Catherine Asaro - The Night Bird

Bladebreak and Ardoz nodded their agreement. Allegra felt queasy, hearing their plans for killing and how they honored someone for his brilliance at bringing about death.

“Cobalts men also arent used to desert fighting, General Ardoz said. “They dont know how.

“Weve had reports of strife, Yargazon said. “The men ask why they must hold this land so far from their own. His smile could have been a knife. “The Misted Cliffs is foggy and cold. They hate the desert. Jazid demoralizes them.

“Well, then, Markus said. “We are decided. Ill present our recommendations to the atajazid.

That intrigued Allegra. It sounded as if they planned to meet up with their hidden king. Asking his permission was probably a formality; she couldnt imagine these sun-hardened warriors putting off their battles at the order of a nine-year-old child.

“There is one other matter, Yargazon said. “My agents have picked up some odd rumors. Something about an engineering guild associated with the Topaz Palace.

“Have they developed a new weapon? Markus asked.

“I dont think so, the General said. “Its something called kindle-powder. Wryly he added, “Actually the rumors are about the failure of this kindle-powder. It doesnt work.

“What is it? General Ardoz asked.

Yargazon shrugged. “Weve no details. It may just be a myth.

Markus glanced at Yargazon. “Keep checking it.

“Weve another point to consider, Ardoz said. “The royal family. Do we still want them killed, except the queens consort?

“Hes an excellent hostage, as Cobalts kin. Markus rubbed his chin. “Ive been thinking on this. Im not so sure killing any of them is a good idea. After we have the throne, well want Queen Vizaranas army to fight with us against Cobalt. They are far more likely to do so if we let their queen and her baby live. And she could give us valuable information.

Yargazon frowned. “Any time some kingor regentlets his enemy live, a survivor comes back for revenge. Look at Cobalt. His family ruled Harsdown for centuries. Then his father invaded Aronsdale. When Aronsdale defeated Harsdown, they should have executed its king and his heir. Did they? No. They imprisoned the king in a supposedly impregnable fortress. And Cobalt, his heir, who was just a little boy? He grew up into a monster, raised an army to free his father and then turned those godforsaken forces against the rest of us. He shook his head. “We cant let either the queen or her heirs live.

“Well, we will see what happens. Markus raised his goblet. “To Taka Mal.

The others lifted their cups. “To Taka Mal.

After they drank and refilled their goblets, Markus reclined on his cushions. Bladebreak smiled at him. “You seem in a good mood.

“Hmm, Markus said.

Yargazon spoke sourly. “Has she had any wine lately?

Markus grinned at him. “I dont give her any.

“Perhaps you should, Yargazon said. “You could keep your belt ready for another thirty.

“Aye, that I could, Markus said, laughing.

Allegra wanted to slap them. Belt indeed. During their ride today, she had walked part of the time because she was stiff after riding so much. But she knew what Markus let everyone think, that she couldnt ride because of the thrashing he had supposedly given her. If he brought that up now, she was going to throw more than wine in his face when she had the chance.

“She sings, too, Markus said. “She has a gorgeous voice.

“Really? Ardoz said. “Youre fortunate.

Markus stretched indolently. “Maybe you would all enjoy a song, eh?

As the others murmured their agreement, Allegra went cold. Surely he wouldnt ask her to go over there. They were all turning toward her, so she closed her eyes all the way. Fabric rustled as someone stood, followed by the tread of boots crossing the tent.

The footsteps stopped. “Allegra?

She sighed and stirred, opening her eyes. Markus was crouched in front of her, blocking her view of his officers.

He kissed her languidly. “Wake up. He put his hand on her waist, and his thumb stroked the underside of her breast.

Allegra decided she had better “wake up before he started pawing her in front of his military advisors. “Are they gone? she asked. Wishful thinking, but it was worth a try. Maybe he would send them away.

“Still here, he murmured. “We want you to sing for us. Come to the table.

“Markus, I dont want to. She meant to sound firm, but the words came out frightened.

“Come. Sing. He silently mouthed, Put them to sleep.

What the blazes? She sat up in the pillows. As she rubbed her stiff shoulder, she gave him a questioning look.

In a voice so low, she barely heard, he said, “Come, my night bird. If they are sleeping, they cant harm you.

For saints sake. He wanted her to do a spell. Whatever for? She almost said no, but then she changed her mind. If she put his officers, his guardsand himto sleep, she could sneak out of the tent, assuming she didnt knock herself out, as well.

Markus stood up and offered his hand. As she took it, she felt the sword calluses on his palm exactly like in her dream. A shiver went through her, and this time it didnt come from fear.

He drew her to the table, and the men watched her with appraising stares that among her people would have been considered extraordinarily rude. She wanted to cover herself with her hands, but Markus had her arm in his large grip.

“Here. He set her at the table between his and Yargazons places, by a pole that supported the tent. The men sat drinking their wine, seeming relaxed in their cushions, but with an ingrained tension that she doubted they ever lost.

Markus went to a chest across the tent and removed something that glittered. Straightening, he detached a small piece from it, then turned and showed it to her. Squinting, Allegra realized he had a key. He closed the chest and set the key on its top. Then he came back, holding the larger object. No, two objects, bracelets it looked like. As he drew nearer, she blanched. Those werent bracelets, they were gold shackles joined by a gold chain. Rubies, diamonds, topazes and onyx glinted in the metal.

As Markus knelt next to Allegra, she drew back. “What are you doing? she asked, frightened.

“Just making sure you dont fly off, he murmured. He lifted her hand. She strained to pull it away, but he clicked a manacle around her wrist. The metal felt cold on her skin. He wrapped the chain around the pole and closed the other manacle around the chain.

I cant do this. She was surrounded by warlords in a culture that obviously valued their ferocity, height and physical power far more than any kindness. She feared if they sensed her apprehension, she would seem like prey to them.

Exactly why Markus wanted her to knock out his advisors was another question altogether. Convoluted tangles of power swirled here. If she put them to sleep, including Markus, she would be trapped without the key to the manacles. But maybe she could figure out a way to free herself. However slim her odds for escape, they werent zero.

Markus had picked up the compass, and now he handed it to her. He took his goblet off the table then and settled next to her in the pillows.

“Sing, beautiful songbird, he said, raising his goblet. Had they been alone, his sensual expression might have aroused her. But the calculating stares of his military advisors were frightening. She didnt know what they intended.

Allegra stared at the compass in her lap so she wouldnt have to see their harsh faces. She chose the lilt that had put Markus to sleep last night. As she sang, she focused on the compass and poured out a comfort spellsoft, sweet, soothing. Although she wanted her voice to carry to the guards outside, she had to be careful. If she sang too loudly, Markus would know why and the others might wonder. She couldnt risk their suspicion.