Catherine Asaro - The Night Bird

“No comment? he asked.

“I dont know what you expect me to say.

A smile softened his face. “I slept better last night than I have in years. I didnt wake until this morning.

“Is that a problem?

“Not for me. But two of my bodyguards also went to sleepon duty. He leaned closer and spoke by her ear. “Do you know what else, Allegra? Those two guards may have been close enough to hear you sing.

Well, hell. To distract him from his dangerous train of thought, she glared. “Are you saying my song is so boring, it puts people to sleep?

“Oh, it wasnt boring at all. He set his hands on her shoulders. “By the dragon, woman, what a weapon! How many people can you knock out? Three? Six? A hundred? Could you do it to men during battle?

A weapon? “Thats absurd. She didnt have to fake her astonishment. “I cant do that.

“How many can you put to sleep at once?

“None!

“Tell me the truth, he murmured, “or Ill have to keep you in chains all the time so you cant escape if you make me sleep.

She scowled at him. “If I could knock out people, I would have done it to the nomads and gone home.

“You wanted the compass last night. He scratched his chin. “Something about it being a disk. What does that do?

“Nothing. I just sing better if I have something to hold.

“You said it helps you focus. His smile flashed, all those healthy white teeth. “The spell? Hah! Thats it, isnt it? The disk focuses your spell.

Allegra wished he werent so blasted intelligent. “Dont be silly. Spells are nothing more than childrens fables.

His smile faded. “No one who fought at the Battle of the Rocklands would agree with you.

“The what?

“The battle where the armies of the Misted Cliffs, Jazid and Taka Mal fought two years ago.

Although she didnt recognize the name, she knew about the battle that decided the fate of Jazid. “My people call it the Dragon-Sun War.

“I was nearly killed.

“In the fighting?

“No. He grimaced. “From lightning.

“I heard something about a thunderstorm.

“No! Thats just it. Cobalts wife stood above the battle like some avenging goddess. She brought down lightning. Sheets of it! Out of a blue sky. I was struck by a bolt.

“You were hit by lightning? And you survived?

His smile quirked. “Ive a hard head.

She could believe that. But the rest made no sense. “Youre saying Cobalts wife started the storm?

He regarded her uneasily. “People claim shes the reincarnation of the Dawn Star Goddess.

Even in her isolated rural life, Allegra had heard that name given to Cobalts wife, the daughter of the king and queen of Harsdown. The Dawnfield name derived from ancient myths of a warrior goddess who had become the stars. Mel had done something far less ethereal than rise into the heavens, though. She had married Cobalt Escar to stop him from invading Harsdown.

“Youre talking about Mel Dawnfield, she said.

“Yes. The empress. Markus paused. “Her father is the cousin of your king in Aronsdale, isnt he?

“Thats right.

He considered Allegra, his face thoughtful. “Her parents came from southwest Aronsdale. Like you. They have yellow hair and so does she. Like you.

Allegra didnt doubt Mel Dawnfield could do spells. Most Dawnfield women had the ability. But lightning? “No mage could do what you describe. It must have been a freak storm.

He raised his eyebrows. “Mage?

Damn! She would give herself away without realizing it. “A person who casts spells. I dont know much about them.

“Yes, you do. He tapped his finger on her cheek. “Youre one of these mages, hmm?

She glowered at him. “If I hit you with lightning, you wouldnt survive.

His grin flashed. Taking her arm, he drew her toward where a groom was readying several horses. “We can discuss your mage abilities while we ride.

“Wait! She had to run to keep up with his long strides. “You left my robe in the tent.

Markus called to another guard as he strode past. “Bring me the silk robe from my tent. To Allegra, he added, “Ill let you put it on when the sun rises. I wouldnt want to burn that creamy skin of yours.

“Markus, slow down!

He blinked, then slowed down. “I forget that youre small.

“No, youre large. As they neared the soldiers around the horses, she flushed under their stares. “I really, really dont want to ride in this outfit. Maybe he would get jealous and cover her up. “Your men will see. A lot of me.

“They will all envy me. He didnt sound the least fazed. “For having the prettiest girl in Jazid on my horse.

“Theyll know you didnt really whip me. You can see through the damn skirt!

“Only if you look close. He scowled. “And I would execute any man who looked that closely at you.

“Why not get a thicker skirt?

“Because I like the way you look in that one. And if I like it, woman, you will wear it.

“Youre a pig, she muttered.

His laugh rumbled. “Ah, but a pig who has finally had enough sleep. So I am a happy pig.

“Oh, stop.

“Stop what?

“Having a sense of humor. It made it harder to hate him.

They soon reached the horse he intended to ride today, a huge animal with a gray coat. A soldier made a cup with his hands to help Allegra mount. When she was astride the animal, she realized they had indeed put the fleece over the riding blanket, a much appreciated softness against her skin. Markus swung up behind her and slid his arms around her waist. When he snapped the reins, the horse headed out and they joined a group of other riders already on the move.

Then Allegra saw him: the dagger thief. He stood behind a horse with his hands shackled in front of his body and his head down. A chain from his manacles stretched to the saddle of the horse in front of him. Allegra flinched when she saw the flayed skin and red welts on his shoulders where his shirt hung open. As she watched, Lieutenant Borjan mounted the horse.

Allegra turned back to Markus and motioned toward the shackled man. “He wont survive your punishment.

Markus let out a breath, but she couldnt tell if he was angry or not. After a moment, he veered off and rode over to Borjan. The lieutenant saluted him with his fist turned upward. To Allegra, the salute looked as if the men were offering their prowess as warriors to the sky, the realm of their Shadow Dragon.

Markus tilted his head toward the thief. “Can he ride? he asked the lieutenant.

“I dont know, Sire, Borjan said. “Possibly.

Possibly? Allegra felt ill. If doubt existed as to whether the man could even ride, he certainly couldnt run behind Borjans horse for three days.

“Give him a horse, then, Markus said. “Take off the shackles and let him ride.

A flash of relief lit Borjans eyes. “Right away, Sire.

As the lieutenant vaulted to the ground and strode to the shackled man, Markus went on, riding his horse forward.

Allegra let out the breath she hadnt realized she was holding. Again Markus surprised her. She hadnt expected him even to listen to her, let alone act on her words.

“Thank you, she said quietly.

“For what?

“Sparing his life.

“Why are you thanking me? Do you know this man?

“No. But he didnt deserve to die for stealing a knife.

“He might not have died. Jazid men are strong.

“Even so.

Markus just grunted. Then he said, “Do you want to eat?

“Very much.

He took food out of his riding pack, oranges and peaches. When they finished the fruit, he gave her creamy cheese, a delicacy given how easily it could go bad under these travel conditions. They washed it down with clear, fresh water. His consideration confused her, for she didnt want to like him, and he was making it far harder to hold back that response than she would ever have thought possible.