Enchanter (7 page)

"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.