“Ah, Ozi, Im so sorry.
He fell silent after that. She didnt push; this boy had too many nightmares in his life, he barely knew her and she had taken him away from Markus. She had expected him to seek control of Shadow or demand she return to the camp, but he seemed content to ride, nestled in her arms. Part of it seemed to come from his idea that this was an “adventure. But she remembered last night, when he had implied he didnt expect to live long enough to grow up. His fatalism broke her heart, and she felt it from him now, too, as if it didnt matter where he went, for he would be dead soon.
“Ozi, she said, hugging him. “Ill take care of you.
He rested his head against her shoulder. “Youre only one girl. How can you stand against Markuss army?
It was a good question. “Would you like to visit Aronsdale? We could go to the king.
“Why?
“To ask for help.
“Hell send me to Cobalt, and Cobalt will kill me.
“I wont let him.
“How can you stop him? Do you know him?
“No, she admitted. She was nobody in Aronsdale, as well. She had caught the attention of the castle mage, but that hardly meant she had the kings ear. She didnt really know how she could help Ozarson. He needed a stable, secure home and a normal life, neither of which were likely to happen.
Markus wanted to protect Ozarson by conquering anyone who threatened the boy. It was an endless cycle. Cobalts father had attacked Aronsdale and lost; Cobalt avenged his father and ended up conquering many countries, including Jazid; now Markus sought to avenge his father. When he was done, who would be left, filled with misery and hate, to rise against Jazid? Markus and Ozarson would die then, possibly her, as well. Or she would become someone elses slave. She recalled the saying Rose TAmbera had told her: Men die and women suffer. It would never end.
“Well go to Aronsdale, Allegra said.
“Are there really edgerows there?
“I dont actually know what an edgerow is, she admitted. “Its an old word. But weve beautiful meadows with flowers.
“I would like to go, Princess Allegra.
Saint Azure, was that really her title? “You mustnt call me a princess. People might guess who we are.
“What does Allegra mean?
“Its from the musical term allegro. It means to play or sing sprightly. With energy.
“Thats a good name for you.
“I like it. Up ahead, the green line was growing into a row of trees. She prodded Shadow and they galloped toward the oasis.
Caravans, families and riders crowded the banks of the Ata-Daz, or Kings Courseway. It was only a moderate river, despite its grand name, but in the barrens of Taka Mal, it offered a ribbon of life. Sand covered Ozarson now, hiding the high quality of his clothes, so he and Allegra looked like a hundred other ragged boys wandering the river. No one paid attention to them, though some men spared a glance for Shadow. She could see why; he was a magnificent horse.
Ozarson gazed around as if he couldnt take it all in. When they dismounted to fill the water sacs, he stood on the bank and watched a gaggle of boys in ragged pants and no shirts splashing in the river.
“That looks like fun, he said.
“Go ahead and join them, Allegra said. “We could use a bath. She would have to find somewhere private, but she didnt see any reason why he couldnt go with the others. It would help their disguise; who would believe the Shadow-Dragon King of Jazid was carousing in the river with a cluster of other ragamuffins?
“I dont know how, Ozarson said.
She gave a snort. “Dont give me that, young man. Everyone knows how to take a bath. Even nine-year-old boys.
“I mean, I dont know how to play in the water.
Allegra blinked. “How can you not know how?
“The camp has no children or river, he said. “Just springs. No one at the palace ever allowed me to go in a river. My mother bathed me in the royal suite.
“Oh. She let Shadow lap at the water. They were standing near a large boulder with moisture dampening its mottled surface. A man sat a short distance away, on top of the boulder, whittling a piece of wood. He glanced idly at them.
“Nice horse, he said, raising his voice so they could hear.
“Hes a good one. Allegra hoped she didnt sound like a girl. “Its our fathers.
“Hmm. He went back to whittling.
She nudged Ozarson toward the river. “Go on. Wash up.
He glanced at her, a blush on his cheeks. He took off his shoes and shirt and set them carefully in the grass. Then he waded into the water.
“Ho! one of the boys shouted. “Hes still dry. He hit the water and sent a huge swath over Ozarson. The atajazid stared at him, his mouth open, his hair and torso dripping.
“Youll catch bottle-bees, the boy said, laughing.
“Hes on our team, another fellow said. He grabbed Ozarsons arm and pulled him away from the first boy.
An argument ensued over which team would get Ozarson, who was the largest of the boys. Allegras heart lurched. He didnt know how to play. He held back, but the others dragged him into their game without realizing he had no idea what to do. She doubted anyone had ever splashed him in his life. If a palace servant had done so by mistake, he would have been reprimanded. Ozarson had only been seven when the army took him away. Had he spent the past two years with no playmates, only an army major who tutored him in academics and military strategy? No wonder he seemed bewildered.
Childhood had a healing power, though. Although he didnt loosen up as much as the other boys, he was soon splashing and laughing with them. Allegra tended to Shadow and checked his hooves for pebbles. Then she let him nibble grass. She sat near enough to the man on the boulder so people passing might think he was her father, but far enough away that he didnt pay her any attention.
Eventually the man finished his statue, a small bird, and put it in a sack. Then he called, “Ho! Devi! Time to go.
One of the boys stopped playing and turned with a thunderous look of protest. The argument that followed made Allegra smile. She had heard it often from her brothers when they wanted to keep playing in the lake and their father said it was time to go. For the first time since the TAmbera had abducted her, she dared hope to see her family again. This freedom was tenuous, though. If Markus and his men hadnt already given pursuit, they soon would.
As Devi bid the others goodbye, his father glanced at Allegra. “Would your father consider selling that horse? He indicated Shadow, who was peacefully cropping grass.
“I dont think so, she said. “Hes mighty attached to it.
“Not surprised. The man hesitated. “He the one who gave you that black eye?
Allegra bit her lip and just shook her head.
“Shouldnt go around hitting children, he muttered.
Devi came over, dripping wet, and glared at his father. “You could come back for me later.
The man smiled laconically. “Come on. Youll survive.
The boy waved at Ozi, who was wading out of the water. Then Devi took off, walking sulkily while his father handed him fresh clothes. Within moments, though, his interest was caught by the stalls that lined the bank, where merchants sold all sorts of goods, from food to bridles to mining equipment. People thronged the area, children ran and laughed, musicians sang for coins and acrobats tumbled in open stretches of grass. The place hummed with energy.
“This is fun, Ozarson said. He was dripping wet, and he held his shoes and shirt dangling in one hand. “Lets explore!
Allegra indicated a secluded space between two outcroppings. “After you change. The travel bag has some dry clothes.
He fetched the dry clothes, then stooped behind the boulder so she could see only his head and changed into trousers and a worn shirt she had found in the hut at the horse pen.
When Ozarson finished, he and Allegra walked together, with Allegra leading Shadow. The boy stared around at everyone and everything.