Catherine Asaro - The Night Bird

“Who are you? he asked. His voice rasped, and she flinched, knowing what had injured his vocal cords. Screams.

“My name is Allegra. I was Yargazons prisoner, too.

“The green mage from last night?

“You could tell? I thought you were unconscious.

“Mostly. But I knew you were there, offering comfort. Softly he said, “Thank you.

“Im sorry I couldnt do more.

He gave a ragged laugh. “Jarid tells me you put thousands of people to sleep to get us out of that camp.

Including Drummer. “When did you wake?

“About an hour ago.

“Are you all right?

“Fine. He laid his arm behind his head, his elbow bent, and stared at the peaked roof where shadows were gathering. “My wounds will heal. He sounded listless.

She had a feeling it wasnt that simple. “And your voice?

It was a moment before he answered. “I was a minstrel and an acrobat before Jade and I married. I suppose its not the life for everyone, but I loved it. I used to sing to her. But nowI dont know. And with my foot like this He let out a breath. “At least I have the foot. If Jarid hadnt helped, the doctor says he would have had to amputate. Because of infection.

“Im sorry, Allegra said. She understood well the grief of losing his songs. “Surely your voice will heal.

“Perhaps. His face gentled. “Hell, Im free of Yargazon. And my wife and child are alive. Thats what matters.

“I miss my family, Allegra said. “They dont even know what has happened to me. She hadnt yet had a chance to send them a letter. She couldnt imagine what they would think when they found out about her marriage. Drummer was one of the few people who would understand what she faced as the consort of a foreign sovereign. Now that he was safe and the immediate crisis was over, perhaps he would be willing to talk about it. If he could adapt to Taka Mal, hope might exist for her and Markus.

Allegra spoke awkwardly. “Would you mind if I asked about your marriage?

He regarded her curiously. “What would you like to know?

“Is it true the queen took you as her consort the same way my husband had me brought to Jazid?

His grin flashed, and in that instant he turned into the epitome of the Aronsdale male, with his sunny appearance and sparkling eyes. She couldnt fathom why people in Jazid denigrated him. In Aronsdale, women had probably fallen all over themselves to catch his attention.

“Ive no idea about your wedding, Drummer said good-naturedly. “But I doubt it was like mine. We had to sneak off in the middle of the night so no one could stop us.

“Then you went willingly?

“Well, yes. He was watching her closely. “You didnt?

“I was kidnapped in Aronsdale. They sold me.

Drummer grimaced. “Ah, yes. This barbaric penchant of theirs for stealing mates. They grabbed me at night. He gave her a crooked smile. “Maybe I should be insulted. Vizarana didnt pay anything for me. She just locked me up in a suite of the palace.

Allegra shuddered. “Dont be insulted. Believe me.

His smile faded. “I think maybe it wasnt the same for you.

“No, she said wanly. “It was a nightmare.

His voice quieted. “I was only a political prisoner.

“Did she take advantage of the situation?

His devastating smile returned, but it was gentler this time. “I suppose. I never felt coerced. Her generals would undoubtedly say I took advantage of her. Mischief flashed in his eyes. “I kept trying to kiss her when I wasnt supposed to.

“Shes a lucky woman.

“Im glad someone thinks so. He grimaced. “So many of her people cant see beyond my having been her exotic Aronsdale prize. But I do love her.

Allegra didnt know how she felt about Markus. Thinking about him hurt too much. “Why do they hunt us? Its like were prey.

A voice spoke behind them. “I would also like an answer to that question.

She looked around with a start. Jarid was walking over to them. Rather than armor, tonight he wore dark trousers and a blue shirt. He sat on the floor with them, with his elbow resting on his bent knee. He could have pulled over a stool, but he didnt seem inclined. Allegra would have never expected the king of her country to sit so casually on the ground.

“I didnt mean to eavesdrop, he said. “I heard you as I came in.

Drummer pushed up on his elbows, then winced and lay down. Allegra nodded to the king, unsure if she should bow when she was sitting in a medical tent. Jarid didnt look as if he cared. The strain on his face had aged him years in one night.

“Is everyone still asleep? Drummer asked him.

“The armies are waking, Jarid said. “So far, no tragedies. The injuries are mostly dehydration and burns from the sun.

“The spell seemed so innocuous, Allegra said. Putting so many people to sleep for so long suddenly didnt look harmless. “Did you wake them? she asked Jarid.

“I helped. They started coming to on their own about an hour ago. He tilted his head as he considered her. “Ive never made a sleep spell before. How did you do it?

“Im not sure. It embarrassed her to explain her inadequate attempts to the greatest mage alive. “My husband suffers from insomnia. The first time, I was trying to help him. Its like offering comfort, but so much that the person falls asleep.

He gave a wry laugh. “Its certainly the most innovative way Ive ever heard of stopping a battle.

Drummer pushed himself up, persisting this time until he was sitting on the pallet. He took a blue sleep shirt that was crumpled by his pillow and slipped it on, wincing as he pulled his arms through the sleeves. His legs were under the sheet with his bandaged left foot sticking out the end.

“Youre moving better, Jarid said.

Drummer answered wryly. “Moving at all is an improvement.

Jarid glanced at Allegra. “How do you feel?

“Tired. But better. Thank you for helping. She hesitated, then asked, “What happened with Yargazon?

“Nothing that I know of, Jarid said. “We didnt risk trying to reach anyone else. A few people were already waking up.

“I would have gone after Yargazon anyway, Drummer said flatly. “And killed him.

Allegra understood his reaction, and he had endured far worse than she at Yargazons hand. She didnt want the General dead; she wanted him to suffer. Endlessly. But not at Ozis expense. “Is the atajazid all right? she asked.

“I assume so, Jarid said. “Hes still in the Jazid camp. He considered them both. “When the two of you are ready, we need to meet with the other army commanders.

“Theyre going to talk? Allegra had been afraid to hope.

“A truce has been called. For now. Wryly he added, “You frightened a lot of people, Allegra. No one knows what youre going to do or who youre going to do it for.

“But I cant do any

He held up his hand. “Let them worry that you might. Its valuable for negotiations. And it will protect you. He tilted his head toward Drummer. “Both of you.

“Protect us? Drummer asked uneasily. “Why?

“Im afraid its true, what Allegra said, Jarid answered. “Aronsdale mages are no longer safe. Its my responsibility to see to your protection. Then he added, “Our protection.

Allegra couldnt imagine Jarid needing protection. A violet mage. Had he not refused to use his abilities in violence, he could have become a tyrant far crueler than Yargazon or Cobalt. He didnt need to put people to sleephe could kill them.

“The days are gone when mages can go unnoticed, Jarid said. “Were no longer fables told to children at night. It started twenty years ago, during the war between Cobalts father and myself. I brought down part of Castle Suncroft in the last battle. You cant hide that. Two years ago, Mel shattered the Rocklands with lightning. Then Baz Quaazera married the fire opal mage. Drummer, you try to hide what you do, but rumors are always swirling about you. He glanced at Allegra. “Your husband told me the specifics he and Yargazon gave the nomads for the woman they wanted. It was an exact description of a mage girl from southwestern Aronsdale. They may not have realized what they were seeking, but they knew your people existed and were valuable.