Allegra and Ozarson waited while he ate his egg and attacked a slab of meat. Finally Ozarson said, “Markus?
“Hmm? The prince regent glanced at him. “Why do you look so worried? Im fine.
“Father used the dungeons at the Onyx Palace, Ozarson said. “He told me once that sometimes he had people in them for seasons at a time. Even years.
“Yes. He did. Markus lowered his fork and spoke quietly. “And yes. Some of them died.
“That cant be true!
“You never knew our father that well, Ozi.
The boy bit his lip and turned away.
The grate of wood came from the entrance, followed by a tramp of feet. Eight Chamberlight warriors entered the parlor. Cobalt hadnt come this time, but Allegra had no doubt he intended the message implicit in their behavior. Their military bearing, the way they entered with no warning, their large forms turned even more imposing by their armor and swordsit all heightened the sense of their power over the three people they had come to collect.
“Its time to go, the captain with the grizzled face said roughly. He was holding a blue-plumed helmet.
Markus stood, followed by Allegra and Ozarson. One of the warriors stooped to get the manacles Markus had left on the floor, and the captain spoke to Allegra. “The key.
Feeling ill, she said, “Its in the lock.
The captain motioned the prince regent forward. Allegra could see Markus clenching his jaw as he complied. They turned him around and pulled his arms behind his back. He stared at her as they fastened the manacles and closed them with loud snaps.
Then Cobalts men took the three of them away.
CHAPTER 23
DAWNS MARCH
Soldiers were everywhere. Thousands. Three armies converged at Suncroft: Chamberlight, Harsdown, Aronsdale. Allegra could only stare in astonishment.
The guards escorting Markus, Allegra and Ozarson stopped a short distance outside the castle and stood waiting. People covered the hills: men strode in groups, warriors oiled weapons, horses trampled the grass and tenders packed up cooking pots, extinguished campfires, loaded supplies into carts. A stream of humanity flowed between Crofts Vale and the encamped armies. Barracks for the Aronsdale soldiers were on the other side of the castle, and a good portion of the population in Crofts Vale were the families of the men quartered there. A good portion of Jarids men would stay here, though, with several companies of Cobalts men to protect the Dawnstar empress and her son.
Most of the soldiers around Crofts Vale wore armor emblazoned with the crossed swords of Aronsdale, but many Chamberlight men were mixed in with them. To the south, the jaguar flags of the Harsdown army rippled. Pennants snapped everywhere. A woman from Crofts Vale untied a ribbon from her hair and gave it to a man in Aronsdale armor. He put his arm around her waist and kissed her, then tied the ribbon to his spear.
Markus stood with Allegra, scrutinizing the forces. She could almost feel him sizing up what he saw, the men, horses, weapons. His gaze burned. If all these men fought for Cobalt, the prince regents forces would lose.
“Markus, Allegra, look, Ozarson said. “Its Shadow. His voice brightened. “And Thom!
Following his gaze, Allegra saw Thom leading Shadow through the crowds. His father walked with him, a slender man with brown hair streaked by the sun.
“Who is that? Markus asked. “Why does he have my horse?
“Thom is the stable boy at the guild, Allegra said.
“Thom! Ozarson called out, waving.
Their guards tensed, and one dropped his hand to the sword sheathed on his belt. Then the grizzled captain said, “Its just the boy with the horse. That apparently made sense to the others, for they relaxed.
Thom thrust Shadows reins at his father, then took off running up the slope. His father followed with Shadow and studied the Chamberlight warriors. With so many soldiers about, Thom seemed oblivious to the tension of the eight surrounding Ozarson, but his father obviously noticed them.
Thom threaded his way past the guards, oblivious to their hard stares. “Where were you last night? he asked Ozarson.
The atajazid motioned at Suncroft. “Here.
“Hai! At the castle? He pretended to punch Ozarson in the arm, and Ozarson laughed. “They have better stables here, eh?
One of the guards reached to pull Thom away, but the captain shook his head. Allegra wondered if it was as odd for them to see the atajazidthe king whose existence had spurred this great confluence of armiesacting like a normal boy.
“I didnt sleep in the stables last night, Ozarson said.
“No? I know you didnt sleep in a castle! Thom peered past Allegra to Markus, who was watching him curiously. “Who are you?
The prince regent blinked at him. “Markus.
“I remember! Thom said. “Youre the soldier who was here yesterday.
“He came from Jazid to find me, Ozarson told him.
“Thom, a man said. The boys father was a short distance away, beyond the guards, holding Shadows reins. The big horse whinnied and pranced as he tried to follow Thom.
“Let the horse go, Markus said. His deep voice carried with a snap of authority.
Thoms father shot a startled look at Markus. He dropped the reins and motioned toward Allegra. “There she is, boy. Go on.
As the guards around Allegra stepped aside, Shadow walked forwardnot to Allegra, but to Markus. The great horse nosed Markuss shoulder, then snuffled and tried again.
Markus laughed, averting his face from the insistent horse. “Im glad to see you, too. But I dont have any treats. With his hands behind his back, he had to turn to keep his balance as the horse pushed him.
“Just scratch his neck, Thom said cheerfully. “He likes that. His voice trailed off as his gaze fell to Markuss manacled hands. His eyes darted to the armed warriors around them, and for the first time he seemed to realize they werent just soldiers milling about.
“Thom, his father said. “Come on back.
“Ozi should come with us. Thom turned a worried gaze on Ozarson. “We can watch the armies from the hill.
Allegra sensed Ozarson longing to say yes, to run off with his friend and watch from a safe distance. And in that aching moment, she saw something die inside the boy. It was as if another piece of his childhood fell away, broken off, irretrievable.
Ozarson spoke quietly. “I cant go with you, Thom.
“Whats wrong? Thom lowered his voice. “Are you in trouble?
“Thom! His fathers voice was urgent. “Come back here. He shot a worried look to the east. “ Now. Hurry up!
Allegra followed his gazeand inhaled. Cobalt was riding toward them with several officers. The emperor sat astride a huge black warhorse, a mammoth animal large enough to hold even someone his size. His men were leading two horses draped with Chamberlight colors, blue and white.
Thom started toward his father, then paused, looking back. “Ozi? His gaze darted to the emperor.
Ozarsons voice caught. “Goodbye and be well.
Markus spoke in a low voice. “Allegra, take Shadow.
She caught Shadows reins just as Cobalts group reached them, and the emperor reined his horse to a stop. Markus stepped out to face him. He waited, a solitary man with his hands locked behind his back facing warriors astride giant horses.
The emperor motioned to his men. One rode forward, bringing one of the extra horses. Watching Markus, Cobalt indicated the horse. “You can ride that one. Allegra will take yours.
Allegra closed her eyes, so relieved he wouldnt put Markus back in the dungeon, she almost missed Markuss response.
“manacled, I cant keep my balance, Markus said.
“Youll manage, Cobalt told him curtly. He jerked his head at the horse. “My men will help you up.
Ozarson came to stand with Markus. It was impossible to miss the fear in his eyes, but he carried himself with remarkable aplomb. He addressed Cobalt as if he were speaking man-to-man. “Your Majesty, I thank you for releasing my regent from the dungeon.