much it galls many of the Icarii, we think we must fight with you at our helm. You have the
experience, the blood and the power. BattleAxe, we ask for your aid in fighting Gorgrael. In
return, we will give Gorkenfort aid.‖
―Axis,‖ FreeFall said quietly, his violet eyes intense, his hand on Axis‘ shoulder. ―You
must be with your father if you are to reach your full power!‖
―I know, I know,‖ Axis said, then he looked up at FreeFall. ―What am I, FreeFall?‖
FreeFall stared at his cousin, then, acting on pure instinct, he reached out and took Axis‘
right hand, pulling the glove from it. He held the hand out for all to see, the strengthening light
catching the gold and diamonds of the Enchanter‘s ring. ―I think you already know what you are,
Axis. Already you wear the Enchanter‘s ring. But only your father can bring you to your full
potential, can make you strong enough to defeat Gorgrael. You are who you are, Axis. Accept it
or we all die.‖
Axis stared into FreeFall‘s eyes. Then he nodded tersely. ―I am Axis SunSoar, son of
StarDrifter SunSoar,‖ he said quietly, ―and if I am to be an Icarii Enchanter who can lead the
people of Tencendor to victory against Gorgrael then I need my father‘s teaching.‖
―Yes,‖ FreeFall smiled, ―yes! Welcome home, Axis, welcome home!‖
Axis had the sudden, astounding feeling that he was indeed home. He had found his
family. He had found what he needed to replace the lies with which the Seneschal had bound
him.
―What‘s going on here? Have I finally caught you at your treacheries, BattleAxe?‖ an
enraged voice called across the Keep.
Axis snatched his hand out of FreeFall‘s grip and spun around at the sound of Borneheld.
He drew his sword, although Belial had the good sense to keep his sheathed. Magariz, still
baffled by what he had witnessed, stood back a pace or two, his hand on the hilt of his sword but
refraining from unsheathing it. Borneheld strode across the rooftop towards them. Jorge, Roland,
Gautier and a number of fully armed soldiers followed him, Faraday and Timozel close behind.
Borneheld had been at early morning weapon practice when he had espied the strange group on
top of the Keep. Now he slowly weaved his sword before him as he halted a few paces away
from Axis and the winged men, Gautier at his shoulder, his own sword at the ready. Timozel
held Faraday back, his arm tight about her waist. His own eyes were cold.
The Icarii were instantly wary, their wings reflexively unfolding for flight. They had
watched Gorkenfort for three days, waiting for a time when Axis was relatively isolated. They
had no wish to antagonise Borneheld, knowing from their own observations and the reports of
the Icarii farflight scouts that he was quick to anger. Some of the soldiers behind Borneheld had
arrows, notched and ready for flight. This was too dangerous…too dangerous.
It was Lord Magariz, in the end, who spoke. ―My Lord Duke, these are members of the
Icarii who have offered us their aid in defeating the Skraelings.‖ He did not think it prudent to
mention that one of them was also closely related to Axis, or that it was one of the creatures from
this strange race who had seduced Borneheld‘s mother.
Borneheld leaned back and laughed contemptuously. ―So these are the Forbidden, then?
Have we been afraid of such as these for so many years? Have we quivered under our beds at the
thought that they would come to terrify us? Why,‖ he sneered at the three birdmen, ―they are too
pretty to be fearsome. I shall build me a cage and keep them to sing for me when I am an old
man and weary of battle and women. Pretty, pretty.‖ HoverEye stepped back, shocked and
insulted to the core of his being. Surely no-one who laid any claim to being civilised acted like
this?
―We need all the help we can get, Borneheld,‖ Axis said, only barely keeping his temper
under control. His hand tightened about the hilt of his sword, a movement not missed by
FreeFall. ―Gorkenfort will fall if we cannot get assistance from outside. We need the Icarii!‖
Borneheld stared at Axis, his face working as emotions battled inside of him. ― I will save
Gorkenfort!” he screamed abruptly, his face furious, his grey eyes glittering with hate. ― I do not need any help and I will not ally myself with the filth that stand here on this roof!”
Behind him Timozel nodded. Yes. That was the message of his vision. Borneheld would
save Achar.
Duke Roland glanced at Jorge and stepped forward. ―My Lord Duke,‖ he said
placatingly, ―it will not hurt to listen to what these Icarii have to say. Perhaps they have news
that we should hear, reports of weaknesses in Gorgrael‘s lines.‖
FreeFall, swallowing his own sense of insult at Borneheld‘s words and actions (how
could the gentle Rivkah have birthed such a son?), stepped past HoverEye and stood between
Axis and Borneheld. ―My Lord Duke Borneheld,‖ FreeFall said politely. ―I bring greetings from
the Talon and offer the assistance of the Icarii Strike Force in driving the Skraelings from
northern Ichtar. We stand ready to strike wherever you think we might aid you.‖
―I do not need the help of the Forbidden!‖ Borneheld rasped. ―You are cursed beasts who
should not have been allowed to live to breed beyond the Fortress Ranges. We misjudged during
the Wars of the Axe, I think, in not burning you along with your demon-darkened forests. Once I am finished with the Skraelings I will ride into your mountain homes and burn your nests until
only shifting ash and your memory remains.‖
FreeFall was shocked into silence, his great violet eyes locked unbelieving on the man in
front of him. How could his people ally themselves with the Groundwalkers when they were
filled with such unreasoning hate?
Roland tried one more time to make him see reason. ―Borneheld, you know that we face
Gorgrael. The Prophecy says that we must ally ourselves with the, ah, Forbidden. Who knows if
it is right? But surely we should talk with these, ah, men. Hear what they have to say.‖
FreeFall felt Axis stir behind him and remembered that Axis had his sword drawn. He
turned around, ready to stop Axis from attacking. ―Axis,‖ he said softly, intently, ―you must
not…‖
And then Borneheld moved as fast as a striking viper. ― I give you this for your damned
Prophecy! ‖ he screamed, and plunged his sword deep into FreeFall‘s back, the stroke so
powerful it broke through bone and muscle before slicing open the heir to the Talon throne‘s
heart. Faraday screamed as she saw the blur of steel plummet into FreeFall‘s back and would
have rushed forward had not Timozel roughly hauled her back, tightening his hold about her. In
that moment, that instant, as she saw the sword slice deeper and deeper into the defenceless Icarii
man‘s back, Faraday‘s dislike and fear of Borneheld hardened completely into contempt and
hate.
Borneheld grunted and yanked his sword out of FreeFall‘s back, putting his boot into the
small of the birdman‘s back to give himself the necessary leverage to pull it free. The sword
made a sound like rotten cloth giving way as it slid free of FreeFall‘s flesh.
All Axis saw was the blur of movement behind FreeFall, the shocked look on FreeFall‘s
face, and then, unbelievably, the glint of a sword tip, reddened with blood, pushing through
FreeFall‘s chest and then disappearing.
FreeFall collapsed into Axis‘ arms, Axis catching him, unable to comprehend what had
happened. His eyes met Borneheld‘s. ―You‘re next, brother,‖ Borneheld said softly but very,
very menacingly. He took a step forward.
Axis looked down at FreeFall. The birdman was dying, his arms and wings hung limply
at his side, his great violet eyes were glazing grey. Blood was beginning to pump from his mouth
as he struggled to say something. Axis bent his head. ―Find StarDrifter, Axis,‖ FreeFall
whispered. Then, as the last of his life pumped out of him, FreeFall said something very, very
strange. ―The Ferryman owes you, Axis.‖ He had to force the words now and Axis could barely
hear him. ―Learn the secrets and the mysteries of the waterways and bring me home! I will wait at the Gate. Bring me home to EvenSong! Promise!‖
Axis nodded. ―I promise,‖ he whispered to his cousin, then staggered with the sudden
weight in his arms as FreeFall died. Even if he could have found the time in the midst of this
nightmare to sing the Song of Recreation, Axis knew it would be no use. FreeFall had gone.
With his death, FreeFall gave Axis the single most powerful motive he would need to
push Achar into civil war. Axis had never before entertained the idea that with his heritage he