Sara Douglass – The Axis Trilogy 2 – Enchanter

Beside Ho’Demi, Gilbert muttered under his breath. The Forbidden flew over Achar once more! May Artor himself condemn Axis to the worm-ridden pits of the After Life, Gilbert prayed, for he deserves eternal torment for his cursed alliance with these filth. And we…we should have moved sooner. Who knew what damage Priam’s wretched obsession with the Prophecy had caused?

Moryson was as riveted by the sight of the Icarii as anyone else, but his thoughts were hidden behind a bland mask.

Finally Ho’Demi looked ahead, and his mouth dropped open as his eyes swung across the Nordra. A force of about a thousand men were fanned out across the plains some fifty paces from the opposite bank of the Nordra. From the centre of the line of men rose a magnificent standard, a deep golden field with the blazing blood-red sun in its centre. “Borneheld!” he croaked.

Borneheld followed Ho’Demi’s shocked eyes, then barked an order to his troops.

Two men were now almost halfway across the river, the water splashing about their horses’ chests.

Borneheld squinted, trying to identify them before they reached him. Both were dressed in black, both rode black horses side by side. As suits such evil men, thought Borneheld grimly, keeping his hand from his sword only with a supreme effort. Behind him he could hear his men drawing their weapons. He pushed his horse forward a little to meet the two horsemen, waving the five behind him to follow.

As the two men rode their horses out of the Nordra, Borneheld finally recognised them, and his lip curled. So, both Axis’ lieutenants had survived the battle above Gorkenfort. But where was Axis?

Magariz and Belial reined their horses to a halt some ten paces from where Borneheld sat his horse. Both were uniformed identically in black, their chests emblazoned with the blood-red blazing sun outlined by a tracery of gold and a circle of small golden stars.

“Borneheld,” Belial said flady. “We received your message and here we are. What do you want?”

“Where is he?” Borneheld demanded. “Where is my misbegotten brother? Or did he die above Gorkenfort?” He shifted his gaze to Magariz. “I am glad to see you survived, Magariz. I shall take pleasure in killing you myself.”

“I would return the compliment,” Magariz replied, “except that another has already claimed your life.” Far above them a lone eagle screamed.

“Enough, Borneheld,” Belial said. “Do you wish to parley or not? The longer you sit here the longer the Skraelings can nibble at your defences in Jervois Landing. I doubt you can afford to lose as many as you lost at Gorkenfort.”

Borneheld snarled. The number of men he had lost? All the men lost were due to the treachery of Axis and the betrayal of these two men before him. “If Axis lives I will parley with him alone. Not any of his minions.”

plan no treachery here,” Belial responded. “Why do your ‘men have their weapons drawn?” He waved at himself and Magariz, neither carried any weapons. “Borneheld, I understand you feel so vulnerable that you must have five thousand armed men to face two unarmed men, but I ask you to summon your courage. I do not intend to leap on you and force you into a wrestling match on this damp turf.”

Borneheld’s face reddened at this slur on his courage. “Gautier,” he snapped, “order the men sheathe their weapons and retreat two hundred paces. Perhaps that will make my lizard-begotten brother feel safer.”

Borneheld waved at the Icarii circling far above as Gautier wheeled his horse away. “But what of your flying lizards above? If I am so courteous as to pull my men back, then please do me the same honour.”

Belial signalled to the Icarii and they began to tilt and wheel away towards the closest hill. Two, however, spiralled down to the small group left on the flat ground by the ford.

“What?” Borneheld growled, his fingers fidgeting nervously about the reins of his horse.

“I am only evening numbers,” Belial said mildly. “And another will join us from beyond the river. See?”

Indeed, a pale silver creature had lifted from behind the line of mounted men and was winging its way towards them. Within moments Belial and Magariz were joined by two black-uniformed Icarii, one female, one wearing the same markings on his chest as Belial and Magariz, and the silver-winged male from beyond the river.

Before Borneheld could say anything, Gautier had returned to his side. “Sire,” he whispered urgendy, “look!”

Borneheld looked back to the force across the river. It had opened in its centre where the golden standard flew, and a man rode forth on a silvery-grey horse. He wore a tunic as golden as the field of the banner, and Borneheld could irTAxis.

Axis spurred Belaguez into a gallop, two great hounds racing after him. As the stallion plunged into the river both horse and rider were lost in a plume of water. A heartbeat later they reappeared out of the spray, the horse surging through the river. One day, thought Borneheld, I will seize that horse for my own.

Behind Axis the hounds bounded through the water with as much ease as Belaguez. Overhead a lone snow eagle dipped and soared.

Ho’Demi watched them come, and his heart gladdened. The man who now crossed the river was a King, of that he had no doubt. The Alaunt served, as did the eagle which flew overhead. The Icarii had donned their ebony of war for him, and the man flew the banner of the bloodied sun above his force. He could be none other than the StarMan.

Axis slowed Belaguez to a walk. “Borneheld,” he said tonelessly, finally reining Belaguez to a head-tossing halt. “Have you come to ally yourself to my cause as the Prophecy demands? I see you wear the coronet of King of Achar. It is within your power, then, to save Achar from unnecessary bloodshed. Will you fight under my banner to drive Gorgrael back and proclaim Tencendor once more?”

Borneheld snarled, intimidated. Axis had the presence of a burning sun and the aura of power to match. am King! Borneheld seethed to himself, legitimate and rightful born! / hold all power here, not this pitiful refugee from justice. But even as he tried to bolster his own courage and respect, his hate and resentment grew. Why had Artor favoured Axis with so much, when it was Borneheld who had the birthright?

Before Borneheld could speak, Axis nudged Belaguez past him to the five men who sat their horses behind their King.

“Gautier.” Axis briefly acknowledged Borneheld’s lieutenant, then rode straight past.

“Duke Roland.” Axis could not keep the shock out of his voice. He had always liked and respected Roland, and was appalled by this ashen and haggard man sitting his horse before him. He leaned forward to offer Roland his hand. Behind him Borneheld swung his horse around.

“Forgive me, Axis,” Roland said, “but I cannot.”

Axis dropped his hand. “I hope you find peace, my friend,” he said softly, then he nudged Belaguez forward.

“Gilbert.” Axis’ voice was now hard. “I’d have thought all this riding about the countryside in the fresh air would have cleared your complexion. I can only assume it is the foulness of your thoughts that reflect in the pattern of your skin.”

Gilbert’s scarred face mottled in embarrassment, and Axis rode on.

The next man Axis did not know. He was a Ravensbund-man, and a chieftain by the markings on his face. Axis reached out to him with his power rather than his voice.

Who are you?

“Ho’Demi,” the Ravensbundman replied. “Chief of the Ravensbundmen.”

You ride with Borneheld?

This time, shockingly, Ho’Demi replied in kind. I, as my people, live to serve the Prophecy. You are the StarMan?

Stunned, Axis only stared at him. Yes. I am the StarMan. But, if you serve the Prophecy, then why do you ride with Borneheld?

Until now I- we- did not know where you were, who you were. Now I know. I will return tojervois Landing and lead my people to you.

Axis’ eyes blazed. Be careful. Very, very careful. If he suspects that you are going to ride to my cause.

Ho’Demi’s eyes crinkled. / know. I will be careful.

Then welcome, Ho’Demi.

The rest watched Axis and Ho’Demi stare at each other, confused. Then, seemingly put out by the inscrutable savage’s stare, Axis dropped his eyes and kicked Belaguez to the last man in line.

“Moryson.” Axis hesitated. Next to Jayme, here sat the man who Axis had once loved more than any other. Now he loathed them both and feared their tricks.

Moryson spoke, his eyes calm. “Axis. I have a message from the Brother-Leader for you.”

Axis raised his eyebrows. He doubted it would be a message of love and support.

“Axis, Brother-Leader Jayme bids me tell you that you are cast out of Artor’s House and out of His care. The Seneschal declares you excommunicate, and informs you that your soul is doomed to wander through darkness eternally unless you recant your sins. Forswear your dark alliance with the Forbidden now, Axis, and Artor may yet be prepared to forgive you.”