Sara Douglass – The Axis Trilogy 2 – Enchanter

Suddenly awkward, Azhure gently cradled a flower in her hands. The cascade drifted to a halt and she spoke, changing the subject. “EvenSong wants me to join her at training this afternoon. She says I show aptitude.”

EvenSong had been impressed by Azhure’s extraordinary fighting ability so clearly demonstrated during the battle in the Earth Tree Grove at Yuletide. While the Icarii Strike Force had faltered helplessly, unsure of how to combat the Skraeling wraiths, Azhure had discovered the Skraelings’ vulnerability – their eyes — and almost single-handedly rallied the Icarii and Avar to fight back. During the battle she had also saved StarDrifter from certain death.

EvenSong admired Azhure for her cool head and bravery, and for some weeks she and her Wing-Leader, SpikeFeather TrueSong, had been pressing Azhure to join weapons training with the Strike Force.

Axis could see Azhure’s doubts and knew the reasons for them. Had he not reviled her for the death of her father and the assault on Belial as she escaped into the Avarinheim with Raum and Shra? Had not the Avar rejected her, suspicious of her violence, even though she had saved so many of their lives?

“Azhure,” he said gently. “You did what you had to. Now do what you want with your life. Would you like to go with EvenSong this afternoon?”

Azhure hesitated, then nodded. “I have seen the Strike Force practise at archery. They look so smooth, so graceful. I would like to try that. SpikeFeather has offered to demonstrate for me and,” her mouth quirked, “teach me the proper use of the arrow.” Again she hesitated, then forged on. “I am sick of feeling helpless, directionless. I feel as though I have spent my life in a deep, dark well. Now, after so long buried in Smyrton, I am starting to make my way towards the surface – but the surface is still so very far away. Each day away from Smyrton, each new experience, brings me a little closer, wakes me up a little more from the torpor of my previous life. You are right. I must seek my own path.”

She laughed now, her good humour returning. “I am glad I’m not an Icarii Enchanter like you, destined for heroic deeds. That would be a heavy burden.”

Axis turned away, his face expressionless. “I am no hero.”

Azhure lowered her eyes to the flower she still held. If Axis had his moments of denial, then she did not blame him. Not a day passed that Axis did not grieve for those who had already died for him. He despised the thought that yet more would die. And it haunted him that his sister blamed him for FreeFall’s death.

“You must bear with EvenSong. She has not yet reconciled herself to FreeFall’s death. Her grief needs an outlet.”

Axis knew his sister resented him for many other reasons besides his inability to prevent FreeFall’s death. She had not begun to come to terms with having an older brother, and one who had inherited their father’s powers in full. Where once StarDrifter had lavished attention on EvenSong, now she found herself virtually ignored by her father as he spent almost every waking moment with his son. EvenSoiig found her father’s obsession with Axis difficult to accept.

It was fortunate, Axis mused, that Azhure was here to offer EvenSong companionship. He too appreciated the friendship and understanding she gave him as he fought to adjust to his new life and his new powers. Rivkah spent a good deal of time talking to her as well. If not for Azhure, StarDrifter’s entire household might well have self-destructed by now.

“The SunSoars are difficult people to live with,” he said, resting his chin in his hand.

“The Icarii people as a whole are,” replied Azhure, her eyes distant. “They are very good at passions and very bad at friendships.”

Axis studied her closely. This woman from Smyrton displayed more insight than many who had spent years in

scholarly or diplomatic training. Where had she got it from? Not from her father, surely; Hagen had demonstrated as much insight as a sack of barley. Her mother? From what Axis knew of Nors women, they thought mainly of the pleasures of the flesh and very little else. And surely the woeful society of her village had contributed little to the inner depths she increasingly revealed.

Azhure shifted under his gaze — those pale-blue eyes seemed to reach to the core of her soul. Unthinking, she said the first thing that sprang to mind.

“Do you worry about her, Axis? Do you wonder if she is all right?” she asked, and then wished desperately she could snatch her words back.

Axis tensed at her side and Azhure could sense his withdrawal. He rarely spoke of Faraday and yet Azhure knew she was always in his thoughts.

Azhure stumbled on, trying to relieve the sudden tension. “I saw her, you know, at Yuletide. She is a woman who combines great beauty with great compassion and selflessness. It is no wonder you love her as you do.”

“You saw her?” Axis frowned. “How?”

“Did StarDrifter not tell you how he and Faraday woke the Earth Tree at Yuletide as the Skraelings attacked the Earth Tree Grove?”

Axis nodded, still frowning, and Azhure hurried on. “I don’t know what enchantment StarDrifter used, but Faraday appeared as if in a vision above the Earth Tree. No-one else saw her. StarDrifter and Raum were concentrating so hard on the Tree that they did not look up. I don’t know if she saw me, but she looked down and smiled.” Azhure gave a litde shrug. “At least, I like to think she smiled at me.”

Axis relaxed a little. “She would like you, and you her. It is a pity you are both caught in the web of this Prophecy.”

“If / were married to Borneheld he would not have survived his wedding night,” Azhure said tightly. Over the past few weeks she had learned much of Faraday’s circumstances. “Why did she not escape with you to Talon Spike?”

“Because she honours the vows that she took when she became Borneheld’s wife, Azhure. Even her love for me will not make her desert her honour.” He sounded bitter. “Do I wonder about her? Do I worry if she is all right? With every breath that I draw, Azhure. I live for her.”

“Axis.”

They both swivelled towards the voice. StarDrifter stood on the ledge by the archway that led back into the mountain, his white wings a litde outstretched to aid his balance.

. Axis stood in one fluid motion, feeling his father’s intrusion keenly.

StarDrifter held his gaze briefly, then dropped his eyes to Azhure and smiled warmly at her, his face breathtaking in its beauty. “You should not bring Azhure out here, Axis. She does not have our balance.” He stepped forward and helped Azhure to her feet, clasping her hand as he led her back into the safety of the mountain.

As they stepped through the archway and down into the wide corridor, Azhure pulled her hand awkwardly from StarDrifter s grasp. “I followed Axis out there, StarDrifter. It was not his fault. And neither the height of the cliff nor the narrowness of the ledge bother me. Truly.”

StarDrifter looked back at her. He wished- she would abandon the Avar tunic and leggings and wear the loose flowing robes favoured by the Icarii women; she would look superb in their jewelled colours and she had the grace to do their elegance justice.

Axis stepped down into the corridor behind them and StarDrifter glanced at his son. The tensions of their morning argument remained, and this afternoon’s training session would not be easy. No doubt they would end this afternoon with angry words as well. Axis was so desperate to learn, but hated being the student.

Yet he learned so well, and so quickly. That was part of the problem, for Axis wanted to learn faster than StarDrifter was willing to teach. While StarDrifter took pride in the knowledge that the Prophecy had chosen him among all Icarii to breed this son, he also found it hard not to resent Axis’ power. As EvenSong resented losing her only and most favoured child status, so StarDrifter was battling to come to terms with the fact that very soon Axis’ power would surpass his own — and StarDrifter had long revelled in being the most powerful Icarii Enchanter alive.

StarDrifter looked back to Azhure with studied casualness. “Will you join us this afternoon, Azhure?” he asked. With her present, both Enchanters kept a tighter rein on their tempers. Neither MorningStar — who often helped with Axis’ training – nor Axis had so far raised any objections to Azhure s occasional presence in the training chamber.

“I thank you for the invitation, StarDrifter, but I will refuse. I promised EvenSong I would spend the afternoon with her. If you will excuse me.”