Catherine Asaro - The Night Bird

“Wait, slow down, Drummer said. “Her husband and Yargazon? He stared at Allegra. “Who the blazes is your husband, that he associates with Jazids most brutal war criminal?

Allegra forced herself to meet his gaze. “Markus Onyx.

“Gods almighty. Drummer stared at her. “No wonder youre upset about the marriage.

Allegra flushed, unable to answer.

“Hes asking to see you, Jarid told her.

“I cant, she said. “Not yet.

Jarid spoke quietly. “For what its worth, Allegra, when he learned how we found you, he was ready to kill General Yargazon.

“He wont, she said. “Yargazon is the closest he has to a father now that his own is dead.

“Do you love him? Jarid asked.

She wasnt certain why the king of Aronsdale cared, but after all he had done for her, she felt she should answer him. “I think so. But I cant live the way he does. If we were in Aronsdale, it would be different. I would have the support of the culture. But I cant imagine living in Jazid.

Drummer spoke. “Jarid, its hard even for me, and I live in Taka Mal, which is less rigid than Jazid. Anger edged his voice. “Many people there dont see me as a man, because of the way I look. They think Im not quite human, but some exotic colt their queen caught. They dont say it aloud, maybe they dont even admit it to themselves, but Ive stopped making green spells when Im with the royal court, because their reaction is so intense. And Im not under the kind of pressure she would be in Jazid. It would be asking a lot of her.

Allegra stiffened as she looked at Jarid. “You want me to go with Markus?

“Not unless you wish it. But it will come up in the summit. Jarid tilted his head toward Drummer. “His marriage established a treaty between Aronsdale and Taka Mal. Youre in my custody, under my protection, a citizen of my country, and you married Jazids prince regent. This morning you and I stopped a battle. Everyone will want to know if Im considering a treaty with your husband.

“But if you have a truce, she said, “doesnt it mean neither you nor the Harsdown king has to decide whether or not to fight?

“Only if the truce holds, Jarid said. “Unless we come to terms in this summit, the fighting will start again.

Drummer crossed his arms. “Taka Mal will never recognize the atajazids claim to the Topaz Throne.

“And Cobalt wont relinquish the Onyx Throne, Jarid said tiredly. “I see no solutions, especially if General Yargazon is able to secure Quaaz.

Drummers fist clenched in the blanket. “Hes a war criminal. He should be executed.

“Hes a war criminal because Cobalt declared him one, Jarid said. “Unfortunately, the only crime we can prove is that he cut off your toe. And even that isnt certain.

“You have my testimony, Drummer said. “Saints, man, you have my damn toe.

“The evidence isnt the problem, Jarid said. “Its whether or not he broke laws.

Allegra couldnt believe it. “How can you say that after all hes done?

“Because everything hes done is legal in Jazid. The king sounded as if he felt heavy. Weighed down. “His army has taken every Taka Mal town on their route to Quaaz. Theyve taken Quaaz. They claim to have taken the throne. If the atajazid can hold it, then Jazid rules here, which means the laws of Jazid hold.

“I was a political hostage, Drummer said tightly. “You dont maim and torture such prisoners.

“Youre right, according to unwritten rules of war, we dont. But thats the key word unwritten. He broke no actual laws. Jarid rubbed the heel of his hand over his eyes, then dropped his arm. “Ive talked to Markus. He says the custom of returning a hostage in pieces hasnt been done for centuries, but hes certain its still part of Jazids legal code.

“Thats appalling, Allegra said.

“Jazid doesnt rule here, Drummer said. “Yargazon may have forced my family to seek protection, but Baz Quaazera commands our army, and they havent stopped fighting. Wryly he added, “Sleepy or not.

“Nothing about this situation is clear cut, Jarid said. “But some facts are painfully clear. Aronsdale is surrounded at every border, and our mages are becoming prey. Especially those like you and Drummer, from the southwestern regions.

“Why us? Drummer asked. “Mages live in other places, too.

Jarid smiled slightly. “Dont either of you own a mirror?

“Well, actually, no, Allegra said. Jasmine had thought it absurd she had no interest in looking in a mirror.

“Why would I want a mirror? Drummer said. He was leaning on his hand, and Allegra could tell he was tiring. So was she.

“People covet you, Jarid said. “Youre mages, youre sensual and you look helpless. He flicked his hand through his black hair as if showing it to them. “Almost everyone in the settled lands has darker coloring and more height than you. People associate those traits with strength, not only in Jazid, but everywhere. Gold hair, blue eyes, even violetyou find them only in southwestern Aronsdale. Your slender builds, gentleness, softness, the beauty of the women, and forgive me, Drummer, but the prettiness of the menit makes you seem defenseless. People dont think of you as normal, and yes, maybe not fully human. It never caused problems during the generations of peace because no one noticed southern Aronsdale. You were insulated. But as our mages have become known, so has the desire of others to own you. His voice tightened. “Ill be damned if I let conquerors violate my country to take the most vulnerable of my people.

Allegra gaped at him, and Drummer turned red.

After a moment, Jarid spoke awkwardly. “Maybe I said too much.

“No. No, you didnt. Allegra found her voice. “I just cant see myself that way.

Drummer snorted. “Im just a minstrel, Jarid.

The king spoke quietly. “And Im just a blind, deaf, mute boy who grew up in a hut. But whatever we are, tomorrow we must be more for this summit of sovereigns.

Allegra stepped outside the medical tent into a cool night beneath a canopy of stars veiled by translucent clouds. Two guards flanked the entrance, though whether to protect or imprison her, she didnt know. Both were tall and broad, and wore armor with the crossed swords of Aronsdale on their breastplates. Their plumed helmets covered their upper faces, leaving only their chins visible. It unsettled her; she had never realized how much she relied on expressions to help her understand people. When she couldnt see their faces, they became more intimidating.

“Princess Allegra? one of the men asked. “Can we help you?

“I would like to see my husband. She had tried to sleep, unable to face him, but her tangle of emotions had only grown worse, until it drove her out here.

The guards exchanged glances, and the other man nodded. The one who had spoken said, “Im Major Lachlan. Ill take you.

“Thank you, Allegra said softly. She didnt miss the difference between the kindness of these Aronsdale guards and the severity of Cobalts grizzled captain from the Misted Cliffs.

She walked with Lachlan through the night, her feet protected by soft slippers. Lights showed here and there from torches or cooking fires, but the camp was mostly dark. Sounds drifted: the murmur of soldiers discussing a game of color-stones, the clank of a cook stowing a cauldron, the sizzle of water on a fire. Some people glanced her way, but most ignored her. As far as anyone knew, she was just another tender on an errand.

When they reached a blue tent with a peaked roof, Lachlan stopped. Two soldiers stood by its entrance, as imposing as the two outside the medical tent. Lachlan spoke with them in low tones, but she caught, “Onyx consort and “visitation rights.

Lachlan turned to Allegra. “Theyll take you in. If you wish to return to medical, one of them will take you back.