The guards had informed Armat that the condemned men had mounted the gallows. Armat and Ravenna were almost at the gallows themselves when there came a cry from behind them.
Armat half turned to see, then whipped back to the gallows as the hangman shouted.
He had just slipped the noose about Axis' head when Axis had vanished.
Ravenna let out a tiny sigh, allowing the glamour to vanish completely. No need to keep it going now.
Run, Axis, run, she thought. Run.
Armat turned to her and grabbed her arm so painfully that she felt bruises form instantly.
"What have you done?" he said.
"Nothing, Armat," she snapped. "Think not to blame me for the fact you underestimated the StarMan!"
Axis managed, just, to turn the almost-out-of-control stallion in a vaguely northwesterly direction, then he gave it full rein and allowed it to gallop as hard as it wanted. It was a good horse, strong and fast, and he hoped that it would give him a precious few minutes' head start on the inevitable pursuit.
Gods knew what he'd do once--if--they caught up with him.
He had one arm wrapped tight about Inardle's waist--at least she seemed to have found her balance now--and had managed to get his feet into the stirrups, which had been flapping about, further frightening the horse, so that he could secure his own jolting position behind the saddle.
The arm he had about Inardle's waist was wet, and he knew the rest of the stiches on her wound must have broken open.
They rode without speaking for some minutes, Axis glancing behind him every so often, when Inardle gave a soft cry of warning.
Two riders had loomed up on their flank.
"Georgdi!" Axis cried.
"My friend," Georgdi called out as he and Zeboath pushed their horses to keep pace with Axis'
maddened horse, "I am glad to see you! I wait most eagerly to hear your assurances that you escaped Armat's camp without the alarm being raised."
Axis sent Georgdi a dark look.
"Ah," said Georgdi, "good thing that Zeboath and I spent a precious few minutes cutting loose as many horse lines as we could manage, eh?"
A good thing indeed, Axis thought, but it would not buy them much time.
"Just ride," he shouted. "Ride!"
They could not continue at a flat-out gallop forever, and after a while Axis gathered in the reins of the stallion and pulled him back to a more controlled canter. Georgdi and Zeboath did the same.
"Georgdi," said Axis, "can you halt a moment, stand, and listen?"
Georgdi nodded, pulling his horse up as Axis and Zeboath rode on.
After a few minutes he caught his two companions.
"Many horsemen," Georgdi said. "At least a hundred. A few minutes behind us."
Axis felt his stomach turn over. At least a hundred. He looked at Georgdi and Zeboath. Only Georgdi had thought to find a weapon during their escape.
Two swords, against at least a hundred.
"It's full night now," said Georgdi. "We can take advantage of the darkness."
Axis looked at the ground. It was early spring, but there was still old, hard-packed snow in great patches on the ground.
Their horses' hoofprints were clearly visible, even in the night.
Georgdi saw the direction of Axis' eyes. "Ah," he said. "Then we'd best ride a bit faster, yes?"
"And look for a stream," said Axis. "We can lose our hoofprints in that."
They pushed their horses back into a gallop--all the horses responding only sluggishly--and Axis knew they would not be able to keep to this speed for long.
Shit!
StarMan?
Axis literally jerked backward on the horse, his arm inadvertently tightening about Inardle and making her cry out.
StarMan?
Who is this? he asked. It was an Enchanter, he knew, and one who had managed to rediscover the Star Dance, but who? And where? Why?
StarHeaven SpiralFlight came the response.
StarHeaven? Axis fought to remember the name. Ah, yes, StarHeaven was one of the Icarii who had joined with StarDrifter in recent weeks.
StarHeaven, where are you, and with whom?
I am with the Strike Force, StarMan.
The Strike Force! Stars, had his father sent them?
BroadWing leads us, StarHeaven continued. We are in the spiral attack formation over those who pursue you. We--
Listen to me, StarHeaven, and get this message to BroadWing before you do anything else. Do not, I
repeat, do not kill any of the horsemen, but only their mounts! Give him that message now, StarHeaven.
Now!
Yes, StarMan.
Axis pulled his horse up, signaling to Georgdi and Zeboath to do the same. "The Strike Force are overhead," he said.
"The what?" said Zeboath.
"Tencendor's legendary Icarii military force," said Georgdi, watching Axis keenly. "Axis, how many are there?"
"Wait," Axis murmured, concentrating as he looked upward into the night.
StarMan, StarHeaven said.
Yes?
BroadWing understands. We will aim only for the horses.
Good. How many are you, StarHeaven?
Five hundred, StarMan.
Axis grinned. Five hundred! Then tell your Strike Leader not to hesitate, StarHeaven. He felt her agreement, then he turned his horse slightly so that he faced the direction of the pursuing force.
StarHeaven, he said, let me see through your eyes.
Vision flooded Axis' mind. BroadWing led the Strike Force in a classic nighttime maneuver spiraling down toward their target from a great height, sliding silently through the air.
Armat's men would never hear them coming.
Axis could see them now--almost one hundred weaponed horsemen following a trail through the snow.
They had no idea of what approached.
StarHeaven, Axis said, tell BroadWing to whisper to the men during the attack that their lives are spared through the goodwill of the StarMan, who bears them no grudge.
I will tell him, StarHeaven replied.
Axis continued to watch through StarHeaven's eyes as the Strike Force continued their descent.
Suddenly the leading wave of Icarii bowmen--at least fifty paces above the horsemen--let fly their arrows, immediately veering away and upward again. Then the next wave let fly their arrows, and veered away, and then the next wave.
Horses crumpled to the ground, throwing their riders several paces with the force and speed of their impact.
Two more waves followed, and then it was all over. Not a single horse was left alive, and men lay winded and moaning across the cold earth.
They would have had no idea what had hit them.
StarMan, StarHeaven said, BroadWing says he will be with you in moments.
Thank you, StarHeaven, Axis said, and finally allowed himself to relax.
"We've company," he said to his companions, and grinned.
Part Four
CHAPTER ONE
The Central Outlands
Axis dismounted, made sure that Inardle could balance herself, then handed the reins to Georgdi and walked a pace or two into the night.
BroadWing landed before him in a rush of wings and with a broad grin.
"By the stars!" BroadWing said. "That felt good!"
Axis laughed, embracing the birdman in a fierce hug. "We thank you, my friend. Without you..."
"Without me you would have been forced to some grand heroic action," BroadWing said. "I am sorry I
stole your moment."
Axis couldn't keep the grin off his face. "I give you full permission to do so again, anytime you want, Strike Leader. Did my father send you?"
"Yes, but at Maximilian's instigation. And there's more good news, Axis. About five or six hours' ride to the north you will come across a contingent of the Emerald Guard, complete with supplies, food, medical equipment, and Garth Baxtor. You have heard of him? Yes? Well, Maximilian thought you mi
ght need the aid."
Axis gripped BroadWing's shoulder. "BroadWing, you are indeed the bearer of much good news. The Isembaardians?"
"Picking themselves up and brushing off the dirt," BroadWing said. "Before I left they'd started to trudge back to the encampment. It will take them several hours at least. I gave them your message, StarMan.
I've stationed Icarii high above you. We'll keep watch while you ride to meet Garth and the Emerald Guard. No one will surprise you."
"Where's Maximilian?"
"Riding hard for Elcho Falling. Depending on how hard you want to travel, he will be four to six days ahead of you."
Axis glanced at Inardle. "More like six days, I think."
BroadWing looked at her as well. "One of the Lealfast?"
Axis nodded, and indicated to BroadWing to come with him. He led him over to Inardle, who sat on the horse watching BroadWing warily.
"This is Inardle," Axis said. "One of the nobility among the Lealfast. Inardle, this is Strike Leader BroadWing EvenBeat."
Axis wondered if BroadWing would say anything about the Lealfast debacle which had led to this rescue, but the birdman chose tact ahead of point scoring.
"My Lady Inardle," he said, and inclined his head. "You are injured."
"Badly," said Axis. "And Georgdi, Zeboath, and I worse the wear for our experiences. I think we will continue our ride, BroadWing. Inardle particularly can do with the comfort the Emerald Guard brings."
BroadWing turned away at that, but Inardle called softly to him. "BroadWing. Thank you."
BroadWing paused, nodded at Inardle in acknowledgment, then lifted into the sky.
"We ride," said Axis, and vaulted up behind Inardle once more.
It took them until dawn to meet the Emerald Guard. Inardle was almost insensible by that time, and the other three desperately weary. None of them had eaten for three days, all had been subject to deprivation, and Inardle to sustained torment and abuse.
Axis' shoulders sagged in relief when he saw the riders ahead of him on the lightening horizon. One of the Emerald Guardsmen called his column to a halt, then rode out to meet the four exhausted people.
"Greetings, StarMan," he said to Axis, who found the energy to wonder that now everyone, stranger as well as friend, was using that title. "My name is Clements, and I lead this contingent of the Emerald Guard. I have ordered them to make camp and set food to cook. BroadWing has sent word that you are not being pursued for the moment, so I suggest we wait out this day here, so that you may rest and receive what treatment you need."
"Thank you, Clements," Axis said. He nodded at the young man who had ridden after Clements and who was now pulling his horse to a halt. "Garth Baxtor, I assume."
"Indeed, StarMan," Clements said. He introduced Garth to Axis, then Axis introduced his own companions.
"And this is Zeboath," Axis said finally, "an Isembaardian physician of fine skill. He has been a valued companion of mine this past year."
Axis well knew Garth's reputation as a highly skilled physician who commanded the almost magical Touch, and he wanted Garth to know that Axis valued Zeboath as highly, if not more, than Garth's reputation.
Garth clearly took the hint. He smiled at Zeboath. "I have heard of the skill of the Isembaardian physicians," he said. "I am most pleased to meet you, physician Zeboath, and once you are rested and fed, look forward to picking your brains for new knowledge."
Zeboath grinned. "All I heard amid those words of welcome, Garth, were the words `rested' and `fed.' I
am afraid my mind has clung to them exclusively." The humor died from his face. "Garth Baxtor, we have with us a most grievously injured woman. She needs your aid, as soon as you might."
Garth looked at Inardle, slumped in Axis' arms, noting the bruises and contusions, and the blood seeping down one leg from a wound on her abdomen. He pushed his horse forward and laid a very gentle hand on her cheek for a moment.
"Then I may need your assistance, Zeboath," he said, "before you have time for food and rest. I am sorry."
The Emerald Guard, comprising some forty men, had five wagons of equipment and supplies with them.
Axis thought that Maximilian must have instructed them to prepare for any contingency.
But, oh stars, he was grateful to Maximilian for his forethought and care.
The guardsmen had fires started and food set out to cook by the time Axis and his group rode up. By the time they'd dismounted, and Axis had lifted Inardle down, Garth's medical bags were in evidence, a blanket was provided to cover Inardle's nakedness, and everyone was given a cup of ale to keep them going.
Axis couldn't believe their efficiency.
"Your cheek has been badly gashed," Garth said, tipping Axis' head to one side so he could see more clearly.
"It just needs a clean," Axis said.
"And perhaps some stitches," Garth said. "It will leave a scar, I am afraid."
Axis remembered once, long, long ago, someone had remarked to him that despite all the wars and battles he'd endured, and all the injuries, he'd never scarred. It was one of those times when he'd truly realized the depth of his gifts.
"It won't scar," Axis said. "Stitch it later, after you've seen to Inardle."
"What happened to her?" Garth said as they walked over to where one of the guardsmen had settled Inardle by a fire. Zeboath was kneeling by her, persuading her to drink something.
"The wound on her flank was caused by an Isembaardian sword, her broken wing by Armat's booted foot, and her various other contusions and bruises by Risdon, who--"
"I know," Garth said softly. "I felt it earlier, when I laid a hand to her cheek."
Axis halted just before they reached Inardle, putting a hand on Garth's arm and making him stop as well.
"You have the Touch," Axis said. "What did you feel?"
"She's a strong woman," said Garth. "Her injuries are very serious, but not life-threatening. More dangerous for her at the moment is the fact she's had almost nothing to eat or drink for some three days, and has had to endure a physically exhausting ride to escape. Her rape...I don't know. As ever in these matters, while her physical injuries will heal quickly, who knows what other scars this Risdon has left. Did you kill him?"
"Yes."
"In front of her?"
"Yes."
Garth gave a little smile. "Good. That may help. She needs to know he won't come after her again."
"But she is a strong woman?"
Garth paused, studying Axis closely. "You already know that, Axis."
"Garth, there is something else. One of the men who oversaw Inardle's torture and rape was Lister. He was Inardle's former lover."
"Lister is with Armat?"
"Aye."
Garth muttered a soft curse. "Then Vorstus must be with him as well."
"He was. Armat apparently murdered him to make a point to Ravenna and Lister."
"Ravenna is there, too." Garth rubbed at his forehead, looking devastated. "I think Maxel knew that, but still..." He drew in a deep breath. "And Lister, Inardle's former lover, stood there and allowed her abuse to happen? Let's hope Inardle chooses better in her future lovers, eh, Axis?"
Whatever Zeboath had given Inardle revived her a little, and Garth asked Axis to sit behind her and hold her propped up against his body so that Garth and Zeboath could examine her more easily.
Axis felt somewhat uncomfortable holding Inardle so close. He was very aware of her, and he was irritated at himself for feeling this way when they'd ridden for many hours in just as close contact and it hadn't bothered him at all.
Garth and Zeboath worked well together. One of the guardsmen had brought over several large bags of medical supplies, and Zeboath soon made himself at home sorting through their contents. Garth took some swabs soaked in an antiseptic fluid from Zeboath and wiped away the blood about the wound on Inardle's flank and abdomen, brushing away with an irritated hand the blanket Axis was trying to keep over her breasts.
"The stit
ching on this..." Garth said, obviously trying very hard to be diplomatic.
"Was very amateurish," said Zeboath.
"That's not what you said to me," Axis snapped.
"Now I am talking to a fellow professional," Zeboath said, grinning. He sobered, and addressed Garth again. "Axis did this. When the Lealfast fell down about us, there were so many...I had no time to attend to Inardle so Axis stitched her. In his defense, Garth, Inardle has since been through more wars. I doubt anyone's stitching could have held her together."
"Well," said Garth, now threading a needle, "we'll just have to keep her out of the wars again for the time being."
He bent closer to the wound, apologizing to Inardle as the needle slipped under the first layer of skin and muscle.
She jumped a little from the sting, and a line of frost ran up from her wound and vanished under the blanket covering her breasts.
Garth stopped, the stitch half completed, staring at the line of frost.
"It is her reaction to pain," Axis murmured.
"Ah," Garth said, and his face told what he was too diplomatic to express. Fascinating. Axis could see that Garth and Zeboath would spend many hours over several mugs of ale discussing this phenomenon.
Garth managed to overcome his fascination long enough to stitch the wound, then he turned his attention to Inardle's left wing, spread out to Axis' side.
He hesitated before touching it, exchanging a glance with Zeboath.
"I'll mix something up for her," Zeboath said, then rose and busied himself among one of the medical packs.
"Zeboath is going to make you an elixir which will deaden the pain," Garth said to Inardle. "Even an examination of this will hurt, let alone any attempt we make to fix it."
"I don't really want--" Inardle began.
"You will take it," Garth said. "Among other things, it will help relax the muscles and tendons in the wing, and neither Zeboath or myself can do anything for you while the wing is so rigid."
Zeboath had returned, a small cup in his hand. Garth took it, and held it to Inardle's mouth.
"What are you doing to me?" she said. "There's more than just the mixture."
"I am infusing the elixir with a little added help, Inardle," Garth said. "It will help, not hurt."
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