Ozarson and Markus rose with an ease Allegra envied. In her metal clothes, she found standing even harder than sitting down. She discreetly slipped her fingers under the bottom of the halter and pulled it out so she could breathe as she got up. She was beginning to flag. She and Markus had slept only a few hours last night, and the fatigue was catching up to her.
As they crossed the chamber, she glanced at Markus. “Do we have a ceremony?
“If we were at the Onyx Palace, among the Dragon Court, then yes, there would be a long, ornate and excruciating ceremony with guests from all over the country. He still sounded angry at her. “This is a military camp for an outlawed army. We dont have time for frivolities. The documents are signed, so were married.
“Oh. All right. She wasnt certain whether to be relieved or disappointed.
Glancing at her face, Markus relented. “We will dine with my brother, Yargazon, Bladebreak and Jasmine.
The last people Allegra wanted at her wedding dinner were the general and colonel. No, that wasnt true. The last person she wanted at this marriage was herself.
Are you sure? She couldnt sort out her feelings for Markus. She had no doubt about wanting to be free, though. Homesickness flooded her. She had always expected her marriage to be a joyous event with family and friends. But her chances of ever seeing her home again faded more each day.
CHAPTER 12
WEDDING DINNER
When Markus brought Allegra and Ozarson back into the main room, night had settled across the desert. Many candelabras were lit now, filling the pavilion with a warm glow. Less than an hour had passed since they had left the room, but someone had already prepared and laid out the dinner. Yargazon, Bladebreak and Jasmine reclined in cushions around a low table. One guard stood near them, and the others were posted around the walls.
Yargazon and Bladebreak were drinking and talking lazily. Jasmine sat with Bladebreaks head in her lap, stroking his hair. Her robe shimmered in the light, and the red silk had fallen open to show her long legs and a gleaming red halter and skirt similar to what Allegra had worn yesterday. With his head resting on her thighs, Bladebreak looked content. Yargazon also seemed at ease, but Allegra didnt believe it. She had never seen him without that coiled sense of lethal power, like a cobra ready to strike.
When Ozarson entered, Yargazon and Bladebreak started to stand, and Jasmine to kneel. The boy stopped them by waving his hand.
“You dont need to do that, Ozarson said, smiling.
They settled back, though Bladebreak didnt lie down again. Ozarson gave the marriage scroll to one of his officers with the directions Markus had explained. As the man left, Ozarson settled next to Yargazon. Markus nudged Allegra to sit by Jasmine, then put himself between her and Ozarson. Allegra wished she had a chair. If she leaned back, the cushions would give until she was lying down, and she would fall asleep at her own wedding dinner.
As Allegra rearranged her skirt so it covered more of her legs, Jasmine smiled shyly. “Congratulations on your wedding. She tilted her head toward Markus. “He is a fine man.
“Thank you. He could be a fine man, if he wantedexcept for the “small matter of keeping her against her will.
She salivated at the sight of so much sumptuous food. Curry steamed in ceramic bowls, and dishes with graceful spouts held sauces that wafted enticing aromas. Raw vegetables lay heaped on a square platecarrots, broccoli, cauliflower, radishes, squashes, string beansand a dish of sauce sat next to it. Breads warm from cooking added their delicious smells to the dinner.
Something about the settings looked odd, but Allegra was too hungry to concentrate. Ozarson wasted no time ladling curry onto his plate. The man standing by the table looked startled, and she suspected he was supposed to serve the atajazid. When he offered the boy some wine, Ozarson grinned and nodded. He stopped nodding when Markus scowled at him. With a sigh, the boy shook his head at the man with the wine.
As soon as Ozarson started to eat, everyone served themselves. With relief, Allegra filled her dish and spooned up a bite of the sauce-soaked rice. It tasted heavenly.
It finally hit her why the table settings looked strange. No curved shapes. In fact, she saw no useful shapes at all. Although some plates were squared off, they had scalloped sides for artistic effect, which looked beautiful but made them useless for spells. The wineglasses twisted in graceful spirals that destroyed their symmetry. Even the spoons were squared off and angled.
Eventually Ozarson slowed his attack on his food and sighed. Then he beckoned to his guard. As the boy spoke to the man in a low voice, Markus tensed. The prince regent said something, and Ozarson just smiled and shook his head. The guard bowed to them, then went to a chest across the room.
“I wonder what thats about, Allegra said to Jasmine.
“Dont stare, she murmured. “Avert your eyes.
She almost said, Why the blazes would I do that? She didnt have the energy to keep protesting, though. Resisting them wore her down. Instead she listened to their war council.
“We can have the army ready in three weeks, Yargazon was saying. “Well march on Quaaz. In this region, we can move with secrecy, but that wont last once were in the open. And when we start taking towns in Taka Mal, they will send messengers to their capital.
“Cant we stop the messengers? Ozarson asked.
“Some, Markus answered. “But eventually someone will get through. They can also send carrier birds.
“The last time you almost reached Quaaz, Ozarson said.
Allegra listened intently, remembering the meeting from last night. They had intended to assassinate the royal family of Taka Mal and attack in the ensuing chaos. After someone warned the queen, her army had met Yargazons forces, and they hadnt fought. Allegra wanted to ask how they had explained their presence in Taka Mal, but she held back. They probably wouldnt tell her, and if they realized how closely she was listening, they might become more guarded. She wanted to hear as much as possible.
“We were camped closer to Quaaz last time, Yargazon said.
“How long is it from here? Ozarson asked.
Candlelight glinted on the Generals crystal goblet as he lowered the glass. “I could ride there in about four days, if I stopped only to rest the horse. If I slept in the saddle, maybe in three. But for an army? Well be taking towns and setting up outposts. Six, seven, maybe eight days, depending on how much opposition we encounter.
“Its still so fast, Ozarson said. “It could be over in less than two months.
Markus exhaled. “Yes. Thats right.
“Its been two years, Your Majesty, Yargazon said. “Weve prepared, built up the army, trained the men. Its time. If we continue hiding, it could weaken morale. Nor can we evade Cobalts forces forever. The longer we wait, the more chance we will have to fight him here first.
“Weve more chance of success in Taka Mal, Markus told his brother. “Theyve a smaller army than Cobalt. If we move fast, we can have it under our control before we face his men.
“He has soldiers in Taka Mal, too, Ozarson said.
“Some, yes, Yargazon said. “But theyre spread thin. And we can reach Quaaz faster than the forces Cobalt has in Jazid. Were closer. By the time they arrive, well have taken the capital. If they try to take it back from us, the queens army will likely fight with us, to defend Quaaz. Better we have it than him.
“He cant pull many forces out of Jazid, either, Bladebreak said. “Or our people will rise against those left behind.
“Then we must move soon, Ozarson said. He tried to appear confident, but Allegra could see the prospect frightened him. Many boys she knew would have been excited at the idea of a battle. Such stories thrilled her students. But as stories. None of this was abstract for Ozarson. He would learn the truth of war firsthand, and if it didnt go as they hoped, he could die.