Enchanter (13 page)

"Wait for what?" Magariz muttered. "Someone to hand me a piece of soap?

This moat will be good for nothing but bathing if we cannot get into Sigholt."

Jack smiled. These Acharites were so impatient. "Wait for the warmth to penetrate Sigholt's walls, Magariz. Then watch."

For another half an hour they all stood there, Belial and Magariz growing increasingly agitated. There were deep ruby tints in the stream, Belial thought, probably the minerals carried to the surface by the water. Dammit! His temper abruptly broke. What were they waiting for?

"Jack," he began, but stopped as the Sentinel turned to him, his emerald eyes agleam.

"Don't you feel it?" Jack asked, excited. "Sigholt awakes. Watch the water as it flows by the gate."

Belial peered, then he realised there was a...film...between his eyes and the surface of the water. As he watched, it solidified until what appeared to be a solid bridge of greystone curiously marbled with deep ruby-red veins stood before him spanning the moat.

His eyes bulged. "What? How?" He could not get any other words out. At his side Magariz stood similarly astonished. The bridge looked solid and wide enough to support not only mounted men, but heavily laden carts as well.

Jack waved at the bridge. "Cross, Magariz, and see what happens."

Magariz glanced at Belial. Cross? This magical bridge? It might vaporise underneath his feet! He took a deep breath to steady himself then stepped forth to the edge of the bridge. But, just as he prepared to step onto the structure itself, the bridge spoke.

"Are you true?" it asked in a woman's deep melodic voice. Magariz leapt back a full pace, his eyes wide. "What?" "Are you true?" the bridge asked again, patiently. "Answer her, Magariz," Jack said. "She will only ask three times, and after that you may never cross."

"Answer her?" Magariz repeated, -dragging his eyes away from the bridge and turning to stare at Jack. "Answer what?" "Answer with whatever is in your heart, Magariz," Jack snapped, "but answer! Now!"

Magariz stepped up to the bridge again. "Are you true?" the bridge asked for the third time. Magariz hesitated, then answered. "Yes, I am true." "Then cross, my Lord Magariz, and I will see if you speak the truth."

Magariz stepped onto the bridge and paused, obviously expecting to fall straight through. Then he took another step, then another.

"You speak the truth, Magariz," the bridge suddenly said. "Welcome to my heart." And with that he was across.

Magariz noticed all the men watching him, and walked back across, his gait now confident. "The bridge let me cross back unchallenged?" he asked.

"Yes," Jack said. "It is only the first time that the bridge will ask the question. She knows you now. She will greet you, but she will not challenge you again - unless she feels your heart has been corrupted since last you trod her back. Watch."

Jack stepped up to the bridge and placed a foot upon its surface unchallenged. As his weight bore down on the stone the bridge spoke.

"Welcome, Jack," the voice said warmly. "It has been many years since you have trod my back."

"I greet you well, dear heart," Jack replied softly, "and it gladdens my heart to see that once more the waters flow."

"I have been sad," the bridge said, "but now I am happy."

Later, after the bridge had questioned each member of Belial's force, Belial stood with Jack in the courtyard of Sigholt.

"Well? What of Zeherah?"

Jack shook his head sadly. "Perhaps she needs the Lake to refill before she can return."

But as the Lake gradually filled over the next few days, there was no sign of the fifth Sentinel. After six days of watching from the rooftop Jack retired to his private chamber and did not emerge for many days. When he did, his face was creased and haggard with grief. There was nothing else he could do. Zeherah was lost unless he could discover the enchantments that bound her.

'I Will Lead You Back into

Tencendor!"

The Assembly Chamber of Talon Spike was vast, tiered with dozens of rows of golden-veined white marble about a circular floor of translucent and very beautiful golden marble veined with violet. Pale gold and blue cushions lay scattered about the benches. The lower circles of benches were reserved for the Elders, the Enchanters and the family of the Talon. These benches were completely lined with crimson cushions for the Elders, turquoise ones for the Enchanters, and royal violet for those of the House of SunSoar. The very top seventeen rows of benches reserved for the Strike Force were uncushioned, as befitted the hard muscles of warriors.

A spectacular circle of gigantic pillars soared above the tiers and supported the domed roof of the Chamber. Five times life height, the pillars were carved into alternating male and female figures, their arms and wings extended joyously, their eyes open in wonder and mouths open in silent song. They were gilded and enamelled, with real gems in their eyes and in the golden tores about their necks. Each individual hair on their heads and feathers in their wings had been picked out in gold and silver and the muscles in their pale
naked bodies were carefully de ned in the ivory tones of flesh. They supported a domed roof completely plated in highly burnished bronze mirrors which, due to the enchantments bonded into their making, gave off a gentle golden light that illuminated the entire Chamber.

The Chamber lay empty, awaiting the Icarii and the man of the Prophecy who would lead them back into Tencendor and back into the lands of myth and legend.

In the circular robing room RavenCrest SunSoar faced the man who demanded to be named his heir.

The Icarii Talon, his violet eyes furious, paced to and fro, his black and speckled-blue wings rustling angrily behind.

"I reserve the right not to name an heir!" he shouted.

Axis understood RavenCrest's reluctance to act. The Talon had not yet accepted FreeFall's death, but Axis had to make him realise that an heir needed to be named while Raven-Crest still lived. These were bad and dangerous times, and if an heir could die so precipitously, then so too could a Talon -and nothing was so threatening to the stability of any realm than uncertainty over the succession.

Tonight Axis would address the full Assembly of the Icarii, and he needed to do that with the authority of an heir. He had to unite the three races — Icarii, Acharite and Avar — in order to weld them into a force that could defeat Gorgrael's Ghostmen. He knew tonight could be his only opportunity to pull the Icarii behind him.

He walked deliberately towards his uncle, wearing the golden tunic Azhure had made for him, the blood-red sun blazing triumphantly across his breast. I bless her for this gift of the blood-red sun, he thought as he held RavenCrest s eyes, for it will be the emblem of what I will become. StarDrifter and MorningStar glanced at each other. Axis stopped not a pace from RavenCrest, his eyes calm before the Talon's temper.

"Your son is dead. Gone. You have no other children. RavenCrest, you have a duty to your people," Axis paused, "and to your blood. You have no choice but to name me your heir. I demand it as my right. You have no choice."

RavenCrest gestured towards StarDrifter. "My brother stands in direct line to the throne."

Axis' mouth curled ironically. "Uncle, if you follow that line of reasoning, then StarDrifter would be followed by his eldest son." He paused, letting the full implications of his statement sink in. "Would you have Gorgrael knock on Talon Spike's door to claim his heritage, RavenCrest? Gorgrael as Talon? If nothing else, I am the lesser of two evils."

RavenCrest said nothing, the muscles in his jaw flickering. "The whole mountain seethes with uncertainty over this issue," Axis snapped. "Name me as your heir, or let your beloved people tear themselves to pieces once you have gone. You have no son or full-blood nephew to follow you, Raven-Crest, and I ant your only choice! You must decide and you must decide now\ Why did you give me control of the Strike Force if you did not intend to give me the throne as well?"

RavenCrest tore his eyes away from his nephew's and looked at his mother.

MorningStar inclined her head. "He is right, RavenCrest. You have no choice.

You must name Axis your heir." Her eldest son did not like what she said. "This has never happened before!" RavenCrest shouted, wheeling away and resuming his agitated pacing. "The Icarii have always had a full-blood Icarii SunSoar as Talon!"

"The whole world is changing and being refashioned beneath our feet, RavenCrest. Nothing will ever be the same again." Not only his voice, but Axis'

entire body stance exuded power and confidence.

RavenCrest looked at his nephew. His whole being yearned for his son, but FreeFall was dead. Despite his grief and his resistance to naming Axis his heir, RavenCrest indeed knew that he would have to do it. StarDrifter would be a hopeless Talon, and, even though Axis was not full-blood Icarii — not even winged — he knew how to lead.

The anger on RavenCrest's face faded, and he gestured to his brother.

"StarDrifter, call our wives and EvenSong. They must be here so that the entire living House of SunSoar will bear witness to this."

At StarDrifter's summons, BrightFeather, RavenCrest's wife, then Rivkah and EvenSong entered the room.

As soon as the door was closed behind them RavenCrest stepped forward and took Axis' face between his hands, then kissed him softly on the mouth.

"As the head of the House of SunSoar and as Icarii Talon, I not only welcome you who was lost into the House of SunSoar, nephew, but also name you in front of these witnesses as my heir and successor to the titles, ranks, privileges and powers of the hereditary office of Talon."

EvenSong's eyes widened in surprise. Rivkah smiled at StarDrifter; their eyes burned with pride.

RavenCrest's eyes were still locked with Axis' and his hands still gripped his nephew's head; he took no notice of the reactions about the room. "Axis. For the past six thousand years the House of SunSoar has been the guardian of the office and person of the Talon. We have been privileged, and have enjoyed the trust and loyalty of the Icarii people."

If not the trust and loyalty of the Acharite people over whom you once ruled, Axis thought a little sourly.

"Respect that tradition of trust and loyalty." RavenCrest paused. "Axis, You will be the twenty-seventh Enchanter-Talon, the first for over fifteen hundred years. You will wield much power, both in your own right and in your position as StarMan. Do you promise to respect your people?" "Always," Axis responded softly, his sourness fading. "Do you promise now, before me and your family, that you will not abuse your power?"

. "I will never do so."

"Will you guide your Icarii people through the Prophecy so that they will drift only into sun-bright clear air and not shadowed turbulence?" "I do so promise."

RavenCrest gently let Axis' head go and kissed each of his nephew's palms before folding them gently over Axis' heart.

"Then accept my blessing and my goodwill, Axis SunSoar. Before the House of SunSoar here gathered I formally name you heir to the Talon throne as I will name you to the Icarii nation in Assembly. Shoulder your responsibilities and fly with them into the future."

"I shall endeavour not to falter, RavenCrest, and I will do my best for our people. I am grateful for your trust and for your belief in me. I will do well." In truth, Axis did not know if he'd ever take the throne of Talon, but this was not the time or place to tell RavenCrest how he intended to structure the new Tencendor. But if he did not become Talon, he would pass it to another of the same blood. The office of Talon would not leave the House of SunSoar.

StarDrifter embraced his son. "Welcome to the House of SunSoar, Axis.

Welcome home to your heritage."

He was followed by MorningStar. "Welcome to the House of SunSoar. You are a powerful Enchanter, Axis, heir to the Throne. I am proud of you. Fly high and soar well."

BrightFeather whispered some cordial words of welcome, then Axis was enveloped into a bear hug by his mother. Hecould feel her cheeks were wet with tears as they brushed his.

"I weep with happiness, my sweet son," she said, "andbecause at least I have witnessed you seize your heritage inboth your hands before I die. Welcome among the SunSoars."

Axis hugged her tightly, tears springing into his own eyes.

He wished he had enjoyed her love and support all his lifeinstead of only the past few months.

Rivkah let him go and stepped back for EvenSong.

EvenSong placed her hands on Axis' shoulders and kissed him gendy. "I have not been very welcoming. Axis," she said softly. "Please accept my sorrow that I did not more fully embrace your return into our family earlier. I have acted badly, and for that I beg your forgiveness. Welcome into the House of SunSoar, brother."

Axis touched her cheek. "There is no need. I know of your grief. EvenSong,"

he hesitated, "FreeFall's last words and thoughts were of you. Have faith in his love for you."

EvenSong leaned back, her face expressionless as she fought back tears.

Even now, after so many months, words of FreeFall were painful.

"There is one more task that must be done before we enter the Assembly,"

said RavenCrest, "and it breaks my heart to do this." He held out his hands.

"Rivkah. StarDrifter."

When they joined him he took each by the hand. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Rivkah nodded. Her mind was made up. "Yes, Raven-Crest. This is what we must do."

StarDrifter was silent.

"Many years ago," RavenCrest began, "it was my privilege to announce and witness the marriage vows and bonds between you. Now, by mutual decision, you have decided to break those vows." He dropped each of their hands, the gesture deliberate and grave. "Your marriage has come to an end, StarDrifter and Rivkah. Use your freedom wisely."

Rivkah and StarDrifter had warned their children and family earlier of their decision; none were truly surprised. The true tragedy, Axis thought, was that this passion, this love that had altered lives and would alter nations, could be ended so simply.