Enchanter

by Sara Douglass

  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 mother’s 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?” Ysgryff’s 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 it? 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.

  Every 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.”

  50

  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 and Veremund 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 Ysgryff’s 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 and Veremund, 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 and Veremund 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!