Part 20 (1/2)

Thus they had slowed as they approached Isaiah's army, and now they prevaricated, and sent ahead this Skraeling, one of their leaders, the most courageous of them, to see what they could discover.

The Skraeling decided to bluff, to see if he could startle Isaiah into revealing some information.

”We demand to speak to the One,” the Skraeling said, wis.h.i.+ng he didn't slaver so when he spoke. ”Now.”

”The One is gone,” Isaiah said. He was watching the Skraeling carefully, and the Skraeling was feeling more uncomfortable than ever.

”We know you're hiding him,” he said. ”We'd like to speak to him.” He only barely stopped himself from saying ”please”.

Isaiah narrowed his eyes, and didn't speak.

”Please,” the Skraeling finally blurted. He was beginning to wish he hadn't started on this conversation.

”The One is dead,” Isaiah said.

The Skraeling grinned, now feeling more sure of himself. ”No,” he said, ”the One is not dead. Only .” he stopped, adopting what he hoped was a sly expression. ”We know you have him. We'd like to speak with him. Now.”

The tip of Isaiah's tongue emerged, touching his upper lip, and the Skraeling understood that Isaiah was himself uncertain and unsettled, and so the Skraeling felt more comfortable.

”The One is within my camp?” Isaiah said.

The Skraeling, who had no idea at all, suddenly saw the means to create mischief.

”Yes,” he said, ”and we'd like to speak --”

But Isaiah was gone, striding back through the sea of pink birds, and the Skraeling was left standing, staring after him, wondering what it had accomplished.

Isaiah strode back to Lamiah.

”We need to go back to camp,” he said. He paused, staring toward his army. ”We need to speak with Hereward.”

Chapter 6.

Elcho Falling.

Axis sat, elbows on the table, leaning his head in his hands. At the other end of the table StarDrifter was giving his opinion -- loudly and very volubly -- of Inardle's proposal that she and Axis go to the Skraelings.

Egalion, Garth Baxtor, Georgdi and Insharah sat, utterly silent, watching Axis and listening (as if they had a choice) to StarDrifter's thoughts on the matter.

The worst thing, Axis decided, was that whatever StarDrifter said it would make no difference. He had seen from the faces of the other four men that they were all in favour.

Stars, how had Inardle won their support?

No, that wasn't the worst thing. The worst thing was that he could feel, deep deep down within himself, a bright flame of interest in the idea.

Oh, how good it would be to get out of this cursed beautiful prison of a citadel and be doing instead of always reacting/ The idea of looking danger in the face and slipping underneath the cordon of Lealfast who besieged the tower appealed to Axis; the idea of riding wild across the plains in an attempt to save Isaiah appealed to Axis, and the idea that he could soon meet with the friend he had thought dead was even more appealing. Even the idea of trying to outwit the loathsome Skraelings appealed to Axis, although he shuddered at the t.i.tle of Lord of the Skraelings for himself.

And, above all, he could leave behind the problem of the Dark Spire, which had now broken through into the next bas.e.m.e.nt level and was growing ever upward. No one had a way of stopping it and Axis was beyond frustration in trying to find a solution. d.a.m.n it! f Maximilian could escape, then why couldn't he?

If only Inardle hadn't been the one to suggest it.

If only it didn't depend almost wholly on Inardle for its success.

If only it wasn't Inardle who Axis would have to ride wild with across the plains.

He'd much prefer Georgdi. Why in all stars' names didn't Georgdi have some magical affiliation with the Skraelings?

Suddenly Axis had a thought . . . ride . . . horses . . .

”The plan can't succeed,” he said, raising his head out of his hands.

”It has problems, yes,” Georgdi said, ”but --”

”Inardle said she could get just one person and one person only out of Elcho Falling with her, yes?” Axis said, waving StarDrifter into silence.

Georgdi nodded slowly, wondering where lay the trap.

”No one else?” Axis said.

”No,” Georgdi said slowly, exchanging an anxious glance with Insharah.

”We won't be able to get horses out,” Axis said. ”If Inardle's power is so weak --” he could not resist the jibe, even though she was not present to hear it ”-- then she certainly cannot spirit out horses for us as well. Oh yes, she can fly, but I can't. I, at least, will need a horse . . . more than one if we are to travel fast. So you suggest it is feasible that --” Georgdi was starting to smile, which worried Axis, but he ploughed on regardless ”-- I somehow manage to walk all the scores of leagues to wherever Isaiah is before the Skraelings eat him into the dust? The plan doesn't make sense, Georgdi. It is an enjoyable fantasy, nothing more.”

Now Georgdi was leaning back in his chair, grinning widely, his fingers laced across his chest. Suddenly he took a deep breath and let out a piercing, three-toned whistle.

Everyone in the room jumped, and Georgdi laughed.

”Learn that whistle, Axis,” he said.

Axis just glared at him.

Georgdi was clearly enjoying himself hugely. ”Outlanders always plan for the loss of horses. We leave horses to run freely across the plains, and, in the event that we lose our own mounts, all we need do is whistle that pretty little ditty and, if any horses are in the vicinity, they will come. Those tones carry long distances. Sit and wait an hour or two and you never know what will turn up. Just take a couple of bridles with you -- if Inardle wants to ride instead of fly -- and you will have your horses. I am certain there will still be many left roaming the plains. When I was riding to meet with you at Elcho Falling we left scores of them behind. They'll still be about. Shall I tell Inardle that you'll be leaving in an hour or two, then?”

Chapter 7.

The Outlands.

Isaiah marched through the camp to Hereward's tent, Lamiah a step or two behind him.

He couldn't get out of his mind the image of the blood spurting out of the healed scar on her neck at the same time as the One had vanished.

That had to be of some significance.