“Stars in heaven, Azhure, I know what it means,” Axis murmured. He had thought he’d led a lonely life, but his loneliness was nothing compared to the misery of Azhure’s childhood. He had enjoyed the love and support of so many Brothers within the Seneschal, not the least Jaytne himself. All Azhure had were the fortnightly visits of a blacksmith who was occasionally kind to her and who told her stories of mythical heroes.
“Caelum is a fine name,” he said finally.
“Axis,” Azhure suddenly said. “Promise me you will never steal this baby to give to Faraday to raise!”
Axis sat up on his elbow, appalled. How could she think that he would do such a thing? Unbidden, StarDrifter’s words from many months ago in Talon Spike echoed through his mind, “In ages gone past Icarii birdmen simply took the babies of human—Icarii unions and never spared a thought for the women who had struggled to birth their children.” Did Azhure fear he would do that to her?
“Listen to me,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “I will never take our son from you. Both of us have suffered because our parents were torn from us. Do you think that I would perpetuate the same pain on our son? Azhure, hear me, I swear on everything I hold dear that I will never, never, take our son from you. Believe me!”
Azhure finally let go of her fears. She reached up and cupped Axis’ face in her hands. “Then awaken our son, Axis, and tell him that his parents love him dearly and will never desert him!”
Axis sat up and pulled Azhure against him. He put his arms around her and placed his splayed hands over her belly. “Awake, Caelum,” he said clearly, and began to sing. Azhure closed her eyes and let his Song envelop her, feeling their baby – Caelum – stir to wakefulness in her womb. He twisted and turned so his entire body pressed against the outer wall of her womb, as close to Axis’ hands as possible. The sensation was so exquisite it went way beyond the description of words.
How could she ever have considered Belial’s proposal? Azhure wondered. How could she ever have believed she could walk away from Axis? Beltide had been a point beyond which there was no turning back. No longer would she attempt to deny her love for this Enchanter who held her now.
Rivkah had told Azhure that it was a tragedy for a human woman to love an Icarii Enchanter, to be entrapped in a love which would cause only pain, but Azhure hoped these months with Axis and their son in Sigholt would somehow store up enough love and happiness to see her through the inevitable suffering. Azhure’s body relaxed completely against Axis’, letting the rhythm of the Song he was singing wash through her, feeling her baby respond to his father.
After a long while Axis stopped, and he smiled and whispered into Azhure’s ear. “You have grown a wonderful son within your body, Azhure. Speak to him. Speak to your son. He loves you and would hear your voice.”
“Me? But I thought it was only the Icarii father who could speak to babes still in the womb. Me? Why would he want to listen to me?”
“He loves you,” Axis repeated, smiling against her ear. “You are his hero. He will hear you. He is awake.”
Azhure slid her hands down over her belly, and Axis’ covered hers. What would she say? Slowly, hesitantly, then with more confidence and joy, Azhure spoke to her son.
“Let Fly the Standard!’
w^v ivkah hurried along the corridors of Sigholt, i_^ increasingly fretful. She had woken early to find JL. ^^.Azhure gone, her side of the bed stone cold. Her clothes were still lying draped casually across the chair -Azhure was still in her nightgown. Had she gone for a midnight stroll through Sigholt and suffered some mishap – a fall perhaps? Was Azhure now lying injured some place?
Rivkah turned down the main corridor and hurried towards the stairwell that led to the roof. She halted by the door to the main apartment. The door was closed and nothing seemed amiss. But there was something…different.
Rivkah suddenly realised what it was as the faint odour of lamp oil registered. Had Azhure gone in there? Was she now asleep — injured, perhaps – on the floor? Rivkah gripped the door handle and stepped into the central chamber.
Lamps had indeed been lit, but had now burned down. Rivkah glanced about the chamber and took a deep breath. She had not been in these apartments since returning to Sigholt, and they brought back a flood of memories. Searlas is long dead, she told herself firmly, and stepped further into the room — and saw Azhure’s nightgown lying in a pale puddle in the centre of the floor. She turned her head towards the open door to the bedchamber, then walked slowly over and stepped through.
Azhure and Axis lay asleep on the bed, Axis’ arms wrapped protectively around Azhure. Well, thought Rivkah, a curious stillness in her mind, you did not run far enough or fast enough, did you Azhure?
Axis opened his eyes and stared at Rivkah standing just inside the doorway. He gently disentangled himself from Azhure; who murmured a little as he left the bed. He paused to pull the sheets over her before he hugged his mother.
“Welcome home to Sigholt,” Rivkah whispered, holding her son tightly to her. “Did the Ferryman teach you well? Did you learn his secrets?”
“The Ferryman still plies his boat along the waterways, Rivkah. He is well.” Axis brushed some stray silver wisps of hair back from his mother’s forehead. “Does anyone else know I am here?” he asked.
“No.” Rivkah paused and glanced at Azhure, still asleep.
“She carries a beautiful son, Rivkah.”
“She was very worried. Have you sung to him?”
“Yes,” Axis replied sofdy, remembering.
“Rivkah?” Azhure murmured sleepily behind them. “Is that you?”
Rivkah let her son go and sat down on the bed beside Azhure, stroking her hair.
Azhure knew exactly what she was thinking. “I will be happy, Rivkah. Do not fret for me.”
Rivkah’s face hardened. They were both so young and both so sure that life would work out exactly as they hoped. Well, already plans and vows lay shattered across the floor. Could they not see that?
“Azhure, it grows late, and Belial has called a meeting of his commanders in the map-room. You must dress. I’ll bring your clothes here.
“Axis,” Rivkah turned to him, “Belial would be more than pleased to see you. He has long fretted about your absence.”
Axis nodded. “Then shall we surprise him, Azhure? Let me see what Belial has done with my command over the past eight months.”
“And while you are in conference I will tell StarDrifter and MorningStar you have arrived,” Rivkah said, rising from the bed.
“They are here?” Axis asked sharply.
“Yes. They arrived some time ago.”
“Good,” he nodded, “for I must talk with them.”
Belial paced about the map-room. Where was she? Magariz, Arne, FarSight and two of his Crest-Leaders had been here almost a quarter of an hour, chatting about inconsequential matters. Well, Belial fumed, if her pregnancy was going to make her sleep in during the mornings, then perhaps… The door opened and Azhure stepped into the room. “You’re late,” Belial snapped. “I …” Axis stepped into the room behind Azhure. “I am afraid that was my fault, Belial.”
Belial gaped at Axis, then he strode across the chamber and enveloped his friend in a great hug. “Axis!
“Eight months’ absence is too long, my friend,” Belial said, finally stepping back. “I am glad to have you back.”
Axis turned to Magariz. “Magariz!” They,gripped hands. Axis’ warmth for this man who had abandoned lifelong loyalties to follow his cause was only slightly less than for Belial. Without Belial and Magariz Axis’ cause would be almost hopeless. Axis touched the blood-red blazing sun on Magariz’s chest. “Azhure has been wrapping you in her designs, I see.”
Axis greeted Arne, then FarSight and the two other Crest-Leaders. Their black uniforms, although similarly emblazoned with the blood-red blazing sun, made them look forbidding and dangerous and Axis wondered how their training was going.
After all the greetings were done, Axis gestured to the others to take their places about the table; it was clear that Axis had assumed full command the instant he’d walked into the chamber.
Axis placed his hands on the table, stared about the table, then said quietly to Belial, “Tell me.”
Talking in confident tones, Belial informed Axis of the status of Sigholt and of his command, now a combined one of Acharites and Icarii, ground and air combatants.
Axis nodded occasionally, raised his eyebrows in silent query at other times. Belial had worked wonders, and Axis was impressed — and grateful. The Icarii were doing well, learning the skills they would need in battle. The Lake had awakened both Keep and hills. When Belial described Azhure’s work with the archers, her abilities as a fighter and as a commander, Axis was not surprised. As Axis and Azhure shared a look, Belial quickly moved on to the growing number of refugees who flocked to Sigholt. Word of the Prophecy was spreading, and proving potent.