocean of soldiers. The armies went as far as she could see to the south, east and north, and Crofts Vale lay to the west. Far ahead, a Chamberlight officer was riding alongside Markus. She followed them, headed downhill.

Another man came galloping up to Cobalt and reined in to speak with the emperor. Cobalt listened, then stepped his animal around to face Castle Suncroft. Others glanced back, as well, and soon everyone, on the ground and on horseback, was stopping to look.

Puzzled, Allegra brought Shadow around. A woman had come out of the castle with six guards and was striding down the slope. A mane of yellow curls blew back from her body in the wind. As she drew nearer, Allegra saw she had the face of an angel. She dressed like a warrior, but the clothes looked far different on her. The leather trousers fit tightly to her long, long legs. They were too wide for her waist, so they rode low on her curved hips. She had on a black leather vest a man might wear, but without chain mail or other garments. It left a strip of skin visible above the waist of her pants and did nothing to hide her womanly form. She carried a baby in one arm, a big, strapping toddler who alertly watched everything going on around him.

The woman passed Allegra without a glance for her or anyone else. She was looking ahead. Allegra brought Shadow around in time to see Cobalt jump down from his horse. When the woman reached him, he embraced her, one arm around her waist and the other on her arm where she held the boy. Then he kissed her, towering over even her tall form, his big hand splayed against her back while her yellow hair blew around them.

Saint Verdant, that was the Dawnstar empress? No wonder tales proliferated of how men walked into doors or stumbled over their feet when she went by. Allegra couldnt imagine why Della had ever compared her to the empress. Mel Dawnfield was so far out of her league, Allegra felt like an insubstantial nobody.

Cobalt drew back and spoke to his wife. She said something, and he laughed. In one moment, he went from being the dark, threatening conqueror to a handsome man. He lifted the child out of her arms and held him up high, grinning as the boy cooed. Cobalt the Dark, smiling at his heir. That child would someday inherit an empireperhaps one that included Taka Mal.

Soon Mel headed back to the castle with the boy, surrounded by her guards, and Cobalt swung back up on his horse.

So they set out, headed for the deserts of Taka Mal.

Allegras guards wouldnt let her ride with Markus or Ozarson, who were well ahead of her. Ozarson managed his horse well, and Allegra soon realized the animal was more docile than its size and military finery implied. For a while, Cobalt rode with Markus, no doubt questioning his prisoner about the Jazid army, though she doubted he had much luck. Eventually he went on ahead, leaving two Chamberlight guards with Markus.

The end of the Chamberlight army overlapped the front edges of the Aronsdale forces. Harsdown came last, led by Muller Dawnfield, the empresss father. Allegra saw mostly Chamberlight men. About an hour after they started out, though, a group of men with horses draped in Dawnfield colors came riding along the Chamberlight army. With a start, she recognized the man in their center. King Jarid.

He came up beside her. “Good morning, Allegra.

“Your Majesty! She almost added, You can see! but stopped herself, aware of the people around them. “How are you this morning?

“Im well. Much better. He tilted his head toward the south. “Iris sends her greetings.

Looking back, she saw Iris riding with Aron. Even knowing mage queens had always gone to war, Allegra tensed. What if Iris was hurt? Then it hit her; if she had married Aron, she could have ended up riding to battle, as well.

Mage queens supported the army with spells to spy, heal and improve morale. By seeking their enemies with emotion spells, a mage could pick up hints of their plans and affect the morale of the opposing forces. Aronsdale soldiers fought in shape formations, mostly polygons, because the queen could then use spells to focus them into a stronger unit. Although Aronsdale was a small country and had never boasted a large army, their mages had always given them an edge. But a great deal of danger existed for the queen, not only because of her proximity to the battles, but also from the backlash of her spells, should any cause harm.

Historically Aronsdale kings were statesmen and warriors rather than mages. Jarid broke the rules with his incredible power. He was watching Allegra closely, and she had the unsettling sense he had formed a spell to detect her mood. Yet she saw no green light. Colors didnt show for every mage, but she had already seen his. If he could stop the colors, he had far more control than she had thought possible.

“Each of us has to decide how we will use our gifts, Jarid said. “You have to choose.

With a start, she realized he was answering her question from yesterday. Embarrassed, she said, “Some of us have so little from which to choose. She felt inadequate among these people, a minor mage with inconsequential talents caught in eddies of the great currents sweeping around those with true gifts.

“You shouldnt devalue yourself, he said. “Not every mage needs to move mountains.

She spoke wryly. “Perhaps I could manage a molehill.

“Allegra, listen. He reined in his prancing horse to keep it beside her. “If ever you need support, talk to me. Hell, reach for me when you sing your spell. You neednt be isolated.

“Thank you, Sire, she said, surprised. Mages couldnt combine their talents as far as she knew. But she had no idea how to understand a gift as powerful as his.

Jarid inclined his head. He rode on then, cantering with his men. She smiled when she realized he was discreetly observing Cobalts forces. The Midnight Emperor wasnt the only one fishing for information about the other armies.

The grizzled captain from the Misted Cliffs maneuvered his horse closer to Allegra. The cold stare of the mans gray eyes startled her.

“Is everything all right? she asked.

He leaned over and took the reins of her horse.

Allegra grabbed for the reins. “What are you doing?

“Sit still. He drew Shadow away from the other riders, off to the side, out of the flow of the army.

“Whats wrong? Allegra asked. Something had changed. Yes, he had been wary before; Cobalts men had no reason to trust the consort of Jazids prince regent. But this was different.

When he didnt answer, she looked around to see if anyone was leaving the main column. Markus and Ozarson were so far ahead, she could no longer see either of them. King Jarid had fallen back to his own army and was riding with his officers, deep in discussion. Iris and Aron were even farther back. She didnt know anyone else.

The captain led her toward a line of trees.

“What are you doing? Allegra asked, alarmed.

He shot her a warning glance and touched the dagger at his belt. “Dont talk. He guided their horses under a screening canopy of branches. “Get off. He swung his leg over his own horse and jumped to the ground.

Allegra slowly let herself off Shadow. She started to fall, but the captain caught her, and set her on her feet. Then he let go as if she burned, and he quickly stepped back when she turned around to face him.

“Over there. He motioned at several trees within the grove that grew close together, their foliage like a screen of leaves.

“Why? She was guessing he had acted on his own, rather than on any orders, which only worried her more. “What do you want?

Anger flashed across his faceand fear? Why by any saint would this gnarled warrior be afraid of her?

He drew the dagger from its sheath and motioned at the trees. When Allegra turned toward them, the captain grabbed a handful of her tunic at the nape and shoved her forward. “Over there, witch!

Witch. Saint Azure, she had forgotten how some people viewed mages. He must have overheard her talking with Jarid. She had no idea how people in the Misted Cliffs felt, but if this was any example, she didnt want to know more.

“What are you She broke off as he pushed her face-first against the trunk.

“Quiet, he said. “Dont talk. Dont sing.

She braced her palms against the tree, her heart beating hard. Surely he wouldnt stab her. No matter what he thought of her abilities or her husband, he had no authority to harm her, and Cobalt wanted her as a hostage.

The captain put his hand under her hair. When she inhaled sharply, he said, “No sounds. He found the thong of her necklace and pulled out the pyramid she had hidden under her tunic.

Well, damn. He had figured out she might hide shapes. One aspect she was discovering about leaders such as Markus and Cobalt: their success came not only from their own intelligence, but also from their ability to pick officers with similar talent. Which was great for them, but had ended up being her bane.

Metal flashed in her side vision. His dagger. She tensed, ready to shout for help, but he only cut the thong so he could pull off the necklace. She stood with her cheek and body pressed against the tree while he checked her clothing and took the dice cubes and octahedron she had stashed in her pocket.

“You can turn around, he finally said.

Allegra faced him with a scowl. “Are you done?

He stepped back from her. “Take off your boots and socks.

Double damn. He had thought of all her hiding places. She sat on the ground and tugged off her riding boots. The captain crouched down, his blade at the ready, and slid each boot away after she took it off. When she pulled off her socks, the ring glinted on her left toe. She reached for it

“Dont move! He pulled the circle of metal off her toe and slipped it into a travel pouch tied onto his belt. After scanning her other foot, he released a breath and some of the tension eased in his shoulders. “All right. He motioned at her boots. “You can put those back on and get on your horse.

Disgruntled at losing her shapes, she laced up her boots and stood, keeping her hands out so he wouldnt think she was up to any mischief. She supposed his reaction made sense, given that he served an empress who had become a legend for her powers. Of course he took precautions against a mage of their enemies. It would have been funny if he hadnt been so intimidating; she couldnt imperil a flea, unless he counted a good nights sleep as danger.

The captain walked her back to her horse before sheathing his dagger. He helped her mount Shadow, then swung up onto his own horse. As they returned to the army, Allegra brooded. Without her mage shapes, she was even more defenseless than before.