“Even so. The strategies behind the councils she had heard were becoming painfully clear. “All those Jazid soldiers who swore allegiance to Cobaltdo you really believe they would fight their countrymen if they knew General Yargazon had raised an army to free Jazid? I would be surprised if any of them didnt desert the official army to join Yargazons outlaws. Then Jazid would havewhat? Three thousand men in the fugitive army. Plus one thousand deserters. Maybe two thousand more from Taka Mal. In a numb voice she said, “Thats six thousand. Against Cobalts three thousand. He would have to bring in more from other countries, which takes time and spreads his forces elsewhere too thin.
Jarid spoke coldly. “You know a great deal about military strategy that few people would even think about, let alone imagine taking place.
“I heard them talking.
He made an incredulous noise. “You want me to believe that the military leaders of a foreign army allowed a pleasure slave who belonged to one of their tenders to overhear their councils?
Her anger sparked. “If they cant see a woman as capable of understanding them, that isnt my problem. Its theirs.
He crossed his arms. “And I suppose they discussed all this with the Atajazid DAz Ozar.
She froze. Did he know about Ozarson? Then she realized what he had said. DAz Ozar. He meant Ozarsons father. He wanted to see if she really had any idea what she was saying.
“Hes dead, she said flatly. “Cobalt Escar cut off his head.
“I meant his son. The man who succeeded him.
Sweat was gathering on her palms. She had to be very, very careful. “Did you say man?
“Thats right.
Did he mean Markus? Or was he trying to trip her up? “I was under the impression the atajazid was a boy.
“Perhaps. Jarid waited.
“They want to put him on the Topaz Throne, she said. “Then return him to the Onyx Throne.
“And the boy told you this?
“No. Hes protected. From everyone. Except mages with sleep spells.
“I see. He began to walk again. “Come with me.
Allegra fell in beside him. She held back her impulse to ask where they were going. This was the king of her country. He had practically accused her of lying to avoid marrying his son or else of knowing far more than any innocent person should about the military plans of an outlawed armywhich could amount to her committing treason.
CHAPTER 17
THE GORGE
Lord Brant Firestoke was much older than Jarid. In fact, Allegra had heard that Firestoke had been a close friend to Jarids grandsire, the previous king. Just as Brant had served Jarids grandfather as an advisor, so now he served Jarid. Shoulder-length hair silvered by the decades swept back from his face, accenting his widows peak. He watched Allegra with deeply set gray eyes, and his austere presence left her feeling much too young.
They met in an octagonal room on an upper floor of the castle. As she told Brant about the Jazid army, he paced the room. Jarid was leaning back in a chair at the octagonal table a quarter of the way around from Allegra. It was odd the way he had sat down. He felt for his place as if he couldnt see it. He obviously wasnt blind; his motions seemed unconscious, as if he didnt realize what he was doing.
When Allegra finished, Brant leaned against the sill of a window. “I doubt a dairymaid from southern Aronsdale could have made this up.
“I didnt, Allegra said.
“Where did you hear the name Yargazon? Brant asked. “Few people know it outside Jazid.
“He leads the army, she answered.
“Kazil Yargazon, Brant said.
She shook her head. “His name was Dusk.
Jarid swore under his breath. “Hell and damnation.
“Is Yargazon a problem? Allegra asked.
The king spoke dryly. “Well, given that hes considered the most notorious warlord alive by the emperor and a great war hero by the Jazid people, and that Cobalt has put the greatest price on his head of any war criminal in history, I would say yes, knowing hes raised an army is a problem.
“Are you sure they have the atajazid? Brant asked her. “Cobalt claims he has hidden the child outside of Jazid.
“Im certain Cobalt doesnt have him. Allegra still hadnt figured out how Ozarson had escaped Cobalts men.
“I wonder if this boy even lives, Jarid said. “No one has seen him. His half brothers are dead. Why would he be alive?
Her pulse stuttered. “His brothers died? How do you know?
“You sound surprised, Jarid said. “Do you know different?
“I know almost nothing about the House of Onyx, she said, which was as close as she dared go to the truth. “But I would feel terribly sorry for a child in the situation you describe.
“Dont, Brant said. “He would have grown into a monster just like his father.
“Hes a child, Allegra said. “Children want to be loved. If he is, why would he grow into a monster?
Brant sighed. “That is so painfully naive.
“Is it? Jarid asked. “Maybe if Cobalts grandfather hadnt beaten or whipped him every day of his life until he was able to fight back, Cobalt wouldnt feel driven to conquer the universe to prove to a man whos now dead that he isnt worthless.
Allegra stared at him. She almost asked how he could know all that about the emperor, but then she remembered. Cobalt had married Jarids cousin. She rubbed her eyes, drained. “Yargazons men think the previous atajazid, the man Cobalt killed, is a great hero.
Jarid scowled. “That atajazid started the damn war.
“I thought the emperor started it, Allegra said.
“Its true, Brant said. “Cobalt attacked first.
“With provocation, Jarid said. “Gods, was Ozar mad? What sane man would enrage Cobalt the Dark into a war?
“Im not sure I understand, Allegra said.
“The queen of Taka Mal kidnapped Drummer Headwind, Brant said, scowling. “They do that in Taka Mal and Jazid. Bunch of barbarians. They think its perfectly fine to kidnap people.
“But Drummer married the queen, didnt he? Allegra looked from him to Jarid. “To make a treaty with you.
“Eventually, Jarid said. “But first the Jazid king kidnapped Cobalts wife. He made it look as if Taka Mal did it, and everyone believed the falsified evidence because of what happened with Drummer. Then the atajazid tortured Cobalts wife. While she was pregnant with the emperors heir. The atajazid had a Taka Mal traitor take her blood-soaked clothes to Cobalt and claim the general of the Taka Mal army had tortured her to death.
Allegra was grateful Ozarson wasnt present to hear this about his father. “Youre saying the previous king of Jazid killed the emperors pregnant wife and set it up to look as if Taka Mal did it. So Cobalt attacked Taka Mal in revenge?
“Thats right, Jarid said. “Except she survived. So Cobalt knows the truth. Some people even believe Ozar told him during the battle, while they were negotiating, to goad him into breaking the Alatian Code of War. If Cobalt struck first, Ozar could kill him without violating the Code. Grimly he added, “If thats true, Ozar fatally underestimated Cobalt.
Brant spoke quietly. “Ozar had five sonsfour adults and the boy. Three of his sons died in the Rocklands, including the boys regent.
“Markus Onyx, Jarid said. “We dont know much about him.
“Ozars fourth son survived the war, Brant said. “So Cobalt executed him. Cobalt agreed to let the boy live, but many people think he had the child killed in secret.
“Thats horrible, Allegra said. She hadnt realized Ozarson and Markus had lost their brothers as well as their infamous sire.
“The Jazidians hate their conquerors, Jarid said. “Their king may have precipitated the war, but if that hadnt happened, Cobalt would have eventually gone after Jazid anyway. Its a phenomenally rich country.
“This could explain a lot, Brant muttered. When Allegra gave him a questioning look, he said, “Cobalt has a big army. Eight thousand if you count the Jazidian soldiers. But theyre dispersed among four countries. If he were to march an army on a few days noticesay through Aronsdalehe could only marshal about two thousand.