But they were still vicious and deadly and Ho’Demi wondered how Borneheld’s forces would cope with the full weight of the Skraelings massed in southern Ichtar if Gorgrael managed to breach the canals.
Several hundred paces to the west came the faint cries of battle, and Borneheld climbed wearily out of the trench and strode silently towards the sound.
Ho’Demi looked at Inari. “I need to speak with the elders this night, Inari. Can you hold for a few hours?”
Inari’s teeth gleamed. “I shall stick your share of Skraelings as well as mine, Ho’Demi.”
“Make sure the men get something to eat, Inari. That was the fifth attack in as many hours.”
And with that Ho’Demi was gone.
Behind him men slumped wearily, snatching what rest they could. Many took the opportunity to pray, the Ravens-bundmen to their ice gods, the Coroleans to the bronze deities that hung at their belts, and the Acharites to Artor.
But not all the Acharites mumbled Artor’s name under their breath. A small yet increasing number of soldiers muttered Axis’ name. Rumours of his survival were spreading, and those among the five thousand who had accompanied Borneheld to Gundealga Ford told of the golden man who rode out to meet their own dour and singularly unmajestic King. The Forbidden circling in the sky had been black and ominous, certainly, but they had done them no harm, though it was clear they could have rained death down from the skies had they a mind to.
And with rumours of Axis’ survival spread word of the Prophecy.
Too weary and worried to waste the night in sleep, Ho’Demi called a secret Gathering of the Ravensbund elders and advisers in his tent.
After Sa’Kuya had served Tekawai to those gathered in the circle, she sat down by Ho’Demi’s side.
Ho’Demi opened the Gathering with ancient formalised and ritual words, then spoke what was on his mind. “You know I spoke with the StarMan, Axis SunSoar, at Gundealga Ford four weeks past,” he said bluntly, and the assembled Ravensbundmen nodded solemnly. The Prophecy swirled about them all.
“I have wrestled with my conscience every waking moment since then,” Ho’Demi continued. “My soul and heart cry out for me to lead my people to Axis SunSoar’s side where we belong, but my mind and conscience know that to do this now would be to leave Jervois Landing so vulnerable that Gorgrael would break through and claim Achar.”
“Yes,” Elder Tanabata said. “I am glad it is your choice and not ours. But tell us, have you reached a decision?”
Why else call us here? their faces seemed to say as they watched Ho’Demi drain the last of his Tekawai from the tiny cup emblazoned with the blood-red sun.
Ho’Demi nodded slowly. “I yearn for the StarMan, but I am also committed to fighting Gorgrael. We stay here until it appears that Borneheld can hold without us.”
The others nodded. It was the decision they had expected.
“But,” Ho’Demi’s eyes were dark with worry, “I told Axis SunSoar we would join him when the first winter snows fell. We have now been blanketed with snows for three weeks and I worry that Axis will think we have abandoned him.”
“He must be fighting as heavily as we are,” observed Elder Hamori.
Ho’Demi considered Hamori’s words. “Sa’Kuya will lead a party to Sigholt to tell Axis what is happening.”
All nodded. It was a sensible plan.
“Over the next weeks I want to send small parties, mainly of women and children, to Sigholt. Borneheld and Gautier will never notice they are gone.”
No-one was concerned at the thought of their wives and children making the dangerous journey to Sigholt. The Ravensbund women could fight as well as the men, and despite the bells the Ravensbund wore, all possessed the almost supernatural power of moving completely silently and invisibly when they needed to.
“If the fighting lessens, if Borneheld’s own forces are strengthened by the arrival of more fresh Corolean mercenaries, then I will order the complete withdrawal of Ravens-bund assistance to Sigholt.”
“Borneheld will never let us go,” a warrior remarked.
“No,” Ho’Demi replied. “Borneheld will not want to see us go. Nevertheless, I intend that by spring I and the Ravens-bund people will fight by Axis SunSoar’s side. I will not remain allied to Borneheld if he wars against his brother.”
All nodded, relieved.
“I will leave tonight,” Sa’Kuya said, “and I hope to be at Sigholt in less than two weeks’ time. Which of your wives and children will come with me?”
Axis left for his command in the WildDog Plains four days after Caelum’s birth. He hated leaving, but he was needed, and Azhure and Caelum had recovered well.
Since he could not use the Song of Movement to travel to the camp site he had left, Axis rode with a small unit of reinforcements. It had been years since he had ridden any horse but Belaguez, and it exasperated him that his current mount did not respond to his every wish. He had formed such a bond with Belaguez over the years that he now found it hard to ride another horse.
Riding at their limits, they arrived in the makeshift camp in just over four days. Both Belial and Magariz had heard the news of Caelum’s birth from an Icarii who had flown in earlier that day, and both were there to congratulate Axis. Axis was all broad smiles as he explained how remarkable the baby was, and only halted when he realised that both Belial and Magariz were staring at him with fixed expressions on their faces that unsuccessfully hid their boredom.
“Well,” Axis subsided, remembering how he had reacted with similar boredom in past years to tales of newborn babes. FarSight pushed through the tent flap to join them, his wings crowding what spare space there was. Axis greeted him, accepted FarSight’s congratulations on Caelum’s birth, then moved on to more pressing problems. “Enough of women and babies. What news of the Skraelings? Has the SkraeBold managed to push them to new efforts?”
“We have held them back along this line.” Belial’s finger traced along a map of the WildDog Plains. “Gorgrael seems to have infused new purpose into both SkraeBolds and wraiths this year. The SkraeBold is cunning. He directs the Skraeling attack here, and here, and here,” Belial’s finger jabbed at several spots on the map, “where our line is weakest. Two nights ago he almost succeeded in breaking through. He learns from experience. No longer does he direct mass attacks against the length of our defences, but concentrated attacks against the weakest points.”
Axis looked at him sharply, his earlier excitement forgotten. The SkraeBolds had been deadly last year — one had all but killed him – but they were inconsistent and easily diverted. The three that attacked the Yuletide rites at the Earth Tree Grove had failed to push home their advantage and had eventually suffered a devastating failure of purpose and loss of Skraeling lives. The SkraeBolds at Gorkenfort had won through the town to the fort, true enough, but they had then let themselves be taunted into sending their entire force northwards after Axis and his men, leaving those inside the fort free to flee south to Jervois Landing.
“How does he deal with the Icarii?” Axis asked FarSight.
“He was the one who thought of removing spent arrows from the ground, and of sending the wraiths leaping to seize the low-flying Icarii,” FarSight replied. “He rarely shows himself. Do you think he is frightened of the Strike Force?”
Axis shook his head. “Not for himself, although you are obviously hurting his Skraelings. He is just being wary, I suspect. With his powers — Gorgrael has taught his SkraeBolds limited use of the Dark Music – he would probably come out the victor in any skirmish with members of the Strike Force, even if there were Enchanters with them. Belial, what do you make of him?”
“He is the mind behind this push south through the Wild-Dog Plains,” Belial replied without hesitation. “Without him I am certain the Skraeling attack would fall apart and we could clear the plains relatively easily. However much Gorgrael has infused the Skraelings with new vigour and purpose, I believe they still rely on the SkraeBold for directions and encouragement. They are incapable of coordinating any attack themselves.”
Axis’ fingers slowly tapped the map as he thought. “I don’t think Gorgrael really expected to break through here, he’s just keeping us occupied …”
“While he directs his main attack against Jervois Landing,” Belial finished.
Axis nodded. “Yes. And he has succeeded in tying us up. If we continue the way we are then we’ll spend further weeks stuck out here in this wilderness picking ofF wraiths one by one.” He paused. “I suspect Gorgrael has something special to throw at Jervois Landing and would prefer that I and the Icarii Strike Force waste our time fighting back this Skraeling push through the WildDog Plains.” He studied Belial, considering. “Your assessment of the situation is a good one, Belial. I think the SkraeBold is our key to a quick and decisive victory. Destroy him and we destroy the Skraeling attack.”