Catherine Asaro - The Night Bird

When Allegra realized they were headed toward the foothills near Quaaz, she said, “Wait. No. She pulled into a sitting position, facing backward in the cart, and pointed toward the Jazid camp. “We have to get Drummer.

Ravensford held up his hand to the driver, and the other man brought the oxen to a halt. The colonel turned to Allegra. “Drummer is in the Jazid camp.

Her mouth felt dry. “We have to get him before they wake up.

The doctor made an incredulous noise. “Theyre asleep, too? Saints almighty, is anyone awake?

“Thats how I escaped. As Allegras numbness was wearing off, she could feel her injuries. “No one was awake. I can show you where to find Drummer. Her voice caught. “If he doesnt see a doctor soon, hell die. She feared it would be her fault, for she had put to sleep anyone who could have helped him.

Ravensford motioned to the driver, who brought the cart around. Soon they were headed across the sun-drenched basin toward the distant crags that sheltered the Jazid army. The doctor took bandages and bottles out of his satchel, but when he leaned toward Allegra, she shook her head. She couldnt bear to have anyone touch her. He started to protest, but whatever look she had on her face stopped him. He exhaled, then settled back and returned his potions to his satchel.

They continued on, but they were going slowly, much too slowly. “Are all the horses asleep? Allegra asked. “We should bring Drummer out as fast as possible. She wanted to get Ozarson, too, but she doubted they could risk going after more than one person.

“Some of our horses are awake, Ravensford said. He thought for a moment. “A medical cart has immunity in many places during combat, but for us to go into the midst of the Jazid camp with you in the cart is too much of a risk. What if they wake up? Then he added, “Or you could be lying, sent by one of your husbands generals to trick us.

“Im not lying. She could see why he was worried, though. “But its true, I dont know when they will wake up.

“How can thousands of people be asleep? the doctor asked. “We cant wake anyone.

Thousands? Allegra finally began to comprehend what she was seeing. Had she and Jarid done this? She slumped back, her head falling against the pole that held up a corner of the canvas roof.

“Allegra? Ravensford asked.

“Yes? she asked.

“Then that is your name. Youre the regents consort.

“Is Markus all right? It hurt to ask about him, given what had happened, for he was the one who allowed Yargazon free rein.

“Hes fine, Ravensford said. “Just asleep.

“Butisnt he with Cobalts army?

The colonel regarded her steadily. “Theyre asleep. Cobalts men, Jarids, everyone. The Harsdown army was the farthest away, so whatever happened didnt affect all of us.

She lifted her head. “King Jarid is probably awake. If she had recovered early, he would, too.

“He wasnt when we left this morning.

“Neither was I. But I am now.

The colonels forehead creased. “Why would that matter?

She bit her lip, staring toward the distant hills. Then she said, “We did it.

“Did what? the doctor asked kindly.

She looked at him. “I sang.

The doctor glanced at Ravensford, and the colonel shook his head, his expression puzzled.

“Many people sing, the doctor said.

“They were going to give me back to Yargazon. The words felt like broken glass to Allegra. “He had fourteen more hours he meant to work on me. And the othersthey wanted Her voice cracked. “They were going to go out today and kill and kill and kill, because nothing ever stops them, nothing, and when they came back, Drummer and I would be the prizes, the spoils of war, and I couldnt take any more. So II She couldnt continue.

Ravensford stared at her. Then he thumped the drivers plank. The man guiding the oxen started, then brought the team to a stop.

“Tell me, Allegra, Ravensford said. “Tell me what you did.

“I used a shape I wasnt ready for. I sang a spell of sleep. Jarid added power. But it was too much. I broke.

The doctor stared at her. “Are you saying you did this with a spell?

She met his incredulous gaze. “Yes.

“How could that be possible? the doctor asked.

Ravensford spoke. “In extreme adversity, people can do incredible things. A man holds up the roof of a collapsing house to save his loved ones, a mother heaves away a huge boulder to rescue her child. Softly he said, “Perhaps a mage calls forth a power greater than she could normally handle.

Allegra could only say, “I dont know. She sagged against the pole, needing it to stay upright.

Watching her, Ravensford spoke to the doctor. “Take her back to the camp. She needs to see Jarid, if hes awake.

“No! Allegra said. “We have to get Drummer.

“Ill go scout the Jazid camp, Ravensford said. “See what I can find out. Can you tell me how to reach Drummer?

Allegra described his location as best she could. Her dazed walk through the Jazid camp was seared into her memory.

“Can he ride? Ravensford asked.

“Hes asleep. She thought of his torn body sprawled in the tent. “I dont think he could ride even if he were awake.

A muscle twitched in Ravensfords cheek. To the doctor, he said, “Send someone to help me, with the fastest horse you trust to carry an unconscious man. If the Jazid camp is asleep, well get Drummer. If theyre awake, well come back.

“I should go with you, Allegra said.

“You must rest. Recover. In an oddly strained voice, the colonel said, “Regain your mage gifts.

Sadness tugged at Allegra. “I dont think I can.

“If you dont, he said, “who will awake the sleepers?

With that, he set off for the Jazid camp.

Allegra passed out on the way to the Aronsdale camp. The next time she became aware, she was lying in a blurred gray and blue place. The days heat blistered, but it receded when hands laid wet cloths across her fevered skin.

Jarid visited. He knelt by her pallet and spoke softly. She didnt understand, but his words were like cool water on her burning skin. He held his sphere, and his miraculous blue radiance filled her, a gentler, more nuanced spell than she had ever known. Her pain receded. The blue deepened into an impossible color, indigo, and the agony in her heart over Markus and Yargazon eased. Even an indigo couldnt take away emotional pain, but he helped her to heal. The world faded and sleep folded her into its softness.

The day had slipped into evening by the time Allegra awoke. She lay on her back gazing at the tent above her head. A blue tassel hung from the apex of its peaked roof. When she felt strong enough, she slowly sat up and looked around. A table across the tent had bandages, pots and fluted bottles, and a basin of water. Several other pallets lay on the floor, but it was a moment before she realized someone lay in one of them. A blue sheet covered him to the waist. He was on his stomach, his head turned away, but she recognized the yellow curls spilling down his neck.

She stood up carefully. Someone had changed her into a blue shift that came to her knees. Her welts had healed far more than should have been possible in less than a day, and the blisters and cuts on her feet didnt hurt nearly as much as before. She crossed the tent and knelt next to the man. Lash marks showed on his skin, but as with her welts, they had healed far faster than normal.

Allegra touched his shoulder. “Drummer?

To her surprise, he turned onto his back. Now that she could see him in better light, she realized he had the classic Aronsdale blue eyes, said to be granted by Saint Azure himself. Long, gold eyelashes framed them, thick and curled. They were gorgeous. She hadnt realized just how handsome he was, even by the standards of her people. No wonder the queen of Taka Mal had wanted him.