Sara Douglass – The Axis Trilogy 3 – StarMan

“Bathe,” he whispered. “Bathe in the waters, and the Mother will hold you and love you and suffuse you with Her power and strength and courage so that you may continue. You too, Zeherah, for you will have to bear the burden of care, love and courage over the next months.”

And so, stumbling with pain and exhaustion, the Sentinels walked into the arms of the Mother.

Of Death and Inheritance They rode through a world in the process of rapid recovery. It was late Wolf-month and thus winter still had a powerful grip on the land, but it was winter only, and Gorgrael’s purchase had slipped over much of mid-Tencendor.

The StarMan and the Enchantress led their army, and ranged to either side rode the commanders Belial, Magariz and Ho’Demi, and all who marched behind them were sure that victory was but a month or two away at the most.

Axis turned to Magariz and Belial at his left and laughed. “See, my friends? Gorgrael’s hold slips! Soon, perhaps, most of this land will be free of him.”

Magariz shifted in his saddle. “Axis? When do we go north to challenge Timozel and his host?”

“Keen to win your lands back, Prince? Well, I don’t blame you. I am as eager to see every Skraeling filth wiped from this land as you are. And to finally face this brother of mine,” Axis added under his breath. “When?” His eyes briefly scanned the sky. “Spring, I think, or perhaps early summer. I have no more desire for winter campaigning.”

“Is it wise to wait so long?” Ho’Demi asked, and Axis gazed at him, understanding. Even more than Magariz the Ravensbund chief was desperate to recover his land . . . and people, if any were left.

“We all need time to heal, Ho’Demi,” Axis said. “This army may have had its spirits restored, but it needs its strength.

Sigholt will give us the time and the opportunity to recover strength. And, Ho’Demi, look at this land.” His hand swept in an arc, indicating the melting snow and the burgeoning greenery. “This process will spread north over the next months as Faraday continues to plant. I cannot defeat the Skraeling host until she has completed her planting, and neither do I wish to. I want this thaw to spread to the Icescarp Alps before I ride north; it will put the Skraelings at a disadvantage and give us every advantage. Damn it, my friends! I want to win this time!” He laughed, and his good humour was infectious. His commanders laughed with him, but after a moment Belial turned away. Mother, pray he is right, he thought. Pray this time of beauty and hope will last, and he lifted his head to smile at his friend. Pray this time we have the reality, and not the lie.

Above Jervois Landing the weather turned bitter, and they rode into a northerly wind that still held snow and traces of ice. But even though Gorgrael’s grip still held firm over most of Ichtar, there were signs that a thaw would soon break through. And, as soon as they rode into the Urqhart Hills, much of the wind’s bite was blunted, and the ground was generally free of snow.

Within a day or two they would spot the soft mist that hid Sigholt and the Lake of Life, and that meant they would be only a few hours’ ride at the most from shelter and succour.

“And your wives.” Azhure grinned at Belial and Magariz as they rode through one of the narrow passes early one afternoon. “You two shall have to give up your carefree bachelor existence to resume your husbandly duties. Perhaps you would rather ride straight for the north and Gorgrael’s stronghold.”

Belial winked at Magariz and laughed. “I cannot wait to see Cazna again, Azhure. All-three of us,” and he indicated Axis as well as Magariz, “were forced to abandon our wives within weeks of marriage to ride north. Axis has been more fortunate than us in resuming his conjugal burden a little earlier than planned.”

They all laughed, but Axis caught Azhure’s eye. Have you told Magariz?

No. That is Rivkah’s right and pleasure.

Axis turned away, and Azhure took a deep breath. He had not reacted well to news of his mother’s pregnancy.

The forward scouts spotted the blue mist late that afternoon, and Axis smiled at Azhure, then addressed Belial, Magariz and Ho’Demi. “Well, my friends, do we spend one more night out in the open and ride through in the morning, or do we —”

“Go in now!” Magariz said, his handsome face alive with excitement. “I fancy a warm bed tonight.”

It will be warmer than you imagine, Axis thought dryly, then raised his eyebrows at the other two.

Belial laughed at Magariz’s eagerness, but he did not try to conceal his own. “Would you camp out for the night knowing Azhure awaited you within, Axis? I think not. I vote we ride.”

Ho’Demi nodded. “Sa’Kuya has told me of this magical fortress of yours, StarMan. I will have many things to say to the bridge.”

“Then we will have a night ride and a starry welcome, my friends. Arne? Ride back and tell the unit commanders that we’ll be continuing for the next few hours, but that at the end lies comfort and a good meal and rest from this wind.”

As soon as they entered the blue mist the wind faded, and within minutes the entire army was encased in the eerie haze. Axis pushed Belaguez slightly ahead of the others, relishing the feel of the damp magic against his cheeks.

“Axis?” Azhure rode up beside him. “Will you disencumber Sigholt of her mist now that you’re home?”

“Now that we’re home,” Axis -said absently, then he smiled at Azhure. The blue mist clung to her form and she looked like an ethereal sorceress who had floated out of myth to tempt him.

It had been his intention to remove the enchantments enveloping Sigholt once he returned, but the sight of Azhure

floating through the mist at his side changed his mind. “No,” he said. “I’ll let Sigholt linger amid her blue skirts for a while longer. Danger still lurks about the land.”

Azhure smiled. She did not mind the thought that Sigholt would stay hidden some time yet. She was about to speak when she was halted by a loud, ecstatic voice.

“StarMan! Welcome home! Welcome!”

“The bridge,” Axis said, and kicked Belaguez into a gallop.

The Keep and courtyard of Sigholt were alive with excitement as people rushed from beds, pulling cloaks over linen shifts or their nakedness, and milled about as the first riders cantered across the bridge.

About Sigholt the bridge’s voice boomed, greeting friends and challenging strangers, but those already across forgot her in their own excited greetings.

Everyone was bathed in brilliant moonlight, and occasionally a fragile Moonwildflower would drift down on a moonbeam and tangle in someone’s hair.

“Where is he? Where is he?” Cazna cried, her long black hair flying loose about her cloak, her hand gripping Rivkah’s arm, frantic eyes searching the men and horses that now crowded the courtyard. “Isn’t he here?”

Rivkah started to say something, her own eyes equally frantic, when a horseman rode up behind Cazna, leaned down, and hauled her into the saddle.

“Belial!” she whispered and then found she was allowed to say no more, nor that any more needed to be said.

Rivkah stared at them a moment, wondering if she could interrupt to ask after Magariz, then decided against it. Neither Belial nor Cazna would hear her, anyway. She turned back to the crowd . . . and came face-to-face with her son.

“Axis.”

He had dismounted, Belaguez’s reins held loose in his hands, and he just stood, an island of stillness in the excitement about them, staring at his mother.

“Axis,” she said, stepping forward, extending a hand, and after an instant’s hesitation he took it, then hugged her. She was five months pregnant now, and as her belly pressed into his Axis battled to control his emotions. It seemed somehow wrong, to have a mother this old carrying a child.

And a brother. He could feel it.

Rivkah leaned back, knowing the touch of power. “I’m sorry, Axis,” she said, and then cursed herself for apologising to him.

“Rivkah!” Magariz’s voice broke between them, and he unceremoniously shoved Axis aside to embrace his wife.

His reaction was entirely different to Axis’. “Rivkah!” he breathed, his eyes huge. “I… I…”

“Thirty-five years too late, Magariz,” she said gently. “But an heir nevertheless. I hope your arthritis won’t prevent you from dangling your son on your knee.”

Axis turned away, his mouth tight. He handed Belaguez’s reins to a stable boy, and looked about for Azhure.

He found her over by the main entrance to the Keep, Caelum in her arms.

“Papa!” Caelum shrieked, and Axis swung his son high into the air, then hugged him tight. Azhure stepped forward and put her arms about them both.