―So,‖ Priam said, relieved that some decisions had been made, ―then we have at least
made a start. Roland, Jorge, I can count on you to support Borneheld with troops, supplies, and
perhaps your own persons and advice? Good. Gentlemen, if we can adjourn for the moment? I‘m
sure that each of us has enough to keep us busy. Furrow wide, furrow deep, and may Artor guide
our steps over the coming weeks and months.‖
As the group left the room, Earl Isend caught up with Borneheld and tweaked his elbow.
―Duke Borneheld, if I may speak with you for a moment?‖
Borneheld pulled his elbow away roughly, annoyed, and walked a little faster. He did not
like the foppish Earl Isend very much.
Isend wet his lips nervously and struggled to keep step with Borneheld as he strode down
the corridor. ―Duke Borneheld? It is about my daughter…Faraday.‖
Borneheld stopped abruptly and turned to look at Isend, a speculative gleam in his eye.
He‘d taken particular note of Faraday when she had been presented to Priam the night before.
Most men in the Chamber of the Moons had.
7
IN THE BROTHER-LEADER’S PALACE APARTMENT
Axis retrieved his axe from the antechamber outside the Privy Chamber and fell into step
behind Jayme and Moryson, his anger and resentment at Jayme‘s decision increasing with every
stride. Why, after hundreds of years, was a Brother-Leader passing control of the Axe-Wielders
into the hands of a secular commander? And Borneheld! Axis shoved his axe into his weapon
belt with a furious thrust. He rarely disagreed with Jayme and had never raised his voice to him
in anger before, but now he‘d made a disastrous decision and Axis meant to tell him so,
Brother-Leader or not.
He brushed past Isend and Borneheld talking in low tones in the corridor. Surely the
dandified Isend wasn‘t offering to fight alongside him? As far as Axis knew the closest he‘d ever
come to a weapon was the fruit knife that he constantly carried with him, hanging from his
begemmed belt on a small silver chain. He turned the corner behind Jayme and Moryson, who
were discussing whether or not to send Gilbert along on the journey to the Silent Woman Keep.
Axis didn‘t give a damn about whether or not Gilbert accompanied him, all he wanted was future
control of his Axe-Wielders back again.
A fat white cat that had rubbed about Axis‘ legs at breakfast now scrambled along the
corridor behind him. As he shut the door of Jayme‘s apartment, he almost caught the cat‘s tail as
she slipped in between his legs. Jayme and Moryson turned to look at him, their faces
expressionless.
―Father, I will not relinquish control of my command to Borneheld at Gorkenfort!‖
―Axis,‖ Jayme began, stepping forward, but Axis was now so furious that he interrupted
his Brother-Leader. ―Have you gone mad? Do you know what you have done? You will inform
Borneheld that you were mistaken and that control of the Axe-Wielders will remain with me.‖
Jayme halted a few paces from Axis, and bright spots of red blossomed in his cheeks; his
eyes sparked as angrily as Axis‘. ―Remember who you speak to, BattleAxe! You do not question
the orders of the Brother-Leader nor do you presume to offer him orders yourself!‖
Axis took a quick deep breath and squared his shoulders, staring defiantly at Jayme, his
fists clenched at his sides. Moryson stepped forward, worried, ready to intervene if he had to.
―I have not spent my life in the Axe-Wielders to see them led by someone other than me!
I have not spent the past five years harrying them into the most effective fighting force they have
been in generations to watch you squander their abilities so thoughtlessly!‖ Axis hissed, now so
infuriated he was past caring if he insulted Jayme. ―Do you know what you do, old man? Are
your senses fading along with your strength?‖
Jayme‘s nostrils flared, utterly shocked by Axis‘ disrespect. ―Give me one good reason
why I shouldn‘t hand over command of the Axe-Wielders to Borneheld right now! ‖
Axis was silent for a moment, his mouth twisting as he tried to reign in his temper. ―Give
me one good reason why I should hand over control to Borneheld in Gorkenfort,‖ he said in a
quieter voice, though it still vibrated with anger.
For a moment longer Jayme stared at him, then he too took a deep breath and spoke in a
calmer tone. ―Because Achar needs to be united to face this threat, BattleAxe. When you get to
Gorkenfort there must only be one force, one commander. That is the only way the Seneschal
and the forces of Achar defeated the Forbidden a thousand years ago and it is the only way we
can do it now.‖ His voice rose a little. ―Do you understand what I am saying, Axis? I do not want
to sacrifice Achar to save your cursed pride!‖
Axis stared at him, his fists slowly clenching and unclenching at his sides. ―I understand
what you say, Brother-Leader, and I can try to accept the reasons behind it. But it doesn‘t mean I
agree it‘s the right thing to do.‖
Moryson glanced between the two men. He hoped Jayme would accept Axis‘ words, for
he did not think Axis would back down any further. As it was, only the years of deep affection
between them and the respect Axis held for Jayme had made him back down this far. Moryson
did not think that he would have done it for any other man. He must have got his damned pride
from his father, Moryson thought dourly.
―All I want is your word that you will obey my instructions, BattleAxe,‖ Jayme said
quietly, his eyes holding Axis‘ in a vice-like grip.
After a moment Axis gave a curt nod. ―You have it.‖ He refused to lower his eyes before
Jayme‘s stare.
The cat suddenly spat at Jayme, its fur standing on end. The distraction broke the tension
in the room and Jayme forced a little laugh. ―Well, at least the cat seems to agree with you,
Axis.‖
Axis bent down and scooped the cat into his arms, petting her back with long, slow
strokes. The cat relaxed, her bright blue eyes blinking and then narrowing as she started to purr.
She nuzzled his hand in affection.
After a moment‘s awkward silence Moryson cleared his throat. ―Perhaps we need to talk
about your journey, Axis.‖
The men walked over to the fire, Jayme waving the other two into chairs.
Moryson leaned forward to warm his hands. ―The Brother in charge of the records in the
Silent Woman Keep is named Ogden, Axis. He has been at the Keep many years and is the most
knowledgeable of the brothers who study there. I know him well, he is a good man, dedicated to
his duty. He will help you.‖
―Ogden is almost as damned independent and proud as you are, Axis,‖ Jayme muttered.
―I will send a rider off today to make sure he is aware of your coming.‖
―And we will send Gilbert with you, Axis,‖ Moryson said. ―When you continue on for
Smyrton, Gilbert can return to us with what information Ogden and you‘ve found.‖ The plan was sensible enough, and an added benefit was that Jayme and Moryson had a few weeks free of
Gilbert.
Axis closed his eyes and let the fire warm his face, idly stroking the cat as he thought.
Moryson and Jayme exchanged glances for a moment before Jayme asked, ―When will
you be able to leave, Axis? And how long do you think the trip to the Wood and then Smyrton
will take you?‖
Axis thought for a moment longer then opened his eyes. The firelight caught peculiar
golden glints deep in his blue eyes. ―How many of the Axe-Wielders do you want me to take?‖
Jayme considered, his fingers steepled against his nose. ―Most, I think. There is little
point in leaving more than a token force at the Tower of the Seneschal. Take seven cohorts and
leave one here. Depending on what you find at Smyrton you might need to leave several units
there. Take the rest onto Gorkenfort.‖
―The six cohorts that I took down to Coroleas will arrive here within a day. They have
been travelling for over a week, so I‘ll need to rest them and their horses a few days. I‘ll use that
time to organise our support and supplies. We can leave within five days, six at the most. From
here to the Silent Woman Woods—two weeks at a solid pace. From the Silent Woman Woods to
Smyrton,‖ Axis paused as he calculated the distance, ―perhaps a month if we travel through
Arcen and across the River Bracken.‖
―And from Smyrton to Gorkenfort?‖
―That is a harder and longer journey. If the reports of ice above the Urqhart Hills are true
then it will be even harder. Especially if the winter closes in early.‖ Jayme and Moryson, who