the Destroyer. We mean you and Faraday no harm.‖
―Then why have you seized her?‖ Timozel demanded.
―They are taking me to Borneheld,‖ Faraday said, ―because they believe that he will be
better able to hold the ice creatures at Gorkenfort if I am at his side.‖
―Is he the one who will save Achar?‖ asked Timozel.
―He will be vitally important in Achar‘s defence,‖ said Jack. ―He will need Faraday there
to support him.‖
Timozel stared at Faraday, trying to think. Her hair hung down about her shoulders in
disarray and her eyes were anxious as they looked into his. No doubt she couldn‘t wait to reach
her betrothed husband. The more he thought about it, the more he believed it would be a good
thing if Faraday joined Borneheld. But it would be so dangerous at Gorkenfort.
Timozel made up his mind. ―Yes,‖ he nodded, ―I can understand that Borneheld would
need you by his side.‖ Faraday visibly relaxed. ―But,‖ a frown crossed Timozel‘s face, ―I do not
entirely trust your companions, either. What on earth made them cast us down here?‖
―Timozel, you know Axis. He had orders to take me to Arcen and leave me there. Yet I
wish for nothing else than to join Borneheld.‖ Artor forgive her for that lie, she thought. ―And
see how the Destroyer attacked the Axe-Wielders. It might have been dangerous for me to stay
with them. Jack and Yr thought it best that we leave now.‖
―Yes,‖ Timozel nodded his head slowly, then abruptly made up his mind. Artor must
have pushed him to Faraday‘s side like this for a reason—to protect her. Artor was giving
Timozel the chance to prove what a great and honourable warrior he could be. He dropped down
on one knee before her and seized both her hands between his own.
―Lady,‖ he said earnestly, ―I pledge my life to your service.‖ Faraday gasped, and her
eyes flew to the impassive Jack and Yr before returning to Timozel‘s face. ―Know that I will
stand between you and harm, that I will guard both your body and your honour before any regard
of my own safety, that I will champion your cause and seek only that you walk in light for the
rest of your life. Artor witness this my holy vow; only my death or your wish will break it. Lady
Faraday, will you accept my service?‖
Faraday did not know what to do. Warriors had been known to bind themselves as
Champions to a noble lady, but, as far as she knew, it had not occurred for many years. She
looked across to Jack for guidance.
Jack nodded slightly. Perhaps Timozel could protect her against some of the trauma
ahead. She would need a friend.
Yr wondered if Timozel might get in the way more than he could help, but she too
inclined her head. As Faraday‘s Champion, Timozel would prove a far more irresistible
challenge for her.
Faraday took a deep breath and turned her eyes back to Timozel. She was touched by his
offer and his genuine concern for her. She knew that the relationship between a lady and her
Champion was never sexual; perhaps that was one of the reasons the nobles at court had
discarded the ancient tradition as hopelessly idealistic and practically untenable. But Faraday
also knew that a Champion was more than simply a protector. He was a friend, a confidant, a
pillar to lean on, a man who would always believe her, strive to understand her, and do his
utmost to support her in any decision that she made. She nodded slowly. Perhaps life at
Borneheld‘s side would not prove so awful with Timozel there to turn to.
―I accept your offer of service, Timozel, and thank you from the depths of my heart. Let
Artor witness that this bond shall hold until your death or my wish does break it. May Artor also
guide both our steps in the future, and may He keep and hold us in the palm of His hand.‖
Timozel smiled and kissed her hands softly, then he let them go and stood up. Now this
strange pair would know that Faraday had a protector, he thought. If they tried to harm her then
he would cut them down where they stood.
Timozel squared his shoulders. He felt taller, as if his new role as Faraday‘s Champion
had given him added stature along with the new meaning and direction of his life. He dismissed
the thought of what his BattleAxe might say. It was more than time he started to shoulder some
responsibility.
―Now,‖ he said in as authoritative a tone as he could manage. ―Perhaps you could explain
where we are, Jack.‖
22
EVENING BY THE BARROWS
By nightfall Axis had resumed control and moved his men further into the Barrows. The
Axe-Wielders had gathered their horses together quickly and reformed into their units. The two
physicians who travelled with them tended the wounded while the dead were gathered and
placed in graves hastily dug in an open area between two Barrows. ―The Barrows can hold our
dead as well as those of the Forbidden,‖ Axis remarked bitterly when Veremund dared to raise
an eyebrow in his direction. Later, the two Brothers, pressed by Axis‘ cold stare, mumbled the
words of the Service for the Dead and managed, with a number of embarrassing stumbles, to
commend the dead to Artor‘s care. The injured lay on stretchers, ready to be taken back to Tare
by a small escort the next morning.
Later, soldiers sat about their campfires, either forcing down warm food, or cleaning gear
muddied during the confusion of the storm. Axis spent much of the evening walking among his
men, smiling and reassuring, asking and answering questions, putting a comforting hand to a
shoulder when it was needed, laughing and joking when that was needed more. Despite the
apparent attention Axis gave to the individual men of his command, his mind worried over the
events of the day, trying to make some sense out of what had happened. He was grateful that
no-one had seen the raging head in the clouds; he did not think he could explain that to his men.
What was it that had bubbled out of his subconscious to drive back the frightful apparition that
seemed so intent on destroying him?
The more Axis thought about the implications of what had happened, the more unsure he
became. Having lived so long with the uncertainty and shame of his parentage, Axis was not a
man who enjoyed encountering uncertainty in other areas of his life.
Finally, Axis wound his way to Ogden and Veremund‘s campfire. The two old men were
huddled inside their cloaks, as close to the fire as they dared to sit with their precious books in
their laps. Both were so absorbed in their reading they did not hear Axis approach.
―And have you found the answers yet, old men? Can you tell me how to drive back
another of those demon-spawned storms? Can you tell me how to protect my men from spears of
ice that rain from the clouds?‖
Ogden and Veremund looked up, startled. Axis stood the other side of the low fire, his
stance aggressive. Both of his hands hovered close to the sword and axe in his weapon belt.
―Axis,‖ said Veremund gently. ―Sit down with us awhile. We should talk.‖
Axis stood a moment longer, then sat down cross-legged in one fluid motion. He has the
Icarii grace, thought Ogden, and the temper to match.
―Yes,‖ Axis said harshly, ―we should talk. And will you tell me the truth, old men?‖
―How much truth do you want to hear, BattleAxe?‖ Ogden snapped, before Veremund
laid a hand on his arm and replied smoothly, ―We have never told you anything but the truth,
Axis.‖
Perhaps, thought Axis, but mostly couched in as many riddles as your beloved Prophecy.
He took a calming breath. ―What was that in the clouds this morning? Was it the Destroyer your
Prophecy speaks of?‖
―It was his image,‖ Ogden replied. ―Not the Destroyer himself. He is not strong enough
yet to make such a journey in the flesh.‖
―Why journey in the flesh when you can kill and maim as effectively with your cursed
sorcery?‖ Axis said angrily.
―Axis, be calm. Learn from it, but do not waste your energies blaming yourself.‖
For a moment Axis battled with his temper; that Veremund had only spoken sense did not
endear him to Axis. ―Then tell me what to learn from it, man, tell me what to learn from it.‖ Axis paused, his jaw clenched tightly. ―Why did he attack us?‖
―Because we are a danger to him,‖ Veremund replied.
―Do you mean the Axe-Wielders are a danger to him?‖ Axis asked carefully.
―And you, BattleAxe,‖ Veremund replied just as carefully. He did not want to give Axis
too much information while he was in this state of angry self-denial. ―You lead them, and you