Sara Douglass – The Axis Trilogy 2 – Enchanter

“Why didn’t someone push the murderer through the Star Gate himself?” Axis demanded.

“It took WolfStar’s younger brother, CloudBurst SunSoar, who had watched his own daughter scream as WolfStar hurled her into the Star Gate, to put an end to his brother’s murderous ways,” said Veremund. “One day in Assembly, CloudBurst simply walked up behind his brother, and stabbed him. Just once, but it was a fatal blow.”

“That was the only way the SunSoars managed to salvage their self-respect, Axis,” MorningStar said. Her face was pale and lined. “CloudBurst managed to save both the SunSoars and the Icarii people. He took the Talon throne and stopped the murders, but the scars remain.”

“We so rarely speak of WolfStar,” StarDrifter explained, “because of our deep shame.”

MorningStar’s mouth twisted. “The murder of so many children was not WolfStar’s only crime. He was guilty of many other crimes against the Icarii People …”

“He stole the Enchantress’ ring,” interrupted StarDrifter, and Axis jumped a little guiltily. He fingered the pocket where he’d secreted the ring.

“… but the children’s murder was one that the Icarii have never, never forgotten,” MorningStar finished. “What is an ancient ring, even one so precious, when compared to so many wasted lives?”

“And now WolfStar is back,” Axis mused. No wonder the Ferryman had reacted with such horror. “He learned the secrets of the Star Gate, and now he has stepped back through. All right. Why? Jack? Do you have any idea why WolfStar has come back?”

Jack had been very quiet as the horrific tale unfolded. Now he faced Axis, composed, his green eyes tranquil and steady. “No. I have no idea.”

Axis looked inquiringly at the other two Sentinels, and then to his father and grandmother. “Anyone?!’ All shook their heads.

Axis studied the blank faces carefully. Why did he feel as though someone on this rooftop knew precisely why WolfStar had come back through the Star Gate?

“Well then, if we cannot know precisely the reason why WolfStar has come back, does anyone know how long he has been back?”

Again everyone shook their heads. Axis gestured with impatience. Someone must know something “If WolfStar has been back some time, he would have to protect himself against discovery. He would not want people to know. And yet the Icarii, as others, perhaps,” he glanced at Jack, “were still using the Star Gate until a thousand years ago. MorningStar, Veremund, how long has the tradition of not touching any of the statues been around?”

It was Jack who answered. “Three thousand years.”

Axis took a horrified step backwards. “Three thousand years? He has been back three thousand years? What mischief could WolfStar have got up to in three thousand years?”

“Surely,” StarDrifter said irritably, “the more pertinent point is, where is WolfStar now? And what disguise does he wear?”

“What disguise does WolfStar wear?” Axis said. “I don’t know. I know / am not WolfStar, but any of you here could be. How can I know? WolfStar must be a master of disguise.”

Eyes and mouths opened in horror and indignation. “Us?” Ogden spluttered. “But we are the Sentinels! It cannot be us}”

Ogden’s indignation was nothing to MorningStar’s and StarDrifter’s angry and resentful denials. Harsh words were shouted. “Peace!” Axis said, holding up his hands. “Do you think if I seriously thought any of you might be WolfStar I would have actually approached you with what I know? But I cannot know for sure. It could be anyone, and,” he stumbled, “and the third verse of the Prophecy warns me that I have a traitor within my camp, someone who will betray me to Gorgrael. Who else could that be except WolfStar? Where is he? Where?”

“I fear I might know,” MorningStar said very, very quietly, almost too afraid to speak.

Axis whipped around. “Who?”

“Too much of WolfStar is resurfacing, Axis, and it is resurfacing about one person. Azhure.”

“No!” Axis and StarDrifter exclaimed together, and Rivkah cried out softly in denial as well. “No! It cannot be!”

“Thinkl” MorningStar hissed. “The scars on her back, as if someone has ripped out Icarii wings.”

“No,” StarDrifter said. “If WolfStar assumed the form of a woman – and a woman who can fall pregnant – then he would be able to assume the form of a smooth-backed woman. Mother, be sensible.”

“WolfStar’s bow, and WolfStar’s hounds,” MorningStar continued. “Both came to Azhure. Would Sicarius answer to anyone but WolfStar?”

Jack watched MorningStar very, very carefully.

“You cannot be right, MorningStar. You cannot” Axis insisted.

“Of course,” said MorningStar. “I am not surprised that both you and your father defend her. If she was WolfStar then she would be of SunSoar blood, and both of you lust after her as if she were SunSoar bred and blooded.”

Axis and StarDrifter stared at each other. Both remembered how their blood had sung for her.

“No!” Axis cried. MorningStar must be wrong. “If she were SunSoar, MorningStar, you would feel it too. Am I right?”

“Not necessarily, Axis. The sexual tug is always the strongest.” She arched an eyebrow. “And perhaps WolfStar did not want to conceal it.”

By the Stars! Axis thought, trying to control his anger. “MorningStar,” he said, “WolfStar is going to extraordinary lengths of disguise if he assumes the form of a woman who can fall pregnant. That extreme is surely not necessary. Besides, Azhure cannot sing, as Rivkah, Ogden and Veremund can vouch,” the three nodded vigorously, “and, most important, she grew up in Smyrton, younger than me. What opportunity did she have to creep into Carlon to teach me as a baby? What?”

“Axis is right,” Rivkah said evenly. MorningStar was a cold-hearted bitch on occasion. “You forget that I have known Azhure since she was about fourteen. I have watched her grow. Azhure may be a mystery but I stand with Axis and StarDrifter in denying that she is WolfStar SunSoar.”

“Nevertheless, Axis,” said MorningStar, not ready to concede. “It might be a good idea to send for word to Smyrton. Make sure that people remember her being born, remember her growing from a small child.”

Axis nodded curdy. “If that will ease your mind, MorningStar. But I am already convinced.” He stepped forward and caught MorningStar’s chin between his fingers, and his voice took on the menace of threat. “Do not think to attack her again, MorningStar, or move against her in any way. I value Azhure more than most about me. Do I make myself clear?”

Rjvkah smiled to herself. She had waited thirty years to see MorningStar finally put in her place.

“Above all,” Axis said, stepping back from MorningStar and looking about him, “there is one thing that convinces me beyond doubt that Azhure cannot be WolfStar. No compassionate man, whatever the cause, could send hundreds of children as well as his own pregnant wife to the deaths that he did. But Azhure overruns with compassion and love – for me, for her child, and indeed, for all those who she calls her friends. All this despite nearly a lifetime of rejection. That alone convinces me that she cannot be WolfStar. Leave her alone.”

He stared unblinking at the silent group watching him, then turned on his heel and stalked down the stairwell.

Winter ApproachesWinter approached, and with the arrival of Frost-month swarmed a dark, writhing mass of Skraelings above Jervois Landing. Gautier had stopped sending patrols northwards over the past few weeks -patrols had become a pointless waste of life. Gorgrael did not even bother to disguise his intention of storming into Achar through the defences of Jervois Landing.

On the third day of Frost-month, Borneheld’s determination to hold Jervois Landing and redeem his performance at Gorkenfort was almost fanatical. He had returned from Carlon the previous evening, leaving behind a grateful Faraday (and a furious Timozel to guard her), and was now gathered with most of his commanders in the Tired Seagull.

“And,” Nevelon stuttered, painfully aware qf Borneheld’s expression, “Magariz said,, and I quote, ‘Tell Borneheld that if he does not ally himself with the cause of the StarMan he will die. Tell him that only Axis can lead Achar to victory. Tell him that if he persists in denying the Prophecy then the Prophecy will tear him apart. If he has won a kingdom, then he will not long enjoy it. Tell him Axis comes, and he comes with the power of the Prophecy behind him.'” Nevelon stopped, awaiting the inevitable outburst.

Yet Borneheld did not explode instantly into fury. He narrowed his eyes and stared at Nevelon, his lips thinning.

What could Roland have been thinking of to pick this man as his second-in-command? Borneheld looked at Gautier. “Well?” he barked.

“Axis must be alive, Sire,” Gautier said finally. “Magariz’s words, foolish and demented as they are, are full of confidence. He must know Axis is alive.”

Borneheld grunted. He’d hoped that Axis had died amid a gnashing of Skraeling teeth above Gorkenfort, but deep down he wasn’t surprised to discover his traitorous brother had managed to survive. “And?”