Catherine Asaro: The Night Bird

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.