The Night Bird

CHAPTER 3 THE GLITTERING PAVILION

In the morning, Rose took Allegra to bathe in a small lake fed by the only river in the otherwise barren desert. Vardok, Driver and Sot helped guard the area, but only Stubble sat where he could see them. Allegra supposed she should think of him as Azi, but the name Stubble was too fixed in her thoughts. He settled against a rock with his hands behind his head and his legs stretched out. Watching two women bathe each other was so obviously a treat for him, Allegra wanted to slap the smug look off his face. Instead she drank her fill of water, which he had denied her since her last bath. It cleared her head.

She wished she could make a spell for strength. Triangles showed everywhere on wagons, but they were distorted. She saw nothing resembling a polyhedron. She even dove down in the lake and dug along the bottom. She found a metal ball, but she couldnt use it, for a sphere was the most powerful shape, a polyhedron with an infinite number of sides. Rumor claimed that Cobalts wife, the empress, could wield such power. Well, maybe. Allegra certainly couldnt. She would burn out her gifts if she tried to use the ball. Just concentrating on it hurt her head. Bilious colors swirled in her vision until she dropped the ball into the river.

After they returned to Stubbles tent, the nomads gave Rose the clothes they wanted Allegra to wear. Allegra couldnt believe it. The “skirt covered almost nothing. The front panel was a beaten gold triangle the width of her palm and length of her forearm, its scalloped edges curved too much to form a useful shape for spells. The back was the same. The panels hung from a chain that rested low on her hips. Slender gold chains of diamonds, rubies and topazes formed a skimpy fringe from the hip chain down to about midthigh, swaying and clinking when she walked. Rose told her the skirt was made from real gems and gold, in honor of the bidders.

The halter was just as bad. Gold chains secured little gold cups over her nipples and held up her breasts so they appeared to have the most remarkable engineering, as if they could stand up on their own despite their size and weight. It was mortifying.

Rose didnt like the outfit, either. “Might as well send you in there with nothing on at all, she muttered as she helped Allegra dress. Her sympathy helped a little, but Allegra still felt as if she were going to a funeral. Her own. She had passed on, replaced by this barbaric pleasure girl in chains, jewels and little else.

Rose coiled Allegras hair on top of her head and threaded gems into the locks, with curls framing her face and wisping down her neck. “Its lovely, she told Allegra. “So few women have curly hair here. And you sparkle. Gold, topaz, ruby and the purest of all colors, diamond. For your purity. She lowered her voice. “I have to tell them.

Allegra scowled at her. The blasted nomads had insisted Rose check her virginity. She wished now she had taken Tanner up on his offer that day in the barn and given away her purportedly precious commodity.

“How about you tell them Im not a virgin? Allegra said. “Maybe theyll cancel the auction.

“They wont, Rose said. “Besides, you should be glad. This means the buyer may treat you more gently your first time. She hesitated, then said, “It depends on hispreferences.

Allegra winced. “Dont tell me what that means. She looked across the tent to where Stubble sat with Vardok, Driver and his brother. They were joking among themselves, but their impatience practically snapped in the air.

“Do you think the buyers are here yet? Allegra asked.

“Probably. Rose sat on her haunches and gave Allegra an apologetic look. “Ive redone your hair five times. I dont think I can come up with any more excuses to hold them off.

Allegra managed a smile. “Thank you for trying.

“I wish Rose took a breath. “I have been happy here with Azi and the children. Ive not wanted for anything. But sometimes She sighed. “You talk about your home with such love. Its hard for me to imagine, but it has clearly been good to you. Im sorry they took you away from that.

Allegra couldnt answer without tears threatening her eyes. Footsteps sounded nearby, and she looked to see Stubble standing a few paces away, holding a charcoal-gray robe.

“Are you ready? he asked.

Rose went to him. “Shes ready, she said softly.

Stubble put his hand under Roses chin and kissed her. “You look beautiful today.

Roses blush added a lovely tinge to her creamy skin. It was a moment before Stubble pulled his gaze away from his wife and turned to Allegra. He offered his hand, but she stood on her own. She didnt want to appear even more dependent on them, but it was also for Rose. It didnt take a genius to see she feared her husband would bring home a concubine. Although Allegra doubted he would, it obviously wasnt unheard of for men in this culture. Rose might believe him to be good, but as far as Allegra was concerned, his gentleness didnt change the fundamental brutality of his chosen profession.

“Is she ready? Vardok demanded from the other side of the tent. “I dont see what takes them so long. Just put on the damn skirt and go He stopped as Stubble moved aside so he could see Allegra.

“Gods above, Driver muttered.

Vardok let out a noisy breath. “Now that is worth waiting for. Oh, yes! Were going to be rich. He grinned at Stubble. “Rolling in treasures.

“Why dont you just keep this damn outfit? Allegra muttered.

Vardok laughed, the only time he had ever shown pleasure in her company. “Oh, girl, what were going to get for you will be worth far more than that little skirt.

Stubbles brother wasnt smiling. He just stood, staring at Allegra. He spoke hoarsely. “Id buy her, Azi. As my wife.

Well, that was about as romantic as having her teeth pulled. But it might be a stroke of luck. He was the brother of the most tolerable nomad Allegra had so far met, he wasnt a war criminal with a price on his head and he wasnt known for the tortures he inflicted or the numerous people he killed. He would also probably be easier to escape from than a general or regent who almost certainly would have bodyguards.

“Yes, she told him quickly. “Ill go with you.

He started over to her, but Stubble grabbed his arm. “Dont be absurd, Stubble said. “The buyers are already here. You couldnt come close to affording her, anyway.

His brother shot him an angry look. Then he exhaled and nodded. “Sorry.

Oh, well. Allegra knew it had been a long shot.

Driver and Vardok joined them, and they surrounded Allegra until she felt trapped.

“Here. Vardok offered her a blue-crystal glass with what looked like water.

Puzzled, she took the glass. She had slaked her thirst at the lake this morning, but it might be best to drink again, when she had a chance. She swallowed half the liquidand gagged. “Ai! Its so bitter. Whats in it?

“Finish it, Vardok said harshly.

She wrinkled her nose. “Im not thirsty.

Driver took the glass and raised it to her lips. “Just one more swallow. You can do it.

“No. Allegra jerked back her head.

They held her in place then, while Stubbles brother forced open her jaw. Driver poured the liquid into her mouth, and Vardok manipulated her throat so she swallowed convulsively. It happened so fast, she barely realized what they were doing before they finished. As she coughed, Driver and Vardok let go of her, but Stubbles brother slid his hand down to her behind. When Stubble frowned at him, he let her go.

“Why did you do that? Allegra asked, bewildered.

“Youll like it fine, Vardok said. His eyes glinted.

She liked it less by the moment. “What was it?

“Probably nothing youve heard of, Driver said. “An extract from a plant that grows only in this region of Jazid. Miradella.

The blood drained from her face. No. She knew of the extract from teaching her students about other countries. “Miradella is a lethal poison! She couldnt believe they would kill her after all this trouble. “Are you crazy? Why are you doing this? Did Vardok hate her so much?

“Shh, Stubble murmured. “It wasnt a fatal dose. Youll have a fever, but it should start to cool by tonight.

Driver stroked her hair as if he were calming a skittish horse. “Youll be fine. Just less resistant.

Soaking her with alcohol and starving her wasnt enough? They needed poison, too? What if they made a mistake and she flaming died? The hell with them. She rubbed her hands over her face, her arms trembling. “This cant be happening.

Stubble offered her the charcoal robe. “You neednt walk through camp like that. Were going to another tent.

She grabbed the robe and covered herself up. At least no one would stare at her while she died. She looked around desperately for Rose. She couldnt face this alone, surrounded by kidnappers. The nomad woman was standing a few paces back, her face strained. Allegra stared at her, imploring.

Rose turned to Stubble and started to speak, but he shook his head. “I dont want them to see you, he said. “If they decide they would like two girls instead of one, I cant refuse them.

The blood drained from Roses face. Her gaze darted to the carpets where their five-year-old daughter was playing with the toddler.

“Theyre too young to catch anyones interest, Stubble said. “But I want you all to stay in the tent today. My brothers will remain here as extra guards. Just in case.

Rose let out a relieved breath. “Thank you.

“How can you bear to live this way? Allegra asked.

Rose glanced at her, then looked away, her face red.

Stubble pulled up the hood of Allegras robe. “For the sake of your health, dont talk during the auction. Please.

“If you were worried about my health, she said, “you should have damn well left me in Aronsdale. Before he could say or do anything else, she stuck her finger in her mouth, so far down her throat that she started to choke.

“Hey! Driver yanked down her arm. “What are you doing?

“Shes trying to throw up the miradella, Vardok said. He smirked at her. “Perhaps youll be quieter from now on, eh?

“Go rot in sheep dung, she ground out.

“You just talk that way to whoever ends up with you, he said, smug. “Go ahead. Be my guest.

She thought of running, but she knew they would catch her and drag her to the tent. She hoped Emperor Cobalt captured them all, including the buyers, and they putrefied in his dungeons.

They took her out of the tent then. With her hood up, she almost blended with them, except for her bare feet. She clenched her fist in the cloth of the robe, painfully aware of how little she wore under its thin protection. A few women were out in bright silks, with hoods hiding their faces, each escorted by nomads in dark robes. It was obvious the women were status symbols for the men, but that just increased the need to guard them. It sounded like a nightmare, that two men of high stature could come here and take away peoples wives, if they so chose.

A pavilion stood in the center of the camp. Unlike the other brightly hued tents, this one was silver, with a white fringe on its peaked roof and white poles at its corners. Sculptures of silver-glass birds swung from its eaves, gleaming in the morning light. Rose had awakened Allegra before dawn, but the sun had since risen over the serrated peaks of the Jagged Teeth Mountains.

The interior was brighter than Allegra had expected. White hangings lightened the walls and sheer white drapes separated its interior into two rooms. The silvery-white carpet was so thick, it covered her toes. The sensuous brush of the pile on her skin only agitated her more.

Two nomads were waiting for them, men in dark trousers and gold and green shirts, their leather belts studded with fiery stones. They also had swords hanging in sheaths on their belts. While Stubble spoke with them, Allegra shivered. Vardok, Driver and Sot loomed over her, and she could almost feel their tension coiling in the air. The maddening aroma of curry and rice wafted through the tent, and her mouth watered. Her hunger had become a physical pain.

Stubble came back to them. “Jasper is letting them know were here. As he spoke, one of the men with a sword parted the gauzy drapes and stepped through to the other room.

“Why are those men armed? Allegra asked.

“The swords are ceremonial, Stubble said. “To honor our guests.

“Oh. She was glad she hadnt tried to run. Ceremonial swords undoubtedly worked on escaping prisoners just as well as ordinary weapons.

Vardok took hold of her robe and pulled it down. He caught her unawares as it fell around her waist, but she instinctively folded her arms to keep it from slipping any farther. Driver pulled apart her arms and let the robe fall the rest of the way, pooling at her feet. Then they all stood and looked at her, the four nomads and the guard with the sword.

“By the dragon, Driver muttered. “Lucky bidders.

Allegras face flamed.

“Come. Stubble took her arm and led her forward. Her skirt clinked, and her head felt heavy with her bejeweled hair piled up.

Panic flared within Allegra and she balked. “I cant go in there. I cant do this.

“Allegra, this isnt difficult, Stubble said, his voice strained and impatient. “They just want to look at you.

“Dont force us to drag you in, Driver said.

She would die before she let herself be dragged in front of the two most notorious men in Jazid. When Stubble pulled her, she walked forward with her jaw clenched. The man with the sword pulled aside the drape, and they all escorted her into the other room.

It glittered. The wall hangings were metallic gold and white. Blue-glass lamps fashioned into dragons shone with gold plate. Gold and ivory chests gleamed in corners, and metallic dragon patterns curled across the white carpet. Two men sat at a low table across the room, reclining on white cushions. The table was set with china and gold, and they drank from crystal goblets. Allegra felt excruciatingly vulnerable in the unrelenting brightness. She wanted to curl up and hide, or flee this place of cruel, hard beauty.

Stubble guided her forward, his hand on the small of her back. The stares of the buyers could have burned her skin. They both had black hair and eyes, but their resemblance to the nomads ended there. These men were to the TAmbera as jaguars were to stray cats.

It was obvious which was the General. His black uniform glinted with silver on the cuffs, and its severe cut accented his broad shoulders. The heavily corded tendons in his neck slanted into his shoulder muscles and under his collar. Jazids unforgiving sun had weathered his face and prominent nose, turning his skin leathery. He had a cold, steely demeanor. Wrinkles bracketed his mouth and creased the corners of his eyes, but she had no doubt he could easily best warriors half his age.

She looked at the other man.

Markus Onyx. Even reclined on a cushion, he looked violent. Nothing gentle showed in the planes of his face, only a sense of brutality deepened by his intense stare. His sculpted features might have been handsome if he had looked human, but no hint of compassion showed on his face. He wore dark trousers with an elegant cut and a leather belt studded with rubies and onyx. More onyx edged the cuffs of the dark red shirt that pulled over his powerful shoulders. His gaze raked Allegra with an appraising possessiveness.

Stubble and one of the armed men brought Allegra over to the buyers. Someone behind her pushed on her shoulders, and she dropped to both knees on a cushion in front of the glittering table. The nomads knelt on one knee to the prince regent, each with one arm resting across his thigh and his eyes downcast. The General sat relaxed in his chair, watching them with a predators gaze. Markus, however, watched Allegra. She knew because, unlike everyone else, she hadnt averted her eyes. She stared at him as if she were a skylark doe mesmerized by torchlight, and his dark stare seemed to bore through her.

Markus waved his hand. How the nomads knew with their eyes downcast, Allegra had no idea, but they immediately rose to their feet. She started to, as well, but someone caught her shoulder, holding her down. She wanted to cross her arms over her breasts, but it would only draw more attention, and she would feel even more exposed when they forced down her arms. She struggled to breathe as her panic grew.

Inhale slowly, she told herself. Out. Slowly.

Yargazon narrowed his gaze as if she were a poor substitute for whatever he expected. “Her hair is the wrong color.

Stubble spoke with deference. “My apologies, sir. We couldnt find one with the fire-hair.

Fire-hair? He must mean red, like the girl Rose mentioned. Stubble didnt sound perturbed, which made her wonder if he thought Yargazon was just trying to bargain.

The prince waved his hand at the nomads. “You may all wait outside.

Allegra would have never thought she wanted nomads to stay with her, but being alone with these two was even worse. Or not completely alone; eight men in black uniforms stood around the room, at attention, swords on their belts. She shot a frantic look at Stubble. He hesitated as if he hadnt expected the buyers to tell them to leave, either. But he shook his head almost imperceptibly at her. No surprise there. As far as they were concerned, Markus was their sovereign rather than Emperor Cobalt. They wouldnt refuse him.

After Stubble and the other nomads left, Yargazon spoke. “You. Girl. His deep voice rumbled. “Look at me.

Perspiration was gathering on Allegras temples. She turned to the General, then flinched at his hard stare.

“Whats your name? he asked.

“Allegra. She wondered if Markus had told the nomads to leave so they wouldnt figure out what he and Yargazon liked about her. Another bargaining tactic.

“Allegra? Yargazon said. “That makes no sense.

“Its a musical reference, Markus said lazily, sprawled on his cushion. He sounded relaxed, but his posture spoke more of aggressive tension than anything else. “They do that in Aronsdale. Name people after useless concepts.

Allegra stiffened. “I dont consider music useless.

Markus raised an eyebrow as if surprised she knew how to speak. “I imagine you wouldnt. His voice was like a well-oiled weapon. He motioned at the meal before them, steaming silver platters of curry and rice in a saffron sauce. A bowl of oranges stood next to the decanter of blood-red wine, and an enticing aroma wafted up from a loaf of spiced bread.

“Serve us, Markus said.

Allegra gritted her teeth. She hadnt had anything resembling a good meal in days. Now he wanted her to wait on them while she practically swooned with hunger? The hell with them.

“Serve yourself, she told Markus.

He glanced at Yargazon. “Did she just say what I thought?

“I believe she said, Serve yourself, the General answered.

“So she did. Markus considered Allegra. “I wonder what our good general thinks we should do about that.

“I racked the last one, Yargazon said. “Perhaps that would help here.

Allegra jerked around to him. “Thats sick!

Markus spoke in a deceptively quiet voice. “What do you say, Allegra, hmm? Shall I let my general stretch you out?

Sweat gathered on Allegras palms, and it was all she could do to keep from wiping them on her legs. “No.

He indicated the dinner. “Then perhaps you will serve us.

She knew she should just do it and get it over with. But their casual attitude was too much. Her fist clenched on her thigh, and before she had time to think, she said, “Yes, you can torture people without any consequences. That doesnt make you better than anyone else. Putting a woman on a rack isnt powerful. Its weak and its brutal.

A muscle twitched in Markuss cheek. But he only glanced at Yargazon and spoke with a deceptively mild tone. “She talks a lot.

“Indeed. Yargazon beckoned to her. “Come here.

She was having trouble breathing. Their mild tones didnt fool her. They were angry; she saw it in the glint of their eyes. She stayed put, kneeling before the table with one of them on each side.

Yargazon leaned forward. The table was so small, he easily closed his hand around her upper arm. “I said, come here.

Then he yanked.

She cried out as she flew forward and slammed into the corner of the table. The edge gouged her belly, then raked her leg as Yargazon dragged her forward. She sprawled across his lap on her stomach, her hair flying loose from its coil. The General jerked her upright and backhanded her across the face. With a gasp, she flew backward and landed on her side on the pillow where she had been kneeling. She lay gulping in breaths, too stunned to move.

Yargazon spoke in an icy voice. “I believe you were going to serve His Highness.

Allegra lifted her head to look at Markus. She couldnt read anything in his dark eyes, no hint of remorse for what Yargazon had just done in his name. She had read of such tyrants, who would just sit back while their people committed atrocities for them, as if that absolved them of responsibility for the damage.

“Get up, Markus told her. “And dont talk.

Allegra pushed up on her palms. Blood ran down her stomach, and a red splotch stained the pillow. The chains of her skirt were disarrayed over her thighs, leaving her almost naked.

Then she saw what Markus was holding. A quirt. He tapped it idly against his fingers as if he had forgotten it. Where he had taken the whip from, she had no idea, but that he brought it to the auction told her far more than she wanted to know about him.

Allegra was gritting her teeth so hard, her jaw hurt. She pushed herself up on her knees and sat catching her breath. She didnt know what they wanted, food or drink, but Markuss goblet was empty. So she picked up the crystal decanter of red wine. Her hand shook as she filled Markuss glass, and dark red drops splattered on the pristine white tablecloth. Picking up the goblet, she looked into Markuss covetous stare.

Then she threw the wine in his face.

The prince whipped his arm up in front of his head. He swore and grabbed Allegra, moving so fast, she had no time to shrink back. Catching her wrists, he knocked the empty glass out of her hand and pulled her forward on her knees, then yanked her against him with her arms caught in front of her body. His large hands gripped like a vise, bruising her skin.

“Are you out of your mind? he said. “Do you have a death wish? He grabbed a cloth napkin and wiped the wine off his face. “Because the sentence for what you just did is execution.

“Fine. Allegra spat the word at him. “Kill me. For surely death would be a better fate than living with either of you.

The General rose to his feet, his face darkening. Markus dropped his quirt and stood, as well, hauling her up with him.

“We should tie her across the table. Yargazon bent down and grabbed the quirt. Even as he straightened up, he snapped the lash. It caught Allegra across the back of her thighs and she screamed with the slash of pain. She twisted in Markuss hold, staring desperately toward the far end of the room, frantic for Stubble to free her from this nightmare.

“Dusk, wait, Markus said. “Neither of us has bought her yet. Dryly he added, “And youll get me with that thing.

Yargazon lowered the whip. “My apologies, Sire.

Stubble stepped into the room, his face taut with alarm. “Your Highness? he asked. “Is there a problem?

Markus threw Allegra down on the cushion stained with her blood. She fell on her side, catching herself with her hands, then looked up at Stubble, her hair falling in her face.

“Were done here, Markus said curtly. “Take her.

Stubble strode to the table with an impassive expression, but he took Allegras arm gently. Drawing her to her feet, he nudged her toward the exit. He spoke in a low voice. “Hurry.

Allegra stumbled with him. Her vision blurred, either from the blows or because the poison was taking effect. It wasnt tears. She refused to let the bastards make her cry.

As soon as Stubble ushered her out of the terrible glittering room, her knees gave way and she collapsed. As he caught her, he spoke quickly to Vardok. “Go tell Rose were coming back and shell need to tend Allegra. Hurry.

Vardok swore under his breath. “She threw wine in his face. He watched Allegra as if he could sear her to ashes. “If youve ruined this for us, girl, I hope your execution is long, drawn out and painful beyond imagining.

“Vardi, Stubble said. “Just go.

Vardok clenched his fist and hit at the air. Then he swept from the tent, his robe billowing out behind him.

“Can you walk? Stubble asked Allegra.

She took a step. When her legs buckled, she groaned.

“By the dragon, Stubble muttered. He picked her up, one arm behind her back and the other under her knees. Driver covered her with the charcoal robe, except for her face. Then Stubble carried her out of the tent. Allegra didnt know why he bothered. It seemed pointless to tend her wounds when the prince regent planned to kill her for insulting the wretched House of Onyx.