them, my Lady, and I will offer thanks to the Mother here and now that you are here to guide and
help us.‖
Faraday sighed, both in relief and exhaustion. ―Artor will not protect them out there,
Magariz, only the Mother. Make sure they are told.‖ Yr helped her to her feet and Faraday made
a quick decision and laid a hand on Magariz‘s arm. ―Wait, Magariz. I will come with you.‖
Magariz glanced anxiously at Faraday. He did not want her to get into even more trouble
than she already had on his behalf ―My Lady, Borneheld…‖
―Borneheld is too busy tonight to miss me, my Lord Magariz. Come, let us see to your
men.‖
They came for him in the hour before dawn. All night he‘d heard the muffled sounds of
men and horses preparing for action, and had paced about his cell in irritation. What was going
on? Borneheld had allowed him no company since he had been thrown into this dark hole and
had only reluctantly allowed a man to bring him food and a blanket to keep the worst of the chill
at bay. Axis threw the blanket about his shoulders and paced back and forth, back and forth.
Damn! Years had passed since he was simply a man at arms, waiting for the decisions and plans
to be told to him by his superiors. How had I ever stood it then? Axis asked himself. How could I
bear to have been one of the led?
Finally, as he was almost screaming with impatience and frustration, Axis heard one of
the upper doors being thrown open and the sound of the footfalls of men coming down the stairs.
A glow of light came towards him, gradually becoming brighter.
Axis blinked and shaded his eyes with his hand.
―Brother.‖
Borneheld. Axis lowered his hand and blinked, trying to adjust his eyes to the light.
Borneheld stood the other side of the cage‘s bars, Gautier, Belial and Magariz slightly behind
him. Dangling from Borneheld‘s hand was a ring of keys. He had a contemptuous smile on his
face.
―Belial has decided your fate, like it or not,‖ Borneheld sneered. ―Your lieutenant seems
to desire death and has offered your life and the lives of your men as well. Will you accept
Belial‘s fate?‖
Axis glanced behind Borneheld to Belial. Belial‘s eye lowered in a small wink and even
Magariz nodded slightly at his side. It was not a hard decision for Axis to make.
―I would trust Belial with my life,‖ he said quietly, shaking the blanket from his
shoulders, his bearing proud and graceful even in the disgusting cell.
Borneheld rolled his head back and laughed loudly, although to Axis‘ ears the laughter
sounded forced. ―You would? Then do!‖ He thrust the keys into Belial‘s hands. ―You ride in
fifteen minutes, foolish man. Make sure that my brother is ready to ride with you—to lead you, if
you have the courage. Magariz, Gautier, to me!‖
He strode off down the dungeon corridor, Gautier and, after a slight hesitation, Magariz,
hurrying after him. Belial unlocked the cell and embraced Axis. ―With the Mother‘s help, we
ride this morning through and beyond the Skraelings into Prophecy.‖
Axis felt a chill at Belial‘s words. ―The Mother?‖ he asked. ―Has Faraday converted
you?‖
Belial looked sheepish. ―It appears the Mother, whosoever She might be, will save us this
morning, Axis, while Artor lies sleeping. Here,‖ Belial lifted a long piece of thread from his
pocket and tied it about Axis‘ upper right arm. Axis saw that Belial wore one too. ―Faraday says
that this thread will protect you. We all wear them. But you must thank the Mother for Her
protection and love, and place your trust in Her.‖
Axis fingered the thread for a moment. ―From what you have told me, Belial, She has
already given me life through Faraday‘s hands,‖ he said quietly, ―and I find it no hard task to
thank Her and to place my trust in Her for this day. Belial,‖ he raised his head and gazed into
Belial‘s hazel eyes. ―What is it we do today?‖
―The Axe-Wielders ride through the gates in a few minutes‘ time, Axis SunSoar, to act as
a decoy for Borneheld to evacuate Gorkenfort. We lead the Skraelings north and Borneheld and
the rest of the garrison flee south to rally Achar at Jervois Landing.‖
―Pray that the Mother keeps watch over Faraday, Belial. We head for the Icescarp Alps?‖
Belial nodded. ―Yes. It is time that you went to your father, Axis. We need you with all
your secrets unlocked to lead us against the Destroyer.‖
Axis buckled the weapon belt that Belial handed him about his hips, sliding his sword
and axe into place. ―I am not sure that I want all my secrets unlocked, Belial. They may be more
frightening than what the Destroyer has to throw at me.‖ He paused. ―And how many men ride
with us, Belial? How many men still want to follow me?‖
―More than you think, Axis. You will see when we ride. Now, come say goodbye to your
brother. For the time being.‖
As Axis and Belial emerged from the dungeons Arne fell into step behind Axis, handing
his commander his cloak and gloves. There was hardly any space to move, and Axis and Belial
had to push their way through units of men standing in formation. Everyone was under strict
orders to be as quiet as they could so that the Skraelings would have little warning about what
was to happen, but Axis heard his name being murmured in greeting as he passed the ranks of
men, and many reached out their hands and touched his shoulder as he passed by.
By the gates what was left of the Axe-Wielders sat their mounts, firebrands burning
brightly in their hands, Belaguez standing at their head, saddled and ready to run, impatient for
his master and for the battle ahead.
To one side of the Axe-Wielders stood Borneheld, and beside him Faraday, Timozel at
her shoulder, their own horses saddled and waiting behind them. Yr waited further back; she
would remain with Faraday. Axis smiled, but as he crossed the courtyard towards them he
spotted Ogden and Veremund sitting on their placid white donkeys.
―Well, Sentinels, who do you ride with today? Do you fight your way north with me or
do you run south with Borneheld?‖
Ogden sniffed. ―We will tread our own paths for a while, Axis SunSoar. But you will not
lose us for long, I think.‖
Axis regarded them for a moment. For so many months they had annoyed him. Now he
found himself trusting them, despite the disturbing riddle of the Prophecy. ―Then take care of
yourselves, Sentinels. And of your ridiculous donkeys.‖ He pulled the soft droopy ear of the
nearest donkey affectionately. ―I‘m sure that you will return to annoy me as soon as you can.‖
Veremund leaned over and touched Axis‘ shoulder briefly. ―Find peace, Axis SunSoar.‖
―Find peace, gentlemen,‖ Axis replied softly, then he turned and strode over to
Borneheld. For a moment they stared flatly at each other.
―I hope you die out there today, brother,‖ Borneheld finally said, his voice thick with
forced bravado. ―It is the only reason I let you go.‖ He suddenly wished that he had followed his
original plan of having Axis hung like a criminal here in this courtyard.
―The only reason you let me go was because you knew you couldn‘t execute me without
the entire garrison rebelling. I will not die out there, Borneheld. One day I will return. Wait for
that day and know that it will arrive.‖ Both Axis‘ eyes and voice were chilling and Borneheld
only just managed to stop himself from stepping back. He forced a sneer to his face, but knew it
was not very convincing. Axis‘ mouth curled in contempt and he turned away. The next time he
saw Borneheld he hoped it would be at the point of his sword.
Axis stepped over to Timozel and stared at the man‘s gaunt face for a long moment.
―You are a changed man, Timozel, and I do not think that I like what you have become. I hope
that your loyalty to Faraday will not fade as quickly as your loyalty to me.‖ He suddenly reached
out and grabbed Timozel‘s tunic front, pulling the man close until their faces were only a
handspan apart. ―Look after her, Timozel! Get her safely away from this death trap! If you value
the vow you swore her as Champion then get her safely out!‖
Timozel‘s face hardened and he wrenched himself away from Axis‘ hand. ―I live for
Faraday,‖ he said, his voice thick with anger, ―and I do not need you to tell me how to protect
her!‖
Axis moved away from the man and his face softened as he looked at Faraday.
―Live, Faraday,‖ he said quietly. ―You know I could not bear it if you died.‖