Catherine Asaro - The Night Bird

Jarid cocked an eyebrow at him. “Perhaps you might enlighten me as to what Im offering Her Majesty.

“Balance, Cobalt said suddenly. “Thats it, isnt it? Yargazon had a hostage. But so does Jarid. Yargazon mutilated his hostage. He motioned toward Jarid as he spoke to Markus. “The compensation is that Jarid do the same to you, yes?

Markuss gaze never wavered. “Thats right.

“Now wait a minute! Drummer said.

Vizaranas eyes blazed. “Fine. I accept the terms. Cut off the prince regents toe and send it to me in a box.

“I concur, Baz rumbled.

“Saints, no, Allegra said. Had her words in the tent last night forced Markus to this?

“Hold on! Jarid said. “I havent agreed to anything.

“Compensation has been offered, Vizarana said. “And accepted.

“No! Ozarson said. “Take mine! He jumped up, his face flushed, and turned to Vizarana. “Your M-Majesty, the responsibility for the army is mine. So should be thethe compensation.

“Ozi, no, Markus said, rising to his feet. “No one is going to cut off part of your foot. He looked as upset as when he had raged at Allegra for kidnapping the boy.

“The crime was done in my name, Ozarson said.

“Your Majesty. Yargazon laid his hand on the boys arm. “Please. Sit. The terms cant include you. He didnt look any happier than Markus about this development, but Allegra noticed he didnt offer himself in their place.

“For saints sake, Jarid said. “I would never do that to a child.

Ozarson took a breath and settled on the edge of his chair, his hands clenched on the table. Markus sat down, as well, in almost the exact same position.

Jarid frowned at Vizarana. “You truly want me to do this? He tilted his head toward Markus. “As he offers?

Drummer started to speak, then stopped when Baz shook his head.

The queen met Jarids gaze. “Yes.

Cobalt was frowning, but Allegra didnt see why. The situation would have little impact on what happened with his part in the war, and he had no love for Markus. To put it mildly.

Then again, maybe it did have significance. Cobalt didnt want the queen to ally with Jazid. If this gruesome “compensation appeased her anger, she might consider the unpalatable option of joining with the army that had invaded her country.

“Surely there are other terms you would accept, Jarid said.

Vizarana motioned toward Allegra. “Her.

Allegra blinked. “What?

“No! Markus said. “She had nothing to do with what happened to your husband.

“I dont want her damn toe, Vizarana said. “Just her time.

Allegra couldnt fathom this turn of events. “But why?

“I want to talk to you, Vizarana said. “In private.

“No, Markus told her.

“Its out of the question, Yargazon said.

“It seems General Yargazon and I are actually in agreement on something, Cobalt said. “I also say no.

Allegra was growing annoyed. “It isnt for any of you to say yes or no. If my speaking with Her Majesty will keep my husband in one piece, Ill do it.

“Then its settled. Vizarana leaned forward in preparation for standing. “We can meet now.

“Nothing is settled. Markus scowled at her. “You will tell me what you want with my wife.

Vizarana turned her fierce gaze on him. “I dont answer to your demands, Onyx, any more than I answered to your father.

“No, you just betrayed your alliances, Yargazon said. “Maybe you intend to suggest the prince regents wife do the same?

Allegra felt as if she were a leaf tossed in the currents of their intrigues. “Im agreeing to a discussion. No more.

Markus spoke in a low voice meant only for her. “Dont.

“I should see what she wants, she said softly.

Jarid was the only one near enough to hear them, but everyone seemed uncomfortable. Yargazons anger practically flamed in the air. Allegra didnt know what to think. She saw no solution to this mess except war and death.

Vizarana escorted Allegra down a pathway with trees arched overhead. Guards from Aronsdale and Taka Mal followed at enough distance to allow them some privacy. They entered a garden where vines heavy with fire-lilies looped over trellises. Cat sculptures peeked out from among trees, and a small waterfall burbled beneath an arch of stone. It was extraordinarily lush for the desert.

“This is lovely, Allegra said, self-conscious with the queen. “Except for the Saint Verdant, I havent seen so much water since coming to Jazid.

“Were fortunate here, Vizarana said. “The water comes from the lake.

“Ah. Allegra felt strange, making small talk while four armies hulked around the city.

The queen sat on a stone bench by the waterfall and waited while Allegra settled on the other end. Then she said, “This spell, putting so many people to sleepyou cant do it regularly, can you?

Although Jarid hadnt actually asked her to lie, Allegra knew he didnt want anyone to know. She said only, “Ive made sleep spells often. That was true. Sort of.

The queen raised her eyebrows. “For thousands of people?

She exhaled, unable to lie. “No.

“Drummer thinks you did it in desperation, to save him and yourself, and that it destroyed your ability to do spells.

Allegra didnt want to dwell on what she had lost. She could no more imagine living without her spells than being blind. “Maybe someday it will come back.

Vizarana spoke quietly. “My husband would have died. You gave him back to me, at great cost to yourself. You forever have my gratitude.

Allegra nodded, unsure how to respond. Vizarana didnt seem to expect an answer, though. She considered Allegra. “Tell me what you think of this boy, Ozarson.

“Hes a remarkable young man. Allegra smiled. “It would probably embarrass him to hear me say this, but hes very sweet. Brave. Incredibly smart.

“Thats an odd description for an Aronsdale woman to give of a Jazid man. Wryly the queen said, “Even one whos only nine.

“I doubt Ozi will ever be like his father, Allegra said. “But what happens in the next eight or so years will make a dramatic difference. If Markus raises him without Yargazons influence, I think Ozi could become an inspired leader. If Yargazon raises him, especially without Markus She shook her head. “So much depends on Markus. But no matter how much he abhors Yargazons personal behavior, I dont see him repudiating the General.

Vizarana grimaced. “I dont suppose you could put Yargazon to sleep permanently. When Allegra gave her a startled look, the queen sighed. “Maybe not.

“He is Allegra couldnt think of anything tactful to add, so she said nothing more.

Vizarana rose to her feet and paced to the waterfall. “Prince Markus is a hostage of your king. She turned to Allegra. “Maybe he should become a hostage in Taka Mal instead.

Allegra couldnt imagine Jarid turning Markus over to the queen, especially given that Vizarana wanted Markus dead. She said only, “I dont follow you.

“Jarid could release Markus into custody of my House, Vizarana said. “You would be free to live here with your husband, if you wished, without the threat of Dusk Yargazon. Ozarson would relinquish the Topaz Throne but live here, as a hostage rather than a sovereign.

Allegra couldnt believe she so blithely suggested the impossible. For all that the hosting of such political “guests had a long history in the settled lands, she saw no motivation for anyone to agree to such an arrangement in this case.

“It seems unlikely, she said.

“A few days ago, I would have agreed, Vizarana said. “Im no longer sure. She rested her hand on a sculpture of the Dragon-Sun with its wings spread wide. “I would never have expected Ozars sons to offer that ancient compensation, or for the boy to insist on taking his regents place. She turned to Allegra. “I spoke at length with Jarid last night, and he has said similar about how they surprise him.