The Night Bird lc-5 Read online

  “Finally, yes, Stubble said. “I think theyll be pleased. He sounded nervous.

  “I hope so, the woman said. Before, she had seemed to fear Allegra, probably thinking her husband had brought home another woman. Now Allegra had the disquieting impression the woman feared for her.

  “Can you tend her tomorrow? Stubble asked. “Pretty her up however you do that.

  “Of course, his wife said. She wouldnt look at Allegra.

  “You really come from Aronsdale? Stubbles brother asked.

  “Yes. Allegra met his gaze. “Your brother broke the law.

  He glanced at Stubble. “Shes lively.

  Stubble regarded him dourly. “Thats a polite way to put it.

  The woman took Allegras arm and drew her away. “Dont mind them, she said. “They act rough, but theyre a good lot.

  Allegra wondered how she could call men who sold people a “good lot. Then again, Stubble had bought her.

  The woman gave her a tentative smile. “I am Rose.

  “Im Allegra. She glanced at the small heaps under a rug several paces away from them. “Your children?

  “Two daughters. We are blessed. She tugged Allegra down on a pile of carpets near the children. Stubble and his brother stayed across the tent, conferring about who knew what.

  “How would you feel, Allegra asked Rose, “if a good lot of men hauled off your daughter and you never heard from her again?

  Rose shot her a terrified look. “Dont say that!

  “Then you know how my mother will feel when she finds out Ive vanished.

  The woman sat cross-legged and folded her hands in her lap. “You werent well guarded?

  “I was my own guard.

  “Well, then. Rose spoke as if that answered everything and reflected poorly on Allegra and anyone else involved in her life.

  Allegra tried again. “In Aronsdale, what your husband and the other men did would be considered repugnant.

  “That doesnt matter here. She spoke with a painful gentleness. “Were I your mother, I would mourn. But that changes nothing. It is the way of life. Men die and women suffer.

  “Do you really see life that way?

  “Of course. Rose patted the carpet where Allegra was sitting. “You may sleep here tonight. Tomorrow we will prepare you to meet the buyers.

  “I dont want to. Allegra meant the words to be firm, but instead she sounded afraid.

  “Shh, Rose murmured. “It wont last long. They will look at you, talk to you, touch you some and then it will be over and you will go with a powerful man. You will have nice things and a rich life.

  “I dont need nice things, and I already had a life as rich as I wanted. Allegra didnt miss what else Rose had said. A powerful man. “Do you know the bidders?

  Rose paused, and Allegra thought she would be as taciturn as her husband. But then she said, “They are fugitives.

  “Tell me.

  “They are under a death sentence from Cobalt the Dark. If they are found, they will be executed.

  Great. Just great. “I thought one of them was a general.

  Rose nodded uneasily. “General Dusk Yargazon. He wants a pleasure girl to replace one he lost, a girl with fire hair.

  “Another woman from Aronsdale?

  “She came from Taka Mal, Rose said. “But they say her grandfather was an Aronsdale man. He married her grandmother and went to Taka Mal with her. She sounded perplexed. “Ive no idea why.

  “Thats how its done where I live, Allegra said. “The man moves to his wifes home. And it makes sense if the grandfather came from southern Aronsdale. Its the only place in all the settled lands where yellow or red hair is common.

  Rose touched a tendril curling over Allegras shoulder. “Gold. Like the sun. It is an astonishing color.

  Allegra had a question about the General. She dreaded the answer, but she had to know. “What happened to the woman?

  “The official story is that the Taka Mal military rescued her. In a low voice, Rose said, “Really she escaped his interrogators. No one knows how. But he can never get her back.

  “Because its illegal to own people in Taka Mal?

  “No. She is the wife of Queen Vizaranas cousin in Taka Mal! Rose seemed pleased to have someone to gossip with. If women were as scarce here as Stubble had implied, she might have few female friends. “She had married Baz Quaazera, Rose continued. “But no one knew. Several nomads captured her and sold her to the General. Her face paled. “That night the General racked her, to see what she knew about the Taka Mal army. He left her to be cleaned up, so he could have her later. And she escaped!

  “He did what to her? Allegra was certain she had misheard.

  “He put her on the rack and interrogated her.

  Good gods. What if this general decided Allegra knew secrets of the Aronsdale military? She was having trouble breathing. She inhaled deeply and let it out slowly. “His name is Yargazon?

  “Dusk Yargazon. People call him the General. He commands the outlaw Jazid army that supposedly doesnt exist. She spoke with intensity. “They have the boy king in their protection. One day they will rise against Cobalt the Dark and throw his forces from our country! Emperor Cobalt has put a great price on the Generals head. Even the Dark Emperor fears him.

  “You know, Allegra said wanly. “This isnt helping. Maybe you should tell me about the other bidder.

  “Well, Im not sure Rose wouldnt look at her.

  “Hes that bad?

  “You could do no better. She wasnt smiling.

  Allegra felt as if butterflies danced in her throat. “Then why do you look as if Im going to the gallows?

  Rose finally looked at her. “His name is Markus Onyx. He is the eldest son of the atajazid who died in the war.

  That caught Allegra off guard. “A nine-year-old? She gave an uneven laugh, giddy with relief. “This is the dire fate you dont want to tell me? It seemed silly for the boy-kings advisors to encourage him to pick out a pleasure girl, but what the hell.

  “Im not talking about His Majesty, Rose said. “The atajazid is not the oldest son.

  “Hes not? Her mood plunged. “Then why is he the king?

  “He is the only legitimate son. Prince Markus is his older half brother, and the imperial regent for the Onyx Throne. He is thirty and some years. I dont know exactly.

  “Oh. Allegras shoulders slumped. So this Markus was illegitimate but not without power. “Who was his mother?

  “A concubine of the deposed atajazid. Rose nodded as if verifying the half brothers fitness as regent. “Prince Markus is called the fiercest of all men.

  Allegra didnt want to hear about fierce. “Why is Markus a prince, if his mother wasnt the queen?

  “His father legitimized him. Apparently the new atajazid has made Markus his heir until the boy is old enough to sire his own. Rose leaned closer. “Markus has no mercy. He kills as easily as you or I can cry. He will defeat Cobalt the Dark and place the despots head on a pole in front of the Onyx Palace. His warriors will destroy the armies of the Dark Emperor and lay waste to the Misted Cliffs.

  “Doesnt sound like hell have time for a pleasure girl, Allegra muttered. “What with all that killing.

  Rose gave her a dry look. “Men always have time.

  “I dont understand why the regent is betting in an auction against his own general. Wont that cause rancor between them?

  Rose shook her head. “It is an ancient custom, that two men of power each have the opportunity for a woman of extraordinary beauty. Because there are so few such women. The prince regent has invited Yargazon to show his esteem for the General. Whoever wins, the other will respect and honor his claim.

  Right. Extraordinary beauty. She had two heads, too. “Do they? she asked. “Honor the others claim, I mean.

  “It is expected, Rose said. “I dont really know. This sort of auction is rare. But nothing could interfere with them working together to destroy the armies of the Misted Cliffs in vengeance for what Cobalt has wrought in Jazid.<
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  Allegra squinted at her. “What exactly has the Misted Cliffs wrought here that is so terrible?

  “They are monsters, Rose confided.

  “What do they do?

  “Make changes.

  “Like what?

  Rose looked scandalized. “They say that women should have the same rights as men.

  Allegra groaned. “And this is terrible how?

  “Shh. Rose glanced across the tent, where Stubble and his brother were drinking and laughing. “Dont let them hear.

  “I already told them that about women.

  “You didnt!

  “I did indeed.

  “Did they beat you?

  “No. Allegra grimaced. “Vardok wanted to, though.

  “You must never say such to Prince Markus or the General. They will put you on a rack or some such. She regarded Allegra with sympathy. “I am glad I am not you.

  “Well, thats reassuring.

  “Ah, Im sorry. Rose took her hand. “Lets talk about other matters and have a good time tonight. Youll feel better. Tomorrow we will make you the most beautiful of women.

  “How about we make me the most ugly of women? Allegra said. “Maybe theyll lose interest and leave.

  “Come, dont be silly. Rose regarded her expectantly. “You must tell me about Aronsdale. Is it as exotic as they say?

  “Well, I dont know what they say. But I would love to tell you about it. Did you know women own all the property there?

  “Oh, you are funny. Rose smiled. “But no joking. I would really like to know.

  “Im serious. My parents run a dairy, but my mother owns it.

  Rose seemed bewildered. “Your mother cannot own a dairy. She cannot own land. Or livestock. Or anything.

  “Of course she can.

  “But how?

  “Her mother owned it before her. And her grandmother before that. For many generations.

  “If you say so.

  “Its true.

  “Well, you are gone now. So who will own it?

  That felt like a kick in the stomach. Allegra had always assumed she would marry, probably after she finished her studies at the guild, and she had hoped she and her husband could help in the dairy. Or she might teach, as she had done for the last two years, helping an older instructor in the village of Spindle Vine. As a mage, she would be asked to help ease the lives of the people in her village, singing warmth, light and health. Of course, she might have fallen in love with a man who didnt want to milk cows. Nor was she sure why the guild had invited her to study there. It seemed far-fetched to think the invitation was connected to Prince Aron, but she had seen the looks her parents passed when they didnt know she was watching. They wondered. She lacked the mage strength the royal family sought, but if no one else had it, either, they might consider her.

  Allegra had thought of asking Tanner if he would marry her. He had come around a lot before she left for Crofts Vale, and he had hinted he would wait for her. She didnt love him as a woman should love a husband, but she could do worse than to marry her best friend. The passion might come, someday.

  Surely that couldnt all be gone. Someone ought to tell his purportedly perfidious Majesty, Cobalt the Dark, that nomads in his conquered territory were selling Aronsdale women as pleasure toys to insurgent warlords. Maybe he would throw this general and prince regent in chains.

  “Dont look so grim, Rose said. Her wistful gaze went to Stubble and his brother. “Azi can stay over there tonight. Ill stay with you, to talk if you want, or just to be here. Things will seem brighter in the morning.

  “I hope so, Allegra said.

  She feared it would only get worse.

  CHAPTER 3

  THE GLITTERING PAVILION

  In the morning, Rose took Allegra to bathe in a small lake fed by the only river in the otherwise barren desert. Vardok, Driver and Sot helped guard the area, but only Stubble sat where he could see them. Allegra supposed she should think of him as Azi, but the name Stubble was too fixed in her thoughts. He settled against a rock with his hands behind his head and his legs stretched out. Watching two women bathe each other was so obviously a treat for him, Allegra wanted to slap the smug look off his face. Instead she drank her fill of water, which he had denied her since her last bath. It cleared her head.

  She wished she could make a spell for strength. Triangles showed everywhere on wagons, but they were distorted. She saw nothing resembling a polyhedron. She even dove down in the lake and dug along the bottom. She found a metal ball, but she couldnt use it, for a sphere was the most powerful shape, a polyhedron with an infinite number of sides. Rumor claimed that Cobalts wife, the empress, could wield such power. Well, maybe. Allegra certainly couldnt. She would burn out her gifts if she tried to use the ball. Just concentrating on it hurt her head. Bilious colors swirled in her vision until she dropped the ball into the river.

  After they returned to Stubbles tent, the nomads gave Rose the clothes they wanted Allegra to wear. Allegra couldnt believe it. The “skirt covered almost nothing. The front panel was a beaten gold triangle the width of her palm and length of her forearm, its scalloped edges curved too much to form a useful shape for spells. The back was the same. The panels hung from a chain that rested low on her hips. Slender gold chains of diamonds, rubies and topazes formed a skimpy fringe from the hip chain down to about midthigh, swaying and clinking when she walked. Rose told her the skirt was made from real gems and gold, in honor of the bidders.

  The halter was just as bad. Gold chains secured little gold cups over her nipples and held up her breasts so they appeared to have the most remarkable engineering, as if they could stand up on their own despite their size and weight. It was mortifying.

  Rose didnt like the outfit, either. “Might as well send you in there with nothing on at all, she muttered as she helped Allegra dress. Her sympathy helped a little, but Allegra still felt as if she were going to a funeral. Her own. She had passed on, replaced by this barbaric pleasure girl in chains, jewels and little else.

  Rose coiled Allegras hair on top of her head and threaded gems into the locks, with curls framing her face and wisping down her neck. “Its lovely, she told Allegra. “So few women have curly hair here. And you sparkle. Gold, topaz, ruby and the purest of all colors, diamond. For your purity. She lowered her voice. “I have to tell them.

  Allegra scowled at her. The blasted nomads had insisted Rose check her virginity. She wished now she had taken Tanner up on his offer that day in the barn and given away her purportedly precious commodity.

  “How about you tell them Im not a virgin? Allegra said. “Maybe theyll cancel the auction.

  “They wont, Rose said. “Besides, you should be glad. This means the buyer may treat you more gently your first time. She hesitated, then said, “It depends on hispreferences.

  Allegra winced. “Dont tell me what that means. She looked across the tent to where Stubble sat with Vardok, Driver and his brother. They were joking among themselves, but their impatience practically snapped in the air.

  “Do you think the buyers are here yet? Allegra asked.

  “Probably. Rose sat on her haunches and gave Allegra an apologetic look. “Ive redone your hair five times. I dont think I can come up with any more excuses to hold them off.

  Allegra managed a smile. “Thank you for trying.

  “I wish Rose took a breath. “I have been happy here with Azi and the children. Ive not wanted for anything. But sometimes She sighed. “You talk about your home with such love. Its hard for me to imagine, but it has clearly been good to you. Im sorry they took you away from that.

  Allegra couldnt answer without tears threatening her eyes. Footsteps sounded nearby, and she looked to see Stubble standing a few paces away, holding a charcoal-gray robe.

  “Are you ready? he asked.

  Rose went to him. “Shes ready, she said softly.

  Stubble put his hand under Roses chin and kissed her. “You look beautiful today.

  Roses blush a
dded a lovely tinge to her creamy skin. It was a moment before Stubble pulled his gaze away from his wife and turned to Allegra. He offered his hand, but she stood on her own. She didnt want to appear even more dependent on them, but it was also for Rose. It didnt take a genius to see she feared her husband would bring home a concubine. Although Allegra doubted he would, it obviously wasnt unheard of for men in this culture. Rose might believe him to be good, but as far as Allegra was concerned, his gentleness didnt change the fundamental brutality of his chosen profession.

  “Is she ready? Vardok demanded from the other side of the tent. “I dont see what takes them so long. Just put on the damn skirt and go He stopped as Stubble moved aside so he could see Allegra.

  “Gods above, Driver muttered.

  Vardok let out a noisy breath. “Now that is worth waiting for. Oh, yes! Were going to be rich. He grinned at Stubble. “Rolling in treasures.

  “Why dont you just keep this damn outfit? Allegra muttered.

  Vardok laughed, the only time he had ever shown pleasure in her company. “Oh, girl, what were going to get for you will be worth far more than that little skirt.

  Stubbles brother wasnt smiling. He just stood, staring at Allegra. He spoke hoarsely. “Id buy her, Azi. As my wife.

  Well, that was about as romantic as having her teeth pulled. But it might be a stroke of luck. He was the brother of the most tolerable nomad Allegra had so far met, he wasnt a war criminal with a price on his head and he wasnt known for the tortures he inflicted or the numerous people he killed. He would also probably be easier to escape from than a general or regent who almost certainly would have bodyguards.

  “Yes, she told him quickly. “Ill go with you.

  He started over to her, but Stubble grabbed his arm. “Dont be absurd, Stubble said. “The buyers are already here. You couldnt come close to affording her, anyway.

  His brother shot him an angry look. Then he exhaled and nodded. “Sorry.