The Chamber lay empty, awaiting the Icarii and the man of the Prophecy who would lead them back into Tencendor and back into the lands of myth and legend.
In the circular robing room RavenCrest SunSoar faced the man who demanded to be named his heir.
The Icarii Talon, his violet eyes furious, paced to and fro, his black and speckled-blue wings rustling angrily behind.
“I reserve the right not to name an heir!” he shouted.
Axis understood RavenCrest’s reluctance to act. The Talon had not yet accepted FreeFall’s death, but Axis had to make him realise that an heir needed to be named while Raven-Crest still lived. These were bad and dangerous times, and if an heir could die so precipitously, then so too could a Talon -and nothing was so threatening to the stability of any realm than uncertainty over the succession.
Tonight Axis would address the full Assembly of the Icarii, and he needed to do that with the authority of an heir. He had to unite the three races — Icarii, Acharite and Avar — in order to weld them into a force that could defeat Gorgrael’s Ghostmen. He knew tonight could be his only opportunity to pull the Icarii behind him.
He walked deliberately towards his uncle, wearing the golden tunic Azhure had made for him, the blood-red sun blazing triumphantly across his breast. I bless her for this gift of the blood-red sun, he thought as he held RavenCrest s eyes, for it will be the emblem of what I will become. StarDrifter and MorningStar glanced at each other. Axis stopped not a pace from RavenCrest, his eyes calm before the Talon’s temper.
“Your son is dead. Gone. You have no other children. RavenCrest, you have a duty to your people,” Axis paused, “and to your blood. You have no choice but to name me your heir. I demand it as my right. You have no choice.”
RavenCrest gestured towards StarDrifter. “My brother stands in direct line to the throne.”
Axis’ mouth curled ironically. “Uncle, if you follow that line of reasoning, then StarDrifter would be followed by his eldest son.” He paused, letting the full implications of his statement sink in. “Would you have Gorgrael knock on Talon Spike’s door to claim his heritage, RavenCrest? Gorgrael as Talon? If nothing else, I am the lesser of two evils.”
RavenCrest said nothing, the muscles in his jaw flickering. “The whole mountain seethes with uncertainty over this issue,” Axis snapped. “Name me as your heir, or let your beloved people tear themselves to pieces once you have gone. You have no son or full-blood nephew to follow you, Raven-Crest, and I ant your only choice! You must decide and you must decide now\ Why did you give me control of the Strike Force if you did not intend to give me the throne as well?”
RavenCrest tore his eyes away from his nephew’s and looked at his mother.
MorningStar inclined her head. “He is right, RavenCrest. You have no choice. You must name Axis your heir.” Her eldest son did not like what she said. “This has never happened before!” RavenCrest shouted, wheeling away and resuming his agitated pacing. “The Icarii have always had a full-blood Icarii SunSoar as Talon!”
“The whole world is changing and being refashioned beneath our feet, RavenCrest. Nothing will ever be the same again.” Not only his voice, but Axis’ entire body stance exuded power and confidence.
RavenCrest looked at his nephew. His whole being yearned for his son, but FreeFall was dead. Despite his grief and his resistance to naming Axis his heir, RavenCrest indeed knew that he would have to do it. StarDrifter would be a hopeless Talon, and, even though Axis was not full-blood Icarii — not even winged — he knew how to lead.
The anger on RavenCrest’s face faded, and he gestured to his brother. “StarDrifter, call our wives and EvenSong. They must be here so that the entire living House of SunSoar will bear witness to this.”
At StarDrifter’s summons, BrightFeather, RavenCrest’s wife, then Rivkah and EvenSong entered the room.
As soon as the door was closed behind them RavenCrest stepped forward and took Axis’ face between his hands, then kissed him softly on the mouth.
“As the head of the House of SunSoar and as Icarii Talon, I not only welcome you who was lost into the House of SunSoar, nephew, but also name you in front of these witnesses as my heir and successor to the titles, ranks, privileges and powers of the hereditary office of Talon.”
EvenSong’s eyes widened in surprise. Rivkah smiled at StarDrifter; their eyes burned with pride.
RavenCrest’s eyes were still locked with Axis’ and his hands still gripped his nephew’s head; he took no notice of the reactions about the room. “Axis. For the past six thousand years the House of SunSoar has been the guardian of the office and person of the Talon. We have been privileged, and have enjoyed the trust and loyalty of the Icarii people.”
If not the trust and loyalty of the Acharite people over whom you once ruled, Axis thought a little sourly.
“Respect that tradition of trust and loyalty.” RavenCrest paused. “Axis, You will be the twenty-seventh Enchanter-Talon, the first for over fifteen hundred years. You will wield much power, both in your own right and in your position as StarMan. Do you promise to respect your people?” “Always,” Axis responded softly, his sourness fading. “Do you promise now, before me and your family, that you will not abuse your power?”
. “I will never do so.”
“Will you guide your Icarii people through the Prophecy so that they will drift only into sun-bright clear air and not shadowed turbulence?” “I do so promise.”
RavenCrest gently let Axis’ head go and kissed each of his nephew’s palms before folding them gently over Axis’ heart.
“Then accept my blessing and my goodwill, Axis SunSoar. Before the House of SunSoar here gathered I formally name you heir to the Talon throne as I will name you to the Icarii nation in Assembly. Shoulder your responsibilities and fly with them into the future.”
“I shall endeavour not to falter, RavenCrest, and I will do my best for our people. I am grateful for your trust and for your belief in me. I will do well.” In truth, Axis did not know if he’d ever take the throne of Talon, but this was not the time or place to tell RavenCrest how he intended to structure the new Tencendor. But if he did not become Talon, he would pass it to another of the same blood. The office of Talon would not leave the House of SunSoar.
StarDrifter embraced his son. “Welcome to the House of SunSoar, Axis. Welcome home to your heritage.”
He was followed by MorningStar. “Welcome to the House of SunSoar. You are a powerful Enchanter, Axis, heir to the Throne. I am proud of you. Fly high and soar well.”
BrightFeather whispered some cordial words of welcome, then Axis was enveloped into a bear hug by his mother. Hecould feel her cheeks were wet with tears as they brushed his.
“I weep with happiness, my sweet son,” she said, “andbecause at least I have witnessed you seize your heritage inboth your hands before I die. Welcome among the SunSoars.”
Axis hugged her tightly, tears springing into his own eyes.
He wished he had enjoyed her love and support all his lifeinstead of only the past few months.
Rivkah let him go and stepped back for EvenSong.
EvenSong placed her hands on Axis’ shoulders and kissed him gendy. “I have not been very welcoming. Axis,” she said softly. “Please accept my sorrow that I did not more fully embrace your return into our family earlier. I have acted badly, and for that I beg your forgiveness. Welcome into the House of SunSoar, brother.”
Axis touched her cheek. “There is no need. I know of your grief. EvenSong,” he hesitated, “FreeFall’s last words and thoughts were of you. Have faith in his love for you.”
EvenSong leaned back, her face expressionless as she fought back tears. Even now, after so many months, words of FreeFall were painful.
“There is one more task that must be done before we enter the Assembly,” said RavenCrest, “and it breaks my heart to do this.” He held out his hands. “Rivkah. StarDrifter.”
When they joined him he took each by the hand. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
Rivkah nodded. Her mind was made up. “Yes, Raven-Crest. This is what we must do.”
StarDrifter was silent.
“Many years ago,” RavenCrest began, “it was my privilege to announce and witness the marriage vows and bonds between you. Now, by mutual decision, you have decided to break those vows.” He dropped each of their hands, the gesture deliberate and grave. “Your marriage has come to an end, StarDrifter and Rivkah. Use your freedom wisely.”
Rivkah and StarDrifter had warned their children and family earlier of their decision; none were truly surprised. The true tragedy, Axis thought, was that this passion, this love that had altered lives and would alter nations, could be ended so simply.