Catherine Asaro - The Night Bird

“That may be, Allegra said. “But I cant imagine they would relinquish the throne or have Markus come here.

“Dont be certain. Vizarana studied her. “I need you to answer a question. You must think with great care before you do.

“Yes?

“This boy. Ozarson. If he were to grow up here, with you and Markus as his guardians, without Yargazonwould he become a man of good character? A decent man.

Allegra didnt hesitate. “Yes. But she had to add, “If Yargazon can hold Ozarsons claim to the Topaz Throne, he would never leave Ozi alone here with Markus and me.

“My throne, Vizarana said flatly, “is not up for claiming. She tilted her head toward the hills where their armies camped. “We have by no means lost this war.

“It will be ugly no matter what happens, Allegra said quietly. “If Jazid loses, there is still the emperor.

“Maybe. Vizarana watched her intently. “What if Prince Markus had reason to relinquish this claim on the Topaz Throne?

Allegra couldnt imagine any reason. “He wont.

“For the sake of argument, suppose he did. Yargazon would have to take his army back to Jazid. Cobalt must leave Taka Mal then. He cant declare war on me without provocation. The Dawnfield armies would join us against him. That instance is specifically in my treaty with Aronsdale.

“Why would Yargazon take his army home?

“If the prince regent orders it, he must comply.

“Even if Markus relinquished Quaazwhich I cant see happeninghis army has taken other villages in Taka Mal.

“Terms would have to be worked out, Vizarana acknowledged.

Allegra shook her head. “My husband wont send Yargazon home.

“And if I gave him a good enough reason?

“What reason?

Vizarana gazed at the spires and bulb towers of her palace. Softly she said, “Dragon-Sun guide me.

Allegra waited, wondering what drove the submerged conflict she sensed in the queen.

Vizarana turned to her. And then she said, “If my daughter and Ozarson are betrothed now and marry when they come of age, it will meld the Houses of Quaazera and Onyx. Ozarson would never sit on the Topaz Throne, just as Cobalt will never sit on the Harsdown Throne. But a child born to my daughter and Ozarson would rule Taka Mal. She regarded Allegra steadily. “If Prince Markus will accept this arrangement and agree to let Ozarson live here, we can avert a war no one but Yargazon and your husband wants. The Topaz Throne will stay in my line and go to Onyx. In a low, fierce voice, she said, “And someday my House may raise an army that no one on this Lost Continent can withstand.

A chill went up Allegras back. She suddenly remembered Ozarson standing at the rail of the ferry, his hair blowing back from his face. In that moment, she had seen not a boy, but a king beyond all others.

She mentally shook herself. That “premonition had probably been born of fatigue more than anything else. She understood Vizaranas logicand her anguish. The queen wished happiness for her child. If Ozarson were his fathers son, Vizarana would no more want her daughter married to him than she had wanted to become Ozars queen.

Yargazon would never agree. But Markus? A tendril of hope crept into her thoughts, then shriveled. The Generals hold on Markus was too great. Or maybe it was true, what Markus had told her last night, that she wanted him to be someone other than who he was or desired to be.

So many questions needed answers. She hardly knew where to begin. “What did you mean by the Lost Continent? she asked.

“Surely youve heard the tales, Vizarana said. “Supposedly an ancient mage cursed these lands. Each century we would become more hidden from the world, until one day we would be forever cut off. Some people think its already happened.

Allegra had never thought much of the legend. She remembered Drummers mumbled words to Ardoz about a lost continent. “It seems an odd thought.

“Our priestess finds many odd tales buried in the archives. The queens voice quieted. “However, we must speak of the reality we face today.

“I dont know if the betrothal could work. Allegra steeled her resolve. “But if you wish me to bring this idea to the prince regent, Ill talk to him.

Vizarana inclined her head. “Please do.

The only light in the Aronsdale tent came from coals in a brazier shaped like a horse. It dimly lit Markuss face as he sat cross-legged on the pallet with Allegra.

“It would never work, he said.

She willed him to consider the compromise. “Ozarson could live here in Quaaz, rather than in hiding.

He held up his hand with his thumb and forefinger almost touching. “Were this close to taking Taka Mal. I dont think the Dawnfield armies will help Cobalt.

“Yes, you might conquer this country, Allegra said. “But at what price? More death and destruction that drives yet someone elses thirst for vengeance?

“Thats the price of war.

“You dont have to fight! She wanted to shake him. “Jarid will never release you to Yargazon. Youre a hostage for the Generals behavior. Dusk Yargazon will raise Ozarson. Is that what you want? Sitting in front of him, grasping his hands, she said, “I dont know if Jarid will give you to Taka Mal, either, but surely hell consider it. He doesnt want to choose sides in this impossible war. And think of this, Markus. No one wants to risk Jarid and me doing more spells. Theyre afraid. It could encourage them to consider this compromise.

“I would still be a hostage, he said.

“You would have both Ozi and me. And your House will someday rule in Taka Mal. She didnt know if having her meant enough to him to give up Taka Mal, but Ozarson was another story. “If you let this war go on, youll have neither.

His voice hardened. “I wont stay a hostage, Allegra, no matter what your kingor his son, Arondo.

“Is that what you want? To break my country, too? It was the only way he could force Jarid to release him.

“We didnt come to fight Aronsdale, he said. “If we must, we will, but that isnt my wish. He closed his hand around her forearm. “I wont be anyones hostage, Allegra.

“You would rather fight? She thought of the threatening blend of sexuality and aggression she had felt from Yargazon and Bladebreak. “Do you enjoy war so much?

“Do you think I would have resigned my commission if I did? I was a good officer. I earned my rank through more than heredity. But I prefer governance. Except that isnt what fate handed me. Bitterness tinged his voice. “What would I like? For Cobalt to return the throne and pull his troops out of Jazid. While were dreaming, lets add a population of ten million with a social and governing structure to support that many. A medical system that provides decent care. Guilds, real cities, a system of roads, wells and irrigation, and hell, if were really dreaming, how about it goddamn rains more than twice a year. He lifted his hand, then dropped it. “That isnt going to happen. And Cobalt isnt going to leave unless we force him out.

Allegra wondered what would have happened if Cobalt had never taken Jazid after Ozars death. Markus would have made a good leader. Cobalt was too removed from the country. His people there were primarily military, and they considered the Misted Cliffs their home. Although Cobalt didnt seem to wish ill for the country, she didnt think he cared about developing it, not in the way Markus dreamed. Cobalt wanted the immense riches Jazid had to offer; beyond that, it seemed fine with him if they went on as always. Markus looked to what his country could become, visions that he, and Ozarson after him, had the ability to make real.

“Work with the Quaazeras instead of trying to crush them, she urged him. “Your two Houses together may someday defeat Cobalt. If the emperor brought all his forces to bear, he would have over eight thousand men, but he would have to pull them out of other countries he held. It was a risk. A big one. “If Jazid and Taka Mal strain his forces to breaking, he might let Jazid go rather than imperil his sway elsewhere.