Catherine Asaro - The Night Bird

Ozarson nodded, his eyes glossy from unshed tears. He spoke uncertainly to Markus. “We have occupied part of Taka Mal. I dont know how to figure out what will happen with that.

Markus managed a smile. “Well help you.

Allegra wanted so much to reach out to Ozarson. She stayed put, knowing it would embarrass him here in front of all these leaders. His heredity had taken his childhoodbut for today at least, it wouldnt crush him with the weight of ten thousand deaths.

Allegra leaned her forearms on the balcony wall and gazed at the palace gardens awash in the afternoon sunlight. A long stretch of grass sloped down to the lake of Quaaz. Trees draped with vines drooped over the water, and sun-snaps grew in profusion, mixed with skybells. Even this high up, she could smell the heady scent of rosy box-blossoms. Goldwing larks trilled, and butterflies floated in the air. The scene took her breath. Give the desert a little water, and it bloomed gloriously.

Eventually she went back inside the suite where Queen Vizaranas soldiers had brought her after the summit this morning. The empty suite. Other guards had taken Markus to meet with Vizarana, Ozarson, Cobalt, Yargazon, Baz, Jarid, Muller, and who knew how many other officers to discuss what would happen to the villages Markuss army had already conquered. Taka Mal would have to make concessions to Jazid if they wanted this compromise to workwhich ironically meant they would also be making those concessions to Cobalt, who remained the ruler of that country.

Guards outside the suite prevented Allegra from leaving, but they otherwise left her alone. Too agitated to sit, she wandered through the rooms. The walls were like sunrises, painted red near the floor, shading up through gold and yellow, then into blue near the ceiling. Red-glass lamps shaped like dragons hung from the rafters, and parchment-thin screens painted with delicate birds graced the airy rooms.

She was in one of the parlors pouring a glass of orange juice when the outer door of the suite creaked. She walked into the main parlor just as Markus and Ozarson came through the entrance.

“Allegra! Ozarsons face lit in welcome.

Markus spoke in a subdued voice. “Good afternoon.

“Weve come to invite you to the ceremony, Ozarson said.

Curious to know what had happened, she said, “What ceremony?

The boys face turned red. “My marriage.

Markus smiled. “Betrothal.

Ozarson looked as if he wanted to run outside and hide. “Yes. That.

“Its not all that bad, Allegra told him, charmed by his embarrassment. “Someday you might even be glad.

He regarded her skeptically, but said nothing.

Behind them, a Taka Mal guard entered the suite. When Markus turned around, the man bowed to him. “You have a visitor, Sire.

“Who? Markus asked, his posture tensing.

“A General Ardoz, from your army.

“Oh. Yes. Markus cleared his throat. “Bring him in.

As the guard left, Ozarson blinked at Markus. “We just talked to him.

“I know. Markuss face shuttered as he glanced from the boy to Allegra. “Why dont the two of you go change for the ceremony?

“But, Markus, Ozarson said. “I wanted to ask him

“Ozi, you can talk to the general some other time, Allegra said. She didnt know when, given that Ozarson would be here and Ardoz would be somewhere else, but she could tell Markus wanted privacy. “We need to get ready. You dont want to be late to your own betrothal, do you?

“Oh. No, I guess not. The boy didnt look certain about that, but he went with her.

After Allegra left Ozarson in his room, she went to the master bedroom. The maid had left her some clothes, and she changed into a tunic and trousers of brocaded blue silk. Gazing at the bed, she wondered if Markus would ever grow used to sleeping off the ground. She hoped so, for she wanted him to be as content as possible. At least the decor here was a lot like that in Jazid.

She paced around the room and used up more time brushing her hair, but eventually she walked back to the main parlor. When she heard Ardozs voice, she stopped, unsure what to do. She was in an alcove next to the parlor, and a burnished gold mirror on the opposite wall showed Ardoz and Markus standing in the other room. They looked so similar, both strong and broad shouldered, though Ardoz was a bit taller than Markus, with gray in his shock of dark hair and more aquiline features.

“I know, Ardoz was saying, his voice low. “But I waited anyway.

“Basil, Im sorry. Markus lifted his arm as if to touch him, then dropped it again.

“Dont be sorry, Ardoz said. “I always knew it wasnt your preference. He gave Markus a rueful look. “It was just so hard to think straight, ever since the first time I saw you, so strong and proud. He just barely touched one of Markuss curls. “And who has hair like this? I could have brushed it for hours.

Markus laughed self-consciously. “I did like that.

“I know. Ardoz lowered his arm. “But not enough.

Markus spoke quietly. “I dont want you to thinkIt wasnt only because I was lonely. Gods know, Basil, sometimes I thought the loneliness would kill me. But I would have nevernot with anyone else. He stopped, his discomfort obvious. But he didnt step back. “Be well. May you always have the best.

Ardoz grinned at him. “I already have.

Incredibly Markus blushed. “For gods sake.

Ardozs face gentled. “Goodbye, Mark.

Markus touched Ardozs face, the slightest brush across his cheek. “Goodbye.

The general left then. Allegra thought she would have been shocked, but she felt only regret at stumbling onto their farewells. She withdrew down the hall, leaving Markus his privacy.

Allegra walked with Ozarson and Markus into the entrance foyer of their suite. Ozarson looked serious in his formal black clothes, and Markus seemed more subdued than usual. She didnt ask about Ardoz. If he ever wanted to talk about it, she would listen, but if not, she would respect his silence.

Ozarson opened the outer door and looked up at the guards. The four soldiers bowed to him, then moved aside and accompanied them down the gleaming topaz corridor. The wall sconces held frosted glass lamps with ruby accents, their flames flickering.

Walking through the palace felt odd to Allegra, for despite its opulence, it was a prison. For Markus, these golden rooms would be as confining as a cage. He might never again ride with his people, sleep under the stars or see the mountains and deserts of the home he loved. She wondered if she could ever fully appreciate the magnitude of what he had given up to make this alliance work.

“Thank you, she said.

Markus smiled at her. “For what?

“Everything. She watched Ozarson walking ahead of them. “I know you didnt want this.

“Ah, well. He spoke awkwardly. “It could have been worse.

“What did you all decide about Taka Mal?

“The queen ceded a portion of the land we took, Markus said. “The Saint Verdant River now defines Taka Mals southern border with Jazid. That area isnt heavily populated by Taka Mal standards, only about two hundred thousand people. The people can leave, if they want, and relocate in Taka Mal territory. But if we can convince a substantial number of them to stay, it will greatly increase Jazids population.

“What about your army? She couldnt imagine Cobalt letting four thousand men go free.

His eyes glinted. “Its a hell of a fighting force.

“I know, she said dryly. “I doubt Cobalt or Queen Vizarana appreciates that, though.

“Thats why theyre letting the men settle the land Taka Mal ceded to us, so theyll stop fighting. About two thousand want to stay. Its what they had planned to do if we took the country. Ill be expected to help integrate the Jazid citizens with the Taka Mal population. He cracked his knuckles restlessly. “I doubt Ill be able to travel. But the queen has asked me to act as an advisor for the blending of the two cultures in my capacity as Ozarsons regent. Wryly he said, “No life of ease. I have to work for my keep.