“This is lovely, Allegra said, self-conscious with the queen. “Except for the Saint Verdant, I havent seen so much water since coming to Jazid.
“Were fortunate here, Vizarana said. “The water comes from the lake.
“Ah. Allegra felt strange, making small talk while four armies hulked around the city.
The queen sat on a stone bench by the waterfall and waited while Allegra settled on the other end. Then she said, “This spell, putting so many people to sleepyou cant do it regularly, can you?
Although Jarid hadnt actually asked her to lie, Allegra knew he didnt want anyone to know. She said only, “Ive made sleep spells often. That was true. Sort of.
The queen raised her eyebrows. “For thousands of people?
She exhaled, unable to lie. “No.
“Drummer thinks you did it in desperation, to save him and yourself, and that it destroyed your ability to do spells.
Allegra didnt want to dwell on what she had lost. She could no more imagine living without her spells than being blind. “Maybe someday it will come back.
Vizarana spoke quietly. “My husband would have died. You gave him back to me, at great cost to yourself. You forever have my gratitude.
Allegra nodded, unsure how to respond. Vizarana didnt seem to expect an answer, though. She considered Allegra. “Tell me what you think of this boy, Ozarson.
“Hes a remarkable young man. Allegra smiled. “It would probably embarrass him to hear me say this, but hes very sweet. Brave. Incredibly smart.
“Thats an odd description for an Aronsdale woman to give of a Jazid man. Wryly the queen said, “Even one whos only nine.
“I doubt Ozi will ever be like his father, Allegra said. “But what happens in the next eight or so years will make a dramatic difference. If Markus raises him without Yargazons influence, I think Ozi could become an inspired leader. If Yargazon raises him, especially without Markus She shook her head. “So much depends on Markus. But no matter how much he abhors Yargazons personal behavior, I dont see him repudiating the General.
Vizarana grimaced. “I dont suppose you could put Yargazon to sleep permanently. When Allegra gave her a startled look, the queen sighed. “Maybe not.
“He is Allegra couldnt think of anything tactful to add, so she said nothing more.
Vizarana rose to her feet and paced to the waterfall. “Prince Markus is a hostage of your king. She turned to Allegra. “Maybe he should become a hostage in Taka Mal instead.
Allegra couldnt imagine Jarid turning Markus over to the queen, especially given that Vizarana wanted Markus dead. She said only, “I dont follow you.
“Jarid could release Markus into custody of my House, Vizarana said. “You would be free to live here with your husband, if you wished, without the threat of Dusk Yargazon. Ozarson would relinquish the Topaz Throne but live here, as a hostage rather than a sovereign.
Allegra couldnt believe she so blithely suggested the impossible. For all that the hosting of such political “guests had a long history in the settled lands, she saw no motivation for anyone to agree to such an arrangement in this case.
“It seems unlikely, she said.
“A few days ago, I would have agreed, Vizarana said. “Im no longer sure. She rested her hand on a sculpture of the Dragon-Sun with its wings spread wide. “I would never have expected Ozars sons to offer that ancient compensation, or for the boy to insist on taking his regents place. She turned to Allegra. “I spoke at length with Jarid last night, and he has said similar about how they surprise him.
“That may be, Allegra said. “But I cant imagine they would relinquish the throne or have Markus come here.
“Dont be certain. Vizarana studied her. “I need you to answer a question. You must think with great care before you do.
“Yes?
“This boy. Ozarson. If he were to grow up here, with you and Markus as his guardians, without Yargazonwould he become a man of good character? A decent man.
Allegra didnt hesitate. “Yes. But she had to add, “If Yargazon can hold Ozarsons claim to the Topaz Throne, he would never leave Ozi alone here with Markus and me.
“My throne, Vizarana said flatly, “is not up for claiming. She tilted her head toward the hills where their armies camped. “We have by no means lost this war.
“It will be ugly no matter what happens, Allegra said quietly. “If Jazid loses, there is still the emperor.
“Maybe. Vizarana watched her intently. “What if Prince Markus had reason to relinquish this claim on the Topaz Throne?
Allegra couldnt imagine any reason. “He wont.
“For the sake of argument, suppose he did. Yargazon would have to take his army back to Jazid. Cobalt must leave Taka Mal then. He cant declare war on me without provocation. The Dawnfield armies would join us against him. That instance is specifically in my treaty with Aronsdale.
“Why would Yargazon take his army home?
“If the prince regent orders it, he must comply.
“Even if Markus relinquished Quaazwhich I cant see happeninghis army has taken other villages in Taka Mal.
“Terms would have to be worked out, Vizarana acknowledged.
Allegra shook her head. “My husband wont send Yargazon home.
“And if I gave him a good enough reason?
“What reason?
Vizarana gazed at the spires and bulb towers of her palace. Softly she said, “Dragon-Sun guide me.
Allegra waited, wondering what drove the submerged conflict she sensed in the queen.
Vizarana turned to her. And then she said, “If my daughter and Ozarson are betrothed now and marry when they come of age, it will meld the Houses of Quaazera and Onyx. Ozarson would never sit on the Topaz Throne, just as Cobalt will never sit on the Harsdown Throne. But a child born to my daughter and Ozarson would rule Taka Mal. She regarded Allegra steadily. “If Prince Markus will accept this arrangement and agree to let Ozarson live here, we can avert a war no one but Yargazon and your husband wants. The Topaz Throne will stay in my line and go to Onyx. In a low, fierce voice, she said, “And someday my House may raise an army that no one on this Lost Continent can withstand.
A chill went up Allegras back. She suddenly remembered Ozarson standing at the rail of the ferry, his hair blowing back from his face. In that moment, she had seen not a boy, but a king beyond all others.
She mentally shook herself. That “premonition had probably been born of fatigue more than anything else. She understood Vizaranas logicand her anguish. The queen wished happiness for her child. If Ozarson were his fathers son, Vizarana would no more want her daughter married to him than she had wanted to become Ozars queen.
Yargazon would never agree. But Markus? A tendril of hope crept into her thoughts, then shriveled. The Generals hold on Markus was too great. Or maybe it was true, what Markus had told her last night, that she wanted him to be someone other than who he was or desired to be.
So many questions needed answers. She hardly knew where to begin. “What did you mean by the Lost Continent? she asked.
“Surely youve heard the tales, Vizarana said. “Supposedly an ancient mage cursed these lands. Each century we would become more hidden from the world, until one day we would be forever cut off. Some people think its already happened.
Allegra had never thought much of the legend. She remembered Drummers mumbled words to Ardoz about a lost continent. “It seems an odd thought.
“Our priestess finds many odd tales buried in the archives. The queens voice quieted. “However, we must speak of the reality we face today.
“I dont know if the betrothal could work. Allegra steeled her resolve. “But if you wish me to bring this idea to the prince regent, Ill talk to him.