It was near dawn when the Major reappeared at the front of the lines of soldiers. Nearly five hundred men that were well armed but wore desert garb were marching from the south. His rough voice filled the predawn air, "Princess Regent it was the best I could do given the time. We must hurry if we wish to fine the Prince regent." Alive hung in the air.
Her heart fluttered five hundred men was the best he could do? For saints sake most recruiting efforts didn't yield that in a year let alone in a few hours. Keeping her voice stern voice, "Where did you find them?"
He only grinned, "I was a Cornel for the Regnant. Some men will only fight for him and the Atajazid."
Mel glided up near her. "We best hurry if we wish to do this quickly."
Allegra turned to Ozi who now stood next to her kneeling before him she spoke for only him to hear. "Ozi I need you to stay here. Do your best to look like a tender's son."
"I want to go." His voice cracked with trying to be the mature Atajazid that he was born to be verses the scared boy that he was.
"I know sweets, but I would surly lose my mind if anything happen to you. Please will you do this for me?"
He let out a sigh but managed to keep his fears out of his voice, " You are my regnant … You will come back." The last part was said with authority.
"Of course I will and I will have your brother with me when I do."
Ozi smiled. He knew Markus would hate having Allegra speaking to him so much in front of an army worse if he knew she spoke to him the same way his mother once had but still it warmed his heart.
The men poured into companies. The ones who followed the Shadow dragon led and marched first followed by a wave of Calvary. To the right was the Chamberlight men followed by those of the Topaz throne. Behind them were the rest of the infantry and archers. The banners of the three houses waved into the desert sky as they marched.
In the front of the line the leaders led them. Mel rode to the right of Allegra, the major to Allegra's left and Baz beyond him. As they marched Baz spoke above the beat of marching feet and hooves, "Where did you get the banners when all had been destroyed?"
Mel answered after a moment," If all had been destroyed we wouldn't be here General." After another pause she added, "We had two of my flags dyed."
He let it drop as he had when he saw them in the first place. After all a smart man knew when not to goad a queen and right now her fury could destroy all of them, or at least he feared it could.
As they covered the distance and the ravine came into sight the Major spoke, "Allow me to go down there with a few of the men. If you allow me to carry the scroll it should be enough to grant audience with the higher rank officers."
"Will they listen to it?" Allegra asked.
"It is signed by the Atajazid, they would be a fool not to."
Baz scoured, " And how will they know is signature isn't forged?"
The Major smiled," Those of us who serve the Atajazid know his signature and this cannot be forged. I would bet my life on that."
A lone rider came rushing up to the Dawn star encampment. His black heir hung around his shoulders though gray now blended into it. A scar ran down his neck. In a rough voice that he rarely used he spoke, "Where is the emperor?"
A sentry who had been left behind spoke knowing full well who was now standing before him, "King Jarid, I bare grave news. The emperor is being held prisoner by general Dusk."
"And the empress?"
"Leading the army to rescue him I'm afraid." Not that he was afraid of war but that she would use a spell that would destroy something or everything.
"Is that all?'
"The Atajazid is here as is The Dawn star Heir and Prince Drummer."
"I'll need to speak to both."
Jarid was pacing when Drummer entered the tent a tall Boy in worn clothing behind him.
"Ay, you are a sight for sore eyes. You rode here on a sparrows wings if you reached here so fast."
"I was two days behind Cobalt. Muller is a day behind me with both our armies and our wives." Jarid murmured.
Drummer looked puzzled. Shyly Ozi spoke, " Why both your armies, Sir?"
"The Emperor tore across both Hardsfield and Aronsdale without even bothering to send word to why." Not to mention asking first.
Yes that would explain it after all you don't cross another kings land unless you ask first unless you planned to attack. Calmly Drummer spoke, "He was after Dusk." He paused for a long moment then spoke, "The General has quite the collection of political prisoners this time."
"Vizarana?"
"Hmm as well as Cobalt, Ginger-Sun and Markus. I fear something more though."
Jarid stopped pacing and looked at Drummer. Slowly he asked," and what is that?"
"My niece and the princess Regent complement each other nicely."
"Let's hope we don't find out what they can do together if they find their husbands –" he paused and looked at Ozi and made sure he didn't say anything distressing, "unable to ease their tempers."