blankets rather than in wayside inns.
They preferred it that way.
Kanubai was somehow clearer under the night sky.
He whispered into all of their minds, his words more lucid and purposeful with each
passing day.
It became obvious that Kanubai regarded this Ishbel Brunelle with absolute loathing. His
words about her were wrapped with the twin concepts of anger and sacrifice. It was plain to
Ba”al”uz that Ishbel needed to die. Not only would this death please Kanubai”s obvious wish for
a sacrifice, but it also fitted neatly into Ba”al”uz” mission for Isaiah and Lister—to create chaos
and confusion and enough angst to spark war between the kingdoms. What could be better than
to murder the new bride of Escator while she was a guest at Pelemere?
Between his whispered loathings of Ishbel, Kanubai whispered of other things to
Ba”al”uz. He talked more of the object that Ba”al”uz needed to obtain for Kanubai. This object
was called the Weeper, and it rested over the sea in Coroleas. Ba”al”uz understood that Kanubai
wished for the Weeper more than anything else (although Ba”al”uz thought Ishbel”s sacrifice
came a very close second).
Kanubai told Ba”al”uz that if he achieved both sacrifice and retrieval of the Weeper for
Kanubai, Ba”al”uz would be rewarded with sovereignty over all the lands of this continent, and
all its peoples would be his to order as he willed.
Just two things for me, Kanubai whispered over and over into Ba”al”uz” mind, sacrifice
and the Weeper…sacrifice and the Weeper.
Easy, thought Ba”al”uz.
CHAPTER NINE
Palace of Aqhat, Tyranny of Isembaard
One morning Isaiah sent an invitation to Axis to join him in weapons practice.
As tyrant, Isaiah”s reputation, his very tyranny, rose or fell on his success as a war leader.
Already consumed with curiosity about Isaiah”s competence as a military commander (he could
find no one to ask about the mysterious failed campaign against the Eastern Independencies),
Axis thought that at least in weapons practice he might learn more about Isaiah the warrior.
Axis was also glad of the invitation as a means to burn off his excess energy. When a
young man, Axis had been devoted to war and military pursuits—and it was something he had
missed desperately as one of the Star Gods. He hoped that he hadn”t lost too much fitness since
last he had trained seriously at war.
Axis had thought that Isaiah would hold weapons practice in the cool of the early
morning…but, no. Their first session was held in the late morning, when the sun was already
high and blazing.
Isaiah saw Axis” concerned glance at the sky as they entered the practice field.
“Too hot for you, my friend?” he asked.
Axis looked at him. Isaiah was dressed only in a hipwrap and sandals. He wore no
jewelry, and the myriad tiny braids of his black hair were bound at the nape of his neck. He
looked very fit, very strong, very comfortable in the heat, and was obviously amused at Axis”
discomfort.
“I am surprised only,” Axis said, taking the sword the weapons master handed him, “that
you use the midday heat to acclimate yourself for a war that will most likely be fought in the
driving snow.”
Isaiah laughed, choosing a sword from the three the weapons master offered him. “When
we have snow, Axis, then we shall fight in it. But for the moment I am at liberty to test you in
whatever manner I choose.”
“I did not realize this was a test.”
“Then you are more out of practice than I realized,” Isaiah said softly. “I need to know
your skills, Axis.”
The next instant the blade of his sword sliced through the air at Axis” neck.
Axis barely parried Isaiah”s move, and then barely had time to recover from that before
having to counter the next strike. Not only was Isaiah much faster and fitter than Axis (a sudden,
galling realization), but Axis was unused to the type of sword with which they fought. The
swords Axis had used in Tencendor had been straight and, to Axis” mind, well weighted, but the
Isembaardian sword was curved, almost a scimitar, and Axis found it too light. He was
constantly overcompensating, once or twice almost overbalancing, and Isaiah kept him
permanently on the defensive.
Several guardsmen had gathered with the weapons master, witnesses to his humiliation.
“I had thought,” Isaiah said effortlessly, now beating Axis back toward the compound
wall, “that you”d be a better opponent than this. Perhaps the legends of your prowess were just
that. Legends.”
Axis knew he was being deliberately taunted, but he couldn”t help a sudden spurt of
anger. How could he have allowed himself to be put in this position? He summoned every
remaining scrap of strength he had, trying to take the offensive rather than the defensive, but just when he thought he might have a tiny opening, sweat ran into his eyes and blinded him, and he
thrust into thin air.
“We shall stop, I think,” Isaiah”s soft voice said to one side, and Axis wiped the sweat
from his eyes, trying not to let his arms tremble as he lowered his sword.
Isaiah leaned forward, took Axis” sword, then tossed both swords to the weapons master.
“Come,” he said, turning on his heel and striding away, and Axis had no choice but to
mutter a curse and stumble after him.
There was a groom standing with two horses directly outside the weapons compound.
The horses wore bridles only, no saddles, and Isaiah took the reins of the nearest horse and
swung effortlessly onto its back.
Axis sent him a baleful glance (this was planned, surely) and managed, just, to order his
still-trembling muscles to swing him up onto the other horse without landing in a pitiful dusty
heap on the other side.
Isaiah grinned, easily and with no mockery. “I think you need to cool off,” he said, and
kicked his horse forward.
They rode out of the palace, through the outer gardens, then down to the River Lhyl, Axis
keeping his horse very slightly behind that of Isaiah”s.
It was only as they approached the water that Isaiah spoke again. “Death does little for a
man”s fitness, eh, Axis?”
Axis couldn”t help a chuckle. “Would you believe me if I said that in my prime I could
have sliced you off at the ankles?”
“No. But I”ll grant you a nick or two.”
“I need practice. I have lost my battle fitness.” Axis hesitated. “Isaiah, can I—”
“Either I or my weapons master will partner you each day,” Isaiah said, anticipating
Axis” question. He looked at Axis directly. “I trust you with a sword, Axis, and I trust you with
my life. If I have kept you somewhat hobbled to this date, then that was because of Ba”al”uz. I
did not trust him with you. Now that he is gone…you are a free man.”
Axis wondered if Isaiah was a trifle overobsessive about Ba”al”uz, or if the man was truly
that dangerous. For the moment he let it go, however.
“You”re very good, Isaiah. Who trained you?”
The horses were at the river edge now, and Isaiah nudged his into the water, motioning
Axis to follow.
“All my father”s sons were trained by his war master,” Isaiah said, his horse now
swimming out into the gentle current. He held the reins in one hand, and twisted the fingers of
that hand into its mane to give himself some purchase before turning slightly to look at Axis.
“Do you know how I came to the Tyranny?”
“Yes. Ba”al”uz told me. Isaiah, I can hardly believe that man is your brother.”
“He has all of my father”s worst qualities,” Isaiah said, “and that compounded by
madness.”
“Do you think he is really mad, or just—”
“Sly? Cunning? Treacherous? Yes to all those, but I believe he is crazed as well. Perhaps
not originally. When he was young he pretended madness.” Isaiah looked ahead. “Now he
worships this great pyramid, adores it as some might a lover. It has inspired madness in him, I
think. Real madness.”
“Ah,” said Axis. “We”re riding to DarkGlass Mountain, aren”t we?”
“Indeed. I need to know what you think of it, Axis.”
“Isaiah—”
“Leave your questions until later. Until afterward. Then I will talk.”
Axis realized suddenly that Isaiah was apprehensive and he lifted his head and looked
south to where DarkGlass Mountain loomed, brilliant in the sunshine. He had been curious about
the pyramid ever since he”d arrived.
Now, perhaps, he would learn more about it.
Neither man looked back to the eastern bank of the river, where a brindle dog stood, half
concealed by reeds, watching them with black, unnatural eyes.
From the far riverbank they turned their horses southeast, riding for perhaps an hour
down a road that followed the course of the river. To their left, deep reed banks waved in the
light breeze; to their right, flat grain fields stretched for miles, their borders marked by irrigation channels and pathways. Axis wondered a little that Isaiah would so happily ride unarmed