Markus stopped at a large tent surrounded by soldiers. As he dismounted, he motioned to Lieutenant Borjan, who had stayed close during the ride. “Help her down.
Borjan swung off his horse and gave the reins to a youth waiting there. Then the lieutenant came over to Allegra. Self-conscious, she pulled her leg over the horse and slid into his hold. The rocky land hunched around them, all charcoal shadows, with darker patches where none of the silver moonlight reached. Markus had moved a distance away and was conferring with several men. Although he seemed to have forgotten her, she doubted she would be so lucky.
Soldiers moved everywhere, quiet and cautious. It didnt surprise her that only a few had uniforms. They were renegades, an army in exile within their own country. Allegra thought if she could find a shirt and trousers, she could pass as a youth in the dark. Maybe she could slip out after Markus went to sleep. She would have to secure supplies, a map and a horse, and sneak past whatever sentries he had posted, but if she managed, she could be well on her way home before dawn. She tried not to think about what would happen before Markus went to sleep.
Shivering in the cold air, she drew her robe tighter. The silk shimmered in the starlight, but pretty cloth did her no good. It was too thin.
“Here, Borjan said. “You can use this. He pulled off his jacket and settled it around her shoulders. It enveloped her, coming down to her hips.
“Thank you, she said. Unsure how to deal with Markuss people, she added, “I appreciate your kindness.
“Such courtesy, a dry voice said. “You should try that with me.
She spun around. Markus had come up to them, his presence a subtle invasion because he stood closer to her than a stranger normally would. She stepped away and collided with Borjan. The lieutenant nudged her back to Markus.
The prince looked over Allegras head at Borjan. “Major Taliz caught a man stealing weapons from the armory.
“I could have provided him a replacement weapon, Sire, if he needed one, Borjan said. “He had only to ask.
“I know. Markus rubbed the back of his neck. “Apparently he wanted an extra dagger to send home to his son.
“Just one dagger?
“Just one. But I cant have the men stealing weapons. If a theft goes unpunished, others will break discipline on a larger scale. He dropped his arm. “An example must be made.
“I understand, Sire, Borjan said. “Ill take care of it.
While they talked, Allegra stepped discreetly away, until Markuss presence felt less invasive. He seemed to occupy more area than the extent of his body, as if his personality filled space in some intangible manner.
Two men were coming toward the prince regent, bringing a third. When their prisoner stumbled and almost lost his balance, Allegra realized his hands were tied behind his back. His guards shoved him to the ground in front of Markus. He landed on his knees and stayed there, his eyes downcast.
Markus spoke coldly. “So you are the thief who put his own wishes above his oath to his country.
“Sire, please, I meant no ill. The man looked up at him. “I swear. It was for my boy. I havent seen him in two years.
“So you risk the army? Markus asked. “Our weapons arent toys for children. And if you die here, who will send gold home to support your family?
Allegra froze. What did he mean, “die here? Surely he wouldnt execute a man just for stealing a knife. Saints, he had stolen her from Aronsdale, and he knew it even if he refused to admit it. Did he consider a knife more important than a woman? Then again, maybe she didnt want the answer to that question.
The mans shoulders hunched. “Your Highness, please. Ill pay back double out of my wages for what I tried to take.
Markus glanced at Borjan. “Give him thirty. And have him chained for three days.
Allegra went cold in a way that had nothing to do with the night air. Surely he didnt mean they would lash the man thirty times and drag him in chains for three days. Depending on what they used, thirty lashes could strip the flesh from his body, even kill him. For one knife? Her protest came out before her better sense stopped it. “You cant whip him! Its wrong.
Everyone went silent. When Markus turned to her, she wanted to shrink into a point and disappear. His voice was like ice. “Are you offering to take the lashes for him?
She suddenly couldnt breathe. “What?
He glanced at the lieutenant. “Give her the thirty lashes.
“No! The man on his knees shot an alarmed look at Markus. “Sire, I will take the punishment.
“So which of you shall I have whipped? Markus asked, looking from Allegra to the thief. “Perhaps both?
Allegra had had enough. “Go ahead, she shot back at him. “Whip me for objecting to your tyrannical despotism. Show what a powerful force you are, terrorizing a girl half your age and strength. Theres real bravery.
“Enough, Markus said. He ripped the jacket off her shoulders and tossed it to the lieutenant. As Borjan caught it, Markus said, “Thirty, and jerked his chin toward the thief.
When Markus turned to Allegra, she backed away. He caught her arm and forced her to the tent, then shoved her through the entrance, using her body to push aside the flaps. Barbaric splendor filled the interior, huge cushions strewn everywhere, thick rugs and ornate chests inlaid with jewels and precious stones. Dragon braziers burned in the corners, and even their dim orange glow seemed bright after the pale moonlight outside.
As the flap fell into place, Markus spoke in a resonant voice that carried. “You will never speak to me that way again.
Allegra wished she had kept her mouth shut. No, damn it. He deserved what she had said.
“Youll learn respect. He grabbed something off a chest by the wall and drew back his arm. She froze, staring at the large whip. He snapped it hard, and its crack split the air.
CHAPTER 5
THE COMPASS
Allegra gasped and jumped away. It took her a moment to comprehend that he had missed her.
“That was one of thirty, Markus said. “Heres two. He cracked the whip.
“No! Allegra cried. Then she realized he had missed a second time. She stepped back from him, confused.
“Three, he said harshly as he snapped the whip.
And missed.
Bewildered, she stopped backing up. As glad as she was that he had missed three times in a row, it made no sense. He mouthed a word she couldnt read in the dim light. When he did it again, she realized he had said, scream. He cracked the whip so close to her that she had no trouble at all letting out a loud cry.
Markus tossed the whip onto a pile of rugs. He unbuckled his leather belt and pulled it off his trousers. When he snapped the belt against his hand, the smack of leather hitting skin sounded loudly in the air. “Five, he said.
What the blazes? She was trapped with a crazy man. He swung the belt, and the blow came so close, air whooshed past her. As she jumped away, the leather hit a chest supporting two small gold vases, and they clattered on the ground.
“Six, Markus said. Under his breath, he muttered, “Scream, damn it, and cracked the chest just a hand span away from her.
“Dont! Allegra cried, genuinely alarmed.
So they went, Markus following as she backed around the tent. With greatand loudforce, he hit trunks, chests or his palm and methodically counted off the blows, up to twenty-eight. His hand had to be burning, given how hard he was hitting it. Just as she allowed herself to believe the incredible fact that he had chosen to hurt himself rather than her, he lunged forward and grabbed her. She gasped as he threw her onto a pile of carpets. She landed on her hip and caught herself on her hands, her hair flying around her shoulders.
Markus dropped next to her and flipped her onto her stomach. He held her down with his big hand splayed against her back while he yanked her robe up to her waist. When she struggled, he pressed harder against her, half sitting, half lying on the carpet. He pinned her torso with one arm and both of her legs with one of his legs. As he swept aside the jeweled chains of her skirt, his calluses scraped her behind. With a grunt, he lashed her across the buttocks. Allegra cried out, her eyes tearing up with pain.