Four days ago a band of eight soldiers from Jervois Landing had made contact with Arne’s patrol in the southern Urqhart Hills. They’d been led by Nevelon, and Roland’s lieutenant had a message for Axis that had astounded Arne. “A parley? What do you think?” Axis asked Belial. “He thinks to use us,” Belial surmised. “He is weak on his north-eastern front, and hopes we’ll keep the Skraelings back in the WildDog Plains.”
Axis grimaced. “As do I, my friend. As do I. Daily those wraiths increase their nibbles at our patrols.” The “fear that the Skraelings might cut off HoldHard Pass and his supply routes south gave Axis nightmares.
Forcing the problem of the WildDog Plains from his mind, Axis turned to Magariz. “You know Borneheld better than any of us. What do you think?”
“That he is doing the sensible thing,” Magariz said without hesitation. “I would do the same in his position. Neither of you can afford to fight on two fronts, Axis. Better that we effect a truce this winter than fight each other and let Gorgrael slip south through our ranks.”
“I had wanted to move south this winter,” Axis muttered, though he had always known a move south into Achar before next spring would be all but impossible. “And I do not want to speak to Borneheld without having the opportunity of running him through with my sword.” He glanced at the snow eagle on the windowsill. How long would he have to wait? How long? The days were turning and fading, and the GateKeeper was counting.
Axis strode to the window and stared out. A thin layer of grey clouds skimmed across Sigholt despite the Lake of Life’s warmth. Axis chewed his lip, thinking, thankful that none in the map-room could see his worried face. Could he avoid a lengthy and damaging civil war by defeating Borneheld in single combat when he met him at the Nordra? But Axis could not challenge Borneheld without Faraday present. Borneheld could not die without Faraday there as witness.
“Arne? Did Nevelon say anything about Faraday? Do you know if she is still in Jervois Landing?”
There was a stunned silence in the room and Azhure turned away, her eyes downcast. Did Faraday fill his thoughts? When they lay curled together at night, edging towards sleep, did he imagine that it was Faraday his arms encircled? When he caressed her, did his hands feel another woman’s body?
Her baby, Caelum, shifted in sympathy as he caught some of his mother’s misery.
Arne frowned. “Nevelon said nothing, but she is Queen, my Lord Axis. She would hardly be in Jervois Landing.”
“Yes, you are right. Well, never mind.” Axis looked at Far-Sight, Belial and Magariz. “So, my friends. Borneheld wants to meet with us at the border of the Urqhart Hills and the Nordra, a halfway point between Sigholt and Jervois Landing. Should we go? Should we parley? Should-I smell a trap?”
Magariz shrugged. “We have the advantage, Axis, with the Strike Force. We will be able to scout for a trap long before he could spring it. And we also have the advantage of approaching through the hills. He must approach through flat plains. What trap could he spring?”
“While Borneheld engages Axis in parley far south of Sigholt, Magariz, a force from Jervois Landing could swing north and attack the Keep.” Azhure’s voice was flat, and MorningStar eyed her speculatively. She still deeply distrusted Azhure — what better disguise could WolfStar adopt than one who would ensnare every male SunSoar Enchanter within lusting distance?
Axis ignored Azhure s tone. “No. I don’t think Borneheld would be able to get a large force close to Sigholt. There are so many Skraelings packed into the ruins of Hsingard now that any force riding by would be eaten before they had time to spur their horses into a gallop. All other approaches to Sigholt through the Urqhart Hills are commanded by my men, and patrolled by both air and ground forces. Sigholt will remain safe for the time being, I think. No,” he said slowly, “I think I will attend this little parley my brother asks for. As he undoubtedly wants to survey my forces, so I wish to survey his.”
He smiled suddenly, illuminating the entire room. “Somehow, my friends, do not think that Borneheld’s commanders will stand as strong behind his back as I know mine will behind me. Azhure?”
She looked up. “Yes?”
“I will leave you in charge of Sigholt and the main part of my army. I —” He halted at the flare of anger across her face.
“Axis! I do not want to stay here!” Azhure began, but then stopped equally abruptly. Her pregnancy was too far advanced for her to ride south…and she knew if she protested against Axis’ orders he would reprimand her without hesitation and as severely as any other commander who dared argue with him — even if he did share his bed with this one. Anyway, Azhure thought bitterly, all he can think about is Faraday.
“Yes, my Lord Axis,” she replied very formally. “As you wish.” She relaxed slightly. “But I will cede you my pack of Alaunt for the venture. Take them…please.”
Axis smiled. “I will take four couples, Azhure. The others I will leave for your own company.”
Azhure felt the gossamer touch of his power. And to keep you and our son safe and warm at night, Azhure, while I am away.
“Magariz, Belial,” Axis’ tone was now brisk as he spoke to his two most senior commanders. “We need to discuss who we will take with us, which route to take and, most important, what terms we will demand. Perhaps we can yet twist this to our advantage.
“MorningStar, StarDrifter? You may be interested to know,” he said off-handedly, “that my messengers have come back from Smyrton. Their report has confirmed what I already knew. Do you understand?”
Both MorningStar and StarDrifter knew exactly to what Axis referred. Axis had sent to Smyrton for confirmation that Azhure had indeed been born and spent her childhood in the northern Skarabost village.
StarDrifter smiled at his son, relieved, but MorningStar’s expression did not change, and Axis knew that the news had done nothing to ease her suspicions.
If I come home from meeting with Borneheld and find Azhure dead at the foot ofSigholt’s main staircase, MorningStar, I swear that you, too, will die.
MorningStar’s face blanched. No-one threatened her like that! But Axis held her eyes with his, and kept her wrapped in his power, and eventually MorningStar was forced to concede with a curt nod.
Axis looked at Sicarius, sitting attentively at Azhure s side. Make sure that no harm comes to her while I am gone. Sicarius whined, and shifted slightly. Azhure looked about the room, bemused. Why was Axis interested in Smyrton?
Carlon and BeyondFaraday opened her eyes to the early morning light. Since Borneheld had returned to Jervois Landing she had recovered much of her zest for life. “Pleasant dreams, dear one?”
Faraday rolled over and smiled atYr, sitting scrubbed and dressed for the day on the silken edge of the Queen’s mammoth bed. “I dreamed of Axis, Yr. I dreamed he was here with me…loving me.”
Yr pretended genteel distaste. “Does the Queen dream of a lover?”
“Every night, Yr, every night.” Faraday propped herself up on an elbow. “Does he lie in his bed and dream of me? Does he hunger for me as much as I for him?”
She laughed shortly and sat up, trying to dismiss Axis from her mind. “So tell me, Principal Maid, what duties do I have to look forward to today?”
Faraday’s life as Queen was not one of idle indolence. Most days she had to receive guests, flatter diplomats, listen to endless trade missions, attend lengthy and stupefyingly boring ceremonies celebrating obscure alliances and treaties, and listen to either Jayme or Moryson as they detailed their future plans for the Seneschal and the Way of the Plough. The last she hated especially, and she would sit, her face expressionless and her eyes veiled, thinking of the Mother and of the beauty and serenity of the Sacred Grove. Occasionally she amused herself by wondering what Jayme would look like with a pair of antlers sprouting from his forehead.
And Faraday had to sit through all these onerous duties and obligations swathed in jewel-encrusted gowns, scarves, bracelets, crowns, necklets and shoes that together weighed as much as she did and that made sweat trickle down her back. Yr grinned. She knew how much Faraday hated her duties, and yet she also knew that Faraday carried them out scrupulously. As Queen, Faraday had a job to do, and regardless of what eventually happened, she was determined to serve the people of Achar properly. The entire part of northern Achar might be a battle zone, but here in Carlon ritual and tradition went on as if nothing had changed.