Part 65 (2/2)

”Ten thousand won't be enough, Axis,” Isaiah said, very quietly. ”Not really. You know it and I know it. You'll surprise the Lealfast initially, but they'll fight back instantly. And they'll fight back with Infinity.”

”We have to do something, Isaiah,” Axis said. ”And I am willing to risk Infinity's wrath to do it. All these men know in their hearts what is at stake. They are all volunteers.”

Isaiah nodded, rested his hand on Axis' shoulder briefly, then left him to his rest.

Chapter 17.

Elcho Falling.

Axis sat on the edge of StarDrifter's bed and looked at his father. StarDrifter was still very weak and his vision was poor, but at least he was alive and improving.

”What is happening?” StarDrifter said, his voice hoa.r.s.e.

”Elcho Falling continues to crumble,” Axis said, ”but Maxel has agreed to my plan to attack the Lealfast. I am having men stationed in here later, just in case some Lealfast wanders in.”

”The plan is shaky,” Salome said.

”So is Elcho Falling,” Axis said.

”And the One?” StarDrifter said.

”Maximilian and Ishbel have agreed to StarDancer's plan,” Axis said, glancing across to the cot where his infant brother lay.

StarDancer was awake and lay smiling at Axis, and Axis could feel the boy's satisfaction emanating out in great waves.

He was already thinking of the day when he would be Enchanter-Talon.

”Good,” said StarDrifter. ”Good.” Then he reached out a hand and fumbled for Axis'. ”Be careful,” he said.

”Being careful was never my great strength,” Axis said. He rose from the bed. ”The Lealfast are gathering. I must join Isaiah and Maxel.” He gave his father's hand a squeeze, then kissed Salome's cheek. ”Be well.”

Maximilian and Ishbel hesitated before the locked door to Ravenna's chamber. Maximilian nodded at the guard to unlock it, then spoke to him. ”You can leave the lady unguarded and unlocked from this point,” he said.

Are you sure that is wise? Ishbel said in his mind, and Maximilian gave her a slight nod.

We must. We must trust her now.

Ishbel sighed and nodded herself, and then the door was open and Ravenna stood waiting for them within her chamber.

”This won't take long,” Ishbel said, moving to stand by Ravenna.

Ravenna could feel the other woman's tenseness. Ishbel didn't want to be doing this.

Ishbel raised a hand to the top of Ravenna's head. ”Turn about slowly,” Ishbel said, and Ravenna complied, revolving on her feet.

As she moved about, so Ishbel began to twist her hands in a complex dance, occasionally moving them close to Ravenna to s.n.a.t.c.h at the thin air.

And Ravenna could feel the triple curses Ishbel had bound her with begin to unravel. It was if a constriction about her brow and her chest began very slowly to fade. Ravenna felt a sense of warmth and wholeness creep back into her being, as if she had been locked for a long, long time in a cold and barren place.

As she had, indeed.

Then, very suddenly, Ishbel made an abrupt movement with her hands and Ravenna felt, smelt, her connection with the marshes restored and power flood back into her being.

Almost instantly, certainly well before Ravenna could say or do anything, a goblet materialised in Ishbel's hands.

”I am sorry,” Ishbel said, ”but I need to be sure,” and with that she dipped the fingers of one hand into the goblet, and she flicked dark, dank blood over Ravenna.

None of it stuck, and Ishbel and Maximilian shared a look.

”I will not betray you,” Ravenna said quietly. ”Not this time.” Within herself, she smiled. The blood test had not worked, because the betrayal, if such it could be called, had not yet been effected.

And might not. At least, not for decades. Ravenna knew she would need to watch for her and her son's chance with the utmost care. Then Ravenna looked to Maximilian. ”But you still control your powers as Lord of Elcho Falling? You will need to --”

”Those he shall have until the last moment,” Ishbel said. ”You may think yourself trustworthy, witch, but I am leaving nothing to chance.”

”But you may leave it too late!” Ravenna said. ”What if the One emerges and Maximilian still controls his powers as --”

”Not yet,” Ishbel said and, stiffening her entire body, she turned on her heel and left the chamber.

A moment later Maximilian followed her and Ravenna was left staring at the open door.

She rested a hand on her swollen belly.

”Soon,” she whispered. ”Soon.”

The Lealfast a.s.sembled into their circles. Eleanon began his clapping. Today, as yesterday, after every seventh clap all the Lealfast clapped, leapt and thudded down. The small group on the balcony waited for something new, but there was nothing.

”Elcho Falling barely survived yesterday's attempts,” Maximilian said. ”I don't know if it will survive the day. Axis, where is this eagle of yours?”

”Still flying in,” Axis said.

”Can you fight without him?” Isaiah said.

Thump and another shudder ran through Elcho Falling; somewhere in the distance the three men heard a slab of masonry fall into the lake.

Inardle, who had been inside the command chamber, came out to the balcony and peered over the railing.

”If I have to,” Axis said.

”I'll ask Egalion to --” Isaiah began, then was halted by Inardle's cry.

”Look! Below, below!”

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