its tone brought complete silence to the grove.
―My people. Gorgrael lives and breathes and will shortly bear his might down on the
lands that were once united as Tencendor. Remember the words of the Prophecy—the Destroyer
is of our blood, ours and the Icarii intermingled. One of our women, or one of the Icarii women,
did not abort a baby that was in all probability conceived here in this grove, under the shade of
the Earth Tree during the joy that is Beltide. We all bear the shame that is Gorgrael. Grieve with
me that through our carelessness we should bring destruction down upon ourselves.‖
Many of the Avar hung their heads, some wept. That the Destroyer was of their blood
was shameful news, and though the Prophecy had long predicted it they found it hard to bear. To
think that one of their blood would direct such violence and hatred to rain down upon them was
bitter news indeed.
―And yet out of sorrow perhaps there is good news as well,‖ Mirbolt continued in a
stronger voice. ―The StarMan is of the Destroyer‘s blood, and perhaps we can hope that our
shame can be redeemed if he is also of Avar blood.‖ Although Mirbolt had been informed of the
news regarding the BattleAxe, his parentage and his ability, the Banes did not feel that this news
was yet anything but a private matter between StarDrifter and GoldFeather. If the BattleAxe was
connected to the Prophecy then the Banes wanted to be very careful before they broached the
news to their people. By the Horned Ones! It would be a grievous truth indeed to accept that one
born of Icarii man and human woman was in fact the StarMan.
For a while Mirbolt talked of Faraday Tree Friend, giving her people some background
on the woman. Many of the Avar spoke, standing and bowing respectfully towards the Earth
Tree, wondering how it was that the Avar should be so shamed that one of them was not chosen
by Earth Tree for this honour in their hour of need. To that the Banes had no answer. Raum
spoke at length, telling of his testing of Faraday, of her instant and strong bonding with the
Mother and of the present of the enchanted bowl the Horned Ones had made her. One day, he
said, she will stand before the Earth Tree and lead the Avar to safety and to their promised home.
One day, he pledged, she would present to them the StarMan. One day. Meanwhile Gorgrael
brewed his terrible hate to the north.
All will be well, Raum finished, and all feet will find their way to the paths of the Sacred
Grove. And to that, no-one had anything to say for a long while.
Finally the silver-haired Bane stepped forward again. ―We have one more issue that must
be discussed and decided here tonight, my people. We have with us a guest, Azhure, daughter of
the Plough-Keeper of the village of Smyrton just beyond the Avarinheim.‖ As all eyes swivelled
her way, Azhure‘s stomach turned over with nervousness. ―Azhure, step to me, please.‖
GoldFeather gave Azhure a little shove and Azhure stood, picking her way a lot more
calmly through the assembled Avar than she felt. Despite her fear, she kept her face composed as
she walked up to Mirbolt who had stepped out of the stone circle to greet her. The Bane had a
kindly face, but looking into her eyes was like falling into a lake where you did not know what
lay below the surface waiting for you—hard rock a handspan below the surface to shatter your
bones? Or soft, comforting water to cushion your fall? The Bane took Azhure‘s hand and led her
around the outside of the stone circle so that all the Avar could see her.
―Azhure comes to us with both hope and pain in her heart,‖ the Mirbolt spoke gently.
―She helped Bane Raum and Shra escape the Plains Dwellers when it seemed that all hope was
lost.‖ Many of the Avar smiled at Azhure. ―But Azhure committed violence to that purpose,
violence that we could not normally condone.‖ The Bane described how Azhure had caused the
death of her father and attacked the Axe-Wielder Belial—and as she did so the faces of the Avar
closed to Azhure.
Raum stepped forward and took Azhure‘s other hand, smiling at her encouragingly and
speaking to his people, describing how he would almost certainly have died had it not been for
Azhure‘s assistance, describing her attempts to care for himself and Shra when all her kindness
had earned her was a beating from her father. He described the scars on Azhure‘s back, described
the ill-treatment she had endured at the hands of her father, and the eyes of the Avar softened a
little in sympathy and Azhure dared let herself hope. Raum also described Shra‘s puzzling
acceptance of Hagen‘s blood as a gift to the Mother. The Banes had discussed this at length, but
no-one had known quite what to make of it. At the end Raum turned to Azhure. ―Speak,
Azhure,‖ he said, his hand warm about hers. ―Speak about what you want, about what you feel.‖
Azhure blinked. She had not expected to be asked to speak, and she felt shy in front of
these people and in this sacred place. But she did not lack courage, and so she stood even
straighter and addressed the Avar people.
―I thank you for being allowed here tonight and for being given the opportunity to speak
to you. I would ask that I be allowed to join your people. I know that my people have treated
yours harshly and that I have myself acted with violence. I can only vow before the Earth Tree
tonight that I will never offer you or yours any violence. Please, let me stay with you. I have no
people and nowhere to stay. I have lived for weeks with the GhostTree Clan and have learned to
respect your way of life deeply. What I have witnessed here tonight has only increased my
respect. I felt nothing but hollowness and pain when I lived in Smyrton. The Avarinheim has
given the closest thing to peace that I have yet known. Please, let me stay with you,‖ she
repeated.
Bane Mirbolt nodded at her. ―Thank you for your words, Azhure. Please, Raum, would
you take her inside the circle of stone while we discuss with the Avar what their decision will
be?‖
Raum drew Azhure slowly underneath the nearest stone arch as the Bane started to walk
among the Avar, leaning down to talk quietly with them as she passed through their ranks.
Azhure turned to Raum, hope and pain softening her blue eyes. ―What do you think, Raum? Will
they accept me?‖
Raum avoided answering and drew Azhure closer to the Earth Tree. ―Come, Azhure. Let
me present you to the Earth Tree.‖
―Are you allowed to do that?‖
Raum grinned, his teeth white against his swarthy complexion. ―I hardly think the Earth
Tree will gather her roots and flee, Azhure. She has seen worse than you in her lifetime. Come.‖
They walked the twenty or so paces to the tree. Its girth was immense, fifteen men
holding hands could not have encircled it. Slowly Azhure reached out a hand and touched its
bark. It was smooth, like silk, and slightly cool to the touch. She smiled and rubbed her fingers
up and down. It felt alive, almost as if it breathed. And to think that the Seneschal taught that
trees, forests, were evil. None of them had ever touched the Earth Tree. She looked at Raum
inquiringly.
―The Earth Tree has stood as long as the Avar have been here to tend it,‖ he said. ―We
believe that the health of the Earth Tree is intimately connected with the health of the entire
Avarinheim. When, so many years ago, your people,‖ Azhure turned her eyes away from him,
―embarked on the wholesale slaughter of the Avarinheim below the Fortress Ranges it is said
that the Earth Tree sickened near unto death. It has taken many generations to recover and is now
not so green and verdant as it once was. If the Tree should die, then we believe the Avar people
would also be destroyed.‖ Raum touched the Tree himself. ―We could not live without it,‖ he
said quietly, but then smiled. ―Ah, Azhure, ever since the destruction of so much of the
Avarinheim the Earth Tree has sought refuge from her pain in sleep, absorbed in her dreams of
great mysteries. Can you imagine her power and beauty should she wake? We all live for that
day.‖
―Azhure.‖ The voice behind her made Azhure jump. She turned around. Mirbolt stood
there.
―My dear.‖ The Bane‘s face was sad and Azhure‘s heart sank. ―Our people have reached
their decision. They sympathise with your plight, and they are deeply grateful to you for Raum