The atajazid regarded the gathered leaders, and they stared back at him. Allegra saw wariness in their expressions, hostility, and curiosity, too, about a child no one had seen for two years, while speculation about him ran rife. When Ozarson saw Markus and Allegra, his shoulders lowered the slightest bit, as if he had tensed for a blow and now realized it wouldnt come. She wondered if the others here sensed the power in this boy, the signs of the formidable man he could someday become. It already showed in the lift of his strong chin, the confidence of his posture as he took his place at the table and the intelligence in his eyes.
Then Cobalt enteredand the room seemed to shrink.
Almost seven feet tall, with a massive physique, he towered over even the Jazidians. He wore his black hair in a warriors queue, and he had on dark clothes with no adornment except a jaguar in dark blue on his belt. General Cragland came with him and other officers Allegra didnt know. It didnt matter who they were. Cobalts presence dominated the room.
They were all gathered then, standing by high-backed chairs, Aronsdale at the far end of the table, Harsdown to their right, Taka Mal on their left, with Jazid and the emperor toward the other end. Bodyguards for every leader stood around the walls, towering, imposing. Daunted, Allegra realized that except for Vizarana, who had a lifetime of dealing with these people, she was the only woman.
Cobalt spoke in his impossibly deep voice. “Let us begin.
Everyone took their seats, clothes rustling. The emperor settled back, one elbow resting on the arm of his chair, and said, “We are met today to decide who will hold the Topaz Throne.
“The Topaz Throne is already held, Vizarana said. “By me.
“How odd, then, Yargazon mused, “that my soldiers occupy your palace while you, your child and your cousins consort are with the Aronsdale army. He glanced at Drummer as if just remembering his existence. “Oh, and him, too.
Drummers fist clenched on the table. Vizaranas hand dropped to her dagger as her gaze stabbed at the General. Yet neither she nor Drummer lost their calm.
Baz Quaazera leaned forward. “Your soldiers may be in the Topaz Palace, Yargazon, but theyre losing on the battlefield. Its a lot easier to occupy a building than a country.
General Ardoz gave him a sour look. “The last I saw, General Quaazera, your fearsome troops were asleep.
“A trait seemingly shared by yours, Muller Dawnfield said. “When my men rode into your camp yesterday, your infamous Jazidian warriors were out like babies.
Everyone at the table glanced uneasily at Allegra. The queen considered her, then let her gaze travel over the others until it came to rest on Cobalt.
“You have a price on General Yargazons head, Vizarana told him. She jerked her head at Markus. “And on his. Well, you have them both. Carry out their sentences. Execute them.
“Prince Markus is in my custody, Jarid said sharply. “If you plan to kill him, youll have to go through me first.
General Cragland spoke from his chair on the emperors right. “Everyone here is under the protection of the Alatian Codes of War. No one can be imprisoned, attacked or killed at this summit. He regarded Markus, then Yargazon. “Not even those under a death sentence.
Although he didnt say, Even those who deserve it, the words seemed to hang in the air. Markus sat listening, his face as cold as the first time Allegra had seen him.
Baz Quaazera spoke to Yargazon. “Look at the numbers. You have, what? Four thousand men, counting the Jazid deserters. He let the word “deserters curdle on his tongue. “I have two thousand, and Aronsdale and Harsdown together brought over three thousand. The emperor has another two, in addition to the thousand already here. Thats eight thousand.
Yargazon didnt look in the least daunted. “Three thousand Dawnfield, he mused. “To fight for whom? And what do we have? Four thousand Jazid, two thousand Taka Mal. Six thousand total. Three thousand Dawnfield and three thousand from the emperor also makes six thousand. An interesting balance, there.
No one answered. Allegra didnt envy the queen her decision. Her forces alone couldnt defeat Yargazon. If Cobalts men joined hers, along with Aronsdale and Harsdown, they had a good chance of defeating Yargazon, but Cobalt would then move his men into the palace. Unless Aronsdale and Harsdown were willing to challenge him, he would take the Topaz Throne. But if the queen formally relinquished the throne to Ozarson and joined forces with Jazid, it would swell their ranks enough to defy Cobalt.
It was excruciating. Allegra feared that if they couldnt reach a decision here, the Dawnfields would stand by and let Jazid keep the throne. Yargazon would win. She hated that he had set it up so well; she wanted him to fail so much, it burned inside her. But he had a good chance of achieving everything he and Markus had set out to do.
Two unplayed cards remained on the table. The first was Markus. Whatever her husband might think, Allegra knew Yargazon wanted him back. Cobalt could claim the Onyx Throne and enforce that claim with his army from now until the end of time, but to the Jazid people, Markus was their true ruler until Ozarson came of age. Jazid needed him as a rallying figure, a leader, a symbol that the royal house continued. Nor was it only political; as much as Yargazon was capable of loving a son, he felt that way about Markus. But he would have to negotiate the prince regents release, which put Jarid Dawnfield in a powerful position.
The second card was the mages who had come with the armies. Allegra knew she could do nothing more to affect the war. Nor did Drummer have that level of power. Jarid did, but he wouldnt use it in violence. Iris was a healer, and Aron was still learning. But she wondered if anyone besides the mages themselves realized those limitations. Yesterday everyone had seen what looked like proof of a new mage force. She wasnt certain how they could use that card, but it had to be worth something.
Baz Quaazera spoke. He had a powerful voice; even his quiet tones reached every corner of the room. “The question of these war crimes must be decided before we go any further.
“We are shielded here under the Alatian Code, Yargazon said.
“Only until the summit finishes, Vizarana said. Her voice could have chilled ice. “You would do well to remember that.
Ardoz leaned forward. “Are you suggesting something illegal has transpired, Your Majesty?
No, Allegra thought. She didnt think she could bear it if they discussed what had happened to Drummer or to her. She doubted Yargazon cared that he transgressed against the moral codes of those he tortured; in his view, she and Drummer werent human.
General Cragland spoke. “The legalities depend on what legal code you apply. And that depends on what country rules Taka Mal.
Allegra let out a breath, and she felt Markus shift next to her. An unsettled stir went around the table. It all came back to the standoff: they had to determine who supported whom.
Then Ozarson spoke. “No, it doesnt.
Surprise at the interruption flashed on Yargazons face and his mouth tightened. But he spoke smoothly. “His Majesty has taken the throne of Taka Mal, so the question of who rules is moot. He glanced at the boy. “Perhaps you would allow your humble servants to discuss
“No. Ozarson stood his ground, but Allegra could tell that under his composure, he was scared. He spoke to Drummer. “Your Highness, I greatly regret you came to ill use while a guest of my House. I hope we may in some way offer compensation for the misuse of our pol-political protocols. He stumbled over the last words as if he wasnt sure what fit the situation.
Everyone stared at the boy. A muscle twitched in Yargazons cheek. He sat forward, one fist clenched on the table.
“You speak well, Your Majesty, Drummer said. Wryly he added, “Perhaps in compensation, you might direct your armies to withdraw from Taka Mal.