Allegra wondered what made him think of that now. “His forces in Jazid and Taka Mal are spread too thin, she said. “And his men want to go home.
Brant didnt look surprised. “How do you know that?
“From Yargazons men.
Jarid snorted. “Apparently Cobalt isnt hiding their discontent as well as he thought.
“And you claim this outlaw Jazidian army will invade Taka Mal in three weeks? Brant asked her.
“Or sooner, Allegra said. “They probably think I went to warn Queen Vizarana.
“Why? Jarid asked. “Youre the wife of a tender. Why would they even notice you had left, let alone think you would betray their plans to the queen?
“They have strange ideas. She knew it sounded lame, but she had no better answer that wouldnt put Ozarsonor Markusat risk.
“If this army exists and has the boy, Jarid said, “he could be an incredible rallying figure for his people. The balance of power in Jazid is barely stable as it is. His appearance could explode the political situation.
“Then hope Cobalt did execute him, Brant said grimly. “Saints only know what the child would be like with Yargazon as his regent.
“Thats horrible, to wish death on a little boy, Allegra said. She almost added, Why would the General be his regent? But she caught herself in time. They thought Ozarsons brothers were deadincluding Markuswhich made Yargazon the logical choice as regent.
Jarid spoke as gently as his hoarse voice allowed. “None of us wish a childs death. But the freedom and well-being of several populations may pivot on his actions, even just his existence.
“Youre so convinced hell become a monster, she said, angry at them both. “Maybe he isnt the evil one. Maybe its all the warlords who make him this pivot.
“Ive no doubt it is, Brant said. “But that changes nothing.
“We do need to get out a warning. Jarid rubbed his chin. “I have the redwing carrier birds Queen Vizarana gave me last year. We can send them to her with a message.
“And to Cobalt, Brant said.
Jarid crossed his arms and regarded him implacably. “My responsibility is to my kin. Drummer.
“Drummer is also the empresss uncle, Brant said. “If we dont warn Cobalt, hell be furious.
“Thats Cobalts problem. Jarid scowled at him. “We had nothing to do with his taking the Onyx Throne. Why should we help him keep it? Ive signed no treaties to support these attempts of his to subjugate every damn thing that moves.
A door creaked. Glancing up, Brant smiled at someone behind Allegra. She wanted to turn, but she didnt wish to appear rude to the king.
Oddly enough, Jarid didnt seem to have heard. He pushed back his chair and stood up. “Ill send word to Drummer while we decide what to do about Cobalt.
“What you decide about Cobalt may be moot, a woman said.
Jarid spun around. Turning, Allegra saw a woman standing in the arched doorway. Tall and curvy, with rosy cheeks, she had a mane of chestnut hair exactly like Arons, except hers fell in waves down her back. She glowed with health.
“My greetings, Jarid said, his voice warming. He turned to indicate Allegra. “May I present our new guild mage, Allegra Linseed. To Allegra he said, “My wife. Iris.
Allegra started to kneel, but the queen lifted her hand to stop her. She spoke in a rich voice. “Im pleased to see you.
“Im honored, Your Majesty, Allegra said.
Iris inclined her head. Then she turned to Jarid. “You had better come. Theyre here.
Here? Allegra thought. Who?
The Star Walk ran atop the great wall around the castle. Geometric crenellations sculpted its length: circles, diamonds, hexagons and, most of all, stars. From up here, a person could see for many leagues, gazing over the glades and rolling hills of Crofts Vale. Right now, soldiers in Aronsdale uniforms lined the walkway, including lookouts with spyglasses.
Everyone was staring to the south.
Far in the distance, an army poured into view from behind a cluster of hills. It must have been flooding out all morning, wave after wave of soldiers, tenders and horses. Allegra had never seen so many people together. They covered the land.
“Gods almighty, Brant said. “Even with the warning that they were coming, I didnt expect that many.
“Who is it? Allegra asked.
“Cobalt, Jarid said. “Weve known they were on the march for several days, escorted by my cousin, Muller.
Allegra didnt know the name Muller, but he had only one cousin. “Do you mean the King of Harsdown?
Jarid nodded, his attention on the army. He took a spyglass one of his men offered and studied the army. “Muller has permission to ride through Aronsdale. Cobalt doesnt. Sourly he added, “Not that Cobalt asked. He just came. And hes not saying much. Lowering the glass, he regarded Allegra. “What do you know about this?
She felt as if ice were in her veins. “Nothing.
Jarid glanced out again, then stopped and peered at the hill directly below the castle. “Who is that?
Allegra followed his gazeand her breath caught. Shadow was racing up the hill, ridden by Ozarson, with Thom seated behind him, hanging on to the atajazids belt.
“Thats a warhorse, Brant said. “Maybe its a messenger.
Jarid trained his glass on Shadow. “No, just a couple of boys. He smiled. “Probably theyre coming to warn us that a great army is invading Aronsdale.
Foreboding surged within Allegra. Ozarson knew she had planned to seek an audience with Jarid today, to warn him about the Jazid army. If he had seen Cobalts army, saints only knew what he thoughtor would say. She whirled and ran down the walkway, ducking past the soldiers on duty.
“Allegra! Jarids shout rang behind her.
Even knowing she risked offending the throne by ignoring his call, she kept going. She reached the tower at the end of the walkway and raced down the staircase that spiraled inside it. She heard people running, and someone called her name, but she kept going, desperate to reach Ozarson before anyone else.
The steps let her out into a wide hall. She ran along it until she reached the top of a staircase that swept down to the entrance foyer of the castle. In the great archway that opened from outside into the foyer, Ozarson was struggling with a guardsman. Beyond them, out in the sunlight, Thom stood with Shadow, holding the horses reins and looking confused.
“I have to get by! Ozarson cried. “Let me go!
“Its all right, Allegra called as she started down the stairs. “Hes with me.
The guardsman glanced up, his forehead furrowed, but he let Ozarson go. The boy dashed toward the stairs, started up themand froze, his eyes widening as he looked over her head.
Allegra spun around. Jarid, Iris and Brant Firestoke stood on the stairs above her, with several soldiers behind them. They had stopped, and were watching Ozarson with puzzlement.
“Hes afraid of the army, Allegra told them. “His parents were killed in the war. She was talking too fast, but she couldnt stop. She started down to Ozarson, holding out her hand. “Its all right, she said. “No one will hurt you.
Ozarson raced up the stairs, reaching her when she was halfway down. He threw his arms around her, and she sank onto the step, holding him. She kept murmuring, “Itll be all right, Ozi. Itll be all right.
“It wont! He raised his head, his gaze frantic. “Its the emperors army.
“They dont care about stable boys. She looked at him hard, silently urging him to see past his fear and hear what she was saying. “You go back to the stable with Thom. Youll be fine.
Fear burned in his eyes. “He knows me. What I look like.
“Ozi, she said, warning.
“What does it matter? A tear rolled down his face. “Im going to die anyway.
“Gods, dont say that. Her voice shook, and she was aware of the people above them listening.