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Book Information:
Genre: High/Epic Fantasy
Author: Sara Douglass
Name: Enchanter
Series: Book Two of The Axis Trilogy
Extra Series Info: The series has 3 books in total; There is another sequel trilogy,
called the Wayfarer Redemption.
=================================================




                                         Enchanter
                        Book Two of THE AXIS TRILOGY
                                Written by Sara Douglass


                 The Prophecy of the Destroyer
                             A day will come when born will be
                             Two babes whose blood will tie them.
                             That born to Wing and Horn will hate
                                The one they call the-StarMan.
                                  Destroyer rises in the north
                               And drives his Ghostmen south;
                              Defenceless lie both flesh and field
                                    Before Gorgrael's ice.
 To meet this threat you must release
       The StarMan from his lies,
   Revive Tencendor, fast and sure
         Forget the ancient war,
For if Plough, Wing and Horn can't find
      The bridge to understanding,
   Then will Gorgrael earn his name
      And bring Destruction hither.

    StarMan, listen, heed me well,
      Your power will destroy you
   If you should wield it in the fray
    'Ere these prophecies are met:
    The Sentinels will walk abroad
    'Til power corrupt their hearts;
  A child will turn her head and cry
         Revealing ancient arts;
     A wife will hold in joy at night
      The slayer of her husband;
      Age-old souk, long in cribs,
       Will sing o'er mortal land;
   The remade dead, fat with child
         Will birth abomination;
   A darker power will prove to be
         The father of salvation.
 Then waters will release bright eyes
     To form the Rainbow Sceptre.
      StarMan, listen, for I know
    That you can wield the sceptre
    To bring Gorgrael to his knees
      And break the ice asunder.
  But even with the power in hand
       Your pathway is not sure:
  A Traitor from within your camp
   Will seek and plot to harm you;
  Let not your Lover's pain distract
     For this will mean your death;
  Destroyer's might lies in his hate
      Yet you must never follow;
  Forgiveness is the thing assured
       To save Tencendor's soul.
Prologue: The Ruins of Gorkenfort
Gorgrael stood in the deserted bedchamber of Gorkenfort Keep, his breath
frosting about his tusks in the frigid atmosphere. His bright silver eyes narrowed
as he absorbed the lingering memories and emotions of the room. Bending, he
scraped a hand across the bed, catching and tearing the bed linen with his
hooked claws. Hate and desire, pain and satisfaction lingered here. He snatched
a handful of the material to his nostrils, crushing it between his powerful claws.
She had been here, had slept here, had laughed and cried here. Gorgrael
abruptly arched his body back, his muscles rigid, and shrieked his anger,
frustration and desire. He hated and wanted this woman almost as much as he
hated and wanted Axis.
     Outside the Keep's walls the Skraelings stilled and fell silent as they heard
their master's voice echo about the frozen wastes. As suddenly as he had given
vent to his anger and desire Gorgrael stopped, straightening and relaxing his
body. He dropped the fragment of sheet to the floor, and glanced around the
ruined chamber. This had been her chamber, hers and that pitiful fool's,
Borneheld. He was of no account; Gorgrael would brush him aside at the first
possible opportunity. But the woman...she was the key.
     Gorgrael knew the Prophecy almost as well as its maker. He knew that now
Axis had escaped to his - their — father he would prove a far more formidable
opponent. Enough to counter Gorgrael's command of the Dark Music? Gorgrael
was not sure. Axis was certainly now too strong to be vulnerable to his
SkraeBolds. But as the third verse of the Prophecy gave Axis the key to destroy
Gorgrael, so it gave Gorgrael the key to destroy Axis. The Prophet had been
kind.
     The key was the Lover mentioned in the Prophecy. If Gorgrael could destroy
her, he would destroy Axis. Axis was vulnerable to nothing but love, and
eventually love could prove his destruction.
     Gorgrael shrieked again, but this time in glee. It would take time, but
eventually he would have her. The traitor was in place. All he needed was the
opportunity.
     Faraday. Gorgrael had gleaned much from this room. She was the one to
whom Timozel had bound himself, she had given Axis the power of the emerald
fire that had decimated Gorgrael's Skraeling force. For that alone she deserved
to die. For the fact that Axis loved her Faraday would die slowly. For her alliance
with the Mother and with the Trees she would die alone and friendless. Gorgrael
dug his claws deep into the mattress and shredded it with a single twist of his
powerful arm. This is what he would do to Faraday's body. After she had begged
for her life, pleaded for mercy, screamed as she submitted herself to his will. He
would shred her!
     Gorgrael's eyes drifted towards the shattered window. Most of the hamlets
and towns of Ichtar lay in ruins. Hsingard, the one-time seat of the Duke of
Ichtar, was useless rubble. Tens of thousands of Ichtar's inhabitants had died.
The Skraelings had fed well. But not all had gone according to plan, and
satisfaction was still a way off. Axis had escaped, and in doing so had badly
damaged Gorgrael's force.
     If Gorgrael had enough Skraelings to occupy Ichtar then he did not have a
strong enough force left to harry either Axis or Borneheld. The Duke of Ichtar
had managed to flee south with almost five thousand men (and her) and even
now approached Jervois Landing. There he would no doubt make his stand by
the running waters.
     Neither Gorgrael nor his creatures liked running water. It made music from
beauty and peace, not darkness. It tinkled. Gorgrael screamed in frustration and
completed his destruction of the bed. He was severely disappointed in his
SkraeBolds. Borneheld's escape had been assisted by their inability to focus the
Skraelings' attention on attacking the Duke's column as it fled south. While it was
true that many Skraelings trembled at the SkraeBolds' screams and threats of
retribution, many others did not. Long had the Skraelings hungered to drive into
the pleasant southern lands, long had they resented their icy northern wastes.
Now, as the defeat of Gorkenfort opened Ichtar to them, they spread across the
province in largely unrestrained and undisciplined glee, a misty, whispery mob
that destroyed without thought. The SkraeBolds had found it impossible to rally
enough Skraelings to make any serious attempt on Borneheld's fleeing force, and
had to confine themselves to harrying the flanks and rearguard of his column.
     Not only were the Skraelings proving harder to control and the SkraeBolds
less efFectual than he had hoped, Gorgrael also had to admit that his forces had
been so weakened by the fury Axis had unleashed on them above Gorkenfort
that it would take him months to rebuild an army strong enough and disciplined
enough to push further south than Hsingard. And as the SkraeBolds trembled
and wept at the thought of reporting their failures to Gorgrael, so Gorgrael
himself began to construct the arguments he would need to convince his mentor
that it had been the right time to strike Gorkenfort, it had been the right time to
begin his drive into Achar. The Dark Man had cautioned him to wait a year or
two more, to wait until his army had been built into a more formidable force and
his magic was deeper and darker. But Gorgrael had been tired of waiting. While
the Dark Man had taught him all he knew, had taught him the use of the Dark
Music and crafted him into the power he was today, Gorgrael feared him as
much as he loved him.
     His claws twitching nervously, Gorgrael began rehearsing his explanations.


Jervois Landing Arrivals
 Ho'Demi sat his shaggy horse and contemplated the impenetrable fog before
him. His scouts had reported that the Duke of Ichtar and what remained of his
command from Gorkenfort drew close. For all Ho'Demi knew they were but ten
paces away.
     Ho'Demi shivered. He did not like these southern lands with their damp
mists. He yearned for the northern wastes of the Ravensbund with its endless
leagues of grinding ice. He yearned to be once more hunting the great icebears
with the men and women of his tribe — not these Ghostmen whose very
whispers defiled the wind.
     However, the northern wastes were denied Ho'Demi and his people. For as
far back as tribal memory stretched the Skraeling wraiths had existed. Until the
past year they had been neither numerous nor brave, and as long as his people
hunted in packs, the Skraelings had not attacked. But now, massed by the
unseen yet powerful hand of Gorgrael the Destroyer, the Skraelings had driven
them from the Ravensbund, down through Gorken Pass, past Gorkenfort and
town - where the Duke of Ichtar had stopped the invasion of Gorgrael's
Ghostmen - and into these southern lands. Ho'Demi had finally stopped his
people's flight here at Jervois Landing. It was here that Borneheld, having
somehow escaped the Skraelings, intended to make his stand.
     Ho'Demi and his people had always intended to help the Southerners against
Gorgrael and his Skraelings; it was part of their heritage. But when he had
offered his warriors at Gorkenfort, Borneheld had laughed and said he had no
need for Ravensbund assistance. He, Duke of Ichtar, commanded a real army.
Well, now the Duke and his real army might not be so slow to accept the help of
the Ravensbund warriors.
     Ho'Demi had led as many of his people out of the Ravensbund as he could.
But the Ravensbund tribes lay scattered across the vast territory of the northern
wastes and Ho'Demi had not been able to get word to the majority of the tribes
to flee into the southern lands. Only twenty thousand had pitched their sealskin
tents about Jervois Landing, a mere twentieth of the Ravensbund population.
Ho'Demi shuddered to think of what had happened to those left behind. He
hoped they had found a place to hide among the crevices of the ice packs, there
to await the day when Gorgrael was defeated by the StarMan. He hoped they
had the courage for a long wait.
     The Ravensbundmen were a proud and ancient people who had adapted
their culture and society to a life spent almost entirely within the ice-bound
regions of northern Achar. Few had any contact with the world beyond the River
Andakilsa. The King of Achar (whosoever he currently was) might fondly believe
that he ruled Ravensbund as he ruled the rest of Achar, but as far as the
Ravensbundmen knew or cared, the Achar King had as much control over them
as he did over the Forbidden. Ho'Demi was their Chief, and his was the law they
obeyed.
     But now, for the sake of the Prophecy and because it was the only thing left
for him to do, Ho'Demi would put himself under the command of Borneheld.
Ravensbundmen had been aware of the Prophecy of the Destroyer for thousands
of years, and Ho'Demi knew that, divided, no-one could defeat Gorgrael.
Someone had to begin the alliance that would create Tencendor and crush the
Destroyer. As the Skraeling threat grew infinitely worse, he had quickly realised
this was a sign that the Prophecy had awoken and now walked. Of all the
peoples of this land, perhaps the Ravensbundmen were more loyal to the name
of the StarMan than most. When he called, then they would rally.
     In groups of never less than a thousand, the Ravensbund people had passed
by Gorkenfort, many weeks before Axis had arrived. As yet they did not know
where the StarMan was; they did not know who he was. Until they found him,
until they could declare their loyalty and their spears for him, Ho'Demi had
decided they would fight with Borneheld. If he would have them.
     Borneheld knew what the bells were the instant their gentle sound reached
him through the fog, and he hunched even further beneath his voluminous cloak.
     It had been two weeks since they had fled Gorkenfort. As soon as Axis had
drawn the Skraelings northwards away from the fort, Borneheld had ordered the
gates opened and led his column out through the ruins of Gorkentown. The
march south towards Jervois Landing was a desperate trek through icy
conditions which hourly weakened his men's resistance to death. Many had died
from the freezing cold or from the physical effort of the march. In the past week
even more had died as the Skraelings made nibbling attacks on the rear and
flanks of Borneheld's retreating column. Others deserted. Even those two old
brothers who Axis had dragged north with him from the Silent Woman Keep and
who had babbled incessantly about musty prophecies had disappeared one night.
As far as Borneheld was concerned, the Skraelings could feed all they wanted on
those two as on any others not prepared to stay with him.
     Unaccountably, the Skraelings had left them alone for a critical five days
after their escape from Gorkenfort. They had ridden as hard and as fast as they
could — until the horses started to die beneath them — expecting an attack from
Gorgrael's army at any moment. No-one in Borneheld's company knew that it
was because Axis and his command had hurt the Skraelings so grievously in the
icy wastes above Gorkenfort that the SkraeBolds had needed to regroup the
decimated Skraeling forces.
     All Borneheld and his company knew was that they'd had five days' start on
the Skraelings, and that five days was the difference between life and death.
When the Skraelings did finally reappear, they did not do so in force, and
Borneheld's column had managed to keep moving further south towards the
comparative safety of Jervois Landing. The Skraelings would not push so far
south. Surely.
     Yet every step they took southwards towards safety increased Borneheld's
bitterness. It hadn't been his fault that Gorkenfort had fallen. Traitors had
undermined his command and betrayed both Ichtar and Achar. Magariz's actions
had confirmed that. His most senior, most trusted commander had chosen to
ride with his bastard half-brother rather than fight for Borneheld and the cause
of Achar. For thirty years Borneheld's jealousy of Axis had dominated his life;
now bitter resentment twisted his gut. Artor curse him, he thought, I hope he
died out there in the frozen wastes. Screaming for me to ride to his rescue,
screaming my name as the wraiths chewed the flesh from his bones.
     But even that thought could not bring a smile to Borneheld's cold-chapped
face. Now, after the treachery of Gorkenfort, Borneheld trusted few. If Magariz
could turn against him, then who else might prove treacherous? Even Jorge and
Roland, riding silent and introspective further back in the column, did not enjoy
the same depth of trust as they once had. No, Borneheld truly trusted only
Gautier and Timozel. Who would have thought that such a young whelp - and an
Axe-Wielder to boot - could grow into such a loyal and devoted servant to the
Duke of Ichtar? Timozel had clearly demonstrated his worth on this march south,
proving that he could harry men into obedience as well as Gautier, and fight with
as much courage as Borneheld himself. Now he rode his horse slightly to the left
and behind Borneheld, sitting tall and proud in the saddle, the occasional flare of
his visionary eyes keeping Borneheld's own hopes alive.
     Artor had graced Timozel with visions, and that meant Artor would
eventually grace Borneheld's cause with victory as well.
     Borneheld's eyes slipped to the horse that followed a few paces behind
Timozel's. His wife, Faraday, clung to the saddle and toYr, as she had since her
horse succumbed to the cold three days ago. Could he trust Faraday? Borneheld
frowned under the hood of his cloak. He had thought that she loved him, for had
she not whispered words of love and devotion to him night after night, and fled
to his arms when Axis had proved incapable of protecting her? But what was it
she had murmured to Axis as they said goodbye in the courtyard of Gorkenfort?
     Curse her, he swore silently. Her future would be with him, not with Axis.
She would provide Ichtar with an heir, not whatever shadowland Axis currently
ruled. He would rather see her dead than betray him as Magariz had.
     The loss of Gorkenfort and, subsequently, Ichtar had hurt Borneheld to the
core of his soul. As a young boy growing up in a loveless household, deserted by
his mother, ignored by his father, Borneheld had always had Ichtar. And when
his father died and Borneheld became Duke of Ichtar at only fourteen, he finally
felt that his life had meaning. Ignored by so many when he was simply the son
of Searlas, Borneheld revelled in the power he wielded as the new Duke. Power
brought him the attention he craved, the respect he demanded, the command
that was his due, and, eventually, the woman that he desired above all others.
     Now most of Ichtar was lost to him, and Borneheld felt the loss as keenly as
a physical wound. What power would he command as the man who had lost
Ichtar? What respect? Even if he could win back Ichtar — and he would - he
would still feel vulnerable. He would only feel safe if he commanded ultimate
power over all of Achar, if he sat the throne itself. As King, Borneheld would
have all the power, the respect and the love he craved. As King, he would surely
be able to flush out the traitors about him once and for all. Desperate as he was
to get it back, Ichtar was no longer enough for Borneheld.
     And didn't Timozel's visions indicate that Borneheld would become King?
Yes, it was Artor's wish that he take the throne.
     Now, as he approached Jervois Landing, Borneheld reviewed the forces he
still commanded. Despite the losses at Gorkentown - all of which had been the
fault of either the demon-spawned Axis or that traitor Magariz - he still controlled
a powerful force. The original column of five thousand he had led from
Gorkenfort had been swelled by the refugees from Ichtar. As sorry as these
refugees were now, they could work and some could be trained to fight. There
wefe also troops still stationed in Achar that Borneheld could command. There
was still a cohort of five hundred Axe-Wielders guarding the Brother-Leader at
the Tower of the Seneschal. All these could be his. And, if those soft chimes
meant what he hoped they did, he would also have the Ravensbundmen.
Uncouth savages to be sure, but they had both spears and horses. If they could
stick an enemy in the gut then they would be useful. Finally, there were the
resources of the Corolean Empire to the south of Achar. If that simpering fool of
a King, Priam, hadn't yet thought about arranging a military alliance with the
Coroleans then Borneheld would make sure that he soon would.
      Suddenly a stationary horseman loomed out of the mist and Borneheld
barked an order to halt. He sat for a moment and looked at the inscrutable
Ravensbundman's face. It was even more intricately tattooed in blue and black
than most of his race. Dizzying whorls and spirals covered not only his cheeks,
but his forehead and chin as well - although, strangely, there was a circular area
right in the centre of his forehead that remained naked and untattooed. As with
all his race, the savage had tiny chips of blue glass and miniature bells threaded
through his myriad greasy black braids. Even his mount - ugly, stunted, yellow-
furred nag that it was — had glass and bells woven into its mane and tail.
Uncivilised savages. Still, if they could kill they might yet serve a purpose.
      Ho'Demi let the Duke stare at him a moment, then spoke, demonstrating a
fluent command of the Acharite language. "Duke Borneheld. Gorgrael has taken
my land and murdered my people. He drives his Ghostmen south. The
Ravensbundmen live only to defeat Gorgrael. If you fight against Gorgrael then
we will stand by your side."
      Borneheld narrowed his eyes at the barbarian. "I do fight Gorgrael. But if
you want to fight with me then you will place yourself and your people under my
command."
      Ho'Demi wondered at the implicit threat in Borneheld's tone, but it did not
perturb him. He nodded. "Agreed."
      "Good." Borneheld peered into the mists behind the Ravensbundman, trying
to see how many men-he had with him. "How many will you bring to my
command?"
      "Of the twenty thousand in my camp, eleven thousand can fight."
      "You have done well to choose my cause," Borneheld said quietly. "Together
we will make our stand here at Jervois Landing against whichever of our enemies
attack first. This time, / will prevail."
Talon Spike
Four weeks after StarDrifter tore the crossed axes from his breast, Axis —
BattleAxe no longer — sat in his favourite spot on Talon Spike letting the wind
ruffle through his blond hair and beard. Every few days Axis found he had to
spend time alone, to lose himself in contemplation of these beautiful northern
alps rather than in the intricacies of the magical Star Dance, Icarii society and his
new life.
     From his eyrie perch on the rock ledge Axis gazed at the blue-white glacier a
thousand paces below, crashing a path through the lesser Icescarp Alps beyond
Talon Spike to calve its massive icebergs into the Iskruel Ocean. One month ago
the bergs in the Iskruel Ocean would simply have been flecks at the edge of his
vision. Now he could see that the huge icebear on the smallest of the bergs had
lost an ear in some past ursine dispute.
     He sighed. Even the wonders of his new-found powers could not make him
forget that Faraday was still trapped with one half-brother while the other,
Gorgrael, was undoubtedly remarshalling his forces to invade Achar. And if
Faraday or either one of his despised half-brothers did not occupy his thoughts,
then Axis found himself worrying over the problems of his new life.
     Father, mother, sister, uncle, grandmother. All exciting, all troubling in their
own right. But it was StarDrifter who dominated Axis' days. His father, the man
who had only existed in court gossip and innuendo for almost thirty years and
whose conspicuous absence had given Gorgrael the grist to torment Axis in his
nightmares for so long, was as compulsively drawn to Axis as Axis was to him.
     Their relationship was not easy. StarDrifter was a forceful man with powerful
expectations. He drove his son from first waking until Axis, exhausted, lay down
his head late at night. And Axis, having been alone for so long, having been his
own man for so long, both resented his father's intrusions and yearned for his
father's attention. It was not easy reconciling resentment and need every minute
of the day.
     Axis' mouth twisted as he thought of their morning's training session. After
hours confined in the one chamber, they had fought, bitterly, savagely.
MorningStar, StarDrifter's mother and Axis' grandmother, who was often present,
had finally dismissed Axis as she tried to reason with her son. Yet all Axis wanted
to do was stay in that chamber and ask StarDrifter another question about his
heritage and powers.
     "You fought again."
     Startled, Axis turned his head towards the voice. It was Azhure, dressed in a
pale-grey woollen tunic and leggings, walking confidently along the narrow rock
ledge. She halted a few paces away. "May I join you? Am I intruding?"
     Axis smiled. "No, you're not intruding. Please, join me."
     She sat down gracefully, curling her legs underneath her. "It is a superb
view."
     "Can you see the icebear?" He pointed to the distant iceberg.
     Azhure laughed. "I have not your Enchanter's vision, Axis SunSoar."
     Axis relaxed. Since he had come to Talon Spike, Azhure had become a good
friend. She was the one person he felt he could talk to, who understood the
problems he encountered as he embraced his heritage.
     "You have developed a good head for heights since living among the Icarii,
Azhure. Few Groundwalkers could even stand on this ledge, let alone wander
along it as if strolling the flat plains of Skarabost."
     "Why fear when I have an Enchanter to hand to save me should I tumble?"
     Axis laughed and changed the subject. "How did you know StarDrifter and I
had fought?"
     "He came back to the apartments and snapped at Rivkah. She snapped
back. I left them bickering and thought to find the source of such marital
disharmony so that he could explain himself."
     "Do you think I should have re-entered their lives, Azhure?" Axis asked.
     "If there are problems between them, you are not the cause, Axis," Azhure
replied. "I am sorry if I implied, even laughingly, that you were."
     Axis leaned his arms on his raised knees and considered his parents. Tension
marked the relationship between himself and his father, while with his mother
there was nothing but warmth. When the five Icarii had escorted him into Talon
Spike she had been the first to step forward. She had said nothing, just folded
him in her strong arms. For long minutes they had stood, each weeping silently,
holding each other as close as they could. Axis recalled how he had summoned
the memory of her struggle to give him birth and fight for his life. For so long
he'd believed that she had cursed him as she died in his birth. Those long
minutes holding each other had been a time of healing for them both.
     But things between Rivkah and StarDrifter were not idyllic. That they loved
each other, Axis had no doubt. But their passionate affair atop Sigholt had not
transferred easily to Talon Spike. Perhaps Axis had arrived in their lives only in
time to watch the sad disintegration of their marriage.
     "It must be hard to look into the face of your husband and see a man who
looks no older than your son."
     Axis' expression hardened a little. His Icarii blood ran much stronger than his
human and, like his sister, he would live the full span of an Icarii lifetime -
perhaps some five hundred years, should he be left in peace to do so. What
would it be like to watch his friends age and die while he still enjoyed youthful
vitality? What would it be like to see the sods thrown on their grandchildren's
coffins before he had reached his middle years?
     "Do I like it that in four hundred yean I might still be sitting here watching
the icebears hunt seals on the icebergs, trying desperately to recall the name
and face of a lovely woman who had once sat here with me? Whose bones have
turned to dust in some forgotten tomb? No, Azhure. I do not like it. I find it...
hard."
     Azhure reached out and took his hand. Axis stiffened briefly, then he forced
a smile. "But these powers I daily learn as an Icarii Enchanter give me a few
compensations. Such as making the woman who sits here with me a small gift
for the friendship she offers me."
      For an instant Azhure thought she caught the hint of a faraway melody in
the wind. Then she was laughing in delight as the soft, velvety blooms of the
violet Moonwild-flower rained down about her. She let Axis' hand go and tried to
catch as many as she could.
      "How did you know?" she gasped. She had not seen a Moonwildflower for
over twenty years - when she was a tiny girl her mother had occasionally taken
her on walks during full moon to find the flower.
      Axis plucked a flower out of the air and threaded it into her wavy black hair.
He was mildly disturbed, for he had meant to shower her with soft spring roses.
"A lucky guess, Azhure. You sometimes remind me of the Moonwildflower.
Hidden in darkness, desperate not to be found or touched."
      Suddenly awkward, Azhure gently cradled a flower in her hands. The
cascade drifted to a halt and she spoke, changing the subject. "EvenSong wants
me to join her at training this afternoon. She says I show aptitude."
      EvenSong had been impressed by Azhure's extraordinary fighting ability so
clearly demonstrated during the battle in the Earth Tree Grove at Yuletide. While
the Icarii Strike Force had faltered helplessly, unsure of how to combat the
Skraeling wraiths, Azhure had discovered the Skraelings' vulnerability - their eyes
— and almost single-handedly rallied the Icarii and Avar to fight back. During the
battle she had also saved StarDrifter from certain death.
      EvenSong admired Azhure for her cool head and bravery, and for some
weeks she and her Wing-Leader, SpikeFeather TrueSong, had been pressing
Azhure to join weapons training with the Strike Force.
      Axis could see Azhure's doubts and knew the reasons for them. Had he not
reviled her for the death of her father and the assault on Belial as she escaped
into the Avarinheim with Raum and Shra? Had not the Avar rejected her,
suspicious of her violence, even though she had saved so many of their lives?
      "Azhure," he said gently. "You did what you had to. Now do what you want
with your life. Would you like to go with EvenSong this afternoon?"
      Azhure hesitated, then nodded. "I have seen the Strike Force practise at
archery. They look so smooth, so graceful. I would like to try that. SpikeFeather
has offered to demonstrate for me and," her mouth quirked, "teach me the
proper use of the arrow." Again she hesitated, then forged on. "I am sick of
feeling helpless, directionless. I feel as though I have spent my life in a deep,
dark well. Now, after so long buried in Smyrton, I am starting to make my way
towards the surface - but the surface is still so very far away. Each day away
from Smyrton, each new experience, brings me a little closer, wakes me up a
little more from the torpor of my previous life. You are right. I must seek my own
path."
      She laughed now, her good humour returning. "I am glad I'm not an Icarii
Enchanter like you, destined for heroic deeds. That would be a heavy burden."
      Axis turned away, his face expressionless. "I am no hero."
     Azhure lowered her eyes to the flower she still held. If Axis had his moments
of denial, then she did not blame him. Not a day passed that Axis did not grieve
for those who had already died for him. He despised the thought that yet more
would die. And it haunted him that his sister blamed him for FreeFall's death.
     "You must bear with EvenSong. She has not yet reconciled herself to
FreeFall's death. Her grief needs an outlet."
     Axis knew his sister resented him for many other reasons besides his
inability to prevent FreeFall's death. She had not begun to come to terms with
having an older brother, and one who had inherited their father's powers in full.
Where once StarDrifter had lavished attention on EvenSong, now she found
herself virtually ignored by her father as he spent almost every waking moment
with his son. EvenSoiig found her father's obsession with Axis difficult to accept.
     It was fortunate, Axis mused, that Azhure was here to offer EvenSong
companionship. He too appreciated the friendship and understanding she gave
him as he fought to adjust to his new life and his new powers. Rivkah spent a
good deal of time talking to her as well. If not for Azhure, StarDrifter's entire
household might well have self-destructed by now.
     "The SunSoars are difficult people to live with," he said, resting his chin in
his hand.
     "The Icarii people as a whole are," replied Azhure, her eyes distant. "They
are very good at passions and very bad at friendships."
     Axis studied her closely. This woman from Smyrton displayed more insight
than many who had spent years in
     scholarly or diplomatic training. Where had she got it from? Not from her
father, surely; Hagen had demonstrated as much insight as a sack of barley. Her
mother? From what Axis knew of Nors women, they thought mainly of the
pleasures of the flesh and very little else. And surely the woeful society of her
village had contributed little to the inner depths she increasingly revealed.
     Azhure shifted under his gaze — those pale-blue eyes seemed to reach to
the core of her soul. Unthinking, she said the first thing that sprang to mind.
     "Do you worry about her, Axis? Do you wonder if she is all right?" she asked,
and then wished desperately she could snatch her words back.
     Axis tensed at her side and Azhure could sense his withdrawal. He rarely
spoke of Faraday and yet Azhure knew she was always in his thoughts.
     Azhure stumbled on, trying to relieve the sudden tension. "I saw her, you
know, at Yuletide. She is a woman who combines great beauty with great
compassion and selflessness. It is no wonder you love her as you do."
     "You saw her?" Axis frowned. "How?"
     "Did StarDrifter not tell you how he and Faraday woke the Earth Tree at
Yuletide as the Skraelings attacked the Earth Tree Grove?"
     Axis nodded, still frowning, and Azhure hurried on. "I don't know what
enchantment StarDrifter used, but Faraday appeared as if in a vision above the
Earth Tree. No-one else saw her. StarDrifter and Raum were concentrating so
hard on the Tree that they did not look up. I don't know if she saw me, but she
looked down and smiled." Azhure gave a litde shrug. "At least, I like to think she
smiled at me."
     Axis relaxed a little. "She would like you, and you her. It is a pity you are
both caught in the web of this Prophecy."
     "If / were married to Borneheld he would not have survived his wedding
night," Azhure said tightly. Over the past few weeks she had learned much of
Faraday's circumstances. "Why did she not escape with you to Talon Spike?"
     "Because she honours the vows that she took when she became Borneheld's
wife, Azhure. Even her love for me will not make her desert her honour." He
sounded bitter. "Do I wonder about her? Do I worry if she is all right? With every
breath that I draw, Azhure. I live for her."
     "Axis."
     They both swivelled towards the voice. StarDrifter stood on the ledge by the
archway that led back into the mountain, his white wings a litde outstretched to
aid his balance.
     . Axis stood in one fluid motion, feeling his father's intrusion keenly.
     StarDrifter held his gaze briefly, then dropped his eyes to Azhure and smiled
warmly at her, his face breathtaking in its beauty. "You should not bring Azhure
out here, Axis. She does not have our balance." He stepped forward and helped
Azhure to her feet, clasping her hand as he led her back into the safety of the
mountain.
     As they stepped through the archway and down into the wide corridor,
Azhure pulled her hand awkwardly from StarDrifter s grasp. "I followed Axis out
there, StarDrifter. It was not his fault. And neither the height of the cliff nor the
narrowness of the ledge bother me. Truly."
     StarDrifter looked back at her. He wished- she would abandon the Avar tunic
and leggings and wear the loose flowing robes favoured by the Icarii women;
she would look superb in their jewelled colours and she had the grace to do their
elegance justice.
     Axis stepped down into the corridor behind them and StarDrifter glanced at
his son. The tensions of their morning argument remained, and this afternoon's
training session would not be easy. No doubt they would end this afternoon with
angry words as well. Axis was so desperate to learn, but hated being the
student.
     Yet he learned so well, and so quickly. That was part of the problem, for Axis
wanted to learn faster than StarDrifter was willing to teach. While StarDrifter
took pride in the knowledge that the Prophecy had chosen him among all Icarii
to breed this son, he also found it hard not to resent Axis' power. As EvenSong
resented losing her only and most favoured child status, so StarDrifter was
battling to come to terms with the fact that very soon Axis' power would surpass
his own — and StarDrifter had long revelled in being the most powerful Icarii
Enchanter alive.
     StarDrifter looked back to Azhure with studied casualness. "Will you join us
this afternoon, Azhure?" he asked. With her present, both Enchanters kept a
tighter rein on their tempers. Neither MorningStar — who often helped with Axis'
training - nor Axis had so far raised any objections to Azhure s occasional
presence in the training chamber.
     "I thank you for the invitation, StarDrifter, but I will refuse. I promised
EvenSong I would spend the afternoon with her. If you will excuse me."
     She nodded at both men, then walked down the corridor, disappearing
around the first corner.
     "Imagine the Enchanters she would bear," StarDrifter said, so quietly that
Axis could not believe he was hearing cor-recdy. "I am nothing if not a good
judge of blood."
     Then he turned his powerful gaze on his son. "Over the past thousand years
the Icarii blood has thinned. Before the Wars of the Axe that severed our races
many Icarii birdmen chose to get their sons on human women. It was said that
human blood added vitality to the Icarii. You are proof enough of that."
     Axis felt his anger simmering. Was StarDrifter planning another seduction?
     "I love Rivkah," StarDrifter said slowly. "I demonstrated my love through
marriage - even though I believed she had lost our son. In ages past Icarii
birdmen simply took the babies of human—Icarii unions and never spared a
thought for the women they had bedded who had struggled to birth their
children."
     Appalled at such evidence of Icarii insensitivity, Axis suddenly understood
the depth of hate and loathing that had led the Acharites to finally drive the Icarii
from Tencendor.
     The Icarii had a lot to learn about compassion.


The Wolven
Azhure walked through the confusing maze of cor-f-\ ridors in the Talon Spike
complex, hoping she had remembered EvenSong's instructions correctly. Over at
least a thousand years the Icarii had tunnelled and excavated the mountain into
myriad chambers, connecting corridors and shafts. The Icarii not only used
horizontal corridors, but also vertical shafts - foot travellers needed to be wary of
wells opening abruptly at their feet.
     Azhure paused at one of the main connecting shafts of Talon Spike, which
not only extended up to the very peak of the mountain, but also fell into its
dizzying depths. She grasped the waist-high guard rail and peered down. Two
Icarii, already several levels below her, slowly spiralled down through the shaft
side by side. Both had gorgeously dyed emerald and blue wings, and the soft
enchanted light of the shaft shimmered across their jewel-bright feathers. Azhure
had to blink back tears at their loveliness. Nothing in her previous life in Smyrton
had prepared her for the beauty and passion of life among the Icarii of Talon
Spike.
     On her arrival six weeks ago Azhure had wondered at the height and width
of the corridors - but their spaciousness was explained the moment she saw
several Icarii wing their graceful way along the corridor, several paces above her
head. Fortunately for her, the complex also had stairs that wound about the
walls of the vertical shafts. Icarii children did not develop wings until they were
four or five years of age, and did not learn to fly well until they were eight or
nine. And occasionally an Icarii who injured a wing might have to walk the
corridors or climb the stairs. MorningStar, StarDrifter's mother, was such a one.
She had been unable to attend the Yuletide rites in the Earth Tree Grove after
snapping a tendon in her left wing, and was still grumbling about the indignity of
having to use the stairs.
     Leaving the shaft, Azhure passed the doors to the massive Talon Spike
Library. The Avar Bane Raum spent most of his days here, teaching the wingless
youngsters about the Avar and their forest home. Azhure's thoughts drifted to
Rivkah as she walked. Over the many years that Azhure had known Rivkah - or
GoldFeather as she had been called until recently — she had never known her so
at peace with herself as she had been since Axis' arrival. Rivkah might yet have
her unhappinesses with StarDrifter, but the reunion with the son she had long
thought dead had healed a festering wound in Rivkah's heart. She spent many
hours each day guiding Azhure through the intricacies of Icarii society, teasing
the young woman mercilessly when she gaped open-mouthed at some of the
more permissive practices of the Icarii.
     "You are already a much sought-after prize, Azhure Groundwalker, with your
raven-black hair and mysterious smoke-filled eyes," Rivkah had said only this
morning. "Will you survive the Beltide festivities without being cradled within
some lovers wings?"
     Azhure had blushed and turned away, thinking uncomfortably of the way
StarDrifter had begun to watch her recently. The last thing she wanted to do was
come between StarDrifter and Rivkah, who was rapidly filling the void caused by
the loss of Azhure's mother so early in life. Azhure couldn't remember a time
when she hadn't woken several nights a week, her cheeks wet with tears of loss;
but now she slept soundly, and the unsettling dreams that had troubled her for
more than twenty years had vanished entirely.
     Azhure abruptly realised that for the past five or six weeks she had been
constantly happy. Never had she been accepted before, and the Icarii not only
seemed to accept her for who she was, but they actually liked her.
     She nodded to an Icarii passing overhead, her thoughts returning to
EvenSong. Azhure had so far resisted the urge to join the Strike Force in
weapons training for fear of giving in to the violent streak the Avar claimed she
possessed. She shuddered, remembering how after she had seized the arrow
and killed her first Skraeling, she had been consumed with the desire to kill.
Perhaps the Avar were right to regard her with some degree of apprehension.
     But Azhure had made up her mind. Axis was right; she should seek her own
path. If her path lay in violence, then perhaps she should simply accept that.
Accept the blood and turn it into a mark of respect, not of reproach.
     She turned down a corridor to her left, then ran lightly down several levels
of stairs, her grace causing the Icarii birdman who soared past her to turn his
head and watch for long moments until the Groundwalker woman disappeared
into a corridor far below.
     EvenSong had a leather thong tied about her pale-skinned forehead to keep
the sweat out of her eyes. She had turned twenty-five on the day after Yuletide,
and had immediately joined the Strike Force for her five years of compulsory
military service.
     She grunted as she parried a blow from her sparring partner. She did not
like to sweat and thought longingly of the relaxing hot waters of the Chamber of
Steaming Water. Once she had looked forward to her years in the Strike Force,
but that was only because she had believed she would spend those years with
her cousin FreeFall. Born only two monthsapart, she and FreeFall had grown up
together, planned their lives together, and mused over what it would be like
when he became Talon. It was not unusual for Icarii to marry or form sexual
relationships with close relatives, and FreeFall and EvenSong had become lovers
at thirteen.
     Of course, neither EvenSong nor FreeFall had considered the possibility that
he would be so cruelly murdered at such a young age. EvenSong daily bewailed
not only the loss of her friend and lover, but also the prospect of spending the
rest of her long life alone.
     Her sparring partner and Wing-Leader, SpikeFeather TrueSong, slipped his
stave under EvenSong's guard and dealt her a heavy blow to the ribs. She
dropped her staff and fell to her knees, badly winded.
     "Pay attention," SpikeFeather hissed viciously. "In battle -even in a tavern
brawl — you would be dead now! We cannot afford to lose any more SunSoars."
     EvenSong glared at him, her hand clutched to her ribs. "Like you lost
FreeFall?" SpikeFeather had flown with Free-Fail and HoverEye BlackWing to
meet Axis atop Gorken-fort's roof. But their mission had ended in tragedy when
Borneheld murdered FreeFall.
     SpikeFeather swore and seized EvenSong by her short curls, hauling her to
her feet. She winced and tried to twist free, but SpikeFeather's grip was too
strong.
     "FreeFall had the courage to face life, EvenSong, even when it led him to
death. Think how he would frown to see you use his death to give up on life
itself!"
     The ten other members of the Wing had stopped sparring and watched
SpikeFeather and EvenSong soberly. Ever since the disaster of Yuletide, training
had taken on a much more serious aspect. Where once good humour and
enjoyment had pervaded weapons practice, now the expectation of an eventual
conflict with Gorgrael's forces dominated everyone's thoughts.
     SpikeFeather let EvenSong's hair go, then stepped back and glared at the
rest of his command. He was an experienced Wing-Leader, but in these difficult
times his responsibilities weighed heavily on him. And despite what EvenSong
apparently thought, SpikeFeather agonised daily over his inability to act quickly
enough to save FreeFall. EvenSong seemed to have no heart since FreeFall's
murder, and SpikeFeather knew that the inattention of a single member could
bring ruin to his entire. Wing in battle.
     To add to SpikeFeather's woes, all of the Strike Force were on edge, and not
simply because of the battle at Earth Tree Grove or the inevitable battle to come
with Gorgrael's forces. From the most senior Crest-Leader, FarSight CutSpur, to
the lowliest recruit, the Strike Force was keenly aware of the presence of Axis
SunSoar in Talon Spike. The Icarii Assembly had agreed to StarDrifter's request
to help his son in Gorken-fbrt partly because after a thousand years of relative
peace they needed a true war leader. Someone who actually had experience of
battle.
     Yet Axis SunSoar, one-time BattleAxe of the Axe-Wielders, the force that had
been largely responsible for the thousand-year exile of the Icarii in Talon Spike,
had shown not an iota of interest in the Strike Force in the month since he'd
been in Talon Spike. As much as SpikeFeather, or any other member of the
Strike Force, might tell himself that Axis was preoccupied with learning the skills
of Enchanter from his father, his lack of interest had stung. When would Axis
visit the training chambers? When would he deign to visit the Strike Force? And
what would he say when he saw them train? What would he think? Would he
praise, or deride?
     SpikeFeather was about to call a halt to their afternoon training when a
movement at the edge of his vision stopped him. Azhure stood leaning over the
balcony rail of the observation gallery, watching them gravely.
     "Azhure!" EvenSong exclaimed, and SpikeFeather hoped she felt just a little
ashamed that her friend might have witnessed her poor behaviour.
     "I do not want to interrupt, SpikeFeather TrueSong," Azhure said
courteously, "and if I have broken your concentration then I apologise to you
and to your command." One of the first things Azhure had learned in Talon Spike
was that the Icarii valued politeness and correct etiquette extremely highly. Two
Icarii could get themselves into a murderous argument and never raise their
voices or transgress the bounds of civilised language. The scene she had just
witnessed between SpikeFeather and EvenSong was extraordinary, and bespoke
the tension within the Strike Force.
     "I have decided to accept your offer to teach me the use of the bow and
arrow, SpikeFeather."
     SpikeFeather swept his wings behind him in the traditional Icarii gesture of
welcome and goodwill. "You are welcomed, Azhure. And I regret that my
command is not at its best this afternoon."
     EvenSong reddened.
     SpikeFeather ignored her. "Both myself and my Wing would be pleased if
you joined us, Azhure. We are all beholden to you for your bravery atYuletide,
the SunSoar family perhaps mpre than most." Another barb for EvenSong.
SpikeFeather was truly exasperated with her. , Azhure stepped down from the
ladder, took oft" her boots, and walked across the floor of the spacious training
chamber towards the Wing. Soft mats covered every part of the floor, while from
the high roof hung several brighdy coloured orbs that served as archery targets.
Weapon racks and cupboards lined the lower walls.
     "I am not dressed for combat, SpikeFeather. Please do not aim any arrows
my way." She grinned at the Wing commander, her hand indicating her Avar
clothing and bare feet. All the Icarii present, both female and male, wore light
leather training armour over brief loin cloths - although the armour did not
protect against serious blows. They were sweating after their exertions, and
Azhure noticed that several had abrasions and dark bruises on their unprotected
arms and legs. Feathers lay scattered across the floor mats.
     "I would be hounded from Talon Spike should I land an arrow in a guest,
and such an admired guest at that," SpikeFeather said gravely, then turned to
one of the members of his Wing. "TrueFlight, would you lift the Wolven from the
rack and select a quiver of arrows?" He paused dramatically, ignoring the
collective gasp of the Wing.
     Azhure watched curiously as TrueFlight retrieved a beautiful bow and a
quiver of arrows and handed them to SpikeFeather, who slung the quiver over
his shoulder.
     "As creatures of the air ourselves we have a special affinity with weapons of
flight," SpikeFeather explained as he notched an arrow into the bow. "See."
     In one liquid movement, so fast Azhure found it difficult to follow,
SpikeFeather lifted the bow, aimed, and loosed the arrow. It soared towards the
ceiling and lodged in a small scarlet target ball suspended sixty paces above their
heads.
     "The stories of your ability don't do you justice, Spike-Feather," Azhure said.
"Can I try that bow?" The bow SpikeFeather held was a weapon of elegance as
well as of skill, and Azhure found its lure almost irresistible.
     SpikeFeather studied her. Since the Wolven's creator had died four thousand
years ago, only he had been able to master it. The Icarii had extraordinarily
powerful flight muscles in their chests and backs, and SpikeFeather doubted
whether Azhure, despite her height and obvious fitness, would even have the
strength to draw a notched arrow back in a normal Icarii bow, let alone the
Wolven.
     He finally shrugged. What would it hurt? He picked another arrow from his
quiver and handed the bow to Azhure. Tall, but made of surprisingly light ivory
wood, it was patterned with golden tracery and strung and tasselled in vivid
blues and scarlets. It was as beautiful as it was deadly.
     "Here," SpikeFeather said, showing Azhure how to place her hands, then
notching the arrow. Standing behind her, he curled her fingers around the arrow.
"Let me help you to ..."
     "No," Azhure said, stepping away from him slightly. "Let me try first,
SpikeFeather. What should I aim for?"
     SpikeFeather smiled indulgently. "Aim high, Azhure, at any of the targets
suspended from the ceiling. If you hit one I will make you a gift of the Wolven
itself as a mark of Icarii admiration and fashion you a quiver with my own
hands."
     Azhure looked at the targets hanging from the ceiling. Then, without
lowering her eyes, she raised the bow and started to draw the arrow back.
     SpikeFeather saw the exact moment when Azhure found that the Wolven
required extraordinary strength. Her shoulders, back, and arms suddenly tensed,
and her hands quavered so badly that SpikeFeather was sure she would drop the
bow or let the arrow tumble to the floor. He started as if to step forward and
help her, but EvenSong caught his elbow. "Let her try for herself," she
whispered, and SpikeFeather subsided, although a frown of worry creased his
face. What if she couldn't control the flight of the arrow, and skewered one of his
command? None of them wore armour that could withstand a loose Icarii arrow.
     But Azhure managed to retain control, although Spike-Feather could see
what a supreme effort it cost her. Gradually her hands steadied and her back
straightened. Then she took a deep breath and pulled the arrow all the way
back, raising the bow to her face and sighting along the shaft of the arrow.
     SpikeFeather's eyes widened in amazement. Where did she find the strength
to control the bow? A human woman?
     Azhure, as taut and tense as the Wolven itself, finally let fly the arrow in as
good an imitation of SpikeFeather's action as she could manage.
     As one the Icarii watched the flight of the arrow.
     It flew straight and true, striking a golden target the size of a man's head.
But Azhure, for all her effort in drawing, aiming and releasing the arrow, could
not give the arrow the same power as SpikeFeather had, and the arrow head
only penetrated the target superficially. It hung there for a long moment, then
slowly slipped from the target and tumbled to the floor.
     "I hit it!" Azhure cried triumphantly, lowering the bow and turning to
SpikeFeather, who stood with an expression.of absolute amazement on his face.
"It stuck for a moment. It didl" She laughed with joy. "Is the bow mine,
SpikeFeather?"
     She spun around in an excited circle until she faced SpikeFeather again.
"Well?"
     SpikeFeather lowered his eyes to the woman before him. If he hadn't
witnessed it himself he would never have believed it. It wasn't simply Azhure's
strength in drawing the bow and loosing the arrow, it was also the fact that she
had actually hit the target she'd aimed at. It usually took a novice Icarii archer
several weeks of practice before they even got an arrow within spitting distance
of a ceiling target - and the Icarii were flight intuitive. Was it simply luck?
     SpikeFeather looked at the magnificent bow that Azhure clutched
possessively to her side. It was one of the most valuable and treasured items in
the Strike Force's arsenal. What had he done*
     Azhure s smile died and her eyes narrowed as she watched the welter of
emotions play across SpikeFeather's face; emotions mirrored on the faces of the
eleven Icarii who stood at his back. EvenSong looked as though she had
swallowed the arrow instead of simply watching it hit the target.
     Azhure stepped over and lifted another arrow from the quiver on
SpikeFeather's back. He flinched a little as her hand brushed the downy red
feathers on the back of his neck.
     "No fluke," she said, her eyes unexpectedly dark as she stared into
SpikeFeather's face. "If I miss this time then I will return the bow. But if I hit the
target, then you will not only fashion me the quiver to sling across my back, but
fletch the arrows to go in it with your own flight feathers, SpikeFeather
TrueSong. Dyed the same blue as my eyes, I think."
     Then, in a movement almost as elegant as SpikeFeather's, Azhure notched
the arrow, raised the bow, sighted, and loosed the arrow. This time it struck the
target true, the solid thunk as it penetrated deep into the golden orb audible
around the chamber.
     "The Wolven is mine," Azhure said into the utter silence. "I think it likes me.
It felt easier the second time."
     SpikeFeather dropped his eyes to Azhure, then bowed deep before her, his
wings sweeping a wide arc on the floor behind him. When he straightened, his
eyes were solemn. "The Wolven is yours, Azhure. I will fashion you a quiver to
hold arrows fletched with feathers from my own wings. You are an archer-born,
Azhure, and I will welcome you whenever you wish to train with my Wing."
     "Yes," Azhure said to the handsome birdman. "I would like to return and
train with your command, SpikeFeather TrueSong."
     "Then make sure that when the time arrives, you deal death with the
Wolven, Azhure. That is why it was crafted."
     Later, the muscles in her back, arms and chest burning with the effort
required to use the bow, Azhure mounted the ladder, the bow slung across her
back. SpikeFeather caught her arm. "Azhure, you speak to Axis SunSoar more
than most. When will he visit the Strike Force? When?"
     Azhure stepped down from the ladder and turned to face him. "I do not
know, SpikeFeather. He is consumed by his need for his father now, and by his
need to discover what lies beneath his surface. Wait. He will come."


Learning the Star Dance
MorningStar took a deep breath to calm herself and turned back to StarDrifter.
He had been a late child, born when MorningStar was already close to four
hundred years old. Because he was so unexpected — and had inherited his
mother's Enchanter powers at that — both MorningStar and her husband,
RushCloud, had spoiled him abominably. And whereas her eldest son,
RavenCrest, had been groomed from birth to inherit the mantle of Talon, leader
of all the Icarii, the much younger StarDrifter had been indulged. At least,
MorningStar sighed, StarDrifter's lack of discipline had got him a son who might
well prove the last hope of the SunSoars, if not the Icarii race as a whole.
     She glanced over at Axis, sitting calmly on a stool in the small, unadorned
chamber, StarDrifter pacing irritably about him. He had learned well since
arriving in Talon Spike - far better than either MorningStar or StarDrifter had
thought possible. Who could have imagined that an Enchanter, left without
training for thirty years, could grasp the intricacies of the Star Dance so quickly
and easily?
     As Axis' father, StarDrifter had borne the major burden of his son's training,
but MorningStar helped, and that was at the heart of their current troubles.
Although an Enchanter was usually trained by his or her parent — the one who
had bequeathed the Enchanter blood - another Enchanter of the same House, or
family, could also act as an instructor. The closer the blood link, the easier the
teaching. MorningStar was only one generation removed from Axis, so the blood
link was strong, and she wanted to help.
     But StarDrifter, having been separated from his son for so long, found it
hard to share him with anyone, even his mother. MorningStar could understand
that, but there were some things that MorningStar knew she could teach Axis
better than StarDrifter.
     And that is what they were fighting about now.
     "StarDrifter," MorningStar said reasonably, "you are so good using the power
of the Star Dance in conjunction with the elements of fire, earth and air. In those
areas you are by far the most powerful we have seen in generations, and you
pass your skills to your son well. But if you have a weakness, it is with the
element of water. Since have skill in that area, it only makes sense that I take
charge of Axis' training when it comes to the water music."
     StarDrifter stopped his pacing. "I have more power," he snapped.
     "Yes, you have more power," she agreed. "But the element of water does
not need power so much as subtlety, and you are often too impatient for such
subtlety."
     StarDrifter glared at her, then suddenly backed down. "Then teach!" he
snarled.
     Axis felt MorningStar's hand rest lightly on his shoulder. "Good," she said
quietly and moved around to face him. Their relationship was still awkward, and
neither knew quite what to think of the other. Axis was aware that his
grandmother vaguely disapproved of him. He knew she'd have preferred the
StarMan to be of full Icarii blood, and he suspected that she, like StarDrifter, was
just a little resentful of the extent of his power.
     MorningStar was a determined and forceful woman who wielded enormous
power within Talon Spike — not only as a senior Enchanter, but also as the
widow of the previous Talon. Axis still found it difficult to come to terms with
MorningStar's age. She approached the limit of her life, five hundred years, but
she looked no older than himself. She had the same colouring as StarDrifter,
short curly golden hair, pale blue eyes, and luminous white feathered wings.
Only the vast experience evident in her eyes and the assurance of her manner
gave some indication of her age.
     MorningStar closed her eyes as the ran a prayer to Flulia, the Goddess of
Water, through her mind. Then she took Axis' head between her hands and
closed his eyes with her thumbs. "Hear the Star Dance," she said softly.
      The first thing StarDrifter had taught Axis was to hear the Star Dance — the
music that the Stars made as they whirled through the universe, and the source
of power for all Icarii Enchanters. The music of the Star Dance was of astounding
beauty, and when Axis first heard it, he had burst into tears at its unexpected
splendour. Although the music was not particularly loud it pervaded every aspect
of life. Now its faint melodies surrounded Axis through every moment, in the
beat of his heart, in the conversations about him, in the sound of feathers
rustling in the wind, in the shadows of his dreams.
      Icarii Enchanters harnessed the power of the Stars by manipulating the
music of the Star Dance. From the Dance they wove a melody that served as a
conduit for the power of the Stars. For each purpose, a melody. Enchanters
spent their developing years learning all the different melodies, or Songs, and
the purpose of each. Once they had learned a Song - no mean feat - to use it
they ran its melody through their minds, sometimes physically giving voice to the
music they manipulated. The more powerful the Enchanter, the more complex
the Song they could manipulate. For thousands of years Icarii Enchanters had
debated the possibility that one day an Enchanter might learn to use the entire
Star Dance, rather than lifting more manageable fragments of melody. The
debate had finally been solved seventeen hundred years previously when one
Enchanter had tried to grapple with the power of the entire Star Dance - he had
died so horribly, warped out of existence, that no-one had been tempted to try it
again.
      Axis had learned so quickly because he had the remarkable gift of
remembering a melody after only one hearing. Usually Icarii Enchanters had to
have a Song repeated to them scores of times before they could use it
effectively. It was one of the many ways in which the depth and extent of Axis'
ability constantly astounded MorningStar and Star-Drifter.
      "Listen," MorningStar said, and began to sing for her grandson the Songs
which were particularly effective for manipulating the element of water and of all
matter associated with water. Before she sang each Song, MorningStar
whispered its purpose.
      StarDrifter watched Axis carefully. Axis had already learned virtually all there
was to know about the other groups of Songs and had displayed equal (and
remarkable) talent in each. Would he now display a similar talent for water
music?
      Within an hour StarDrifter had his answer. There was not one Song
MorningStar sang for him that Axis could not instantly repeat, even strengthen.
He must be beloved of all the Star Gods, StarDrifter mused, to be so favoured.
      In training, Enchanters usually only learned the melodies of the Songs, they
did not yet attempt to manipulate the power of the Stars. It would be disastrous
for an Enchanter only beginning to develop his skills to manipulate power at the
same time as he sang a Song for the first time. Yet Axis never made a mistake,
and on those rare occasions when StarDrifter and MorningStar had let him
actually reach for the power of the Stars, Axis had demonstrated his ability to
control the power that flowed through the melody.
     Finally MorningStar stepped back, exhausted.
     "Enough," she said, letting Axis' head go. "You have learned enough for
today. We will resume tomorrow."
     "How many more?" Axis asked, opening his eyes.
     "Thirty-eight Songs."
     "And you have shown me fourteen this afternoon." Axis stood up and
stretched. "Fifty-two. It is not many."
     For each Song there was only one purpose, and there were only a finite
number of Songs that the Icarii Enchanters had discovered in ten thousand years
of searching. The restrictions of his powers frustrated Axis as much as they
excited him. What was the use of such ability if there was no Song for the
purpose you had in mind? And as yet nothing that StarDrifter or MorningStar had
taught him seemed powerful enough to combat Gorgrael or his mass of
Skraelings.
     He turned to his father in frustration. "Do the Icarii Enchanters have no
Songs that will aid in war, StarDrifter?"
     "Perhaps once the Icarii had Songs of War, Axis." StarDrifter s earlier ire had
faded and now he clasped his son's shoulder affectionately. "But if they ever
existed they have been lost for thousands of years. Perhaps they were too
dangerous. Too potent. Once the Icarii were more warlike, and could fashion
weapons that themselves wielded Star Power."
     "Such a weapon is the Wolven," RavenCrest said from the doorway. Anger
laced his words. He was furious with SpikeFeather for promising the bow to
Azhure if she could hit a target with it. Stupidl No matter that he, too, would
have thought Azhure could not possibly loose an arrow from it, let alone hit a
ceiling target. In the week since Azhure had gained possession of the Wolven, it
had not once left her side, and she had practised with it every day, spending
long hours afterwards in the Chamber of Steaming Water, easing her aching
chest and back muscles.
     "The Wolven is an enchanted weapon?" Axis frowned at his uncle, although
he smiled inwardly at RavenCrest's anger.
     Azhure had won her gift fairly, displaying remarkable skill indoing so.
     "Yes, enchanted," StarDrifter cut in, "but we have lost the key to use it.
Whatever Song it requires has been lost. It died with," he hesitated, "WolfStar
SunSoar, the Enchanter-Talon who originally crafted the weapon."
     MorningStar s mouth thinned at the mention of WolfStar, but Axis did not
notice. "Is there is no way of remembering the Song of the Worven?" he asked.
"Or of any other of theSongs of War?"
     "We rely on you to save us!" RavenCrest hissed, his anger fully apparent as
he strode across the room. He was vividly coloured, far more so than his mother
or brother, with violet eyes, raven-black hair and wingbacks, and gorgeous
speckled blue underwings. Yet his vivid anger made him menacing, and Axis had
to fight from taking a pace back as RavenCrest stepped up to him. "Seek not
legends from our past to lead us to victory, Axis! Rely on what skills you have
inside you!" He paused, then dropped his voice to a harsh whisper. "And
remember, Axis SunSoar, that you will have to win the loyalty and trust of the
Icarii nation if you are to succeed against Gorgrael, and enchanted weapons will
not win for you our trust."
     Axis fully understood RavenCrest's anger. With the death of FreeFall
SunSoar, RavenCrest had lost his only son and heir. Not only did RavenCrest
daily have to live with the grief of losing his beloved son, he also had to battle
with the fact that the heir to the Talon throne would be Axis — StarDrifter might
be a powerful Enchanter, but he would be a hopeless leader of the Icarii nation.
Axis knew that RavenCrest was also deeply resentful that his heir was not only of
Icarii—human parentage, but also a former BatdeAxe of the loathed Seneschal.
     Nothing had been said, but everyone knew the situation — and Axis
intended to fight for his right to be named RavenCrest's heir. He knew he had to
weld the Icarii, Acharite and Avar races together in order to fight Gorgrael, and if
he could control the thrones of both Icarii and Acharite nations then he'd have a
much better chance of success. Through his mother, Rivkah, once Princess of
Achar, Axis was second in line to the Acharite throne behind Borneheld. And Axis
did not intend to let Borneheld live.
     He turned his mind away from his half-brother and considered the
implications of what RavenCrest had said. Axis would have to win the trust of the
Icarii nation if he wanted to not only be accepted as heir, but also use the Icarii
Strike Force in his battle against Gorgrael. Axis knew the Icarii trust would be
hard to win, and as yet he had not even made a start. In the five weeks he'd
been in Talon Spike he hadn't met any Icarii beyond his immediate family.
     "RavenCrest," he said. "It is time I met with your Crest-Leaders. It is time I
took control of the Strikejorce." Axis assumed a great deal with that statement.
As die Icarii Talon, RavenCrest was in overall command of the Strike Force. Now
Axis demanded that he assume overall control.
     RavenCrest may have been angry, and resentful of this man who stood so
calmly before him asking for control of the Strike Force, but he was no fool. He
knew that Axis alone had the skills and the experience to transform the Strike
Force into an effective command — and he would need total leadership to do so.
     He nodded. "I'll arrange a meeting for three days' time," he said, then
turned on his heel and walked out of the room.
     StarDrifter and Axis made their excuses and left MomingStar alone in the
small training chamber. She waited until the door closed behind them, then sat
down heavily and rested her head in her hands.
     Training Axis was physically demanding work and MomingStar was tired. But
she was also sorely troubled. Axis learned well. Too well. That point had been
driven home forcibly this afternoon. Many of his other skills could be waved off
with the explanation that he had absorbed them from StarDrifter when he had
sung to his son in Rivkah s womb as they sat on die sunny rooftop of Sigholt.
    But StarDrifter just could not have taught Axis the skills associated with the
water music — his own abilities in that area were too poor.
    Natural ability, then, on Axis' part? Perhaps. But MorningStar did not think
that natural ability explained everydiing. She shook herself and stood up. She did
not want to think just yet about why Axis was so good at learning the Songs
when other Icarii Enchanters had so much difficulty.
    Perhaps he was not learning them for die first time.
    "Stars, woman!" MorningStar muttered to herself. "Don't even think it!"


The Rebel Army
Belial's hazel eyes restlessly scanned the leaden-grey sky. Either side of him
reared the barren walls of Hold-Hard Pass, their starkness relieved only by the
occasional stunted bush or tree. It was eleven days since they had entered the
eastern end of the Pass, and five since Belial had ordered they set up camp and
sent Arne, the most experienced unit commander Belial still had with him, and a
small number of men to scout Sigholt and its environs.
     Belial hardly dared hope Sigholt would provide them with a base. He
desperately wished that he'd some of those Icarii farflight scouts with him.
Instead he had been forced to send men on what might well be a dangerous and
fruitless mission.
     That any of them were alive at all was due principally to Magariz — and the
foresight of Borneheld, of all people. Beside him Lord Magariz sat a fidgeting
Belaguez. The two men took turns to exercise Axis' war horse. Belaguez had
already thrown Magariz twice today, and Belial had his own fair share of bruises
from the cursed grey stallion. We should just let the horse run wild, Belial
thought, before he kills one of us. I can ill afford to lose Magariz.
     Lord Magariz had been Duke Borneheld's most senior and trusted
commander, responsible during the past twelve years for commanding the
garrison at Gorkenfort. Yet Magariz had deserted Borneheld to follow Axis, even
though his disloyalty would almost certainly result in his death should the Duke
ever catch him. Magariz's choice had undoubtedly saved the lives of fielial and
those of the three thousand men he led. After they'd watched the Icarii claim
Axis at the foot of the Icescarp Alps, they had ridden into the dreadful territories
of die Icescarp Barren and the northern WildDog Plains. Only Magariz's familiarity
with the area, and his knowledge of the reserves of food, fuel and hay that lay
secreted across northern Ichtar, had saved them from starvation during the five
weeks it took diem to reach die southern Plains.
     In the months leading up to the siege of Gorkenfort, Borneheld and Magariz
had planned for every eventuality. Among die less palatable had been a retreat
from Gorkenfort. But neidier had been sure of which direction diey'd be able to
retreat in — south through central Ichtar to Jervois Landing or east across die
Icescarp Barren and through the WildDog Plains to Skarabost? In the end,
Borneheld had ordered that supplies be secreted across both lines of retreat. And
while Borneheld and his command had undoubtedly made effective use of the
reserves in central Ichtar, so Belial and his command had benefited from the
supply route across the Icescarp Barren and the WildDog Plains.
      Borneheld would be horrified to realise that his planning had saved die lives
of men openly allied with the Forbidden.
      Surprisingly, the Skraelings had hardly bothered Belial's force as they moved
east and then south. Belial wished he knew what die Skraelings were up to. Had
they hurt them so badly in the ice fields above Gorkenfort they'd gone to ground
to lick their wounds? Or were they even now massing for a devastating assault
on Achar through Ichtar? Belial irritably brushed his sandy hair off his forehead,
the green thread Faraday had given him to tie about his biceps catching his eye.
Perhaps the Mother's magic still protects us, he thought. Whatever the reason,
there had been a few halfhearted attacks on stragglers and nothing else.

While they were still close to the Icescarp Alps the Icarii farflight scouts had kept
in contact, occasionally sweeping down to share a meal in the evenings. Only
Belial and Magariz had ever seen the Icarii at close range previously -during the
tragic meeting atop Gorkenfort's Keep - and the first evening two of the farflight
scouts had alighted in the camp had caused a sensation. Scores of men suddenly
found pressing need to consult with either Belial or Magariz.
      The Icarii had taken the curiosity of the men in good humour — indeed, they
had been almost as curious themselves. They were fascinated with the type and
composition of the armour the Acharite soldiers wore, and Belial had to restrain
them from stroking the soldiers in much the same fashion as they had the
strange and wondrous horses.
      Whenever they'd visited, the Icarii gave Belial what news of Axis they had,
although he spent so much time with his father that few of the Icarii had yet
seen him. They did have news of Azhure, however, and Belial fully intended to
wring an apology from her for clubbing him unconscious in her bid to free an
Avar man and child from their cell in Smyrton.
      The Icarii had disappeared as Belial led his force into the central WildDog
Plains some two and a half weeks ago. They were as yet reluctant to fly too far
from the relative safety of the Alps, and Belial missed their company as much as
he missed dieir mobility.
      Belial was looking for a suitable site to base Axis' rebel army. On farewelling
Axis at the Icescarp Alps he had thought to move down to Smyrton with its
extensive grain fields. But Sigholt was far more defensible and had better
facilities for training and barracking troops. And the daily company of the stolid
villagers of Smyrton held little appeal for Belial — not to mention that his army
now supported a cause which their beloved Seneschal found heretical.
      Had Sigholt been destroyed by the advancing Skraelings who even now
lurked in its cellars? Was there a contingent of Borneheld's command there who
would resist their arrival? Too many unknowns - and Belial did not like
unknowns. He chewed his cold-chapped lip and cursed when it cracked and split
in the bitter wind.
     So now here he sat, anxiously awaiting the return of Arne and his men, the
bulk of his army lying half a league behind, as anxious as Belial was. All wanted
to find somewhere to dig in for the inevitable attack from the Skraelings and to
shelter from this cursed weather that roiled down from the north. If nothing else,
the worsening weather conditions - not as bad as they had endured in
Gorkenfort, but still abnormal for this part of Ichtar - told Belial that Gorgrael's
influence was finally spreading south after the fall of Gorkenfort.
     And with the wind and ice would come the Skraelings.
     Belial shifted in his saddle. Five days was plenty of time for Arne to ride to
Sigholt, scout the garrison from a safe distance, and return. If they weren't back
by this evening then Belial would be forced to admit that something was wrong.
He hunkered down a little further in his saddle, pulling the hood of his cloak far
over his face in an effort to keep the freezing wind out.
     They waited.
     At dusk Belial finally stirred and turned to Magariz, the man only a dark
shape in the deepening twilight.
     "My friend," he croaked, his voice hoarse from the cold. "We have waited
long enough. Tomorrow we will break camp, turn for Smyrton, and take our
chances with homespun village life."
     Magariz kneed Belaguez closer. "Yes. Only adversity could have kept Arne
from returning by now."
     "Only adversity or a good meal," a dour voice interrupted from behind them.
Belial and Magariz both swore in surprise and swung their horses about. Only a
few paces behind them stood Arne, his face no more cheerful or less austere
than it normally was. He was alone, but looked fit and uninjured.
     "Arne, how did you -" Belial began. "Your men?" Magariz barked. "Where are
they?" Arne chewed on a piece of dry grass, then abruptly spat it out. "At
Sigholt, my Lord." "Prisoners?"
     Arne actually laughed. "In a manner of speaking. They are trapped before a
roaring fire, hearing tales of adventure from an arthritic old cook and a genial
pig-herder as they sip good dark ale. They were too comfortable to move, so I
returned on my own."
     As Magariz took a deep breath and fought to keep from swearing at the
man's misplaced sense of humour, Belial slid from his horse and stepped closer
to Arne. "What did you find, Arne? What?"
     "Sigholt is ours once we overcome the resident force," Arne said. "An old
retired cook and a pig-herder. There is no-one else. None of Borneheld s men.
Not even a Skrael-ing. They reached Hsingard and destroyed it, but according to
the pig-herder, they have not approached Sigholt."
     "Why?" Belial asked Arne. "Why has Sigholt been left untouched? Surely it is
too important for Gorgrael to leave it alone?" After the events of the past few
months, Belial no longer believed much in good news or good luck.
     "The pig-herder said the Skraelings did not like Sigholt." Arne paused,
debating whether to continue. "Speak up, man!" Belial snapped.
     "I have seen this pig-herder before," Arne said finally. "Outside the Silent
Woman Woods. He had his pigs there."
     Belial frowned. This pig-herder had been outside the Silent Woman Woods -
two hundred leagues to the south? It seemed a lifetime ago since they'd camped
at the Silent Woman Woods. Then Axis had simply been the BattleAxe of the
Seneschal and Belial his second-in-command. No-one knew then what they were
riding into. "What is his involvement in this, Arne? Do you know?"
     "He is involved, Commander. I know not how." Again Arne paused. "But I
trust him. And he seems eager that you move this rag-tag army to Sigholt. He
says he has a job for some strong backs."
     Belial frowned. These were strange words for a pig-herder. He looked at
Magariz. "My friend. What do you think?"
     "I am surprised," said Magariz, "that Sigholt should be sitting there waiting
for us as eager and as open as an Ysbadd whore — and I wonder if it has as
many traps. I say we should approach...carefully. Why has Gorgrael not
attacked?"
     "Jack said he could answer that when you arrived," Arne replied, giving
Belial and Magariz the pig-herder's name. "He said to remind you that Sigholt
was where Axis was conceived, and," Arne hesitated, "that Sigholt was an Icarii
stronghold long before the Acharites and the pox-cursed Dukes of Ichtar made it
their home. He said Sigholt has some secrets that you could make good use of."
     "A most unusual pig-herder, Belial," Magariz murmured. "Either a friend or a
cunningly laid trap for us."
     Belial considered a moment. "Then we will break camp in the morning and
ride west to Sigholt. But we ride carefully."
     Arne spat on the ground. "If you had been an enemy, the first you would
have known of my approach was the feel of my blade in your neck. Perhaps it is
as well you only have a cook and a pig-herder to battle with at Sigholt."
     Belial grimaced and swung onto his horse. Arne was right. He should have
been more careful.
     Three days later Belial sat Belaguez a half-league from Sigholt. Approaching
him was an open- and genial-faced middle-aged man in peasant garb. Dark
blond hair flopped untidily over his forehead and he carried a heavy staff with a
curiously worked metal head. At his heels trotted a number of well-fed pigs,
grunting and rolling cheerfully as they picked their way across the stony ground.
     Belial had ridden out alone, leaving Magariz and the three thousand some
one hundred paces behind him.
     He risked taking his eyes off the approach of the pig-herder to glance at
Sigholt itself, standing stark but peaceful in the cold morning air. If there were
troops waiting to surprise him, then they were hidden well.
     "Peace, Belial," said the pig-herder and stopped a few paces from him.
"Sigholt is yours. Use it."
    "Jack," Belial said by way of brief greeting. "I hope you mean that. Why
should I trust you?"
    Jack smiled. "You have known my friends well, Belial. Through them, I know
you."
    "Your friends?"
    "Ogden and Veremund. My friends and my companions."
    Belial's mouth dropped open. "You're one of the...?"
    "My task is to serve the Prophecy, Belial TrueHeart, as yours is to serve
Axis." His eyes suddenly glowed a vivid emerald.
    "You're a Sentinel!" Belial gasped, his shock making Belaguez sidestep
nervously.
    "Then trust me," Jack said, as the light died in his eyes.
    Belial still hesitated. "Jack. I come from Gorkenfort. I have had enough of
sieges at the mercy of the Skraelings. What chance is there that once I have this
army settled into Sigholt the Skraelings will lay siege to us? I have no wish to
endure another Gorkenfort."
    "I understand your concern," Jack replied. "But there are good reasons why
the Skraelings would hesitate to come within leagues of Sigholt. They have
destroyed Hsingard, which is not a great distance from here. Do you not think
that if they destroyed Hsingard they would have destroyed Sigholt if not for very
good reasons?"
    "Such as?"
    "Come inside, Belial, and bring your army. It is a long story."


New Responsibilities, Old Friends
Axis stood at the open window and watched two Wings of the Strike Force wheel
and somersault through the sky in a dazzling but utterly useless display of grace
and fluidity.
    He sighed and turned into the spacious meeting chamber. Soft light shone
from concealed ceiling lamps on a massive round table of highly polished dark-
green stone that dominated the room. The mottoes of the various Crests were
carved in elegant gilded Icarii script into the walls above pennants and
standards.
    Around the stone table sat the twelve Crest-Leaders of the Icarii Strike
Force, their wings draped across the gleaming floor behind their stools. Each
Crest-Leader commanded twelve Wings of twelve members; the total Strike
Force composed over seventeen hundred Icarii. Not overly large, Axis mused,
but their flight abilities should give them the advantage over any ground force.
But Axis had severe doubts about the capabilities of the Strike Force. Currently
they were more gorgeously decorative than practically potent.
    Axis gazed at the Crest-Leaders, all with their wings dyed in the black of
war, all staring back at him flintily. He, too,
    had dressed entirely in black; it was the colour he'd worn as BatdeAxe.
Except now the twin crossed axes were gone from his chest. He felt naked
without a badge of office.
     RavenCrest SunSoar, sitting with the jewelled tore of his office glowing
about his neck and his black brows meeting at an acute angle above sharp eyes,
had called the Crest-Leaders together to meet Axis. FarSight CutSpur, the senior
among the Crest-Leaders, had made a gracious speech of welcome. Axis had
made, he hoped, an equally gracious reply. And now no-one quite knew what to
say next.
     Finally Axis broke the uncomfortable silence. "You have the makings of a
good Strike Force. But I need to take command and shape it to make it more
effective."
     Backs stiffened noticeably about the table and wings rustled in agitation.
Looking each Crest-Leader in the eye as he slowly circled the table Axis
continued, his voice low but intense. "Do you really think the Strike Force can
harm Gorgrael in its current state?"
     There were low murmurs of protest, but Axis ignored them. "You have a
Strike Force, but what are its accomplishments? What its experience? Where its
battle honours?" he asked. "Where its successes?"
     Crest-Leader SharpEye BlueFeather suddenly pushed his stool back and
stood. "Do you accuse us of failure, BatdeAxe?" he hissed, his neck feathers
rising aggressively.
     SharpEye's use of this tide was an indication of the depth of ill will that some
in the room bore him. For a thousand years die person and die office of
BatdeAxe had been reviled and loathed among both Icarii and Avar.
     Axis held die birdman's eyes in a fierce stare. "I am Axis SunSoar," he
retorted. "And, yes, it is true, I have the experience of a successful BatdeAxe
behind me. But I am BatdeAxe no longer, SharpEye. I am SunSoar born and it is
with that right and heritage that I stand here today." SharpEye dropped his eyes
a fraction, and Axis shifted his gaze about the table. "Should I accuse you of
failure? If not, dien inform me of your successes."
     There was a telling silence about the table. "WasYuletide a success?" Axis
asked, anger creeping into his voice. "How many died, FarSight?"
     "We lost several hundred, the Avar lost more." FarSight looked steadily at
Axis. "I am not proud of that, Axis Sun-Soar. But we rallied after the surprise of
the initial attack."
     "You rallied after Azhure showed you how to kill!" Axis snapped. "Did not
Azhure kill most of the wraiths until the Earth Tree struck? And would you have
triumphed over the Skraelings if StarDrifter had not roused the Earth Tree?"
     "What would you have done diflerendy, Axis?" FarSight challenged, his fists
clenching.
     "You gave diem a feast, Crest-Leader, with the Icarii and Avar herded tight
into that grove," Axis said. "The Strike Force should have remained in the air,
FarSight, where the Skraelings could not have reached them — and where they
might have actually seen the wraiths approach. What would I have done
differendy? I would have had the Strike Force ready to strike, FarSight, and I
would not have allowed the Yuletide rites to go ahead with so many people
packed into one place waiting to be killed!"
     "We could not have known the Skraelings were going to attack!" RavenCrest
shouted, self-reproach raising his voice. "What?" Axis said, turning to his uncle,
who subsided back onto his stool at the expression on his nephew's face. "
What? You knew they were massing to the north of the Avarinheim. You knew
that die Prophecy walked, that Gorgrael was ready to drive his Ghostmen south.
What do you mean you did not know they were going to attack?"
     Again there was silence for a full minute. Axis slowly shifted his gaze from
face to face, knowing he had struck home. He walked back to die window and
watched die Icarii manoeuvre in the sky.
     "How did you lose the Wars of the Axe?" he asked finally. "How did you let
yourself be driven from the southern lands? How could you let Tencendor be
destroyed?"
     "The Acharites - the Axe-Wielders - were too fierce," FarSight replied
grudgingly. "They hated too much. We could not withstand them."
     "I have spent years with the Axe-Wielders," Axis said. "I was their leader for
five of them. I know what they are capable of. And I know that no ground force,
no matter how motivated by hatred, could do so well against an airborne force
unless that force was pitifully weak to start with. You should have won the Wars
of the Axe." He paused, then repeated his words to drive his message home.
"You should have won. Why didn't you? Why?"
     "We lacked the determination," said FarSight CutSpur, almost whispering.
"We were so horrified that the Acharites had actually attacked that we fled
instead of fighting. We lacked the resolve. We lacked — lack — the instinct to
attack and defend the instant it is needed."
     Axis nodded. "Good. Shall I tell you your other major flaw?"
     FarSight, as die others in the room, stared at him levelly.
     "Your Icarii pride constandy leads you to underestimate your opponents. You
underestimated the ill will die Acharites bore you, which fed their desire to drive
you from Tencendor. You underestimated their fierceness and their
determination in doing just that. You underestimated Gorgrael's ability to drive
his Skraelings through the Avarinheim to attack the Earth Tree Grove. And most
recently SpikeFeather underestimated Azhure's ability to use die Wolven, leading
to the loss of one of your most prized weapons. Have I made my point?"
     FarSight CutSpur nodded once, jerkily.
     "What do you use the Strike Force for, FarSight?" Just one more humiliation,
Axis thought, then he would begin to rebuild dieir hopes.
     "To scout, to observe and to defend." "Then why call it a Strike Force?" Axis
commented dryly. "At the moment you have a force that is incapable of defence,
let alone a strike." He paused to let it sink in, then his face and voice softened.
"My friends, you have the makings of an elite force, one that could defeat any
other in these lands. But at the moment you have neither the means nor the
knowledge to create that elite force from the inefFective one you now have."
     Axis pulled out the spare stool and sat down among the Crest-Leaders. "You
need a war leader," he said finally. "You need me. You know that. It is why you
are all here. Give me the Strike Force. Let me realise its fabulous potential. Let
me turn you from birds of paradise into hawks. Killers. Don't you want to regain
your pride? To avenge Yuletide?"
     FarSight glanced at RavenCrest. The Talon looked furious, but he jerked his
head in assent. FarSight looked about the table at the other Crest-Leaders,
seeking their decision. Slowly, one by one, they inclined their heads.
     FarSight finally turned back to Axis. "You have command, Axis SunSoar."
Stars, he thought, what would my ancestors think now that I hand over
command of the Icarii Strike Force to a former BatdeAxe?
     Axis nodded. "Thank you. You honour me with your trust and with the
command of the Strike Force.' I will not fail you, nor will I betray you or your
traditions."
     Gradually the other faces about the table relaxed. "What are your plans?"
one of the younger Crest-Leaders asked.
     "I need to watch the Strike Force train," Axis replied, a small knot of
excitement in his belly at the tide. "I need you to tell me what you are capable
of, and we all need to talk about what it is we face. Then we can decide what to
do."
     "How will we fight Gorgrael?" Another of the Crest-Leaders leaned forward.
"How?" The mood among the Crest-Leaders was quickly turning from shame to
eagerness.
     Axis looked about the room. "Eventually we must unite with the Avar and
the Acharites. That is the only way we can defeat Gorgrael." That last they did
not particularly like but they realised the need for it. "I have a force of some
three thousand men in eastern Achar. Eventually I want the Strike Force to join
them. A combined air and ground force will give us our best chance to drive
Gorgrael back."
     FarSight leaned forward. "Yes. Our farflight scouts kept in contact with
Belial. The last they saw of him he was leading your three thousand into the
southern WildDog Plains."
     "Why is this the first I have heard of it?" Axis snapped.
     "You have hardly been accessible," FarSight bit back, then subsided and
went on more mildly. "Our Strike Force does have its uses, Axis SunSoar."
     Axis smiled a little guiltily at the birdman. "I think we both have a good deal
to learn about each other, FarSight."
     FarSight inclined his head. "Then let us tell you about your Strike Force."
     Azhure hurried along the corridor clutching the Wolven. She was late for
archery practice with SpikeFeather's Wing, delayed by an errand Rivkah had sent
her on, and was anxious to get there. Her skill had improved to the extent that
she could now match SpikeFeather arrow for arrow, surprising even herself with
her aptitude. And next week SpikeFeather had promised to show her some of the
skills required to hit a target while both she and it were moving. Azhure could
not wait for the new challenge.
      "My dear girl," a cheerful voice said behind her. "Do you by chance know
your way about this rabbit warren?"
      Azhure whirled around, almost dropping the Wolven in shock. Two Brothers
of the Seneschal advanced up the corridor towards her, one tall and skinny, the
other short and fat. Both had kindly creased faces and haloes of untidy white
hair above tattered and stained habits.
      Azhure took a cautious step back and one hand tightened about the Wolven.
Her other hand crept towards the quiver of arrows slung about her back.
      "Don't you recognise us?" the tall Brother asked. "Don't you remember who
we are?"
      Azhure stared at them, then finally relaxed a little. "You're the two Brothers
who were with Axis in Smyrton. Sentinels." Axis had told her that these Brothers
were two of the Sentinels mentioned in the Prophecy.
      "Yes. My name is Veremund," the tall one said, then turned to indicate his
corpulent companion. "And this is Ogden." Both made courtly bows.
      Azhure shook their hands. "My name is Azhure. I'm sure Axis will be
delighted to find you here in Talon Spike. Do you want to see him? He is usually
with StarDrifter and MorningStar during the afternoons." Her archery practice
would have to wait for today.
      "My dear, we would be very grateful if you could direct us to him,"
Veremund said, and Azhure turned and led them up one of the shafts.
      Axis had spent all morning and the early part of the afternoon with the
Crest-Leaders, and he was now feeling exhausted, both physically and
emotionally. But he knew he would be so busy with the Strike Force over the
coming weeks that he should take this chance to learn the remaining Songs
MorningStar had to teach him.
      StarDrifter was once again relegated to a stool in a corner of the training
chamber as MorningStar stood before a seated Axis. This afternoon she and
StarDrifter would have taught Axis all they could - then it would be up to him to
develop his own powers on the foundation they had given him.
      Axis relaxed. The music came to him easily this afternoon and he felt as if he
might drift off to sleep as MorningStar cradled his head between her hands. Her
voice was very soothing, her fingers so sure that Axis let the entire weight of his
head sink into their hold. His mind started to wander.
      "And this one," MorningStar said, "is the Song of Harmony. It will soothe
emotions, calm tempers, turn thoughts to peace rather than violence." She
smiled a little. "It is as useful to a military commander as weapons of war, Axis.
Listen well and learn."
      She opened her mouth to sing, but halted in amazement as her grandson
began to hum it himself. She looked wide-eyed over Axis' head towards
StarDrifter.
      Axis now began to sing rather than hum. It was the Song of Harmony.
     MorningStar gently let his head go and took a step backwards, her heart
beating wildly. He should not be able to do this.
     "When have you sung this for him before, mother?" StarDrifter whispered
hoarsely, walking slowly over.
     MorningStar shook her head from side to side. "Never. I left it until last. You
have not...?"
     "You know I have little proficiency with this Song, mother. I have not taught
him."
     MorningStar's face hardened. So. It was what she had feared. "Wait until he
has finished his Song," she whispered. "Then we will have some questions for
him."
     Oblivious to their reaction, Axis sang the Song to a close. For a moment
silence hung in the air, then he opened his eyes. "That was a beautiful Song,
MorningStar. Thank you."
     Before MorningStar could say anything there was a gentle knock at the door
and Azhure and — by the Stars! — two Brothers of the Seneschal walked in.
     Azhure saw MorningStar's shocked face and smiled reassuringly. "They are
the Sentinels Axis has told us about, MorningStar. Ogden andVeremund."
     "Ogden! Veremund!" Axis leapt to his feet and clasped each Sentinel by the
hand warmly. "It is good to see you! But what are you doing here? Faraday?
Was she well when you left her?"
     Ogden laughed. "Axis, m'boy, so many questions! Please, will you introduce
us to these two delightful people?"
     Axis introduced Ogden andVeremund to his father and grandmother and the
two Sentinels fussed over them.
     Azhure smiled at Axis' obvious pleasure at seeing the two old men again. "I
found them in the corridors of Talon Spike, Axis. I do not know from where they
came or how they entered the complex."
     Axis gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, Azhure. You have
brought me a gift to lighten my day." He stood back and looked fondly at the
two old men. "Though there was a time when I found them so irritating that I
would have cheerfully pushed them from the peak of Talon Spike itself. You were
lucky to survive my temper, gentlemen!"
     Ogden andVeremund both beamed. "We are so glad you have found your
father, Axis," Veremund said, "and embraced your heritage so completely."
     "We did not stay with Borneheld for long, Axis," Ogden broke in. "But they
made good their escape from Gorkenfort and, the last we saw them, were riding
hard for Jervois Landing. Faraday was as well as could be expected under the
circumstances. Yr stays with her."
     Axis' eyes shadowed a little. "Thank you, my friend. I was not sure if they'd
taken their chance when we drew the Skraelings away from Gorkenfort. To know
that Faraday managed to escape eases my heart."
     Ogden nodded, then noticed the strained expression on MorningStar's and
StarDrifter's faces. "Ah, forgive us, but we have interrupted your training,"
    "Such as it is," MorningStar muttered.
    "We should excuse ourselves and retire," Ogden continued. "Axis, perhaps
we can meet soon to talk. I'm sure there's a lot we must —"
    MorningSttr broke in. "There's a great deal that must be said, and most of it
needs to be said now. No." She held up her hand as Ogden andVeremund bowed
and turned for the door. "I think it would be good to have the advice of the
Sentinels. Please, stay. Axis, would you sit, please?"
    Axis frowned, perplexed, but he took his stool in the centre of the room.
Unnoticed, Azhure sat down on the floor by the door.
    MorningStar paused and collected her thoughts.
    "Axis," she said finally. "Your training has gone so well. You display an
extraordinary ability to master a Song the moment you hear it and to control the
power that flows through the melody. You hear the Star Dance more clearly, it
seems, than anyone eke. You are a remarkable Enchanter."
    Axis' eyes narrowed at MorningStar's rare praise.
    "He is the StarMan," Veremund murmured to one side. "One would expect
that —"
    "I am not a fool!" MorningStar snarled abruptly. "I understand that Axis
wields remarkable powers. I understand that because of who he is it's no wonder
he's had little difficulty with a training that normally taxes the most gifted
Enchanter for years. I understand that!"
    She took a deep breath, righting to keep her temper under control and to
keep her face from showing the sheer dread that fed her anger.
    "Axis." Her face was now a mask of serenity, its bland lines hiding her fears.
"How did you know the Song of Harmony?"
    Axis frowned, even more perplexed. "You sang it for me, MorningStar."
    "No!" she whispered, her fingers twisting among the golden beads at her
throat. "I told you its name, and what it could be used for, but as I took the
breath to sing it, you started to sing it yourself. You already knew it."
    "I ..." Axis' voice drifted off as he tried to remember.
    "It was not a Song that StarDrifter would have sung for you while you lay
cradled in Rivkah's womb. He could not have done it. / have not sung it for you
before. Yet you already knew it. How, when it takes a SunSoar to instruct a
SunSoar, do you know this Song when neither of the two living SunSoar
Enchanters has taught it to you?" She glanced briefly at the two Sentinels. "No
Enchanter, no matter how powerful, instinctively knows the Songs. He or she
must be taught them, and by a member of their own blood.
    "StarDrifter. When Axis was growing in Rivkah's womb, did you ever sing for
him the Song of Recreation?"
    "No." StarDrifter smiled a little at the memory. "I sang for him many things,
but not that. It is no thing to sing to a developing baby."
    MorningStar nodded. "And yet, Axis knew what to sing for the Avar girl.
Raum has told me of this."
    "Yes," Ogden nodded slowly. "Veremund and I heard it too. He sang
beautifully."
      "Yes," MorningStar repeated woodenly, her face set into hard lines. "Axis.
You have learned well since your arrival in Talon Spike. Too well. Far too well. I
have wondered why many times. When you sang the Song of Harmony it
confirmed my worst fears. Axis, StarDrifter and I have not been training you at
all. We have simply been reminding you. You have already been trained,
probably as a very small child."
      She paused, and when she resumed her words were chill stones in the
absolute silence of the chamber. "Who trained you as a child, Axis? Who?"
      Axis gaped at her. She looked fierce, almost ready to attack, and he stood
slowly. "MorningStar, what do you mean? Trained? How? Who by? If I have been
already trained then why haven't I been able to use my powers all my life? No.
No, you must be wrong."
      MorningStar held his eyes steadily. If he was only pretending confusion, then
he was doing a good job. "You must have been trained at a very young age and
undoubtedly you do not remember it. Because you never used your powers they
fell into disuse as you grew older. But over the past year, as the Prophecy and its
Sentinels unlocked your past, as you discovered your true identity, the Songs
have drifted back."
      "But, MorningStar," Veremund began, "I thought that only another
Enchanter of the same family could teach an Enchanter."
      MorningStar gave a curt nod. "You are right." "Then who else is there in
your family who could have had access to Axis? What other Enchanters?"
      MorningStar lifted her chin. "StarDrifter and I are the only two SunSoar
Enchanters - apart, of course, from Axis himself. I received my powers from my
mother, DriftStar, also a SunSoar, but she died some three hundred years ago."
      "Are you saying that there is another SunSoar Enchanter running about?"
Azhure asked. Everyone in the room jumped slightly; they had forgotten her
presence. "Someone you aren't aware of? Someone who taught Axis as a baby?"
      MorningStar stared at Azhure, who had risen slowly to her feet. She nodded.
"Yes. I was afraid to say the words, but yes. That is what I think."
      "But who?" Axis said. "Why hide from me? And how did an Icarii Enchanter
have access to me in the Seneschal? Howl I don't understand."
      "My son," StarDrifter stepped up to Axis and placed a comforting hand on his
shoulder. "I fear there might be worse. If there is another SunSoar Enchanter
about then...then ..." he hesitated, "then it might explain who taught Gorgrael as
well."
      MorningStar visibly rocked on her feet, and her hand drifted to her throat in
horror. "Gorgrael?"
      "After Yuletide FreeFall asked me how Gorgrael had learned his powers,"
StarDrifter said, dropping his hand from Axis' shoulder and moving to his
mothers side. "I said then that he'd obtained his powers from the music of
discord, the Dance of Death, rather than the Star Dance. But I evaded the real
issue. Gorgrael had to be taught how to use that music as well, and he had to be
taught by someone of the same blood. A family member. A SunSoar Enchanter."
     "But who? And who would teach both? And teach them each such different
music?" MorningStar turned to the Sentinels. "Ogden, Veremund, can you help
us? Please?"
     They shook their heads and Veremund spread his hands helplessly. "There
are many riddles within the Prophecy we do not understand, but I do not think
the Prophecy even alludes to this problem, MorningStar. All the Prophecy tells us
is that the same man fathered both the Destroyer and the StarMan - StarDrifter,
as we now know. It says nothing about who trained them. But a SunSoar
presumably, as they are both of SunSoar blood."
     "Axis." Now MorningStar addressed her grandson. "Do you know? Is there
anything you should be telling us?"
     Axis' temper boiled over. "I do not lie to you, Morning-Star, and I do not
dissemble! If I knew anything I would tell you!"
     Azhure moved to his side and rested a soothing hand against his back. "Axis,
shush. Is there nothing you remember?"
     Axis' eyes snapped at her but he did not attempt to pull away from the
comforting touch of her hand. "No," he said finally. "All I know is that over the
past few months, ever since Ogden and Veremund gave me the Prophecy written
in Icarii script to read, memories and melodies have been bubbling to the
surface. I did not think to ask myself who put them there in the first place."
     "Veremund and I should have noticed," Ogden said. "We should have asked
ourselves how Axis knew the Song of Recreation. Why he seemed to know so
many melodies.
     But," he shrugged his shoulders, "we were so thrilled to have finally found
the StarMan after so many thousands of years, so thrilled that finally the
Prophecy walked after such a long wait, that we did not think to ask ourselves
these questions."
     MorningStar let her eyes drift over the people before her, finally bringing
them to rest on Axis. "So. You have been taught, as Gorgrael has been taught,
by an unknown SunSoar Enchanter. Unknown, because where could he or she
have come from? Only from the loins of myself or my mother, and I can assure
you that is not the case. I have only borne two children, and I was my mother's
only child — through complications sustained in birthing me she was never able
to have another infant." She paused, and when she resumed her voice was so
soft that the others could hardly hear it. "And this SunSoar Enchanter is not only
unknown, but incredibly powerful. No-one has been able to use the Dark Music
previously - its use has been only theorised until now — yet this SunSoar
Enchanter was able to teach it to Gorgrael. I think we have a right to be afraid of
him."
     For a long time there was silence as everyone stood wrapped in their own
thoughts. Ogden andVeremund took each other's hands. StarDrifter turned away
to hide his face as he thought. Azhure leaned a little closer to Axis, slipping her
arm about his waist and giving him a quick hug; Axis smiled at her gratefully.
She was a good friend.
     "Again I think we might be evading the real questions here," StarDrifter
finally said into the silence, turning back to the others. "And they are: Where is
this SunSoar Enchanter now? What does he plan? What does he plot? Is he for
Axis? Or is he for Gorgrael?"

    Dark Man, Dear ManThe four SkraeBolds
grovelled at Gorgrael's feet. Even SkraeFear, senior and bravest of them, thrust
himself against the stone flagging as a man might against the body of his lover.
His clawed hands clutched at Gorgrael's toes, and he begged for forgiveness,
begged Gorgrael to love him again.
     Gorgrael wallowed in their misery. TheYuletide attack on the Earth Tree
Grove had been a miserable failure. Not only had the SkraeBolds failed to kill the
Earth Tree - and she now sang so loud that the northern Avarinheim was denied
to him - but SkraeFear had almost killed StarDrifter, and Gorgrael had expressly
ordered that he be brought to him alive and in good working order. They
deserved to be punished horribly for their failure.
     "Get up!" he snarled. "But only as far as your knees. You are not yet fit to
stand in my presence!"
     He swaggered away from the SkraeBolds as they inched to their knees. This
was the first time he'd managed to have them all in the same room since the fall
of Gorkenfort, and he intended to drag out their fear as long as he could.
     "Sssss!" he hissed in frustration, swinging his head from side to side, and the
four SkraeBolds behind him whimpered as his tusks glinted in the dim light. They
knew they had a right to fear the fury of his tusks.
     Gorkenfort had started so well. The town had fallen quickly and thousands
had died. Gorgrael, watching his forces from the safety of his ice fortress far to
the north of the Avarinheim, had shrieked in delight as each man died.
     But Axis had escaped. Escaped with a significant force of men. Escaped to
the arms of his father whom Gorgrael had so desperately desired to have here
with him. Escaped, and in escaping, had destroyed so many Skraelings.
     Now Gorgrael would be forced to curtail his drive south, for it was all he
could do to keep a tight grip on those territories in Ichtar that he held - from the
Andeis Sea to the Urqhart Hills. It was now a dead land, peopled only by frozen
corpses and the Skraelings who fed on them. He could take pleasure in that, at
least.
     But if Gorgrael was pushed into simply consolidating rather than pushing
further south, then now was the time to instil some order among the Skraelings.
Bring them back under his control. Breed some more IceWorms. Fashion some
new creations from the raw material surrounding him to breach the Acharite lines
and break the force that Axis would inevitably throw at him. As Axis needed time
to build his numbers, so Gorgrael needed time to rebuild his.
     "You are failures!" he rasped venomously. The flickering light twisted his
part-man, part-bird, part-beast form into an even more hideous shape.
     "We tried our best!" "But so hard to remember orders amid such
excitement!" "And those Skraelings, so unreliable!" "Nasty, nasty brights!" Their
excuses littered the air.
     "Your failure tells me that you do not love me!" Gorgrael screeched. The
SkraeBolds cried out in denial. They loved Gorgrael, lived for him!
     Gorgrael's face twisted in derision. "Let me show you the price of your
failure."
     He reached for SkraeFear, who had failed him the most. SkraeFear still had
the arrow Azhure had plunged into his neck embedded in his flesh, the wound
festering and black, oozing pus down his chest. Gorgrael grasped the arrow and
twisted it viciously, and SkraeFear screamed in agony. Gorgrael waited until
SkraeFear's screams had bubbled away into low sobs, then he twisted the arrow
again, twice as hard, the arrow head tearing through SkraeFear's flesh with a
sound like wet cloth ripping.
     "Will you fail me again?" Gorgrael hissed in SkraeFear's ear. "Will you?"
     "No, no, no," SkraeFear moaned. "Never again, never again!"
     Suddenly Gorgrael let the arrow go and SkraeFear sagged to the floor.
Gorgrael grimaced in disgust. He needed a more intelligent and reliable
lieutenant.
     Timozel. Gorgrael's lip curled. But Timozel was bound to Faraday, and until
those bonds were broken Timozel could continue to escape Gorgrael's need for
him.
     Well, for the moment the SkraeBolds would have to do. He patted SkraeFear
on the head comfortingly.
     "I still love you, SkraeFear, you and your brothers here."
     SkraeFear whined in adoration and clung to one of Gorgrael's legs. "I will be
good," he whispered. "Good, good, good!"
     "Yes, yes," Gorgrael said absently, gently prising SkraeFear loose. "Be gone
for the moment. I will speak to you soon. Give new orders. Impart a new
mission. But for now, be gone."
     SkraeFear gave one last grateful whimper, then scurried out of the room on
his hands and knees, his brothers hurrying after him, gladdened beyond measure
that their beloved master had not seen fit to chastise them as well.
     Gorgrael prowled among the massive pieces of dark wooden furniture of his
chamber; twisted and ensorcelled into strange and tormented shapes, they flung
shadows into every corner.
     He loved the room's gloom and clutter, its darkness and malformed purpose.
It was where he did his best work.
     One corner of the chamber was dominated by a massive plate-iron fireplace.
Though Gorgrael constructed many of his creatures from mist and ice, he was
warm-blooded himself and needed the heat and comfort of fire from time to
time. He wandered over to the cold grate and snapped his fingers. Flames licked
their way about the misshapen pieces of wood piled at the back of the grate, and
Gorgrael murmured to himself. Sometimes he saw strange shapes in the flames,
and it bothered him.
      He turned to a sideboard, its undulating planes and angles polished smooth
so that the wood shone, and lifted a crystal decanter from its depths. Gorgrael
smiled. This decanter and its delicate matching glasses he had brought home
from Gorkenfort, and the fact that Borneheld and Faraday had been forced to
leave them behind when they fled pleased Gorgrael. He hummed a broken and
grating tune as he lifted a glass with one scaled, clawed hand and filled it with
good wine from the decanter.
      He was civilised. He was as good as anyone else. Certainly as good as Axis.
Perhaps Faraday would enjoy the time she spent with him. Perhaps she would
think him polite company. Perhaps he might not kill her after all.
      Gorgrael sipped the wine, clinking the crystal against a tusk and dribbling a
little of the wine down his chin as his cumbersome mouth and tongue tried to
cope with the delicacy of the glass. He reached into the depths of the sideboard
again and lifted out a large parcel. Crystal was not the only item Gorgrael had
brought home from Gorkenfort.
      He grunted in satisfaction and wandered over to his favourite chair, scraping
it towards the fire. It was a good chair, throne-like, with a high carved back and
wings that reached even higher towards the ceiling. He sat down and ripped
open the parcel with his free hand. For a long time he sat there, looking at the
parcel's contents, stroking it gently, careful to keep his claws retracted. Then he
drained his wine in a gulp and irritably threw the crystal into the fire where it
shattered among the flames.
      In his lap, tumbled and crushed, lay the emerald and ivory silk of Faraday's
wedding gown. Looking at it, absorbing the smell and the feel of the woman who
had worn it, Gorgrael felt strange, painful emotions well up inside him. They
made him feel merciful — and Gorgrael did not want to feel merciful. Worse,
they made him feel lost - and that feeling Gorgrael did not like very much at all.
      There was a movement in the air, swirling about the room, and the flames
leapt and spat in the turbulence.
      "She is a very beautiful woman, Gorgrael," the loved voice said gently
behind him, "and it is no wonder you sit there with her silks to comfort you."
      "Dear Man," Gorgrael breathed. It had been months since the Dark Man had
visited him.
      A heavily shrouded figure brushed past his chair and stood for a moment in
front of the fire, his back to Gorgrael. The hood of his black cloak was pulled
close about his face.
      "Have you met her?" Gorgrael asked, desperate for closer knowledge of
Faraday. "Have you spoken with her?"
      The shrouded figure turned and sat down on the hearth. "I know Faraday,
yes. And we have passed the occasional word."
      Gorgrael gripped the silk in his hands. "Have you desired her?"
      The Dark Man laughed, genuinely amused. "Many desire her, Gorgrael, and
perhaps I am one of them. It is of no account. If you want her then I will not
stand in your way. You may enjoy her as you wish."
    For a while they sat there in silence, Gorgrael fingering the silken dress, the
Dark Man contemplating the flames.
    Gorgrael had long given up trying to see the face of the Dear Man.
No matter how hard and how craftily he'd peered, always the Dark
Man, the Dear Man, appeared as he was now, shrouded so heavily that
no-one, not even Gorgrael with his dark talent, could understand or
know what lay beneath the folds.
    The Dark Man had been a part of Gorgrael's life since he was small.
The five Skraelings who had midwhred Gorgrael's terrible delivery had
brought him back to their burrow in the northern tundra, had somehow
managed to feed him until he was able to crawl out of the burrow and
forage in the snow, catching first small insects, then the white mice of
the northern wastes, then finally the small mammals, hot and juicy,
that fed his growing flesh and provided the stiff furs that kept him
warm at night. The Skraelings had sheltered him and loved him, but
Gorgrael had led a miserable life among the silly wraiths until the day
that, scampering across a small ice field, he had seen the cloaked
figure striding towards him. At first the tiny Gorgrael had been afraid
of this tall and mysterious man, but the Dark Man had picked him up
and whispered to him of things which soon had him cooing in delight
and squirming in the stranger's arms. The Dark Man had sung dreams
to the child, had offered him hope.
    No-one but Gorgrael knew about the Dark Man - the five
Skraelings, later transformed by Gorgrael into Skrae-Bolds, had never
known he existed. The Dark Man, the Dear Man, had come to Gorgrael
almost every day when he was little. Singing strange songs of power
and enchantment, teaching him about his heritage, teaching him about
his path for the future. Gorgrael had learned well from the Dark Man,
and had come to love and respect as well as fear this stranger who
taught him. He had learned very early that it was not a good thing to
cross the Dark Man.
    But through all these years he had never found out who the Dark
Man was. Whenever he asked, whenever he tried to pry, the Dark Man
would laugh and evade his questions and inquisitive eyes. There were some
things he knew about him. The Dark Man knew Axis, for he had told Gorgrael
about his hated half-brother very early in life and had taught Gorgrael the
Prophecy of the Destroyer. Gorgrael knew also that the Dark Man lived a dark
and crafty life, using his disguises to fool many who loved him. He knew that the
Dark Man was a manipulator of considerable skill, and sometimes Gorgrael
wondered just how much he had been manipulated as well.
    Gorgrael knew that the Dark Man had a purpose, but he did not know
exactly what that purpose was.
    "It was her wedding gown," Gorgrael mumbled. "Timozel's sleeping mind
told me that. Dear Man," he lifted his gaze to the still figure before him. "I need
a trustier lieutenant than these SkraeBolds. I want Timozel, but he is tied to
Faraday. What can you tell me?"
     "You will have hiin eventually," the Dark Man assured him. "Many bonds that
have been forged will tear apart. Many vows that have been spoken will become
meaningless."
     "Will I have Faraday?"
     "You have read the Prophecy. You know it as well as any." The Dark Man's
voice was a little harder now.
     "Axis' Lover. The only one whose pain can break his concentration enough
for me to kill him. Faraday."
     "Axis' Lover. Yes," the Dark Man agreed. "Only love can provide the means
to destroy him. You know the Prophecy well."
     Faraday, Gorgrael thought, I must have her!
     The Dark Man sat and watched Gorgrael's thoughts play across his face.
Gorgrael would do well - he had proved his worth already - but he would have to
learn to curb his impatience.
     "You moved too fast," the Dark Man said abruptly, his voice harsh.
     "How much longer was I supposed to wait? My forces were massed, my
magic was strong, and Axis knew little about his true identity, his true ability. It
was a good time tomove."
     "You should have waited another year. Waited until you had more
Skraelings, more ice creatures who could work your will for you. Waited until you
had more control over your creatures!" The Dark Man's voice was scathing now,
and he leaned forward from the hearth, stabbing his finger at Gorgrael. "Now
you have gained Ichtar, true, but you can go no further until next winter. And
meantime the forces of opposition are forming against you. Six months ago Axis
had no idea of his true nature. But your precipitate action has flushed out all the
major actors in this little drama. Now Axis has cast aside the lies of the
Seneschal and absorbs his lessons from StarDrifter as a sponge absorbs water.
You have woken the StarMan, Gorgrael, but you have weakened yourself so
seriously in the process that you cannot yet move against him!"
     Gorgrael twisted his head away from the Dear Man, sulking. "I will win." Did
the Dark Man not believe in him?
     "Oh, yes," the Dark Man said. "Undoubtedly. Trust me."

    The Brother-Leader PlansThe silvery,
secretive waters of Grail Lake lapped against the foundations of the white-
walled, seven-sided Tower of the Seneschal. Deep within, Jayme, Brother-Leader
of the Seneschal and most senior mediator between the one god Artor the
Ploughman and the hearts and souls of the Acharites, paced across his chamber.
     "Is there no news?" he asked Gilbert for the fourth time that afternoon.
     The fire blazing in the mottled-green marble fireplace behind the Brother-
Leader's desk was stacked high and the light it threw off shimmered along the
edge of the fine crystal and gold that stood atop the mantel. Before the fire lay
an exquisite rug of hand-woven emerald and ivory silk from the strange hot
lands to the south of Coroleas. The Brother-Leader's private chambers lacked no
comforts.
     "Brother-Leader." Gilbert, his junior adviser, bowed respectfully, his hands
tucked away in the voluminous sleeves of his habit. "The only word from the
north comes from Duke Borneheld s camp at Jervois Landing. And the last
Borneheld saw of your BattleAxe, he was whooping and screaming as he led his
depleted Axe-Wielders to the north in an attempt to draw the Skraelings away
from Gorkenfort."
     Jayme frowned at the referral to Axis as "your BattleAxe". Gilbert had never
liked Axis, and felt justified in his dislike when news of Axis' appalling betrayal of
the Seneschal's cause reached the Brotherhood. Yet Jayme was so sick at heart
he said nothing to reprove Gilbert.
     "An attempt that nevertheless succeeded, Brother Gilbert," murmured
Moryson, Jayme's senior adviser and closest friend for over forty-five years. He
sat close by the fire to warm his creaking joints. "Axis' self-sacrifice saved many
lives, Borneheld's the most important."
     Gilbert continued. "Since the forces of this Gorgrael have moved through
Ichtar I have received no word from north of Jervois Landing. Who knows if Axis
lives or moulders?" As Borneheld had, so too had Jayme and his advisers
reluctantly accepted that the foe they faced, Gorgrael, was something even more
terrible than the Forbidden.
     Jayme paced about the centre of the chamber. "Artor curse it, I did not love
Axis and raise him from a baby to lose him like this! How many hours did I nurse
that parentless child, sing him cradle-songs to comfort him to sleep?"
     "Better to have lost him in the service of Artor than to lose him to the service
of the Forbidden," Gilbert intoned.
     "How could Axis betray the Seneschal - and me - like this!" shouted Jayme.
     "Blame it on Rivkah for bedding with one of those damn lizards!" spat
Gilbert. Borneheld's report had been very detailed. "Women ever were the
weaker vessel!"
     "Gilbert! Enough!" Moryson stood up from his chair, wavered for a moment,
then walked over to put a comforting arm about Jayme. "Recriminations will not
help us at this point, Brother Gilbert. We need to plan for the future."
     Gilbert's lip curled at the two old men. What the Seneschal needed was an
infusion of blood strong enough to save the Brotherhood from the possibility that
the Forbidden would one day re-enter Achar. Artor needs young men to save the
Seneschal, Gilbert thought, his eyes expressionless, not old men afraid of
fighting words and deeds.
     "Thank you, my friend," Jayme muttered, patting Moryson's arm. "I am all
right now. Just for a moment..."
     Moryson nodded in understanding and let Jayme go. When word of Axis'
defection to the Forbidden had reached the Tower of the Seneschal it had almost
caused Jayme a fatal apoplexy. That a man entrusted with such a position of
responsibility within the Seneschal could defect to the Forbidden of all things —
the races he was committed to destroy - was almost beyond belief. But what cut
even deeper was that Jayme had raised Axis from a new-born infant. Oared for
him, loved him, taught him, indulged him. And for that care and love Axis had
not only led the military wing of the Seneschal, the Axe-Wielders, to the service
of the Forbidden, but he had betrayed both his god and everything Jayme
believed in. Jayme's hurt was the pain of a father betrayed as much as that of a
Brother-Leader deceived.
     "I must assume he is still alive," Jayme said. "I must prepare for the worst
scenario - that Axis survived, the command he led survived, and all are now in
the employ of those," he paused, "flying lizards." His voice strengthened as he
spoke, and by the time he was finished Jayme's back was straight and his eyes
gleamed with renewed strength. The Seneschal needed him and he would serve.
If Axis had abandoned Jayme and the Seneschal, then Jayme and the Seneschal
would abandon Axis.
     "I am told that news of this cursed Prophecy spreads within Achar," he said
with new resolve.
     Gilbert nodded. "Yes. Those of Borneheld's soldiers who brought his report
from the north, also - Artor damn them -brought this evil Prophecy. Once they
had delivered Borneheld's report to King Priam they took their worthless and
pox-infected bodies off to a tavern where they recited the Prophecy for the
edification of the tavern patrons."
     "Is it too late to stop word of the Prophecy spreading?" asked Jayme.
     "Unfortunately so, Brother-Leader. Gossip will spread -and the Prophecy is
so damnably ensorcelled that all who hear it remember it instantly."
     "And curse those two Brothers Ogden andVeremund for finding and showing
the Prophecy to Axis!" Jayme rasped. He still found it hard to believe that the
Brotherhood's small outpost in the Silent Woman Keep had been so corrupted by
the isolation and the records of the Forbidden they had found there.
     Of course, none of the three in the room had yet heard news of the true
identity of the two beings who wore the shapes of the long-dead Ogden
andVeremund.
     "Axis hardly needed those two fools to read him the Prophecy," Gilbert said.
"He could read the depraved script in the Forbidden's books as easily as you
would read the word of Artor himself. I, for one, do not find it hard to believe
that Axis is of such tainted and ungodly breeding. None else could have read
those ghastly lines. He was betrayer-bred, Brother-Leader, and his blood would
always lead him to forsake you and the one true god Artor."
     Gilbert paused, watching the older men carefully. "Axis' capitulation to the
forces of evil may not be our worst threat. There may be traitors closer to
home."
     Jayme narrowed his eyes. What did Gilbert know now? Over the past months
Jayme had learned to respect Gilbert's sources of information. "Well?" he barked
finally, his entire frame tense and wary.
      "I have heard word of Priam's private deliberations," Gilbert said casually.
      Artor, but the little turd-faced bastard must have spies at the keyhole to
Priam's privy chamber, thought Jayme. No doubt he has word on how many
times Priam mounts his wife at night. Jayme rarely let the language and imagery
of his peasant youth intrude into his conscious mind. It was a measure of his
unease that he did so now.
      . "Priam has become obsessed with the Prophecy," Gilbert observed. "He
believes its advice more than he believes the advice of the Brother-Leader. It is
rumoured that Priam wavers towards supporting Axis and his cause. That he
begins to think that alliance with the Forbidden might be a way to defeat
Gorgrael."
      Jayme cursed under his breath, staring into the fire in order to hide the
expression on his face. Even Moryson looked mildly surprised at Gilbert's news.
      "It is rumoured," Gilbert continued, staring at Jayme's back, "that Priam
is...disappointed...with Borneheld. That he now wonders if Borneheld was such a
good choice forWarLord. Priam believes Ichtar's loss underscores the need to
pay close attention to the advice of the Prophecy."
      The Brother-Leader's clenched fist slammed into the mantel above the fire,
sending chills of music rattling around the room.
      "I would rather see Priam dead\" Jayme seethed, staring first at Gilbert and
then at Moryson. "Has he lost his mind to consider an alliance with the
Forbidden?"
     Moryson and Gilbert were stunned by Jayme's violent outburst. Moryson's
eyes flickered to Gilbert then back to Jayme. He laid a soothing hand on Jayme's
shoulder.
     "Priam ever was a waverer," he said gently. '"Tis perhaps not unexpected
that he should vacillate in this present crisis."
     Jayme shook Moryson's hand off his shoulder and stalked into the centre of
the chamber. "Priam leads the nation!" he snapped. "Should we let him lead it
back into subjection under the yoke of the Forbidden?"
     Gilbert's bright eyes narrowed. "What do you mean, Brother-Leader?"
     "I mean that perhaps we - Achar - would be better off if we had a King
whose loyalties were uncompromised."
     There was utter silence for several heartbeats; even Jayme was a little
surprised by what he had just said.
     "Brother-Leader," Moryson said calmly. "It may be best if Borneheld knows
of the situation. It might be best if Borneheld himself were here. To stop Priam
from wavering, of course."
     "Borneheld is an experienced leader and battle commander," Jayme said
thoughtfully. "His hatred of the Forbidden and devotion to Artor is well known.
He is also heir to the throne. I'm sure that he, too, would be appalled to learn of
Priam's treasonous thoughts."
     "Treasonous to Achar," Moryson said.
     Jayme gave him a hard look. "Treasonous to everything the Seneschal
stands for. We cannot let the Forbidden back into Achar. Gilbert*."
     Gilbert jumped to his feet.
     "I think it were best that you left for the north on the next river transport."
     Gilbert smiled and bowed. He could see nothing but advantages for himself
in these developments.
     "Borneheld needs to be advised of where Priam's mind is turning," Jayme
continued. "We are vulnerable now that the majority of the Axe-Wielders either
he dead or run with the traitor Axis. Only one cohort of Axe-Wie'ders remain to
guard the interests and the persons of the Seneschal."
     Not in a thousand years had the Seneschal been as vulnerable as it was
now. That thought was uppermost in Jayme's mind. He would do whatever he
had to do to ensure the Seneschal's survival. "What we do we must do for the
good of the Seneschal."
     "For the good of Artor and for the good of Achar," Moryson added mildly.
     "Of course," Jayme said blandly, "that's what I meant. Furrow wide,
Moryson, furrow deep."

    The Blood-Red Sun£ £ ~*—"^ on't try to
overpower me through such direct means. You leave yourself open. I grab your -
—S wrist and elbow, twist, and you're crippled."
     SpikeFeather gave a gasp of pain and dropped the iron-tipped stave he was
carrying, his free hand flying to the arm that Axis held in a vice-like grip. Axis
casually kicked one leg out from under the Wing-Leader and SpikeFeather
collapsed to the ground in an undignified heap.
     Each day for over two weeks Axis had worked with individual Wings of the
Strike Force, getting to know the Wing commanders and the individual members
of the Force. They were obstinate and thin-skinned, Axis had decided, but they
had the makings of a fine force, despite having degenerated over the past
thousand or more years into little more than a decorative appendage to Icarii
society. Axis had transformed the Strike Force's exercises and training from
displays of graceful acrobatics in the sky and on ground to difficult manoeuvres
that would win them battles rather than parades, lives rather than hearts and
cheers.
     Axis leaned down and offered SpikeFeather his hand. SpikeFeather was one
of the more skilful fighters among the Icarii and he had caused Axis a moment's
worry during their demonstration. SpikeFeather hesitated an instant, then took
Axis' hand, standing up in a flowing movement.
     "You could have killed me, Spike Feather," said Axis, making sure he spoke
loudly enough for the other Icarii standing about to hear, "if you had used your
most potent weapon."
     "What do you mean, Strike-Leader?" SpikeFeather frowned. "I could not hold
the stave while you twisted my arm so."
     "Your wings," Axis said, exasperated. "You could have knocked me with one
or both of your wings, or so distracted me that I would have let you go. Don't
forget your wings. They may save your life one day."
     Axis was intent on making the Icarii realise that even defensive fighting
should be aggressive, and that surprise and skill would always win over brawn
and superior weaponry. But the Icarii needed experienced practice partners
before they could develop the instinct necessary to survive the inevitable battles
with Gorgrael's forces.
     "All right, SpikeFeather, that's enough for today." Axis looked up to the
gallery of the main training chamber where FarSight CutSpur and several of the
other Crest-Leaders stood watching. Behind them were ranged some thirty or
forty Icarii from other Wings who had asked if they could observe the training
session. "Eventually when you join up with Belial's command you can train one-
on-one with his soldiers. That will sharpen your combat skills."
     "I don't see why you push us so, Axis," EvenSong remarked a little
resentfully. "We are an archer force. What can possibly attack us in the air?"
EvenSong made a point of not calling her brother Strike-Leader. Axis suspected
she wanted to provoke him into disciplining her in front of the other members of
her Wing, but he ignored her jibes.
     FarSight CutSpur leaned over the railing of the observation gallery. "She may
be right, Strike-Leader. We are vulnerable only to arrows, yet with the tactics we
have been working out over the past two weeks soon arrows from below will
become only a minor consideration. What will grappling with Belial's
Groundwalkers teach us?"
     Axis smiled, but his eyes were cold. "Already Gorgrael's SkraeBolds can fly.
Once he knows I command your Strike Force he will plan counter-measures.
FarSight CutSpur, fellow Strike Force members, you will almost certainly have to
fight for your lives at some point with creatures that will attack you in the air.
The battle for Tencendor will be a bloody affair on land and in the air. It will not
always be fought at the safe distance of an arrow flight but hand to hand, wing
to wing. Training with Belial's battle-hardened men will teach you instinctive
aggression. Learn it...or die."
     A number of the Icarii looked visibly shocked. Although their training under
Axis had been hard, they had comforted themselves with the thought that they
were almost impossible to attack while in the air. Now they had to think again.
     Axis' eyes circled the assembled Icarii. "Each of you should arm yourself with
a good blade. Knives can be carried easily, concealed even more easily, and will
save you when another grapples you and restricts your movement, whether in
the air or on the ground. Learn how to kill at close quarters. Azhure."
     Azhure, who had been standing unobtrusively against the side wall of the
chamber, narrowed her eyes in suspicion.
     "Come." Axis beckoned impatiently, his eyes on the Icarii fighters.
     Azhure walked over to Axis, doubt about his motives making her hesitant.
     "Pick up that stave on the floor," he said as she stopped before him, "and
see if you can find a way to knock me off" my feet."
     Her every movement wary, Azhure leaned down to the stave.
     At precisely the moment her eyes left him Axis moved as swiftly as a striking
cat, his booted foot catching Azhure squarely in the small of her back. She
grunted as she fell on top of the stave. Axis leaned down, wound his fingers into
the thick twist of hair at the crown of Azhure's head, hauled her to her feet, and
manoeuvred her head into the classic handhold needed to twist an enemy's head
until the spine snapped.
     But in the instant before his hands could fatally tighten on her head and jaw,
Axis felt the blade of a knife lightly pierce the skin of his belly.
     Azhure's eyes were furious as they stared into his.
     Axis laughed softly. Azhure had reacted as quickly and as decisively as he'd
hoped. He let her head go and stepped back, dropping one hand to gently clasp
her wrist and pull the knife away from his belly.
     "Azhure came closer to killing me with that knife than any member of the
Strike Force has come to bruising me with a stave," he said finally, his eyes not
leaving Azhure's face. "I hesitated with the kill and now / should be dead
instead. Azhure, I am grateful you stayed that knife." He looked around at the
Icarii. "Azhure has shown you two lessons. The deadliness of even a small knife
in close combat, and the need to develop that instinct to attack without the
slightest hesitation - even if your enemy has got a death grip on you."
     Axis let Azhure's wrist go and then turned to face the Icarii. After a moment
Axis heard a faint movement behind him as Azhure sheathed the knife.
     "Enough for today," he said mildly. "But remember the lessons. Once you
begin to train with Belial's men you will develop the killer instinct quickly or risk
losing more than a few of your proud feathers. SpikeFeather, you may dismiss
your command."
     As the Icarii filed from the chamber, Axis climbed the ladder into the gallery
and stood talking quietly with FarSight, organising a meeting of all the Strike
Force commanders so he could discuss future training plans. Although he hadn't
yet discussed it with FarSight or RavenCrest, Axis planned on leaving Talon Spike
for some weeks after Beltide in early Flower-month. Axis needed to complete his
training elsewhere - as well as fulfil a vow - and he wanted the Strike Force to
continue training in his absence.
     When he turned back into the chamber, Axis saw that only Azhure was left.
She stood in a far corner, lifting the Wolven from a hook on the wall and slinging
its accompanying quiver over her shoulder.
     Axis stood a moment, a soft smile playing about his mouth, then he leapt
down to the floor of the chamber and silently walked towards her. Azhure gave a
small jump of surprise when she saw him standing only a few paces away.
     "I am sorry," he said, "that I used you so poorly. But if I had warned you,
you would not have reacted so swiftly or so reflexively. Not only were you the
only one I trusted to react so instinctively, you were the only one present I could
trust to stay the knife. Even so," he fingered his belly gingerly, "you have added
one more scar to my growing collection."
     Azhure relaxed a little. "I had to stay the impulse to slide that knife all the
way in, Axis, but I thought you should suffer a little for the ache you caused my
scalp."
     "Are you going to practise with the bow?"
     "Yes." Azhure fingered the bow, and Axis wondered at her smile as she
touched the weapon.
     "I see you have a quiver full of new arrows. Should I blame SpikeFeather's
tattered appearance on those blue-feathered arrows?"
     Azhure laughed. "He did not think I could use the Wolven. He was willing to
bet his own pride and feathers, on it."
     "It was a lesson not only SpikeFeather, but most of the Icarii, will not readily
forget. The Wolven is one of their greatest treasures."
     Azhure's smile faded. "Should I give it back?"
     "No. I think the Wolven chose you. It is an enchanted thing."
     Azhure looked down at the beautiful bow she held in her hands. "But the
Wolven let SpikeFeather use it."
     Axis remembered a conversation he had overheard between SpikeFeather
and EvenSong several days ago. "It took SpikeFeather nine years before he fully
mastered the Wolven - and he is the only one who has been able to use it in
some four thousand years. It was only late last year that he managed it." Axis
paused. "It is as if the Wolven knew you were coming and finally let
SpikeFeather use it so he would pick that bow to demonstrate for you. The
Wolven tells you it wants you, Azhure. It is yours."
     She ran her fingers gently through its blue and scarlet silken tassels. "Then it
honours me, though I know not why." She raised her smoky eyes. "Enchanted,
you say?"
     Axis reached out and ran his fingers along the string of the bow. "WolfStar
SunSoar made it, many thousands of years ago. WolfStar was the most powerful
of the Enchanter-Talons - there has never been another like him." He stopped,
considering. Due to his extraordinary power, WolfStar's name had cropped up
many times during Axis' training, but curiously StarDrifter and MorningStar had
evaded his occasional questions about the mysterious ninth Enchanter-Talon.
After a moment Axis continued. "He wove enchantments into the bow's making.
No-one really knew what. No-one has been able to see." He dropped his hand. "/
cannot see. It is as though a film of ice covers the bow's soul. I can see the
shape of the enchantments, but they are hazy, out of focus. I can hear them,
especially when you use the bow. But the music lingers at the extreme edge of
my hearing, and I cannot quite catch the tune. WolfStar took his enchantments
and the key to the Wolven to the grave with him."
     "You will prevail even without the knowledge of the ancient Icarii Enchanter-
Talons, Axis."
     Axis' mouth quirked at the absolute certainty in her voice. "With the faith of
such as you by my side then I am bound to," he said softly. Their eyes caught,
then Axis turned away slightly. "I am thinking of using you in the Strike Force's
aeriar training, Azhure, if you would consent."
     She laughed, incredulous. "Will you build me wings, then, like StarDrifter
offered to do for you?" Axis had vehemently refused StarDrifter's offers to coax
his dormant wing buds into flowering. He had lived his life thus far without
wings, and he would live the rest of his life without them.
     Axis smiled. "No. With FarSight I have been putting the Strike Force through
various evasive manoeuvres designed to lessen the risk of arrow strike. But now
I want them to have some real arrows to out-manoeuvre. Will you shoot at
them?"
     Azhure's mouth dropped open. "You can't mean that!"
     Axis' eyes twinkled. "Perhaps I still have a trace of Battle-Axe in me,
Azhure."
     "But I do not know how to fire an arrow to miss, Axis! It would be a betrayal
to the Wolven to aim to miss."
     "Then wrap the arrow heads in cloth or dip them in wax to blunt them. That
way you will give them bruises, but not heart-piercing wounds."
     Azhure did not want to risk the Icarii's acceptance now that she had finally
won it. "They will not resent me?" she asked doubtfully.
     "They will resent me. It will be my suggestion. My order," said Axis. "Will you
do it? You could stand on that ledge that overlooks the Iskruel Ocean. The
extent of the air field on the northern face of Talon Spike will give the Strike
Force their maximum manoeuvring field."
     Azhure thought for a moment. "They'll need it. Yes. I'll do it, so long as we
can blunt the arrows sufficiently. And I will have to use less exotic arrows than
these. SpikeFeather won't be pleased to see his feather-fledged arrows tumbling
down the chasm at Talon Spike's feet."
     Axis nodded. "Good. I'll discuss the plan with FarSight and the other Crest-
Leaders tomorrow. I will go ahead with it only if they think there is little danger
to the Strike Force. Well, I'll leave you to your target practice. Perhaps you will
soon have something larger and more difficult to aim for."
     Azhure's face darkened. "The sooner I have a Skraeling eye to aim for, the
better." She ached to appease the agony she still felt at her friend Pease's
terrible death in the Earth Tree Grove, chewed into bloody fragments by the
Skraeling wraiths as Azhure stood by, horrified, unable to act through her own
terror.
     Axis' mood shifted abruptly. "Your first target in war may not be Skraelings,
Azhure," he said a little sadly.
     She frowned. "What do you mean?"
     "I'D discuss it when the time comes. Azhure, I must go. I thank you again
for your assistance here this afternoon, and again I apologise for my rude
treatment of you. I am glad our friendship has survived this afternoon."
     Axis turned to go.
     "Wait!" Azhure cried, rummaging in the shoulder sack she carried about with
her and withdrawing a bundle of dark golden silk.
     She stood, gently fingering the material, her eyes downcast, then she looked
up, and Axis felt his heart clench a little at the expression in her beautiful eyes.
     "I've noticed you touching the tunic over your left breast, where once the
twin crossed axes of your station rested. Now you are no longer BattleAxe, but
rather Axis SunSoar, son of Princess Rivkah and StarDrifter, heir to the powers
and gifts of the SunSoar Enchanters and to the Prophecy of the Destroyer. You
need a new emblem, Axis, a new standard, a sign to mark you the StarMan."
     She shook the material out. "Rivkah found the fabric for me, and over the
past few weeks I have spent the occasional hour sewing this for you."
     Axis took a sharp breath of amazement as the material unfolded in Azhure's
hands. It was a finely crafted tunic of deep golden silk, its texture slightly
roughened so that it caught the light. Around the bottom of the sleeves and the
high neck Azhure had embroidered designs recalling the exotic writing of the
ancient Icarii language. The design embroidered in silk on the centre of the
golden tunic made him catch his breath anew. It was the SunSoar blazing sun,
but in blood-red rather than its usual insipid pale gold.
     Azhure relaxed at the expression on Axis' face. She hadn't known whether or
not he would accept it. "I have almost finished a battle standard for you in the
same design, Axis SunSoar."
     "I will be proud to accept tunic and standard and to embrace this emblem as
my own, Azhure," Axis whispered, cradling the silken tunic in his hand. It was
light, so light. "You have done me honour."

                                      and EndingsA zhure shot
    IOPropositions
off yet another arrow, hitting the scarlet f-\ target globe which already bristled
with her previous -A- JLshots. She gazed at the beautiful bow. No-one knew
what wood it had been made of. Perhaps WoHStar had altered it with his
enchantments, she thought vaguely, running her fingers over its smooth ivory
surface. Strange patterns in gold tracery spiralled about the length of the bow,
like nothing else she had seen decorating Icarii walls or art works. She wondered
what WolfStar had been like. No-one among the Icarii liked talking about him
much. Would he have minded that his bow had been lost into the possession of
an Acharite woman?
     She reached for an arrow and finding her quiver empty, abruptly realised she
had a problem. Always there had been an Icarii present to retrieve her arrows
for her. But now the target ball swung sixty paces above her head. She could
hardly leave the ball bristling with arrows - the next Icarii to use the chamber
would be furious at her carelessness. She sighed and hung the Wolven on a wall
hook. Either she'd have to climb up herself, a choice she quickly discarded as she
glanced about the smooth walls, or she would have to find an Icarii willing to
retrieve the arrows for her.
     "I should be pleased to retrieve them for you, Azhure," a voice said from
behind her, and Azhure whipped about.
     StarDrifter stood at the rail of the observation gallery, smiling down at her,
then launched himself into the air with his powerful wings. Watching him, Azhure
envied the Icarii ability to fly. What would it be like, she thought, to be able to
escape into the limitless freedom of the skies?
     StarDrifter alighted before her, passing over her arrows.
     "Thank you," Azhure said, dropping the arrows into the quiver across her
back. "Next time I will make sure someone else is using the chamber whenever I
practise."
     StarDrifter smiled. She had such a lovely face. For weeks now his desire for
her had been growing. Yet she tried to keep herself so distant, avoiding the
times he used the Chamber of Steaming Water.
     He gazed longingly at her hair. No Icarii woman had long hair, it stopped
growing once it reached the level of their neck feathers, and StarDrifter loved the
feel of long hair — it was one of the attractions human women had for him.
Unable to stop himself, he reached over and cradled the back of her head,
feeling the weight of the coiled braid.
     Azhure started in alarm. "StarDrifter!" she began, then StarDrifter's other
arm was about her and he pressed her against his body, stopping her objections
with a deep kiss.
     For long minutes Azhure did not resist. She had never been kissed like this
before. The few experiences she'd endured from the awkward boys of Smyrton
had not pleased her, and their groping rumblings had repulsed her.
     This was different. The feel of his chest under her hands, the warmth and
taste of his mouth, curiosity at new sensations, the subtle but unmistakable
touch of his Enchanter's power, all made her hesitate to break the embrace.
     Encouraged by Azhure's initial reaction, StarDrifter's mouth left hers to
caress her jaw and throat, gently biting, nibbling. He wrapped his wings about
her, cradling her within them so his hands were free. He started to unfasten the
buttons of her tunic.
     Azhure finally found the resolve to push her hands more firmly against his
chest. It was difficult, for part of her mind screamed at her to stay and let him
do what he wanted, but another part recalled Rivkah's words about being
cradled in a lover's wings during Beltide, and the thought of Rivkah gave Azhure
the courage to speak.
     "No," she mumbled. "No, StarDrifter. Stop."
     He smiled and slipped his hand inside her tunic, cupping a breast. "You do
not want me to stop, Azhure."
     "If you do not stop then it will be rape, StarDrifter," Azhure insisted, her
voice now firm. "I love and respect Rivkah too much to betray her like this. Let
me go."
     "Rape? But do you not enjoy this, my beautiful woman?" StarDrifter asked,
his fingertips drifting over a nipple. "I can feel you tremble. You do not want me
to stop."
     Azhure freed an arm and struck him across the face. The effect was electric.
StarDrifter stumbled backwards, a hand clasped to his shocked face.
      Azhure jerked her tunic closed, fumbling with the fastenings. "I do not
welcome your advances, StarDrifter. Please do not lessen my respect for you by
pursuing me like this," she said emphatically, then, picking up the Wolven, she
turned and climbed the ladder into the observation gallery with as much dignity
as she could muster.
      Azhure was as furious with herself as she was with him. She had almost
managed to put her scruples aside in order to indulge her curiosity and enjoy
what StarDrifter was offering. She crossed the observation gallery, her steps
quickening as she got closer to the door and escape. In her haste she did not
notice the figure who had sought refuge in a shadowed corner just minutes
before.
      StarDrifter watched her go, only slowly dropping his hand from his cheek. He
was appalled, not that Azhure had hit him, but that she been forced to hit him.
Rape — sexual force of any kind — was a concept almost totally alien to the
Icariipeople. All of them loved the chase and the seduction, but no Icarii ever
pursued one who was unsure or unwilling.
      StarDrifter took a deep breath. He would apologise. But his desire for Azhure
was driving him crazy. He had never felt like this about anyone, not even Rivkah
during the height of their passion. Why? StarDrifter asked himself. There were
more beautiful women than her about, and surely more willing than her. But he
felt driven to possess her by a force so deep within him that he did not, could
not, understand it.
      He looked up to the gallery, hoping Azhure had not left. But the woman
standing there was not Azhure.
      Rivkah stood with her hands resting lightly on the gallery rail. She looked
calm and cool, elegant in a sky-blue gown, her silver and golden-streaked hair
left free to trail down her back. "We need to talk, StarDrifter," she said quietly.
"And I would appreciate it if you could join me up here."
      Oh Stars! StarDrifter thought helplessly, his face, every entire muscle of his
body, showing his tenseness.
      Rivkah waited until he joined her, then touched his face. "This must end,"
she said, her eyes inexpressibly sad.
      "I do not know what came over me, I will not do it again," StarDrifter began,
but Rivkah cut him off.
      "No. Our marriage must end while we still respect each other. StarDrifter, it
is time we talked plainly."
      StarDrifter's face stilled, his pale-blue eyes narrowing. "Very well. Let us
talk."
      A slight tremor belied Rivkah's calm exterior.
      "StarDrifter. We both know that in past years we have been slowly but
inexorably drifting apart. We had a grand passion, we loved each other dearly,
we both sacrificed dearly for that love and passion. But we must now face the
reality that our marriage is no longer viable."
      "Rivkah —" He reached out, but Rivkah stepped back.
      "No. Let me finish. You are Icarii and I am human. You have, potentially,
another four hundred years of life, StarDrifter. Already I grow old. I will not
become an object of pity in your eyes. I must end this marriage while there is
still respect - perhaps even a little love — left between us." She paused. "Now I
know why the Ferryman thought that resuming the name Rivkah would be a high
price for me to pay. GoldFeather may have belonged here, StarDrifter, but
Rivkah does not. After Beltide I will return to Achar."
      "Rivkah!" StarDrifter reached for her again, and this time she did not
attempt to resist. For a long time they stood, holding each other, StarDrifter
gently stroking the golden streak through her hair. Despite what she had implied,
Rivkah still loved him deeply, but she wanted to walk away from their marriage
while she knew that StarDrifter still enjoyed their intimate relationship.
      Eventually she pulled back. "StarDrifter," she whispered, grateful for the
unforced tears of regret in his eyes, "don't let your consuming need for Azhure
destroy her life. Don't make her go through what I am now going through. She is
human too, and in another twenty or thirty years I don't want her to be standing
here ending her marriage to you because your eye has been caught by a woman
younger and more vital than her. Let her go. Respect her enough for that. Find
an Icarii woman who will be with you for the rest of your life."
      "Azhure was not at fault for what just happened." StarDrifter knew how
deep the friendship was between the two women.
      "I know." Rivkah forced a smile. "I admire her resistance. If I remember
correctly I conceded at a single smile from you. I do not blame her...nor you,
really. I want us to go to RavenCrest and formally break the marriage." Soon,
she thought bleakly, while I still have the strength for this.
      "What will you do?" StarDrifter asked. "Where will you go?"
      "I will return to my people, StarDrifter. I will find myself a home among
them."


Are You True?
“Ask the Bridge," Jack said, pointing his hand. "Do you see?" Belial, Magariz and
Arne stood at his shoulder at the western window of Sigholt's spacious map-
room. Behind them Reinald sat comfortably by the fire, sipping some spiced
wine.
     "There was a lake there, once," Jack said, a little impatient with the three
men. "A beautiful lake. Do you not see?"
     "Yes, Jack," Belial finally responded, wondering what all this had to do with
why the Skraelings seemed to be keeping their distance from Sigholt. "But why is
it important?"
     "If Jack's going to give us lessons in geological c.uriosities," Magariz
grumbled, "then let us at least fortify ourselves with some of that wine before
Reinald drinks it all."
     Belial had led his command into Sigholt almost four weeks ago. He, like
Magariz, had been stunned to find the garrison both undamaged and deserted,
except for Jack and the retired cook. Reinald had grinned toothlessly at his
amazement and explained that once word reached Sigholt that Gorkenfort had
fallen, the majority of Borneheld's men stationed there had retreated south.
Once Hsingard fell, and it seemed that the Skraelings were only a day or two
away from Sigholt, the rest had fled in the middle of the night in a mad and
cowardly dash that had left three men trampled to death in the gateway of the
garrison.
     But the Skraelings had never attacked. The day after the last of the garrison
fled, leaving only Jack and Reinald to inhabit the huge Keep ("And I would have
fled too," Reinald confessed, "save that my arthritis was so bad that week I was
bed-bound"), a band of hungry Skraelings had appeared at some distance from
Sigholt, sniffing around the perimeters of the old lake bed. But they'd
approached no closer, and Jack and Reinald had been bothered no more by the
wraiths.
     Jack had apparently never been concerned that the Skraelings would attack,
and to Reinald's dismay he'd even refused to lock the garrison's gates at night.
After two or three weeks of peace, Reinald had relaxed as well, enjoying the
company of this strange man who'd sought refuge at the gates of Sigholt during
the first week of the new year.
     So it was that Sigholt lay waiting for Belial and his three thousand men. They
had settled in quickly. The garrison complex - the ancient Keep, its kitchens,
orchards, barracks, stables, courtyards, cellars and sundry storage and
outbuildings - held easily all the men and their horses. The garrison Borneheld
had maintained here had been almost as large, and when his men fled they'd
taken their horses but not much else, leaving enough supplies to keep Belial's
men fed for some months.
     As yet no-one had received an adequate explanation from Jack about why
the Skraelings had left Sigholt alone after destroying Hsingard, which was a
hundred times the size of Sigholt. In fact, two days after their arrival Jack had
disappeared for over three weeks, returning only some four or five days ago.
Despite Sigholt's apparent safety, Belial had spent some sleepless nights,
wondering if the Skraelings had left the garrison alone only to mass for a
surprise attack. But Belial had gradually relaxed, supervising the daily training
routines of his men while making sure they spent an equal amount of time in
leisure. The horrors of Gorkenfort and the rigours of the march through eastern
Ichtar to Sigholt were still evident in some haggard and prematurely lined faces,
but generally the men were recovering well from the trials of the previous
months.
     A week ago Belial had sent a small detachment of men to make contact with
the Axe-Wielders left in Smyrton, inquire further south about supply routes,
garner what information they could about Priam and Borneheld's plans and, most
importantly, to see if news of the Prophecy had spread any further south than
the Nordra. "If no-one knows the Prophecy, then repeat it," Belial had instructed.
"It will only serve Axis that the Prophecy, and thus the news of his coming,
precedes him."
      A couple of days after their departure Jack had reappeared as suddenly as
he'd disappeared and refused to answer Belial's questions. His stubborn silence
sent Belial stamping from the room, but this morning Jack had appeared at the
daily command conference in the map-room and announced he was prepared to
answer all of Belial's questions as best he could.
      "So," Belial said as he accepted a glass of wine from Magariz. "An ancient
lake bed. How does that explain why the Skraelings haven't attacked?"
      "The ancient lake bed explains both why L am here and why the Skraelings
have not attacked - and probably won't attack unless Gorgrael pushes them very
hard," Jack replied. "Please, Belial, may I have some of that spiced wine before
we continue? Sigholt may be protected from the worst of Gorgrael's cold, but it is
still chill enough."
      Belial started to move towards the table, but Arne indicated he would fetch
Jack a goblet. Since their arrival at Sigholt Arne had made himself Belial's general
personal assistant, although Belial was sure that when Axis reappeared Arne
would resume service with him.
      Jack sipped the wine Arne handed him with pleasure. He had spent the past
three weeks exploring the surrounding hills and cliff faces in detail, searching for
what he knew must be there. Finally he put his wine down.
      "Each of the Sentinels are associated with one of what were known as the
sacred Lakes of Tencendor, Belial. There were four, now there remain only three.
You have seen one of them, Grail Lake — although Arne has seen two. The
remaining two sacred Lakes are Cauldron Lake in the heart of the Silent Woman
Woods, and Pembroke Lake in the highest valley of the Bracken Ranges. All are
magical, and the Skraelings - who hate water of any sort — will stay far away
from them. The Keep of Sigholt sat on the very edge of the most powerful of the
four Lakes - the Lake of Life."
      Jack chewed his lip, debating whether to tell them the rest, then made up
his mind. The Lake's secrets would be revealed soon enough anyway.
      "But the Lake of Life has been drained," he continued. "It has disappeared.
And with it has gone its Sentinel, Zeherah." Belial shifted impatiently. "Yes, I can
understand the Sentinels' alliance with the Lakes. I'm aware that the Skraelings
dislike water, and I suppose that they would dislike magical Lakes more than
ordinary water. But since the water has now disappeared, why don't they
attack?"
      Jack shrugged. He had discarded his peasant garb and now stood clothed in
a fine green woollen tunic and trousers edged with scarlet that would have done
a minor noble proud. "Some of the magic lingers, Belial. Enough to discourage
them from an attempt on the Keep itself." That the Keep was also magical Jack
did not tell Belial and Magariz.
      "But they might one day surmount their dislike enough to attack?" asked
Magariz, limping over to the window again.
     "Perhaps." Jack sighed, worry straining his face. "Especially if Gorgrael
decides the garrison might be a worthwhile enough target."
     "Gorgrael has spread himself thin," Belial said slowly. "We were hardly
bothered in the journey south to Sigholt. My guess is that we damaged him so
badly above Gorkenfort that he's concentrating on maintaining his hold, rather
than extending it."
     "I agree. We're probably safe for the moment, perhaps for the entire
summer coming while Gorgrael reinvigorates his Ghostmen. But..." Jack paused.
     "But?" Magariz prompted, one heavy eyebrow raised. "But I need your help.
I want to make Sigholt secure against the Skraelings, a strong base for Axis as
he builds the forces necessary to beat the Destroyer back. And ..." he hesitated.
"And I want to see if I can find Zeherah. Belial, Magariz, if I cannot find her then
we may as well turn our backs and let Gorgrael occupy the whole of Tencendor -
or Achar, as you still call it. We need the five - Axis needs the five — to defeat
Gorgrael."
     "So," said Reinald wearily from his comfortable chair by the fire. "I suppose
you want to reflood the Lake."
     Belial and Magariz looked at him in surprise, then turned back to Jack.
     Jack nodded. "Yes. If the Lake is reflooded, then Sigholt will be all but
impregnable except to Gorgrael himself - and even he would hesitate to ask for
entry at the Keep's gates." If Gorgrael got as far as the gates. "And reflooding
the Lake may bring Zeherah back."
     "You're not sure," Magariz said.
     Jack suddenly looked ashen and worn out. "No. I am not sure. She was tied
to the Lake, but not completely. She could have left it, as all the other Sentinels
have currently left their Lakes. If it was drained — by one of the criminal Dukes
of Ichtar, I suspect — that would not of itself automatically have killed her. She
could have continued to haunt the Lake site, grieving, but not mortally wounded.
But there is no sign of her at all."
     For long moments there was silence, then Arne broke in with his customary
bluntness. "How do you intend to reflood the Lake?"
     Belial smiled. Trust Arne to ask the practical question.
     "I have spent the past three weeks making sure that it can be done, Arne,"
Jack replied. "There's a narrow gully behind Sigholt that runs back into the
Urqhart Hills about half a league. It is overgrown with shrubs and weeds now,
but I think that once it was a waterway.
     "The gully leads into a small cavern. Inside the cavern there is a blockage of
rocks. It is too neat, too regular to be natural. I think it is a plug placed over the
spring that fed the Lake. If we can remove it then the water will once more flow
down to the Lake."
     "Can we?" Belial asked. "Do you think we can unblock it?"
     "You have three thousand men, Belial. If we can't do it with three thousand,
then no-one will ever do it." Jack paused. "But it is not simply the blockage in the
cavern itself. We will have to clear the gully of some of the obstructions that
have fallen from the rocky walls since the water stopped flowing, and we will
have to clear a path about Sigholt itself."
      Belial frowned. "What do you mean?"
      Jack came and stood before the fire. "There is a deep depression about
Sigholt that has been filled with rubble and boulders. I think the water flowed
down through the gully until it reached Sigholt, then divided in two to flow
completely about the garrison, forming a natural moat before it flowed into the
Lake. With the water surrounding Sigholt on all sides, this garrison will be
virtually impregnable." And will be reinfused with the source of its magical
power, Jack thought. Sigholt will live again.
      "Well, tomorrow we'll take several of the engineers we have with us and go
inspect this gully and cavern, Jack. Magariz, you can organise a detail to inspect
this rubble-filled moat that surrounds the walls of the garrison. We will know by
tomorrow eve if this feat is possible."
      And whether or not we manage to unblock this spring, reflood the Lake and
find this missing Zeherah, thought Belial, at least the attempt will keep the men
fit and busy.
      That it did. With only five hundred men left on garrison duty - not that,
according to Jack, Belial even needed to keep five hundred assigned to that task
— two and a half thousand set to the unblockage of spring, gully and moat. For
twelve days they laboured, fifteen hundred on the moat, and a thousand on the
gully and inside the cavern where Jack claimed the spring was.
      Eight days after they had started Belial and Magariz stood at the outer edge
of the moat and peered inside. A deep, wide watercourse had been uncovered,
its sides and floor paved with great slabs of greyish-green rock, fitted together in
a patchwork of incredible subtlety and beauty. Even though the builders had not
used any mortar, the joints between slabs were so tight that Belial could not
even get the blade of his knife between them.
      "No stone mason today could create such fine joinery and not use a single
handful of mortar," Magariz said quietly.
      "I wonder how much Jack knows about this Keep that he does not yet tell
us, my friend," Belial said.
      Magariz looked up. Today the wind was a little lighter, and he had discarded
his heavy black cloak. "Belial, I worry less about what mysteries the Keep might
hold than how we're going to get into it should the men currendy working in the
cavern unblock the spring and allow the water to flow. At the moment we have
no bridge worthy of the name."
      As the moat had been uncovered, Belial had ordered that a rudimentary
bridge be erected across the divide. But it was flimsy and only carried men on
foot. The moment a surge of water rushed through it would be destroyed.
      "I'd better start the men on building a more permanent replacement," Belial
said wearily. "Although where we will find the timber needed for such a structure
I do not know." The fifteen hundred working on the moat were close to
exhaustion, and Belial had wanted to give them a few days' rest before he sent
them to relieve those still labouring in the gully and cavern. But a bridge was
vital.
     "No need," said Jack behind them. Covered in grey rock dust, Jack looked as
tired as Belial's men. His chest heaved as if he had been hurrying. "When the
water flows, Sigholt will create her own bridge."
     " What?" Magariz and Belial said together. Jack smiled. "Sigholt is a cunning
lady. She was created by ancient Icarii Enchanters. Trust her."
     "And when will the water flow, Jack? How is the work going in the cavern?"
Belial asked.
     Jack wiped his forehead, smearing rock dust into the furrows as he did so.
"Your three engineers tell me that whoever filled in the spring simply tipped
cartload after cartload of rocks into the fissure where the water bubbled out.
Although they finished off the outer layers with mortared masonry, once we
cleared those layers all we found was rubble such as filled this moat. If they had
taken the time to construct tightly mortared layers from the very base of the
spring our task would be so much more difficult. But now we reach the lower
layers of the rubble," he smiled, "and find that the rubble is wet. Over hundreds
of years the force of the spring beneath the rubble has been slowly eroding the
base of the fill. What we have started at the top, the spring itself is doing from
the bottom. Perhaps, eventually, the spring would have broken free anyway."
     "So how close are you to clearing the spring?" Magariz's excitement was
clear in his voice. For some reason he could not wait to see the water surround
this gracious garrison and fill the Lake again.
     "Three days, Magariz. The men in the cavern work slowly now — they have
to be careful. The engineers are planning their route through the rubble
cautiously. If they have calculated correctly, then they only need remove about
four paces more of rubble before the force of the underground spring will blast
the rest free."
     "And the gully?"
     "Will be clear tomorrow morning." Jacks eyes glistened. "In four days at the
most the Lake of Life will begin to refill and...and perhaps Zeherah will be freed."
     Magariz laid a hand on the Sentinel's shoulder. "How long is it since you
have seen her?"
     A tear escaped and trailed slowly through the rock dust covering Jack's
cheek. "Over two thousand years, Magariz. It is a hard thing to be separated
from a loved one so long."
     "I too have loved and lost and now wait," Magariz said quietly, "although I
have not had to wait two thousand years. I hope in a few days' time your
waiting, at least, will be over."
     Belial regarded Magariz curiously. What did he mean? Belial had always
supposed that, like himself, Magariz had been too wedded to his profession to
think of a wife as well. But now it appeared Magariz had other, sadder, reasons
for remaining unmarried. Yet Magariz was a man of honour and worth, as well as
being as handsome a devil as any woman could hope to have warm her bed.
      "Stand clear!" shouted Fulbright, the senior of Belial's engineers. "The rocks
shift. Stand clear!"
      Five men deep within the fissure scrambled to the ropes awaiting them, and
teams of men hauled them to the surface as quickly as they could. A rumble
deep within the earth confirmed Fulbright's worst fears.
      "Haul, damn you!" he screamed at the men pulling the ropes in, and ran to
the nearest team, adding his weight and power to theirs. "HauR"
      The gods were benign this day, for the water burst forth the instant after all
five had been pulled over the edge of the fissure. "Back!" Fulbright screamed
again, but the men needed no encouragement. They scrambled to safety as the
water shrieked and wailed its way to freedom, carrying with it the final remnants
of rubble.
      Fulbright's eyes widened as steaming water rushed towards the roof of the
cavern in a great spout, then cascaded over the lip of the fissure and down the
waterway towards the gully. It was a hot spring.
      "Axis save us," he muttered to himself. "We'll all have a hot bath tonight."
      Belial and Magariz stood anxiously by the moat as the steaming water
surged forwards, destroying the flimsy bridge. Jack stood unperturbed as the
broken pieces of the bridge sailed past them. "Peace, gentlemen, and wait."
      "Wait for what?" Magariz muttered. "Someone to hand me a piece of soap?
This moat will be good for nothing but bathing if we cannot get into Sigholt."
      Jack smiled. These Acharites were so impatient. "Wait for the warmth to
penetrate Sigholt's walls, Magariz. Then watch."
      For another half an hour they all stood there, Belial and Magariz growing
increasingly agitated. There were deep ruby tints in the stream, Belial thought,
probably the minerals carried to the surface by the water. Dammit! His temper
abruptly broke. What were they waiting for?
      "Jack," he began, but stopped as the Sentinel turned to him, his emerald
eyes agleam.
      "Don't you feel it?" Jack asked, excited. "Sigholt awakes. Watch the water as
it flows by the gate."
      Belial peered, then he realised there was a...film...between his eyes and the
surface of the water. As he watched, it solidified until what appeared to be a
solid bridge of greystone curiously marbled with deep ruby-red veins stood
before him spanning the moat.
      His eyes bulged. "What? How?" He could not get any other words out. At his
side Magariz stood similarly astonished. The bridge looked solid and wide enough
to support not only mounted men, but heavily laden carts as well.
      Jack waved at the bridge. "Cross, Magariz, and see what happens."
      Magariz glanced at Belial. Cross? This magical bridge? It might vaporise
underneath his feet! He took a deep breath to steady himself then stepped forth
to the edge of the bridge. But, just as he prepared to step onto the structure
itself, the bridge spoke.
      "Are you true?" it asked in a woman's deep melodic voice. Magariz leapt
back a full pace, his eyes wide. "What?" "Are you true?" the bridge asked again,
patiently. "Answer her, Magariz," Jack said. "She will only ask three times, and
after that you may never cross."
     "Answer her?" Magariz repeated, -dragging his eyes away from the bridge
and turning to stare at Jack. "Answer what?" "Answer with whatever is in your
heart, Magariz," Jack snapped, "but answer! Now!"
     Magariz stepped up to the bridge again. "Are you true?" the bridge asked for
the third time. Magariz hesitated, then answered. "Yes, I am true." "Then cross,
my Lord Magariz, and I will see if you speak the truth."
     Magariz stepped onto the bridge and paused, obviously expecting to fall
straight through. Then he took another step, then another.
     "You speak the truth, Magariz," the bridge suddenly said. "Welcome to my
heart." And with that he was across.
     Magariz noticed all the men watching him, and walked back across, his gait
now confident. "The bridge let me cross back unchallenged?" he asked.
     "Yes," Jack said. "It is only the first time that the bridge will ask the
question. She knows you now. She will greet you, but she will not challenge you
again - unless she feels your heart has been corrupted since last you trod her
back. Watch."
     Jack stepped up to the bridge and placed a foot upon its surface
unchallenged. As his weight bore down on the stone the bridge spoke.
     "Welcome, Jack," the voice said warmly. "It has been many years since you
have trod my back."
     "I greet you well, dear heart," Jack replied softly, "and it gladdens my heart
to see that once more the waters flow."
     "I have been sad," the bridge said, "but now I am happy."
     Later, after the bridge had questioned each member of Belial's force, Belial
stood with Jack in the courtyard of Sigholt.
     "Well? What of Zeherah?"
     Jack shook his head sadly. "Perhaps she needs the Lake to refill before she
can return."
     But as the Lake gradually filled over the next few days, there was no sign of
the fifth Sentinel. After six days of watching from the rooftop Jack retired to his
private chamber and did not emerge for many days. When he did, his face was
creased and haggard with grief. There was nothing else he could do. Zeherah
was lost unless he could discover the enchantments that bound her.

 'I Will Lead You Back into
Tencendor!"
    The Assembly Chamber of Talon Spike was vast, tiered with dozens of rows
of golden-veined white marble about a circular floor of translucent and very
beautiful golden marble veined with violet. Pale gold and blue cushions lay
scattered about the benches. The lower circles of benches were reserved for the
Elders, the Enchanters and the family of the Talon. These benches were
completely lined with crimson cushions for the Elders, turquoise ones for the
Enchanters, and royal violet for those of the House of SunSoar. The very top
seventeen rows of benches reserved for the Strike Force were uncushioned, as
befitted the hard muscles of warriors.
     A spectacular circle of gigantic pillars soared above the tiers and supported
the domed roof of the Chamber. Five times life height, the pillars were carved
into alternating male and female figures, their arms and wings extended
joyously, their eyes open in wonder and mouths open in silent song. They were
gilded and enamelled, with real gems in their eyes and in the golden tores about
their necks. Each individual hair on their heads and feathers in their wings had
been picked out in gold and silver and the muscles in their pale naked bodies
were carefully de ned in the ivory tones of flesh. They supported a domed roof
completely plated in highly burnished bronze mirrors which, due to the
enchantments bonded into their making, gave off a gentle golden light that
illuminated the entire Chamber.
     The Chamber lay empty, awaiting the Icarii and the man of the Prophecy
who would lead them back into Tencendor and back into the lands of myth and
legend.
     In the circular robing room RavenCrest SunSoar faced the man who
demanded to be named his heir.
     The Icarii Talon, his violet eyes furious, paced to and fro, his black and
speckled-blue wings rustling angrily behind.
     "I reserve the right not to name an heir!" he shouted.
     Axis understood RavenCrest's reluctance to act. The Talon had not yet
accepted FreeFall's death, but Axis had to make him realise that an heir needed
to be named while Raven-Crest still lived. These were bad and dangerous times,
and if an heir could die so precipitously, then so too could a Talon -and nothing
was so threatening to the stability of any realm than uncertainty over the
succession.
     Tonight Axis would address the full Assembly of the Icarii, and he needed to
do that with the authority of an heir. He had to unite the three races — Icarii,
Acharite and Avar — in order to weld them into a force that could defeat
Gorgrael's Ghostmen. He knew tonight could be his only opportunity to pull the
Icarii behind him.
     He walked deliberately towards his uncle, wearing the golden tunic Azhure
had made for him, the blood-red sun blazing triumphantly across his breast. I
bless her for this gift of the blood-red sun, he thought as he held RavenCrest s
eyes, for it will be the emblem of what I will become. StarDrifter and
MorningStar glanced at each other. Axis stopped not a pace from RavenCrest, his
eyes calm before the Talon's temper.
     "Your son is dead. Gone. You have no other children. RavenCrest, you have
a duty to your people," Axis paused, "and to your blood. You have no choice but
to name me your heir. I demand it as my right. You have no choice."
     RavenCrest gestured towards StarDrifter. "My brother stands in direct line to
the throne."
     Axis' mouth curled ironically. "Uncle, if you follow that line of reasoning, then
StarDrifter would be followed by his eldest son." He paused, letting the full
implications of his statement sink in. "Would you have Gorgrael knock on Talon
Spike's door to claim his heritage, RavenCrest? Gorgrael as Talon? If nothing
else, I am the lesser of two evils."
     RavenCrest said nothing, the muscles in his jaw flickering. "The whole
mountain seethes with uncertainty over this issue," Axis snapped. "Name me as
your heir, or let your beloved people tear themselves to pieces once you have
gone. You have no son or full-blood nephew to follow you, Raven-Crest, and I
ant your only choice! You must decide and you must decide now\ Why did you
give me control of the Strike Force if you did not intend to give me the throne as
well?"
     RavenCrest tore his eyes away from his nephew's and looked at his mother.
     MorningStar inclined her head. "He is right, RavenCrest. You have no choice.
You must name Axis your heir." Her eldest son did not like what she said. "This
has never happened before!" RavenCrest shouted, wheeling away and resuming
his agitated pacing. "The Icarii have always had a full-blood Icarii SunSoar as
Talon!"
     "The whole world is changing and being refashioned beneath our feet,
RavenCrest. Nothing will ever be the same again." Not only his voice, but Axis'
entire body stance exuded power and confidence.
     RavenCrest looked at his nephew. His whole being yearned for his son, but
FreeFall was dead. Despite his grief and his resistance to naming Axis his heir,
RavenCrest indeed knew that he would have to do it. StarDrifter would be a
hopeless Talon, and, even though Axis was not full-blood Icarii — not even
winged — he knew how to lead.
     The anger on RavenCrest's face faded, and he gestured to his brother.
"StarDrifter, call our wives and EvenSong. They must be here so that the entire
living House of SunSoar will bear witness to this."
     At StarDrifter's summons, BrightFeather, RavenCrest's wife, then Rivkah and
EvenSong entered the room.
     As soon as the door was closed behind them RavenCrest stepped forward
and took Axis' face between his hands, then kissed him softly on the mouth.
     "As the head of the House of SunSoar and as Icarii Talon, I not only
welcome you who was lost into the House of SunSoar, nephew, but also name
you in front of these witnesses as my heir and successor to the titles, ranks,
privileges and powers of the hereditary office of Talon."
     EvenSong's eyes widened in surprise. Rivkah smiled at StarDrifter; their eyes
burned with pride.
     RavenCrest's eyes were still locked with Axis' and his hands still gripped his
nephew's head; he took no notice of the reactions about the room. "Axis. For the
past six thousand years the House of SunSoar has been the guardian of the
office and person of the Talon. We have been privileged, and have enjoyed the
trust and loyalty of the Icarii people."
     If not the trust and loyalty of the Acharite people over whom you once ruled,
Axis thought a little sourly.
     "Respect that tradition of trust and loyalty." RavenCrest paused. "Axis, You
will be the twenty-seventh Enchanter-Talon, the first for over fifteen hundred
years. You will wield much power, both in your own right and in your position as
StarMan. Do you promise to respect your people?" "Always," Axis responded
softly, his sourness fading. "Do you promise now, before me and your family,
that you will not abuse your power?"
     . "I will never do so."
     "Will you guide your Icarii people through the Prophecy so that they will drift
only into sun-bright clear air and not shadowed turbulence?" "I do so promise."
     RavenCrest gently let Axis' head go and kissed each of his nephew's palms
before folding them gently over Axis' heart.
     "Then accept my blessing and my goodwill, Axis SunSoar. Before the House
of SunSoar here gathered I formally name you heir to the Talon throne as I will
name you to the Icarii nation in Assembly. Shoulder your responsibilities and fly
with them into the future."
     "I shall endeavour not to falter, RavenCrest, and I will do my best for our
people. I am grateful for your trust and for your belief in me. I will do well." In
truth, Axis did not know if he'd ever take the throne of Talon, but this was not
the time or place to tell RavenCrest how he intended to structure the new
Tencendor. But if he did not become Talon, he would pass it to another of the
same blood. The office of Talon would not leave the House of SunSoar.
     StarDrifter embraced his son. "Welcome to the House of SunSoar, Axis.
Welcome home to your heritage."
     He was followed by MorningStar. "Welcome to the House of SunSoar. You
are a powerful Enchanter, Axis, heir to the Throne. I am proud of you. Fly high
and soar well."
     BrightFeather whispered some cordial words of welcome, then Axis was
enveloped into a bear hug by his mother. Hecould feel her cheeks were wet with
tears as they brushed his.
     "I weep with happiness, my sweet son," she said, "andbecause at least I
have witnessed you seize your heritage inboth your hands before I die. Welcome
among the SunSoars."
     Axis hugged her tightly, tears springing into his own eyes.
     He wished he had enjoyed her love and support all his lifeinstead of only the
past few months.
     Rivkah let him go and stepped back for EvenSong.
     EvenSong placed her hands on Axis' shoulders and kissed him gendy. "I
have not been very welcoming. Axis," she said softly. "Please accept my sorrow
that I did not more fully embrace your return into our family earlier. I have acted
badly, and for that I beg your forgiveness. Welcome into the House of SunSoar,
brother."
      Axis touched her cheek. "There is no need. I know of your grief. EvenSong,"
he hesitated, "FreeFall's last words and thoughts were of you. Have faith in his
love for you."
      EvenSong leaned back, her face expressionless as she fought back tears.
Even now, after so many months, words of FreeFall were painful.
      "There is one more task that must be done before we enter the Assembly,"
said RavenCrest, "and it breaks my heart to do this." He held out his hands.
"Rivkah. StarDrifter."
      When they joined him he took each by the hand. "Are you sure you want to
do this?"
      Rivkah nodded. Her mind was made up. "Yes, Raven-Crest. This is what we
must do."
      StarDrifter was silent.
      "Many years ago," RavenCrest began, "it was my privilege to announce and
witness the marriage vows and bonds between you. Now, by mutual decision,
you have decided to break those vows." He dropped each of their hands, the
gesture deliberate and grave. "Your marriage has come to an end, StarDrifter
and Rivkah. Use your freedom wisely."
      Rivkah and StarDrifter had warned their children and family earlier of their
decision; none were truly surprised. The true tragedy, Axis thought, was that this
passion, this love that had altered lives and would alter nations, could be ended
so simply.
      "I loved you, Rivkah," StarDrifter said gently. "Know that."
      "And I loved you, StarDrifter, with heart and soul. Know that."
      "Rivkah," RavenCrest laid a hand on her shoulder. "You are and will always
be SunSoar. Talon Spike is still your home if you wish to call it that. You are not
cast out of this family because you have ended your marriage to StarDrifter."
      Rivkah nodded. "Thank you, RavenCrest. Those are kind - and welcome —
words." She hesitated. "I will stay until Beltide, celebrate that with you, and then
return to Achar for a time. I do not know how long I will stay, or if I will find a
home there."
      "Come," RavenCrest said to his family. "I can hear the Assembly Chamber
filling. It is time for us to robe. Axis must meet his people."
      Axis had lived among the Icarii for some three months now and had yet to
meet the Icarii people as an assembly. For the first two months he had been so
closeted with MorningStar and StarDrifter that he'd hardly seen anyone else, and
for the past month his efforts with the Strike Force had kept him relatively
isolated.
      However, even though the greater proportion of the Icarii had yet to have
the chance to make up their minds about Axis SunSoar, rumour and hearsay had
spread like wildfire through the Talon Spike complex. If Axis spent two months
closeted with MorningStar and StarDrifter it was because he was teaching them,
not they teaching him. He'was planning to throw the Strike Force at Gorgrael
immediately after Beltide in revenge for theYuletide attack, while a contrary
rumour had Axis planning to drive south and capture Achar for the Icarii first.
Five Icarii solemnly swore they'd personally seen the letter of surrender that
Gorgrael had sent to Axis, addressed to Talon Spike, while another seven
claimed to have seen a similar letter announcing that Gorgrael had been
assassinated by a band of Ravensbundmen. Several Icarii women claimed that
Axis had proposed marriage to them. One woman claimed to be bearing his
child. Others still tried to determine which of the conditions of the Prophecy had
been fulfilled and which still waited. Many wondered if RavenCrest had finally
made up his mind regarding the succession. If not Axis, then who? A few talked
of Azhure and her mastery of the Wolven, and one or two privately wondered if
she were one of the Star Gods wearing mortal disguise, returned to play among
the Icarii.
     Raum sat with Azhure, talking quietly on a tier several rows below those the
Strike Force would take. Azhure had hardly seen the Avar Bane in recent
months; he had been so busy with his study in the Icarii library and his teaching
of the Icarii children.
     "What do you think will happen tonight?" Azhure whispered, her eyes on the
fidgeting Icarii population squeezed into the benches of the Chamber. She wore
a vivid crimson gown, draped low over her shoulders and sashed with deep
emerald, her hair loose down her back, making her normally exotic appearance
even more striking than usual. Many Icarii eyes had followed her entrance into
the Chamber.
     Raum smiled at her, his liquid brown eyes gentle. "Who knows, Azhure.
Tonight Axis must either win the Icarii or lose them. He will have no other
chance."
     "Raum!" Azhure exclaimed. "They cannot refuse him! Can they?"
     Raum squeezed her hand reassuringly. "No-one can ever tell what the Icarii
will do in Assembly, Azhure. They are a flighty lot and can stampede in entirely
the wrong direction."
     "But Raum, in the Assembly after Yuletide, didn't the Icarii vote to accept
Axis as the one to lead them through the battles ahead?"
     Raum smiled wryly. "That's not the exact thing they voted on, Azhure. That
was discussed, yes, and many agreed to it, but the actual vote was taken on
whether or not to open negotiations with Axis in Gorkenfort. The Icarii love to
meet and argue, but they are very bad at actually making decisions."
     Azhure muttered something about the Icarii under her breath as Raum
continued. "But it helps that Axis has already gained control of the Strike Force,
Azhure. The Icarii will respect that. At the least he will address them as Strike-
Leader." Raum's eyes flickered up to the empty benches of the Strike Force. He
smoothed down his dark-green robe. Where were they? Were they not going to
support Axis?
     As if in answer to his thought there was a rustle of movement, and the
various Wings of the Strike Force began to emerge from each of the archways,
filing their way silently into their places.
      Their appearance stunned the Icarii who crammed the benches below. As
necks craned, mouths dropped open.
      "What?" Raum gasped. "What is that they wear?"
      Azhure s eyes gleamed in satisfaction.
      Not only had the entire Strike Force dyed their wings in the ebony of war,
but now all wore ebony uniforms of sum-fitting wool as well.
      "Axis said he wanted to turn the Strike Force from birds of paradise into
hawks," Azhure said, her eyes fixed on the Strike Force. "At least now they look
the part."
      But it was not their dark and imposing presence, stunning as it was, that
made the real impact. Every member of the Strike Force wore a blazing blood-
red sun embroidered into the chest of his or her uniform. Wing-Leaders were
distinguished by a tracery of gold outlining the blazing sun, Crest-Leaders by a
smaller circle of golden stars.
      "The blazing sun is the symbol of the House of SunSoar," Azhure explained,
"and the blood-red sun is Axis' own."
      "You devised it for him?"
      Azhure nodded. "And he accepted it, although he does not yet know that the
Strike Force now wear it. I approached FarSight with the idea."
      And he obviously agreed, thought Raum. If nothing else this will indicate to
the Icarii population that the Strike Force stands totally united behind Axis. Again
he looked at the woman beside him, her face serene as she gazed at the Strike
Force. Did the Prophecy place her in Smyrton for a purpose? Raum wondered.
Was it simple coincidence that in Smyrton I should find a woman who would
save myself and Shra from death, a woman who would later show the way to
save many of the Icarii and Avar from slaughter at Yuletide, a woman who could
master the Wolven when in four thousand years only one of the Icarii could, a
woman who could plan this stunning show of support for Axis? Coincidence?
Hardly. There were so many small things about Azhure that didn't add up. He
remembered how, during the last Assembly, Azhure had understood the ancient
Icarii tongue that StarDrifter had sung in, a language that Raum had mastered
only after many years of hard study.
      Who are you, Azhure? Raum wondered. What are you?
      Five rows below him sat the two Sentinels, Ogden and Veremund. Both had
discarded their dirty habits and were dressed in slightly more becoming robes,
and both were looking at Azhure with exactly the same amount of speculation as
Raum. The sense of deep familiarity they experienced whenever they met the
woman puzzled them. It was as if they had known her most of their lives. And
the Sentinels had lived very, very long lives. This was no simple peasant girl from
Smyrton, caught up in events that were spinning her out of control. No, they
thought not. Who was this woman who walked so effortlessly through prophecy?
      Contemplations were cut short by the entrance of the Elders and Enchanters
who took their seats on the lower tiers.
      The Assembly held its collective breath, all eyes on the small door that led to
the robing room. No-one spoke, not a feather was ruffled to destroy the silence.
      The SunSoar women came out finally and took their seats; BrightFeather
first, as befitted the wife of the Talon, then MorningStar, Rivkah and EvenSong
who, through virtue of her connection with the royal House of SunSoar, sat with
them tonight rather than the Strike Force. All the women wore various
combinations of the royal violet, intertwined with gold and ivory. The colour
combination looked particularly striking on EvenSong with her violet eyes and
golden underwings.
      There was a movement in the doorway and seventy thousand eyes shifted
as one towards the figure who now entered.
      It was StarDrifter, looking his magnificent and powerful best in a crimson
toga with a pale gold sun across his chest. He did not sit on the benches but
moved to stand in the centre of the golden floor that was the heart of the
Chamber. There he dropped his eyes and watched the door.
      RavenCrest entered - slowly, proudly, his violet toga edged with gold, the
jewelled golden tore about his neck proclaiming his position as Talon, leader of
all Icarii. He walked to stand with StarDrifter, pausing as he joined him. Then, as
one, they saluted the Assembly, bowing low in the traditional Icarii greeting,
their arms and wings swept low in a gesture both of respect and of abasement,
both swinging in a slow full circle so that all were included in their greeting.
      Azhure remembered how incredibly beautiful and graceful she had thought
StarDrifter when he had bowed in greeting to the Assembly the last time it met,
but the effect of both brothers saluting the Assembly in this manner was
staggering in its exquisite beauty and simplicity.
      It was very unusual for both to open the Assembly as equals. Normally,
either one or the other did it - StarDrifter, in his capacity as the most powerful
Enchanter, or Raven-Crest in his capacity as Talon.
      Azhure turned to Raum with the question in her eyes.
      Ill"It indicates, I think, that who is to follow is even more powerful than
either of them," he whispered in Azhure's ear. "This entrance and gesture by
RavenCrest and StarDrifter is also intended to show the Icarii that they stand
together in their support of who is to follow. It will make opposition to Axis very
hard. Especially as the Strike Force so obviously stand united behind Axis."
      RavenCrest stepped forward to speak, his eyes widening slightly at the sight
of the Strike Force. "There is one more to enter the Chamber, my people. I need
not tell you who he is. He is the StarMan. Axis SunSoar, son of the Princess
Rivkah of Achar and of my brother, StarDrifter SunSoar, Enchanter. And he is the
one whom I name heir to the Talon throne," he said into the utter silence of the
Chamber.
      "A very formal introduction," Raum explained, "and one that clearly tells the
Icarii that this man demands respect, not only through his identity as StarMan,
and not only through his breeding and relationship to two royal families, but also
as the one named heir to the Talon throne."
     "He is my son," said StarDrifter directly, "and he is our saviour." Both he and
RavenCrest now turned to the doorway.
     Axis walked out from the dark of the hallway into the golden light of the
Assembly Chamber, feeling the immense solemnity and magnitude of the
moment.
     As one, the Strike Force stood and saluted their Strike-Leader with fists
clenched over their hearts.
     Their movement and the rustling of their wings as they stood far above him
caught Axis' attention. For a heartbeat he hesitated as his eyes drank in their
ebony uniforms with the blood-red blazing suns and their gesture of support and
respect. In that instant Axis realised the full power of his destiny. Confidence and
pride surged through him.
     He walked into the centre of the golden floor, his uncle and father stepping
back to make way for him.
     As RavenCrest and StarDrifter had saluted the Assembly, so too did Axis,
bowing with his hand clenched over the blazing sun, circling the Chamber to
include all in his salute. As he rose from his bow his eyes caught Azhure's, and
she felt a strong sense of the emotion that Axis was experiencing at this
moment. You do me honour again, Azhure, and I slip yet further into your debt,
his voice whispered in her head. Her hand clenched the material of her gown as
she felt his Enchanter powers wrap around her. For an instant they lingered,
caressing, then Axis withdrew them and stood straight and proud to address the
Assembly.
     Unlike his father and uncle, who wore the togas that Icarii wore on all formal
occasions, Axis was dressed as a man of war in the tunic Azhure had made for
him over fawn breeches and leather riding boots.
     "You are my people," he said, his eyes shining, "and I have escaped the lies
that bound me to lead you back into Tencendor."
     The Chamber erupted. Many thousands of Icarii leapt to their feet. Some
shouted, others shrilled warcries, others yet burst into spontaneous song.
Feathers flew, fists punched the air, and cushions were ripped apart in
excitement. If any of the Elders still harboured doubts that the younger
generation would leave the comforts of Talon Spike for the rigours of reclaiming
Tencendor, then those doubts were now lost.
     Axis simply stood and watched the ruckus. Again his eyes met Azhure's, and
again she felt the soft touch of his power as he shared with her the emotions
surging through him. It was at that moment Azhure admitted to herself that she
loved him. All her life she had dreamed of a hero. Was there any greater than
this man who now stood before this Assembly? She smiled dreamily, a crimson
island of stillness in the excitement about her.
     As Axis withdrew his power from Azhure he turned his eyes to survey the
emotion which swept the Assembly. He had thought long and hard about what to
say to them and had finally fallen back on a maxim that Jayme, Brother-Leader
of the Seneschal, of all people, had once taught him. "Learn to seize the hearts
of your audience with your first words, for those hearts will always remain the
most loyal. If someone needs to be persuaded with hours of arguments, then he
will forever remain a potential traitor in your camp."
     Finally Axis held up a hand for quiet. The Icarii only very gradually subsided
into their seats and into silence. When he had the complete attention of the
Assembly Axis spoke again.
     "I will lead you back into Tencendor, but it will not be easy, nor will it be all
that you expect. It may be years before you can reclaim what you lost." This was
the dangerous moment. Axis knew - when the Icarii would have to realise that
their dreams would not be accomplished overnight. "You know that the Prophecy
walks and that I am the StarMan. Even as I speak two of the Sentinels sit among
you."
     Heads craned and Ogden and Veremund gave small embarrassed waves.
     "Whatever I do, wherever I lead you, it must be as the Prophecy dictates,
my people. If Tencendor will rise again to defeat Gorgrael, then we must all heal
the rift within. Icarii, Avar and Acharite must reunite into one nation. If we
cannot find the bridge to understanding, then will Gorgrael earn his name and
bring destruction hither," Axis said, quoting the Prophecy to them. "My first task
and, I think, my hardest, will be to unite the three races and recreate Tencendor.
I face deadly opposition in doing this."
     "The Acharites," a voice hissed.
     "No, not the people of Achar." Axis paused and stared at the Icarii for a
moment. "Not the people of Achar, whom I think will accept both you and the
concept of Tencendor again, but it will be the Brotherhood of the Seneschal and
the Duke of Ichtar who will oppose me...us. Was it not the Seneschal who
persuaded the Acharites to drive you from Tencendor during the Wars of the
Axe? The Seneschal will oppose us and they will use Borneheld and his army to
do it."
     "And Priam?" someone asked.
     "Priam cannot oppose both the Seneschal and Borneheld. No, my friends,
there are two battles ahead of us. One to reunite the three races against the
opposition of the Seneschal and Duke Borneheld. The second to throw the
combined weight of the united races against Gorgrael."
     Again Axis paused and gave the Icarii the chance for speech, but they all sat
silent, absorbing his words.
     "If you want Tencendor," he continued, "then you will have to fight for it.
This summer the Icarii can start to move south again. I already have waiting for
us an arrny of Acharites who are committed to me as StarMan. FarSight
CutSpur?" Axis turned and addressed the Crest-Leader where he sat high above
the rest of the Icarii. "Have your farflight scouts brought word of Belial's force?"
     FarSight stood, the combination of his ebony wings and uniform with his
black hair and eyes and swarthy complexion giving him the appearance of a bird
of prey. He saluted Axis crisply, then spoke.
     "My fellow Icarii. This morning five of our farflight scouts, who have been on
a long and dangerous mission to the Urqhart Hills, brought astounding news.
Axis' army, commanded at the moment by his loyal lieutenants Belial and
Magariz ..."
      Far below, Rjvkah s face went ashen with shock.
      "... has taken possession of the ancient Keep of Sigholt. Sigholt lives, and it
waits for us. Our first step back into Tencendor has been taken."
      Again cheering broke out, but Axis did not let it go on so long this time.
      "My people," he shouted, "listen to me! It is from Sigholt that we will reunite
Tencendor, from Sigholt that we will bring the Seneschal and Borneheld to their
knees."
      Ah, Azhure thought to herself. So that is what he meant when he said my
first target in war may not be Skraelings. Well, it will hardly grieve me to take
part in the destruction of the Seneschal.
      "It is from Sigholt that we will create the momentum which will win us
Tencendor and drive Gorgrael from this land!"
      Axis stood proud and tall in the centre of the golden floor, his tunic glowing,
the blood-red sun blazing on his chest. He raised his hands in appeal to the
assembled Icarii.
      "I am the StarMan and I will lead you back into Tencendor. I promise you
this. Icarii, will you come home with me?"
      There was no doubt about the response. Every Icarii in the Chamber surged
to his or her feet, screaming Axis' name.
      His family, sitting to one side, regarded Axis with mixed emotions. Rivkah
and StarDrifter watched with soaring pride that they had created this man.
MorningStar watched him and felt regret at the passing of an era. Life for the
Icarii would never be the same again. EvenSong watched him and thought of
FreeFall. Axis had, to all intents and purposes, usurped FreeFall's position, but
could FreeFall ever have united the notoriously divisive Icarii like this?
      RavenCrest, like his mother, sat and watched the passing of an age. Tonight
he had witnessed the eclipse of his own power. Talon he still might be, but Axis
now wielded true authority in the Icarii nation. Already he had grasped power.
RavenCrest's shoulders and wings slumped a little. Like EvenSong, he too
thought of FreeFall.
      Again Axis held his hands up for silence. "Peace, my people. I thank you for
your support."
      "When will we return to Tencendor?" a voice called from high up in the
Chamber.
      "When will we mass to fight the Seneschal and Borne-held?" cried a member
of the Strike Force.
      "We will return and we will fight," Axis said. "But we will do neither
tomorrow. The Strike Force still needs training, and especially training with those
who await them in Sigholt. In two weeks we go to Beltide celebrations with the
Avar, and following Beltide and over the next few months the Strike Force will
begin to move down to Sigholt. And I, too, need more training."
     "No!" cried one overly excited Icarii. "You are already the most powerful
Enchanter we have seen in generations. More training? I think not!" He was
supported by a surge of cheers.
     Axis grinned. "I will be more powerful with the training I have in mind.
Rivkah, my mother," he turned and gave her a small bow and she smiled and
inclined her head, "has won for me the right to ask the Charonites for assistance.
The assistance I shall ask for will be their secrets."
     His words surprised the majority of the Icarii, for not many knew the
Charonites still existed. StarDrifter allowed a small flicker of pride to show. His
son would learn the secrets that the Charonites had guarded for so many
thousands of years.
     "I shall be gone from you for some time following Beltide," Axis continued,
"but I will return. And when I return, then will I lead you out into Tencendor. I
will take you home."
     The cheering broke out anew. The Icarii had waited a long time for this and
they were not going to quibble about a small delay now.


 Dinner at the Tired
SeagullTi             mozel sat wrapped in his own peculiar stillness, as if the
others seated at the dining table did not exist. The visions came more often now,
and far, far more vividly.
     He rode a great beast — not a horse, something different — that dipped and
soared. He fought for a great Lord, and in the name of that Lord he commanded
a mighty army which undulated for leagues in every direction. Hundreds of
thousands screamed his name and hurried to fulfil his every wish.
     Before him another army, his pitiful enemy, lay quavering in terror. They
could not counter his brilliance. Their commander lay abed, unable to summon
the courage to meet Timozel in just combat.
     In the name of his Lord he would clear Achar of the invadingfilth.
     "Yes," he mumbled, and Borneheld shot him an irritated glance.
     A great and glorious battle and the enemy's positions were overrun - to the
man (and others stranger that fought shoulder to shoulder with them) the
enemy died. Timozel lost not one soldier.
     Another day, another battle. The enemy used foul magic, and Timozel's
forces were grievously hurt...but Timozel still won the field, and the enemy and
their commander retreated before him.
     Another day. Timozel sat before the leaping fire with his Lord, Faraday at
their side. All was well. Timozel had found the light and his destiny.
     Hi's name would live in legend forever.
     All was well.
     The vision dimmed and Timozel heard Borneheld chastise Faraday yet again.
     "You are worthless to me!" Borneheld hissed. Faraday stiffened. Her
husband's words were clearly audible to all those seated at the table.
     "Worthless!" Borneheld said. "How many months have we been married?
Four? Five? Your belly should be swollen with my son by now."
     Faraday focused on a distant point of the room, refusing to let her cheeks
stain red. The Mother had answered her prayers and continued to bless her with
barrenness, and she was not going to force false promises past her lips. The line
of Dukes of Ichtar would end in her empty womb.
     Her calm expression intensified Borneheld's fury. "Your barrenness is not for
want of trying on my part, Faraday," he said, louder now. "Perhaps I should
summon a physician to mix you a herbal."
     To his left Gautier grinned, but Duke Roland, sitting on Faraday's other side,
looked extremely embarrassed.
     Faraday powered her eyes to her plate of food, hoping her lack of
responsiveness would lead to Borneheld tiring of the topic. Yr sat silently in a
shadowy corner of the room and Faraday could feel her silent sympathy and
support.
     If Faraday had managed previously to tolerate her marriage to Borneheld in
Gorkenfort, now she could barely keep her distaste for the man safely hidden.
She no longer sought to please or humour him in their bed, nor pretended to
love him or desire his company.
     Borneheld now realised her feelings for Axis and suspected she had lied to
him in Gorkenfort. Yet he could tolerate all of this — if only she provided him
with an heir.
     And yet Faraday remained barren despite his most strenuous exertions.
Borneheld had never been charming or courtly, but in Gorkenfort he'd made an
effort to treat Faraday with respect. Now that he had been forced to abandon
Gorkenfort and Ichtar, Borneheld slipped into almost perpetual surliness, not
hesitating to humiliate Faraday in public. Something dark and sinister had taken
root in his mind since the fall of Gorkenfort, and daily Faraday watched it grow.
     Borneheld abruptly turned aside and began to discuss with Gautier and
Timozel the continuing efforts to construct a viable defence system around
Jervois Landing.
     Faraday let her breath out in relief and looked about the room. Borneheld
and the immediate members of his command had taken over the Tired Seagull,
the very same inn that she, Yr and Timozel had stayed at on their way to
Gorkenfort. The men who had escaped Gorkenfort with them were either
quartered about the town, or camped in the massive tent city that had sprung up
about Jervois Landing.
     Faraday caught the eye of the Ravensbund chief, Ho'Demi. She almost
looked away, sure the man would be as embarrassed and uncomfortable as most
others in the room, but Ho'Demi smiled at her warmly. There was nothing but
sympathy and respect in his dark eyes. Faraday straightened her back a little,
and Ho'Demi inclined his head in approval.
     Faraday had never had a chance to speak to the man, as Borneheld did his
best to keep her sequestered from anyone save Yr and Timozel. But Ho'Demi
had such a natural aristocratic bearing for one whose appearance was so savage
and frightening that Faraday found him fascinating. Indeed, she was intrigued by
the entire Ravensbund population camped about Jervois Landing. On the few
occasions Borneheld had allowed her out of their quarters (with a suitable
guard), Faraday had seen their multicoloured tents spreading for what seemed
like leagues about the town, the air around them filled with the sound of the soft
chimes which they threaded through their hair and the manes of their horses,
and which hung from every available space in their tents. All of them were
tattooed to some degree, the different designs denoting different tribal groups,
but all of them, no matter their tribe, had that peculiarly naked circle in the
centre of their foreheads where no line crossed.
     Little did Faraday know that Ho'Demi was equally interested in her. All
Ravensbund people knew the Prophecy. They lived to serve both it and the
StarMan, and Ho'Demi instinctively knew that this woman was one of those
named in the Prophecy. But he could get near neither she nor her Sentinel maid,
so closely watched were they by Borneheld's men. One day. One day. Meantime,
why did Borneheld humiliate one so obviously Prophecy-born? He did not
understand it.
     Faraday turned her eyes away from Ho'Demi, lest her attention draw
Borneheld's suspicion on the man's head, and saw Timozel watching her.
     There was no sympathy or support in his eyes at all. Over the past months
Timozel had, tragically, become Borneheld's man. Timozel was still her
Champion, supposedly devoted to her welfare and interests, but he seemed to
have decided that the best way he could serve Faraday's interests was by
serving her husband. Timozel admired and respected Borneheld, and Faraday
found that very hard to understand.
     Timozel had not thought to share his visions with her as he had with her
husband.
     Faraday averted her eyes. If she had known Timozel would turn into this
dark, brooding, frightening man, she would have refused his request to be her
Champion. Now Timozel stared at her, having sided with Borneheld on the issue
of the child.
     In her shadowy corner Yr watched Faraday's shoulders straighten as she
recognised the sympathy and support in Ho'Demi's eyes, watched them slump
again as she saw the accusation in Timozel's. Yr seriously wondered whether she
and the other three Sentinels had done the right thing in so forcibly persuading
Faraday to deny her love for Axis and marry Borneheld. We thought it might help
to keep Axis alive, Yr thought bitterly. So we persuaded the darling girl, so full of
sweetness and love, to give herself to Borneheld. Why did we find it so
necessary for the Prophecy that we force her into this boorish man's bed?
     I hope she will eventually find love and peace with Axis, Yr prayed. That Axis
loved Faraday Yr had no doubt -everyone had seen that at Gorkenfort. And that
Axis would fight through Achar to rescue Faraday from Borneheld's side, Yr also
did not doubt. She could not doubt it. She didn't want to think that Faraday's
heartache would be for nothing.
    And, as Faraday had done, Yr also glanced at Timozel. She and he had once
been lovers, but Timozel's tastes had become too dark forYr's liking and she'd
ended the affair. As far asYr was concerned, she and Faraday would have to
stand together to survive this dreadful situation.
    Pray Axis come quickly, she thought, pray that he come and rescue us both
from this.
    "My man," Brother Gilbert said, "I represent the Brother-Leader of the
Seneschal himself. I demand entrance to Duke Borneheld's quarters
immediately*."
     The guard sniffed and looked this pimply, skinny Brother up and down. If /
were the Brother-Leader, thought the guard, I would find myself a more
imposing representative.
     "I have papers! Proof of my identity," Gilbert shouted, losing patience. Both
this dullard's parents must have been riddled with the pox to have birthed a child
so grossly under-witted! It had been a hard, fast and dreadfully cold journey up
the Nordra from Carlon to reach Jervois Landing, and the sooner Gilbert saw a
fire — preferably with Duke Borneheld standing in front of it - the better. Gilbert
was just about to shout at him again when a figure loomed in the darkened
corridor behind the guard.
     The guard snapped to attention, which puzzled Gilbert when he saw who the
newcomer was - one of those savages from the northern wastes, a
Ravensbundman, with even more lines scribbled across his face than normal.
     "Chief Ho'Demi," the guard saluted. "This underfed scrawling claims to be on
a mission from the Brother-Leader."
     "I have papers," Gilbert said, indignant. Him? An underfed scrawling? He had
always thought himself a rather attractive man.
     The savage snapped his fingers at Gilbert. "Well? Show them to me!"
     Gilbert pulled a sheaf of papers out of the lining of his cloak and handed
them to the savage. So, he was going to pretend he could read, was he?
     "You have news for Borneheld regarding Priam, Brother Gilbert?" the savage
finally asked, looking up from the papers.
     Gilbert stopped himself from gawping only through a supreme effort. So the
savage had managed to read Priam's name. He would have guessed the rest.
"Yes," he finally got out. "Important news regarding Priam and the situation in
Carlon. Important news," Gilbert repeated slowly in case the savage had not
understood him the first time.
     Ho'Demi folded the papers and slipped them inside his furred waistcoat,
ignoring Gilbert's yelp of disapproval. "I will take him through, Eavan. You have
done well."
     Gilbert sneered as he pushed past the guard. Done well, indeed. He hurried
after Ho'Demi, almost tripping over a broom that some careless slut had left by a
door, then stumbled up a similarly darkened stairwell.
     "Little fuel about for lamps," Ho'Demi explained as he heard Gilbert trip over
the hem of his robe.
     At the head of the stairs there was a large door, securely closed, with
another two guards before it. Both snapped to attention as Ho'Demi brushed
past them into the room, beckoning Gilbert after him.
     Gilbert blinked as he accustomed himself to the light in the bright room, then
stepped out of the way as two women hurried towards the door.
     "Wait up, Faraday," he heard Borneheld call. "Perhaps I will get my son on
you tonight."
     Harsh laughter followed as Faraday slipped by Gilbert and out the door. It
had been some six months since he had seen Faraday. Then she had been a
vibrant girl, now the person who brushed past him looked wearied by the
sadnesses of theworld.
     "Well?" Borneheld's voice snapped. "Who's this?"
     Ho'Demi turned over the papers he had taken from Gilbert. Borneheld
skimmed through them quickly. "Ah," he said. "It seems Brother Gilbert might
have some interesting news indeed. Gilbert?"
     Well, thought Gilbert, here at least is a man worthy of my regard. Borneheld
stood before the fire, a little scruffier than when Gilbert had last seen him, with
his auburn hair shaved so short it appeared he had a badly bruised but utterly
bald scalp, yet Gilbert still thought he looked the noblest man in the room. He
deserves our protection and support, he thought as he stepped up to Borneheld
and bowed.
     "My Lord Duke," he said respectfully. He did not add "of Ichtar", because
that would be insulting in the present circumstances, and Gilbert had strict
instructions from Jayme not to offend Borneheld in any way.
     "What news?" Borneheld asked, "that the Brother-Leader should send one of
his advisers to speak to me personally?"
     "My Lord," Gilbert said ingratiatingly. "Brother-Leader Jayme instructed me
that my news should be for your ears only."
     Borneheld's eyes narrowed. Either the man carried important news or he
was an assassin, and these days Borneheld trusted few people. But eventually he
turned from Gilbert. "Roland, Ho'Demi, you may leave. Report to me with Jorge
at dawn tomorrow. We need to go over the plans for the final flooding of the
canals."
     Both men bowed and left silently, Gilbert noticing that Roland had lost much
weight recendy.
     "My Lord?" Gilbert whispered, gesturing towards Gautier and Timozel.
     "They stay with me," Borneheld said sharply. "I trust them with my life, and
they will not hesitate to take yours should you threaten mine."
     "I am your servant, Lord," Gilbert grovelled, "not your murderer."
     "Well, then, sit down at the table and help yourself to some wine. You look
as if you need some refreshment."
     Borneheld sat down opposite Gilbert, but Gautier and Timozel remained
standing, ready to leap to Borneheld's defence should he require it. Both men
looked equally dangerous, and Gilbert wondered what had turned the boyish
Timozel into this frightening man who had, quite obviously, transferred his
loyalties from Axis to Borneheld.
     "My Lord Duke," Gilbert began, "Brother-Leader Jayme has read your reports
and listened to the news from the north of Achar with growing alarm."
     "I have done my best," Borneheld said, "but..."
     "But you were betrayed, my Lord, we understand that. Axis and Magariz
betrayed you, and they have betrayed the Seneschal as well with their damned
pact with the Forbidden."
     "YesT Borneheld said. "I was betrayed from within! There is no-one I can
trust! No-one! Except," he hastened, "Gautier and Timozel. No-one else."
     To one side both Gautier and Timozel bowed slightly.
     "And you are right to fear treachery, my Lord," Gilbert continued smoothly.
This was going far better than he had anticipated. "For I bring grievous news."
     "By the Blessed Artor!" Borneheld said, rising so quickly that the chair he'd
been sitting on fell to the floor with a crash. "Who now?"
     Gilbert assumed an expression of deep sorrow. "It grieves me to say this, my
Lord —"
     "Then bloody say it!" Borneheld shouted, and leaned across the table to
seize Gilbert by his habit.
     "Priam," Gilbert stammered, frightened by the madness in Borneheld's eyes.
"Priam."
     Borneheld let Gilbert go. "Priam? Priam betrays me?
     How?"
     "Priam is frightened and alone," Gilbert whispered. "He does not have your
resolve or your courage. He listens to the Prophecy of the Destroyer."
     Borneheld swore, and Gilbert hurried on. "He wonders if Axis is still alive
and, if so, whether he should consider an alliance with the Forbidden."
     "He what?" Borneheld said. "How can he consider such a thing? Artor
himself must be screaming at the thought."
     "Yes," Gilbert said. "Your reaction mirrors Jayme's."
     "How many know that Priam thinks this way?" Borneheld asked.
     "Jayme, Moryson, the four of us in this room, and one or two others, my
informants in the palace at Carlon."
     "This is something that should not be bruted about," Borneheld said.
     "Jayme would entirely agree with that. My Lord, I cannot stress how anxious
Jayme is about this development. If Priam were to ally himself with Axis and his
ungodly hordes, then the Forbidden could invade Achar and all would be lost."
     He took a careful pause. "My Lord. Jayme has instructed me to tell you that
you have his, nay, the Seneschal's, entire support in whatever course of action
you choose to take in this matter."
     Borneheld turned towards the fire so that none could see his face. "And
what does 'Jayme's entire support' mean, Gilbert? Has not Axis efficiently
destroyed your military power base? Where are your vaunted Axe-Wielders
now?"
     "We control the hearts and souls of the Acharites, my Lord Duke. We are the
mediators between their souls and the rewards of the AfterLife in the care of
Artor, or, should they refuse to listen to our message, in the pits of fire where
worms will gnaw at their entrails for eternity. My Lord Duke, they listen to us.
Should we say, 'Borneheld is your man', then they will listen."
     Gilbert took a deep breath, and when he spoke again his voice was heavy
with meaning. "If you fight against Axis and the Forbidden, Borneheld, then
Jayme and the Seneschal will support you in whatever course of action you
decide to take."
     Borneheld's eyes glinted strangely. "And what does the Brother-Leader
advise me to do, Brother Gilbert?"
     "Brother-Leader Jayme advises that you return to Carlon, my Lord, should
the situation here in Jervois Landing be stable enough. Once back in Carlon you
can shore up Priam's resolve, or —"
     "Or?"
     "Or perhaps you can decide to take some other course of action."
     "And what 'course of action' do you advise me to take, Brother Gilbert?"
     "I would advise that you are only one step away from the throne, my Lord
Duke Borneheld. Priam is childless, and you are the heir," Gilbert said very softly,
his eyes steady on Borneheld's. "I would advise that you take that one step
closer. We need, Achar needs, a King whose loyalties and resolve are
uncompromised, who can lead us to victory against the Forbidden."
     There was complete and utter silence in the room as Borneheld stared at
Gilbert.
     At dawn Borneheld met with his senior commanders; Duke Roland of Aldeni,
Earl Jorge of Avonsdale, and the savage Ho'Demi who, by virtue of commanding
eleven thousand men, sat at Borneheld's table with Gautier and Timozel.
     They reviewed the system of canals which the majority of Borneheld's men
were digging. Borneheld knew that a battle fought against the Skraelings on
their terms was virtually unwinnable. Now he would fight the Skraelings on his
terms. He and his commanders had planned a massive series of deep canals
between the rivers Azle and Nordra that they would flood when finished. The
Skraelings hated water and avoided it whenever possible. If they attacked in
force Borneheld hoped they would be driven by the twisting system of canals
into small pockets and envelopes where Borneheld's men could pick them off
relatively safely.
     It was a bold move, but one that all agreed might just work. Especially since
the Skraelings had spread themselves so thinly over Ichtar that it would take
Gorgrael months to build up a force strong enough to try to push further south.
For ten weeks every soldier, plus thousands of ordinary Acharites who were
within reasonable distance, had been out digging the canals. Each would be
twenty paces wide and more than ten deep, and the entire system of canals
would provide a watery barrier almost fifteen leagues wide.
     "It is looking good, gentlemen," Borneheld said cheerfully. "Jorge, you have
been in charge of the western series of canals. When will they be ready to
flood?"
     "In two days, WarLord."
     "Good!" Borneheld slapped Jorge on the back. "And Roland, your canals are
already flooded?"
     Roland nodded. What could have happened to put Borneheld in such a good
mood?
     "Ho'Demi." Borneheld turned to the Ravensbundman. "What do your scouts
report?"
     Ho'Demi shrugged a little and his hair gently chimed with the slight
movement. "Very little activity within two leagues north of here, Lord Duke,
though above that distance Skraelings scurry about in small bands. But they
seem disorganised. I doubt they will have the strength to attack for some time
yet."
     "And they will certainly not attack through the warmer months," Borneheld
said. "In a week spring will be upon us. Gentlemen! I feel more positive than I
have for months! I think we will not only be able to hold the Skraelings with this
watery line of defences, but start our reconquest of Ichtar within only a few
months."
     He beamed at the surrounding men, ignoring the bemused expressions on
Roland's, Jorge's and Ho'Demi's faces.
     "So!" Borneheld rubbed his hands together. "This is the perfect time for me
to make a quick journey down the Nordra, to confer with Priam. Besides,
Faraday seems...ill...not herself. Perhaps it would be best if she could see the
physicians at the court of Carlon. We will be leaving this afternoon."
     "Borneheld!" Roland said. "You can't just leave Jervois Landing like this!"
     Jorge concurred. "You are needed more here than in Carlon, WarLord!"
     "My dear comrades," Borneheld replied, "with such competent men already
in Jervois Landing you can well afford to lose me for a few weeks. Timozel, you
will travel with Faraday and myself. Pick a small contingent of men to travel with
us and organise some river transport. I want to leave by dusk. Gautier, my good
friend, I leave you in charge of Jervois Landing. Roland, Jorge and Ho'Demi will
give you their full support as they would give it to me."
     He looked carefully at the three men, each of whom fought to restrain their
shock. Gautier?
     Finally all three inclined their heads. "As you wish, WarLord," Jorge said
quietly.
     "As I wish," Borneheld said menacingly. "Always as I wish. I will not
countenance treachery. Timozel? You have much work to do before we can leave
this evening. Get to it."
     Timozel's face was pale, and uncharacteristically he stood his ground,
ignoring Borneheld's orders. "Great Lord," he began. "Surely / would be better
left to command the troops here in Jervois Landing?"
     "What?" Borneheld glared at him. "Do you think to contradict me, stripling?"
     Timozel swallowed, but his eyes were bright, fanatical. "Lord, you know
what I have seen —"
     "I know what now / see!" Borneheld shouted. "I need you in Carlon,
Timozel! Your place is at my side...and Faraday's, of course," he added, as an
afterthought. His voice regained its strength. "And if you demonstrate that you
are incapable of following orders then the only command you will receive is of a
blanket in a cell. Do you understand me?"
      "Yes, Lord," Timozel mumbled. When would Borneheld pass command over
to him? He suppressed a niggling doubt. All would be well. It would.




    Through the Mountain Passesi/ f -
W- is a sadness to see your parents go their separate ways after so many years."
MorningStar sighed.."But historically it was entirely expected."
     Axis looked at his grandmother, puzzled. "What do you mean?"
     "Axis. We SunSoars are a peculiar family. Our blood calls to each other so
strongly that if we marry out of the family then we generally marry badly."
     Axis frowned. Today he, Rivkah, Azhure, Raum and the two Sentinels were
starting their trek down through the mountain passes to the Avar groves to
celebrate Beltide. "You marry each other, MorningStar? How can that be?"
     MorningStar shrugged. "SunSoars are only happy when they marry each
other, Axis. No, don't look so horrified. None of us has gone mad yet. Well, not
very many of us," she muttered, half to herself. "Generally every second
generation SunSoar cousins will marry each other. RushCloud, my husband, was
also my first cousin. FreeFall and EvenSong, both first cousins, would have
married. This pattern of marriages has kept our blood strong over the years."
     "And the generation that marries outside the family -their marriages...?"
     "Are generally passable at best, but often miserably unhappy. RavenCrest is
SunSoar, but BrightFeather is not.
     They respect each other, but they share no passion. While RushCloud and I,"
MorningStar smiled slowly, "lived our lives among the stars-. Like FreeFall and
EvenSong, we became lovers at thirteen."
     "Lovers at thirteen?" Axis was appalled. His sister? And FreeFall?
     MorningStar raised a well-groomed eyebrow. "WeD, why not? Thirteen is not
young. Whether Icarii, Avar or human, at thirteen one begins to put away
childish things and consider more mature pastimes. At what age did you first
take a woman to bed?"
     Axis reddened, and MorningStar laughed with delight before tipping her
lovely silvery head on one side and regarding Axis thoughtfully. "We are both
SunSoar and our blood sings strongly, Axis. Do not pretend you cannot hear it.
Have you chosen your Beltide companion yet? Shall we let our blood sing
together that night?"
      Axis took a defensive step backwards, shocked.
      "Ah," she said seductively. "I am your grandmother, you say. Well, Axis, it
has been done before, and I have no doubt it will be done again." She smiled.
"But not this Beltide, I think. Your Acharite reservation holds you back. A pity."
      She sat on a stool behind her. "I started to tell you why StarDrifter and
Rivkah's marriage ended in unhappiness. She is not SunSoar. They had a passion
and a love, but StarDrifter's blood constantly sings, looking for another whose
blood sings back to him with the same Song. But," MorningStar sighed, "there
are no other SunSoar women for either him or you to marry. No," she said tardy,
watching Axis' face, "SunSoars never marry or couple with first blood. It is
Unclean. EvenSong is out of bounds to her brother and her father. Father and
daughter, mother and son, brother and sister — there we draw the line, but only
there. All else is freedom."
      "I will marry Faraday," Axis said firmly, "when she is free."
      "And is she SunSoar?" MorningStar inquired archly.
      "You know she is not."
      "Then you will have an unhappy marriage. Your blood, like StarDrifter's, like
EvenSong's, will constantly crave another SunSoar. Perhaps your children will
marry Even-Song's. I hope that will be the case. They, at least, will know
happiness."
      Angry, Axis turned away.
      The journey through the alps was exhilarating. Rivkah had only come down
these mountain passes on her own previously, had never shared the grandeur of
the Icescarp Alps with anyone else. Now that she had such good companionship,
she found herself enjoying the journey as never before. Since the night of the
Assembly Rivkah's manner had become more and more light-hearted, and Axis
supposed that being freed from the strain of her increasingly unhappy marriage
had cast her into a happier frame of mind.
      The trails down the Icescarp Alps wound slowly through narrow ravines and
valleys, past icefalls and, occasionally, behind them. Sometimes the gradient was
steep, sometimes mild, but the view was always breathtaking. On either side of
the trails great cliff faces of glassy black rock plunged into fern-bracketed
glacier-fed rivers thousands of paces below them. In the afternoons, as the light
began to fail and the mists thicken, Rivkah would lead them to small caves she'd
discovered in her years of travelling up and down these trails. Here they would
slip their cumbersome backpacks from their shoulders, laughing and complaining
in the same breath, and set up camp for the night.
      Before, Rivkah had always had to carry enough fuel, food, and blankets to
keep her alive over the week or more it took her to traverse the trails. There was
no vegetation this high in the alps to provide firewood, and no game to trap or
kill.
      Then the journey had been risky, but she had never travelled the mountain
passes with an Enchanter before - and such an Enchanter! Axis' powers kept the
paths dry where before Rivkah had slipped and skidded dangerously, swept the
shirting winds to one side where before they had often threatened to blow
Rivkah from the narrow paths, and kept the cold at bay, surrounding the small
party with balmy air. In the evenings he conjured up fires of green and red and
purple, and provided them all with feather-soft mattresses of warm air.
     Apart from the considerable difference Axis' powers made, Rivkah enjoyed
having her son virtually to herself. Previously StarDrifter had commanded so
much of his attention Rivkah had found little time to talk with Axis. Now they
chatted about his likes and dislikes, his life with die Seneschal, his life as
BattleAxe, the good times and the bad times, as they walked side by side.
     The evenings, when Rivkah shared Axis with their companions, were just as
wonderful.
     After they'd chosen a cave for the night, eased packs from aching shoulders
and cleared the cave floor of debris, Axis would provide a roaring fire that
warmed the entire party. Then he would sing to the cave walk, caressing them
with his hands, and, as fast-gathering gloom descended outside, the rock gave
off a gende glow dial intensified with die night.
     Even their food was magical, but Axis had nothing to do with diat. As he
conjured fire and light each evening, Ogden and Veremund would slip off the
light packs they carried, open the top flaps, rusde around mumbling and
complaining for a few moments, and then draw out parcel after parcel of
beautifully wrapped and packaged food. Honeyed hams, crisp-roasted poultry,
peppered joints of beef and sundry other marinated delicacies ready to be
warmed at the fire, fresh and dried fruits, a variety of breads and pastries,
platters of vegetables, exotic cheeses, bowls of almonds and raisins and gourds
of spiced wines — every evening the Sentinels unpacked a veritable feast.
     "Ogden always sees to the packing," Veremund said the first evening. "I
have no idea how he does it."
     Ogden gaped at Veremund. "What? I packed not a crumb of this! I thought
you did!" Then he frowned into his pack. "Where did you put the napkins?"
     Axis, rising from the fire laughing, had told them to stop arguing and advised
the others to simply enjoy the food and not push the Sentinels on where it came
from. "They will just argue with each other," he said to Azhure and Raum, "to
keep from answering you."
     Each evening after they had eaten, Axis entertained with his wonderful voice
and his skill on the harp. He sang Icarii melodies for the first part of the evening,
but as the night deepened Axis' mood changed and he sang ballads and songs of
Acharite extraction, making Rivkah and Azhure smile and tap their fingers in
pleasure. He far surpassed any court bard Rivkah had ever heard.
     Axis often asked the others to sing with him, or to sing their own songs.
Rivkah and Raum both sang well, Ogden and Veremund enthusiastically, but
Azhure had one of the most dreadful voices anyone had ever heard, and after
one attempt at joining them in song, she had laughed and promised not to sing
again.
     But they did not simply sing the evenings away. For long hours into each
night they talked, Axis walking sbft melodies up and down the strings of his harp
as he listened. Sometimes they talked of the Icarii or Avar myths and legends,
sometimes of the Star Gods. Occasionally Rivkah recalled her early life amid the
intrigue of the Carlon court. Ogden and Veremund, rascals that they were, told
tales of the exploits of some of the early Icarii, tales of when the Icarii had first
learned to fly and had sometimes fallen from the sky in tangled and
embarrassing wreckages.
     Late one night, early in their trek, Axis stretched out comfortably, his legs
extended towards the fire, hands behind his head, his eyes on Azhure as she
finished plaiting her raven hair for the night.
     Azhure smiled a little uncertainly at him, then spoke to Raum. "Raum, may I
ask about the Horned Ones? Are they Avar?"
     Raum seemed not to mind answering Azhure s question. "Yes. The Horned
Ones were once Avar Banes. But only the strongest of the male Banes are
allowed to complete the transformation to Horned Ones. It is the responsibility of
die Horned Ones to act as the guardians of the Sacred Grove."
     "How do you change?" Axis asked, remembering the frightening beast of his
nightmare outside the Silent Woman Woods. How could someone so apparently
gentle as Raum metamorphose into such a frightening, angry creature?
     Raum's dark face was now unreadable. "There are some mysteries that I will
not even tell you, Axis SunSoar. We simply...change. The change picks us, we do
not pick it. When we feel the change begin, we wander the ways of the
Avarinheim alone, for we no longer desire the companionship of our friends and
family."
     "And no female Banes ever become Horned Ones?" Azhure asked, her thick
plait hanging over her shoulder.
     "No, Azhure. We do not know why. But no females walk the Sacred Groves
as Horned Ones." Raum frowned. "I think female Banes transform, but they
guard their mysteries closely, and I do not know into what they transform, or
where they go when they do. We each have our mysteries, Azhure, and we do
not pry too deeply into them."
     As Raum spoke, Axis had sunk deeper into the memory of his dream of the
Sacred Groves. "The Horned Ones haunt the trees that line the Sacred Grove,
watching," he whispered. "They drift with the power that lives among the trees."
"How do you know that, Axis?" Raum asked. "I travelled to the Sacred Grove
once. Bane Raum, in a dream."
     To one side Ogden andVeremund nodded. They had felt this when they
tested Axis in the Silent Woman Keep. The Horned Ones would not welcome the
intrusion of a hated BattleAxe into their mysterious realms. "You have?" Raum
said. "How?"
     "It started with a nightmare," Axis began, sitting up again, and he told them
of the night outside the Silent Woman Woods when his old nightmare had
claimed him, but had turned instead into a dream of the Grove. He had stood on
the cool grass, feeling the power and the eyes that moved among the encircling
trees, watching with horror as the man with the magnificent, but terrifying, head
of a horned stag approached. When challenged for his identity Axis had said that
he was Axis Rivkahson, BattleAxe of the Seneschal, and the puzzlement that he
had originally felt from the eyes in the trees turned to rage. As the Horned One
neared, swinging his head from side to side with hate, Axis had screamed and
woken from the dream.
     "Your old nightmare?" Rivkah said after Raum had finished questioning Axis
about his dream. "What do you mean?" she asked, thinking of her son, lost and
alone without either of his parents and in the grip of nightmare.
     Axis had never spoken of the nightmare that had haunted so much of his life
to anyone, not even when his long-time lover, Embeth, Lady of Tare, had
pressed him about it. Yet now he was telling this group without hesitation about
the nightmare entity that had come to him throughout most of his life, the entity
that claimed to be his unknown father. The dreams had stopped only after Axis
escaped the fury of the head in the clouds outside the Ancient Barrows — when
he'd realised that, whoever he might be, his father had loved him and could not
have been the hateful voice of his nightmare.
     "It was Gorgrael who came to you," Veremund said. "Trying to break your
heart and your spirit with lies about your father."
     Axis' face flinched with the memory. "He said that my mother died
giving birth to me, died cursing me for taking her life. I believed him. I
had no choice, none to tell me differently."
     Appalled, Rivkah reached out and seized Axis' hand. She finally
understood what a lonely childhood he had led, thinking his mother
had died hating him, not knowing who his father was. For a time both
mother and son sat, holding hands, lending each other comfort.
     Then Axis sighed and turned to Azhure, letting his mother's hand
go. "Azhure," he said gently, "it is good to let go of old nightmares. Will
you tell us how your back came to be so horribly scarred?"
     Azhure's reaction caused the only dark moment of the trip. Her
whole body went rigid and she stared at Axis, her eyes dark and
frightened. For a moment she said nothing, her mouth trembling, then
she whimpered.
     "No." It was the whimper of a terrified little girl.
     "No!" she shouted, her voice edging towards hysteria. "No! Stay away!"
     Rivkah quickly shifted over to her, wrapping her arms about the
terrified woman.
     "No!" Azhure shouted again, louder, twisting against Rivkah's
hands. "Stay away! Please! Pleasel I will not do it again!" She took a
deep, shuddering breath. "I promise!" she screamed.
     Axis leant forward, thinking to add support to that of his mother's,
but Azhure almost wrenched herself out of Rivkah's arms in the effort
to twist away from him. "No!" she screamed, patently terrified by Axis'
approach. "Forgive me!"
     Veremund hastily placed bis hand on Azhure's shoulder. She
stopped twisting immediately, but only very slowly did she relax.
Veremund exchanged a worried glance with Ogden before looking at
Axis.
     "Withdraw the question," said Veremund. "She doesn't want to talk about it.
The memory is too much for her."
     "I am sorry I have caused you pain with my question, Azhure," Axis said,
touching her cheek gently with his fingertips. "Please forgive my intrusion. I
retrieve my words."
     A gentle melody spun through the air and Axis sat back as Rivkah let Azhure
go.
     "What is it?" Azhure asked, puzzled as she looked about to see everyone in
the cave staring at her. "What did I say?"
     Veremund caught Axis' eye and nodded, pleased. Axis had learnt well from
StarDrifter and MorningStar. Still, more lessons had been learned. One - never
ask Azhure about her back. Two — find out what did happen, because that
knowledge could well unlock some of Azhure s secrets. But Veremund had the
dreadful intuition that to unlock that particular secret without proper precautions
could well cost either Azhure her life, or that of the person who tried too
insistently to make her answer.
     Azhure had been the only one to sleep well that night, and Axis had lain
awake for many hours, watching her gently breathing. Wondering.
     Four days out from Talon Spike Axis abruptly stopped on the path, his face
tight with concentration. Then he smiled, laughed, and called ahead to Raum.
     "Raum! I hear her! I hear her! She sings beautifully!" Raum turned back to
Axis and smiled. Although he could not hear what Axis did, he knew what it must
be. Earth Tree. Earth Tree singing her Song, the Song that had destroyed the
Skraeling attack on the Earth Tree Grove at Yuletide, the Song that now
protected the entire northern Avarinheim against Gorgrael. If it had not been for
StarDrifter and Faraday, Earth Tree might still be asleep and the Skraelings
might well have eaten their way through the Avarinheim by now.
     Two days later Raum began to catch the first faint strains of Earth Tree's
Song himself, and two days later yet, Rivkah and Azhure started to pick it up.
     Ogden andVeremund had begun to hear it about the same time as Axis.
     The night before they reached the foot of the Icescarp Alps, the group ate a
splendid meal of roast partridge stuffed with breadcrumbs, cheese, raisins and
almonds, and relaxed about the magical fire.
     "Tell me of how you bonded Faraday to the Mother," Axis asked Raum,
reluctantly lifting his eyes from the firelight glinting through Azhure's hair. "There
is so little I know about her. So much I want to comprehend."
     Faraday's connection with the Mother, with the power of the earth and of
nature, was one of the deeper mysteries that Axis did not yet understand. There
had been so little time or opportunity at Gorkenfort for Faraday and Axis to talk.
     And Axis needed someone to speak of her, to remind him how much he
loved her. Once her image had been so vivid in his mind, now he had to struggle
to recall the exact shade of her hair and the timbre of her laughter.
     Raum hesitated a little, then began by explaining the significance of the
groves to the Avar people and how those Avar children who had the potential to
become Banes had to be presented and bonded to the Mother. Fernbrake Lake,
one of the four magical lakes in Achar, lay deep in the Bracken Ranges far to the
south of the Avarinheim, and the Avar people had to travel secretly through the
hostile Skarabost Plains to reach the lake they called the Mother.
     "And Rivkah helped you in this?" Axis asked, smiling at his mother.
     "Yes," Raum said. "For many years now she has spent the summer months
with us, often helping to take a child or two through to the Bracken Ranges."
     "And yet none in Achar knew that the Princess Rivkah walked among them,"
Axis said, his eyes on the flames. "Did you never want to return to your home,
Rivkah?"
     "I thought my life dead, Axis. I thought you dead. Had I known you lived I
would have kept walking until I reached the Tower of the Seneschal and its
BatdeAxe."
     For a while there was silence, then Azhure prompted Raum to return to the
story of the night he had bonded Faraday to the Mother. Ever since Azhure had
seen the vision of Faraday awakening the Earth Tree on the night of the Yuletide
attack, she had been fascinated by Faraday.
     Raum told the story as if every moment of that night was seared into his
memory. How he had tested Faraday at Jack andYr's insistence and, to his
shock, had found she talked to the trees as easily as if she had been Avar-born.
He told them how Faraday had bonded instantly to the Mother, how the Mother
herself had wakened the lake and how he, Faraday and the child Shra had
walked into and through the lake, to the Sacred Grove.
     All listened intently, astounded by Raum's tale.
     "You walked through emerald light into the grove?" Azhure asked, her blue
eyes wide. This was magic beyond anything she had yet seen.
     Raum told them of how the Horned Ones had greeted Faraday, and how the
most ancient and sacred of them all, the silver pelt, had given Faraday the bowl
of enchanted wood.
     "The bowl is a way for her not only to reach out and touch the Mother,"
Raum explained, "but also to reach the Sacred Grove whenever she feels the
need."
     "She has been blessed," Azhure said, admiration and wonder evident in her
voice.
     Raum let his hand rest on Azhure s shoulder. He had become very attached
to this lonely woman and wished that the Avar had accepted her. She had saved
his life, but Raum's regard for Azhure went much deeper than gratefulness. "Yes,
Azhure, she has truly been blessed."
    Axis' eyes lingered on Raum's hand. He raised his gaze to the Bane's face
slowly. "Is Faraday's only role in Prophecy that of Tree Friend, Bane?"
    "She has many things to do, Axis," Veremund answered for Raum. "As do
you. Concentrate on your own path, and let others find theirs as the Prophecy
guides them."
    Axis nodded. "Has Faraday used the enchanted bowl, Raum? Has she
stepped back into the Groves?"
    "Yes," Raum answered. "Yes, she has. Several times. Each time Faraday
uses the bowl I can...feel it."
    Ogden and Veremund both studied the Bane closely. You can feel it?
wondered Ogden. And I would wager that you can feel it changing you, can't
you, Bane Raum? How long before you, too, feel the urge to wander the paths of
the Avarinheim all by yourself, wander until the pain in your body and your skull
drives you mad? Until you are transformed? Do you feel it yet, Bane? Do you
know?
     Azhure sighed and sat back. She envied Faraday greatly. Not only did she
have Axis' love, but she had a major role to play in the Prophecy, a role that
would one day see her walk at Axis' side. Azhure might love Axis herself, but she
knew her love would not be returned. Axis would never be her lover. Faraday
and Axis were both heroes, and they would walk together into legend and
immortality. She was only a human woman, scarred in mind and body, doomed
to drift without a true home or a lifetime lover.
     The next day the party walked down from the mountains and into Beltide.
     The pigs abandoned Sigholt five days before Beltide.
     Saddened, Jack stood and watched as the fifteen who had kept him
company for the last three thousand years rolled and grunted their way across
the bridge. He had always known they would go one day, always known they
would pick the day. What better time to choose than these days when the
Prophecy walked?
     But Jack was excited as well as saddened. The pigs would only leave him to
seek the Blood.
     For three days the pigs trotted resolutely along the HoldHard Pass, stopping
only to rest or nose around the rocks for whatever they could find to eat. But
they did not waste much time foraging for food. Soon there would be better
eating than stiff weather-worn grass, so aged and wizened it took true hunger to
make it palatable.
     On the fourth day the pigs emerged from the HoldHard Pass and turned
north-east. For another day and night they trotted.
     On Beltide, as the day darkened towards dusk, the pigs began to change.
Their limbs lengthened, their bodies became sleeker, their coats lighter. Their
teeth began to glint and their mouths began to grin.
     As the moon emerged they began to lope, but they made no sound. They
would not begin to bay until they had caught the scent they had waited so long
for.
    Above, the moon gleamed and lit their way before them.

    BeltideAs they closed the distance between the last of the alps and
the Avar groves, Axis drew closer to Azhure. "Azhure, what do you think of the
Avar?" he asked.
     Azhure thought for a moment. "They are a reserved people, Axis, and they
do not accept strangers easily. They are very peaceable and reject those who
embrace violence."
     Axis nodded. If the Avar had rejected Azhure because of her involvement in
her violent father's death, then how would they feel about a former BattleAxe of
the Axe-Wielders?
     "They are reserved," Azhure repeated. "Shy. They have learned over
centuries of persecution to fear the Plains Dwellers, as they call ..." She almost
said "us", "the Acharites. They protest to loathe violence, but ..." Her voice
trailed off.
     "But they have an aura of violence about them?"
     Azhure glanced at Axis, startled. "Yes. I had not thought of it that way
before. But...yes. They put their children through a frightening test to see if they
have the ability to become Banes — a test that kills many of them. And
sometimes the Banes themselves can threaten violence. When I was a girl in
Smyrton and stumbled upon Rivkah and a Bane taking two children past the
village, the Bane was so angry that I think Rivkah only just managed to prevent
him.
     from killing me. Yes," she paused, "they protest violence, but they exude it."
     "When I walked into the Sacred Grove in my dream," Axis said, "the feeling
of hatred and inherent violence was overwhelming - of course," he laughed
humourlessly, "I was BattleAxe, then."
     "Do you still fear the reaction of the Avar, Axis? You do not walk into their
groves as BattleAxe but as the StarMan."
     "Perhaps, but they still have reason enough to distrust me. They will not be
easy to win over."
     "They are ashamed that it was their blood which birthed Gorgrael but not
you," Azhure said softly so Raum, walking just ahead, would not hear. "The Icarii
and the Acharites have accepted and will accept you because you have been
born of their blood. But to the Avar you will not only be foreign, but also
frightening." She paused. "Axis, don't be too confident. The Avar will not be as
ready to follow you as the Icarii were."
     Axis was taken aback once again by her perceptivity, but did not say
anything. Like Ogden andVeremund, more and more he found himself wondering
if Azhure was the peasant woman she first appeared to be. An odd memory
resurfaced. Strangely, the few times Azhure had discussed Hagen, she had never
referred to him as her father.
     "Azhure," he said, hesitant.
     "Yes?" Azhure replied, her face open and uncomplicated.
     "Was Hagen your father? Your real father?"
     "What a thing to ask! Of course," she said, but her voice sounded forced.
"Who eke?"
     Axis began to say something, but Azhure broke in. "Look, Axis! We're almost
there. How I'm looking forward to seeing Fleat and Shra again!"
     The sacred groves and surrounding forest were a confusion of Icarii and
Avar as the small party finally arrived in the early afternoon of Beltide. The bulk
of the Icarii had arrived an hour earlier -and were now laughing and exchanging
greetings with the Avar. As they pushed through the crowds, StarDrifter hailed
them. "Axis! Rivkah! Azhure!"
     Smiling hugely, StarDrifter embraced Axis and then gave Rivkah a warm kiss
on the cheek. "I am glad to see that you arrived well and in time for Beltide," he
said, giving Azhure a light and blameless kiss on the cheek as well. "Did you
travel without incident?"
     Raum nodded and grasped StarDrifter's arm. "You look cheerful, StarDrifter.
Should I assume that... ?" He let the question hang in the air between them.
     Both Icarii Enchanters and Avar Banes had been worried about the arrival of
spring. The SkraeBold attack on Yuletide had disrupted the rites before they
were completed and many feared the sun would not regain the strength it
needed to break through the grip of Gorgraels unnatural winter. What if spring
did not arrive? Was there any point in holding Beltide if there was no spring to
celebrate?
     "Raum," StarDrifter said, stepping closer to the Bane so he could be heard
above the din. "Gorgrael's power is strong and winter has a grasp on the
northern regions, but Earth Tree sings, and even though we could not finish the
Yuletide rites, the sun has strengthened enough to allow the earth to reawaken.
Spring has begun. It will be weak and many areas will experience a cold
summer, especially Ichtar, but the Banes tell me that the sun will shine strongly
over the Avarinheim. Your people will be well."
     "And Achar?" Axis broke in. His plans would have to be drastically altered if
Achar remained in the grip of ice. "Will winter break in Achar?"
     "Yes, Axis," StarDrifter replied. "It will be a cool summer and the crops may
not flourish as well as hoped, but it will be a summer. Gorgrael's power has not
spread as far south as we had feared."
     Axis relaxed visibly. "Good."
     StarDrifter looked at his son carefully. Apart from informing the Assembly of
his intention to seek further training with the Charonites, Axis had not talked to
anyone about his plans after Beltide. All knew that he meant to unite the Icarii
and Acharite nations, but to do that he would have to face Borneheld. When?
How?
     "Strike-Leader!" FarSight CutSpur's voice cut across Star-Drifter's thoughts.
"You have arrived. Good."
     Axis turned and conferred with the Crest-Leader. He did not want the Strike
Force to leave the Beltide rites as exposed as they had at Yuletide, and he
confirmed with FarSight the plans they had made in Talon Spike for both air and
ground patrols of the northern Avarinheim.
     As Axis and FarSight talked, Azhure frowned and peered through the throngs
of Avar and Icarii.
     "There," Raum pointed. "The GhostTree Clan usually pitches its tents under
that stand of trees. Remember?"
     "Do you think I should...?" she started, nervous.
     Raum smiled reassuringly. "They will be pleased to see you, Azhure.
Especially Fleat and Shra. Go on, now."
     Azhure took a deep breath and headed in the direction Raum had pointed.
Fleat and Shra might welcome her, but what about Grindle? And Barsarbe, if she
was with them?
     Rivkah hurried after her. The GhostTree Clan had been Rivkah's surrogate
family for years now, and she always looked forward to seeing them. Besides,
Azhure looked as though she might need some support.
     As Azhure and Rivkah disappeared into the crowd, Raum touched Axis' arm.
"Axis."
     Axis glanced at Raum and brought his conversation with FarSight to a close.
"You have done well, Crest-Leader. Speak with me in the hour before dusk, well
before the Beltide rites begin."
     FarSight nodded, saluted, then left.
     Axis turned. "Bane Raum?"
     "Axis, it is time that I introduced you to the Avar Banes, the Clan Leaders,
and the Earth Tree. Are you ready?"
     Axis nodded, briefly touching the blood-red sun on his fawn tunic for
reassurance.
     As Axis approached the great circle of stone that surrounded and protected
the Earth Tree with his father and Raum, he grew more and more tense. Of all
the races, Axis knew the Avar would be the most difficult to win to his cause. A
thousand years previously the Axe-Wielders, under the direction of their
BattleAxe and the Seneschal, had slaughtered hundreds of thousands of trees,
decimating the great forests of Tencendor.
     And Azhure was probably right in surmising that the Avar would deeply
resent the fact that the StarMan had been born of the Icarii and the Acharite
races, not of the Avar. Their blood ran in Gorgrael, the Destroyer, but not in
Axis, their saviour.
     Axis dearly needed Faraday to help win the Avar to his cause. He would not
be able to do it on his own.
     The Avar Banes and Clan Leaders waited for Axis inside the stone circle. Axis
felt their eyes on him as he walked towards the centre of the Earth Tree Grove.
His eyes drifted in awe towards the Earth Tree as she soared above the
encircling protective stone. Her Song hung in the air, not loud enough to stifle or
inhibit conversation, but sufficiently to drift through the thoughts of everyone
within the northern Avarinheim, and to keep back Gorgrael and his Skraelings.
     While the Earth Tree was far more sacred to the Avar than to the Icarii, both
races revered it deeply. It was the living symbol of the harmony that existed
between the earth and nature; if that harmony was disrupted, the Earth Tree
sickened. But the Earth Tree could also act. On the night of Yuletide, StarDrifter
and Faraday, Tree Friend, had woken the Earth Tree from the slumber in which
she had spent several millennia. Earth Tree had immediately realised that her
grove was under attack from the creatures of Gorgrael and had responded with
her Song. The Skraelings had died as one mass, breaking apart under the force
of her anger. Now, awake and aware, Earth Tree continued to sing, protecting
the entire northern Avarinheim from the incursions of Gorgrael and his creatures.
     Now she waited for the StarMan, as did the Banes and the Clan Leaders of
her people.
     Each branch of the Earth Tree was covered with densely packed waxy olive-
green leaves, and the ends of her branches drooped with fat trumpet-shaped
flowers, some gold, some emerald, some sapphire and some ruby in hue. The
Earth Tree, thought Axis, is as colourful as a rainbow. And as mysterious.
StarDrifter had told Axis that not even the Avar knew the full extent of the Earth
Tree's power or of her purpose. They simply revered her and protected her. All
the most sacred rites of both Icarii and Avar were conducted under her
spreading branches.
     "Who built the circle of stone?" Axis whispered to his father as they drew
closer. It was massive, each stone ten paces in height and three in width, with
similar sized stones laid across their tops to form a series of archways.
     "No-one knows," said StarDrifter. "Some say the Star Gods built the circle
during a night ringed with fire, some say that the circle was constructed by a
long-forgotten race of giants. Now, go ahead with Raum. I will wait for you
here."
     As they stepped through an archway Axis was struck by the feeling of
sanctity within the circle - that this was a holy place no-one could doubt. A group
of Banes waited by the Tree, and Axis felt both their nervousness and hostility.
     The Sentinels, Ogden andVeremund, waited to one side of the Avar.
Somehow, no-one ever rejected the Sentinels.
     Raum motioned Axis to a halt and stepped forward to greet the gathered
Avar.
     A small woman, of dark and delicate form with a garland of flowers and
leaves about her forehead and wearing a long loose robe of light rose wool,
stepped forward and kissed Raum on both cheeks.
     "Bane Raum," she said. "It has been so long. We have missed you greatly.
Be well and welcomed back among us. And do not leave us again so quickly."
     "Bane Barsarbe," Raum replied, "I am well and am heartened to find you
well yourself." He smiled, stepped back and gestured to Axis.
     "You know whom I bring," he said clearly. "Axis SunSoar. StarMan and son
of StarDrifter SunSoar and Princess Rivkah of Achar. Welcome him."
     Barsarbe hesitated, then stepped forward and kissed Axis on both cheeks.
"Be well and welcomed among us, Axis SunSoar, StarMan," she said. "We are
pleased that you have torn yourself from the lies that bound you and have found
both your parents and your heritage."
    "Thank you, Bane Barsarbe," Axis replied. "I hope that I will be able to fulfil
both your people's and the Prophecy's expectations of me."
    There was an awkward silence until one of the Clan Leaders stepped
forward. He was a tall man, as dark and swarthy as Raum, but much more
heavily muscled. "Erode, of the SilentWalk Clan," he said, his stare hostile. "We
understand your wish is that the people of the Horn, Wing and Plough unite to
drive Gorgrael from these lands?"
    "It is the only way," Axis said. "It is the way the Prophecy describes. It is my
task to build the bridge of understanding that will bind the three races as one."
    Again, silence from the Avar. Above them the Earth Tree sang her Song,
strong and joyous, unperturbed by the tense meeting underneath her branches.
    "It is strange," another Avar finally said, a Bane by the look of her, "that the
Prophecy should ask us to follow one who once wielded the axe."
    Axis kept his voice even. "But I stand before you now as the StarMan, not as
the BattleAxe."
    "A warrior." This from a Bane almost as forbidding as Erode.
    "Yes," Axis said. "Can you think of one better trained to face Gorgrael? The
StarMan needs to be a warrior."
    "Violence," said Barsarbe. "All warriors breed violence."
    Axis remembered that Barsarbe had been particularly cool towards Azhure,
even after her efforts had saved countless Avar atYuletide. "Gorgrael will not
come at you with words," Axis snapped, his tone harsh. "Already he has
murdered your people. Would you spend the rest of your lives fleeing, or hiding
under the pretty leaves of the Earth Tree?"
    Barsarbe's eyes flashed furiously and she opened her mouth to speak, but
Axis had not finished. "I promised the Icarii I would lead them back into
Tencendor. I promise you the same. Do you want to replant your trees across
the barren plains of Skarabost? Would you like to walk in shade all the way to
the Mother? Or would you prefer to seek comfort in the legends and memories of
the past, and condemn future generations of the Avar to skulking at night in
order to reach the Mother? Do you want to regain your heritage, or have you lost
your heart for such an adventure?"
    Axis had not meant to be so forthright or so challenging, but he found the
Avar's studied aversion to violence intensely irritating. How did they think they
were going to rid themselves of the threat of Gorgrael? Throw flowers? Shout
"Peace!"?
    "We wait for Tree Friend," Raum said gently. "We have always believed that
Tree Friend will lead us back into our homelands rather than the StarMan. It is
Faraday who must lead us to you."
    Axis forced himself to relax. Anger would get him nowhere.
    "It is our understanding," Barsarbe said, "that you intend to war against the
Acharites before you turn against Gorgrael."
     "There are those among the Acharites, principally Duke Borneheld and the
Seneschal itself, who will oppose any moves to unite the three races against
Gorgrael. I must...persuade...them, by any means I find necessary, that such an
attitude is foolish. If that means war, as I believe, then so be it."
     Barsarbe glanced at Raum, then turned and looked at the Avar. "We will not
help you in your war against Borneheld," she said, turning back to Axis.
     "Damn it!" Axis snapped, "Faraday Tree Friend is with Borneheld. Don't you
want to free her?"
     "Why didn't you bring her out of Gorkenfort?" Erode shouted, stepping
forward aggressively. "Why is she not here with you now?"
     "We had to battle our way out of Gorkenfort," Axis said, fighting to keep his
voice steady. "I judged her chances to be better if she remained with Borneheld.
And there was no way I could seize her from Borneheld without risking her life."
     "The fact remains," Barsarbe said, tilting her chin to look Axis in the eye,
"that we will wait for her. Tree Friend will lead us home, not the StarMan. If she
says we will unite with the Icarii and the Acharites, then we will do it. But only
then."
     Anger made a muscle in Axis' cheek fucker. The Avar had decided this well
before he'd stepped inside the circle of stone.
     "Axis," Raum stepped up and addressed him directly. "You must understand
the Avar. We are a reclusive people. We understand the Prophecy and we
understand the threat of Gorgrael. We understand who you are and what your
role is. But we are a people deeply scarred by the violence meted out to us
during the Wars of the Axe. We are a people decimated by loss. We are not
numerous, and we are not warlike. How could we fight for you? We have no
Strike Force like our friends the Icarii. We have no weapons. So we wait for Tree
Friend, and when she comes, then we will follow her. Faraday is a woman of
gendeness and she is a woman bonded to the Mother. You are a warrior and you
follow the way of the Stars. We mean you no disrespect nor do we mean to
anger you, but we prefer to wait for Faraday."
     "I understand, my friend," Axis said, placing a hand on Raum's shoulder. He
turned to the assembled Avar. "I apologise if my words have caused you hurt.
Sometimes I am too impatient. I understand your reluctance to act and I will
accept your decision to wait for Tree Friend — Faraday. It will make my desire to
reach her even deeper."
     The entire assemblage of Avar visibly relaxed. None had been too sure how
he would react to their decision. They knew that the Prophecy walked among
them, but they would wait for the one who had been promised them. Faraday.
     "Then we welcome you to Beltide, Axis SunSoar, Star-Man," Barsarbe smiled.
"Beltide is the most joyous time of the year for us, a night when we put to one
side all that troubles us, when we celebrate love and life and birth and renewal.
Share with us that joy."
     Whereas theYuletide rites were closely tied to the sun and the sun god
Narcis, and the Icarii male Enchanters and Avar Banes dominated, Beltide
celebrated the rebirth of the earth after the death of winter, and, in rites that
celebrated renewal, the females had long dominated. Tonight Barsarbe, assisted
by MorningStar, would lead the rites. StarDrifter, as all other male Enchanters
and Banes, was relegated to the audience.
     None of them minded a bit. This was a night when the audience had as
much fun as those leading the rites.
     Azhure gathered with the Avar and Icarii as dusk fell. She had spent the
afternoon with Fleat and Shra of the Ghost-Tree Clan. Shra had squealed with
delight when she saw Azhure, throwing herself into the woman's arms, and Fleat
had smiled with genuine pleasure, inviting Azhure and Rivkah to sit at the
GhostTree fire for the afternoon. They had caught up on news and renewed their
friendship. Azhure was relieved to find that neither Fleat nor her husband Grindle
laid any blame at Azhure's feet for Pease's death.
     "Pease would not have wanted you to grieve overlong," Fleat had said. "And
tonight is Beltide, when wounds will be healed and new bonds will be forged.
Tonight will be a joyous affair. We should not spoil Beltide with sorrowing for the
dead. Pease would not want it."
     Now Rivkah and Azhure threaded their way through the growing crowds of
Icarii and Avar in the Earth Tree Grove.
     "Where are we going?" Azhure asked.
     "We will sit with the SunSoars, Azhure. At least, we will start the night with
them. Who knows with whom we will finish the night," Rivkah replied,
concentrating on finding her way through the throng of people.
     Azhure was more than a little nervous about the Beltide celebrations. Over
the past months there had been so many hints dropped about the excesses of a
night when the normal ties and promises of unions were forgotten, a night when
adventures could be explored without risk. When Avar and Icarii indulged
curiosities and appetites otherwise forbidden.
     And what would be offered her tonight? Azhure remembered the feel of
StarDrifter's arms about her in the training chamber, the taste of his mouth. She
wondered if she would be able to deny StarDrifter a second time, now that he
and Rivkah had parted. Would she let him sate her curiosity tonight?
     The SunSoars sat at the foot of the black cliff face that bordered the western
edge of the grove. To one side of them the Avarinheim forest stood dark and
wrapped in shadows. RavenCrest sat a little to one side, reserved and aloof, his
wife several paces away, a dreamy expression on her face. Were they both
planning their Beltide games? Azhure wondered. Did even the Talon and his wife
indulge their desires as they pleased?
     "Where's EvenSong?" she asked Axis as she sank down beside him,
smoothing out her crimson robe. Her hair tumbled loose about her shoulders and
down her back.
     "She offered to serve with the patrols tonight," Axis explained. "She said that
without FreeFall she had no interest in Beltide."
      "Are we safe?" Azhure asked.
      "We are safe," Axis said, his eyes on the circle of stone. "The Strike Force
has a strong presence in the sky and in the surrounding forest. There is not a
Skraeling within fifty leagues."
      Several paces away StarDrifter sat in the shadow of a slight cleft in the cliff
face. Tonight he was determined to have Azhure. Over the past months his
desire for her had grown to the point where it dominated his every waking
thought and drove him to dream of her constandy. He had never wanted another
woman - Icarii, Acharite or Avar - like this. On the night before they had flown
out to the Avarinheim he had dreamt that they were both tumbling entwined
through the sky, their wings tangled and useless as they fell towards the ground,
their thoughts only on assuaging their savage needs. In that dream Azhure had
the wings and the features of an Icarii.
      Tonight he would take her. Possess her, finally. He had told Axis that Azhure
would bear powerful Enchanters, and tonight he meant to get one on her. But
the night was long, and it was not yet time.
      Avar Banes stepped through the crowds, quiet now as the rites neared. They
carried deep bowls of dark liquid which glinted ruby red whenever a stray
moonbeam caught them.
      The young Bane who served their section stepped in front of RavenCrest
first, murmured to him, then offered him the bowl. RavenCrest drank, then the
Bane turned to Bright-Feather, then to Rivkah. He stepped carefully through the
rocks and offered StarDrifter the blessed wine, then he turned to Axis.
      "Drink well and deep, Axis SunSoar, and may the sacred wine of Beltide
remind you of the joy and the steps of the Star Dance as you celebrate the
renewal of life tonight."
      Axis took the bowl in both hands and drank the wine deeply. He raised his
head only with reluctance and Azhure, watching him, noticed that the wine clung
in heavy, red drops to his beard. Two of the drops ran together, trickling down
through the short golden hairs. She stared at them, fascinated. The wine was so
thick and heavy it reminded her of blood.
      The Bane paused briefly before Azhure, then bowed his head in regret. "You
have not been accepted among us, Azhure. I am afraid that I cannot offer you
the -"
      He stopped, shocked, as Axis stood and took the bowl from his hands. "I
take the responsibility," Axis said. "The wine is almost gone and you are needed
before the circle of stone. I will take responsibility for what remains of the sacred
wine."
      After a moment the Bane bowed stiffly. "The bowl and its contents are your
responsibility, Axis SunSoar," he said, then turned and marched away, every step
stiff with displeasure.
      Axis turned to Azhure.
      "Stand, Azhure," he said, and Azhure slowly stood, her eyes on his face.
      "Drink well and deep, Azhure," Axis said softly. "And may the sacred wine of
Beltide remind you of the joy and the steps of the Star Dance as you celebrate
the renewal of life tonight. Celebrate."
     Azhure hesitated, aware that every eye within twenty paces' radius was on
her.
     "Drink," Axis repeated, his voice insistent.
     Azhure reached for the bowl. As her hands wrapped themselves about the
bowl, Axis, instead of dropping his own hands, slid them around the bowl to
cover hers.
     "Drink," he whispered.
     The moment the warm, viscous liquid filled her mouth Azhure understood
why all those she'd watched had been reluctant to relinquish the bowl. The wine
felt alive and seemed to speak to her, sing to her as it filled her mouth. It tasted
of earth and salt, birth and death, wisdom and sadness beyond knowing. As the
warm, coppery liquid slid down her throat and warmed her belly, Azhure thought
she could hear music. Wild music, as if the stars themselves were reeling naked
and crazed with lust through the night sky.
     Azhure took another great mouthful. There was not much left.
     "Thank you, Axis," she said from the depths of her heart. "Thank you for
making me a part of this night. I would that you drink the last mouthful."
     Their hands still locked together about the bowl, Axis raised it to his lips and
drained it. Now the trail of wine through his beard looked more like blood than
ever and Azhure was vividly reminded of the magnificent Stag sacrificed in this
grove at Yuletide.
     "His life, his blood, he gave to us to celebrate tonight," Axis said, and placed
the bowl carefully to one side of a boulder. Azhure wondered how he knew what
she'd been thinking. As she turned she found every SunSoar eye riveted on her.
Let them think what they like, she told herself, and sat down in one graceful
movement. Already Azhure could feel the effects of the wine racing through her
blood.
     A light flared behind the torch-lit stone archways and all eyes turned away
from Azhure and towards the circle.
     Azhure blinked, her vision blurring, but her eyes cleared and she stared at
the circle.
     Figures dimly moved behind the archways, and wild music erupted violently
into the night. This music was nothing like that Azhure had heard at Yuletide, or
in Talon Spike. The Icarii generally sang unaccompanied, or used harps to make
their music. But this music was the music of wild pipes. Avar music as Azhure
had never heard it before.
     The music reeled through the night and twisted down among the crowds
until groups of the watchers stood to dance, gyrating wildly. Azhure longed to be
with them, but, just as she was about to leap up, the music abruptly stopped.
     Azhure's blood throbbed in her ears and her heart beat madly. Was it the
music or the fermented stag's blood?
     Someone nudged her elbow. It was Rivkah, smiling a little secretively as she
held out a gourd of wine. "It is not as good as that you have just drunk, Azhure,
but it is good nevertheless. Drink, and pass it on."
     Azhure took the wine and drank deeply, then handed the gourd to Axis. His
face was intense. Perhaps he waits for the music to begin again, thought Azhure,
and as she passed the wine over she touched the blood where it still lingered
within his beard and at the corner of his mouth.
     A movement at the edge of Azhure's vision caught her attention, and she
looked back to the circle.
     A figure walked through one of the archways, and a murmur ran through the
watching crowd. It was Barsarbe, small, delicate, and completely, utterly naked.
She had painted spiral designs over her body, emphasising her breasts and her
belly, although what paint she had used Azhure could not see.
     "It is what remains of the stag's blood," said Axis quietly at her side. "Can
you not see its redness? Smell its warmth?"
     "I have not the senses of an Enchanter," Azhure muttered, unable to drag
her eyes away from Barsarbe.
     Another woman walked through the archways. It was MorningStar, similarly
naked, similarly painted, although this time the paint was some golden substance
that highlighted the beautiful pale sheen of her skin.
     By Azhure's side Axis stirred uncomfortably.
     Both women started to dance. The pipe music had begun again, but it was
sorter this time, less insistent, and there was an accompaniment of drums that
mirrored the beating of Azhure s heart.
     The beat made her think, momentarily, of the insistent tug of the waves
against a distant shoreline, and of the dip and sway of the moon.
     As StarDrifter used his voice to speak and persuade, to relive memories and
to tell stories, so the slow, sensuous dance of these two women spoke of many
things to the watching eyes. They spoke of the gradual reawakening of the earth
under the soft and sensual touch of the sun; of the seeds of life that lay buried
under cover of darkness for long months but were now stimulated into life; of
the green shoots that burst through the soil and grew to feed the mouths of man
and beast. They spoke of the continual renewal of life, whether in the earth or in
the belly of a doe or a woman; of the joy that was granted each time a child
drew breath for the first time; and they spoke of love, its delights, its place in the
continual renewal of the earth and of life.
     Barsarbe danced with passion, but it was MorningStar who stirred Azhure
the most. She not only used her long limbs and lithe body, but also her wings,
using them one moment to hide and tantalise, the next to invite and demand.
The dance of the two women was building to its zenith, their movements slower
but more intense. A man stood to dance with MorningStar, and with a start
Azhure saw that it was Grindle, leader of the GhostTree Clan. MorningStar
orientated her dance to Grindle alone, while another man now rose and danced
with Barsarbe. Azhure swallowed as their movements became more intense,
more intimate. Many Avar and Icarii were now engaged in their own private
dances, while inside the stone circle, dimly visible frantic figures were writhing in
pairs on the ground. Azhure did not need an Enchanter's vision to know what
they were doing.
     The wine sang through her blood.
     Without conscious thought, Azhure stood and walked through the boulders
into the surrounding forest.
     Azhure walked until she no longer heard the music of the pipes or the
drums. The grass was soft and cool under her feet, and the Earth Tree sang soft
and seductive over her head. The night mist thickened around her, until it
seemed that she was moving through a drifting sea of soft silver. Azhure had no
sense of confinement, for the silvery mist created an atmosphere of light and
space.
     The wine sang through her blood, and somewhere, deep within her, she
thought she could feel the faint pull of an answering Song. She slowed her steps.
Her hands drifted to the emerald sash that bound her crimson robe, and she
undid it, letting it fall gently to the ground, rejoicing in the feel of the material
floating free to wrap and fold itself against her body in the soft, damp air of the
Avarinheim.
     The Earth Tree sang sweet and gentle, and Azhure closed her eyes and took
a deep breath, letting the Avarinheim wrap her in its loveliness, giving herself
completely to the Song surging through her blood.
     The sense that another answered it was stronger now, more insistent, and
Azhure opened her eyes.
     StarDrifter stood some ten or fifteen paces away, holding out his hand and
smiling. Slowly his fingers curled, beckoning, once, twice, a third time, and
Azhure rocked as the Song roared through her blood in response.
     A twig cracked behind her.
     Azhure turned her head. The Song of her blood was now almost deafening;
she could no longer hear the Earth Tree.
     Distant, still distant, another figure was walking through the mist towards
her. Axis.
     "Azhure!" StarDrifter's voice cracked across her consciousness and Azhure
blinked, tears springing to her eyes at the anger and tension in his voice.
"Azhure! To me! Your blood calls to me, for me. Answer it. N<w!"
     But now a deep, gentle Song surged through her, intermingling with her own
blood, and this Song she knew was Axis calling to her.
     She moaned, her hands clenching by her side, knowing that her blood
demanded of her that she choose, hating herself, knowing that she could not
walk away.
     The mist clung thick and loving to both forms, so that both StarDrifter and
Axis, equal distances from her now, seemed ethereal, wraithlike, in the forest.
Each now beckoned, demanding.
     Without conscious thought or decision, Azhure turned to StarDrifter. His eyes
widened in triumph and his fingers flared towards her.
      "Sorry," she whispered, then walked towards Axis.
      Behind her StarDrifter screamed.
      Axis had thought his heart would tear itself apart with victory and craving
when Azhure turned to walk towards him, her eyes downcast. His entire body
had vibrated with every beat of his heart, his blood as wild and as febrile as the
pulse of the feral pipe music.
      "Dance with me," he'd whispered, and Azhure had raised her eyes to his.
Neither had cared if StarDrifter still watched.
      Now she rested, heavy and warm along the length of his body, sleeping.
They lay underneath a stand of giant feather-back ferns, encased in green
tracery, warm and safe.
      Axis shifted slightly, tensing a little as Azhure mumbled in her sleep, then
relaxing with her as she slipped deeper intoher dreams.
      Did she dream of him? He knew he would dream of her for many long nights
to come. No other had ever made him feel this way. She had sent him reeling
among the stars, until his entire vision had been filled with the myriad blur of the
stars as they rushed by, seizing him up in their mad dance through the heavens,
until he could feel his very soul tear itself loose from its moorings and crash free
about the firmament itself. Wonder and madness, exultation and pain, all had
consumed him. He had withheld nothing, could withhold nothing, from this
woman.
      Perhaps it was her virginity, perhaps it was Beltide night, perhaps it was the
wine they had both consumed. Axis did not know. Perhaps it was because this
was the first time he had coupled with a woman since coming into his full powers
as an Enchanter.
      Slowly his touch grew firmer, and his hand moved further down her arm.
How long, Axis wondered, did his body need to recover before he could make
love to her again? His hand drifted to her back, and his touch softened. He
remembered holding her as he lost himself among the surging waves of the Star
Dance, feeling the terrible ridged scars that ran the length of her back. Only the
single smooth strip of skin over her spine had escaped the cruel hand that had
inflicted these scars. Why? What spirit of cruelty had driven Hagen to inflict this
pain on Azhure?
      "Azhure," he whispered, wishing the circle of his arms could protect her from
any further hurt. He leaned his body towards her, stroking her gently awake.
      She woke slowly, opening her smoky eyes into his pale ones. "Axis? Did we
..." She hesitated.
      "Did we celebrate Beltide together, my lady? Do you not remember?"
      Azhure laughed a little, her cheeks colouring. "Yes. I remember."
      Axis smiled, and kissed her very slowly, refreshing her memory. His hand
moved down over her hips.
      "And tell me, Azhure, did you ever think, when you were a small child
growing up in Smyrton, that you would lose your virginity to an Icarii Enchanter
on the hard ground of the Avarinheim forest?"
     Azhure did not hesitate in her reply. "I swore that I would never give myself
to anyone less than a hero, Axis SunSoar. That I should love him so deeply
makes this night the more sweet."
     Axis' hand stilled. "Azhure," he stumbled. "Do not love me. I cannot,
I...Faraday ..." His voice trailed off. It was the first time he had thought about
Faraday this night, and the guilt struck deep.
     Azhure flinched at the expression on his face. "I know, Axis," she whispered.
"I know. I did not expect to be loved in return."
     Now Axis winced. Who had he betrayed here tonight? Faraday — or.
Azhure? He leaned down and kissed Azhure again, shifting his body against hers,
allowing his desire to swamp him. The night was yet young, and Faraday was
very far away.
     Neither knew that somewhere, sitting in front of his lonely fire, the Prophet
laughed at the man and woman entwined beneath the ferns. He was pleased.
Well pleased. Azhure had served the Prophecy well this night.


    A Parting of WaysAzhure, dressed in her Avar tunic
and leggings, packed the crimson robe carefully into the base of her pack. Last
night seemed a dream. But every aching muscle in her body told her otherwise.
     "Rivkah, where will you be going from here?" she asked.
     "Back to Achar, Azhure. Do you think to join me? Why not go back to Talon
Spike with the Icarii?"
     Azhure hesitated. "I —"
     "I know what happened last night," Rivkah said gently. "I saw both
StarDrifter and Axis follow you into the forest, and I saw StarDrifter return
alone."
     Azhure busied herself thrusting the last of her belongings into the pack. "It
would be hard to go back to Talon Spike, Rivkah. StarDrifter would be...well -"
     "Impossible," Rivkah said. "Yes, Azhure, I understand that. Do you want to
follow Axis?"
     "That would be impossible, Rivkah. No, I thought I might follow you. I am
heartily sick of this Prophecy, and I do not want to get in Axis' way. It would be
best if I left whatever we had last night here. As quickly as possible."
     Rivkah nodded. She understood that Azhure wanted to walk away from Axis
before he had the chance to tear her soul apart as StarDrifter had torn Rivkah's.
Mortal women had no place beside Icarii Enchanters.
     Axis stood conferring with several of the Crest-Leaders. Those of the Icarii
who had not indulged too freely in the wine of Beltide were making preparations
to return to Talon Spike. The groves about him were filled with the rush of
feathers and shouted goodbyes.
     "We have further reports of Sigholt, Strike-Leader," FarSight said.
     Axis glanced his way sharply. He had sent three different patrols on long-
range missions over Ichtar and the Urqhart Hills - he desperately awaited news
of both Belial and Borneheld. "Well?" he snapped.
     FarSight raised a black eyebrow. For a man who had, according to common
gossip, thoroughly enjoyed his first Beltide, Axis had a ferocious temper this
morning.
     "Belial is well and has settled comfortably into Sigholt, Axis. Sigholt is secure
and Belial is establishing supply routes into northern Ichtar. They currently have
enough supplies for several months. Before we join him, Belial still wants to
secure the area surrounding Sigholt, as well as the WildDog Plains."
     "But Sigholt itself is secure?"
     "Yes, Strike-Leader. The threat from the Skraelings is almost non-existent.
None dare approach the waters —'
     "The waters?" Axis broke in. "What waters?" To one side Ogden and
Veremund, hovering about trying to look inconspicuous, gave up all pretence of
indifference and stepped closer.
     "Belial has somehow managed to reflood the lake and Sigholt not only has
the waters of the lake to protect it, but is also surrounded by a deep and wide
moat. Skraelings do not like water."
     "Especially magic water!" Ogden cried, his white hair standing even more on
end than usual. "It is a sacred Lake, Axis. One of the four magic sacred Lakes. I
wonder how Belial managed it?"
     "Jack!" Veremund whispered, tugging on Ogden's sleeve. "It must be Jack!"
     "Well," Axis said, "Sigholt seems to be a good site for a base in more ways
than one. I must get word to Belial."
     "We can send more farflight scouts, Axis," FarSight began, but Ogden and
Veremund broke in, speaking as one.
     "We'll go, Axis!"
     Axis laughed. "What? You expect me to entrust a message to two such
rascals? Even if I did, would Belial believe a word that came out of your
mouths?"
     Ogden's and Veremund's faces fell and Axis relented. "I will entrust
messages to both farflight scouts and to you two gentlemen," he said, then
turned back to FarSight. "And Borneheld? What news of Borneheld?"
     "Not much, Axis. Borneheld has encamped at Jervois Landing, where you
expected."
     Axis nodded.
     FarSight continued. "Jervois Landing is too far for the farflight scouts to fly -
and too dangerous. West of Sigholt Ichtar seethes with Skraelings, and
Borneheld's archers would as soon shoot at Icarii as they would at the
Skraelings. Belial intends to send human scouts on foot, disguised as peasants,
to scout Borneheld and his encampment and learn what they can. At the
moment, however, Belial knows little and we know even less."
     "Then it would be best for the Strike Force to return to Talon Spike for the
moment," Axis said, thinking aloud. "Continue training there until Belial has
established a supply route strong enough to feed both his men and the Strike
Force. Once supplies are guaranteed, you can move the Strike Force south to
Sigholt. Whatever happens, they must be there by early autumn to ensure
enough time to prepare for the winter campaigns. Gorgrael will use the summer
to regroup, and he will strike again with the first of the northerly winds of Bone-
month, if not earlier. Ideally, I'd want you to start moving down to Sigholt in no
less than twelve weeks' time, by DeadLeaf-month. That would give you time not
only to settle in before the winter campaigns, but also to train intensively with
Belial's forces. I want you welded into one force."
      "And who will command that one force?" FarSight asked.
      "I will, FarSight," Axis said, "when I arrive in Sigholt. You will command the
Strike Force in Talon Spike until you arrive in Sigholt. Then Belial commands until
I return. Perhaps," he said carefully, "it is best that I send this message with two
groups of messengers."
      "You have no need to fear, Strike-Leader," said FarSight. "The Strike Force is
yours to dispose of as you will. If you think Belial is best to command until you
return then I will obey." He paused. "Do you think you will be gone months?"
      "I truly do not know, FarSight," replied Axis. "Ogden and Veremund tell me
that time passes in strange ways in the waterways. Perhaps I will be gone only
days, perhaps months. Whatever the case, need to learn what secrets the
Charonites can teach me...and I have a promise to fulfil while I drift the
waterways."
      Ogden and Veremund wandered off, discussing the reflooding of the Lake of
Life in excited whispers. Had Jack found Zeherah? They gripped hands, their
eyes bright with barely suppressed excitement - oh, to see Zeherah again!
      "Gentlemen?"
      Startled, they whirled around at the sound of Rivkah's voice. Both Rivkah
and Azhure approached.
      "My dear," Ogden said, pleased to see Rivkah. The Sentinels treasured
Rivkah for her role as Axis' mother. Azhure...well, Azhure was a puzzle which
both Ogden and Veremund were determined to solve, especially after StarDrifter
and Axis had, according to gossip, vied over her last night.
      "Ogden, Veremund. I rould not help but overhear your conversation with
Axis and the Crest-Leaders. Are you travelling to Sigholt?"
      Ogden nodded. "As soon as we can, Rivkah. Why? Would you like to join
us?"
      Rivkah relaxed. "Azhure and I would both like to travel with you. And we
would be no trouble."
      "We would be honoured," Veremund said. "It will be a trip into your past,
will it not Rivkah, to see Sigholt again?"
      "In more ways than one," Rivkah remarked. "Will we travel down through
the Avarinheim to where the Nordra escapes the Fortress Ranges?"
      Azhure visibly tensed. That meant they would have to pass very close to
Smyrton — and Azhure would be loathe to get that close to her old village again.
      Veremund patted Azhure reassuringly on the arm as he answered Rivkah.
"No, my dear, we will not travel that way."
     "Then which way?" Rivkah asked, confused. It would surely be the most
direct route.
     Ogden and Veremund smiled conspiratorialry. "No," Ogden said. "We would
prefer one of the lesser-known paths. We will travel through the Avarinheim for
a few days, certainly, but we will strike west towards the Fortress Ranges
immediately."
     "But I thought they were impossible to cross," Azhure said. "Isn't the only
route through the Forbidden Valley?"
     "No, sweet lady," said Veremund. "There are other ways, and it will be our
pleasure to show you one of them. But once through we will have to travel south
through the WildDog Plains to HoldHard Pass. It is a long and lonely trip, so
Ogden and I are relieved that we will have such charming company to keep us
amused."
     Rivkah smiled at them. "When will we leave?"
     "This afternoon, Rivkah. Soon." Ogden paused. "If you have goodbyes to say
then say them now."
     The light died in Rivkah's face. For weeks she had talked about leaving the
Icarii, but now that her departure was imminent the reality of leaving a marriage
and a people with whom she had spent the majority of the past thirty years
struck. She looked at the flights of Icarii lifting off from the groves, tears glinting
in her eyes. Was she doing the right thing?
     StarDrifter stepped up from nowhere and placed a hand on Rivkah s waist.
"You look upset, Rivkah. What is it?"
     Rivkah forced a smile to her lips. She wished that StarDrifter had not
touched her, not when he really wanted the woman who stood beside her. "I am
leaving this afternoon with Ogden and Veremund. And Azhure comes with us.
We travel for Sigholt."
     StarDrifter looked stunned. Azhure was leaving for Sigholfi He'd thought she
would return to Talon Spike. StarDrifter had hoped that with Axis out of the way,
Azhure might reconsider her choice. But now she would be escaping even further
away and he might not see her for months.
     The tension among the group deepened as Axis joined them. He had seen
StarDrifter approach the group and had quickly made his excuses to the Crest-
Leaders and hurried over. His eyes were all for Azhure. She had left his side
sometime during the early hours of the morning and had been avoiding him ever
since. It was too much that Star-Drifter should have the chance to speak with
her, and not himself.
     "Rivkah?" he smiled, kissing his mother, then turned to kiss Azhure. It was a
provocative action, meant to irritate StarDrifter.
     Azhure quickly side-stepped, leaving Axis hanging awkwardly in the air.
StarDrifter smiled, and Azhure caught his look of satisfaction. By the heavens,
what wedge had she driven between these two men? she thought frantically.
More than ever, Azhure knew she had to leave as soon as possible.
     The Prophecy could not afford to have Axis and StarDrifter torn apart by
their jealousy over her. What had possessed her last night? Why couldn't she
have walked away from both of them?
     Rivkah linked her arm comfortably through Azhure's. "Azhure and I travel to
Sigholt with Ogden andVeremund," she said. "Both of us have had quite enough
of the complications that Enchanters cause in our lives."
     StarDrifter recovered first and leaned forward to kiss Rivkah. "Undoubtedly I
will see you there again," he said softly. "Watch for me from the roof."
     "Are you sure it is me you want to watch from the roof, StarDrifter?" she
replied.
     StarDrifter s smile faded fractionally, then he turned to Azhure, who offered
him her hand before he could kiss her mouth. "Until we meet again, Azhure."
     Azhure nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She did not want to alienate
StarDrifter by ill-considered words now.
     StarDrifter dropped her hand and turned to Axis. "Beltide sometimes brings
out hidden desires and dreams, Axis. Unfortunately we've both discovered that
we are more alike than we hitherto realised." His eyes sparkled. "I have never
before had to compete with a son who has, apparently, inherited all of my
charms and more. Azhure made her choice last night, and she has made her
choice today. I harbour no grudges and I bear no ill will. I don't want this to
come between us."
     Axis hesitated, then embraced his father as Azhure and Rivkah watched with
more than a little cynicism.
     Once Azhure and Rivkah said their goodbyes to both Icarii and Avar, they
waited at the edge of one of the lesser groves for the Sentinels.
     "It is going to be a hard journey," Rivkah sighed. "And I am no longer such a
young woman."
     Azhure fingered her pack. Axis had given her the golden tunic to take down
to Sigholt, and it was stowed, together with her crimson robe, at the bottom of
the pack.
     She raised her head. "Here they come now. I can hear them arguing about
something."
     Ogden andVeremund stepped into the grove, each leading a fat white
donkey loaded with well-stuffed packs.
     "I've heard about these two donkeys," Azhure said. "Where on earth did
they find them this time?"
     "What?" Veremund said as they drew level with the two women. "What?
Find them? Why, they were in camp, weren't they, Ogden?"
     "Yes, indeed," Ogden replied cheerfully. "Waiting for us. Veremund must
have put them there."
     "Oh no," Veremund disagreed, his face darkening. " You must have put them
there. / had nothing to do with it."
     "Well," Rivkah said, "at least we'll have something to sit on when we get too
footsore."
     As the Sentinels continued to squabble about who had procured the
donkeys, Rivkah began to laugh. It would be all right. Leaving for Sigholt was
the best decision that either she or Azhure could have made. For the first time in
many, many years, Rivkah began to feel positive about the future.
     In one of the northern groves Axis gave last instructions to FarSight. "As
soon as Belial has established supplies then join him. I will join you in Sigholt as
soon as I have learned what I can from the Charonites. Tell Belial that he must
do what is right, but that above all he should consolidate."
     "Do not be gone too long. Both Belial and I will need you there by late
autumn," FarSight said, then saluted and lifted into the air.
     Axis turned to his father, and they embraced again. "Thank you," he
murmured, and StarDrifter knew it was for far more than the training he had
given his son.
     "Axis," MorningStar said, giving her grandson a quick peck on the cheek.
Beltide had not turned out quite the way-she had hoped, and StarDrifter was not
the only SunSoar regretting Axis' choice of Beltide partner. "Learn well from the
Charonites. And ask them if they have any idea about..."
     She hesitated to put her thoughts into words, but Axis knew what she
meant. Since their discussion many weeks earlier about the possibility - reality,
really - that both Gorgrael and Axis had been trained by an unknown SunSoar
Enchanter, powerful enough to use the Dark Music of the Stars, no-one had
wanted to discuss it again. Nevertheless, the worry about who and where the
Enchanter was marred their unguarded moments.
     "If anyone will know, they will," StarDrifter said.
     Axis watched the worry carve lines into his father's face. "I will find out what
I can from the Charonites, StarDrifter, but somehow I think that this rogue
Enchanter will keep himself well hidden until he wants to reveal himself."
     "And what," MorningStar said in a toneless voice, "if he is someone you
already know, Axis? What if he is someone close to you? An Enchanter this
powerful could choose any disguise he - or she - wanted to."
     Axis picked his way down the path that StarDrifter had directed him to,
pushing through the overgrown oldenberry bushes to the mouth of the cavern. It
was just as StarDrifter had described. Hesitating only slightly, Axis walked down
to the back of the cavern and squatted by the wall, remembering the Song that
StarDrifter had told him to use. He hummed it underneath his breath, tapping
the wall gently with his fingers. Unlike StarDrifter, Axis was gentle with the Song
and, after only a few moments, a small portion of the grey rock splintered and
slid gently to the floor of the cavern, revealing a gleaming bronze door. Axis
pushed it open and began the journey into the UnderWorld.
     Hours later, when he reached the cavern far beneath, he found the
Ferryman waiting for him. Great violet eyes, stunningly youthful among the
Ferryman's otherwise cadaverous features, regarded Axis serenely. Behind the
Ferryman bobbed his flat-bottomed boat.
     Axis stopped two paces away and the Ferryman bowed. "Greetings, Axis
SunSoar, StarMan," he said in his deep voice. "Welcome to the UnderWorld.
What is it you desire?"
    "Greetings, Ferryman," Axis said. "I understand that my mother won a boon
from you."
    The Ferryman inclined his head. "She did."
    "That you would grant me assistance, in whatever manner I asked?"
    Again the Ferryman inclined his head.
    "Then teach me," Axis said softly. "Teach me the secrets of the waterways.
Teach me the secrets you have unravelled over the ages."
    The Ferryman's eyes were steady. "It is all I have ever wanted to do and it is
why I have lived so long winding these waterways," he said finally. "Only to
teach."

    The AudienceShe saw Borneheld, stepping down from the
throne, Axis stepping to meet him. The two men circled, swords drawn, their
faces twisted into snarling masks of rage fed by long-held hatreds. They fought
until both were bleeding and stumbling with weariness. About them the Chamber
rang with shouted accusations of murder and treachery. Blood. Why was there
so much blood? A scream - hers. "No!"
     The vision faded, but Faraday's stomach sickened and turned over. She
closed her eyes momentarily, trying to regain her equilibrium. Ever since she had
stepped into the Chamber of the Moons half an hour ago she had slid in and out
of the vision the trees had given her so long ago outside the Silent Woman
Woods. She was glad Priam had only addressed her briefly before turning his full
attention to her husband.
     They had arrived in Carlon four days ago, and Priam had made Borneheld
wait until this morning before granting him an audience. Borneheld had fumed,
but there was nothing he could do.
     Now he stood before the royal dais, his body so tense it was almost
quivering.
     About him the packed Chamber was breathless with shock. Scribes scribbled
furiously, nobles locked stunned eyes, servants crowded doorways, andjayme,
Moryson and Gilbert, standing to the left of the dais, were ashen and sweating.
The only relaxed person in the Chamber was Priam, sitting nonchalantly on his
throne, his fingers tapping his royal displeasure.
     Faraday blinked, trying to concentrate. She did not know Priam very well,
but she had heard enough to realise that this hard-voiced, flint-eyed man was
showing more backbone than he'd ever done previously.
     "I made you WarLord," Priam snapped, "and for that you lost me Ichtar. No
doubt these Destroyer-driven wraiths now mass to eat the rest of my realm while
you lounge about my court!"
     Borneheld's face flushed an even deeper red, and Faraday bit her lip,
worried.
     Borneheld restrained himself. "I was betrayed," he began, but Priam did not
let him finish.
     "I hear tell you escaped only through Axis' bravery."
     Faraday could see the massive effort it took Borneheld to stay calm. His fists
clenched by his sides, only very gradually relaxing.
     "He has allied himself with the Forbidden, Majesty. 'Tis no wonder we lost
Ichtar against such an unholy alliance."
     "I hear tell," Priam said very deliberately, his eyes locked with Borneheld's,
"that my nephew believes we should contract an alliance with the, ah, Icarii and
Avar."
     Faraday, as everyone else in the room, took a huge, incredulous breath.
Priam had never publicly acknowledged Axis as his nephew previously!
     "This prophecy I have heard," Priam continued, ignoring the reactions about
him, "states that an alliance with those we once feared is vital to defeat this
Gorgrael."
     Faraday averted her eyes, terrified that Borneheld would see their sudden
leap of joy. She took another breath, but this time one of sheer hope. An alliance
with Axis would bring him down from his icy mountain and back to her. Oh
Mother! she thought, please let Priam have the courage to embrace the truth!
Bring Axis home to me!
     A movement to one side caught her attention. Gilbert, whispering frantically
behind a hand to his Brother-Leader. Well may you whisper, thought Faraday
contemptuously. A thousand years ago your beloved Seneschal orchestrated the
Wars of the Axe to drive the Icarii and Avar from their homelands. And for a
thousand years your Brotherhood has equated only evil and darkness with the
so-called Forbidden. Now a King of Achar plans to ally himself with them.
Faraday could not stop a small smile lifting the corners of her mouth. Do you
wonder, Jayme, if the moment the Forbidden set foot in this land again the lies
of the past thousand years will be exposed? Can you see your beloved Seneschal
losing its insidious control over the Acharites as the Mother and the Star Gods
once more spread their joy over this wondrous land?
     Priam took a studied sip of water from the begemmed chalice by his side. "I
am wondering," he said very softly but very clearly, "if I made the wrong choice
in WarLord."
     The gasp about the Chamber was audible this time. Scribes scribbled even
more furiously. Faraday closed her eyes briefly again. Priam would ally himself
with Axis. Civil war would be averted, Gorgrael defeated, and her love kept safe.
Her vision was a lie, after all.
     Jayme was now openly agitated, but restrained from speaking by Moryson's
grip on his sleeve.
     No-one held back Borneheld. "By Artor!" he shouted, taking an ill-considered
step forward, "have you gone mad?"
     He got no further. Furious himself, Priam leapt to his feet. "You are
dismissed, Duke of nothing!" he seethed. "I will speak no more with you! I have
made up my mind on this issue, and if you remain stubbornly persistent in your
refusal to accept the obvious then / will have to reconsider my choice of both
WarLord and heir!"
      The Chamber took one gigantic breath and held it; the scribes could not
believe what their pens recorded.
      Borneheld visibly reeled. "I —"
      "You have proved useless to me," Priam continued, his voice even once
more as he sat down. "Get out of my sight, Borneheld."
      Borneheld's face was pale now, but his grey eyes burned furiously. He did
not move.
      "Out," Priam repeated, then turned to chat quietly with his wife, Judith,
sitting serenely by his side.
      Ignored by his King, but aware that every other person in the room watched
him, Borneheld only just remembered to offer Faraday his arm as he stalked
from the Chamber. As they reached the doorway, Priam called after them.
      "Duchess, the Queen has talked kindly of you. Perhaps you would join her
for her midday meal on the morrow."
      Faraday inclined her head graciously, feeling happier than she had for many
months.
      Borneheld's temper erupted the moment their apartment doors closed
behind them. "He is mad! Crazed!" he hissed, his face flushed and perspiring.
      "He thinks only of saving his people, husband," Faraday said, moving to sit
at a small table by the window.
      "Curse you, Faraday!" Borneheld took a threatening step towards her. "No
doubt you revelled in my humiliation!"
      Faraday raised her eyes, not in the least intimidated. "I, like Priam, care only
for this land, Borneheld. Not for tides, nor for wealth, nor for the power you
crave."
      Borneheld flung himself away before he gave into his growing desire to hit
her as she deserved. "Does not the chance to sit by my side as Queen tempt
you, my sweet?"
      Faraday's gaze was direct and truthful. "Neither the title nor the place by
your side tempt me, husband." There, the words were said.
      "Nevertheless, you sanctimonious bitch, you are tied to both, no matter what
Priam says and no matter how much you lust after my brother! I —"
      He was cut off by a knock at the door. It opened before either Borneheld or
Faraday could say anything.
      Gilbert stepped through the door. He smirked at the obvious tension in the
room, then half bowed to Borneheld. "My Lord, the Brother-Leader requests an
audience."
      "An audience, Gilbert?"
      "He, ah, thinks it best if we further discussed those possibilities I raised in
Jervois Landing, Lord."
      Borneheld took a sharp breath. "Of course, Brother Gilbert," he said
smoothly. "My dear, if you will excuse us."
    Faraday frowned at the door as it closed behind him. Why had Borneheld's
mood changed so abruptly?
    No matter. She stood and looked out the window, gazing sightlessly at the
crowds in the streets below. Priam had done what she never thought he would
— publicly allied himself with Axis, and publicly considered him as heir to the
throne.
    Faraday's eyes filled with tears, but they were tears of hope, not despair.

    Through the Fortress RangesFor two
days Ogden andVeremund led Rivkah and Azhure south-west through the
Avarinheim. The paths were narrow and overgrown in this part of the forest -the
Avar tended to stay away from the range of mountains dividing their homelands
from Achar. "They prefer to have a healthy buffer of forest between them and
the Acharites," Veremund explained to Azhure.
     But even overgrown as they were, the trails were beautiful. The lofty forest
canopy sheltered them from the northern winds and let in a delicate soft golden
light. As they walked the forest spoke to them in endless music - the secretive
sounds of the wind as it moved through the trees and bushes, the soft drip of
moisture from leaves, the cascades of streams as they rushed towards the
Nordra River and the ever changing song of the forest birds. And weaving its
way through both light and music came the wondrous sound of the Earth Tree
Song, binding all under her mystery.
     Veremund and Ogden enjoyed the two women's company. They were serene
and restful companions, and walking with them through the Avarinheim over the
past two days had proved a gentle joy. It had been some two thousand years
since either Sentinel had walked the forest paths, and then the Avarinheim had
stretched over most of the lands east of the Nordra River. Now, only the forest
protected by the Fortress Ranges remained inviolate — from either Seneschal or
Gorgrael.
     "Veremund?" Rivkah caught up to Veremund and Azhure. "Ogden has a
problem with his donkey. Her off fore foot has a small stone in it and Ogden
wants you to hold her head while he removes it."
     Veremund nodded his thanks and turned back.
     Rivkah took Azhure's arm as the two women drew away from the Sentinels.
About them the filtered light was alive with butterflies and birdsong.
     "Azhure," Rivkah said. "I am glad we finally have a chance to speak." She
could feel Azhure tense a little under her hand. "I am not speaking of wrong or
right, Azhure, only of what you feel. After all," she smiled wryly, "I am the last to
apportion blame to women who find themselves the target of an Enchanter's
attentions."
     "I did not intend to do it," Azhure said, her tone slightly defiant. "I do not
mean to get in the way."
     Rivkah let her arm go and gave Azhure a brief hug. "Azhure, it is very hard
to love an Enchanter. That is all I want to say. If ever you need to talk, then I
will be here."
     "I know, Rivkah." Azhure paused. "Axis loves Faraday. I know that, and I
can accept it. But..."
     "But...?" Rivkah thought she knew what Azhure would ask.
     "But, noble or not, Faraday is a woman like me. Wouldn't she and Axis have
the same problems as you and StarDrifter did? As Axis and I would? Wouldn't
she age and die well before he?"
     "Azhure." Rivkah's tone was very gentle. "From what we have heard of
Faraday and the Mother, she is no longer quite as human as either you or I.
Perhaps she will live as long as Axis. Perhaps she will be able to hold him, to
satisfy him where a human woman could not."
     "It was one night. Do not fear for me. I can walk away."
     "I hope you can, Azhure," Rivkah said. "Axis has his father's blood coursing
through his veins. He is a powerful Icarii Enchanter. He will be back one day -
can you walk far enough before then?"
     Behind them Ogden and Veremund bent over the patient donkey's foot,
finally letting the unblemished hoof drop to the ground.
     "He spent Beltide night with her," Ogden said quietly.
     "He has spent nights with many women," Veremund replied.
     "This was different. She is different."
     "Yes," Veremund finally, grudgingly, said. "Yes, she is. What does this mean
for the Prophecy?"
     Ogden sighed and gazed up the forest path where the women walked. "Who
knows, dear one? Who knows? There is so much we don't know. So much the
Prophet left unsaid."
     "She is a complication."
     "Yes," Ogden agreed.
     "But I like her, Ogden. I like her."
     "Yes," Ogden agreed again. He knew what Veremund meant. Neither could
help liking Azhure because both felt intuitively that she was already an old friend.
But how?
     "She has a power about her, dear one," Veremund said. "But it is covered
with a thick blanket of fear."
     Ogden looked at his brother sharply. "You are very perceptive, Veremund. I
had not noticed that, but now that you mention it... Yes, you are right. Is she a
danger?"
     "A danger? I had not thought of her that way. A danger? Perhaps, but I do
not know who to."
     "What do we do?" Veremund said eventually. "I do not know what to do
about her."
     Ogden clucked to his donkey. "What do we do? We do nothing, dear one,
but watch. Wait. Serve, in whatever manner presents itself."
     "She has the qualities of a hero, dear one," Veremund murmured. "One day
she will overcome that blanket of fear and step forward to demand her
birthright."
     Both remained silent and introspective until they had caught up with Rivkah
and Azhure. Then, smiling mischievously, Ogden started to tell the two women of
a tale he had once heard of two shepherds, a goat and a saucepan.
     The next morning they came to the foot of the Fortress Ranges.
     "Well?" Rivkah demanded. "Where is this secret way of yours, Ogden?
Veremund?"
     "A little way from here. But it will take most of the morning to climb down
into the tunnel."
     "Tunnel?" Azhure echoed doubtfully, but the two Sentinels had already
started down a barely marked trail.
     The Sentinels led the two women into a citvice at the base of the nearest of
the hills. For two or three hours they scrambled down, descending deeper and
deeper into the gloom. After some time the soft light of the Avarinheim forest
disappeared altogether, and Ogden produced a small oil lamp from his donkey's
pack.
     "We shall not need it for long," he remarked, and both women glanced at
each other in concern. Neither liked the idea of climbing any further into this
crevice. Where were the Sentinels leading them? If the way grew any steeper
then they would not be able to take die donkeys any further.
     "The wont is behind us, my sweet ladies" called Ogden. "We are almost
there."
     "I am not so sure that I wish to know where 'there' is," Azhure grumbled.
Her limbs were stiff and sore and she had pulled a muscle in her left leg.
     The next moment she breathed in relief as the slope eased.
     "Where are we?" Rivkah asked breathlessly as they stepped onto a smooth
gravel path. Ogden's lamp showed very little apart from the nearest rocks in
what appeared to be a narrow crevice. Even though they knew it was only
midday, it appeared darkest night. "Where will this lead us?"
     "Into a mystery, dear lady," Ogden said.
     Veremund stepped back and placed a reassuring hand on each woman's
shoulder. "It is quite safe, and will be clean and dry and light soon. Bear with
Ogden. He does like a mystery."
     Ogden led the party behind a jumble of rocks. Before them, beyond the
comforting glow of the lamp, stretched total darkness. Then stunningly, Ogden
doused his lamp and complete darkness enveloped the group.
     "Watch, dear ones!" he cried. "Watch!" and the two women sensed him
moving forward.
     There was a soft click, and suddenly a soft yellow light glowed at ankle level.
Both Rivkah and Azhure gasped. Ogden was stepping forth onto a smooth, black
metallic roadway. With every fourth or fifth step he took another light clicked
softly on. Some at ankle level, some over his head. As Ogden skipped ahead in
delight, a long straight tunnel was revealed, stretching forward until it was lost in
the darkness. Yellow lines ran down the centre of the tunnel roadway.
      Ogden's donkey patiendy followed her master.
      "What is it?" Rivkah asked Veremund, her arms wrapped about herself
protectively.
      "Who built it?" Azhure demanded. "When? How do the lights work? What is
this tunnel doing here? What is this black shiny stuff that coats the surface of die
floor?"
      "All Ogden and I know," Veremund replied, "is that this tunnel exists, and
others like it in various parts of Tencendor — we use diem from time to time.
They are old, very old, and we do not know who built them. Come." He stepped
after the fast disappearing Ogden, and, after only a moment's hesitation, the
women followed.
      Behind them, precisely ten minutes after they had passed, the lights clicked
off one by one.
      The tunnel ran deep into the earth. For the rest of the day they descended a
gentle gradient before the roadway finally levelled out. There Ogden announced
they would rest briefly before continuing.
      "We have no comfortable mats and no Enchanter to create magical
mattresses of air for us," explained Ogden to the tired women, who protested
they needed longer to rest. "Within only a few hours you will become so
uncomfortable on this hard surface that you will be only too pleased to move
again."
      "Besides," Veremund added. "I admit that I yearn for the night sky and the
fresh air again. Safe and convenient this tunnel may be, but it is monotonous
and sterile and it gives my soul no joy."
      "Where does this tunnel go?" Azhure asked, slipping the Wolven off her
shoulders and putting it carefully down. "How long will it take us to walk
through?"
      "It travels completely underneath the Fortress Ranges," Ogden said,
rummaging around in one of his donkey's packs. He pulled out a platter of raisin
cookies with a flourish. "How long to walk through? Well, if we manage to keep
moving with only brief rests, we should emerge into daylight in two days' time."
      "Well," Rivkah said, helping Veremund ease the packs from the donkeys'
backs, "I suppose I can put up with it if it gets us to Sigholt quicker."
      Azhure sat down and accepted a cookie from Ogden. She could tolerate the
stifling atmosphere of the tunnel if it kept her from having to travel close to
Smyrton.
      Veremund sat down cross-legged and looked hopefully at his brother.
"Ogden, did you happen to find any apples in your pack?"
      The Sentinels were right. After only two or three hours both women were
tossing and turning, their hips, elbows and shoulders sore and cold from the
hard, metalled surface beneath them. They rose gratefully when Ogden called
them. Even walking half asleep would be better than another minute spent prone
on this floor.
      Over the next two days and nights they walked five or six hours until feet
started to shuffle and tempers snap, then they'd rest three, perhaps four, hours
until no-one could stand the cold hard roadway any longer. Nothing about the
tunnel changed. It was an eerie feeling, trapped in a small bubble of light in
what seemed to be an eternity of darkness. All hungered for open spaces and
fresh air so badly they could physically taste their need.
     On the morning of the third day the roadway rose gently, and everyone's
spirits lifted with it. Even the tired donkeys pricked their ears and brayed as they
leaned into the rise.
     They emerged, every muscle in their bodies sore and weary after an eight-
hour climb into a dark and cold afternoon. They scrambled over rocks and down
a steep and treacherous ravine before they stepped onto flat ground, all
shivering in the biting wind that blew down from the north. At Talon Spike and in
the Avarinheim they had been largely protected from Gorgrael's malicious
weather, but here, at the edge of the Fortress Ranges and the WildDog Plains,
the northerly wind screamed down on the little group as they huddled among a
tumble of boulders.
     Rivkah looked at the bleak landscape ahead. "Should we rest the night here,
Ogden, before we attempt to move south? These boulders might give us the only
degree of shelter we're going to get for a long time."
     Ogden shook his head. "No, lovely lady. We will move south some hours
before camping for the night. We need to move as soon as we can." He paused.
"I do not like the bite in this wind and I fear that it will sap our energies if we
stay in one place too long. Best we keep moving. But, look, see what I have
here."
     Ogden pulled two cloaks from his donkey's packs and handed them to the
women, who wasted no time wrapping themselves as close as they could.
Veremund had similarly unpacked two cloaks from his donkey's packs and the
two Sentinels rugged up as well. Then, to the surprise of both Azhure and
Rivkah, the Sentinels insisted that they each ride a donkey.
     Comfortable and relatively warm atop the donkeys, neither woman
complained any further.
     The wind had died a little by the time they made camp for the night in the
inadequate shelter afforded by a small, dry creek bed. The remains of a few
dead skeleton bushes made a tiny, cheerless fire. Ogden produced some hot
soup and crusty bread from one of the packs and, after they had eaten,
Veremund persuaded the donkeys to lie down close to the fire. Between the
donkeys and the fire, the four spent a passable night, the dry creek bed feeling
like the finest feather bed to muscles still aching from the tunnel floor.
     Thus they travelled for three days, slowly wending their way southwards
against whatever protection the sharp clifls of the Fortress Ranges could give
them. To the women, spring seemed to have hardly touched this land yet, but to
the Sentinels who had survived the siege of Gorkenfort and who knew to what
extremes Gorgrael could drive winter, the lack of snow gave them some hope
that spring had broken through more strongly in the lands south of the Nordra.
Nevertheless, the frigid wind at their backs reminded them all that Gorgrael sat
to the north, rallying his forces, waiting to build his army of Ghostmen to
invasion force again.
     Wrapped in lonely silence atop her donkey, Rivkah wondered what her son
could do to counter Gorgrael's powerful enchantments. What could he do against
a half-brother who could manipulate the very weather itself?

    The AlauntOn the third day after the group left the Fortress
Ranges tunnel, fluid white shapes started to nose about the rocks where the
women and the Sentinels had briefly sheltered.
      Suddenly one halted, and buried his nose in the remains of a scuff mark. An
instant later his head lifted into the sky and an eerie howl washed over the rest
of his pack. Soon all were baying, low and clear, as the pack shuffled around the
remaining traces of scent. Then they moved as one past the boulders and took
the faint trail south. Occasionally one or two of them lifted their snouts long
enough to send another low bay winding plaintively across the empty plain
before them.
      The small, yellow native wild dogs after whom the plains were named, and
who lived out their lives hunting mice and small birds, huddled deep into their
burrows, terrified beyond reason.
      They knew the Alaunt ran.
      It was late in the afternoon of the fourth day when the Sentinels heard the
sound of the pack baying to the north. Neither woman saw the look of deep
alarm that passed between Ogden and Veremund as they urged the donkeys on
a little bit faster.
      Both Sentinels knew they had no hope of outrunning the Alaunt. Yet if they
could delay the inevitable confrontation an hour or more they might find a more
defensible position.
      Azhure was the first to become aware of the tension between the two
Sentinels. "What is it?" she asked, raising her voice against the wind. "Why are
you worried?"
      Ogden glanced atVeremund, and the two came to a swift decision. Azhure
and Rivkah would hear the hounds soon enough, anyway. They were closing
rapidly.
      "We are being followed," Veremund said, his voice strained.
      "Followed? Who by?" Azhure reached automatically for the Wolven.
"Skraelings?"
      Veremund shook his head. "No. Creatures far older, fardeadlier."
      " What?" Azhure hissed. Her blood ran hot with desire for action and her
hand gripped an arrow. The Wolven quivered in her hand. " What!"
      "Alaunt hounds," Ogden said shortly, casting his eyes about the terrain
before them.
      Azhure swung her leg over the donkey's wither and slid to the ground.
"What are Alaunt hounds?"
     It was Rivkah who answered, her eyes wide with fear. "I heard tales of them
when I was small. My nurse said the Alaunt were a pack of enchanted hounds
who hunted down humans. She said they neither breathed nor ate, but could run
for weeks only on the scent of blood. She said," Rivkah's voice quavered, "that
once they caught the scent of their prey they would never let go."
     "The Alaunt have not run for many thousands of years, not since WolfStar
died," Ogden said tightly, hurrying the group along, "and I do not know why they
run now."
     "Can they die, Veremund? Can they be killed?" Azhure asked.
     Veremund shrugged. "Who knows?"
     "Well," Azhure said, "either they will die or we will. Ogden, is that a stand of
rocks ahead?"
     By the time they reached the pitifully inadequate tumble of boulders near
the foot of a sheer cliff face they could a ' hear the low, clear cries of the hounds.
As the other scrambled for shelter, Azhure slapped the donkeys' rumps hoping
that they would gallop off and perhaps draw the Alaunt away.
     Suddenly the cries of the hounds changed, doubling their efforts so that
their howls rilled the night.
     "We are lost!" Veremund cried. "Hear, they clamour!"
     Azhure, an arrow already notched in the Wolven, turned and slapped the
Sentinel across the face. "Be quiet, Veremund," she hissed, her eyes hard and
angry. "Get as far behind the rocks as you can."
     Rivkah huddled with the two Sentinels behind the rocks. She desperately
wished that she had not left StarDrifter, that she was huddled in his arms rather
than cold and terrified behind these rocks where she would surely die.
StarDrifter's casual infidelities seemed laughably inconsequential in the face of
imminent death. How would it feel to die with your throat hanging open?
     Azhure knelt against the rocks, the Wolven drawn and ready to cast the first
arrow. She peered as closely as she could into the thickening dusk; was that
movement ahead of her? To her left? Her right?
     "Curses!" she breathed as pale shapes flickered at the edge of her vision.
"They have surrounded us!"
     Suddenly one of the shapes ceased its circling and paced stiff-legged
towards the rocks. It was the largest dog Azhure had ever seen, almost as big as
one of Ogden and Veremund's donkeys. Its lips were drawn back into a snarl,
great growls rumbling from its throat. As Azhure s fingers tightened about the
Wolven, the hound's eyes, dark gold flecked with silver, fixed into hers, almost
daring her to shoot.
     Azhure took a deep breath, held it for a heartbeat, then loosed the arrow,
notching another one almost as soon as the first had left the bow.
     In the instant before the arrow struck, the Alaunt twisted and leaped,
snatching the arrow out of the air in his teeth. Instantly the clamour of the other
hounds stopped.
     Azhure's hands suddenly slicked with sweat and the Wolven slipped
fractionally in her grasp.
      The Alaunt stalked closer, the arrow held between its jaws. Its eyes were
still fixed on Azhure, and it growled threateningly.
      Azhure's heart thudded painfully in her chest as the Alaunt suddenly reared
its forepaws on the rock and stood for a moment. Then, amazingly, it dropped
the arrow at Azhure s feet and began to grin happily.
      "By the Stars," Rivkah croaked, "it's returning your arrow."
      The hound gave a small yip of greeting, then heaved itself entirely over the
rock and into the small space occupied by the two women and the Sentinels. It
sank down on its stomach in the dirt, its head on its forepaws, its eyes fixed on
Azhure.
      Ogden and Veremund stared at the hound, stared at Azhure, then turned to
stare at each other.
      Azhure warily reached out a hand and touched the Alaunt on its massive
forehead. It quivered and closed its eyes. She pulled her hand back, clenching
her fingers to stop their sudden trembling.
      "Arise," she said very quietly.
      The hound rose to his feet, towering over Azhure as she squatted on the
ground. She reached out again and rubbed her hand along the hound's shoulder.
"Good dog," she said.
      Later they all sat, quiet and introspective, about a fire. Azhure, Rivkah,
Ogden, Veremund and three of the fifteen Alaunt crowded into the space
between the rocks. The rest of the hounds lay curled into tight wedges in a pack
outside the rocks. The two donkeys had wandered back to the rocks an hour or
so previously, their eyes wide and uncertain, but the hounds had taken no notice
of them, and finally the donkeys had let Ogden and Veremund soothe them and
divest them of their packs.
      Azhure studied the three Alaunt close by her. Their bodies were heavy but
sleek and shaped for both speed and endurance. Their heads were square,
massive, but finely shaped, their muzzles long and strong. Their coats were short
and a uniform pale cream, darkening to gold about their paws and muzzles. The
lead hound lay with his head in Azhure's lap.
      Azhure raised her eyes to the two Sentinels. "These are WolfStar's hounds?"
she asked.
      Ogden paused, then he nodded briefly. "Yes. He bred them for their
intelligence as well as their speed and strength, for their loyalty as for their
reckless savagery. Their leader's name is Sicarius - the cunning assassin." He
paused. "The two were parted only by death."
      "WolfStar," Azhure said. "Why does his name keep returning to haunt me?
First his bow, and now his hounds. What else of his will find its way into my
possession?"
      Ogden and Veremund watched her, wondering exactly the same thing. The
bow might have been coincidence, but the hounds as well? No. That was design
and plan, not anonymous chance.
     "Who was WolfStar?" Azhure finally asked. Veremund hesitated, then
decided the bare facts would not hurt. "WolfStar SunSoar was the most powerful
Enchanter the Icarii have ever known. Perhaps potentially far more powerful
than Axis."
     "The Icarii do not like to speak of him," Rivkah said from one side. She knew
WolfStar's story, but to speak of WolfStar's misdeeds would need the permission
of the Icarii.
     "I will say only that WolfStar died young," Ogden said. "He was not yet one
hundred."
     "How?" Azhure asked, noting Ogden's hesitation over the word "died". "Why
did he die so young?"
     "He was assassinated, Azhure. By another member of the SunSoar family."
     "Assassinated?" It was, Azhure thought, a delicate word for what must have
been a foul deed.
     "He was murdered by his brother," Veremund said blundy, and the three
Alaunt about the fire stirred uncomfortably, their dreams disturbed with dark
memories. "Murdered in Assembly, before all the Icarii, a knife plunged into his
heart and none, none, none of the Icarii moving to assist him. He died, alone
and unloved, in a pool of blood in the centre of the speaker's circle of the ancient
Assembly Chamber on the Island of Mist and Memory — with the entire Icarii
nation looking on impassively."
     Azhure's eyes filled with tears. WolfStar had been alone and unloved? She
knew how that felt.

                       at SigholtThe
      OArrival                                     next morning the Alaunt were
still there, Sicarius sleeping curled against Azhure's back. The other fourteen
hounds sat in a precise circle about the rocks, facing outwards, their eyes staring
into the distance.
      "They are keeping guard," Veremund said as Azhure rose and saw them.
"Even the Skraelings would keep away from such as these. You have won
yourself some powerful and loyal companions, Azhure."
      Azhure patted Sicarius on the head and fingered the Wolven. "Could they
have simply come to the bow, Veremund? If the bow once belonged to WolfStar,
was made by him, then perhaps they simply come to the person who carries the
bow?"
      Veremund raised his eyebrows at Ogden. The woman had a point. After all,
the Alaunt were hunting hounds and their master had wielded the Wolven. And
who knew what magic the bow itself contained?
      "We will easily find out, Azhure," said Ogden. "Give the bow to Rivkah - but
make sure Sicarius knows you hand it over willingly!"
      "Rivkah, will you mind the Wolven for me?" Azhure asked formally, and
handed Rivkah the bow.
      Sicarius shifted his hindquarters on the ground a little, bored.
      "Now, Azhure," Ogden said, "walk beyond the boulders, as if you are leaving
us."
     Azhure walked briskly away from the rocks. As one, the Alaunt rose from
their positions and padded silently after her.
     Ogden and Veremund looked at each other. No doubt. They had come to
Azhure, not the Wolven.
     They travelled south for a further week, then turned southwest, looking for
the HoldHard Pass. The Urqhart Hills were still a purple smudge on the western
horizon.
     The travelling was relatively easy, although it remained bitterly cold and all
four shivered within their thick cloaks. The women continued to ride the
donkeys, which remained placidly uncomplaining about the extra weight. Neither
woman had sturdy enough boots to cope with the rough pebbly surface of the
WildDog Plains.
     Ogden and Veremund's magical hampers continued to provide food. Each
evening as they made camp, the hounds waited patiently in line until Ogden
found time to riffle through his packs and toss them joints of meat. But such
tame food bored the Alaunt. Sometimes during the day, and often at night,
groups of three or four of them would lope off into the distance, returning later
with blood-stained muzzles.
     In return for the food and the company, the hounds lent their warmth to the
group, and the women and Sentinels became used to curling up for the night
with a hound at their back. One morning Azhure awakened early enough to see
that a group of five or six had even curled around the donkeys. The nights were
frosty on the exposed plain.
     Two days after they had turned south-west across the WildDog Plains the
small group saw a band of horsemen approaching. There were perhaps ten or
twelve of them, and they approached cautiously, obviously wary of the Alaunt.
     Azhure reached for the Wolven as soon as she saw the horsemen in the
distance, and notched an arrow.
     "Can you see who they are?" she asked the Sentinels. "Are they Belial's men,
or Borneheld's?"
     Ogden and Veremund peered towards the horsemen, who had now spaced
themselves out into a wide line, directly in front of the setting sun. The Alaunt
whined, tensing, ready for a fight.
     But as the men rode closer, the group of hounds suddenly relaxed and
Sicarius gave a short, gruff bark of greeting. He knew these men.
     The horsemen were much closer now, perhaps no more than fifty paces
away, but their forms and faces were still in shadow.
     "Well, the Alaunt like them," Veremund observed, his hand to his eyes,
trying to shade them from the light. "But I'm still not sure that -"
     He was cut off by a shout from the leading horseman who had kicked his
rangy roan into a canter. "Ogden, Veremund? Old men? Is that you?"
     "Why," Ogden beamed happily, "it's Arne!" A knot of nervousness formed in
Azhure s belly. Arne was one of the senior commanders from Axis' Axe-Wielders
- a man who had been in Smyrton when she cracked Belial over the head in
order to help Raum and Shra escape. Would he remember her? And, if so, what
would he think? Hurriedly she unnotched the arrow, sliding it into her quiver and
slinging the Wolven over her shoulder.
     Arne pulled his gelding to a halt beside Veremund and slid down from the
saddle, glancing apprehensively towards the hounds. "Ogden, Veremund, it is
good to see you again." He shook their hands. "Icarii farflight scouts sent word
that you would be travelling across the WildDog Plains." He looked back at the
hounds. "Where did you find these hounds, Ogden?"
     "Ah, well," Ogden began, "they found us, really, but that is a long story. Um,
Arne, you might not remember Azhure. She conies from —"
     "I remember Azhure well enough," Arne broke in, his face hardening. "I also
remember how many weeks it took before Belial's headaches faded."
     Azhure's face flamed and the thought that she still had to confront Belial
only made her feel worse. What had she been thinking of to club him so badly?
     Arne stared at her, then turned to the other woman.
     "The Princess Rivkah," Veremund mumbled at his side.
     Arne's demeanour changed instantly. His face became respectful, and he
bowed deeply, a gesture courtly even in this incongruous setting. "Princess, I am
your servant to order as you will."
     Rivkah smiled and held out her hand. Arne took it and pressed his lips briefly
to its back. Ogden and Veremund stared at the man. The dour and
uncommunicative Arne was showing a side they had not suspected previously.
     "And my Lord Axis?" Arne asked, only reluctantly relinquishing Rivkah's
hand. "He is well?"
     Rivkah nodded. She liked this man. He had a good heart and honest
intentions. ;'He is well, Arne, and has embraced his heritage."
     Relief crossed Ames face. "The farflight scouts had told us so, but to hear it
from the woman who gave him birth is more than I had hoped for."
     He gave Azhure one more hard stare, noting the handsome bow across her
back, then whistled his men closer.
     "Our camp is nearby," he said. "And we have spare horses there. Tomorrow
morning we will ride for Sigholt."
     As they turned the last bend in the HoldHard Pass and Sigholt came into
view, Ogden andVeremund reined in their donkeys, astonished.
     "Changed, hasn't it?" Arne remarked.
     Rivkah kneed her horse beside the Sentinels' donkeys. Once she had hated
Sigholt as the symbol of her loathed marriage to Searlas, Duke of Ichtar and
father of her eldest son, Borneheld. Even though StarDrifter had come to her
there, even though Axis had been conceived on its roof, Rivkah had never
wanted to come back.
     But the Sigholt that stood less than half a league down the pass was a very
different Sigholt to the one she had known.
     "The farflight scouts said that Sigholt had come alive," Veremund said, his
voice full of awe, "but I had not realised how much the Keep had regained its
vigour."
     Ogden sat silently, tears of joy streaming down his face.
     The most obvious difference was the Lake. It stretched away into the
distance, ruby tints reflecting in the occasional shaft of sunlight that broke
through the clouds. Steam gently rose from its surface, wafting towards them as
it was caught by the northerly wind. In the month or more since the spring had
been unblocked, the Urqhart Hills immediately surrounding the Lake had come
alive. Red and purple gorse flowered across the mid- to high slopes, while in the
lower slopes close to the heat and life of the water, ferns and rock-flowers were
starting to spread. The stone Keep itself, once a uniform and depressing leaden
hue, had lightened so that it was now a pale silvery and welcoming grey.
Colourful pennants fluttered from its parapets. In the following months, as the
greenery and the flowers spread across the nearby hills, Sigholt would become a
paradise. Even now it was close to being the most beautiful place Rivkah had
ever seen.
     "The air is warm," Azhure remarked. Ever since Arne had found them Azhure
had been uncharacteristically quiet. Rivkah smiled reassuringly at her, knowing
she was nervous about meeting Belial again.
     Arne glanced at Azhure. Two days ago he had challenged her to
demonstrate her skill with the bow she carried - Arne had thought that perhaps it
was simply a gaudy toy. But she had won his grudging respect with her skill.
Even Belial, one of the best archers Arne had ever known, would find it hard to
match her. Then, of course, there were the hounds. The Alaunt were a well-
trained, well-disciplined pack, and answered instantly whenever Azhure spoke to
them. Arne had worked with hunting dogs before, but he had never seen such as
these. They followed close behind Azhure day after day, the leading dog,
Sicarius, loping by her side.
     "The water is hot," Arne finally said, turning to face Azhure, "and it warms
the air. Gorgrael cannot touch us here with his icemen. Sigholt is a haven."
     As they rode closer, the sparkling moat surrounding Sigholt became obvious.
     "It looks so different," Rivkah said to Azhure as they rode up to the bridge.
"This Sigholt lives and laughs."
     "Stop," Arne ordered as they neared the bridge. "Ogden, Veremund, you go
across first, then Princess Rivkah and Azhure."
     Ogden and Veremund, smiling broadly, dismounted from their donkeys so
they could step across the bridge personally.
     "Welcome, Ogden. Welcome, Veremund," the bridge said, joy obvious in her
melodious voice. "It is long since I felt your steps across my back."
     Rivkah s and Azhure's eyes opened wide in surprise.
     "The bridge lives, Princess/' said Arne, "and she guards against all who are
not true."
     Ogden and Veremund prattled happily to the bridge as they crossed, then
embraced Jack who waited in Sigholt's open gate for them. They greeted him
cheerfully, but their faces fell as they heard Zeherah had not been refound.
    "Princess." Arne motioned with his head towards the bridge. "You next."
    Rivkah heeled her horse s flanks. Just before the horse stepped onto the
bridge, the bridge spoke. "Are you true?"

     "Yes, I am true," Rivkah said in a clear voice.
     "Then cross, Princess Rivkah, and I will see if you speak the truth."
     Rivkah urged her horse forward. What did the bridge mean?
     When she was halfway across the bridge spoke again. "You were once
Duchess of Ichtar, Princess Rivkah." The beautiful voice was now toneless.
     Rivkah was suddenly all too aware of the waters rushing underneath the
bridge. Huddled in the shadows of the gate of Sigholt she could see a group of
men waiting for her. Ogden and Veremund, as the man beside them, had fearful
expressions on their faces. "Yes," she whispered. "I was."
     Her horse abruptly stopped and Rivkah could not make it move forward.
Perspiration began to bead her forehead.
     "You were not true to your husband, Rivkah. You were not true to the Duke
of Ichtar, Searlas. You betrayed him with another."
     Rivkah swallowed. "No," she finally forced out. "No, I was not true to
Searlas." Somehow she could not lie to this bridge. "I betrayed him atop this
very Keep."
     There was silence as the bridge contemplated this. Then, shockingly, it
laughed, a peal of sheer merriment. "Then you have my heart, Princess Rivkah,
for I do not like the Dukes of Ichtar! You and I will be friends!"
     Rivkah grinned weakly, and her horse moved forward once more. "Thank
you, bridge," she said. "Thank you."
     Watching from the far side Azhure breathed a sigh of relief. For a moment
she had thought the bridge would reject Rivkah. She glanced at Arne, who
nodded at her, then she kneed her horse forward.
     "Are you true?" the bridge asked as she approached.
     "Yes, I am true," Azhure answered confidently.
     "Then cross, Azhure, and I will see if you speak the truth."
     The bridge accepted Azhure almost as soon as her horse had stepped onto
the red-veined silvery-grey masonry.
     "You spoke the truth, Azhure. Welcome to my heart."
     "Thank you, bridge," Azhure said, looking to where Rivkah had halted her
horse just the other side, waiting for her so that they could enter Sigholt
together.
     But the bridge was not yet finished. "I have not felt your father's step for
many a long year, Azhure. Where is he?"
     Azhure stared, open-mouthed. Hagen had crossed this bridge?
     "Er, he is dead," she finally managed to say.
     "Ah," the bridge said sorrowfully. "I am sad. I loved your father, although
many did not. We passed many a night deep in conversation."
     Rivkah frowned at Azhure as she rode up to her. "What was that about?"
     "I don't know, Rivkah. Perhaps the bridge confused me with someone eke.
Hagen never crossed this bridge."
     As they kicked their horses forward, two men stepped out from the shadows
of the fortified gateway. Azhure tensed. One was Belial, although the other man
she did not know.
     "Belial," she whispered.
     But Belial spoke to Rivkah first. "Welcome to Sigholt, Princess. I am Belial,
once lieutenant to your son in the Axe-Wielders, now commander of his base
here in Sigholt." He smiled, his pleasant face relaxing under sandy hair, his hazel
eyes crinkling at Rivkah. "Welcome home, Rivkah."
     Rivkah greeted him warmly. Axis had told her so much about this man. "I
can think of no better man to welcome me back to Sigholt than the man whose
friendship has meant so much to my son. I am pleased and deeply honoured to
meet you, Belial."
     Belial inclined his head, then turned to Azhure.
     "Azhure." He held out his hands. "Come down from your horse."
     Azhure hesitated, then leaned down, placing her hands on Belial's shoulders,
feeling his hands grasp her about the waist as she swung down from her horse.
     Rather than letting her go once her feet were on the ground, Belial's hands
tightened. "I should throw you in the moat for what you did to me," he said, his
face expressionless. "I trusted you, yet you did not repay my trust well."
     Azhure s entire body tensed, and her eyes glinted with tears of shame and
regret. She could not say anything to this man she had treated so poorly.
     Belial's eyes flickered over her face. He had thought her beautiful in
Smyrton, but since then she seemed to have not only grown more mature, but to
have gained an aura of wildness that made her even more fascinating. And now
here she was standing before him in Sigholt. Could life get any better? He
dropped his hands from her waist reluctantly.
     "As much as you might deserve a ducking, Azhure, I will merely welcome
you to Sigholt instead. We will discuss the issue of recompense later." Azhure
managed a small smile.
     "Magariz?" Belial said, beckoning to his friend. "May I introduce you to the
Princess Rivkah and to Azhure?"
     The man Azhure had noticed earlier now stepped forward. In late middle-
age, his black hair thickly lined with silver, his limp and the raised scar running
down his left cheek only accentuated his handsomeness and appeal.
     As Belial had helped Azhure from her horse, so now Magariz held out his
hands for Rivkah.
     "Welcome, Princess," Magariz said quietly. "It has been a long time. We are
both considerably greyer than when we last met, but at least we meet in happier
circumstances."
     Rivkah held out her hand for Magariz to kiss. "But I am the greyer, I see, my
Lord Magariz."
      "But just as beautiful," he grinned, raising his eyes from her hand.
      "You know each other?" Azhure asked. "How?"
      Rivkah laughed at the puzzlement on both Belial's and Azhure's faces. "You
forget that I was a child of the Carton court, Azhure. When I was growing up
Magariz was a youthful page, waiting at high table."
      She turned back to Magariz, who still had not let her hand go. "And now you
are a commander, Magariz. It is more than the grey in our heads which tells me
how many years have passed."
      Magariz finally let Rivkah's hand go, stepping back a pace. "I grew heartily
sick of waiting at tables, Princess. Sometime after your marriage to Searlas I
persuaded my father to let me join the palace guard. After many years, Priam
assigned me to Borneheld's service when he became Duke and eventually
Borneheld gave me the command at Gorkenfort. There I mouldered for over ten
years before the events of the past eight months propelled me into a greater
adventure than I had ever dreamed." He shrugged a little. "Thirty years in so few
sentences, Rivkah. But that is my life since last we spoke."
      "And from Gorkenfort you joined Axis' cause," Rivkah said. "You always did
make reckless choices, didn't you?"
      Magariz's mouth twitched. "Some of my choices have been a little
impetuous, Princess, but there is not one that I have regretted."
      Rivkah smiled and she turned away slightly, loosening her cloak in the warm
air of Sigholt. "I know so little of Borneheld, Magariz. You must spend some time
with me, tell me of him."
      Grave now, Magariz bowed slightly from the waist. "Anything, my Princess."
      "And Faraday, the current Duchess of Ichtar," Rivkah went on. "I know so
little of her. You must speak to me of her as well."
      Azhure had a fixed and overly bright smile on her face. Well, thought Rivkah,
she must accept that Axis will ride across Achar into Faraday's arms. She must
accept that she has no future with Axis.
      Then Rivkah gasped in utter delight as Reinald stepped forth. She hugged
him fiercely. When she'd lived here as Duchess of Ichtar, Reinald had been one
of her only friends.
      Belial introduced Magariz to Azhure, then all were interrupted by the sound
of barking, and they turned to watch the Alaunt hounds pacing solemnly across
the bridge. The bridge barked at them and Sicarius barked gruffly back.
      Belial turned to Azhure. "Where did these hounds come from?"
      "They, ah, seem to belong to me, Belial. I hope you will not mind their
presence. They are well trained and will cause no trouble. I will tell you their
story once I have changed into some clean clothes."
      Belial belatedly realised that he had kept the two women standing in the
gateway for far too long, but, just as he was about to usher them into Sigholt,
Jack stepped up. Jack had recognised the hounds instantly, and a look of
understanding had passed between himself and Sicarius.
      "You are Azhure?" Jack asked, and Belial hastened to introduce them.
    Azhure shook the hand that Jack offered, and the Sentinel smiled at her
genially, thinking he understood her. Unlike the other Sentinels, all of whom had
hardly ever conversed with the Prophet who had recruited them, Jack knew the
Prophet well and had been entrusted with many secrets.
    But there were yet deeper secrets to.the Prophecy, and Azhure was one of
them.

    Long Live the King!
     Faraday's hopes were dying as fast as the man before her. She stood behind
Judith as the Queen leaned over the prone form of her husband, trying to lend
the woman the strength of her presence and friendship. Beside her stood
Embeth, now Judith's senior lady-in-waiting. Faraday exchanged a glance with
Embeth. Neither could do anything to ease Judith's grief.
     Priam's bedchamber was quiet and lit only by a few tapers. Incense
smouldered out of sight on a high shelf. On the other side of the bed Jayme,
assisted as always by Moryson, stood quietly. The Brother-Leader was wearing
his full ceremonial vestments of office to mark this sombre occasion. Behind
Jayme stood Borneheld, and Faraday's eyes met his briefly before she looked
away, disgusted at what she could see in their depths. To the rear of the ornate
gold and pink chamber stood several servants and courtiers, uselessly weeping,
and one or two helpless physicians.
     Faraday looked back at the King. Three weeks ago to the day Priam,
ordinarily so hale and hearty, had begun to show evidence of madness. For three
days he strode down the corridors of the palace, seeing demons and sorcerers in
every shadow. Judith and sundry servants had followed him, pleading with Priam
to let the physicians see him, pleading with him to rest, sleep. Perhaps it was
simply stress, overwork.
     But Priam had continued to pace the corridors, scarcely ever sleeping, spittle
caking his stubbly chin.
     His illness was crazy, thought Faraday despairingly. She had spent most of
the past few weeks with Judith, supporting her as much as she could. Forcing
her to sleep when she would wander after Priam. Trying to reassure her. Trying.
     The physicians pronounced that the King was suffering from a severe form
of brain heat which caused madness as the King's noddle sizzled. "It has been
building awhile," they suggested, "and has only now boiled to the surface." They
applied icepack after icepack to the King's brow, and leeches to his limbs and
groin to drain away excess hot blood. They even considered wrapping the King in
brandy-soaked bandages and leaving him in a dark room - but they had
discarded that idea. The last nobleman to be treated with that particular remedy
had died after a careless servant dropped his candle onto the spirit-soaked
bandages. Nothing they'd suggested had worked, and the physicians were now
forced to admit that they could do little.
     Everyone shook their heads and sorrowed. Carlon and the surrounding
districts mourned Priam's decline. And amidst all this sorrow and public shaking
of heads came the despicable, rumours. If Priam had considered an alliance with
the Forbidden, then it was because his mind was already addled. If Priam so
thoughtlessly berated Borneheld, it was because he no longer knew right from
wrong, friend from foe.
     Jayme had been quick to seize these rumours and make them his own —
Faraday wondered if they had been his all along.
     "He has been struck by a miasma of the Forbidden," Jayme had ventured,
and many had listened. "Their evil presence has stretched right into the heart of
Carlon to implant the noxious notion of an alliance with them into Priam's mind."
He shook his head sorrowfully. "Now all can see how the Forbidden work, now all
can see the wickedness of their actions. Has not the Seneschal been teaching
this for many hundreds of years? Is this not why we drove the Forbidden from
our fair land in the first instance?"
     And with the rumours and the King's increasing madness, Faraday's hopes
died. Borneheld would take the throne and throw all Achar's resources against
Axis. Now the brothers would tear Achar apart in their hatred for each other, tear
it apart until finally they stood sword to sword in the Chamber of the Moons. As
th< vision had foretold.
     Faraday bowed her head, trying to rub away her tears.
     Borneheld had stayed with Priam constantly, and all remarked on the
devotion that he showed his uncle. Day after day Borneheld had followed Priam
about the corridors, offering him comfort, and holding his chalice for him so that
Priam could wet his throat whenever he became thirsty. And when Priam had
finally collapsed into his bed, Borneheld had helped care for him. Holding his
head as Priam drank from the chalice, wiping his lips as he lowered his uncle's
head to the pillow.
     Faraday did not believe the charade of devotion for an instant. In those
hours when he was not at Priam's side, Borneheld whispered with Jayme or one
of his advisers. Gilbert hung about their apartments like an evil shadow, and
Moryson glided along the corridors, the hood of his robe pulled close about his
face.
     Solicitous during the day, at night Borneheld slept badly, tossing at Faraday's
side, his hands gripping the sheets. He muttered in his dreams, but Faraday
could not catch his words, and the one night she had awoken him to save him
from his nightmares and offer him a drink of water, he had screamed and struck
the goblet from her hands.
     After that Borneheld slept in another room, saying Faraday no longer
pleased him and her presence disturbed his sleep. Grateful for her empty bed,
Faraday nevertheless wondered.
     Judith leaned back, and Faraday gave her a fresh cloth.
     "I thank you," Judith murmured, then leant back to her husband's-
dying.
     Four days ago, when Faraday had sent Judith to snatch some sleep,
she had sat by Priam's bedside and laid her hands on the man. She had
reached for the power of the Mother so she could heal Priam as she
had healed Axis.
     But Faraday had reeled back from the King's prone form almost
instantly. What she had felt underneath her hands had been no natural
illness. Dark enchantments had writhed beneath the King's skin. For
long minutes Faraday had sat shaking, waving away a servant's
murmured concerns. Enchantments? But how? By whom?
     She had no dearth of suspects for the murder of Priam. Borneheld,
obviously, but the whole Brotherhood of the Seneschal would
doubtless fight for the privilege of slipping a knife into Priam's back,
and Faraday also wondered if some of the nobles thought they might
have too much to lose if the King concluded an alliance with the Icarii
and Avar.
     And yet who among all those could wield dark enchantments?
Faraday had felt the power, but she could not understand it. It was like
and yet totally unlike what she had felt from Axis.
     Priam was in the final grips of a murder, and a murder effected by
enchantment.
     Embeth put a hand on Faraday's arm, bringing the woman back into
the present. Faraday nodded her thanks, and realised that Jayme had
reached across the bed and touched Judith's hand.
     "I am sorry, my Queen, but I must commence the Service soon.
Priam, well, he has only a small amount of time left."
     Judith took a great gulping breath, her fragile shoulders heaving,
then nodded. "Begin, Brother-Leader."
     Jayme began intoning the Service of Passage, the age-old service
meant to ease the soul of the dying into the next world. The words
were beautiful and comforting, exhorting not only the dying to meet his
maker with joy and thankfulness, but exhorting all those who grieved to
remember that on the other side of death Artor waited to receive Priam into His
eternal care. It was the duty of the dying to make a good death, to remember
his faults and his sins so that Artor would accept him into His care, and it was
the duty of those witnessing the death to make sure that the dying made their
death the best one possible.
     Faraday watched Jayme carefully, trying to discern the slightest note of
satisfaction in his voice, the faintest gleam of triumph in his eyes. But if Jayme
felt any of these emotions, he hid them well.
     "Priam," he asked very softly, resting his three middle fingers on the King's
waxen forehead, "listen to me. You must bind yourself to Artor's care, but you
must remember that He will only receive you into His care once you have
confessed your faults, flaws and sins. Priam, confess your sins now, that Artor
may receive you with love."
     Priam's eyelids opened. His cracked lips moved soundlessly, and Jayme
motioned to Borneheld for the chalice.
      "Drink, my King," Jayme whispered, "drink so that you may confess your
sins."
      Faraday stared at the chalice for a moment, disturbed. She took a deep
breath, trying to calm her stomach. The more she stared at the chalice, the more
she realised that there was something evil, shadowed, about it. Dark letters
hovered about its rim, and Faraday felt her marrow chill. It was the source of the
dark enchantment that killed Priam!
      Nonetheless, Priam seemed to have been revived by the sip of water. He
started to mumble, and Judith's eyes filled with tears — he was remembering the
early years of their marriage, when all had seemed so bright, so full of life, when
they were still convinced that healthy children lay only a year or two into the
future. Unusually for a court-arranged union, Judith and Priam had enjoyed a
marriage filled with love, even when disappointment at their childlessness
sometimes threatened to overwhelm them.
      "Yes, yes," Jayme encouraged Priam, his eyes gleaming strangely, "confess
all, confess all that Artor may receive you." Faraday stared at Jayme. He and
Borneheld had handled the chalice. How was it they stayed healthy and Priam
sickened? She averted her eyes, but her gaze was instantly caught by Moryson.
What was the man doing? He was standing behind Jayme and Borneheld, the
hood of his robe pulled close, but Faraday could see his lips moving silently and
his eyes riveted on the chalice.
      As Faraday stared Moryson suddenly lifted his eyes to hers...and grinned.
      Faraday shuddered. The man's eyes were as ice, and they bore relentlessly
into her own.
      "Faraday?" Embeth murmured at her side, and Faraday finally tore her eyes
away from Moryson.
      When next she looked Moryson had his eyes back on the King, his face a
mask of sorrow.
      A spasm crossed Priam's face, and his entire body convulsed. Judith gave a
soft cry of distress and grasped Priam's hand as tightly as she could. A trickle of
bloodied froth issued from Priam's gaping mouth, and Embeth leaned over and
wiped it away. The King's eyes now stared sightlessly at the canopy of his bed
and his breath came in great uneven gasps.
      Judith's mouth trembled, but she whispered to her husband words of love
and farewell.
      Then Priam rallied, and reached out a quavering hand. He pulled Judith's
head close to his mouth. He whispered into her ear. Faraday saw Judith's entire
body stiffen in reaction.
      Finally Judith sat back, her face impassive. Priam's head sank down onto the
pillow, his fingers trailed down Judith's face one last time, and then he died.
      There was silence. After Priam's incoherent madness of the past weeks, his
end had been surprisingly peaceful.
      Finally it was Moryson who spoke. "The King is dead," he said, and turned to
Borneheld. "Long live the King."
     A strange expression crossed Borneheld's face, then Jayme pulled the
amethyst ring of office from Priam's finger and slipped it onto Borneheld's thick
digit. "Long live the King," Jayme intoned. "King Borneheld."
     Faraday, watching, experienced a feeling of unreality.
     Borneheld's eyes, burning with naked triumph, met hers above the bed. "My
Queen," he said.
     Faraday slipped quietly into Judith's chambers. She had spent the past three
hours helping Judith and Embeth lay Priam's body out. The passing of a King
required formal ceremonies, prayers, rituals, and the washing and preparing of
Priam's body to lie in state. As Priam's widow, Judith had overseen all of this, her
fragile face calm, emotionless. Her demeanour, as always, gracious and regal.
But Faraday had seen that Judith was close to collapse, and now wanted to
make sure she was resting as comfortably as her grief would allow.
     Judith sat on a sofa by the fire, Embeth's arm about her shoulder. Both
women had glasses of brandy in their hands.
     Embeth smiled wryly as Faraday sank down beside Judith. "There can be no
better time to get slightly drunk," she said, "than in the hours just after your
husband has died."
     Faraday knew she must be remembering her own husband Ganelon's death.
     Judith sniffed her tears back and put her glass down. Her porcelain skin was
smudged and bruised under her eyes, evidence that she had not slept for many
nights, and her golden hair was streaked and disordered. Poor Judith, Faraday
thought, stroking the woman's hair back into some semblance of order. What will
you do with your life now Priam is dead?
     "Thank you, Faraday," Judith managed, then cleared her throat and said, her
voice stronger, "Priam and I both thank you for your kindness and support over
the past three weeks."
     Faraday smiled, but did not say anything. She hoped that she could be as
gracious if ever faced with a comparable loss. They sat in silence for some time,
then Judith stirred and took Faraday's hand.
     "My dear, I hope you will forgive me for what I now say...but say it I must
and, having seen you with Borneheld over the past weeks, I think I can trust you
to hear it." Faraday met Embeth's eyes over Judith's head. Judith abruptly picked
up her glass and swallowed the last of her brandy. "Priam told me to name Axis
his heir," she said. "He did not want Borneheld to succeed him."
     . Faraday's breathing stilled. What good would that do Axis now?
     "Artor save us!" Embeth whispered. "You cannot stand up in Borneheld's
court and say that Priam named Axis his heir!" Judith smiled bitterly and
straightened her back. "I know, Embeth. I have no death wish. I believe Priam's
death was planned the instant he announced in audience that he wanted to seek
an alliance with Axis."
     Faraday stared at Judith, but decided against saying anything about the
chalice. She had no idea who had ensorcelled the chalice, and the knowledge
that it was ensorcelled would only distress Judith. She took Judith's hand. "Why
did Priam change his mind?"
      "Over past months," Judith said, "Priam realised how mistaken he'd been
never to accept Axis for the man he was -a brilliant war leader and a better
prince than Borneheld ever would be." She hesitated, glancing at Embeth. "I
have told you this because Embeth has told me something of your feelings for
Axis and that she encouraged you tp marry Borneheld when you were racked
with doubts."
      "And for that I can never apologise enough," said Embeth. Faraday bowed
her head and thought for a moment. When she raised her eyes again they were
brilliant with power.
      Judith and Embeth both gasped.
      "Let me tell you something about myself and about Axis," she said, her voice
as powerful as her eyes.
      She talked for over an hour, Embeth shakily pouring the three of them more
brandy when she was halfway through.
      "Now that Borneheld is King, Axis is going to need all the help he can get,"
Faraday finished. "Will you help?"
      Judith nodded her head, her eyes thoughtful. "Yes, I will, Faraday. It is what
Priam would have wanted me to do...and it is what / want to do." She paused.
"And I think I know someone who may tip the balance in Axis' favour."
      Borneheld's coronation was held the day after Priam was laid to rest. Clouds
of war hung over Achar, and in times such as these, haste was called for.
      A public holiday was proclaimed, and colourful bunting hung out. Flags and
pennants were hastily raised to honour the new King the next. A public feast
would have been appropriate and appreciated, but there was no time to arrange
it, so Borneheld simply ordered that barrels of wine and ale be available on every
street corner so that the good citizens of Carlon could simply get drunk without
the food.
      While the Carlonites partied in the streets, the actual coronation took place
in the Chamber of the Moons. The entire court was present, every man, woman
or child of noble blood crowded into the Chamber. The ceremony itself was
officiated over by Jayme, who lowered the heavy gold circlet of office onto
Borneheld's head. As the trumpeting of horns far above them announced to the
outside world that a new King had been crowned, Borneheld stood to receive the
pledges of homage and fealty from his nobles.
      Beside him, Faraday sat on a smaller throne, a simple coronet on her head,
remembering the night she had first seen Axis in this chamber. One day, she
prayed to the Mother, I will sit with Axis on this dais.
      The most important nobles approached the dais first. Duke Roland of Aldeni
and Earl Jorge of Avonsdale, both down from Jervois Landing for the coronation;
Baron Ysgryff of Nor, his exotic features fixed in an expression of the sincerest
loyalty as he pledged himself to Borneheld; Earl Burdel of Arcness, Borneheld's
friend and ally and now, no doubt, expecting handsome rewards for having
supported Borneheld in the past; Baron Greville of Tarantaise, as volubly sincere
as Baron Ysgryff had been; and, finally among the higher nobles, the lords of the
provinces, came Faraday's father, Earl Isend of Skarabost — now, Faraday noted
with some dismay, taken up with a blowsy young noblewoman from Rhaetia who
had rouged her nipples so heavily that they had stained the sheer material of her
bodice.
     After the nobles came sundry dignitaries and ambassadors. As the Corolean
ambassador bowed low over his hand, Borneheld made a mental note to request
the ambassador to come and see him at the first possible opportunity. Borneheld
wanted to conclude a military alliance with the Coroleans as soon as he could.
     Before the minor nobles could step forward to pay Borneheld homage,
Judith, former Queen, and her lady-in-waiting, Lady Embeth of Tare, stepped
forward.
     Borneheld frowned, but Faraday inclined her head slightly.
     "Yes?" Borneheld asked, as Judith rose frorn her curtsey. The woman, so
confident in her graciousness, had always made him feel clumsy.
     "Sire," Judith began, "please accept my congratulations on your coronation
and my sincere hopes for a long and bountiful reign. I pledge myself to you as
your most loyal subject and hope that you know that if you need anything at all,
I shall be only too willing to provide it for you."
     "Sire." Judith's voice changed slightly, and Borneheld suppressed a grimace.
He knew that tone of voice. The bitch was going to ask him for something.
     "Sire, I would ask a boon."
     No doubt a substantial annuity or country estate, Borneheld sighed inwardly.
Dowager Queens ever were a nuisance.
     "I am still prostrate with grief, Sire, and I would ask that you excuse me
from court. You have your own court, and a beautiful wife to grace it." Judith
inclined her head to Faraday and smiled slightly. She turned back to Borneheld.
"Embeth, the Lady of Tare, has offered me the sanctuary of her home. I would
ask that you excuse both of us from court and from Carlon, so that we may
retire to the quieter life of Tare."
     Borneheld was surprised. What? No money? No jewels? Just permission to
retire from court? Easy enough. He waved a magnanimous hand. "You have my
permission, Judith."
     "I leave this afternoon, if it pleases you, Sire," Judith said humbly. In truth,
she and Embeth had their carriages waiting outside.
     "Then I wish you well, Judith, Embeth. Perhaps I will visit one day. Once the
Forbidden have been put in their place, of course."
     "I will look forward to it with pleasure, Sire," Judith said sweetly.
     She curtsied deeply again, caught Faraday's eye for an instant, then she and
Embeth swiftly left the Chamber of the Moons.
     Faraday stared after them sadly. She wished she rode with them. They had
gone, not only to recuperate, but also to wait for Axis. If Axis was alive and if he
led an army against Borneheld, there was every likelihood that he would pass by
Tare. And if he did, then there waited Judith to inform both Axis and all who
would listen that Priam had named Axis his rightful heir. Faraday smiled to
herself. Judith hoped to have another, equally substantial surprise waiting for
Axis as well.




Azhure's Dilemma
Azhure lay under the light wraps and listened to£a\ Rivkah breathe. The women
had shared an apartJL. JLment since their arrival in Sigholt six weekspreviously,
and their friendship had deepened and broadenedsince their time in Sigholt.
     For Azhure the past six weeks had been the happiest of her life. She had
enjoyed her time in Talon Spike, and revelled in her acceptance by the Icarii, but
she had found her true niche here in Sigholt. Belial, astounded by her skill with
the Wolven and impressed by her determination to be useful, had given her a
squad of thirty-six archers to train.
     To his surprise and to the astonishment of everyone else, Azhure had proved
a natural leader. The squad quickly became the most disciplined, ordered and
happy in Sigholt, and, to Belial and Magariz's constant amazement, none of her
thirty-six men complained about being put under the command of a woman. Life
in a garrison filled with three thousand men and exactly two women could have
been awkward, but Azhure was no prude and, despite her good looks, within a
week most of the men had simply accepted her for her abilities and seemed not
to notice her sex overmuch. She was more noted for her skill at archery and the
constant shadows of three or more of the Alaunt hounds at her heels.
     But Belial had not remained impervious to Azhure's femininity, and therein
lay Azhure's dilemma. She sighed and carefully slid out of bed. She waited for
her stomach to settle, then swiftly dressed in a pair of man's breeches, riding
boots and a light shirt. She snatched a jacket as she slipped quietly from the
room. Sicarius, who slept at the foot of the bed, pushed out in front of her.
     As the door closed behind Azhure, Rivkah opened her eyes and wondered
when the woman would confide in her.
     Azhure hurried down the stairs of the Keep, nodded to the guard at the main
entrance, and walked briskly across the main courtyard towards the stables. This
was the time of day when Azhure loved to ride, before dawn, when the day was
fresh and young, and her best thinking could be done without the distractions of
the bustling Sigholt community about her. Two of the other Alaunt hounds joined
her, but she waved the rest back. She did not want the entire pack to disturb her
thoughts this morning.
     Azhure walked down to Belaguez's stall, whistling as she approached. Much
to Belial and Magariz's horror she had started to ride the stallion several weeks
ago. Belial, knowing how difficult the stallion was to control, could not believe
that Azhure would manage to stay on more than five minutes. But Belaguez had
responded to something in the woman, and although he sometimes pulled too
hard, he otherwise behaved himself for her. Watching from the edges of the
courtyard the first time Azhure had put the stallion through his paces, Belial had
looked at Magariz, and then simply shrugged. Well, someone had to exercise the
horse, and if Azhure could manage, then she could have the job.
      Azhure rubbed a brush over the grey stallion's coat, then slipped a light
saddle on his back. She cinched the girth tightly, waiting for the horse to blow
himself out, then tightened the girth one more notch. The bridle took only an
instant to buckle, and then Azhure opened the stall door and led Belaguez out
into the dark courtyard. The three Alaunt were waiting patiently by the gateway
to the Keep, and Azhure swung into the saddle.
      She nodded to the three guards on sentry-duty - they were used to her early
morning rides - and then greeted the bridge cheerfully.
      Once across, Azhure touched her heels lightly to the stallion's flanks and
they were off, racing the sun to see which could top the crest of the Urqhart Hills
first.
      The view from the peak was superb. Azhure could see in a complete circle
for many leagues. Directly below them stood Sigholt, gleaming in the pre-dawn
light, the Lake steaming gently beyond. Azhure slid from the horse's back and
sat on a nearby rock to watch the sun rise over the far distant Avarinheim. At the
precise moment the sun crested the distant forest Azhure could almost have
sworn the top of the forest canopy waved at her. But Azhure did not fool herself.
The Avarinheim and the Avar were too concerned with their own problems to
worry much about her. Besides, both Avarinheim and Avar waited for Faraday,
no-one else.
      Azhure looked back down at the Keep, preoccupied with Belial. She and
Belial had soon overcome their initial awkwardness on her arrival, and he had
made it plain he harboured no ill feelings towards her rather savage assault on
his person in Smyrton.
      "You can work your guilt off by proving your worth here," Belial had said,
and that was exactly what Azhure had set out to do, working herself and her
squad of archers to the best of her ability. She had seen the appreciation in
Belial's eyes and basked in his words of praise. She enjoyed his company and his
friendship. Belial was a large part of the reason why these last six weeks had
been so good.
      But, over the past ten days or so, Belial had indicated he wanted to develop
their relationship to a more intimate level.
      Last night he had come upon her in the stable as she groomed Belaguez,
and had laughingly seized and kissed her. What had at first simply been a light-
hearted kiss had deepened until Azhure had pulled back, afraid not of Belial, but
of her own enjoyment. He had asked her, then, into his bed and into his life. But
Azhure s eyes had filled with tears and Belial had been instantly contrite.
Reassuring him, Azhure had kissed him gently, asking for a night to think.
      And, oh, by the heavens, how tempting it would be to accept such a
proposal! Azhure was sure she could develop a loving for Belial. He would be a
man with whom she could easily spend a lifetime. And he loved her. That was a
remarkable experience for Azhure, for, apart from Rivkah, Azhure had never
before been loved. The entire village of Smyrton, as Hagen, had regarded her
with disdain for her Nors features and beauty, and for her temper and
independent spirit. The young men of the village had sought only the use of her
body, and when she had consistently refused their attentions, they had spread
rumours of her willing cooperation.
     On all counts, Belial's obvious regard and love presented Azhure with every
reason to accept his proposal. But there were complications. She loved Axis, yet
that alone would not stop her from accepting Belial's proposal. Azhure well knew
that Axis planned and hungered for the day when he would be by Faraday's side
again. She harboured no childish visions about Axis asking for her hand in
marriage. Azhure had already seen the disastrous effects of an attempted
marriage between an Icarii Enchanter and a human woman, and Azhure knew,
knew, that a life with Axis was denied her.
     In that case, why not leap for the life that Belial offered her?
     Azhure's hands fluttered over her stomach. Because she was pregnant with
Axis' child, and that changed everything. She remembered that on the night she
had fled Smyrton she'd dreamed that one day she would find a hero to father
her children, and...well...now she had her wish. And though Belial might well
accept Axis' child, Azhure simply could not go to his bed not only loving another
man, but bearing his child as well. Besides, Axis had grown to maturity never
knowing his own father, always doubting that he loved him, and it would tear
him apart to know that a child of his would suffer a similar fate.
     Azhure could not deny Axis his child.
     What should she do?
     Explain to Belial. Confide in him. Belial deserved to know. Then? Wait for
Axis. Axis would surely return to Sigholt shortly.
     Beyond that Azhure did not want to think. She was terrified that Axis might
take the child from her completely.
     "Never," Azhure muttered. "No-one will take this child from me." She would
not deny her child its mother. Her eyes filled with tears. Azhure had loved her
mother deeply, had pined whenever she could not see her, whenever she could
not hear her mother's footfall or hear her sweet voice as she cleaned the house
or tended the garden and poultry. Azhure had believed that her mother was the
most beautiful woman in existence. Her desertion had scarred Azhure irreparably
-scarred her with a guilt that constantly gnawed at her. Had she not loved her
mother well enough? Had her mother thought her a bad daughter?
     "Why?" Azhure whispered, "why did you not take me with you, Mama? I
loved you, Mama, I loved you!"
     Of all her sins, Azhure constantly berated herself that she could not
remember her mother's name; that single loss had festered at Azhure's
conscience day and night for more than twenty years. She struggled, fought
through sleepless nights. As a growing girl Azhure had once asked Hagen what
her mother's name had been, but Hagen had lost his temper in a frightening
display of anger and had badly beaten Azhure, and the girl had never asked from
that day forth. Not only her mother, but her mother's name was lost to her.
Azhure took a deep breath. She would be there for her baby, and her baby
would never have occasion to forget Azhure's name.
      Her mind drifted, wondering what it would feel like to hold her baby for the
first time, what it would feel like to have a child love and trust her and come to
her for comfort and laughter. Axis' child would surely be wondrous. She smiled.
Would it be golden-haired like Axis? Or would it inherit her dark hair and pale
skin? How Icarii would it be, and how human?
      She looked about her, and quickly realised that the sun was already well
above the horizon. If she did not hurry, the entire garrison might come searching
for her. Azhure shot to her feet and grabbed Belaguez's reins, making the horse
toss his head in alarm.
      "Damn," Azhure muttered feelingly as she mounted the restless stallion. He
would have to forgo his run down HoldHard Pass this morning. Was Belial
already waiting for her in the stable?
      He was.
      Belial smiled at Azhure and took the stallion's reins from her. Azhure busied
herself with unsaddling Belaguez.
      As she undid the girth, Belial stepped up behind her and touched the back of
her neck with his fingers. "Azhure, I hope you did not misunderstand me last
night. I meant marriage, not simply a casual affair. I do not want you simply for
a night, but for my life."
      "I know," Azhure whispered, then closed her eyes as he gently kissed her
neck, then her cheek, and then slipped his arms about her. He would make a
good father for my children, thought Azhure. My dreams of heroes were so
childish. What woman could ask for anything more than a good, solid man to
support her?
      "And your answer?" he said, his mouth in her hair now.
      "Belial," she took his hands where they rested against her waist and slid
them gently over her stomach. "Belial, I am pregnant. I cannot accept."
      She felt his breathing falter and closed her eyes as she felt his pain. He did
not deserve this.
      "Axis," he said woodenly.
      Azhure hesitated, then nodded. "Yes."
      "Do you love him?"
      "Yes," she said, and at her answer Belial tore himself away from her and
thumped the stable wall in frustration and anger. Belaguez jumped sideways,
startled, his ears laid back along his skull.
      "Damn him," Belial seethed. "I have never, never, envied him his women
until now!" He turned to face Azhure again. "Azhure, I love you. I want you
whether you are pregnant or not. Whether you love Axis or not. You know that
you have no life with him! You know that we could build a good life together!"
Why couldn't Axis have left her alone? Had the man no conscience? No self
control? What of Faraday?
     Azhure started to cry silently. "Belial. You must know more than anyone how
it would hurt Axis to know that a child of his would be raised without true
knowledge of its parentage. Do I know that I have no future with him? Yes, I do,
Belial. But until Axis returns and the child is born I can make no decisions.
None."
     Belial looked away again, his eyes dull now. "When?"
     "Early Raven-month next year. The child was conceived at Beltide. The first
day of Flower-month." She looked down at her hands. "It was just that once."
     Belial laughed sourly. "Once? That was all he needed?" Azhure nodded,
knowing that Belial was angry at Axis rather than at her. She wiped away some
of her tears.
     Belial shook his head in disbelief. "Axis should have bastards littered across
half of Achar if once was all he needed. to get a woman with his child. Why you,
Azhure? Why you?"
     He reached out and cradled Azhure against his body, certain that this would
be the last time he held her. He could not compete with Axis. "Azhure, if you had
not been pregnant, would you have come to me?"
     Azhure did not hesitate. "Yes, I would have been honoured to do so."
     For a long time they stood there quietly in the stable, listening to Sigholt
wake up about them.
     Rivkah had been up an hour when Azhure came back to change. Rivkah
knew immediately she saw her that something was very wrong.
     "Azhure? What is it?"
     Azhure could say nothing as tears streamed down her face, and Rivkah
hurried across the room and folded her in her arms. She hugged the younger
woman and rocked her a little.
     "Azhure, I know that you are pregnant." She smiled, trying to cheer Azhure
up. "This will be my first grandchild."
     "Belial asked me to marry him last night, and I cannot. Not carrying Axis'
child."
     "Ah." Rivkah began to see. Azhure had wanted to walk away from the
inevitable pain of Axis. Belial would have provided the perfect escape for her. But
Azhure had not walked far enough nor quickly enough. And Axis was not likely to
let a child of his go, especially if it was an Enchanter.
     Rivkah led Azhure to the bed and held her while the woman cried herself
out. Like Belial, Rivkah wondered at the fact that Axis had left no children behind
him to this day, despite a string of lovers. Azhure s child would be his first.
     Unlike Belial, Rivkah knew the reason why. Male Enchanters — indeed, Icarii
birdmen generally — found it difficult to father children. And once they had
managed it with one woman, they were as reluctant to let that woman go as
they were to let the child go. In fact, Icarii often did not formally marry until the
couple were expecting their first child — and sometimes a marriage would never
take place if a child was not conceived. The couple would simply separate and
reform partnerships with other people. A large part of the reason StarDrifter had
been so fascinated with Rivkah, a large part of his love for her, had been her
ability to bear him children. Now she was too old for a pregnancy, and
StarDrifter still had the majority of his life to find another woman to bear him
more children.
     Rivkah rocked Azhure in her arms. After only one night, Azhure had fallen
pregnant to Axis. No matter what the bond between Axis and Faraday, Azhure's
simple fecundity would weld him tightly to her. Had Azhure left it too late to
walk? Yes. Azhure could run as far as she liked now, but Axis would hunt her
down. He would be unable to help himself.

    The Enchantress' RingThey sat in a flat-
bottomed boat in the centre of a vast violet lake. Above them soared a massive
domed roof of multifaceted crystals.
     The Ferryman's eyes reflected the violet of the lake. "Your mother won for
you the right to ask me for assistance. You ask to be taught. I will do that. But I
have a condition."
     "What?" Axis' voice was wary. Both StarDrifter and Rivkah had warned him
that the Ferryman was a cunning bargainer — and one who spoke in riddles.
     "I will teach you whatever you ask. But of you I will ask one thing. Whatever
I teach you is for your use and the use of your issue only. When you return to
the OverWorld, you will not teach StarDrifter, or any other Icani Enchanter, what
you have learned down here. My teaching is for you and your children only. Do
you agree?" "Why?"
     The Ferryman's eyes glinted. "My purpose is not your concern. Do you
agree? Or would you like me to return you to the OverWorld?"
     "Agreed. I will teach none but my children."
     "Good. What do you wish to know?"
     "Your name."
     "My name was once Orr, and you may call me that. Whatnext?"
     Axis looked about him. The massive lake was completely deserted except for
the boat they sat in, and Axis had seen no-one else in the waterways they had
travelled. "Where are the other Charonites?"
     "/ am the Charonites, Axis SunSoar. Not simply the last one left alive, but I
am myself the complete race. We all reside in here." Orr tapped himself on the
chest.
     Axis looked at him strangely, but decided to let it pass. "Orr, what are the
waterways?"
     Orr actually chuckled, surprising Axis. "The waterways are far less
mysterious than most suppose. It is simply that they are hidden so far from sight
and so deep in memory, that whenever anyone from the OverWorld thinks of
them, they think of them in shadows of mystery."
     "Then tell me."
     "You are impatient, Axis. That is your father in you."
     Axis had already learned that Orr did not think very much of StarDrifter.
"Don't waste my time in riddles, Orr."
     Orr sighed and meticulously adjusted his ruby-red cloak. "You have learned
of the Star Dance?"
     "Yes. I hear it about me every moment I am awake, and at night it rustles
through my dreams."
     "Axis, as you know the Icarii Enchanters use music to mirror the patterns of
the Star Dance. The waterways do the same thing, except the pattern is laid
down in a physical form. To travel the waterways is literally to move through the
patterns of the particular 'Song' you wish."
     "So for each Song there is a corresponding waterway?"
     "Yes," the Ferryman said, a little hesitantly.
     "As an Enchanter I have learned Songs, melodies, each with a specific
purpose. I use each Song to manipulate the power of the Star Dance, the Songs
serve as a conduit to weave the power of the Star Dance to my particular
purpose."
     "Yes, yes. All know that."
     "But the waterways act as a different conduit for the power of the Star
Dance? Instead of singing a Song, I simply travel the particular waterway that
suits my purpose? Each of the waterways has its own purpose?"
     "Yes. The waterways are just another way of manipulating the power of the
Star Dance. Icarii Enchanters use music. The Charonites travel a particular
waterway. It is a, ah, slightly more cumbersome way."
     "In Talon Spike StarDrifter and MorningStar taught me all the Songs they
knew. It is a finite number," said Axis.
     Orr's great violet eyes sparkled. "A finite number? Really? How many?"
     "Perhaps a thousand. It is what I find most restricting. If I have a purpose
but no Song to suit, I cannot use my powers." "They only know about a
thousand Songs?" Orr said, his mouth twitching. "Have they forgotten so much?"
     Axis leaned forward, his excitement growing. He had been right to come
down here. "How many do you know?" he asked, his voice tight. "How many
waterways do you have?" Orr fought to control his humour. "Let me answer that
by asking you another question, boy. Did StarDrifter teach you how to use your
ring?"
     Axis frowned and looked at the ring on the middle finger of his right hand.
Made of red gold and encrusted with diamond chips in star patterns, it was the
SunSoar ring. Each House only had one ring, passed down through the
generations, and StarDrifter had been happy to let Axis wear it.
     "It is simply a symbol of my status as an Enchanter," Axis said finally. Use it?
What for? "The senior Enchanters of each House wear them. It has no use...does
it?"
     Orr covered his face with his hands and rocked back and forth with silent
merriment. Axis frowned in exasperation. What had he said now?
     "My dear young man," Orr said finally, patting Axis affectionately on the
knee. "My dear young man. I had not realised that the Icarii Enchanters had
forgotten so much, had supped so deep into ineptitude. How can they still call
themselves Enchanters?"
     Axis almost shouted in his impatience. " What is it?" "Axis," Orr said, "there
is almost no limit to the Songs you can sing, just as there is almost no limit to
the waterways you can travel. You can wield the power of the Stars virtually any
way you wish. How is it that the Icarii have forgotten this? Look at your ring."
Axis dropped his eyes. "Is the pattern uniform?" Orr asked. "No. The same
pattern never seems to be repeated." "Quite. Now, think of a Song you know,
think of the music, and look again at the ring."
     Axis thought of the Song of Harmony. As the music ran through his head, his
eyes widened. The pattern of the stars on his ring had shifted to match the
Song.
     "Now, Axis," Orr whispered, "think of a purpose for which you have no Song.
Something simple. I do not want you to blow us out of the water. Think of the
purpose, and then look at the ring."
     Axis thought, and the colour of the Ferryman's cloak caught his eye. A Song
to change the colour of Orr's cloak to silvery grey, he thought to himself, then
glanced at the ring. The pattern of the stars on his ring had shifted again — into
a configuration that he did not know. He translated the pattern the ring showed
him into a melody in his mind and instantly the Ferryman's cloak altered colour
from ruby red into silvery grey.
     Orr smiled. "Such a simple thing, eh? Yet the Icarii Enchanters have
forgotten how to use their rings. The number of Songs that can be sung are
limited only by the number of purposes you have."
     "Do you mean," Axis said, hardly believing it could be this simple, "that all I
have to do is to think of the purpose, watch the ring show me the pattern of the
melody, and then I have the Song for the purpose?"
     Orr nodded. "In the same way I use die waterways. There are relatively few
physical waterways. If I have a purpose, or a place to go for which there is not a
physical waterway, I simply diink of the purpose, and die waterway is created."
     "Can I use the power of die Star Dance for any purpose?"
     "No. You can't. Certainly there is a Song for most purposes, and all you need
to do to learn the Song is to watch the patterns that the ring forms for you. But
some Songs, some melodies, would be too dangerous for you. They would allow
too much of the power of the Star Dance through — and you would die. A great
deal of your learning as you grow in power, Axis SunSoar, is going to be knowing
what patterns, what Songs, are too dangerous for you to attempt to use. That is
why I asked you to think of a simple purpose. Generally, the more complex the
purpose, the more you need to do, and the more power of the Star Dance you
will be required to manipulate through Song. Having learned to use your ring,
Axis, you must be very, very careful. Otherwise you will die as you attempt to
use it."
     Axis looked at die ring widi new-found respect. For what purposes would the
ring show him Songs that were too dangerous to use?
     "You will learn, Axis," Orr said. "You may scorch yourself now and again, but
you will learn. There are purposes for which no Song exists. Only a few, and diey
are mosdy to do widi healing. Rarely will you be able to use the music of die Star
Dance to heal. Strange, because you can manipulate the Star Dance to recreate
die dying, but a simple cut or bruise? At that die Star Dance baulks. I do not
know why."
     "For what you have told me I thank you, Orr," Axis said finally. "It is a great
gift you have given me."
     Orr inclined his head. "And you have given me a gift in return, Axis SunSoar.
I had not realised to what depths of stupidity the Icarii had sunk, but your
revelations have been most informative. Forgotten how to use their rings,
indeed!"
     "Orr. MorningStar has told me some disturbing news," Axis said, cutting
through the Ferryman's laughter.
     "What is it?"
     "She believes I was taught many Songs as a baby. She tells me no
Enchanter knows a Song intuitively, yet I already knew many before I began
training with her and StarDrifter."
     "She is right. You did not have that ring as a baby?"
     "No. I only received it some eight months ago."
     "An Enchanter needs a ring, or someone else of their family, to teach him or
her what Songs to sing. What were the Songs you already knew?"
     "The Song of Recreation, and die Song of Recall."
     "Both are powerful and complex Songs!"
     "Yes. Orr, is there another SunSoar Enchanter about? StarDrifter believes the
same Enchanter has taught Gorgrael."
     Orr hissed in surprise. "I had never wondered who taught Gorgrael. It was
remiss of me."
     "And Gorgrael uses the Dark Music of the Stars," said Axis. "So whoever
taught him knows how to use that music as well?"
     Orr nodded, obviously troubled.
     "Orr, can I use the Dark Music with this ring?"
     "No. The rings are only designed to draw xm the power of the Star Dance
itself. Gorgrael has no ring in any case, and what Icarii Enchanter knows the use
of the Dark Music? None that I know of. Axis, your words trouble me. I will have
to think on them further."
     After a long while Axis spoke again. "Orr. I have seen some of GorgraeFs
creatures fade from view. They seem to be able to use their magic to move
through space, perhaps time. Can I do that?"
     Orr nodded. "Obviously they use the Dark Music to do that, and that you
cannot touch. But it is possible for you to. travel across vast distances in a
fraction of a heartbeat using your ring. Nevertheless, there are limits," he said
quickly as he saw excitement on Axis' face. "Although you can travel from
anywhere, there are only a few sites you can travel to."
    "What do you mean?"
    The Ferryman's fingers tapped the side of the boat. "Only certain sites in
Tencendor can pull you to them. If you try to use the Song of Movement to
travel to some other place, you will simply disintegrate into thin air. Do I make
myself dear?"
     "Yes. What sites can pull me to them?"
     "Sites with enough inherent magic to act as beacons, as it were, for the
Song of Movement. The magical Keeps -Sigholt, the Silent Woman Keep,
Spiredore -"
     "Spiredore?"
     "What you know as the Tower of the Seneschal. Yes," Orr said wryly, noting
the stunned look on Axis' face, "the Seneschal has taken up residence in one of
the ancient and certainly the most magical of the Keeps of Tencendor. But be
wary of trying to use that as a base for travel, Axis, because Spiredore's magic
currently lies slumbering under the weight of the Seneschal's lies. Until it is
awakened, like Sigholt has recently been, then you cannot use it."
     "I understand. Are there any other sites?"
     "Yes. The Earth Tree now that she sings. The Star Gate -"
     "I have heard of the Star Gate," Axis broke in, "but I have not seen it."
     "Be patient," Orr snapped. "I will take you there eventually. The Island of
Mist and Memory is another, but, like Spiredore, its Temple needs to be relit
before you can use it."
     "So, when you have finished teaching me, all I have to do to travel to Sigholt
is to think of the Keep, note the pattern of stars on my ring, and sing the melody
it depicts?"
     Orr nodded. "Yes. That is all. But remember, Axis, only those sites that I
have mentioned - and only those among them that are currently awake - are
strong enough to pull you towards them. Try the Song of Movement with any
other site and you will die."
     Sobered, Axis studied his ring. In only a few minutes he had learned more
from the Ferryman than he had learned in months from StarDrifter.
     Orr stared at the water, a strange urge building in him. He had been waiting
a very long time for this. So this was the man? He trailed his fingers in the violet
water, then abruptly snatched something from beneath the water's surface.
     Axis jumped. "What?" he began, then the Ferryman held his dripping hand
palm up for Axis' inspection.
     Lying in the very centre of Orr's palm was the most exquisite ring Axis had
ever seen. It was an Enchanter's ring, he could see that at once, but unlike his or
any other. The entire ring appeared to be crafted from sapphire, although the
deep blue was far more translucent than any sapphire Axis had ever seen. On
Axis' ring, as on the others he had seen, the stars were represented by tiny
diamond chips embedded into the ring's surface. But, as he picked this ring up,
Axis saw that golden stars actually danced and weaved from within this ring. It
was a tiny ring, obviously crafted for a woman's finger.
      "It is very beautiful," he whispered.
      "Yes," Orr replied. "It is. Axis, this is the original ring from which all other
Enchanter rings were, copied. It first appeared in the custody of the original
Enchantress, the common ancestor and mother of both the Icarii and Charonite
races who first discovered how to use the power of the Stars. She lived some
fifteen thousand years ago. A very long time." He paused. "I do not know how
she came by it."
      "She did not make it herself?" Axis asked, unable to tear his eyes away from
the beauty of the ring.
      "No. She was merely its custodian. The ring seeks its true owner. It will
come home, but only when the Circle is complete."
      Axis glanced up. "The Circle?"
      The Ferryman's face closed over, and Axis understood that this was one
mystery he was not yet prepared to divulge.
      "And you have kept it since she died?" tried Axis.
      "No. When the Enchantress died, she passed custody of the ring to the
Icarii. They kept it and revered it for many thousands of years. It was their most
precious relic."
      "Then how did you come to get it?"
      "It was brought to us by one of the Enchanter-Talons, some four thousand
years ago, just before he died. His name was WolfStar SunSoar."
      WolfStar's name again. "Why did he give it to you?"
      "He said that patterns were altering. WolfStar was powerful, and promised
far more great power. He died an untimely death — which in itself was not too
unfortunate. I believe that he would have led the Icarii to disaster with his
strange ideas and experiments. But that is neither here nor there. WolfStar
handed it to me for safe-keeping. He told me that I would know to whom to pass
it. I feel that person is you."
      "What am I supposed to do with it? Can I use it?"
      "No. You cannot. The Enchantress' ring does not work in the same manner
as the ring you now wear — not even the Enchantress understood its full
mysteries. All WolfStar told me was that I would know who to give it to, and that
when I handed it over, I was to tell that person the same thing."
      "What? What do you mean?"
      "That you, in time, will also know who to hand the ring to. Believe me in
this, Axis. The feeling will be overwhelming. You will know when and to whom
the Enchantress' ring must be handed. Until then you must keep the ring safe.
Do not show it to anyone. Understand?"
      "Yes. I understand. I will keep it safe," Axis reluctantly slid the ring into a
small pocket, "and I will show it to no-one."
      Who would the Enchantress" Ring pick? Who would complete this mysterious
circle?
    The PatrolYif f "^ -w"o\a squads do well, Azhure," Belial
remarked, standing at the window of the map-room and watching the bands of
mounted archers at practice. "You have done remarkable work with them."
      Azhure accepted the compliment. Belial had given her a farther two squads
to train four weeks previously and Azhure had turned her three squads of
mounted archers into a mobile and deadly force that would complement any
army. Although none of the archers came close to demonstrating Azhure's level
of ability, they had all increased their skill twofold. There was not an archer in
Achar who could better them now, Belial mused, as he watched them practise
hitting moving targets while at the gallop.
      His eyes met Azhure's and they moved back to where Magariz and Arne sat
at the table in the centre of the room. In the five, weeks since Azhure had told
Belial of her pregnancy they had overcome their initial awkwardness and
established an easy, friendly relationship of mutual respect. Belial buried his
feelings for Azhure as deep as he could.
      All four in the room were garbed similarly in simple grey tunics over white
breeches, each with the blazing blood-red sun on their left breasts. Azhure had
argued persistently that the force in Sigholt would have to wear a common
uniform, emblemised so that all would know for whom they fought.
      "We are ready to fight, Belial," Azhure said as they sat down. "/ am ready to
fight. Do not think that I'm going to stay at home and knit. Use me, use my
command."
      Belial caught Magariz's eye. Azhure had a familiar determined tone in her
voice, but neither man felt comfortable using a woman in battle. Arne studied
the flecks on the ceiling of the chamber. If the woman could fight, then he saw
no reason why she shouldn't be allowed to do so.
      "When the Icarii Strike Force arrives," Azhure pointed out, "you will see that
they allow their women to fight. Axis has no qualms about using me."
      "That was before you, ah, um ..." Belial's voice drifted into an awkward
silence.
      Azhure laughed. All in the room knew she was pregnant and that Axis was
the father. "Before I fell pregnant? Well, maybe so. But my pregnancy has not
stopped me thus far, has it? My sickness has gone now and I feel fitter, stronger
than I ever have before. And see," she pressed her hands against her belly. "Still
flat. Rivkah says that Icarii babes are small, that I won't grow too large. So, the
fact is, I refuse to stay home. Until I grow too cumbersome to ride, I will be
there, leading my command. Why give me three squads of archers? Do you want
me to command them from my couch?"
      Belial laughed and raised his hands in surrender, "All right, Azhure, if there is
action and I think your command would be useful then it — and you — will be
used. But," his tone and eyes became serious, "I will not allow you to ride if I
think you will prove a risk to yourself, to your baby, or to your command. Do I
make myself clear?"
     Azhure wiped the smile from her face. "Perfectly, Commander."
     "Well then," Belial said briskly. "Shall we get down to business? Magariz.
What news of the Skraelings?"
     "Not enough to ease my mind, Belial." Magariz looked tired and drawn, and
the scar on his cheek was even moreprominent than usual. "We know the
Skraelings run through most of Ichtar and that they are slowly moving south —
our patrols are now encountering small numbers of them in the hills below
Sigholt. But how many all told? And where do they gather? I don't know. All I do
know is that we're only weeks away from autumn and Gorgrael has had months
in which to build his forces. He must surely be massing for an
attack...somewhere."
     Belial studied the map before him. "Their most direct route into Achar is past
Jervois Landing."
     "What about the WildDog Plains?" Arne queried. "That route would give
them straight run through to Skarabost."
     Belial leaned back and looked at Arne. "We'll have to plan for that
eventuality, but I don't think Gorgrael will send his main force that way. The
River Nordra is a natural barrier between the WildDog Plains and Skarabost.
Remember how the River Andakilsa funnelled them through the Gorken Pass."
"Is there any chance they can isolate us from our supply routes, Belial?" Azhure
largely had responsibility for the garrison's stores.
     Belial started to say "No", then looked at the map again. "If they do push
down the WildDog Plains they could cut off HoldHard Pass."
     "If, if, if." Magariz's voice was tight with strain. "Always if. Must we sit here
and wait for their first move?" , "There isn't much else we can do, Magariz,"
Belial replied shortly. "Our force is currently too small to scout any further than
the southern and eastern Urqhart Hills. And Axis..."
     There was silence. When would Axis get back? Azhure briefly laid a hand on
her belly.
     "We need Axis," Belial finished. "And we need the Strike Force's scouting
abilities. Magariz, is there no more news regarding the Strike Force?"
     "No, Belial. The last intelligence we had from their farflight scouts was that
they'd arrive in three weeks' time."
     Belial sighed. "Well, whatever our problems, Borneheld undoubtedly faces
far worse. Last night I received word from the scouts I'd sent into Jervois
Landing. The news is good and bad, my friends. Borneheld has ordered a series
of canals be constructed between the Nordra and Azle rivers to create a barrier
of running water. Borneheld has enough men that, with the aid of the canals, he
may have a chance of holding Gorgrael's Skraelings to Ichtar this winter."
     "And the bad news," Arne put in, "must be that if Borneheld manages to
blunt the Skraeling danger he'll have a battle-hardened army to throw at us.
Borneheld will indulge his hatred of Axis with everything he's got."
     "Well, we must have roughly the same number of forces," said Magariz
carefully, watching Belial. "And as good."
     Belial was silent.
     "How many forces does Borneheld command at Jervois Landing, Belial?"
Azhure asked finally.
     Belial took a deep breath. "At best estimate, almost twenty thousand."
     All three started forward, and Arne swore viciously.
     " Twenty thousand?" Magariz repeated. "But where could he have got so
many? At the most we had fourteen thousand at Gorkenfort — and Borneheld
had almost stripped Achar bare to get those. We lost some six thousand in the
fighting, three thousand left with us to follow Axis...why, Borneheld would have
left Gorkenfort with only some five thousand men. Belial, your information must
be wrong!"
     Belial shook his head. "I wish it were, my friend, I wish it were. No,
Borneheld has at least twenty thousand in Jervois Landing. My spies tell me that
the Ravensbund chief, one Ho'Demi, brought at least eleven thousand men to
Borne-held's cause. And Borneheld also has the use of all the refugees who fled
Ichtar before the Skraelings, plus the soldiers who fled Sigholt itself. At the least
twenty thousand. Probably more."
     There was silence. With the Icarii they would number at best five thousand.
It would be a fierce and bloody fight for control of Achar.
     Azhure tapped the table, thinking aloud. "But Borneheld will have to fight on
two fronts. He will always have to keep an army at Jervois Landing to keep the
Skraelings back, and once Axis takes command here he will undoubtedly move
down through Skarabost before he swings west towards Carlon. Borneheld will
have to split his force."
     Belial studied her. "You're right, Azhure. But Axis will have to do the same
thing. If he moves down into Achar with his main force, then he will still have to
leave a good force here in Sigholt to guard the WildDog Plains. The last thing
Axis will want is to have Gorgrael attack him from his rear while he's trying to
defeat Borneheld."
     "Well, don't forget you also have my pack of fifteen Alaunt." Azhure grinned.
"They might well tip the balance in our favour."
     The men stared at her for a moment, then they guffawed with laughter.
     "Enough of Borneheld and the Skraelings," Belial said, grateful to Azhure for
breaking the tension. "At the moment the influx of refugees into Sigholt is almost
as worrying."
     When Belial had first occupied Sigholt he had sent small bands of men down
into Skarabost to scout out possible supply routes and spread word of the
Prophecy. The organisation of supply routes was going well, but news of the
Prophecy was now attracting so many people to Sigholt that it was rapidly
representing a major new problem. Small groups — sometimes only four or five,
sometimes twenty or thirty - had started to arrive some four weeks ago and the
numbers had grown steadily ever since.
     "Belial, I am sure there is no need to look so worried," Azhure said. "You
should be pleased that so many see fit to flock to Axis' cause."
      "Don't lecture me!" Belial snapped, "just tell me what you've done with
them." As well as training her three squads of mounted archers, Azhure had also
assumed responsibility for feeding, accommodating and generally organising the
new arrivals.
      "I've managed to accommodate them in tents on the north-eastern shores of
the Lake. We have enough food for the moment, and many of them have
brought their own. And soon we'll have additional food to supplement what we
get via our supply routes."
      "Really? How so?" asked Magariz.
      Azhure glanced out the window. "Since the Lake has sprung to life, so have
the Urqhart Hills. I set the larger number of refugees to clearing and digging
vegetable gardens. They were planted some two weeks ago, and the first
vegetables are nearing maturity now. It is the waters, apparently, that
encourage new life."
      "Good." Belial nodded, then looked to Arne. "Any fighters among them?"
      Arne shrugged. "Most are peasants, driven to hunger by the extremity of the
previous winter, and clinging to any story or rumour that promises mem a better
life. But many of the younger men are strong, many are eager. They can wield a
stave with the best of them."
      "Do they want to fight for Axis," Belial asked, "or are they just streaming into
Sigholt because it promises some refuge from Gorgrael's icy winds?"
      "A bit of both, I think," Magariz answered. "Many Acharites have been
scared by the news of the fall of Gorkenfort and the loss of Ichtar. They wonder
if the Star-Man the Prophecy speaks of might be the one to save them, rather
than Borneheld. And you know the reputation Axis enjoyed as BattleAxe. Still,
from what I can gather, it is only a tiny fraction of the population of Skarabost
that seeks to wend its way north. Most either prefer to stay with their homes,
with what they know, or are scared by the idea that the Prophecy speaks of an
alliance with the Forbidden."
      Belial sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Well, I hope they won't jump too much
when the Strike Force drops out of the sky."
      Magariz reined in his horse, waving at the patrol behind him to stay out of
sight. He turned in the saddle and looked for Azhure. They were on an extended
patrol in the southern Urqhart Hills, the River Nordra only half a league away to
the south. This was dangerous territory. Not only were there Skraelings about,
but Borneheld's forces had been increasing their patrols here as well. The last
patrol Belial sent into this area had encountered a well-armed band of twenty
men from Jervois Landing. In the skirmish that followed both sides lost almost
half their men. Thus the presence of Azhure and two squads of her archers on
this patrol - they had already proved their worth.
      Magariz motioned Azhure forward. They had been out some eight days,
scouting the southern hills to test the strength of both Skraelings and
Borneheld's forces. Already they'd encountered small bands of Skraelings, and
Azhure had proved as calm and reliable in battle as she was around the
conference table. Her archers had conducted themselves as well as their leader,
and when they returned Magariz would recommend to Belial that Azhure be
given several more squads. The Alaunt were also showing themselves to be
useful in battle. The day before yesterday they had encountered a band of about
two hundred Skraelings, braver and better organised than most. Azhure had
directed her archers, then motioned to the hounds, sending them in among the
Skraelings. Magariz had been horrified, thinking that if the Alaunt survived the
Skraelings then they'd be murdered by the arrows raining down among them.
But the Alaunt weaved and ducked, knowing instinctively when an arrow sped
their way, and they pulled down as many Skraelings as Azhure's archers. Both
archers and hounds had kept the patrols injuries minimal.
     "What do you think of the valley ahead?" he asked as Azhure reined in
Belaguez by his side.
     "There's a camp site about a third of the way down the valley," she said.
"Perhaps some fifteen men and their horses. They have a camp fire, but they
use long-dead wood so that it burns bright with no smoke."
     Magariz nodded. "Good. If you were their commander, would you allow all
your men to sit about the fire and sing cheerful songs in territory that is distinctly
unfriendly?"
     "No. No. There are, ah," Azhure strained her eyes, "about fifteen men
around the fire, but considerably more horses. He has sentries posted. Perhaps
six or seven."
     "Very well, what do you suggest?"
     She turned to look at him. His face was dark and inscrutable beneath the
hood of his black cloak. "Attack?"
     Magariz considered. "Perhaps. Twenty or so less men for Borneheld would
help us, but I do not know where the patrol commander has his sentries, and I
hardly think it worthwhile to risk an attack for just twenty or so men."
     "And if we could dispose of the sentries — could we capture those about the
fire? Wring what information we could from them before we kill them?"
     "Ideally. But how do we dispose of unseen sentries?"
     Azhure's eyes were cold. "I send in the Alaunt. They can track them. Kill
them in silence. They will be dead in half an hour at the most. The main group
about the fire wall never know we are there until we have them surrounded."
     "Then send in the hounds, Azhure, and we will see how silently they can
track and kill."
     They killed both silently and well, and were back at Azhure's side in less than
twenty minutes, their muzzles flecked with red. "Well?" she asked Magariz.
     "We go in on foot for added silence. The band about the fire will suspect
nothing. Come, bring your archers."
     It was dusk by the time they surrounded the fifteen men relaxing about the
fire. Azhure had kept the Alaunt close by her side and had approached downwind
in order not to frighten the men's horses, hobbled some distance away down the
stream. Five men flanked the patrol about the camp fire and moved to cut the
horses free. Magariz moved the rest, both archers and ordinary soldiers, into
position with hand signals, then indicated that Azhure should stay close to him.
Azhure notched an arrow into the Wolven.
      They crouched in the tree line just outside the range of the firelight, listening
to the men talk. They were from Jervois Landing, and, like Magariz's patrol,
almost at the end of their duty and relieved they had avoided the desperate
armed bandits they'd heard were in these hills.
      Azhure felt Magariz tense and glanced at him. He pointed to a soldier
relaxing against a rock and whispered, "Nevelon. Lieutenant to Duke Roland. A
good man."
      Azhure looked at the man. He was young and fit, with thick brown hair and a
short-cropped beard. Not good enough, she thought, if he still owed his loyalty
to Borneheld rather than Axis.
      Magariz placed a hand on Azhure's shoulder and whispered into her ear.
"Back me up on this, Azhure. I want to speak to them. Nevelon is a sensible
man. If he knows his command is surrounded by archers he will not try to fight
his way free. Can your archers put a ring of arrows about them?"
      Azhure nodded, signalled to her men, then raised her eyebrows at Magariz.
She had the Wolven ready to fire. "Now?"
      "Now," he nodded.
      At Azhure's signal a vicious rustle of arrows filled the air, and an instant later
the men about the camp fire leapt to their feet and gazed horrified, at the
arrows ringing them in a perfect circle.
      "Nevelon." Magariz stepped into the firelight. "Do not consider your
weapons. At my signal, or at the first handspan of steel that you or any one of
your men draw, you are dead."
      Nevelon nodded curtly and motioned to his men to drop their hands from
their sword hilts.
      "Magariz," he said. "I thought you were dead."
      "Alas, no." Magariz's entire posture was relaxed and confident. In the
firelight his scarred face looked demonic. "It seems we both escaped Gorkenfort
safely. Tell me, how is your Duke, Roland?"
      A muscle in Nevelon's cheek twitched. By Artor, the man was as cool as if he
trod the court in Carlon. Did he intend to kill them? "Roland still lives - although
these last months have seen him lose considerable weight."
      "And Borneheld. Fit and well? I would hate to hear he had succumbed to a
cold on the flight from Gorkenfort."
      "The King is well," Nevelon said carefully.
      Magariz rocked in surprise. Borneheld was King? He almost tripped as his
wounded leg slipped on a loose rock underfoot.
      Nevelon grinned, and reached for the dagger in his belt. He was widely
renowned for his skill at throwing the blade, and he could easily kill Magariz
before the man had time to signal to his archers. If they all died in a hail of
arrows after that — well, Magariz surely intended to kill them anyway. His hand
whipped the knife out of his belt, but before he let it fly Nevelon gave a cry of
pain and dropped the knife. Bristling from the back of his hand was an arrow
fletched with beautiful blue feathers.
      "The next one goes in your left eye, Nevelon," a woman's voice said, "and I
will personally be the one to twist it all the way through to your brain. Do you
understand me?"
      Nevelon nodded, clutching his hand to his chest.
      "Then I would appreciate my arrow back, Lieutenant," the voice continued.
"Would you mind twisting it out and throwing it behind Magariz?"
      Nevelon couldn't believe what he'd just heard. Twist it out? The arrowhead
had penetrated so deeply it was halfway through the palm of his hand.
      "Now " the voice demanded.
      Magariz laughed sardonically. "Nevelon, hear her. She has a special
attachment to those arrows, and will not mind killing you with another to get the
first back."
      Nevelon abruptly took hold of the shaft of the arrow and twisted it free. He
gave a harsh grunt of pain, then, ashen-faced, tossed the arrow behind Magariz.
      "Thank you," the voice said, and from the darkness emerged the largest
hound Nevelon had ever seen, pale cream and gold. It paced carefully to the
arrow, its eyes on Nevelon's throat, then picked it up and disappeared back into
the night.
      "Thank you, Azhure," Magariz called softly. "I think you saved my life."
      Nevelon heard the name. Azhure?
      Magariz shifted his black eyes back to Nevelon. "Borneheld is King? Priam is
dead?"
      Nevelon nodded warily. He could just make out the woman now. Raven-
haired, she had a magnificent bow drawn tight in her hands. He noticed that two
of his men, Ravensbundmen, were staring at the bow fixedly. "Yes. Priam died
some weeks ago. He developed a fatal brain fever and died crazed."
      "Well," Magariz said. "The message remains the same."
      Message? Would he live after all?
      "As you can see, Nevelon, Azhure and myself wear the emblem of the
blazing blood-red sun. Do you know it?"
      Nevelon shook his head.
      "Well, Nevelon, then you niust remember it. It is the emblem of the
StarMan. You must remember the Prophecy that so many spoke of in
Gorkenfort."
      "It was a lie." Nevelon's voice did not sound very sure.
      "No," Magariz said, wiping his face free of any expression of artfulness. "The
Prophecy does not lie. We wait for the StarMan to lead us — and Achar — to
victory against Gorgrael."
      "Axis!" Nevelon spat, remembering Magariz naming Axis as the StarMan at
Gorkenfort as he revealed his treacherous nature and deserted Borneheld. "You
both betrayed us at Gorkenfort."
     Magariz's face hardened. "No, Nevelon. Axis and I, as others, did the best
we could in a situation that was unwin-nable. Now listen, for I have a message
for Borneheld. Tell him that if he does not ally himself with the cause of the
StarMan he will die. Only Axis can lead Achar to victory. Tell him that if he
persists in denying the Prophecy then the Prophecy will tear him apart. If he has
won a kingdom, then he will not long enjoy it. Tell him Axis comes, and he
conies with the power of the Prophecy behind him."
     "And allied with the Forbidden?" Nevelon asked harshly.
     "Allied with our friends, Nevelon," Magariz said. "We have an alliance built
on trust and friendship. Tell me, how well does Borneheld trust those around
him? News of the Prophecy spreads throughout Achar. The past is crumbling
beneath our feet. Reach forward and embrace the future, Nevelon."
     Nevelon spat at Magariz's feet.
     "A brave, but somewhat foolish action, Nevelon. What will it accomplish?
Remember my message for Borneheld. Now, I must go. Do not think to follow
us. Your horses have been scattered and it will take you hours to find them. I
would take your weapons, but if I did that you would be easy prey for the
Skraelings, and I want my message to reach Borneheld. Your sentries are dead,
killed by these hounds. Azhure?"
     Azhure whistled softly and the fifteen Alaunt stepped forward from the
shadows to encircle Nevelon and his men.
     "They will stand guard while we move away," said Magariz. "If you make
one move they will kill you. Azhure?"
     She nodded and murmured to Sicarius who stood with his golden eyes fixed
on Nevelon's face. He could smell the man's blood.
     Magariz stepped back and put his hand on Azhure's shoulder. An instant
later they were gone in the shadows.
     Nevelon stood and stared at the hounds.
     "I would believe what he said, Lieutenant Nevelon," one of the
Ravensbundmen said softly. "They are the legendary Alaunt."
     Nevelon looked at the Ravensbundman, startled. He swallowed and stood
perfectly still, clutching his crippled hand against his chest, until the ghost
hounds eventually melted back into the night.
     Even then, no-one moved for almost an hour.

    Star GateThey sat in the flat-bottomed boat in the centre of the
violet lake underneath the light of the crystals. The Star Dance drifted about
them. Sometimes they talked, mostly they sat in silence.
     "Explain about the Star Gods," Axis asked, "for StarDrifter and MorningStar's
teaching confused me."
     "In what manner?" Orr prompted.
     "There are nine Star Gods," Axis said, and Orr inclined his head. "Yet I know
only seven names: Adamon and Xanon, the two senior Gods of the Firmament;
Silton, God of Fire; Pors, God of Air; Zest, Goddess of Earth; Flulia, Goddess of
Water; and Narcis, God of the Sun. Yet the gods of Moon and Song have no
names. Why is that?"
      "Over many thousands of years seven of the Nine of the Star Gods have
revealed themselves," Orr replied. "Only Moon and Song are yet to grace us with
their names. In time, perhaps in thousands of years, we will be enlightened of
all."
      Axis frowned slightly. "But these Gods seem very distant, Orr. When I lived
as BatdeAxe, and followed Artor, I could often feel his presence in prayer or
moments of contemplation. Yet I cannot sense that when I pray to the Star
Gods."
      "They live, StarMan, but they have been trapped."
      "Trapped?"
      Orr shook his head sorrowfully. "There is nothing you or I can do, StarMan.
Nothing. The battle between Artor and the Star Gods concerns neither of us."
      "Battle?"
      But to that Orr would say no more, and they sat in silence for hours (days?)
more as the Star Dance drifted about them.
      Later Axis asked Orr about the Sacred Lakes. "Where did they come from?
What makes them so sacred? So magical?"
      Orr shifted a little uncomfortably. "Many thousands of years ago, Axis,
before my time, the Ancient Gods — those who came before even the Star Gods
- wrapped Tencendor in a fire-storm which lasted many days and almost blasted
all life from the face of this earth. Only those who could find shelter in deep
caves survived.
      "The fire-storm and the Lakes the storm bequeathed us were a gift to
remind us of the power of the Ancient Gods and of the paucity of our own being.
Some say that the Ancient Gods never returned to the Sky but lay down to sleep
under the waters of the Sacred Lakes." Orr smiled. "But that I do not believe. I
have never seen or heard them, and I have been here, silent, watching, some
considerable time."
      Axis rested his chin in his hand thoughtfully. Orr had given him vivid imagery
but not much else. He opened his mouth to ask further about the fire-storm, but
Orr deflected his question.
      "The time has come for you to show me how well you have learned, Axis.
Take us to the Star Gate."
      The Star Gate! Axis looked down at his ring. He thought of the purpose, and
the purpose was to glide the boat to the legendary Star Gate, most sacred site of
the Icarii people.
      The stars on his ring re-formed themselves and Axis noted the pattern they
created. He reached for the power of the Star Dance and hummed the melody
softly.
      They glided down tunnels, under strange bridges, and through strange
caverns. Some caverns yawned empty, some had the skeletons of entire cities
huddled about the water, some contained forests frozen in stone, some were so
encased in grey mist that Axis could not see an arm's length beyond the boat.
     "Note," the Ferryman said, "that the pattern of the waterway we travel
reflects the pattern of the melody you sing."
     "And if I were in the OverWorld," Axis asked, keeping the melody running
through his head, "how would I travel?" " do not know, Axis SunSoar. That will
be your adventure to discover."
     Eventually they reached a small cavern and the boat glided to a halt in front
of a set of stone steps which rose from the water. Axis moored the boat to a
small stone pillar.
     "Come," the Ferryman said, and stepped out of the boat, gathering his cloak
about him.
     Orr led Axis along a narrow passage which sloped gently upwards. As they
walked Axis became aware of the sound of rushing wind and of a blue light that
pulsed through the air.
     "What is that sound, that light?" Axis asked, breathing hard in his attempt to
keep up with the Ferryman.
     "It is the sound and the light of the Star Gate," Orr replied. "Come."
     The next moment they stepped through into the Chamber of the Star Gate.
     Axis was as awe-struck as Faraday had been. The Chamber was exquisitely
beautiful. And whereas Faraday had thought it resembled the Chamber of the
Moons in the palace at Carlon, Axis knew instantly that the Icarii Assembly
Chamber had been modelled on the Chamber of the Star Gate. Perfectly circular,
it was surrounded by pillars and archways. Each pillar was carved from
translucent white stone in the shape of a naked winged man. Most of the winged
men stood with their heads bowed and arms folded across their chests, their
wings outstretched to touch those of their neighbours, thus forming the apex of
the archways. But Axis noticed that an entire section of pillars across the far side
of the chamber were different. These winged men had their heads up and their
eyes wide open, their golden orbs staring towards the centre of the chamber,
their arms uplifted in joy with their wings.
     "They represent the twenty-six Enchanter-Talons who were buried above in
the Barrows," the Ferryman said, and Axis abruptly realised they were directly
below the Ancient Barrows where Gorgrael's storm had killed so many of his
men. And where he had lost Faraday.
     Orr moved forwards, gesturing for Axis to follow. What appeared to be a
circular pool, surrounded by a low rim, occupied the centre of the Chamber,
above it blue shadows chased each other across the domed ceiling. Both the
pulsing blue light and the sound of the gale emanated from that pool. As he
peered into the Star Gate Axis observed, as had Faraday, that it was the gateway
into the universe. The real universe, not the poor imitation that lit the night
skies. The sound of the Star Dance was strong here, and Axis could see why.
Stars reeled and danced, suns chased each other across entire galaxies, moons
dipped and swayed through planetary systems, luminous comets threaded
through the cosmos.
     Its beauty was unimaginable, its allure almost irresistible. The Star Dance
called to Axis, pleaded with him, begged him. It wanted a lover, and it had
chosen Axis. Come! it pleaded, Come! Step through the Gate. Come to me!
"Resist the call," Orr whispered. "Resist." Hardening himself against the lure of
the Star Dance, Axis let the beauty of the universe wash through him. The
colours amazed him; when he looked into the night sky from the OverWorld all
he could see were the silvery stars, sometimes touched with a hint of gold or
red. But as he gazed into the Star Gate Axis could see entire galaxies of emerald
or gold or lilac, solar systems of cornflower and crimson, while the colours of
individual stars were every imaginable shade of the rainbow.
     "When you stand in the outer world and look at the night sky," Orr
explained, "you look at the universe through a veil of air and wind and indistinct
cloud and sound. To see the true universe you must either die, or stand at the lip
of the Star Gate."
     They stared into the Star Gate for an indeterminate length of time, until
finally Axis shuddered and turned away. The call of the Star Dance was
becoming too much to bear. If he did not step back now he might well be unable
to resist.
     Axis stared about the Chamber, then he wandered past the first of the
twenty-six Enchanter-Talon statues, all obviously the work of master craftsmen.
Axis could not resist the urge to reach out and gently touch the fourth statue he
passed. The stone felt cold and unforgiving beneath his fingers.
     "Do not do that, Axis," Orr said. "It is disrespectful of those gone to touch
their statues."
     "They are dead and long gone, Orr. I do not think they will mind. Besides,"
he had reached the eighth in the line and ran his hand over its outstretched
wings, "I will one day stand among them."
     "Axis." Orr's tone was firmer now. "There is a longstanding tradition that to
touch these statues is bad luck, and I think you should stand back."
     Axis reached the ninth and touched it briefly, ready to stop, but instead of
his fingers feeling cold hard stone, they went straight through the statue.
     Axis gasped in shock and stepped back, then leaned forward and tentatively
touched the statue again. It shimmered, wavered, then disappeared entirely, and
Axis and Orr were left staring at nothingness.
     "It was an illusion," Orr finally managed to say. "An illusion!"
     Axis dropped his hand. "What does this mean, Orr?"
     Orr wrapped the cloak about himself protectively. "I never thought to see
this," he whispered. "Never." "See what?" Axis snapped.
     "The ninth of the Enchanter-Talons has returned," Orr said in a very weak
voice. "WolfStar SunSoar has come back through the Gate."
     Axis took a shocked breath. "When?" "I do not know," Orr said. "He died
some four thousand years ago, but he could have come back at any time since
then."
     "Is he the SunSoar Enchanter who trained me? Who trained Gorgrael?"
     "He could be wearing any disguise," said Orr. "Any at all. A babe, an aged
man, a pretty young woman. WolfStar was already powerful when he died and
went through the Star Gate. If he had the power to come back then he is now
powerful beyond imagination."
     "But why, Orr? Why did he come back? Why hasn't he revealed himself?" Orr
shrugged.
     Axis quickly ran his hand over the remaining statues. All were solid. He
turned back to Orr. "Where could he be?"
     Orr laughed harshly. "I wish I knew, Axis SunSoar, because then I would
know the safest place to hide." "Why say that?" Axis could not hide his concern.
"Because WolfStar was a terrible, terrible Enchanter-Talon. His power was
virulent]" Orr said, "He was so horrifying that he was eventually murdered by his
own brother."
     Virulent? Axis thought to himself, remembering how loath MorningStar and
StarDrifter were to talk of their ancestor.
     "Who is more terrible, Orr, WolfStar or Gorgrael?" Orr replied without
hesitation. "WolfStar has the potential to be far more terrible, Axis."
     "But why would WolfStar train us both?" Axis said.
     "Why?"
     "Because he is already manipulating both of you, Axis.
     For whatever foul purpose he has."
     But what purpose? Orr asked himself. Revenge? Is that why WolfStar has
come back to haunt us?
     "Orr," Axis asked, "what is the connection between WolfStar and the
Prophecy of the Destroyer? If WolfStar is manipulating both Gorgrael and myself,
then is he also manipulating the Prophecy? Or is he being manipulated by the
Prophecy?"
     Is WolfStar the traitor the third verse of the Prophecy warns me about? Axis
wondered.
     "Orr, this is news that I must take back to MorningStar and StarDrifter.
Perhaps, somehow, we can discover where he is. Why he has come back. But
there is one more thing I must do within the waterways. One more thing. I made
a promise." "What?"
     "I must return FreeFall SunSoar from the dead," Axis said, staring the
Ferryman in the eyes. "And you are going to help me."

    Gorgrael Makes a New FriendGorgrael
stared at the frozen grey sludge. It was the remains of the SkraeBold Belial had
killed outside Gorkenfort and Gorgrael was determined to do something with it.
     He had his Skraelings and he had his IceWorms, but Gorgrael wanted to
create something special for his drive south. He was rapidly building his forces
for the winter push south through Jervois Landing, or even, perhaps, the
WildDog Plains.
     What Gorgrael wanted was something that could fly. Something that would
turn Axis' face grey with worry. Something that could destroy the Icarii in the air.
     Now, let me see, Gorgrael thought, surveying the grey matter before him.
Dragons? When he was but a child, his Skraeling nursemaids had whispered
stories to him about great dragons that had once flown the sky. Beautiful
dragons, vicious dragons, dragons that had carried off creatures as large as
whales. But dragons were too gaudy, and far too large to make from what he
had before him.
     What, then? Gorgrael shifted from foot to foot, his claws clicking sharply on
the floor.
     "Gorgrael," the loved voice said behind him.
     "Dear Man!" he cried in delight. Two visits in such quick succession — he
was blessed!
     The Dark Man emerged from a darkened corner unlit by the failing fire, his
heavily cowled head and figure almost indistinguishable from the shadows about
him.
     "You are going to recreate?" the Dark Man asked.
     "Yes," Gorgrael said, and indicated the grey sludge in front of him. "It was
the SkraeBold who failed me. I had thought to cast his remains to the crows, but
that —"
     "Would have been a waste of such good building material," the Dark Man
finished thoughtfully.
     "Precisely," Gorgrael said, suppressing the edge of triumph in his voice.
     "And what did you think you would make from this, Gorgrael?" the Dark Man
asked. "What creature would you make to work your will?"
     Gorgrael couldn't answer. He glared at the grey sludge as if it were at fault
in this.
     "Demon-winged," the Dark Man suggested, sliding his gloved hands into the
deep sleeves of his cloak.
     "Demon-winged," Gorgrael repeated. Yes, that was good.
     "Ogre-bellied." Now the Dark Man's voice was louder.
     "Ogre-bellied." Gorgrael nodded. "Yes. Yes, I like that."
     "Grave-jawed."
     "What creature is this, Dear Man?"
     The Dear Man tipped his head to one side and regarded his protege. "Can
you not yet recognise it, Gorgrael?"
     Gorgrael shook his head in frustration.
     "Dragon-clawed," the Dark Man prompted.
     A dim memory of ancient nightmares stirred. "Blight-eyed!" Gorgrael cried.
     Underneath his cowl the Dark Man smiled. "It will cry with the voice of
despair."
     "Gryphon!" Gorgrael shrieked, triumphantly.
     They waited, each on edge, unsure of how their enchantments had worked.
The Gryphon was to be a creature that could thrive, not only in the snow and ice
of GorgraeFs homeland, but in the warmer climes of southern Achar. It would
have to soar in the air thermals above Grail Lake, and penetrate to the very
heart of Axis' command. It would be a creature brave and committed, single-
purposed.
     "You will be my vanguard," Gorgrael said. "My herald. Your voice shall be
mine, and it shall be the voice that the forces of the StarMan shall hear as they
die. Despair."
     The working of the Gryphon had been fraught with worry. The Song of
Recreation was hard and dangerous when worked with the Dark Music. The
power of the Dance of Death had flooded through both Gorgrael and the Dark
Man as they wrestled with the Song. But the Dark Man, Dear Man, was a master,
and he had managed to control the Dark Music as it threatened to rope out of
control through their bodies and about the room.
     They had both sung, both waited as the grey sludge firmed and warmed and
writhed beneath their touch. As the Song had wound to a close, Gorgrael, almost
in ecstasy, plunged his hands into the all-but-dead fire in the fireplace and seized
two coals, still smouldering bright. Ignoring his own burning flesh Gorgrael had
carried the coals to the writhing grey sludge on the floor and plunged them deep
into its mass. As he withdrew his clawed hands the Song finally died, and the
Dear Man pulled him back a safe distance.
     "Now we must wait, Gorgrael," he said. The grey sludge darkened, became
even more ill-defined, until Gorgrael could see only a quivering, black mound
that absorbed what little light the room held. Deep within glowed two spots of
red. Every so often it jerked, and every time it jerked it doubled its size. Soon
both the Dark Man and Gorgrael had to step back to avoid being absorbed by the
growing creature.
     "Something is wrong," Gorgrael suddenly hissed. "We did not sing the
appropriate music. We missed a phrase, a beat.
     We did not twist enough power through for a successful making."
     "Patience, Gorgrael!" the Dark Man barked. "You were ever too impatient!"
     Gorgrael subsided at the criticism, his contorted face coiling into a frown,
wondering if it was past time he asserted his own power over the Dark Man.
     "Ah!" the Dark Man gasped. "It will be born!"
     His moment of rebellion gone, Gorgrael dropped his eyes. The round black
mass, now the size of a small boulder, had a dark membrane stretched over it.
Something roiled within, as if it struggled to be free.
     A slight perforation suddenly appeared in the membrane and, an instant
later, the membrane split down one entire side. A sleek head emerged, twin eyes
glowing with the promise of death. It blinked, looked about briefly, then it
opened its beak and shrieked with the victory of birth.
     It had the head of a massive eagle.
     Gorgrael whimpered in glee. They had sung aright!
     The creature turned its head and ripped viciously at the rest of the
membrane, freeing itself in only three or four movements. It stepped forward,
regarding both the Dark Man and Gorgrael curiously, then it sank into a crouch
before Gorgrael, resting its head on its front paws in a spontaneous act of
submission.
     Gorgrael bent down and stroked the Gryphon's gleaming brown head
feathers. The Gryphon closed its eyes and grunted with gratification. It knew its
master. Gorgrael ran his hands over die rest of its body. From the shoulder
blades and spine extended graceful wings, feathered in the same glossy brown
of its head. But the Gryphon's resemblance to a bird stopped with its feathers. It
had the muscular body of a great cat, its tawny coat short and thick and
designed to stay the claws or arrows of enemies. A long, tufted tail swung
behind. It rested on short but thickly muscled legs that ended in massive paws.
At each stroke of Gorgrael's hands, the Gryphon sheathed then unsheathed its
dreadful claws. It was, overall, a frightful beast.
     The Dark Man was also well pleased with the Gryphon, and, indeed, with
Gorgrael. Gorgrael had worked hard $o rebuild his forces, and even now the
Dark Man knew that the Skraelings and the IceWorms, under the leadership of
SkraeBolds determined not to fail their master again, massed just south and
west of Hsingard. It would not be long before an offensive could begin again.
     No stranger to death himself, the Dark Man looked forward to the fighting
and the slaughter that would ensue. It gave him satisfaction.
     "Gorgrael, my friend. I wove something extra into the Song of Recreation.
Thrust a little more meaning into the Dark Music as we folded and directed it to
our purpose. Gorgrael, the Gryphon is female. Feel her belly."
     Gorgrael slid his clawed hands either side of the Gryphon's body and felt her
belly. He frowned.
     "My friend. The Gryphon draws close to birthing nine pups, exact replicas of
herself. In a day or so, perhaps less, you will have ten of the creatures. In a few
months, as they grow and mature, you will have a pack to rival no other. And
the nine will breed as well, Gorgrael. All will be born female - and all will be born
pregnant."
     The Dark Man thought he had done well. He thought he had woven the
music of the Gryphon's making so that the breeding would stop when the nine
whelped. Unfortunately, he was wrong.
     "She will be a good creature. Obedient, like the best hound," the Dear Man
said, stepping back. "But deadlier, far deadlier."
     Gorgrael stroked the Gryphon for a moment longer, then abruptly strode
over to his chair by the fire. "Come," he said, and snapped his fingers.
     The Gryphon rose obediently and padded over to the chair, sinking down at
Gorgrael's feet. Gorgrael looked back to the Dear Man with shining eyes. "Will
you sit with me a moment?" he inquired, indicating the empty chair across the
other side of the hearth.
     "A moment only, Gorgrael. I am required elsewhere shortly." The Dark Man
sat in the empty chair, and waved his hand impatiently at the fire so that it flared
bright.
    Where else shortly? Gorgrael thought to himself. He had never discovered
where the Dark Man lived, how he lived, in what form he lived, once he left
Gorgrael's presence. Perhaps he simply faded into nothingness until he was
required again.
    The Dark Man grunted in amusement. "Oh, I live elsewhere, Gorgrael. I
have work to do, tasks to perform, music to sing."
    "Have you heard of Axis lately, Dear Man?" Gorgrael asked. "How goes my
brother?"
    "I have not seen him, heard of him, for some time," the Dark Man finally
said. "It is as if he has disappeared from creation." He grinned underneath his
hood.
    "Dead?" Gorgrael asked, although the thought caused him disappointment.
He looked forward to tearing his brother into shreds.
    The Dark Man laughed. "No, not dead, Gorgrael. Very much alive — his
death I would have felt... as would you. But I do have news of Borneheld...and
Faraday."
    Gorgrael sat up. "What?"
    "Borneheld is now King," the Dark Man said reflectively. "It is said that Priam
died a crazed death. And if Borneheld is King in Carlon, then Faraday sits by his
side as Queen. A tastier morsel than ever now, Gorgrael, a much tastier morsel."
    "Tastier," Gorgrael echoed, his thoughts on the woman so far to the south.
Queen. Faraday.

    The Strike Force LandsThe last of the Icarii
hound for Sigholt left Talon Spike on the third to last day of DeadLeaf-month.
The Crests and Wings of the Strike Force had been gone some ten days and the
last of them would have arrived in Sigholt. Small groups of Enchanters had left
each day since.
     The final group included MorningStar and StarDrifter. RavenCrest was
reluctant to leave the security of Talon Spike for an unknown world; until Axis
had won Tencendor back the majority of the Icarii would stay in Talon Spike. As
he stood on the flight balcony watching his mother and brother disappear over
the southern Icescarp Alps, RavenCrest had to fight a wave of depression from
swamping him. The fate of the Icarii had been taken from his hands. Was this
the beginning of their long-hoped-for pilgrimage back to their homelands or a
journey towards the death of all their dreams? "By the Stars, Axis," said
RavenCrest, the wind ruffling his black neck feathers, "do not squander the
hopes of the Icarii in your battles with Borneheld and Gorgrael. You promised to
lead us back into Tencendor. Make sure you do it."
     No-one who had just left Talon Spike missed the significance of their flight
south. For the first time in a thousand years the Icarii flew for Tencendor rather
than just winging their way about the Icescarp Alps or the Avarinheim. None
thought the path would be easy, and all understood that some would die in the
attempt. But Icarii spirit had been rekindled. They were finally taking active steps
to regain their heritage.
      Several hours after they left Talon Spike the group found a thermal which
lifted them high into the atmosphere, and for more than an hour they spiralled
upwards, only very slowly moving south. The view was stunning. Far below, the
Icescarp Alps ridged and plunged their way south towards the Icescarp Barren
and east towards the Avarinheim forest. To the east the Widowmaker Sea glinted
in sunlight. As she tilted a little in the thermal MorningStar caught a glimpse of
the Nordra, silver from this height, as it wound its serpentine way through the
Avarinheim. The river was a life-giver, both to the Avarinheim and to the bare
plains of Achar, and the Avar worshipped the Nordra almost as fervently as the
sacred Earth Tree. MorningStar smiled a little as she half closed her eyes against
the glare of the sun. How fortunate that Gorgrael's clouds did not cover the
Avarinheim. The forest canopy waved green and black, almost like a sea itself,
and Morning-Star hoped that she would live long enough to see the first trees
replanted in the plains beyond the Fortress Ranges.
      Above her, StarDrifter waved the group further east. The flight would take
three or four days and they would rest each night within the Avarinheim. The
Avar had established three camps just inside the protecting walls of the Fortress
Ranges, keeping the Icarii who used them supplied with food and fire at night.
Willing enough to help the Icarii, the Avar waited for Faraday before they would
actively move to help Axis.
      As they flew further south, MorningStar remembered her mother speaking of
the sacred sites lost to the Icarii. Would she live to see Fernbrake Lake, the
Mother, and the Island of Mist and Memory? She let herself dream a little, hope
a little.
      Azhure approached the circle of Icarii and Acharite warriors quietly, so as not

to disturb them, especially those who
     fought in the centre. The majority of the Icarii Strike Force had been here
almost three weeks now, and their intensive combat training with Belial s soldiers
continued apace.
     FarSight CutSpur, true to his word to Axis, had surrendered the Strike Force
to Belial's overall control. He had no regrets in doing so. Any decision Belial took
regarding the Icarii he made sure to discuss with FarSight and his Crest-Leaders.
Indeed, FarSight and his two senior Crest-Leaders — HoverEye Black Wing and
SpreadWing RavenCry - had been included in Belial s inner circle on an equal
footing with Magariz, Arne and Azhure. FarSight respected Belial greatly. He was
a good man, and a capable commander; Axis had chosen well in his second-in-
command.
     The Icarii had been dismayed by their lack of combat skills when compared
to the Groundwalkers, despite Axis' earlier warning. Over the past three weeks
they had done almost nothing but work on their hand-to-hand skills with Belial's
soldiers. To begin with, the Groundwalkers had been able to best the Icarii
easily, and many an Icarii Strike Force member had spent long hours of the night
rubbing soothing salve into abrasions and bruises or soaking in the rejuvenating
hot waters of the Lake of Life. But, driven by their deep-seated pride, the Icarii
had learned quickly. In fact, so determined were they to put a stop to their
embarrassing losses, that over the past few days a growing number of Icarii had
come out victorious from their combat bouts with Belial's men. SpikeFeather, in
particular, had earned their respect.
      Azhure crept around the edge of the circle of watching warriors until a gap
appeared in the tightly packed bodies. She shouldered her way through.
      EvenSong was battling with a soldier from Arne's unit, a brawny, ginger-
haired, experienced campaigner from Aldeni called Edowes. The Acharite soldiers
had quickly learned that the female members of the Icarii Strike Force were just
as determined as the male. Now, as the two grappled in the centre of the circle,
it was obvious that Edowes was giving no quarter.
      Ever since SpikeFeather had shamed her in front of Azhure and the other
members of her Wing, EvenSong had put all her efforts into becoming an asset
to the Strike Force. Today was the first time she felt she had a good chance of
besting her practice partner, but the actual "kill" was proving frustratingly
difficult.
      Azhure glanced about the circle. Arne stood to one side, his arms folded, his
posture relaxed, his emotions hidden behind his usual expressionless mask. Only
the jerky movements of the twig he was chewing showed he felt any concern
about the outcome of this bout. A few paces from him stood SpikeFeather
TrueSong, commander of Even-Song's Wing. His wings were held tense and tight
against his back, and his fingers convulsively flexed at his side, as if he wanted
to leap into the ring and help EvenSong.
      EvenSong and Edowes both wore light armour, but both had collected more
than their fair share of bruises during the bout. Suddenly EvenSong grunted and
fell to her knees, caught by a particularly heavy blow to the ribs by Edowes, her
stave slipping from her fingers. Azhure s stomach twisted, and she only just
managed to stop herself from leaping forward and pulling Edowes back.
      Edowes raised his stave to shoulder height for the final blow. But he had
badly misjudged his opponent. EvenSong's fingers tightened and shifted on the
stave and, her face twisting with determination, she brought the stave upwards
with all her might. Straight between Edowes' legs.
      Every male within the circle of watchers whimpered in sympathy as they
heard the sickening crunch. Edowes howled, dropping his stave and falling to the
ground, clutching at his abused manhood.
      Azhure clapped to her mouth to hide her grin, and her eyes met those of a
jubilant EvenSong. The Icarii wqman's eyes glittered with pride, and she did not
look the least bit sorry that she had destroyed Edowes' hopes of enjoying the
young Skarabost woman he had been courting for several weeks to come.
      SpikeFeather slapped EvenSong on the back before offering her his hand. "I
am heartily glad you never thought of that manoeuvre while practising with me,
EvenSong," he laughed. He turned to Arne. "You owe me a jug of Reinalds
spiced wine, I believe, Arne. I look forward to enjoying it with my evening meal."
     As the watchers gradually dissipated, Azhure and Even-Song walked slowly
across the practice field bordering the Lake of Life. The Keep glistened silvery
grey in the sun, for the warmth of the Lake of Life kept Sigholt and its immediate
environs free of Gorgrael's clouds.
     "Well done," Azhure congratulated EvenSong. "Did you notice how all the
men blanched as you struck home?"
     EvenSong laughed breathlessly, still winded after her exertions. "I hope I
have not wounded him permanently."
     "Oh, I am sure he will recover to father his share of children," Azhure said
lightly. Azhure was now well into her pregnancy and her abdomen protruded
gently beneath her tunic. Belial had forbidden her to take part in hand-to-hand
combat sessions, although Azhure still trained with her archers - six squads now,
over two hundred men - and occasionally went out on patrol. She had returned
only last night from leading a four-day patrol into the northern Urqhart Hills.
Azhure was well respected among both Icarii and Acharites, and only rarely was
her womanhood or her pregnancy commented upon.
     As Azhure lapsed into silence, EvenSong sensed there was something
troubling her and slid her arm about Azhure's shoulders. "What is it?" she asked.
     Azhure took a deep and shaky breath, placing both her hands over her belly.
"The baby has hardly moved, EvenSong.
     Sometimes I lie a-bed at night and all I feel is this weight in my belly, and I
wonder if the baby is still alive. I should have felt it move weeks ago."
     "You are a silly!" EvenSong laughed, relieved. "If you had asked either
Rivkah or myself we could have told you what the problem is."
     Azhure stopped. "You know what's wrong?"
     "Azhure. The child you carry is part Icarii. All Icarii babes sleep in the womb
until their father awakens them. Azhure, your baby is perfectly all right - awake
or not, it will grow and develop normally. Once Axis arrives he can awaken it.
Apparently it is the most exquisite feeling, to feel the babe awaken at the sound
of its father's voice."
     Azhure s shoulders relaxed under EvenSong's arm. "I was so worried," she
said, her voice cracking with emotion. "I thought that perhaps I had harmed it."
A frown creased her forehead again. "But already I am five months pregnant.
When should Icarii fathers sing to their children? Is it too late? And what if Axis
doesn't arrive before it is born?"
     "Azhure, calm down," EvenSong said. "It is best that Axis be here for the
baby's birth. But it has been known for a baby to be born without being
awakened by its father, and even then, the baby was perfectly normal."
     Azhure's shoulders relaxed totally and she dropped her hands from her belly.
Embarrassed by her show of vulnerability, she turned the conversation to combat
and commands. "How are the Icarii coping with their quarters?" No-one had
been too sure what the Icarii - used to the luxury of Talon Spike - would think of
the tents they were housed in.
     "The Icarii would sleep wrapped in their wings on the cold ground if they
thought it was needed to win themselves Tencendor again," EvenSong reassured
her. "We are fine. Do not worry about us."
     The other worry Azhure, Belial and Magariz had harboured was the reception
of the Icarii by the Skarabost villagers at Sigholt. But this had proved no problem
at all. For the Acharites camped in tents and rudimentary huts about the shores
of the Lake of Life, the arrival of the magical Icarii simply reinforced their belief
that they had done the right thing in following the call of the Prophecy.
Obviously the StarMan, if not actually here himself yet, would prove a hero of
legend if these mythical creatures had left their mountain home to follow him.
The teachings of the Seneschal seemed to be rapidly fading from their minds.
     Dominating everyone's thoughts was the anxious wait for Axis. Azhure,
though sure she had made the right decision in refusing Belial s proposal,
increasingly worried about what she could expect from Axis. She still sometimes
had the lingering fear that he would take the baby from her and give it to
Faraday. Although consciously she realised it was a groundless fear - Axis would
never do such a thing - at night it sometimes caused her nightmares.
     "Azhure!" EvenSong cried at her side. "Look! My father and grandmother
arrive!"
     Azhure squinted in the direction EvenSong pointed, but she could see
nothing save some black spots in the clouds far to the north.
     "Come," EvenSong caught at Azhure's arm and dragged her around the
moat of Sigholt towards the bridge, "they'll land on the roof. Come! Hurry!"
     Magariz had been alerted to the Icarii arrival and now stood on the roof of
the Keep. He heard a movement behind him and Rivkah stepped to his side. He
smiled at her, delighted. He remembered how beautiful she had been as a
teenager in Carlon. Then her hair was deep auburn, her face always
mischievous, always alive with humour and love of life.
     That had been before her father had arranged her marriage to Searlas, Duke
of Ichtar, which had almost broken Rivkah s spirit. Still handsome more than
thirty years on, Rivkah was more introspective. Her humour was still there, but
more restrained. How strange, thought Magariz, that they should be here now in
these circumstances.
     Busy as both were, Magariz had not yet had a chance to speak to Rivkah
privately since her arrival at Sigholt.
     Now Rivkah noticed him looking at her. She reached out and touched his
hand where it lay on the grey stonework.
     Magariz turned his eyes back to the approaching Icarii. Among them would
be Rivkah's former husband, the man for whom she had betrayed Searlas.
     "Did he ever know?" Magariz asked very quietly, so that the other Icarii
waiting on the roof might not hear. He was not referring to StarDrifter but to
Searlas, Rivkah's previous husband.
     "No," Rivkah whispered. "No. He never suspected."
     Magariz's hands relaxed on the stones. "I worried for you," he said, and
tears sprang to Rivkah's eyes.
      "And I for you." She blinked back her tears and noticed FarSight had just
arrived on the roof. "I am glad this will be the last flight for a while," Rivkah said
brightly, "for I do not know where we would have put any more. As it is, we shall
have to share apartments."
      FarSight's perceptive black eyes picked up Rivkah's discomposure, but
assumed it was because StarDrifter was arriving. It must be hard for them, he
surmised, to be constantly thrown together this way before they have learned to
rebuild their lives apart.
      As the approaching Icarii closed, the bridge threw out her challenge. All of
the Acharites had been stunned to learn that the bridge not only challenged
those on foot, but also those who approached Sigholt from the air. "What would
she do if one of the approaching Icarii failed the test?" Belial had asked
Veremund when he heard the bridge challenge the first Icarii flight. "Well,
Belial," Veremund had answered, "if any fail the test then I guess we will find
out, won't we?"
      But none had ever failed the test, and none failed now. StarDrifter, his
mother and the other Icarii with them landed on the roof of Sigholt, all obviously
excited by the Lake and the change in the Keep.
      "It's wondrous!" MorningStar cried, as she kissed Rivkah in welcome. "It is
so beautiful!" Indeed, in the months since the Lake had refilled, the greenery
had spread over all the hills closest to Sigholt, and the Keep and its environs
were like an oasis. Now tree ferns as tall as a man grew down most of the
closest slopes, and flowers, creeping shrubs, wild roses and gorse bushes
covered the hills further away. Sigholt was turning into a garden.
      "One day all Tencendor will reawaken like this," said StarDrifter, his eyes on
Rivkah. As they kissed briefly, dispassionately, both could not help but remember
those days when it seemed as if the world were theirs.
      Magariz's mouth twisted as he watched StarDrifter greet Rivkah, then he
stepped forward to formally welcome the Icarii. So this was the Icarii Enchanter
who had stolen Rivkah from Searlas, and now, so carelessly, had let go. Well,
you ageing fool, he thought, you let her go thirty-two years ago. Do not think to
criticise StarDrifter for failings you are guilty of yourself.
      Magariz's courtly greeting and gracious manners impressed the Icarii, and
StarDrifter wondered - as so many others had - how this man had come to serve
Borneheld for so long.
      As Rivkah started to explain the increasingly crowded living arrangements in
Sigholt, EvenSong burst through the staircase doorway, dragging Azhure with
her.
      "Father!" she cried, delighted, and StarDrifter stepped forward to hug her.
EvenSong looked happier than he had seen her at any time since FreeFall's
death. "Greet your grandmother," he said, his eyes hunting Azhure. He had not
ceased thinking about her in the months they had been apart. The instant he
saw her the world stilled about him.
     "Welcome, StarDrifter," Azhure said awkwardly, aware of StarDrifter's face
as he stared at her rounded stomach.
     Rivkah stepped forward and took StarDrifter by the elbow. "Look, StarDrifter,
isn't it wonderful?" she exclaimed, a little too artificially. "Azhure and Axis are
going to make us grandparents."
     MorningStar brushed past them. "Well," she said, her voice studiously
casual, "a Beltide baby, StarDrifter. What do you make of that?"
     She reached out for Azhure s arm, but Azhure took several rapid steps
backwards. She knew the ancient tradition of both Icarii and Avar peoples — a
baby conceived of Wing and Horn at Beltide should never be carried to term.
One year an Avar woman had ignored that ancient tradition, and the baby she
had conceived with StarDrifter was Gorgrael.
     "I am not Avar!" Azhure said, determined to fight for her baby's life if she
had to. "Do not try to take this baby from me!"
     "Do not fear," MorningStar said. "I merely wanted to ..."
     She got no further. At Azhure's cry, a huge hound leapt from the shadows of
the doorwell and seized MorningStar by the wrist, breaking her skin but not
crushing the bone.
     "The Stars save me!': she cried, "it is an Alaunt!"
     A savage growl rumbling deep in his throat, Sicarius twisted his head a little
and MorningStar whimpered in pain and sank to her knees.
     "Azhurer StarDrifter shouted. "Call the Alaunt offl"
     Azhure hesitated, then motioned with her hand. Sicarius dropped
MorningStar's wrist and backed off to stand by Azhure's side. He continued to
snarl at both MorningStar and StarDrifter, his hackles stiff and aggressive.
     "No-one harms my baby," Azhure said into the shocked silence of the
rooftop. "No-one."
     "I did not mean to harm your baby," MorningStar grated, clutching her
bloody wrist to her breast. "Not only is that your baby, but it is a SunSoar,
possibly an Enchanter, and it is my great-grandchild\ I would not harm it!"
     StarDrifter helped his mother to her feet, but his eyes were on Azhure.
"Neither MorningStar nor myself wish the baby harm. On the contrary."
     Azhure nodded stiffly. "MorningStar, I apologise for Sicarius' actions." Both
MorningStar and StarDrifter winced at the naming of the hound. "He only wanted
to protect me." She stepped forward and took MorningStar's wrist. "Come below
and I will wash and bind it for you. These marks will scab in a day and be gone
in a week."
     As she led MorningStar and StarDrifter below, Magariz and the other Icarii
on the rooftop let loose a collective sigh of relief. FarSight raised his eyebrows at
Magariz. "A poor welcome for MorningStar."
     "If you knew how much Azhure wants that baby then you would only be
surprised she did not set Sicarius to Morning-Star's throat," Magariz said quietly.
     Azhure washed and bandaged MorningStar's wrist as Star-Drifter sat on the
side of the bed. His eyes lingered on Azhure's belly. He had no doubts she
carried an Enchanter. Who would sing to the unborn baby if Axis didn't get here
in time? His fingers twitched.
     At their feet Sicarius stirred, and StarDrifter blinked.
     "Where did the Alaunt come from, Azhure?" he asked.
     Azhure paused in her bandaging. "The Alaunt? When Ogden, Veremund,
Rivkah and I crossed the WildDog Plains they surrounded us one night. We
thought they would attack, but instead they bound themselves to me. They have
proved good companions."
     MorningStar and StarDrifter glanced at each other. WolfStar's hounds? To
the woman who carried his bow?
     MorningStar also knew the attraction Azhure had for both StarDrifter and
Axis, and wondered further.

    The GateKeeper
     f f -|^ -yo-one returns from the dead!" cried Orr. "WolfStar did!" Axis
retorted. "Will you help me with this or not?"
     "You could kill yourself if you attempt to do this," Orr said, regaining
composure. "You do not know the ways."
     " can read the ring," Axis said quietly. "The ring will show me the way. I
have a purpose. It will show me the Song."
     Orr shook his head. "There is not a Song for every purpose, I told you that.
You said you promised FreeFall you would bring him back. When? Under what
circumstances?"
     Axis related how FreeFall had died on the rooftop of the Keep at Gorkenfort,
killed by Borneheld's traitorous sword. "As he collapsed in my arms, FreeFall told
me to seek out StarDrifter. Then he said something strange. He said, 'The
Ferryman owes you, Axis. Learn the secrets and the mysteries of the waterways
and bring me home! I will wait at the Gate. Bring me home to EvenSong!
Promise!' "
     "EvenSong?" Orr queried.
     "FreeFall's cousin and lover. And my sister. They were to have married."
     Orr repressed a smile. "Ah yes, I had forgotten the SunSoar attraction each
to the other. And you promised to do this?"
     Axis nodded. "He was dying, and he was dying on my account."
     "Did you know to what he referred?" "No. I had not met my father then, and
I was only groping at the very edges of my powers. I had no idea what the Gate
was, or the waterways." He paused. "Even now I do not quite know what
FreeFall meant by 'the Gate'. Did he mean the Star Gate here?"
     Axis and Orr stood close to one of the archways of the Chamber of the Star
Gate, near where they had originally entered.
     Orr folded his arms inside his cloak and stood deep in thought for long
minutes. Just as Axis was about to speak again, Orr raised his head. His violet
eyes were almost completely drained of colour and were now dead, soulless.
"FreeFall should not have known of the Gate. No Icarii, Enchanter or not, knows
of the Gate. No-one. Explain, Axis, how FreeFall could have known about it." His
voice was as cold and colourless as his eyes.
     Axis was unsure what to say. Why was Orr so upset? "FreeFall spoke those
words with his last breath, Orr." Axis' own voice slowed and he returned the
Ferryman's stare without blinking. "Perhaps his soul already stood before this
'Gate'. If you want an explanation then that is the only one I can give you.
FreeFall knew what the Gate was because he already stood before it."
     Orr nodded. "It is the only explanation." He sighed, and the violet slowly
started to filter back into his eyes. "And you promised, not knowing what it was
you promised. Axis," Orr took Axis' arm, and led him through the archway and
down the dim corridor towards the boat. "The Gate is one of the deepest
mysteries that the Charonites know of, if not the deepest. If I take you there,
you must promise never, never" he almost spat the word, "to tell another living
soul, not even family."
     Axis steadied the boat as Orr stepped in. "I promise," he said, and climbed in
behind Orr, settling himself in the prow of the boat.
     "Hmm." The Ferryman raised his hood, something Axis had never seen him
do. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
     "Yes."
     Orr arranged his cloak neatly. "Well, I can take you to the Gate, Axis
SunSoar, and well might FreeFall wait there for you. But you will have to
convince the GateKeeper. She is the only one who can free a soul back to life —
and I have never known her to do it yet. Now, speak only when I tell you to, and
touch nothing."
     The boat slowly started to move, and for a while they passed along normal
waterways. The stars sparkled within the green water, and the smooth tunnel
walls alternated with great grey caverns as they floated along. But suddenly, so
suddenly he was not aware of the transition, Axis realised that they were moving
across a vast expanse of dull black water -no stars shone within its depths. There
were no walls, no roof at all that Axis could see. They just drifted through a vast
sea of blackness, above and below, only the sound of the boat skimming through
the water reassuring Axis that they still sailed rather than flew.
     A strange pale shape off one side of the boat caught Axis' eye. It was a
weeping young woman, carrying a tiny baby. Both the woman and the baby
were mist-like, insubstantial, gliding only a handspan above the water. Behind
the woman came another shape, but Axis could not see whether it was male or
female.
     "We travel the River of Death," Orr said. "If you touch the water, you will
die."
     Startled, Axis placed his hands firmly in his lap. He looked again at the
woman and baby.
     "She died in birth," Orr said, "and she cries for the life that was denied her
and her baby." He paused. "On the night Gorkentown fell and Yuletide was
attacked, the river was crowded with souls - Icarii, Avar, and Acharites."
     Axis raised his eyes in unspoken query.
     "Yes, Axis. All travel the River of Death, even Skraelings. Death makes
brothers and comrades of all."
     Orr's eyes brightened, and he leaned forward. "Look behind you, Axis
SunSoar. We approach the Gate."
     Axis swivelled on his seat. They were rapidly approaching what appeared to
be a large island, slightly raised towards its centre. On the top of the rise was a
large rectangle of pure light, slightly wider than a normal door and twice as tall.
     The next moment the boat rasped across the gravel of the shore and came
to a complete halt. Beside them the woman and baby continued to glide towards
the rectangle of pure light. "You must go on alone, Axis. By the Gate you will
find the GateKeeper. Ask of her what you wish, but do not ask what lies through
the Gate. If you do - alive or not - you will be forced through."
     "Thank you, Orr. Will you wait here for me?"
     "If you come back," Orr said comfortingly, "then I will be here for you."
     The surface of the island was covered with loose grey gravel, and Axis had
to fight to keep from losing his footing. The air was thick and heavy about him,
but all he could see was the rectangle of light atop the hill, throbbing with a
hypnotic power. Ahead of him the woman and baby reached the rectangle,
paused briefly, then stepped through. The light pulsed for an instant, then was
calm again — but still it seemed to call, hungry for more.
     As he neared the crest of the hill Axis saw that a thin, dark figure sat at a
table to one side of the Gate. As he drew closer the figure lifted its head from its
contemplation of two shallow bowls, a faint glow emanating from each, and
spoke.
     "I hear footsteps."
     Axis crunched to within five paces of the table and stopped. In the reflected
light from the Gate he saw it was a woman who sat there, gaunt, with pale
luminous skin, great black eyes sunk into her skull, and black hair left free to
flow down her back. White hands rested on the table before her. She reminded
Axis of Veremund.
     "I ..." Axis' voice faltered and he had to clear his throat. It was very hard to
speak in this place and before this woman. She did not look very pleased to see
him. "I seek the GateKeeper," he finally managed, relieved that his voice
emerged calm and steady despite his inner turmoil.
     She considered him with her great unblinking eyes. Another soul drifted up
to the Gate, paused as it looked at the woman, then passed through. As the
Gate pulsed the woman lifted a small metallic ball from one of the bowls and
dropped it into the other bowl. It made a soft clink as it fell. "I am the
GateKeeper," the woman replied, her voice toneless. "I keep tally. Have you
come to be counted? Why? You are yet alive." She smiled, and Axis wished she
hadn't. Her smile had the appeal of a four-day dead corpse and the malevolence
of a nightmare. "I have come with a request."
     Another soul drifted into the Gate and the GateKeeper dropped another
metal ball from one bowl to the other. She looked up at him again. "Yes? A
request? How unusual. Rarely am I asked for requests."
    Before Axis could answer, a stream of souls approached. The GateKeeper
slowly and deliberately transferred the balls from one bowl to the other as each
soul passed through the Gate. The continual and deliberate clicking of the balls
as they dropped into the second bowl began to irritate Axis intensely. He tried to
stop himself from shuffling.
    Finally the stream of souls subsided and the GateKeeper looked up again. "A
tavern fire," she explained listlessly. "Thirty-four dead."

     "Do all who approach pass through?" Axis asked, wondering what she would
do if one of the souls refused to pass through.
     The GateKeeper pursed her lips. "No," she finally said, and waved at a small
pile of some fifty dull black balls that lay on the extreme right side of the table.
"These refuse to go through."
     Axis glanced at them, about to ask if FreeFall was among them, then he
noticed that there were two other, smaller, piles of balls on the table. One pile of
seven balls, sparkling like the stars, lay at the front centre, while a larger pile of
some thirty or forty softly glowing golden balls, lay to the extreme left of the
table. He pointed at the two extra piles. "And those?"
     "Those?" The GateKeeper raised her eyebrows, and in that moment Axis
realised she was the most impossibly beautiful woman he had ever seen. "You
see those?"
     "Yes," Axis replied. "Both piles glow, perhaps with the reflected light of the
Gate. Are these souls who also refuse to go through?"
     "No. These," she pointed at the pile of seven sparkling balls, "are the
Greater, and they have no need of me or my Gate." She pursed her lips. "They
are incomplete. They await Song and Moon."
     Axis frowned, then his face relaxed as he remembered Orr's words. "The
Star Gods."
     "Yes. You are good. And these ..." The GateKeeper pointed at the larger pile
of golden balls, then waved at the Ferryman waiting in his boat far below them.
"These," she said with a hint of amusement in her voice, "are the Lesser. They
also do not have to go through my Gate."
     Axis frowned. The Lesser? What did she mean? He opened his mouth to ask,
but the GateKeeper forestalled him. "Why are you here?" she asked, calm and
inscrutable again. All appearance of beauty had vanished.
     "I have come to bring FreeFall SunSoar back from the dead," Axis said,
realising how ridiculous it sounded. "He said he would wait at the Gate.
Perhaps," he indicated the small pile of balls that represented those who would
not go through, "he waits among those."
     "How amusing that you should think you could bring someone back. No-one
ever comes back from the dead-"
     "WolfStar has!"
     The woman took a harsh intake of breath, but retained her composure
almost instantly.
     "WolfStar left through a different Gate," she said, reverting to her
expressionless tone. "And thus he would have come back through a different
Gate. No-one comes back through this Gate. This is my Gate."
     Axis glanced at the Gate, curious about what lay on the other side of Death -
the greatest mystery of all, and the opportunity to solve it lay only paces away.
If WolfStar could come back through the Star Gate then perhaps he could
somehow come back through this Gate if he walked through.
     "If you wish, you can walk through, Axis SunSoar," the woman said, and
Axis noticed a ball in her hand. "But you will never come back. Never." Her hand
hovered over the second bowl.
     "No." Axis swung her hand away from the bowl. To his surprise her flesh
was warm and soft. Was that his life she held in his hand? "I do not wish to go
through."
     "Well," the GateKeeper smiled and replaced the ball in the first bowl, "as you
will. Now, tell me. Why do you think you can return this soul to life?"
     Axis told her the story of FreeFall's murder, of the promise the birdman had
extracted from Axis as he lay dying. "FreeFall must wait among those souls who
refuse to go through. Release him to me."
     "Ah," the GateKeeper sighed melodramatically, her face softening into
beauty once again, "it is a touching story you tell." Her face hardened. "But no.
No. No. No. No-one goes back once they are dead. Now, go away and leave me.
FreeFall SunSoar will not return to the land of the living."
     "Damn you!" Axis gave in to his anger and disappointment. "Don't you
understand anything? FreeFall died well before his time. Murdered. I promised*.
He believed me and now he waits for me! I cannot go back on my promise!"
     Far below the Ferryman stirred resdessly.
     "No," the GateKeeper said again.
     Axis tried one last time. "I was unable to save him from Borneheld,
GateKeeper, please give me the chance to save him now!"
     The GateKeeper's lips formed the word "No", then stopped at the last
moment as the name Axis had mentioned sank in. "Borneheld? Is this Borneheld
the one who is also Duke of Ichtar?" she inquired placidly, but Axis could see
that her fingers trembled on the table.
     "Yes, he is the Duke of Ichtar."
     "Ah," the GateKeeper breathed. "I do not like the Dukes of Ichtar."
     Now her agitation was evident. She sat silently, deep in the memory of some
wrong the Dukes of Ichtar had done her, her fingers shuffling up and down the
table like wary spiders. Finally she spoke again, but now her voice quivered with
repressed excitement.
     "You have it in your power to right an injustice," she said.
     "As do you. Release FreeFall."
     "And you will help me to right the injustice done to me and mine?" the
GateKeeper asked.
      "What is it you want me to do?"
      "Promise first."
      Axis hesitated, then nodded. "I agree. What is it I have to do to bring
FreeFall back?"
      The GateKeeper's face collapsed in on itself until she resembled nothing
more than a skull covered with a thin parchment of skin and a wig of stiff
horsehair. "Listen," she rasped.
      Axis listened.
      When she was done, Axis looked almost as cadaverous as she did. "Even
Borneheld does not deserve that," he whispered. "That is horrific. Barbarous."
      "You promised," she hissed, "and even now I can exterminate FreeFall's soul
so that he will never know the existence that waits for him on the other side of
the Gate."
      Axis had no choice. "Then you have a bargain, Gate-Keeper."
      "Remember, the conditions of the contract must be met within a year and a
day of your returning to the OverWorld."
      "Yes, I remember. GateKeeper ..."
      "Yes?"
      "Why do you request such a bargain?"
      "It is required," she said, calm once more.
      Axis took a deep breath. "And FreeFall?"
      "As I promised, StarMan, but you must keep your bargain, or the
transformation will not complete itself and FreeFall will wither and die again."
      Suddenly Axis wanted to escape these worlds beneath the surface of the
earth into warmth and life again.
      "Well," he finally said, "until we meet again, GateKeeper," and he sketched a
salute and marched back down the gravel-coated hill towards the Ferryman.
      "Oh," the GateKeeper smiled to herself, her face that of a beautiful young
girl. "And that will be far sooner than you wish, StarMan."
      Her thoughts drifted as she tallied the never-ending shuffle of souls through
the Gate. She hated and loathed the Dukes of Ichtar even more than Sigholt did.
Zeherah was her daughter.

    CaeluinM zhure twisted over to her side in the bed, hoping she Z-\
had not woken Rivkah. She desperately needed her JL _*~sleep for she had
trained her archers hard today and was tired and sore, but no matter what she
did she could not drift off. And tonight the baby lay heavy and uncomfortable in
her womb. Despite the reassurances from EvenSong, Rivkah and MorningStar,
Azhure still worried that for a six-months babe, the child was small and rarely
moved.
     Azhure sighed and eased herself out of the bed carefully, then padded
silently across the floor to the door. She hesitated as she considered whether or
not to take a wrap with her, but the Sigholt nights were so temperate that the
linen of her nightgown would keep her warm enough. Sicarius rose and followed
his mistress out the door. Leaving the silent corridors behind her, Azhure climbed
the narrow staircase to the roof. A few minutes in the night air usually calmed
her.
      She sighed happily as she reached the deserted roof. A warm breeze blew
off the Lake, and Azhure unbound her hair and shook it out. She gazed at the
Lake of Life - a long soak in the steaming waters would be the perfect relaxant.
But she could not be bothered with the walk. A stroll around the roof should do.
Sicarius settled down by the doorway; there was little danger on the roof of
Sigholt.
      Azhure leaned over the waist-high wall and surveyed the sleeping camps.
Around the northern shore of the Lake stretched the tents of the Skarabost
refugees, now numbering several thousand. Azhure sighed as her eyes drifted
over the faint lights of the camps. Vegetable gardens, although they helped,
would not be enough if Sigholt were forced to live off its own resources.
      She took a deep breath and held it. The wild gorse was flowering across the
hills; already the HoldHard Pass was blossoming with new life as both plant and
animal life crept along its length.
      "Sigholt will prove the heart of the new Tencendor," she whispered, closing
her eyes. "I am so glad that I am a part of this reawakening."
      Still with her eyes closed, Azhure turned and leaned her back against the
waist-high wall. When she finally opened her eyes Axis was standing in the
centre of the roof, staring at her.
      He had said his goodbyes to Orr in the centre of the violet lake of the crystal
cave as they bobbed gently in the flat-bottomed boat and then he'd transferred
almost immediately, feeling the surge of the Star Dance through his body,
revelling in its power. What would it be like to one day manipulate the entire Star
Dance rather than the minute portion needed for this Song? Axis forced his
thoughts back to Sigholt. How long had he been gone? Was all well?
      He felt himself being drawn across a vast distance as if by an unseen hand.
The closer he got to Sigholt, the faster he travelled, and Axis feared he would be
slammed into its roof with such force that his bones would be crushed.
      But just as that horrifying thought crossed his mind, his stomach lurched and
he found himself standing on Sigholt's roof, surrounded by darkness, the stars
wheeling in their perpetual dance in the heavens above his head.
      Confused, Axis thought he must have somehow transferred back in time to
the vision he had seen of Rivkah, young, lovely and pregnant.
      But the woman who turned to him was Azhure, not his mother. But like
Rivkah, her waist was thickened with midterm pregnancy.
      She opened her eyes, and they widened as she caught sight of him.
      Axis opened his mouth, unsure what to say, when a deep and musical voice
boomed about him. "Are you true?"
      "Yes, dammit!" Axis snapped without thinking, and the bridge, offended,
muttered grumpily to herself.
      "Azhure? Azhure?" He took one step forward, then just stood and held out
his hand.
      Azhure stood motionless, still too shocked to move or speak. Somehow she
had always thought Axis would stride in across the bridge, and Azhure would
meet him serenely, invulnerable behind her uniform and her position as
commander in his army. They would talk about the baby sensibly, adults
discussing the unexpected outcome of their Beltide excess. They would come to
a civilised and utterly mature arrangement whereby Axis would still love and
teach his child but neither it nor Azhure would stand between him and Faraday.
Indeed, Azhure could tell him about Belial's proposal, which would solve all their
problems, and Axis would be comforted that Belial could relieve him of this small
embarrassment.
      . But here she stood, her hair down, barefoot and only a thin nightgown
between her and Axis. There he stood, his face looking tired and strained, his
entire body slumping with weariness, but holding his hand out to her as he had
on Beltide night, and, oh, curse him! she could feel her blood surge as strongly
as it had that night. All she wanted to do was to run light-footed across the
space between them and let him hold her and comfort her and tell her that he
loved her.
      But he did not love her, and that thought alone managed to keep Azhure at
a reasonably safe distance.
      "Axis," she said in a voice considerably calmer than she felt. "Welcome to
Sigholt."
      Axis stood there, his hand extended, then strode the distance between them
and hugged her tight.
      Sicarius, watching from the door, sat up, but otherwise made no move
towards the pair. He could feel the pull of their blood each to the other.
      "Azhure," Axis whispered. "What have I done to you?" His hand, trembling,
gently passed over her rounded abdomen, feeling the tug of the baby's blood.
      "What any man will do to any woman when he lies with her at the right
moment," she said, too lightly.
      "Azhure," Axis asked, "what's wrong?"
      "Oh, Axis." Azhure's voice was artificially cheerful as she disentangled
herself. "I am sorry that I have presented you with this complication. I can
assure you that I won't try to tie you down. Perhaps," Azhure's voice broke a
little under the strain, "we can talk about this slight embarrassment in the
morning, when you are rested."
      Complication? Embarrassment? Axis couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Did she think she was any of these things? But he could see her discomfort, and
was scared that she would dart away any moment.
      "You're right, Azhure. It would be better if we could talk about this in more
congenial surroundings. Do you know if there are quarters prepared for me?"
      Azhure relaxed. "Yes, of course. Belial has kept the main apartment complex
prepared, awaiting you. Axis, you cannot know how pleased all will be at your
return. And there is so much to teD you!"
     "Then show me these quarters, Azhure. I am sure that Belial will keep me
busy in the morning. And I, as well, have news to share."
     Azhure led him down the stairs, Axis raising his eyebrows at the huge hound
which clattered after them, but making no other comment. Azhure chatted
brightly, telling Axis some of what had been going on in the Keep in his absence.
Axis answered in monosyllables, his eyes drifting every few steps to her
thickened body. She was going to make him a father! Axis felt light-headed — no
other woman had ever done this for him. A father. The thought sobered him. He
would not fail this child. This child would know its father. It would have no cause
for doubts. No cause for nightmares.
     The corridors were quiet, deserted at this time of the night, and no-one was
there to see Azhure let Axis into the main apartment complex.
     "Come in, Azhure," Axis said easily, "and help me light the lamps. Besides,
there is something I have to say to you."
     The main apartment suite consisted of several chambers grouped about a
central one, where Axis and Azhure now stood. It was richly furnished with
warm, mellowed woods and draped and cushioned in yellow and crimson
damask. To one side a door to an equally opulent bedchamber stood ajar. The
hound settled quietly by the door, his golden eyes on his mistress. "Azhure?"
     She turned from the lamp she was lighting and smiled. "Yes?"
     "How long have I been gone? Or should I," he grinned, "hazard a guess
from the roundness of your belly?"
     Azhure coloured. "It is the first week of Bone-month, Axis."
     He sighed and turned away, rubbing his face tiredly. "Late. I had not
thought to be gone so long. There is so much to be done."
     "You will need your rest," Azhure said, putting down the lamp she was
carrying and starting to edge for the door. The sooner she was gone from here
the better.
     Axis toyed with the fringe of a lampshade. "Azhure, there is one more thing I
would ask of you," he said. "Yes?"
     Axis raised his pale eyes. "Stay with me. Be my lover." Her whole body
stiffened. "No, I cannot," she whispered. Why had she let herself be caught like
this?
     Axis walked over, his eyes locked in Azhure's. She went rigid as he
approached, but he walked straight past her, his arm brushing hers, closed the
door, and turned back. "And why is that? Why can you not stay?"
     Azhure had spent months putting her arguments together for this moment.
Where were they now? Increasingly desperate, she blurted, "Because I am a
simple peasant girl and you are an Icarii Enchanter."
     Axis took a step closer to Azhure. "The simple peasant girl stayed behind in
Smyrton," he said, "and before me is the woman who has mastered the Wolven."
And the woman who sent me reeling among the Stars at Beltide. Would he feel
the Star Dance through her body again when he lay with her? "Stay with me.
Dance with me."
     Azhure swallowed. "I am mortal, short-lived, and you will live for hundreds
of years. You have seen how StarDrifter and Rivkah's marriage foundered on
this. There is no hope for us. No hope."
     Axis stepped yet closer. "I may be dead in a year or less, Azhure. What does
a five-hundred-year lifespan count for when events of such magnitude threaten
to envelop us all? And we are not StarDrifter and Rivkah. Stay with me." He
smoothed a tendril of hair back from her cheek.
     Azhure took a deep breath and closed her eyes, balling her hands into fists
as she tried to ignore the soft stroking of his fingers. "Faraday," she said tightly.
     Axis kissed the tender spot at the junction of her jaw and neck. "Faraday is
many months and marry leagues away. Stay with me."
     "Faraday loves you!" She felt his teeth against her skin, and it brought
memories and desires flooding back.
     "Faraday's love for me does not stop her sharing her bed with Borneheld.
Stay with me."
     "Faraday loves you, and you her!"
     Axis laughed softly and untied the laces of her nightgown. "What is love,
Azhure? Can you tell me? Stay with me. Dance with me."
     He tilted Azhure s head and kissed her mouth. "It is too late to be talking of
remaining true when you stand here heavy with my child. Besides, Faraday is a
noblewoman, a lady of court. She accepted my previous lover and she will accept
you. Stay with me."
     "Axis, do not ask this of me!"
     "Azhure." He leaned back slightly, his hands slowly pulling the nightgown
down over her shoulders and breasts, his fingers stroking. "What reason is there
for you to go? You are my friend and my helpmeet, my ally. You fill my eyes and
my thoughts. You carry my child. And you love me - you cannot deny that.
Would you deny me my child, deny the child its father? What reason is there to
go? Stay with me. Feel the power of the Star Dance through my fingers, through
my hands, through my body. Be my lover."
     Azhure could not resist. She had fought as best she could. Axis was right,
Faraday was far away, and Azhure would deal with it when she had to.
     "Yes," she whispered, and in his darkened corner of existence the Prophet
laughed loud and merrily.
     They lay still and quiet on the bed, both awake, both unwilling to slip into
sleep and waste the night in unconsciousness. After a while Azhure felt Axis'
hand caress her belly again, and she finally spoke.
     "Axis, the baby hardly moves. They say that you must sing to it, awaken it,
teach it."
     Axis kissed her cheek. "Our child is a boy. I can feel it."
     "You can? A boy?" Azhure laughed, and her own hand stole down to her
belly. "A son."
     Axis smiled at her excitement. "What would you like to call him? If I am to
sing to him, awaken him, we should really grace him with his name."
     Azhure rolled over a little so that she faced Axis. "You would let me name
him? Don't you want to name him yourself?"
     Axis gendy ran his hand around her back, slowly stroking her skin, feeling
the ridged scars. She had endured so much pain already in life, so much
rejection, so much uncertainty. And now she had carried his child for over six
months without any support from him. "Tell me what you would like to name
him."
     Azhure did not have to think about it. "Caelum."
     "Why Caelum?"
     "When I was a small girl, after my mother had left me," Azhure said, "there
was a blacksmith who would come to Smyrton every two weeks to ply his trade.
A big man. Dark. He called himself Alayne and he was kind to me. He told me
stories, and for many years he was the only friend I had. Caelum...Caelum was
the hero of his favourite story. The name is appropriate, surely. It means,"
     "Stars in heaven, Azhure, I know what it means," Axis murmured. He had
thought he'd led a lonely life, but his loneliness was nothing compared to the
misery of Azhure's childhood. He had enjoyed the love and support of so many
Brothers within the Seneschal, not the least Jaytne himself. All Azhure had were
the fortnightly visits of a blacksmith who was occasionally kind to her and who
told her stories of mythical heroes.
     "Caelum is a fine name," he said finally.
     "Axis," Azhure suddenly said. "Promise me you will never steal this baby to
give to Faraday to raise!"
     Axis sat up on his elbow, appalled. How could she think that he would do
such a thing? Unbidden, StarDrifter's words from many months ago in Talon
Spike echoed through his mind, "In ages gone past Icarii birdmen simply took
the babies of human—Icarii unions and never spared a thought for the women
who had struggled to birth their children." Did Azhure fear he would do that to
her?
     "Listen to me," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "I will never take our
son from you. Both of us have suffered because our parents were torn from us.
Do you think that I would perpetuate the same pain on our son? Azhure, hear
me, I swear on everything I hold dear that I will never, never, take our son from
you. Believe me!"
     Azhure finally let go of her fears. She reached up and cupped Axis' face in
her hands. "Then awaken our son, Axis, and tell him that his parents love him
dearly and will never desert him!"
     Axis sat up and pulled Azhure against him. He put his arms around her and
placed his splayed hands over her belly. "Awake, Caelum," he said clearly, and
began to sing. Azhure closed her eyes and let his Song envelop her, feeling their
baby - Caelum - stir to wakefulness in her womb. He twisted and turned so his
entire body pressed against the outer wall of her womb, as close to Axis' hands
as possible. The sensation was so exquisite it went way beyond the description
of words.
      How could she ever have considered Belial's proposal? Azhure wondered.
How could she ever have believed she could walk away from Axis? Beltide had
been a point beyond which there was no turning back. No longer would she
attempt to deny her love for this Enchanter who held her now.
      Rivkah had told Azhure that it was a tragedy for a human woman to love an
Icarii Enchanter, to be entrapped in a love which would cause only pain, but
Azhure hoped these months with Axis and their son in Sigholt would somehow
store up enough love and happiness to see her through the inevitable suffering.
Azhure's body relaxed completely against Axis', letting the rhythm of the Song he
was singing wash through her, feeling her baby respond to his father.
      After a long while Axis stopped, and he smiled and whispered into Azhure's
ear. "You have grown a wonderful son within your body, Azhure. Speak to him.
Speak to your son. He loves you and would hear your voice."
      "Me? But I thought it was only the Icarii father who could speak to babes
still in the womb. Me? Why would he want to listen to me?"
      "He loves you," Axis repeated, smiling against her ear. "You are his hero. He
will hear you. He is awake."
      Azhure slid her hands down over her belly, and Axis' covered hers. What
would she say? Slowly, hesitantly, then with more confidence and joy, Azhure
spoke to her son.

    "Let Fly the Standard!'
     w^v ivkah hurried along the corridors of Sigholt, i_^ increasingly fretful. She
had woken early to find JL. ^^.Azhure gone, her side of the bed stone cold. Her
clothes were still lying draped casually across the chair -Azhure was still in her
nightgown. Had she gone for a midnight stroll through Sigholt and suffered some
mishap - a fall perhaps? Was Azhure now lying injured some place?
     Rivkah turned down the main corridor and hurried towards the stairwell that
led to the roof. She halted by the door to the main apartment. The door was
closed and nothing seemed amiss. But there was something...different.
     Rivkah suddenly realised what it was as the faint odour of lamp oil
registered. Had Azhure gone in there? Was she now asleep — injured, perhaps -
on the floor? Rivkah gripped the door handle and stepped into the central
chamber.
     Lamps had indeed been lit, but had now burned down. Rivkah glanced about
the chamber and took a deep breath. She had not been in these apartments
since returning to Sigholt, and they brought back a flood of memories. Searlas is
long dead, she told herself firmly, and stepped further into the room — and saw
Azhure's nightgown lying in a pale puddle in the centre of the floor. She turned
her head towards the open door to the bedchamber, then walked slowly over
and stepped through.
     Azhure and Axis lay asleep on the bed, Axis' arms wrapped protectively
around Azhure. Well, thought Rivkah, a curious stillness in her mind, you did not
run far enough or fast enough, did you Azhure?
     Axis opened his eyes and stared at Rivkah standing just inside the doorway.
He gently disentangled himself from Azhure; who murmured a little as he left the
bed. He paused to pull the sheets over her before he hugged his mother.
     "Welcome home to Sigholt," Rivkah whispered, holding her son tightly to
her. "Did the Ferryman teach you well? Did you learn his secrets?"
     "The Ferryman still plies his boat along the waterways, Rivkah. He is well."
Axis brushed some stray silver wisps of hair back from his mother's forehead.
"Does anyone else know I am here?" he asked.
     "No." Rivkah paused and glanced at Azhure, still asleep.
     "She carries a beautiful son, Rivkah."
     "She was very worried. Have you sung to him?"
     "Yes," Axis replied sofdy, remembering.
     "Rivkah?" Azhure murmured sleepily behind them. "Is that you?"
     Rivkah let her son go and sat down on the bed beside Azhure, stroking her
hair.
     Azhure knew exactly what she was thinking. "I will be happy, Rivkah. Do not
fret for me."
     Rivkah's face hardened. They were both so young and both so sure that life
would work out exactly as they hoped. Well, already plans and vows lay
shattered across the floor. Could they not see that?
     "Azhure, it grows late, and Belial has called a meeting of his commanders in
the map-room. You must dress. I'll bring your clothes here.
     "Axis," Rivkah turned to him, "Belial would be more than pleased to see you.
He has long fretted about your absence."

     Axis nodded. "Then shall we surprise him, Azhure? Let me see what Belial
has done with my command over the past eight months."
     "And while you are in conference I will tell StarDrifter and MorningStar you
have arrived," Rivkah said, rising from the bed.
     "They are here?" Axis asked sharply.
     "Yes. They arrived some time ago."
     "Good," he nodded, "for I must talk with them."
     Belial paced about the map-room. Where was she? Magariz, Arne, FarSight
and two of his Crest-Leaders had been here almost a quarter of an hour,
chatting about inconsequential matters. Well, Belial fumed, if her pregnancy was
going to make her sleep in during the mornings, then perhaps... The door
opened and Azhure stepped into the room. "You're late," Belial snapped. "I ..."
Axis stepped into the room behind Azhure. "I am afraid that was my fault,
Belial."
     Belial gaped at Axis, then he strode across the chamber and enveloped his
friend in a great hug. "Axis!
     "Eight months' absence is too long, my friend," Belial said, finally stepping
back. "I am glad to have you back."
     Axis turned to Magariz. "Magariz!" They,gripped hands. Axis' warmth for this
man who had abandoned lifelong loyalties to follow his cause was only slightly
less than for Belial. Without Belial and Magariz Axis' cause would be almost
hopeless. Axis touched the blood-red blazing sun on Magariz's chest. "Azhure has
been wrapping you in her designs, I see."
     Axis greeted Arne, then FarSight and the two other Crest-Leaders. Their
black uniforms, although similarly emblazoned with the blood-red blazing sun,
made them look forbidding and dangerous and Axis wondered how their training
was going.
     After all the greetings were done, Axis gestured to the others to take their
places about the table; it was clear that Axis had assumed full command the
instant he'd walked into the chamber.
     Axis placed his hands on the table, stared about the table, then said quietly
to Belial, "Tell me."
     Talking in confident tones, Belial informed Axis of the status of Sigholt and of
his command, now a combined one of Acharites and Icarii, ground and air
combatants.
     Axis nodded occasionally, raised his eyebrows in silent query at other times.
Belial had worked wonders, and Axis was impressed — and grateful. The Icarii
were doing well, learning the skills they would need in battle. The Lake had
awakened both Keep and hills. When Belial described Azhure's work with the
archers, her abilities as a fighter and as a commander, Axis was not surprised. As
Axis and Azhure shared a look, Belial quickly moved on to the growing number of
refugees who flocked to Sigholt. Word of the Prophecy was spreading, and
proving potent.
     "I could not have asked for a more capable or a more courageous group of
commanders than the seven of you," Axis said. "I thank you with all my heart for
what you have done here in Sigholt and for what you have done for me
personally. If I emerge victorious then it will be your victory as much as mine.
Belial." He looked at his friend. "To you I owe the greatest debt. You accepted
me for what I was when I was consumed with self-doubt about my heritage. You
saved my life from Borneheld and engineered not only my escape from
Gorkenfort, but the escape of an army as well. You took that force and built me
a base here in Sigholt which nothing my enemies enjoy can rival. Belial, my
friend," he reached across the table and gripped Belial's hand, "I thank you.
     "Now." Axis leaned back and spoke to the rest of the group. "What do we
control? What is the state of the Skraelings? Borneheld's men? What do you
know?"
     Magariz lifted a map from the rack behind him and unrolled it across the
table. His hand swept over the Urqhart Hills in an arc from north to south. "We
control most of the Urqhart Hills, except the extreme north and north-west,
which the Skraelings occupy. We also dare not approach too close to Hsingard,
which the Skraelings have destroyed. The HoldHard Pass is ours, as is the
territory spreading south from the Pass to the Nordra. Below the Nordra we can
move fairly easily in the northernmost parts of Skarabost, but we do occasionally
skirmish with the outer patrols from Jervois Landing in the north-western parts of
the Seagrass Plains. We have supply routes stretching into Skarabost, which
should remain open unless our access to the Nordra is cut off." "A good start,"
said Axis. "And the rest?" "We face problems from both Gorgrael and Borneheld,"
Magariz said slowly. "Intelligence from the farflight scouts shows that Gorgrael
builds his forces. We hurt them badly above Gorkenfort, and for months the
Skraeling masses were scattered all over Ichtar, too disorganised to push further
south. But now Gorgrael has regained control and rebuilt his forces. Skraelings,
under firm direction now, mass below Hsingard in an effort to break through
Borneheld's defences at Jervois Landing. A smaller force also builds in the
northern WildDog Plains. Gorgrael obviously plans a two-pronged attack into
Achar this winter. Not only past Jervois Landing, but also through the WildDog
Plains. I only hope Borneheld can hold them at Jervois Landing, because I
suspect most of our efforts this winter will be directed at keeping the Skraelings
from pushing south through the WildDog Plains." This was bitter news for Axis.
He had hoped to move his own forces into southern Achar during the winter
while Borneheld was occupied at Jervois Landing. But now it appeared that if
Borneheld was going to be occupied with the Skraelings, so was he. Axis knew
he could not let Gorgrael succeed in his push through the WildDog Plains.
     But his agreement with the GateKeeper would last only a year and a day
before it lapsed and FreeFall would never be reborn. He had to be in Carlon
before then.
     "And Borneheld?" he asked. "What has he done at Jervois Landing? How has
he equipped his forces? What is his strength?"
     "Axis, Borneheld now commands over twenty thousand men in Jervois
Landing, and...he controls the force as King. Priam died some months ago."
     Axis went rigid with shock. "King?" He took a deep breath. "I can just
imagine how Borneheld seized the throne," he muttered bleakly. Now Borneheld
would be immeasurably more dangerous. "But how did he manage to find a
force of twenty thousand? How?"
     Magariz explained about the Ravensbundmen and the extra forces that
Borneheld had scavenged from about Achar. Then, as Axis' shoulders slumped,
he briefly explained about the system of canals Borneheld had ordered built
between the Nordra and Azle rivers.
     There was silence about the table. After a moment Axis shook his head.
"Well, FarSight, your Strike Force should be worth five men each. At least
Borneheld has not taken to the air yet - unless there is still more bad news,
Magariz?"
     Magariz laughed, relieving some of the tension in the room. "No, Axis,
Borneheld is still ground-bound. The Strike Force will go far towards evening out
our chances."
     Axis nodded. "Then I had better announce my arrival. Shall I stand from
atop Sigholt and shout it for all to hear?"
     "No," Azhure said softly. "I have a better way."
     Axis met StarDrifter and MorningStar outside the map-room. As Azhure
brushed past, StarDrifter raised his eyebrows.
     "A son," Axis said. "And an Enchanter."
     StarDrifter's eyes glinted. "I knew she would breed powerful Enchanters,
Axis."
     "I do not think of her as a brood mare, StarDrifter," Axis snapped. "She is
Azhure, and I value her as much in her own right as I do for being the mother of
my son." He wheeled away and followed Azhure down the corridor.
     StarDrifter watched them go, still bitter and resentful that Azhure had
chosen Axis that night, then hurried after them.
     As the SunSoars and a group of commanders gathered on the roof of the
Keep, Rivkah handed a bundle to Azhure.
     "Axis," Azhure said, "over the past months Rivkah and myself have worked
on this whenever we had time. Arne?"
     Arne, obviously forewarned, took the bundle from Azhure and walked over
to the empty flagpole.
     "Now you are here in residence," Azhure said, "let all know it," and she
turned to Arne.
     Axis watched Arne unfold the deep gold material, then his eyes caught
Azhure's. "Thank you," he whispered.
     As Arne raised Axis SunSoar's standard, the breeze caught the fabric and it
unfurled in a shimmer of light. As the golden tunic Azhure had wrought for Axis,
so his standard -the deep gold field with the blood-red sun blazing in the centre.
All stood and watched it whip and crack in the sun.
     "The command is yours, Axis," Belial said formally. "I have done my best.
Now it is yours to do your best with."
     Trying to control his emotions, Axis strode to the wall and gazed over the
valley. He could hardly reconcile what he saw there with the Sigholt of before.
The Lake of Life had truly lived up to her name, and now new life bloomed all
about the Lake and Keep. Late summer roses were even starting to crawl up the
silvery walls of the Keep. Sigholt was truly alive.
     He looked closely at the camps spreading around the edge of the Lake, then
at the practice fields where units were engaged in their mid-morning combat
training. Eventually, more and more of them noticed the standard high above
their heads, and eventually they fell still. Axis raised a hand, and a faint cheer
reached his ears.
     "I cannot wait to begin, my friends, but there is one more thing I must do
before I rejoin my command." Axis gave a single sharp whistle, and stared into
the sun.
     "What are you doing?" asked StarDrifter.
     "I await my wings," Axis replied, motioning for silence.
     All eyes turned to the sun.
     Very slowly - and the Icarii with their extraordinary vision were the first to
see it - a black spot spiralled out of the sun.
     He spiralled down out of the sun, escaping its blazing fury. He was alive and
he rejoiced in that life, although he had no memory of the state of death or of
his previous life. He simply rejoiced in the freedom of the unlimited sky and the
heat of the sun on his wingbacks as he plummeted further and further down to
the green and blue earth below him.
     Gradually he realised he had to go somewhere, meet someone. He pulled
himself out of his crazy dive and scanned the earth below. The glint of the Lake
and silver grey of the Keep caught his eye, and he soared in a gigantic loop
above them. An exultant scream left his throat.
     All below heard the eagle's cry and watched as it tipped its wings and drifted
towards Axis. He laughed in sheer delight and extended his left arm, whistling
once more.
     In a flurry of white and silver feathers the eagle landed on his arm, both
fighting for a moment to keep their balance.
     StarDrifter stared in amazement. No-one had ever tamed a snow eagle
previously. And this was half as large again as most snow eagles, though
coloured like all its kind with white and silver feathers, and black eyes, beak and
talons.
     "Axis?" MorningStar finally managed to ask.
     "He is my eyes in the sky, my wings, my voice as I need a voice," said Axis,
explaining nothing at all. "He is a gift from the UnderWorld."
     Everyone looked at each other in confusion.

    WolfStar's Story» s the eagle preened itself on the
parapet wall, Axis JLA asked for time to speak to MorningStar and his JL
JLparents privately. He touched Azhure's cheek as she turned to go; the gesture
was lost on none.
     "Gather the unit and Wing commanders in the courtyard after noon," Axis
told Belial, "and I will address them there. Arne. A word?"
     Arne paused, listened to Axis, and nodded briefly.
     Soon the rooftop was empty save for the three Icarii Enchanters and Rivkah.
     "And what secrets did you learn from the Ferryman?" StarDrifter asked
eagerly.
     "Many secrets, StarDrifter, and most I have promised not to reveal."
     StarDrifter s mouth hardened into a thin line. "Are they so terrible?"
     "No. They are quite simple. But I vowed not to reveal them, and I will not.
However," Axis paused and scratched the eagle under its beak, "what I can tell
you is terrible enough."
     MorningStar walked over to her grandson. "What?"
     Axis sighed, and all noted how tight and tense the skin was under his eyes.
"In Talon Spike, MorningStar, you theorised that there was another SunSoar
Enchanter, an Enchanter who, for his or her own purposes, had taught both
myself and Gorgrael."
     MorningStar nodded. "Yes?"
     "I can now tell you who it is."
     Both StarDrifter and his mother visibly tensed. Who?
     "It is WolfStar SunSoar, come back through the Star Gate."
     StarDrifter and MorningStar paled in shock, unable to say anything. Rivkah
shook her head. Of all Enchanter-Talons to step back through the Star Gate, it
had to be WolfStar. What had the Icarii done to deserve this?
     Steps sounded in the stairwell and MorningStar and StarDrifter jumped
nervously.
     "I asked Arne to send the Sentinels up," Axis explained. "Perhaps they can
help explain what WolfStar might want, why he came back."
     "Axis? What is it?" Ogden asked, noting the tension.
     Briefly Axis told the Sentinels about WolfStar's return.
     "WolfStar!" Veremund muttered. "But Axis, why are you so sure?"
     Axis related how he had discovered the illusion of WolfStar's statue in the
Chamber of the Star Gate, and how the Ferryman - Axis did not give them his
name — had realised WolfStar had come back through the Star Gate. He paused
and looked around. "It is more than time you told me WolfStar's story, and
explained why you fear WolfStar so much. I need to know why he has come
back."
     "It would sicken me to tell the entire tale," MorningStar said. "Veremund?
Will you speak of WolfStar?"
     Veremund nodded. "WolfStar's story belongs to a lost world, Axis, a world of
four thousand years ago. WolfStar was a remarkable Icarii Enchanter who, at the
extraordinary age of only ninety-one, succeeded as Talon of Tencendor."
     "There was always rumour about his succession at such an early age,"
Ogden interrupted. "His father was young and fit, only some two hundred years
old, and should have lived hundreds more years. But..."
     "He fell out of the sky one fine afternoon," MorningStar finished for him.
"And no-one claimed the arrow that feathered from his chest."
     "Murder, or accident?" Veremund mused. "Who knows? WolfStar had an alibi
- he was in council with several of the Crest-Leaders at the time - but it was
rumoured and is now generally believed that he planned, if not executed, the
murder of his own father."
     "He wanted the throne. Badly," Jack said, gazing out across the Urqhart Hills
so none could see his face.
     "Yes. He wanted the throne badly, Jack." Veremund sounded annoyed at the
constant interruptions. "WolfStar, ever since he was a flightless child, had been
fascinated by the Star Gate. Access to the Star Gate was much more open then,
although only a Talon and his heir were allowed completely free use of it.
WolfStar would spend hours, sometimes days, simply staring into the Gate. He
was consumed with the idea that the universe contained other worlds."
     Axis looked up in surprise. Other worlds? The thought had never occurred to
him, but now he felt a tug of curiosity.
     "Other worlds," Veremund repeated. "WolfStar surmised that each sun was
paired with a world, perhaps like ours, that circled it, as ours does. He looked at
the multitude of stars in the universe, and surmised that a multitude of worlds
also existed."
     "Crazy," StarDrifter muttered.
     "For years WolfStar had lived with his obsession, and then, suddenly, he was
Talon. Now he felt he could do something about it. The Icarii had long talked
about the possibility that someone could step through the Star Gate, and survive
to step back through it." Veremund laughed quietly. "But who would be the first
to try? One day WolfStar approached the Assembly and asked permission to
send an Icarii child, one with Enchanter talent, through the Gate. He claimed it
was better to waste the life of a child, if waste it would be, than the life of a fully
trained Enchanter."
     There was horrified silence around the rooftop, as there had been in the
Icarii Assembly that long-distant day.
     "The Assembly, as you might expect, refused WolfStar permission to so
sacrifice one of their children." Now Veremund was almost whispering. "But
WolfStar s obsession was consuming him, and perhaps now he was slightly mad.
He was determined to step through the Star Gate and explore other worlds, but
he also wanted to be able to step back into this one. And he needed to know he
could step back. One day a young Icarii child, only fourteen years, went out
flying and never returned. He was mourned; it was believed that perhaps he had
suffered a fatal wing cramp while flying. But then, a few weeks later, another
child disappeared, and then another. Then someone realised that all three had
possessed Enchanter powers. And then someone accused WolfStar of child
murder."
     Veremund paused for breath. "WolfStar, defiant and very sure of his own
powers, said that it was not murder, but necessary experiment. The secrets of
the Star Gate must be solved. He asked what would happen if one day a race
from another world wanted to invade our world through the Star Gate? What
would happen if someone else, something else, discovered the secrets of the
Star Gate, and Gates like it, before he did?"
     Axis rocked on his feet at the idea. WolfStar's methods may have been
appalling, but were his concerns so crazy as the others seemed to think? He
started to speak, but Veremund continued.
     "WolfStar claimed it would only be a matter of time before one did come
back. Dear ones, WolfStar was an Enchanter-Talon, and he was very powerful.
Far from feeling remorse for the three children he had murdered to this point,
NWolfStar produced a roster of children, all with Enchanterpowers, whom he
proposed to send through the Star Gate one by one until he found one who
could come back."
     Bile rose in Axis' throat as he thought of his own son growing safe in
Azhure's womb. How would he have felt, sitting among the Icarii, listening to his
child's name read out by WolfStar as the fifth, or sixth, or twenty-sixth child to
be sacrificed to the Enchanter-Talon's mad obsession?
     "As I said, WolfStar was powerful, very powerful, and by now none dared
challenge him. All, I suppose, hoped that a child before theirs would be the one
to come back."
     "I don't believe it," Axis whispered. "They let their children be murdered?
How could they? How many?"
     "He sent a further two hundred and seven children tumbling to their deaths
in the Star Gate, Axis," said Veremund. "Some only as old as three or four, the
oldest about sixteen. He sent his own niece, daughter of his younger brother. He
sent," and Veremund almost did not say this, knowing how much it would pain
those listening, "he toppled his own wife, heavy with child, through the Gate."
Axis went as white as the snow eagle. "Why?" "Because WolfStar thought his
wife's body might serve as some protection for the child within. WolfStar knew
his wife carried an extraordinarily talented child, and he hoped the unborn child
might be able to succeed where other children had failed. It was a procession of
death, Axis. The Icarii parents wept and grieved and lamented, but still they
brought their children to the Star Gate as WolfStar demanded."
     "Part of the reason why the Icarii are so sensitive about WolfStar,"
MorningStar explained brokenly, "was that our ancestors did not try to stop him.
Virtually an entire generation of Enchanters was lost."
     Veremund was glad the tale was almost at its end. "WolfStar almost crippled
the Icarii race with his obsession. So many died, and those left were emotionally
and mentally
     scarred. Many parents who had lost children threw themselves from high
rocks in their grief, dashing themselves to death on the hard earth."
     . "And did WolfStar discover the secret, Veremund? Was all this sacrifice
worth it?" Axis asked, his voice hoarse with emotion. He was descended of such
mad blood?
     "No. None ever came back. WolfStar would stand on the lip of the Star Gate
and scream abuse at the children who had gone through, scream at them to take
their courage in their hands and make the effort to come back."
     "Why didn't someone push the murderer through the Star Gate himself?"
Axis demanded.
     "It took WolfStar's younger brother, CloudBurst SunSoar, who had watched
his own daughter scream as WolfStar hurled her into the Star Gate, to put an
end to his brother's murderous ways," said Veremund. "One day in Assembly,
CloudBurst simply walked up behind his brother, and stabbed him. Just once, but
it was a fatal blow."
     "That was the only way the SunSoars managed to salvage their self-respect,
Axis," MorningStar said. Her face was pale and lined. "CloudBurst managed to
save both the SunSoars and the Icarii people. He took the Talon throne and
stopped the murders, but the scars remain."
     "We so rarely speak of WolfStar," StarDrifter explained, "because of our
deep shame."
      MorningStar's mouth twisted. "The murder of so many children was not
WolfStar's only crime. He was guilty of many other crimes against the Icarii
People ..."
      "He stole the Enchantress' ring," interrupted StarDrifter, and Axis jumped a
little guiltily. He fingered the pocket where he'd secreted the ring.
      "... but the children's murder was one that the Icarii have never, never
forgotten," MorningStar finished. "What is an ancient ring, even one so precious,
when compared to so many wasted lives?"
      "And now WolfStar is back," Axis mused. No wonder the Ferryman had
reacted with such horror. "He learned the secrets of the Star Gate, and now he
has stepped back through. All right. Why? Jack? Do you have any idea why
WolfStar has come back?"
      Jack had been very quiet as the horrific tale unfolded. Now he faced Axis,
composed, his green eyes tranquil and steady. "No. I have no idea."
      Axis looked inquiringly at the other two Sentinels, and then to his father and
grandmother. "Anyone?!' All shook their heads.
      Axis studied the blank faces carefully. Why did he feel as though someone
on this rooftop knew precisely why WolfStar had come back through the Star
Gate?
      "Well then, if we cannot know precisely the reason why WolfStar has come
back, does anyone know how long he has been back?"
      Again everyone shook their heads. Axis gestured with impatience. Someone
must know something "If WolfStar has been back some time, he would have to
protect himself against discovery. He would not want people to know. And yet
the Icarii, as others, perhaps," he glanced at Jack, "were still using the Star Gate
until a thousand years ago. MorningStar, Veremund, how long has the tradition
of not touching any of the statues been around?"
      It was Jack who answered. "Three thousand years."
      Axis took a horrified step backwards. "Three thousand years? He has been
back three thousand years? What mischief could WolfStar have got up to in three
thousand years?"
      "Surely," StarDrifter said irritably, "the more pertinent point is, where is
WolfStar now? And what disguise does he wear?"
      "What disguise does WolfStar wear?" Axis said. "I don't know. I know / am
not WolfStar, but any of you here could be. How can I know? WolfStar must be a
master of disguise."
      Eyes and mouths opened in horror and indignation. "Us?" Ogden spluttered.
"But we are the Sentinels! It cannot be us}"
      Ogden's indignation was nothing to MorningStar's and StarDrifter's angry
and resentful denials. Harsh words were shouted. "Peace!" Axis said, holding up
his hands. "Do you think if I seriously thought any of you might be WolfStar I
would have actually approached you with what I know? But I cannot know for
sure. It could be anyone, and," he stumbled, "and the third verse of the
Prophecy warns me that I have a traitor within my camp, someone who will
betray me to Gorgrael. Who else could that be except WolfStar? Where is he?
Where?"
     "I fear I might know," MorningStar said very, very quietly, almost too afraid
to speak.
     Axis whipped around. "Who?"
     "Too much of WolfStar is resurfacing, Axis, and it is resurfacing about one
person. Azhure."
     "No!" Axis and StarDrifter exclaimed together, and Rivkah cried out softly in
denial as well. "No! It cannot be!"
     "Thinkl" MorningStar hissed. "The scars on her back, as if someone has
ripped out Icarii wings."
     "No," StarDrifter said. "If WolfStar assumed the form of a woman - and a
woman who can fall pregnant - then he would be able to assume the form of a
smooth-backed woman. Mother, be sensible."
     "WolfStar's bow, and WolfStar's hounds," MorningStar continued. "Both
came to Azhure. Would Sicarius answer to anyone but WolfStar?"
     Jack watched MorningStar very, very carefully.
     "You cannot be right, MorningStar. You cannot" Axis insisted.
     "Of course," said MorningStar. "I am not surprised that both you and your
father defend her. If she was WolfStar then she would be of SunSoar blood, and
both of you lust after her as if she were SunSoar bred and blooded."
     Axis and StarDrifter stared at each other. Both remembered how their blood
had sung for her.
     "No!" Axis cried. MorningStar must be wrong. "If she were SunSoar,
MorningStar, you would feel it too. Am I right?"
     "Not necessarily, Axis. The sexual tug is always the strongest." She arched
an eyebrow. "And perhaps WolfStar did not want to conceal it."
     By the Stars! Axis thought, trying to control his anger. "MorningStar," he
said, "WolfStar is going to extraordinary lengths of disguise if he assumes the
form of a woman who can fall pregnant. That extreme is surely not necessary.
Besides, Azhure cannot sing, as Rivkah, Ogden and Veremund can vouch," the
three nodded vigorously, "and, most important, she grew up in Smyrton,
younger than me. What opportunity did she have to creep into Carlon to teach
me as a baby? What?"
     "Axis is right," Rivkah said evenly. MorningStar was a cold-hearted bitch on
occasion. "You forget that I have known Azhure since she was about fourteen. I
have watched her grow. Azhure may be a mystery but I stand with Axis and
StarDrifter in denying that she is WolfStar SunSoar."
     "Nevertheless, Axis," said MorningStar, not ready to concede. "It might be a
good idea to send for word to Smyrton. Make sure that people remember her
being born, remember her growing from a small child."
     Axis nodded curdy. "If that will ease your mind, MorningStar. But I am
already convinced." He stepped forward and caught MorningStar's chin between
his fingers, and his voice took on the menace of threat. "Do not think to attack
her again, MorningStar, or move against her in any way. I value Azhure more
than most about me. Do I make myself clear?"
     Rjvkah smiled to herself. She had waited thirty years to see MorningStar
finally put in her place.
     "Above all," Axis said, stepping back from MorningStar and looking about
him, "there is one thing that convinces me beyond doubt that Azhure cannot be
WolfStar. No compassionate man, whatever the cause, could send hundreds of
children as well as his own pregnant wife to the deaths that he did. But Azhure
overruns with compassion and love - for me, for her child, and indeed, for all
those who she calls her friends. All this despite nearly a lifetime of rejection.
That alone convinces me that she cannot be WolfStar. Leave her alone."
     He stared unblinking at the silent group watching him, then turned on his
heel and stalked down the stairwell.

    Winter ApproachesWinter approached, and with the
arrival of Frost-month swarmed a dark, writhing mass of Skraelings above
Jervois Landing. Gautier had stopped sending patrols northwards over the past
few weeks -patrols had become a pointless waste of life. Gorgrael did not even
bother to disguise his intention of storming into Achar through the defences of
Jervois Landing.
     On the third day of Frost-month, Borneheld's determination to hold Jervois
Landing and redeem his performance at Gorkenfort was almost fanatical. He had
returned from Carlon the previous evening, leaving behind a grateful Faraday
(and a furious Timozel to guard her), and was now gathered with most of his
commanders in the Tired Seagull.
     "And," Nevelon stuttered, painfully aware qf Borneheld's expression,
"Magariz said,, and I quote, 'Tell Borneheld that if he does not ally himself with
the cause of the StarMan he will die. Tell him that only Axis can lead Achar to
victory. Tell him that if he persists in denying the Prophecy then the Prophecy
will tear him apart. If he has won a kingdom, then he will not long enjoy it. Tell
him Axis comes, and he comes with the power of the Prophecy behind him.'"
Nevelon stopped, awaiting the inevitable outburst.
     Yet Borneheld did not explode instantly into fury. He narrowed his eyes and
stared at Nevelon, his lips thinning.
     What could Roland have been thinking of to pick this man as his second-in-
command? Borneheld looked at Gautier. "Well?" he barked.
     "Axis must be alive, Sire," Gautier said finally. "Magariz's words, foolish and
demented as they are, are full of confidence. He must know Axis is alive."
     Borneheld grunted. He'd hoped that Axis had died amid a gnashing of
Skraeling teeth above Gorkenfort, but deep down he wasn't surprised to discover
his traitorous brother had managed to survive. "And?"
     "And," Gautier said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "he must have a force
somewhere. Who knows how many of the three thousand who fled with him
lived? Some must have died. Perhaps a thousand. Even the best commander,
and Axis is not the best," he hastened to add for Borneheld's benefit, "would
have lost a significant number to the Skraeling host which followed them out of
Gorkenfort."
     Borneheld stared back at Nevelon. "Well fed and uniformed, you say?" he
snapped.
     "Yes, Sire, at least the two I saw were. Both were fit, and their uniforms
clean and well made."
     "And the emblem of the blood-red blazing sun," Gautier murmured. "Axis
has found a new mark, it seems."
     Borneheld frowned. Where was his bastard brother? Over the past two
months the men Gautier had sent into the southern Urqhart Hills had met with
increasing resistance from patrols of a well-trained and well-supplied force. All
wore the blazing sun emblem and one or two were led, it appeared, by this same
woman who had struck Nevelon. It was now unsafe for Borneheld's men to ride
anywhere close to the Urqhart Hills, and even the eastern reaches of the Nordra
were becoming dangerous. Not only did Axis have a force somewhere, it was
growing stronger and extending its influence.
     "Where are they?" Borneheld asked.

     Nevelon cleared his throat nervously. "Uh, Sire, I've been thinking about
this. It must be Sigholt. The garrison there deserted when they heard the
Skraelings were moving eastwards. It has to be where Axis has based his force."
     Borneheld jerked up, shocked, sending a goblet of wine spinning to the floor.
"Sigholt!" he cried". Curse the commander who had panicked and abandoned
one of the best garrisons in the country!
     "If Axis has a rebel force based in Sigholt, then he has the power to hurt
you," said Earl Jorge. Though he and Roland were sadly out of favour with the
King, it would not stop Jorge speaking his mind when he felt it was needed. "And
there are rumours that many of the peasants from Skarabost are moving north
of the Nordra river to join him."
     Borneheld swore, his temper smouldering dangerously. " Why?" he seethed.
"Why do they move to join one who has allied himself with the Forbidden?"
     Roland considered Borneheld warily. "Axis still has a powerful reputation in
Achar, Sire. As BattleAxe he was revered. That is what draws them."
     Roland had lost considerable weight since the fall of Gorkenfort - his skin
now hung in great folds from his cheeks and neck where the fat had dissolved.
In past months he'd felt his mortality keenly, and without thinking he rubbed the
spot on his abdomen where he could feel the great hard canker deep in his belly.
     Borneheld battled to hold his temper. Would he never be free of his hated
half-brother? Why did so many rally to Axis' name and not to his? Why revere
Axis' name and not his? Borneheld could not understand it. "We must stop him,"
he muttered finally. "Attack Sigholt."
     Everyone present, from Gautier and Roland to the anonymous guards,
started in horror. Attack the rebels in Sigholt? Now? When the Skraelings could
attack Jervois Landing any day? Madness!
     "Sire," Gautier said carefully. "The Skraeling host masses to our north.
Obviously they plan to attack soon. And Sigholt is an easily defensible fort. It
would be, ah," Gautier hesitated, "inadvisable to split our forces right now."
     "So we leave him free to take Skarabost?" Borneheld spat.
     Gautier glanced at Jorge and Roland. "Majesty, Axis will face the same
problems from the Skraelings as we do. Doubtless Gorgrael will attack through
the WildDog Plains as well. Neither we, nor Axis, are going to be able to move
very far from where we are encamped this winter. Axis must only have a small
force, a few thousand at most. As we cannot move, neither can he." He paused,
summoning his courage. "Sire, we must seek a truce with them for this winter."
     "Whatl" Borneheld exploded out of his chair.
     "Think of how we could use this to our advantage, Majesty," Gautier said
urgently, desperate to deflect Borne-held's anger. "First of all, Axis is as keen as
you are not to let the Skraelings further south into Achar. Whatever our
differences, Axis hates the Skraelings as much as us. If he is at Sigholt, then his
forces can do much of the work - and dying — to keep our north-western flank
covered. And if we arrange a formal truce, we can get some idea of what force
Axis commands. What do we know now? Magariz, some dark-haired woman who
can use a bow, and a pack of vicious hounds!"
     "He is right," said Jorge, his voice low and intense. "Not only do we not have
the forces spare to attack Axis, we do not have the forces spare to defend
Skarabost from the Skraelings if they come down through the WildDog Plains.
Let Axis' force do the work and the dying in defending our north-western flank. A
truce would keep Skarabost free from both Skraelings and Axis."
     Borneheld abhorred the idea of a truce with Axis, but he knew he couldn't
afford to fight on two fronts over the winter. He sat down again, deep in
thought. He was desperately aware of just how important this coming winter
campaign would be. If he lost Jervois Landing, then he would lose all. Hate Axis
he might, but Borneheld knew when to compromise. He could not afford to move
against him this winter, and if he could not afford to, then best he make sure
that Axis was tied by his word to Sigholt. Axis' death would have to be delayed
until spring next year.
     He nodded curtly. "Very well. Gautier, can you make some initial contact
with Axis' force?"
     Gautier's face relaxed. "If I send a patrol into the southern Urqhart Hills,
then yes, I believe so. When do we want to meet them? Where?"
     Borneheld looked at Jorge. "What do you think?"
     Jorge thought quickly, surprised to have been asked. "We must have this
arranged before Snow-month commences, Sire. That is only three and a half
weeks away. Time? Last week in Frost-month at the latest. Where? On the
Nordra south of the Urqhart Hills - perhaps Gundealga Ford. We do not want to
be trapped within the Urqhart Hills, and if we state the Nordra, then that will
draw Axis out of wherever he is based. He will have to come with a significant
force to protect himself, and we will gain some idea of his strength."
     "Good," Borneheld said brusquely. "If I can't flush Axis from Sigholt before
next spring, then at least I can do something about these weak-minded fools
who rush to join him from the backward villages of Skarabost, and cut off some
of his supply routes as well. Nevelon! Fetch me pen and parchment. I must write
to Earl Burdel in Arcness. I have a task for him. One he will enjoy."
     He turned to Jorge, Roland and Gautier. "If I am to meet Axis then I need
him to know what he faces. Contact Brother-Leader Jayme as well, and tell him
that I want a senior member of the Seneschal present when I face this evil-bred
brother of mine. Perhaps one of his advisers. Surely he could spare one from his
side."
     Borneheld sat back in his chair, a smirk spreading over his face. "I think I
will enjoy meeting my brother over the treaty table, gentlemen. I want to see if
he has grown any lizard features."
     Absent from the deliberations, the Ravensbund Chief sat in his tent in the
camp outside Jervois Landing. His wife, Sa'Kuya, prepared him a pot of Tekawai,
the traditional tea of the Ravensbund people. The ritual was almost as old as the
Ravensbund race, and the pot and cups Sa'Kuya used had been handed down
over countless generations.
     Picking up a tiny cup, she handed it to Ho'Demi, carefully turning it so that
the design emblazoned on the side of the vessel faced him.
     It was the blood-red blazing sun.
     Unsmiling now, for this was a serious ritual, Ho'Demi took the cup from his
wife, bowing slightly as she handed it to him, then took a tiny sip.
     Sa'Kuya served the other four men in the circle about the brazier, then she
bowed gracefully and retreated to the shadows further back in the tent. Ho'Demi
glanced at his four fellow Ravensbundmen. Ho'Demi had been grateful to be left
out of Borneheld's discussion tonight because he wanted to speak again with the
two Ravensbundmen who had accompanied Nevelon on patrol. He inclined his
head at the two other Ravensbundmen present, elders whose advice Ho'Demi
respected, but spoke to the two warriors.
     "Izanagi, Inari, I am grateful that you consented to sip Tekawai with me on
such short notice."
     Izanagi and Inari, both highly regarded warriors within the Ravensbund force
— though Gautier had yet to acknowledge their value — lowered their eyes in
reply and bowed slightly. It was always an honour to sit in Ho'Demi's tent.
     For some time the five men sipped their tea in silence, their movements slow
and graceful, contemplating the complications that night raid on Nevelon's patrol
had wrought among the Ravensbundmen.
     It was Ho'Demi, as was his right, who eventually spoke again. "Both the
Wolven and the Alaunt hounds walk the night," he sighed. "And they walk with
those who wear the emblem of the bloodied sun."
     "Both the Wolven and the Alaunt walk with the black-haired woman," Inari
said. "She who would be so beautiful if only her face were not so naked."
     As the Ravensbundmen had passed on the Prophecy for thousands of years,
so too had they passed on the story of WolfStar. The Icarii might think that none
but they knew of WolfStar's story, but the Ravensbundmen had heard of
WolfStar many, many generations ago. And they knew enough to recognise
WolfStar's bow and his hounds.
     "I wish Borneheld's wife, Faraday, and her companion, the SentinelYr, were
here to discuss this with us," said Ho'Demi. "But they are far away in Carlon, and
this is a decision that I must make on my own."
     "Must we make a decision so soon?" asked Tanabata, one of the elders,
inclining his head in deference to Ho'Demi. His face was so aged and wrinkled
that the swirling blue lines on his face had lost their symmetry.
     "I cannot ignore the signs, Elder Tanabata. Both this man, Magariz?"
Ho'Demi raised his eyebrows at the two warriors for confirmation of the name,
and they nodded. "And the woman, Azhure, wore the badge of the bloodied
sun."
     All present glanced at the designs emblazoned on their cups as Ho'Demi
spoke.
     "The woman carries WolfStar's bow, and his hounds trot by her side. Magariz
spoke the name of the StarMan as if he were this Axis. 'Axis comes with the
power of the Prophecy behind him'," Ho'Demi recited, repeating Magariz's
message for Borneheld. He looked at the others. "Is he the one who will forge
the alliance to defeat Gorgrael?"
     Ho'Demi was worried. He had committed his people to fight for Borneheld -
the Ravensbundmen hated Gorgrael and his Skraelings and, if Borneheld was
committed to fighting the Skraelings, the Ravensbundmen would help him. But
they owed their first allegiance to the Prophecy - and thus to the StarMan. But
what were the marks of WolfStar doing marching with the StarMan? Ho'Demi did
not understand it, and it made him reluctant to act. Where best did his people
belong? With Borneheld, or with this unknown Axis?
     For an hour, their cups empty and cold in their hands, the Ravensbundmen
debated back and forth what they should do. Ho'Demi hesitated to commit
himself to Axis, not only because of the Wolven and the Alaunt, but also because
none had seen Axis or his army. The patrols of the force Gautier's men had
engaged within the southern Urqhart Hills had been small...but they had also
been highly skilled and disciplined.
     "It is not an easy age in which to make decisions," Ho'Demi finally said,
feeling his uncertainty keenly.
     "The decision should not be rushed, Ho'Demi," the other elder present,
Hamori, reassured. "You cannot hurry what may be the last remnants of your
people into the unknown."
     Ho'Demi, about to speak, was interrupted by a cough at the tent flap.
"Come," he called.
     One of the Ravensbund warriors entered. He bowed deeply, then knelt. "My
Chief. A message from Gautier. You are to meet with him in the morning. The
King intends to meet with the rebel force and their commander in three weeks'
time to offer a truce for the winter while we battle the Skraelings. You are to
attend."
    Ho'Demi glanced at the other four men, his eyes gleaming. "The gods have
heard my prayers, rny people. My questions may be answered after all."

    Forgotten VowsAxis stared into the fire, letting the
crackling flames and the soft melody of the Star Dance relax him. He was still
tired from the patrol he had led home last night. Driven by one of Gorgrael's
SkraeBolds, small bands of Skraelings were drifting south through the WildDog
Plains, testing Axis' strength. If the bands of Skraelings were relatively small, the
wraiths were vicious and the fighting bitter, and his patrol had come home
smaller than it had left. Soon he would have to move a sizeable force into the
Plains. Damn it! All he wanted to do was lead his army south...south to wrest
control of Achar away from Borneheld.
      "King!" Axis snorted, and took a sip of wine from the goblet he held. "I
cannot imagine that Borneheld would make an impressive King."
      Rivkah looked up from her embroidery. One son King, the other longed to be
King. She shivered and blamed the cool air. Even by the steaming waters of the
Lake of Life, winter chills were starting to penetrate Sigholt, especially once the
sun went down. She looked about the rest of the group sitting before the fire in
the Great Hall of Sigholt. Previously no-one had felt comfortable sitting in the
vast Hall. Now, with Axis here, it somehow felt right.
      Axis had worked tirelessly over the past five weeks and Sigholt had rapidly
been turned from a slightly disorganised rebel base composed of disparate
elements, into the seeds of a unified kingdom. And at the heart of that kingdom
strode Axis and over its head flew the blood-red blazing sun. Rivkah wished this
magical time would never, never end. Icarii and Acharite worked as one for the
first time in a thousand years and they all worked for Axis.
      Rivkah's eyes drifted about the group. MorningStar and StarDrifter were
absent, visiting friends among the Strike Force. Ogden andVeremund sat,
exclaiming over a book they had discovered underneath a flour bucket in the
kitchens. Beside them Reinald snored softly, asleep even though he was sitting
ramrod-straight in his chair. Whatever Veremund and Ogden found so exciting in
the book had sent him into a deep slumber. It was probably Reinald who had
found the book boring enough to shove it under a wobbly flour bucket in the first
instance. Jack was nowhere to be seen. Probably off on one of his silent wanders
through the corridors of Sigholt. Still looking for Zeherah, still hoping to snatch a
trace of her scent or a lingering of her passing.
      Rivkah's eyes softened as she watched Azhure sitting cross-legged at Axis'
feet. The woman's pregnancy was now well advanced, but still she rode and
trained, although on a quieter nag now that Axis had reclaimed Belaguez.
Tonight she spent her leisure hours cleaning the Wolven and her arrows — rags
and a small bowl of wax lay to one side. Every so often Axis' hand would steal
down and touch her hair. If Axis ever worried about her continuing to work with
her archers, he never showed it. The only concession to her pregnancy he'd
forced her to make was to stop riding out on patrol these last few weeks; Axis
did not want her giving birth under a bush somewhere in the Urqhart Hills.
Azhure had been indignant, and the two had fought, but eventually Axis had
prevailed.
     Five of the Alaunt hounds were stretched out in front of Azhure, soaking up
the warmth of the fire. The Alaunt followed Azhure about like silent shadows;
there were always a few close by, and the others not far away. When Azhure
had still been riding patrol the entire pack had run with her, capable of killing as
silendy and efEciendy as Azhure's arrows. Rivkah shook her head. If Azhure had
always had a latent talent for violence, as the Avar had accused, then it had
found a suitable oudet in fighting for Axis.
     In a chair the other side of the hearth Belial sat slumped, his shadowed eyes
on both Axis and Azhure. Rivkah had watched him wilt slighdy since Azhure had
moved into Axis' quarters. He had a sense of deep sadness about him that he
never quite shook, even in more light-hearted moments.
     Above Rivkah heard a rusde of feathers. The snow eagle spent the nights
perched in the rafters of the Great Hall, but in the days it soared far above the
Urqhart Hills, catching mice and rabbits, sometimes winging south and west on
strange errands for Axis. Axis had consistently refused to answer any questions
about the bird, but on many an occasion Rivkah had watched him talking soft
and low to the eagle as it perched on his arm. There was a bond there, but
Rivkah did not know what it was.
     In a chair close by her side sat the man Rivkah had consciously avoided
looking at all evening. Magariz. Now she spoke, although her grey eyes remained
on her stitching. "My Lord Magariz." "Princess. What can I do for you?"
     "My Lord Magariz, when I first arrived here you promised that you would talk
to me of my eldest, Borneheld. Will you do so now?"
     Axis turned his gaze from the fire to Magariz's face, his blue eyes cold.
Azhure laid down her bow and Belial also watched Magariz carefully. Even Ogden
and Veremund ceased their chattering.
     Magariz, uncertain, glanced at Axis, but Axis waved his hand languidly. "You
do not have to hold your tongue on my account."

    "Princess," Magariz sighed, hesitating. How to talk about Borneheld?
    "After I served my time with the palace guard, Priam sent me to serve with
Borneheld soon after he became Duke. Borneheld gave me the command of
Gorkenfort, a lonely and wearying place, some ten years ago —"
    "You were in the palace guard at Carlon?" Axis interrupted.
    Magariz laughed. "And led it the last two years I was in Carlon, Axis. Why?
Do you find me familiar?"
    Axis only just managed to resist swearing in surprise. Magariz must have
been in Carlon when Axis was a child growing up in the Seneschal. Axis had
often played in the back corridors of the palace when Jayme was there. Magariz
must have had access to him as a child! Could he be the traitor in his camp?
Could he be WolfStar? Axis took a hasty mouthful of wine. The thought was
almost as unsettling as the notion that it might be Azhure.
     Magariz smiled at Axis, misunderstanding the reasons for his stare. "You
were a mischievous child, Axis. I once found you in the stable, tying all the
horses' legs together with a long ball of twine."
     Axis forced a light-hearted grin to his face. If Magariz was WolfStar, then he
would possibly have had access to the northern wastes above Gorkenfort. Access
to the northern wastes and to Gorgrael. No! He had to stop this! Had to stop
staring every friend in the face, trying to see the traitor lying beneath.
     Magariz, still unaware of Axis' inner turmoil, touched Rivkah gently on the
arm. "Rivkah, I am sorry. You wanted to know about Borneheld. Well, he is a
complex man. Though often harsh, he does try to be fair. He is organised,
disciplined, and has a strong sense of right and wrong. When I knew him he
always tried to do what he thought was right, always. He is too narrow-minded,
but that is the way he wasbrought up. He does not know how to love, but that is
because he was never loved."
     Rivkah put her embroidery down, her face blank. "He is crazed in his
jealousy of Axis, true, and for several reasons. Rivkah, you loved Axis' father, not
his, and he believes you abandoned him for StarDrifter." Rivkah opened her
mouth to deny that, but Magariz forged on. "As far as Borneheld is concerned,
your death while giving birth to your unknown lover's child constituted
abandonment."
     Blinded by the tears in her eyes, Rivkah winced and cried out softly as a pin
stuck deep into her thumb. Was Magariz talking of Borneheld...or of himself?
     "Borneheld is also jealous of Axis because Axis has the charm that Borneheld
never had and will never have, and Borneheld has always been aware of his sad
lack of charisma." Magariz paused. "And Borneheld suspects that Axis is the
better war leader than he is - and fighting is the one thing Borneheld feels he is
reasonably good at. At Gorkenfort Borneheld watched Axis daily earn the
adulation of his soldiers, and that cut deep, very, very deep. Now Borneheld is
probably consumed with jealousy that Axis, his hated half-brother, is the fabled
StarMan, the one who is prophesied to save Achar."
     Aware of the emotions he had already sparked, Magariz wondered if he
should go on. "And then there is Faraday," he said very, very quietly. Both Axis
and Azhure stilled. "Does Borneheld realise that Faraday loves Axis? If so, then it
will deepen Borneheld's anger and jealousy...perhaps beyond reason." Magariz
hastily drained his wine glass, wishing he'd kept quiet.
     "If Borneheld has one serious flaw, Magariz, one thing we might exploit,
what would you say that to be?" asked Belial.
     "Besides his consuming resentment of Axis? Borneheld's major fault is that
he is too set in his ways, too rigid. He will not, cannot, change his attitudes. The
Forbidden will always remain the Forbidden, never potential allies. He is a sad
man and will feel abandoned by a world that changes about him." "A sad man,
Magariz?" Axis' voice was harsh. "Misunderstood? Tell that to FreeFall SunSoar
who felt Borneheld's sword slice open his heart. You witnessed that murder, and
by your own confession it was what decided you to turn to my cause. Borneheld
is marked by death, do not try to turn him into a martyr to a lost world now!"
     "Enough!" Rivkah cried, and abruptly stood from her chair, the silks and
material tumbling from her lap in a bright flood to the floor. "Enough! I wish I
had never asked about Borneheld!"
     She turned on her heel and hurried towards the door. Both Axis and Azhure
made as if to go after her, but Magariz waved them back. "It was my fault," he
said quietly, and limped after Rivkah.
     He caught her just outside the door and took her hands. "Rivkah, I am sorry.
I did not think too carefully on what I said. If I appeared judgemental, then I did
not mean to be. These past years were —"
     "I am such an inconstant woman, and such a bad woman," Rivkah
whispered, distraught. "You were right to speak of abandonment to me. I
deserved no less." "Rivkah -"
     "I never loved Searlas, you know that." "Yes, I know it." "I never wanted to
marry him." "Yes, I know that, but —"
     "I was not untrue to Searlas at all when StarDrifter landed on that roof, was
I, Magariz?" He was silent, his eyes dark.
     "I was untrue to you. You have never remarried, Magariz, and yet I have
betrayed you twice, once with Searlas and once with StarDrifter. The two sons
and the daughter I bore should have been yours."
     "Rivkah. You know that I would not have expected you to remain true to our
vows. Not after what happened."
     Rivkah blinked the tears from her eyes. Too late to cry now about the
mistakes of over thirty years ago.
     "I wonder how people would react, Magariz, if they knew that you are my
legal husband, not Searlas, not StarDrifter." There. The words were said.
     For the first time in many years Magariz let his mind drift back to that long-
ago night in Carlon. Rivkah was an impetuous fifteen year old, and he an equally
impetuous seventeen. Rivkah had rushed down to his room, furious that her
father, King Karel, had just promised her to Searlas, Duke of Ichtar. Determined
to defy her father and Searlas, Rivkah had whispered her plan to her friend.
They had fled via poorly lit passageways and unguarded doors to a small
Worship Hall in the seamier quarter of Carlon. There a Brother, old and careless,
had accepted the gold Rivkah thrust into his hand and married them. Magariz
remembered how he'd taken Rivkah back to his bare room in the lower regions
of the palace where, awkward and shy, they had both lost their virginity.
     But the next day Karel had unexpectedly spirited Rivkah northwards and
forced her into marriage with Searlas. What to do? If Magariz spoke out he could
endanger both their lives and if he kept quiet he would lose Rivkah forever. So
young, Magariz could do nothing but grieve for the brief love he had lost. Two
years later, when Rivkah had died in childbed of her second son, Magariz had
taken to his room and wept, swearing that his single night with Rivkah would last
him a lifetime. When her foundling bastard son had arrived in Carlon under the
care of Jayme, Magariz had taken every opportunity he could to play with the
child. And he had always wondered, until he had actually set eyes on Borneheld,
whether her eldest son was his or not. But Borneheld was the image of Searlas,
and Magariz was grateful that he did not have the guilt of Borneheld on his
conscience as well.
     Rivkah pulled her hands from his, interrupting the memories. "We can never
recapture the past, Magariz, or strive for what might have been. We cannot
prove our marriage — if indeed we would want to now after so many years. But
there is always the future, and," she smiled, "there is always the fact that since
Azhure moved to Axis' bed, I have lain cold and lonely at night. No-one, in this
crowded Keep, has come to share my quarters. My chamber lies in an isolated
corridor, my Lord Magariz, and should you decide to wander down it one night, I
doubt that you shall find the door to my chamber locked."
     Then she was gone.

    ParleyThey stood in the central map-room of the Keep of Sigholt —
Axis, his senior commanders and his father and grandmother. All stared at Arne,
standing grey and haggard after riding for three days for Sigholt.
     Four days ago a band of eight soldiers from Jervois Landing had made
contact with Arne's patrol in the southern Urqhart Hills. They'd been led by
Nevelon, and Roland's lieutenant had a message for Axis that had astounded
Arne. "A parley? What do you think?" Axis asked Belial. "He thinks to use us,"
Belial surmised. "He is weak on his north-eastern front, and hopes we'll keep the
Skraelings back in the WildDog Plains."
     Axis grimaced. "As do I, my friend. As do I. Daily those wraiths increase their
nibbles at our patrols." The "fear that the Skraelings might cut off HoldHard Pass
and his supply routes south gave Axis nightmares.
     Forcing the problem of the WildDog Plains from his mind, Axis turned to
Magariz. "You know Borneheld better than any of us. What do you think?"
     "That he is doing the sensible thing," Magariz said without hesitation. "I
would do the same in his position. Neither of you can afford to fight on two
fronts, Axis. Better that we effect a truce this winter than fight each other and let
Gorgrael slip south through our ranks."
     "I had wanted to move south this winter," Axis muttered, though he had
always known a move south into Achar before next spring would be all but
impossible. "And I do not want to speak to Borneheld without having the
opportunity of running him through with my sword." He glanced at the snow
eagle on the windowsill. How long would he have to wait? How long? The days
were turning and fading, and the GateKeeper was counting.
     Axis strode to the window and stared out. A thin layer of grey clouds
skimmed across Sigholt despite the Lake of Life's warmth. Axis chewed his lip,
thinking, thankful that none in the map-room could see his worried face. Could
he avoid a lengthy and damaging civil war by defeating Borneheld in single
combat when he met him at the Nordra? But Axis could not challenge Borneheld
without Faraday present. Borneheld could not die without Faraday there as
witness.
     "Arne? Did Nevelon say anything about Faraday? Do you know if she is still
in Jervois Landing?"
     There was a stunned silence in the room and Azhure turned away, her eyes
downcast. Did Faraday fill his thoughts? When they lay curled together at night,
edging towards sleep, did he imagine that it was Faraday his arms encircled?
When he caressed her, did his hands feel another woman's body?
     Her baby, Caelum, shifted in sympathy as he caught some of his mother's
misery.
     Arne frowned. "Nevelon said nothing, but she is Queen, my Lord Axis. She
would hardly be in Jervois Landing."
     "Yes, you are right. Well, never mind." Axis looked at Far-Sight, Belial and
Magariz. "So, my friends. Borneheld wants to meet with us at the border of the
Urqhart Hills and the Nordra, a halfway point between Sigholt and Jervois
Landing. Should we go? Should we parley? Should-I smell a trap?"
     Magariz shrugged. "We have the advantage, Axis, with the Strike Force. We
will be able to scout for a trap long before he could spring it. And we also have
the advantage of approaching through the hills. He must approach through flat
plains. What trap could he spring?"
     "While Borneheld engages Axis in parley far south of Sigholt, Magariz, a
force from Jervois Landing could swing north and attack the Keep." Azhure's
voice was flat, and MorningStar eyed her speculatively. She still deeply distrusted
Azhure — what better disguise could WolfStar adopt than one who would
ensnare every male SunSoar Enchanter within lusting distance?
     Axis ignored Azhure s tone. "No. I don't think Borneheld would be able to
get a large force close to Sigholt. There are so many Skraelings packed into the
ruins of Hsingard now that any force riding by would be eaten before they had
time to spur their horses into a gallop. All other approaches to Sigholt through
the Urqhart Hills are commanded by my men, and patrolled by both air and
ground forces. Sigholt will remain safe for the time being, I think. No," he said
slowly, "I think I will attend this little parley my brother asks for. As he
undoubtedly wants to survey my forces, so I wish to survey his."
     He smiled suddenly, illuminating the entire room. "Somehow, my friends, do
not think that Borneheld's commanders will stand as strong behind his back as I
know mine will behind me. Azhure?"
     She looked up. "Yes?"
     "I will leave you in charge of Sigholt and the main part of my army. I —" He
halted at the flare of anger across her face.
     "Axis! I do not want to stay here!" Azhure began, but then stopped equally
abruptly. Her pregnancy was too far advanced for her to ride south...and she
knew if she protested against Axis' orders he would reprimand her without
hesitation and as severely as any other commander who dared argue with him —
even if he did share his bed with this one. Anyway, Azhure thought bitterly, all
he can think about is Faraday.
     "Yes, my Lord Axis," she replied very formally. "As you wish." She relaxed
slightly. "But I will cede you my pack of Alaunt for the venture. Take
them...please."
     Axis smiled. "I will take four couples, Azhure. The others I will leave for your
own company."
     Azhure felt the gossamer touch of his power. And to keep you and our son
safe and warm at night, Azhure, while I am away.
     "Magariz, Belial," Axis' tone was now brisk as he spoke to his two most
senior commanders. "We need to discuss who we will take with us, which route
to take and, most important, what terms we will demand. Perhaps we can yet
twist this to our advantage.
     "MorningStar, StarDrifter? You may be interested to know," he said off-
handedly, "that my messengers have come back from Smyrton. Their report has
confirmed what I already knew. Do you understand?"
     Both MorningStar and StarDrifter knew exactly to what Axis referred. Axis
had sent to Smyrton for confirmation that Azhure had indeed been born and
spent her childhood in the northern Skarabost village.
     StarDrifter smiled at his son, relieved, but MorningStar's expression did not
change, and Axis knew that the news had done nothing to ease her suspicions.
     If I come home from meeting with Borneheld and find Azhure dead at the
foot ofSigholt's main staircase, MorningStar, I swear that you, too, will die.
     MorningStar's face blanched. No-one threatened her like that! But Axis held
her eyes with his, and kept her wrapped in his power, and eventually
MorningStar was forced to concede with a curt nod.
     Axis looked at Sicarius, sitting attentively at Azhure s side. Make sure that no
harm comes to her while I am gone. Sicarius whined, and shifted slightly. Azhure
looked about the room, bemused. Why was Axis interested in Smyrton?

    Carlon and BeyondFaraday opened her eyes to the
early morning light. Since Borneheld had returned to Jervois Landing she had
recovered much of her zest for life. "Pleasant dreams, dear one?"
     Faraday rolled over and smiled atYr, sitting scrubbed and dressed for the
day on the silken edge of the Queen's mammoth bed. "I dreamed of Axis, Yr. I
dreamed he was here with me...loving me."
     Yr pretended genteel distaste. "Does the Queen dream of a lover?"
     "Every night, Yr, every night." Faraday propped herself up on an elbow.
"Does he lie in his bed and dream of me? Does he hunger for me as much as I
for him?"
     She laughed shortly and sat up, trying to dismiss Axis from her mind. "So tell
me, Principal Maid, what duties do I have to look forward to today?"
     Faraday's life as Queen was not one of idle indolence. Most days she had to
receive guests, flatter diplomats, listen to endless trade missions, attend lengthy
and stupefyingly boring ceremonies celebrating obscure alliances and treaties,
and listen to either Jayme or Moryson as they detailed their future plans for the
Seneschal and the Way of the Plough. The last she hated especially, and she
would sit, her face expressionless and her eyes veiled, thinking of the Mother
and of the beauty and serenity of the Sacred Grove. Occasionally she amused
herself by wondering what Jayme would look like with a pair of antlers sprouting
from his forehead.
     And Faraday had to sit through all these onerous duties and obligations
swathed in jewel-encrusted gowns, scarves, bracelets, crowns, necklets and
shoes that together weighed as much as she did and that made sweat trickle
down her back. Yr grinned. She knew how much Faraday hated her duties, and
yet she also knew that Faraday carried them out scrupulously. As Queen,
Faraday had a job to do, and regardless of what eventually happened, she was
determined to serve the people of Achar properly. The entire part of northern
Achar might be a battle zone, but here in Carlon ritual and tradition went on as if
nothing had changed.
     "You have a remarkably free morning, my sweet. The Ambassador for the
Barrow Islands has come down with stomach cramps and cannot leave his privy
closet. He sends his apologies. At least that is what I think he mumbled through
the door."
     Faraday laughed, and inched her way towards the far sideof the bed.
     "The Baroness of Tarantaise, Fleurian, has a pimple on her chin and is so
embarrassed she has declined your kind invitation to share breakfast. Finally, to
conclude this list of woes, the Master of the Butcher's Guild, who had an
appointment to meet with you in the hour before lunch, last night sliced off his
thumb into the lamb chop casserole he was preparing for his wife's dinner." Yr
grinned. "The apprentice who brought me his Master's apologies assured me the
casserole was served regardless."
     Faraday could not believe it. Ever since she had becomeQueen it felt as if
each moment of each day was accountedfor. Now, finally, she had a free
morning.
     "What would your majesty like to do with her sparehours? Read? Sleep?
Chew sweetmeats? Have one of the lesser nobles demonstrate that the touch of
a man's hand can be a wondrous thing?"
     "Do not even jest about it. You know I hate sweetmeats." Yr laughed
delightedly. Faraday had not joked in months. "The morning is yours, pretty
woman. Use it as you wish."
     "Yr," Faraday said. "I think I feel stomach cramps approaching. I think it
would be best if you told the court that I am indisposed this morning and will not
make an appearance before lunch." Her face darkened. "And tell Timozel as
well."
     When Borneheld had told Timozel that, as Faraday's Champion, he must
remain in Carlon with her, Timozel had lost his temper and shouted at
Borneheld.
      "I care not what your visions show you!" Borneheld's eyes were bright with
anger. "Your place is with Faraday."
      Despite his obvious frustration at being left in Carlon, Timozel had taken
note of Borneheld's orders and guarded Faraday every waking moment. In fact,
it was as much as she could do to keep him from standing guard by her pillow as
she slept. Faraday knew Borneheld had left orders that her every movement was
to be watched and reported on. No doubt he had his own fears about the
ambitious intentions of some of the more handsome courtiers. Whatever his
motive, Borneheld's orders or the twisted devotion of his Championship,
Timozel's dark and brooding presence shadowed her shoulder virtually every
hour of the day. "The Sacred Grove?" Yr whispered. "Yes," Faraday said. "The
Sacred Grove. I need to be renewed, infused once more with peace and joy."
      The emerald light bathed her and power pulsed through her body. Faraday
tipped her head back and shook her long hair loose, skipping through the light
towards the Sacred Grove. It had been months, many months, since she had
managed to find her way here, and she had forgotten how good it felt to let the
power flood through her, let the love and the peace and the serenity wash away
her doubts and fears. The light changed about her, resolving into shapes and
shadows, and she stepped onto the grassy paths that led to the Sacred Grove.
The trees formed about her and above her head the stars whirled in their god-
driven interstellar dance. Faraday never wanted to leave this place. Exultation
filled her.
      She stepped into the Sacred Grove. Whispers of wind cradled her body as
she walked. Shapes shifted and slipped through the deep shadows behind the
trees. She felt no fear at the power of the Grove or the eyes that watched her
from the shadows. They did not mean harm, but only wished her strength so
that she could find harmony in her troubled life.
      Five Sacred Horned Ones stepped forth. The silver pelt who had greeted
Faraday on her previous journeys to the Sacred Grove rested his hands gently on
her shoulders, and he leaned his stag's head forward to nuzzle her cheek
lovingly.
      "Faraday, Tree Friend. We have been so worried. We have seen the pain you
suffer, and we suffer with you."
      Emotion almost overwhelmed Faraday. Simply to know that someone
besides Yr watched over her filled her with comfort. "Thank you," she said, and
stepped forward to greet the other Horned Ones.
      She turned back to the silver pelt. "Have you seen Axis in your visions,
Sacred One?"
      The silver pelt threw back his head and shook his antlers slightly, his stance
noticeably stiffening. Faraday was afraid she had offended him. The other four
Horned Ones muttered quickly, then fell silent.
      "I have seen him only as he has touched the Avarinheim," the Horned One
said eventually, "for I have not sought him out deliberately."
     "He is well?" Faraday asked.
     "He is well," the Horned One confirmed. "He celebrated Beltide in the Earth
Tree Grove with the Icarii and the Avar."
     He hesitated. "He has come into his powers as an Icarii Enchanter, Tree
Friend. He asked the Avar to pledge to his cause, as the Icarii already have, but
the Avar refused him." "Oh!" Faraday cried, her eyes wide with shock. "They wait
for you," the Horned One said softly. "They will not move without you, Faraday
Tree Friend. You will be the only one who can lead them to Axis SunSoar's
cause. If you wish to."
     What a silly thing to say, Faraday thought, of course she wished to lead the
Avar to Axis' cause. "Does he think of me?" she asked, hating to ask, but
desperate to know.."He thinks of you daily, and speaks of you to his friends."
And betrays you with his body, and perhaps even with his heart, the fairy
creature thought. Should I tell you that he has given another woman the heir
which should have been yours by right, Faraday Tree Friend? No, how can I?
     "Thank you. Sacred One ..." Faraday hesitated, and the creature stepped
forward and rested his hand on her shoulder. "Never hesitate to ask for anything
from me, Tree Friend. If I can grant it, I will."
     "Sacred One, you exist in a magical and enchanted world. Does it extend
beyond this Grove and these trees here?"
     One of the younger Horned Ones stepped forward. "It extends as far as your
world does, Faraday Tree Friend, and contains as many, if not more, wonders."
His voice was low and musical, but resonated with power and mystery. Faraday's
eyes widened.
     The silver pelt stepped back and waved. "It is all free to you, Tree Friend.
Wander as you will. When you wish to return home, just think of this Grove and
you will return. From here you can find your way back to your own world." With
that he and the other four Horned Ones vanished. For a long time Faraday stood
in the Grove. The stars spun overhead, reminding her of Axis. He had regained
his heritage. And he still thought of her! She extended her arms, and danced
about the Grove, wishing that he were here with her now. Soon, perhaps, he
would share her bed in reality rather than dream.
     After some time, Faraday wandered among the trees — and halted in
wonder. From the Grove the trees looked dense and closely packed, but once
beneath their sheltering branches, she saw that the trees were widely spaced,
their branches so high that the trunks looked like the smooth pillars of some
sacred hall, lifting the eye to a green-vaulted canopy so distant that it almost
became a sky in itself. Her reaction to this enchanted forest was much the same
as Azhure's when she had first wandered into the Avarinheim - she was
overcome with the space and the light and the music around her.
     Faraday finally dropped her eyes and gazed about her. Small shrubs of
exquisite beauty flowered about the feet of the great trees, and between the
trees wandered some of the strangest creatures Faraday could ever have
imagined in her most fevered dreams. Hedgehogs with horns? Horses with
wings? Bulls of pure gold and diamond-eyed birds? Small multi-coloured dragons
gambolled along the lowest of the branches and a family of blue and orange-
splotched panthers disported themselves in a nearby stream. Dryads and sprites
drifted shyly between trees and silver-finned fish flashed beneath the crystal
waters of the stream.
      As Faraday wandered the sights shimmered and changed, but never became
less wondrous. Glades and mountain ranges, oceans and gardens, caves and
rolling dunes, this world contained them all. And at the next step always the
forest, holding and loving her.
      "What can I do for you?" she eventually whispered. "What is it I must do for
you?"
      The light shimmered about her and Faraday found herself entering a small
glade. In the centre of the glade was an immensely cheerful hut, white-walled,
golden-thatched and red-doored. Completely surrounding the hut was a
spreading garden, enclosed by a white picket fence. There was something a little
strange about the garden, but before Faraday could turn her mind to the
problem the red door of the hut opened and an incredibly ancient woman
emerged.
      She wore a cloak as red as the door, but had thrown back the hood to reveal
her bald cadaverous head, the papery skin was drawn tight over her cheek and
skull bones splotched here and there with wisdom and experience. The woman's
face was saved from outright ugliness by her eyes. They were immense pools of
violet, almost childlike in their expression.
      She stretched out a wavering hand. "Welcome, child of the trees. Welcome
to my garden. Will you stay awhile?"
      Faraday started to say yes, but suddenly the light around her darkened into
emerald, and before Faraday could say or do anything she had spiralled out of
the enchanted world and back into the painful one of the palace court of Carlon.
      "I'm sorry I had to summon you back, Faraday," Yr said brusquely, "but it is
gone noon, and the Queen is needed."
      As the power faded from Faraday, Raum whimpered and slowly uncurled
from the foetal position he had been rolled into for the past five or six hours.
      The two Sentinels had been right about Faraday's power touching him, but
Raum had never felt it this strongly before. Each step she had taken into the
forests beyond the Grove had increased the pain within Raum until the forest
about him reverberated with his screams.
      He knew what was happening to him. But it should not be this powerful, not
this painful.
      And he was so young, so young to be transforming now. So much to do
here. So much.
      "Faraday," he whispered. "Faraday. Where are you? What do you do? Where
do you go? Faraday?"
    Gundealga FordThey were to meet on the last day of
Frost-month at Gundealga Ford on the Nordra. Once it surged out of the
Forbidden Valley the Nordra widened and slowed, and by the time it approached
Tailem Bend it was shallow enough to be forded by a man on horseback.
     Axis camped his force just inside the southern Urqhart Hills, about half a
league from Gundealga Ford. He had some thousand mounted soldiers with him,
swordsmen as well as three of Azhure's squads of archers, and two Crest of the
Icarii Strike Force. The majority of his command remained behind in Sigholt,
although several units currently patrolled the HoldHard Pass and Urqhart Hills.
Axis had brought only enough soldiers to convince Borneheld he would be a
formidable opponent without giving away his true strength. The sight of his
mounted force plus several hundred Icarii wheeling about the sky should be
enough to convince Borneheld to think twice about his own strengths. The parley
would be as much a mental game as a verbal one.
     Axis glanced up as Belial approached through the gloom. "Borneheld must
be close now. How do you feel?" "As though I have an appointment with a
toothdrawer," Axis grimaced. " do not look forward to meeting with my brother
over the parley table. I don't think I can cope with the social niceties."
     Belial laughed. He knew Axis would rather face Borneheld with a sword in his
hand, and he knew few polite phrases would be traded tomorrow.
     "The Icarii scouts have returned," he said.
     Axis' head jerked up. "And?" His voice was tense.
     "Borneheld's force has camped about the same distance south of Gundealga
Ford as we have camped north. If we both leave at dawn tomorrow we should
meet at the Ford mid-morning."
     "I do not want the travel details!" Axis snapped. "What force does Borneheld
bring with him?"
     "About five thousand," Belial replied quickly. "Mounted men, mostly
swordsmen, although the scouts could see a few units of archers among them."
"Were the Icarii scouts spotted?"
     "No, Axis. They are almost impossible to spot at night, with their black
uniforms and wings. Their presence will still come as a surprise."
     As if to confirm Belial's words, FarSight CutSpur suddenly dropped down out
of the darkened sky and smiled at the surprise on both men's faces. That Axis
was as startled as Belial was an indication of just how preoccupied he was about
his meeting with Borneheld.
     "Strike-Leader." FarSight saluted formally. "Azhure has sent two farflight
scouts down with messages from Sigholt. They await at your tent."
     Azhure? Axis glanced at Belial. Both men turned and hurried back to Axis'
tent.
     Axis, lifted the flap of his tent back and ushered the two scouts inside.
     "Well?" he demanded.
     "Strike-Leader," Wing-Leader FeatherFlight BrightWing saluted, her face
hollow and exhausted. "I bring two pieces of news, neither good. Six days after
you left one of the patrols returned from the eastern Urqhart Hills. Strike-Leader,
the
     mass of Skraelings at the top of the WildDog Plains have begun to drift
south. Azhure has sent six Crest of the Strike Force and a large mounted force
through the HoldHard Pass to meet them."
     Axis' worried eyes met with those of Belial and FarSight. "Azhure has not
gone herself?" he asked FeatherFlight.
     "No, Strike-Leader. Azhure knows she is too far gone in her pregnancy to go
a-fighting. She sent Arne in her place."
     Axis sighed, relieved. But the news was grim, and it tied his hands regarding
the negotiations. Now he needed the truce as much as Borneheld. Both were
going to be facing such threats from Skraelings this winter that neither would
want to be fighting on a second front. Well, best he know this now than find out
after he had met with Borneheld.
     Magariz entered, breathless, and Belial quickly informed him of the news.
"Should one of us go to meet Arne in the HoldHard Pass?" Magariz asked,
turning back to face* Axis. "The fighting will be bloody."
     Axis hesitated. "Arne has sufficient subcommand to support him — any one
of the Crest-Leaders I left in Sigholt will do well. Once we are free of this place
I'D lead this force east to meet up with Arne's command, and FarSight can fly his
two Crest there within only a day or so." He turned back to FeatherFlight. "And
the other news?"
     "Another band of peasants from upper Skarabost arrived just before I left,
dirty, tired and scared. They had fled north, terrified about rumours sweeping
Skarabost that an Earl...Burdel?"
     "Yes, yes," Axis said. "Burdel is the Earl of Arcness."
     "Well, this Earl Burdel is apparently sweeping through southern Skarabost
with a large force. He is putting to the stake or the cross any whom he finds
repeating the Prophecy of the Destroyer. He is supposed to have put an entire
village and its inhabitants to the torch where he found the Prophecy to be
particularly entrenched. Anyone who mentions your name dies. Anyone who
mentions the 'Forbidden'," her face twisted in distaste at the name, "with any
sense of goodwill also dies. Any that Burdel finds fleeing northwards to join your
cause at Sigholt dies. Fear and death sweep Skarabost, Strike-Leader."
     Axis paled. Burdel would not be doing this on his own; it must be on
Borneheld's orders and with the encouragement of the Seneschal. "Damn them!"
he whispered.
     "What can we do, Axis?" asked Belial.
     "Nothing," Axis muttered wretchedly. "Nothing. We are tied to Sigholt, Belial,
by the Skraelings moving south through the WildDog Plains. And I fear that
Borneheld and Burdel know it. Damn them!"
     Axis forced his face to relax, and addressed FeatherFlight again. "And Azhure
is well?"
      Since he'd left Sigholt, Axis found he missed Azhure so badly that even the
melody of the Star Dance seemed tarnished without her.
      Borneheld sat his glossy bay stallion and shaded his eyes against the glare.
They had ridden out from their camp before dawn, and now sat their horses
some one hundred paces from Gundealga Ford itself. Where was Axis? Was he
still alive? Where was this rebel force?
      Five horsemen formed a line immediately behind Borneheld, then, in ordered
units, sat the five thousand horsemen Borneheld had brought with him.
      Of the five leading horsemen, only Ho'Demi and Brother Moryson appeared
unperturbed and relaxed. Gilbert sat his horse with ill-disguised bad temper,
Gautier was tense and anxious, and Duke Roland of Aldeni shifted
uncomfortably, trying to ease the canker in his belly.
      A shout from behind caused everyone to jump, and Borneheld wheeled his
horse about irritably. "What...?" he began, then looked up to where one of the
men in the first rank of soldiers was pointing frantically. Borneheld cursed the
glare in the high layer of light grey clouds, then stilled as he saw what his man
had been pointing at.
      Far, far above them, circled hundreds of flying creatures, as black as
Borneheld's darkest nightmares. He knew what they were - more of those cursed
creatures who had parleyed with his traitorous brother Axis on the root of
Gorkenfort.
      Now everyone craned their heads skyward. Ho'Demi's eyes narrowed. He
knew the creatures were Icarii - though he had never met one of them and had
only occasionally seen them as they soared above the plains of Ravensbund near
the Icescarp Alps. The Icarii soared with this Axis? Ho'Demi dropped his eyes and
caught those of Inari and Izanagi, sitting their horses in the first rank of soldiers.
Axis was powerful indeed if he had the backing of the Icarii. Ho'Demi felt a small
knot of excitement harden in his belly. Perhaps this man was the StarMan.
      Beside Ho'Demi, Gilbert muttered under his breath. The Forbidden flew over
Achar once more! May Artor himself condemn Axis to the worm-ridden pits of the
After Life, Gilbert prayed, for he deserves eternal torment for his cursed alliance
with these filth. And we...we should have moved sooner. Who knew what
damage Priam's wretched obsession with the Prophecy had caused?
      Moryson was as riveted by the sight of the Icarii as anyone else, but his
thoughts were hidden behind a bland mask.
      Finally Ho'Demi looked ahead, and his mouth dropped open as his eyes
swung across the Nordra. A force of about a thousand men were fanned out
across the plains some fifty paces from the opposite bank of the Nordra. From
the centre of the line of men rose a magnificent standard, a deep golden field
with the blazing blood-red sun in its centre. "Borneheld!" he croaked.
      Borneheld followed Ho'Demi's shocked eyes, then barked an order to his
troops.
     Two men were now almost halfway across the river, the water splashing
about their horses' chests.
     Borneheld squinted, trying to identify them before they reached him. Both
were dressed in black, both rode black horses side by side. As suits such evil
men, thought Borneheld grimly, keeping his hand from his sword only with a
supreme effort. Behind him he could hear his men drawing their weapons. He
pushed his horse forward a little to meet the two horsemen, waving the five
behind him to follow.
     As the two men rode their horses out of the Nordra, Borneheld finally
recognised them, and his lip curled. So, both Axis' lieutenants had survived the
battle above Gorkenfort. But where was Axis?
     Magariz and Belial reined their horses to a halt some ten paces from where
Borneheld sat his horse. Both were uniformed identically in black, their chests
emblazoned with the blood-red blazing sun outlined by a tracery of gold and a
circle of small golden stars.
     "Borneheld," Belial said flady. "We received your message and here we are.
What do you want?"
     "Where is he?" Borneheld demanded. "Where is my misbegotten brother? Or
did he die above Gorkenfort?" He shifted his gaze to Magariz. "I am glad to see
you survived, Magariz. I shall take pleasure in killing you myself."
     "I would return the compliment," Magariz replied, "except that another has
already claimed your life." Far above them a lone eagle screamed.
     "Enough, Borneheld," Belial said. "Do you wish to parley or not? The longer
you sit here the longer the Skraelings can nibble at your defences in Jervois
Landing. I doubt you can afford to lose as many as you lost at Gorkenfort."
     Borneheld snarled. The number of men he had lost? All the men lost were
due to the treachery of Axis and the betrayal of these two men before him. "If
Axis lives I will parley with him alone. Not any of his minions."
     plan no treachery here," Belial responded. "Why do your 'men have their
weapons drawn?" He waved at himself and Magariz, neither carried any
weapons. "Borneheld, I understand you feel so vulnerable that you must have
five thousand armed men to face two unarmed men, but I ask you to summon
your courage. I do not intend to leap on you and force you into a wrestling
match on this damp turf."
     Borneheld's face reddened at this slur on his courage. "Gautier," he snapped,
"order the men sheathe their weapons and retreat two hundred paces. Perhaps
that will make my lizard-begotten brother feel safer."
     Borneheld waved at the Icarii circling far above as Gautier wheeled his horse
away. "But what of your flying lizards above? If I am so courteous as to pull my
men back, then please do me the same honour."
     Belial signalled to the Icarii and they began to tilt and wheel away towards
the closest hill. Two, however, spiralled down to the small group left on the flat
ground by the ford.
     "What?" Borneheld growled, his fingers fidgeting nervously about the reins
of his horse.
     "I am only evening numbers," Belial said mildly. "And another will join us
from beyond the river. See?"
     Indeed, a pale silver creature had lifted from behind the line of mounted
men and was winging its way towards them. Within moments Belial and Magariz
were joined by two black-uniformed Icarii, one female, one wearing the same
markings on his chest as Belial and Magariz, and the silver-winged male from
beyond the river.
     Before Borneheld could say anything, Gautier had returned to his side.
"Sire," he whispered urgendy, "look!"
     Borneheld looked back to the force across the river. It had opened in its
centre where the golden standard flew, and a man rode forth on a silvery-grey
horse. He wore a tunic as golden as the field of the banner, and Borneheld could
irTAxis.
     Axis spurred Belaguez into a gallop, two great hounds racing after him. As
the stallion plunged into the river both horse and rider were lost in a plume of
water. A heartbeat later they reappeared out of the spray, the horse surging
through the river. One day, thought Borneheld, I will seize that horse for my
own.
     Behind Axis the hounds bounded through the water with as much ease as
Belaguez. Overhead a lone snow eagle dipped and soared.
     Ho'Demi watched them come, and his heart gladdened. The man who now
crossed the river was a King, of that he had no doubt. The Alaunt served, as did
the eagle which flew overhead. The Icarii had donned their ebony of war for
him, and the man flew the banner of the bloodied sun above his force. He could
be none other than the StarMan.
     Axis slowed Belaguez to a walk. "Borneheld," he said tonelessly, finally
reining Belaguez to a head-tossing halt. "Have you come to ally yourself to my
cause as the Prophecy demands? I see you wear the coronet of King of Achar. It
is within your power, then, to save Achar from unnecessary bloodshed. Will you
fight under my banner to drive Gorgrael back and proclaim Tencendor once
more?"
     Borneheld snarled, intimidated. Axis had the presence of a burning sun and
the aura of power to match. am King! Borneheld seethed to himself, legitimate
and rightful born! / hold all power here, not this pitiful refugee from justice. But
even as he tried to bolster his own courage and respect, his hate and resentment
grew. Why had Artor favoured Axis with so much, when it was Borneheld who
had the birthright?
     Before Borneheld could speak, Axis nudged Belaguez past him to the five
men who sat their horses behind their King.
     "Gautier." Axis briefly acknowledged Borneheld's lieutenant, then rode
straight past.
     "Duke Roland." Axis could not keep the shock out of his voice. He had
always liked and respected Roland, and was appalled by this ashen and haggard
man sitting his horse before him. He leaned forward to offer Roland his hand.
Behind him Borneheld swung his horse around.
     "Forgive me, Axis," Roland said, "but I cannot."
     Axis dropped his hand. "I hope you find peace, my friend," he said softly,
then he nudged Belaguez forward.
     "Gilbert." Axis' voice was now hard. "I'd have thought all this riding about
the countryside in the fresh air would have cleared your complexion. I can only
assume it is the foulness of your thoughts that reflect in the pattern of your
skin."
     Gilbert's scarred face mottled in embarrassment, and Axis rode on.
     The next man Axis did not know. He was a Ravensbund-man, and a chieftain
by the markings on his face. Axis reached out to him with his power rather than
his voice.
     Who are you?
     "Ho'Demi," the Ravensbundman replied. "Chief of the Ravensbundmen."
     You ride with Borneheld?
     This time, shockingly, Ho'Demi replied in kind. I, as my people, live to serve
the Prophecy. You are the StarMan?
     Stunned, Axis only stared at him. Yes. I am the StarMan. But, if you serve
the Prophecy, then why do you ride with Borneheld?
     Until now I- we- did not know where you were, who you were. Now I know.
I will return tojervois Landing and lead my people to you.
     Axis' eyes blazed. Be careful. Very, very careful. If he suspects that you are
going to ride to my cause.
     Ho'Demi's eyes crinkled. / know. I will be careful.
     Then welcome, Ho'Demi.
     The rest watched Axis and Ho'Demi stare at each other, confused. Then,
seemingly put out by the inscrutable savage's stare, Axis dropped his eyes and
kicked Belaguez to the last man in line.
     "Moryson." Axis hesitated. Next to Jayme, here sat the man who Axis had
once loved more than any other. Now he loathed them both and feared their
tricks.
     Moryson spoke, his eyes calm. "Axis. I have a message from the Brother-
Leader for you."
     Axis raised his eyebrows. He doubted it would be a message of love and
support.
     "Axis, Brother-Leader Jayme bids me tell you that you are cast out of Artor's
House and out of His care. The Seneschal declares you excommunicate, and
informs you that your soul is doomed to wander through darkness eternally
unless you recant your sins. Forswear your dark alliance with the Forbidden now,
Axis, and Artor may yet be prepared to forgive you."
     "Artor is a god of lies and deception, Moryson," Axis replied, "and the
Seneschal takes those lies and deceptions and magnifies them a hundredfold in
order to control the hearts and minds of the poor folk of Achar." He paused. "Tell
Jayme that Rivkah lives. Tell Jayme that one day I will give him — and you — to
Rivkah to do with as she amuses. Your murder did not succeed, Moryson. She
livesl"
     "She lives?" Borneheld cried. "My mother lives? Moryson, what does Axis
mean? What did you do?" Murder? What did Axis mean?
     "He lies!" Moryson hissed. "Do not listen to him, Borneheld. Your mother
died screaming as she gave birth to this bastard. Do not listen to his lies."
     Axis turned his horse to face Borneheld again. "She lived, Borneheld, and
lived to give birth again. Behold, your sister EvenSong."
     Borneheld, appalled, looked at the creature Axis indicated. Sister? The
creature had great violet eyes, narrow features like the other two of her kind,
and massive black wings.
     Borneheld forced a derisive smile to his face. "You are not my sister."
     "Believe me," the creature snapped, "I would that were so. You murdered
my lover, Borneheld, and for that my brother," her eyes flickered towards Axis,
"says he will kill you. It will not be soon enough for my liking."
     "She has the Icarii temper and lust for revenge," said Axis. "If I am not quick
about your murder, then I fear EvenSong might slip into your chamber late one
night. I hope you have guards posted who look into the night sky as well as the
shadows hovering at the edges of corridors and chambers.
     "And this," Axis indicated the black male, "is FarSight CutSpur, commander
of the Icarii Strike Force under my control. They were the ones, Borneheld, who
greeted you on your arrival this morning."
     Borneheld felt the meeting slipping entirely from his control. "Axis —" he
began belligerently.
     But Axis went on as if he had not spoken. "Belial you know, as you do
Magariz — although I feel bound to point out that you did not know Magariz as
well as you might have thought. He has a far deeper sense of honour and justice
than you ever gave him credit for.
     "And," now Axis indicated the final flying creature, watching Borneheld's face
as he spoke, "this is my father, StarDrifter. You might remember him, perhaps.
You were there, StarDrifter tells me, when he seduced Rivkah atop Sigholt,
although you were only a babe at the time."
     Borneheld almost gagged in disgust. His mother had let herself be seduced
by one such as this? It must have been rape, for how could his mother have
allowed such as this to touch her so intimately?
     "You were a tiresome baby," the creature said conversationally, and
Borneheld realised with horror that Axis had its eyes and features, "and it does
not surprise me to find that you have grown into such a tiresome man. Axis, I
have had. enough of this. I will talk with you later." Abrupdy he spread his wings
and lifted out of the group.
     "I, too, am growing tired," Axis said. "Brother. I understand that you face
threats from the Skraelings diis winter and would prefer that I did not complete
your humiliation until next summer."
     Axis' taunting words pushed Borneheld over the edge into fury. "I have more
than enough men to burn you and yours to the ground with Sigholt and break
the Skraeling attack!" he shouted, shaking a clenched fist at Axis.
     Alarmed, both Roland and Belial pulled the brothers back, speaking to them
urgendy.
     Unconcerned by the ruckus, Moryson's eyes flickered over the two hounds
which had accompanied Axis. Both sat well back from the fray, and both were
staring fixedly at him.
     Axis cursed himself as Belial reminded him that Sigholt, nay, Achar, could
not survive if both brothers went to war against each other while the Skraeling
threat was so bad. What had he been thinking of? But, face to face with his
hated brother, Axis had not been able to resist taunting him. Roland, and then
Gautier, spoke as urgendy to Borneheld, reinforcing that he could not attack
Sigholt without leaving Jervois Landing fatally crippled.
     It was, eventually, Axis who spoke. "Borneheld. Our ill tempers will have to
wait until spring of next year."
     He paused, and finally, grudgingly, Borneheld replied. "The winter advantage
belongs to Gorgrael. We both want the same thing, Axis. Achar. And neither of
us wants Gorgrael to have it. Very well. I will not destroy you until spring. You
have winter to prepare."
     Axis remained calm. "We agree on a truce for winter, brother, while we both
fight back these Skraelings?"
     Borneheld nodded. "Until Thaw-month. I should have defeated Gorgrael by
spring, Axis, and then I will come after you."
     Both men rode forward and gripped the other's hand, both tightening their
grip until they could feel the other's bones shift. Neither let a spasm of
discomfort cross his face. "A truce until Thaw-month, Borneheld. My word on it."
"A truce until Thaw-month, Axis. My word on it." "Burdel burns and pillages his
way across southern Skarabost," Axis said, his hand still gripped by Borneheld's.
"Call him off."
     Borneheld smiled coldly. "I am King, Axis. Not you. And Burdel merely keeps
order in a disorderly province. What he does in Skarabost is none of your
concern." He let Axis' hand go.
     "It concerns me that Burdel kills innocent people," Axis insisted. "Perhaps
you might like to inform Burdel that I will eventually hold him responsible for
each life lost, for each home burned, for each chicken carried away. Oh, and as
for being King, Borneheld, I was surprised to hear of your sudden elevation to
the crown. Priam was so well when last I saw him."
     A shadow briefly flared behind Borneheld's eyes. So, Axis thought, there is
something amiss here. Well, it will wait, and for all of your murders, Borneheld,
you will pay.
     "Until spring, brother." Axis sketched a salute, then turned to those behind
Borneheld. "Roland." This time the salute was more formal. "Moryson, Gilbert, as
I come for Borneheld in the spring, so I will also come for the Seneschal." Gilbert
managed a sneer, but Moryson simply looked bored. Axis stared at Ho'Demi. /
hope I will not have to wait until spring to see you and yours, Ravensbundntan.
    Ho'Demi held his eyes. Wtien the winter snows arrive, watchfor us.
    Axis reined Belaguez back and whistled for the hounds. "Gentlemen," he
said, then spurred his mount back across the Nordra, Belial and Magariz close
behind him as FarSight and EvenSong lifted into the sky.

    YuletideStill as tired and cold and dirty as he'd been when he'd
lain down to sleep, Axis struggled up from the makeshift bed. He sat on its edge
and took the bowl of vegetable broth Belial handed him. It seemed as if he'd
been campaigning, fighting, these cursed wraiths for an eternity.
     Mindful of Azhure's warning, Axis had not returned to Sigholt from
Gundealga Ford. Instead, he had led the thousand mounted men and the two
Crest of Icarii Strike Force through the south-eastern corner of the Urqhart Hills
into the WildDog Plains and into hell.
     The Skraeling mass had penetrated deep into the WildDog Plains and, for
the four days it took Axis to reach the fighting, it had been the command that
Azhure had sent into the Plains via the HoldHard Pass which had held the
Skraelings back. Now Axis' command had been fighting virtually nonstop for
nearly three weeks, and only slowly driving the Skraelings back towards the
central Plains. Sigholt was left with only one squad of archers and one hundred
men to protect it. Every single Icarii Strike Force member was with Axis - it had
been a baptism of fire as far as the Strike Force had been concerned.
     But they had done well. Gorgrael had only sent one SkraeBold with the
Skraelings down the WildDog Plains, and it stayed well behind the Skraeling
lines. There were no Ice Worms. The Icarii had been left almost unhindered in
the air, raining death on the Skraelings. But they still had to be careful. The
clouds swung down so far that the Icarii also had to fly low, and the Skraelings
were perfectly capable of suddenly leaping from the ground to seize a careless
wingtip. Axis grimaced. Over a dozen Icarii had been lost that way.
     The mounted soldiers had not done so well, despite their bravery and skill.
The Skraelings had massed down through the WildDog Plains in huge numbers,
and without the Icarii Axis knew they would have suffered as badly as at
Gorkenfort. But Arne had fought bravely, rallying his men, and after Axis'
thousand had reinforced him, they'd gradually begun to force the Skraelings
back.
     Azhure's mounted archers had been almost as useful as the Icarii. Axis used
them wherever the front line was weakest. Each archer could shoot over twelve
arrows a minute, proving over two thousand arrows a minute in flight, and all
with pinpoint accuracy. Their only handicap had been recovering enough arrows
each night to be effective the next day. The SkraeBold got his Skraelings to haul
back as many arrows as they could find on the ground whenever they retreated,
and sometimes the hand-to-hand fighting was as much over the possession of
arrows as about the taking of lives.
     At Gorkenfort the Skraelings had been fearsome, but only if things went to
plan. If caught unawares by a tactical manoeuvre, they were likely to retreat in
confusion and whispering fear rather than stay and fight. But now they were
more resolute, more courageous. Axis feared that, given enough time, Gorgrael
could make his creatures unstoppable. But they could yet be killed, although
Stars knew what Borneheld faced at Jervois Landing if this was, as Axis
suspected, only a minor force sent on the off-chance that he could break through
into Skarabost via the WildDog Plains.
     Axis tossed the empty bowl back to Belial. They sat in a too-thin tent in a
makeshift camp at the foot of the eastern Urqhart Hills, about five leagues above
the entrance to HoldHard Pass.
     "I wonder how Gorgrael thought the Skraelings were going to cross the
Nordra if they had managed to push that far, Belial," he said. "Does the
SkraeBold carry a purse full of coppers to pay the ferryman?"
     Belial grinned at the thought, but it faded quickly. "The good folk of Smyrton
would have abruptly found there were worse things to fear in the night than the
Forbidden," he said quietly. Neither he nor Axis had much time for the stolid
villagers of Smyrton. A great number of the refugees making their way to Sigholt
travelled via the ferry at Smyrton, and the villagers lost no time in telling as
many as they could that only darkness could be found at a place like Sigholt
where -so it was rumoured - the Forbidden swarmed in large numbers. For some
reason the village of Smyrton remained a stronghold of the Seneschal, and the
villagers would have nothing to do with the Prophecy, or those named in the
Prophecy. Axis had not gone back there since he had ridden through on his way
to Gorkenfort over a year ago.
     So much has happened since then, Axis thought. So. much. The engaging
girl who stared so rudely at me in the Chamber of the Moons is now Queen.
Once...once I thought I loved her, but was it half of what I now feel for Azhure?
Oh Stars, what am I going to do..<. what am I going to say to Faraday when
finally I stand before her again? Axis forced Faraday to the back of his mind. She
was a problem many months away.
     Perhaps now that they were finally holding against the Skraelings he might
find an excuse to return to Sigholt briefly. It would be good to hold Azhure, talk
to her, let her soothe away his doubts and fears.
     Axis had not managed to use his powers as well as he'd hoped against the
Skraeling mass. The ring could show him Songs that could kill or maim, but most
were so potent and required so much power of the Star Dance that their use
threatened to cripple Axis. Orr had warned him that some Songs were still too
dangerous for Axis to use — he would have to grow in power and experience
before he could handle them well enough to avoid being killed himself. Now Axis
knew what he meant. The effort for a Song that killed some forty or fifty
Skraelings left him so drained he could do nothing for hours afterwards. Stars
help him, he had thought one day, if ever I am forced to use more power than I
do now against Gorgrael's creatures.
     In the end, Axis used his powers only sparingly. In times of crisis, when a
push by a section of the Skraeling line threatened his own lines, or when some
of his own command pushed too far and were in danger of being cut off.
     "Will our line hold, Belial?" Axis asked. He sat on the makeshift bed,
watching his second-in-command clean and oil his sword. The sight reassured
Axis. During die first week of fighting there had been no time to clean anything.
     Belial shrugged, not looking up from his task. "Probably. I don't think
Gorgrael is sending any more Skraelings down through the Icescarp Barren. This
was only ever a secondary attack anyway. If it succeeded, well and good. If not,
well, I don't think Gorgrael will worry too much. His main attack will be on
Jervois Landing. If no more Skraelings appear, then I think we can hold with
what we have here."
     There was silence as Axis contemplated Gorgrael and the attack on Jervois
Landing and Belial contemplated the bed, wondering how he could ease Axis off
it.
     "Do you think Gorgrael knows I am here?" Axis asked, his thoughts obviously
far away.
     "Undoubtedly, Axis, since you have been using some of your Enchanter
powers on his pet creatures. If nothing else, I'm sure the SkraeBold has reported
your presence."
     Axis wondered if there was any implied criticism in the man's comments
about his Enchanter powers. He was sensitive to the fact that his powers were
relatively useless against the Skraelings.
     Belial, noting the sudden interest in Axis' face, but mistaking the reason for
it, continued. "If Gorgrael does know you're here, I doubt he has much interest
in the knowledge." "What do you mean?" Why shouldn't Gorgrael take an active
interest in his activities? Wasn't Axis the StarMan, the one the Prophecy said
would destroy Gorgrael?
     "Axis." Belial's voice was tired, and all he could do now was stare at the bed
that Axis continued obstinately to sit on. "If you were a real threat to Gorgrael at
the moment you would be beating down the front door to whatever fortress
Gorgrael has secreted himself in. All Gorgrael wants right now is to overrun
Achar before you have a chance to unite the country behind you. He knows he
doesn't have much to fear from you at present."
     "I am never in danger of falling into complacency and self-congratulation
about you, am I, Belial? You always manage to remind me where I am and who
I am."
     "Well," Belial said, "can I remind you that you are still on that bed, yet it is
my turn to sleep? Perhaps you could —"
     He was cut off by a sudden, agonised groan from Axis, who clutched at his
head. "StarDrifter," he muttered. "I hear you! I hearyoul Calm down!"
     Belial started and watched Axis carefully as he communicated with his
father. StarDrifter had returned to Sigholt after Gundealga Ford, so...what was
wrong at Sigholt? Was the Keep under attack? Was it... oh Mother, was it
something wrong with Azhure? Belial sat forward on his stool, anxiety etching
deep lines into his face.
     "Stars!" Axis leapt to his feet, his face paling underneath its layer of grime.
"Belial, the bed is yours. Can you hold -this line against the Skraelings if I leave
you?"
     "What is it, Axis?" asked Belial, grabbing Axis by the arms. "What's wrong at
Sigholt?"
     "It's Azhure. She's gone into labour."
     Belial's face went grey. "But it's too early. She's only just into her eighth
month."
     "I know." Axis' face was, if anything, even more anxious than Belial's. "I
know. Belial, can you hold this line if I leave you? You have Magariz, and Arne,
as well as FarSight and the Strike Force."
     "Yes, yes," Belial muttered impatiently, dropping Axis' arms. "Yes, I can hold.
But it's going to take you days, even if you ride at a flat-out gallop. You can't
possibly get there before —"
     "I have a faster means. Look after Belaguez."
     A hint of music brushed the air, and then suddenly, shockingly, Axis wasn't
there any more. Belial stared at the space where Axis had been standing,
astonished.
     "Why do I always get to look after the horse?" he muttered, then sat down
on the bed, his face in his hands, suddenly too worried to sleep.
     Would Azhure be all right?
     The first contractions had caught Azhure while, of all things, she was
returning from an early morning walk. She had gasped and clutched her
protruding belly as she neared the Keep, and the bridge, alarmed, had halloed so
loudly that everyone in the garrison had been awakened and had hastened out,
half dressed, clutching swords and bows, expecting to find Sigholt under attack.
     Azhure, grim-faced with embarrassment, had marched back to her
apartments with as much dignity as she could muster, half the Keep flustering at
her heels.
     Now Rivkah sat quietly in a: chair while Azhure, still in the early stages of
labour, paced nearby, Sicarius shadowing her every step. The rest of the Alaunt
had been relegated to the kitchens while both MorningStar and StarDrifter
fretted outside in the corridor.
     The early onset of labour in itself was not a trouble. First children were often
early. The problem was that Axis was not here, and Icarii children needed at
least one Icarii parent there to talk them through the birth.
     Icarii children were always far more aware than human babies were, and
high-strung as well. Labour, the feel of the womb relentlessly contracting about
them, usually frightened and confused them, and any sense that the mother was
in pain or frightened only increased the child's terror. They needed an Icarii to
talk to them, reassure them, convince them not to fight the birth, but to flow
with it. If the Icarii parent wasn't there, then the child, struggling for life, often
panicked and twisted, fighting against the pressure of the womb. Rivkah
repressed a shudder. Axis' birth had gone so terribly wrong because StarDrifter
had not been there to reassure Axis. Terrified by his mother's pain, Axis had
twisted himself so badly that she'd almost died in giving him birth.
     Rivkah did not want Azhure to go through that. How long would it take Axis
to get here? Would Azhure have to undergo days of agony, days when the life
drained from her, as she waited for him to arrive?
     Theoretically, either MorningStar or StarDrifter could talk to the child, try to
reassure him, but since Azhure had let neither of them talk to Caelum before
this, he would not trust them, and would, in all likelihood, be so terrified by the
time Azhure let either of the Enchanters near her that it would be too late
anyway.
     Rivkah bit her lip, watching Azhure pace slowly backwards and forwards in
her loose linen nightgown, her hands kneading at the small of her back. She was
in discomfort now, and Caelum surely was, but it would be nothing compared to
what would come. But the last time Rivkah had mentioned either MorningStar or
StarDrifter's name in front of her Azhure had snapped at Rivkah to keep them
out. Suddenly the door burst open and Axis strode in.
     "Azhure!" Axis took three huge strides over to Azhure and wrapped her in his
arms. Both laughed and cried at the same time and Rivkah gave in to her relief
and let some tears slide down her cheeks. She wiped them away with the backs
of her hands, standing to embrace Axis herself, patting him on the back and
pushing his too-long hair out of his eyes.
     Axis leaned back from Azhure, his face creased in some puzzlement. "I heard
you were in labour, but —" He looked at Rivkah, as if she could explain why
Azhure wasn't writhing about on a bed working with every breath she had to
birth her child.
     Both women laughed at his expression. "Labour takes some time, Axis,"
Rivkah explained, "and Azhure is still only in the early stages."
     Then her smile died as she took a deep breath and started to explain to her
son about Icarii births.
     Eleven hours later in the dark hour before dawn, the time for levity had long
passed. Azhure lay on the bed in a half-sitting position, leaning against Axis. Her
eyes closed, her hair clinging to her forehead, she waited for the next
contraction to rack her body. Axis whispered encouragement in her ear, his hand
resting on her belly, feeling Caelum's fear and anxiety. Mother and child were
now deeply frightened, and it was all Axis could do to reassure both of them.
     He kissed Azhure's cheek again and whispered to her, then turned his mind
to the child.
   Caelum, I know you are frightened, but you must not fight your mother.
Soon you will be born, and you will have escaped from this pain and this fright.
   Afraid. Hurt. It was all Axis could sense from the baby; just the two
emotions, fear and pain.
   He lifted his eyes and met those of Rivkah. She tried to smile reassuringly at
him. "It is going well, Axis, truly. The baby is in a good position and Azhure is
bearing up well."
     MorningStar had finally worked her way into the birthing chamber. Azhure
no longer had the strength to complain, and Rivkah was glad. She needed the
help, and MorningStar was an experienced Icarii midwife.
     "Azhure is doing well, Axis, and you are doing well with the baby,"
MorningStar agreed.
     "He's frightened," Axis muttered, remembering how Rivkah had suffered in
his birth. Had he felt like Caelum? He must have.
     Azhure grunted as another contraction twisted her body, and Axis winced as
he heard the baby wail in fear.
     Axis stroked Azhure's belly again. Somehow, Caelum could feel it and the
touch of his father's hand reassured him.
     Caelum, you must not fight what is happening. You are being born and your
mother struggles for you. Go where she tells you. Trust.
     Trust. Caelum's thoughts picked up that word and kept repeating it. Trust.
     "Trust," Azhure whispered and groped for Axis' hand, then cried out again as
another contraction seized her.
     Rivkah rubbed the woman's leg. "He conies, Azhure. Now is the time to start
to push with your pains. Now!"
     The baby was silent now, and Axis grabbed both of Azhure's hands in his
own. Surely, he thought frantically, there must be a better way than this! His
ring could show him no Songs to relieve Azhure's suffering and now, as Azhure
hung on to his hands as if her life depended on it, Axis remembered the times
that men in the Axe-Wielders had appeared haggard-faced at his door, asking for
some days off to arrange both the funeral of a wife who died in childbed and the
futures of their motherless children.
     No, he thought, don't let Azhure die now, not like this.
     "Again," Rivkah grunted, "push," and Azhure's body again twisted next to
his.
     Axis heard MorningStar say something, but it sounded as if she were a
thousand leagues away. All he could see was Azhure's face below his, her smoky
eyes opening wide in pain and astonishment as she felt the baby move within
and through her.
     "Push!" Rivkah's voice commanded from somewhere. Axis pulled Azhure as
close to his own body as he dared. "Azhure," he whispered, "stay with me. Stay
with me. Do not leave me. What would I do without you? Stay with me."
     Rivkah looked at her son, then glanced down again. "His head comes. Your
son is almost born. Two more contractions, three at the most, and you will have
your son in your arms."
     "Hear her, Azhure. You have almost finished. Your struggle is almost done."
If possible, Axis held Azhure even tighter.
     Azhure struggled once, twice, then gave a great gasp of relief. "Rivkah?" she
asked feebly, scrabbling to sit up. Axis slipped an arm about her and lifted her,
supporting her against his chest. He peered as anxiously as Azhure did.
     A ray of light, the first of the day, glittered across the chamber and struck
Azhure's face. She blinked in its radiance.
     Rivkah wiped the baby's face with a towel, clearing his mouth and nose,
then, smiling broadly, hoisted the baby onto Azhure's belly. Still attached to his
mother by his umbilical cord, the baby squirmed weakly, his eyes blinking open,
his tiny mouth in a round "O" of astonishment.
     "Look what a beautiful son we have made," Axis whispered. "Thank you,
Azhure, for this baby." He turned and kissed her gently on the forehead, and
then on the cheek.
     "I enjoyed the making more than the birthing," Azhure replied, but she
smiled and her eyes were soft as she gazed at her son wriggling gently on her
body. "He's so tiny."
     Rivkah bound and cut the cord, then gently pulled MorningStar back from
the bed. "Give them these few minutes together, MorningStar," she whispered.
"You will see your great-grandson soon enough."
     Azhure lifted the baby to her breast, and now she laughed delightedly as the
baby began to suckle.
     "Do you still think she is WolfStar?" whispered Rivkah.
     MorningStar was silent for a time, watching Axis and Azhure absorbed in
their new son. "She is not what she seems," she said finally.
     Later Axis sat on the bed cradling the baby as Azhure, tired but determined
not to slip into sleep yet, watched proudly. He had held Caelum and sung to him
as Rivkah and MorningStar washed and attended to Azhure. Now Azhure lay
clean and comfortable, although desperately tired, and StarDrifter had finally
been allowed in.
     "You must stay awake for this," Rivkah whispered. "It is rare, rare indeed,
that three generations of Icarii Enchanters get to welcome a fourth generation
into their family."
     StarDrifter was entranced by the baby and, after asking Axis and Azhure for
permission, took the baby into his own arms, rocking him gently and singing to
him. The baby was still awake, and stared at StarDrifter curiously.
     "Icarii babes can focus and see within only a few minutes of birth, Azhure.
He will recognise and remember faces from this point on," said Rivkah.
     StarDrifter smiled at the baby, then raised his head and smiled at Azhure.
"He is a wonder," he said softly and turned his eyes back to the baby again.
"Who would think that he is half human! His SunSoar blood sings so strongly."
     Axis' and MorningStar's eyes met and caught.
     "Just like EvenSong's," Rivkah said over-brightly. "Don't you remember,
MorningStar, when EvenSong was born? StarDrifter said exactly the same thing
then."
     But everyone save Azhure knew exactly what had crossed MorningStar's
mind as StarDrifter spoke. Of course the baby's SunSoar blood would be strong if
Azhure were WolfStar.
     StarDrifter spoke into the silence. "A name, Axis. What name will you give
him?"
     Axis smiled at Azhure. "Azhure has named him."
     Both StarDrifter and his mother looked startled.
     "Caelum," Azhure said. "We will call him Caelum."
     "Impossible!" MorningStar cried. "He needs a Star name! He is an Icarii
Enchanter."
     "/ am an Icarii Enchanter and I do not have a Star name," Axis said. "Azhure
wants to call him Caelum, and I think it is a fine name. And suitable, if you think
about it. The world is changing, MorningStar, and we cannot linger among the
traditions of the past. Welcome Caelum into the House of SunSoar."
     MorningStar dropped her eyes and her objections, although all could see by
the stiffness of her shoulders that she was still displeased. She bent over the
baby in StarDrifter s arms and kissed him gently on the forehead. "Welcome,
Caelum, into the House of SunSoar. I am MorningStar, your great-grandmother.
Sing well and fly high, and may your father win you Tencendor to grow in."
     Now StarDrifter leaned down and kissed the baby softly. "Welcome, Caelum,
into the House of SunSoar. I am Star-Drifter, your grandfather. Sing well and fly
high, and may you always hear the beat of the Star Dance." He handed the baby
to Rivkah.
     She kissed the baby on his other cheek. "Welcome, Caelum, into this world
of strife. I am Rivkah, your grandmother, mother to your father. Never forget
that through my blood you also carry the hopes and heritage of a people who
will never sing well or fly high, but who can love and cherish the better because
of it."
     She handed the baby to his father, then stood straight and stared defiantly
at MorningStar and StarDrifter.
     "Welcome, Caelum Azhurson SunSoar," Axis said softly. "I am your father,
Axis Rivkahson SunSoar, and know that I love you well. Remember your
grandmother's words, and never forget your human heritage or your human
compassion. Both will be more important to you than your Icarii enchantments."
He handed the baby to Azhure.
     "Welcome to my heart, Caelum Azhurson SunSoar," Azhure said, "for you
already know how much I love you. Never forget that you were born amid the
death of Yuletide night and that you took your first breath as the sun crested the
horizon. You are truly a child of the sun, Caelum. Live long and bright."
     There was a stunned silence in the room as Azhure's words sank in.
Everyone had forgotten she had laboured through the Yuletide night and given
birth as the sun rose the next morning. StarDrifter muttered to himself. How
could he have forgotten Yuletide? Had the rites gone as planned at the Earth
Tree Grove? This was the first time he'd missed the Yuletide rites since he had
been fourteen and old enough for the long and difficult flight to the Avarinheim.
He had sent the larger number of Icarii Enchanters back to the Avarinheim two
weeks previously in readiness for the rites, but had then completely forgotten
them himself. Well, perhaps Azhure had supplied them with a rite which
achieved exactly the same thing. Both th£ child and the sun had been reborn at
exactly the same moment. What did that mean? Was Caelum a child of the
gods?
     "Behold the child," Axis whispered, stroking Azhure's hair from her forehead.
"Caelum was conceived at Beltide and born at Yuletide," he paused again and
kissed the crown of Azhure s head gently, "of the most remarkable mother."
     Watching Azhure smile at Axis, StarDrifter finally realised how hard it would
be to steal her from Axis.
     "But your first daughter is mine, Azhure," he whispered, only to himself, "for
surely she will be as remarkable as her mother."
     Yet would the conquest of the daughter ever compensate for failing to
achieve the mother?

    The NurseryFaraday had managed to keep the third week of
Snow-month virtually free of court engagements - easy enough to do when the
social life of court and city quieted under the oppressing certainty of war in the
north. Most citizens had a husband or brother or son at the front, and all were
well aware of what winter heralded. Yuletide was not celebrated or marked in
any way in Achar, but Faraday and Yr had their own small celebration in the
Queen's apartments. The two women had drawn very close, leaning on each
other for company and for emotional support. Both felt trapped in Carlon, both
were trapped within the Prophecy. Yr now spent most of her time with Faraday,
even to the point of sharing her bed at night. It was a large bed, almost four
paces across, and two bodies could get lost quite easily in it, but neither Faraday
or Yr ever seemed to lose each other. In circumstances that sometimes seemed
as hopeless as Faraday found hers, she took what comfort was offered, and Yr
offered the girl a virtually bottomless well of comfort.
     Faraday took a sip of water from a pewter goblet, thinking of the royal
chalice. Borneheld had never used it, stating loudly to all who would hear that
such a cup was too gaudy for a man of steel. His actions firmed Faraday's
suspicions about Priam's murder into near certainty. And when Borne-held had
given the chalice to Jayme and Moryson for safekeeping, he announced to her
who his accomplices were. The poisoned chalice was too subtle for Borneheld. It
must have been suggested, planned and ensorcelled by someone else.
     Ensorcelled. That the chalice had been ensorcelled was beyond doubt. But
by whom? How"?
     Faraday shook her head slighdy, and put the goblet down. "Yr? Can you
keep Timozel away for the rest of this afternoon? I want to step the paths of the
Sacred Grove again."
     Yr nodded. "I will tell him that you sleep. That you need to rest before the
New Year celebrations."
    Faraday removed the bowl of enchanted wood from the chest where she had
secreted it. "Yr, do you know why Timozel has changed? Why he has turned
from a loving, cheerful youth into the dark and brooding man he is today?"
     "No, sweet girl. I have thought long and hard on the matter. Perhaps he has
a canker in his soul that eats away at his peace of mind." She shrugged. "I do
not know what it is."
     "I heard him speak of visions to Borneheld, Yr. Has he never spoken of them
to you?"
     "No." Visions? From who? "And he's never shared them with you?"
     "No." Faraday sighed and began to prepare the bowl for her ritual
embracement of the Mother's power. "We are not as close as once we were. He
prefers to serve Borneheld now."
     Timozel was her Champion, but these days always supported Borneheld
against his wife. Nevertheless, Faraday was as yet loath to break the bonds of
his oath of Championship to her. Perhaps Timozel needed her help. Perhaps one
day she could help him as he had sworn to help her.
     But now the Mother's power and the Sacred Grove awaited, and next to
them, nothing else seemed important.
     The power, the Grove and the Horned Ones awaited her. Once she had
greeted the Horned Ones, Faraday wandered past the Grove and into the
enchanted forest. Again she delighted in watching the strange beasts cavorting
through glades and trees, but this time she was anxious to reach the small hut
she'd been dragged away from so precipitously before.
     Responding to her wish, the forest helped her feet onto the paths to the old
lady's hut.
     It was as she remembered; the grove with the tiny hut in its centre,
surrounded by a picket-fenced garden. Just as Faraday focused on the plants the
garden contained, the glossy red door of the hut opened and the old lady issued
forth, dressed again in her red cloak with the hood thrown back from her
cadaverous head. Her child-like eyes glowed with vitality and humour, and she
held out her age-spotted hands to Faraday.
     "Welcome, Faraday, child of the trees. Welcome to my garden. Will you stay
awhile?"
     "Yes, I'd like to stay. Very much. Thank you, Mother."
     "Oh, no, no, no," the old woman clucked, limping down the garden path and
opening the green gate into her garden. "No, no, I am not the Mother. But she
allows me this little plot to tend my seedlings, and I, as they, are grateful for
that."
     Faraday stepped through the gate, closing it behind her. "Then what am I to
call you?"
     "Name? Oh, you may call me Ur." She rolled the "r" so that the name
stretched over a breath and became almost a melody. "Now, dear girl, do you
see my garden?"
     Faraday looked carefully, and after a moment saw why this garden was
different to most she had seen. "Why! It's a nursery!" she exclaimed.
     "Good girl! Good girl!" Ur cried, and Faraday had to steady the old woman as
she tottered alarmingly on her feet.
     Instead of flowers and shrubs planted in the earth, Ur's garden was filled
with thousands upon thousands of tiny terracotta pots, each filled with rich,
damp black earth, and each supporting a single, slender seedling.
     "I tend," Ur said, her violet eyes misting, "those who have entrusted
themselves to me."
     Faraday sensed that there was far more to these seedlings than was
apparent. "Tell me," she pleaded. "Tell me."
     The old woman motioned to a garden seat, warm and inviting in the sun,
and Faraday helped her over, sitting down beside her and lifting her eyes to the
sky for a moment. She did not think it strange that the sun could shine so
ebulliently while the stars still reeled overhead in their tens of thousands.
     "There is so much about the Prophecy that is not yet understood," Ur said,
"and these seedlings are part of it. I doubt if even the Prophet was quite aware
of what he meant when he wrote of the age-old souls locked into their cribs."
     She halted and stared at the seedlings waving gently in the breeze. "Each
will one day become a great tree in the replanted forests of Tencendor, Faraday
Tree Friend. You know that the Avarinheim has been slaughtered, cut down by
the Axes of the Plough-fearing idiots of the Seneschal?"
     "Yes," Faraday replied, feeling guilty she was of their race.
     Ur's mouth thinned. "The Avarinheim as it stands today is but a fraction of
what it once was. Yet, if you succeed, then the forests will one day stretch south
like a vast sea into the lower reaches of Tencendor. They will one day resemble
the enchanted woods that you see about you here.
     "And here wait the seedlings of that great and enchanted sea, Faraday. Not
only will they recreate the ancient forests, but they are also the only things that
can wipe completely the filth of Gorgrael's armies from the face of Tencendor.
You are the only one who can replant them. The only one who can remove them
from the Sacred Grove."
     Tears sprang to Faraday's eyes. In recent months she had sometimes felt
bitter, trapped by the Prophecy in a role that held only pain, trapped in a
spreading darkness that seemed to hold no light. But now Faraday felt
overwhelmed at her good fortune. She would reawaken the greatness of the
ancient forests, replant the enchanted seedlings across Achar. "Thank you," she
whispered, squeezing Ur's hand.
     "Enough," Ur grumped. "There is more you should know, more beauty."
     She leaned forward, her joints creaking, and picked up one of the nearest
seedlings. It was tinier and more fragile than most, having only just sprung from
the earth of its nursery pot. "Here," the old woman said, and handed the
seedling to Faraday. "Take it, feel it."
     The pot was warm, and Faraday could feel a faint tingling running through
her fingers. The seedling was so fragile that Faraday could see the tiny veins in
each of the almost transparent leaves, each throbbing with new life, each
throbbing with newly awakened potential.
     "Her name is Mirbolt," Ur said.
     "Mirbolt," Faraday murmured. "Do all the seedlings have a name?"
     "Indeed they do, Faraday. And you must learn them all."
     "Why?" The woman must be doting, Faraday thought, if she thinks I can
learn the names of these thousands of seedlings about me.
     "Have you not noticed the Horned Ones are all male?"
     "Yes," Faraday answered hesitantly.
     "And yet," Ur smiled, "the Avar have both male and female Banes. Where do
the female Banes go when they die, Faraday? When they transform?"
     "Oh!" Faraday gasped, nearly dropping the seedling pot as she realised she
held the life of a female Bane in her hand.
     "Mirbolt died in the attack on the Earth Tree Grove at Yuletide a year ago.
She has only just transformed. Here she waits, with her almost forty-two
thousand sisters, for the moment when they can be replanted across Tencendor.
You have just learned a secret which only the female Banes know. Not even your
friend Raum knows these seedlings exist."
     "Forty-two thousand?" Faraday repeated.
     "The female Avar Banes have been transforming for well over fifteen
thousand years, Faraday Tree Friend. As have the male Banes — who, I should
point out, often retransform into the fairy creatures you saw about you in the
forest. The Avar are the most ancient race of Tencendor, and their Banes have
been transforming for a very long time."
     "And I must learn all their names?"
     "Indeed you must, Faraday. They cannot be transplanted if you do not know
each and every name. And just think, now you have learned one. Mirbolt."
     In his den of tree branches and shrubs, Raum whimpered in agony. His
bones were gradually stretching and altering, and he knew that he would shortly
have to leave his people. He knew his transformation was not as it should be,
not as it normally was for male Banes. Somehow Faraday held the key to his
successful transformation. He would have to find her.
     "Faraday," he whispered, then shrieked as his bones began to pull apart
again.
     Faraday straightened her skirt and turned to Yr. "Am Ipresentable?"
     "Very. Now go down to the Chamber of the Moons andconduct Audience. It
will be the last one before New Year." "Thank the Mother for that," Faraday
muttered, andpatted her hair into place. Audience seemed so insignificantafter
what she had just learned from Ur.
     "Timozel waits outside to escort you, Faraday." "And what will you do with
your free afternoon, Yr?" Yr grinned. "I shall stay here and watch the Palace
guardat exercise from your private balcony. That should keep meentertained."
     Faraday laughed. Yr would no doubt manage to inveigleone of them into the
stable for some further exercise oncetheir courtyard callisthenics were done. She
winked andwalked through her chamber door into the outer chamber ofher
apartment complex, closing the door carefully behind her.
    Skraelings and SkraeBoldsTwo nights
afterYuletide Gorgrael's Skraelings struck Jervois Landing with their full force. If
it had not been for the canals, Ho'Demi mused, crouched in his muddied trench,
Borneheld and all who fought for them would surely have been eaten by now.
     By his side Inari hefted his spear in his hand. "They will strike soon,
Ho'Demi. Already the mist begins to seethe."
     Ho'Demi did not bother to reply. He was a courageous man, but every
Skraeling charge caused a hard ball of cold fear to roll about his belly. He
glanced along the trench. After six days of heavy fighting the weaker and less
experienced among them were dead — many of the peasants Borneheld had
pressed into fighting had proved all but useless — but those who'd survived were
the better tempered for their experience.
     There were many Acharites as well as a unit of Corolean mercenaries among
the Ravensbundmen in Ho'Demi's section of the line. Borneheld had hired
thousands of the dark-eyed and fair-haired soldiers to bolster Jervois Landing's
defences. Ho'Demi nodded at their unit commander. They had proved silent and
efficient killers, and the Ravensbund Chief was pleased to have their support.
     A soft sound behind him made Ho'Demi's heart lurch in fear - had the
Skraelings somehow circled behind them?
     But it was only Borneheld. He jumped down beside Ho'Demi and stared into
the mist before them.
     "Soon," he said, his voice tight, hefting his sword in his hand.
     Yes, very soon, Ho'Demi thought. Borneheld had earned his grudging
respect over the past week. He did not hesitate to fight among his command,
but he bolstered courage with harsh words and a hard hand where Ho'Demi
thought encouragement would have worked better.
     Gautier had an even harder hand, and many grew to fear his visits to their
section of the trenches.
     "There!" Inari called, pointing, and Ho'Demi signalled his men as he caught
side of the wraiths seething through the mists towards them.
     Teeth gaping, eyes gleaming, gibbering with delight, the Skraelings poured
over the lip of the trench. Ho'Demi barely had time to skewer the first with his
pike before another took its place, and then another. Beside him Borneheld
grunted and seized a Skraeling by its stringy hair, twisting its head to one side as
he manoeuvred his blade for a killing stroke.
     Up and down the trench the predominant sound was of the harsh breathing
of the defenders intermixed with the excited whisperings of the wraiths -
interspersed occasionally with an agonised cry as a man fell victim to the hungry
teeth of a Skraeling.
     After twenty minutes Ho'Demi stuck the Skraeling currently reaching for his
throat, then looked up to see clear space before him.
     By his side Borneheld was struggling to best a particularly large Skraeling,
and Ho'Demi seized its hair and pulled its head back, giving Borneheld the
chance to puncture its great silver eye.
     Blood spattered over the three of them.
     Borneheld nodded his thanks to Ho'Demi, then glanced along the line. "They
falter."
     Yes, Ho'Demi thought, exhausted after a long day fighting, they falter. Many
had cursed Borneheld as they had struggled for months to dig the system of
trenches and canals that stretched between the Azle and Nordra rivers, but now
all could see their brilliance. The Skraelings could not attack in mass as they had
at Gorkentown. The canals forced them to splinter into small bands as they
wound their way around and between the waterways. Instead of attacking as
they preferred, in a great mass of writhing, nibbling teeth and claws that
panicked and overwhelmed most opponents, the wraiths were forced into pits
and traps. There the defenders were able to deal with them more easily than if
they had been forced to meet a mass charge.
     But they were still vicious and deadly and Ho'Demi wondered how
Borneheld's forces would cope with the full weight of the Skraelings massed in
southern Ichtar if Gorgrael managed to breach the canals.
     Several hundred paces to the west came the faint cries of battle, and
Borneheld climbed wearily out of the trench and strode silently towards the
sound.
     Ho'Demi looked at Inari. "I need to speak with the elders this night, Inari.
Can you hold for a few hours?"
     Inari's teeth gleamed. "I shall stick your share of Skraelings as well as mine,
Ho'Demi."
     "Make sure the men get something to eat, Inari. That was the fifth attack in
as many hours."
     And with that Ho'Demi was gone.
     Behind him men slumped wearily, snatching what rest they could. Many took
the opportunity to pray, the Ravens-bundmen to their ice gods, the Coroleans to
the bronze deities that hung at their belts, and the Acharites to Artor.
     But not all the Acharites mumbled Artor's name under their breath. A small
yet increasing number of soldiers muttered Axis' name. Rumours of his survival
were spreading, and those among the five thousand who had accompanied
Borneheld to Gundealga Ford told of the golden man who rode out to meet their
own dour and singularly unmajestic King. The Forbidden circling in the sky had
been black and ominous, certainly, but they had done them no harm, though it
was clear they could have rained death down from the skies had they a mind to.
     And with rumours of Axis' survival spread word of the Prophecy.
     Too weary and worried to waste the night in sleep, Ho'Demi called a secret
Gathering of the Ravensbund elders and advisers in his tent.
     After Sa'Kuya had served Tekawai to those gathered in the circle, she sat
down by Ho'Demi's side.
     Ho'Demi opened the Gathering with ancient formalised and ritual words,
then spoke what was on his mind. "You know I spoke with the StarMan, Axis
SunSoar, at Gundealga Ford four weeks past," he said bluntly, and the
assembled Ravensbundmen nodded solemnly. The Prophecy swirled about them
all.
     "I have wrestled with my conscience every waking moment since then,"
Ho'Demi continued. "My soul and heart cry out for me to lead my people to Axis
SunSoar's side where we belong, but my mind and conscience know that to do
this now would be to leave Jervois Landing so vulnerable that Gorgrael would
break through and claim Achar."
     "Yes," Elder Tanabata said. "I am glad it is your choice and not ours. But tell
us, have you reached a decision?"
     Why else call us here? their faces seemed to say as they watched Ho'Demi
drain the last of his Tekawai from the tiny cup emblazoned with the blood-red
sun.
     Ho'Demi nodded slowly. "I yearn for the StarMan, but I am also committed
to fighting Gorgrael. We stay here until it appears that Borneheld can hold
without us."
     The others nodded. It was the decision they had expected.
     "But," Ho'Demi's eyes were dark with worry, "I told Axis SunSoar we would
join him when the first winter snows fell. We have now been blanketed with
snows for three weeks and I worry that Axis will think we have abandoned him."
     "He must be fighting as heavily as we are," observed Elder Hamori.
     Ho'Demi considered Hamori's words. "Sa'Kuya will lead a party to Sigholt to
tell Axis what is happening."
     All nodded. It was a sensible plan.
     "Over the next weeks I want to send small parties, mainly of women and
children, to Sigholt. Borneheld and Gautier will never notice they are gone."
     No-one was concerned at the thought of their wives and children making the
dangerous journey to Sigholt. The Ravensbund women could fight as well as the
men, and despite the bells the Ravensbund wore, all possessed the almost
supernatural power of moving completely silently and invisibly when they needed
to.
     "If the fighting lessens, if Borneheld's own forces are strengthened by the
arrival of more fresh Corolean mercenaries, then I will order the complete
withdrawal of Ravens-bund assistance to Sigholt."
     "Borneheld will never let us go," a warrior remarked.
     "No," Ho'Demi replied. "Borneheld will not want to see us go. Nevertheless, I
intend that by spring I and the Ravens-bund people will fight by Axis SunSoar's
side. I will not remain allied to Borneheld if he wars against his brother."
     All nodded, relieved.
     "I will leave tonight," Sa'Kuya said, "and I hope to be at Sigholt in less than
two weeks' time. Which of your wives and children will come with me?"
     Axis left for his command in the WildDog Plains four days after Caelum's
birth. He hated leaving, but he was needed, and Azhure and Caelum had
recovered well.
     Since he could not use the Song of Movement to travel to the camp site he
had left, Axis rode with a small unit of reinforcements. It had been years since
he had ridden any horse but Belaguez, and it exasperated him that his current
mount did not respond to his every wish. He had formed such a bond with
Belaguez over the years that he now found it hard to ride another horse.
     Riding at their limits, they arrived in the makeshift camp in just over four
days. Both Belial and Magariz had heard the news of Caelum's birth from an
Icarii who had flown in earlier that day, and both were there to congratulate
Axis. Axis was all broad smiles as he explained how remarkable the baby was,
and only halted when he realised that both Belial and Magariz were staring at
him with fixed expressions on their faces that unsuccessfully hid their boredom.
     "Well," Axis subsided, remembering how he had reacted with similar
boredom in past years to tales of newborn babes. FarSight pushed through the
tent flap to join them, his wings crowding what spare space there was. Axis
greeted him, accepted FarSight's congratulations on Caelum's birth, then moved
on to more pressing problems. "Enough of women and babies. What news of the
Skraelings? Has the SkraeBold managed to push them to new efforts?"
     "We have held them back along this line." Belial's finger traced along a map
of the WildDog Plains. "Gorgrael seems to have infused new purpose into both
SkraeBolds and wraiths this year. The SkraeBold is cunning. He directs the
Skraeling attack here, and here, and here," Belial's finger jabbed at several spots
on the map, "where our line is weakest. Two nights ago he almost succeeded in
breaking through. He learns from experience. No longer does he direct mass
attacks against the length of our defences, but concentrated attacks against the
weakest points."
     Axis looked at him sharply, his earlier excitement forgotten. The SkraeBolds
had been deadly last year — one had all but killed him - but they were
inconsistent and easily diverted. The three that attacked the Yuletide rites at the
Earth Tree Grove had failed to push home their advantage and had eventually
suffered a devastating failure of purpose and loss of Skraeling lives. The
SkraeBolds at Gorkenfort had won through the town to the fort, true enough, but
they had then let themselves be taunted into sending their entire force
northwards after Axis and his men, leaving those inside the fort free to flee south
to Jervois Landing.
     "How does he deal with the Icarii?" Axis asked FarSight.
     "He was the one who thought of removing spent arrows from the ground,
and of sending the wraiths leaping to seize the low-flying Icarii," FarSight replied.
"He rarely shows himself. Do you think he is frightened of the Strike Force?"
     Axis shook his head. "Not for himself, although you are obviously hurting his
Skraelings. He is just being wary, I suspect. With his powers — Gorgrael has
taught his SkraeBolds limited use of the Dark Music - he would probably come
out the victor in any skirmish with members of the Strike Force, even if there
were Enchanters with them. Belial, what do you make of him?"
     "He is the mind behind this push south through the Wild-Dog Plains," Belial
replied without hesitation. "Without him I am certain the Skraeling attack would
fall apart and we could clear the plains relatively easily. However much Gorgrael
has infused the Skraelings with new vigour and purpose, I believe they still rely
on the SkraeBold for directions and encouragement. They are incapable of
coordinating any attack themselves."
      Axis' fingers slowly tapped the map as he thought. "I don't think Gorgrael
really expected to break through here, he's just keeping us occupied ..."
      "While he directs his main attack against Jervois Landing," Belial finished.
      Axis nodded. "Yes. And he has succeeded in tying us up. If we continue the
way we are then we'll spend further weeks stuck out here in this wilderness
picking ofF wraiths one by one." He paused. "I suspect Gorgrael has something
special to throw at Jervois Landing and would prefer that I and the Icarii Strike
Force waste our time fighting back this Skraeling push through the WildDog
Plains." He studied Belial, considering. "Your assessment of the situation is a
good one, Belial. I think the SkraeBold is our key to a quick and decisive victory.
Destroy him and we destroy the Skraeling attack."
      He looked at his three senior commanders. "Do any of you know where the
SkraeBold nests at night? From where he directs his Skraelings?"
      FarSight indicated a spot on the map. "This ridge overlooks much of the area
we have been fighting in and is relatively isolated. He could be there. Do you
want me to send farflight scouts to have a look?"
      Axis shook his head. "No. I have a better idea."
      The eagle soared above the WildDog Plains, his sharp black eyes scanning
the country below him.
      Far below him Axis sat alone on the plains, the cold wind blowing his hair
about his face. He saw only what the eagle saw. He did not feel the hard dirt and
pebbles beneath his buttocks, but only the sweep of air beneath the eagle's
wings. West, his mind directed, and the eagle tipped his balance towards the
Urqhart Hills.
      Over the past weeks the eagle had spent a great deal of time watching the
creature. The eagle considered the creature particularly ill-formed, worse even
than carrion vultures. It was leathery and lizard-like, silver-eyed and fierce-
clawed, and even though it had wings to fly and a beak to cry with, the eagle felt
very little affinity with the creature. It soared, but it did not enjoy it.
      But now the man needed to know where it was, and the eagle undertook to
take the man to the SkraeBold.
      The SkraeBold sat on a ledge high on the rocky ridge that FarSight had
indicated to Axis. His leathery wings encased his body entirely from his jaw
down. To a casual eye, or even to the gaze of someone who looked for him, the
SkraeBold simply looked like one more grey and featureless rock on the ridge.
Only his narrowed silver eyes moved as they surveyed the WildDog Plains before
him.
      The SkraeBold was pleased with his efforts so far. Gorgrael had sent him
down the WildDog Plains with instructions to keep Axis busy. The less support
Borneheld had at Jervois Landing, the better. He had numerous thousands of
Skrae-lings to work with, and he had learned early that it was better to use the
wraiths in concentrated attacks than mass surges down the entire width of the
WildDog Plains. If it had not been for the Icarii Strike Force, the SkraeBold
thought he might actually have been able to break through to the Nordra. The
Icarii were far too good at decimating any surge or probe the SkraeBold sent
southwards. Their cunning arrows floated from the sky, rarely failing to strike a
wraith in the eye, and the SkraeBold blinked in painful sympathy. And there had
been those nasty, agile archers on horseback too.
      So, despite his relative success at keeping Axis' force occupied, the
SkraeBold was learning to loathe arrows. His wraiths had orders to retrieve any
arrows and bring them back to the SkraeBold. Now several thousand of the vile
feathered implements lay in a deep crevice at his feet.
      But the arrows were not the SkraeBold's only concern. Where was Axis
SunSoar? He had not seen the man for a week or more now. He had not left his
camp, of that the SkraeBold was sure, because his wraith-grey horse was still
tied up in the horse lines. So why had he not seen him, when Axis was usually at
the forefront of any action?
      He noticed the eagle as it drifted overhead, but did not think to give it a
second glance. Then, unexpectedly, it swooped down and landed on a rock just
out of the SkraeBold's reach.
      "SkraeBold," it said, and it spoke with Axis SunSoar's voice. "I greet you
well. You are proving a worthy opponent."
      The SkraeBold was so shocked he could not move.
      "My forces cannot move against you, my arrows are numbered, and one of
your late-night Skraeling attacks has left me terribly injured." The voice faltered
a little, as if he who spoke was gasping for breath.
      The SkraeBold hissed as he thought quickly. Axis had been injured! No
wonder he'd not seen him!
      "I am tired of this impasse," the Axis-voice said. "Why do we fight back and
forth, back and forth, when we could so easily settle this once and for all?"
      The SkraeBold tilted his head to one side, his eyes bright as he regarded the
eagle.
      The eagle hopped judiciously to a rock a little further away. "I have a
proposal for you," the Axis-voice continued. "We could settle this once and for
all, you and I, just you and I. Why don't we meet honourably? One on one.
Fight."
      The SkraeBold considered. Gorgrael had been so very angry whenever one
of the SkraeBolds had countermanded his orders. SkraeFear had paid dearly for
attacking StarDrifter atYuletide.
      "The victor claims the field," the voice continued. "The loser...well, the loser
loses all."
      But, the SkraeBold thought, what if he brought Axis down for Gorgrael? He
briefly imagined himself dropping Axis' torn body at Gorgrael's feet.
     "One on one?" he asked suddenly. "No helpers? No assistance? No nasty
feathered things?"
     "You have my word," the voice said, and the SkraeBold fancied he could
hear a fatal weakness creep into the man's voice. Imagine the triumph if the
SkraeBold could not only break through to the Nordra, but kill Gorgrael's nemesis
at the same time! The SkraeBolds had been sadly out of favour with Gorgrael
since the disaster above Gorkenfort, but this...well, this might restore Gorgrael's
faith in his SkraeBolds. Convince him they were more worthy than the Gryphon.
     The SkraeBold launched himself at the snow eagle.
     The eagle, even wary as it was, was still only just agile enough to evade the
creature's attack. It twisted and wheeled out into the open sky, the SkraeBold,
ominously silent, twisting after it.
     Far below, both Skraeling and human stood watching as the SkraeBold
hunted the eagle through the sky. The Icarii, warned of Axis' tactics, had
positioned themselves along the cliff faces of the nearby Urqhart Hills, but they
watched as silently as those below.
     The snow eagle led the SkraeBold high into the sky, always just out of
reach, always managing to twist its way out of the SkraeBold's claws just as it
appeared the creature was about to strike. Both eagle and SkraeBold
disappeared into the clouds, and for a few agonising moments none below could
see what was happening. But then the snow eagle plummeted out of the clouds,
wings loose, tumbling over and over. The SkraeBold dropped through as well,
but his descent, even though fast and furious, was controlled where the eagle's
was totally wild and unrestrained.
     The eagle dropped like a rock through the air, plummeting to a point on the
plain where stood a man alone.
     Axis.
     At the last possible moment the eagle pulled out of its mad dive. It checked
and pulled its wings back, its claws extended, and, still travelling far too fast,
careened onto the man's waiting arm. Rocked by the force of the eagle's landing,
the man stumbled and took a quick step back, but he recovered just as the
SkraeBold shrieked out of the sky above them.
     He did not even hesitate. He knew who the man was, and hungered for his
blood. He went straight in for the attack, the claws of his hands and feet
extended, razor-sharp beak open to tear at the man's flesh.
     He hit nothing but hard ground.
     The man had been an illusion. A trickery.
     Half stunned, but knowing he was dead if he remained on the ground, the
SkraeBold stumbled to his feet, one wing hanging brokenly behind him. Axis
stood some five or six paces away, the eagle still on his arm. As the SkraeBold
blinked in confusion and pain, Axis launched the eagle to soar free into the sky,
then looked at the SkraeBold and laughed.
     "Did you like my mirage, SkraeBold? It is one of my new tricks."
     The SkraeBold shook his head, trying to clear his mind, then screeched with
fury as he realised that one wing was broken.
      "Have you hurt yourself, SkraeBold?" asked Axis, taking a step forward.
      The SkraeBold stepped back, hissing softly. He had no intention now of
trying to battle it out with this fully fit man. He reached inside for the small well
of power Gorgrael had given all of his SkraeBolds, preparing to fade from view.
      But Axis was ready for him. He reached out with the power of the Star
Dance, using a Song of Muddlement that wrapped the SkraeBold's mind in
shadows, reflections and dead ends. Flustered by his inability to touch his power,
the SkraeBold launched himself at the cause of his confusion and misery.
      But as his mind was full of confusion, so his physical reactions were similarly
befuddled, and Axis nimbly sidestepped. A sword suddenly gleamed in his hand,
and as the SkraeBold blundered past he struck him underneath the SkraeBold's
right arm, sliding it deep into the soft flesh of his armpit. The SkraeBold
screamed and wrenched himself off the blade, twisting away from Axis.
      "It bleeds," Axis observed, "as red a blood as do the Skraelings."
      The SkraeBold, agonised by the wound underneath his arm and by the
useless flapping of his broken wing, finally started to think a little more clearly.
He pretended mortal hurt, gave a single sobbing sigh, and, hugging his arm to
himself, crouched down as if he were preparing to die.
      Axis was not fooled, but he let the creature think he had been. He stepped
close, over-confidently, his whole body apparently relaxed and off guard.
      The instant he was close enough the SkraeBold leapt to his feet and swung
out with his injured arm.
      But Axis was quicker and far more agile than the heavily muscled SkraeBold.
He ducked underneath the arm and sank his sword deep into the creature's
belly. The SkraeBold caught him with his uninjured arm, hurt too deep this time
to cry out, but Axis was prepared for that as well and, as the SkraeBold clutched
him to his chest, punctured the creature's left eye with a knife.
      The SkraeBold convulsed, and Axis felt his claws tear through the black wool
of his tunic and into his back. He grunted and grabbed at the hilt of his sword,
still buried deep in the SkraeBold's belly. As he stepped back Axis placed his
booted foot to one side of the SkraeBold's belly, using it as a lever to pull his
sword free, twisting it as viciously as he could as it started to slide free.
      The SkraeBold collapsed on the ground, his remaining eye staring at Axis in
horror. "You tricked me," he hiccupped softly, then he died.
      Axis stood there, wondering at the ease of his kill, when he heard a
horseman behind him. "Axis."
      He turned. Belial rode up on his stallion, leading Belaguez. Both horses laid
back their ears and tossed their heads at the sight and smell of the dead
SkraeBold.
      "Look!" cried Belial, and Axis turned back to the SkraeBold. It was slowly
fading from view.
      "Returning to its master," Axis said tiredly, "for him to do with as he will."
Exhaustion threatened to overcome him, and he swung into Belaguez s saddle
before he slipped to the ground.
      Belial gazed worriedly at him. He could see the reddened tears in the back of
Axis' tunic, but Axis' exhaustion concerned him more.
      By morning the majority of the Skraelings had disappeared from the WildDog
Plains. They drifted back through the Icescarp Barren and down towards
southern Ichtar, where they could hear their comrades whispering and crying
softly to each other. Their orders had been clear. If, for whatever reason, they
were forced to abandon the push south through WildDog Plains, they were to
rejoin their companions at Jervois Landing.
      Gorgrael himself, faced with another pile of grey sludge on the cold floor of
his chamber, was not overly distressed. He had not expected any of his
SkraeBolds to do well against Axis. Not with what Axis had undoubtedly learned.
And this SkraeBold's death had provided Gorgrael with what he needed most.
Building material. Already his first pack of Gryphon were approaching maturity
and once they had whelped Gorgrael would throw them against Jervois Landing.
Now he had the materials to make more.
      Axis pulled his troops out of the WildDog Plains, leaving but one unlucky unit
to patrol (with the assurance that they would be relieved soon) the wind-swept
and increasingly snow-bound plains. A Wing of the Strike Force was also left in
the northern Urqhart Hills to provide an early warning if Gorgrael sent his
Skraelings through the WildDog Plains again. Somehow, Axis did not think he
would.
      The Strike Force already winging its way over the Urqhart Hills towards
Sigholt, Axis led the mounted section of his command south towards the
entrance to HoldHard Pass. Nosing ahead ran the four couples of Alaunt which
had proved as valuable as Azhure's mounted archers. Well, now both archers
and Alaunt were heading back to their mistress.
      As am I, thought Axis. As am I.
      At the mouth to HoldHard Pass, Axis' command found a small group of
refugees from Skarabost just about to enter. They were a ragged bunch, having
spent some weeks fleeing northwards into the worsening weather. Their trust
must have been great, thought Axis, as he rode forward to meet them, to keep
on moving northwards even though the weather worsened with each step north
they took.
      The leader of about forty-five men, women and children, was a middle-aged,
plump and grey-haired trader called Dru-Beorh. He was beside himself with
pleasure to learn that the golden-haired man who sat the magnificent grey
stallion before him was Axis himself.
      "Great Lord," he breathed, abasing himself in the dirt before Belaguez. "To
meet you like this is an added boon. I have travelled from Nor to join your
cause." Axis, as Belial and Magariz behind him, raised his eyebrows in some
surprise. News of the Prophecy had spread as far as Nor? "And I have brought
you a gift for you to do with as you will. Behold!" he cried, waving his hand
towards the back of his small column.
    Axis drew in a quick breath of surprise as he saw what Dru-Beorh indicated.
He knew exactly what he was going to do with it.

    'Woe! Woe!"
      f f L zhure."
      i\ Azhure turned at the sound of Axis' voice, JL -A-wiping the sweat out of
her eyes. She had resumed training two weeks ago, and had spent the morning
at archery practice in a small field just outside the Keep.
      "What is it?" she asked, wondering if something was wrong with Caelum,
only four weeks old. She had left him in their apartment with his grandmother
and Sicarius watching over him.
      "Relax. Nothing is wrong, Azhure. simply came out to watch my archery
commander at weapon practice. So, tell me, Azhure, are you fully fit now? Ready
for any action your StarMan might demand of you?"
      "I would be fully fit if I had a decent horse to ride," Azhure said tartly. "As it
is I have to trail behind the slowest of my command on a nag that should have
been retired five years ago. I might as well ride one of Veremund or Ogden's
donkeys."
      Axis couldn't believe she'd given him such a perfect opening.
      "I expect you think I should give you Belaguez back," he said, making his
voice as terse as hers.
      Azhure's back tensed as she sighted down the shaft of an arrow, then loosed
the arrow and swung round to Axis in one fluid movement. "Are you going to tax
me about exercising your horse after all this time? Why didn't you say something
earlier?"
      "Oh, I'm not upset, Azhure. You did well with Belaguez. Even now when he
greets me in the stable I do not know if he welcomes me with his soft nose, or
searches for scent of you. No," Axis waved to one of the guards standing in the
shadows under Sigholt's main gates, "I'm not upset at all. Impressed, rather. So
impressed, in fact," he paused, "that I have decided to give you your own war-
horse."
      A plump grey-haired man, whom Azhure recognised as one of the refugees
Axis had returned with from the WildDog Plains, stepped out from the shadows
of the gateway. He led a finely boned chestnut Corolean stallion, fully outfitted
with saddle and bridle. Dru-Beorh hesitated as the stallion skittered in the
sudden light, then led the horse across the bridge towards Azhure.
      Axis took the Wolven and the quiver from Azhure and laid them carefully to
one side. "Do you like him, Azhure? He is fully trained, but young, and so he will
take to a new rider well. He has not been exercised for some time though, so he
will be a bumpy ride for the next few days."
      The sheer delight on Azhure s face was enough thanks for Axis. He took her
arm and led her t< meet Dru-Beorh and the horse. "He is an inadequate gift to
thank you for Caelum, Azhure. Inadequate, because nothing I could do in this
life could be thanks enough. Here, stroke him. Do you like him?"
     Azhure reached out a hand and touched the horse s silken coat. It gleamed
a dark bronzed red in the sunlight and twitched under her fingers. "He is a
wonderful gift, Axis," she said, her eyes bright with tears.
     Dru-Beorh shuffled a little in embarrassment. He did not mind in the least
that the Great Lord had elected to pass on his gift to this beautiful lady, for Dru
had heard of her exploits and her courage. "His name is Venator, my Lady,"
     Dru muttered. "In the language of the Coroleans the name means 'One Who
Hunts'."
     "Venator," Azhure repeated. "What a beautiful name. And you gave him to
Axis?"
     Dru nodded and explained briefly how he'd seizedVenator as recompense for
a bad debt from a Nors nobleman who had only just purchased him from a
Corolean unit passing, through Nor.
     "A Corolean unit was passing through Nor?" Axis asked sharply. "How many,
and where to?"
     The trader felt the shift in mood. "Over the past several months Corolean
troops have been moving through Nor and catching river transports for Jervois
Landing, Great Lord. Many of them. How many?" He shrugged. "I do not know.
Several dozen units, at the least."
     Axis' eyes caught Azhure s and she turned to Dru. "I thank you for bringing
us the horse, Dru-Beorh."
     Dru bowed, recognising the dismissal, and led the horse back into the Keep.
     Azhure turned to Axis. "Borneheld has Coroleans fighting for him?"
     Axis watched the horse disappear back into Sigholt, but his thoughts were
far away. "Apparently so. Has he concluded a treaty with them? A military
alliance?" He did not have to go on. If Borneheld had the weight of the Corolean
military behind him, Axis would find it all but impossible to defeat Borneheld.
     Beside him, Azhure started. "Axis!"
     Alarmed by her tone, Axis snapped out of his reverie and looked to where
she pointed. Walking slowly up the road that led to HoldHard Pass was a group
of several hundred women and children, but the oddest women and children
Azhure had ever seen. All of their faces were so heavily tattooed that they
seemed dark blue from this distance, and their black hair was oiled and plaited
into tiny braids. Many of them rode ugly and stunted yellow-haired small horses,
almost ponies. The sound of myriad soft bells and chimes drifted to meet them.
"They are Ravensbund!" Axis cried, and Azhure wondered at the gladness in his
voice.
     The next day, after Sa'Kuya had sufficiently rested, Axis invited her to attend
the daily conference he held with his commanders in the map-room.
     Sa'Kuya had taken almost three weeks to lead her party northwards to
Sigholt. They had evaded discovery leaving Jervois Landing, and had met none
of Borneheld's patrols south of the Nordra.
     "We crossed the Nordra at Gundealga Ford," she said to Axis, "where you
met with my husband, Ho'Demi." Axis inclined his head.
     "Then we travelled the southern Urqhart Hills, joining HoldHard Pass just
before its final bend towards Sigholt." She shook her head a little, the beads and
bells jingling merrily, and looked to Magariz and FarSight. "We passed two of
your mounted patrols," she said, "and sighted five of your winged people in the
skies. But we remained silent and unseen."
     "Then I am glad you came as friends and not to cut our throats in the
night," Axis said, with a sharp glance at hiscommanders.
     "If we had come to cut your throats in the night, you would already be
dead," said Sa'Kuya tardy.
     "Your husband said he would be here with the first winter snows," Axis said,
changing the topic. He waved out the window, "Though the Lake of Life keeps
Sigholt and its surrounding hills free of snow, the rest of northern Achar is thigh-
deep in it. Where is Ho'Demi?"
     And why can he speak to me with the mind voice? Axis thought. What is he?
     Sa'Kuya explained Ho'Demi's dilemma. "He wants with his heart and soul to
join you, but he knows that to do so would leave Jervois Landing so stripped of
soldiers that Gorgrael would almost certainly win through. No-one wants to see
that happen."
     Belial spoke up. "Sa'Kuya, my intelligence told me that your husband
brought some eleven thousand men into Jervois Landing. Is that correct?"
     Sa'Kuya nodded. "Eleven thousand, save those already dead at Skraeling
hands. Plus a further nine or ten thousand women and children. All will join you
as soon as possible."
     Axis caught Belial's glance. Twenty thousand? Where would they put them
all?
     "Azhure," he said finally, "have you seen to the Ravensbund already
arrived?"
     She nodded, knowing what Axis was thinking. Eleven thousand fighters
would be welcome indeed, but with many thousands of refugees already, how
would they feed them and their families?
     Axis sighed, and turned back to Sa'Kuya. "I hear that Corolean forces join
Borneheld at Jervois Landing. What can you tell me of them? Has Borneheld
forged an alliance with the Corolean Empire?"
     "No, he has not managed to forge an alliance with them, although he would
like to do so. He hires mercenaries from the Coroleans. He has perhaps some
three or four thousand with him at the moment, and more are on the way."
     Axis' shoulders slumped with relief.
     "Corolean mercenaries are expensive," noted Magariz. "For that many
Borneheld must be draining his treasury."
     Axis nodded, then spoke to Sa'Kuya again. "Tell me about the Skraeling
attacks on Jervois Landing, and of the defences Borneheld has constructed
there."
     Sa'Kuya described the viciousness of the Skraeling attacks, how they were
deflected only by the system of canals Borneheld had built. "The Skraelings,
hating open water as they do, are herded like cattle in a run. Wherever the
Skraelings attack along the line between the Azle and the Nordra, they meet
these canals, and their attack is splintered and fragmented by the twists and
turns they are forced to make. Gorgrael throws hundreds of thousands of
Skraelings at the defences, but at the moment they hold."
     "No IceWorms yet?"
     "No. Only Skraelings."
     Axis looked at Belial and Magariz. If the IceWorms arrived, when they
arrived, would they be able to bypass the traps by vomiting their repulsive cargo
completely over the canals? He turned his gaze back to Sa'Kuya. "When will
Ho'Demi join me, Sa'Kuya?"
     "By spring at the latest, Great Lord." She had picked up the title from Dru-
Beorh last night. "Borneheld will not have the use of the Ravensbund people if
he moves againstyou."
     "Thank the Stars for that," Axis began, but the next instant everyone was on
their feet as the bridge screamed.
     "To the roof! To the roof! Woe! Woe!"
     "Stay stilll" Axis yelled, as everyone headed for the door. "Belial, FarSight,
you come with me. Azhure, send for your archers. Magariz, Arne, prepare Sigholt
for attack as we planned. Spear Wing, get the Strike Force in the air. Sa'Kuya,
stay here."
     SpearWmg went straight out the window, while die others let Axis and the
three he had named through the door first, then hurried to their tasks. Axis had
long planned the defence of Sigholt - now it appeared that they were going to
stand in good need of the countless drills they had practised.
     "Woe! Woe!" the bridge wailed. "To the roof! To theroof!"
     "It can hardly be an attack," Azhure said as she scurried up the stairs after
Axis, the Wolven already unslung and an arrow notched, "if the bridge is
screaming for us to go to the roof."
     "Nevertheless," Axis grunted, "the bridge is hardly screaming for us to come
and look at the view. Something is wrong, very wrong."
     SpikeFeather TrueSong spiralled out of the sky towards the roof of Sigholt,
only barely managing to hold on to life. By his side flew EvenSong, calling out
encouragement even as she wept. Beside them, almost wingtip to wingtip with
EvenSong, flew the snow eagle.
     The rest of their Wing was dead.
     The group watching from the roof of Sigholt realised how badly SpikeFeather
was injured the instant his blood spattered down in great drops about them.
     Hurriedly, FarSight launched into the air.
     "SpikeFeather," Azhure whispered as she lowered the Wolven, "EvenSong."
They were her closest friends among the Icarii.
     A group of archers clattered out of the doorway to the stairwell, closely
followed by StarDrifter and the three Sentinels.
     SpikeFeather lost consciousness some five wingspans from the roof, and
FarSight and EvenSong could not contain his fall. He landed with a sickening
crunch, his form apparently lifeless, dreadful injuries marking his wings and
torso. Blood pooled about him.
      Azhure took one look and almost vomited with shock. His belly had been
ripped open, and ropes of bowel glistened in the sun; his left arm had been torn
almost completely oft, and now hung only by tendons and blood vessels.
      Axis dropped to his knees by SpikeFeather. The Wing-Leader was a close
friend.
      Then EvenSong landed, and Azhure rushed to her side. She had obviously
also been attacked by whatever had all but killed SpikeFeather; one cheek lay
open, and both arms and hands were cut horribly. But she was not dying.
      Axis was determined not to lose SpikeFeather like he had FreeFall. This time
he would not fail. He gathered the bird-man into his arms, spreading his wings to
either side.
      StarDrifter started to step forward, butVeremund held him back. "Behold
your son, StarDrifter."
      All three Sentinels were very calm amid the cries of horror about them. They
moved about the roof quickly, pulling everyone save EvenSong and Axis back
from SpikeFeather.
      Ogden put an arm about Azhure. "Watch, pretty mother," he whispered in
her ear. "Believe in Axis."
      Of all present, it was StarDrifter who appreciated the power of the Song of
Recreation that Axis sang most of all. This was a Song so powerful, so
extraordinarily hard to sing, so difficult to control the power of the Star Dance as
it flooded through the music, that few Enchanters had ever been able to wield it
properly.
      As Axis cradled SpikeFeather close, he sang the Song of Recreation for him.
It was a strange Song, with little melody, filled with breathy catches and lilts, but
extraordinarily compelling and beautiful. As lie sang, Axis ran his hands gently
over SpikeFeather's body, smoothing the blood away.
      Belial and Magariz glanced at each other. They had seen Faraday heal Axis,
but it had been nothing like this. She had worked hard, her hands buried deep in
his body, compelling and persuading broken flesh and blood vessels to repair
themselves. But Axis was far more relaxed, and his hands far more gentle. They
ran over grossly torn flesh, leaving it whole and healthy. For a moment both
hands hovered over SpikeFeather's open belly, the Song intensifying slightly, and
when they moved on the birdman's entire abdomen looked as if it had seen
nothing more violent than the touch of the sun. His left arm, hanging by fragile
tendons one minute, was clean and whole the next.
      Axis moved his hands to the birdman's face, and cradled it between his
palms, the Song dwindling to a close.
      SpikeFeather slowly opened his eyes into Axis'.
      "Welcome home," Axis said simply, and by his side EvenSong burst into
great sobs. Azhure knelt down by her side and put her arms about her.
    "Hush," she whispered, and wondered if EvenSong were crying for
SpikeFeather, for herself, or for FreeFall.
    Axis raised his eyes from SpikeFeather. "EvenSong."
    EvenSong gulped her tears down and looked at her brother.
    "EvenSong. Where is the rest of your Wing?" Axis had sent them to scout
over Hsingard and Jervois Landing three days ago.
    "Dead."
    There was a shocked murmur among the group huddled about.
    "What attacked you, EvenSong?" Axis' eyes bored into his sisters.
    "Gryphon," she whispered, and far below the bridge wailed again.
    "Woe! Woe!"
    "We were attacked by Gryphon."

    EvenSong's MemoryRecreated, SpikeFeather
remembered nothing of the attack. He could vaguely recall leading his Wing west
for a reconnaissance flight over southern Ichtar, but retained no memory either
of the patrol itself or of his Wing's destruction to the east of Hsingard. Now, as
he stood in Rivkah's apartment, he struggled to recall any memory, any emotion
he might have that could help EvenSong.
     Rivkah sat on the other side of the bed from Axis and held her daughter's
hand. Through all the traumas of her own life, she had somehow managed to
convince herself that EvenSong would live the peaceful, contented existence that
Rivkah had been denied. But not only had EvenSong lost her lover, but here she
lay torn and battered on Rivkah's bed, her wings folded flat and lengthways
underneath her body, her great violet eyes closed, her breasts barely rising with
her breath. EvenSong would live, would recover physically from the wounds
given her, but her soul seemed fatally stricken.
     Gryphon. Rivkah shuddered and looked about the room. Azhure stood close
by Axis' side, her hand on his shoulder, her eyes on EvenSong. Axis had been
unable to heal his sister; his powers gave him the ability to recreate the dying,
but he could not use the power of the Star Dance to heal ordinary wounds. To
one side, packing her herbs and potions, was an Icarii Healer famed for her
wisdom and patience and steeped in common sense and practised in natural
healing. She had done her best for EvenSong, now it was up to the birdwoman
to find the courage to take a stronger hold on life. Further away, close by the
door, stood Magariz. His eyes caught with Rivkah's for a moment, and Rivkah
understood that his concern was for her own pain for her daughter.
     Rivkah felt a hand on her own shoulder, and knew it was StarDrifter. Behind
StarDrifter was MorningStar, and behind her the three Sentinels, Belial and
FarSight CutSpur. At the foot of the bed lay a hound, although which one Rivkah
knew not, and outside she could vaguely hear the scream of the eagle as it
cartwheeled through the sky.
     "EvenSong." Axis spoke softly, but was desperate to know of the attack that
had destroyed SpikeFeather's Wing. It was one of the more experienced within
the Strike Force, and each of the twelve members had won Axis' respect. He
would have trusted his back to any of them. But something had attacked them.
Something that had torn ten lifeless from the sky, left SpikeFeather for dead and
EvenSong barely able to support SpikeFeather home.
     What had EvenSong said? Gryphon. What was a Gryphon? And why had it
caused so much distress on the faces of those Icarii present? Axis reached for his
sister's hand, wincing at how cold it was, and gently squeezed.
     "EvenSong," he repeated. "Please, I - we - need to talk to you about what
happened."
     EvenSong sighed and opened her eyes, looking over those grouped about
her bed. "You returned safely, SpikeFeather. I was so afraid that you would
remain lost."
     "I still have a life to live," SpikeFeather said lamely, but EvenSong seemed
satisfied. She turned her pale face, scarred almost identically to Magariz's now,
back to her brother.
     "Thank you, Axis, for what you did. I fought for many hours to bring
SpikeFeather home. To have lost him in the final few minutes would have been
hard to bear."
     Axis let her hand go and stroked her forehead. "I did not save him,
EvenSong. You were the one who brought him home."
     EvenSong's eyes filled with tears. No-one would ever know what she had
gone through to bring SpikeFeather home. To fly beside him, pleading with him
not to die, pleading with him to keep his wings beating, pleading with him not to
give up, not to succumb to the pain and the shock and the horror before he
could reach Sigholt. And all the while watching the life seep from his ghastly
wounds.
     "Share it, EvenSong," Axis said. "Tell us what happened. Share the
memory."
     "We had been out three days," EvenSong said finally, closing her eyes again,
drawing her strength from the touch of her brother's fingers and the pressure of
her mother's hand, "and were returning home. We had scouted the reaches of
Lchtar above Jervois Landing — the Skraelings are massing, Axis, bearing down
on Jervois Landing. Tens, hundreds of thousands of them. So far the defences
are holding, but..."
     "Later," Axis said. "For now, teD me what attacked you."
     EvenSong sighed again. "We were flying home, skirting the passage
between Hsingard and the western Urqhart Hills. Normally there are few
Skraelings there, and certainly no-one with arrows to take aim. It was
dawn...yesterday?" EvenSong was a little disorientated, how long had she been
lying here?
     Axis grasped her hand again. "Yes, EvenSong, you arrived yesterday
morning."
     Her hand turned in Rivkah s. "Dawn. The best time of the day. And the most
dangerous." How many times had Axis told them dawn and sunset were the
worst times of the day for flyers - and how did he know that? "We were almost
blinded by the sun rising far to the east. We were attacked from the north-east. I
think they must have seen us approaching from far away and circled high above
us so they attacked from out of the dawning sun. They were a pack of Gryphon,
although I did not realise it at first. It was later, I think, much later during the
dreadful flight home, when I had a chance to go over what happened, that I
realised what they were."
      Azhure, looking about the room, wondered why the Icarii and Sentinels
looked so grey. What were these Gryphon? And why did the bridge cry "Woe!"
when EvenSong had first uttered the name?
      "They dropped out of the sun," EvenSong finally continued. Her eyes were
unfocused now, staring at the ceiling, her hands lying limp in Axis' and Rivkah s.
"They dropped out of the sun and onto our backs. I was one of the first
attacked, but I twisted and the creature fell away. Others were not so lucky.
There were about eight of them, perhaps nine. The other Gryphon clung to...to
..." Her voice almost broke, but she took a deep breath and continued. "Clung to
my comrades' backs, wrapping their legs about and underneath their wings,
using their claws to...to rip and tear. Once a Gryphon had its grip, nothing could
dislodge it. Those not attacked in the first flurry died when the Gryphon attacked
again. They now outnumbered us."
      "SpikeFeather and yourself — how did you manage to escape?" asked Axis.
      "We were lucky. A single Gryphon landed on Spike-Feather's back, but
before it had managed to kill him outright I managed to pull it off. I landed on its
back and gouged at its eyes with my fingers."
      Axis blinked. It must have been an appalling sight. The three winged bodies
entwined and twisting through the air, wings beating frantically, each fighting for
life.
      "It was all I could think to do at the time, Axis." Even-Song's eyes were
bright with unshed and guilty tears. "I didn't think to use an arrow. If I had
reached for an arrow I might have been able to kill it, stop it from harming
SpikeFeather so badly. I ..."
      "You saved SpikeFeather's life, EvenSong, at the risk of your own. And you
brought him home." Axis' voice was firm. "It fell off SpikeFeather, but I nearly
crashed to the ground with it. I had to fight to free myself. But I did, eventually.
Both of us pulled out of our dives with heartbeats to spare." "And they didn't
attack again?"
      EvenSong shook her head. "No. Ten of the Wing were dead. SpikeFeather
was crippled. I was no use. No. They did not stop to attack us again. They flew
south. South to Jervois Landing." Her whole body trembled. "They must have
believed that SpikeFeather and I were close to death."
      Axis finally let her hand go, and bent down to kiss her forehead. "Thank you,
EvenSong. That is a terrible memory to live with, but I am afraid we all will face
as terrible, if not more, in the months and years to come."
      He sat back and looked at StarDrifter and MorningStar. Both were noticeably
ashen and gaunt.
     "StarDrifter," he said. "What are these Gryphon?" It was not StarDrifter who
answered, but Veremund, standing tall and spare at the very back of the room.
     "No-one has seen a Gryphon for over six thousand years," he said. "But the
Icarii remember them still. EvenSong, describe for us the creatures that attacked
you."
     "Winged, and the size of one of Azhure's hounds," she said. "But not shaped
like one at all. An eagle's head, viscious-ly beaked, bronzed feathered wings, and
the tawny body of a great cat, clawed for death. Its eyes were red-bright,
glowing," "Dragon-clawed," Ogden put in hollowly. "Blight-eyed," Jack said. "It
cried -" EvenSong began.
     "With the voice of despair," her father finished, and Even-Song nodded and
burst into tears.
     "Ogre-bellied," Veremund said, "and grave-jawed. A Gryphon. MorningStar,
tell Axis what became of the Gryphon, and why."
     "The Gryphon,'' said MorningStar, "once haunted the high places, as the
Icarii now do. They were hunters - agile, intelligent, able. They fed off the living.
But they also hated." She took a deep breath. "They particularly hated the Icarii.
We loved to fly, but feared to as well. Anywhere we went, we were vulnerable to
Gryphon attack. Finally, we fought back."
     Now FarSight CutSpur spoke. "It was the moment, some six and a half
thousand years ago, Axis, when the Strike Force was first formed. The Icarii
were braver, more warlike than now, and eventually they cleared the skies and
high places in Tencendor of Gryphon. We destroyed them. We destroyed their
dens, their young, their breeding grounds. We left nothing. We thought we had
swept them from the skies and the minds and hearts of the Icarii — of all
Tencendorans — for ever. We were wrong."
     "Gorgrael has recreated them," Axis said, then stopped. Did Gorgrael
recreate in the same way — or in a twisted way — as Axis recreated?
     "Gorgrael must be powerful, very powerful," Ogden said, his plump face
ashen and concerned, "to have recreated such as these Gryphon."
     "Then tell me how you can evade them, FarSight," Axis asked. "I do not
want to lose my Strike Force to these creatures as SpikeFeather and EvenSong
lost their comrades."
     FarSight shrugged. "It depends."
     "Depends on what?"
     "On how many of these Gryphon have reappeared."
     "How many can a Wing protect itself against?"
     "Obviously not eight or nine, although SpikeFeather's Wing were not
expecting attack from Gryphon. Now that we are aware of the danger, then
perhaps more would survive. But from what I can remember of legend, the
Gryphon would never attack when they were outnumbered. They will only attack
when they feel they have an advantage - a single Wing, obviously. But any stray
Icarii will be a target."
     "Then no member of the Strike Force goes out in anything less than a
Crest," Axis said, "until we know more certainly how many of these creatures
Gorgrael has to loose on us. I must speak to the bridge, find out whether or not
she can protect Sigholt from attack by such as these, but until then, Magariz,
Belial," they both stepped forward, "post guards with eyes turned skywards. I do
not want to wake to find one of these clutching at my back one morning."
     Azhure shuddered. "How will Jervois Landing fare? Will we help them?"
     Axis, grey-faced, took a long time to answer. "I fear we will have no choice,"
he answered, finally. "If we wish to stop Gorgrael from taking Achar as well as
Ichtar. We cannot stand by and watch Jervois Landing fall."
     That night, as Axis and Azhure sat before the fire in their chambers, Caelum
wriggling naked and cheerful on a rug between them, Azhure asked Axis how he
felt about aidingBorneheld.
     "How do I feel? If any other man led the defences at Jervois Landing I would
not hesitate, I would not doubt. But it is Borneheld who fights there. Azhure," he
leaned down and picked Caelum up, "I sometimes forget that Borneheld and I
fight for the same thing — to save this beautiful land and its people from
Gorgrael."
     Caelum wriggled in Axis' arms, and Azhure smiled as she watched them.
Caelum loved his father deeply, and was miserable when Axis could not spare
time each day to be with him. Although he had Azhure's colouring — raven-black
curly locks, pale skin and smoky blue eyes - Caelum nevertheless had Icarii
features, even in his chubby early baby months. Azhure hoped she had planted
something of herself besides her colouring in her son.
     "Here," Axis handed Caelum over to Azhure. "He wants to be fed."
     Constantly amazed by the depth of communication between father and son,
Azhure hugged Caelum to her, murmuring softly. She unbuttoned her tunic and
nesded her son against her breast. Well, this was something that Axis could not
do for their son.
     Axis sat and watched Azhure nurse Caelum, listening to the magical melody
of the Star Dance as it danced about and between them, then he spoke as if
nothing had interrupted their conversation. "Perhaps Borneheld and I do not
fight for quite the same thing. He fights for the Acharites and Achar, and the
continuation of a world that is safe and known. I fight for three peoples,
Acharite, Icarii and Avar, and the recreation of an old world. But... both of us
fight against Gorgrael."
     Azhure looked up. "Do you want to recreate an old world, Axis, or create a
new one?"
     "A new one," Axis admitted finally. "A new one. Tencendor was not the land
of myth and glory that the Icarii would have us believe. Tencendor will live
again, but I mean to make it a fairer place for all races."
     As Axis watched his son suckle at Azhure's breast, the Gryphon attacked
Jervois Landing. Nothing that the men lining the trenches and defences of
Jervois Landing could have expected matched the fury of their assault.
    Borneheld was riding the lines when, the Gryphon swooped. It was sheer
luck that they carried off Nevelon, riding directly beside him.
    Borneheld hauled his terrified horse to a standstill, watching as Nevelon's
screaming form disappeared into the night sky. Great drops of blood splattered
across his upturned face and the neck of his horse.
    "Artor's blow-hole!" he cursed. "It's the Forbidden!"
    "No." Ho'Demi said close behind him, his shaggy yellow-haired horse
unperturbed even by the attack from above. "Worse than that. Far, far worse."


    In the Bleak Mid-Winter...
     Ho'Demi kicked his shaggy yellow horse into a trot — the best it could
manage in the muddied slush of the battle lines — and worked his way slowly
back towards the Ravensbund camp. It was an hour past dawn and the worst of
the night attacks were over. Now he needed sleep badly. It had been three days
since he had last found the leisure to lie down in his furs.
     He glanced up to the clouds. Heavy and grey with snow and ice, they bore
down from the north. Even before the end of Frost-month, Gorgrael had swept
southern Ichtar and the defences of Jervois Landing with sleet. Now the sleet
had turned to ice and Borneheld's forces had to fight the battle of Jervois
Landing in conditions which had travelled beyond the miserable into the
appalling. Snow and ice turned to knee-deep mud in those areas heavily
travelled by the feet of men and horses, and both feet and hooves had to be
carefully cleaned and dried each night in case the mud froze to flesh. Yet in
battle conditions, especially when Gorgrael's forces struck at night, it was difficult
to find the time or the opportunity to dry and tend the extremities, and they
were losing almost as many men to frostbite and gangrene as to theSkraelings.
     The snow and ice had a more sinister function than simply creating appalling
fighting conditions for the humans. The Skraelings had found the system of
canals a sufficient deterrent for Gorgrael to attempt to freeze them with the frost
and ice that rained down at night. Gangs of men who Borneheld could ill-afford
to lose from the battle lines had to be kept at work throughout the night,
breaking up the thick sheets of ice that formed across the canals before the
Skraelings could rush across. Three times over the past weeks they had not been
fast enough, and then men died in their hundreds before the ice could be broken
and the Skraeling rush halted.
     Ho'Demi's horse floundered a little in the mud, and Ho'Demi leaned forward
and gave him a reassuring pat on the neck. After a moment the horse found his
footing again and staggered wearily on.
     Ho'Demi could dimly hear the sound of battle going on some five hundred
paces behind him, but he was now so tired he simply did not care. The battle to
defend Jervois Landing - and thus Achar - from the forces of Gorgrael had now
been going on continuously for some six weeks. The Skraeling wraiths, massing
in southern Ichtar since autumn, had finally begun their push south during
Snow-month, but their efforts and determination had increased dramatically in
the past three weeks. Ho'Demi's men spent their waking hours pushing swords,
pikes, daggers and even sharpened cooking irons into the eyes of Skraelings that
scuttled and whispered their way into the trenches.
     The Skraelings had grown and changed since their attack on Gorkenfort a
year ago. They were far more solid, their torsos showing hard flesh and muscles,
their heads and limbs swathed in more bone-like armour. As their flesh grew
more solid, so did their courage, their resolve and their cunning.
     Ho'Demi hoped Inari would be able to keep his section of the defence lines
clear of the IceWorms. A week ago the IceWorms, which the veterans of
Gorkenfort regarded with horror, had writhed their cumbersome way out of the
mists of southern Ichtar, the wraiths making way for their massive and obscenely
bulging bodies. Having been the crucial factor in the collapse of Gorkentown,
vomiting their loads of Skraeling wraiths over the fortified walls, the Ice Worms
were again proving devastating here in Jervois Landing. The IceWorms floated,
despite their loads, and they were not overly afraid of water. They writhed
through the canals as efficiently as they writhed across land.
     And the IceWorms were far, far harder to kill. They were huge, rearing fifty,
sixty paces above a man, their twisted, horse-like, tooth-crowded heads too far
above the defenders to attack with sword or pike. The defenders needed skilled
archers to stop the IceWorms, for the only way to kill them was to shoot an
arrow through one of their silvery eyes. But Borneheld's archers died as easily as
did his swordsmen or his pikemen, and there were not enough archers to spread
along the lines to counter an IceWbrm attack on any one section.
     Ho'Demi knew that the defences of Jervois Landing would eventually
collapse. The defences rested on the system of canals siphoning the Skraelings
into narrow areas where the wraiths could be more easily attacked and killed
than if men had been forced to fight them in open spaces. But the IceWorms
simply bore straight across the canals, often creeping silently behind Borneheld's
lines and vomiting forth their wraiths before the men knew they were there.
     And every day more and more of the IceWorms lurched their way out of the
northern mists.
     Borneheld had his men so thinly spread along the system of canals that a
break through anywhere could well prove fatal for the entire system. Ho'Demi
knew that Borneheld fought as gallantly and as long as any of his soldiers. But
Borneheld had given orders that men could only be relieved one day in five.
What would happen when the men were so tired they simply slept where they
stood, leaning on their staves and pikes?
     At least most of the Ravensbund women and children had been sent to
Sigholt. They had left secretly at night, when all attention was on the battles for
the canals. If he and his men died, then at least the children had been saved.
Ho'Demi had also sent small units of his fighters northwards to Sigholt. All he
thought he could spare from the front lines - although that was precious little.
Ho'Demi was desperate to join Axis, but knew that to pull his entire army out
now would mean disaster, not only for Borneheld, but ultimately for Axis. So he
sent small numbers east and north to Sigholt, and hoped for the day when he
could strike camp completely and ride for the StarMan.
    High above a snow eagle circled, almost invisible against the low clouds,
watching the lone horseman approach the Ravensbund camp. As the rider's
shoulders slumped, the eagle folded its wings and hurtled towards the man.
      Ho'Demi! Wake up! Your arm, extend your arm!
      Ho'Demi sat up straight so fast he almost fell off his horse. Your arml the
voice sounded again in his mind, and unthinkingly Ho'Demi extended his left
arm. Almost instantly a large snow eagle dropped out of the sky and onto
Ho'Demi's arm, the sudden weight so upsetting the exhausted Ravens-bundman
he had to fight to keep his balance.
      "I could have been a Gryphon, Ho'Demi," the eagle said with Axis' voice.
"You should not ride alone and so vulnerable."
      Ho'Demi shifted in the saddle, trying to adjust to the eagle's not
inconsiderable weight on his arm. "Had a Gryphon snatched me from my horse
this past moment, my Lord Axis, then he would have had a tired and tough meal.
Besides, Gorgrael does not like to risk them to the arrows of the daylight."
      After their initial, horrific attack when they had carried off Nevelon as well as
some lower-ranked soldiers, every man along the Jervois Landing defence line
had kept as wary an eye on the sky as on the trenches and canals before him.
Especially at night. Especially then. Although the Gryphon did not attack often,
they attacked well, reserving their cruelly taloned attentions for obvious
commanders.
      "The defences are holding?" Axis' voice asked. The eagle flapped its wings a
little as Ho'Demi's horse stumbled slightly again, and Ho'Demi had to lean back
to avoid being hit in the face.
      "Only just," Ho'Demi said. "The IceWorms now appear, and they threaten to
break through in a dozen places. They float, my Lord, and they vomit."
      "You need not tell me of their abilities, Ho'Demi." Axis' voice was harsh. "I
know them well."
      "Does Gorgrael attack Sigholt as well?" asked Ho'Demi. "No. Gorgrael sent a
Skraeling force through the Wild-Dog Plains, but we managed to beat it back and
destroy its SkraeBold. Sigholt is well, and most of the Urqhart Hills peaceful,
although the Gryphon decimated an Icarii Wing."
      "They took Nevelon," Ho'Demi said, pulling his horse back to a slow walk as
they approached the camp.
      "Ah." Axis' voice was sad. "I liked Nevelon. We spent many fine hours
together before these current troubles began." The eagle closed its beak, and
tilted its head to one side, eyeing Ho'Demi. "Ho'Demi, how many Coroleans does
Borneheld have fighting for him now?"
      "Some six thousand, my Lord. More wait in Nordmuth for river transports
north."
      "Mercenaries? Or does the Corolean Emperor now officially extend military
aid to Borneheld?"
     "Mercenaries still. Borneheld pushes for a military alliance - his ambassadors
wait upon the Corolean Emperor at this moment, but the Emperor still hesitates."
     "Yet even with these six thousand the defences of Jervois Landing falter?
Borneheld must have a force nearing thirty thousand now."
     "The defences are long, Lord Axis, and the Skraelings seemingly unending.
However many we kill, they simply keep on massing and pushing south."
     The eagle was silent as Ho'Demi rode through the outskirts of the camp. The
soft chimes of bells hung from poles and cooking tripods drifted from most tents,
but few people were about.
     "I speak with you for a reason," the eagle finally resumed. "I will send aid,
aid for Achar rather than for Borneheld."
     Ho'Demi smiled cynically. Axis was splitting hairs here, but at least he was
not going to let his hatred of, and rivalry with, Borneheld prevent him from
aiding Jervois Landing.
     "I will not send mounted men. I do not trust Borneheld enough to send units
that would be many days from the protection of Sigholt. Besides, whatever I
could send in terms of mounted men or foot soldiers would not make an
appreciable difference to the saving of Jervois Landing."
     "You will send the Icarii," Ho'Demi said. It was the only thing Axis could do.
     "Yes. I will send the Strike Force. But I will concentrate their attacks well
behind the Skraeling lines in southern Ichtar - for two reasons."
     Ho'Demi reined his horse in at his tent and dismounted -carefully, lest he
dislodge the eagle. "I can guess at least one, my Lord. You do not trust
Borneheld to stay the order to shoot them if they fly over the defences of Jervois
Landing." "Do misjudge my brother?"
     "No." Ho'Demi stood sheltered from wind and prying eyes between his tent
and the protecting body of his horse. "No, you do not misjudge him. Borneheld
somehow thinks that all flying creatures fly in league. He is incapable of telling
the difference between Gorgrael's Gryphon and SkraeBolds and the Icarii. They
are all targets. All evil."
     "There is an added reason I will direct them behind Skraeling lines, Ho'Demi.
I can do more for you if I can stem the tide of Skraelings and IceWorms before
they actually reach Jervois Landing's defences. The Strike Force is good. They
were winning the battle in the WildDog Plains for me and I hope that they can
turn the tide of wraiths at Jervois Landing." The voice paused. "The Icarii will
arrive soon. Persevere. Tell all who will listen that the Icarii Strike Force will
arrive to fight for Achar, as it once did thousands of years ago. Let people know
that only a united effort will save Achar from Gorgrael. Spread word of the
Prophecy. Serve the Prophecy, Ho'Demi, as you tell me you are bound to do."
     "It is what every Ravensbund man, woman and child lives for. I will do what
I can for you."
     "By turning the tide at Jervois Landing I hope you will be freed the sooner to
come to me, Ho'Demi. I need you."
     The eagle abruptly lurched into the air, and Ho'Demi staggered as it beat its
wings momentarily in his face. Farewell, Axis SunSoar. Farewell, Chief Ho'Demi.
     As the eagle soared into the clouds above the Ravensbund camp, Ho'Demi
quickly unsaddled his horse, brushed him down, and gave him some oats. He
lifted the tent flap and slipped inside. He was asleep even before he had finished
pulling his outer bed furs about him.
     Borneheld leaned out the window of the Tired Seagull and peered at a
cluster of soldiers talking and gesturing animatedly in the street. He frowned,
then ordered Gautier to bring their sergeant up to explain the excitement.
     "Creatures!" the sergeant exclaimed. "Flying." He was so terrified he could
say no more.
     Their hearts pounding, Borneheld and Gautier called for their horses and
rode to where they could get an unobstructed view. Both clearly saw that the
black shapes whirling and diving north of the town were attacking, not
reinforcing, Gorgrael s Skraelings.
     "What?" Gautier asked, confused, trying to shade his eyes against the glare
of sunlight on the clouds. "What are they?"
     "They are Icarii," Ho'Demi said behind them, and they whirled around. "The
Strike Force of the birdmen of Talon Spike. They accompanied Axis to Gundealga
Landing."
     "The Forbidden," Borneheld said. "Cursed and forsaken by Artor. No better
than lizards."
     "It would appear that Axis," Ho'Demi carefully did not call Axis "Lord" in front
of Borneheld, "has sent them to aid us. See — they attack the Skraelings. There
must be more than five hundred of them, shooting arrows into the Skraeling
masses. The Icarii are fine archers."
     Borneheld glared at Ho'Demi then turned back to the sight before him. As
much as he hated to admit it, it did appear that the flying lizards were attacking
the Skraelings.
     "And when do you think that Axis will send them to attack «i, Ho'Demi?"
Gautier said, hiding his fear behind a sneer.
     "You have a truce between you, Gautier," Ho'Demi replied. "I have no doubt
that, as a man of honour, Axis will honour the truce." He paused. "As will
yourself and King Borneheld."
     Borneheld wheeled his horse about and kicked it towards the town. "Order
the men not to watch the lizards," he snapped to Gautier, then caught Ho'Demi's
eye as his horse pushed by the Ravensbundman's. "That order'goes for your
men, too, Ho'Demi. No-one watches the Forbidden. No-one discusses them. As
far as I am concerned, they are not there."
     But even before the words were out of Borneheld's mouth it was too late.
Along the entire front line, men wearied and despondent turned unbelieving eyes
to the sky.
     Inari stood in a section of trench with a dozen Coroleans and several
Acharites. Inexplicably the tide of Skraelings had lessened slightly an hour ago.
Now they could all see why.
     The Acharite men murmured fearfully to themselves, but the Coroleans were
curious.
     "Who are they?" asked their lieutenant.
     Inari said nothing, considering.
     "Damn, they're good!" the Corolean muttered as he peered into the sky, and
his subcommander punched the trench wall before him in his excitement.
     "See how fast they shoot their arrows!"
     The lieutenant dropped his eyes to Inari. Of all the men in the trench, his
were the only ones which showed nosurprise.
     "Tell me\" the Corolean demanded.
     Inari finally spoke. "They are the Icarii Strike Force," he said, "and they are
sent by the StarMan of Prophecy to aid us and to save Achar."
     "Do you speak of Axis?" one of the Acharites asked cautiously, his curiosity
finally overcoming his fear.
     "None other," Inari replied. "Listen."
     The Skraeling mass panicked under the unexpected attack, and the
SkraeBolds found the assault on the trenches faltered.
     Above them four Crest of Icarii warriors screamed battle cries not heard in a
thousand years, their excitement controlled and directed into the deadly rain of
arrows they sent hurtling into Gorgrael's creatures. Every one found a mark.
     Further above them soared several dozen scouts, their eyes and senses
attuned exclusively to the possible presence ofGryphon.
     Hovering over the battlefield, FarSight turned his extraordinary vision to the
north, and his nostrils flared inexcitement.
     "HoverEye! SharpEye!" he screamed. "Turn your Creststo the north. Ice
Worms]"
    Within minutes, two of the twelve Ice Worms that were hunching their way
towards the canals toppled to the ground, their silver eyes dulled with the weight
of countless feathered arrows.
    Only nine of the remaining IceWorms managed to get close to the canals,
and only seven of those completed the swim across the water.
    Infuriated by the Icarii attack and the loss of so many IceWorms, the
SkraeBolds used threats and violence to reinfuse their Skraelings with
determination and the lust for blood. Within an hour the relentless attack on the
trenches behind the canals had resumed.
    But as the IceWorm attack had been blunted, so too had the Skraelings'.
    It was not a rout, nor even a small victory, for Gorgrael had so many
Skraelings packed into the territory above Jervois Landing that the mass largely
absorbed the arrows without fatal damage. But it was a start, and it lessened the
pressure on the trenches at a moment when they were close to collapse.
    Over the next few days the Icarii attack strengthened from above as word of
who they were and who had sent them spread along the front line. Borneheld's
orders not to watch the Icarii or speak of them were ignored the instant he and
Gautier were out of sight and hearing. The Coroleans were the most curious, and
they learned quickly that the Ravens-bundmen had the answers they craved.
And, gradually, the Coroleans shared their new-found knowledge with their
Acharite companions.
     Soon whispered word of the Prophecy and the StarMan swept the length of
the trenches. Stories of the pride and beauty of Icarii culture, and of the
legendary skills of the Strike Force followed; this news, at least, the watchers
from below could confirm with their own eyes. Within a week, the men huddled
in the mud had heard it all, from the depravity of WoliStar SunSoar to the
wonders of the Star Dance and the Icarii Enchanters.
     The Ravensbundmen served the Prophecy and the StarMan well.
     At any given time Axis had four Crest flying above the Skraeling forces, while
four more waited in the south-west Urqhart Hills, some fifteen to twenty leagues
from the fighting, and the final four Crest of the Strike Force waited at Sigholt.
Every five or six days one of the groups would be relieved by a fresh force of
four Crest from Sigholt.
     Even as highly trained as they now were, the Icarii found the constant
fighting hard. They faced the threat of Gryphon attack, and, mindful of the
disaster that befell SpikeFeather's Wing, they kept together as much as possible.
Four Crest contained almost six hundred Icarii, far too many for Gorgrael's pack
of nine Gryphon to attack. But even so, stragglers would sometimes fall to the
fearsome creatures.
     To the eyes of the scouts, Axis added the eyes of the eagle, and the solitary
figure of the eagle floating high above them became almost a talisman for those
Crest fighting the Skraelings below. Peculiarly attuned to the presence of
Gryphon, both EvenSong and SpikeFeather spent more than their fair share of
hours flying sentinel to the Crests fightingthe Skraelings.
     One of the main problems facing the Icarii was, again, the replenishing of
their arrows. The four Crest soaring above the battlefield on any one day could
shoot tens of thousands of arrows - how to ensure enough arrows to fight a full
anduseful day?
     No Icarii could carry enough arrows for a full day's fighting, and they faced
constant danger trying to retrieve arrows from the field of battle.
     The Icarii concentrated their attacks on one section of the Skraeling mass,
shooting dead as many — if not all — as they could. Then, as the remaining
Skraelings fled the area, the Icarii swept to the ground, retrieving as many of
their arrows as they could, then soared skywards before the Skraelings could
regroup. But this was dangerous, very dangerous, for both SkraeBolds and
Gryphon learned quickly to await that moment when a significant number of the
Icarii had landed, their eyes to the ground searching for arrows among the
disintegrating Skraeling wraiths, and then launch an attack. The Icarii had to
divide their number between those on the ground and those remaining in the air,
protecting their comrades below.
     Ho'Demi did what he could to supply the Icarii with new arrows. The stores
in Jervois Landing had good supplies which weren't used much because of the
lack of archers there. Increasingly, the Ravensbundmen stole from Borne-held to
supply the Icarii. Through the eagle, Ho'Demi would let the Icarii know when he
could supply them with more arrows and a clandestine meeting would take place
perhaps a half a league to the east of Jervois Landing. Again, when and if
Borneheld discovered what was going on, Ho'Demi and his men would risk
death.
      While it sometimes seemed to the Icarii they made little appreciable
difference - for every Skraeling shot another three crawled into view — it only
took a few days for the men on the ground to realise how much they owed the
Strike Force. After ten days of the Icarii presence, not even Borne-held could
deny that the Icarii were making a difference. The Skraeling pressure on the
defence lines eased and then noticeably weakened. The number of Ice Worms
reaching the canals was halved, and then halved again and, unbelievably by the
third week, halved once more. Soon only a handful per day were creeping across
the canals. They dropped from being a certain disaster to being a worrisome
nuisance.
      Unit commanders along the lines were finally able to relieve their men,
sending them back to the town for a day or two of rest. Those left on the lines
still had to fight, for the Icarii could not stop thousands of Skraelings whispering
their way to meet the swords and pikes of the defenders, but they did not have
to ght so hard or so long.
      And, in the longer and more frequent rest breaks, men continued to talk -
although all were wary of talking about the birdmen before unit commanders.
      Over several weeks the Acharites not only learned of the Icarii, they had the
time to observe them as well. Some of the Acharites began to wonder if the
Forbidden were quite as forbidding as the Seneschal had always claimed. Could
Artor match anything that the Star Dance had to offer? And what of the Wars of
the Axe, that had so cruelly driven the Icarii from these lands? Why should the
Icarii help Jervois Landing when the Acharites had treated them so poorly in the
past?
      As the year stretched into Raven-month, men dared to believe that Jervois
Landing would hold. Slowly, achingly slowly, the tide of the Skraelings was
lessening as their numbers were decimated by Icarii arrows. Most Acharites who
were prepared to be honest with themselves knew that they owed their lives to
the Icarii.
      After a thousand years, and despite the lingering hatreds of the Wars of the
Axe, Icarii and Acharite again shared common purpose.
      During the weeks the Strike Force spent fighting above Jervois Landing, life
in Sigholt was almost entirely geared about supporting them. A significant
number of the people who had fled Skarabost to Sigholt put themselves at the
disposal of the Icarii, cleaning their gear and weapons, refletching worn arrows
and fletching new ones, cooking and carrying for the Strike Force so that the
Icarii could simply rest while they were in Sigholt.
      The Icarii were grateful, and they showed it. Many among the Strike Force
spent hours each day playing with the young children of the Acharites, letting
them finger and exclaim over their Icarii wings and telling them stories of old
Tencendor and of Icarii legends. On several occasions when a parent, heart in
mouth, permitted it, one of the Icarii would take a small child for a short flight
over Sigholt and the Lake of Life.
      Soon children prattled to their parents at night about such remarkable places
as the Star Gate or even the lost Island of Mist and Memory. The singing of the
Icarii generally, and of the Enchanters especially, fascinated all, and at least once
or twice a week an Icarii Enchanter would be invited to eat with a group of the
Acharites in return for an hour of Song about the fire in the evening. At that Axis
had to smile. He had never thought the Icarii would enjoy eating and sharing
their evenings with Acharite peasants, but apparently the Icarii were finding that
many of their age-old beliefs about the Acharites were as false as the Acharites'
beliefs about them. It gave Axis hope for the Tencendor he wanted to create.
The music of the Star Dance filtered through and about all at Sigholt and
sometimes when Axis lay half asleep in his bed he could hear in the Star Dance
the faint echoes of the thousands of heartbeats of those in and about Sigholt.
      The Urqhart Hills were relatively safe now. No more Skraelings had appeared
in the WildDog Plains, and none ventured near the western extremities of the
hills. The mounted force at Sigholt still trained, as well as continuing its patrols.
Azhure began to take a more active role in the force, leading several two- and
three-day patrols through the Hills. She simply secured Caelum in a sling on her
back next to her quiver of arrows, and rode Venator out of Sigholt. Belial had
opened his mouth to remonstrate with her the first morning he'd seen her, but
she just stared at him with cold, flat eyes, and he'd subsided.
      Azhure was delighted with her new horse. Venator was smaller than
Belaguez, and more finely boned, but faster and more manoeuvrable because of
it. He also had intelligence, courage and spirit, and Azhure found it very easy to
train him to her specific needs. He responded to voice and knee commands
alone, as Azhure needed when she had to fight with the Wolven, and had a
graceful and fluid gait that allowed Azhure to shoot without worrying about being
jolted.
      On the first day when Azhure took a patrol out, leading a supply train into
the south-western Urqhart Hills to the Icarii Strike Force camp there, Axis stood
on the roof of Sigholt watching her go and trying to suppress qualms about
Caelum's safety. Azhure kicked Venator into a canter as they left the bridge,
Caelum and the Wolven secured to her back and the pack of Alaunt surrounding
her dancing red stallion. Despite his lingering worries, a small smile lifted the
corners of Axis' mouth. Azhure was not only a highly competent commander, but
an extraordinarily unusual woman. Just a year and some few months ago she
had been the outcast peasant daughter of the Plough-Keeper of the village of
Smyrton. Now here she was, the mother of his son, a commander within his
army, riding patrol with the Wolven and the Alaunt.
     With WolfStar's bow and with WolfStar's hounds.
     Axis shook himself. He could almost feel MorningStar by his side. Azhure
could not be WolfStar, could not be the traitor within his camp.
     But doubt niggled at him. Was it just a coincidence that the Gryphon had
found SpikeFeather's Wing? Azhure had known about that flight, would have
known where they could be found.
     "Dammit!" Axis cursed as he turned away from the parapets. Any one of two
dozen people close to the inner command of his force would have known where
that Wing was.
     And it could have simply been coincidence. The Gryphon were flying south to
attack Jervois Landing. Had, unfortunately for the Icarii, come across
SpikeFeather's Wing flying home into the sun, blinded and unaware.
     As Axis thought on the Gryphon attack a memory crashed through his
consciousness. Azhure, smiling, easy and graceful, wandering along the narrow
rock ledge of Talon Spike. Surely only one of Icarii blood could have walked that
ledge, a thousand pace drop at her feet, with such ease and confidence?
     It could not be her, could not be. Stars! Didn't she have the perfect
opportunity each and every night to slip a knife into his back if she wanted to?
No. Axis knew that it could not be Azhure. She had too much compassion and
love within her to be WolfStar. And she had been born and had grown to
maturity in Smyrton. She had no opportunity to teach either Axis or Gorgrael.
     His good humour gone now, Axis stared at the spreading town about the
Lake of Life. Many of the Acharites who had journeyed to his cause had been
here almost seven months now. Originally they'd camped in tents about the
Lake, but over the past months they had organised gangs to reopen an old
quarry half a league into the northern Urqhart Hills, and now well-constructed
stone buildings were beginning to appear — with a singular lack of imagination,
the inhabitants had named the town Lakesview. Axis, when he realised that the
Acharites were building in stone, had insisted upon proper planning, and from his
vantage point Axis could see the well-laid-out blocks of buildings, with large
gardens for each house, and the straight and wide streets. They were, Axis
realised, building a new life here. Most of the refugees he had talked to in recent
weeks had shown no interest in returning to Skarabost. Why, they had queried,
when these hills are blooming about this warm lake even in the depths of winter
and we can grow enough food and raise enough stock to feed ourselves and our
children. Axis wondered if, in centuries past, Sigholt had previously had a town
about the skirts of the Lake. Many of the builders had dug up old foundations.
Perhaps they were simply rebuilding another part of Sigholt which had died when
the Lake was drained.
     Calmed by his contemplation of the growing town, Axis rested his hands on
the parapets and turned his mind to the snow eagle, far away, soaring above
Jervois Landing. What did Ho'Demi have to report this day?
     When Borneheld finally found out how far knowledge of the Icarii had spread
through Jervois Landing, he lost control of himself so badly that Gautier and
Roland thought he would strangle the soldier he'd overheard talking about the
Icarii.
     "Who told you of these foul creatures!" he roared, shaking the man so badly
his helmet fell off. "The Coroleans, Sire," the man stammered. Borneheld
eventually let him go, and the man scrambled out of reach.
     "How would the Corolean soldiers know of the cursed Forbidden?" Borneheld
growled to Gautier and Roland.
     Roland, tired, ill and dispirited, simply shrugged. He hardly cared any more.
All he wanted was to die honourably, somewhere far away from Jervois Landing.
He did not like it here. And he no longer respected Borneheld. He was not a King
who Roland wanted to lay down his life for. He often wondered if he should have
left with Magariz, back at Gorkenfort. Surely Magariz had made the right choice.
     "Ho'Demi seemed to know of these, ah, Forbidden," Gautier said. His own
ambitions kept Gautier completely loyal to Borneheld. "Sire, the Ravensbundmen
come from a land that borders with the Icescarp Alps. I would lay ten to one
they are the source of these rumours and lies which sweep Jervois Landing."
     Borneheld stared at Gautier. By Artor, the man was right! "Then I rest
responsibility for the suppression of these lies in your hands, Gautier. Flush out
the traitors within our midst who spread these lies. Then we can deal with them
appropriately. Report back to me this afternoon — with results."
     "Yes, Sire." Gautier bowed deeply, saluted, and, turning on his heel, stalked
off. Both Roland and Borneheld watched him go, but both were thinking very
different thoughts.
     Gautier had not reached his present position without a good deal of cunning.
Disguising himself in the thick cloak and scarf of a peasant, and moving from
camp fire to camp fire on the pretence of looking for a loose horse, it did not
take Gautier very long to discover a traitor or two. At the fifth camp fire he
visited, Gautier discovered three Ravensbundmen talking animatedly about the
Prophecy of the Destroyer and the StarMan to a group of wide-eyed Acharite and
Corolean soldiers.
     They were arrested, disarmed and bound before being marched back to the
town of Jervois Landing to face the King.
     The three Ravensbundmen stared silently at Borneheld. None of them
showed any emotion, nor, for that matter, any discomfort at their tight bonds.
They simply stared, hostile black eyes in blue-lined faces, each with the naked
circle in the centre of his forehead.
     "Do you speak of my bastard brother as the StarMan?" Borneheld finally
asked.
     Arhat, the oldest of the Ravensbund warriors present, nodded curtly. "We
do, King Borneheld."
     Borneheld took a deep breath. These men would die for their insolence and
their treachery. "And you spread lies about the flying filth that drives the
Skraelings down to slaughter the good people of Achar?"
     "The Icarii have turned the tide of the Skraelings," Arhat replied. "Jervois
Landing would have fallen and the Skraelings flooded through Achar now but for
the Icarii Strike Force."
     "They are filth!" Borneheld shouted, stamping about the room. "How dare
you refer to the cursed lizards as though they deserved honour!"
     "They do deserve honour, Borneheld," said Funado, the youngest
Ravensbund warrior present, "for they have saved your kingdom. Once more the
Icarii fly to aid the Acharites. Whether they deserve it or not."
     All three knew they were dead. But they would die serving the Prophecy,
and with that knowledge all the pride of their ancient race shone from their
faces.
     It was that as much as Funado's words which pushed Borneheld over the
edge of anger into outright fury.
     "Gautier!" he screamed. "Erect three crosses on the edge of town and
crucify them! Then fetch me their traitorous leader. We shall see where his
loyalty to the Forbidden gets him now!"
     "It will be my pleasure," Gautier said, "to make an example of these three."
     Ho'Demi sat his horse before the three crosses, his face masked as if with
stone.
     He had been summoned from the forward lines where he was supervising
the defence against a particularly nasty Skrae-ling attack. He had cursed as the
soldier gave him Borne-held's message, "Meet me on the western edge of Jervois
Landing. Now." Did the King think Ho'Demi was simply enjoying a late afternoon
stroll out here among the canals?
     But he had gone, and now he saw the fruits of Borne-held's suspicion. Three
of his men hung dead from crosses, and it was evident that they had not died
easily or fast.
     "They spread treacheries," Borneheld seethed atop his horse at Ho'Demi's
side. "Lies! About the Forbidden! I will not have it."
     "No," Ho'Demi whispered, not shifting his eyes from the sight in front of him.
     "Their infections spread about Jervois Landing. Soon all will believe the lie
that the Forbidden fly to our aid instead of flying to seek our destruction."
     "No," Ho'Demi said again, but Borneheld did not hear him. At the foot of the
crosses Gautier strolled, a pike in his hands, prodding the naked bodies to see if
any spark of life remained within them. Frustrated, Gautier used the iron tip of
the pike to slice open the last warrior's gut. "No," Ho'Demi said yet again, very,
very softly. "Dead," Gautier announced, "and not before time." He tossed the
pike to one side and remounted his horse.
     By the great Icebear herself, Ho'Demi swore silendy, I will have your life for
this treachery against the Prophecy and against the lives of three true men.
     "I suspect treachery in this, Ho'Demi!" Borneheld suddenly hissed by his
side. "I suspect you of treason, Ho'Demi."
     Ho'Demi dragged his stare away from the three dead and looked at
Borneheld. "I have committed no treachery, Borneheld."
     Borneheld's lips thinned and the heavy features of his face reddened. "You
promised me, Ravensbund savage, that you would be true. You swore that you
would not prove traitorous!"
      "And I have remained true, Borneheld. I have not proved a traitor to my
oath." And my oath and my loyalty was always to the Prophecy, Borneheld, and
only to you so long as you acted to serve the Prophecy. With this action, you
have shown yourself the traitor.
      Borneheld could not believe what he was hearing. Would this barbarian
continue to lie? "Order your men back from the lines of defence, Ho'Demi. Order
them back to your camp. I no longer need your 'help' in defending Achar!"
      And that at least is true, thought Ho'Demi cynically, now that the Icarii have
stemmed the flood of the wraiths for you.
      You can hold this line with your own men and your mercenaries. You no
longer need us.
      But he inclined his head politely. "As you wish, Borne-held. The
Ravensbundmen will return to our camp."
      He glanced once more at the bodies hanging from their crosses, then turned
his horse and nudged it into a canter.
      Roland, sitting his horse behind Borneheld and Gautier, swung after
Ho'Demi. "I will make sure he does it, Sire," he called as he spurred his horse
after the Ravensbund chief.
      Gautier looked at Borneheld anxiously. "Sire, what can we do about the
Ravensbundmen? Even though many have died fighting the Skraelings, they are
still too many for us to either guard or otherwise dispose of."
      "This evening, late, eight river transports of Corolean soldiers land, Gautier.
Their first duty? To surround and attack the Ravensbund camp at dawn
tomorrow. The Ravensbundmen will not move against us before then, for they
be hampered by the number of women and children in their camp. Soon we will
be rid once and for all of these savages."
      Borneheld woke before dawn the next morning, intending to lead the raid
and slaughter of the Ravensbund people himself. As he rolled out of his bed and
struggled into his armour in the dark, cursing when he caught his thick fingers in
the buckles, Borneheld suddenly realised that there was something strange
about the morning. Something missing.
      He paused, half dressed, and angrily shushed the young girl in his bed as
she muttered sleepily. He stood for a long moment, then, suddenly, horrifyingly,
realised what waswrong.
      The morning was completely silent. There were no bells, no chimes.
      When he reached the Ravensbund camp site a half-hour later it was to
discover that the newly arrived Corolean mercenaries had the site completely
ringed. Completely, uselessly ringed, for the site was utterly bare. Everything had
gone. The tents and their chimes. The horses and their chimes. Every last one of
the Ravensbund people and their Artor-forsaken chimesl Even, as Borneheld
would shortly discover, the three bodies from the crosses had gone.
      "What?" he spluttered, turning to an equally wan-faced Gautier. "How?"
     Gautier simply stood and shook his head slowly, unable to speak for several
minutes. "The Coroleans ringed the camp late last night, Sire. It - and the
Ravensbund people - was there then. But this morning, when we moved
in...gone ..." He shook his head again. How could they have disappeared so
silently, so completely?
     Back in Jervois Landing Jorge, as he did every morning, checked his friend's
bed to make sure he was still alive.
     Roland had disappeared.

    The Skraeling Nest
It will work! I know it can!" Azhure s eyes were.bright with conviction. "You have
heard the Icarii flight reports!"
     Axis glanced at Belial and Magariz - FarSight was still with the final Crests in
the southern Urqhart Hills and would not be back at Sigholt for a week or more.
     Since the Ravensbundmen had disappeared from Jervois Landing Axis had
cut back on the Icarii support for Borne-held. They had done enough. The
Skraelings had been severely curtailed and most of the Ice Worms destroyed.
With his Corolean mercenaries, Borneheld still had almost eighteen thousand at
Jervois Landing to man his defences. Axis believed Gorgrael had reached his
limits for this winter campaign. It was the first week in Hungry-month, the last
month of winter. Spring would shortly be here, and with it, promises would have
to be fulfilled further south in Achar. But now Azhure had conceived of a final
strike against the Skraelings.
     "I'm not sure, Axis," Belial said, avoiding Azhure's stare. "Is it worth the
effort?"
     "Worth the effort?" Azhure cried. "What do you mean, worth the effort? You
have heard the Icarii reports, Belial. This would be our best chance yet to attack
Hsingard."
     Over the past several weeks, as Crests of Icarii had flown between Jervois
Landing and Sigholt, many of them had passed over the ruins of the former
capital of Ichtar, Hsingard. Once-proud Hsingard now lay in ruins, torn to rubble
by the wraiths and the Ice Worms. The Skraelings were using its rubble as
shelter, possibly even as their base.
     Azhure turned back to Axis. "We might even find a SkraeBold there, Axis. Or
the nest of the Gryphon pack. It is worth the effort!"
     "Azhure." Magariz, quiet until now, stepped forward. "Hsingard is a large
place. There is no way that a small force like ours could cover the entire city -
and the place is now nothing but rubble! It would be a trap! Axis, I beg of you,
remember Gorkentown."
     Axis' face froze. "But this time we would be die attacking force, and the
Skraelings would not be expecting us. We could do some damage."
     "We could ride there in a day," Azhure argued. Hsingard was only some two
leagues beyond die furthest reaches of the Lake of Life, but they would need a
day for the attack because of die need to approach carefully and circumspectly,
through die Urqhart Hills, instead of directly across die plain. "A day to attack,
men less home. We could do it."
     "There are not die numbers of Skraelings in Hsingard that diere used to be,"
Axis said slowly, thinking it dirough. "Most of die Skraelings are further south,
making a last push against Jervois Landing. The Icarii have seen very litde
activity among the ruins, even at night when the Skraelings are usually the most
active. This could be our last chance to hit die main Skraeling base in Ichtar
while both Borneheld and Skraelings are busy in Jervois Landing. I have to admit
a fancy to see what it is die Skraelings have been doing in Hsingard." "We have
the Alaunt," Azhure added. "They can both warn of impending attack and track
within the rubble. Icarii scouts can keep watch overhead."
     "Axis," Belial pleaded, "you cannot think of doing this! Leave well enough
alone."
     Axis looked up from the map in front of him. "I have sat on the rooftop of
this Keep for the past month, Belial, and watched through the eyes of the eagle
as the Icarii Strike Force saved Jervois Landing. I have done nothing but sit. /
want to see some action, and this could be a good preparation for the mounted
soldiers and archers before the summer campaign against Borneheld."
     "They are already hardened," Belial snapped. "They do not have to be sent
on some foolish mission to Hsingard to harden them further."
     Azhure's mouth dropped open. Foolish? An opportunity to attack what could
be the Skraeling main base while it was almost empty?
     "Azhure," Axis said. "What force would you take?"
     She didn't even have to think about it. "All six of my squads of archers, and
two hundred mounted men —just over four hundred on the ground altogether.
One Crest of Icarii -I don't need that many for scouting purposes, but they need
the safety of the numbers in case we rouse the Gryphon. And I take the Alaunt.
They can scout out the hiding places of the Skraelings among the rubble, and
with four hundred men we can do some damage. We would strike during the
day, when the Skraelings are the least active."
     "Good," Axis said, before Belial objected again. "Azhure, you have
command."
     "What\" Belial and Magariz exploded together.
     A muscle in Axis' jaw jumped, the only sign that he was angry, and he
looked past Belial at Azhure. "Of course, Azhure, if you don't feel that you are
capable of it, I will assume command myself."
     "I can do it," she said, meeting Axis' eyes steadily. She had not even allowed
herself to think that Axis might give her command, but she knew she could lead
this mission.
     Belial spun about. "You don't know what you are doing, Azhure."
     "I can do it, Belial," she said softly. "Do not worry for me or for the men I
lead."
     Axis watched Belial and Azhure carefully. He thought he understood why
Belial had lost his temper. Axis suspected that Belial felt more for Azhure than
simple comradeship, and that made him wonder what had happened in Sigholt in
those months before he had arrived.
     "Belial," Axis forced a light tone into his voice. "Do not concern yourself too
much. I intend to ride along as support. Azhure should enjoy giving me orders
for a change. You have overall command here in Sigholt. Magariz can back you
up." "You are mad, Axis," Belial said tonelessly, "to risk yourself and your
command for what is nothing more than a foolhardy adventure."
     "Belial, I want to see what the Skraelings have been doing among the rubble
of Hsingard. And I want the opportunity to skewer a few more of the wraiths."
     Axis had sent the eagle over Hsingard on several occasions over the past
weeks, and something strange was going on in the rubble. Axis glanced at
Azhure. This mission would be a good test of her abilities.
     "You leave Caelum behind, Azhure. This is no gentle patrol through the
Urqhart Hills. He has Imibe to care for him." Imibe was one of the younger
Ravensbundwomen. She had a baby herself and plenty of milk, and already
helped Rivkah with the task of caring for Caelum when Azhure and Axis were
both busy.
     Although the sun had just risen, the clouds were so thick overhead that the
light was grey and insubstantial. "Well?" Azhure demanded, her voice low. Her
hair was pulled back from her face and braided tightly about the crown of her
head. She wore the usual outfit of the SunSoar command, grey wool tunic with
the blood-red sun, buttoned to her neck against the cold, and white breeches.
The Wolven was slung over her shoulder and two quivers of arrows hung down
her back. Axis suspected she also had several knives secreted about her body.
     Axis blinked and his eyes refocused. "There is no activity, Azhure ,** he
replied. "The eagle sees nothing."
     Azhure had kept the Icarii back from Hsingard, not wanting to give the
Skraelings any hint of impending action.
     "They must be buried in the rubble, gone to their nests," Azhure said. About
her the Alaunt lay silent and watchful.
     Axis watched her, waiting to see what she would do next. The force was
hunched among the tumbled and deserted masonry of a once large and proud
Retreat of the Seneschal near the outer ruins of Hsingard.
     "They would surely be well within the ruins of the city," Azhure thought
aloud. "Where they felt safe." She squinted, checking the piles of masonry that
marked the fallen walls of Hsingard. "Axis use your Enchanter eyes or those of
your eagle. Is that the roadway the map showed us to the north? Is it blocked
with rubble, or will we be able to move down it?"
     Few among the SunSoar command had ever been to Hsingard, and Azhure
had been forced to rely on maps to learn the layout of the city and the position
of its main buildings and squares. According to the map, this road should be one
of the main avenues leading to the heart of die city.
     Axis looked where she pointed, dien communed with the eagle. "The toad is
strewn with rubble, especially as it nears the centre of Hsingard, but it will still be
passable on foot."
      Azhure nodded. "Good." She bent down and patted Sicarius, speaking to him
quiedy. The great beast rose, four of his companions with him, and padded out
of the ruins of the Retreat towards Hsingard.
      Axis raised his eyebrows at Azhure.
      "They go tq sniff out the first few blocks and the roadway," she said. "If they
are clear, then I move the force across this open space."
      After about ten minutes Axis spotted Sicarius trotting a short distance back
out of the ruins. He sat down some five or six paces from the entrance to the
roadway. Axis touched Azhure's shoulder and indicated the hound. "Good," she
whispered. "It is clear. Come." She moved the force across to the outer ruins of
Hsingard in groups of one hundred, waiting until each had reached the ruins
safely and disappeared before sending the next group out.
      Azhure led diem quiedy and as carefully as she could along the street. Most
of the buildings were completely destroyed, occasional walls standing desolate
and lonely against the grey sky, like the sad ruin of an old man's mouth. Great
blocks of masonry lay tumbled and piled higgledy-piggledy, some strewn across
the roadway, where Azhure s command had to climb over or around diem.
      Hsingard appeared completely deserted and for the first half an hour of their
silent penetration of the city they saw no-one. But Azhure took no chances. She
kept all the members of the force to the side of the roadway, as much as she
could among the shadows of the ruins. At regular intervals she signalled small
groups of archers and swordsmen to wait crouched among die ruins, ready to
guard their retreat. The hounds ranged before and beside them, silent, heads to
the ground or deep among the tumbled piles, of masonry, serving - together
with the eagle that still soared overhead -as an advance warning of attack.
      Axis knew Azhure was on edge, worried that they had not yet found any
Skraelings, concerned about where diey could be. But her anxiety was not
making her impatient, or, conversely, too confident. Axis was impressed. She
was doing well. He followed some ten or fifteen paces behind her, his sword
drawn, his entire body ready to fight.
      Suddenly the nearest Alaunt gave a gruff bark and Skraelings swarmed out
of ground-level cracks. Almost before they could draw breath, Azhure and her
command were engaged with the wraiths.
      Because the Skraelings had wriggled out of cracks virtually underneath the
feet of Azhure's force, the archers among them had no chance to loose a volley
of arrows before both swordsmen and Skraelings were so intermixed that the
archers risked killing their comrades as much as the Skraelings. But Azhure
shouted to the archers to watch the ground, watch the cracks, and after the
initial surprise, the archers were able to prevent larger numbers of the Skraelings
from emerging from their underground holes.
      The archers' rapid response gave the swordsmen the chance to deal with the
initial rush of Skraelings without having to worry about being overwhelmed.
Perhaps some fifty or sixty managed to escape to attack the men, and that was
not enough to cause them serious concern. With the help of the hounds, it took
only a few short, sharp minutes of fighting before the Skraelings lay dead about
the roadway. None of the swordsmen had been killed, although two were
injured, and Azhure sent mem back to wait at the edge of the ruins with the men
she had stationed there.
     "DifTerent," Azhure remarked, bending to inspect one of the bodies of the
Skraelings. The Skraelings had almost completely abandoned their wraith-like
forms once they came through the cracks. They were fully fleshed, well muscled,
and standing as a man. Their naked grey bodies were covered with tough
leathery skin which had hardened over shoulders, joints and back into a bony
armour, virtually impervious to a sword dirust. Their heads were encased in the
same substance - their silvery eyes, once so huge and vulnerable, were now
simply narrow slits behind bony protuberances.
     As they watched, the Skraeling's body disintegrated into grey sludge.
     "They're changing," Axis said. "Gorgrael is building himself a more solid
force."
     Azhure stood up. "We outnumbered these seven to one. But what if, next
winter, we have to meet an army of hundreds of thousand of bone-armoured
Skraelings, almost completely impervious to sword or even arrow?" Axis shook
his head. The thought horrified him. "Then perhaps we ought to find out where
these came from," Azhure said. "Let's call the Icarii in. There is no point holding
them back now. The Skraelings know we are here. Theod," she called to one of
the unit leaders among the swordsmen, "tell the men to keep their eyes sharp as
we move along, the road. If there is an entrance to below ground, then I want to
know about it."
     Theod nodded and turned to the men. They were attacked three more times
as they moved along the road to the city centre, but now the men knew what to
look for most kept their eyes to the ground-level cracks in the tumbled masonry
and the Skraelings were unable to surprise them as they had at first. But each
time they emerged, Azhure and her force had a sharp battle on their hands.
Before leaving the Urqhart Hills Azhure had ordered that each man construct
himself a brand from the low gorse bushes, and now she directed that two of the
squads of archers sling their bows over their shoulders and light their brands.
     When the Skraelings attacked again, Azhure led the two squads of archers,
wielding their flaming brands now rather than bows, into battle alongside the
swordsmen. Behind her the four remaining squads of archers kept their arrows
trained on the ground-level cracks where the Skraelings emerged, making sure
that as few of them escaped from their underground holes as possible.
     Azhure found herself fighting alongside Axis. She laughed exultantly as she
rammed the brand she carried into the face of a Skraeling as Axis seized another
and thrust his sword deep into one of its eye cavities. He pulled his sword free
and stuck Azhure's Skraeling as it lay writhing on the ground.
     "A service," he cried, grinning at her exultation, then abruptly leaned
forward, unmindful of the battle going on, and kissed her fiercely. The next
instant they were fighting back to back as more Skraelings lunged at them with
their teeth and claws, leaning against each other, still laughing, more aware of
each other than of the creatures they fought. Both felt invulnerable and
immortal. Nothing could harm them while they stood back to back, leaning each
against the other. Once the Skraeling attack had finally diminished, Axis turned
and seized Azhure. "I love you," he whispered. "Never doubt that." Then he was
gone to help the swordsmen kill the final few Skraelings left standing.
      Azhure gazed after him, unable to believe what she had just heard, then she
lowered her eyes to stare at the flaming brand she carried. What did it mean,
that he loved her? What did he mean? Love her or not, Axis would still go to
Faraday. She was his future, not Azhure.
      The insistent barking of one of the Alaunt broke Azhure s reverie and she
looked over to where a hound was scrabbling at a shadowed pile of masonry a
little further down the road. "Cover me," she said to her archers, and walked
down the road to the Alaunt. She squatted beside him, her hand on the hound's
back, and peered into the jumble of stone blocks. There was a solid blackness
behind the fissure that the hound had his nose jammed into, and Azhure pulled
his head back and thrust her brand into the crack. A flight of steps, still looking
remarkably intact, led below.
      Excited, Azhure waved over several men and set them to clearing the
entrance to the steps.
      She felt Axis at her back, and she glanced at him. "What do you think?"
      "Dangerous, but your decision."
      "Then we go down. Carefully." She looked at the men behind her. "I will
take one squad of archers and thirty swordsmen only. And the pack of Alaunt -
they will be more useful than a hundred men if it comes to a fight within this
dark corridor. The rest of you stay here. If we are not back by," she glanced at
the sky, "mid-afternoon, then leave without us. But until then, watch this
entrance. Do not let any Skraelings creep down after us. I want only to worry
about what lies before us, not what creeps at our backs."
      "And me?" Axis asked.
      "I am in command here, and I cannot risk you down this hole. You have a
greater chance of survival out here in the open than you would cramped below.
You stay."
      "No," Axis said. "On this I override your orders. I come down with you. I
need to see what is down there - and my powers will be more useful to you
below ground than above."
      "As you decide," she said shortly. "But make yourself useful. Light the way."
      Axis stepped down onto the first of the stairs. He held out his hand, and a
soft ball of light began to glow in its palm. As it grew stronger, he let it slide
from his hand and roll down the stairs. It stopped about a third of the way down
a straight and wide corridor, well built from solid stone. There was nothing to be
seen.
      "Good," Azhure said, and pushed past Axis. She motioned to Sicarius.
"Sicarius. Scout."
     The hound leapt down the stairs and trotted cautiously, nose to floor, down
the corridor. He disappeared from sight into the blackness. Azhure waved her
men forward.
     They walked slowly down the corridor, Azhure in the lead, Axis directly
behind her shoulder. All had weapons drawn or carried burning brands ready in
their hands. As they walked forward, so the ball of light rolled forward slowly,
always keeping the same distance in front of them.
     After perhaps fifty paces the corridor bent to their left and as Azhure peered
cautiously about she saw another flight of steps leading down. She could dimly
see Sicarius sitting at the bottom of them, tense and alert.
     "Come," she said again, and trotted down the stairs to the hound. She bent
to touch Sicarius' head for an instant, then straightened and looked before her.
     The steps had led them into a large, low-vaulted chamber, the stone pillars
that supported the ceiling casting long shadows across the floor of the chamber.
There were some broken and empty wooden boxes and kegs to one side, but
otherwise the chamber was empty. In the far wall a heavy, arched wooden door
stood ajar a fingerspace.
     "What do you think?" Azhure asked as Axis joined her.
     "We're reasonably close to the heart of Hsingard. I would think that we are
in the underground chambers of one of the main civic buildings."
     "It's cold," Azhure observed, and pulled the collar of her tunic a little higher
about her throat.
     Indeed it was cold, much colder than the air above, and that had been icy
enough. Their breath frosted about them, and Azhure could see that thin tendrils
of ice ran around the stone pillars. She glanced at the far door, then bent down
and murmured quietly to the hound. Her fingers ran through the thick, creamy
hairs of Sicarius' head, and the hound's golden eyes gazed steadily into hers, his
mouth open, panting a little.
     Azhure rose. "He has not been through that door," she said quiedy. "He
wanted to wait for us. He does not like it."
     Axis stared at her, and then at the Alaunt. He hesitated, then extended his
hand and motioned with his fingers. The ball of light floated placidly back to
nesde in the palm of his hand. "Azhure. Be careful."
     Azhure hefted the burning brand in her hand and motioned the others to
follow her. She walked unhesitatingly over to the door, waving her men to either
side, then, seizing the door, hauled it open.
     Nothing issued forth from the door save a gust of air far colder than that of
the vaulted chamber.
     Azhure met Axis' eyes, then she looked at the ball of light he held in his
hand and motioned into the blackness beyond the door with her head. He
stepped forward and threw the ball through the door, humming a phrase of
music. As the ball of light lobbed into the chamber it flared into brilliance, and a
dismayed whispering and muttering arose from within. Axis paled and took an
involuntary step backwards at what he saw. Azhure took one look, turned away
in horror, then forced herself to look again.
     There was a vast chamber beyond the door, perhaps once the grain store of
the city. But now it had been converted by the Skraelings into a hatchery. Azhure
felt Axis slide his arm about her waist and pull her back from the door.
     Across the floor of the chamber before them undulated a seething mass of
Skraeling young among the broken shells of thousands upon thousands of eggs.
They were almost white, with slimy, transparent bodies that had not yet
hardened into the flesh which their parents had attained. Their silver eyes were
huge, and their mouths, already complete with sharp and hungry fangs, yawned
wide as they mewed and cried. They did not like the light.
     "Stars," Axis whispered, "they've probably got these hatcheries in every
cavern underneath this rubble."
     "They are next winter's troubles," Azhure said. "At least, they were." She
tossed her burning brand into the chamber and where it fell among the writhing
Skraeling young it burst into flame, and the mews and whispers rose to a
clamour.
     "Quick," she said urgently, "before their parents come back. Toss in your
brands, and then let's get out of here."
     The broken husks of the shells caught fire first, then the extremities of the
nearest hatchlings. Those that caught fire scampered screaming about the
chamber, climbing over their fellows, and setting fire to further shells and
hatchlings. As the flames spread, Azhure slammed the door shut and Axis
grabbed her hand.
     "Let's go," he said, pulling Azhure after him. "Fast!"
     Where they had crept slowly down the stairs and the corridor, now they fled
at a run. No-one wanted to be trapped underground when the cries of the
hatchlings caught their parents' ears.
     They reached the surface safely, but by that time the screams of the now
rapidly burning hatchlings had roused what seemed like every Skraeling in
Hsingard. They seethed out of cracks and fissures from both sides of the
roadway, and Azhure and her command had to fight their way free of the city in
a bloody battle that left many of them wounded to some degree; Azhure herself
gained a nasty cut over her left ribs. That they escaped at all — and with few
fatalities - was due to the Crest of the Icarii Strike Force above them, for now
that the Skraelings had emerged from their rubble they were vulnerable to
arrows from above.
     When they reached their horses, Axis pushed her onto Venator. "Can you
ride?" he asked anxiously, his eyes-drifting to her blood-stained tunic.
     "Yes," she gasped. "I'm fine. Get to Belaguez."
     About her men scrambled atop their horses, protected from the Skraelings
by the arrows of the Strike Force, and Azhure kept Vena tor on a tight rein until
all were mounted.
     "Ride!" she screamed, turningVenator's head and urging him forwards with
her heels, "Ride!"
     As they galloped for the Urqhart Hills, leaving the Skraelings well behind
them, Azhure began to laugh.
     They halted as soon as they were deep within the Urqhart Hills and
protected by the arrival of the Icarii above.
     Axis leapt from Belaguez and hauled Azhure from her horse.
     "I'm all right," she gasped, still smiling with the excitement of the battle and
the mad ride from Hsingard to the hills, but Axis tore her tunic open and pulled
her shirt out of the waistband of her breeches. It was soaked with blood, and
Axis' heart clenched as he felt how warm and wet the shirt was.
     A Skraeling claw had scraped a deep gash along one of Azhure's lower ribs.
It had bled profusely, but the bone of the rib had stopped any major damage.
     "It needs to be stitched," Axis muttered, accepting the bandage that one of
the archers thrust forward. He bound her ribs tightly, then pulled her shirt down.
     "It's nothing," Azhure said softly. "Others are hurt far worse. Let me go. I
should see to them. They are my responsibility."
     She stood up, pulling her tunic on, and went to see to her command,
bending to talk briefly with those wounded, proud that she too had blood
staining her tunic. At her heels trotted Sicarius, scratched and bleeding from a
dozen small wounds like most of his pack.
     Behind Azhure Axis stood straight and tall, watching her, his eyes veiled.
     The next morning at dawn they rode into Sigholt. Warned by the Icarii, who
had arrived the previous evening, comrades and servants stood ready to tend
the wounded and feed the rest.
     "The Icarii told us what happened," Belial said, stepping forward, his eyes
riveted to Azhure's blood-stained tunic. "Are you all right?"
     Azhure smiled. "A mere scratch, Belial. Isn't that what all good warriors say
when they ride home to fretting families?"
     Axis stepped up and slipped his arm around her waist. Now they were home
he could act more like the concerned lover than her second-in-command. "She is
not wounded badly, Belial." He glanced about the courtyard of the Keep.
"Ravensbundmen?"
     "Yes. They arrived yesterday morning. Most are quartered in camps about
the Lake, but I have put the senior command in Sigholt itself."
     "Stars knows where," Azhure muttered, looking anxiously about her and
then relaxing into a smile as she saw Rivkah hurrying across the courtyard with
Caelum in her arms. As she took Caelum from Rivkah's arms, a tall, black-haired
man stepped forth from the shadows.
     "Ho'Demi," Axis said, staring at the man's tattooed face. When he had seen
Ho'Demi at Gundealga Ford and, through the eagle's eyes, at Jervois Landing,
the man had a naked circle in the centre of his head.
     Now from the centre of his forehead, as from the centre of the foreheads of
each and every Ravensbund man, woman and child in Sigholt, blazed forth the
bloodied sun.
"It is Time to ReforgeTencendor"

    The      young Ravensbundwoman slipped the final pin into Azhure's hair
and then stood back, holding a mirror so Azhure could see her hairstyle from
all"Thank you, Imibe, you have dressed my hair beautifully." Over the past
several weeks Imibe's duties had grown from minding and nursing Caelum to
acting almost as a full-time maid to Azhure. And though Azhure found it strange
to have the attentions of a maid, she was so busy she had little choice. From
three thousand men, three Sentinels, two women and one retired cook, now
Sigholt and Lakesview reverberated with the noisy activities and enthusiasms of
almost thirty thousand people. Not only were there Acharite, Ravensbund and
Icarii soldiers, but also townspeople, traders, servants, cooks, stablehands,
secretaries, messengers, hangers-on and myriad other people. A week ago a
historian had even arrived, declaring he'd come to take notes and keep records
of Axis SunSoar s journey through Prophecy.
     Even more than the attentions of a maid, Azhure found the deference shown
to her by the people of Sigholt and Lakesview unnerving. Now, if she walked
down the streets of Lakesview, with or without Caelum in her arms, the people
made way for her with smiles, bows and bobbing curtsies. Azhure had to
consciously force herself not to curtsey back.
     "Come," Axis said, walking into the room. "Stand up and show me your
finery."
     Azhure took his outstretched hand, and let him guide her across the room to
where a full-length mirror stood against the wall. Azhure stopped before the
mirror, and Axis stood behind her, his hands resting lightly on her shoulders. Axis
wore his golden tunic over blood-red breeches that matched the blazing sun on
his chest. In total contrast, Azhure was dressed in a simple black gown, cut in
stark lines that both emphasised her tall, lithe figure and directed attention to
the fine bone structure of her face and her unusual smoky eyes. Her hair, as
black as the gown, was piled on top of her head in a complex knot.
     Axis smiled at Azhure's reflection and reached into a pocket. "Dru-Beorh
always gives me gifts, Azhure, that I find myself passing on to you."
     He clipped a pair of heavy, twisted dark-gold drop earrings onto Azhure's
ears. They were beautiful, and they created a perfect frame for her lovely face.
     "We make an elegant pair, don't we," Axis said, and kissed the top of her
head. Suddenly he realised, that Azhure's eyes were swimming with tears.
"What's wrong?" he said. "Whyso melancholy?"
     "Because do not belong here with you," she whispered. "Soon you will lead
your command south, and then to Carlon. There your Queen awaits."
      Axis' entire body stiffened. He and Azhure avoided mentioning Faraday -
nevertheless she lay between themconstantly.
      "I know you have been talking about her to Duke Roland and Ho'Demi,"
Azhure continued, determined to speak her mind. "This," she waved at their
reflections, "is simply make believe. What we have together is as insubstantial as
a reflection across water and will shatter as easily as this mirror."
      Axis' hands tightened on Azhure's shoulders, and she knew she had angered
him. "I meant what I said in Hsingard, Azhure," he said. "I love you. You are not
simply some makeshift bedwarmer to keep me amused until I reach Faraday. Do
you love me? Or is this some roundabout way of saying you want to leave?"
      "You know I love you." Azhure fought to keep her voice steady. "But I will
have to walk away when we reach Carlon. The guilt I feel about Faraday gnaws
at me each day. Surely your conscience troubles you?"
      "Does my conscience trouble me?" he repeated. "Yes, I suppose that it does.
Do I think about Faraday? Yes, I do. And, in a way, I still love her, but every day
my love for you undermines what I feel for Faraday. All three of us are in the
unforgiving grips of this damned Prophecy, Azhure. Manipulated beyond our own
free will. But you and cannot deny the magic of Beltide night... or the continuing
magic that each night brings. Neither can we deny the child we have made
between us." His voice hardened. "But I will not let you go, nor lose you nor
forget you." Axis slipped his hands down to wrap her. waist and cradle her back
against his body.
      Azhure took a deep breath. "But you will marry Faraday."
      "I have to, Azhure. As the Prophecy bound -Faraday to marry Borneheld, so
it binds me to marry Faraday. Does not the Prophecy state that she will lie with
the man who kills her husband? Besides, I need her goodwill to bring the trees
behind me/'
      "Then I must go —"
      "No," Axis said sharply, and his arms tightened. "I will not let you go,
Azhure. Faraday is a sophisticated woman of the court. No doubt Borneheld has
kept lovers —"
      "No!" Azhure cried, and tried to twist out of Axis' arms, but his grip tightened
still further.
      "Stay with me. Dance with me. Be my Lover. Faraday willaccept you."
      Azhure closed her eyes. Mistress, courtesan, concubine. There was no
delicate way of dressing up the word. But poor Faraday. Azhure knew she would
not accept what Axis proposed without deep hurt.
      "Can you walk away from me, Azhure?" Axis asked. "Canyou?"
      "No," Azhure said, her eyes still closed, feeling nothing but Axis' warmth
against her body. "No, I cannot."
      "And as you cannot walk from me, so I cannot walk away from you," Axis
said. "I thought that I might be able to. I thought perhaps I could insist that you
and Caelum stay here when I rode south. But I cannot bear to be parted from
either of you. You have woven my soul so tightly with enchantments, Azhure,
that I will never be free from you. Stay by my side. Please...I beg you."
      A terrifying image filled Azhure s mind. Axis and Caelum, three hundred
years from now, both still young and vital. They were sitting on the rock ledge in
Talon Spike, and they were both, unsuccessfully, trying to remember her name.
They laughed and joked, and eventually gave up. Mistress and mother, long
dead and long gone from their thoughts. "Please," he whispered into her hair.
"Yes," and she hated herself for the word. "Then come," Axis said, his hands
loosening about her body. "Open your eyes, collect our son, and come below.
      Sigholt awaits."
      Azhure picked Caelum up from his crib, and cradled his head close to her
mouth. She whispered something, so low that Axis, curious, could not catch it.
      "If you do one thing for me in your long, long life, Caelum, do not forget
your mother's name as I have forgotten the name of my mother. My name is
Azhure, Caelum. Azhure. Azhure."
      This, the twenty-third day of Hungry-month, was Rivkah's nameday, and
Axis had planned a reception for her in the Great Hall of Sigholt. But the
reception was far more than a simple celebration of Rivkah's birth. Over the past
weeks, fighting with Gorgrael's forces had come to a halt, and almost all of Axis'
command was now back in Sigholt. The reception was also Axis' way of thanking
his forces. Tonight all of the unit commanders, as the more senior commanders,
were gathered in the Great Hall, together with the most important townspeople,
the Ravensbund commanders, the Sentinels, most of the Icarii Enchanters
currently in Sigholt and sundry guests.
      The reception was the first gathering of what would eventually become Axis'
royal court. It was time for Axis to assume the mantle of claimant to the throne
of Achar, and heir to the Icarii Talon throne. Powerful and glorious, Axis now
needed a court to reflect his power and glory. Present tonight were several
traders from Tarantaise and Nor, and Axis wanted them to spread the word
south that Axis, StarMan, was a fit claimant to the throne of Achar. If Borneheld
did not provide Achar with the Sun-King who so many craved, then Axis would.
      Several of the Icarii Enchanters willingly provided the music for the occasion,
lolling about the rafters of the Great Hall and letting the music of their harps and
voices fall upon the gathering below. Among the guests, all dressed in their
finest, hurried servants, refilling goblets and wine glasses or carrying platters of
food. Reinald had exceeded himself in the kitchens, overseeing the scrambling
activities below stairs. Now he was content to watch the reception from the
gallery, seated in a comfortably cushioned chair, a large decanter of his favourite
spiced wine on a small table to one side. Never, he mused, in either Searlas' or
Borneheld's tenures as Duke of Ichtar, had Sigholt come alive with so much
merriment and beauty.
      The Hall fell silent the instant Axis and Azhure stepped into view on the main
staircase. They were a magnificent pair, both handsome, young and confident,
the man golden and scarlet, drawing every glimmer of light in the Hall towards
him, the woman tall and dark, moving so gracefully down the flight of stairs she
seemed to glide rather than walk. Azhure held Caelum in her arms, and he gazed
at the gathering below with the serene blue eyes his mother had bequeathed
him. Though his hair was starting to grow out into an unruly tangle of black
curls, Reinald's rheumy eyes could see that the boy had inherited the Icarii bone
structurefrom his father.
     Axis moved to the great fireplace, letting the leaping firelight further
enhance his already golden aura, letting all who wished to talk with him come to
him. Rivkah stood by him, smiling and laughing. Azhure, however, baby tucked
in one arm and a glass of wine in the other, moved among the guests. She was
calm and relaxed now, none of the emotion and doubt she had felt earlier
showing on her face. As they had walked down into the Great Hall, she'd realised
that all the eyes raised to her and Axis contained respect, a great deal of
admiration, a trace of envy, and even a little love. She had searched anxiously
for traces of derision, but found none. These people accepted her. Axis had
smiled at her from the corner of his eyes as his voice spoke in her head. You
could command them as easily as I, Azhure, and as easily as you do me. Never
underestimate either your power or your abilities.
     She had felt both his love and that of her son wash through her at that
moment, and then, stunningly, Caelum spoke in her mind as well, something he
had never done before. Azhure. That is your name. I know that. Both father and
son lent her strength, and Azhure suddenly realised that whatever troubles the
future held she would somehow survive. So she smiled, laughed, and stepped
down into the throng.
     "Roland." Azhure paused to talk with the sick Duke of Aldeni.
     When he had arrived with the Ravensbundmen, Roland had been close to
death. Already weakened by his wasting sickness, the hard ride north to Sigholt
from Jervois Landing had debilitated him to the point where he'd spent some
four days in bed, unable to move. When Roland had recovered a little, Axis had
asked him why he had decided to desert Borneheld now, after fighting with him
so long. Roland had replied simply that he was dying, and wanted to die with his
heart and his conscience at peace. "I stayed with what I thought was right for a
very long time," Roland had said, "but when Borneheld ordered Gautier to crucify
the three Ravensbundmen, I knew that I had been wrong. I want to die
honourably, Axis. Let me stay. Please." And Axis had let him stay.
     Reinald had persuaded Roland to make the effort to stumble down to the
Lake of Life. "The Lake has helped my arthritis," Reinald told him, and the Lake
had also helped Roland, shrinking the growth in his belly and invigorating him
with new life.
     But Axis had told Azhure that death still lingered in the corners of Rolands
vision, and while it might not catch the man this month, or even this year, he
doubted that Roland would live longer than two more years.
     Roland stared curiously at Azhure as they chatted. She looked Nors, but
there was an indefinable quality about her that Roland could not place. No
wonder Axis has set thoughts of Faraday aside, Roland thought, smiling at
Azhure's witty remarks about the Icarii musicians, when he has this to tempt him
here. And she has given him a son. The baby was unusually alert, even
perceptive, for such a young babe, watching all about him with his wide blue
eyes. Roland wondered if it was his fairy blood that made him so sharp-witted.
His eyes flitted down to the hound at Azhure s side. Nevelon had told him of this
woman and her skill with the bow and her pack of killer ghost hounds. Perhaps
the baby had inherited as much fairy blood from his mother as from his father.
     "Poor Nevelon," Azhure said, abrupdy changing the topic of her
conversation. "I heard he was seized by a Gryphon."
     Startled, Roland could only nod. She must have fairy blood, he thought, to
read my mind thus.
     "We lost some of our own close friends to the Gryphon pack," Azhure
continued. "They are truly frightful creatures. I am sorry that I wounded
Nevelon, Duke Roland. Magariz told me that he was a good man."
     "He was confused by the changes about him, my Lady Azhure. As so many
of us have been."
     Azhure accepted the title without comment and sipped her wine. The light
and the music and the conversation hummed about her and her son clung close
to her side.
     "It takes courage to accept what strange turns life provides," she said
eventually, realising this piece of advice applied as much to her as it did to
Roland. Have courage, and accept. Yes, that was good advice. She would simply
accept the direction in which life had thrown her. Mistress? Courtesan? Perhaps.
Loved? Yes, and yes twice over.
     "Do you know," Roland said casually, "that about three years ago I advised
Axis never to marry, or let himself love too much? I told him a dedicated fighting
man could never devote enough time to both a sword and a woman. Of the two,
I advised, the sword would give him the more loyal service."
     Azhure's eyes widened and Roland smiled. "I was wrong, Azhure, and I am
glad Axis has ignored my foolish advice. He could never have achieved this," he
waved his hand about the Great Hall of Sigholt, "without you by his side. What I
am trying to say is that no matter how hard we try to manipulate life, oftentimes
life manipulates us - and oftentimes for the better, even though we might not
realise or acknowledge it at the rime. Axis has been fortunate that you walked
into his life, my Lady Azhure. About Sigholt, your name is almost as legendary as
his."
     Tears sprang into Azhure s eyes. Caelum wriggled in her arms, and reached
out his hands for Roland. Laughing, the dying man lifted Caelum into his own. "If
Axis succeeds, then one day this one will be a King," he said and Caelum gurgled
contentedly.
     "Azhure, Roland." Belial stepped up and greeted them both, EvenSong by his
side. EvenSong had reverted to her natural wing colours of gold and violet for
this evening's reception and wore a silken ivory gown.
     A servant came by with a decanter of Romsdale gold, and refilled glasses
with the dry, fruity wine.
     "Axis' supply routes are better than I could have believed," Roland
remarked, bouncing Caelum expertly in one arm, "if he drinks Romsdale gold
while Borneheld and his closest commanders sip rough red."
     "This wine was laid down in the cellars of Sigholt years ago, Roland," Belial
said. "Even this crowd would find it hard to drink their way through the stocks in
under three years. Supply routes? Not as good as they were." Belial suddenly
looked decidedly worried. "Earl Burdel has been wreaking havoc in Skarabost.
Our supplies have been cut in half over the past few weeks, and look like
dropping further. Luckily, Sigholt is already well supplied by its gardens and the
game in the green hills about the Lake of Life."
     "But not enough to keep the Keep and the growing town fed indefinitely?"
Roland said.
     "No. We will have to do something about Burdel soon. It is not only the
supply routes that he decimates, but much of the population of Skarabost as
well. Roland, did Borneheld order this?"
     Roland nodded unhappily. "Yes. Yes, he did. He thought it would annoy Axis.
Cause him some problems."
     "Well, it's working," Belial said. "Axis will have to move south soon anyway,
but the sooner because of Burdel."
     South? Faraday lay south. Azhure abruptly reached forward and lifted
Caelum back into her own arms. "I see Ogden andVeremund," she said.
     Then she was gone.
     Belial raised his eyebrows at Roland and EvenSong, "What did I say?"
     By the fireplace Axis was trying desperately to keep an interested expression
on his face as a pair of traders from Tarantaise stood beaming enthusiastically in
front of him. One of them had been talking nonstop for what seemed like an
hour, trying to sell Axis a cartload of fine linen thread.
     "Rivkah!" Axis murmured in a plea for help.
     Rivkah stepped forward. "Gentlemen." Her eyes moved over both men. "We
are flattered by your offer. In other circumstances, I would have pleaded with
my son to purchase your cartload of threads, but," her face fell in a good
imitation of woe, "we are at war, and my son refuses to buy such luxuries for his
mother."
     Axis glared at her, but the traders took the hint. They bowed low at Rivkah,
exceptionally handsome tonight in a gown as black and as revealing as Azhure's,
and murmured their farewells. But just as they started to move, one of them
slipped a sealed letter into Axis' hand. "For your eyes only," he whispered, and
then disappeared into the throng.
     Axis' heart thudded as he saw the seal. It was Priam's personal seal, and
could be from only one person. Judith.
     Axis slipped a finger under the seal and flicked the parchment open. Axis,
Our relationship has hardly been cordial thus far, and for that blame myself and
Priam. As you have no doubt heard, Priam is dead, and his death was hardly
blameless. Before he died Priam was considering allying himself with you. He had
heard of the Prophecy, and it made sense to him.
      Axis' eyebrows shot up. Priam had been considering allying Achar with
himself? No wonder the man's life had been cut short.
     Axis, I consider you the rightful heir to the throne of Achar, and I will do
everything in my power to support your claim. But I am a widowed woman,
marginalised and ostracised, and far from the centre of power. Nevertheless, I
will do what I can. I have one lady-in-waiting left for my comfort - Embeth, Lady
of Tare. I rest quietly and comfortably at her house, and should you decide to
visit, I do not doubt that we shall both welcome you warmly.
     I hope that I can further your cause, and already I speak to two men whose
names I dare not commit to paper. Your name and your fame spread. Many that
you may have thought turned against you now think to join you.
     Take heart.
      With a quick flick of his wrist Axis threw the letter into the fire and watched
it blacken and burst into flames. Rivkah was looking at him anxiously, but Axis
did not dare tell her what the letter contained, or who it was from. Judith had
risked a lot sending the missive on a journey hundreds of leagues north into
Ichtar. Axis' eyes flickered through the crowd before him, but the trader had long
gone, and was probably on a horse and well into the road down HoldHard Pass
by now.
      At the bridge, a dark man limped forward, holding a tattered cloak tight
about him.
      "Are you true?" the bridge asked, distracted by the revelry in the Great Hall.
      "Yes, I am true," the figure replied.
     "Then pass, and I will see if you speak the truth," the bridge replied
perfunctorily.
      "As you wish," the dark man replied, and stepped onto the bridge.
      The Icarii Enchanters had moved from light background music into songs
and revels that invited the feet to skip and dance and the body to sway in
rhythm. Seven or eight couples danced the Hey-de-Gie, a merry dance between
two opposing lines of males and females, and the rest of the crowd had stood
back to make room for them, laughing and clapping as the dancers bent and
swayed to the music floating down from above.
      Rivkah turned at a touch on her shoulder.
      "It has been a long time, Princess," Magariz said, "but I wonder if you still
remember?"
      "My memory remains clear on the important issues, my Lord Magariz, and
the Hey-de-Gie remains, after all, one of the more important issues of life."
      Magariz laughed and held out his hand. "Then, Princess, I wonder if you
would do me the honour of accompanying my halting footsteps one more time
through the dance."
      Rivkah took his hand. "It would be my pleasure, Lord Magariz."
     Axis took a healthy mouthful of wine, and watched his mother dance with
Magariz. For a man with a pronounced limp, he managed to manoeuvre his way
through the intricate dance with particular grace. Where was Azhure? He looked
about the crowd, and finally spied her moving towards him, Caelum in her arms.
     Axis kissed her cheek as she joined him, then lifted his eyes. "Ah, here are
Belial and EvenSong." Axis smiled com-panionably at Belial, then narrowed his
eyes at his sister. EvenSong blushed, and both Axis and Azhure smiled
knowingly.
     "Axis," Belial said. "I was talking to Roland about Burdel. It reminded me
that we must move soon."
     Axis instantly sobered. Yes, it was time they moved. Gorgrael still waited,
and the GateKeeper would be counting the days off on her thin-fingered hands,
waiting for Axis to fulfil his side of their contract before the year and a day
expired. How long had he spent here at Sigholt? Axis quickly calculated. Five
months?
     "Soon," he agreed, and pushed the GateKeeper's contract into the back of
his mind. Gorgrael was the more pressing problem. "My friends, I fear greatly
the prospect of Gorgrael pushing further south while I am mired down in Arcness
or Tarantaise. He could reach Carlon before me."
     Axis stopped abruptly. Gorgrael reach Carlon before I? Reach Faraday before
I? For the very first time Axis wondered about the identity of the Lover
mentioned in the third verse of the Prophecy — Faraday or Azhure? Which one?
     "Neither is the news from Jervois Landing good, Great Lord." Ho'Demi had
joined their circle, and the four stared at him.
     "No. No, it is not," Axis conceded.
     Spies, both Icarii farflight scouts and ground spies, had reported in the past
few days that Borneheld was building his forces at Jervois Landing. With the
Skraeling attack deflected, Borneheld appeared to be concentrating his forces for
an attack on Sigholt. Not only had further reinforcements from Coroleas arrived,
but Borneheld had apparently conscripted every able-bodied man within fifty
leagues of Jervois Landing. "It would be best to move before Borneheld does,
Axis," Belial remarked quietly.
     "And before Gorgrael has bred up an army of these newly armoured and
fleshed Skraelings," Axis said.
     The dark man reached the Keep. He was cold, despite the balmy air
surrounding the Lake of Life, and he missed his shadowed habitat. Would he
ever see it again?
     The guard at the entrance to the Keep eyed the approaching cloaked figure
warily, not liking the closely drawn hood, nor the strange gait of the man. "Your
business?" he demanded, as the figure stepped closer.
     The man threw back the hood of his cloak, and the guard stiffened in
surprise and more than a little shock.
     "I have come to join Axis SunSoar and Azhure, the woman who carries the
Wolven," the man said. "I need to travel south with them."
     Though the man had managed to cross the bridge, the guard was still wary.
But, just as he was about to bar the entrance and turn the man away, he heard
a step behind him.
      "I will vouch for this man," Ogden said softly. "He is true, and he is a friend
to both Axis and Azhure."
      "And I will vouch for this man," Veremund echoed. "He is a good man, and
vital to the cause of Axis SunSoar and the Prophecy." So, it had begun.
      Axis waited until the dance was over, then motioned Rivkah to his side. She
was breathless, her cheeks red and her eyes sparkling.
      "I have not danced the Hey-de-Gie for over thirty years, Axis. I could hardly
remember the steps." She laughed at Magariz as he joined her. "And neither has
my Lord Magariz, if his fumbles were any indication."
      "A fighting man soon loses courtly skills, madam," Magariz said. "I claim my
stiff leg as adequate explanation for my lack of skill here tonight."
      Axis regarded them dryly. Their words regarding Magariz's fumbles were
artificial - he had clearly been the best dancer on the floor, and Rivkah seemed
to have no trouble remembering any of the steps.
      Axis refilled his glass, then signalled to the Icarii musicians. They stopped
instantly, and conversation in the Hall ceased with the music. All knew that Axis
had called them together tonight to speak to them. Most thought they knew
what he wanted to announce.
      Axis stepped forward. He made an imposing figure, golden and blood-red,
and as he halted at the front of the dais he turned and held out his hand for
Azhure. He wanted all to know that she stood at his side as his equal. Azhure
hesitated a moment, then stepped forward to take his hand. He smiled at her
before addressing the Hall.
      "Tonight is a special occasion," he said clearly. "We have come together to
celebrate several events. It is my mother Rivkah's nameday, and I would like to
use this occasion to welcome the Princess Rivkah back home to Achar after so
long in exile. Welcome home, Rivkah."
      Rivkah inclined her head gracefully at his words. "Princess Rivkah," the
crowd murmured politely, raising their glasses.
      "I would also like to thank you, my friends," Axis said, "for your work on my
and on Achar's behalf, this past winter. If Achar owes its current liberty from
Gorgrael's creatures of frost and ice, then a large part of the reason why rests
with the commanders in this room, particularly with the Icarii Strike Force. I
thank you."
      He paused, and ran his eyes over the crowd. They were tense, waiting.
      By the door, the dark man hesitated, suddenly shy within this company. He
squinted to the front of the Hall and saw Axis and Azhure standing side by side
on the platform. They looked like the sun and the moon standing there, Axis
golden and vibrant, Azhure dark and pale and serene by the StarMans side. The
dark man's eyes filled with tears as he watched them. Then his black eyes
widened in shock as he saw the baby which Azhure held.
      "As you can see," Axis continued, "this gathering is unusual for we have
among us Acharites, but we also have Ravensbund men and women, the
Sentinels of the Prophecy, and the Icarii. We stand in Sigholt, a Keep revitalised
and reborn into the magic of the past. Perhaps it is no longer so correct to speak
of this land as Achar, my people."
     The Hall was completely silent. Axis' eyes caught those of StarDrifter,
standing twelve or thirteen paces back from the dais. For once his eyes were on
his son, rather than Azhure.
     "We have done what we can here. It is time to move on." Axis paused and
ran his eyes around the Hall. "It is time to move south, my friends. It is time to
reforge Tencendor."
     The Hall erupted. The Icarii, always excitable, whooped and screamed with
joy. They were taking the next step on the long road home! South! South
towards those high places so long denied them and towards the lost Icarii sacred
sites! StarDrifter's face was tight with excitement. Lead us home, Axis, he prayed
silently, lead us home.
     The dark man started to shoulder his way through the crowd towards the
dais. In the general hubbub, few noticed the strange man who passed through
their midst.
     The Acharites among them, particularly the newer arrivals, looked a litde
discomfited. They were unsure of the Icarii, unsure of the new order. Most had
worked well with the Icarii at Sigholt, fought side by side with them. But what
would happen when the war was won? Would they lose their homes to the
Icarii? Would the greater number of the Icarii, still in Talon Spike, seek to
revenge themselves on the Acharites for the Wars of the Axe and their thousand-
year exile?
     "It will not be the old Tencendor but a new one," Axis shouted above the
Icarii jubilation. "A new Tencendor! One where all races will live side by side."
     Azhure caught a slight movement at the front of the crowd, and she gasped
in shock. Axis followed her startled eyes.
     The dark man stepped to the edge of the dais and stared intently, almost
feverishly, at Axis and Azhure.
     "Will you take me south? South to Faraday?" "Raum!" Azhure gasped. "Wliat
has happened to you?"
    A week later, the beginning of Thaw-month, Axis' army moved out of Sigholt
and down through the HoldHard Pass. They stayed in the Pass only a league
before swinging south through the Urqhart Hills towards Gundealga Ford. It was
a calculated risk, but Axis didn't want to be delayed at the Smyrton ferry crossing
as the army units were slowly ferried across. At least they could cross Gundealga
Ford in a day, then swing east again to relative safety. And, unlike Borneheld,
Axis had the advantage of the Icarii Strike Force who could both warn and
protect should Axis' force be threatened by another. Axis could hardly believe
how large his command had grown. He had led some three thousand men out of
Gorken-fort before going into the Icescarp Alps alone. Now, fifteen months after
Gorkenfort, his force numbered almost seventeen thousand.
     Trundling along behind the mounted and winged force was the supply train,
perhaps a thousand packhorses, several dozen sturdy wagons, and sundry
cooks, physicians, servants and, no doubt, Axis thought, a dozen or so whores as
well. A large number of the Ravensbund women also rode with the supply
column, although the majority of the women and children had remained behind
in Sigholt and Lakesview. Riding the wagons much of the day were also those
Icarii, mainly Enchanters, who had chosen to go south with Axis, StarDrifter and
MorningStar among them. Axis was still concerned about the Gryphon. If the
Strike Force was not about, either flying ahead to scout the terrain before them,
or lagging leagues behind to cover the rear of the army and supply column, then
the Enchanters were grounded, complaining, to the supply wagons. Two of
Azhure's squads of archers and several units of mounted soldiers travelled with
the supply column for protection.
     Leading the supply column were the Sentinels, Ogden and Veremund atop
their ever-placid white donkeys, Jack riding a quiet brown mare. In the wagon
immediately behind them rode Raum, feverish and distraught much of the time.
He was transforming into a Horned One, Ogden and Veremund had explained to
a concerned Axis and Azhure, and his transformation was connected in some as
yet ill-defined way with Faraday. Normally Raum would not have dared to leave
the Avarinheim in the middle of transforming, but he was desperate to reach
Faraday. Somehow she held the key to his successful transformation.
     Raum's entire head looked as though a giant had grasped it in his hands and
forcibly rearranged the bones. His forehead bulged unevenly and was covered
with transparent down. Just above his hair line what appeared to be nubs of
bone glistened whenever he turned his head. His nose was broad and long, his
mouth twisted, and his teeth grown yellowed and square. Despite his frightening
appearance, Raum's eyes still glistened black and friendly underneath his heavy
brows. The Raum inside,- Azhure realised, was no different despite his external
appearance.
     Azhure usually rode with her archers in the main column of Axis' army,
although she sometimes reined Venator back to wait for the supply column.
Caelum was always with her, generally securely fastened in a sling about her
back. Over her shoulder was slung the Wolven, and at her side ran the Alaunt
hounds, pleased beyond measure to be out of the confining Keep and running
free across the plains. They could almost smell blood on the wind.
     Axis spent most of the day at the head of his force. Belial and Magariz
sometimes rode with him, at times further back in the column of soldiers,
sometimes further back still with Ho'Demi and his ten thousand, all mounted on
the sturdy, shaggy yellow horses of the northern ice plains. Despite their bells
and chimes, the Ravensbundmen moved silently.
     Sigholt and the people of Lakesview had been left protected with a token
force of five hundred men. Roland, sick but cheerful, was put in overall control,
promising Axis that he would remain alive until Axis could reclaim his home. Axis
had spent a day and a night wrapping Sigholt in enchantments with the help of
the bridge, collapsing exhausted in his bed to sleep two days and nights at the
end of it. A thick blue mist surrounded Sigholt and its environs, leaving the Keep
itself, the town, the Lake and the immediate hills in clear and sunny air. The mist
had been created using various Songs of Moisture and Muddlement. Any
stranger looking for Sigholt would ride about in circles for hours, confused and
bewildered. Only those the bridge knew could find their way through.
     Sigholt was safe, and Axis was on the move. Finally, he breathed, I am
moving. He had to have gained control of Achar by the first day of Bone-month,
six months away, or else all would be lost.
     Far overhead, the eagle soared, also glad to be moving, but unable to
understand why.
     Once past Gundealga Ford, Axis swung his column east and south through
Skarabost, bypassing Smyrton completely. Somewhere south Earl Burdel waited
with an unknown force. Axis signalled to the farflight scouts far above. Find
Burdel. He had been burning and murdering in Borneheld's name for months,
and now it was time to stop him. Burdel would be the first obstacle Axis had to
counter in his bid to reforge Tencendor.

    Bad News/ f ~V~^ " fhat?" Borneheld whispered, appalled. \ JL
I "What did you say?"
      V V The Corolean soldier licked his lips, uneasy. "The peasants living in the
scattered hamlets to the east of the Nordra, Sire, report that two weeks ago a
massive force crossed the Gundealga Ford from the Urqhart Hills and swung east
into Skarabost. It was so large that it took many hours to pass, even though the
force was moving swiftly."
      The soldier paused. "The peasants said that the force moved with ghostly
silence, but it was composed of men and horses, not wraiths. They said a
golden-haired man on a grey horse led the force -"
      "Axis!" Borneheld swore.
      "- and that both Acharites and strange dark men on yellow horses made up
his army."
      "Ravensbundmen!" Borneheld's face darkened in fury, and Gautier hurriedly
waved the Corolean scout away.
      "Two weeks'." Borneheld snarled, and flung a pile of dispatches to the floor.
"He could be anywhere!"
      Jorge prudently waited for Gautier to say something first. The King had gone
into such a fury after the desertion of both the Ravensbundmen and Duke
Roland that Jorge had believed he was on the verge of an apoplectic fit. Now
Borneheld trusted no-one about him save Gilbert and Gautier, and spent much of
the time he wasn't actively involved in fighting muttering about treachery. Yet
Jorge was still in Jervois Landing; much as Borneheld might wish to, the Earl was
still too valuable to dispose of in a fit of temper.
      Why am I still here? Jorge asked himself, watching Borneheld pacing the
room. Why haven't I just rolled out of bed one dark night, got on my horse, and
ridden for Sigholt? Because Jorge believed Achar still needed a voice of sanity
about Borneheld, and he wasn't completely sure Gautier and Gilbert always gave
Borneheld the soundest advice. Gautier sometimes advised only for his own
advancement, while Gilbert doubtless made sure Borneheld's decisions were the
best for the Seneschal...but not always the best for Achar.
      If Jorge was unsure of Borneheld's fitness to rule, he was still not completely
sure about Axis, either. Jorge found it hard to set a lifetime's prejudices and
teachings aside. For almost seventy years he had believed that the Forbidden
were foul and polluted beasts whose only thought was the destruction of Achar.
He had grown up with the legends of the times before the Wars of the Axe when
the Forbidden had made life miserable for Artor-fea^ing people. Yet now this
Prophecy demanded that Acharites accept the Forbidden back into their
homelands and form an alliance with them so that, united, they could defeat the
invader from the north. For weeks Jorge had struggled with himself, yet every
dawn brought further uncertainties. He wished Roland were still here.
      "We go after them!" Borneheld snapped.
      "Sire! No!" Gautier and Jorge cried in unison.
      Gautier stood, extending his hand in appeal. "It would be too dangerous for
us to try and follow Axis into Skarabost."
      "Do you think that I cannot deal with the few scattered communities of
peasants we are likely to find, Gautier?"
      Gautier paled. "That is not what I meant, Sire!"
      "I think what Commander Gautier meant, Majesty," Jorge said, "was that
Axis has two weeks' start on us. He could be anywhere. Skarabost is a large
province. We could ride around there for months and not find him."
      "So you want me to simply sit back and let Axis have the eastern half of
Achar!"
      "Sire," Gautier said, battling to stay calm, "Earl Burdel has a force of almost
six thousand in southern Skarabost. Perhaps it is not as large as Axis' force, but
it is, at worst, enough to severely damage Axis. At best Burdel might be able to
stop Axis altogether, especially if he manages to trap him as he crosses the
Bracken Ranges into Arcness."
      "We could still ride into Skarabost," Borneheld retorted, his temper barely
restrained, "and help Burdel. Catch Axis in a pincer movement."
      "Skarabost is so big," Gautier argued, "and we do not have any reliable
information on where Burdel is. Our communications with him are poor. In all
likelihood we would miss both Axis and Burdel, and ride about in circles in
Skarabost."
      "Tiring your army, Sire, when it badly needs rest and reprovisioning," Jorge
added.
      "And if Burdel doesn't stop him?" Borneheld grumbled.
      "Then there is still Baron Greville of Tarantaise and Baron YsgryrF of Nor,
Sire. Axis would still have to fight his way through both Tarantaise and Nor."
      Borneheld stared at Gautier. "Those two are about as trustworthy
asYsbadd's famous whores. And neither is much of a fighting man. Anyway, how
do you know where Axis is heading? Have you perchance seen his itinerary?"
     "Sire," Gautier said. "There can be only one place Axis is heading. Carlon."
     There was deathly silence in the room.
     Gilbert's eyes widened, appalled. Axis and his Artor-forsaken force were
heading for Carlon? There was only one cohort of the Axe-Wielders left to
protect the Tower of the Seneschal! And how loyal would those Axe-Wielders
prove, when confronted with their former BatdeAxe?
     "Carlon," Borneheld breathed. Somehow he'd never contemplated that Axis
would be so daring. Carlon?
     "He has to be heading there," Gautier said, "He would expect you to have
your forces tied to Jervois Landing. If he captures Carlon, then he has us as
good as defeated. But to reach Carlon Axis will have to ride in a wide sweep
through Skarabost, Arcness, Tarantaise and Nor. He will have to subdue eastern
Achar before he can capture Carlon — no commander in his right mind would
want to leave problems at his back that could attack him later."
     "But if you chase Axis through Skarabost you risk losing him altogether."
Jorge spoke strongly now. "He will almost certainly reach Carlon first. And once
you have lost Carlon you have lost Achar. Your best course of action would be to
ride for Carlon. Better to secure your capital than gamble on finding Axis
somewhere in the wastes of Skarabost." Dammit! Borneheld had to see the
sense behind that! Carlon was too important a prize — Artor! but it was the key
to Achar itself!
     "Artor," Borneheld whispered, his face grey. "You're advising me on a course
of action that could see me lose the entire east to Axis? What would that leave
me? Western Achar? Have you forgotten that treachery and ill-luck already cost
me Ichtar? A third gone to the wraiths, and you tell me that I would be better off
losing another third to Axis?"
     No-one spoke. Who was brave enough to remind Borneheld he was now in
the weakest position he had ever been in? Who was foolhardy enough to remind
him that Axis probably not only had a strong force behind him, but possibly now
held the upper hand? Lose eastern Achar to Axis? Better that than Carlon. But it
would leave Borneheld with only a tiny proportion of his kingdom. Less than a
third, perhaps even only a fifth. Gautier and Jorge wished they were anywhere
rather than in this room. Both wished they were three years into the past, when
all was as it should be and no-one had heard of Gorgrael, wraiths, or the Artor-
cursed Prophecy.
     Gilbert stepped from his shadowed corner, his face sallow in the late
afternoon light. "Borneheld, you have no choice. I add my voice to those of
Gautier and Jorge. Carlon is vital. VitaP. If Carlon falls to Axis, then the
Seneschal also falls. I do not have to remind you what that might mean."
     Indeed Borneheld did not have to be reminded. The Seneschal was one of
his main supporters. Indeed, he would not be King if...if ...
     Borneheld forced his mind away from the guilt. "And you would be content
to let the Forbidden crawl over eastern Achar, Gilbert? What would your Brother-
Leader say to this?"
     "He would say that united the King and the Seneschal will have a good
chance of winning Achar back, from Axis and Gorgrael. Have you forgotten the
lesson of the Wars of the Axe? We drove the Forbidden out of Achar once, we
can do it again. These are dark days, Borneheld, no-one denies that. What we
need is a King who can lead us out of them."
     Gilbert's words infused Borneheld with determination. "Yes, these are dark
days, gendemen. And I am the one to lead us out of them." He laughed, the
sound harsh in the room. "Imagine what would have happened if that lily-livered
Priam had still sat the throne of Achar, gendemen! Artor must have indeed
meant me to lead Achar out of the shadows and into glory if he struck Priam
down in the prime of life."
     Yes, that was the message of Timozel's visions, wasn't it?
     Borneheld's mind was now made up. The Skraelings had all but retreated
into Ichtar, and only a token force could man the defences. Yes. He would ride
for Carlon with the majority of his army. He would wait for Axis to ride into the
Plains of Tare and meet him there. Borneheld's mouth curled. He would finally
enjoy meeting his brother on the battlefield. They had waited all their lives for
this confrontation.
     "We ride for Carlon within the week, gentlemen. There we will make our
stand. From there we will begin our march into victory over both Gorgrael and
Axis."

    Contemplations of a Rag DollIn the
eight weeks since they'd left Sigholt Axis' forces had swung east through
northern Skarabost, then south in an almost direct line through the centre of the
province. Axis had to curb his impatience to move faster. He was determined not
to wear his army out on a march that left them facing battle weakened and tired.
     Frustratingly, Burdel's force retreated before them. There had been some
minor skirmishes with the rearguard of his men, but they had not managed to
push Burdel himself to battle. He no doubt intended to make a stand either in
one of the passes of the Bracken Ranges, where the defending force would have
the advantage, or in his home province of Arcness, probably in the heavily
fortified city of Arcen itself.
     Burdel also had another very good reason for riding out of Skarabost before
Axis' invading force. For at least six months Burdel had been running a campaign
of retribution in Skarabost. Determined to stop the spread of the Prophecy, and
equally determined to stop local villagers drifting north to join Axis' rebel base at
Sigholt, Borneheld had given Burdel a free hand. "Do whatever you need to stop
those village idiots who wish to join Axis," Borneheld's orders to Burdel had
stated. "Do whatever you have to do to kill word of the Prophecy. And do more
than you have to in order to cut Axis' supply routes into northern Skarabost."
     For the past five months, as groups of refugees drifted into Sigholt, Axis had
been hearing horrific tales of Burdel's campaign of terror through the province.
Now, as he rode through the Seagrass Plains, the winter-sown crops just starting
to shoot their heads above the last of the spring snow, Axis had a chance to see
Burdel's handiwork for himself. Village after village had been razed to the
ground, sometimes only on vague rumour that someone there had recited the
Prophecy. In other villages, the houses had been left standing and the majority
of the villagers left alive, but crosses lined the approaches to the village, and
crow-picked cadavers hung from ropes and nails. It was sickening. Wherever
they found villages where people remained Axis spent a few days, his army
helping to rebuild houses and the confidence of those left alive.
      It helped that Axis' name had been well-known and widely praised as
BattleAxe. Now he commanded a vastly different force, but he received as much
- if not more - respect. Not only was his force numerically superior to the Axe-
Wielders, but Axis had grown immeasurably in assurance and authority. With his
stunning red cloak, the outline of the blazing sun stitched in gold across its back,
Axis looked like a King as he walked among the villagers, talking to them quietly,
and most remembered that he was the son of the Princess Rivkah and would
have been a prince in his own right, save for the stain of bastardy. This man did
not look like the skulking rebel or the desperate felon they'd been warned
against.
      Unlike Burdel's loose command, Axis kept his army under strict control. They
always camped well away from the villages they came to, careful not to trample
growing grain crops, and they moved into a village only to help rebuild homes
and barns. Axis could not rebuild the lives of those rotting on crosses, but he did
have them cut down and buried. It was a thankless and stomach-turning task.
      As each village slowly began to take shape again, Axis often had Rivkah
come and talk to the villagers about her life among the Icarii. The Princess
Rivkah's name was well remembered, and her presence generally overawed the
local peasants, but Rivkah spoke well and persuasively, letting these people
know that the Icarii were hardly the gruesome creatures of legend at all, but
living breathing creatures as the peasants were, who shared many of the same
problems, and who laughed at many of the same things. Depending on how-well
a particular village had reacted to Rivkah's words, Axis would often call in several
of the less intimidating Icarii to talk to the villagers too.
      Whatever village they were in, the villagers always reacted the same. There
would be a few moments of shocked silence as the first Icarii landed into the
square before them. EvenSong was usually among them, for she was good with
the peasants of the Seagrass Plains, and would alight among them, all gold and
violet, laughter and smiles. It would invariably be the children who approached
the Icarii first, crying out to be allowed to touch their wings. Reassured by the
Icarii reaction to the children, perhaps a few of the elderly women, braver than
most, would come forward, and then, finally, the entire village would flock about
the Icarii, listening in awe as one or more of the Icarii started to sing, stroking
their soft wing-backs, exclaiming over their beautiful and alien faces.
     Slowly, slowly, and not alivays successfully, Axis tried to reeducate the
people of Skarabost about the Forbidden. Resistance to the idea that the
Forbidden were acceptable people rather than demon-spawned horrors was
strongest in those villagers which still had a resident Plough-Keeper, the Brother
assigned to a village by the Seneschal to instruct them in the Way of the Plough.
Generally these Brothers warned the villagers back from both Axis and any Icarii
who happened to be about.
     Axis well knew that the military campaign to win Achar would probably be
the easiest part of his campaign to reunite Tencendor. Much harder would be
persuading a reluctant people to accept those who they had been taught from
the cradle to loathe. The Seneschal had over a thousand years' head start on
Axis, and a tight grip in the poorer rural areas of Achar. Sometimes worry about
how he would be able to persuade the Acharites to accept first the Icarii and
then the Avar kept Axis awake well into the night.
     Axis was happiest, as were the Icarii, when they camped alone under the
night skies among the endless grasses of the Seagrass Plains. Most camps were
of one night's duration only, and instead of erecting tents they would sleep rolled
into blankets or wings on the hard earth, the stars reeling above them. The skies
were clearing the further south and the further into spring that Axis rode, and by
mid-Flower-month, when they were approaching southern Skarabost, the skies
were invariably clear day and night. As he had when riding at the head of the
Axe-Wielders, Axis would often pull out his small travelling harp about the camp
fire at night. Axis' voice had improved even more with his training as an Icarii
Enchanter, and his camp fire was one that many vied with each other for the
privilege of sitting around. Azhure, her son at her breast, would sit and smile as
she watched Axis over the flames of the fire. Her love for him increased daily,
and she put aside any thought of where they were headed. She did not know
that once Faraday had sat across a camp fire and listened to Axis sing, loving
him as Azhure now loved him.
     There was one night when Axis made sure that his army was well clear of
any village. The first day of Flower-month. Beltide. For the first time in a
thousand years, Beltide was celebrated in Achar. The Icarii, two thousand strong,
built large bonfires and the Ravensbund people, who also celebrated Beltide,
cooked for an entire day. The Acharites, puzzled by this celebration but infected
with the suppressed air of excitement that both the Icarii and the Ravensbund
people exhibited, accepted StarDrifter's invitation to partake of this most sacred
rite. The night was long, and filled with beauty and music. MorningStar led the
rites, assisted by one of the younger Enchanter Icarii women travelling with the
SunSoar command, and their sensual and haunting dance celebrating the
resurrection of the earth after the death of winter brought Icarii, Ravensbund
and Acharite to their feet in union, dancing with them, seeking partners among
the throng.
     It was a special night for Axis and Azhure. They distanced themselves from
the main revelry, taking their son and a blanket to a small hollow where they lay
and recreated the magic of that night a year ago, while their son slept. Their
blood sang strong and clear each to the other, as it had Beltide a year past, and
as it had every other night since, when they made love. Axis wondered again at
the extraordinary way Azhure made him feel, at how close he came to the Star
Dance as he moved deep and certain within her body.
     What Axis did not realise was that Azhure could hear and feel the Star Dance
too. It was one of the reasons she had not been able to resist him when Axis had
returned from the UnderWorld, one of the reasons she would find it all but
impossible to walk away from him, why she would accept any role, no matter
how demeaning, if it kept him returning to her bed. The music consumed her,
making her blood surge as wildly as the moon-driven tides against strange
coasts. But Azhure never mentioned how she felt to Axis. Having known no other
man, Azhure simply assumed that all women felt as she did when they lay with a
man they loved.
     On a night like Beltide, when the magic of the earth was strong in the air
about them, and the stars spun closer to them than they did on more ordinary
nights, the Dance sounded so loud and so clear in Azhure s mind that she lost
herself among it, revelling in the ecstasy and power of the Dance and the beat of
distant tides. She grasped at Axis' back and shoulders and stared into his eyes,
and all she could see were the Stars within them, stretching back into infinity,
and all she could hear was the beat, beat, beat of the waves.
     She did not know that her eyes contained as many Stars as did Axis', nor
that Axis was as lost in her eyes as she in his.
     And she most certainly did not know of the waves that wept and cried and
called her name along the coasts of Tencendor even as she cried and called Axis'
name.
     That night they conceived their second and third children, but that night the
Prophet, watching, did not laugh at all.
     In the last week of Flower-month Axis sat Belaguez atop a small rise and
frowned at the sprawling manor house below him. It was the handsomest
residence that he had yet come across in Skarabost, and he had come out of his
way to see it. Behind him, and surrounding the manor house at a distance of
three or four hundred paces, his army lay encamped.
     Belonging to Isend, Earl of Skarabost, Faraday's father, the manor house
was not defended, only having a head-high brick wall about the building itself.
Isend was not a fighting man, and Axis knew he would always retreat rather
than stay and defend his home.
     Behind Axis, some dozen or so paces, Azhure sat Venator, her eyes on Axis'
back.
     Axis turned and stared at Azhure, then signalled her and the commanders
about him that he would ride down to the house alone.
     He cantered Belaguez down the slope, then slowed him to a walk as he rode
through the gardens. The spring flowers and shrubs were blooming among
miniature trees, pruned so that they grew no more than shoulder height. The
gravel of the paths was neatly raked, as if the gardeners had been out only this
morning. Axis rode through the ornate black iron gates, dismounted, and tied
Belaguez to the railings. Then he continued on foot, his blood-red cloak billowing
out behind him. As he stepped onto the shaded verandah, his boot heels loud on
the terracotta tiling, the front door swung slowly open. A woman in her late
twenties stood there, waiting calmly for Axis to approach. She was very much
like Faraday, with the same green eyes and chestnut hair.
     Axis stopped as he reached the door, groping for words. He had not thought
what he would say when he got here -or even what he actually wanted.
     The woman smiled at him, and it was Faraday's smile. Axis' heart lurched in
his chest. How could he have forgotten the beauty of her smile?
     "You are Axis, I presume," she said, her voice low and confident. "Once
BattleAxe, now something a little more strange, I think." She looked at his cloak
and the emblem blazing across his chest. "And far more colourful than once you
were."
     She held out her hand. "Welcome to Ilfracombe, Axis. My name is Annwin,
daughter to Earl Isend, wife to Lord Osmary. I do hope you have not come to
burn my home to the ground."
     Axis took her fingers and kissed her hand. "I thank you for your welcome
Annwin, and I assure you that I have not come to burn Ilfracombe to the
ground. Is your father home?"
     How strange, Axis thought, that we should both be acting as if this is
nothing more than a polite social visit. Please, madam, ignore my army. I take it
everywhere.
     Annwin stepped back and motioned Axis inside. She led him down a dim and
cool corridor into a reception room, waving Axis into a chair and taking one
opposite.
     "I regret my father is not home, Lord Axis. Earl Isend is in Carlon." Her eyes
gazed steadily into his. "With my sister."
     Axis was glad that Isend was not here. He did not think he could deal with
that simpering fop now. Isend had arranged and then pushed Faraday's marriage
with Borneheld with no thought but his own gain.
     "Do you know her?" Annwin's face remained coolly polite. "The Queen?"
     "I met Faraday in Carlon some eighteen months ago. She accompanied
myself and the Axe-Wielders some distance into Tarantaise where, through some
misfortune, she became separated from my command."
     "You were careless, Axis." Now Annwin's voice and eyes were hard. "Faraday
is a precious gem, beloved of her entire family and of most in Skarabost. You are
not the man rumour touts if you could so easily have lost Faraday to misfortune."
     Axis' face tightened. "There are forces moving beyond the walls of this
peaceful house, Annwin, that perhaps you do not understand. Both Faraday and
myself have been caught up by the Prophecy to use much as it pleases."
     Annwin inclined her head, in a show of civility.
     "I met her again in Gorkenfort," he continued. "It was a hard place, but she
made it beautiful simply by her presence. It was only with her help that so many
escaped the horrors of the Skraeling army that lay in wait outside the forts
walls."
     "I have heard the story of the fall of Gorkenfort," Annwin said slowly. "It is
said that the fort was betrayed by treachery within. By your treachery, Axis."
     "We all fought for the same thing, Annwin - to keep the Skraelings from
Achar. But we were too weak. No-one could have saved Gorkenfort, and yet no-
one betrayed it either. We simply went our different ways once we had
escaped."
     "You to the shadowed mountains of the Forbidden."
     "To Talon Spike, yes. It is the mountain home of the Icarii. Do you know of
the Prophecy of the Destroyer?"
     Annwin dropped her eyes. "Yes," she admitted.
     "I am the StarMan mentioned by the Prophecy, as I am sure rumour has
bruted it about Skarabost by now. I currently ride with my army to unite the
three races of Ten-ceiidor. Only then can we defeat Gorgrael."
     Annwin's eyes glittered with anger. "Child's lies, I do not —"
     Axis broke in. "And Faraday also has her part to play. She is beloved of the
Sentinels, and of Avar, the People of the Horn. The Horned Ones who wander
the Sacred Groves, the magical glades of the Avar, consider her their Friend."
     Annwin's eyes widened. "Faraday?" she stuttered. "Faraday is caught up in
this?"
     "Yes, but don't tell Borneheld. I don't think he would take it very well."
     Annwin was quiet a very long time. "Faraday is Queen," she said finally, "in
Carlon. She is not happy married to Borneheld. Do you march to Carlon?"
     Axis nodded.
     "Will you free her from Borneheld, Axis?"
     "I will marry her, Annwin, when I take the throne of Achar," he said. "It is all
I have ever wanted." And the Stars forgive me for that lie, he thought to himself.
But for so many months it was all I thought that I would ever want.
     "Ah," Annwin breathed, her eyes glistening. "So."
     "Annwin, I wonder if I might sit awhile in Faraday's room."
     Surprised by the request, Annwin simply nodded. "Come. I will show you."
     Axis sat a long time in the simple room which had been Faraday's as a child.
Here, surrounded by her memories, he could finally think about her without the
deep guilt over his betrayal of her love making him shove all thought of her to
one side.
     He hummed the Song of Recall, and watched as glimpses of Faraday as a
young child, growing to maturity and beauty, flickered before his eyes. He
smiled. She had been an awkward child, her hair carroty, her face long and
freckled. But she had been joyous and giving, qualities she had not lost as she
transformed through girlhood into the beauty she was now. There were
numerous childish disappointments and frustrations. The loss of a beloved cat. A
storm that ruined a picnic. Her mother's gentle chidings at selfish tempers. But
happy memories predominated. Faraday had grown to womanhood in this room
contented and loved.
     Axis had not lied when he told Azhure he loved her. But did his love for
Azhure undermine what he felt for Faraday?
     Or did the two simply exist side by side? Was he, poor fool, in love with two
women? Both so different that he could love one of them without compromising
his love for the other?
     "Yet I have never told Faraday that I loved her," Axis said aloud, seeking
excuses for his behaviour. "So perhaps she assumes too much in thinking that I
do."
     He had never told Faraday he loved her. That was true. He had said many
things to Faraday, he had intimated that perhaps he loved her, but he had never
actually spoken the words.
     "And she was the one who chose to run away at the Ancient Barrows,
fleeing to Borneheld's side and marrying him," Axis reasoned aloud. "How then
could she expect me to wander chaste and desolate through the rest of my life?"
     Axis sat on Faraday's virginal bed a long time, voicing soft excuses for his
behaviour through the room, until finally his eyes fell on a soft rag doll, lying legs
and arms akimbo on the floor. It reminded him of everything Faraday had gone
through. She had been pushed and manipulated by so many — by Isend, by the
Sentinels, by the Prophecy itself, even by Raum, and certainly by himself, that
she had almost no control over her own life. Like the rag doll, Faraday lay lost
and forgotten in Carlon, waiting only for some other force to come along and
fling her about according to its will.
     "You bastard," Axis whispered to himself. "How can you try to justify the
way you have betrayed Faraday?"
     But the fact remained; Axis could not right the wrong he had done Faraday
by removing Azhure from his life. He loved both, in totally different ways, and he
would have both.
     And both would have to learn to accept it.
     He sighed and stood up. Perhaps coming here had not been such a good
idea after all. It had only gnawed at his conscience, and Axis had so many things
to worry about now he did not need a wounded conscience to cope with as well.
     "Faraday," he murmured as he picked up the rag doll and sat it straight and
comfortable on a chair.

    CarlonBorneheld stared out the window of his private apartments in
the palace at Carlon, refusing to look Jayme in the face.
     The Brother-Leader was furious and did not bother to hide it. What was the
use of assisting this...this oaf to the throne if all he could do was sit still and lose
almost half the nation to Axis?
     "He has captured Skarabost," Jayme fumed, his normally implacable face
strained and lined with anger. "And is moving down towards the Bracken
Ranges. Arcness and Taran-taise wall fall next. And you just sit there and say 'let
him'?"
    Borneheld took a deep breath and watched a crow circle high above the
walls of Carlon. If he ignored Jayme for long enough the man might simply go
away. Borneheld was beginning to get very, very irritated with this bothersome
priest. He had been King almost a year now, and the Seneschal's dark
manipulations which had seen him gain the throne seemed very far in the past.
The world had changed. Power had shifted away from the Seneschal. Perhaps
Jayme did not yet realise that.
    "I sit here and say 'let him'," Borneheld suddenly snapped, "because I have
no other Artor-forsaken choice!
    "I have been fighting across Ichtar and the north of Aldeni for more months
than I care to remember, Jayme, while you
    have sat here like a spider in your web, pulling people each and every way
you want them to go. You think you understand what lies at risk here? What
issues are at stake? Forgive me, Brother-Leader, but I did not see you walking
the battlements of Gorkenfort as Ichtar collapsed about me. I have not seen you
trudging ankle-deep through mud and sludge in the trenches at Jervois Landing
as Skraelings surged down from the north. You have NO idea of what it is like to
command an army that is half dead from fatigue and sad-heartednessl"
     Jayme did not flinch as Borneheld surged from his chair and shouted in his
face. The old man stood straight and tall, his robes of office hanging in thick blue
folds about him, a jewelled sign of the Plough hanging from a heavy golden
chain about his neck. "No, I was not there to watch you lose Gorkenfort," Jayme
said, "and I was not there to watch you let the Forbidden chase the Skraelings
back from Jervois Landing. I understand you lost close to half your army when
the Ravensbund savages packed up and left one night, Borneheld? Forgive me,
but I would have made sure that ample watch was kept over such savages."
     Borneheld's hands clenched at his sides and he kept himself from hitting the
Brother-Leader only through a supreme effort. "The Ravensbundmen accounted
for only a third of my forces," he hissed, "and I had posted a guard. But the
Ravensbund have lived too close to the Forbidden for too many years, and
undoubtedly used enchantments to slip past the encircling troops."
     "Then if you still have some twenty thousand men, Borneheld, it does not
explain to me why you keep them fat and idle in Carlon while Axis swings south
and west. Surely an army is to be used. Or do you enjoy watching the Forbidden
swarm back over the territories that the Seneschal won for you a thousand years
ago?"
     Now Jayme's temper was re-emerging. What was Borneheld thinking of to
let Axis get away with so much? Jayme didn't care that Gilbert had counselled
Borneheld to move his army to Carlon. All he wanted was Axis stopped.
     "I cannot risk abandoning Carlon to Axis," Borneheld said, "which is exactly
what I will do if I ride off to the east without a clear idea of where the bastard is.
Axis will come here eventually. He has to, if he still thinks to seize the throne
from me. So," Borneheld lowered himself back into his chair, "I shall sit here and
wait for him. When Axis arrives, his troops shall be tired and battle-wearied,
nursing blisters on their feet and a dozen small wounds each from the battles
they have fought to win their way this far. I, meantime, will await them with
troops rested and refreshed."
     Jayme slowly shook his head, staring at Borneheld. He had thought, as had
Moryson, that Borneheld represented the Seneschal's best chance of survival.
How was the Seneschal going to survive if Axis thundered at the head of an
army across the Plains of Tare towards the Tower of the Seneschal?
     "Need I remind you, Borneheld, that the Tower of the Seneschal rests on the
far side of the Grail Lake? Axis will decimate the Brotherhood before you can
rally your army to the front gates of the city."
     "Well, it shouldn't worry you" Borneheld said. "You spend most of your time
here in the palace, anyway. You and your two advisers. But rest easy. I shall
meet Axis on the Plains of Tare well before he approaches your white-walled
tower."
     Jayme tried to collect his thoughts. Everything was going so badly. He
remembered the time, so long ago now, it seemed, when he had first heard
rumours of trouble to the north, of strange ghost-like creatures who nibbled and
chewed fully armoured men to death in minutes. How could he have foretold
then the disasters that would envelop Achar? Ichtar was gone, lost to Gorgrael.
Soon everything east of the Nordra would be gone, lost to the Forbidden and the
one who led them. And what did that leave? A relatively narrow strip of land to
the west of the Nordra? A pink and gold city?
     "At night, Borneheld," Jayme said softly, "I can hear the weeping souls of
those poor tormented wretches who have been overwhelmed by Axis and the
hordes of Forbidden that he directs. Do you know what he does to them,
Borneheld? Do you know the pain the poor wretches of Skarabost have suffered
as that wretched army overwhelms village after village? Children are sacrificed
for the plunders of those flying vermin he calls friends. Women are forced to
yield their bodies, then their lives. Men watch their families die, then are gutted
and strung up from poles and doorframes by their bowels, to die themselves
from pain and shock and loss. Does that not concern you, Borneheld? How can
you sit here and say 'Let him come'? Artor alone will judge you on this."
     Borneheld fidgeted nervously. He'd been having nightmares since he
returned to Carlon. He dreamed that anonymous, pale hands held out the
ensorcelled chalice for him, whispering entreaties to him to drink. He dreamed of
wandering the halls and chambers of the palace, the whispers and laughter of
the court following him.
     And he dreamed of a stern-faced woman, black-haired and raven-eyed, who
sat at a counting table, two bowls before her, a gleaming rectangle of light
behind her. She raised her eyes as he approached, laughing as she recognised
him. "I await your presence before my table, Borneheld, Duke of Ichtar."
     In vain would he protest that he was Duke of Ichtar no longer, but King of
Achar.
     "Your blood names you a Duke of Ichtar, Borneheld," she whispered. "And
your blood condemns you. Your death approaches from the east. Watch for it."
     Borneheld fidgeted and looked out the window, fancying he could see Artor
staring at him from the massed clouds sliding down from the north.
     Faraday sat, half asleep, as Yr brushed her hair out. Unlike Borneheld and
Jayme, Faraday regarded the slow approach of Axis and his army as a gift. A gift
from the Mother, for Faraday had long since abandoned Artor and his cruel and
shallow ways. Each day brought fresh rumours from the streets of Carlon. Axis
had won through to Arcness in a battle deserving of the gods in the Bracken
Ranges. Axis and his army had been penned up in an isolated glen high in the
Bracken Ranges and had fallen into a mighty lake and drowned — Faraday had
smiled when she heard that one. Axis and his army had proclaimed a new land
and a new nation in Skarabost. Had he proclaimed Ten cendor so soon? Faraday
had thought Axis would wait until he reached Carlon, until he reached her,
before he would do that. Yr heard most of the rumours from the captain of the
guards, a darkly virile man. She also heard most of the facts — or as much of
facts as anyone in Carlon could get — about Axis' drive south through Skarabost.
     "And of what do you think, my sweet?" Yr murmured as she brushed
Faraday's burnished gold hair out with long and languid strokes.
     "You know perfectly well that I think of Axis, Yr. It is rare that I think of
anything else these days."
     Borneheld had returned to Carlon a month ago. On his arrival he had
granted Faraday an audience, relieved her of most of her court duties,
completely disregarding the fact that Faraday had virtually run Achar while he
had been ensconced in Jervois Landing fighting the Skraelings, briefly inquired
after her health, and then dismissed her. He had not required Faraday's presence
in his bed, and Faraday had heard that he had taken a mistress - none other
than the blowsy woman who had accompanied her father, Isend, to court.
     Freed from most of her onerous court duties and Borne-held's attentions,
Faraday now had her time almost exclusively to herself, and she used it to good
purpose, spending the larger part of most days in the glorious garden of Ur or
wandering entranced through the enchanted forests that spiralled out from the
Sacred Grove. Each time she wandered them she found different things — a new
glade she had not seen previously, a creature that was more impossibly beautiful
than any other she had met before, a mountain more mysterious and fascinating
than the rest. But always she ended up at the gate to Ur s garden, and the
woman would emerge from her cottage, or wave at her from her sunny garden
seat, and Faraday would smile and enter and begin another lesson.
     Lessons with Ur mainly consisted of learning the names and histories of the
tens of thousands of Banes represented by the tree seedlings gently swaying in
their tiny terracotta pots. Ur would pick up a pot, hand it to Faraday, and tell her
of the Bane who had transformed into this tree.
     Faraday found that as she listened to Ur speak, as she murmured the Bane's
name to herself, she formed a bond, a friendship, with the seedling. As she
would never forget the name or the history of a friend, Faraday knew she would
never forget the name and the past of each of these seedlings as she heard
them from Ur's lips. It did not matter that there were some forty-two thousand
of them.
     They were magical hours, the hours spent with Ur in the garden nursery of
the enchanted woods, hours when Faraday was healed of so much of the pain
that she had suffered, and given the strength to survive so much of the pain she
had yet to endure.
     Raum whimpered behind his hood as he rode his wagon south with Axis. It
was all he could do not to cry out loud, and that he managed to keep even mildly
sane was due to the support of the three Sentinels who often sat by his side.
Each bent what power he had to aid Raum through this transformation that it
seemed would take months instead of weeks. And it was taking place so far from
the Avarinheim. What would happen, Raum worried, if he transformed
completely while so far from the shaded walks of the trees? So far from the
Mother, from Fernbrake Lake? Would he wither and die under the unremitting
sun and wind of the Seagrass Plains?
     "Why me?" he had whispered one day when the pain had finally ceased,
when Faraday had finally left the Sacred Grove. "Why am I tied to her like this?
Why do I transform only when she uses her power?"
     It was Jack who answered. "You were the one who bonded her to the
Mother, Raum. And she was the one who renewed your bonds with the Mother.
Perhaps that is what binds you, why you are so tied to her power."
     Raum shrugged inside his cloak. His face was now so misshapen that he
kept it hidden. Axis often sat by his side at night, soothing him to sleep with his
harp and his enchanted music. But very little could soothe Raum through this
dreadful transformation.
     Faraday was not unaware of Raum's pain. She sensed it every time she used
her power to enter the Sacred Grove and the enchanted forests that surrounded
it.
     Sometimes Faraday wandered the enchanted forest, feeling Raum's pain,
knowing that he was transforming, wishing she could help him. She asked the
Horned Ones what would happen to Raum, what she could do to help.
     "Nothing," the silver pelt answered. "Nothing. Raum's transformation is
different because of the bond between you, and because your grasp of the
power of the Mother and of these woods is so great. What can you do to help?
Wait until Raum manages to find the Avarinheim again, or one of the surviving
remnants beyond what remains of the forest. Wait until Raum is ready to step
into the Sacred Grove, wait until he is ready to complete the transformation —
then pull him here with all your power, help him with every ounce of your
strength. Raum cannot reach you until he reaches the power of the trees, and he
is currently far from any trees that can help him. Wait. Watch."
     Faraday turned away, grieving for Raum, but knowing there was not much
she could do for him. She knew he was trying to find her, and she hoped for his
sake that he would not take too long.
    Faraday did not now need the enchanted bowl to move between this world
and the Sacred Grove. Her command of her power had increased to the point
where she could simply will herself into the emerald light that led to the Sacred
Grove. She did not know what to do with the bowl. She had suggested to the
Horned Ones that she give it back to them.
    "You will find a use for it, Faraday," they had counselled. "Keep it."
    So she had kept it, pleased that she did not have to give it back, and it now
sat on the dresser in her chamber. To any ordinary eye it simply looked like a
rather plain wooden bowl, hardly fit for a Queen, but it daily reminded Faraday
not only of the enormous task that awaited her, but of the comfort the bowl and
the Mother had given her in days past.
    She smiled atYr as she put the brush down. "Axis comes, Yr. I can feel it. In
a few short months he will be here. Oh, Yr, I can hardly wait until we are
together!"


Axis' Salutary Lesson
In the dark hours before dawn the Icarii Strike Force had lifted off. Burdel's men
were entrenched themselves in the steep, rocky passes of the Bracken Ranges,
and nothing save an airborne force could dislodge them without massive loss of
life.
      But this was a battle Axis was highly uneasy over. It was too likely to reopen
old wounds and old hatreds. Axis loathed having to set the Icarii Strike Force on
humans. He had wanted to use them as little as he could, hoping that the
Acharites would the more easily accept the Icarii if they did not perceive them as
an invading force. This battle was a risk, but it was a risk Axis had been forced to
take. The Icarii were the only ones who could effectively clear the slopes of the
Bracken Ranges with minimal losses.
      Now Axis paced back and forth, his blood-red cloak wrapped about him.
Every three or four strides he looked up at the Bracken Ranges rising in the
rapidly lightening sky. He knew what was happening in the narrow passes of the
Ranges, for the eagle circled high overhead.
      "Well?" Belial's face was almost as strained as Axis'. Axis blinked, cleared his
vision, and stared at Belial. "It goes well. Burdel's force had no idea what was
attacking them when the Icarii sent down their first volley of arrows. They could
not see, and simply shot blindly into the sky."
      "Casualties?" Magariz asked.
      "Five Icarii have taken arrows in the wings and are limping their way home
or are safe among the ridges. The others evaded well. The casualties are all on
Burdel's side. I think," Axis' eyes assumed a dreamy quality, and Belial and
Magariz knew he was seeing through the eagle's eyes again, "that Burdel is
pulling his men out as fast as he can. The passes will be clear for us by noon."
      "Pulling back to Arcen?" Belial queried.
     "Undoubtedly." Axis shrugged. "We will not be able to catch them. It will
take at least a day to get this army moving into the lower Ranges, and several
days to get through. What remains of Burdel's force is more lightly armoured and
much more mobile. He will be able to race to Arcen and slam the gates shut well
before we're through the Ranges."
     Arcen was Burdel's capital in Arcness. It lay some ten leagues south of the
Ranges, surrounded by the grazing lands of the province.
     "A siege then," Magariz remarked.
     Axis sighed. "Yes, a siege." Axis had ridden through Arcen on his way north
to Smyrton almost two years earlier. The city had high walls, thick battlements
and a good militia.
     Axis knew he had to be very, very careful with Arcen. Sieges always tended
to drag out over months, and Axis could not afford to encamp himself and his
army outside Arcen for the next six months. Neither could he afford to ride by
and open his rear to possible attack from Burdel sometime in the future. Arcen
would have to be conquered.
     Azhure walked up. "Can you send the Strike Force after Burdel as he flees
across the plains towards Arcen?"
     Axis glanced at her. Azhure had left Caelum with Rivkah in the camp and
walked only with Sicarius as company. She looked slim and fit in her grey and
white uniform, the Wolven slung over her shoulder, her hair tied back into a plait
rolled in the nape of her neck.
     In the two weeks since Axis had visited Faraday's childhood home relations
between him and Azhure had been, if not cool, then slightly businesslike. Even
their lovemaking, on those few nights when there had been the time or the
privacy, had lacked the usual laughter and had become intense, almost fierce.
Both felt Faraday's closing presence keenly.
     "No." Axis turned back to the Ranges. "Most of the Strike Force are too tired.
They have been on the wing for close to five hours now, and I want them to
remain above the passes to watch for stray remnants of Burdel's force. To send
them flying after Burdel as he flees across the plains towards his home base
would drive them dangerously close to exhaustion." And expose them to the
watching eyes and itchy tongues of countless peasants and townsfolk, Axis
thought. The last thing he wanted was to have half the population of Arcness
watch as the Icarii rained death down on Burdel. It would simply confirm their
worst fears about the Forbidden and the Seneschal's teachings.
     "No," he repeated, contemplating the siege ahead. "Let's go. By the time we
get this army on the move the Strike Force should have cleared the passes."
     He forced the problem of the siege to the back of his mind and smiled at
Azhure.
     "Come," he took her hand, "we have a pleasant ride through the hills before
us."
     "You did well, FarSight," Axis said, reining Belaguez to a halt before the
exhausted birdman.
     Most of the Strike Force were now on the ground in the passes, although
several dozen circled far overhead, keeping a watch over Burdel's retreat. It was
early afternoon, and the Icarii had been flying and fighting for almost twelve
hours.
     FarSight looked up. His dark face was lined and there were pouches of
weariness under his eyes, but the expression on his face was one of quiet pride.
His force had done a fine job, and he knew it. That dark day in Talon Spike when
Axis had painfully outlined each and every flaw within the Icarii Strike Force
seemed several lifetimes ago. FarSight now headed an elite fighting force.
"BurdeFs men did not fight well, but they fought tenaciously. It took an hour
longer than I had calculated to flush them out of their rocks."
     Axis dismounted and sat down beside FarSight. "And those of the Strike
Force who were struck by arrows?"
     FarSight shook his head with relief. "Two will not fly for some time, but the
other three were only slightly hurt. A week's rest and they will be fighting fit
again."
     "EvenSong?" Axis' sister had returned to the Strike Force for fighting duty for
this attack.
     "Fought well, as did SpikeFeather. I think, when the opportunity arises, I
shall give him a Crest to command. He is too valuable now to waste on a Wing.
His experience with the Gryphon, and his somewhat unconventional recovery,
seems to have hardened him." "Axis!"
     Axis jerked his head up. It was StarDrifter, alighting on a nearby rock. His
face was flushed with excitement, and his great silver and white wings fluttered
behind him. He hopped down and strode over. "Axis, I know I should not be
here, but I could not help myself. Do you know how close we are to Fernbrake
Lake from here? Only several hours' flight, if that!" "No," Axis said. "We can't
afford to have any Icarii flying about the Bracken Ranges without any protection
and vulnerable to whatever stray forces Burdel or Borneheld has inthese hills."
     StarDrifter's face coloured in anger and his body stiffened. "The Icarii have
waited a thousand years to return to their homeland and the sacred sites lost to
them, Axis," he said.
     "Then another few weeks or months won't make any difference," Axis
snapped. "Curse your impulsive nature, StarDrifter. It is too dangerous for you to
fly off on a whim to view Fernbrake Lake. I cannot afford the Icarii to guard you.
Don't you realise how exhausted FarSight and his Strike Force are? They need
days to recover, and in a few days' time we will be long gone from the Bracken
Ranges. Think, Star-Drifter, damn you!"
     StarDrifter star-ed at his son, then FarSight, seeing clearly how fatigued the
birdman was.
     "StarDrifter," Axis continued, "we head south. We will undoubtedly ride
straight through the Ancient Barrows and by the Silent Woman Woods. You
cannot see every sacred site you have lost in a week. You have your lifetime
ahead of you to recover your heritage. Have patience. First I have to win this
land for you."
     StarDrifter hesitated, then nodded. "I apologise Axis, Far-Sight. I did not
think. Two years ago I never thought that one day I would have the opportunity
to see the lost sites of Tencendor again. Now that we are so close ..." His voice
drifted away.
     Axis relaxed, knowing -what StarDrifter was trying to say. StarDrifter and
MorningStar, as all other Enchanters, were beginning the arduous task of
recovering the lost sites of the Icarii people - the Ancient Barrows, tombs of the
twenty-six Enchanter-Talons, Star Gate, buried beneath the barrows, the Silent
Woman Woods, their Keep and the Cauldron Lake, Spiredore and the Island of
Mist and Memory. That last Axis knew the Icarii yearned after almost as much as
the Star Gate, yet it might well prove the hardest to win for them. In any case,
they had some bitter fighting to conduct before the Icarii could recover it. As
StarDrifter wandered off, Axis watched as the first units of his army wound their
way through the passes.
     Burdel succeeded in retreating to his capital, and by the time Axis and his
army reached the city of Arcen, it was shuttered and bolted tightly.
     Axis focused on the eagle soaring above the battlements of the city a league
away. People scurried back and forth atop the walls, pointing nervously at the
approaching army. Axis thought he even saw Burdel himself, a tall and spare
man, almost ascetic, standing still and silent as he shaded his eyes against the
sun and stared at the approaching black stain across the Plains of Arcness. Axis
had taken pains to keep the Icarii well back, and most were still resting in the
lower reaches of the Bracken Ranges. The main part of the Strike Force would
join Axis' army later that night, when the people of Arcen would be blinded by
the darkness.
     Belaguez stamped impatiently and rattled the bit in his mouth. Axis smiled
and patted the horse's neck, then turned and waved Belial, Magariz and Ho'Demi
forward.
     "Well?" he demanded as they drew their horses to either side of Belaguez.
"How would you solve this problem?"
     "I have no experience in sieges," Ho'Demi said. "The closest I have come is
waiting for an kebear to emerge from his snow cavern in the morning. Me? I
would sit cross-legged before the gates, spear in my lap, arid simply wait for
someone to come out." He waved the problem over to Magariz.
     Magariz shrugged. "It is difficult, Axis. You have no siege engines and Burdel
has, in all probability, planned and provisioned for a siege."
     "We could sit here and simply wait them out," Belial said, then winced at the
expression on Axis' face. "And wait, and wait, and wait. We could be here for
years."
     You do not know the extent of it, Axis thought, his eyes tracing the flight of
the eagle overhead. We are now past mid-Rose-month and I have only three and
a half months left to fulfil my contract to the GateKeeper. I can waste but a week
or two here at the longest.
     Axis was silent, his eyes focused on the tiny figure of Burdel. shall have to
rely on some sweet words to open those gates, he thought. That and a litde
enchantment.
     Axis swung his gaze back to his three most senior commanders. "Here is
what I want you to do."
     By evening Axis' entire army, supply column included, had surrounded Arcen
outside the striking range of arrows shot from the city's walls. The army set up
camp as though it intended a long and patient wait, and Axis ordered his own
command tent to be erected opposite the main gates into the city. Above the
tent floated his golden standard, the blood-red sun blazing in its centre. Axis
strode about in the evening light, wearing the golden tunic under the red cloak,
loose and relaxed, laughing and joking with those of his commanders who talked
with him, one or two of the Alaunt constantly by his side. He was unarmed.
     From the walls of their city the people of Arcen watched. Axis' every
movement, as that of his army, was noted and remarked upon. Most had
admired Axis as BattleAxe, and many had met and liked him when he had stayed
in Arcen briefly two years previously. Two or three Arcen-based traders, who had
traded with Axis and his force while they were still in Sigholt, were questioned
again and again about the man and his army who now besieged Arcen. Three of
the men Belial had sent out from Sigholt some fifteen months previously to
spread the word of the Prophecy were also in the city. For the past two months
they had resided in Arcen, spending most of that time drinking quietly in the
city's various inns and taverns and spreading word of the Prophecy among the
townsfolk.
     Axis spent a pleasant evening about camp. Azhure, Rivkah, Ho'Demi and his
wife, Sa'Kuya, and Belial and Magariz joined him for dinner, the Acharite women
wearing brightly coloured gowns and Azhure bouncing a laughing Caelum on her
lap throughout the meal. To all intents and purposes Axis was relaxed, confident,
and prepared for a longwait.
     When they rose in the morning, Axis surprised Azhure by asking her to wear
the long black gown she'd worn on the night of the reception in Sigholt.
     "You brought it with you?" he queried, and Azhure nodded, puzzled. "Then
wear it, Azhure. And leave your hair loose."
     He strode out of the tent and Azhure rose, washed, and dressed as
requested. She smoothed the elegant black gown over her hips and rested one
hand briefly on her belly. She suspected she was pregnant again, but she had
not told Axis. Azhure smiled humourlessly to herself. Undoubtedly she would find
herself face to face with Faraday sooner or later, and Azhure wished desperately
that she did not have to do it with her belly bulging again with Axis' child.
Faraday would find the idea of a lover hard to accept; a lover pregnant with her
husband's child would be even worse.
     Azhure emerged from the tent eventually, feeling slightly silly dressed in the
elegant gown, and saw Rivkah standing to one side. Axis had obviously given
Rivkah similar instructions, for his mother stood wearing a gown almost identical
to Azhure s, looking every inch the Princess of Achar.
     "Azhure," Axis' voice sounded behind her and Azhure jumped. "Your bow."
He handed her the Wolven and her quiver of arrows, and Azhure slung them
over her shoulder, feeling even more ridiculous. The ring of soldiers, Achante
and Ravensbund, encircling the town stood ready, their weapons hanging loose
from their hands, their eyes fixed on the walls before them. Axis spoke quietly to
Belial, Magariz and Ho'Demi, then motioned Rivkah and Azhure close.
     "You and are going to talk to the good people of Arcen," he said. "Rivkah, I
want you to address them — take your lead from what I say."
     Rivkah, puzzled, nevertheless nodded in agreement.
     "Azhure, notch one of those blue-fletched arrows in the Wolven and try your
best to look like a fairy creature yourself. Few within Arcen will have seen such a
beautiful woman approach their gates to threaten them with bow and arrow
before. Come," he waved both women to his side. "Let us go and talk to the
people of Arcen. Do not fear for your safety, I can protect us from anything they
might throw our way."
     There was a stir on the walls as the three figures approached on foot. Here
was Axis, looking like a sun god in his tunic and cloak, with him walk two black-
clothed women, both handsome, both queenly. What did it mean?
     Burdel stood atop the wall close to the bolted gates. He was unnerved, both
by the extent of Axis' army, and by the approach of these three figures. He
straightened his back, refusing to let his nervousness show. Axis' army had no
siege engines and Arcen was provisioned to wait out a year-long siege, should
that be necessary. Burdel was reasonably sure he was in a stronger position than
Axis.
     Axis halted some fifty paces from the walls, noting the eagle's position.
     "Greetings, Burdel," he called cheerfully, and his enchanted voice carried
magically about the entire walls and drifted down into the city itself. "It is a fine
morning, and a good one to talk."
     Burdel opened his mouth to call down insults but Axis continued before he
had a chance to speak. "And greetings to you, Culpepper Fenwicke," he called,
naming the mayor of the city. "I see you standing inside the gates and I would
have words with you. Please, would you climb the walls so I can the more clearly
meet your eyes?"
     There was a collective gasp from the people of Arcen. How could the man
see straight through iron-reinforced wood?
     Culpepper Fenwicke, a stout grey-haired man of middle years, slowly
climbed the ladders to the top of the walls, moving to stand next to Burdel. He
had met Axis when he'd ridden his Axe-Wielders through Arcen on his way to
Gorkenfort and had formed an instant respect for the man. His respect now
deepened tenfold. How could Arcen withstand a man such as this? "It is good to
see you again, Axis."
     Burdel muttered an expletive under his breath. What was the fool thinking of
to say such a thing?
     Axis called back as if he had simply run into Fenwicke in the streets of Arcen
on a fair day. "It is good to see you again, Culpepper. How is your lovely wife?
Igren?"
     "She is well, Axis," Fenwicke muttered as Earl Burdel shifted angrily by his
side.
     "I am pleased to hear that. She entertained myself and my lieutenant Belial,
who waits behind me, very hospitably on our journey through here the year
before last. Now, Fenwicke, I have not much time to spend on further
pleasantries and you and I find ourselves in a somewhat awkward situation
here."
     Fenwicke spread his hands helplessly. Awkward wasn't the word for it!
     "Culpepper Fenwicke, I speak to you not as my friend, but as the mayor of
this fine city. It saddens me to say this, but it appears that you harbour
dangerous criminals within."
     The mayor cleared his throat. "Criminals, Axis?"
     "Criminals, Culpepper Fenwicke, who may have persuaded you that myself
and my army represent something of a threat. Culpepper, I do not want to
threaten you or yours. I simply want Burdel. I have pursued him through most of
Skarabost and now I finally have him cornered in your fair city. Do not make me
destroy your city, Culpepper Fenwicke, for the sake of one criminal and his
henchmen."
     Burdel's hands clenched on the stone batdements. "You are the criminal,
Axis," he shouted. "You are the misbegotten son of the Forbidden! You seek to
destroy Achar and the peaceful life we lead within it."

     Axis ignored him. "Culpepper Fenwicke, and you good people of Arcen. I
have standing by my side my mother, the Princess Rivkah of Achar. Perhaps she
can clarify some of your misapprehensions."
     Axis' words caused a stir within the city. Rivkah? Alive?
     Rivkah, cool and calm, stepped forward. As she spoke, Axis wrapped her
voice with enchantments so all could hear.
     "Culpepper Fenwicke, I greet you and your good people well. I speak on
behalf of my son, Axis SunSoar. Many of you will know of the myths and
rumours that surrounded his birth. Many will be surprised to find that I am alive.
I did not die in Axis' birth, as you were led to believe, but was left to die on the
slopes of the Icescarp Alps by none other than Brother-Leader Jayme and his
adviser, Moryson. They stole my son, and they tried their best to murder me."
     The city stood still, mute with astonishment. The Brother-Leader of the
Seneschal? Party to attempted murder?
     None disbelieved Rivkah, because Axis had quietly run the Song of Truth-
Seeing through the city. The Song forced people to see what was true, not what
was false. It was a powerful Song, requiring its user to manipulate a significant
proportion of the Star Dance, and it had weakened Axis badly.
     "Axis is the StarMan, good people of Arcen. Perhaps you have heard of the
Prophecy of the Destroyer?" Most had, because both northern traders and
Belial's men had ensured that the Prophecy was quietly spread about the city.
"He is the son of myself and one of the great Princes of the Icarii people - the
people who rescued me from certain death. If I stand before you now, it is only
through the goodwill of the Icarii people. They do not bring death and
destruction, good people, but hope and joy for the future. Axis is no criminal. He
acts only for the truth. He is incapable of anything less. He does not seek to
destroy Achar and your peaceful lives. He seeks to unite those who have been
riven apart. He seeks to create a new land of unity and of lasting peace. A land
built on truth, and not on the lies of the Seneschal. Listen to him, for he is the
only one who can save you."
     She finished and bowed her head, then smiled at her son and stepped back.
     "Good people of Arcen," Axis resumed. "Earl Burdel is the one who is guilty
of trying to destroy the peace of this land. He has ridden his force through
Skarabost and has tortured, burned and murdered all those who sought to follow
the way of truth. Truth-seekers have ever been persecuted, and none more
cruelly than those in Skarabost. Burdel has acted, it is true, under the orders of
your King, Borneheld - but his own spite and cruelty have driven him to extremes
even beyond those his master called for. Good people of Arcen, doubt not that I
speak the truth. See."
     The air in the open space between Axis' encircling soldiers and the walls of
the city shimmered and shifted. Culpepper Fenwicke, as all who stood on the
walls, save Burdel, cried and muttered in horror.
     Arcen was now ringed by a ghostly circle of crosses and wooden frames.
Hanging from each were the torn and twisted bodies of those whom Burdel had
ordered murdered. Some had been nailed to their frames, others hung from
ropes slung under armpits and around necks, their eyes and tongues bulging as
they had slowly suffocated to death.
     "See," Axis whispered, his own eyes gaunt with the fright-fulness of it, and
his whisper reached into the heart of every man, woman and child within Arcen.
Even those within the city who could not see over the walls experienced ghastly
visions of their northern neighbours' dreadful deaths.
     Burdel had been responsible for this?
     "No," Burdel tried to shout, but his voice did not rise above a hoarse
whisper.
     "Listen," Axis whispered, battling to control the power that was needed to
produce these visions, trying to stop it from consuming him completely.
     Then, in a nightmare that surpassed even the vision of the bodies strung to
die, each of the ghostly images spoke, spoke whatever had last crossed his or
her mind as they slipped towards a grateful death.
     One whispered the name of his sweetheart, raped and strung up on the
cross next to his, dead an hour before him and already eyeless from the
attentions of the crows. Another murmured Burdel's name, a curse before dying.
Yet another cried out for his children, burned to death within his home. Another
cried Burdel's name and wished on him the same death as she suffered. One old
woman wondered what she had done in her life to die in this manner. A child
whimpered and wondered at the gaping hole in her chest where a soldier had
thrust a careless spear. Another man whispered Axis' name and called on him to
save him. The woman next to him took up the cry, and soon the entire circle of
murdered souls about Arcen were crying Axis' name, crying out to him to save
them, crying out to him to avenge their death.
      Axis swayed on his feet, not only from the power that he struggled to
control, but also from the horrors that the murdered souls revealed. He had no
control over what they said, he could only release what they had actually been
thinking at the moment of their deaths. And that flood of thought was horrifying
to listen to. Azhure and Rivkah stepped close to Axis, each taking his arm, each
supporting him.
      "I can stand no more!" Axis rasped, and he let go the enchantment. Abruptly
the circle of bodies strung up about the city of Arcen vanished, but their cries
and laments seemed to linger in the air and in the memories of the people
listening for hours - and in some cases, for years - to come.
      Men and women broke down and wept in the streets of Arcen, and more
than one of the militiamen standing on the walls had to put his spear or bow
aside and turn aside to lean for comfort on his neighbour, Axis took a deep
breath and stood straight. "I am all right," he said to Azhure and Rivkah, and
reluctantly they let his arms go. "Azhure," he said, "I rely on you now, do not fail
me. Take your bow."
      Azhure nodded, and Axis raised his head and spoke again. "Culpepper
Fenwicke. You harbour a criminal within your ranks. I ask that you give him and
his senior commanders to me. You heard the souls of the people as they died.
They cry out to me to avenge their deaths. I can do no less."
      "No!" Burdel shouted, amazing even himself with the strength of his voice.
"No! Fenwicke, I am your Earl and overlord. You must listen to me. I order you
to listen to me! He," Burdel pointed a shaking finger at Axis, "can do nothing to
us. We are all safe behind these walls. Eventually he will simply go away.
Fenwicke, I order you not to listen to him."
      "You are wrong, Earl Burdel," Axis called. "I have asked Culpepper Fenwicke
and the citizens of Arcen to cooperate with me, for my fight and my grievance is
not with them. Indeed, wish all of them well. I do not want to fight them. But
know this, Fenwicke, if I am forced to fight I can decimate your fair city."
      Axis indicated Azhure. "I command a force of archers such as you have
never seen before. They could mark every man, woman and child within your fair
walls. We do not need vision or an unobstructed view to mark with deadly
certainty. In the streets behind you there is a cart piled high with baskets of
fruit. At the top of the pile is a basket full of overripe melons. The topmost melon
has been marked. Watch."
    Azhure, watch with me. See? This is what the eagle sees.
    A vision of the interior of Arcen flooded Azhure s mind.
     Trust in me, A zhure, and trust in what the eagle sees. The cart is directly
behind the gates. Do you see?
     "Yes, I see."
     Then aim.
     Almost in a trance, Azhure raised the Wolven. She sighted along the arrow,
but she did not see the walls before her. Instead she saw the great fat overripe
melon sitting atop the cart of fruit as if the walls did not exist.
     Jrust in me. Trust in yourself.
     Azhure let fly the arrow, and every man along the walls traced its arc with
their eyes. It flew high above the walls, then dropped straight and true into the
melon, exploding it in a shower of juice and bright red pulp.
     "And so might every head in Arcen be marked, Culpepper Fenwicke. I do
want to threaten you, for, as I said, my quarrel is not with you but with the man
who stands by your side. Give him to me."
     / thank you, Azhure.
     Burdel struggled and shouted, but Fenwicke was adamant. It had not been
the arrow that persuaded him, but the cries of those that Burdel had murdered.
If Burdel could do that to the poor people of Skarabost, how long would it be
before he turned on the people of Arcen? Best hand him over to Axis SunSoar
now. Those few soldiers who came to Burdel's aid were tied and bundled outside
the city gates with Burdel, his two sons and his three surviving commanders.
     Axis would let none of them live — not after what he had witnessed. The
soldiers were killed instantly with quick blades to the back of the necks. But
Burdel, his sons - both of whom had ridden with their father in Skarabost - and
the three commanders did not escape so lightly.
     "Culpepper," Axis said, turning away from Burdel for a moment. "You know
what I must do."
     Culpepper Fenwicke nodded. "I know. I accept it." "Good. Belial, have cause
to erect six crosses. These men will die as the people of Skarabost died."
     Belial, his face pale but determined, nodded and walked away. Within
moments the sound of saws and hammering could be heard.
     Axis turned back to Burdel, who stood stiff and defiant. "Perhaps I should
ask you if you have anything to say, Burdel."
     Burdel hawked and spat at Axis. "I hope that Borneheld gut-knifes you and
leaves you to linger at death's door for days as the juices of your bowels slowly
poison the rest of your body."
     Axis ran slow eyes over the Earl. "I hope that thought comforts you as you
hang a-dying, Burdel," he said and turned away.
     Axis glanced at Burdel's sons as he walked away a few paces. They were
Burdels only children. That was good. In the new nation of Tencendor he would
have no place for the aggrieved sons of nobles whose fathers had died in Borne-
held's cause. Axis was deeply thankful that Isend had no sons. He would not
have liked to kill Faraday's brother, but he would not have hesitated to do so.
     The six men were strung up naked to the splintery crosses, held by ropes
underneath their arms and about their necks. Lead weights were tied to their
feet and then they were left with only their consciences for company.
     They took several hours to die as the weight of their bodies augmented by
the lead weights pulled their chests apart, their lungs slowly filh'ng with blood,
and they did not die quietly or prettily. Axis stood there the entire time, his face
expressionless. He wondered what, if anything, the GateKeeper would say to
them as they approached. Perhaps, knowing their crimes, they went through a
different Gate to the one Axis had seen.
     "A salutary lesson," he whispered as the last of the men gurgled and died.


Baron Ysgryff's Surprise
From Arcen, Axis moved his army towards the Ancient Barrows at the boundary
of Tarantaise and Arcness. Though exhausted by the exercise of so much power
at Arcen, Axis had not wanted to delay. Time was slipping through his grasp, and
day after day as they rode south Axis' eyes would drift to the eagle soaring
above.
     It would be a long time before the people of Arcen would forget the sight of
the ghostly souls crying out Burdel's name in accusation, and five thousand of
Arcen's militiamen had begged Axis for permission to join his force. Let them
make what restitution they could for Burdel, they argued, and Axis had
reluctantly accepted their offer.
     For the first two days after Arcen, Azhure rode silently by Axis' side. She had
been physically nauseated by Burdel's death and Axis was concerned for her. But
Azhure had kissed him and told him that she would be well, and had stayed close
to Axis because she was so worried about his health. Both she and Rivkah had
seen how damaging the power of the Star Dance had been on his body and how
injurious the sight of the dead souls crying out his name had been on his spirit.
Axis had felt responsible for so many of those who had died, and his conscience
troubled him sorely. If he'd moved south faster, could he have saved a few of
those who'd cried out his name?
     No wonder he had been so harsh on Burdel, Azhure reflected, hoping he'd
never turn on her with such cold anger.
     A day out of the Ancient Barrows two of the Icarii farflight scouts returned
with appalling news.
     "An army awaits you the other side of the Ancient Barrows, Axis SunSoar,"
one of the scouts reported, his wings trailing dismally in the grass behind him.
"Perhaps some eight thousand, maybe nine thousand, in strength ..."
     "Mounted men," the other scout broke in. "Fully armoured, both riders and
horses. Equipped with lances, pikes, swords. They stand like a wall of steel,
waiting for you to emerge from the Barrows." "Who?" Axis asked sharply.
     The two scouts described the pennants that the army flew, and Axis glanced
at Belial and Magariz to his side.
     "Barons Ysgryff of Nor and Greville of Tarantaise," Magariz said. "Borneheld
must have positioned them there to delay our passage across Tarantaise and the
Plains of Tare."
     Axis nodded and sat back in his saddle. Nine thousand men? Axis' force now
numbered over twenty-two thousand, but a heavily armoured force of nine
thousand would be more than a nuisance. This time, he thought bleakly, I'll have
no choice but to use the Icarii Strike Force.
     "Most of the men must be from Nor," Magariz continued. "Greville's
Tarantaise is so sparsely populated he would struggle to raise a hunting party,
let alone an army. Nor, on the other hand ..."
     "Is one of the most densely populated regions of Achar," Axis said slowly,
continuing Magariz's train of thought. "Ysgryff has decided to put aside his
dancing boys, it seems, and take up the arts of war." Well, at least he had finally
come to Borneheld's aid, Axis thought sourly. Borneheld could have used those
men a lot sooner.
     Azhure had ridden up to the group as Magariz and Axis had been talking. An
army of Nors men awaiting the other side of the Ancient Barrows? They would
be her mother's people, the people who had bequeathed Azhure her exotic face
and hair. She felt suddenly queasy.
     "We camp a half a league out of the Barrows," Axis said quietly, "and
prepare for batde on the morrow."
     But on the morrow, as they advanced towards the Barrows, Axis called the
column to a halt, surprised. A single horseman rode slowly out of the Barrows,
and as the figure drew closer Axis could see that it was not a man at all, but a
woman, riding graceful side-saddle.
     "By all the gods," Axis muttered, stunned, as the woman drew closer. It was
Embeth, Lady of Tare.
     She reined her horse in a few paces away and she and Axis stared at each
other. They'd been lovers once, and friends for longer. As he stared at her, Axis
realised how close he was to a final confrontation with Borneheld. Carlon lay just
weeks away...beyond the army on the other side of the Barrows. Embeth finally
smiled. It had been almost two years since she'd seen Axis. Two years, she
thought, and look what changes those years have wrought.
     The horse was the same, and the blond hair and the beard, but so much
else seemed to have changed. His eyes were colder, harder, older. The black of
the BattleAxe was gone, as were the twin crossed axes. Now he dressed in a
fawn tunic and breeches, a blood-red sun blazing across his chest, a cloak of the
same shade draped about his shoulders. He had ridden out of her life across
Tarantaise, and now he would ride back into it from out of the dawning sun.
     Her smile faltered slightly. The sight of Axis reawoke many emotions she had
thought dead. "Axis. It is good to see you." Axis nodded, his eyes boring into
Embeth's deep blue ones. "And good to see you, Embeth. But a surprise."
     "Nor and Tarantaise await beyond the Barrows," Embeth said, her voice,
gratefully, remaining steady and cool.
     "I know."
     "Yes. We saw your, ah ..." How was she to refer to the strange and
hauntingly lovely creatures she had seen in the sky yesterday?
     "They are Icarii, Embeth. You saw some of the Icarii farflight scouts
yesterday."
     Embeth considered that for a moment. Faraday had told her much about
Axis' heritage, but until now it had never really sunk in. "Yes," she repeated. "We
saw some of your Icarii farflight scouts yesterday."
     "We?" Axis said softly. "Do you ride with Nor and Tarantaise against me?"
     Embeth sensed the danger seeping across the space between them. "I ride
with Nor and Tarantaise, Axis, but we ride to join you, not oppose you."
     Axis was so stunned his mouth hung open until he recovered and closed it
with a snap.
     "Of course," Embeth continued, her voice deep with amusement, "both
Baron Ysgryff and Baron Greville have some conditions."
     Axis' mouth twisted wryly. "Why am I not surprised to hear that?"
     "I rode out alone because we felt that you were less likely to send an arrow
through me than if either Ysgryff or Greville rode out. Will you meet with them?"
     "Belial, Magariz, what do you think?" Axis asked. "Should meet with these
two Barons, or should I decide that it's a trap and attack anyway?"
     "I would not trap you," Embeth retorted. "We have meant too much to each
other for me to do that."
     A black-haired Nors woman suddenly rode up, accompanied by the most
extraordinary man Embeth had ever seen. He had blue lines tattooed across his
face, a red blazing sun in the centre of his forehead, and rode the ugliest horse
this side of the gates of the AfterLife. Embeth glanced again at the woman. Only
the fact that she carried a bow slung across her shoulder made her reconsider
her first thought that she must be one of the Nors whores who inevitably
attached themselves to wandering armies.
     "We have no choice," Belial said after a pause. What would those two
women find to say to each other? "We parley. I admit I'm tempted by the
thought of nine thousand heavily armoured horsemen."
     Axis nodded. "Magariz?"
     "I concur," Magariz replied. "I find myself grateful that Nor and Tarantaise
wait to talk rather than fight." As with most of Axis' army, he had spent an
unsettled night, tossing and turning in his sleeping roll. Magariz was a trained
man of war, but even so, he disliked the idea of fighting against men he had
once called friends. He knew that many within Axis' force felt the same. They
would fight, but it would be hard and dispiriting.
     Axis nodded. "Ho'Demi?"
     Embeth swung her eyes to the blue-lined savage. Was he a
Ravensbundman?
     "I will brew and serve the Tekawai tea myself," he said solemnly. "Tekawai
is a sacred drink vital to the success of any parley."
     "I shall look forward to sipping Tekawai with you and with my potential
allies," Axis replied, and looked at Azhure. "Well, Azhure-heart? Do you agree
with your fellow commanders?"
     The use of the endearment surprised everyone present. Axis' personal
relationship with Azhure normally never intruded upon their relationship as army
commander and subordinate. Axis used the endearment deliberately to inform
Embeth of the relationship between Azhure and himself, and to let all know that
he was not going to hide his love for Azhure. She would stand by his side, both
as a respected commander in her own right and as his Lover.
     Embeth was stunned. Lover and commander in his army? Axis turned his
cold stare back her way, watching her reaction. Drawing on all her experience as
a lady of court, Embeth calmed her face and squared her shoulders. Damn him!
What about Faraday?
     "I have no desire to fight if I do not have to," Azhure said, hiding the turmoil
in her own heart. He had acknowledged her in front of this woman and her
fellow commanders! "I say we parley."
     "Then we parley," Axis said to Embeth. He straightened in the saddle. "We
meet in the cleared space of the Ancient Barrows."
     "They already await you there," Embeth replied, her eyes drifting back to the
woman. She had not thought Axis' tastes to run to Nors women, at least not to
the extent that he would publicly acknowledge this one. Well, Embeth had heard
tales of the abilities of Nors women and she supposed this one must be better
than most. Without another word she swung her horse around and dug her heel
into its flank.
     They met that afternoon within the semicircle of Icarii tombs. The waiting
army had erected a huge tent in the centre of the space, a gaudy arrangement
of multicoloured layers and silken tassels. A typical piece of Nors finery, Axis
thought as he reined Belaguez to a halt before it, but he heard Ho'Demi sigh in
admiration. He had brought a number of both Acharite and Ravensbundmen with
him and, as he dismounted, StarDrifter, FarSight CutSpur and EvenSong lifted
down from the sky, to the astonished whispers of the Nors and Tarantaise men
present.
     "We will save your Tekawai for later," Axis murmured to the Ravensbund
chief as they entered the tent. "Perhaps we can celebrate a new alliance with it
this evening."
     The interior of the tent was cool and dim, and Axis had to blink several times
to adjust his vision. YsgryfF, dark and handsome and some fifteen years older
than Axis, stood to one side in a silken brocade tunic and breeches. Well, at least
he's not dressed for war, Axis thought as he bowed slightly. Greville stood by
YsgryfF's left hand, a man approaching old age, paunchy and sallow-skinned, but
with clear blue eyes that missed nothing. He matched Axis' bow with exactly the
same degree of coolness Axis had afforded him. Embeth stood a little further into
the tent, together with what Axis guessed by their attire to be several of the
Barons' military commanders.
     As Axis stepped further in a woman emerged from the shadows at the back
of the tent. She was frail and ethereal, with light golden hair and porcelain skin.
She wore a gown stiff and black with mourning.
     "Judith!" Axis bowed with a little more respect this time. Were Nor and
Tarantaise the two whom Judith had intimated in her letter would turn to Axis'
cause?
     "Axis." She smiled coolly, inclining her head.
     Baron YsgryfF stepped forward. Ye gods, but Axis looked the part, he
thought, noting the tunic and cloak admiringly. His eyes caught those of the
dark-haired woman at Axis' back and YsgryfF smiled and winked at her. Well!
The man had taste. His countrywoman, no less! YsgryfF stared at her a moment
longer. Why did her face seem familiar? Why did her eyes recall so many
memories of his childhood? So much laughter?
     "Axis," he said smoothly, turning away from the Nors woman and running
his eyes curiously over the Icarii. He had never thought to see the Icarii before
he died - and one of them an Enchanter! "Please, be seated." YsgryfF waved at
cushions spread about the canvas floor of the tent, and the group spent a
minute or two settling themselves comfortably.
     "So," Axis finally said. "You have come to join with my cause."
     "Well," YsgryfF said. "Perhaps that is taking it a little too far, Axis. We have
come to, ah, negotiate. Let me be frank
     with you. Greville and I have no wish to back the loser in this conflict
between you and your brother. Judith has persuaded us that yours is the cause
not only most just, but most likely to succeed."
     There lay the nub of the matter, Axis thought wryly. Justness had little to do
with it. Ysgryff merely wanted to make sure he backed the winner.
     "So," Ysgryff continued. "I wonder what you could offer Greville and myself
should we decide to ally ourselves with your cause."
     Axis stared at him coldly. "Apart from your lives?" Ysgryff rocked back,
angered by Axis' words. "Our lives? You go too far, Axis!"
     "Perhaps you have not heard of Earl Burdel's fate, Ysgryff. Burdel thought to
oppose me. This is what happened to him." Axis waved his hand, and an image
formed in the space between them of Burdel, his sons to either side of him, hung
naked and dying on the cross outside Arcen.
     Ysgryff paled, not only at the sight of Burdel's death, but also at the
evidence of Axis' power.
     "Think not that I conjure lies, Ysgryff," Axis said softly. "I am sure you have
contacts who can confirm the truth of what you have just witnessed."
     "You broke Arcen?" Ysgryff asked. His fingers toyed with the tassels of his
cushion. Axis was stronger than he had realised. Well, that was nothing but
good. He, as so many others, had waited a long, long time for this moment and
this man.
     "Arcen ceded itself to me without a fight, Ysgryff. Skarabost and Arcness are
mine. If you force me to ride through your shiny soldiers behind you then I will
do it. You may delay me a few days, but that is all you will do." Axis' tone
hardened. "I have not come here to bargain with you, Ysgryff, Greville. I have
come simply to accept your aid. It is your decision whether to ride with me or
against me."
      Ysgryff dropped his eyes, but Greville stared at Axis. He had expected Axis
to fall over himself with gratitude that he andYsgryff had offered to parley with
him. He had expected to wring considerable concessions out of the man —
perhaps trade concessions, perhaps even more territory for the two of them to
divide between themselves. They had not counted on the self-confidence of the
man, nor on his undoubted power. Already Icarii and Ravensbund rode with him.
And if Axis could seize Skarabost and Arcness then he would undoubtedly be
able to seize both Tarantaise and Nor.
      "Gentlemen," Judith said softly into the silence as Greville joinedYsgryff in
dropping his eyes to the floor. "I have some information that may make the
decision easier." She and Embeth had not yet told anyone save Faraday of
Priam's death-bed wish, nor, indeed, had they told anyone of what they
suspected about his death. "I have no proof, but I believe Priam was murdered,
probably by Borneheld in concert with the Seneschal."
      Eyes about the room widened and breathing stilled. Borneheld had murdered
his uncle? Axis was the least surprised. He had seen Borneheld murder FreeFall.
      "As he died, Axis," Judith took a breath, "Priam named you his heir. Axis,
you have a rightful claim to the throne of Achar, and I will be prepared to swear
to the truth of that statement on any sacred relic presented to me."
      "Axis," said Embeth. "You are the rightful King of Achar. It is Borneheld who
is the pretender. Not only pretender, but murderer. The present Queen, Faraday,
will also be prepared to swear that Borneheld murdered Priam."
      If Judith had thought Axis would be gratified that Priam had finally
recognised him, she was as disillusioned as Greville.
      "Priam refused to acknowledge me for thirty years," Axis said harshly. "He
left it late indeed to acknowledge my worth and my blood. And for that he paid
the price."
      Judith bowed her head. Axis had a right to be bitter.
      "Nevertheless," Axis continued in a softer tone. "I thank you for your words
and for your support here today. I grieve for you that you had to lose your
husband in such a cruel manner." Axis knew that Priam and Judith had loved
each other, and now was no time to tell Judith that Axis would have as cheerfully
waged war on Priam if he had obstructed his purpose as he was now doing on
Borneheld.
      Axis turned back to Ysgryff and Greville. "Well?"
      Ysgryff shrugged expressively at Greville and turned his smoky blue eyes
towards Axis. They were, Axis realised, precisely the same shade as Azhure's.
"Then we are here to aid you, Axis."
      "Then I welcome you to my cause, gentlemen," Axis said. "Of the lands of
the two earls that I have passed through thus far, one of them has been
completely dispossessed, and the other I executed. It gives me a pleasant
feeling to be able to speak to the lords of the next two provinces and know that I
will leave them both their lands and their lives."
      YsgryfF and Greville recognised the underlying threat. Do not think to betray
me, for then both your lands and your lives will be forfeit.
      Axis watched the impact of his words sink in. Good. They understood him.
      "But the negotiations are not yet concluded," he said, surprising Ysgryff and
Greville. "I am willing to cede you some concessions. Exclusive rights to control
Achar's trade with Coroleas, Ysgryff?"
      Ysgryff's face brightened. He and his province would be richer than he could
have ever dreamed. "I thank you, Sire," he said, giving Axis the benefit of the
regal title.
      Axis' mouth twitched. Who said that respect could not be purchased?
"Greville, I imagine that you would appreciate exclusive fishing rights to Widewall
Bay? As well as rights to control the grain trade of eastern Achar?"
      It was as rich an offer as that made to Ysgryff, even though Greville had less
to offer Axis in terms of arms and men. "It is generous, Sire," Greville said
carefully. "Perhaps overly so. Sire, do not take my words amiss, but I wonder
why you are so generous when, as you have made explicitly clear, you could
have had Ysgryff's and my lives without overly troubling yourself."
      Axis nodded. "Perhaps you are right to be suspicious, Greville. Gentlemen,
you must know that I aim not only for the throne of Achar, but to unite the three
races of Acharite, Icarii and Avar?"
      "We have heard as much," Greville said, even more cautiously. Judith and
Ernbeth, who had heard it from Faraday, had told both Barons of the Prophecy
and its implications.
      Ysgryff simply stared at Axis, his hands now still.
      "I aim to recreate the ancient land of Tencendor, a land where the three
races can once again live in harmony. The Icarii and the Avar will move back
down into parts of what is now Achar, and, gentlemen, I am afraid that both of
you stand to lose much of ydur territory."
      Both Barons narrowed their eyes and Axis went on quickly. "I remind you of
the trade, fishing and grain concessions I have granted you," he said. "Those
concessions will make both of you, as your people, rich. You can well afford to
lose a little territory - and I assure you, I only want to take the barren and
troublesome bits that you have little use for."
      "Tell us, Axis," Greville said, leaning forward, his blue eyes sharp. "What
exactly will we lose...and to what?"
      "Thus far I have done all the talking," Axis said. "Now, perhaps, it time for
me to introduce my father, StarDrifter SunSoar, Enchanter and Prince of the
Icarii people."
      "Prince" was not a title the Icarii normally used, but it was one that the
Barons would understand, and it roughly described StarDrifter's royal connection.
      Eyebrows shot up as Axis introduced StarDrifter as his father. So this was
the lover whom Rivkah had taken? This is who had cuckolded Searlas into
becoming the laughing stock of Achar?
     StarDrifter watched the curiosity blossom across the faces before him and
inclined his head. These were the ones who had trampled roughshod over the
Icarii and Avar sacred lands for so many generations?
     "Both the Icarii and the Avar have deep attachments to some parts of the
land you now call Achar," he began, shifting his gaze slowly from one to another.
"The Avar forest, the Avarinheim, once stretched as far as the Widewall Sea, and
my people lived scattered over most of southern and eastern Achar. But we do
not expect that you will give us all the land you have cultivated, nor would we
wish to demand it."
     Axis knew that StarDrifter had spent much time consulting carefully with
Raum over this matter, and he knew that the pair had come to a workable
arrangement which should not alienate too many of the Acharites.
     "The Avar would wish to replant the forests in certain areas," StarDrifter
continued. Axis repressed a smile. Despite his heavy-handedness at it, StarDrifter
was threading a little of the Song of Harmony into his voice. MorningStar would
be proud of you, Axis thought, for using the water music so effectively when you
find it so hard.
     "Parts of eastern Skarabost, eastern Arcness and," StarDrifter paused a little,
"the larger part of Tarantaise."
     Ah, Greville nodded, no wonder Axis is willing to grant me so many
concessions. Well, Axis was also right when he said that he only wanted the
barren and troublesome bits. And what was the majority of Tarantaise, if not
broad and useless grass plains? Perhaps the fishing and grain rights would be
worth the loss of so much territory.
     "We would also want the Bracken Ranges, but that is neither here nor there
as far as you two are concerned."
     StarDrifter looked about him and smiled, and both Embeth and Judith gaped
at the sudden beauty and virility of his face. No wonder Rivkah, may she rest in
peace, had succumbed to him.
     StarDrifter s smile widened until even the two Ban. affected by it. "And here
we sit among some of the tomt- ^i our most revered Enchanter-Talons, or Kings.
This is also a deeply holy site for us, and we would want to regain control of the
Ancient Barrows and the swathe of territory that stretches down to and
surrounds the Silent Woman Woods. Greville, will you agree to the loss of some
two-thirds of your territories for the concessions that my son is willing to grant
you?" StarDrifter did not mention Star Gate. There was no need for the Baron to
know what lay beneath their feet.
     Greville thought about it. The fishing and grain rights would more than
adequately compensate for the land that this StarDrifter requested on behalf of
his people and the Avar. And so few people lived in the northern and eastern
parts of Tarantaise that hardly any would be displaced. Most of his people lived
closer to Tare and to the south-western border of Tarantaise and Nor. He took a
deep breath. Besides, Axis did not have to offer him anything at all. He could
simply have taken it.
     "I agree and I accept," he said firmly, and leaned forward and offered
StarDrifter his hand. "You are welcome to the areas you have requested."
     StarDrifter shook Greville's hand, relieved. Like Axis, he wanted the Acharites
to cede their land willingly rather than have it forced from. them.
     "And for control of trade with the Corolean Empire," Ysgryff said dryly and
with evident concern, "I suppose you want the majority of Nor?" Nor was a much
richer and more densely peopled province than Tarantaise, and Ysgryff was not
sure that he wanted to hard over the larger part of his province to these Icarii or
Avar.
     StarDrifter's smile faded a little. "I would ask for only one thing from Nor,
YsgryfF."
     Ysgryff raised his eyebrows inquiringly.
     "Pirates' Nest."
     Ysgryff only managed to keep his mouth shut with a supreme effort. Axis
was prepared to allow Ysgryff rich trading concessions for that sea-lapped rock
infested with pirates? What secret treasures did Axis think the island hid? What
did he know of the island?
     "No hidden treasures, Ysgryff," Axis said softly, and Ysgryff allowed an
expression of excitement to filter across his face at this further exhibition of
power and ability. By the sacred gods themselves! The time was here!
     "No hidden treasures, but simply one of the most sacred sites of the Icarii
People. StarDrifter?"
     "We know the island as the Island of Mist and Memory, Ysgryff. We had our
Temple of the Stars on the island, and we believe that, beneath the pirates' filth,
its ruins must still be there. We would like to reclaim the island and rebuild the
temple."
     YsgryfTs face had gone white and he was having obvious difficulty
breathing. Both StarDrifter and Axis wondered if it was the sudden revelation
that Pirate's Nest held an ancient Icarii temple.
     They were both wrong.
     Ysgryff took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. Courage, Ysgryff, he
thought to himself, it is time to step forth from the shadows. It is time for a
thousand years of deception and secrecy to end. This is the time, and this is the
man.
     "The Temple still stands," he said, and now it was both StarDrifter and his
son's turn to look stunned.
     "The Temple still stands. The pirates have left it alone." Until StarDrifter had
mentioned it himself, Ysgryff had been determined not to break the code of
silence that protected the Temple of the Stars. He had first heard of it when a
baby, and first visited it when a young boy. This was the first time in his life he
had spoken of it to an outsider.
     StarDrifter's eyes filled with tears. This was more, far more than he could
have hoped for, but Ysgryff was not yet done.
      "Nor has supplied the nine priestesses for the past thousand years,
StarDrifter. The nine still wander the walks and paths of Temple Mount. The
Library still contains its ancient scrolls and parchments. The Dome of the Stars
still protects the First Priestess —"
      Forgotten in the shadows behind Axis, Azhure shuddered as if the cold
fingers of memory gripped her soul. She thought she heard the crash of waves
against towering cliffs.
     The Dome...the Dome!
     Azhure? Azhure? Is that you?
     What had happened in the Dome? Tears filled her eyes, and she turned her
head aside.
     "— and the Avenue still stretches straight and shaded towards the Temple of
the Stars. The Star Dance still lingers among the orchards and the vines and fills
the otherwise empty Assembly of the Icarii."
     StarDrifter could not believe what he was hearing. Did the entire Temple
complex still stand unviolated? And Ysgryff? By the Stars themselves, StarDrifter
breathed, Ysgryff — indeed, perhaps the entire Nors people — knew far more
about the Icarii than the Seneschal had ever known.
     Not only StarDrifter, but all the Icarii present had been stunned by Ysgryff's
intimate knowledge of the complex on Temple Mount and particularly of the nine
priestesses. The Icarii themselves rarely ever mentioned the nine priestesses of
the Order of the Stars. Even Axis had barely heard of them. Yet here was the
Baron of Nor prattling on as if he were well acquainted with Icarii mysteries.
     "Do not think all the Acharites have forgotten the ancient ways. Even my
elder sister took her turn as one of the priestesses. StarDrifter, had you asked for
the Island of Mist and Memory for nothing I would willingly have ceded it to you.
As it is," Ysgrff grinned at Axis, "I now have control of the richest trading routes
in Achar."
     Axis smiled weakly back. Never underestimate your enemies, Axis, he told
himself. And never underestimate your allies, either.
     "However, I am willing to be generous." Ysgryff was enjoying himself
hugely. "For the trading rights I am willing to beg the pirates to permit the Icarii
to land on their island."
     And yet, Ysgryff thought to himself, looking Axis in the eye and hoping the
man was still reading his every thought, I still have the last laugh, because the
pirates' occupation of the Island of Mist and Memory was only ever intended to
protect the Temple of the Stars from the Seneschal. No Brother of the Seneschal
would ever have stepped foot on the island knowing that he was likely to end up
in some pirate's cooking pot.
     "I'm sure the Icarii will not mind granting some of the island to the pirates,
Ysgryff," Axis said, the smile now completely gone. He had underestimated this
man badly, and the man's obvious service to the Icarii sacred site humbled him.
"Seeing how they have done the Icarii such a great service."
     StarDrifter turned and looked at his son strangely.
     That evening was one of the happier occasions of the march south. Extra
tents were hastily erected in the open space and several bullocks - purchased
from a passing herdsman - were slaughtered and roasted whole over spits. The
Barons and Axis invited their commanders and sundry guests to the feast and to
witness the signing of the treaty between them, a treaty that also gave so many
of the Icarii and Avar sacred lands back to them.
     It was, Axis thought as he bent to add his signature to the treaty, a most
auspicious occasion. With one simple signature, in his twin role as heir to both
the Acharite and the Icarii thrones, so much of the bitterness and hatred of the
Wars of the Axe and the subsequent thousand-year period had been undone.
The Icarii were free to start moving south again, and, hopefully, the Avar would
follow. Once they had Tree Friend to lead them, of course.
     All I have to do now, Axis sighed, handing the pen over to a hooded Raum,
is defeat both Borneheld and Gorgrael.
     Axis had asked that Raum co-sign against his name on behalf of the Avar.
Raum had cried with relief when StarDrifter and Axis told him that the Avar
would be allowed to replant so much of the ancient forests. The forests had once
stretched to the Nordra as well, but Raum had known that it would be unrealistic
to expect the Acharites to give up so many of their rich grain lands, and so he
had proposed a compromise. The forests would one day stretch down the
eastern side of Achar to Widewall Bay, extending westwards only to include the
Bracken Ranges and the Silent Woman Woods. It was enough, Raum thought, as
he made his sign as a Bane, a leaping deer, and his sign as a member of the
GhostTree Clan, a pair of entwined branches.
     The Barons stepped up next to add their signatures. Ysgryff took the pen
from Raum and signed his name with a flourish. He then handed the pen to
Greville, who did not hesitate to add his signature to a document-that would
make himself and his people rich on grain and fishing concessions.
     As soon as the treaty and its copy was signed, Ho'Demi solemnly helped his
wife, Sa'Kuya, to serve Tekawai.
     Once Sa'Kuya had picked up her own cup, Axis raised his Tekawai in a toast.
"To Tencendor," he said. "May all the trials ahead be as simply and amicably
solved as this treaty was parleyed."
     "To Tencendor," the gathered crowd chorused, draining their Tekawai at a
gulp, then reaching with somewhat indelicate haste for more alcoholic
sustenance.
     Both Ho'Demi and Sa'Kuya smiled as they retrieved their cups. What a crowd
of savages they found themselves among.
     And then they set about enjoying themselves.
     If Embeth and Judith thought they had received all the shocks they were
going to get, then they were in for yet more surprises. As they chatted quietly in
a corner of the main tent, a handsome middle-aged woman approached them, a
young baby of some six or seven months in her arms.
     Judith looked at her in some puzzlement. The woman's face seemed
somewhat familiar.
     "Judith." The woman smiled, and Judith frowned. This stranger was
addressing her with a little too much familiarity!
     "Do you not remember me, Judith?" the woman asked. "Do you not
remember how we used to steal peaches from the cooks in the kitchens of the
palace in Carlon when we were children? How we used to chase the pigeons
from the courtyard at dawn?"
     "Rivkah!" 'Judith breathed, unable to believe that her closest girlhood friend,
whom she had thought dead some thirty years, now stood before her.
     Rivkah smiled and embraced Judith briefly. Then she stood back and took
her first good look at the woman. Judith looked wan and fragile, her skin papery
and translucent. She had always been delicate, but now she looked like a dream-
image which would be shattered by a simple puff of breeze.
     Judith, overwhelmed to find Rivkah standing here before her, began to cry
silently, reaching out her hands for Rivkah, almost as if she would not be able to
believe that she was really there until she could touch her.
     "Shush," Rivkah said. "Axis should have said something. It was remiss of
him. Judith, I am sorry beyond telling to hear of Priam's death."
     "He was your brother as well as my husband," Judith said through her tears.
"We have both suffered loss through his death."
     Rivkah said nothing for a moment, but when she spoke her voice was hard.
"Axis tells me that you blame Borneheld for Priam's death."
     Judith reached out a trembling hand. "Oh, Rivkah, I forget so easily that
Borneheld was your son. I...I do not mean ..."
     Rivkah was instantly contrite. "Judith, I do not chide you for blaming
Borneheld. I disassociated myself from my eldest son the instant he slipped from
my body. I have no intention of bonding with him now, or of acknowledging him.
Knowing his father, I can well believe that Borneheld murdered to gain the
throne. He murdered my brother as well as your husband, Judith, and I cannot
forgive him that. Do not fret that you accuse him."
     As Judith and Rivkah s conversation turned from Borneheld to mutual
friends, Embeth let her eyes slip about the room. It was so strange, being here
in this company. The Icarii dominated the room, their extraordinary beauty and
grace, as well as their wings, catching Embeth's eyes at every turn. It was the
men among them who commanded her attention, however. Men like StarDrifter,
who, when he caught her looking at him, had such a knowing look on his face
that Embeth felt her legs weaken. It was easy to see who Axis had inherited his
magnetism from. She hastily looked away, but found her eyes being dragged
back to the Icarii Enchanter. He was still looking at her.
     Embeth closed her eyes, clenching her fists by her sides, trying to break the
spell he had woven about her. By Artor, she breathed, these Icarii will wreak
havoc among the loose morals of court. When she opened her eyes again
StarDrifter had turned away, and Embeth breathed a little more easily. She saw
Belial, smiling gently at a young Nors girl, perhaps seventeen or eighteen, who
chatted animatedly to him. She wore a bright red dress of fine wool that
highlighted her pale skin and blue eyes and contrasted with her black hair. When
Magariz stopped momentarily to catch at Belial's arm and indicate a group of
soldiers and Crest-Leaders a little further away, Belial shook his head and pulled
his arm free, moving a little closer to the girl. Embeth raised her eyebrows. So he
preferred the company of a young girl to that of fighting and drinking comrades?
     The soft chiming of bells caught Embeth's attention. Many of the
Ravensbundmen, some with wives, were also present, and Embeth watched
them, fascinated, for a long while. Each had different patterns tattooed into his
or her face, but all had the blazing sun emblazoned across their foreheads.
Embeth wondered at the Ravensbund devotion, that they would mark
themselves so for Axis. Their black hair glistened blue and green as the lamp
light caught the glass among their braids, and they marked their passage
through the throng with soft chimes and whispers. Behind the Ravensbundmen
were a group of three men who, someone had whispered to Embeth, were the
Sentinels mentioned in the Prophecy. Embeth regarded them curiously as they
chatted to Baron Ysgryff, almost as if they were old friends.
     Axis caught Embeth's eye, and she watched him move among the crowd for
a while. The Nors woman was by his side again, laughing and chatting familiarly,
not only with Axis, but with most of those he spoke to. She was wearing a black
gown, startling in its simplicity, cut low over her breasts and clinging to her slim
form. Her hair hung loose down her back. She looked stunning. A true Nors
woman, Embeth thought, refusing to admit to herself that she was bitterly
jealous.
     She did not realise that, to one side, Belial had turned from the lovely young
Nors girl and was watching her with some concern. Whispering an excuse to the
Nors girl, Belial slowly began to move through the crowd towards Embeth. The
girl stared after him, her face losing much of its radiance as she watched Belial
move away.
     At the same moment Azhure turned and saw Embeth staring at her. Smiling
and touching Axis' arm for a moment, murmuring a word or two of excuse,
Azhure also began to make her way through the crowd towards Embeth.
     "But, Rivkah, explain this baby," Judith asked finally, and Embeth turned
back towards the two women. The baby was very handsome, chubby pale
cheeks beneath a loose mop of black curls. Smoky blue eyes regarded the
women solemnly.
     Rivkah smiled. "Judith, Embeth, I would like you to meet my grandson,
Caelum."
     Embeth's heart thudded painfully. She did not need mystic vision to know
who had bred this child.
     Azhure joined them in a rustle of silk, and Rivkah turned and handed Caelum
across as he wriggled and laughed at the sight of his mother. "And this is the
woman I regard as my daughter, Azhure."
     Embeth's ill feeling only increased. Wormed her way into both Axis' and his
mother's hearts.
     "How nice to meet you, Azhure," Judith said.
     "And you are Axis' wife?" Embeth asked.
     "No. No, I am not. But we are lovers," Azhure said coolly. She knew who
Embeth was, and who she once had been. "And Axis does not hesitate to
acknowledge me"
     Embeth took a sharp breath at the woman's emphasis on the last word. Her
eyes glittered angrily, but before she could respond, Belial stepped up to the
group and put a restraining hand on her arm.
     "Azhure," he said, "I'm sure Axis would appreciate both you and Caelum
back at his side as he speaks to Baron Ysgryff."
     Azhure nodded stiffly. "I am sorry, Embeth," she said. "My remark was
uncalled for." Then she was gone.
     "Do not be fooled by her Nors looks, Embeth," Belial said in an undertone.
"She means far more to Axis than you give her credit for."
     Embeth dropped her eyes as Azhure rejoined Axis. He had turned and smiled
at the woman with such love that she had felt a painful jolt of memory. Ganelon
had once smiled at her with love, but never Axis. Axis had offered her friendship,
no more.
     "I have been a fool, Belial. Come, talk to me of some of your exploits over
the past two years."
     Baron Ysgryff bowed low over Azhure's hand and smiled at her.
     "You are my countrywoman, Azhure," he said. "I knew when you walked into
the treaty tent earlier this afternoon beside Axis that I would be able to refuse
him nothing. I am but wet clay when faced with such beauty." He turned a little
to Axis, although he kept his grip on Azhure s hand. "She is your most dangerous
weapon, Axis. Use her well and your enemies will all fall at your feet."
     Axis laughed. "You are quite the courtier, Ysgryff."
     Azhure smiled graciously. "My mother was a Nors woman, Baron, but I was
born and bred in northern Skarabost."
     "Your mother?" Ysgryff raised his eyebrows. "Lost to us in northern
Skarabost? Please, tell me her name. I might have known her."
     A look of deep distress crossed Azhure's face and she snatched her hand
from Ysgryff's fingers. "She died when I was very young," she stammered,
white-faced. "I cannot remember her name."
     Axis slipped a hand about her waist, concerned at Azhure s reaction. Why
did she say her mother had died? Had she heard something of her mothers fate
after she had run away with the pedlar?
     "Azhure, I apologise if my remark caused you distress," Ysgryff said hastily.
"Please, accept my belated condolences. Your mother must have been very
beautiful if I can judge anything by her daughter's beauty."
     Azhure relaxed slightly and her face regained some colour. "Yes," she said,
"she was very beautiful." Her eyes became dreamy. "She would talk to me of
many things."
     "Of strange and faraway lands, perhaps? Of seas and tides and long pale
beaches?" YsgryfFs voice was curiously insistent.
     "Yes. Yes, she had seen many wonders."
     "And what did she tell you about these strange lands, Azhure? What did she
show you?"
     "Flowers," Azhure said, her voice curiously dull. "Many flowers.
Moonwildflowers. Yes. She liked those. And hunting...and...moonlight... and...the
Dome ..." she whispered. "The Dome. I remember the Dome."
     Axis glanced at Ysgryff, puzzled, and he tightened his arm about Azhure's
waist. Had she had too much wine?
     Azhure blinked at the pressure of Axis' arm. "Oh, Ysgryff, it was so long ago.
I cannot remember. Her tales are lost in the mists of memory."
     As is her name, Ysgryff thought. As is her name. All the priestesses lost their
names the day they took their final vows. But what was one of the nine doing in
northern Skarabost? And which one was if? The first opportunity Ysgryff got he
would be making some very specific inquiries at the Temple of the Stars.
Meanwhile he had a Sacred Daughter standing before him. He must determine
her age - that would make his inquiries the easier.
     "Then, Azhure, if such things are lost to you, perhaps you will let me tell you
of your mother's homeland?"
     "I would be delighted," Azhure said. "Please, tell me about Nor. I have often
wondered what my mother's people are like."
     No wonder, Ysgryff thought, Axis had taken up with this woman. Did he
know what he had won for himself? Did he know what the gods had given him?
     Apparently not, for otherwise the man would not have hesitated to marry
her.




    rE      very so often Ysgryff's eyes would drift to the child in Azhure's arms,

equally fascinated by the baby as he was by his mother. This was a magical line
indeed.
    In Carlon, Borneheld was enjoying himself immensely. Before him sat the
Corolean Ambassador, almost as thin as the pen he held poised in one hand. The
man's dark eyes skimmed over the page before him.
    "Where do I sign, Sire?"
    "Here," Borneheld pointed with his finger. "And here."
    The Ambassador signed perfunctorily, then handed the pen to Borneheld,
watching as the King of Achar signed the document as well. The man was almost
obscene in his haste.
    As soon as he had finished Borneheld sat back, feeling a deep sense of
peace and security. Let Axis come for me now, he thought, let him come and see
what a surprise I have in store for him. "When will the Emperor begin to send
the troops, Ambassador?"
    "Most of the troops are waiting to embark, Sire," the Ambassador said.
"They should be here within two weeks."
    Not before time, Borneheld thought. Not before time. He had worked hard to
conclude this treaty with the Corolean Ambassador — and the troops which the
Emperor had promised him would win him back his country.
    "Some more wine?" he inquired politely, although he disliked having to
waste such good wine on this constipated vegetable. "It is of the finest quality."


The Silent Woman Dream
It was the last week of Harvest-month, only eight weeks before Axis had to fulfil
his side of the contract with the GateKeeper. Axis' temper grew shorter day by
day as he realised how little time he had before his bargain died. But his army
had now grown so vast it could not possibly move at the same speed as Axis'
former Axe-Wielders had been able to. As tents were erected at a site just south
of the Silent Woman Woods, Axis remembered how his Axe-Wielders had taken
three days to traverse the distance between the Silent Woman Woods and the
Ancient Barrows. His thirty-one thousand had taken just on nine days to travel
the same distance.
     Axis sighed and stared at the Silent Woman Woods. He had not objected
when his father, grandmother and sundry other Icarii Enchanters had flown into
the woods earlier that morning. There was little of danger within the Silent
Woman Woods to harm the Icarii, and much to fascinate them, though three
Wing of the Icarii Strike Force had accompanied them. Surprisingly, both Ogden
andVeremund had shrugged when Axis had asked them if they wanted to ride in,
saying that they would return to the Silent Woman Keep one day, but not this
one. Raum, beside them, had stood staring longingly at the Woods from beneath
the deep overhang of his hood, but had turned away shaking his head when Axis
asked him if he would walk among the trees. "Later" was all he had said.

     Axis walked slowly towards his tent, preoccupied. His relationship with
Azhure was becoming more strained the closer they came to Carlon and to
Faraday. Every night between the Ancient Barrows and the Silent Woman Woods
Azhure rolled herself and Caelum into her bedroll and turned her back on him.
One night Axis had laid his hand on Azhure s shoulder and murmured into her
ear. "Do not lock me out of your life, Azhure, I do not intend to let you go."
     She had been silent for a long minute, and Axis had thought she was
pretending to be asleep. But she had finally spoken. "You and I have lived
together almost a year, and every day I have fallen a little more deeply in love
with you. Do not blame me if, now that you draw closer to Faraday, I try to
reconcile myself to losing you."
     "You will not lose me -" Axis started, but Azhure rolled over and stared him
in the eye.
     "I will lose you the moment Borneheld dies, Axis. No matter how much you
protest that you love me, I know that one day you will let me go entirely for
Faraday. Forgive me, Great Lord, if occasionally I allow myself a little self-pity."
     At that she had rolled back towards Caelum and determinedly shut her eyes,
refusing to respond as Axis stroked her and whispered protestations of love for
her.
     Damn her! Axis swore as he stepped carefully around ropes and tent stakes,
perhaps it would be better if I just let her go! But even as the thought crossed
his mind, Axis knew he could not do it. Not now that she had bitten so deeply
into his soul.
     As the night thickened about the Silent Woman Woods, the Cauldron Lake
slowly began to boil. A deep golden mist rose from the Lake's surface and drifted
through the trees towards the camp site of Axis SunSoar's army.
     Deep into the night, Axis opened his eyes. For a long time he lay on his
back, staring at the dark canvas stretched above him, listening to Azhure breathe
deeply by his side.
     He was not sure if he dreamed or if he was awake.
     Finally Axis rolled out of his blankets and stood up. He considered waking
Azhure - for something strange seemed to be about to happen — but decided
against it. She had been looking tired and drawn of late and needed her sleep.
     Axis ducked his head low and pushed the tent flap back. The camp was
shrouded in a thick golden mist. Strange. Perhaps this was a dream. He stepped
outside the tent and straightened up. A glint of gold caught his eyes as he
dropped his arm from the tent flap. How strange! He was dressed in his golden
tunic with its blazing blood-red sun. The one Azhure had stitched for him so long
ago in Talon Spike. But why was he wearing it now?
     Axis contemplated his appearance, then shrugged. This was a dream, and
anything could happen in a dream.
     He walked through the camp. About him the camp fires had burned down to
glowing coals - no flames leaped to challenge the intruding mist. The Alaunt lay
in a sleeping circle about the tent Axis shared with Azhure. None stirred as he
walked past, though their sides fell up and down as they breathed deep in their
own dreams. Guards, both within the camp and at its perimeter, gazed straight
ahead as if in a trance. They did not challenge Axis as he walked slowly past.
     None of this troubled Axis. It was a dream, after all.
     Slowly, very slowly, Axis moved on, pausing at Belial's tent and glancing in.
Belial lay deep in sleep, twisted into his bedroll beside a dark-haired young girl
who travelled with YsgryfFs retinue. A red wool dress lay thrown carelessly
across the foot of the blankets. Axis' mouth twitched. Had Belial found a woman
who could take his mind off Azhure?
     Axis let the tent flap drop and went to the next tent. Like Belial, Magariz also
lay twisted with a woman, but this one Axis knew. Rivkah. His mother.
      Axis stood a long time staring at the outline of their entwined bodies
beneath the blankets. Was this simply a figment of his sleeping mind? He told
himself this was only a vision, and, even if it did speak of truth, why should he
speak out against this? But something, deep inside him, told Axis this was a
development that should - must - concern him. It bespoke danger, although Axis
could not see what kind.
      Axis let the canvas of the tent flap slip from his fingers, and he resumed his
slow walk through the tents and camp fires, winding his way past sleeping forms
towards the perimeter of the camp. Nothing moved. Even time seemed not to
breathe within this mist.
      Beyond the camp Axis turned towards the Silent Woman Woods, perhaps a
hundred paces away. When he had camped here on his journey towards
Gorkenfort, he had kept his Axe-Wielders as far from the trees as practicable.
Then he and his had feared the trees. But as fear of the Forbidden had lessened
and died among those who rode with Axis SunSoar, so also dread of trees and
shadowed places had been replaced with acceptance, and even a mild curiosity.
When the forests were slowly replanted within eastern Achar — Tencendor —
Axis had no doubt that Acharite men and women would walk its paths along with
the Avar and the Icarii.
      A movement in the mist ahead caught his eye. Movement? In this, the most
motionless of dreams? A figure walked ahead, almost totally obscured by golden
tendrils of mist. Axis tried to walk faster, but the mist clung heavy to his limbs,
weighing them down, and it felt as though he were striding through thigh-deep
water.
      As he gained on the figure ahead of him, Axis could finally see that it was
Raum. He was naked and now Axis could see how his body had twisted almost
completely out of shape. Great misshapen growths humped out of his back and
chest, and his limbs were twisted and- malformed. His face, when he turned,
was so warped it was almost unrecognisable, and he lurched rather than walked,
rolling from one leg to another, his pace so unsteady that Axis feared he would
fall at any moment. He quickened his own pace as much as he was able, thinking
to aid Raum.
      But before Axis could catch Raum the Bane abruptly halted and bent down.
Axis saw the flash of a knife, then Raum lifted something in his hand. It was the
body of a hare. The Bane dipped the fingers of his hand into the open cavity of
the hare's chest, then lifted his fingers to his face and chest.
      Axis finally caught up with the Bane and stepped to his side. Raum had
drawn thick lines of blood down his face, the middle line centred on his nose, the
two companion lines running down either cheek. Three more lines ran down his
chest, ending at his nipples. The thick blood had clotted among the hairs of the
Bane's chest and its warm coppery freshness clung to Axis' nostrils.
      Raum's eyes widened. "Have you been called also?" he whispered.
      Have I been called? Axis wondered sluggishly, unable to collect his thoughts.
"I do not know why I am here."
     "You are here to witness, Axis SunSoar," a voice said behind him, and Axis
swivelled around as if in slow motion. The three Sentinels, Jack, Ogden
andVeremund, stood three or four paces away, each dressed in a plain white
robe that hung down to bare feet.
     "Have you been called?" Ogden wondered aloud. "You must have been, else
you would not be here. Tread carefully where you go, Axis SunSoar, and do or
say nothing that will offend your hosts."
     Ogden stepped forward and kissed Raum softly on the cheek, slightly
smearing one of the lines of blood. "Be well, dear one," he said. "Find peace
where you go."
     Jack andVeremund also stepped forward, kissing Raum on the cheek and
repeating Ogden's blessing. "Find peace," Veremund muttered a second time,
tears glistening in his eyes, and Axis noticed, with some surprise that Raum's
eyes also glittered with tears. What was going on?
     "Raum finds his home and his peace tonight, Axis SunSoar," Veremund said,
"and you have been called to witness. You have walked the Sacred Grove once
before and tonight you will re-enter. By invitation, this time."
     Axis remembered the dream that had visited him the previous time he had
slept outside the Silent Woman Woods. Then he had found himself in a dark
grove peopled by frightening and dangerous creatures. The Horned Ones. Axis
felt a small tremor of anxiety, but he had grown since that night two years ago.
He knew more, and he was more.
     Axis nodded. "Will you come with us?"
     "No," Jack replied. "This is for Raum and yourself alone. Be at peace."
     Impatient now, Raum turned to the opening among the trees. "Come," he
said, and Axis followed him into the forest.
     They walked slowly through the dark trees, the mist dissipating as they
moved into the Silent Woman Woods. Colours shifted about them until Axis
breathed deep in excitement -the light among the trees had lightened and
brightened until they were walking through a tunnel of emerald light. Even the
forest floor beneath their feet had disappeared so they were completely
suspended in the emerald glow.
     "We walk through the Mother," Raum muttered hoarsely, his eyes bright,
almost feverish.
     Axis could feel the power floating about him, and he shivered. It was good
that this was a dream, he thought, for otherwise this power would perturb him.
This was the source of the power that Faraday had used to give Axis and his
three thousand the means to escape and then destroy much of the Skraeling
force surrounding Gorkenfort. Axis remembered the emerald flame he had
summoned to destroy the Skraelings and he took a deep breath of awe —
Faraday must be powerful indeed to handle such forces as drifted through this
emerald light!
     They walked until Axis suddenly realised that he could feel leaves and twigs
under his feet again. At exactly that moment the emerald light started to mottle
and shadow about him, resolving itself into close, dark trees. Stars whirled
across the dark velvety sky above them.
     "The Sacred Grove," Raum whispered beside him, and Axis realised with a
start that this was the first time in months he'd heard Raum speak in a voice that
held no shadow of underlying pain.
     Before them the trees opened into the circle of the Sacred Grove, and both
Raum and Axis slowed. Power drifted among the trees. Unseen eyes watched. It
no longer felt like a dream. All traces of the mist had disappeared long before in
the brilliance of the emerald light, and Axis understood that he stood here in the
Sacred Grove in reality.
     He felt gaudy and overly conspicuous in his gold and red. For the first time
since he had accepted the golden tunic from Azhure, Axis felt slightly
uncomfortable in it.
     "You will never feel comfortable here, Axis my heart," a woman's voice said
quietly beside him, "because your power is tied to the stars, and this power
emanates from the earth. From the Mother."
     Faraday walked slowly out of the trees to one side, wearing a loosely draped
robe of peculiar shifting greens, purples and browns. Her long chestnut hair lay
thick and loose over her shoulders and down her back.
     "Faraday?" Axis whispered, completely forgetting Raum on his other side.
"Faraday?"
     She smiled and touched his arm gently. "How long, Axis? Twenty months?
Too long, my love. But wait. I must greet Raum."
     She stepped past Axis and wrapped her arms about Raum, laughing and
crying at the same time, murmuring to him as she hugged him close, softly
stroking his face as if she could soothe away the bumps and lesions that marred
it.
     Axis stared at her. Faraday seemed different from when he had last seen
her. No longer was she the innocent girl who first caught his eye at Priam's
nameday feast in the Chamber of the Moons. Nor was she the beautiful but sad
woman he remembered as Borneheld's wife. There were lines of pain about her
eyes that Axis did not remember, and lines of humour at the corners of her
mouth. Both experience and power had changed her. Would this Faraday accept
Azhure?
     Axis hastily clouded his thoughts - Faraday had demonstrated only a
moment ago that she was as capable as he at reading the mind of another, and
Axis did not want her finding out about Azhure from his unguarded thoughts.
What would be the best way of telling her?
     "Why do you frown, Axis? This is the first time we have seen each other for
a very long while, and this is a very special moment that I have asked you here
to witness. It is one of the few occasions that I could invite you here and the
Horned Ones would accept your presence. You are almost as closely linked to
Raum as I am."
     "You asked me? You were responsible for pulling me into this dream?"
     Faraday smiled and slipped her hand about Axis' arm, entwining her fingers
through his. "No dream, Axis. The dream is the husk of your body which awaits
you in your camp beyond the Silent Woman Woods. Now, be silent. We are both
here only to witness - for the moment, at least."
     Raum stumbled into the centre of the Grove, moaning again, as if his pain
had returned. Faraday's hand tightened around Axis', warning him to keep silent.
Raum dropped to his knees, his head twisted to one side, his hands held out as if
in supplication.
     Nothing moved, save the stars that whirled overhead and the watching eyes
that shifted among the trees.
     Raum screamed, and Axis' entire body jerked. Be silent, Faraday's stare said,
then she shifted her eyes back to Raum.
     Now he twisted about on the grass, caught in the throes of a dreadful
suffering. Another scream rent the Grove, then another, and Axis realised that a
dark stain was spreading about Raum's twisting body. Blood! Axis shuddered at
Raum's agony. By the Stars! he thought, Azhure was right about these people.
They preach a life of non-violence, but their very lives and culture exude
violence.
     Azhure? a voice asked in his head, and Axis jumped guiltily, screening his
thoughts again.
     A woman who lived with the Avar for a while. Now she earns her keep as an
archer in my army.
     Faraday smiled. A woman archer — indeed!
     Raum screamed again. His voice had lost its earlier pain-purified clarity and
was now harsh and guttural. The blood about him was spreading, and now Axis
could see that it seeped from every orifice in his body and, in places, from tears
in the skin stretched over painfully tight joints.
     All Banes, whether male or female, must die to transform, Axis. What we
witness here is both Raum's death and his renewal. All witness. But Raum must
do this on his own. None can help him.
     Axis wept silently. He liked Raum, had felt a special bond with the Bane. He
remembered the moment his eyes had locked with Raum's in the cell beneath
the Smyrton Worship Hall. Remembered the understanding that had passed
between them. That was the day he had not only met Raum for the first time,
but had also met...Axis blanked out his thoughts only just in time.
     Who'? Faraday asked in his mind.
     Shra, Axis replied. The Avar girl.
     Faraday's eyes misted. She had also met Shra at Fernbrake Lake, the
Mother. Raum had bonded both her and Shra at the same time.
     Raum had not the breath to scream now, although agony still gripped his
body. His breath came in harsh gasps that reached Axis and Faraday clearly
across the Grove. They stilled, as every eye watching did. After a few minutes
Raum's breathing all but ceased, although his body still jerked convulsively. His
head had twisted about so that his great dark eyes, streaming tears of pure
blood, stared directly into Axis'. Axis felt as though they somehow accused. He
saw himself as Raum must see him. Standing close to Faraday, while Raum knew
well that Axis had taken...Stars! Axis gave a great groan.
     Shush! The moment of transformation is dose now, Axis. Be still. Do not fear
for him.
     Axis shielded his eyes from Raum's unblinking stare and screened his
thoughts from Faraday, guilt consuming him. Guilt, but determination also. He
would not suffer like this once Faraday knew about and had accepted Azhure.
     Faraday gasped as Raum sickeningly, appallingly, exploded.
     Axis could not stop himself from crying out in horror as a fine spray of blood
and tissue arced through the Grove.
     By his side Faraday flinched, although she managed not to cry out. Instead,
a look of utter amazement spread across her face. "Mother!" she cried in shock.
She had known Raum would transform, but not like this. Not into this!
     Axis raised his eyes and stared at the spot where Raum had, but a moment
before, lain convulsing in pain. All traces of blood had gone. Instead, a
magnificent white stag lay there, its head drooped so that its nose rested on the
ground.
     Axis' head jerked, his eye caught by a movement at the edges of the grove.
One of the half-man half-stag creatures he remembered from his dream - a
Horned One with a magnificent silver pelt - had stepped forth and was walking
over to where what-had-been-Raum lay curled in the soft grass. He bent down,
extending a hand to touch the stag's forehead, and for an instant the stag
bowed its handsomely antlered head under the Horned One's touch.
     As the Horned One stepped back a great cry erupted from the watchers
among the trees. The Horned One threw his
     head back and screamed, the cry turning into myriad exultations.
     "Raum," Faraday muttered brokenly by Axis' side. Raum had not
transformed into a Horned One at all, but into the Sacred Stag of the Enchanted
Woods. "Oh Raum," she breathed. "I always knew you were special, and I have
been blessed beyond measure to witness this."
     She did not yet fully realise that it had been her own use of the power of the
Mother and the Sacred Grove that had effected this transformation.
     "I don't understand," Axis said.
     Faraday paused before she answered, recalling some of Ur's teachings.
"Occasionally," she said, "once every hundred generations, there is a Bane of
such purity and goodness who, when he transforms, does not transform into a
Horned One but into a Sacred Stag - the most magical and fey of the creatures
of the Sacred Grove."
     "The Avar revere the stag," Axis said softly, recalling his own teaching in
Talon Spike. "The stag plays a central, pivotal role in the Yuletide celebrations. It
is his sacrifice, his blood, that gives the sun the ^strength to be reborn. All
Banes identify with the stag."
    Faraday nodded. "Yes. The leaping deer, or stag, is the emblem of all
Banes." She paused, and when she resumed her voice was choked with emotion.
"I am so glad that Raum's purity of heart and soul have been rewarded in this
manner. Now the Sacred Stag will run through the Enchanted Wood again.
Mother, you have blessed all of your children."
    Slowly the Raum-Stag rose to his feet, rocking a little as he got used to
balancing on four legs instead of two. Gradually other Horned Ones drifted from
the tree line, reverentially moving to greet the Sacred Stag.
    For a long time Axis and Faraday stood silently, observing the acceptance of
the Sacred Stag into the holy community of the Sacred Grove.
    Eventually Faraday's hand tightened once more about Axis' arm. "Come,"
she whispered, and Axis reluctantly let her lead him into the centre of the Grove
where the Horned Ones milled about the Stag.
    As they drew close the Horned Ones regarded Axis with ill-concealed
hostility.
    So, they still dislike me, Axis thought. I will ever have trouble with the trees.
    Do not fear, beloved, Faraday reassured him. They will learn to accept you.
    "Who are you?" the whisper rose around Axis. "How did your feet find the
paths? Why do you stand so close to Tree Friend?"
    His feet followed mine along the paths. The Stag's mind-voice echoed
through the Grove as he stepped forward and tipped his anders in greeting.
    "I am Axis Rivkahson SunSoar," Axis said eventually. "Once BattleAxe -"
    The Grove was filled with hisses.
    - but now released from the lies that bound me. I am Axis SunSoar,
StarMan. I reforge Tencendor to stand against Gorgrael."
    "What do you do here?" a voice asked from deep among the group of
Horned Ones.
    "He is here because / invited him," Faraday said firmly. "And you should
greet him well. He is the StarMan, and I brought him here this night to meet
you. One day you will work on his behalf against Gorgrael. Both his efforts and
mine will see the forests replanted into Tencendor."
    The silver pelt nodded and spoke. "We have been watching you, Axis
SunSoar. We have watched and observed." He stared into Axis' eyes, and,
though Axis stared defiantly back, he wondered how much the Horned Ones had
observed.
    The silver pelt bared his teeth, and Axis hoped that it was the Horned One's
equivalent of a grin. "You have already won for Tree Friend the right to replant
most of the ancient forests."
    By Axis' side Faraday gasped in surprised pleasure. She did not know, as the
Horned Ones obviously did, of Axis' treaty with the Barons Ysgryff and Greville.
    "For that we thank you," the silver pelt finished, swinging his eyes to
Faraday. "But much pain lies ahead." There was too much knowledge in those
eyes for Axis' liking.
    "Forgive us if we do not yet welcome you into the Grove with open hearts,"
the silver Horned One said, "but perhaps one day your wife can bring you back.
She will always be welcome."
     He turned and placed his hand lightly on the Stag's shoulder. "Welcome to
our community, Holy One," he said. "Come. We have the secret forest paths that
your hooves crave."
     Axis, blinked, startled. The Horned Ones had completely vanished, and with
them had gone the Stag - Raum.
     Faraday smiled into Axis' eyes and, consumed with guilt, he bent to kiss her.
     "No," she said, drawing back. "Not while I am still married and vowed to
Borneheld. Will you come to free me soon?"
     "Yes," Axis whispered.
     She took a step back from him. "Free me soon, Axis. I have waited so long
for you. Too long." Her smile died. "I have hungered so long, and yet you look
so different. Not the same man who left me in Gorkenfort. What have you done
since then, Axis SunSoar? Who have you become? Do you still love me?"
     Axis opened his mouth, desperately searching for words. Instead of
speaking, he simply stretched out his hands towards her. Mist began to drift
about the Grove.
     "Do you still want me?" Faraday whispered. Why did her voice sound so
frightened?
     "Yes," Axis replied. Yes, he did still desire her - she was a beautiful woman,
and her power called to him. Well, perhaps desire would be enough for her.
     "Then hurry," Faraday said. "Hurry!"
     The mist thickened and congealed about them, and in the space of only two
heartbeats both Faraday and the Grove were completely obscured.
     He closed his eyes and strained desperately forward.
     "Faraday!" he called, and opened his eyes straight into Azhure's stare,
leaning over him as he twisted about in the blankets.
     "You have been dreaming," Azhure said flatly, "but now it is morning."
     She turned away and began hurriedly to dress, keeping her back to him as
she pulled her tunic over her head. The scars down her back ridged and bunched
as Azhure twisted into the tunic, and Axis watched her silently, the emotions of
his dream lingering still. What was he going to do?
     Azhure stood and picked up her son. "Breakfast cooks on the fire outside,"
she said, avoiding Axis' eyes. "If you continue to lie there it will spoil."
     Then she pushed aside the tent flap and was gone.
     "I'm sorry," he whispered, too late.


Then it is War, Brother?
     He kept Belaguez to a walk as he rode through the ranks of his army. On
their right flank Grail Lake glittered in the distance, the pink walls and the silver
and gold rooftops of Carlon rising like a fairytale backdrop behind it. On its
shores waited the Tower of the Seneschal — Spiredore.
      It was the third week of Weed-month. Over the past month Axis had
painstakingly marched his army slowly from the Silent Woman Woods across the
Plains of Tare. Borneheld had sent nothing to stop them.
      Ahead of him Magariz and Belial sat their horses patiently, their mail coats
gleaming as brightly as Grail Lake itself, and for a moment Axis' eye lingered on
Magariz.-The vision of his mother sleeping in Magariz's arms still returned to
bother Axis at odd moments. He had observed Rivkah and Magariz carefully over
the past weeks. If they did spend the occasional night together then there was
little hint of it in their daytime relations.
      Axis hastily averted both his eye and his thoughts. Rivkah could choose as
she wished. Why should a dalliance with Magariz bother him?
      Belaguez had almost reached the front ranks now, and Axis saw Azhure. She
sat Venator slightly to one side of Magariz, as beautiful in her weapons and mail
as she was naked in his blankets. Yet over the past five or six weeks the most
Axis had seen of Azhure's body had been her naked, scarred back. Ever since
Axis had awoken calling Faraday's name Azhure had grown ever more distant
and silent with him. She still lay by his side at night, but remained stiff and
unyielding.
      Axis burned for her, more than he could have ever imagined burning for any
woman. She occupied his thoughts almost constantly, and the deepening
distance between them was slowly driving him mad. No woman he had wanted
before had denied him like this. To have her breathing softly by his side night
after night, completely untouchable, drove him to distraction.
      As Axis passed Azhure turned her head slightly, refusing to look him in the
eye.
      Axis' mouth thinned and he reined Belaguez to a halt some four or five paces
beyond his commanders. He forced Azhure from his mind and lifted his eyes.
      Borneheld sat at the head of his army five hundred paces away as it lay
huddled about Bedwyr Fort and the sharp elbow of the Nordra where it turned
south towards its mouth into the Sea of Tyrre.
      Today Axis would give Borneheld his last chance to back down, to agree to
join Axis in fighting against Gorgrael. Of course, Axis sincerely hoped that
Borneheld would elect to fight him instead, for Borneheld still had to die, and
Axis preferred it to be as a result of battle rather than cold-blooded murder.
Yet...yet... Borneheld could not die here on the field. If Faraday wasn't present
then the GateKeeper's contract could not be fulfilled.
      "Come," he said to Belial and Magariz, and spurred Belaguez forward. Behind
them rode Arne, carrying the golden standard, the wind whipping and crackling
the material so that the blazing sun actually seemed to spit and hiss like an
angry fire.
      None of the men were armed, and all were unhelmeted.
      As Axis and the three who accompanied him rode across the open field
between the two armies, a small group of horsemen broke away from
Borneheld's army and rode to meet them.
     As the two small groups of horsemen approached each other Rivkah kicked
her horse forward and joined Azhure. Their eyes were glued to Axis' retreating
form.
     "Have you told him yet?" she asked.
     Azhure shook her head. "He does not need to know, Rivkah. He has too
much to worry him at the moment for me to add to his concerns."
     "He has every right to know, Azhure. How can you deny him this
knowledge?"
     Azhure turned to Rivkah, angry now. "I understand your concern, Rivkah,
but this a problem for myself and Axis. After the battle for Tencendor has been
won, then I will tell him."
     Rivkah shook her head, her face lined with worry. What was Axis planning to
do about Azhure and Faraday? He was as touchy on the subject as Azhure was
about her pregnancy.
     Slowly the two groups of horsemen converged. It is Gun-dealga Ford all over
again, thought Belial as he reined his horse back to a trot, except the purpose of
this meeting is to declare the truce null and void - and to make sure everyone
understands this fight will be to the death. Finally Axis and Borneheld's bitter
feud would reach its bloody conclusion.
     Axis and Borneheld halted some seven or eight paces apart and stared into
each other's eyes. Axis' blood-red cloak flapped about his golden tunic,
Borneheld wore a regal golden circlet above his gleaming bronzed WarLord's
armour. What would this world have been like, Belial wondered suddenly, if only
one and not the other had been born? Both were largely what they were
because of the rivalry between them. Would Borneheld have been so hostile to
the Forbidden if Axis had not led them? So full of doubts if he did not have the
golden rivalry of his brother to overshadow him? Would Axis have been so willing
to subject Achar to civil war if Borneheld had not been King? So desperate to
reach Faraday if she had not been Borneheld's wife?
     "Well, brother," Axis said, "it seems the time for treaties and truces has well
and truly died."
     "Have you made your peace with your dark and malevolent gods, Axis?"
Borneheld sneered. "Shortly you will meet with them face to face."
     Axis forced a smile to his face, and watched as Borneheld's own face
darkened in anger. "Brother, I have asked to meet you this one last time to offer
to you again the chance to fight under my command so that we may both repel
the invader."
     "You are the invader, Axis," Borneheld sputtered angrily. "And / am here to
repel you."
     "Then it is war, brother? You would prefer that I now move to complete your
humiliation?" Axis broadened his smile. "Borneheld, surely you realise that I now
control more of Achar than you do?"
     "I see the standards of the traitors Ysgryff and Greville flying in the ranks
behind you, Axis. What did you offer them to make them renege on their duty to
their King and to their god?" Borneheld snarled.
      Each new example of traitorous activity drove Borneheld close to despair,
and none so much as Ysgryff and Greville's defection. Why was Artor betraying
him like this? Artor? Artor? Do you still listen, Artor? Are you still there?
      Over the past weeks Borneheld's nightmares had got so bad that he hardly
dared lay his head down at night. The evil-eyed black-haired witch, a-waiting at
her counting table, appeared night after night, beckoning to him with her long
white fingers.
      Sometimes she held out a begemmed chalice, brimming with water.
      During the day Jayme, as his advisers, bolstered Borneheld's conviction and
his belief in himself, but Borneheld wondered if their consciences troubled them
late into the night too. And well might they desperately try to bolster my courage
and belief, Borneheld thought cynically, because I am all that now stands
between them and disaster. My army is the only thing that stands between Axis
and the Tower of the Seneschal. Even Jayme has laid aside his ill-temper in the
face of Axis' army.
      "Ysgryff and Greville came willingly to my cause," Axis said, noting the dark
shadows under Borneheld's grey eyes. "As did all my army. Every one at my
back loves me, Borneheld, and loves my cause. Can you say the same? / do not
have to hire men to fight for me."
      Borneheld relaxed on his horse. At least this Axis did not know. "I have
concluded an alliance with the Corolean Emperor, Axis. Hourly there arrive ships
from Coroleas bringing me reinforcements. If you think to attack me, Axis, then
delay not. Each day, each hour you wait, adds to my strength."
      The only indication of Axis' surprise was a slight tightening of his hands
about Belaguez's reins. An alliance with Coroleas? Axis had long feared this. The
Corolean Empire had massive resources in both gold and manpower -if Axis did
not defeat Borneheld quickly and decisively, then he could be bogged down in
southern Achar in a disastrous war of attrition for months to come. Not only was
there the GateKeeper's contract to fulfil, but Axis also worried deeply about
Gorgrael and his continuing development of the Skraelings. Every day Axis
wasted in southern Achar brought the likelihood of disaster in the north closer.
Axis glanced behind Borneheld. Jorge and Gautier had accompanied him to meet
with Axis - but if Jorge and Gautier were in Carlon, who was left to effectively
command the defences at Jervois Landing?
      And what had Borneheld offered the Emperor for a military alliance?
      Borneheld could read the query on Axis' face as soon as it crossed his mind.
      "Nor, brother. I offered him Nor."
      "Well, I hope the Emperor does not lust too badly for Nor. He shall not have
it." Axis' smile had gone completely now.
      "I doubt we have much else to say to each other, Axis," Borneheld said, and
wheeled his horse away.
      "Wait!" Axis' voice was sharp. "There is someone waiting behind who wants
to speak with you."
      Borneheld pulled his horse up and turned as a lone figure spurred its horse
forward from the front ranks of Axis' army.
      "Someone you have wanted to meet for a very long time," Axis added.
      A silver-haired woman drew close, slowing her horse. She was very
handsome, fine-boned. Borneheld's frown deepened.
      "Rivkah," Axis said, smiling at her, and Borneheld literally lurched in his
saddle with shock. "Our mother wants to speak with you, Borneheld. She wants
to see you once more before you die."
      Rivkah walked her horse over to Borneheld and slowly reached out and
touched his cheek. Her face was impassive.
      "Mother?" Borneheld whispered. Now she was closer he did not doubt that
this was his mother. She had Priam's eyes, and her face was an older version of
the portrait of her he had in his apartments. Her memory was almost as
important to him as was his devotion to Artor. And now here she sat before him,
her fingers running gently down his cheek, her face expressionless, her grey
eyes cool.
      "Borneheld," Rivkah said. "I had wondered what my eldest had made of
himself. Now here he sits before me." He was the image of Searlas, she thought,
and abruptly she shivered.
      As Rivkah remembered how much she loathed his father, her fingers, once
gentle, now pinched Borneheld's cheek sharply, and he pulled away in shock.
Rivkah's eyes had hardened and narrowed so that her gaze was now flinty and
angry.
      "You murdered my brother, Borneheld!"
      "You abandoned me to a cruel and heartless childhood, Mother," he
retorted, trying to turn the accusations against her. "How could you have done
that?"
      "Easily," Rivkah said. "/ was the one trapped in cruelty and heartlessness. I
never cared for you or your father and I revelled in the chance to make a life for
myself, a new family, among others."
      "Then be not surprised that I have turned out to be the man I am,"
Borneheld said, gaunt and shadowed. "Be not surprised that I have done the
things I have done."
      Everyone listening stiffened in shock. Was this an admission of guilt
regarding Priam's death?
      "If you do not like what you see before me, then blame yourself. was not
the one who ran away to let me grow unrestrained and unloved in a cold
household."
      "I did not abandon you in quite the way you seem to think, Borneheld,"
Rivkah said finally. "I was forced from your side to give birth to Axis in a cold and
cheerless room. Then my newborn son was hurried from my side and my ears
filled with the lie that he was dead. I was dragged, desperate and bleeding, to
die on the slopes of the Icescarp mountains. Borneheld, why don't you ask
Jayme and Moryson how I got there? And Borneheld, please pass on to them my
wish that we soon meet. There is a small matter of attempted murder that must
surely weigh heavily on their minds. Perhaps, before they die, they might wish to
confess to both me and their god." Her face was cold.
    "No," Borneheld whispered. He did not want to be forced to believe the lie
that Axis had told him at Gundealga Ford. He did not want to believe that Jayme
and Moryson were guilty of trying to murder his mother. But they had planned
other murders with ease, had they not?
    "I have no doubt that they are men easy with murder, Borneheld," Axis said.
"Are you safe from their plots?"
    Borneheld gave a wordless cry and wrenched the head of his horse about.
"You ask if it is war, brother? It has always been war between us, and I long for
the moment when your death puts an end to our rivalry and hatred!"
    For a long agonising moment he stared at Rivkah, then he booted his horse
and galloped back towards his army.
    Gautier turned after him, but Jorge hesitated.
    "Princess Rivkah," he said, bowing slightly in his saddle. "I am well pleased
to see that you survive and look so well." He turned back to Axis and spoke but
one word. "Roland?"
    "Roland is as well as can be expected. He rests easily at Sigholt."
    "Ah," Jorge said, his eyes far away, then they refocused on Axis. "Axis, if I
do not survive this battle, will you tell him that I have valued his friendship
above all else during the past few years?"
    Axis stared at the Earl of Avonsdale. "Jorge, why don't you join me? You
have heard Borneheld. The man is either mad or a murderer, and quite probably
both."
    Jorge thought of his family, his daughters and son and their children. If he
spurred his horse to join Axis they would all be dead by morning.
    "Ah," Axis said. "Does Borneheld now have to take hostages to ensure the
support of his commanders?"
    Jorge's eyes filled with tears. "I wish you well, Axis. That is a strange thing
to say to the commander of an opposing force, is it not? But I do wish you well,
Axis."
    "And I you, Jorge," Axis said. "And I you."

    Battle Evef f lies, Borneheld," Jayme said soothingly. "All/JX
lies. Axis probably now wields sorcerer's powers, JL JLcertainly if he now reads
minds as easily as yousuggest. How much effort would it take for him to conjure
avision and attach it to some strange woman's face? Now, now, Borneheld. Be
calm. Think rationally."
      Jayme looked over at Moryson standing patiently across the room. Both
men, as the larger number of the Brotherhood, had taken permanent refuge in
the palace in Carlon. That Jayme had been forced to virtually abandon the Tower
of the Seneschal to Axis' army appalled him. The remaining cohort of Axe-
Wielders surrounded the Tower, but Jayme doubted they could hold out for long
against the forces arrayed before them.
      But that was not Jayme s current concern. Borneheld had come back from
his foolish meeting with Axis in a dither about some woman who claimed to be
Rivkah.
      Jayme squared his shoulders and stared at Borneheld. The man had
succumbed to an attack of conscience. Artor damn him! Jayme thought savagely.
Why develop a conscience at this late stage of his life?
      "Majesty," Moryson said, stepping forward from his corner. "I can only echo
what Jayme has said. Why believe a man who is undoubtedly in league with
demons? What has he done for you to trust him? Betray you at Gorkenfort? Send
his flying monstrosities to worry you at Jervois Landing? Seduce away some of
your most senior — if unreliable -commanders? Why trust a man like that?"
      Borneheld looked at Moryson, desperate to believe him. Moryson's open face
and clear blue eyes, his habitually mild expression and soft voice reassured him a
little.
      "Always before the dawn is the darkest hour," Moryson continued. "Now is
your darkest hour, Borneheld. Artor waits to see if you are capable of leading
Achar and the Seneschal through it. Borneheld." Moryson stepped close now and
laid a calming hand on the King's shoulder. "I bless the luck which brought you
to our aid at this moment. Who else could lead us through?"
      Well, Borneheld, Jayme thought as he watched Moryson pat the man
soothingly on the shoulder, you only live because we cannot find the man to
replace you. As yet, my King, we still need you, although I fear that we made a
grave mistake in elevating you to such a powerful position. Oh Artor, perhaps we
should simply have continued with Priam? The man was a fool, but generally
manageable.
      A feeling of peace and tranquillity flooded through Borneheld. Yes, Moryson
and Jayme were right. How could he have listened to Axis? The man was evil to
the core.
      Gautier, silent while Moryson and Jayme had reasoned with Borneheld, now
stepped forward. "Sire. I have some thoughts regarding our plan of action on the
morrow."
      "Yes?" Borneheld asked. It was late, but he did not want to go to sleep. "A
plan?"
      "Let me explain ..." Gautier began.
      In another corner of the palace Faraday sat silent while Yr brushed out her
hair.
      "I can feel Jack, Ogden and Veremund," Yr said. "They are close. Soon we
will be reunited." She put the brush down.
      "Although what the four of us can do I do not know. With Zeherah absent,
lost, the Prophecy will undoubtedly fail."
      Faraday stood and walked over to the window overlooking Grail Lake. Far
away, so far distant that she could almost not see it, she could discern the
flickering points of light which marked the first ranks of Axis' camp.
     Since she returned from the Grove Faraday had been consumed with worry
about Axis' feelings for her. He had hesitated when she'd asked if he still loved
her. Even then he had really only said he desired her. Faraday's eyes filled with
tears. Borneheld had desired her, and that desire had brought only pain and
hate. She wanted to be loved before anything else.
     "I thought he loved me," she said, her eyes on the camp.
     Yr put a comforting hand on Faraday's bare shoulder. "Faraday, sweet
heart," Yr began softly. "He has been away a long time. You have both grown in
different directions. Axis has become an Icarii Enchanter - no longer is lie the
Battle-Axe you fell in love with. And no longer are you the girl who stared at him
so innocently in the Chamber of the Moons. I have no doubt Axis was astounded
to find you so changed. Sweeting, perhaps all you both need is a little peace to
get to know each other again. After all, what time have you ever managed to
spend alone? What time have you had to get to know each other? Fear not,
Faraday. Your time awaits you."
     "Do you think so, Yr?" Faraday turned to the Sentinel, hope illuminating her
green eyes. "Do you really think so?" What Yr said made sense. Both Axis and
she had undergone their own transformations — but they could soon learn to re-
love each other.
     Another watched the distant camp fires that night as he paced the rooftops
of the palace of Carlon. Timozel seethed with fury and resentment. Battle
loomed on the morrow and Borneheld insisted he remain behind - remain
behind! - to guard Faraday lest some feathered evil try to carry her off.
     / am the man of vision, Timozel thought furiously, pacing back and forth
across the rooftops, / am the one Artor has indicated should lead the battle on
the morrow!
     A great and glorious battle and the enemy's positions were overrun — to the
man (and others stranger who fought shoulder to shoulder with them) the
enemy died. Timozel lost not one soldier.
     "Me!" Timozel muttered and stopped abruptly, his dark cloak swirling about
him. "Me/"
     Remarkable victories were his for the taking.
     And yet thin-faced Gautier would ride at Borneheld's side, but not Timozel.
     "You will lose if you do not let me fight for you," Timozel said, more calmly
now. "Lose. Stay behind yourself, Borne-held, and let me command Gautier and
your army. / am the man of vision, /am the man of victory!"
     But were his visions wrong? Misleading? Had he misinterpreted them? Was
Borneheld, the fool, not the Great Lord for whom he would win so many
victories?
     His name would live in legend forever.
     "Yes!" Timozel muttered ecstatically.
     Axis sat, smiling, before the dancing fire, bouncing Caelum on his knee.
Every day his son grew more fascinating than the day before. He was talking in
short sentences now, and crawling about whenever he got the chance. Only this
morning Axis had been forced to rescue him from beneath Belaguez's agitated
hooves.
     "Caelum," Axis whispered into his son's ear, and brushed back the child's
mop of unruly black curls.
     "Papa!" Caelum cried, and then shrieked with laughter as Axis began to
tickle his stomach and back.
     Azhure, sitting to one side, looked on and couldn't help but smile. Axis,
glancing up, reached across and took her hand. "Azhure, let us not go into battle
distanced as we have been. Do you want to reconsider your decision to stay with
me?"
     "No," she said softly. "I do not want to reconsider my decision, Axis. But I
fear it. I fear the future very much."
     "Mama!" Caelum reached out both arms for Azhure. "Azhure!"
     Caelum had never called Azhure by her given name previously, and Azhure
laughed in sheer delight, dropping Axis' hand to lift their son into her arms.
"Azhure!" Caelum cried again, and spoke to his mother with his mind as well. /
will never forget your name.
     Azhure's eyes filled with tears as she hugged Caelum.
     "Why should he say that?" Axis asked. Gael urn's words had sounded in a
faint echo through his mind as well.
     Caelum turned and regarded his father solemnly with his great blue eyes.
Because Azhure has forgotten her mother's name, she fears that one day I snail
forget hers. She fears that as we both live on far past her own lifespan we will
forget her name as her bones crumble into distant memory.
     Axis' mouth dropped open, astounded both by the length of his son's
thought and by his perception, and he lifted his eyes to Azhure. Was that what
was wrong?
     "Faraday will live with you, Axis," Azhure said. "You will both live into legend,
as will Caelum. Eventually you will forget me. Am I mentioned by the Prophecy?
No. Yet Faraday is die wife who will hold her husband's slayer in joy at night."
     "By all the gods that walk the distant paths of the stars, Azhure, / will never
forget you! I swear it?'
     Nor will I forget, Caelum whispered into her mind. Nor I.
     "It is why I fear the future with you, Axis," Azhure said. "Because, in the
end, I will not share the future of either you or my son. Faraday will, but I will
not."
     Caelum turned an accusing eye on his father. Who is this Faraday?
     "You may say now diat you love me, Axis, and that Faraday must share you
with me. But in short years she will have you all to herself. Will she accept me?
Why not? She knows she will probably outlive me by hundreds of years. She
controls almost as much power as you do. And if I have learned one thing over
these past two years, it is that use of such power extends life far beyond what is
considered usual in Achar."
     A step behind Axis made them all start. Belial squatted by Axis, knowing as
he did so that he was intruding. "Axis, Ho'Demi wants to speak with you, as does
FarSight. Can you join us? Azhure? We need to speak about tomorrow."
     "You go ahead, Axis," Azhure said flatly. "I'll give Caelum to Rivkah and then
join you."
     Axis caught her hand as she rose. "We'll talk later, Azhure."
     "Yes," Azhure said, knowing that there would be no time later. Not this
battle eve. "Yes, we'll talk later."
     Far to the south, eight massive Corolean transport ships, carrying almost five
thousand men, approached the mouth of the Nordra River at Nordmuth.
     "From Nordmuth we'll be able to row to Bedwyr Fort by dawn," the first
mate of the lead ship remarked to his captain.
     "Good," the captain grunted. "Borneheld has promised me a fat bonus if we
reach him two hours before dawn. I suggest if you want your slice of it you go
down to the oarsmen and make sure that they understand it's certain death for
them if they do not put their backs into it."
     The first mate chuckled with his master and patted the pilot on the back as
he prepared to go below deck. "Make sure you do not run us atop any sandbars,
my friend. I have gambling debts that need resolving."
     The pilot grimaced. "My eyes shall not leave the waters before us. I have no
wish to be stuck atop a sandbar with yourself and your captain for company."
     Of course, it might have been helpful if the Corolean transports had posted
guards at the stern of the ships as well, for there was more in the dark of the
night at their backs than they had bargained for.

    The Battle of Bedwyr FortThey stood
around the camp fire in the dark hours before dawn, sipping hot tea sweetened
to calm nervous stomachs.
     "How do you feel, about to go into battle against your own countrymen?"
FarSight CutSpur asked Belial and Magariz.
     "None of us like it, FarSight, but what can we do? Besides," Magariz's dark
face relaxed a little, "most of my countrymen stand with Axis, not Borneheld. Of
Borneheld's forces, some half, perhaps even more, are Coroleans."
     Belial nodded and sipped his tea. "At least. It's some consolation that
Borneheld must bolster his forces with foreign troops. Axis, do you know if the
remaining cohort of Axe-Wielders fight with Borneheld?"
     That was what Belial most feared, coming face to face with a friend on the
battle-field.
     "They are still at the tower," Axis said. He was dressed, as were all about the
camp fire, in light armour over tunic and breeches. The blood-red sun blazed
from his chest plate. "The eagle flew over the tower late yesterday evening and
the Axe-Wielders were still there then. I doubt Borneheld will use them. No
doubt die Brother-Leader will want to hold on to what remains of his Axe-
Wielders for his own defence."
     He looked about the camp fire. All the major commanders had joined him,
and they represented the variety of races and beliefs who had, over the past
twenty months, swung behind his standard. Belial and Magariz, his most senior
commanders - the men who'd brought him the core of his army. FarSight
CutSpur, senior commander of the Icarii Strike Force, with two of his Crest-
Leaders, HoverEye BlackWing and Spread-Wing RavenCry. Ho'Demi, looking alien
and exotic with his tattooed face, a collection of knives and swords bristling from
his leather armour. He had tied his long black braids back today so that an
enemy could not use them as a handhold, but they were as full of blue and
green glass and chimes as ever. Ho'Demi stood close to Baron Ysgryff, who had
abandoned his silks and damasks for the full armour of his force of mounted
knights. His helmet was still lying on the ground to one side, but otherwise
Ysgryff was fully caparisoned in metal armour, burnished and bright, and bearing
the baronial crest of his family. The Baron looked both comfortable and
dangerous in his armour.
     Azhure stood with a light coat of chain mail over her tunic. Her hair, too, was
tightly bound back, and covered with a close leather cap. The Wolven and a
quiver of arrows were slung over her back, and at her feet lay Sicarius, the rest
of the Alaunt lying a few paces beyond the light of the fire. Even the dogs wore
light chain mail. Axis hoped they would be one of his most potent weapons this
day. A surprise for Borneheld.
     Axis' eyes flickered back to Azhure, trying to catch her eye. They had not
found the time to resolve their problems last night. Axis had stayed late talking
with senior and unit commanders, and Azhure had been busy with her archers.
When he'd returned to their bedrolls, he'd found her asleep.
     Caelum was with Rivkah, safe with the supply wagons far to the rear and
with several reserve units to guard them. If the battle went badly, their orders
were to take the wagons and flee to the Silent Woman Woods - the Woods
would protect the remnants of Axis' family and force against anything Borneheld
could throw at them.
     Azhure, I love you.
     And for how long?
     Axis flinched a little. Stay safe today.
     And you, Axis. And you.
     "Borneheld has his forces grouped about Bedwyr Fort," Axis said to the
group. "He will not come to us, but will wait for us to attack him."
     "Will Borneheld conduct the battle from the fort?" Ho'Demi asked.
     "No," Axis answered. "No, I do not think so. Bedwyr Fort is old and full of
holes. It was once vital for the protection of Achar, guarding the approaches to
Carlon and Grail Lake, but over the past several generations it has been left to
decay. Its main defences and fortifications face the river, not the plains, and it
will be vulnerable to Icarii attack. No, I think Borneheld will fight with his men.
My friends ..." Axis paused, and the group about the fire looked at him.
     "I have a request. No. An order." He looked up and all could see that his
eyes burned strangely. "Borneheld must not die on the battlefield today."
     " What?" Ysgryff exclaimed. Axis had told him about Borne-held's promise to
the Coroleans and he was appalled. Borneheld meant to give the Corolean
Emperor the province of Nor?
     "I cannot say much, but I have certain obligations, both towards the
Prophecy and towards other...allies...who have given me aid. Borneheld can only
die with Faraday present."
     Azhure stiffened. Kill Borneheld before Faraday? What could Axis be thinking
of?
     " cannot say why," Axis said, aware of Azhure's shock. "But believe me when
I say it is important. Faraday must still be in Carlon - even Borneheld would not
haul her out to the battlefield, so I have no doubt that eventually I must chase
Borneheld back to the royal palace in Carlon itself. Understand?"
     Axis was clearly ordering, not requesting, and all nodded stiffly.
     Belial broke the awkward silence that had descended. "Borneheld has
chosen badly to fight about Bedwyr Fort. He will have himself and his army
trapped in the triangle of land between the Lake, the river and our army."
     "Perhaps, perhaps not," Axis replied. "If extra Corolean transports sail up the
river - and I believe that late last night there were some eight approaching
Nordmuth - then they can easily disgorge their load behind our lines once we
move in to attack Borneheld. We will have to be careful. Watchful. Far-Sight, are
your farflight scouts keeping an eye on the river?"
     FarSight nodded. "They are already in the air, Strike-Leader."
     "Then today we reforge Tencendor. After today, I hope, Gorgrael will be my
only enemy."
     And WolfStar? he thought. Where are you? What do you plan this day? What
surprises will you spring?
     FarSight nodded. "Today we fight to restore Tencendor. It will be a great
day, Axis. A great day."
     Axis stared at the Senior Crest-Leader. "Then perhaps it is time to launch
your strike, FarSight. Time to loose the Icarii Strike Force on Borneheld of
Achar."
     Axis intended to use the Strike Force on Borneheld's army as he had used it
in the passes of the Bracken Ranges against Burdel. But Borneheld's army had a
large number of soldiers who had seen battle at Jervois Landing - and who had
seen the Icarii Strike Force in action against the Skraelings. Watch had been kept
for the Icarii Strike Force, and even though they were not spotted until they
were virtually upon the army, as soon as the cry went up, "Ware! Above!", men
reached for shields in a well-practised manoeuvre and raised them above their
heads, creating a ceiling of steel over the tightly grouped ranks of Borneheld's
army.
     Some were not fast enough and some did not keep their shields close
enough together, but overall the Icarii strike did not have the same devastating
effect on Borneheld's army as it had had on Burdel's force.
     Borneheld had arranged his army in much the same manner as he had his
defences at Jervois Landing. Most units were well dug into trenches that would,
Borneheld hoped, direct the flow of Axis' army into traps and trenches that would
break the legs of their horses and, eventually, the hearts of their riders.
Numerically his army was some five to eight thousand less than Axis' army, but
Borneheld knew he had the advantage of being the defender.
     Borneheld, relatively safe in a hastily erected command tent (well protected
from above with several layers of thick canvas) surveyed the maps of his
defences one more time.
     "The transports?" he asked Gautier. Both men, as all within the command
tent, were heavily armoured and weaponed.
     "They sailed through Nordmuth late last night, Sire," Gautier replied
instantly. "And they are currently anchored on the Nordra midway between
Bedwyr Fort and Nordmuth awaiting your orders."
     "And the smaller boats?" Borneheld said"Ready to sail, Sire," Gautier replied.
"Axis will die today, along with his malformed crew."
     "I surely hope so," Borneheld began, then stopped and listened, his entire
body tense. "What is that?"
     A sound like heavy rain permeated the command tent.
     Gautier listened. "It is the sound of the Forbidden's arrows raining uselessly
down on the shield ceiling covering your troops."
     Borneheld clenched his fists and pumped them into the air. "It has begun!"
he shouted, his eyes bright.
     All he felt was relief. At last, the end to his rivalry with his brother.
     The Battle of Bedwyr Fort began with the Icarii Strike Force attack on
Borneheld's army and dragged its bloody way through the day. For hours men —
and women - fought and died until the western Plains of Tare were stained
bright with the blood of the dead and the dying.
     Axis had been disappointed but not overly surprised by the relative failure of
the Icarii Strike Force to cripple Borneheld's army. Borneheld was a far superior
commander to Burdel and he also had the benefit of having watched the Icarii
Strike Force in action above Jervois Landing. As the Strike Force flew back over
Axis' lines - there were no casualties apart from one birdman who had suffered a
crippling wing cramp and had fallen to his death among the Corolean soldiers -
Axis began to move his mounted units forward. He already knew about
Borneheld's trenches and traps, and was wary of moving his mounted units too
deep into the lines of trenches; YsgryfF's mounted knights he kept to the rear to
use only if he could tempt Borneheld's soldiers out of their trenches.
     It would have to be a combination attack on the front trenches by mounted
men, foot soldiers — both spearmen and pikemen - and the Icarii Strike Force.
The entrenched soldiers would not be able to maintain their shield defences
against the Icarii and repel a ground attack as well.
     In the end Axis did as he had against the Skraelings in the WildDog Plains.
Rather than move against the entire line of trenches, Axis made small,
concentrated attacks from both ground and air forces. He chose his sites
carefully, surveying the system of trenches from above through the eagle's eyes,
and attacking those areas he thought would later provide vulnerable holes in
Borneheld's front lines.
      At those sites Axis selected, initially some nine, he sent the mounted archers
in first, protected by the Strike Force. Both the mounted archers, whether those
under Azhure's command or Ravensbund archers, and the Icarii archers let loose
their arrows - and up would go the shield defences. As soon as the troops were
committed to maintaining their shields above their heads - and the shields were
so large and heavy it took two arms to do it — Axis would send in the spearmen
and pikemen...and the Alaunt.
      The Alaunt had been instructed by Azhure to go for the commanders. At
each point of attack three or four Alaunt would spring into the trenches,
unerringly leaping for the throats of the two or three senior commanders within
the immediate area. They created confusion and sometimes hysteria; not only
did they kill the commanders within moments of entering the trenches, but their
snarling and snapping confused and terrified the soldiers. Shields dropped as
men reached for swords to deal with the hounds, and as shields dropped arrows
rained down from above, and spearmen and pikemen closed the gap between
their ranks and the trenches and thrust their weapons into the muddle of
leaderless soldiers.
      Always the Alaunt leapt out of the trenches the instant before the arrows,
spears and pikes flashed down. Always they leapt out unharmed.
      They had the devil's own luck.
      It was a slow and cumbersome method of attack, but by mid-morning
Borneheld could clearly see that one by one, the front trenches were collapsing.
It might take a day, even two, but Axis would eventually work his way through
the entire trench system.
      "We can't defend ourselves from simultaneous attack from above and
ground-level," Borneheld growled. "-Why doesn't the damn coward send his
entire force to attack us?"
      It was clear that Axis was determined to win this battle, and he wasn't going
to win it by leading his army into a death trap.
      "We have no choice," Borneheld finally said. "If Axis will not come to me,
then I will have to go to him. I want this resolved today. Today." He turned to
Gautier. "Send the orders, Gautier. Mount up. This battle will be fought one
against one across the plains of Tare."
      "The Icarii?" Gautier asked, so forgetting himself he gave the Forbidden their
correct name.
      Borneheld buckled his helmet on. "They will be dangerous only while we ride
through the trenches to meet Axis. Once our forces meet and mingle, they will
not dare to loose their arrows below. No, Gautier, this will be a one-on-one
battle of attrition. The last one left standing wins." Borneheld paused. "And your
reserves, Gautier?"
      "Ready to go, Sire, as planned."
     Borneheld's eyes were cold. "Then perhaps we will win, after all. Send a
message to the Corolean transports to start to move a little closer to Bedwyr Fort
— but not too close. I want diem in position to loose their soldiers behind Axis'
lines."
     Gautier bowed. "Sire."
     It was, as Borneheld predicted, a battle of attrition.
     For hours the two armies melded and fought entwined, knights, foot
soldiers, spearmen, pikemen, archers, swordsmen. It was the largest battle any
present had ever been engaged in; some fifty-five thousand men and women, all
determined their side should win the day. All sense of time fled for those
engaged in the heat of the battle; it was simply strike, withdraw, take a deep
breath, defend, strike, withdraw, take a deep breath, defend, strike - and kill or
be killed.
     Axis fought in the thick of the battle, Arne always close at his back, his
golden standard flying high above the field. Sometimes Axis found himself
fighting beside a common soldier whose name he did not know, sometimes
beside YsgryfF, sometimes by the side of Ho'Demi, sitting his horse with ease
and confidence, sometimes by the side of either Belial or Magariz, both fighting
smoothly and efficiently, faces grim with concentration. All, even Axis, took small
wounds.
     Axis eventually let Belaguez's reins drop, guiding the horse by pressure of
knee, by voice, and sometimes by thought. He wielded his sword with two
hands, striking to the left and the right, and trusted Arne to cover his back.
Above him Far-Sight had detailed two Wing to watch over Axis exclusively.
     Azhure's mounted archers were largely engaged at the edges of the battle,
moving quickly to where they were most needed, driving their arrows cleanly to
where they would do most damage. Axis could feel her, feel her excitement at
battle, and he tried not to worry too much for her. Azhure was perfectly capable
of looking after herself.
     Sometimes Axis caught a glimpse of Borneheld's standard, but he did not try
to fight his way through to it. Their battle would not take place on this field.
     It was a relatively evenly matched battle. Axis' army outnumbered
Borneheld's, but they were also slightly travel-wearied. For hours they fought
backwards and forwards, the tide shifting this way and then that - but always
men died or were crippled to lie screaming under hooves steel-edged with terror.
Above and about all stirred thick, choking dust.
     By mid-afternoon every muscle in Axis' body ached. How long had they been
fighting? He took a quick glance at the sun and almost paid for it with his life as
a sword suddenly arced down from his left. It was stopped only inches from the
juncture of his neck and shoulder by the quick action of Arne, and Axis heard
him grunt in satisfaction as he sliced the Corolean swordsman's arm from his
body. The man screamed and fell from his horse.
     Axis took a moment to catch his breath. He knew almost nothing except
what was happening in the small circle about him, and he desperately needed to
know the overall state of battle.
     "Arne, watch over me," he muttered, and his eyes drifted out of focus as he
looked down over the field through the eagle's eyes.
     What he saw appalled him. Countless men lay dead and dying. How many?
Thousands, at the least, and they wore the emblems and uniforms of both
Borneheld's men and his. As with men, so with horses. There were thousands of
riderless horses, some dying and kicking out their life in great gouts on the
ground, others running wild-eyed with fear through the chaos. Suddenly he
spotted Azhure, Sicarius running at the heels of Venator, leading a squad of her
archers into battle at the northern edge of the mass of seething soldiers. She
was unharmed, although she swayed with exhaustion.
     Be strong, Azhure, he whispered into her mind, stay safe.
     She hesitated as his thought reached her, and Axis cursed himself for a fool.
She could not afford to be distracted — for any distraction might easily kill her -
but in the next instant an arrow flashed from the Wolven, and Sicarius leaped for
the throat of a foot soldier who thought to thrust his spear into her side.
     As he gazed across the field Axis thought he could see more of his men left
standing than Borneheld's, and Borne-held's standard looked like it was being
forced, step by step, back towards the trenches.
     Is the day mine? he wondered. Will another hour or two see this bloody and
senseless civil war finished once and for all?
     But then the eagle drifted a little further out over the battlefield and Axis
saw something that appalled him.
     Eight massive Corolean transports were moving inexorably towards Bedwyr
Fort. How many men did they carry, Axis wondered desperately, how many?
Four or five thousand, at the least, and four or five thousand fresh men would
swing the battle Borneheld's way. They had been fighting now since the break of
dawn — nine hours — and many of his men were succumbing through
exhaustion rather than lack of skill or lack of will to fight on. Five thousand fresh
men?
     "Stars save us," Axis muttered, and Arne glanced at him, worried.
     Another movement caught Axis' eyes. As well as the transport ships, smaller
barges, packed with Corolean soldiers, were moving along the southern edges of
the Grail Lake and the Nordra above Bedwyr Fort, moving to outflank Axis' army,
attack from the rear. There were perhaps fifteen, containing some two and a half
thousand men - enough to prop up those areas where Borneheld's force was
beginning to fail.
     Azhure! Ho'Demi! Those two were the only commanders who Axis knew he
could reach with his mind. Look to the waters to the north! Stop those men
before they can join thejray!
    Axis watched as gradually Azhure and Ho'Demi rallied their units, and
directed them to the shoreline where the barges were disgorging their loads.
Axis desperately looked about for the Strike Force. They had been hovering over
the battlefield all day, doing what they could. Finally he spotted FarSight and
sent the eagle reeling in his direction.
     "Ware to the north!" the eagle screamed as it flashed past FarSight, and
FarSight sent five Crest of Icarii winging to Azhure and Ho'Demis aid.
     That should stop the barges, Axis thought desperately, but what about the
transports? If they manage to land their soldiers then I am finished!
     Even though the battle had closed about him again, Axis continued to watch
through the eagle s eyes, relying on Arne to protect him. He had to watch - for
those transports meant the death of his hopes and the death of the Prophecy.
     Bleeding from numerous small wounds, his sword hanging limp from his
hand, Borneheld also watched the ships with worried eyes. What were they
doing this close to Bedwyr Fort? He had sent clear instructions that they were to
disgorge their soldiers much further south so that, together with the barges to
the north, Borneheld could attack both flanks of the battlefield with fresh
soldiers.
     "By Artor!" Borneheld swore, "you'd think they were intent on attacking us
rather than Axis."
     An awful premonition gripped him, and his voice dropped to a horrified
whisper. "Is this more infernal treachery? Has the Corolean Emperor forsaken
our agreement and turned against me?"
     Almost as one the Corolean transports dropped anchor by the banks of the
Nordra and dropped their landing ramps. Each began to disgorge hundreds of
men, hundreds and hundreds of them, running screaming with delight and
battle-lust straight towards Borneheld's standard.
     Every last one of them a dark-skinned, brightly scarved, gleaming-toothed,
scimitar-waving pirate.
     "Foul treachery!" Borneheld croaked, then leaped in surprise as Gautier's
hand fell on his shoulder.
     "Sire!" he gasped. "Treachery! Your safety is compromised. have a barge
waiting - we must seek refuge in Carlon."
     "What?" Borneheld yelled. "Leave the field?"
     "We. have lost the day," Jorge shouted hoarsely, riding to join Borneheld. "If
you wish to save yourself, then do so now. I will continue to lead your forces on
this bloodied field - to the death if you so order."
     Borneheld stared at Jorge and Gautier. The gleeful screams of the pirates
were getting uncomfortably close. The next instant he dug his spurs deep into
his horse's sides and was galloping towards safety.
     All this Axis saw through the eyes of the eagle.
     Azhure, Ho'Demi, he called, Borneheld rides for one of the barges and for
escape into Carlon. LET HIM GO! I need him in Carlon. It is VITAL that he
escapes to Carlon!
     At the same time that Axis felt the agreement of their minds, the eagle
screamed the same order to the Icarii Crests above the northern part of the
battlefield: "Let Borneheld escape! It is vital that he escapes!"
     As the pirates streamed down into the fray Axis turned to see Baron Ysgryff,
helmetless now, grinning at him.
     "Did you like my surprise, Axis SunSoar?"
     Laughing with joy, Axis booted Belaguez next to YsgryfFs horse and, leaning
over, seized the man by the top of his tunic as it peeked above the chest plate of
his armour.
     "I will make you a Prince for this!" he grinned, then, letting Ysgryff go,
turned to the men still struggling about him.
     "The day is mine!" he screamed, waving his sword in an arc about his head.
"Tencendor is mine!"
     In an hour it was over. Demoralised by Borneheld's desertion, his army
slowly ground to a halt and, as the sun set over the Nordra, Axis took the army's
surrender from Jorge, the most senior commander left on the field.
     Jorge glanced about the battlefield and noticed as if for the first time the
thousands of bodies and the reddened soil. A pointless waste of life, Jorge
thought bleakly. Could it have been avoided if Roland and I had found the
courage to follow Axis after Gorkenfort? Would our departure have weakened
Borneheld to the extent that he would not have had the resources of command
experience left to wield an army against Axis?
     "He would still have fought," said Axis, and Jorge slowly raised his eyes.
     The man's earlier excitement had died, and Jorge could see that exhaustion
and sad-heartedness hung heavily over him.
     "Jorge," Axis said softly, stepping forward and placing his hand on the man's
shoulder. Jorge's eyes filled with tears at the gesture of support. "Jorge, where
does Borneheld hold your family?"
     Jorge named a small town to the north of Carlon and Axis beckoned to
FarSight. "FarSight, can you detail the two Wings you held in reserve to fly to
free Jorge's family?"
     FarSight nodded and turned away.
     Axis turned and stared at Jorge. "Welcome to Tencendor, Jorge."
     Jorge nodded wearily. He did not expect to hold a place of high honour
within the new order.


The Aftermath
The following hours were confusion and chaos. After accepting the surrender of
both Borneheld's army and Borneheld's kingdom, Axis' first priority was to fill the
eight Corolean transports with as many of the remaining Coroleans as he could
and get them home as quickly as possible. He had no intention of holding
thousands of Coroleans prisoner. Let their Emperor take care of them.
     "Tell your Emperor, or your Ambassador, or the first whore you come across
in Coroleas for all I care," Axis said tiredly to the most senior Corolean he could
find, "that I repudiate the treaty Borneheld made with your Empire and that I
repudiate all conditions, payments and other varied promises Borneheld may
have foolishly made. Go home. I bear you no personal ill will, but I will not stand
for your continued presence in my realm."
      It was a startling word, "realm"; Axis was mildly surprised at how easily it
had slipped past his lips.
      The Corolean captain gave a short bow. "May I inform my Emperor that you
will be willing to receive his Ambassador at a future date when all," he looked
briefly at the darkening carnage about him, "has settled down?"
      "As long as he realises that I refuse to pay any of Borneheld's debts."
     "I will be sure to tell him," the captain said shortly, then he sketched a salute
and wheeled about, walking stiffly up the loading ramp into the nearest transport
and wishing he were home already. Too many of his men had died in a cause
not their own.
      "Belial." Axis turned and leaned briefly on Belial's shoulder. "Belial, can I
leave you in charge of the burial pits?" A thankless task, but it needed to be
done and it needed to be done fast.
      Axis snapped his fingers at the boy holding Belaguez and mounted the
stallion when the boy led him over. He rode slowly across the battlefield,
stopping now and again to speak to a group of soldiers, or to lend a word of
support to one of the wounded being carried towards the physicians' tents. He
saw Arne in the distance, detailing guards to watch over the remaining prisoners
of Borneheld's army — and there seemed to be thousands of them. What was he
going to do with them? Axis thought wearily. They are all Acharites, and all
mostly good men who simply found themselves on the wrong side through no
fault of their own.
      Axis' depression deepened as he rode east across the field of battle. Soldiers
were slowly starting to pile the dead - and the piles were both numerous and
large. How many thousands had died?
      And where was Azhure? Axis' mind was so tired that he could not feel her
anywhere, and the eagle had roosted for the night. The darkness closed in about
him as he rode, but he continued to peer through the gloom, asking all he came
across if they had seen her. Each time a head shook wearily Axis pushed
Belaguez further east, searching, until he reached the site where his army had
camped the previous night.
      He found Rivkah at his personal camp site, Caelum asleep in her arms.
      "Azhure?" he asked anxiously, slipping from Belaguez's saddle.
      Rivkah nodded towards a blanket-wrapped bundle at her feet and Axis fell to
his knees and pulled the blanket back from Azhure's face. She was asleep, her
face white, great circles of weariness under her eyes.
      "Is she all right?" Axis asked his mother, his hand stroking back the tangled
hair from Azhure's forehead.
      Rivkah considered a moment. Should she tell him about Azhure's pregnancy?
The woman had ridden into the camp an hour before and had simply collapsed in
an exhausted heap at Rivkah's feet. It had taken the combined strength of
Rivkah and a passing soldier to pull her chain mail off and wrap her in this
blanket and Azhure had not stirred once during the procedure. Rivkah knew
Azhure was finding this pregnancy a difficult one, and she feared that Azhure
was so drained the baby would simply slip from her.
     Rivkah finally shrugged. "She is exhausted, but she has no wounds. Perhaps
sleep is all she needs."
     Axis sat down and took Caelum from his mother's arms.
     "He has been awake all day, Axis," Rivkah said quietly, "fretting and crying.
He knew that both his parents were in battle, and he seemed to know how
desperate the fighting was. He refused to eat or to be comforted until Azhure
stumbled back into camp."
     She paused. Dare she ask? "And Magariz? Is he well?"
     "I have not heard if he is alive or dead, Rivkah," Axis said flatly after a long
pause, "as I have not heard about most of my commanders or soldiers. With that
you will have to be content."
     A servant stepped forward and helped Axis unbuckle his armour. Axis passed
the baby back to Rivkah and gratefully let the servant cart the armour away. He
literally tore his sweat- and blood-stained tunic from his torso and threw it to one
side.
     Rivkah noted the wounds across his chest and back, but said nothing. They
were not life-threatening and would heal quickly. "Sleep Axis. I will watch over
you. You will be able to do nothing until you get some sleep."
     Axis wrapped himself in the blanket and lay down beside Azhure. "Two
hours, no more," he mumbled. "Wake me after two hours."
     Both within and without the palace, Carlon was in confusion. Most of the city
folk learnt the outcome of the battle, and many had stood in silence as
Borneheld, Gautier and perhaps two dozen men had run through the city gates,
ordering them locked and barred.
     Two dozen men and one King to defend them? the Carlonese wondered.
Carlon, as Achar, is lost.
     Courtiers abandoned the palace for discrete townhouses hidden deep within
Carlon's twisting streets. Borneheld's court was no place to stay a-visiting now.
What would Axis' court be like? Would he find a place for them? Undoubtedly,
most consoled themselves. Every King, new, usurped or borrowed, needed a
court to keep him wrapped in happy flatteries.
     In the streets eyes turned once again to the battlefield, where torches
burned as soldiers carried on with the grim task of digging and filling the burial
trenches. Of those watching from the city walls, many had lost sons, fathers or
husbands — on both sides of the battle, for as many men from Carlon had
fought for Axis as had fought for Borneheld.
     All in all, the mood along the streets of Carlon was one of sadness and
acceptance rather than anger or fright. Like Axis, most regretted that the battle
had been fought at all - surely the brothers could have come to some
compromise? Now it looked as if Borneheld had lost it all - for Carlon was not
designed to withstand siege. It had walls, but virtually no militia to repel an
attack or stores to withstand a siege. Carlon was normally a city of fun and
laughter, money-making enterprises and sins, not a city destined for the grim
realities of battle that now surrounded it.
     If the good people of Carlon were resigned to Borneheld's defeat, then
Jayme was close to hysteria.
     "You have lost the kingdom and you have lost the Seneschal!" he screamed
at Borneheld, his habit stained and dirty.
     Borneheld sat on his throne in the Chamber of the Moons, drunk. All his
dreams? Ambitions? Come to this end? What had gone wrong? A flagon of red
hung empty and useless from one hand as it dangled over the armrest of the
throne - the next moment it was flying through the air towards Jayme's head.
     The Brother-Leader managed to duck the flagon and it smashed on the floor
behind him.
     "All gone," he whispered, appalled at the consequences of the day. "The
work of a thousand years gone in one day!"
     "I hear you lost, Borneheld," a light voice said from the doorway, and
Faraday walked into the Chamber. Borneheld looked away from Jayme and
towards his wife. She was resplendent in a deep-emerald velvet gown, her hair
piled elegantly on top of her head, diamonds and pearls at her ears and throat.
"You look unwell, Borneheld. Should I call the physician? Perhaps you are
suffering from whatever ailed Priam."
     Borneheld curled his lip; it was the best he could do. "Axis has won through
treachery. It is his way. If my kingdom falls apart before me it is simply because
I have been betrayed once too often. Nothing remains."
     "If your kingdom falls apart around you, husband," Faraday retorted, feeling
nothing but scorn for this man who sat before her, "it is because you were never
meant to hold it. How long before Axis sits that throne, Borneheld? How long?"
     Borneheld lurched forward on the throne, almost falling, he was so drunk.
"Whore! How much of this treachery do I owe to you? How many men have you
taken to your bed and turned against me? How many times have you betrayed
me with Axis?"
     Faraday's face twisted in contempt. "/ have remained true to our vows,
husband. Unlike you."
     Without giving him the time to reply Faraday swung around and stared at
Jayme. "You are a pitiful old man, Jayme. You have lost as much as Borneheld
has out there on the battlefield today, you and your god. Do you know, Jayme,
that once I believed in Artor fervently? Then I fell under the thrall of the
Prophecy and I was introduced to new gods, new powers. Artor means as much
to me' as does my husband, Jayme. And that is not very much at all."
     She turned on her heel and strode from the room.
     Jayme trembled. He looked about uselessly for Moryson. But both Moryson
and Gilbert had disappeared the moment they realised Borneheld had lost the
day.
     "Moryson?" Jayme muttered weakly, peering into the shadows. "Moryson?"
Oh Artor, why wasn't his friend here now? "What are we going to do," he
whispered. We? Me. Me, alone. I am alone, save for this drunken mule sitting on
the throne of Achar.
      Borneheld smiled at him. "What are we going to do, Jayme? Why, have
another drink, Brother-Leader. I think you will find a flagon in the cabinet in the
far wall."
      Out in the corridor Faraday's show of bravado faltered and died.
      Faraday knew well what would happen. Somehow, and Faraday did not care
about the details for they were unimportant, Axis would appear to challenge
Borneheld in the Chamber of the Moons. And when he appeared Faraday knew
that the dreadful, apocalyptic vision that the trees of the Silent Woman Woods
had given her two years previously would be played out in real life.
      Even though Faraday believed, desperately wished to believe, that Axis
would win — that the trees had shown her only shattered and jumbled images —
she clutched at the front of her gown, feeling again Axis' warm blood running
down between her breasts.
      "Win, Axis, win}" she whispered.
      As the night passed Rivkah anxiously sat guard over Axis, Azhure and
Caelum. Several hours before dawn her fears were finally allayed when Magariz
walked into the circle of firelight. Rivkah stood and held him close, tears
streaming silently from her eyes.
      As tired and as sick at heart as Axis had been, Magariz sank down by the
fire, Rivkah gendy unbuckling his armour, and, his words stumbling through his
exhaustion, he told Rivkah the story of the battle until he fell asleep mid-
sentence. Rivkah lowered him gendy to the ground and covered him with a
blanket.
      As she rose from Magariz's side Rivkah noticed a tall, dark Nors girl standing
at the edge of the firelight, her bright red dress covered with a tightly clutched
cloak. "Belial?" she whispered, her voice hoarse with fear, her blue eyes dark and
enormous in the shadows.
      Rivkah shook her head. "I have not heard," she said gendy.
      "Ah," the girl murmured, and turned away. Rivkah stared after her a long
time, sorrowing.
      As she sat by the fire to watch over the sleepers, heavy with weariness,
Rivkah pondered the way of battle and the way of the world. Men fight, and
women wait and weep. Rivkah was very, very tired of not having what she
wanted. She quietly vowed not to let life or love escape from her again. She
would spend the last half of her life in happier circumstances than the first half.
This time no-one, not even her son, would keep her from die man she loved.
      Finally Rivkah shook Axis awake as instructed, but he was so exhausted he
fell straight back into a deep slumber again and she decided to let him sleep
through to the dawn. There was nodiing that could be done in the middle of die
night.
      In die cold hour after dawn Axis, Azhure and Magariz sat in silence about the
fire, all still with great circles pf weariness under their eyes, but all looking
infinitely better than they had. Rivkah watched Azhure feed her son. The new
baby was still safe, but Rivkah did not know what would have happened if
Azhure had been forced to fight any longer.
     Axis shared his mother's concern for Azhure. "You will stay in camp today,
Azhure," he said quiedy. "Tired as you are you will be no use to anyone, least of
all your son, if you don't get more sleep."
     It was a measure of Azhure's weariness, and her own concerns for her
growing baby, diat she nodded and cuddled Caelum a litde closer. She had
wondered, at critical moments during yesterday's battle, if she would ever see
Caelum again and she was not yet ready to leave him now.
     Magariz raised his head from his hand. "Axis? Where do we start?"
     Axis grimaced. "Where do we start, Magariz? We simply stand up from this
camp fire and we start walking...and dien we start where we can. Come."
     Axis stood and pulled Magariz to his feet. "Rivkah was worried for you last
night," Axis said quiedy. "I am glad, not only for her sake, but for mine also, that
you are still alive."
     It was a simple statement, but deep with meaning. Magariz managed a wan
grin. "I am glad for my sake that I am still alive," he said, and Axis laughed.
     "Come on," he said, pulling Magariz away from the women. "Let us see what
sort of a victory we have won."
     Somewhat of a hollow one, Axis thought two hours later as he finished
receiving reports from his commanders. They had won, but at enormous cost.
The Icarii Strike Force had fared best of all, with only minor casualties to stray
arrows and three dead to sheer misfortune. Ho'Demi, his face white behind its
blue lines, reported that almost fifteen hundred of his Ravensbundmen had lost
their lives.
     Ysgryff, out of his armour but still dressed for war, was similarly sombre. "A
thousand," he said simply when Axis looked at him. "A thousand of my knights,
and over three thousand of their horses."
     "And the pirates?"
     "None," YsgryfF grunted. "Pirates are protected by the gods, it seems, Axis.
Besides, they came late into the fray, when their opponents were exhausted."
     "Where are they now?"
     Ysgryff waved vaguely towards the Nordra. "Waiting for ships to take them
home, Axis."
     "I cannot thank you enough for those pirates. If they had been Coroleans
..." Axis shuddered, unable to go on.
     "Then we would be counting our dead while awaiting death ourselves, Axis,"
Ysgryff said quietly. "The pirates will also fight for the Prophecy when it demands
it of them, as will most of the people of Nor."
     Axis lifted his head and stared at the trampled Plains of Tare. All of the
bodies had been buried during the night, but the earth still retained a pinkish
tinge. "The Prophecy has friends where I least expect to find them," Axis said
slowly. "Nor and the pirates have proved among the greatest."
     He sighed and dropped his eyes. Belial, his body stiff with weariness, had
joined the group.
     "Have you managed any sleep, Belial?"
     Belial shrugged. "Two, perhaps three hours. Enough, Axis."
     "And our dead?"
     Belial knew what Axis meant. How many of the ordinary mounted soldiers
had they lost? "Around eleven hundred, Axis. Mostly the inexperienced soldiers
who joined us at Sigholt. Some of the militia from Arcen, and some of our own
men. Some of our oldest friends among them."
     Axis turned away.
     "Axis," Belial continued. "Our total losses come to well under four thousand
men; Borneheld lost twice that number, Coroleans and Acharites. And Axis,
remember, we lost close to...what? Seven thousand at Gorkentown? We will
recover from this."
     "Oh, yes," Axis said, turning back. "We will recover. But what a senseless,
useless loss, Belial, and I grieve for every one of the Acharites who lost their
lives for Borneheld's cause as I grieve for those men who lost their lives for
ours."
     "These men fight for you knowing that you care for them," Belial said
fiercely. "And I believe we have replacements from a somewhat unexpected
source."
     Axis frowned. "What do you mean?"
     Belial beckoned a man forward. He wore the tattered and blood-stained
uniform of Borneheld's army and he walked with a slight limp.
     "Lieutenant Bradoke, my Lord," he said, his voice firm but respectful. "I am
the most senior of the prisoners. My Lord, we fought for Borneheld because he
was the King and because our oaths bound us to him. But none of us liked to see
him flee the field yesterday afternoon, and many of us have been discussing the
Prophecy around the privacy of our camp fires for weeks now. Last night we
talked again. Great Lord, we are at your mercy, but we plead to be allowed to
decide our own fate."
     "And that is?" Axis asked.
     Bradoke took a deep breath. "We would fight for the Prophecy too, Lord. We
would join your force. Great Lord," he carried on as he saw Axis about to object.
"I have stood to one side and watched you grieve for each and every man who
died for you. Borneheld would never have done that for us. We want, / want, to
be given the chance to fight for you."
     Axis glanced at Belial and Belial nodded. Axis looked back at the lieutenant.
He seemed sincere, but should Axis trust him? What else can I do, thought Axis,
but trust him? I cannot afford the men to guard them and I desperately need
forces to throw against Gorgrael. He sighed and nodded wearily. "Work out the
details with Belial. How many men do you command, Bradoke?"
     "Seven thousand, Great Lord."
     "By the Stars," Axis said. "How are we going to feed you all?"
     "Cheer up, Axis." Ysgryff slapped him heartily on the back. "Carlon will be
ours soon, and I'm sure that Carlon can feed us all. Besides, I have supply ships
sailing up the Nordra now."
     "By the gods, Ysgryff," Axis said weakly, "I might as well just hand the
kingdom over to you."
     Ysgryff winked. "My ugly head would look ridiculous with a crown on top of
it, Axis. Besides, like Ho'Demi, I am committed to the StarMan."
     Apart from feeding and resting the troops, then moving his main camp site
to the banks of Grail Lake, there was only one other thing that Axis wanted to do
that day.
     Late in the afternoon he rode with a small escort to the Tower of the
Seneschal - Spiredore.
     It had been two years since he last saw this tower, but it seemed like
yesterday. For thirty years it had been his home and the home of the man he
had regarded as his father, Jayme. For thirty years he had believed in the
Seneschal and everything it had stood for and for thirty years he had believed
that the Tower had stood as the outward manifestation of Artor s love and of the
Seneschal's care for the people of Achar.
     Now Axis saw the beautiful white tower differently. It was a shining example
of the lies and the deceptions that the Seneschal had forced on the people of
Achar, and of the cruelty that the Seneschal had plotted and conducted against
the people of the Horn and the Wing - the Avar and the Icarii. Once, Axis knew,
the Tower of the Seneschal had been Spiredore, one of the magical Keeps of
Tencendor, one of the most powerful places in the ancient land.
     Now Axis intended to rid the Spiredore of its jailers once and for all.
     It rose, as it always had, pristine and white, soaring some one hundred
paces into the air, its seven sides gleaming softly in the late afternoon sun. To
one side the silver-blue waters of Grail Lake - one of the sacred lakes - twinkled
merrily, as if it knew that its friend and companion of so many thousands of
years would shortly be released.
     What do you hide? Axis asked himself as he rode closer to the tower. What
secrets do you have buried within you? What will I find when I throw the
Seneschal out?
     But of more immediate importance was what the cohort of Axe-Wielders
ranged in neat formation before the tower meant to do. Axis waved his escort to
a halt and reined Belaguez back to a walk, pulling him to a stop some ten paces
from where Kenricke, the commander of this, the final cohort of the Axe-
Wielders, sat his horse.
     He was a greying man, tall and spare, and his face was unreadable. For a
moment Axis' eyes flickered to the twin crossed axes on the man's tunic. How
long had he worn that emblem with pride? Now he was dressed in his fawn tunic
with the blazing sun. A different world, a different man.
     "Kenricke," he said, by way of greeting. "It has been a long time."
     Kenricke stared at Axis for a moment then, suddenly, shockingly, he saluted
Axis in the manner of the Axe-Wielders, fist across the twin axes on his breast,
bowing sharply and crisply from his waist. "Axis," he began, then paused,
embarrassed. "I do not know by what title to honour you now."
     "Just call me Axis. It is still my name," Axis said.
     "Axis. Why are you here? For what purpose have you ridden back to the
Tower of the Seneschal?"
     "I intend to recreate the world that the Seneschal sought so long to destroy,
Kenricke. The tower of Spiredore is an integral part of that world. I come here
today to release Spiredore from the Seneschal."
     "Many words for a simple purpose, Axis. You intend to throw the Seneschal
out," Kenricke replied.
     "You always did have a brutal way with words, Kenricke. Will you stand
against me?"
     Kenricke sat his horse a long time in silence, gazing at Axis, then abruptly he
booted his horse forward, drawing his axe out of his belt. Axis tensed a little, but
he did not move. Kenricke had been his first master of arms when he had joined
the Axe-Wielders as a teenage boy - and he did not think the man would attempt
to strike him down.
     As his horse drew level with Axis, Kenricke hefted the axe in his hand so that
he held it by the blade and presented it to Axis haft first. "I surrender my blade
and my command into your hands, Axis. Since you left us we have been simply a
sad memory waiting for our commander to return. Take my axe, Axis, and take
my loyalty with it."
     The significance of the moment was not lost on Axis. Kenricke was
effectively ending over a thousand years of proud military history.
     "I accept both axe and surrender, Kenricke, and welcome you to my force.
Belial waits back in camp," Axis tilted his head towards the camp along the
shores of the Lake, "and will redeploy you. But, Kenricke, you will all have to
surrender your axes. In this new land there will be no place for them."
     Kenricke nodded. "I understand."
     Axis turned his eyes to Spiredore. "Jayme?"
     Kenricke grinned sourly. "The Brother-Leader, his advisers and most of the
senior Brothers fled to Carlon days past, Axis. The Tower of...Spiredore is
inhabited by a few old men and young novices. They ask only that you leave
them their lives."
     Axis thought about it for a moment. "Can I speak to the most senior of
them?"
     Kenricke nodded and waved at one of the Axe-Wielders in the rear of the
formation. The Axe-Wielder tapped on the white door set into the centre of the
nearest side of the tower, and after a moment it opened, an elderly Brother
scurrying out.
     "Brother Boroleas," Axis said, recognising the man. As Kenricke had taught
him skill in arms, Boroleas had largely taught him his letters. "I have come to
reclaim Spiredore."
    "I have come to plead with you for our lives," Boroleas said stiffly.
    "You shall have them," Axis replied.
    "And our freedom?" Boroleas asked.
    "You shall have an escort of twenty armed men to Nord-muth, Boroleas,
where you will board a ship for Coroleas."
    "And our books?" Boroleas pressed, hardly daring to hope.
    Axis killed the hope immediately. "I have granted you your lives, Boroleas.
Do not ask for your books as well. You leave now, and you leave everything
behind you. Kenricke, will you supervise the Brothers' evacuation?"
    Kenricke nodded, and Axis turned back to Spiredore. It was his.


MorningStar
Three days after the Battle of Bedwyr Fort Axis' camp had spread along the
eastern shore of Grail Lake. Tents, gaily pennoned with the standards of the
individual commanders within Axis' combined force, or, increasingly, with
miniature versions of Axis' personal golden standard, spread along virtually the
entire shore. Men rested and recovered in the early autumn sunshine. Carlon
was left alone as Axis' army concentrated on recovering its strength after the
battle. Ships from Nor had resupplied the force, and the Carlonese, running out
of fresh supplies, had to put up with watching Axis' men feast on new breads
and freshly-picked fruits. They also watched the Ravensbundmen play a rough
and sometimes deadly game of football from horseback, and the Icarii drift about
the skies and camp in a flurry of wings.
     MorningStar and StarDrifter shared a tent in the northern part of the camp,
and on this third day Axis stood with them, going over some of the books the
Icarii had recovered from Spiredore. All of the Brotherhood's works Axis and
StarDrifter had ordered burned, but StarDrifter and MorningStar, to their delight,
had discovered hundreds of ancient Icarii texts secreted away in locked
cupboards and chests.
     "What did the Seneschal do with them?" MorningStar muttered, her head
bent over one of the latest finds. "Not read them, surely?"
     Axis shrugged. "I have no idea why they kept them. Perhaps they simply did
not understand what they had found. Perhaps when they moved into Spiredore
they packed these books up, or stuffed them into back bookcases, and
completely forgot they were there."
     StarDrifter shared his mother's excitement. "Axis! So many of these texts we
thought completely lost! And now to have recovered them! See, mother!" he
pointed to a small book he had just unpacked from a crate, "The History of the
Lakes - I thought this book was only legend!"
     MorningStar gasped in astonishment and picked the book up. "The History of
the Lakes," she breathed. "Oh, Axis, thank you for all you have done for the
Icarii!"
     Axis smiled. Now, with most of the sacred sites of the Icarii opened to her
and her brethren, Axis was seeing a side of his grandmother he had not known
existed. Only this morning Axis had seen her laughing and chatting with Azhure
as she took Caelum for a walk in the morning sunshine. Apparently MorningStar
had put her deep suspicion of Azhure to one side.
     MorningStar reluctantly put down the book. There would be plenty of time to
read these at her leisure. "Is there anything left in Spiredore?"
     StarDrifter shook his head. "No. We have removed everything that belonged
to the Seneschal - burned most of it. Underneath the wooden panelling on the
walls we have found the original carvings in the white stone - very much like the
carvings that encircled the well leading down to the UnderWorld, Axis."
     Axis nodded, recalling the beautiful carvings of women and children dancing
hand in hand in the UnderWorld. He could not wait to see what those in
Spiredore looked like restored.
     "When will you be able to reconsecrate Spiredore?" he asked his father.
     "Tomorrow night, Axis. The moon will be full - Spire-dore shares a special
harmony with the moon."
     "Oh," MorningStar muttered. "What is that girl doing?"
     Axis and StarDrifter stared at her, but MorningStar was gazing out the open
tent flap. "Imibe is supposed to be watching Caelum as he has his afternoon
nap. Now, here she is running off to watch her husband at his horse games
again. I'd better go and watch over the boy — Azhure is visiting some of the
wounded in the physician's tents this afternoon."
     "I'll go, MorningStar," Axis offered. "I know how much you want to examine
these books, and you know how much I enjoy spending time with my son."
     "But StarDrifter needs to talk with you about tomorrow night's ceremony,
and I have many years ahead of me to enjoy these texts. And, Axis," she
grinned, "/ enjoy spending time with Caelum as much as you do."
     Axis gave in without further argument. Later his decision would return to
haunt his dreams. What would have happened if he had walked into his tent that
fine afternoon to check on his son?
     MorningStar smiled at her son and grandson - and walked out of the tent
and into Prophecy.
     MorningStar knew something was badly wrong the instant she walked into
the tent that Axis shared with Azhure and Caelum. Caelum s cot was in the far
corner, lost in shadows, and a darkly cloaked figure was bent over the cot,
reaching down to the baby.
     "Who are you?" MorningStar began, her voice hard, and the figure whipped
about.
     "Oh," MorningStar whispered, her hand creeping to her throat in horror,
feeling the dark power seep across the space between them and encircle her.
     Dark power. Dark Music. MorningStar could do nothing against it.
     "WolfStar," she murmured. "I had always wondered what disguise you
wore."
     "MorningStar," WolfStar said, moving towards her, a hard smile across the
face he wore. Then his disguise faltered and faded, and MorningStar saw the real
person beneath.
     WolfStar was incredibly beautiful underneath the hood of his black cloak. He
had the violet eyes of so many of the Sun-Soars, but dark coppery hair. His
entire face was alive with power, strange power that MorningStar assumed he
had brought back from the universe beyond. How would Axis deal with this, she
thought frantically as WolfStar stepped close to her and took her chin in his
hand, how mil Axis deal with this?
     "Axis will deal with me when he finds me, my sweet," WolfStar said softly.
"But I do not intend that he should find me yet. I still have much work to do in
my current disguise."
     "I will not tell," MorningStar whispered.
     "Sweet MorningStar SunSoar. How could you not tell? Your knowledge will
shine out of your eyes, and either Axis or StarDrifter will eventually force the
knowledge from you. My sweet, you have seen me in my everyday disguise, and
for that you must pay."
     MorningStar whimpered.
     "Ah," WolfStar said, "you are afraid." He wrapped both his hands about her
head and pulled her to him, kissing her gently, kissing her goodbye.
     MorningStar moaned, her hands and power hanging limp by her side.
     WolfStar lifted his head. "Goodbye, my lovely," he whispered, then his hands
abruptly tightened about her head, crushing it as easily as a child would an egg
it held in its hands.
     As WolfStar carefully lowered MorningStar's body to the ground, Caelum
began to scream in terror.
     Only at that point did the five Alaunt who had been resting quietly in the
tent, and who had shown no signs of distress as WolfStar murdered MorningStar,
rise to their feet and encircle the cot protectively.
     "How strange," StarDrifter said, raising his head from the text he was
showing Axis. "I feel a loss, an emptiness, but of what I cannot tell."
     Axis looked at him, but after a moment StarDrifter shook himself and
continued to explain the text to Axis.
     WolfStar hurried through the ranks of tents, upset to have been discovered -
and even a little upset that he had been forced to dispose of MorningStar. She
was a SunSoar woman, and WolfStar had not liked to kill her.
     WolfStar was so upset that for a crucial minute he forgot to recloak himself
in his usual disguise.
     Not even thinking to look where he was going, disturbed by Caelum's
screams so close behind him, WolfStar turned a corner and walked straight into
Jack.
     Jack took a step back, stunned. "Master!" he whispered.
     WolfStar placed a calming hand on Jack's shoulder. "Jack, listen to me.
There has been some unpleasantness. Do not mention that you have seen me."
     Jack stared at WolfStar a moment, then lowered his head in submission. "As
you wish, Master."
    The next instant WolfStar had gone.
    "See here," StarDrifter said a few minutes later, pointing to an illustration in
the book he held, "this is a representation of the fourth order of the ..."
     "Axis!"
     Both StarDrifter and Axis' heads shot up. It was Azhure's voice, and she was
screaming in terror.
     "Axis! Axis!"
     Both Enchanters dropped the books they were holding and ran outside.
     Azhure ran through the tents towards them, Caelum screaming in her arms,
five of the Alaunt hugging her heels.
     "Axis!" She was so terrified that her breath came in great heaving sobs,
unable to speak. All Axis could get from Caelum was a pure wail of terror.
     "Azhure?" he demanded, seizing her shoulders. "What is it? What is if?"
     "MorningStar," StarDrifter whispered, his eyes on Axis' tent some three or
four away from where they were standing.
     Azhure did not answer, but simply burst into tears.
     Axis shared one frantic look with his father, then they were both racing as
fast as they could for the tent.
     Both Axis and StarDrifter stopped, horrified beyond words or emotion, a
pace inside the tent. MorningStar's body lay just beyond the centre of the tent.
Her arms were neatly arranged by her side, as if someone had taken care to lay
her out neatly, but her head had disappeared in a disgusting mess of blood,
bone fragments and brain tissue. It had been completely crushed. Even Axis,
used to the wounds of the battlefield, felt physically sickened by the scene.
     Azhure stumbled into the tent behind them, shielding Caelum's head from
the sight of MorningStar's body. Slowly words started to fall out of her between
sobs. "I was on my way back to our tent... then I heard Caelum start to
scream...I hurried...ran...and found...I didn't know what to do...what could I
do?...I grabbed Caelum and ran..."
     Axis leaned back and put his arm about her just as Belial, Magariz, Rivkah,
YsgryfF and Embeth all rushed into the tent. All stopped abruptly, their faces
appalled at the sight of MorningStar's death.
     His face hard and emotionless, Axis lifted Caelum from Azhure's arms. He
cuddled the baby, soothing him both with Song and with power, reassuring him.
Gradually the baby's screams began to lessen.
     Caelurn was the only witness.
     My son. Shush. You are safe. Safe, safe, safe. Who did this to MomingStar?
     For a moment he received nothing from his son.
     A dark man.
     Do you know his name?
     Axis could feel his son's hesitation. MomingStar called him WolfStar.
     Caelutn. Did you see his face?
     No. His cloak was drawn tight about his face.
    "WolfStar?" StarDrifter said. "WolfStar did this?"
    He touched me with his mind, Caelum thought reflectively. Such a gentle
touch. He said that he loved me.
     When StarDrifter finally returned, grief-stricken, to the tent he had shared
with his mother, he found that The History of the Lakes had vanished. No matter
how hard he or any others looked over the next weeks, they never found it
again.
     Much, much later, when the moon had risen and MorningStar's body had
been removed and the tent cleared, Axis and StarDrifter sat together on the
sandy shores of Grail Lake. Axis had given Caelum and Azhure a calming
enchantment, and now both slept deeply in Rivkah's tent - the one she now
openly shared with Magariz. Axis ordered his own tent burned; he could never
use it again now.
     For a long time both father and son sat in silence, watching the drift of the
moon over the dark waters of the Lake.
     Axis heard his father take a deep breath, and he reached over and took
StarDrifter's hand. "I know how close to MomingStar you were," he said softly,
hoping to get Star-Drifter to talk. StarDrifter and MomingStar had often argued,
their temperaments and personalities were so similar, but there was a deep bond
between them that both encompassed and went beyond love.
     "I cannot believe she could have died like that," Star-Drifter whispered, his
eyes on the small waves lapping at their feet. "She was always the one most
concerned about WolfStar, always the one fretting about who he was, in what
body he hid...perhaps she had a premonition that she would die by his hand."
     "WolfStar," Axis did not want to think about him - or about MorningStar's
thoughts on who WolfStar might be. Not Azhure.
     "Not Azhure," StarDrifter said. "It could not be her."
     "No," Axis replied. "She had no opportunity to teach me as a child, did she?
She was born and raised in Smyrton while I grew in Carlon."
     Both Enchanters clung to that, both so deeply in love with the woman that
they would cling to any excuse not to consider her as WolfStar.
     "Rivkah, Magariz, Belial, Ysgryff, Embeth," Axis said slowly, thinking aloud.
"All were in the tent within moments of us. All must have been close."
     "No," StarDrifter said. "Not Rivkah. She never had the opportunity to teach
you as a child."
     "Perhaps she did, StarDrifter. All those months and years she spent away
from Talon Spike. How do you know that they were spent with the Avar?"
     "Axis, you can't be serious," StarDrifter said. "Not Rivkah."
     Axis sighed. "Not Azhure, not Rivkah."
     "The others?" StarDrifter asked.
     "The others. All older than me. All had access to me as a child. I lived with
Embeth and Ganelon as a child from the age of eleven, and she would have seen
me at an earlier age at court. Magariz has admitted himself that he knew me as
a baby in Carlon when he was a member of the palace guard, and later its
captain. He also possibly has had access to Gorgrael via Gorkenfort. Belial? Eight
years older than I, and who knows if he ever saw me at an age earlier than
fifteen or sixteen when I joined the Axe-Wielders and he was commander of my
unit?"
     "Ysgryft?" StarDrifter said quietly.
     "Ysgryff," Axis mused. "Perhaps the perfect disguise. Over the past few
weeks we have learned, to our mutual surprise, that the baronial family of Nor
has kept the Temple of the Stars protected for the past thousand years. YsgryfF
himself constantly refers to small parts of Icarii culture that should be unknown
to any save the Icarii, and he knew that Raum was transforming."
     "He did?" StarDrifter asked.
     "I came across Ysgryff one night just before we reached the Silent Woman
Woods, offering the Bane comfort. He knew what he was going through."
     "What better place to hide yourself for thousands of years," StarDrifter said
slowly, his eyes back on the water again, "but among the baronial family of Nor.
Access to most of the holy sites, and especially the Island of Mist and Memory.
You must admit, Axis, that YsgryfF is far more than he seems."
     Axis gave a short laugh. "Listen to us, StarDrifter. All we know is that
WolfStar is not me and he is not you. We both provide each others alibi.
Otherwise we have a smorgasbord of suspects. Most have had the opportunity,
and who knows what motive WolfStar has for returning? And what was he doing
with Caelum? \Vhy my son?"
     StarDrifter expelled a short breath in frustration. "Axis, you have never told
me the third verse of the Prophecy."
     "It was meant for my ears only. Anyone else who hears it simply forgets it
within a moment or two."
     "Tell me," StarDrifter urged. "Perhaps I will remember it. Perhaps there is
some understanding I can cast upon it."
     Axis raised his eyebrows, but he recited the third verse for his father.
     StarMan, listen, for I know That you can wield the sceptre To bring Gorgrael
to his knees And break the ice asunder. But even with the power in hand Your
pathway is not sure: A Traitor from within your camp Will seek and plot to harm
you; Let not your Lover's pain distract For this will mean your death; Destroyer's
might lies in his hate Yet you must never follow; Forgiveness is the thing assured
To save Tencendor's soul.
     StarDrifter frowned. Already the words were warping themselves in his mind.
"I cannot ..." he muttered, perplexed.
     "The third verse tells me what I must do to defeat Gorgrael," Axis explained
patiently. "But that is no of import to anyone save myself. But the verse also
warns me that there is someone who pretends love for my cause, but who will
eventually betray me to Gorgrael."
     "WolfStar."
     "It must be. But who is it? Which disguise does WolfStar wear? StarDrifter."
Axis' voice almost broke with his frustration. "It could have been anyone within
the camp, or even anyone from Carlon who had crept out during the night. How
many suspects do we have within the immediate vicinity? Seventy thousand?
Eighty? More?"
    But what was he doing with Caelum? What? Did MorningStar die so that my
son could live? Or was WolfStar simply visiting?
    StarDrifter put his arm about Axis' shoulders. "We must trust only each
other," he whispered. "Who else can we trust?"
    "That is a terrible way to live, StarDrifter."
    "MorningStar died a terrible death, Axis. Never forget it."

  One Nors Woman Wins, Another
LosesFaraday stood with her husband on the parapets of the palace in
Carlon and stared across Grail Lake, Timozel lurking dark and brooding in the
shadows behind them. Since Borneheld's loss at Bedwyr Fort Timozel had hardly
spoken. His respect for Borneheld had been severely tested by the batde loss,
and sometimes Faraday heard him muttering of strange visions and promises
under his breath. His skin had begun to take on an unhealthy sheen, almost as if
he had a slow-burning fever inside him. Bags of skin hung heavy under his eyes.
Poor Timozel, Faraday thought briefly, you are not looking forward to seeing Axis
again, are you?
     Faraday did not know that Timozel hardly dared sleep now, lest Gorgrael
appear to him, laughing and beckoning with his hand. Timozel no longer
screamed, but he always woke wide-eyed with fear and horror, clutching at the
sheets.
     Faraday closed her eyes and leaned her face to the autumn sun, feeling its
warmth. It would be soon, now, and both she and Borneheld knew it. They stood
only two paces apart, but the gulf between them was immeasurable. If Axis died
during the brothers' duel in the Chamber of the Moons, then Faraday would not
wish to live. Darkness would close from the north as the Prophecy shattered, and
Faraday had no intention of living in a world of ice and darkness that did not
hold Axis.
     She took a deep breath, savouring the faint scent of the final autumn
flowers, and opened her eyes. The distant shore of Grail Lake was only just
visible, but Faraday could see the rising height of the white tower that Yr had
told her was rightfully called Spiredore. (What had the Icarii done inside
Spiredore to make it glow as it had last night?) Axis' victorious army had been
encamped about the Lake for almost a week now, recovering its strength after
the dreadful battle about Bedwyr Fort, and it had not escaped Faraday's
attention, as it had not escaped the attention of most of the people in Carlon,
that those of Borneheld's army he had left to die as he fled the field had happily
joined the ranks of the force they had fought against. Axis had taken no
prisoners, only welcomed comrades.
     Faraday leaned a little closer to the stone parapets, wishing she had a glass
so that she might see the more clearly. Last night she had stood here and
watched the great fire that had been lit on the eastern shore of the Lake. It had
been a funeral pyre, Yr told her later, a funeral pyre for a great and loved Icarii,
for only the best were farewelled in so lavish a manner.
     But while the pyre blazed, Faraday had only seen the flames leaping high
into the sky and the shadowy figures of thousands gathered about it - not only
Icarii, but Acharite and Ravensbund men and women too. Had Axis been there?
What about his father StarDrifter and mother Rivkah? Borneheld had told
Faraday that a woman claiming to be Rivkah had talked to him before the Battle
of Bedwyr Fort, and, despite Borneheld's disclaimers, Faraday had no doubts that
it was indeed Rivkah, and she smiled for Axis' happiness.
     As the flames had leapt for the stars torch-bearing Icarii had taken flight,
spiralling higher and higher above the flames to slowly disappear into the night-
sky, the flaming torches they carried fading to star-like pin-pricks of light in the
blackness above. They had been escorting the released soul on its journey to the
stars. It had been a sight so beautiful, so moving, that Faraday had wept and
wondered who was being farewelled with such honour and ceremony.
     Later, as the funeral pyre died down, the attention of the thousands across
the Lake (as indeed, all the thousands within Carlon who watched) turned to
Spiredore. Curious music, Song, had drifted across the Lake towards Carlon, and
Faraday had glimpsed a silver and white figure atop the roof of the tower.
StarDrifter she thought, sometimes on his feet, sometimes slowly spiralling into
the air. After some time Spiredore itself had begun to glow as if a beacon, a
gentle white light pulsing out from its walls, growing in strength until the entire
structure seemed to throb. Faraday had been entranced by the sight of the
pulsating white tower, and she had stood watching for hours. She andYr had lain
awake until dawn stained the sky, talking of the evening's events.
     Now, only just risen from her bed, Faraday felt refreshed, alive. Even
Borneheld's presence couldn't dampen her spirits. She could almost feel Axis'
presence. Soon, she thought. Soon.
     Footsteps sounded from behind her, and Faraday turned slightly.
     Gautier approached, dressed in light armour, his sword rattling, and stepped
to Borneheld's side, and both men stared silently at the far side of the Lake. Both
had recovered some of their spirit, some of their bravado, in the past few days.
     "When?" Gautier asked softly.
     Borneheld paused, then answered just as softly. "Soon."
     "What will you do, Sire?"
     "Nothing," Borneheld answered, his eyes fixed on a tiny scarlet and gold
figure across the Lake. "Axis will come to me. He must. We both want to end it.
Just he and I. That is all it was ever meant to be."
     Borneheld turned from the parapets. His face was shadowed with red beard;
he had not shaved or washed in days.
     "Our rivalry started the instant he was conceived," Borneheld said to
Faraday. "And we have fought ever since he arrived as a baby in Carlon, one
way or another. Do not deceive yourself, Faraday, that he will come across the
waters of Grail Lake for love of you alone. Will he love you once I am gone?" He
paused and eyed her coldly. "No. I doubt it. There will be no reason to, you see,
once I am gone."
     And with that he turned and walked away, Gautier at his side. The slap of
their boots on the stone flagging sounded like dark bells tolling a death knell.
     Faraday watched her husband go, a cold fear in her heart. Borneheld had
simply assumed that he would lose, as if he had always known that he was fated
to die at Axis' hands. Knowing that, it gave what he said about Axis' love for her,
or lack of it, the fatal ring of prophecy.
     Axis watched with his Enchanter's vision as first Borneheld then, after a long
pause, Faraday turned and left the parapets of the castle.
     "When?" Belial asked.
     "Tonight. I have waited long enough. It will be tonight."
     Belial nodded. "How?"
     "Rivkah knows a way in. A secret way. We will approach across Grail Lake."
     "Who?" Belial asked.
     "Me. You, Ho'Demi and Magariz. Jorge. Rivkah."
     "Rivkah?" Belial was stunned.
     Axis' eyes were as cold as the water. "She must come. She must witness.
One of her sons will die tonight. She must be there."
     Belial shivered. "Who else?"
     "The Sentinels. They will need to be there."
     "To witness?"
     Axis shook his head, his eyes far away. "They can serve to witness, yes, but
they will be there primarily to wait."
     Belial frowned. Axis was in a strange mood, very strange. "Wait? Wait for
what?"
     "A lost love, Belial. A lost love."
     "And that is all you will take?"
     Again Axis shook his head. "StarDrifter, I think, although he may get in the
way. But he wants to come. EvenSong. She must come too. To wait, like the
Sentinels. Arne, and perhaps some five or six men-at-arms. Ravensbundmen, I
think."
     "You'll need a merchant ship to carry that lot across," Belial muttered.
     Axis clapped Belial on the back. "Seventeen, perhaps eighteen, my friend. A
good rowboat will get us there."
     "You're not going to take Azhure?"
     Axis' face hardened. "Someone will need to stay in command of this camp,
and I hardly think she will want to come."
     "Axis," Belial hesitated. "Be careful you do not treat Azhure too badly in this.
She loves you too deeply to be able to watch you sail across that Lake tonight
with a calm and understanding heart."
     Axis took a deep breath, fighting to control his temper.
     "Be careful, Axis," Belial said, knowing that he was going too far, "Azhure is
held in high regard by many within this camp. Hurt her, and you will hurt many."
     "Including you?" Axis did not care if Belial 'saw his temper now. "How much
do you love her, Belial?"
     Belial held Axis' furious stare without flinching. "I will not deny that I loved
her once. But there was no point feeding a love and a desire when Azhure could
see none but you. It would have destroyed me, and I was not yet ready to die.
But I still care for her, as does Magariz, and Rivkah, and Arne, and a thousand
others I could name. Axis," Belial's voice was low, but steady. "We all care too
much for her to watch her slowly die of wretchedness when you marry Faraday.
Either let her go, or let Faraday go. You will destroy both of them if you continue
in your desire to have them both."
     "I will let neither go!" Axis seethed. "There is no need. They will both accept
the other. It has been done before."
     "But not with such women!" Belial's voice rose now. "Both are wondrous in
their own right, but both will fade and die if forced to share you!"
     "I hardly think ..." Axis began, but both men were distracted by a shout from
the line of tents.
     YsgryfF, his face livid with fury, strode towards Axis and Belial as they stood
on the shore of the Lake, dragging a slight Nors girl with him.
     "Oh gods, no," Belial whispered. "Cazna!" YsgryfFs handsome face was so
twisted with anger that it was almost unrecognisable, while the girl, dressed in a
bright red wool dress, was wearing an expression of sulky rebellion. Ysgryff drew
to a halt some four or five paces away from Axis and Belial, and started to shout
at Belial.
     "Do you realise what you have done, you low-born oaf? Did you not stop to
think what you did when you ravaged my daughter's virtue?'
     "Daughter?" Belial said. Cazna wasYsgryff's daughter? "Daughter!" YsgryfF
shouted. "Daughter! Did you think her some camp whore? Did she act like some
camp whore? Did you not stop to consider what you did when you dragged her
into your bed?"
     "I —" Belial began but YsgryfF did not give him the chance to explain.
     "Of what value is she now? None! What sort of marriage can I arrange for
her now? None! Some hurried and secretive affair with a ploughman who has
been paid to overlook her swollen belly?"
     Again Belial tried to interrupt, appalled at the inference that he had got
Cazna pregnant, but Cazna overrode her father.
     "Father," she said, low but firm. Axis noticed that she had inherited her
fathers striking looks to the full. "Belial did not seduce me. I seduced him. The
night of the treaty-signing in the Ancient Barrows I went to his tent and lay
waiting for him in his bedroll."
     Belial smiled slightly. Will I ever forget what I felt when I entered my tent
that night and saw her lying there, waiting for me?
     Ysgryff stared at his daughter in horror. "What did I raise," he said, "that she
should treat me like this?"
      Belial stepped forward and took Cazna's hand. "Ysgryff, there has been little
harm done." He hurried on as Ysgryff opened his mouth in horror yet again.
Little harm done? "I have already asked - your daughter - to marry me."
      Axis raised his eyebrow. Belial had thought to castigate him over his
treatment of Azhure when all the time he had been busily violating the Baron of
Nor's daughter?
      "Marriage? Do you think that will heal the hurt and the shame you have
dealt my family?" Ysgryff shouted, although he was having a great deal of
trouble maintaining the facade of his temper. If he played the part of the
enraged father well enough, he would be able to get Belial to accept Cazna
without a single gold piece as dowry.
      "I have accepted," Cazna said, watching her father carefully. She already
had her suspicions about her father's display of righteous rage. Her hand
tightened about Belial's.
      "Well," Ysgryff said, pretending to be slightly mollified. "How do I know that
he means it? Was it just a ploy to bring you to his bed?"
      "I hardly think you have behaved well, Belial," Axis said, speaking for the
first time since Ysgryff had dragged his daughter forth to accuse Belial. "I think
that perhaps you have treated Cazna rather badly, don't you?"
      Belial glared at Axis. He knew perfectly well that Axis was referring to their
previous conversation with that remark.
      "Then find me two more witnesses, Axis," he retorted. "And I will wed Cazna
here and now. / am not afraid to grace the woman I love with vows of lifelong
love, partnership and honour."
      Axis stared at Belial, standing calm and straight with the Nors girl close to
him, then he spun on his heel and strode off.
      "I cannot take you with me, so I will leave you in command of the camp and
the army," Axis said carefully. "FarSight Cut-Spur will be your second-in-
command."
      "I understand," Azhure said, folding her cloak for the third time, then
shaking it out and starting all over again.
      They were in the tent that they now shared with Rivkah and Magariz, and
this was the first time Axis had found a chance to talk with Azhure alone for
many days. Caelum had gone with Rivkah for an evening stroll by the waters.
      "Damn it," Axis swore softly, and strode over to Azhure, tearing the cloak
from her hands and throwing it to the ground. "What is wrong, Azhure? What
has came between us these past months?" How long since he had touched her,
kissed her, lain with her? Not since the night he had signed the treaty with
Ysgryff and Greville at the Ancient Barrows, and how many weeks was that?
      "What has come between us? She sits in her pink and gold palace across the
Lake. Faraday."
      "Azhure," Axis said, taking her chin gently in his fingers and forcing her to
meet his eyes. "Azhure, I love you, you know that. You will always be a part of
my life."
     She twisted away. "It is a hard thing you ask of me, Axis."
     "What? To stay with me? To be my Lover? You love me, you can do no less."
     "I wish I could have found the courage to walk away from you before this,"
she said.
     "Walk away from me? Who to? Belial?"
     Azhure whipped her head back, her eyes wide.
     Axis seized her chin again. "If you try to leave me, I will track you down.
Believe it! No-one will take you from me!"
     Azhure stared at him. How could a man who could show so much
compassion to strangers show such a face of cruelty to her?
     "Azhure," Axis moderated his tone as he watched the effect his words had
on her. "Do you love me?"
     "Yes," she whispered, unable to deny it.
     "Then you would be miserable away from me. Azhure, listen to me. Marriage
to Borneheld's widow will further cement my claim to the throne of Achar.
Besides, the Prophecy binds me to Faraday, and I need Faraday to bring the
Avar and the trees to my cause. I cannot abandon her, Azhure, and I will not.
Not when she has done so much for me, and will do so much more. But my
heart belongs to you. Never belittle yourself, or your effect on me, Azhure. "
     He bent down and kissed her lips softly. "If I was not already bound by vow
to Faraday then I would not hesitate to marry you, Azhure. Believe it."
     "Yes." Azhure believed it.
     "Azhure, I will not hesitate to acknowledge you, my love for you, or your role
in my success thus far. I love you, and your son will be my heir. Walk tall and
proud."
     "Go," Azhure whispered, "go to Faraday. I cannot fight the Prophecy."
     After Axis had left her, and walked down to the shore of Grail Lake and the
boat that waited to take him to Faraday, Azhure walked out of the tent, took
Caelum from Rivkah, and wandered through the camp, pausing to chat now and
then with a member of her command. She wore a cool, confident smile on her
face and didn't let a single ray of her grief shine through. Sicarius trotted at her
side, his eyes golden and seeing. Once she had inspected the camp and made
sure all was in order Azhure shared a meal with Cazna, and envied the young
woman that she had captured her husband's heart intact.

    The Chamber of the Moons» s twilight
deepened into dark, people started to fileL\ into the Chamber of the Moons.
Servants, guards-/- Ajnen, courtiers, kitchen maids, stableboys - all weredriven
by the presentiment that something strange would takeplace this night in the
Chamber of the Moons.
    They moved silently, none speaking, none feeling the need to. As the night
drew on perhaps two hundred stood, still and noiseless, circling the Chamber,
leaving its centre free.
     Borneheld sat on his throne atop the dais, his face expressionless, sword
drawn and resting on his knees. On the stone edge of the dais sat Faraday,
green skirts spread about her, shoulders square, face serene, hands folded
smoothly in her lap. Like her husband, Faraday stared straight ahead. Waiting.
     In a group of four to the left of the dais stood Timozel, morbid; Gautier, a
thin sheen of sweat across his face betraying his inner fears; Jayme, pale; andYr,
as serene as her mistress, feeling the presence of the Prophecy strongly in the
night.
     The only light in the Chamber was an inadequate ring of blazing torches
round the pillars. They threw more shadows than light, and those shadows
provided the only movement.
     Everyone waited.
     On Grail Lake the boat moved through the smooth waters. All on board were
absorbed in their own thoughts.
     Axis thought of Azhure one moment, Faraday the next. He thought of
Borneheld, and the end they would make of it tonight. He thought of FreeFall
and of Zeherah, and of the bargain with the GateKeeper.
     Belial thought of the duel ahead and of his wife. He had wed Cazna there on
the shores of Grail Lake this afternoon, and the pledges he made had tasted
right in his mouth. He thought of the life they would make together when this
Prophecy had ground itself to a close. Would they settle in his home province of
Romsdale? Or in one of the three manors Cazna had had bestowed upon her?
Belial's thoughts saddened. He prayed Cazna could be all he hoped.
     Rivkah and Magariz thought of Axis, and of the duel that they would witness
tonight. Rivkah had not wanted to be there, but knew that she had to be. 'She
had brought both men into this world, and she would witness one of them out of
it tonight. She hoped it would be Borneheld. She was glad she had Magariz with
her tonight, glad that they no longer needed to hide their love for each other.
     As the boat slid through the darkness Rivkah looked into the water. She
snatched at Magariz's hand and indicated with her eyes. Far into the depths of
the Lake a line of double lights glowed as if marking a road. The boat glided
directly above. Every now and then the row of glowing lamps would diversify into
circles and arrows, reminding Rivkah vaguely of the swirls and lines on the faces
of the Ravensbund people. They glowed welcomingly, and Rivkah fought the
urge to slip into the water and swim down to meet them. She had often sailed
these waters at night when she was a girl, but she had never seen lights such as
these before.
     Jack, Ogden andVeremund had seen the lights as well, but none were
puzzled. There it lies, thought Jack, and Ogden andVeremund silently agreed
with him. Our fate.
     All three knew what they would soon witness, and they hoped that tonight
would provide the final stroke for the war between Axis and Borneheld, for the
war which had riven Achar apart.
     But why, thought Veremund, why go through with this, when the fifth is still
lost? Ogden squeezed his brother's hand, and Jack placed his own hands on the
shoulders of the two Sentinels. Trust, he thought, it is all we can do. Trust.
     Arne thought of Axis and he thought of traitors. He thought of backs, and he
thought of Axis' back. Sometimes when he looked at Axis he thought he could
see a knife emerging from between his shoulder blades. Sometimes he thought
he could see Axis' hands covered in blood, but he could not tell whose. Arne's
eyes darted about the boat. Where the traitor s hand? Where? Who?
     At the very stern of the boat sat StarDrifter and Even-Song, both a little
uncomfortable, both trailing their wings slightly in the cool waters. StarDrifter
thought of his mother, of her excitement at finding The History of the Lakes, of
her death before she could read it. He thought of MorningStar's crushed head
and of WolfStar who lurked somewhere among them. Who?
     EvenSong thought of FreeFall. She had fought to put him out of her mind
this past year, even to the extent of seducing Belial one night in Sigholt and
again this Beltide night past. But nothing had worked, not even Belial's ardent
love-making, and tonight the memories of FreeFall seemed closer than ever
before. FreeFall, she thought, leave me to live the rest of my life without you.
Let go my heart. Soar back to the stars where you belong.
     Jorge sat shoulder to shoulder with the impassive Ravens-bund chief and the
six Ravensbundmen who accompanied Axis. Over the past months Jorge had
grown to respect the Ravensbund people where once he had only loathed them
as savages. Nevertheless, Axis had picked a peculiar force to invade with, a
strange one indeed. Magic and enchantments and alien vows with unseen faces
have more to do with the selection for this mission than fighting skill. And why
me? Why me? I am too old for this. Too tired.
     The boat came to a small and forgotten postern door set low in Carlon's
walls. It was a little-known gate that Rivkah remembered from her childhood.
Once, many generations ago, it had been used for courtiers who wished to enter
and leave the palace as secretly as they might. Rivkah had discovered it as a
child, and had sometimes come down here late in summer evenings to sit with
her feet dangling in the cool waters of Grail Lake. Was the gate.still here,
unblocked, unlocked? It opened into a stairwell and narrow corridor which
eventually led to the main hallways of the palace. Perhaps, Rivkah pondered, it
had been built hundreds of years ago for the very purposes of this Prophecy.
     Axis lifted his head to the night sky and whistled softly. A sudden rush of
wings signalled the arrival of the snow eagle on Axis' outstretched arm.
     The boat rocked gently as it bumped against the stone wall and Arne crept
forward and worked the latch on the gate.
     It swung silently open, revealing a rectangle of darkness. Axis was suddenly,
vividly reminded of the rectangle of light that sat behind the GateKeeper, and he
pondered the similarities. This was a Gate into the Prophecy as surely as that
golden Gate in the UnderWorld was a doorway into the world beyond.
     Arne tied the boat to a ring to one side of the gate and disappeared into the
darkness for some minutes. Everyone sat quietly, waiting. Axis gently stroked the
eagle s feathers, calming it and himself. Earlier Belial had apologised to him for
his ill-considered words about Azhure and they had grasped hands, friends once
more. Axis had complimented Belial on his new bride. Both men were relieved
that their friendship had been restored on this, the most critical of nights.
     Arne reappeared. "The place is deserted," he said. "I scouted well ahead.
Nothing. No-one."
     "No guards?" Belial queried.
     "They will all be in the Chamber of the Moons," said Axis quietly, and
although he was not sure why he said it, he knew it to be true. "Waiting. Come."
     They moved quickly and quietly through the lower corridors of the palace.
     The eagle was becoming more and more restless the further they moved
into the palace, and Axis soothed and stroked it. StarDrifter and EvenSong, as
nervous about being trapped where they could not fly as the eagle, were grateful
the instant they moved out of the tight and narrow lower passageways; their
wings had scraped painfully in places against cold and damp stone.
     As they moved further and higher into the palace the group passed small
numbers of servants. As soon as the servants saw the party was headed by the
golden man with the eagle, they slunk back against the walls, their eyes great
and solemn. One or two bowed slightly as Axis, his eyes fixed straight ahead,
passed them without comment or recognition. There were no guards. No
fighting. Borneheld was willing now that it should come down to the duel.
     They reached corridors which were wide and spacious, decorated with bright
lamps, silken banners and intermittent tapestries showing scenes from Achar's
glorious past. Not a few depicted triumphant battles from the Wars of the Axe,
which caused StarDrifter to grimace.
     Axis finally came to the part of the palace he knew so well. How many times
had he trod this very corridor, striding to an audience with Priam in the Chamber
of the Moons? And how many times had he walked, not at the head of a party as
he did now, but three paces behind the figure of the Brother-Leader Jayme?
Walking as Jayme's right arm, his sword arm, the support of the Seneschal?
Well, now he walked towards the Prophecy, and when he crossed swords with
Borneheld he would be fighting the power of the Seneschal as much as the
power of his brother.
     "Wait," he called suddenly, holding out his free hand as they turned a
corner. The others stopped behind him, looking down the straight and wide
corridor. At the end, perhaps some fifty paces away, double doors stood wide.
Beyond was a darkened chamber, lit only by the leaping light of torches.
     "The Chamber of the Moons," Jack said, moving forward to step next to Axis.
"Yr is there. I can feel her."
     "And Faraday," Axis said, relieved. He could feel the slight tug of her power
as well. "And Faraday."
     He turned to look at those behind him, smiling as if realising for the first
time what a strange group he had brought with him. Sentinels, Ravensbundmen,
nobles, a Princess, a friend, a father and a sister.
     "Let us go and strike the final blow for Tencendor," he said quiedy. "Let us
go and finish this."
     When Axis strode into the Chamber of the Moons, the eagle hopping in
agitation on his arm, the torchlight caught at his golden tunic and hair, making
all who looked at him blink -some in wonder, some in fear, and at least one in
love.
     He is so different, so changed, so much more powerful than when I first saw
him enter this Chamber, Faraday thought, rising to her feet as Axis stared across
the Chamber of the Moons at her. He strides through the doors like a golden god
and yet still he has my heart as helpless as that first night I saw him so long ago.
Her eyes travelled over the golden tunic with its blood-red blazing sun and
matching red breeches. And blinked.
     A bloodied sun hanging over a golden field.
     For an instant her hand hovered about her throat as the vision threatened to
overwhelm her again. She managed to regain control, and dropped her hand,
her eyes calm.
     Axis stood a moment, glancing about the Chamber, his eyes finally coming
to rest on Faraday standing tall and beautiful before the dais, Borneheld sitting
motionless behind her. With a movement so abrupt it brought gasps from all who
witnessed, Axis threw the eagle into the air. Eyes followed the silver and white
bird as it soared into the dome of the Chamber, coming to rest on a ledge far
above.
     Faraday's eyes fluttered to the eagle. Feathers?
     Feathers! She felt as if she were choking on feathers!
     She took a deep breadi, and dropped her eyes.
     All eyes were now on the golden man standing in the centre of the Chamber
before them.
     "The traitors," Borneheld said calmly, evenly, by way of introduction. He had
not risen from the throne. "Here they are, Jayme, all together in one room. All
walking with their treachery open for all to see. Open for all to note."
     Jayme stood some eight or nine paces behind the throne, virtually lost in the
shadows. He looked gaunt and grey, and a palsy rippling rhythmically across his
cheek gave him a slight air of insanity.
     His eyes caught with Axis', and if Jayme had thought that Axis might still
retain some measure of compassion, perhaps even love, for him, then Jayme
quickly realised that all Axis now felt for him was loathing and contempt.
     Jayme was so lost in Axis' eyes that he did not see Rivkah move quietly into
the Chamber behind her son. For the first time in thirty-four years the Princess
Rivkah had returned to the home of her youth. She took a deep breath, looked
between her sons, then gazed about the Chamber. Prophecy. Her life and those
of her sons had been manipulated by the Prophecy. Every time she thought she
was free of its grips, she realised it continued to manipulate and use her as it
willed.
     Those entering with Axis moved quietly to join the watchers about the pillars
of the Chamber, and even Faraday moved away from the dais so that the
brothers could face each other. She gave Axis a smile, but his eyes only flickered
quickly over her. His entire attention was reserved for his brother.
     The Chamber rang unth shouted accusations of murder and treachery.
     "The traitor sits the throne," Axis' voice cried out. "Borne-held, I accuse you
of FreeFall SunSoars murder. I accuse you of our uncle's murder. I accuse you of
ordering the murder of thousands of innocent men, women and children in
Skarabost. You have murdered your last, Borneheld, and now it is time to let the
gods pass judgement on your crimes."
     Borneheld rose to his feet. "A fight, brother? Is that what you want?" he
cried. "And yet you come to me surrounded with your tricks and your
enchantments. I am an Artor-fearing man, Axis. A plain soldier. How can I
compete with your enchantments? Your sorcery?"
     "I stand before you as your brother, Borneheld. Tonight I will not be an
Icarii Enchanter. I will come to you only with my sword. We will stand evenly
matched for gods and for prophecies to choose which has the right to live, and
which the right to die." With an abrupt motion Axis twisted the Enchanter's ring
from his right hand and tossed it across the Chamber to StarDrifter.
     When Faraday saw the ring glint through the air she cried out, her
composure finally breaking. "No!" The thought that Axis would face Borneheld
only with his sword appalled her - and again Faraday saw the blood dripping
from Axis' hair and felt the soft trickle of blood down her breasts. She moved as
if to run to Axis, but a strong arm caught her about the waist. Jorge.
     "Let him be," he said. "Borneheld and Axis must end this. Here. Finally."
     "No," Faraday wailed again, twisting against Jorge's arm. The vision of the
trees overwhelmed her, and now she was afraid, dreadfully afraid, that what
they had shown her (were showing her) had been (was) the truth. Axis would
die here tonight, and there was nothing she could do to stop it. "No," she
whispered, as Axis glanced her way. "Axis, no." She saw Borneheld, stepping
down from the throne. Borneheld took a step away from his throne, his sword
raised before him.
     Slowly Axis unbuttoned the golden tunic and threw it to Belial. It was a
beautiful tunic, and he did not want it rent, or stained with blood. He rolled up
the sleeves of his white linen shirt above his elbow, then, in a quick movement
so fluid most could hardly follow it, drew his sword from the scabbard at his side.
     "Borneheld," he said, and his brother leaped from the dais towards him and
into fate and vision.
     Time passed, and its passage was marked only by the ringing of steel
through the Chamber of the Moons.
     Dreadfully, inexorably, caught by fate, Axis and Borneheld fought as the
vision of the Silent Woman Woods had foretold and Faraday's face crumpled in
despair. Although she strained against Jorge's arms to be free, reaching into the
centre of the Chamber, he was too strong for her. She wept, terrified by what
she saw unfolding before her. In the centre of the Chamber the two men circled,
each bloodied with small stinging wounds, swords drawn, faces twisted into
snarling masks of rage fed by long-held hatreds. How long had they been
fighting? How many blows had they traded? How many times had one slipped,
the other lunging for the kill, only for the other to roll aside just in time to escape
the sword thrust? Faraday did not realise that she whispered Axis' name over
and over as she continued to struggle feebly against Jorge's arm. Her slim
fingers twisted the Ichtar ruby around the knuckle of her heart finger until the
skin broke and bled.
     Apart from Faraday's movements and whispers, there was no other
movement or sound in the Chamber of the Moons save those of the men
fighting. Magariz stood behind Rivkah, his hands on her shoulders, lending her
support as she witnessed the death struggle between her two sons. No matter
how much Rivkah had disowned Borneheld, no matter how much she claimed to
despise him, Magariz knew that she would not be able to watch his death
without pain.
     Rivkah's attention was caught by the scene in front of her. Both her sons
had grown to be skilful warriors. Borneheld fought with muscles and tactics
honed by battle, Axis with the grace and fluidity bequeathed him by his Icarii
father. Borneheld s size and the gold circlet about his brow lent him authority,
Axis' white and scarlet-clad form imbued him with an almost ethereal beauty.
     StarDrifter realised that the sound of the swords clashing and scraping along
each other, the sounds of the men's heavy breathing and of their boots scuffing
across the green marble floor, made a music unlike any he had ever heard
before. It was a strange music, dark and foreboding, and StarDrifter's eyes
widened as he realised he was listening to an echo of the Dance of Death, of the
Dark Music of the Stars. Had this duel been choreographed by WolfStar? Was he
here, watching? StarDrifter's eyes ran anxiously about the Chamber, but could
see nothing beyond the dim figures of those who encircled the Chamber. Did
WolfStar watch with the eyes of that courtier? Or perhaps the stableboy beyond?
StarDrifter returned his eyes to Borneheld and Axis. That they fought to the
sounds of the Dark Music worried him more than anything else - why was the
Prophecy using Dark Music to work its will? Was there no place for the Star
Dance tonight?
     Time passed, and its passage was marked only by the ringing of steel and
the scuff of the combatants' boots on the marble floor. Unknowingly, StarDrifter
had begun to sway from side to side rhythmically, to sway from side to side with
the beat of the Dance of Death.
     Both Axis and Borneheld weaved with weariness now, and both began to slip
every third or fourth step. Their breath was laboured, their faces and torsos wet
with perspiration, while their arms looked as though they had invisible lead
weights attached to them. Both men had sustained wounds, but Axis was
bleeding a little more heavily than Borneheld. Borneheld was dressed in a thick
leather jerkin and trousers, and the leather protected his skin more than Axis'
thin linen shirt protected his.
      At no point did either man drop his eyes from those of his opponent. They
had waited all their lives for this, and every stroke, every thrust, was powered by
long yean of resentment and hate.
      Everything that Faraday saw was shadowed by the vision the trees had
shown her. It was as if there were four men out there; every time Axis raised his
sword a ghost-like figure beside him raised his, every time Borneheld lunged so a
ghost-like figure lunged with him.
      Time passed, and the music danced on.
      Axis staggered with weariness. How long had he been fighting? Borneheld
allowed him no quarter, no time in which to catch his breath, no time in which to
position himself to drive home a series of blows and thrusts that might serve to
push Borneheld to his knees. His brother seemed to have the strength of a bull,
fighting without pause, his eyes gleaming with madness.
      In the end it was the eagle who proved Borneheld's undoing. Throughout
the fight the bird had clung to its high ledge, bored yet distracted by the fighting
going on so far below it.
      Finally it began to preen itself, twisting its head to and fro among its
feathers as it sought to clean itself of some imagined stain.
      It tore a small downy feather from among its chest feathers and spat it out,
irritated, then turned back to comb the flight feathers of its left wing.
      The white feather slowly floated, this way and that, now rising, now falling,
now wafting this way, now that. But always it drifted lower and lower until it
began to jerk and sway as it was caught by the laboured breathing of the
combatants just beneath it.
      It almost lodged in Axis' hair, and Axis flicked his head, irritated by the
feathery touch along his forehead, distracted enough that he only just managed
to parry a blow close to his chest.
      The feather, dislodged from Axis' hair, spiralled upwards a handspan or two,
then, caught in a down draught, sank towards the floor. Borneheld had not
noticed it, and Axis had forgotten it, as the brothers began a particularly bitter
exchange, fighting so close now that they traded blows virtually on the hilts of
their swords, taking the strain on their wrists, both their faces reddened and
damp from effort and weariness and determination and hate.
      The feather settled on the marble floor.
      Axis suddenly lunged forward. Momentarily surprised, and caught slightly
offguard, Borneheld took a single step backwards and...lost his balance as his
boot heel slipped on the feather.
      It was all Axis needed. As Borneheld swayed, a look of almost comical
surprise on his face, Axis hooked his own foot about the inside of Borneheld's
knee and pulled his leg out from under him.
      Borneheld crashed to the floor, the sword slipping from his grasp, and Axis
kicked it across the Chamber. Fear twisting his face, Borneheld scrabbled
backwards, seeking space in which to rise. He risked a glance behind him - not
two paces away Faraday stood held in Jorge's tight grasp, a look of utter horror
on her face. Borneheld stared briefly at his wife, knowing it was all over,
knowing he had lost, then he turned his face back towards Axis, wanting to see
the blow that would kill him.
     All Faraday could see was what the vision let her. Real figures were
obscured by the ghostly, and Faraday was certain, certain, that it was Axis who
had tripped, exhausted, and now lay waiting for death at her feet.
     Axis placed his booted foot squarely in the centre of Borneheld's chest,
raising his sword, but instead of bringing the blade down to sever the arteries of
Borneheld's neck he twisted the sword in his hand and struck Borneheld a
stunning blow to his skull with its haft, leaving the man writhing weakly,
semiconscious. Then Axis threw the sword away.
     Every eye in the Chamber watched, bewildered, as Axis' sword spun across
the floor of the Chamber. What was he doing? Why did he not finish Borneheld
with a quick, clean blow?
     Axis sank to his knees, straddling Borneheld, and drew a knife from his boot.
Then he tore open Borneheld's leather jerkin, pushing the flaps to one side, and
slid the knife deep and long into the man's chest.
     He used both hands wrapped about the haft of the knife to get enough
leverage to split Borneheld's sternum in two and crack open his rib cage,
grunting with the effort.
     The sound of bone splitting open was horrifying. Rivkah, directly across the
Chamber, doubled over and gagged at the sound, and Magariz seized her in his
arms and held her tight against his chest.
     Borneheld's eyes rolled back in his head, and his hands clenched by his
sides. His entire body spasmed as Axis threw the knife to one side and took hold
of Borneheld's exposed rib cage with both hands and tore it apart.
     Under the pressure of Axis' fingers, Borneheld's aorta split asunder. A
massive gout of his blood arced out of his chest and splattered across Faraday's
neck and chest, running down between her breasts in warm rivulets. Driven to
madness by the feel of the warm blood trickling down her body, Faraday
screamed and screamed, twisting in Jorge's arms.
     But no matter how much she writhed, Faraday could not escape Borneheld's
dying stare. Or was it Axis' eyes she saw? Faraday still could not distinguish the
real figures from the ghostly. Who was dying at her feet? Whose eyes stared into
hers in mute appeal? Was it Axis? Oh Mother, pray that it was not Axis who lay
on the floor dying!
     His arms bloodied to the elbow, his entire shirt-front warm with his brother's
heart blood, Axis reached into Borneheld's open chest cavity and seized his
brother's frantically beating heart with his bare hands. Then he tore it out,
spraying blood over all those within the immediate vicinity.
     "FreeFall\" he screamed, leaning back from Borneheld's body and staring
into the dome of the Chamber. "FreeFa//!"
     The eagle launched itself from its ledge, its shriek mingling with Axis'
scream, and plummeted for the floor of the Chamber.
    As the eagle dived. Axis threw Borneheld's still uselessly beating heart as
high as he could, black blood spattering in great drops in his golden hair and
across the floor of the Chamber. As the heart reached the peak of its arc, the
eagle seized it in its talons and crashed to the floor in a tangle of wings, talons
and beak, feeding frenziedly on the sweet meat offered it.
    Everyone was so horrified by the sight of the eagle tearing Borneheld's heart
apart in the centre of the Chamber floor that they were literally incapable of
movement. Even Rivkah, held close against Magariz's chest, was mesmerised by
the sight of the snow eagle feeding on her eldest son's heart.
    Axis leapt to his feet, slipping slightly in the pool of blood about Borneheld's
body.
    Faraday stared at him, appalled. He was covered in blood - it dripped from
his body, it hung in congealing strings through his hair and beard. He reached
out a hand ...
     ... and seized Faraday. Jorge let her go, sickened by the sight of the gore
that dripped from both Faraday and Axis. Faraday twisted feebly as Axis seized
her left wrist, frightened by the look in his eyes, gasping in pain as his warm and
slippery fingers closed so tightly about the delicate bones of her wrist that they
began to grind against each other.
     Borneheld's blood trickled yet further between her breasts, and she gagged.
Everywhere, the blood. She could feel it, smell it, taste it.
     Axis wrenched the Ichtar ruby from her heart finger and half turned back to
Borneheld's body. He still kept Faraday caught in his vice-like grip.
     "/ have fulfilled my part of the bargain, GateKeeperl" he screamed,
"Nowfulfil yoursl"
     He tossed the Ichtar ruby into Borneheld's chest cavity where it glinted
momentarily before sinking beneath the pool of coagulating blood where
Borneheld's heart had once been.

    TransformationsFor two thousand years she had been
trapped in the hated ruby, trapped on the fingers of countless Duchesses of
Ichtar. For two thousand years she had been trapped, listening to countless
conversations, watching countless lives drift past through a ruby haze, weeping
with the coundess women forced to wear the ring and endure the cursed Dukes
of Ichtar.
     It had been the damming of the spring two thousand years ago which had
bound Zeherah into this ruby, although what other dark enchantments had been
used to trap her, she did not know. Which Duke had it been, so frustrated by the
bridge's refusal to let him pass that he had decided to dam the spring and drain
the Lake of Life? Zeherah could not remember and, in the end, it did not matter
very much. All that mattered was that as the waters had dried up so Zeherah felt
herself start to fade. As the sun dried the last muddied puddle in the moat, and
the bridge sighed and disappeared, the watching Duke on the far bank had
pointed into the moat and cried out at the magnificent ruby lying there in the
mud. So Zeherah, the fifth Sentinel, had been condemned to eons trapped in this
hated gem.
     These last thirty-odd years had been the most frustrating of all. She had
been on the finger of the previous Duchess of Ichtar when the Icarii Enchanter
had spiralled out of the sky and got the StarMan on her. She had been on the
finger of the previous Duchess of Ichtar when she had carried the prophesied
babe and when she had gone into labour with him. But Searlas, most damned of
men, had wrenched her from Rivkah's finger when she was in the throes of
labour, and she had not known whether the babe had been born alive or dead.
     For many years she had lain in a cold stone vault somewhere deep in the
husk that had once been die extraordinary Sigholt. Wondering, weeping with
frustration that the Prophecy walked and she knew nothing of it, she could not
move from her ruby-red prison. Where were Ogden and Veremund andYr? Were
they walking now, too? Where was Jack? Jack! Zeherah could not feel any of her
companions, but it was the feather-light touch of Jacks mind that she missed the
most. Would she ever see him again?
     Then one day Borneheld's hand had reached into the vault and grasped her.
He had carried her to Carlon and placed her on the finger of the next Duchess.
Zeherah had travelled with Faraday through all her adventures, painful and
delightful, over the past two years, and with Faraday had watched the Prophecy
unfold about her. She had seen the other four Sentinels through Faraday's eyes,
but had not been able to communicate with them. She had watched as Faraday
fell deeper and deeper in love with the StarMan - Axis, what an unusual name!
She had endured Faraday's marriage to Borne-held and watched the fall of
Gorkentown. She had aided Faraday in her determination not to fall pregnant to
Borne-held - Mother knew she could not wait to see the end of the line of the
Dukes who had cursed her. She had travelled with Faraday through the Sacred
Grove and the Enchanted Wood. And tonight Zeherah had watched the death of
Borneheld both through Faraday's eyes and through the imprisoning walls of the
ruby. And when the StarMan had seized the ruby Zeherah had screamed with
delight. When Borneheld s warm
     blood had closed over the ruby, Zeherah could feel the knots of the curse
finally unravel. The death of the last cursed Duke of Ichtar would give her back
her life.
     He tumbled, puzzled, out of the sun. Where had he been? What had gone
wrong? Why was he so confused? There was a tremendous heat about him, and
he fell further and further, trying to escape the fire of the sun, but never
succeeding. It surrounded him, burned him, seared him, blinded him, and his
mind unravelled with the pain and terror. Forgetting to even try to control his
headlong fall through the sky he raised his hands to his face, trying to protect his
eyes, and screamed.
     The heat burst through the Chamber of the Moons in a massive blast that
caused all present to throw hands and arms over their faces and turn away. All
heard the eagle scream, a sound of pure terror, and those closest to Borneheld's
corpse saw a searing red light burn through his body. Axis pulled Faraday to him,
protecting her from the worst of the heat and light. When Faraday's vision
cleared, she realised it was Axis who held her and Borneheld's bloody corpse that
lay at her feet, a golden and white form slowly rising behind it. "Axis!" she cried
and buried her head against his chest.
     When the light and the heat faded, people turned back to the heart of the
Chamber. Where the eagle had been now crouched a naked Icarii male, white
and silver wings, golden hair and violet eyes that stared wonderingly about him.
     "FreeFall!" EvenSong cried. She pushed past her stunned father and rushed
towards him.
     "EvenSong," FreeFall said. "Where are we? What is going on? Who are all
these people?"
     EvenSong took his hand and raised her violet eyes to Axis, standing with
Faraday clutched in his arms. "Thank you," she whispered, "thank you," then she
turned back to FreeFall and
     wrapped arms and wings about him, cradling him gently, crooning with her
voice, telling him how much she loved him.
     Axis' attention was commanded by the woman who now stood before him.
As naked as FreeFall, but with infinitely more presence and power. This must be
Zeherah, the lost Sentinel. She was tall and slim, not beautiful but handsome,
with her mother's black eyes and deep red hair, as red as the Ichtar ruby, that
tumbled down her back.
     "Thank you," she said as simply as EvenSong. "Thank you."
     And then Jack was by her side.
     Axis finally took a deep breath and kissed Faraday briefly.
     "It seems I need a wife," he smiled, "and it has just occurred to me that you
are now widowed. Will you marry me, Faraday?"
     "Yes!" she said fiercely, hugging him tighdy, unmindful of the fact that they
were both covered in blood. "Yes!"
     Jorge stared at them, still appalled by the way Borneheld had died.
     "You did not murder to protect your world," Axis said softly, and Jorge
started, realising that Axis had raised his eyes to stare at him over the top of
Faraday's head. "Remember FreeFall's murder, Jorge. Remember Priam sickening
and dying after he publicly announced that he would seek an alliance with me.
Think of the thousands of people crucified and murdered in Skarabost because
their hearts led them to follow the new way when Borneheld could not relinquish
the old."
     Jorge lowered his eyes and bowed his head.
     "Think of the new life that Borneheld's death has wrought," Axis continued,
determined to see that Jorge understood why Borneheld's death had been
necessary. "FreeFall, brought back from the halls of the UnderWorld.
     Brought back into the life he should never have been thrust from so
violently. And Zeherah, trapped in her ruby for thousands of years by the line of
the Dukes of Ichtar. Freed finally to take her place with the other Sentinels."
      "I accept, Axis." Jorge's eyes flickered over what was left of Borneheld. "This
new order demands to be accepted, does it not?"
      "I will do whatever I have to," Axis said, "in order to see that it is."
      Jorge stared at Axis a moment, then turned away. Axis squeezed Faraday's
shoulders then let her go. "Yr, take her away from this. Wash her, and see that
she gets some sleep."
      Around the Chamber people were finally starting to move, murmur, talk.
StarDrifter, bending down by FreeFall and EvenSong's side, looked up at his son
and grinned.
      "Your enchantments have proved powerful tonight, my son." He tossed Axis'
ring towards him, and Axis caught it and slid it back onto his finger.
      "I had help, StarDrifter. But will tell you about it later. FreeFall?"
      FreeFall looked up from the floor where he still sat bewildered, EvenSong
weeping gently by his side. "Axis? What has been going on? Where am I?"
      "You have been away, FreeFall, but now you are home. Rest tonight with
EvenSong, and I will tell you of your adventures when we have a quieter
moment."
      "Tonight?" StarDrifter laughed. "Look, Axis, the dawn begins to lighten the
Chamber!"
      Axis looked up, startled, and stared at the tiny windows set into the domed
roof. StarDrifter was right; the sky was pink with dawn. "Stars," he whispered,
"how long did Borneheld and I battle?"
      "Most of the night, my friend," Belial said behind him. "Most of the night. I
do not know how you have the energy to even stand."
      Axis embraced his friend, and took the sword that Belial handed him, sliding
it into the empty scabbard at his side. "Belial. Is the captain of the palace guard
here?"
      Belial nodded and indicated a tall dark man. The captain of the guard looked
distinctly nervous.
      "What is your name, Captain?" Axis did not recognise him from when he had
been in Carlon two years earlier. "Hesketh, ah ..." Hesketh's voice trailed off".
"Sire." "Hesketh, I am now taking control of Carlon as I have taken control of
Achar. Does that trouble you?"
      "No, Sire." Hesketh glanced across at Yr, just about to step out of the
Chamber with Faraday, and she nodded at her lover before disappearing through
the doorway.
      "Good," Axis said briskly. "You and your guard will now go with Belial and
secure the palace. Once you have done that, you may inarch yourself down to
the city gates and open them. Everyone within and without Carlon is free to
come and go as they want. There will be no reprisals on my part to the palace
guard, or to any remaining soldiers of Borneheld's army within Carlon. All I ask is
your loyalty."
      "Yes, Sire." Hesketh's voice was a little brisker. "You have it." Axis had
fought for the crown of Achar with his brother in this Chamber and won it in fair
fight. If all that Axis accused Borneheld of were true, then the gods themselves
had judged Borneheld in trial by battle.
     "Good," Axis repeated. "Belial? Go with Hesketh. Make sure the palace is
secure. Take two of the Ravensbundmen with you - I'll need the other four."
Belial saluted and strode away.
     Axis turned and looked for Gautier, Timozel and Jayme. All three were
standing to one side, guarded closely by Ho'Demi and his remaining four men.
     "Timozel," Axis said, walking over to the group. He honestly did not know
what to say to this man. His once light-hearted and good-natured features were
now overlain with a dark, brooding manner. His eyes gleamed, almost burned,
with fanaticism. "Timozel. Do your vows to Faraday still stand?"
     Timozel stared at Axis. He had watched the battle and its outcome with
horror. Now Borneheld lay dead on the floor before him and his visions appeared
about to crumble into lies. Where were the armies that undulated in leagues in
every direction? Where were the tens of thousands who screamed his name?
The victories? Where? Where? Where?
     And what about Faraday? Her husband lies dead and butchered on the cold
and unforgiving floor. Will she let Axis seize her?
     "Yes. I am still Faraday's Champion. And I can see that she will need my
advice and guidance more than ever, Axis, in case she should be tempted to
make decisions she will ever regret."
     Axis fought to keep his face expressionless. "Don't forget that you are bound
to protect her and support her, Timozel, in whatever decisions she makes. You
are not her lord."
     "And I swear by whatever gods are listening, Axis, that I will do my utmost
to make sure that you will not be her lord either!" Timozel hissed, then abruptly
brushed past Axis and strode from the room.
     "Let him go," Axis said as Ho'Demi made to follow. "None of us can do much
to stop him. And he is Faraday's Champion; I will not harm him."
     "He is dangerous," Ho'Demi observed. Something dark had taken possession
of that young man's soul.
     Axis ignored Ho'Demi and turned to Gautier. The man's face was gaunt and
tired.
     "You followed Borneheld too easily, Gautier," Axis said. "I cannot forget that.
But," Axis paused and his eyes caught briefly with Ho'Demi's, "it is not I who has
best reason to stand and accuse you, Gautier. You are a man hated by your own
troops for your cruelties. How many men have you ordered slaughtered, because
they could not crawl another step? Because they could not give any more of their
strength than they had already given? But your worst crime, Gautier? Your worst
crime? You crucified three brave Ravensbundmen, men whose only transgression
was to speak well of me. Ho'Demi," Axis turned to address the Ravensbund
chief. ''He is yours to do with as you wish. All that I ask," Axis glanced at the
high windows, "is that he be dead by nightfall."
     "No!" Gautier shrieked, horrified, struggling as two grinning Ravensbundmen
seized him by the arms. "Kill me now! A quick sword thrust, Axis, I beg you!
Don't hand me over to those savages!"
     Axis looked back at Ho'Demi. "Dead by nightfall, Ho'Demi. Throw his body
on the refuse heaps outside the city for all to see."
     "What is left of it," Ho'Demi said smoothly. "Leave me two of your four
soldiers, Ho'Demi," Axis said, watching Gautier crumple with fear. "I doubt you
will need an entire unit to keep Gautier under control."
     Ho'Demi saluted. "I thank you for this gift, Great Lord," he said, then
signalled to the two Ravensbundmen who held Gautier to follow him, and strode
out of the Chamber.
     "Well, Jayme," Axis said, turning to the Brother-Leader of the Seneschal.
"You seem to have presided over the virtual downfall of the Seneschal, have you
not? The 'Forbidden'," and Axis almost snarled the word, "are coming home.
Moving back to the hills and plains that the Seneschal has so long denied them."
     He stopped speaking and stared at Jayme, almost unable to believe the
change that had come over the man. As long as Axis could remember, Jayme
had been strong and full of vitality. He had always been a man to take pride in
his accomplishments and in his appearance.
     Yet this man who now cowered before Axis looked like a broken-down
ploughman, crippled by years of back-breaking labour and deadening poverty.
He cringed under Axis' level stare, his clothes torn and stained, his hair
dishevelled, pieces of food and spittle clinging to his white beard.
     "Moryson? Gilbert?" Axis asked.
     "Gone," Jayme muttered.
     "Take him to a secure room," Axis instructed the two remaining
Ravensbundmen. He could not send this cowering old man to the dungeons.
"And lock him inside. Make sure the window is bolted so that he cannot throw
himself from its ledge. I will talk to him later."
     Axis turned and saw Rivkah, still supported by Magariz, staring at
Borneheld's body.
     Rivkah. Axis started to walk towards her. What could he say? He paused by
Borneheld's body and glanced down. Borneheld's grey eyes, dull and blood-
spattered now, stared sightlessly at the gold and silver moons that chased each
other among the bright stars of the enamelled blue dome high above. Axis
leaned down and closed them, catching the glint of gold among Borneheld's
blood-encrusted hair. His gold circlet. The circlet of the Kings of Achar. Axis
hesitated, then lifted the heavy circlet of gold from Borneheld's dead head and
pulled the amethyst ring of office from his finger. Standing upright, he wiped
them clean of blood and stared at them as they rested in his hands. His, Axis
supposed. Both represented the entire authority of the throne of Achar.
     Axis did not intend to take the throne of Achar. He did not want it, and he
intended to make it redundant in the new Tencendor. Then what to do with
these now-useless badges of office? Still considering, Axis walked slowly towards
Rivkah.
     Her eyes were riveted to his blood-stained face. So much blood smeared
across her son, so much splattered about this Chamber. It made her think of the
bloody births which had brought her sons into the world. How else could it have
ended? How else?
     "Rivkah," Axis said gently. He held the golden circlet and the ring
uncomfortably in his hands, not knowing what to do with them.
     Rivkah reached out a trembling hand to Axis. His torso had several deep
wounds in it. Not serious, but they were still bleeding, and Rivkah could see the
glint of a rib bone through one.
     "You're hurt," she whispered and her fingers traced feather-light across his
chest.
     "These wounds will heal well enough once I visit the surgeon's tent and let
him stitch me back together again," Axis replied.
     Rivkah nodded and dropped her eyes. "I think it was hardest on me, Axis,
watching you and Borneheld fight last night. I have never loved Borneheld, and I
think I almost hated him for what he did to Priam...but...but ..." Her eyes filled
with tears and she could not finish.
     Axis leaned forward and embraced her a little awkwardly.
     "It is hard," she whispered against his chest, "to watch your two sons battle
each other to the death."
     On impulse Axis handed her the circlet of gold and the amethyst ring. "Here.
Take the circlet and the ring. I will not use them. And you are the last of your
line, Rivkah. Wear them, melt them down, break them up and sell them, I care
not."
     Rivkah sniffed and took the circlet and the ring. Her father had worn these,
and her brother, as had so many Kings of Achar before them.
     Axis looked at Magariz, dark and solemn behind Rivkah. "As soon as you can
find some spare soldiers, Magariz, or perhaps use some of the servants still
standing gaggling about here, take Borneheld's corpse and throw it on the refuse
heaps outside the city walls. He belongs to the crows now."
     Rivkah flinched, and her fingers tightened about the ring and the circlet.
     It was not until late that night that Axis, his wounds itching and sore from
the attentions of the surgeons, managed to find a quiet moment to himself. The
palace had been subdued easily - there was no resistance. Belial and his men
combed the palace from its gold-plated minarets to its shit-stained dungeons.
They found mostly servants eager to please and courtiers eager to flatter. The
servants Belial sent about their duties, the courtiers he sent back to their
townhouses - time enough for flatteries later. Towards the end of their search
they found a dozen Brothers of the Seneschal, as well as Earl Isend and an over-
rouged woman cowering together in a room. Axis, who had experienced enough
death this past day to last him many, many months, had ordered that they be
shipped south to Coroleas.
     Once the palace was secure, Axis spent the day in and about Carlon.
Talking, soothing, taking charge of the city. The Carlonese had simply shrugged
their shoulders and accepted that Axis had replaced Borneheld. They were far
more enthralled by Princess Rivkah's return. Rivkah had spent part of the day in
the streets, talking to the mayor and several of the Masters of the Guilds, as also
to some of the ordinary citizens who hung shyly about, hoping to be noticed.
Faraday accompanied her, and the widowed Queen and the resurrected Princess
did much to calm people's fears about what the previous night had wrought.
Several of the Icarii accompanied them, and the citizens' worries about the flying
creatures were allayed by Rivkah and Faraday's assurances. The mayor was so
enthralled by SpikeFeather he invited him home for dinner that night.
     Belial cast open the gates of the city, as Axis had requested, and slowly the
people of Carlon began to mingle with members of Axis' force. News, food, girts
and laughter were exchanged and mothers, wives and sweethearts learned word
of who had and hadn't survived. By late afternoon there was a slow procession
of women and children walking on the freshly turned graves of the fields beyond
Bedwyr Fort, carrying flowers and last gifts, to say a final and quiet farewell.
Finally alone in one of the palaces guestrooms, Axis closed his eyes and let the
warmth of the fire soothe his wounds. He was tired. So tired. Within a few days
he would proclaim Tencendor, then move north to confront Gorgrael. Perhaps,
he thought vaguely, his mind starting to drift off", it would be best to start
sending troops north soon. Tomorrow morning. Who knew when Gorgrael would
choose to attack. He must know of the troubles in southern Achar - Tencendorl
This would be the perfect time to strike.
     Faraday slipped into the room, wearing a deep blue cloak. Her hair was
loose and her eyes shone. She smiled with love at Axis, asleep in the arm chair
by the fire. He had washed and changed out of his blood-stained breeches
during the day, but he still bore the marks of his fight with Borneheld. His chest
and upper arms were bruised and marked in several places with the bristling cat-
gut stitching of the surgeons. The joints of his sword hand were swollen with the
effort of gripping the sword for so long.
     "Axis," she said softly. She had waited so long for this. So long. Faraday had
no intention of waiting any longer.
     Axis opened his eyes, blinking slightly as he focused on her. "Faraday?"
     She fiddled with the tassels holding the cloak at her throat, then suddenly it
was free and fallen to the floor. She was completely naked underneath.
     Axis stared at her. Stars, didn't she know how tired he was? He had not slept
in almost two days - and had spent the last night grappling to the death with her
husband. His entire body ached, and the freshly stitched wounds hurt more than
he had been prepared to admit to the concerned surgeon.
     But Faraday was a beautiful woman, and Axis slowly sat up, staring at her.
     She smiled and knelt down at his feet, pulling his boots off, running her
hand teasingly up the inside of his thigh. Then she leaned forward on her knees
and kissed his breast, again teasing, and Axis physically jerked as his body began
to respond to her touch.
     Oh Azhure! he thought, carefully shielding his mind. It has been so long
since you let me touch you, and you knew that it would come to this.
     But as Faraday's hands moved more firmly over his body and her mouth
grew insistent, Axis' internal turmoil grew. One moment he wondered, consumed
with jealousy, if Borneheld had taught Faraday these tricks — these were not the
actions of the young virgin he had kissed beneath the stars of the Ancient
Barrows - and the next he writhed with guilt that his body should betray Azhure
in this way.
     Faraday laughed when Axis finally seized her, but as he made love to her on
the hearth rug before the fire Faraday did not know that his ardour was driven
by his desperate need to bury as deep as he could the guilt he felt over his
betrayal of his Lover. It took all of Axis' self-control not to call out Azhure's name
in his desire. And when it was over, and Axis had finally relaxed by her side,
Faraday thought he cried for love of her, not for the love he had betrayed.
     No-one, not Belial, not Rivkah, not even the Sentinels, had yet told Faraday
about Azhure or about Caelum. And when the betrayal did come, Faraday would
always resent very keenly that none had warned her. That none had thought to
tell her.
     As Faraday held the secret for the success of the Prophecy, so she also held
the seeds of Axis' destruction in her power.

    Shattered VowsTimozel spent the night looking for
Faraday, his mouth tight as he strode the corridors of the palace in Carlon.
Borneheld had been good. Good. Brave. A true knight. To die like that had only
underscored his goodness in Timozel's eyes.
    He forgot that Borneheld had not wanted to listen to vision; had refused to
grant Timozel command of his armies. Occasionally as he wandered the corridors
Timozel would have to flatten himself against a stone wall to avoid one of the
Forbidden wandering through the palace. Filth! his mind whispered. Filth! They
were already infiltrating the palace and before much longer they would take
control of Achar. By winter all that the Seneschal had achieved would
undoubtedly be lost. Before the year was out the Forbidden would have enslaved
the good people of Achar again.
    All was ruined. All was lost with Borneheld's death. The light had gone from
Timozel's world.
    He needed to speak with Faraday. Needed to remind her of her duty to her
dead husband's memory, to tell her that the only suitable life for her now was
one of serene contemplation in a quiet Retreat far from the excitement of Carlon.
Faraday could not be trusted to control her own weaknesses. Especially
regarding Axis.
    He found Yr eventually - the slut was wandering back from the barracks in
the early morning light - and asked her where Faraday was.
    Yr raised an eyebrow knowingly. "Why, with Axis, no doubt," she said. "Last
night was a night when lost loves were reunited. EvenSong and FreeFall. Jack
and Zeherah. And Axis and ..."
     "No!" Timozel interjected, so angry he was tempted to strike her, butYr's
blue eyes blazed with such power that Timozel took a step back.
     "Think not to strike me!" she hissed, and Timozel took another step
backwards. "Now that we are five, now that we are whole, our power has
increased dramatically. We will provide the weapon that Axis will use to best
Gorgrael! Think not to touch me now!"
     Gorgrael! Timozel's face darkened with fear, and then he turned and bolted
inside the palace.
     Yr looked after him, a puzzled expression over her pretty face.
     Still Timozel roamed the corridors of the palace. He had checked most of the
main apartments, startling many a sleepy occupant with his sudden entrances
and then equally sudden departures. Timozel was sickened to discover
noblewomen of court disporting themselves with the flying filth that Axis had
brought into the palace in three separate apartments.
     Where was Faraday? How could she have succumbed to Axis' seductions not
twenty-four hours after her husband had been torn apart at her feet?
     He found them eventually, in one of the lesser apartments normally reserved
for visiting diplomats. They were curled asleep together, naked before the
glowing coals of a fire.
     "Faraday," Timozel whispered, aghast.
     Faraday's eyes flew open. "Tim!" she gasped and sat up, her face red, her
eyes hurriedly searching for her cloak.
     Axis had been heavily asleep, his body desperate for rest after his duel with
Borneheld, and his mind was so fogged with sleep that he did not realise
immediately what was going on.
     "You whore!" Timozel shouted, stepping forward and raising his fist
threateningly. "Your husband has been dead less than twenty-four hours and
you allow his murderer to crawl onto your body. You have violated his memory
with your disgusting lust!"
     Axis leapt to his feet, fully awake now. "Timozel," he grunted, reaching for
the sword that hung in its scabbard by the fire.
     "Stop it!" Faraday cried, reaching for Axis.
     Axis turned before he was halfway to the sword and stepped back to grasp
Timozel by his upraised fist. "What Faraday does is none of your business," he
hissed. "Get out!"
     "You have as much control as a rutting tom-cat, don't you Axis?" Timozel
sneered. "Have you enjoyed the Queen, then? Have you impregnated her with
whatever filthy diseases you have picked up from the whores you've slept with in
the past?"
     "Timozel!" Faraday cried again, but Timozel and Axis were now staring each
other in the eye, almost totally unaware of her presence.
     "I have heard of the licentious behaviour of the Icarii," Timozel grunted, his
face only inches from Axis' now. "Heard of their filthy rutting ways. Have seen
them assaulting fair women in apartments of this palace. Have you impregnated
Faraday with disease of human whore, Axis, or Icarii?"
     Axis' face twisted with rage and he literally growled, reaching for Timozel's
throat with his other hand.
     "Stopl" Faraday screamed, certain that one would kill the other before she
had time to draw the next breath. "Stop}"
     Both men paused, neither wanting to be the first to drop his eyes from the
other's stare.
     "Timozel," Faraday said more quietly, although her voice was still strained.
"Timozel, look at me!"
     Grudgingly, Timozel looked away from Axis and towards Faraday. What he
saw made him step back from Axis in shock.
     "Faraday, no!" he whispered in horror.
     Faraday, standing straight and tall, held a large earthenware pot in her
hands, and she was staring into Timozel's eyes unflinchingly. The time had come
to end this charade of Championship.
     "No," Timozel whispered again and took a step towards her.
     "Stay back," Faraday said, her voice firm. Axis stepped back himself, his eyes
swinging between Timozel and Faraday. What was happening between them?
The power almost blazed out of Faraday's green eyes, while Timozel was
abnormally ashen.
     "I accepted your oath of Championship two years ago," Faraday said calmly,
"when I was young and friendless and going into a marriage that I knew I would
loathe. I thought that you would be a friend, a support, a pillar of strength who I
could lean on through difficult times. You have proved anything but, Timozel.
You supported Borneheld against me, you derided me when I needed love, you
lectured me on my behaviour when I needed sympathy."
     "No." Timozel reached out his hand to her. "No, Faraday. I have only ever
done what was best for you. I have only told you what you needed to hear. You
have been wayward, sometimes, and a Champion's duty is to return his Lady's
steps to the correct path."
     "I pity you, Timozel, and I grieve for you," Faraday said slowly. "I grieve for
the bright-eyed, tousle-headed boy who I met riding across the Plains of Tare.
Where did you go? What happened to you? Why this brooding hulk before me
now? You are no Champion of Brightness, Timozel, but a Champion of Shadow.
You will wander strange borderlands until you lose your way and your soul
completely." Faraday's eyes had glazed over until it appeared she was dreaming
-even her words had the singsong quality of seer-saying.
     "I have done with you, Timozel. If ever you find your way into the Light
again, then wander my way, for I shall be glad to see once again the friend I
have lost. Timozel. As this pot shatters," she said very, very quietly, "so then will
the ties that bind us shatter."
     She let go the pot and Timozel made a desperate dive for it. He almost
made it, almost caught it, felt his fingertips graze its smooth surface the instant
before it shattered into a thousand pieces across the stone floor.
     "M>!" he screamed, a'nd both Faraday and Axis recoiled a little at the sound
of his despair.
     "So shatter the vows that bind us, Timozel. You are my Champion no longer.
Begone."
     In his ice castle so far to the north Gorgrael leaned his face to the wind and
screamed in pure joy. Timozel! He was his! His!
     Darkness swirled about the room and threatened to overwhelm Timozel. As
the pot shattered across the floor he had felt the last vestiges of the boy he'd
once been shatter and disappear. No-one mourned the loss of that carefree boy
more than Timozel himself. And no-one hated more than he the man he had
become.
     But he was unable to resist the slow darkening of his soul. Thoughts that
were not his crowded his head until he felt he would shriek in despair. Memories
that were not his were taking over his life. Once, once...oh, once, Timozel had
woken to find himself standing at the very lip of a well, listening to the screams
of the young girl he had just flung down to drown in the waters far below.
     That experience had virtually driven Timozel mad.
     What had he become?
     What forces were trying to take over his life?
     Now, as Timozel raised his tear-stained face to Faraday, he knew that he
need wonder no longer. She had shattered the vows that bound him to her, and
she had freed him to Gorgraels service.
     "Get out," Faraday said flatly, stepping back. "Get out of my life."
     Timozel slowly raised himself to his feet, staring at Faraday as she clutched
the blue cloak around her nakedness. Had he treated her badly? Timozel had
only tried to do what he thought was right.
     "I'm sorry," he said vaguely, and he was not sure if he addressed the
apology to Faraday or to Axis, or to both of them.
     "I'm sorry," he said again, and then turned on his heel and walked out of the
chamber, closing the door quietly behind him.
     He walked down to the courtyard, mounted the first saddled horse he could
find, then rode through Carlon, tears streaking his face.
     All who saw him stood back and let him pass.
     Once he was past the gates of Carlon, Timozel turned his horse's head
north, for already he could feel Gorgrael's grip tightening.
     Neither Axis nor Faraday would see Timozel again for a very, very long time.

  Tencendor on the Shores of Grail
LakeEight days after killing Borneheld, Axis proclaimed Tencendor in a
grand and emotionally charged ceremony on the shores of Grail Lake. It was
later than Axis had wanted, but he had underestimated the time that he — that
everyone — would need to heal after the war between himself and Borneheld.
Virtually the entire population of Carlon moved to the fields that abutted the
eastern shores of the Lake for the ceremony and the celebrations. Mingling with
the people of Carlon (and the thousands of other Acharites who had journeyed
to the city to see for themselves) were the individual members of Axis' army:
Ravensbund men and women, Acharites and Icarii. Most of the Carlonese, never
strong followers of the Seneschal, had accepted the presence of the Icarii with
little trouble; indeed, they had welcomed the birdmen and women into their
markets. Other Acharites - especially those from the rural areas - hung back,
unsure, some even sullen, but overall there was surprisingly little fuss made
about the presence of the Icarii.
      Embeth, feeling slightly lost and overwhelmed by the events surrounding
her, and missing Judith (who had elected to remain behind in Tare), had
succumbed to StarDrifter's eyes
      and insistence and now shared an apartment in the palace with him. Embeth
knew their affair would fade and die in the days or weeks ahead, but she
desperately needed something, someone, to cling to. Soon, perhaps, she would
move back to Tare. There was nothing left for her here. Her two youngest
children were now married and lived far to the west; and Timozel... Timozel had
vanished. Embeth turned her back on the excited crowd and slowly began to
walk back to Carlon.
      On the night of the duel, Azhure spent the entire time pacing the eastern
shore of Grail Lake, watching the dawn gather, waiting, waiting, waiting. When
the golden standard was finally run up the flagpole above the palace, Azhure had
broken down and wept, both with relief and with wretchedness, because she
knew she had finally lost Axis to Faraday.
      Azhure was more than a little bit nervous about today's ceremony. She had
not seen Axis since he had rowed off into the night to face Borneheld, although
she had heard most of what had happened from Belial. Today she would see him
-and Faraday. She had heard that the woman had spent the past eight days
laughing with joy - and why shouldn't she? She had spent those eight days with
Axis.
      And the problem of her pregnancy increased Azhure's nervousness. Axis had
sent word that he wanted Azhure richly dressed today — and in a gown he'd had
made for her. Azhure was now moving into her fifth month of pregnancy, and
even though Icarii babies were small, this one bulged more than Caelum had at
the same stage. Well, Azhure smiled a little bitterly, a gown it would be. She
would no longer hide her growing pregnancy behind the armour of tunic and
mail.
      The rich, dark red material of the gown set off Azhure's pale complexion and
blue eyes perfectly, and Imibe threaded tiny seed pearls through Azhure s hair to
match the pearls that had been stitched into the gown. It was a noblewoman's
gown, and Azhure stared at her reflection for a long time once Imibe had
finished dressing her hair.
      She heard a step, and a rose- and gold-brocaded Ysgryff entered to escort
Azhure to the ceremony. Over the past eight days no-one had spent more time
with Azhure than YsgryfT. He had spent his evenings with her, making her laugh,
despite her sad-heartedness, with his stories of life among the Nors capital of
Ysbadd and his early years spent sailing with the pirate ships of Pirates' Nest. In
those hours when he sensed that Azhure simply needed companionship, Ysgryff
would sit quietly, watching the fire crackle, perhaps scratching the head of one
of the Alaunt.
     Ysgryff complimented Azhure on her appearance, then stared at her belly for
a long moment. "If you need anything, Azhure, anything, then ask me," he said,
taking her elbow. "Axis is a fool ten-times over that he does not take you for his
wife."
     "Faraday is so powerful, so magical," Azhure began, but Ysgryff took her by
the shoulders and shook her slightly. "There is no-one who can compare to you,
Azhure! Axis risks losing his soul if he lets you fade away!"
     It was a very strange thing for Ysgryff to say, and Azhure stared at him until
Ysgryff's handsome face relaxed into a smile, and he patted her cheek playfully.
     "Come, lovely lady," he said lightly. "Great happenings await us at
Spiredore."
     It was a twenty-minute walk to Spiredore, and Azhure, Caelum in her arms,
moved slowly through the throng, Baron Ysgryff at her side. Axis had reserved
seats for them at the very front of the crowd. People smiled and ducked their
heads as Ysgryff and Azhure moved past them. Both were richly dressed and
obviously noble, and the child in the woman's arms radiated such an aura of
greatness that many gasped in wonder.
     A dais had been erected at the foot of the tower of Spiredore and to its right
a group of chairs were set up. Belial, Cazna, Magariz and Rivkah were already
there, and they rose to greet Azhure andYsgryff as they approached.
     "You look splendid," Rivkah whispered in Azhure s ear.
     "I look pregnant," she grumbled back quietly.
     Belial kissed her cheek softly in greeting and glanced at her stomach, saying
nothing, yet Azhure saw the flash of pain in his eyes.
     Ho'Demi and Sa'Kuya arrived, both wrapped in snow-white icebear furs, the
very tips of the fur tinted sky blue. Their hair was freshly plaited and greased,
and more chips of blue and green glass and bright brass chimes hung among
their braids than ever before. They looked splendidly savage with their blue
tattooed faces and blood-red suns blazing at all from the centre of their
foreheads and they kissed their friends and comrades enthusiastically. All the
Ravensbund people had been looking forward to this day for a very long time.
     The Sentinels, five now and content, sat to the left of the dais. Jack sat very
close to Zeherah, and, although no-one had ever seen them touch, few had any
doubts that their relationship was closer than that shared by any of the other
Sentinels.
     "My friends," called a voice slightly, and then StarDrifter alighted on the
grass, followed immediately by EvenSong, FreeFall and FarSight CutSpur. Azhure
had heard the tale of how FreeFall had been brought back from the dead in the
Chamber of the Moons. EvenSong, shy but obviously excited, had brought
FreeFall to talk with Azhure one evening, and Azhure had delighted in the
birdman's company. He had been quiet and amusing, and had carried with him
an air of such haunting beauty that most who found themselves in his company
simply wanted to sit and watch him. Azhure had been no exception.
     FreeFall had been so altered by death and reincarnation that the air of
mysticism which most Icarii wore was strengthened tenfold in him. He
remembered nothing of his time in the Halls of the Dead, and had only the
vaguest memory of flying as an eagle. Axis, apparently, had refused to tell
anyone of the mysteries he had concluded in the UnderWorld that had seen both
FreeFall and Zeherah restored to the living world.
     RavenCrest, still in Talon Spike, had received the joyous news of his son's
return from the dead several days ago. He had not been able to fly south for the
ceremonies to reforge Tencendor, but Azhure hoped that RavenCrest would re-
meet his son again as soon as possible.
     Azhure turned from regarding FreeFall and EvenSong and looked straight
into StarDrifter's level eyes. She stilled at what she saw there. He stepped
forward and embraced her, but with a shock Azhure felt his hand suddenly press
hard against her belly and felt the light touch of power throb through her for an
instant. She drew back silently; this was not the time or the place to make a
fuss. And Azhure did not want for a moment to admit to herself the slight thrill of
pleasure that both his touch and his power had given her.
     "Azhure!" StarDrifter whispered so that only she could hear. "You are a
wondrous gift to the SunSoar family! You carry not one but two babes within
you. A son, and a daughter. Both will be Enchanters. Ah, Azhure, you are an
enchanted woman yourself!" In the entire history of the Icarii race, only twice
before had an Icarii woman given birth to twins.
     Azhure s eyes widened. Twins! "Thank you, StarDrifter," she murmured and
sat down in the chair behind her. What he had done to her was an undoubted
intrusion, but both his touch and his words had comforted and strengthened
Azhure at a time when she desperately needed both comfort and strength.
     StarDrifter sat down beside her, Ysgryff hurrying to take the seat on her
other side, and Azhure smiled as she settled Caelum comfortably on her lap. The
boy was dressed in a suit of dark red velvet that matched her dress and, with his
mop of black curls and blue eyes, looked every bit as striking as his mother.
Another son and a daughter, Azhure thought. Can she do that for him?
     She? Caelum's thought intruded into her mind. She? Who is this 'she' who
you have thought about so much recently? Is it Faraday?
    Pay attention, Caelum. Your father will be here soon.
    StarDrifter had caught the exchange and was so stunned he literally rocked
on his chair. He stared at Azhure. How did she do that? How? The ability to
speak with the mind voice was one shared only by the most powerful of
Enchanters -many of the lesser Icarii Enchanters never mastered the ability.
    "Axis," Azhure said softly, breaking StarDrifter's thoughts.
     A boat had drawn up to the shore and Axis and Faraday were stepping out.
Azhure took a deep breath when she saw Faraday. She looked as wondrous as
she had appeared in the vision Azhure had seen at Yuletide when StarDrifter had
summoned Faraday to awaken the Earth Tree with him. She was dressed in a
cream silk gown, heavily brocaded, its square neckline emphasising her pale
breasts and neck. Oh Stars, thought Azhure in despair, she is so beautiful!
     Faraday's face, indeed, her whole carriage, exuded happiness and
contentment. She walked by Axis, touching his arm now and then, the dress
swaying out from her hips slighdy as she walked. Every smile she gave Axis,
every step she took by his side, shouted her love for the man.
     Axis looked fit and relaxed. He wore the golden tunic, the blood-red sun
blazing in the centre of his chest, over the red breeches — now cleaned of any
trace of blood. A golden sword swung by his side, and his hair and beard had
been trimmed and brushed so that they caught the afternoon sun and glinted
almost as gold as the material of his tunic.
     The murmur of the tens of thousands gathered behind them grew to a swell
of sound as Axis and Faraday approached the dais, and Azhure felt tears spring
into her eyes. Faraday was so much the Queen that Azhure suddenly felt small
and insignificant.
     StarDrifter took her hand. "You are SunSoar as much if not more than
Rivkah," he said. "You will always find a home and a welcome among us should
you need it."
     At the edge of the dais Faraday relinquished Axis' arm as he mounted the
platform, moving to sit with the Sentinels.
     "Why does she not stand with him?" Azhure asked. She moved Caelum
closer to her stomach, delaying the moment when Axis would see her pregnancy.
     "Borneheld is only a week dead," Ysgryff answered. "His bones are still to be
completely picked clean on the refuse heap."
     Beside him Azhure shuddered. As Axis had requested, Borneheld's body had
been thrown to rot on the refuse heap and, as dusk fell on the day of his death,
Gautier had joined him. Gautier had paid dearly and long for the crucifixion of
the three Ravensbundmen in Jervois Landing.
     "So it is better that Faraday sit apart from him rather than at his side.
Otherwise people might talk," YsgryfF concluded.
     Faraday smiled at the Sentinels as she sat down among them. Then her eyes
drifted about the front row of chairs. She caught Rivkah's eye and smiled and
nodded. She had enjoyed getting to know Rivkah very much. Both, as former
Duchesses of Ichtar, had much in common and many memories to share.
Faraday glanced at StarDrifter. Ah, his knowing eyes were enough to make any
woman blush. And who was that striking Nors woman sitting by his side? She
held a beautiful child, a boy, in her lap, and she smiled and chatted with Baron
Ysgryff and StarDrifter. Faraday frowned a little. Was this the courageous Azhure
who she had heard some gossip about? None of the gossip had mentioned a son
- or how beautiful the woman was. A flash of gold at the corner of her vision
caught Faraday's attention and all thoughts of the raven-haired woman faded
from her mind.
     Axis strode to the front of the dais and the crowd hushed. He bowed in the
traditional Icarii greeting, turning to include all present. As he turned to the right
he looked down at the row of chairs holding his closest friends and allies and
smiled. His eyes caught Azhure's and she held her breath, her hands tightening
about Caelum.
     Axis straightened and faced the crowd. He slowly lifted a hand, his fingers
beckoning.
     Azhure gasped, as she heard Rivkah do so some few chairs further down.
Both women recognised the gesture instantly. StarDrifter had used it to Rivkah
and Azhure in his efforts to seduce both of them, and Axis had used it to Azhure,
both at Beltide in the groves and on the rooftop of Sigholt after he had returned
from the UnderWorld.
     But now Axis was intent on seducing an entire nation, and from the intakes
of breath that Azhure could hear behind her, she guessed he was doing a
reasonable job of it.
     "My people," he said simply, and his voice carried over the mass of people
that stretched almost the entire way around the eastern and southern shores of
Grail Lake. Enchantments Axis might have used to make his voice, and perhaps
even the sight of him, carry about the crowd, but StarDrifter realised that those
were the only enchantments that Axis was using. As with his success in the Icarii
Assembly, Axis intended to reforge Tencendor using the sheer force of his
personality.
     "My people. A thousand years ago a nation died in this land. All suffered
because of it - the Acharites, the Avar and the Icarii. One people lost beauty and
music from their lives, and they lost the shadowed paths where once they had
walked in search of mysteries and love. Two other races lost their homelands
and those sites that remain holy to them to this day. My people," and all present
understood Axis meant all three races, "let me tell you about the land of
Tencendor that was lost to all of us."
     Then he began to sing. Azhure remembered how Star-Drifter had sung to
the Icarii Assembly in the first week she had arrived to live with the Icarii. Then
she had thought his voice wonderful, magical. She had heard Axis sing before,
too, but only softly to the accompaniment of his harp about a camp fire at night.
Nothing she had heard before, whether from StarDrifter or from Axis, was quite
as remarkable as how and what Axis sang now. Caelum sat still in wonder on her
lap, his eyes locked onto his father, his little mouth open in a round "O" of
astonishment. The baby inside her, babies, twisted slightly, hearing their father's
voice at its full power for the first time, and they reacted strongly to it.
     Axis sang of Tencendor, and where he had got the knowledge for it Azhure
did not know. He sang of its beauties and of its music. Of the cities that had
been lost, and of the woods and parklands that had withered and died over the
past thousand years. He sang of the games that had once been held between
the three races, and of the sky races that the Icarii had held to amuse the Avar
and the Acharites. He sang of the learning and knowledge that Tencendor had
fostered, of the schools and academies, of the study of the Stars and of the
mysteries as well as of more mundane problems that, once solved, had improved
life for all. He sang of the adventures that all had participated in, of the life and
the loves, the music and the harmony, the flowers and the leaves.
      But then Axis' voice changed slightly. It became sorrowful, and Axis sang of
how distrust had destroyed the harmony between the races. He sang of how the
Acharites had come to envy the Icarii and fear the Avar. Of how the Icarii had
not realised that they sometimes unwittingly assumed an elite role within ancient
Tencendor society, and how, knowingly, they sometimes laughed at the
Acharites for their inability to fly.
      "The Icarii ruled over ancient Tencendor society," Axis said, reverting to his
speaking voice that, nonetheless, sounded every bit as beautiful as his singing
voice. "And eventually that caused problems. I want to reforge Tencendor, yes,
that is true, but I want to create a new Tencendor where the Icarii are but one
race among three, where all three will share the wealth and delights of this new
land. My people, I am the StarMan and it is my role to lead this new land into the
future. I combine blood of the royal houses of both Icarii and Acharite peoples,"
and Axis explained for the benefit of those few who had not yet heard his story
how he had been conceived and by whom. "I am both Icarii and human, I
combine the compassion of the human with the arts of the Icarii. I am both
human and Icarii," he repeated, "and my issue combines both Icarii and human."
      Faraday frowned in some puzzlement. Combines? Surely, will combine?
      "It will be my House which will lead the new nation. Not the House of
SunSoar and not the House of Achar, but ..." he paused, "the House of the
Stars."
      All - Icarii, Acharite and Ravensbund - stared at him, open-mouthed.
      "Friends," Axis continued, "many of you do not know me, but many do.
Many have fought with me, whether in the Axe-Wielders or my new-forged
command. Many of you know me. You know what sort of man I am.
      "My people," and again he held out his hand in the gesture of seduction,
"will you stand with me to forge Tencendor? Will you accept me to lead you back
into what was and forward into what will be? Will you ride at my back to defeat
the Destroyer? To drive Gorgrael from this land so that we might all create the
new land of Tencendor together? Will you stand behind the House of the Stars
and behind the StarMan? Will you offer me your loyalty? Your hearts? Your
voice?"
      For an instant the entire field was silent, then, far back in the crowd,
someone screamed, "StarMan!" and in the next heartbeat the entire field had
taken up the chant. "StarMan! StarMan! StarMan! StarMan!"
      Azhure sat in her chair, breathless with excitement, listening to the sky erupt
about her as the crowd chanted to their StarMan. Ogden and Veremund wept
with joy and clasped each other's hands.
     "Brilliant stroke, dear boy," Ogden whispered, emotion almost completely
choking his voice. "Brilliant stroke. You show how in your blood you combine the
two leading houses of both Acharite and Icarii nations, and, in doing so, create a
third House, a new House for the new land of Tencendor. A House that, while
combining the blood of the old, promises a new future beyond the hatreds of the
past."
     Axis stood back and let the acclaim ring through him. His face was grave,
but his mind and soul sang with joy. He could feel the tug of the Prophecy here
today. He had not entertained a single doubt from the moment he'd stepped
onto the dais. He glanced down at Azhure and Caelum again. She looked
immensely alluring in that dress, bouncing their son on her lap. How many nights
had he lain awake as Faraday slept beside him, thinking of Azhure? Yearning for
her?
     What he felt for Faraday was so different to his consuming love for Azhure.
For Faraday he felt gratefulness and friendship. Perhaps that could be called
love. But it was like a dull child's toy compared to the shining love and devouring
need he had for Azhure.
     Oh my love, his heart cried, why is it that I cannot marry you? How it is that
I will enjoy so very few years with you?
     But what years he would have Axis was determined to have to the full. If
Faraday had not heard any court gossip about his relationship, then she would
leave the shores of Grail Lake today in no( doubt as to the position of this woman
in his life.
     Axis had opened his mouth on several occasions to broach the subject, but
Faraday had always turned to him with such love in her eyes that he had
swallowed his words and kissed her instead. Well, he thought, it's too late now
to leap down and whisper hurriedly in her ear. She will simply have to accept it,
as Azhure has learned to accept it.
     Again he glanced at Azhure, and wondered desperately if he would be able
to go to her tonight.
     The shouting was now dying down and Axis held out his arms. "After a
thousand-year hiatus," he said clearly, "and with your assent, I proclaim the
reforged land of Tencendor. Tencendor!"
     "Tencendor!" the shout came back at him.
     Again Axis let them shout for a few moments, then he smiled and held up
his hands for silence. "There will be few changes, apart from the new friends you
see among you. Almost none of the Acharites will lose lands to the Icarii and
Avar, and those who do will receive generous compensation in return for their
land. Both the Icarii and the Avar realise that they cannot move back to what
they once held and are willing to cede to you most of their old lands."
     Again a cheer went up. The treaty Axis had signed with Ysgryff and Greville
was common knowledge about Carlon now, and the people were already aware
that the arrival of the Icarii and, one day, the Avar, posed little threat to them.
     "Those of you with titles and hereditary lands will keep both rank and lands,
although," Axis' face assumed a sad expression, "with the war that has
enveloped Tencendor over the past months, and with those lost fighting the
Skraelings to the north, land and tides have fallen vacant. My friends, over the
past two years there have been many among you whose help has been
invaluable. Without it I would not be standing here now and Tencendor would
still belong to the realms of myth, not reality. My people, I want to create five
first families, families whose members have, so much more than any others,
helped myself and my cause."
      He stared down into the first row of seats. "Belial," he said softly, "you are
first among the five. Step here to me."
      Belial stepped onto the dais, fell to one knee and offered Axis both his
hands.
      "Belial." Axis' voice rang clear and strong. "I owe my We to you many times
over. I grant to you and to your bloodline henceforth the tide, rank and
privileges of Prince of the West. I cede to you the overlordship of Carlon, and of
all lands that stretch from the River Nordra to the Andeis Sea and from the River
Azle to the Sea of Tyrre. From these lands you may enjoy a tithe of all the rights,
customs and duties. I also grant to you to own freehold the castle of Kastaleon
and Bedwyr Fort, although," he smiled and his voice lightened a little, "I do
expect you to repair Bedwyr Fort to its former glory."
      Belial's face paled with shock. With this tide and with the rights to tithe all
customs and duties that were collected in the western lands, Axis had just made
Belial, and any future children he might have with Cazna, very rich and powerful
indeed.
      "Belial, will you accept these lands, casdes, tides and honours and swear me
homage and fealty as StarMan?"
      "I accept with honour, StarMan," the tide came easily to him, "and I do so
swear homage and fealty to you."
      "Then, Prince Belial, stand and greet the people of Tencendor."
      Belial stood, and Axis raised their conjoined hands above their heads. The
crowd roared, loving it. Belial was almost as popular as Axis was himself. Jorge,
Earl of Avonsdale, and Baron Fulke of Romsdale, the two noblemen whose lands,
with those of Roland, Duke of Aldeni, would come under their new Prince's
overlordship, shrugged dieir shoulders.
      This new system was no different to that they had lived under with the royal
house of Achar. One overlord was substituted for another. And Belial promised to
be a considerable improvement on Borneheld.
      Belial walked back to his seat and Axis turned back to the front row again.
"Magariz," he said softly. "You are second among the five."
      Startled, for he had not expected this, Magariz stepped onto the dais. As
Belial, he sank down on one knee before Axis and offered him his hands.
      "Magariz. You gave me loyalty and support when to do so risked your death.
Magariz, I grant to you and to your bloodline henceforth the title, rank and
privileges of Prince of the North. I cede to you the lands of the former province
of Ichtar, stretching from the River Azle to the River Andakilsa, and from the
Fortress Ranges to the Andeis Sea. All these lands will be yours, save the
garrison of Sigholt, which I will retain as my personal residence. Of course,
Prince Magariz, most of these lands are currently occupied by the army of
Gorgrael. I hope it will add an edge to your commitment to driving Gorgrael from
Tencendor knowing that these lands will be yours once freed of Skraelings."
      Magariz already came from one of the ancient noble houses of Achar, but
Axis had just made him immeasurably richer and nobler.
      "Magariz, will you accept these lands, tides and honours and swear me
homage and fealty as StarMan?"
      "I accept with honour, StarMan, and I do swear homage and fealty to you."
      As with Belial, so Axis now presented the newly created Prince Magariz to
the crowd. The cheering for Magariz was as enthusiastic as it had been for Belial.
Magariz's family was well-known to most of the Acharites.
      Axis held his hands out for silence as Magariz stepped down from the dais.
"The third family I name is my own, the SunSoar family. FreeFall? Will you step
forward to receive my thanks for what the SunSoars have given me?"
      FreeFall stepped forward, and the crowd gasped at his beauty and the aura
of peace he carried about him. FreeFall held out his hands for Axis to enclose,
but he did not kneel.
      "FreeFall," Axis smiled at his cousin. "You gave more than most for my
cause. You lost your life to murder, and perhaps in doing so saved mine.
      "FreeFall, your House and your people showed compassion to my mother,
the Princess Rivkah, when foul treachery among the Seneschal would have seen
her dead. Your House took me in and trained me in my heritage and gave me
many of the skills needed to reforge Tencendor and that I will need to defeat
Gorgrael. With the Treaty of the Ancient Barrows most of your sacred sites have
already been restored to you. The Icarii will once again fly freely over the skies
of Tencendor. FreeFall SunSoar, when all thought you lost and dead, your father,
RavenCrest SunSoar, made me his heir to the Talon Throne. FreeFall, that title is
yours by birthright and today I relinquish it back to you."
      FreeFall opened his mouth to object, but Axis pushed on before he had a
chance to say anything. "FreeFall, the tide and throne of Talon in the newly
fashioned Tencendor will not be what it once was. The Talon will still govern the
Icarii people, but not the combined races of Tencendor. And, as Talon, you will
still swear homage and fealty to me as StarMan and to my House of the Stars.
Will you accept this?"
      Axis stared into FreeFall's beautiful violet eyes. Never before had the House
of SunSoar sworn homage and fealty to another; never before had the Talon, or
heir to the Talon throne, subordinated himself to another. This was a critical
moment for Axis. He had to get the Icarii and the SunSoars to back his vision for
the future of Tencendor.
      FreeFall dropped to one knee, his wings spread out behind him in the
traditional gesture of respect and deference. "As heir to the Talon throne and on
behalf of the Icarii people I do so swear homage and fealty to you, Axis SunSoar
Star-Man. You have led us back into Tencendor when for so long we thought we
would never again see the southern lands. You have restored to us our sacred
sites. You have given back our pride. For that we gladly accept your House of
the Stars above us. The Talon will accept your overlordship."
     On impulse, FreeFall stood and embraced Axis, and again the crowd
cheered.
     As FreeFall stepped from the dais Axis indicated that Ho'Demi should join
him. Ho'Demi had no hesitation about kneeling before the StarMan.
     "Ho'Demi, as with the Icarii people, this is my chance to publicly
acknowledge and thank the people of Ravensbund who have so long adhered to
the Prophecy and who rode to support me and Tencendor. Ho'Demi, I grant you
and your family the rights and privileges of one of the first five families of
Tencendor, and the rights and privileges of the extreme north of Tencendor from
the River Andakilsa to the Iskruel Ocean. Ah, Ho'Demi, it is only what you had
previously and have now lost, but I swear before this assembly that I will fight to
clean every last iceberg in the north of what Skraelings cling to them and restore
your lands to your people. Will you swear me homage and fealty on behalf of
your family and your people, Ho'Demi?"
     Ho'Demi's voice rang out clear and true as he pledged his loyalty and that of
his people to the StarMan and to the new nation of Tencendor.
     Now Axis held out his hand to Ysgryff and the Baron joined him on the dais.
YsgryfF's pact with the pirates that had sealed Borneheld's defeat in the Battle of
Bedwyr Fort had reached almost legendary status, and none was surprised to
see Ysgryff thus honoured.
     "Ysgryff," Axis smiled, taking the man's hands as he knelt before him. "You
have done much for not only myself and Tencendor, but for the Icarii people as
well. You saved the day when I battled against Borneheld, and for that alone I
would honour you. But your work, and that of your family over the past
thousand years, in preserving and protecting the Temple of the Stars on the
Island of Mist and Memory places the Icarii forever in your debt. Ysgryff, you
have already been well rewarded for your concessions to the Icarii and the Avar,
but I now raise your family to the first five, and grant to you the title, privileges
and rank of Prince of Nor. YsgryfF, will you accept this honour and grant me
homage and fealty?"
     YsgryfF grinned. What splendid theatre all this was. "I accept with honour,
StarMan, and I do swear homage and fealty to you."
     As YsgryfF stepped down, Ogden and Veremund again nodded to
themselves. In his creation of the first five families Axis had included Icarii,
Ravensbund and Acharite -symbolic of the united force that stood behind Axis
and of the newly united nation of Tencendor. Of the Avar there was no mention,
but then the Avar had refused to fight for Tencendor.
     "But what of the eastern territories?" Veremund whispered to his brother.
"What of the lands to the east of the Nordra? Will Axis govern those personally?"
      Axis turned back to the crowd.
      "There is one more acknowledgment I must make," he said softly, although
his voice carried magically to every ear, "and one more grant that I must effect.
It is the eastern lands of Tencendor that will be most affected by the return of
the Avar and the Icarii. Guardianship of these lands will be a sensitive issue —
although most of the territorial claims of all three races have been settled, no
doubt there will be smaller day-to-day issues that will cause disagreement
among the three peoples as they learn to live together once more."
      Faraday nodded. Sensitive indeed. Faraday looked forward to the day when
she could begin to transfer the seedlings from the Enchanted Wood to the
eastern lands of Tencendor — already she had some twelve thousand names
memorised and friendships cemented. But who would she have to work with?
      "A sensitive issue and a sensitive guardianship," Axis repeated, "but the
choice of Guardian of the East is easy. I would give it to the one among us who
has lived among all three races and understands the problems of all three
peoples."
      Rivkah? Faraday thought, looking over to Axis' mother.
      "Azhure." Axis smiled, and held out his hand.
      Azhure blanched and stared at Axis. His smile widened, and his fingers
waggled a little impatiently.
      The crowd cheered approvingly. Of all stories about Axis' rise to power, of
his battles with the Skraelings and with Borneheld, one of the best known and
loved stories was of the raven-haired woman who rode at his side, who wielded
the magic bow of the Icarii and who commanded the pack of enchanted hounds
that ran behind her.
      "Azhure?" Faraday whispered to Ogden beside her. "Azhure? Is she not this
commander I have heard something of?"
      "Ah, indeed," muttered Ogden uncomfortably. "Azhure commands the
Acharite archers in Axis' army - and currently holds command of the army while
Axis, Belial and Magariz reside in Carlon."
      "But control of the East?" Faraday asked. "Surely / would have been better
for that? I am the one who has been bonded with the Mother, am I not?"
      Ogden's face reddened. "As Axis said, Faraday, Azhure has spent a great
deal of time among all three races and she is already an accepted and respected
commander within his army. She is a good choice, Faraday."
      Faraday sat back in her chair, frowning, as the woman, obviously shocked,
handed her baby to StarDrifter and slowly stood up. As she smoothed her dress
down Faraday noticed that she was pregnant.
      Axis noticed Azhure's pregnancy at the same moment as Faraday, and his
eyes flew to Azhure's, stunned. Why? Why hadn't she told him?
      Azhure stepped gracefully onto the dais, her eyes locked into Axis', and took
his hand.
      "Why?" he whispered.
      "I did not want to hold you back from what you had to do, Axis. I thought
that if you knew I was pregnant again ..." her eyes flickered towards Faraday,
"... you would hesitate in doing that which the Prophecy demanded you do."
      Axis' eyes ran over her belly once more, confused. Even if she'd managed to
conceal her thickening body from him, how was it he'd not felt the tug of the
baby's blood? Caelum's tug had been so distinct, so strong.
      Axis realised he was staring. "Azhure. I owe so much to you. You have given
me such great friendship and support over the past nineteen months that I think
I can never adequately repay you. You have given me my emblem, the blood-red
blazing sun and you have fought courageously among my other commanders.
Azhure, you have also lived among both Icarii and Avar. You know their
problems and you know the problems that many of the Acharites will have in
accepting the Icarii and Avar among them again. The position of Guardian of the
East is one of great importance, and I would that you accept it. Azhure, will you
shoulder this onerous load for me?"
      "Gladly, StarMan."
      Ysgryff, as Belial, Magariz and a number of others, stared a little. Not at the
tide and responsibility that Axis had given Azhure - all believed that she would do
well as Guardian of the East - but that Axis had not asked her to swear homage
and fealty to him. It almost implied...well, it almost implied that Azhure was of
equal status to him. And yet Axis had demanded that FreeFall, as heir to the
Talon throne, pay him homage and fealty.
      Faraday, as politically astute as anyone else present, also noticed the
oversight and realised the implications. Why would Axis not want this woman to
swear homage and fealty to him?
      "Azhure, Guardian of the East, you have no home, no lands. I will cede you
no lands, but I will grant you a home that you may enjoy for the rest of your life
but which will revert to me once you die. Azhure, I grant you Spiredore to do
with as you will."
      "Oh, Axis," Azhure breathed, and the look in her eyes was all the thanks that
Axis needed.
      Faraday simply stared at her. I must get to know this woman better, she
thought, if I must work with her to restore the ancient forests to Tencendor.
      Azhure moved to sit down again, more than a little awed by her new
responsibilities. This tangible evidence of Axis' trust and belief in her abilities,
before all these people, had moved her deeply.
      StarDrifter stared at Axis. Axis had hardly gone far enough! On impulse, he
gave a single powerful flap of his wings and landed on the dais beside his son.
      StarDrifter held out his hands and began to speak, his voice nearly as
magical and as beautiful as Axis'. "I am StarDrifter SunSoar," he announced,
"father to Axis SunSoar StarMan. Today is a great day. We have witnessed the
reforg-ing of Tencendor, a united Tencendor that will be strong enough to defeat
Gorgrael and strong enough to move into the future. But my friends, there are
still many trials ahead of us. Great battles to be fought as we endeavour to break
the Destroyer's grip on the north. Axis will lead Tencendor into those battles. My
friends and comrades, I do not want to inject a note of sorrow or despair into
these joyful proceedings, but realities must be faced. What if Axis were injured,
or, greatest sadness of all, killed?" StarDrifter turned to Axis and held out his
hand in melodramatic appeal. "Axis SunSoar StarMan, will you name your heir
today, before all present, so that there may be no doubts in anyone's mind?"
     Axis glared at his father. Did you think I had forgotten, StarDrifter? I was
opening my mouth to do just that when you leaped so precipitously onto the
dais.
      Ogden, as Veremund and Jack, stared straight ahead, completely unable to
look at Faraday now. Yr's eyes widened in distress. This is what she had feared
for a very long time. Had she and the other Sentinels done the wrong thing in
forcing Faraday into an action which had kept her separated from Axis for almost
two years?
      "Sit down, StarDrifter," Axis said quietly, and again held out his hand for
Azhure.
      She stood as if she would simply hand Caelum to him, but Axis seized her
wrist and pulled both her and their son onto the dais with him.
      Faraday took a great, ragged breath and held it. She realised instantly who
had bequeathed the black-haired boy his Icarii features. "Oh, Mother, what has
he done to me?"
      Yr leaned forward and placed a soothing hand on Faraday's shoulder.
      Axis smiled and took Caelum from Azhure s arms, holding the laughing baby
high above his head.
      "I name my son, Caelum Azhurson SunSoar StarSon, as my heir to the
House of the Stars and to the Throne of the Stars and to all ranks and privileges
those titles hold. Welcome to my heart and to my House, Caelum StarSon."
      Faraday's and Azhure's eyes met; Azhure looked away almost instantly,
unable to bear the pain she saw reflected back at her.
      The crowd roared. All they could see was the golden figure of Axis SunSoar
StarMan, the beautiful woman beside him, and the son who Axis lifted high into
the air.
      "Hear me!" Axis shouted above the roar. "No other child born to me will
supplant Caelum as my heir. He is my firstborn, and as bastardy has left no stain
on my soul or on my claim to found the Throne of the Stars, then it leaves no
stain on his soul or on his claim as my heir!"
      Faraday sat, weaving back and forth through her own personal nightmare.
Not only had Axis disported himself with another woman to the extent that he
had got a son on her - and another on the way! - he had honoured the woman
with great titles, great responsibilities, and had named her son as his heir,
disinheriting any child Faraday would bear him.
      She suddenly realised the full extent of the betrayal. Not only Axis', but all
those about her. Everyone must have known of this! Everyone! Yet no-one had
told her. Why? Why? Why had they let her believe the lie that Axis still loved her,
still wanted her?
    Borneheld's final words to her on the parapets of the palace in Carlon came
back to Faraday. Axis did not truly love her at all. If he did, then he could not
have done this to her.



    Betrayal Confronted"W:
     need to speak, Faraday," Axis said, and Faraday turned to stare at him, her
green eyes blazing with pain and betrayal.
     "Yes," she said bitterly, "we do need to talk. But I hardly think this is the
place for it, do you?"
     And so they were rowed back in silence to the palace, where they climbed
staircases and walked corridors in silence until Axis closed the door to their
chamber behind them.
     "We should be present at the celebrations," Axis said.
     " We should be at the celebrations, StarMan? I hardly think there is any
place there for me, do you?"
     Axis flinched inwardly, although he kept his face impassive. Why hadn't he
told Faraday about Azhure earlier? How do you tell the woman who has waited
and suffered for you through two long years that you had fallen so deeply in love
with another that you couldn't give her up?
     "Faraday," he said again, and stepped forward and took her shoulders gently
in his hands.
     "Let go of me!" Faraday hissed, twisting her body away from him.
     "Faraday, let me explain."
     "No," she said, and Axis could feel her rage. "/ shall explain to you. Axis, I
can understand that for virtually two years we have been torn apart one way or
another. That we have gone our separate ways for much of those two years. I
can understand that perhaps you dallied with other women. Mother knows, Axis,
I can understand that — especially after I married Borneheld. But what I cannot
understand, Axis, and what I find so hard to forgive, is how you treated me
today."
     "Faraday," Axis tried to soothe, reaching out for her but halting his hand at
the last moment. "You will be my wife. I promised to marry you, and I will."
     "Being your wife means nothing]" Faraday screamed, her face twisting into
ugly lines, "when that woman across the Lake is your wife in everything but
name!"
     She took a deep breath and worked to bring her temper under control.
"Wife. What does that mean, Axis, when that woman across the Lake is Queen in
everything but name! Over the past year at least, and longer by the look of that
baby, she has shared your life, shared your adventures, shared your bed. Now
you have given her the power, the recognition," she laughed a little, "even
Spiredore, and you have given her your son. Again she is pregnant with your
child. Do not try to tell me that she does not continue to share your bed and
your heart, Axis."
     Axis looked down at the floor. There was nothing he could say.
     Faraday stared at him, a muscle leaping in her throat.
     "She was the one to stand on the dais with you, Axis, not me. She was the
one who took the cheers of the nation with you. Not me. Marry me, Axis? What a
joke! Even as your wife, / would be the mistress, not her. She has everything. I
have nothing. You humiliated me today, Axis. Can't you see what you did?"
     Axis raised his head and looked at her. "I did not think to betray you,
Faraday. Azhure was a friend when I needed one badly. She understood that I
loved you ..."
     "You talked about me to her?" Faraday whispered. What other cruelties did
this man have to deal her?
     "... and she fought to resist me. Faraday, do not blame her in this. I am the
one at fault."
     Faraday's eyes brimmed with tears. That Axis sought to protect Azhure and
not himself told Faraday how deeply he loved her. "Strangely, Axis, I do not. I
know how easy it is for a woman to fall in love with you. If I seek to apportion
blame, then I must blame you." She turned away.
     Axis stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms about her, gently rocking
her. This time she did not throw him off.
     "Will you give her up?" she whispered.
     There was a pause. "I cannot," Axis muttered eventually.
     "Do you feel anything for me?"
     "Faraday." Axis turned her around so he could look in her eyes. He gently
brushed some of the tears from her cheek with his hand. Wasn't this where they
had started two years ago? "If I said I loved you, I would not lie. But what I feel
for you and what I feel for Azhure are so different. But I meant what I said,
Faraday. I do want you for my wife." He bent to slowly kiss her cheek, her neck,
the soft rise of her breasts.
     Liar, she thought. Liar. You want Azhure, but, honourable man that you are,
you feel bound by the vows that you made to me so long ago. And how much do
you want me because I bring the trees behind you? Do you fear, Axis SunSoar
StarMan, that if you do not placate me with marriage then I might not fulfil my
part of the bargain? That the Prophecy itself might fail if I failed?
     Oh, Mother, Faraday cried to herself. You are the only one who has not
betrayed me. All she wanted now was peace in the Sacred Groves, all she
wanted now was to sit in the warm sunshine on the wooden seat in the nursery,
Ur beside her reciting names and histories.
     But for now Axis' fingers were sliding open the fastenings at the back of her
dress. Does he think to placate me with his body? she wondered vaguely, but
she did not resist him. One last time, perhaps, one last time.

    Into Spiredore zhure lay sleepless in her tent, staring
through the l-\ darkness. The excitement of the previous day had JL. -A.kept her
tossing and turning in her camp bed for most of the night. Axis had held Caelum
above his head and proclaimed him his heir — and named him Azhurson! The
clamour from the throats of the tens of thousands present had surrounded her
like the roar of the Nordra as it escaped the Forbidden Valley. And he had named
her Guardian of the East, and given her Spiredore.
     As she stood down from the dais Azhure had glanced again at Faraday. She
was rocking backwards and forwards, her face pasty white, her green eyes
enormous. Azhure had almost cried out with pain herself.
     Axis was back in Carlon with Faraday this night, but Azhure was no longer
jealous of her. Somehow Azhure knew that it would not be long before Axis was
back this side of the Lake, come to visit his Lover in Spiredore.
     Spiredore! Such a magical gift! It had been stripped of all the trappings of
the Seneschal — and now it waited for her.
     Throwing the blankets back, Azhure swung her legs over the side of the bed.
She had not had the chance to go inside Spiredore yesterday — the celebrations
for Tencendor had started immediately after Axis had closed the official
ceremony and Azhure had been whirled into them by StarDrifter who,
withYsgryff, had competed for her attentions all evening and into the night. She
had slept a few hours, but now was awake - ready to investigate what she had
been given.
     Mama?
     Azhure slipped a shawl over her white nightgown and leaned over Caelum's
cot. "I am going to investigate Spiredore, Caelum. Do you want to come too, or
are you still so tired you will whimper and fidget and distract me?"
     / will be good, Mama.
     Azhure smiled with love and picked her son up, nestling him close to her
breast.
     The camp was quiet now; hours before, all the revellers had fallen
exhausted into their beds, or simply to the ground. Barefoot, and with only the
shawl over her nightgown and a lamp in her free hand, Azhure picked her way
through the camp, then up the grassy slopes to where the towering walls of
Spiredore stood. Several of the Alaunt made to follow her, but she motioned
them back. There was no danger in Spiredore, and she wanted to be alone with
Caelum on her first visit.
     The door was unlatched, and Azhure slipped inside, closing it quietly behind
her. For a moment she simply stood and stared. From the outside Spiredore was
obviously very large, but it appeared ten, twenty times the size inside. She
walked into the centre of the tower and looked up, holding her lamp high.
Stairwells, balconies, overhangs, all swirled to dizzying heights above her.
Rooms, chambers, open spaces, all opened off the balconies surrounding this
atrium. None of the myriad floors and balconies were level or even, jutting out in
irregular squares, triangles, circles. It was an amazing sight, and should have
been an eyesore, but somehow it achieved a subtle harmony that gave the
interior of Spiredore great beauty.
     "Stars," Azhure said. "I could get lost up there and wander about for days."
     "Actually, it's quite easy to find your way, once you know the trick," a voice
said lightly behind her, and Azhure spun about, the lamp swinging so violently in
her hand that shadows leaped and danced about the atrium. Her hand tightened
defensively about Caelum, who gave a squeak of protest.
     An Icarii birdman walked towards her, an open book in his hand, as if he had
been reading when surprised by Azhure. He was one of the most captivating
Icarii she'd ever seen. His face was vibrant with power, far more so than Star-
Drifter's face, and she realised he must be an Enchanter. Great violet eyes
laughed at her from underneath a tumbled crop of dark copper curls. Behind him
stretched golden wings; and not just dyed that shade, Azhure thought, numbed
by the beauty of this birdman, they actually appeared to be made of beaten
gold.
     "I'm sorry," he said, closing the book with a snap. Azhure caught brief sight
of the title...something to do with the Lakes. "I startled you." A contrite
expression crossed his face. "And I shouldn't be here either. Axis ceded you
Spiredore yesterday, and I am the intruder."
     "You were at the ceremony?" Azhure asked, her hand lessening its grip
about Caelum.
     "Yes," he said. "I was there, but some distance from you, I thmk."
     "I have not seen you before," Azhure said. "And you have a face one could
not easily forget."
     "As you have a face, Lady Azhure, that no man, Icarii or Acharite, could
easily forget. You are a woman for whom your own Prophecy should be written
— it is a shame that you must share one with Axis. Perhaps I will write one for
you one day."
     Azhure laughed. The man had a charming, if cunning, way with words. She
shared the Prophecy with Axis? "Why have I not seen you before?"
     The birdman's smile faded a little and his eyes became sad. "Ah. Azhure. I
have been away. A long, long way away. I have only come home recently. That
is why you have not seen me."
     He stepped forward. "May I hold your baby for a moment? He is such a
beautiful baby."
     Azhure hesitated momentarily, then let the birdman lift an unresisting
Caelum out of her arms. The Icarii Enchanter cuddled the baby, whispering to
him, and Caelum stretched curious hands to the man s face, poking and
prodding till the birdman laughed and handed Caelum back to Azhure. "All babies
are curious, but he more than most, I think. You have a magnificent son, Azhure,
and he a magnificent mother."
     Azhure blushed and smiled. Abruptly she remembered he had not told her
his name, and she opened her mouth to ask, but in the instant before she spoke
the birdman took Azhure s arm and led her towards the first of the stairwells that
twisted up into the heights of the tower, sundry balconies and chambers opening
off it.
     "I was going to tell you how to work the magic of Spiredore, Azhure."
     Azhure smiled. Magic? How wonderful it would be if this Enchanter told her
how to use Spiredore.
     "My dear child," he said, as they reached the foot of the stairs. "It is very
simple. If you wander willy-nilly in Spiredore you will, as you thought, get
completely lost. You must decide where you want to go before you start to climb
the stairs, and then the stairs will simply take you to that place."
     Azhure s frown deepened. "But how do I know where I want to go if I don't
know what the tower contains?"
     The birdman laughed and his hand slid up her arm a little. It was very warm,
his palm and fingers like rough silk, and Azhure found herself leaning a little
closer to him.
     "Then you have a lot to learn, Azhure." His tone became softer, deeper. "A
lot to learn." He rested his arm on her shoulder, his fingers gently stroking her
neck. "Where would you like to go, Azhure. Where? What would you like to see?"
Azhure smiled dreamily. His hand was soothing, his gentle breath on her cheek
comforting. "I would like to see the view from the rooftop," she whispered. "I
would very much like to watch the sun rise over the Avarinheim from the top of
Spiredore."
     "See?" he laughed, and the sound broke the spell between them. "You do
have at least one destination - and you can spend the rest of your life
investigating Spiredore. It was built just for you, Azhure. Just for you. Eventually
you will remember where to go."
     She smiled. "Your flattery goes too far, sir. Built for me? Why, this tower has
stood for thousands of years, and I am only twenty-eight."
     "Just for you," he whispered, and then he leaned forward and kissed her on
the lips. It was a deep, absorbing kiss, and Azhure was in no hurry to break it —
it was the birdman who eventually drew back.
     He laughed shortly. "I should not have done that, Azhure. It was Unclean.
But I was always the one to break rules. You must forgive me. Now," his manner
became brusque, "if you wish to watch the sun rise from the rooftop you will
have to begin to climb now. Sunrise is not long away."
     Following his instructions, Azhure thought of the rooftop and began to climb,
but, only a few steps into the stairwell, she turned and looked back down at him.
"How did the Seneschal ever find their way about Spiredore?"
     The birdman laughed. "To them, sweetheart, it was simply an empty shell.
They built their own chambers and stairs, floors and libraries, but they never saw
the true tower that you see before you now. They did not have the magic to see
it. Now, go. Sunrise awaits."
     Azhure nodded, and turned back into the stairwell. When next she looked
down, the birdman had gone.
     WolfStar backed against the doorway out of Azhure's sight, listening to her
footsteps for a long time. What a remarkable woman - and what a son she had
birthed.
    As Azhure's footsteps slowly faded above him, WolfStar abruptly vanished.
    Azhure stood atop Spiredore and watched the sky lighten to the east over
the Avarinheim forest, her son cuddled comfortably in her arms. Her hair was
loose, and the wind whipped both her nightgown and her hair about her lithe
form. Above her head the morning stars whirled. Beneath her bare feet the
tower gently hummed to itself. Azhure had come home.

    From Out of the Dawning Sun...
     * s Azhure had not been able to sleep, neither could £\ Axis. For hours he
lay by Faraday's side, close but not /. touching, knowing she was awake as well,
yet unable to speak to her as she was unable to speak to him. Finally, silently, he
rolled out of bed, pulled on his breeches and boots, and went to talk with
StarDrifter.
     They stood on the balcony of StarDrifter's room, drinking in the cold dawn
air as they gazed across Grail Lake.
     "What are you going to do?" StarDrifter asked.
     "I am vowed to Faraday," he said. "I must marry her."
     "And Azhure?"
     "I will not let her go. I cannot."
     Both Enchanters could see Azhure atop Spiredore with their enhanced vision.
The wind whipped her hair back from her face, and the white nightgown billowed
about her body. She was laughing with Caelum, and pointing into the dawning
sun as it rose above the distant Avarinheim.
     "What does she have," StarDrifter mused, "that both of us cannot resist
her?"
     "It is as though she contains the Star Dance within her," said Axis softly, and
StarDrifter dragged his eyes away from Azhure at the tone of his son's voice.
"Through her I can touch the Star Dance more powerfully than I can through
any Song. StarDrifter, it is as though I hold the very Stars in my hands every
time I hold her, as if it is their music that embraces me. Every time I lie with her,
StarDrifter, the music grows louder."
     StarDrifter was astounded at what Axis had revealed. He could touch the
Star Dance through Azhure, through her body? Who, what, was she? He stared
at his son, his eyes wide, his mouth half open.
     The Gryphon circled high overhead. It was a mission fraught with dangers
and traps, she knew, but it was an important mission, and Gorgrael had not
wanted to trust it to a SkraeBold. Gorgrael had sent her south to spy out Carlon.
What was Axis up to? Gorgrael had asked the Gryphon. What state his forces?
Where were they? Could Gorgrael attack through the trench systems of Jervois
Landing and expect little resistance from Axis?
     To these questions and others the Gryphon had relayed her answers as best
she could. Most forces were still concentrated about Carlon, and the soil was still
red east of the city from a mighty battle. Borneheld lay dead and rotted on the
refuse heap. Axis strode golden and assured and spoke at length of Tencendor.
The woman, Faraday, walked by his side. Icarii and Acharite mixed freely. And
Spiredore — Spiredore had wakened in much the same way that Sigholt had
awakened. Tencendor was waking about Axis, and if Gorgrael wanted to move,
he'd best do it quickly.
     The Gryphon had finished her surveillance of Carlon and its surrounds and
was ready to fly home and out of danger, but her attention was caught by the
woman and baby atop Spiredore. There was something strange about
them...strange...but the Gryphon did not quite know what it was. Should she fly
closer for a look? Should she attack? There was no-one else about, and the
Gryphon was confident of success. A woman. Alone. No weapons. Tasty.
     And the Gryphon had the distinct advantage of being able to attack from out
of the dawning sun.
     She communed with Gorgrael with her mind, asking permission to ravage.
     Gorgrael could see no harm in it.
     Azhure stood atop Spiredore and laughed at Caelum. He was reaching out to
the sun, it seemed so magically close, his eyes wide with wonder and joy.
     She turned to look at the dawning sun, and blinked. There was a dark spot
spinning out of the red orb. Puzzled, Azhure stared...and then screamed,
wrenching Caelum to the floor of the roof in a futile attempt to protect him with
her body.
     Both Axis and StarDrifter saw and heard Azhure scream.
     "Gryphon!" Axis cried, appalled. "Azhurer he screamed...and vanished.
     StarDrifter stared at the spot where Axis had been - then back at Azhure.
The Gryphon was clearly hurtling down towards her now - and Azhure was surely
dead if he did not do something very, very soon.
     Without a single thought to his own safety StarDrifter lifted off the balcony
and streaked towards Spiredore.
     Axis materialised into a screaming fury of blood, bone, feathers and thick
grey mist. He stared about him frantically -what enchantment could he use to
overcome an attacking Gryphon?
     A scream whipped through his consciousness and his vision began to clear.
The scream had been Caelum's, and the sound was one of primeval terror.
     "Caelum!" he shouted, and fought his way through to the sound. "Caelum!"

    As he struggled through the grey mist Axis felt power being wielded on the
rooftop, dark power, the power of the Dance of Death. How could he combat
that? Were Azhure and Caelum dead already? He could hear no more sounds,
save a peculiar splintering, tearing sound - oh gods! Was the Gryphon already
feeding on their bodies?
    He stumbled into an area free of mist, and the first thing he saw was
Azhure, Caelum clinging desperately to her, lying with her back against one of
the far walls of the parapets. She had a nasty wound along one arm, as if the
Gryphon had struck as she raised an arm to protect her face, but otherwise
appeared to be uninjured.
     About five paces in front of her, the Gryphon lay writhing and twisting. For
one stunned moment Axis thought an invisible beast was attacking the Gryphon,
but then he realised that the beast was in the grip of an enchantment, and that
this enchantment was literally ripping the Gryphon apart.
     The enchantment used was of the Dark Music.
     Behind him Axis dimly heard StarDrifter alight and scream his name, but his
attention was all on the Gryphon and on the dark enchantments that were being
used to tear it apart.
     Slowly...slowly...slowly he lifted his eyes to Azhure. She was staring at the
creature, ignoring the screams of the child in her arms.
     The Dark Music was being wielded by her. She was using the power of the
Dark Music, the Dance of Death, to kill the Gryphon!
      "Azhure? Azhure? What is that you do?" he whispered in a voice papery-thin
with fear, and he could feel StarDrifter s hand on his shoulder.
      When Azhure replied her voice was flat and full of emptiness, making Axis
recall the vast empty distances that lay between the stars he had seen in the
Star Gate.
      "What is this I do? I use the same Dark Music that was used to make this
creature to unmake her. I unravel the enchantments that made her with the
same powers." She looked up and met Axis' eyes — and Axis could see the stars
circling in the great emptinesses of their depths.
      "WolfStar!" StarDrifter gasped behind him, and Axis cried out. "No! No!"
      But both the Enchanters, watching as the Gryphon was finally shredded to
pieces by the power that enveloped it, remembered every single piece of
evidence that indicted Azhure.
      As one they remembered...Azhure walking graceful and confident along the
rock ledge outside Talon Spike that any normal human would have fallen from in
terror...Azhure s mastery of the Wolven...the Alaunt hounds, once WolfStar's,
who now answered only to her call...the call of her blood that both Axis and
StarDrifter were unable to resist - SunSoar blood?...the ancient Icarii script that
she had decorated the cufis of Axis' golden tunic with — how had she known
that?...her ability to hear (and use, StarDrifter whispered) the mind voice...the
Star Music that Axis heard whenever he made love to her...the depth of Caelum's
Icarii blood, as if Azhure had contributed as well as Axis.,.the scars that rippled
down Azhure's back, as if wings had been torn out...she had first found
MorningStar's body, but had she killed her as well? And finally, the most damning
of all, her easy use of the Dark Music. No Icarii Enchanter, and certainly no
simple peasant girl, could use that.
      "WolfStar," Axis whispered, and then white-hot anger enveloped him so
completely it overran and negated his horror. Had he spent his nights loving
WolfStar?
      As the Gryphon finally blew apart in a cloud of vaporised tissue and blood,
Azhure blinked and the stars faded from her eyes. A tremor ran over her face,
and she became aware of her surroundings.
    "Axis?" she whispered. Why all this blood? Why was Axis staring at her like
that?
    The Gryphon! Memories of the Gryphon attack flooded in and Azhure cringed
and hugged Caelum tight. Where was the Gryphon? There had been a pain, a
pain in her head, and then everything had gone dark. Strange whispers had
shouted words through her mind. Where was the Gryphon?
    "Dead," hissed Axis, and behind him StarDrifter's face was as implacable and
as cold as his son's. "Dead, as you will be before long, WolfStar!"
    It was not so much his words, although those were horrifying enough, but
the tone in which he said them that tore Azhure's soul apart. Why did he hate
her? What had she done? As Axis tore Caelum from her arms Azhure
automatically dissolved into the welcome blackness that had always served as a
refuge during her childhood whenever Hagen had sprung at her with similar
hatred on his face.
    In her last moment of consciousness Azhure realised her worst nightmare
had come true. Hagen was not dead at all. He had simply assumed the form of
Axis.
    "By all the stars in the universe," the Dark Man screamed, "what have you
done?"
    Gorgrael backed up against a chair, almost falling over it. An instant
previously, just as Gorgrael had felt the Gryphon blink out of existence, the Dark
Man had materialised in Gorgrael s chamber deep in the heart of his ice fortress.
He was insanely angry. Out-of-control angry.
    And Gorgrael abruptly realised that an out-of-control Dark Man was a very,
very, very, bad thing.
    "Only a woman and a baby," Gorgrael whispered, scrabbling to keep his
balance as the chair started to slip under his weight. "Only a woman and a baby.
I saw no harm in it."
    "No harm?" the Dark Man shouted. "No harm?"
    Gorgrael thought he could see fire (or was it ice?) glinting somewhere in the
depths of the Dark Man's hood. His tongue lolled out of his mouth in fear.
    "You could have killed her!" the Dark Man shrieked. "You could have killed
her!" He advanced on Gorgrael, his black cloak billowing, yet revealing nothing of
the man beneath.
    "What concern of yours is the death of a single woman and child, Dark
Man?" Gorgrael hissed in fury. "What concern of yours?"
    "She is a concern of mine!" the Dark Man snarled.
    "A single human woman and child, Dark Man?" Gorgrael said, advancing
himself now, and the Dark Man retreated a step.
    "You fool," the Dark Man said quietly. "You may have undone everything
now. Of all the people you had to set your Gryphon on you had to pick her. Of all
the people."
    "She lives," Gorgrael said, and peered as close as he could at the Dark Man.
"She lives, and she destroyed the Gryphon. Is that not unusual for a human
woman? To use the Dark Music to destroy my Gryphon? My beautiful pet? Who
is she, Dark Man? What is she to cause you to storm my fortress in unconsidered
rage? What is she?"
     The Dark Man stared at Gorgrael. "She is exposed, now, Gorgrael. That is
what she is. And, because of that, she may very well be dead."

    Azhure ( )
      £ £ ~ |—'V y all the gods in creation," Belial screamed as r~^ Axis raised his
sword for the killing thrust, "what * -J are you doing?"
      "She is a traitor!" Axis yelled back. "She is WolfStar!"
      Belial stepped back, appalled both by the scene before him and by the
power and anger that blazed from Axis' eyes.
      They were in one of the lower chambers of the palace -used, occasionally, as
an interrogation chamber, and it was to this foul purpose that it was being put
again.
      Azhure, moaning in pain, was bound upright to a stone pillar, her head
lolling on her shoulder. She was only barely conscious. Blood stained her
nightgown in several places, and Belial could see that one of her legs had been
heavily bruised. Mother knows what other contusions that nightgown is hiding,
he thought distractedly.
      "Damn you, Axis! Prove to me that she is this traitor! Prove if!" Belial
shouted.
      Axis stared at him, breathing heavily with effort and with rage. He shifted
cold eyes to StarDrifter. "Shall we unmask the bitch?" His voice was as cold as
his eyes.
      "Best to kill her now, Axis."
      "No\" Belial screamed and grabbed Axis' arm. "Prove to me that she is this
traitor or, so help me Axis, I will raise every soldier I can to move against you!"
      Axis swore viciously and threw the sword across the room. It hit a far wall
and clattered to the floor. Apart from Azhure, there were only the three of them
in the chamber. Belial had kept everyone else out.
      "You want to see what she really is, Belial? You really want to see?" Axis
snarled. He held Belial's stare for a moment, then he dropped his eyes and
stared at his Enchanter's ring, twisting it slightly. StarDrifter scowled - what was
Axis doing to the ring?
      When Axis looked up again, his eyes were subtly different. He walked over
to Azhure and twisted his hand in her hair, wrenching her head up so he could
stare into her eyes.
      She moaned again, and fear flickered across her face.
      "I am going to unlock the traitor's mind," Axis said, his voice now so cold
that Belial recoiled.
      Music started to waft about the chamber. Harsh music. Music that StarDrifter
at rst thought was Dark Music, but then realised was a combination of fire and
air music that was discordant and twisted. It was a song that unlocked a mind's
secrets, but StarDrifter had never, never heard it before. It was a new Song.
     "I am going to find out what secrets her dark soul hides," Axis said, grating
out his words through clenched teeth, "and I am going to prove to you, Belial,
that this...this creature is the traitor who murdered MorningStar and who
intended to betray me to Gorgrael!"
     A moment later Azhure screamed, her body convulsing, and she continued
to scream as Axis tore her mind apart.
     "Oh, gods," Belial whispered, appalled. He turned away, unable to watch,
wishing that he could stop his ears as well, wishing that he had the courage to
attack Axis and stop him from killing Azhure.
     "He is sifting through her mind," StarDrifter said calmly. "Sifting through her
memories. Searching for the key that will unlock her true identity."
     Several minutes passed, and the intensity of Azhure's screams, if anything,
deepened. Her body strained against the ropes so desperately that they burned
through material and skin, and Belial, on the one occasion he found the heart to
look, saw blood seep through to stain the white linen wherever the ropes
pressed against her body.
     "Ah!" Axis suddenly exclaimed in satisfaction. "I have found it!"
     "What?" StarDrifter asked, stepping a little closer.
     "A block. A shuttered grate. A welded door. A block. Behind this, StarDrifter,
lies the true Azhure. Shall I open it?"
     "Can you?" StarDrifter asked. "Is it possible? Should we?" What if WolfStar
lurked behind that block, waiting to leap out? "Perhaps it is best to kill her now,
Axis. It is enough to know the block is there."
     "No, no," Axis grunted. "Belial wants proof. Well, he shall have it. Wait. I
almost have it."
     His face tightened in concentration and effort and the strength of the music
doubled. Azhure abruptly stopped screaming and simply stared into Axis' eyes,
so close to her own.
     "Ah," Axis whispered, his hand still tangled deep in her hair. "I almost have
you...almost...almost...therel It is gone!"
     Suddenly his eyes widened, startled, horrified, staring at something that
StarDrifter and Belial could not see. "Oh gods," he whispered, and then, without
a sound, both he and Azhure vanished.
     He was enveloped by her power, by the pure power of the Stars, and by
some spark of compassion left within her, she did not let it immediately crush
him. But she was also still caught in his enchantment - both were - and she was
compelled to show him her secrets. All of them. Even those she had repressed
and hidden in this dark hole of her mind because to let them free would have
driven her mad. She opened her eyes and began to see. Began to see with the
eyes of a five-year-old child. And Axis saw with her.
     The eyes blinked and opened. Blinked yet again, and opened wider. They
saw the interior of the Plough-Keepers home in Smyrton. It was a well-kept
home, well furnished. The Plough-Keeper, Hagen, did well for himself.
      It was early evening, and lamps and the fire burned merrily. A meal was set
out on the table, but the food lay untouched on thick white plates. The eyes
belonged to a little girl, and she was crouched in the furthest corner from the
fireplace. She did not like the fireplace.
      That was where Hagen was intent on the murder of her mother. He had her
prone on the hearth, her head dangerously close to the fire. Kneeling astride her
body, Hagen gripped the woman's throat with his hands.
      "Whore!" he screamed. "/ did not father that aberration cringing in the
corner, did I? Did I? Who, woman? Who?" And he thrust her beautiful head a
little further into the fire.
      Her hair was raven blue-black, and thickly coiled about her head. The Axis
part of the mind that watched through the eyes in the corner saw that her face,
even distorted with terror and marked by violence as it was, was very beautiful,
her eyes a deep and mysterious blue, her skin creamy smooth in places, but
blackened and burned in others. And soon her hair would go up in flames.
      "Who?" Hagen roared, again driving her head yet further towards the flames
and the coals, and Axis cringed in horror. Was this Hagen driving Azhure's
mother into the flames, or was it he, driving Azhure to her death?
      "Azhure, hear me!" the woman screamed, knowing she was near death.
"Hear me! This man is not your father!"
      "/know that!" Hagen yelled, "/know that. Ever since I saw those feathers
sticking out of the girl's back this afternoon, the feathers that you have been
binding for weeks now, trying to hide them from me, ever since that moment I
have known she was not my daughter. Who? Who?"
      "Azhure!" And the woman screamed, for in a burst of crackling her hair had
caught fire. "Azhure," as the flames engulfed her head, "Azhure! You are a child
of the gods. Seek the answer on Temple Mount! Ah!" Her hands beat frantically
at Hagen's fingers clenched about her throat, desperately seeking release from
the torment that engulfed her.
      "Azhure!" her voice crackled horrifyingly from the ball of flame that now
engulfed her entire head. "Live! Live! Your father. Ah! Azhure...Ah! Your
father...Ahl"
      Whatever she had been trying to say was lost in the expanding ball of flame.
His own hands singed, Hagen recoiled, and for a moment or two the woman's
hands beat ineffectually at the flames licking at the edges of her linen collar. An
instant later her entire bodice had gone up, and the instant after that her skirts
erupted in a roar of flame.
      For minutes...hours?...the Azhure/Axis mind watched as the blackened body
twisted and writhed on the hearth. It still made odd grunting noises, but the
Azhure/ Axis mind wondered if it were her lungs searching for air, or the sound
of joints popping in the heat.
      The smell was awful.
      Only after the charred corpse stilled did Hagen turn to the litde girl.
      "Now you," he said softly. "Now you."
     He lifted the bone-handled knife from the table, and bent down to the girl.
     He ripped the dress from her body and twisted one hand into her hair. In his
other hand he hefted the knife, seeking a firm grip.
     As the little girl felt the knife sear into her flesh, so too did Axis.
     As the little girl twisted and screamed and begged for forgiveness, so too did
Axis.
     As Hagen dug and twisted the knife deeper and harder, so too did Axis feel
each and every twist in his own flesh.
     As Hagen grabbed the slowly developing nubs of wings and twisted and
pulled and wrenched, so too did Axis suffer.
     Blade scraped bone, and Axis screamed and twisted and begged for
forgiveness.
     So too had Azhure.
     As the knife rattled to the floor and Hagen seized every remaining vestige of
wing and flight muscle and feather that he could find and pull and wrench and
tear, so Axis begged, pleaded, screamed, twisted, fought, cried, despaired.
     So too had Azhure.
     And, as Hagen picked up the knife again, and began to dig and twist again,
searching for hidden feathers, so Axis gave into despair.
     So too had Azhure despaired.
     And, as Azhure had, Axis lived through each moment of the next six weeks,
weeks when the wing nubs kept trying to reform, weeks when each morning
Hagen would tear off the grubby, blood-and pus-encrusted bandages and curse
and reach for the knife and dig and twist and wrench and dig and twist and cut
and scrape and tear and curse and ...
     / understand] Axis screamed somewhere in a dark, dark place. A place to
which the Azhure/Axis mind had retreated because it was the only way it could
survive. I understand] Do you? her voice softly asked. Do you?
     ... and bandage up again to leave the child thin and weak and infected and
pain-ridden to lie in the bed as he buried the charred corpse that had been her
mother but yet to return the following morning and curse and reach for the knife
and twist and scrape and tear and cut, cut, cut, cut and then leave to conduct
worship in the Worship Hall, leave to give due reverence to the great god Artor,
the good god Artor, and to guide the souls of the good people of Smyrton on
their voyage into hell and to return to lift the Azhure/Axis head and force cool
water down her/his throat.
     "Why let me live?"
     Hagen smiled. "Because I want to see you suffer," he said. "I like it. Shall I
check your bandages again?"
     / understand, Axis whispered, and this time he heard nothing but the
sobbing of a girl driven to madness by the pain and the hatred and the loss and
driven, as her only means of survival, to bury all of her memories and all of her
enchanted powers behind a locked grate, a shuttered gate, a closed, silent door
and repress, repress, repress and concentrate on being "normal", because that
was the only way she would survive. The only way.
     He was in a dark, dark place and he did not know how to get out. Azhure "s
strange power, long hidden, long fettered, had brought him here, and he did not
have the skills to escape.
     "Azhure?" he whispered into the darkness. "Azhure?"
     Nothing.
     "Azhure?" he called softly again, starting to crawl directionless through the
dark. "Azhure?"
     Nothing.
     He sat and thought and listened. If he were Azhure, would he answer?
     No. The darkness was the only thing protecting her.
     What could he say? What could he say?
     "Forgive me," he whispered. "Forgive me."
     Nothing.
     "For your mother's death, forgive me."
     Nothing.
     "For your pain and your terror, forgive me."
     Nothing.
     "For the loss of your childhood and the rape of your innocence, forgive me."
     Nothing.
     "For all the cruelty of the world that has ravaged you, forgive me."
     Nothing.
     "For my lack of trust and my lack of faith, forgive me."
     Silence, and Axis knew that she was there.
     "Help me, Azhure, for I am lost and I am frightened and I am lonely without
you. Help me."
     "Forgive me," a whisper reached him, and Axis burst into tears, appalled by
her need for forgiveness. "Forgive me, Mama, that I cannot remember your
name."
     And then she was in his arms, the little girl and the grown woman all in one,
and the girl and the woman and the Icarii Enchanter were weeping and seeking
forgiveness and release and love and comfort and somewhere to hide, hide, hide
from the pain and the injustice of the world.
     Belial and StarDrifter stood, frozen. Waiting. Time passed immeasurably
around them. Waiting.
     And then, snap! they were freed from whatever bound them and the air
shimmered and Axis stepped forth into the room and he bore Azhure in his arms
and she seemed almost lifeless, for the skin and the flesh had been stripped
from her back until the blood ran in colourful rivulets down Axis' breeches and
boots to the floor.
     "Help me," he whispered.

    Azhure ( )
    Faraday ran along the corridors of the palace, her skirts bunched in her
hands, her breath heaving. She had fallen asleep sometime after Axis had left
her and had then slept through until well past dawn. Only after she had washed,
dressed and breakfasted did her new maid tell her something of the commotion
in the palace.
     What had he done'?
     The maid had heard only vague rumours, and eventually Faraday had rushed
from the chamber, found one of the palace guard, and asked him where Axis
was. Where he had taken Azhure.
     In the interrogation chamber she found only blood and emptiness - but she
could feel the horror and fear still resonating about the room.
     What had he done?
     From the interrogation chamber Faraday followed the trail of blood and
lingering horror until now she ran along one of the main corridors.
     Where? Ah, one of the principal apartment complexes, kept for visiting
diplomats. He had taken her in there.
     Faraday burst into the antechamber of the apartment complex and stopped
dead.
     In the antechamber were crammed StarDrifter, Belial, FreeFall, EvenSong,
Magariz, Rivkah, Ho'Demi. All silent.
     All pale. All shocked. Among them paced nervous Alaunt, as silent as the
people, but just as obviously upset. One scratched at the closed door to the main
chamber.
     Frantic footsteps sounded in the corridor behind her, and a man collided with
Faraday as he scrambled into the antechamber.
     Ysgryff. Dark, angry, and only a breath away from violence. "Where is he?"
he growled. "Where is he? What has he done to her?"
     Before anyone could answer a baby whimpered, and Faraday glanced to one
side. Rivkah sat patting Azhure's baby son ineffectually as he wailed and twisted
feebly in her arms. Faraday stepped over to Rivkah. "Give me the baby," she said
softly, and held out her hands. Rivkah shrugged and handed the baby over.
     Hello, Caelum. My name is Faraday.
     The baby twisted around to look at her face. Her. Will you help Mama? Her
name is Azhure.
     Faraday smiled softly and stroked the boy's cheek. Azhure. What a lovely
name. Is she with your father?
     The boy's mind clouded. He was afraid of her, Faraday. Why was he afraid?
Will you help Mama? He was quiet now, soothed by this woman who held him.
He could feel the warmth and the love of her power and it comforted him.
     If I can, Caelum. Shush now while I talk with the others. She looked up at
StarDrifter. "Tell me." StarDrifter took an anguished breath. "Axis and I - and I
am as much to blame for what happened here as Axis -thought that Azhure was
WolfStar." " Whatl" Ysgryff hissed.
     "She started to use Dark Music, Ysgryff," StarDrifter pleaded. "What else
were we to think? We had no choice. She had to be WolfStar."
     "Ysgryff, wait," Faraday said urgently, stepping forward to lay a calming
hand onYsgryff's arm. "StarDrifter. None of us here know what you are talking
about. Who is this WolfStar? And why would you think that Azhure was this
person?"
     Slowly, falteringly, StarDrifter explained about the renegade Enchanter-
Talon, about his crimes against the Icarii race, about his return through the Star
Gate. He explained how Axis, he and MorningStar believed that WolfStar was
disguised as one of Axis' confidants, one of those closest to him. The traitor of
the third verse of the Prophecy.
     "MorningStar always believed it to be Azhure," StarDrifter said. "But Axis and
I refused to believe her. Yet there were so many inconsistencies. So much
hidden and strange. And Caelum," he waved at the baby in Faraday's arms, "has
so much Icarii blood. So much. This morning...when Azhure used the Dark Music
of the Stars to destroy the Gryphon...what were we to think, Faraday?"
StarDrifter pleaded. "What were we to think?"
     Encumbered with the baby, Faraday was able to restrain Ysgryff no longer.
He leaned forward and literally hauled StarDrifter to his feet by the feathers on
the back of his neck. "If he has destroyed her, StarDrifter, then by all the gods
that live in the Temple of the Stars, I will destroy you}"
     As Belial half rose to his feet, Ysgryff threw the shocked StarDrifter back
onto the bench. "Personally, StarDrifter," he said through clenched jaws, "I hope
that one day WolfStar will appear and hurl both you and Axis into the Star Gate
in one of his crazed experiments, because that is all you two deserve for what
you have done to that woman."
     "Ysgryff, please," Faraday said gently. "Restrain yourself. Belial, what
happened below?"
     Belial told her what he could. "But that's all I know, Faraday. Not much.
Azhure took Axis somewhere, showed him something, but I don't know what.
When they reappeared the skin was hanging off Azhure's back in strips and Axis
appeared half mad himself. He brought her up here and has allowed no-one in
the chamber since. I think he will kill himself if Azhure dies - and even if she
doesn't, I think he will kill himself for what he has done to her."
     "Ysgryff, wait here," Faraday said, turning to the Prince of Nor. "I think you
will have more to do with solving this mystery than anyone else."
     She turned and walked towards the door.
     "Faraday," Rivkah began, concerned. The last person who had tried to go
inside had been confronted with an Axis so furious and so wild that they had
literally slammed the door behind them in their haste to get out.
     "No," Faraday smiled, her hand on the doorknob. "Axis will not throw out
either myself or Caelum. Be calm. Wait."
     Then she twisted the doorknob and walked inside, closing the door gently
behind her.
     The chamber was dim, the windows shuttered. Faraday stood still, adjusting
her eyes to the light. Finally a slight movement caught her eye.
    Axis rose from where he had been kneeling by a bed along the far wall of
the room, a bloodied rag in his hand. He did not say anything, just stared at
Faraday with sunken and haunted eyes as she moved towards him.
    Faraday reached the other side of the bed, hesitated slightly, then sat down,
looking at the woman lying curled up on her side.
    "Hello, Azhure," she smiled, her face gentle. "My name is Faraday. I would
we could have met in slightly happier circumstances."
    Azhure was conscious, her blue eyes wide and dark with pain. She stared at
Faraday a moment, then gazed at her son.
    "Caelum is well, but he is concerned for you, Azhure."
    Azhure reached out a trembling hand and touched Caelum. Faraday noted
with concern how weak the woman was, how pale her skin, how it hung in loose,
papery folds over her flesh. Azhure let her hand fall listlessly back to thebed. She
was so weak and in so much pain that even her son could not interest her.
    "You have made a mess of this, haven't you Axis?" Faraday said, her voice
low, turning her head to gaze levelly at Axis.
    Axis sank to his knees on the other side of the bed. He had been sponging
Azhure's back with warm water, trying to stop the blood flow, but the water in
the bowl was now deep red itself, and the flesh still hung in strips from Azhure s
back. Bone showed in several places.
    "I cannot help her," Axis whispered. "I cannot heal. It is one of the things for
which there is no Song. Faraday," his voice broke, "do I have to wait for her to
begin to die before I can help her?"
    "Axis," Faraday said, making her voice as firm as she could. "Take your son
and go and sit in the corner of the room. I would spend some time alone with
Azhure."
    Axis stood, dropped the bloodied rag back into the water, and reached over
the bed for Caelum. The baby stiffened a little in Faraday's arms.
     Go to your father, Caelum. He needs comfort.
     As she passed the baby over Faraday stared Axis hard in the eye. "Caelum
needs to know what happened, Axis. If you don't tell him then he will never trust
you again. Now, go sit in the chair and talk to your son. Don't disturb Azhure or
myself."
     Axis nodded, cuddled Caelum to his chest, and walked slowly over to the
distant chair, slumping down and murmuring to the baby.
     Faraday reached down and took one of Azhure's hands in both of hers,
rubbing it with her thumbs, gently, soothingly. "Now," she smiled. "I also need to
know what happened. Tell me. Believe me, it will help if you talk about it."
     Her touch comforted Azhure, and slowly, very slowly, her words heavy and
awkward, she began to tell Faraday what had happened that morning.
     "Wait," Faraday stopped her after only a few minutes. "Did you know what
you were doing to that Gryphon?" Her thumbs continued to stroke the back of
Azhure's hand.
     Azhure shook her head. "No. It attacked. I was terrified. I was sure that
Caelum and I would die. I had...I had no weapons. It lunged for us, and I raised
my arm to protect myself," she lifted her free arm slightly to show Faraday the
open tear that ran down the fleshy part of her lower arm, "and the creature tore
into me with its beak. The pain, the terror, something...something broke inside
of me. Something...opened. Faraday." Her eyes widened, pleading for
understanding. "I don't know what I did! I am not WolfStar! Why should Axis
think that I was? WhyV"Shush, sweetheart," Faraday comforted, stroking the
damp hair back from Azhure's brow. Faraday quietly told Azhure what StarDrifter
had told them outside, and Azhure stared disbelieving at the woman before her.
     "Oh," she said, inadequately. Had they doubted her that long?
     "Azhure. What happened in the chamber below? I need to know, and you
need to talk about it."
     Azhure was silent for a long time, but Faraday was patient, and waited,
holding Azhure's hand in one of hers, lifting the other to stroke the woman's hair,
soothing, calming, quieting. Eventually, Azhure began to speak.
     She spoke of Axis' anger, of his sudden revulsion, of his violence. It had
reminded her, she said, of the man she had called her father, Hagen. She spoke
of the nightmare that began on the top of Spiredore and continued in the
interrogation chamber. Of the pain and the fear and the terrible aloneness she
had felt when Axis had started to tear her mind apart in his efforts to find where
WolfStar lurked.
     And then the same thing that had happened when the Gryphon attacked.
Something inside of her had...snapped. released.
     "And it hasn't completely closed even now, Faraday. I can still feel
something in the darkness there, calling to me."
     "We will talk about that later," Faraday said gently. "Just tell me what
happened next."
     Azhure told Faraday of the vision she and Axis had shared. Of her mother's
horrible death at Hagen's hands as he sought to discover the identity of Azhure's
father.
     "I can remember so much now, Faraday," Azhure whispered. "I remember
that my wings had started to sprout some five or six weeks earlier. Mama had
smiled and laughed when she saw them one day as she bathed me, and said
they were a gift from my father, but she tried to hide them from Hagen. As they
grew larger she would bind them to my back with a great linen bandage so my
back would appear flat. But one day Hagen came home unexpectedly, and found
me sitting on Mama's lap, the bandages undone and my back exposed."
     Azhure's eyes were dark with guilt. "Oh, Faraday! It was my fault! I had
complained that the bandages itched, and Mama had taken them down to
scratch my back."
     Faraday eyes filled with tears. "Go on."
     Haltingly, Azhure told of how Hagen had come at her with his knife, day
after day, determined to cut any remnants of the wings from her back. "Weeks it
went on," Azhure whispered so low that Faraday had to bend down to hear her.
"Weeks. Every morning Hagen would inspect my back. And if he saw
anything...anything...that looked wing-like, then he simply cut it out."
     Faraday was appalled. "Didn't the neighbours suspect? Didn't they ask what
was going on?"
     Azhure shook her head. "Hagen told them that Mama had run away with a
pedlar - he buried her body secretly one night - and that I was sick with a simple
fever. Sometimes one of the village women would come in with food, but even if
they saw the bloody bandages on my back, they never asked what was going
on. They believed whatever Hagen told them." She paused, then spoke again.
"Even I came to believe the story that Mama had run off in the night with the
pedlar. It was less painful, safer, believing that than the truth I had witnessed."
     Faraday was almost overcome by her anger. Damn them! They must have
realised what had happened! How hadAzhure survived her life in Smyrton
without going mad?
     "I survived by becoming what Hagen wanted," Azhure said. "I lived the lie
that he wanted. I became as normal as I could. It was the only way to survive —
whenever Hagen thought that I acted in any way...'strange'...then he would beat
me until I screamed for forgiveness. I learned not to...not to use ..."
     "Not to use what, Azhure?" Faraday asked. This was an important moment.
Azhure had to admit to who, to what, she was.
     "Not to use my powers," Azhure finally whispered, and her head swivelled to
look at Faraday again. "Faraday, Mama said that I was a child of the gods. That I
had to seek the answer on Temple Mount to find out who I was."
     "And so you shall," Faraday said. "But something tells me that you may find
some of the answers well before you step onto Temple Mount. No, wait, Azhure.
Later. Now I must do something about your back. Did it break open again during
your vision this morning?"
     Azhure nodded. "As I relived those weeks at Hagen's hands as he tore the
wings from my back time and time again - oh Faraday! They were so determined
to reform! So resolved! - so the scars on my back opened again."
     "Well now." Faraday smiled. "Your Enchanter Lover has singularly failed to
help your pain, but I think that the Mother will be able to help a little."
     Faraday stood and moved around to the other side of the bed, noticing as
she did so that both Axis and Caelum had fallen asleep in the chair on the far
side of the room.
     "Let me tell you about the Mother," Faraday said softly, gently lifting the
rough bandages that Axis had laid in a few places and inspecting Azhure's back.
As she did so she talked about the Mother, her voice as soothing as her hands.
     Azhure closed her eyes and listened. Faraday spoke of wondrous things. Of
Groves and Woods and fairy creatures. Of old women and strange gardens. Of
the Mother herself and of her love for all nature and for the earth. Raum had told
Azhure very little about the Sacred Grove, and what Axis had told her had only
frightened her, but now Faraday's words made Azhure realise what a remarkable
place Faraday had discovered.
      Faraday's words slowed and her eyes glowed with power. Slowly, slowly, she
began to dig her hands into Azhure s back.
      Azhure stiffened, almost crying out with the excruciating pain that Faraday's
probing fingers caused her, but Faraday continued to talk and Azhure clung to
her words, using them as an anchor for her sanity. The room swam as she came
close to fainting, but Faraday's voice strengthened, and Azhure managed to hold
on to consciousness.
      Gradually the pain receded and Azhure s back grew warm. Her body relaxed
and she felt strength flow through her. Faraday's hands felt good. For a long
time she lay there, feeling Faraday's hands, listening to her voice.
      "Your wings are gone," Faraday said suddenly, breaking her tale of the
Enchanted Woods and the Mother. "Hagen did a thorough task. I cannot bring
them back for you."
      The wings had caused her so much pain that Azhure truly did not care that
they were gone for good.
      Faraday was silent now as her hands traced long, lazy strokes down Azhure's
back from shoulders to buttocks. There was no pain at all. Azhure closed her
eyes and let her whole body relax against Faraday's touch.
      "Come," Faraday eventually said, rolling Azhure over onto her back. "Let's
get you out of what remains of this nightgown and wash you down. You are
smeared all over with blood."
      As she sat up and pulled the nightgown over her shoulders Azhure realised
that her back was completely healed. She could not even feel the tug and pull of
the ridged scars that had been with her for over twenty years.
      Faraday found some clean, warm water set by the fire and washed Azhure
down. She smiled her warm, lovely smile and Azhure suddenly laughed.
      "Thank you," she said and grasped Faraday's hands momentarily. "Thank
you."
      "I have sometimes thought that I have lived a troublesome life these past
two years," Faraday said quietly. "But I find that my own pain has been nothing
compared to what you have suffered most of your life. Azhure, we both find
ourselves at a crossroads here this day. It is the first time we have met, and we
have so much to say each to the other, yet we must both continue on our way. I
think that, after so much pain, you will walk a road into joy and happiness, while
I ..." Faraday dropped her eyes. "I think that I will find yet more pain before I
find happiness again."
      "Faraday," Azhure pleaded. "I am so sorry for what I have done. I would
have given anything that I was not here, not standing between you and Axis."
      "Hush," Faraday said. "We are all caught in this damned and cruel Prophecy.
None of us can escape. I do not blame you for what has happened, although,"
Faraday's eyes and voice grew bitter, "I fault Axis for the way he has behaved.
He has treated us both harshly. He is quick to action, a quality usually
commendable in a fighting man, but not when combined with his temper and
that streak of cruelty he sometimes displays."
      She stroked Azhure's cheek. "I would that we became friends. I have seen
the pain you have suffered, and I know that you will understand what I will have
to go through."
      "I would be proud to call you my friend," Azhure whispered.
      "Come now," Faraday smiled. "No tears between friends. No recriminations.
That we both love Axis is our misfortune, as is the fact that the man cannot
choose between us." She sighed. "Azhure. I will leave. No, hush, let me finish. I
would have left anyway. I have my own role to play in the Prophecy and it will
take me far from here. I will leave you your Lover, and envy you your Lover,
Azhure. I had him a week, and that week I will have to treasure for a lifetime."
      She looked down at Azhure s swollen belly. "You make such beautiful
children, you and Axis."
      Azhure wrapped her hands about her belly. Had her babies been harmed?
      "No," Faraday said softly. "They are well, although they would have
experienced what you and Axis saw this morning, and I do not know how that
will affect them." She paused, as if debating whether or not to go on, then shook
her head slightly and closed her mouth.
      Azhure relaxed. "A son and a daughter, StarDrifter told me," she smiled.
"Axis must awaken them for me. Sing to them what they must know."
      "But you can teach them as well as he. Azhure," Faraday said, her voice a
little more serious. "You are an Icarii Enchanter yourself, after all."
      Azhure's mouth dropped open.
      Faraday patted her on the cheek. "Sit and think about that for a moment,
and, in a few days' time, when Axis awakens them and you have some quiet,
you can teach those babies as much as their father. Now, if I rummage about in
the closet I am sure that I can find something for you to wear."
      An Icarii Enchanter, Azhure thought numbly. No. No, no, no, no - I do not
want to be an Icarii Enchanter. I want to be Azhure. Azhure. That's all. I do not
want to be an Icarii Enchanterl "Small choice," said Faraday, coming back with a
linen nightgown and a crimson wrap. "You are what your father made you."
      "My father?"
      "One of the gods, your mother said?" Faraday quirked an eyebrow. "What a
night that must have been when the gods got you on your mother."
      "I have so much to learn," Azhure said quietly.
      "And many, many years in which to learn it."
      The full implication of what Faraday said took a moment to sink in. "Oh!"
Azhure cried, and her hands went to her mouth. She stared at Faraday, her blue
eyes wide.
      "Many years," Faraday smiled, "in which to enjoy your Lover and watch your
children grow. Azhure." She sat down on the bed beside Azhure. "I would that
you do something for me."
      "Anything!" Azhure said fiercely.
      "Azhure. Love Axis for me. Raise his children for me. All of them." Her tone
and expression was a little strange when Faraday said the last, but Azhure did
not notice it. "Remember me to the children. Tell them of Faraday, who loved
their father and who is your friend. Tell them of the Mother. Azhure, when I
leave I will go to fulfil my place in the Prophecy."
      "Faraday —"
      "I walk a strange road ahead," Faraday continued. "But I do not want to lose
the friendship that I have made here today. Azhure, you and I will meet again
over the next months."
      Azhure frowned. "How - ?" she started to ask, but Faraday hushed her.
      "We will find a way, you and I. And perhaps, if I find the opportunity, I shall
take you to the Sacred Grove. Icarii Enchanters are rarely welcome in the Sacred
Grove, but for you I think the Mother and the Horned Ones, as Raum, would be
delighted to make an exception. There are wonders there beyond imagining,
Azhure, and I would like to show them to you. But, wherever, however, we will
visit from time to time, perhaps you can bring your children occasionally."
      Azhure looked at the beautiful woman sitting beside her, and felt totally
insignificant. "Faraday," she said. "Thank you."
      Faraday touched Azhure's cheek gently, briefly. "I am glad to have found
friendship with you, Azhure. Now," her tone became brisk. "Lie down and sleep a
while. You will need to rest a good deal over the next few weeks and months, I
think. Perhaps until your children are born. Sleep."
      Azhure lay down and closed her eyes.
      Faraday sat with her for a long time, looking at the woman, occasionally
stroking her hair as she slept.
      You have a long and amazing journey before you, she thought, as has Axis,
as have I. Pray, that after all the pain behind us and before us, at least some of
us survive it.
      Finally Faraday stood up, smoothing her gown over her knees. She walked
to where Axis and Caelum slept, both sprawled out in the chair.
      "Axis," she said softly, kneeling down by the side of the chair.
      He awoke with a start. "Azhure?" His eyes darted to the bed.
      "She sleeps. She is well. Axis." His eyes shifted back to Faraday, "I think I
will leave you to your Lover."
      "Faraday," he muttered and reached out his hand for her face.
      "Axis," she smiled brightly, but Axis could see the tears deep in her eyes,
could see the pain. "Axis, we fell in love, you and I, when I was but Faraday,
daughter of Earl Isend of Skarabost, and you were but Axis, BatdeAxe of the
Seneschal. Now we are completely different people. So different. We cannot be
what once we were. And perhaps we both needed Borneheld alive to be able to
love each other." She paused, and Axis could see the bitterness deep within her.
"How he would have smiled to know that his death meant, eventually, the
destruction of our love."
      "Faraday," he said again, but Faraday hushed him.
      "No, Axis. It is too late for you to say anything to me. Nothing you say now
would heal the hurt you have caused me. Axis, I still love you, but I will leave
you so that Azhure can be your wife — and make sure that you do marry her,
Axis. She is a jewel that you can ill-afford to lose."
     She smiled, her eyes hard, finally letting her bitterness show. "I will still fulfil
my part of the Prophecy, Axis. Never fear. Now, listen to me. Axis, I formally
break the vows that we made together in Gorkentown, I retract my promise to
marry you. I release you to Azhure. I do this for Azhure," she said harshly, "not
for you. What we once had between us, Axis, is gone. No more. You are free."
But am ? she diought. Ami?
     She stared at him a moment longer, trying desperately to imprint his face in
her memory, then she leaned forward and kissed him gently on the mouth.
     "Goodbye, Axis."
     She stood and hurried towards the door. Axis made to go after her but his
movement woke Caelum and the baby began to cry. By the time Axis had
soothed his son, Faraday had gone.
     Faraday paused in the open doorway only long enough to let the largest of
the Alaunt through, then she closed it with a sharp click.
     The ante chamber was now distinctly crowded with concerned faces, all
staring at her.
     She smiled, although she thought her own face would crack with the effort.
"They are well. Give them an hour, perhaps two, then go in. They will need to
talk to you, and you to them." She glanced atYsgryff, then smiled more naturally
at Rivkah, noticing how Magariz had sat beside her and clasped her hand.
"Rivkah? Can I talk with you?"
     Rivkah nodded and the two women walked into the corridor for some
privacy.
     "Rivkah. I am leaving. I cannot come between those two. Ah, Rivkah, this
Prophecy is a cruel thing," she said, her voice breaking.
     Rivkah held her close, rocking her a little and soothing her. Finally Faraday
stood back and sniffed, wiping away her tears. "I must go and speak to the
Sentinels, Rivkah, but then I must leave on a journey. I do not know if I will ever
see you again."
     Rivkah's own eyes filled with tears. Faraday was right. This Prophecy was a
cruel thing. As she regarded Azhure as a daughter, so also she regarded
Faraday, especially because Faraday had been a Duchess of Ichtar too. Poor
Faraday. She deserved to find happiness as much as Azhure did.
     "Oh, I'm sure I will," Faraday smiled. "Sometime. Somewhere. But, Rivkah,
did I see you hold Prince Magariz's hand in there? Should I assume...?"
     Rivkah actually blushed and Faraday laughed. "Rivkah," she said. "I would
give you a gift before I leave."
     Abruptly she leaned forward and kissed Rivkah hard on the mouth. Rivkah
shuddered as a bolt of pure energy raced through her. She stared open-mouthed
at Faraday as the woman leaned back; she felt...well, revitalised. Warm. Alive.
     "A gift from the Mother," Faraday whispered. "Use it well."
     Then she turned and was gone, leaving behind her a farewell gift that
would, in years to come, cause Axis even more sorrow and heartache than
Gorgrael would.
    It was Faraday's parting gift for the man who had betrayed her.

    EnchantressThree hours later Axis convened a meeting of his
senior commanders, the Sentinels, and his closest friends in the chamber. There
were some things that needed to be said, and Axis was tired of having secrets. If
WolfStar sat disguised among them, plotting and planning, then so be it. He, his
parents and MorningStar had kept the secret of WolfStar close, suspecting all
those about them. In the end their secrecy had almost killed Azhure.
     Axis still found it hard to believe that Azhure had smiled and forgiven him so
easily when she'd finally woken. He felt as if he would spend the rest of his life
atoning for the pain he had caused her.
     Now Azhure sat in the chair by the fire as the group waiting outside slowly
filed in. She was wan and obviously weak, but she smiled at her friends and
family, her heart easy. Rivkah, looking radiant, and Magariz; Belial, Cazna quiet
and pale by his side; the Sentinels, all looking somewhat subdued; Ho'Demi and
Sa'Kuya; the House of SunSoar — FreeFall, EvenSong, and StarDrifter, who, like
his son before him, fell to his knees beside Azhure, crying for her forgiveness;
Ysgryff, who, still grim with concern for her, touched Azhure lightly on the top of
her head and glared at StarDrifter before he sat next to Rivkah and Magariz;
FarSight CutSpur and several of his Crest-Leaders, together with SpikeFeather;
Arne, even more dour than usual, and several of Azhure's unit commanders from
the archers; and the remaining fourteen of the Alaunt who lolled between chairs
and legs and made the chamber, once spacious, appear crowded and
inadequate.
     "Look," Axis said quietly, when all had seated themselves, whether on chairs
or benches or on the floor. "Look. I want you to witness what I witnessed this
morning. I want you to see where Azhure has come from."
     The Song of Recall filtered through the room. As the circle of ghastly crosses
had appeared before Arcen, now the interior of Plough-Keeper Hagen's home in
Smyrton appeared before the assembled group.
     All witnessed the dreadful events of Azhure's childhood. They witnessed the
death of her mother - and Ysgryff cried out in horror when he saw the face of
the woman who had been Azhure s mother. They witnessed Azhure's mutilation
at the hands of her stepfather. They felt with Azhure the torment, both physical
and emotional, that Hagen inflicted on her as she grew up. They realised why
Azhure had buried her heritage so deep that not even she, eventually, realised
what and who she was - if she had ever let the truth through then she would
have died a death as appalling as her mother's had been.
     StarDrifter eventually had to avert his head. As he did so he caught Axis'
gaze. The child will turn her head and cry — revealing ancient arts.
     Axis nodded imperceptibly. Yes, StarDrifter. And where else is she in this
Prophecy? Where else?
      "It saddens me," Azhure whispered, when the ghostly images had finally
flickered and died, "that, of all I remember, I do not yet remember my mother's
name. The loss of her name has tormented me all through these years since her
death."
      "Your mother's name was Niah, Azhure."
      Everyone in the room turned to look atYsgryff; even several of the hounds
raised their heads.
      Azhure leaned forward, stunned. NiahlYsgryff walked over to her, bending
down by her side and taking her hand.
      "Azhure, I was not totally sure until I saw your mother's face, but I had my
suspicions."
      "Ysgryff." Azhure's voice was distraught, her eyes wide and distressed. "Tell
me!"
      "Niah was my eldest sister, some eight years older than me. Like many
women of the House of Nor, she elected to become a priestess in the Temple of
the Stars rather than marry. She joined when she was fourteen, and became one
of the senior priestesses when only twenty-one. Azhure, you do not remember
your mother's name because she would never have told it to you. All the
priestesses relinquish their names when they take their holy vows. She would not
even have thought of herself as Niah. Even after she left the complex on Temple
Mount."
      "Niah," Azhure whispered. "Thank you, Ysgryff...uncle."
      "I prefer Ysgryff, Azhure." He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it softly.
"But I welcome you into the House of Nor. Later, when we have more leisure, I
will tell you of your mother."
      "Ysgryff." Axis leaned forward. "Do you know anything of the mystery of
Azhure's conception? Of her father?"
      Ysgryff shook his head. "Very little. Our family was contacted one year and
told simply that Niah had left the Temple. It happens sometimes that a priestess
will leave the Order of the Stars, but rarely, and we were all stunned that Niah
had vanished. She had seemed so happy in the Temple. I went to Temple Mount
to talk to the Sisterhood, but they could not, perhaps would not, tell me much.
They said that Niah had simply left one day."
      "And travelled to Smyrton to marry Hagen?" Azhure said. "Why? Why?' And
why did he leave me alive when he hated me so deeply, she thought. Why?
      Axis looked across at the Sentinels. "What do you know? Come, tell me." His
voice was hard. "I will have no more secrets between us."
      But Jack, who knew so much, knew that the Prophecy had always meant
Axis for Azhure, not Faraday, was silent.
      Veremund spread his hands helplessly. "Axis, believe me when I say that we
know nothing of Niah, of why she would have travelled to Smyrton to marry
Hagen of all people."
      "You are not beyond forcing people into marriages that they do not want,"
Axis snapped.
      Veremund hung his head. "Axis." He raised his head again. "I can tell you
nothing; Azhure has always been a mystery to us."
      StarDrifter stood up. "We cannot know why Niah fled to Smyrton when we
still know so little about her, about her reasons for leaving the Temple and the
Order of the Stars. Azhure, Niah told you to go to Temple Mount. Surely there
you will find answers. Perhaps the priestesses will be more willing to talk to her
daughter than to her brother." He took a deep breath and looked at Axis. "But I
do not believe what she said about you being a child of the gods," he said,
returning his eyes to Azhure. "Perhaps that is what she thought. Perhaps that is
what she was told. Perhaps it was better that she believed that.
      "Azhure, I think I know who your father is. It would explain so much about
you, and it would explain - but not excuse - why Axis and I were so ready to
jump to the conclusion that you were WolfStar this morning." Again Star-Drifter
took a deep breath. "Azhure, I think that WolfStar is your father."
      Jack, sitting shadowed in a corner, raised his eyebrows in surprise. He had
not thought StarDrifter so perceptive.
      "You think what?" Azhure asked, but at her side Axis slowly nodded as he
looked at his father.
      "Azhure-heart," he said softly, "it would explain so much. The Wolven. The
Alaunt." He smiled and looked back at Azhure. "Your SunSoar blood."
      Axis took her hand. "Azhure, you know that both Star-Drifter and myself
cannot resist you. Remember Beltide night in the groves. Remember how our
blood sang each to the other — yours, mine, and StarDrifter's."
      Axis' eyes caught his father's, then he went on. "If Wolf-Star is your father it
would explain how you came to use the Dark Music. He must have learned to
use it beyond the Star Gate and somehow he has bequeathed the ability to you
through his blood."
      Azhure leaned back in her chair and thought for a long time. It made sense,
what they said. And it also made sense of her strange encounter in Spiredore.
      "I met my father last night," she said softly.
      "What!" Axis cried, and his query was echoed about the room by several
other people.
      "I did not know who he was then, but he could only have been WolfStar."
She told them of her strange meeting, of his kiss, of his mention that it was
Unclean. "As are relations between parent and child and as between brother and
sister in the SunSoar family."
      Her eyes softened. "He was a beautiful birdman. The power shone out of
him. If he came to my mother, to Niah, like that then I can well understand why
she lay with him and why she thought he was one of the gods."
      StarDrifter looked at her, troubled by Azhure's obvious admiration for
WolfStar. "He also murdered MorningStar, Azhure. And trained Gorgrael."
      Azhure's eyes met his. "And yet he was kind to me and Caelum, StarDrifter.
I do not seek to excuse his murders, but I think that he is a man of many
disguises."
     "Enough, uncle," FreeFall said, stepping forward from his corner. "We have
many days in which to puzzle this mystery between us, but now we have a most
important duty. Azhure," he brushed past StarDrifter and briefly stepped over the
Alaunt at her feet to kiss Azhure on the cheek. "Welcome, Azhure, into the
House of SunSoar. I am FreeFall SunSoar, your cousin. Sing well and fly high,
Azhure, and may the years of the rest of your life bring only joy and happiness to
counter the darkness that has filled your early years."
     Azhure's eyes filled with tears.
     EvenSong was right behind FreeFall. She kissed Azhure on her other cheek.
"Welcome, Azhure, into the House of Sun-Soar. I am EvenSong SunSoar, and I
am also your cousin. May the wind always blow at your back and your arrows fly
straight and true."
     StarDrifter bent down after his daughter, and Azhure blushed a little at the
look in his eyes.
     "Welcome, Azhure, into the House of SunSoar. I am StarDrifter SunSoar,
and," he grinned, "I will be whatever you need me to be, but I am not your
parent and I am not your brother." And I am not Unclean, Azhure could hear him
echo in her mind. "May you pass on both your beauty and your allurements to
the daughter you grow inside you."
     Welcome, Azhure, into the House of SunSoar. My name is Caelum Azhurson
SunSoar StarSon, and I am yqur son. Know that I love you and that if am a child
of the sun, then it was you who made me that way.
     I thank you, Caelum, with all my heart, for your love.
     Rivkah now stepped forward and kissed Azhure gently on her forehead.
"Welcome, Azhure, into the sometimes fractious House of the SunSoars. May
your compassion and courage in the face of adversity remind them all of their
own shortcomings."
     "Thank you," Azhure said as Rivkah sat back down with Magariz. She turned
to look at Axis, expecting him also to
     welcome her into the House of SunSoar, but he merely smiled gently at her
and glared at Ysgryff who hastily let Azhure's other hand go and hurried back to
his seat.
     "Azhure, my friends," Axis said at length. "There is a very special reason for
my wanting so many people here, crowded into diis room. I need witnesses for
what I now do."
     He dropped down on one knee and clasped Azhure's hand firmly between his
own, interlacing their fingers.
     "I, Axis, StarMan of Tencendor, son of StarDrifter, Enchanter of the House of
SunSoar and Rivkah, Princess of the Royal House of Achar, do plight thee,
Azhure, daughter of Niah of Nor and WolfStar SunSoar, my hand in marriage.
Before these people here assembled and with my free will and consent I do take
thee as my wife and promise to give thee an honoured place by my side and in
my roost. In front of these witnesses I do promise to honour you, to remain loyal
to you, and to pledge to you my respect, my possessions, and my body for as
long as we both shall live. I promise never to lead you anywhere but into calm
air, bright sunshine and rising thermals. My wings are your wings, my heart and
soul are yours. You have my pledge of marriage, Azhure-heart, and to this may
all the gods and Stars in Creation bear holy witness. May we dance through the
years to the music of the Star Dance to find eternal peace among the Stars
themselves."
      The marriage vows Axis had spoken were an exotic mixture of Acharite and
Icarii marriage vows, and they reflected the curious heritage that both brought
into this marriage.
      For a long moment Azhure was unable to speak. She gripped Axis' hands,
staring into his eyes, unaware of any others in the room. Eventually she smiled.
      "I, Azhure, daughter of Niah of the House of Nor and WolfStar SunSoar," she
began softly, and her voice strengthened as she repeated the vows.
      "My wings are your wings, Axis," she finished, "my heart and soul are yours.
You have my pledge of marriage, and to this may all the gods and Stars in
Creation bear holy witness. May we dance through the years to the music of the
Star Dance to find eternal peace among the Stars themselves."
      Axis leaned forward and kissed her. For the past few minutes, as he had
begun to speak his vows of marriage, he felt, as Orr had said he would, the
insistent urge to pass the Enchantress' ring on. This was the moment and this
was the woman.
      Axis let Azhure's hand go and pulled the Enchantress' ring from the small
secret pocket in his breeches. He held the ring up so that all in the room could
see it. The enchanted sapphire and the golden stars within it sparkled in the
firelight. The Icarii and the Sentinels all gasped, totally shocked -yet even they
did not entirely realise what it meant that Axis now slid the ring onto the heart
finger of Azhure's left hand. It fitted perfectly, made only for this woman and for
this finger.
      "Welcome into the House of the Stars to stand by my side, Enchantress. May
we walk together forever."
      The Circle was complete.



Glossary
ACHAR: the realm that stretches over most of the continent, bounded by the
Andeis, Tyrre and Widowmaker Seas, the Avarinheim Forest and the Icescarp
Alps.
     ACHARITES: the people of Achar.
     ADAMON: one of the nine Icarii Star Gods, Adamon is God of the Firmament
and shares seniority with his wife, Xanon.
     AFTERLIFE: all three races, the Acharites, the Icarii and the Avar, believe in
the existence of an AfterLife, although exactly what they believe depends on
their particular culture.
      ALAYNE: a roving blacksmith in Skarabost.
      ALAUNT: the legendary pack of hounds that once belonged to WolfStar
SunSoar.
      ALDENI: a small province in western Achar, devoted to small crop
cultivation. It is administered by Duke Roland.
      ANDAKILSA, River: the extreme northern river of Ichtar, dividing Ichtar from
Ravensbund. It remains free of ice all year round and flows into the Andeis Sea.
      ANDEIS SEA: often unpredictable sea that washes the west coast of Achar.
      ANNWIN: eldest daughter of Earl Isend of Skarabost, sister to Faraday.
Married to Lord Osmary.
      ARCEN: the major town of Arcness.
      ARCNESS: large eastern province in Achar, specialising in pigs. It is
administered by Earl Burdel.
      ARHAT: a Ravensbund warrior.
      ARNE: a cohort commander in die Axe-Wielders.
      ARTOR THE PLOUGHMAN: the one true god, as taught by the Brotherhood
of the Seneschal. According to the Book of Field and Furrow, the religious text of
the Seneschal, Artor gave mankind the gift of the Plough, the instrument which
enabled mankind to abandon his hunting and gathering lifestyle and to settle in
the one spot to cultivate die earth and thus to build die foundations of
civilisation.
      AVAR, The: one of the ancient races of Tencendor who live in the forest of
the Avarinheim. The Avar are sometimes referred to as the People of the Horn.
      AVARINHEIM, The: the home of the Avar people. The Acharites refer to it as
the Shadowsward. See "Shadowsward".
      AVONSDALE: province in western Achar. It produces legumes, fruit and
flowers. It is administered by Earl Jorge.
      AXE-WIELDERS, The: the elite crusading and military wing of the Seneschal.
Its members have not taken holy orders but have nevertheless dedicated their
battle skills to the Seneschal to use as it wishes.
      Now most of the Axe-Wielders have abandoned the Seneschal to follow Axis
in his alliance with the Icarii.
      AXIS: son of the Princess Rivkah and the Icarii Enchanter StarDrifter
SunSoar. Once BatdeAxe of the Axe-Wielders, Axis has now assumed the mantle
of the StarMan of the Prophecy of the Destroyer.
      AZHURE: daughter of Brother Hagen of Smyrton. Her mother came from
Nor.
      AZLE, River: a major river that divides the provinces of Ichtar and Aldeni. It
flows into the Andeis Sea.
      BANES: the religious leaders of the Avar people. They wield magic, although
it is usually of the minor variety.
      BARROWS, The Ancient: the burial places of the ancient Enchanter-Talons of
the Icarii people. Located in southern Arcness.
      BARSARBE: a Bane of the Avar people.
      BATTLEAXE, The: the leader of the Axe-Wielders, appointed by the Brother-
Leader for his loyalty to the Seneschal, his devotion to Artor the Ploughman and
the Way of the Plough, and his skills as a military commander. Axis was the last
man to hold this post.
      BEDWYR FORT: a fort that sits on the lower reaches of the River Nordra and
guards the entrance to Grail Lake from Nordmuth.
      BELAGUEZ: Axis' war horse.
      BELIAL: lieutenant and second-in-command in Axis' army. Long-time friend
and supporter of Axis SunSoar.
      BELTIDE: see "Festivals".
      BOGLE MARSH: a large and inhospitable marsh in eastern Arcness. Strange
creatures are said to live in the Marsh.
      BOOK OF FIELD AND FURROW: the religious text of the Seneschal, which
teaches that Artor himself wrote it and presented it to mankind.
      BORNEHELD: Duke of Ichtar, the most powerful noble in Achar. Son of the
Princess Rivkah and her husband, Duke Searlas.
      BOROLEAS: an elderly Brother within the Seneschal.
      BRACKEN RANGES, The: a low and narrow mountain range that divides
Arcness and Skarabost.
      BRACKEN, River: river that rises in the Bracken Ranges which, dividing
provinces of Skarabost and Arcness, flows into the Widowmaker Sea.
      BRADOKE: a senior lieutenant within Borneheld's forces.
      BRIGHTFEATHER: wife to RavenCrest SunSoar, Talon of the Icarii.
      ERODE: an Avar man, Clan Leader of the SilentWalk Clan.
      BROTHER-LEADER, The: the supreme leader of the Brotherhood of the
Seneschal. Usually elected by the senior Brothers, the Office of Brother-Leader is
for life. He is a powerful man, controlling not only the Brotherhood and all its
riches, but the Axe-Wielders as well. The current Brother-Leader is Jayme.
      BURDEL, EARL: lord of Arcness and friend to Borneheld, Duke ofIchtar.
      CAELUM: a baby's name. It means "the heavens", or "stars in heaven".
CARLON: capital city of Achar and residence of the kings of Achar.
      Situated on Grail Lake. CAULDRON LAKE, The: the lake at the centre of the
Silent WomanWoods.
      CAZNA: daughter of Baron Ysgryff of Nor. CHAMBER OF THE MOONS: chief
audience and sometime banquetchamber of the royal palace in Carlon.
CHAMPION, A: occasionally an Acharite warrior will pledge himselfas a noble
lady's Champion. The relationship is purely platonic and isone of protection and
support. The pledge of a Champion can bebroken only by his death or by the
express wish of his lady. CHARONITES: a race who live in the UnderWorld. They
are relatedto the Icarii. CLANS, The: the Avar tend to segregate into Clan
groups, roughlyequitable with family groups. CLOUDBURST SUNSOAR: younger
brother and murderer ofWolfStar SunSoar. COHORT: see "Military Terms".
COROLEAS: the great empire to the south of Achar. Relationsbetween the two
countries are usually cordial. CREST: Icarii military unit composed of twelve
Wings. CRIMSONCREST: an Icarii male. CREST-LEADER: commander of an Icarii
Crest. CULPEPPER FENWICKE: mayor of the city of Arcen in Arcness. DARK MAN,
The: Gorgrael's mentor. Also known as Dear Man.
    Gorgrael does not know his real identity. DEAR MAN: See "Dark Man".
DESTROYER, The: another term for Gorgrael. DEVERA: daughter to Duke Roland
of Aldeni. DISTANCES:
    League: roughly seven kilometres, or four and a half miles.
    Pace: roughly one metre or one yard.
    Handspan: roughly twenty centimetres or eight inches. DOBO: a
Ravensbund warrior. DRIFTSTAR SUNSOAR: mother of MorningStar,
grandmother ofStarDrifter. Enchanter and SunSoar in her own right, wife to the
Sun-Soar Talon, she died three hundred years before the events of this book.
EARTH TREE: a tree sacred to both the Icarii and the Avar. EDOWES: a soldier
from Arne's unit in Axis' force. EGERLEY: a young man from Smyrton.

     EMBETH, LADY OF TARE: widow, good friend and once lover of Axis.
     ENCHANTED WOOD, The: the faerie wood beyond the Sacred Grove.
     ENCHANTRESS, The: the first of the Icarii Enchanters, the first Icarii to
discover the way to use the power of the Star Dance. The Enchantress was the
founder of both Icarii and Charonite peoples.
     ENCHANTRESS' RING, The: the Enchantress made use of an ancient ring to
help establish the line of Icarii Enchanters. It was not hers, but she was granted
the use of it for her lifetime. The ring has little or no power in itself, but it is a
powerful symbol.
     ENCHANTERS: magicians of the Icarii people. Many are very powerful. All
Enchanters have the word "Star" somewhere in their names.
     ENCHANTER-TALONS: Talons of the Icarii people who were also Enchanters.
     EVENSONG: sister to Axis.
     FARADAY: daughter of Earl Isend of Skarabost and his wife, Lady Merlion.
Wife to Duke Borneheld of Ichtar.
     FARSIGHT CUTSPUR: senior Crest-Leader of the Icarii Strike Force.
     FEATHERFLIGHT BR GHTWING: a Wing-Leader in the Icarii Strike Force.
     FERNBRAKE LAKE, The: the large lake in the centre of the Bracken Ranges.
     FERRYMAN, The: Charonite who plies the ferry of the UnderWorld.
     FESTIVALS of the Avar and the Icarii:
     Yuletide: the winter solstice, in the last week of Snow-month. Beltide: the
spring Festival, the first day of Flower-month. Fire-Night: the summer solstice, in
the last week of Rose-month.
     FINGUS: a previous BattleAxe. Now dead.
     FIRE-NIGHT, The: see "Festivals". Although now a fairly tame Avar festival,
in Icarii and Avar legend, Fire-Night was that night tens of thousands of years
ago when the ancient Star Gods (older and more powerful than the current Star
Gods) crashed into the land in a firestorm that lasted many days and nights.
Legend says that these ancient gods still sleep in the depths of the Sacred, or
Magic, Lakes of Tencendor. The Sacred Lakes were created from this fire-storm
and their power comes from the ancient Star Gods.
     FLEAT: an Avar woman.
     FLEURIAN: Baroness of Tarantaise, wife to Greville. She is his second wife,
and much younger than him.
     FLULIA: one of the nine Icarii Star Gods, Flulia is Goddess of Water. FLURIA,
The River: a minor river that flows through Aldeni into theRiver Nordra.
     FORBIDDEN, The: the two races, the Icarii and the Avar, that the Seneschal
teaches are evil creatures who use magic and sorcery to enslave humans. During
the Wars of the Axe, a thousand years before the events of the Prophecy of the
Destroyer, the Acharites pushed the Forbidden back beyond the Fortress Ranges
into the Shadowsward (or Avarinheim) and the Icescarp Alps.
     FORBIDDEN TERRITORIES, The: the lands of the Forbidden, the Avarinheim
and the Icescarp Alps.
     FORBIDDEN VALLEY, The: the only known entrance into the Shadowsward
(or Avarinheim) from Achar. It is where the River Nordra escapes the
Shadowsward and flows into Achar.
     FOREST, concept of: the Seneschal teaches that all forests are bad because
they harbour dark demons who plot the overthrow of mankind, thus most
Acharites have a fear of forests and their dark interiors. Almost all the ancient
forest that once covered Achar has been destroyed. The only trees grown in
Achar are fruit trees and plantation trees for timber.
     FORTRESS RANGES: the mountains that run down Achar's eastern boundary
from the Icescarp Alps to the Widowmaker Sea.
     FRANCIS: an elderly Brother from the Retreat in Gorkentown.
     FREEFALL SUNSOAR: son and heir of RavenCrest, Icarii Talon, FreeFall was
murdered by Borneheld atop the keep at Gorkenfort.
     FULBRIGHT: an Acharite engineer in Axis' force.
     FULKE, BARON: lord of Romsdale.
     FUNADO: a Ravensbund warrior.
     "FURROW WIDE, FURROW DEEP": all-embracing Acharite phrase which can
be used as a benediction, as a protection against evil, or as a term of greeting.
     GANELON, LORD: Lord of Tare, once husband to Embeth, Lady of Tare. Now
dead.
     GARDEN, The: the Garden of the Mother.
     GARLAND, GOODMAN: Goodman of Smyrton.
     GATEKEEPER, The: Keeper of the Gate of Death in the UnderWorld. Her task
is to keep tally of the souls who pass through the Gate.
     GAUTIER: lieutenant to Borneheld, Duke of Ichtar.
     GHOSTMEN: another term for Skraelings.
     GHOSTTREE CLAN: one of the Avar Clans, headed by Grindle.
     GILBERT: Brother of the Seneschal and assistant and adviser to the Brother-
Leader.
     GORGRAEL: the Destroyer, an evil lord of the north who, according to the
Prophecy of the Destroyer, threatens Achar. He is a half-brother to Axis, sharing
the same father, StarDrifter SunSoar.
     GORKENFORT: major fort situated in Gorken Pass in northern Ichtar.
     GORKEN PASS: the narrow pass that provides the only way from
Ravensbund into Ichtar. It is bounded by the Icescarp Alps and the River
Andakilsa.
     GORKENTOWN: the town about the walls of Gorkenfort. GRAIL LAKE, The: a
massive lake at the lower reaches of the River Nordra. On its shores are Carlon
and the Tower of the Seneschal.
     GREVILLE, BARON: lord of Tarantaise.
     GRINDLE: an Avar man, head of the GhostTree Clan.
     GRYPHON: a legendary flying creature of Tencendor, intelligent, vicious and
courageous. They were particularly deadly to the Icarii and it took the Icarii
many hundreds of years to exterminate them. The Gryphon are inexplicably
flying the skies above Ichtar again.
     GUNDEALGA FORD: a wide, shallow ford on the Nordra, just south of the
Urqhart Hills.
     HAGEN: Plough-Keeper of Smyrton.
     HANDSPAN: see "Distances".
     HANORI: a Ravensbund elder.
     HELM: a young Avar male.
     HESKETH: the captain of the palace guard in Carlon. Lover toYr.
     HO'DEMI: the Chief of the Ravensbund people.
     HOGNI: a young Avar female.
     HORDLEY, GOODMAN: Goodman of Smyrton.
     HORNED ONES: the almost divine and most sacred members of the Avar
race. They live in the Sacred Grove.
     HOVEREYE BLACKWING: an Icarii Crest-Leader.
     HSINGARD: the large town situated in central Ichtar, seat of the Dukes of
Ichtar.
     ICARII, The: one of the ancient races of Tencendor. They are sometimes
referred to as the People of the Wing.
     ICESCARP ALPS, The: the great mountain range that stretches across most
of northern Achar.
     ICESCARP BARREN: a desolate tract of land situated in northern Ichtar
between the Icescarp Alps and the Urqhart Hills.
     ICEWORMS: potent creations of Gorgrael, instrumental in the downfall of
Gorkentown. Fashioned from ice and snow and shaped like worms, from whence
they got their names, these massive creatures carry Skraelings in their bellies.
Rising twenty or thirty paces above men or walls, they can then vomit their
cargo behind both lines and walls.
     ICHTAR, DUKE of: the lord of Ichtar, currently Borneheld.
     ICHTAR, The Province of: the largest and richest of the provinces of Achar.
Ichtar derives its wealth from its extensive grazing herds and from its mineral
and precious gem mines.
     ICHTAR, River: minor river flowing through Ichtar into the River Azle. IGREN
FENWICKE: wife to the mayor of Arcen, Culpepper Fenwicke. ILFRACOMBE: the
manor house of the Earl of Skarabost, the home where Faraday grew up.
     IM BE: a Ravensbund woman, nurse to Caelum.
     INARI: a Ravensbund warrior.
     ISEND, EARL: lord of Skarabost, a darkly handsome but somewhatdandified
lord. Father to Faraday. ISLAND OF MIST AND MEMORY: one of the sacred sites
of theIcarii people, long lost to them after the Wars of the Axe. See also"Temple
of the Stars" and "Temple Mount". IZANAGI: a Ravensbund warrior. JACK: senior
among the Sentinels. JAYME: Brother-Leader of the Seneschal. JERVOIS
LANDING: the small town on Tailem Bend of the RiverNordra. The gateway into
Ichtar. JORGE, EARL: Earl of Avonsdale, and one of the most experiencedmilitary
campaigners in Achar. JUDITH: Queen of Achar, wife to Priam. KAREL: previous
King of Achar, father to Priam and Rivkah. Nowdead. KASTALEON: one of the
great Keeps of Achar, situated on the RiverNordra in central Achar. It is of
relatively recent construction. KEEPS, The: the three surviving great magical
Keeps of Achar, all builtby the Icarii thousands of years ago. See separate entries
under "Spiredore", "Sigholt", and "Silent Woman Keep". KENR CKE: the
commander of the surviving cohort of Axe-Wielders, left by Axis to guard the
Tower of the Seneschal. LEAGUE: see "Distances". MAGARIZ, LORD: once
commander of Gorkenfort, now one of Axis'
     senior commanders. He comes of a noble and ancient Acharite family.
MAGIC: the Seneschal teaches that all magic, enchantments or sorceryare evil
and the province only of the Forbidden races who will usemagic to enslave the
Acharites if they can. Consequently all Artorfearing Acharites fear and hate the
use of magic. MALFARI: the tuber the Avar depend on to produce their bread.
MASCEN, BARON: Lord of Rhaetia. MERLION, LADY: wife to Earl Isend of
Skarabost and mother toFaraday. Now dead. MILITARY TERMS - Acharite (for
regular army and Axe-Wielders):
     Squad: a group of thirty-six men, generally archers.
     Unit: a group of one hundred men, infantry, archers, pikemen or cavalry.
     Cohort: five units, so five hundred men. MIRBOLT: a Bane of the Avar
people. MONTHS: (northern hemisphere seasons apply)
     Wolf-month: JanuaryRaven-month: February Hungry-month: March Thaw-
month: April Flower-month: May Rose-month: June Harvest-month: July Weed-
month: August DeadLeaf-month: September Bone-month: October Frost-month:
November Snow-month: DecemberMOONWALKER: the name Rivkah adopted
when she joined the Icarii. She abandoned the adopted name of MoonWalker
and resumed her birth-narne at the request of a Charonite Ferryman.
MORNINGSTAR SUNSOAR: StarDrifter's mother and a powerful Enchanter in her
own right. MorningStar is the widow of Rush-Cloud, the previous SunSoar Talon.
MORYSON: Brother of the Seneschal and friend and chief assistantand adviser to
the Brother-Leader.
     MOTHER, THE: either the Avar name for Fernbrake Lake, or an all-
embracing term for nature which is sometimes personified as an immortal
woman.
     NARCIS: one of the nine Icarii Star Gods, Narcis is God of the Sun.
NEVELON: lieutenant to Duke Roland of Aldeni. NIAH: a Nors woman.
     NOR: the southernmost of the provinces of Achar. The Nors people are far
darker and more exotic than the rest of the Acharites. Nor is controlled by Baron
YsgryfT.
     NORDMUTH: the port at the mouth of the River Nordra. NORDRA, The River:
the great river that is the main life line of Achar. Rising in the Icescarp Alps, the
River Nordra flows through the Avarinheim before flowing through northern and
central Achar. It is used for irrigation, transport and fishing. OGDEN: one of the
Sentinels. Brother toVeremund. ORDER OF THE STARS: order of priestesses who
keep watch in theTemple of the Stars. Each gives up her own name on taking
orders. ORR: The Charonite Ferryman.
     OSMARY, LORD: husband to Annwin, Faraday's elder sister. PACE: see
"Distances". PEASE: an Avar woman killed in the Yuletide attack on the Earth
TreeGrove.
     PIRATES' NEST: a large island off the coast of Nor and close to Ysbadd and
the haunt of pirates. Some say the pirates are protected by Baron Ysgryff
himself.
     PLOUGH, The: each Acharite village has a Plough, which not only serves to
plough the fields, but is also the centre of their worship of the Way of the
Plough. The Plough was the implement given by Artor the Ploughman to enable
mankind to civilise themselves. Use of the Plough distinguishes the Acharites
from the Forbidden; neither the Icarii nor the Avar practise cultivation.
     PLOUGH-KEEPERS: the Seneschal assigns a brother to each village in Achar,
and these men are often known as Plough-Keepers. They are literally guardians
of the Plough in each village, but they are also directors of the Way of the
Plough and guardians of the villagers' souls.
     PORS: one of the nine Icarii Star Gods, Pors is God of Air.
     PRIAM: King of Achar and uncle to Borneheld, brother to Rivkah.
     PRIVY CHAMBER: the large chamber in the royal palace in Carlon where the
King's Privy Council meet.
     PRIVY COUNCIL: the council of advisers to the King of Achar, normally the
lords of the major provinces of Achar.
     PROPHECY OF THE DESTROYER: an ancient Prophecy that tells of the rise of
Gorgrael in the north and the StarMan who can stop him. No-one knows who
wrote it.
     RAINBOW SCEPTRE: a weapon mentioned in the Prophecy of the Destroyer.
     RAUM: a Bane of the Avar people.
     RAVENCREST SUNSOAR: current Talon of the Icarii people.
     RAVENSBUND: the extreme northern province of Achar, although it is not
administered by the Acharite monarchy.
     RAVENSBUNDMEN: the inhabitants of Ravensbund, generally loathed by the
Acharites as barbarous and cruel.
     REINALD: retired chief cook of Sigholt, undercook when Rivkah lived there.
     RENKIN, GOODPEOPLE: farming couple of northern Arcness.
     RETREATS: many Brothers of the Seneschal prefer the contemplative life to
the active life, and the Seneschal has various Retreats about Achar where these
Brothers live in peace in order to contemplate the mysteries of Artor the
Ploughman.
     RHAETIA: small area of Achar situated in the western Bracken Ranges. It is
controlled by Baron Mascen.
     RIVKAH: Princess of Achar, sister to King Priam and mother to Borneheld,
Axis, and EvenSong.
     ROLAND, Duke: also known as "The Walker" because he is too fat to ride.
Duke of Aldeni and one of the major military commanders of Achar.
     ROMSDALE: a province to the south-west of Carlon that mainly produces
wine. It is administered by Baron Fulke.
     RUSHCLOUD SUNSOAR: father to RavenCrest and StarDrifter. Theprevious
Talon of the Icarii.
     SACRED, GROVE, The: the most sacred spot of the Avar people, the Sacred
Grove is rarely visited by ordinary mortals. Normally the Banes are the only
members of the Avar race who know the paths in order to find the Grove.
     SACRED LAKES, The: the ancient land of Tencendor had a number of
magical lakes whose powers are now forgotten. Sometimes known as the Magic
Lakes. See "Fire-Night" for the legend of their formation. SA'KUYA: a
Ravensbund woman, wife to the Chief, Ho'Demi. SEAGRASS PLAINS: the vast
grain plains that form most of Skarabost. SEARLAS: previous Duke of Ichtar and
father of Borneheld. Oncemarried to the Princess Rivkah. Now dead.
     SENESCHAL, The: the religious organisation of Achar. The Religious
Brotherhood of the Seneschal, known individually as Brothers, directs the
religious lives of all the Acharites. The Seneschal is extremely powerful and plays
a major role, not only in everyday life, but also in the political life of the nation.
It teaches obedience to the one god, Artor the Ploughman, and the Way of the
Plough. SENESCHAL, TOWER of: headquarters of the Brotherhood of the
Seneschal. The Tower of the Seneschal is a massive pure white seven-sided
tower that sits on the opposite side of the Grail Lake to Carlon. SENTINELS:
magical creatures of the Prophecy of the Destroyer. SHADOWSWARD, The: an
Acharite name for the Avarinheim. SHARPEYE BLUEFEATHER: Crest-Leader in
the Icarii Strike Force. SHRA: a young Avar child. Daughter of Pease and Grindle.
SICARIUS: leader of the pack of Alaunt hounds. The name means"assassin".
     SIGHOLT: one of the great Keeps of Achar, situated in HoldHard Pass in the
Urqhart Hills in Ichtar. One of the main residences of the Dukes of Ichtar.
     SILENT WOMAN KEEP: The Silent Woman Keep lies in the centre ofthe Silent
Woman Woods. It is one of the magical Keeps of Tencendor.
     SILENT WOMAN WOODS: the dark and impenetrable woods insouthern
Arcness that house the Silent Woman Keep. SILTON: one of the nine Icarii Star
Gods, Silton is God of Fire. SONG OF CREATION: a Song which can, according to
Icarii and Avar legend, actually create life itself. In his address to the Icarii
Assembly asking for their help to rescue Axis from Gorkenfort, StarDrifter
claimed that Axis sang this to himself in the womb. SONG OF RECREATION: one
of the most powerful Icarii spells which can recreate life in the dying. It cannot,
however, make the dead rise again. Only the most powerful Enchanters can sing
this Song.
      SKALI: a young Avar female, daughter of Fleat and Grindle. She diedduring
the Skraeling attack on the Sacred Earth Tree Grove at Yuletide. SKARABOST:
large eastern province of Achar which grows much ofthe realm's grain supplies.
It is administered by Earl Isend. SKRAEBOLDS: leaders of the Skraelings.
SKRAEFEAR: senior of the SkraeBolds. SKRAELINGS: (also called wraiths or
Ghostmen) insubstantial creaturesof the frozen northern wastes who feed off
fear and blood. SMYRTON: a large village in northern Skarabost, virtually at
theentrance to the Forbidden Valley. SORCERY: see "Magic".
      SPIKEFEATHER TRUESONG: an Icarii Wing-Leader. SPIREDORE: one of the
magical Keeps of Tencendor. SPREADWING RAVENCRY: Crest-Leader in the
Icarii Strike Force. STAR DANCE, The: the source from which the Icarii
Enchantersderive their power. STARDRIFTER SUNSOAR: an Icarii Enchanter,
father to Gorgrael, Axis and EvenSong.
      STAR GATE: one of the sacred sites of the Icarii people. STAR GODS, The:
the nine gods of the Icarii, but only seven of theirnames have been revealed to
the Icarii. See separate entries under"Adamon", "Xanon", "Narcis", "Flulia",
"Pors", "Zest" and "Silton". STARMAN, The: the man who, according to the
Prophecy of theDestroyer, is the only one who can defeat Gorgrael - Axis
SunSoar. STRAUM ISLAND: large island off the Ichtar coast inhabited by sealers.
STRIKE FORCE: the military wing of the Icarii. SUNDOWN CROOKCLAW: one of
the Icarii Strike Force killed inthe Skraeling attack on the Sacred Earth Tree
Grove at Yuletide past.
      EvenSong SunSoar filled his place in SpikeFeather TrueSong's Wing.
SUNSOAR, HOUSE of: the ruling House of the Icarii for manythousands of years.
TAILEM BEND: great bend in the River Nordra where it turns from itswesterly
direction and flows south to Nordmuth and the Sea of Tyrre. TALON, The: the
hereditary ruler of the Icarii people (and once overall of the peoples of
Tencendor). For the past six thousand years amember of the House of SunSoar
has filled the office of Talon. TALON SPIKE: the highest mountain in the Icescarp
Alps, the home ofthe Icarii people.
      TANABATA: a Ravensbund elder. TARANTAISE: a rather poor southern
province of Achar. Relies ontrade for its income. It is administered by Baron
Greville, TARE: small trading town in northern Tarantaise. Home to Embeth, Lady
of Tare.
      TARE, PLAINS of: the plains that lie between Tare and Grail Lake. TEKAWAI:
the preferred tea of the Ravensbund people. It is alwjbrewed and served with
great ceremony and is drunk from smporcelain cups bearing the emblem of the
blood-red blazing sun. TEMPLE MOUNT: plateau that once housed the Temple
complex <
     the great mountain which dominated the Island of Mist and Memoi TEMPLE
OF THE STARS: one of the lost Icarii sacred sites. It wlocated on Temple Mount
on the Island of Mist and Memory. TENCENDOR: the ancient name for the
continent of Achar befothe Wars of the Axe.
     THREE BROTHERS LAKES, The: three minor lakes in south Aldei TIME OF
THE PROPHECY OF THE DESTROYER, The: the tinthat begins with the birth of
the Destroyer and the StarMan and thwill end when one destroys the other.
TIMOZEL: son of Embeth and Ganelon of Tare, and a member of dAxe-Wielders.
Champion to Faraday. TREE FRIEND: in Avar legend Tree Friend is the person to
lead dAvar back to their traditional homes south of the Fortress Ranges. TrFriend
is also the one who will bring the Avarinheim behind StarMa TREE SONG:
whatever Song the trees choose to sing you. Many rimthey will sing the future,
other times they will sing love and protetion. The trees can also sing death.
     TYRRE, SEA of: the ocean off the south-west coast of Achar. UNIT: see
"Military Terms".
     UR: an old woman who lives in the Enchanted Wood. URQHART HILLS: a
minor crescent-shaped range of mountainscentral Ichtar.
     VENATOR: a war horse. The name means "hunter". VEREMUND: one of the
Sentinels, brother to Ogden. WARLORD: title given to Borneheld, Duke of Ichtar,
by King Priato acknowledge Borneheld's de facto command of the armies of Ach;
WARS OF THE AXE: the wars during which the Acharites, under ddirection of the
Seneschal and the Axe-Wielders, drove the Icarii atthe Avar from the land of
Tencendor and penned them behind dFortress Ranges. Lasting several decades,
die wars were extraordinariviolent and bloody. They took place some thousand
years before dtime of the Prophecy of the Destroyer. WAY OF THE HORN: a
general term sometimes used to describe tllifestyle of the Avar people. WAY OF
THE PLOUGH, The: the religious obedience and way of lias taught by the
Seneschal according to the tenets of the Book of Fieand Furrow. The Way of the
Plough is centred about the Plough arcultivation of die land. Its major tenets
teach that as die land is clean and ploughed in straight furrows, so the mind and
the heart are similarly cleared of misbeliefs and evil thoughts and can
consequently cultivate true thoughts. Natural and untamed landscape is evil;
thus forests and mountains are considered evil because they represent nature
out of control and they cannot be cultivated. According to the Way of the Plough,
mountains and forests must either be destroyed or subdued, and if that is riot
possible, they must be shunned as the habitats of evil creatures,-Only, tamed
landscape, cultivated landscape, is good, because it has been Subjected to
mankind. The Way of the Plough is all about order, and about earth and nature
subjected to the order of mankind.
     WAY OF THE WING: a general term sometimes used to describe the lifestyle
of the'Icatii.
     WESTERN MOUNTAINS: the central Acharite mountain range that stretches
west from the River Nordra to the Andeis Sea.
     WIDEWALL BAY: a large bay that lies between Achar and Coroleas. Its calm
waters provide excellent fishing.
     WIDOWMAKER SEA: vast ocean to the east of Achar. From the unknown
islands and lands across the Widowmaker Sea come the sea raiders who harass
Coroleas and occasionally Achar.
     WILDDOG PLAINS, The: plains that stretch from northern Ichtar to the River
Nordra and bounded by the Fortress Ranges and the Urqhart Hills. Named after
the packs of roving dogs that inhabit the area.
     WING: the smallest unit in the Icarii Strike Force consisting of twelve Icarii
(male and female).
     WING-LEADER: the commander of an Icarii Wing.
     WOLFSTAR SUNSOAR: ninth and most powerful of the Enchanter-Talons
buried in the Ancient Barrows. He was assassinated early in his reign.
     WOLVEN, The: a bow that once belonged to WolfStar SunSoar.
     WORSHIP HALL: large hall built in each village where the villagers go each
seventh day to listen to the Service of the Plough. Also used for weddings,
funerals and the consecration of newborn infants to the Way of the Plough, it is
usually the most well built-building in each village.
     WRAITHS: see "Skraelings".
     XANON: one of the nine Icarii Star Gods, Xanon is Goddess of the Firmament
and shares seniority with her husband, Adamon.
     YR: one of the Sentinels.
     YSBADD: capital city of Nor.
     YSGRYFF: Baron: lord of Nor, and a somewhat wild and unpredictable man
like all those of his province.
     YULETIDE: see "Festivals".
     ZEHERAH: the fifth and lost Sentinel.
     ZEST: one of the nine Icarii Star Gods, Zest is Goddess of Earth.