Part 17 (2/2)
Eleanon shrugged, now rubbing the last of the frost from his biceps. ”It was an aberration,” he said, ”whichever way you look at it. I am surprised it lasted this long.”
”Ishbel did it.”
Eleanon bared his teeth, just a little. ”She thinks to be so clever. One day she will be unwound.”
”And the One .?”
Now Eleanon smiled genuinely. ”Ah, the One. They have no idea. Likely they celebrate, thinking him gone.”
”Will he be a trouble to us where he is?”
Eleanon thought a little. ”I doubt it. I think he has almost forgotten us. After what has happened at DarkGla.s.s Mountain, his attention will be entirely and absolutely on Ishbel and Maximilian. For the One, Elcho Falling can wait. This is personal for him, now.”
”He hasn't been in touch.”
Eleanon chuckled. ”Would you? With all that has happened this night? No, of course he has not thought to speak with us. He would not, in any case, as it might well reveal his presence to those inside Elcho Falling. So we will be careful, Bingaleal. We shall continue on with our plan. Everything we do appears to be in his favour, too. The One shall not trouble us.”
”I like the idea very much that it is the StarMan from whom we must wrest Elcho Falling,” Bingaleal said. ”Maximilian was never the real enemy. Never a challenging enemy. Axis is. StarMan” He said that last with a curl of his lip.
”I felt his fear and frustration when we attacked.”
They both sighed, remembering, revelling.
”We must be careful,” Eleanon said after a moment.
”Inardle. We can no longer trust her.”
Eleanon looked at Bingaleal. ”Did you ever? You must have known that the instant she went to Axis' bed she was compromised. She was useful for only a short while.” He shrugged.
”She could be dangerous.”
”Then we must fix that.”
”She knows a little too much, Eleanon.”
”Then we will fix that, too.”
Bingaleal nodded, then changed the subject. ”The Dark Spire?”
”It continues to grow. It waits. For Ravenna. Once she enters Elcho Falling, then it will become what we need.”
”Do you have any idea how you will get her inside?”
”Not yet. But when the chance arrives, I will seize it.”
”And Ravenna?”
”She needs a little . . . work,” Eleanon said. ”I need to alter Ishbel's curse. But there is no rush. No need for us to show our hand just yet.”
He paused, thinking, then resumed speaking. ”Isaiah is coming. The Skraelings are coming -- I can just see them, in the far distance, the revolting little sprites. Axis will want to save Isaiah from the Skraelings and from us . . . and Inardle may well suggest the way. Bingaleal . . . I suggest it might be foolish to try and stop them just yet. It might be best to allow --”
”Axis and Inardle to escape. To actually save Isaiah?”
”Yes”
Both grinned simultaneously.
”Axis will not be able to resist the saving of Isaiah,” said Eleanon. ”And it will be the death of him, and of Elcho Falling.”
”And of, finally, every last remaining Icarii. It is time they were wiped from the face of this world and from all memory, brother. Time, indeed.”
The two Lealfast sat on that mountain top until late morning, in silent accord, rejoicing in the certainty that soon they would be masters of the world.
Chapter 2.
Elcho Falling.
Axis received the summons from Josia just as he was running down the stairs to find Georgdi, who was currently reviewing security in the lower reaches of Elcho Falling.
Axis moved to the nearest window. ”Josia?”
Josia sat there in his window a few paces away, hovering in the clear air, as he had been the last time he had talked to Axis.
”Good news, Axis. Maximilian and Ishbel have succeeded. DarkGla.s.s Mountain is destroyed. Gone. No more.”
”Ah, thank the stars!” Axis felt relief flood through him. Finally, good news! ”They are well?”
”Yes. Both are well.”
Axis grinned, the day suddenly bright. ”And the One?” ”Gone. Dead, they say.”
”Is that possible? He drew on the power of Infinity itself.”
Josia shrugged disinterestedly. ”It is what Maximilian told me to tell you.”
”Well, then, if Maxel said it was so, then it is so. I thank you, Josia. This is blessed news indeed. Are Maxel and Ishbel on their way home now?”
”Where else?”
Axis ran lightly down the stairs, whistling under his breath, all his other troubles forgotten in the face of this bright news. He saw Georgdi in the s.p.a.cious foyer of Elcho Falling and stopped for a brief chat.
”DarkGla.s.s Mountain is gone?” Georgdi said.
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