Part 41 (1/2)

'Your name, brother.'

'No!'

Another cliff slid down and crumbled to disappear. The remnant of the Dark Court's army howled and wept, rus.h.i.+ng to the centre of their island, pus.h.i.+ng and jostling each other in their greed to escape the edge.

'Brother, your name. You tricked me out of mine, and now I shall have yours in amends.'

The fox warrior sneered and crossed his arms over his chest, glaring at Evandar in silent defiance. The creatures behind him began to beg and weep. Evandar hesitated, then with a flick of his fingers sent a chasm tearing through the prison, separating the warriors from their leader.

'You have one last chance.' Evandar said. 'Tell me or I'll hurl you back in to the chaos you were born from.'

His brother spun round, staring at the fissure, staring at his army, as if he'd been counting on Evandar's pity for his men to protect him as well. His own court began to jeer and mock him, taunting him for his weakness, calling out their allegiance to Evandar instead, until the fox warrior howled at them.

'Some dweomer do I have yet, and I'll kill you all myself!'

They fell silent at that and crouched, watching Evandar across the gulf.

'Brother - the name!'

The fox warrior spun back, throwing his head from side to side as slowly, one crumble, one split at a time, the tiny pinnacle of land round him began to fall away, first from behind his feet, then to his left, to his right, then the last little sliver in front of him, till he stood paralysed with horror on barely enough ground to support both feet.

'Shaetano,' he screamed. 'And curse you and your elven wh.o.r.e both!'

Evandar laughed aloud and snapped his fingers. With a roar like flooding water the island of land rushed out, spreading to meet the solid ground round it as the fissure healed. Screaming and cursing the Dark Court fled, leaping over the last little crack and racing away in the billowing dust. Only Shaetano remained, sinking to his knees, cringing, weeping and snarling all at once as he tossed his head this way and that.

'Tell me somewhat,' Evandar said. 'Who's the elder, you or I?'

He looked up, black eyes glittering, seemed to be about to speak, drew out his silence as long as he dared.

'You,' he snarled at last.

'Good. Remember that from now on. Without me, little brother, you'd cease to exist. Defy me again, and I'll ensure that you cease to exist. Now go! I have your name. You'll have to come when I call you now, just as I had to come when you called me, and we shall see, my fine Shaetano, how you like the feel of it.'

He snarled, rose to his feet, the red roach of hair bristling, his clawed russet paws swiping out in a futile gesture. For a moment he tensed on the edge of a spring, then turned and strode off, walking fast, head held high, after his routed court.

'Shaetano?' Dallandra said. 'What sort of name is that?'

'I've no idea. A thing he picked up during his wanderings in some other world, I suppose, like the rags and tatters creature he is, rooting through some other world's dung heap for a sc.r.a.p to eat. What matters is that I know it, you know it, we all know it now.' Evandar paused for a laugh. 'And we shall continue our hunt beyond his power to stop us.'

The Bright Court cheered, but Dallandra caught his shoulder. 'My love, wait! I've got to get to Jill.'

He twisted round in the saddle and scowled at her.

'I can't stay,' Dallandra snapped. 'I absolutely must go to Jill's country. How much time has pa.s.sed for her?'

'How would I know?'

'Then I'd best find out, hadn't I?'

'I suppose so.'

'You suppose so? You do know, don't you, that Alshandra's led an army down the mother of all roads?'

'I do. That's why I summoned the Court and rode to the border, to look for her, and there I found my wretched brother instead, all puffed up and gloating.'

'Well, then! Alshandra must be trying to harm Elessario's mother, back in Cengarn.'

'Oh, I'd never argue with you. Why do you think I want to go a-hunting, to flush Alshandra out of my brother's lands? Think about this, my love. She's led one stinking pack through my country to work harm elsewhere, but no one's seen her since. What if she's gone off to gather another?'

'Oh ye G.o.ds! I never thought of that.'

'I did,' he said with a smug little smile. 'I want to keep you with me and safe while I hunt for her.'

'Danger or no, I've got to reach Jill. She can't keep a city safe all on her own. She has to sleep, some time or other, if naught else.'

'Well, true, but-'

'Evandar, she needs me.'

'Indeed? So do I.'

'What is wrong with you? Elessario's in danger. Your daughter! You do remember her, don't you?'

'Indeed I do, and my heart aches from the missing of her, but she's gone from rne. No matter whether she lives this life long or dies soon to be reborn again, she rides the wheel now.'

'True, but -'

'Hush. Of course I still love her and fear for her, and I'll do all I can for her, too, but I don't want you gone!'

'And I don't want to leave you, but I must.'

She twisted round, swung a leg free, and slid inelegantly down over the rump of the horse, who stamped and s.h.i.+ed She nearly fell headlong, in fact, but she caught a stirrup just in time and steadied herself. He leaned over to stare, utterly bewildered. The stallion tossed its head and snorted in a scatter of foam.

'Evandar, please, try to understand I can't simply do what I'd rather do. If I could, I'd stay with you. I love you.'

'If I were in danger, would you put your joy aside and come after me?'

For a moment she thought him jealous; then bhe realized that he was, indeed, honestly trying to understand.

'I would,' she said. 'I'd leave the best feast in the world, the happiest day, to come after you.'

'Because you love me?'

'Because I love you.'

Evandar considered for a long moment. Finally he dismounted, calling to one of his warriors to come tend his horse. A blue-eyed fellow, more human than otherwise, took the reins and led the stallion some paces way. Evandar watched them go, and he seemed to be studying his Court, too, as they sat slouched and waiting on their own mounts.