Historically Aronsdale kings were statesmen and warriors rather than mages. Jarid broke the rules with his incredible power. He was watching Allegra closely, and she had the unsettling sense he had formed a spell to detect her mood. Yet she saw no green light. Colors didnt show for every mage, but she had already seen his. If he could stop the colors, he had far more control than she had thought possible.
“Each of us has to decide how we will use our gifts, Jarid said. “You have to choose.
With a start, she realized he was answering her question from yesterday. Embarrassed, she said, “Some of us have so little from which to choose. She felt inadequate among these people, a minor mage with inconsequential talents caught in eddies of the great currents sweeping around those with true gifts.
“You shouldnt devalue yourself, he said. “Not every mage needs to move mountains.
She spoke wryly. “Perhaps I could manage a molehill.
“Allegra, listen. He reined in his prancing horse to keep it beside her. “If ever you need support, talk to me. Hell, reach for me when you sing your spell. You neednt be isolated.
“Thank you, Sire, she said, surprised. Mages couldnt combine their talents as far as she knew. But she had no idea how to understand a gift as powerful as his.
Jarid inclined his head. He rode on then, cantering with his men. She smiled when she realized he was discreetly observing Cobalts forces. The Midnight Emperor wasnt the only one fishing for information about the other armies.
The grizzled captain from the Misted Cliffs maneuvered his horse closer to Allegra. The cold stare of the mans gray eyes startled her.
“Is everything all right? she asked.
He leaned over and took the reins of her horse.
Allegra grabbed for the reins. “What are you doing?
“Sit still. He drew Shadow away from the other riders, off to the side, out of the flow of the army.
“Whats wrong? Allegra asked. Something had changed. Yes, he had been wary before; Cobalts men had no reason to trust the consort of Jazids prince regent. But this was different.
When he didnt answer, she looked around to see if anyone was leaving the main column. Markus and Ozarson were so far ahead, she could no longer see either of them. King Jarid had fallen back to his own army and was riding with his officers, deep in discussion. Iris and Aron were even farther back. She didnt know anyone else.
The captain led her toward a line of trees.
“What are you doing? Allegra asked, alarmed.
He shot her a warning glance and touched the dagger at his belt. “Dont talk. He guided their horses under a screening canopy of branches. “Get off. He swung his leg over his own horse and jumped to the ground.
Allegra slowly let herself off Shadow. She started to fall, but the captain caught her, and set her on her feet. Then he let go as if she burned, and he quickly stepped back when she turned around to face him.
“Over there. He motioned at several trees within the grove that grew close together, their foliage like a screen of leaves.
“Why? She was guessing he had acted on his own, rather than on any orders, which only worried her more. “What do you want?
Anger flashed across his faceand fear? Why by any saint would this gnarled warrior be afraid of her?
He drew the dagger from its sheath and motioned at the trees. When Allegra turned toward them, the captain grabbed a handful of her tunic at the nape and shoved her forward. “Over there, witch!
Witch. Saint Azure, she had forgotten how some people viewed mages. He must have overheard her talking with Jarid. She had no idea how people in the Misted Cliffs felt, but if this was any example, she didnt want to know more.
“What are you She broke off as he pushed her face-first against the trunk.
“Quiet, he said. “Dont talk. Dont sing.
She braced her palms against the tree, her heart beating hard. Surely he wouldnt stab her. No matter what he thought of her abilities or her husband, he had no authority to harm her, and Cobalt wanted her as a hostage.
The captain put his hand under her hair. When she inhaled sharply, he said, “No sounds. He found the thong of her necklace and pulled out the pyramid she had hidden under her tunic.
Well, damn. He had figured out she might hide shapes. One aspect she was discovering about leaders such as Markus and Cobalt: their success came not only from their own intelligence, but also from their ability to pick officers with similar talent. Which was great for them, but had ended up being her bane.
Metal flashed in her side vision. His dagger. She tensed, ready to shout for help, but he only cut the thong so he could pull off the necklace. She stood with her cheek and body pressed against the tree while he checked her clothing and took the dice cubes and octahedron she had stashed in her pocket.
“You can turn around, he finally said.
Allegra faced him with a scowl. “Are you done?
He stepped back from her. “Take off your boots and socks.
Double damn. He had thought of all her hiding places. She sat on the ground and tugged off her riding boots. The captain crouched down, his blade at the ready, and slid each boot away after she took it off. When she pulled off her socks, the ring glinted on her left toe. She reached for it
“Dont move! He pulled the circle of metal off her toe and slipped it into a travel pouch tied onto his belt. After scanning her other foot, he released a breath and some of the tension eased in his shoulders. “All right. He motioned at her boots. “You can put those back on and get on your horse.
Disgruntled at losing her shapes, she laced up her boots and stood, keeping her hands out so he wouldnt think she was up to any mischief. She supposed his reaction made sense, given that he served an empress who had become a legend for her powers. Of course he took precautions against a mage of their enemies. It would have been funny if he hadnt been so intimidating; she couldnt imperil a flea, unless he counted a good nights sleep as danger.
The captain walked her back to her horse before sheathing his dagger. He helped her mount Shadow, then swung up onto his own horse. As they returned to the army, Allegra brooded. Without her mage shapes, she was even more defenseless than before.
CHAPTER 24
A PRINCES RANSOM
In the sunset, the Pyramid Foothills resembled ruddy towers. The armies made camp across the border from Taka Mal where the Saint Verdant River turned south. The Rocklands of Taka Mal lay to the east. The main battle of the Sun-Dragon War had been fought there, but now the rocky plains lay empty and barren, blistering during the day and icy at night. Tomorrow the armies would travel northeast, cutting across a corner of the Rocklands and venturing deep into Taka Mal, headed for Quaaz.
Allegra expected Cobalt to insist she remain in the custody of his army, but Jarid convinced him to let her stay with Aronsdale because he had given her asylum. The tents used by the Aronsdale army were far less opulent than their desert counterparts. Jazid tents had furs, carpets, cushions strewn around and gem-encrusted chests; Aronsdale tents had pallets on the floor, riding bags or a duffel, and maybe a table and chairs. It made sense to Allegra; Jazidians lived in their tents, but the Aronsdale structures were only temporary shelters. Aronsdale was also relatively poor, whereas Jazid was saturated with gems and precious metals.
Several warriors escorted her to a tent and remained outside, guarding the entrance. Sitting on the pallet, she pulled the thin blanket around her shoulders, chilly in the night. When a rustle came from the entrance, she tensed, wondering what else would happen. The grizzled captain pulled aside the flap and stood there, his face impassive. The blood drained from her face. But instead of threatening her, he stepped asideand Markus walked into the tent.
Allegra exhaled, her shoulders easing down. After the captain dropped the flap, Markus stood rubbing his wrists as he scrutinized the tent, studying everything.