Allegra had never seen docks as big as those where the Kings Courseway poured into the Saint Verdant River. It was as if the entire world converged on this spot. The water stretched out to a distant shore she could barely see. Ships and boats of all sizes sailed the rivers, and men stood in them, calling out, raising sails, leaning into the wind. Fishermen thronged the docks, and the oily smell of their catch tickled her nose. Dogs ran everywhere and yapped at the red-terns that squawked in the cloudless sky.
“Its amazing, Ozarson said. “I never knew so much water existed!
“Ive heard the ocean at the edge of the Misted Cliffs goes on forever, Allegra said. “All the way to the horizon.
“Ill never know. His fist clenched at his side. “Ill never go to the Misted Cliffs.
His vehemence didnt surprise her, given what he thought of that countrys sovereign. She indicated one of the bigger docks. A ship was tied up there, a schooner she thought, but she didnt know ships well enough to be sure. Criers were calling out port destinations, and many people were queued up to board, including someone with a horse.
“Do you think thats the scow? she asked.
“It looks like it, doesnt it? Excitement flared in his eyes. “Lets see!
As they neared the ship, a man in a sailors cap shouted at them. “The horse is two silver hexacoins. If you cant afford it, dont bring him.
Allegra raised her hand in acknowledgment, reluctant to call out an answer in what might sound like a girls voice. Ozarson was looking everywhere, drinking in the sights as if he were a dry sponge. As they joined the line of people boarding, Allegra said, “Have you ever met Markuss mother?
“A few times, he said absently as he craned his head to look at nearby piers. “She lives on Lake Baraza with her husband.
Her husband? “I thought she was a concubine.
“That was before. Allegra, look at all the sea creatures. He pointed to the pier next to theirs as a man heaved in a net of squirming, silver fish. A cork floater in the water bumped the dock, and river-weed trailed from his net onto the planks.
She smiled at his astonishment. “Theyre fish. They live in rivers, too, not just the sea.
“I know that, he said with offended dignity. His eyes were lit with pleasure, though. “They just look so strange. We never see water animals with the army.
“Ozi, who married Markuss mother?
“What? He pulled his attention away from the fisherman. “The soldier who guarded her. He spoke awkwardly. “My father hadnt visited her in so long, I think he had forgotten about her. So he let her get married.
No wonder Markus understood why she wanted a guarantee he wouldnt do the same. He could have gone the other way and ended up like his father. Perhaps he and Ozarson were more fortunate than they realized in having their father ignore them, for neither seemed to have taken on his worst traits.
“Whats his mother like? she asked.
“Shes pretty. Ozarson was inspecting the wood under their feet. He knelt down and peered through gaps between the planks. The river below sloshed against mussel-encrusted pylons. “ Look at all that water.
Smiling, she took his arm and drew him up so they could move forward with the line. “Its a lot. But you have to watch where youre going, or someone will trip over you.
Mischief glinted in his eyes. “Markuss mother always scolded him like that. Even in front of his men.
She gave a startled laugh. “Really?
“Once when I was five, he and his men came back from an army training exercise. They had been out for days. When he hugged his mother, she kissed his cheek. Then she wrinkled up her nose and said he smelled like a goat. In front of everyone.
Allegra smirked. “Ill bet he loved that.
“He made a joke. Everyone laughed. His eyes danced. “But when it was just him, her and me, he was so mad! He told her never to talk that way in front of his men. She said if he would take a bath, she wouldnt have to. I thought it was funny, but he didnt. He was furious.
Hah! Allegra wished she could have seen it. “Did he bathe?
“For dinner. He changed his clothes, too.
Allegra smiled. Markus must have taken it to heart, given the care he took with personal hygiene even when he was on the run with his army. “Thats a good story.
“It was funny to see his mother talk to him just like mine did with His smile faded and his voice trailed away.
“Ah, honey, she murmured. “Im sorry to remind you.
“Honey? He seemed bewildered.
“Its a term of affection.
“Ive never heard that.
“You dont have honey?
“On bread, if we can get it. I dont know from where.
“Bees make it.
“Bees! He regarded her skeptically. “You made that up.
“Its true. What a strange life he had. He could tell her every detail of the military and political machinations among the royal families of the settled lands, but he didnt know where honey came from.
As they moved forward, she took several coins out of their bags, discreetly, so no one would know she had money. As two scruffy boys, they were hardly likely targets for thieves, but anyone who saw Shadow might wonder.
Then they were at the front of the line. A man in a striped blue and white shirt and frayed trousers stood there, a cap at a crooked angle on his head. He was chewing, and Allegra smelled sour tobacco.
“How far you two going? he asked.
“To Aronsdale. Allegras pulse quickened. What if Markus had people on the docks seeking Aronsdale passengers? What if the ship didnt go that far or he said they were too young to go alone or he noticed she was a girl?
“A silver for each, he said. “Two for the horse. We provide water, but you pay extra if you need more feed. You can pay with hexas from Taka Mal, Jazid or Aronsdale. Animals stay on the lower deck. And listen here, boy. Take proper care of that horse or well put you all off at the next stop.
“Well look after him, she promised, giving him the coins.
“Why two for the horse and only one for me? Ozarson asked.
Allegra almost groaned. In his world view, a horse cost more than a woman, but not more than the atajazid. She needed to have a talk with him, and soon, or he would give himself away.
The man chuckled. “Because hes a big horse. Youre just a turnip shoot.
Ozarson frowned. “Im
“Here. Allegra grabbed Ozarsons arm and led him and Shadow onto the ship.
“What did he mean, a turnip shoot? Ozarson grumbled. “Im not a plant.
She lowered her voice. “Youre not the atajazid, either, remember? She glowered. “And if youre worth more than two silvers, so am I.
“Oh. Ozarson mulled that over as they walked Shadow down a ramp to the lower deck. The other horse was already in the cargo area, plus a goat, cow, various chickens and a goose.
Ozarson scrunched up his nose. “It smells in here.
Allegra laughed good-naturedly. “So it does.
Shadow whinnied as if to protest the indignity of a royal horse being quartered in such a manner. He had a lot in common with Ozarson, she decided. But they would survive. Although rough, the area was clean and spacious, with plenty of water.
“Here. She lifted the packs off Shadow and handed them to Ozarson. “After we get him settled, we can go on the upper deck.
Excitement filled his voice. “I want to watch the water! I cant believe theres so much. You could jump in and be covered.
“Can you swim?
He shook his head. “I used to paddle around the bathing pool, when I was little. But Nanna held me so my head didnt go under.
“Nanna?
He averted his eyes, suddenly intent on rubbing down Shadow. “She was my nurse.
Was. Past tense. She knew so little of what had happened to him, only that he had been with his mother when Cobalts men brought his fathers body and a dying Markus to the Onyx Palace. The men from the Misted Cliffs had taken control of the palace, including the royal family. So how had Ozarson ended up in hiding with a fugitive army led by a very healthy Markus and the general of his fathers vanquished forces?