Sara Douglass – The Axis Trilogy 2 – Enchanter

By evening Axis’ entire army, supply column included, had surrounded Arcen outside the striking range of arrows shot from the city’s walls. The army set up camp as though it intended a long and patient wait, and Axis ordered his own command tent to be erected opposite the main gates into the city. Above the tent floated his golden standard, the blood-red sun blazing in its centre. Axis strode about in the evening light, wearing the golden tunic under the red cloak, loose and relaxed, laughing and joking with those of his commanders who talked with him, one or two of the Alaunt constantly by his side. He was unarmed.

From the walls of their city the people of Arcen watched. Axis’ every movement, as that of his army, was noted and remarked upon. Most had admired Axis as BattleAxe, and many had met and liked him when he had stayed in Arcen briefly two years previously. Two or three Arcen-based traders, who had traded with Axis and his force while they were still in Sigholt, were questioned again and again about the man and his army who now besieged Arcen. Three of the men Belial had sent out from Sigholt some fifteen months previously to spread the word of the Prophecy were also in the city. For the past two months they had resided in Arcen, spending most of that time drinking quietly in the city’s various inns and taverns and spreading word of the Prophecy among the townsfolk.

Axis spent a pleasant evening about camp. Azhure, Rivkah, Ho’Demi and his wife, Sa’Kuya, and Belial and Magariz joined him for dinner, the Acharite women wearing brightly coloured gowns and Azhure bouncing a laughing Caelum on her lap throughout the meal. To all intents and purposes Axis was relaxed, confident, and prepared for a longwait.

When they rose in the morning, Axis surprised Azhure by asking her to wear the long black gown she’d worn on the night of the reception in Sigholt.

“You brought it with you?” he queried, and Azhure nodded, puzzled. “Then wear it, Azhure. And leave your hair loose.”

He strode out of the tent and Azhure rose, washed, and dressed as requested. She smoothed the elegant black gown over her hips and rested one hand briefly on her belly. She suspected she was pregnant again, but she had not told Axis. Azhure smiled humourlessly to herself. Undoubtedly she would find herself face to face with Faraday sooner or later, and Azhure wished desperately that she did not have to do it with her belly bulging again with Axis’ child. Faraday would find the idea of a lover hard to accept; a lover pregnant with her husband’s child would be even worse.

Azhure emerged from the tent eventually, feeling slightly silly dressed in the elegant gown, and saw Rivkah standing to one side. Axis had obviously given Rivkah similar instructions, for his mother stood wearing a gown almost identical to Azhure s, looking every inch the Princess of Achar.

“Azhure,” Axis’ voice sounded behind her and Azhure jumped. “Your bow.” He handed her the Wolven and her quiver of arrows, and Azhure slung them over her shoulder, feeling even more ridiculous. The ring of soldiers, Achante and Ravensbund, encircling the town stood ready, their weapons hanging loose from their hands, their eyes fixed on the walls before them. Axis spoke quietly to Belial, Magariz and Ho’Demi, then motioned Rivkah and Azhure close.

“You and are going to talk to the good people of Arcen,” he said. “Rivkah, I want you to address them — take your lead from what I say.”

Rivkah, puzzled, nevertheless nodded in agreement.

“Azhure, notch one of those blue-fletched arrows in the Wolven and try your best to look like a fairy creature yourself. Few within Arcen will have seen such a beautiful woman approach their gates to threaten them with bow and arrow before. Come,” he waved both women to his side. “Let us go and talk to the people of Arcen. Do not fear for your safety, I can protect us from anything they might throw our way.”

There was a stir on the walls as the three figures approached on foot. Here was Axis, looking like a sun god in his tunic and cloak, with him walk two black-clothed women, both handsome, both queenly. What did it mean?

Burdel stood atop the wall close to the bolted gates. He was unnerved, both by the extent of Axis’ army, and by the approach of these three figures. He straightened his back, refusing to let his nervousness show. Axis’ army had no siege engines and Arcen was provisioned to wait out a year-long siege, should that be necessary. Burdel was reasonably sure he was in a stronger position than Axis.

Axis halted some fifty paces from the walls, noting the eagle’s position.

“Greetings, Burdel,” he called cheerfully, and his enchanted voice carried magically about the entire walls and drifted down into the city itself. “It is a fine morning, and a good one to talk.”

Burdel opened his mouth to call down insults but Axis continued before he had a chance to speak. “And greetings to you, Culpepper Fenwicke,” he called, naming the mayor of the city. “I see you standing inside the gates and I would have words with you. Please, would you climb the walls so I can the more clearly meet your eyes?”

There was a collective gasp from the people of Arcen. How could the man see straight through iron-reinforced wood?

Culpepper Fenwicke, a stout grey-haired man of middle years, slowly climbed the ladders to the top of the walls, moving to stand next to Burdel. He had met Axis when he’d ridden his Axe-Wielders through Arcen on his way to Gorkenfort and had formed an instant respect for the man. His respect now deepened tenfold. How could Arcen withstand a man such as this? “It is good to see you again, Axis.”

Burdel muttered an expletive under his breath. What was the fool thinking of to say such a thing?

Axis called back as if he had simply run into Fenwicke in the streets of Arcen on a fair day. “It is good to see you again, Culpepper. How is your lovely wife? Igren?”

“She is well, Axis,” Fenwicke muttered as Earl Burdel shifted angrily by his side.

“I am pleased to hear that. She entertained myself and my lieutenant Belial, who waits behind me, very hospitably on our journey through here the year before last. Now, Fenwicke, I have not much time to spend on further pleasantries and you and I find ourselves in a somewhat awkward situation here.”

Fenwicke spread his hands helplessly. Awkward wasn’t the word for it!

“Culpepper Fenwicke, I speak to you not as my friend, but as the mayor of this fine city. It saddens me to say this, but it appears that you harbour dangerous criminals within.”

The mayor cleared his throat. “Criminals, Axis?”

“Criminals, Culpepper Fenwicke, who may have persuaded you that myself and my army represent something of a threat. Culpepper, I do not want to threaten you or yours. I simply want Burdel. I have pursued him through most of Skarabost and now I finally have him cornered in your fair city. Do not make me destroy your city, Culpepper Fenwicke, for the sake of one criminal and his henchmen.”

Burdel’s hands clenched on the stone batdements. “You are the criminal, Axis,” he shouted. “You are the misbegotten son of the Forbidden! You seek to destroy Achar and the peaceful life we lead within it.”

Axis ignored him. “Culpepper Fenwicke, and you good people of Arcen. I have standing by my side my mother, the Princess Rivkah of Achar. Perhaps she can clarify some of your misapprehensions.”

Axis’ words caused a stir within the city. Rivkah? Alive?

Rivkah, cool and calm, stepped forward. As she spoke, Axis wrapped her voice with enchantments so all could hear.

“Culpepper Fenwicke, I greet you and your good people well. I speak on behalf of my son, Axis SunSoar. Many of you will know of the myths and rumours that surrounded his birth. Many will be surprised to find that I am alive. I did not die in Axis’ birth, as you were led to believe, but was left to die on the slopes of the Icescarp Alps by none other than Brother-Leader Jayme and his adviser, Moryson. They stole my son, and they tried their best to murder me.”

The city stood still, mute with astonishment. The Brother-Leader of the Seneschal? Party to attempted murder?

None disbelieved Rivkah, because Axis had quietly run the Song of Truth-Seeing through the city. The Song forced people to see what was true, not what was false. It was a powerful Song, requiring its user to manipulate a significant proportion of the Star Dance, and it had weakened Axis badly.

“Axis is the StarMan, good people of Arcen. Perhaps you have heard of the Prophecy of the Destroyer?” Most had, because both northern traders and Belial’s men had ensured that the Prophecy was quietly spread about the city. “He is the son of myself and one of the great Princes of the Icarii people – the people who rescued me from certain death. If I stand before you now, it is only through the goodwill of the Icarii people. They do not bring death and destruction, good people, but hope and joy for the future. Axis is no criminal. He acts only for the truth. He is incapable of anything less. He does not seek to destroy Achar and your peaceful lives. He seeks to unite those who have been riven apart. He seeks to create a new land of unity and of lasting peace. A land built on truth, and not on the lies of the Seneschal. Listen to him, for he is the only one who can save you.”