“The atajazids camp is on the other side, Markus told her.
Camp. Allegra suspected the boy had many soldiers with him, perhaps as many as rode with Markus, possibly even more.
Sitting astride Shadow with Allegra in front of him, Markus rode up the slope. The air smelled different than in Aronsdale, more arid, wilder. The wind increased near the top of the ridge and tossed her hair against Markus, a bright contrast to the sun-darkened skin of his arms. His company rode around them, and the thunder of hooves on the stony ground vibrated through her. It seemed to come from everywhere, growing louder each moment. After the silence of the last three days, the noise was unsettling. She would have thought a freak thunderstorm had hit the land, but the washed-out sky remained relentlessly clear.
They reached the top of the ridge.
Markus reined in Shadow and surveyed the land below. His company halted, as well, fanning out around and behind him. Allegra stared outand felt the blood drain from her face.
They had come upon an ocean of soldiers. Men filled the land, from the bottom of this ridge to the distant base of the Fractured Mountains. Humanity swirled around great, jagged columns of stone in rivers of people.
“Saints almighty, Allegra said.
“Thats my little army, Markus said.
She gave a ragged laugh. “Little?
A fierce satisfaction saturated his voice. “About three thousand men. Another five hundred tenders. He raised his hand, and when he gave a shout, his company surged down the ridge. Two color bearers rode up to flank him, each carrying a flag with the gold dragon of Jazid on a field of red and black triangles. They rode gorgeous, long-legged Jazidian Blacks, the most coveted horses in the settled lands. Allegra had never known anyone who could afford such a spectacular animal. But then, these were the people who bred and raised them.
Markus untied Allegras robe and pulled it off her shoulders.
“Dont! She grabbed at the robe. “Everyone will see.
“Thats the point. He tugged off the robe and tossed it to Izad, who was riding on their left, behind the flag bearer.
Allegras face burned. She had on nothing except fur boots, a translucent violet skirt that barely reached her thighs, and a skimpy halter encrusted with jewels. Gold bands circled her upper arms, and a gold collar curved around her neck. Markus wore a black jerkin and trousers, boots, a belt encrusted with gold and a huge sword on his back. A massive armband circled his left bicep. It all felt surreal to Allegra, as if some capricious trickster had thrust her into this world of violent, barbaric splendor.
He displayed her like a trophy. No, not “like. She was his trophy. Bah. She had hoped she might use the armbands or collar for spells, but with his savvy intellect, he had guessed that if he bent the shapes until he distorted the curve, it rendered them useless. Even without the distortion, the armbands wouldnt have worked because they didnt form a complete circle, and she couldnt fix the collar because she couldnt take it off. He might have decided to call her a queen instead of a slave, but she saw no difference in how he treated her.
However, he apparently hadnt guessed she could use shapes besides curves. She kept a lookout for boxes or similar forms she could touch. She had tried with the faceted gems on her clothes, but either they werent ideal enough shapes or she didnt have the skill for such unusual forms.
They passed sentries, men in leather and metal armor. High on the rock pillars, more sentries stood with bows and arrows. It didnt surprise her that the soldiers wore only short leather kilts with jerkins, thin robes over their clothes, and hoods or scarves for their heads. In this heat, they had to protect their skin, but anything more could cause heatstroke. In the basin, the army overflowed the land, men, horses, carts and tents everywhere. The soldiers saluted Markus as he rode past.
“So many people, Allegra said.
“Before the war, my father had five thousand, he said. “Taka Mal lost many men, too. They have about two and a half thousand left, and also a thousand men that Emperor Cobalt moved from Jazid to Quaaz in Taka Mal. He ruffled her hair. “Youll like the Topaz Palace in Quaaz. Its beautiful, especially the mosaics.
She didnt want to hear that, for she would see that palace only if his army took the Topaz Throne for their boy-king.
Yargazon rode up alongside them. “Its good to be back, he said to Markus. He glanced at Allegra with eyes as hard as onyx, then looked away as if dismissing a detail of no consequence.
Allegra wished he would leave. Ever since she had touched his mood and felt that terrifying mix of hatred and lust, she had wanted to stay as far from him as possible.
“We need to bring in the outlying companies, Markus said. “We should be ready to ride soon.
“Two years was a long time, Yargazon said. “It will be a relief to take action.
“A long time to wait for vengeance.
“Your father was a man above all others, Yargazon said. “His name will be remembered.
Markuss voice warmed. “My brothers, too.
Although Allegra couldnt see Markuss face, she could almost hear his smile. She had thought he might resent the boy who had inherited the throne that should have been Markuss by the timing of his birth. It sounded, though, as if he genuinely liked his brother.
“Indeed, Yargazon said. “Did you know he bested Major Gaizz at sword practice last month? Hes going to be as good as your father. Maybe better. The General shook his head. “Cobalt was lucky to defeat Ozar. Your father was an unparalleled swordsman.
“It wasnt luck, Markus said. “I saw their fight. Saints, Dusk, Ive never seen a man move as fast as Cobalt. It was unreal. He put out eleven of my fathers men first. Granted, he was on horseback and they were on foot. But it was unnatural. He seemed to know where they would strike before they moved.
Yargazon rubbed his chin. “You arent the only one who has said the way he fights seems unnatural.
“People claim his wife is a sorceress. Markus set his hand on Allegras shoulder. “I suppose he could be a warlock.
Yargazon laughed curtly. “Im sure the kings of Aronsdale would like to hear you say that, with all their nonsense about their wives being mages.
“Maybe it isnt nonsense, Markus said.
Allegra felt as if a band were constricting around her chest. She wished he would stop talking about it with Yargazon.
“Then why havent they overrun the settled lands with these mage queens of theirs? Yargazon shook his head. “Youve seen how weak Aronsdale men are. They let their women drain their vitality. He glanced at Allegra, and his mouth tightened. “A man must take a strong hand with such a woman.
Markus wound his hand in Allegras hair and jerked back her head so she was looking up at him. “What do you think of that, night bird?
She tried to pull away her head, but he kept his hold, forcing her head back. “Dont, she said.
“Dont what? Markus said, his gaze dark, his smile cold.
“Dont pull my hair. It hurts.
“Then be respectful, he murmured.
She wanted to slap him. “Dont, please, she said through gritted teeth.
Markus chuckled and let go of her hair. “Dusk, I do believe she doesnt like me.
Yargazon smiled, an expression far uglier than most scowls. “Good. You must be stern with her.
Allegra wanted to spit in Yargazons face. She even started to gather the saliva. Then she thought, Choose your battles wisely. If she spit at him, he would expect Markus to punish her, and Markus obviously didnt want to lose face. The result wasnt worth the energy the fight would take from her. So she swallowed the saliva. But Markuss behavior hurt, especially after how tender he had been with her this morning. In those moments, she had seen him in a different light, a man she could honor, perhaps even feel affection for. She had been a fool.