“Many people sing, the doctor said.
“They were going to give me back to Yargazon. The words felt like broken glass to Allegra. “He had fourteen more hours he meant to work on me. And the othersthey wanted Her voice cracked. “They were going to go out today and kill and kill and kill, because nothing ever stops them, nothing, and when they came back, Drummer and I would be the prizes, the spoils of war, and I couldnt take any more. So II She couldnt continue.
Ravensford stared at her. Then he thumped the drivers plank. The man guiding the oxen started, then brought the team to a stop.
“Tell me, Allegra, Ravensford said. “Tell me what you did.
“I used a shape I wasnt ready for. I sang a spell of sleep. Jarid added power. But it was too much. I broke.
The doctor stared at her. “Are you saying you did this with a spell?
She met his incredulous gaze. “Yes.
“How could that be possible? the doctor asked.
Ravensford spoke. “In extreme adversity, people can do incredible things. A man holds up the roof of a collapsing house to save his loved ones, a mother heaves away a huge boulder to rescue her child. Softly he said, “Perhaps a mage calls forth a power greater than she could normally handle.
Allegra could only say, “I dont know. She sagged against the pole, needing it to stay upright.
Watching her, Ravensford spoke to the doctor. “Take her back to the camp. She needs to see Jarid, if hes awake.
“No! Allegra said. “We have to get Drummer.
“Ill go scout the Jazid camp, Ravensford said. “See what I can find out. Can you tell me how to reach Drummer?
Allegra described his location as best she could. Her dazed walk through the Jazid camp was seared into her memory.
“Can he ride? Ravensford asked.
“Hes asleep. She thought of his torn body sprawled in the tent. “I dont think he could ride even if he were awake.
A muscle twitched in Ravensfords cheek. To the doctor, he said, “Send someone to help me, with the fastest horse you trust to carry an unconscious man. If the Jazid camp is asleep, well get Drummer. If theyre awake, well come back.
“I should go with you, Allegra said.
“You must rest. Recover. In an oddly strained voice, the colonel said, “Regain your mage gifts.
Sadness tugged at Allegra. “I dont think I can.
“If you dont, he said, “who will awake the sleepers?
With that, he set off for the Jazid camp.
Allegra passed out on the way to the Aronsdale camp. The next time she became aware, she was lying in a blurred gray and blue place. The days heat blistered, but it receded when hands laid wet cloths across her fevered skin.
Jarid visited. He knelt by her pallet and spoke softly. She didnt understand, but his words were like cool water on her burning skin. He held his sphere, and his miraculous blue radiance filled her, a gentler, more nuanced spell than she had ever known. Her pain receded. The blue deepened into an impossible color, indigo, and the agony in her heart over Markus and Yargazon eased. Even an indigo couldnt take away emotional pain, but he helped her to heal. The world faded and sleep folded her into its softness.
The day had slipped into evening by the time Allegra awoke. She lay on her back gazing at the tent above her head. A blue tassel hung from the apex of its peaked roof. When she felt strong enough, she slowly sat up and looked around. A table across the tent had bandages, pots and fluted bottles, and a basin of water. Several other pallets lay on the floor, but it was a moment before she realized someone lay in one of them. A blue sheet covered him to the waist. He was on his stomach, his head turned away, but she recognized the yellow curls spilling down his neck.
She stood up carefully. Someone had changed her into a blue shift that came to her knees. Her welts had healed far more than should have been possible in less than a day, and the blisters and cuts on her feet didnt hurt nearly as much as before. She crossed the tent and knelt next to the man. Lash marks showed on his skin, but as with her welts, they had healed far faster than normal.
Allegra touched his shoulder. “Drummer?
To her surprise, he turned onto his back. Now that she could see him in better light, she realized he had the classic Aronsdale blue eyes, said to be granted by Saint Azure himself. Long, gold eyelashes framed them, thick and curled. They were gorgeous. She hadnt realized just how handsome he was, even by the standards of her people. No wonder the queen of Taka Mal had wanted him.
“Who are you? he asked. His voice rasped, and she flinched, knowing what had injured his vocal cords. Screams.
“My name is Allegra. I was Yargazons prisoner, too.
“The green mage from last night?
“You could tell? I thought you were unconscious.
“Mostly. But I knew you were there, offering comfort. Softly he said, “Thank you.
“Im sorry I couldnt do more.
He gave a ragged laugh. “Jarid tells me you put thousands of people to sleep to get us out of that camp.
Including Drummer. “When did you wake?
“About an hour ago.
“Are you all right?
“Fine. He laid his arm behind his head, his elbow bent, and stared at the peaked roof where shadows were gathering. “My wounds will heal. He sounded listless.
She had a feeling it wasnt that simple. “And your voice?
It was a moment before he answered. “I was a minstrel and an acrobat before Jade and I married. I suppose its not the life for everyone, but I loved it. I used to sing to her. But nowI dont know. And with my foot like this He let out a breath. “At least I have the foot. If Jarid hadnt helped, the doctor says he would have had to amputate. Because of infection.
“Im sorry, Allegra said. She understood well the grief of losing his songs. “Surely your voice will heal.
“Perhaps. His face gentled. “Hell, Im free of Yargazon. And my wife and child are alive. Thats what matters.
“I miss my family, Allegra said. “They dont even know what has happened to me. She hadnt yet had a chance to send them a letter. She couldnt imagine what they would think when they found out about her marriage. Drummer was one of the few people who would understand what she faced as the consort of a foreign sovereign. Now that he was safe and the immediate crisis was over, perhaps he would be willing to talk about it. If he could adapt to Taka Mal, hope might exist for her and Markus.
Allegra spoke awkwardly. “Would you mind if I asked about your marriage?
He regarded her curiously. “What would you like to know?
“Is it true the queen took you as her consort the same way my husband had me brought to Jazid?
His grin flashed, and in that instant he turned into the epitome of the Aronsdale male, with his sunny appearance and sparkling eyes. She couldnt fathom why people in Jazid denigrated him. In Aronsdale, women had probably fallen all over themselves to catch his attention.
“Ive no idea about your wedding, Drummer said good-naturedly. “But I doubt it was like mine. We had to sneak off in the middle of the night so no one could stop us.
“Then you went willingly?
“Well, yes. He was watching her closely. “You didnt?
“I was kidnapped in Aronsdale. They sold me.
Drummer grimaced. “Ah, yes. This barbaric penchant of theirs for stealing mates. They grabbed me at night. He gave her a crooked smile. “Maybe I should be insulted. Vizarana didnt pay anything for me. She just locked me up in a suite of the palace.
Allegra shuddered. “Dont be insulted. Believe me.
His smile faded. “I think maybe it wasnt the same for you.
“No, she said wanly. “It was a nightmare.
His voice quieted. “I was only a political prisoner.
“Did she take advantage of the situation?
His devastating smile returned, but it was gentler this time. “I suppose. I never felt coerced. Her generals would undoubtedly say I took advantage of her. Mischief flashed in his eyes. “I kept trying to kiss her when I wasnt supposed to.