marble into a delicate tracery of lace. It looked as thin as a child‘s finger, and was supported by
delicate pillars rising to the roof. The incredibly fine and detailed carving of the tracery revealed
a pattern of women and children dancing in long transparent robes. Such craftsmanship had gone
into the carving of the screen that Azhure could almost see the marble figures move. In the centre
of the delicate wall was a wide pointed arch of golden marble about a closed bronze door.
StarDrifter shook his wings free of as much dust as he could and brushed the rest from
his body. He seemed almost revitalised instead of tired by his exertions. He took GoldFeather‘s
hand and smiled at her. ―I remember that once I promised to show you wonders, my love. Take
my hand and become the first of your race to walk through the door to the UnderWorld. Come.‖
StarDrifter turned to the bronze door and gently pushed with his hand. It yielded
instantly, and he and GoldFeather walked through. SpikeFeather hurried his warriors after them
while Azhure and Raum turned to help the other wounded Icarii into the entrance to the
UnderWorld.
54
THE CHARONITES
Beyond the bronze doorway the group found themselves in a massive circular well with a
beautiful patterned translucent pink marble staircase winding around the wall of the well to
depths unseen; a waist-high railing guarded against any unwary step. Azhure paused to gaze
about her as StarDrifter led GoldFeather down the first of the steps—the craftsmanship of the well was extraordinary. StarDrifter saw her staring at the wall carvings. ―Come Azhure. We have
a long way to go.‖
Slowly they descended, the members of the Wing assisting Azhure and Raum with the
injured. But the stairs were wide, the gradient gentle and the footing firm so that even the more
severely injured among the Icarii could negotiate the steps relatively easily. After an hour or so
StarDrifter started to talk softly, his words carrying easily to those who brought up the rear,
sharing what he had been told of the Charonites.
―The Charonites and the Icarii are a related people, both born of the Enchantress.‖
―The Enchantress?‖ Azhure asked.
―The original Enchanter, Azhure, who discovered the power of the Star Dance,‖ said
StarDrifter. ―Charonites and Icarii revere her as the founder of their races. As others should.‖
What did that cryptic remark mean? Azhure thought, but she bit down her question. She
would ask GoldFeather later.
―The Charonites were always a reclusive people,‖ StarDrifter continued, ―inward rather
than outward looking. Preferring the depths rather than the heights. Casting their eyes downward
rather than upward. They claimed they gave up their wings because they no longer craved the
feel of the thermals beneath them.‖ StarDrifter paused, unable to believe that any would want to
give up the thrill of the soar. ―I know that some say the Icarii are too mystical, and a little
arrogant.‖ He looked quickly at GoldFeather, and although she kept her face impassive her eyes
twinkled, ―but we are nothing compared to the Charonites. Well over thirteen thousand years ago
they descended to the depths, saying they preferred to explore the inner space rather than the
outer, and over the millennia they explored and settled the waterways of the UnderWorld. It is
said that the waterways not only stretch beneath all of what Tencendor used to cover but under
the oceans as well.‖ He shrugged. ―Perhaps the waterways touch other worlds as well.‖
For some time there was silence as everyone pondered the Charonites and their
waterways, wondering about the secrets the Charonites must know.
―Few know of the existence of these people,‖ StarDrifter continued eventually. ―Gorgrael
himself may not know of them.‖ He paused again, thinking deeply. ―Legend tells us that in the
centre of this UnderWorld is a cavern with a crystal roof over a mirrored lake, the source for the
magical lakes of Tencendor. From this lake radiate the waterways of the UnderWorld upon
which the Charonites ply their ferries, seeking the answers to mysteries. I am hoping that there
will be a waterway that stretches from here to the roots of Talon Spike, and I am hoping that the
Charonites will agree to ferry us there, although what price they might ask in payment I don‘t
know.‖
―Price?‖ PreenDeep, one of the injured Icarii, asked.
―It is said that the Charonites always demand payment, but that could simply be because
Icarii speak of them with no small disdain for choosing the UnderWorld rather than the limitless
freedoms of the skies.‖
For a long time after that there was no sound but for the soft shuffle of boots down the
pink stairs. Eventually StarDrifter, glancing behind him, called a quick rest. As they settled
down, SpikeFeather leaned forward. This talk of their lost cousins fascinated him.
―Why have the races lost contact, StarDrifter? I would have thought that each had many
things they could teach the other. And besides, as you said, we are related.‖
―There was some coolness,‖ said StarDrifter reluctantly.
―Coolness?‖
StarDrifter wished SpikeFeather had never asked this question, but now all the Icarii
looked at him curiously, and if he refused to answer then the question would simply fester in
their minds.
―The Charonites claimed that one of our Enchanter-Talons treated them cruelly.‖
―Which one?‖ SpikeFeather asked innocently, and StarDrifter mentally cursed him.
―The ninth,‖ he said shortly and stared at SpikeFeather with cold eyes.
Azhure, who had been rebandaging one of the Icarii warriors‘ wounds, looked up at the
sudden silence. Every one of the Icarii sat stiffly, their faces frozen. What had happened? Even
GoldFeather‘s eyes were cast down.
―Oh,‖ SpikeFeather said, then stood up. ―Have we rested enough?‖
They climbed down in silence now, StarDrifter refusing to say any more about the
Charonites. As they trod lower and lower a soft wind blew in their faces, and Azhure paused to
lean over the balustrade to peer into the depths of the well. Warm wind rushed upwards, tugging
at the pins holding her hair in place.
―StarDrifter!‖ she cried in amazement, delighting in the feel of the warm air upon her
face. ―What is that?‖
―That is the breath of the world, Azhure. Every second day the world inhales, every other
day it exhales. Today, apparently, it exhales.‖ A pity he thought, a tail wind would have been
nice. ―All of these wells—there are many of them about the land that was Tencendor—are
breathing vents for the world. I do not know if the Charonites built them, or merely built these
staircases into fissures that already existed.‖
Soon everyone could feel the warm wind. It had a wonderful fragrance, like warm spices
freshly picked and left to dry in the sun, and it grew stronger as they neared the foot of the stairs.
―How far have we come?‖ GoldFeather asked as they finally stepped out onto a flat grey
stone floor.
―Who knows? But we have reached one of the outer waterways.‖
Azhure looked about her. They were in a wide cavern, walled and domed in smooth stone
as grey as the floor. She heard the gurgle of water and walked some few paces towards the centre
of the cavern. ―Ah!‖ she breathed in wonder. A river flowed gently through a wide channel,
entering the cavern through an arch on one side, and exiting through another arch on the far side.
It was perhaps ten paces wide, and the edges were marked with translucent white stone so that
visitors should not step unwarily into the water.
The water glowed a deep emerald in colour, and in its depths Azhure could see bright
sparkles she was unable to define. She peered more closely, trying to work out what they were,
before feeling a gentle hand on her shoulder. StarDrifter had stepped up to stand close to her, his
eyes fixed on the water, his own expression one of awe. ―The Charonites have not left the Stars
behind them, after all,‖ he said softly. ―Look, they glow in the depths of the water.‖
StarDrifter was right. Stars glowed deep within the emerald water and impulsively she
reached down to the water.
―No!‖ StarDrifter caught her hand in his own. ―Do not touch the water. I do not know
what it will do to you.‖
―And now?‖ SpikeFeather asked quietly as he joined them. ―Now what?‖
―Why, we summon the Ferryman, SpikeFeather!‖ StarDrifter pointed to one side. A large
golden bell hung at shoulder height from a golden tripod. StarDrifter walked over, hesitated a
moment, then struck it with his fingertips.
A clear chime rang out, once, twice and then a third time. Then the bell fell silent.
―And now we wait for the Ferryman to arrive,‖ StarDrifter said to the others.
As they waited, most succumbed to weariness and sat on the floor, some of the injured
stretched out asleep. Azhure and Raum did what they could for them, then Raum forced a