Catherine Asaro: The Night Bird

“Great, Allegra muttered. She spun away from him and stalked around the wagon.

And stopped.

An astonishing camp lay before her. Brightly colored tents with peaked roofs clustered together. As the sunset darkened, people were lighting lamps that hung from poles, tinted-glass blossoms with flames flickering within. The nomads wore long robes with hoods, men in black and charcoal, women in gold or red silks. No one she could identify as a woman was alone; guards escorted the few who were out this evening.

Stubble came up beside Allegra. “Here. He wrapped one of the charcoal robes around her. “You cant go into camp undressed like that. You wouldnt get more than a few steps.

Right. But it was all right for her to spend four days cooped up in that wagon with their smelly selves. She wanted to pound her fists against him. Instead she drew in a breath, seeking calm. It could have been worse. Regardless of what he may have wanted to do to her, he had held back and kept the others off her. Bitterly she thought that might be why these mysterious buyers had chosen him to set up the auction; they knew the “merchandise would be in good condition.

Allegra raised the hood of the robe to hide her face. Breezes rippled the cloth around her body, but with night descending so fast, it would probably soon be too dark for anyone to see she wasnt a man.

“You live here? she asked.

“When Im not traveling. He rubbed the small of his back. “After the auction, well move to our next camp.

“Why move all the time?

He blinked. “Why would we want to stay in one place?

“Its home. Allegra thought of her familys dairy. “I lived in the same house all my life.

“Strange, Stubble mused. “I would feel He thought for a moment. “Trapped. Confined.

Her voice caught. “Then you know how I feel now.

No answer.

The other nomads unloaded the wagon and saw to the oxen while Stubble took her into the camp. As they walked among the tents, men nodded to him, and he nodded back. She wasnt certain if they recognized him or were giving a ritualistic greeting. They soon reached a yellow tent larger than many of the others, with red tassels swinging in the wind. Two brawny men sat on stools by the entrance, talking, both armed with swords.

As Stubble and Allegra approached, the men rose, their hands on the hilts of their weapons. “What do you want? one asked.

Stubble pushed back his hood. “Light of the evening.

“Aztire! The man strode forward and clapped Stubbles arm. “Its good to see you, brother. He grinned at Allegra. “Heh, Vardi.

“Its not Vardok, Stubble said. He motioned to the tent. “Let us go inside.

Stubbles brother eyed Allegra curiously. He wasnt as tall as Stubble, and his hair was brown rather than black, but they otherwise looked alike.

The other guard at the tent smiled, his teeth a flash of white in his black beard. “Its good to see you, Azi.

“Azi? Allegra asked Stubble. “Is that your name? Aztire?

Both guards froze. Then Stubbles brother said, “By the dragon, what do you have in there?

“Who, Allegra said. “Not what. She lifted her hands to push back her hood.

Stubble caught her arm and swore under his breath. Then he pushed her into the tent. His brother followed. The other man stayed outside, but he stood close to the entrance, undoubtedly listening.

“Dont show yourself in public! Stubble told Allegra. “Its for your own safety.

“Is it all right in here? she asked, irked.

“Its fine, he said more calmly.

She pushed back her hood as she looked around. Blue carpets with bird patterns layered the floor. In the corners, braziers shaped like dragons glowed, with smoke curling up from their nostrils. The tang of smoke filled the air, but a hole in the top of the tent let out most of it. Large, tasseled pillows tumbled everywhere, and the gold dragons on them breathed embroidered plumes of fire, probably depictions of the Jazid dragon god.

All these dragons looked strange to Allegra. In Aronsdale, the people worshipped saints. Legends claimed the saints were ancestors who had lived so far in the past, no histories remained of them. Others named them as the first mages, who formed the court of the Dawn Star Goddess, namesake of the House of Dawnfield. Taka Mal had a similar mythology, but rather than a goddess, they revered the Dragon-Sun. They believed their dragon fought Jazids Shadow Dragon in an endless, daily battle for dominion of the skies.

Saints, hear my prayer, Allegra thought. Help me.

Someone was asleep on the far side of the tent, deep in the shadows. From the way Stubble looked there, with such warmth, Allegra suspected she was about to meet his family. Or maybe not. For all she knew, “pleasure girls werent allowed such introductions.

“By the dragon, Azi, Stubbles brother said. “Where did you find her?

Startled, Allegra turned back. Stubbles brother was staring as if she were an apparition of smoke that might dissipate any moment.

“He found me in Aronsdale, she said, annoyed he didnt acknowledge her. “Which, by the way, has a treaty with Jazid. Kidnapping Aronsdale women is illegal.

The brother gaped at her.

“She talks a lot, Stubble said.

“Shes gorgeous. His brother lifted a length of Allegras curls. “Ive never seen hair this color before. It looks like sunlight. He moistened his lips. “Is she well formed?

“Stop talking about me as if Im not here, Allegra said. She barely held back the quaver in her voice. The day was beginning to crash down on her, her disorientation heightened by her lack of sleep and food, and her muzziness from the wine.

“Azi? A womans sleepy voice came from across the tent. “Is that you?

Stubble turned, an expression of welcome flooding his face. “Did I wake you? Im sorry.

“Its all right. Rustles came from the shadows, and a small woman appeared in a yellow robe that glistened even in the dimness. When she saw Allegra, she shot a startled look at her husband.

Stubble spoke gently. “Shes for an auction tomorrow, thats all. He pulled the woman into his arms, and they embraced, Stubble resting his cheek on her head. When they drew apart, he smiled. “The children?

“Both asleep. She hesitated. “Shall I wake them?

“No need. Ill see them tomorrow. He inclined his head to Allegra. “The auction is the one I told you about. Weve sent word to the buyers.

The woman regarded Allegra with large, dark eyes. She was younger than Stubble, with a heart-shaped face, a small nose and gold hoops in her ears. Her dark hair fell down her back like a black waterfall. “So you found what they were looking for?

“Finally, yes, Stubble said. “I think theyll be pleased. He sounded nervous.

“I hope so, the woman said. Before, she had seemed to fear Allegra, probably thinking her husband had brought home another woman. Now Allegra had the disquieting impression the woman feared for her.

“Can you tend her tomorrow? Stubble asked. “Pretty her up however you do that.

“Of course, his wife said. She wouldnt look at Allegra.

“You really come from Aronsdale? Stubbles brother asked.

“Yes. Allegra met his gaze. “Your brother broke the law.

He glanced at Stubble. “Shes lively.

Stubble regarded him dourly. “Thats a polite way to put it.

The woman took Allegras arm and drew her away. “Dont mind them, she said. “They act rough, but theyre a good lot.

Allegra wondered how she could call men who sold people a “good lot. Then again, Stubble had bought her.

The woman gave her a tentative smile. “I am Rose.

“Im Allegra. She glanced at the small heaps under a rug several paces away from them. “Your children?

“Two daughters. We are blessed. She tugged Allegra down on a pile of carpets near the children. Stubble and his brother stayed across the tent, conferring about who knew what.