The Night Bird

CHAPTER 28 THE DEATH OF INNOCENCE

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

“It would never work, he said.

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

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

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

“Thats the price of war.

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

“I would still be a hostage, he said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“We can defeat him now, Markus said.

“Even if you win here, you still lose.

He frowned at her. “What does that mean?

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

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

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

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

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

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

“I cant.

“I dont want you to go.

“Markus

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

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

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

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

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

“I cant stay with you. Not like this.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Her pulse lurched at his tone. “Tell you?

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

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

“You wont even say it now, will you?

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

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

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

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

Then she left.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cobalt spoke in his rumbling voice. “Do you wish to continue these talks, General Yargazon?

“Wait, Jarid said. “There is more.

Cobalt frowned at him. “More of what?

Jarid was standing in front of his chair with his hands on the table as if reassuring himself it was there. Although he was looking at Cobalt and could obviously see the emperor, Allegra suspected he was close to losing that ability.

“I will also fight against your forces, Your Majesty, Jarid said, “should you seek the Topaz Throne.

Muller spoke in a steady voice. “And so would I.

Allegra felt ill. The battle between Jazid and Taka Mal would be ugly no matter what. If after that, the House of Dawnfield turned against itself, even Muller fighting against his daughters husband, it would be a tragedy.

Cobalt spoke tightly. “You would fight Jazids army and mine?

“If necessary, Jarid said.

“Well, hell, Yargazon drawled. “Maybe we could bring in Shazire, too. Then we could have a four-way battle.

Allegra wanted to punch him. Jarids men would have to fight side by side with Cobalts soldiers, knowing they might soon be called on to attack those very same men. No wonder Muller refused to send his forces into battle for Taka Mal. But Jarid had little choice if he meant to honor the treaty. Allegra wanted to rage at the universe. The Generals chances of winning improved with his enemies divided and demoralized. The universe had no justice, that a monster like Yargazon triumphed.

Baz Quaazera pushed his hand through his hair. He moved as if he were weighted down. “We are decided then. The negotiations here have failed.

Ozarson stood with one hand on the table, his fingers pressed against the wood. Allegra would have so much preferred to see confusion on his young face than understanding. But he knew. Oh, yes, he knew. They were going to war for him. Hundreds had died, and thousands more would before this ended. He would live with the knowledge that for his reign, the settled lands underwent one of the worst bloodbaths in history.

Markus made a low noise, barely audible even to Allegra. He sounded as if he were being strangled. Then he raised his voice and said, “No.

King Muller stiffened, Yargazon tensed and Cobalt turned his harsh gaze on the prince regent.

“No? Jarid asked him. “No what?

Allegra looked up at her husband. She expected to see the hardened warlord. Instead he had a hollow gaze and pain etched on his face. He didnt look as if he had slept at all last night.

Markus spoke to Vizarana. “Your Majesty. Yesterday you presented an offer to my wife. I would ask you now present it to the atajazid, for his consideration. He turned to Ozarson. “The decision of whether or not to accept the alliance must be yours, since its your life that will be most affected.

The relief that poured over Allegra was so intense, it felt visceral. She breathed slowly, trying to calm her surging pulse.

“What offer? Yargazon asked.

Cobalt narrowed his gaze at Vizarana. Like everyone else, she and Drummer were still standing. Her reaction was subtle; she simply took her husbands hand, which was lying on the table. Drummer closed his fingers around hers. They leaned the slightest bit toward each other, and he bent his head over hers, his light curls a contrast to her dark ones. He said something, and she nodded. He looked as if he were tearing apart. Allegra recognized the look. Her father had worn it the day she left home.

Vizarana faced Ozarson. “Your Majesty, she began. “My husband and I offer you the betrothal of our daughter, Zarina Quaazera, to become your lawful wife when the two of you are of age. Your heir will inherit the Topaz Throne. She took a breath. “In return, your army will withdraw from Taka Mal, and you will remain here with your regent as hostages to prevent the armys return.

Ozarsons mouth fell open. In the same instant, Yargazon said, “What the hell? Absolutely not!

Protests rumbled all around the table, though Jarids, “Saints almighty, came out over the rest. Allegra couldnt follow who was saying what, with so many voices.

“Quiet! Cobalt hit the table with his fist.

Everyone fell silent.

Cobalt spoke sharply to Vizarana. “Youre suggesting a treaty by marriage between Taka Mal and Jazid?

“It does work, she said. “As you would know.

“Its out of the question, Yargazon told her.

General Ardoz spoke. “I fail to understand how you could think we would let the atajazid live here as a hostage.

Markus scowled at him. “To stop the war, obviously.

Yargazon regarded him intently, his brow furrowed. Puzzled. His gaze flicked to Allegra, and his already tensed posture stiffened even more. The antipathy in his gaze felt like a blow.

To Markus, the General said, “It is a war you have a good chance of winning.

“At what price? Markus pushed his hand through his hair. “With the betrothal, we achieve our goals without the bloodshed. And with no more mage spells.

A shifting of weight came from around the table while people glanced toward Allegra and Jarid, then looked away quickly, as if they didnt want to be caught staring.

“Achieve what? Yargazon pointed at Cobalt. “He would still have the Onyx Throne. Ozi would still be a fugitive, except he couldnt even live in his own country. It reeks, Markus. It reeks to the goddamned sky.

“Weve already taken part of Taka Mal, Colonel Bladebreak said. His voice hardened as he spoke to Vizarana. “Youre deluded if you think we would relinquish it.

“Wait. Ozarson sounded so boyish compared to the rumbling men. He spoke to Jarid. “My regent and his wife are your prisoners. What would happen to them if I went to Taka Mal?

“Ozi, you cant be considering this, Yargazon said.

“I would have to discuss it with Queen Vizarana, Jarid told the boy.

“If King Jarid allows it, Vizarana said, “we will arrange for them to live with you.

“As hostages? Ozarson asked.

Vizarana met his gaze. “Yes.

“No, Yargazon said. “Its unacceptable. He spoke to Ozarson in a low voice. “Your Majesty, we are so close.

“I know, Ozarson said softly. “I just He took a deep breath and shook his head.

Cobalt pointed at Markus. “If you release this man into Taka Mal custody, my promise to let him live is void. I gave that oath with the assumption he would be held in Aronsdale. Not Taka Mal.

“Will you kill everyone I love, then? Ozarson asked. His face paled, but he didnt back down. “You took everything. My country. My throne. My father. My brothers. My nurse. My mother. His voice cracked. “I have only one person left. Are you going to kill him, too? When youre finished taking everyone and everything Ive ever loved, will you be happy?

Cobalt stared at him. The silence at the table was complete.

The emperor spoke in an unexpectedly gentle voice. “Ive found no joy in your losses.

Ozarson took a breath and turned to Vizarana. “If I can live with my regent and his wife, I will accept the b-betrothal, be your hostage and tell the army not to fight.

“Saints almighty, someone said.

Yargazon put his hand on Ozarsons shoulder. “Ozi, you cant. We will talk of this later.

“No. The boy turned toward Yargazon as if for protection and wiped his palm over his eyes. But he raised his gaze to Cobalt. “Are you going to fight here if my army doesnt?

“No, Cobalt said quietly. “If you withdraw your forces, I will withdraw mine.

Vizarana closed her eyes and her hand tightened on Drummers fingers. Such understated signs of her feelings, but Allegra had no doubt her relief was profound.

“And my regent? Ozarsons gaze was stark as he regarded Cobalt. “Will you kill him if he tries to come to Taka Mal to be with me?

For a long moment, the emperor stared at him. Then Cobalt took a deep breath. “If Prince Markus remains a hostage in Taka Mal with no access to his armed forces, I will not seek his death.

Ozarson nodded, his eyes glossy from unshed tears. He spoke uncertainly to Markus. “We have occupied part of Taka Mal. I dont know how to figure out what will happen with that.

Markus managed a smile. “Well help you.

Allegra wanted so much to reach out to Ozarson. She stayed put, knowing it would embarrass him here in front of all these leaders. His heredity had taken his childhoodbut for today at least, it wouldnt crush him with the weight of ten thousand deaths.