―I provoked the SkraeBold into attacking. I think that Gorgrael wanted me alive and
brought to him,‖ StarDrifter replied.
―Why?‖ RavenCrest glanced briefly at FarSight CutSpur who had just wandered up to the
group. ―Why would Gorgrael want you alive?‖
GoldFeather felt a shudder pass through StarDrifter as she supported his shoulders.
―Because all Enchanters need their parent to teach them,‖ he said, his voice tight, ―and Gorgrael,
like it or not, is as much an Icarii Enchanter as is the StarMan.‖
―I don‘t understand,‖ said FreeFall. ―If Gorgrael needs you to teach him, then how has he
achieved so much power already?‖
―As Barsarbe stitched my wounds I thought about that, long and hard.‖ StarDrifter
grimaced. ―It was one way to keep my mind from the pain. FreeFall, all Enchanters derive their
power from the music of the Star Dance, the music that the Stars make as they dance through the
heavens.‖ RavenCrest and FreeFall nodded. ―But I think Gorgrael, to this point, has derived his
power from somewhere else,‖ StarDrifter continued, turning to look slowly about the rest of the
group. His eyes lingered momentarily on Azhure, sitting to one side, looking wan and dispirited.
―I think that Gorgrael derives his power from the discord that also floats about between the stars.
The disharmonies that are made when the Stars miss their step, when they crash one into the
other, when they forget the Dance to the extent that they swell into great red giants and explode.
There are two types of music among the Stars, my friends. The Star Dance is the loudest and it is
the one that all Enchanters are taught to listen to and to derive their power from. But underlying
the Star Dance is a subtle thread of discord, of disharmony, the dance that leads Stars to their
death—a Dance of Death. Many Enchanters have feared that one day an Enchanter would learn
to use that music as well. I think that one now has.‖
―But who taught Gorgrael to use that…‖ FreeFall began again, his pale brow knitted in
confusion.
StarDrifter cut FreeFall off before he had the chance to finish the question that he feared
most of all. ―Perhaps Gorgrael now wants me to teach him how to use the Star Dance—the
Dance of Life and of Harmony. If Gorgrael can control both harmony and discord then nothing
will stop him. Not even his brother. And once he has conquered this world then he could move
out into the universe. The Destroyer would step through the Star Gate.‖
StarDrifter‘s words were so shocking, so appalling, that all were silent. StarDrifter
watched the reactions about him—the worst he had not voiced. Gorgrael could not have simply
learned to use the music of discord by himself. Someone had taught him. But who? Who?
StarDrifter wanted to think about that longer and more deeply. And he also wanted to examine
his other son, Axis. What talents did he display?
RavenCrest stirred and glanced at FarSight before looking back at StarDrifter. ―Brother,
you are about to receive a Strike Force guard strong as my own or that of FreeFall‘s. Your safety
is now even more paramount than that of your son‘s.‖
―And what of Axis?‖ FreeFall asked. EvenSong sat forward a little.
―We must help him,‖ StarDrifter said quietly. ―The route south through the Avarinheim is
denied Gorgrael for as long as the Earth Tree sings. She has laid such a powerful ward over the
entire northern Avarinheim that even Gorgrael cannot break through. If he wants to push south then he will have to do so through Gorken Pass. And to do that he will have to destroy
Gorkenfort.‖
―How can you suggest that we help the Groundwalkers?‖ FarSight was aghast. It was the
Acharites, under the leadership of the Seneschal, who had pushed both the Icarii and the Avar
behind the Fortress Ranges.
―We have no choice, FarSight,‖ StarDrifter said quietly. ―Remember the Prophecy. We
must all reunite to defeat Gorgrael. And must I point out that Axis is also one of your
Groundwalkers?‖
―At least he has enough Icarii blood to sing as an Icarii Enchanter,‖ FarSight retorted, not
appeased by StarDrifter‘s arguments.
RavenCrest watched the exchange. He had his own reservations about helping the
Acharites at Gorkenfort.
―StarDrifter,‖ he said gently. ―I know you want us to go to the aid of your son. But aiding
the Acharites is not a decision to be taken lightly. It is not a decision to be taken in haste.‖ He
looked around the group, but particularly to FreeFall and FarSight. ―We must convene an
Assembly in the central chamber of Talon Spike to discuss this matter.‖
Although in most daily business the Talon‘s word was law, major decisions needed the
approval of the Assembly of the Icarii, a body composed of all Icarii over the age of twenty-five.
It was an unwieldy and raucous body, but RavenCrest was justifiably concerned that if he
ordered the Strike Force to assist Gorkenfort without consulting the Assembly then the Icarii
would rebel.
―By the Stars, RavenCrest! If the Skraelings have attacked Gorkenfort as they did here,
then how can they hold them? The Earth Tree does not sing for them!‖ StarDrifter cried,
grabbing his brother‘s arm. ―Why can‘t the Strike Force fly to their aid now?‖
―It is not a decision to take lightly!‖ RavenCrest hissed again at his brother.
―Then let us simply rescue my son! RavenCrest, listen to me!‖
―Father, perhaps StarDrifter speaks some sense,‖ FreeFall began. If Axis was the one to
face the Destroyer then he would be in desperate need of StarDrifter‘s training, natural talent or
not.
RavenCrest whipped around to his son, his violet eyes blazing. ―I am not going to make a
decision that overlooks a thousand years of hatred between our races, FreeFall! Axis or not, I am
loath to go to the aid of those who would as willingly murder us as listen to us!‖
FreeFall stood up and stepped back, glancing at EvenSong. ―As you wish, father. As you
wish.‖ He strode away into the clearing, EvenSong hastening after him.
As the group broke up, Barsarbe approached Azhure. ―I have not yet thanked you
personally, Azhure,‖ she said, her face expressionless, ―for your actions last night.‖
Azhure stood up, straightening her tunic. ―I know you don‘t approve…‖ she began, but
Barsarbe interrupted.
―We do not like violence, yet your actions saved us. Azhure, I cannot pre-empt a decision
of the Meet, but I am sure that at Beltide the Clans will reconsider favourably your request to
join us.‖
Staring at her, Azhure wondered if the Icarii had pressured Barsarbe into making this
offer. Azhure swallowed. She did not know what to say.
―Azhure.‖ StarDrifter‘s voice interrupted her thoughts. He was leaning on GoldFeather‘s
arm, smiling warmly at her. ―Azhure, come home with GoldFeather and myself. I owe you my
life, but I make this offer out of friendship.‖
GoldFeather added her plea to her husband‘s. ―Oh, Azhure, please! I would love you to
come. Talon Spike is a wondrous place.‖
Azhure couldn‘t resist StarDrifter‘s smile or the genuineness of both his and
GoldFeather‘s invitation.
―Thank you,‖ she said. ―I would like to see Talon Spike.‖
53
DEPARTURES
Less than forty-eight hours after the tragedy of Yuletide Eve the Icarii assembled for the
long flight home. Debate between the Avar and Icarii had continued about what to do, but
RavenCrest remained adamant that he wouldn‘t commit to aiding Gorkenfort until the full
Assembly of the Icarii met to discuss it in the Chamber of Talon Spike. RavenCrest had no
qualms about pulling the Icarii Strike Force out of the Avarinheim. Earth Tree still sang strong
and true and her Song would continue to protect the Avarinheim from the incursions of Gorgrael.
No SkraeBold or Skraeling could come within range of the Song and live.
The flight across the Icescarp Alps to Talon Spike would be arduous. The seething winds
between the sharp peaks of the Alps created dangerous gusts and shears that could drag an
unwary Icarii to their death on the black cliffs below. They would have to fly high and fast
through the thin air of the upper atmosphere, and because of the lack of suitable landing places
they would have to make the entire distance in one continuous flight lasting almost twenty-four
hours. Two farflight scouts had already left to alert the Icarii in Talon Spike of the tragedy of
Earth Tree Grove.
RavenCrest watched the Icarii mass, anxious to return home, but wondering whether they
should perhaps have waited another day or two. He had tried to weigh the value of the
flightworthy Icarii resting muscles already sore and strained against the advantage of the winds
which currently favoured them on the way home. No, he decided, it was best they leave now.
With most of the Strike Force in the groves, Talon Spike itself was badly under-protected, and
RavenCrest needed to be back in the Spike to hear the reports of the scouts over Gorken Pass.