and Zenith, and then walked away.
Within heartbeats they were lost to the gloom of the corridor.
A few minutes later StarDrifter and Zenith met the Master Secretary of the palace,
StarFever HighCrest, wandering down a side hallway. His well-remembered saffron brightness
was undiminished, but his skin was pale and his eyes overbright.
At least he, they were relieved to see, offered them more respect than GristleCrest had.
―StarDrifter! Zenith! Welcome.‖ StarFever bowed deeply, spreading his wings out behind
him.
StarDrifter returned StarFever‘s bow, noting that the Master Secretary of the Palace‘s
face was haggard and lined (the effects of hunger and frustration, or was his age showing? ).
―We greet you well,‖ he said, Zenith murmuring the same words at his side. ―StarFever,
things do not seem well here.‖
To StarDrifter‘s horror, StarFever‘s eyes glimmered with tears. ―Have you brought hope
with you, StarDrifter?‖
―As much as I am able,‖ StarDrifter said, his voice soft with pity. ―Please, Zenith and I
need to see Talon FreeFall.‖
StarFever nodded, then raised the lamp he held at his side and led them down a hall.
StarDrifter thought nothing epitomised the depths the Icarii had sunk to more than that lamp. It
spluttered fitfully on a thin diet of animal fats and the oil of the limapeg tree; it smelled frightful and threw an utterly inadequate light about them—several times StarDrifter stumbled across a
step he had not realised approached, and Zenith likewise had trouble with her footing.
Who had ever seen an Icarii stumble before?
As they progressed deeper within the palace complex, what brightness the lamp did cast
revealed an increasing number of gaunt-faced Icarii. All they passed were huddled in their wings
(none dared fly the spacious corridors) and some even in fur capes; the fitful lamplight revealed
thin fingers of ice running down stone walls. Whatever beauty the inner chambers of the Peaks
had once possessed had been lost with the Star Dance, or was hidden in the gloom.
There was no music save careful scuffling movement and the occasional exclamation and
thump as someone fell down a step that had surprised their feet, and it was to that
accompaniment that StarFever led them into the Talon‘s audience chamber.
There was more light in this chamber, for the roof soared into one of the massive spires
that characterised the Minaret Peaks, and welcome sunlight filtered down from the skylight far
above. The chamber, decorated with swirls of gold and silver on its walls and ceiling, was empty
of everything save a round table and chairs directly beneath the spire, a glowing brazier to one
side (a dusty pile of coal beside it), and FreeFall and his wife EvenSong, standing close together
by the heat. They turned as StarFever led StarDrifter and Zenith into the room.
―Uncle! Zenith!‖ FreeFall strode across the room and enveloped StarDrifter in a huge
hug, turning to embrace Zenith as EvenSong wrapped her arms about her father.
Behind them, StarFever quietly exited the Chamber, closing the door as he went.
―I swear,‖ FreeFall said, as he stepped back from Zenith and studied StarDrifter, ―that
you look better than I do.‖
StarDrifter tried to smile, but was unable to. Both FreeFall and EvenSong looked
careworn and tired beyond measure. As with StarFever, their skin was abnormally pale and their
eyes overly bright, and StarDrifter realised the toll that maintaining a constant facade of strength
had exacted on his daughter and nephew. He thanked every Star in existence that Rivkah had
died before she could see the fate that had enveloped her daughter. At least, he thought, she died
thinking that EvenSong would live out a long life in joy and comfort.
―Things have not been good here,‖ he observed.
FreeFall grimaced. ―As good as they are on the unprotected plains, no doubt. We might
not be subject to this disgusting miasma I am told issues forth during the Demonic Hours, but the
loss of enchantment, and all that means to us, has been devastating.‖
―We have tried our best to cope, father,‖ EvenSong said. ―We have tried so hard, but
trying to find the food to feed over a hundred thousand Icarii, and the means to warm them and
light their way, has been…taxing.‖
Zenith shot her a sympathetic glance. EvenSong was a resourceful and emotionally
strong birdwoman. Seeing her face wreathed in so much helplessness bespoke the difficulties of
life in this dying complex.
―But at least you two look well,‖ FreeFall said. His voice tightened. ―What news? We are
as starved for news—and hope—as we are for bread and warmth.‖
―Zenith and I are weary,‖ StarDrifter said, ―for we have come many leagues to see you.
May we sit?‖
―Oh!‖ EvenSong cried, distraught at her rudeness. ―Please. And we shall find some
refreshments for you—‖
―Just something to drink, EvenSong,‖ Zenith said. ―We do not need food.‖
―You need it as much as EvenSong or I,‖ FreeFall said dryly, ―and as much as the
smallest child among us. We can manage a cup of warm ale at the least.‖
He rang a small chime, then escorted StarDrifter and Zenith to the table.
―So,‖ FreeFall said. ―Talk.‖
And so they talked, their hands gratefully wrapped about the warmth of the ale cups the
servant brought them. First Zenith, telling FreeFall of her adventures with Drago, and then her
struggle for life with the Niah-soul that battled to claim her.
EvenSong and FreeFall listened silently, their eyes wide, their hands clasped together on
the table before them.
Then StarDrifter spoke of Faraday‘s reappearance—
Both FreeFall‘s and EvenSong‘s mouths dropped open at that point. Her return could
mean only hope, surely?
—and her help in saving Zenith, and then leading her toward the Star Gate.
―Oh, Stars, FreeFall,‖ StarDrifter said, his voice hoarse with emotion as he remembered
the hopelessness and horror of the chamber of the Star Gate. ―Axis and Azhure, as well the other
Star Gods, WolfStar and all the Enchanters the Icarii nation could summon—‖
― And Isfrael and his Banes,‖ Zenith put in.
―—and then with all the strength of the Mother and trees behind us…and yet we could do
nothing. Nothing.‖
―And now,‖ FreeFall said, leaning forward and staring at StarDrifter, ―what is to be done
about the Demons? Am I to be Talon of nothing but a disintegrating people? Are we to watch
Tencendor destruct before our eyes?‖
StarDrifter exchanged a glance with Zenith—how could he say blandly that, yes, that is
what Drago wanted them to do?
―There is more we must tell you,‖ Zenith said softly, and she began to speak of Drago,
and how he had come back through the Star Gate to help, not hinder. She spoke of her own belief
in him, of the man who‘d had his own incredible potential strangled in retaliation for his infant
crime, and yet who nevertheless had shown her humour and compassion. She spoke of what he‘d
said when he‘d returned from Cauldron Lake, and hoped she‘d been as persuasive as Drago had
been.
As FreeFall and EvenSong both opened their mouths to speak their objections, Zenith
hastened on, speaking of Faraday‘s similar belief in Drago, and of Drago‘s peculiar connection
with the craft that lay at the foot of the Sacred Lakes.
―Caelum—‖ FreeFall began, but Zenith did not allow him to continue.
―Caelum is first-born of Axis and Azhure, and he has been named the StarSon, true, but I
believe more in Drago.‖
Zenith looked steadily at FreeFall and then EvenSong. ―Caelum has gone with our
parents to Star Finger, and the other Star Gods try and determine a method by which these
Demons can be beaten back. I wish them success, but my heart…‖ She lay her hand on her
breast, ―…my heart tells me that Drago will be the one who will return to us and say, ‗I have
found a way‘.‖
FreeFall exchanged a dubious look with EvenSong. ―I find it hard to transfer my hopes to
Drago. Drago? Did he not murder his sister, RiverStar? And I have heard it was he who led the Demons towards the—‖
―I, as many, believe Drago innocent of RiverStar‘s murder,‖ StarDrifter said. ―And if he
aided the Demons, then he was driven to it by a lifetime of wrongful accusations and
resentments. Now his life is dedicated to righting whatever part he had in the wrong that has
happened. I believe him, FreeFall. You have not seen Drago recently, nor spoken to him. He has my trust, as well as Zenith‘s, and Zared, who has been given control of both ground and air
forces of Tencendor, has given his support. And Isfrael listens to him, and accepts what he says.‖
That did cause FreeFall to raise an eyebrow. ―I thought Isfrael listened to nothing but the
thoughts roaring about his own head.‖
―Why,‖ EvenSong said, getting back to the kernel of the matter, ―should we trust a man
who says we must watch the destruction of Tencendor. That is equal to saying, ‗Die, and be glad