“But your father was already married.
He averted his eyes. “I know.
So even Ozarsons mother, the queen, hadnt been safe from his fathers caprices. “Even in Jazid, it isnt legal for a man to have two wives.
“He was the atajazid. He could do what he wanted. The boy fidgeted with the hem of his shirt. “He already had a second wife. Queen Vizarana would have been the third.
“Saint Azure, she muttered. “How many did the man need?
He looked up at her. “He told the queen of Taka Mal that he wouldnt support her army against Cobalt unless she became his wife.
“I thought she offered to marry him.
“Well, no, he admitted. “She just asked him to ally with her. He said she had to marry him if she wanted his help.
“That puts a different slant on it, Ozi. It was beginning to make sense. With Cobalt threatening Taka Mal, it had given Ozarsons father a way to take the queens thronemarry him in return for an alliance. By Jazid law, he would undoubtedly rule Taka Mal if he married the queen. But it couldnt be that simple in Taka Mal. Vizarana had married an Aronsdale man and continued to rule. Of course, he came from a country where the man expected to move into his wifes home and help with her livelihood. Allegra had hoped her husband would work in the dairy with her. Saints, what a thought, Markus milking cows.
She couldnt imagine a marriage between Queen Vizarana and Atajazid DAz Ozar. No wonder Vizarana had turned to Aronsdale.
“Ozi, I dont know the answers, she said. “But I very much would like to go home. To Aronsdale.
He drew himself into a regal posture. “Then we shall go. His grin sparkled. “On the muddiest horse in Taka Mal.
With a laugh, she said, “Come on, you.
They climbed down the tree and up onto Shadow. Mud dusted all over their clothes, and they looked like itinerant wanderers.
So they set off for Aronsdale.
CHAPTER 14
THE SAINT VERDANT
They rode all day along the river, even in the river, to hide their trail. Every now and then, they encouraged the horse to roll in the mud, until they were all covered with caked dirt. They blended with all the other dusty travelers following the river, which offered the only viable route through a vast desert.
That evening, as the sun slanted across the land, they cleaned Shadow near a secluded waterfall. While the horse grazed, they climbed above the falls and sat eating their dinner as the sun sunk to the horizon. Allegra scanned the desert with her spyglass
And sighted soldiers galloping across the sands.
“Damn! She offered Ozarson the glass. “Its them.
The boy looked where she indicated. “Oh. Yes. He sounded disappointed. “Theyll probably ride through the night until they reach the river.
“Were at least a days ride west of where theyll hit it.
“They have more horses, supplies and scouts, though. He considered her. “Maybe theyll assume youre taking me to Quaaz.
“It would be a reasonable choice. Yargazon might think Im going to tell Queen Vizarana about the invasion.
“He must be embarrassed you knocked him out.
She suspected embarrassed hardly began to describe it. The General probably wanted to flay her. “We should leave.
Ozarson spoke firmly. “I wont let them hurt you. They must do as I say.
Allegra knew he couldnt stop Markus and Yargazon, but his intentions touched her. She said only, “Thank you.
They set off again, and kept going long after the sun left the sky in a wash of crimson fire.
Yargazon slammed her against the freezing wall. “You drove him to go, looking for you, when he should have stayed with the army. You endangered our plans and put him in danger.
She fought his hold. “Let me go!
He swore at her and raised his arm.
“No! Allegra woke with a gasp, shaking so hard, she almost slid off Shadow. And she was on the horse, leaning over his neck.
“Youll be fine, Ozarson murmured soothingly. “Its just a bad dream. I get them all the time.
As her mind cleared, she realized she was in front of him, and he was holding her as they rode. She barely recalled when he had told her they should switch places, acting more like an atajazid in charge than a hostage.
“Are you better? Ozarson asked.
“Yes. Youre right, it was just a bad dream. She feared it could become reality, but she didnt want to tell him.
“We should stop, he said. “Shadow wants to sleep, too.
“All right. She wished nothing more than to stretch out flat and sleep.
Ozarson reined in the horse, and they slid down. As he lifted off the travel bags, Allegra lay on the ground and closed her eyes.
Ozarson knelt next to her. “Dont sleep there.
“Shadow needs to rest, she mumbled.
“A little while. But if we dont stop long, we can reach the place where this river flows into the Saint Verdant by dawn.
She was drifting off. “It can wait an hour.
“Allegra, listen. He shook her shoulder. “I studied these places with Major Gaizz. The Saint Verdant is huge, the biggest river in the settled lands. Ships go up and down it, and that includes a scow schooner thats really fast. It can carry a horse. A barge carries horses, too, but its so slow, you could ride to Aronsdale, quickly. The majors reports were over a year old, but if the schedule is the same now, the scow only leaves once every few days. Its scheduled for this morning, at dawn.
She opened her eyes. “As in, we could catch it, but Markus would have to wait days for the next one?
Ozarson nodded, his face lit by starlight and a gibbous moon. “Thats right. Unless he left the horses behind.
“They might do that. Buy more in Aronsdale.
He folded his arms against the cold. “If Markus goes to Aronsdale and they catch him, they might not let him go.
However confused she might feel about Markus, Allegra didnt want to see him hurt. And she realized now that she couldnt use Ozi the way she had intended. “Ill leave you at the dock at the Saint Verdant. You can go back with Markus. Ill return Shadow once Im safe in Aronsdale.
He shook his head. “Markus wont stop looking for you. Hell make sure Im safe and then hell go after you even in Aronsdale.
She stood up, folding her arms against the cold. “Why? Because I took his horse? She scowled. “After all, its worth more than me.
“Dont say that.
Her anger simmered. “Its your law, not mine.
He gave a childlike snort. “They dont really believe that. All they think about is women. Women and war. They all want a woman, and almost none of them have one, so theyre angry and they want to fight. So they say that thing about the horse.
She blinked at him. Sometimes children had far more wisdom than their guardians. “Even so.
“Legally youre his wife, Ozarson added.
“I hardly know him.
“But I do. Hes never wanted to marry anyone before, even when my father pressured him to take a bride. Hell come after you. His voice was just audible above the flow of the nearby river. “And, Allegra, I want to go to Aronsdale. To see the king without him knowing who I am. To see what hes like. Will he help my people? How can I know? I could never go as the atajazid. Only this way, by pretending Im no one.
“Its dangerous. Not just to you, but to Markus, too.
He spoke quietly. “If he invades Taka Mal, he could die more easily than if he comes looking for me.
He didnt say what they both knew, that Ozarson could also die that easily. “All right, she said. “Well just sleep a little, then go on.
“You sleep now. Ill take care of Shadow.
She nodded and hoped their plan wasnt in vain, that tomorrow they wouldnt arrive at the ship to find Markus waiting.