before this time, and was certainly not more than fifteen years old, let alone thirty. Poor Jack, he
must live in a wonderful fantasy world.
―What are you doing here?‖ Faraday repeated, although she kept her voice light this time.
―We‘re come from the Woods, lovely lady.‖
Faraday gaped at Jack. ―You‘ve come from the Silent Woman Woods? Jack! Those
Woods are bad! Don‘t you know that?‖
―Woods are good, lady. People tell me the Woods are bad, but the Woods and I get along
just fine. Pigs can find lots of nice nuts and cones to eat in the Woods. No, no,‖ he shook his
head emphatically, ―people don‘t know what the Woods are really like.‖
Faraday glanced over his shoulder, finally realising just how close they were to the
Woods. Worry lines etched her face.
―No, no, pretty lady,‖ Jack said anxiously as he watched her frown. ―No need to be
afraid. Let Jack show you.‖ He took her hand and started to pull her towards the Woods.
―No! I can‘t go in there!‖ Faraday cried. ―Let my hand go!‖
Jack instantly dropped her hand. ―Lady, I mean you no harm! The Woods don‘t mean no
harm, neither. Not unless you mean them harm. No,‖ Jack dropped his voice to a conspiratorial
whisper, ―trees‘ll tell you secrets, lady. They are magic trees. If you ask them nicely, sometimes
they will tell you your future.‖
―Really?‖ asked Faraday doubtfully, her interest piqued nevertheless. What if she could
find out her future? Would she see herself surrounded with her and Borneheld‘s children? Her
husband loving and attentive at her side? Perhaps if she could see that it would still her fears
about her marriage. ―Really?‖ she asked Jack again, her tone less doubtful than curious. ―How
close do we have to get?‖
The two creatures that had assumed the forms of Ogden and Veremund paused briefly at
the door to the sleeping chamber. Their eyes glowed the soft gold of the lake outside.
―They are asleep,‖ the one who called himself Ogden said quietly.
―Yes,‖ said his companion. ―They will sleep well.‖
They stepped lightly into the room and stood either side of Timozel, curled tightly in his
blankets, only his tousled dark head showing. Veremund leaned down and placed his splayed
hand and fingers over the man‘s face, covering it from chin to forehead.
―Ah,‖ Veremund said softly. ―This one has a good heart, though it is shadowed with
some unhappiness.‖ He shook his head slightly. ―He will endure yet more unhappiness and
uncertainty. He will have troubled choices.‖
They moved on to Gilbert. Both hesitated above him, but finally Ogden leaned down and
placed his hand over the man‘s sleeping face.
―Ah,‖ he hissed almost instantly. ―I knew I did not like this one. His heart is full of holes
and snakes reside there. His mind is a maze, and waits to trap the innocent. He will not be true; Artor has too strong a hold on this one.‖ Ogden let go of Gilbert‘s face with a grimace and wiped
his hand down his habit. He looked at Veremund. ―What can we do?‖
Veremund shook his head sadly. ―Our task is simply to watch and be heedful. We cannot
act, though perhaps we can warn. Come,‖ he stepped over to Arne, who lay arms akimbo atop
his blankets. ―I wonder if he will do?‖
He bent down and rested his hand over Arne‘s face. ―Another good-hearted man. Stolid,
and it will take much to change his mind. He will not like what lies around the corner and the
secrets that will be revealed. But in the end his loyalty will keep him true. He would follow his
BattleAxe to the grave if that is where Axis asked him to go. Yes, he will do well.‖ His voice
changed slightly, and now he spoke directly to Arne. The tips of his fingers glowed slightly
golden where they touched Arne‘s face. ―Good man, listen to these words. One day your
BattleAxe will face great danger. Watch carefully those around him, especially those who
pretend friendship and profess loyalty. Treachery will dog his footsteps. Watch your lord‘s back,
good man, and protect him from those who would do him harm.‖
Arne moaned slightly in his sleep, and his hands clenched convulsively. Veremund
paused a moment longer, then he released Arne and stood up. ―It is all we can do. And now…‖
both turned to look at Axis, ―now…‖
Axis lay fast in a deeper and more peaceful sleep than he‘d had for many months. He
looked years younger than he did when awake.
Ogden whispered and looked at Veremund pleadingly. ―May I be the one to…?‖
Veremund bowed slightly to his companion. ―Dear one, we can both do this. If you place
your hand thus, and I place mine so, then we can both share this moment.‖
He took Ogden‘s hand and placed it over Axis‘ face, then placed his own hand over
Ogden‘s, but so that his own fingertips touched Axis‘ flesh between Ogden‘s spread fingers.
For a long moment both were completely still, their eyes perhaps glowing slightly more
golden, as they listened to Axis‘ heart.
―Oh, yes, yes!‖ Veremund whispered, almost ecstatic. ―Yes! I believe it is so! Oh! But
wait, can you feel it?‖
Ogden, his own face close to Veremund‘s, nodded slightly. ―Yes. The Destroyer already
seeks him out. He invades his dreams and seeks to create doubts. He seeks to create hate in his
heart. And,‖ Ogden paused briefly, ―oh my goodness! This one has already touched the Sacred
Grove!‖
―All by himself,‖ Veremund said incredulously. ―It is a wonder they let him live! We
must watch over him. Ah, my sweet friend, fate has him firmly in hand. No wonder the Silent
Woman Woods let him through unscathed. They had to.‖
Both let go of Axis‘ face and sat back on their heels at his side.
―And yet there is so much we do not know. My friend, if we can find his father, then we
might be able to learn more about the Destroyer.‖
Faraday paused nervously in front of the tree. Jack had assured her she would not actually
have to enter the Woods, that it would only be necessary to touch the nearest tree. Still, now that
she was this close she wondered if it had been unwise to allow Jack to talk her into this.
But Jack was grinning happily. Yr had followed them and now sat watching curiously
from a few paces away. She blinked, her eyes bright blue even in moonlight, and Jack‘s smile, if
possible, became even broader than previously. He turned back to Faraday.
―Lady? Lovely lady, let me take your pretty hand.‖ Jacks hands were rough and work
callused, but somehow comforting. Faraday relaxed slightly. Jack winked at her. His eyes were
the most unusual shade of green. Faraday smiled. How could she not trust this simple-hearted
man?
―Look, the trees are nervous too.‖
Faraday looked startled. ―Nervous? Why?‖
Jack‘s smile dimmed. ―Axes, people bear axes. Trees do not like axes. Trees are afraid of
people. They do not trust them. Lady, tell me, do you bear these trees ill-will in your heart?‖
Faraday looked bemused. ―No, no, Jack. I bear them no ill-will. But I feel a little silly
about all this.‖
―Come, lady. Place your hand against the tree trunk. Here.‖ He placed her hand on the
rough bark, covering her small hand with his own roughened one.
―What am I supposed to do, Jack? How can I talk to the tree and ask it my question?‖
―You must talk to it with your heart, lovely lady, not with words. Close your mouth and
talk with your heart, with your feelings. Feel the tree, feel what it says to you.‖
The man was crazy, not just a simpleton, Faraday thought. Just to please him, she closed
both her mouth and her eyes for good measure, and tried to let a stream of goodwill flow towards
the tree. Then, just as she was about to step back, her eyes flew open.
―Jack!‖ she gasped. Something unbelievable had just happened. Just when she had started
to relax suddenly she felt another presence, it was the only way she could explain it. She could
feel the tree, feel its emotions, in her own heart. The palm of her hand tingled.
Jack smiled, and dropped his hand. Now Faraday pressed almost her entire body along
the tree trunk. ―Jack,‖ she said, her voice breathless with wonder, ―it‘s singing to me!‖
Jack‘s eyes filled with tears.
In the Keep, Ogden and Veremund were still crouched beside Axis. As the tree started to
sing to Faraday their eyes widened and glowed so bright that the entire chamber was bathed in
golden light.
―Dear one!‖ Ogden gasped, and Veremund groped for his hand. Both were filled with
wonder.
―It‘s singing to me,‖ Faraday whispered again. ―I can feel it. Oh! It sings such a sad song.