Sara Douglass – The Axis Trilogy 2 – Enchanter

Judith sat on a sofa by the fire, Embeth’s arm about her shoulder. Both women had glasses of brandy in their hands.

Embeth smiled wryly as Faraday sank down beside Judith. “There can be no better time to get slightly drunk,” she said, “than in the hours just after your husband has died.”

Faraday knew she must be remembering her own husband Ganelon’s death.

Judith sniffed her tears back and put her glass down. Her porcelain skin was smudged and bruised under her eyes, evidence that she had not slept for many nights, and her golden hair was streaked and disordered. Poor Judith, Faraday thought, stroking the woman’s hair back into some semblance of order. What will you do with your life now Priam is dead?

“Thank you, Faraday,” Judith managed, then cleared her throat and said, her voice stronger, “Priam and I both thank you for your kindness and support over the past three weeks.”

Faraday smiled, but did not say anything. She hoped that she could be as gracious if ever faced with a comparable loss. They sat in silence for some time, then Judith stirred and took Faraday’s hand.

“My dear, I hope you will forgive me for what I now say…but say it I must and, having seen you with Borneheld over the past weeks, I think I can trust you to hear it.” Faraday met Embeth’s eyes over Judith’s head. Judith abruptly picked up her glass and swallowed the last of her brandy. “Priam told me to name Axis his heir,” she said. “He did not want Borneheld to succeed him.”

. Faraday’s breathing stilled. What good would that do Axis now?

“Artor save us!” Embeth whispered. “You cannot stand up in Borneheld’s court and say that Priam named Axis his heir!” Judith smiled bitterly and straightened her back. “I know, Embeth. I have no death wish. I believe Priam’s death was planned the instant he announced in audience that he wanted to seek an alliance with Axis.”

Faraday stared at Judith, but decided against saying anything about the chalice. She had no idea who had ensorcelled the chalice, and the knowledge that it was ensorcelled would only distress Judith. She took Judith’s hand. “Why did Priam change his mind?”

“Over past months,” Judith said, “Priam realised how mistaken he’d been never to accept Axis for the man he was -a brilliant war leader and a better prince than Borneheld ever would be.” She hesitated, glancing at Embeth. “I have told you this because Embeth has told me something of your feelings for Axis and that she encouraged you tp marry Borneheld when you were racked with doubts.”

“And for that I can never apologise enough,” said Embeth. Faraday bowed her head and thought for a moment. When she raised her eyes again they were brilliant with power.

Judith and Embeth both gasped.

“Let me tell you something about myself and about Axis,” she said, her voice as powerful as her eyes.

She talked for over an hour, Embeth shakily pouring the three of them more brandy when she was halfway through.

“Now that Borneheld is King, Axis is going to need all the help he can get,” Faraday finished. “Will you help?”

Judith nodded her head, her eyes thoughtful. “Yes, I will, Faraday. It is what Priam would have wanted me to do…and it is what / want to do.” She paused. “And I think I know someone who may tip the balance in Axis’ favour.”

Borneheld’s coronation was held the day after Priam was laid to rest. Clouds of war hung over Achar, and in times such as these, haste was called for.

A public holiday was proclaimed, and colourful bunting hung out. Flags and pennants were hastily raised to honour the new King the next. A public feast would have been appropriate and appreciated, but there was no time to arrange it, so Borneheld simply ordered that barrels of wine and ale be available on every street corner so that the good citizens of Carlon could simply get drunk without the food.

While the Carlonites partied in the streets, the actual coronation took place in the Chamber of the Moons. The entire court was present, every man, woman or child of noble blood crowded into the Chamber. The ceremony itself was officiated over by Jayme, who lowered the heavy gold circlet of office onto Borneheld’s head. As the trumpeting of horns far above them announced to the outside world that a new King had been crowned, Borneheld stood to receive the pledges of homage and fealty from his nobles.

Beside him, Faraday sat on a smaller throne, a simple coronet on her head, remembering the night she had first seen Axis in this chamber. One day, she prayed to the Mother, I will sit with Axis on this dais.

The most important nobles approached the dais first. Duke Roland of Aldeni and Earl Jorge of Avonsdale, both down from Jervois Landing for the coronation; Baron Ysgryff of Nor, his exotic features fixed in an expression of the sincerest loyalty as he pledged himself to Borneheld; Earl Burdel of Arcness, Borneheld’s friend and ally and now, no doubt, expecting handsome rewards for having supported Borneheld in the past; Baron Greville of Tarantaise, as volubly sincere as Baron Ysgryff had been; and, finally among the higher nobles, the lords of the provinces, came Faraday’s father, Earl Isend of Skarabost — now, Faraday noted with some dismay, taken up with a blowsy young noblewoman from Rhaetia who had rouged her nipples so heavily that they had stained the sheer material of her bodice.

After the nobles came sundry dignitaries and ambassadors. As the Corolean ambassador bowed low over his hand, Borneheld made a mental note to request the ambassador to come and see him at the first possible opportunity. Borneheld wanted to conclude a military alliance with the Coroleans as soon as he could.

Before the minor nobles could step forward to pay Borneheld homage, Judith, former Queen, and her lady-in-waiting, Lady Embeth of Tare, stepped forward.

Borneheld frowned, but Faraday inclined her head slightly.

“Yes?” Borneheld asked, as Judith rose frorn her curtsey. The woman, so confident in her graciousness, had always made him feel clumsy.

“Sire,” Judith began, “please accept my congratulations on your coronation and my sincere hopes for a long and bountiful reign. I pledge myself to you as your most loyal subject and hope that you know that if you need anything at all, I shall be only too willing to provide it for you.”

“Sire.” Judith’s voice changed slightly, and Borneheld suppressed a grimace. He knew that tone of voice. The bitch was going to ask him for something.

“Sire, I would ask a boon.”

No doubt a substantial annuity or country estate, Borneheld sighed inwardly. Dowager Queens ever were a nuisance.

“I am still prostrate with grief, Sire, and I would ask that you excuse me from court. You have your own court, and a beautiful wife to grace it.” Judith inclined her head to Faraday and smiled slightly. She turned back to Borneheld. “Embeth, the Lady of Tare, has offered me the sanctuary of her home. I would ask that you excuse both of us from court and from Carlon, so that we may retire to the quieter life of Tare.”

Borneheld was surprised. What? No money? No jewels? Just permission to retire from court? Easy enough. He waved a magnanimous hand. “You have my permission, Judith.”

“I leave this afternoon, if it pleases you, Sire,” Judith said humbly. In truth, she and Embeth had their carriages waiting outside.

“Then I wish you well, Judith, Embeth. Perhaps I will visit one day. Once the Forbidden have been put in their place, of course.”

“I will look forward to it with pleasure, Sire,” Judith said sweetly.

She curtsied deeply again, caught Faraday’s eye for an instant, then she and Embeth swiftly left the Chamber of the Moons.

Faraday stared after them sadly. She wished she rode with them. They had gone, not only to recuperate, but also to wait for Axis. If Axis was alive and if he led an army against Borneheld, there was every likelihood that he would pass by Tare. And if he did, then there waited Judith to inform both Axis and all who would listen that Priam had named Axis his rightful heir. Faraday smiled to herself. Judith hoped to have another, equally substantial surprise waiting for Axis as well.

Azhure’s Dilemma

Azhure lay under the light wraps and listened to£a\ Rivkah breathe. The women had shared an apartJL. JLment since their arrival in Sigholt six weekspreviously, and their friendship had deepened and broadenedsince their time in Sigholt.

For Azhure the past six weeks had been the happiest of her life. She had enjoyed her time in Talon Spike, and revelled in her acceptance by the Icarii, but she had found her true niche here in Sigholt. Belial, astounded by her skill with the Wolven and impressed by her determination to be useful, had given her a squad of thirty-six archers to train.