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 BattleAxe?
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 title. “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 and Veremund.”
“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 and Veremund 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 and Veremund 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 Mo
rningStar’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—”
MorningStar 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 and Veremund 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 else. 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, fighting 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. I 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? How? 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 mother’s 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, MorningStar, 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 and Veremund 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?”
7
DARK MAN, DEAR MAN
The 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. The Yuletide 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.
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