Enchanter (67 page)

Axis sat, smiling, before the dancing fire, bouncing Caelum on his knee.

Every day his son grew more fascinating than the day before. He was talking in short sentences now, and crawling about whenever he got the chance. Only this morning Axis had been forced to rescue him from beneath Belaguez's agitated hooves.

"Caelum," Axis whispered into his son's ear, and brushed back the child's mop of unruly black curls.

"Papa!" Caelum cried, and then shrieked with laughter as Axis began to tickle his stomach and back.

Azhure, sitting to one side, looked on and couldn't help but smile. Axis, glancing up, reached across and took her hand. "Azhure, let us not go into battle distanced as we have been. Do you want to reconsider your decision to stay with me?"

"No," she said softly. "I do not want to reconsider my decision, Axis. But I fear it. I fear the future very much."

"Mama!" Caelum reached out both arms for Azhure. "Azhure!"

Caelum had never called Azhure by her given name previously, and Azhure laughed in sheer delight, dropping Axis' hand to lift their son into her arms.

"Azhure!" Caelum cried again, and spoke to his mother with his mind as well. /

will never forget your name.

Azhure's eyes filled with tears as she hugged Caelum.

"Why should he say that?" Axis asked. Gael urn's words had sounded in a faint echo through his mind as well.

Caelum turned and regarded his father solemnly with his great blue eyes.

Because Azhure has forgotten her mother's name, she fears that one day I snail forget hers. She fears that as we both live on far past her own lifespan we will forget her name as her bones crumble into distant memory.

Axis' mouth dropped open, astounded both by the length of his son's thought and by his perception, and he lifted his eyes to Azhure. Was that what was wrong?

"Faraday will live with you, Axis," Azhure said. "You will both live into legend, as will Caelum. Eventually you will forget me. Am I mentioned by the Prophecy?

No. Yet Faraday is die wife who will hold her husband's slayer in joy at night."

"By all the gods that walk the distant paths of the stars, Azhure, / will never forget you! I swear it?'

Nor will I forget, Caelum whispered into her mind. Nor I.

"It is why I fear the future with you, Axis," Azhure said. "Because, in the end, I will not share the future of either you or my son. Faraday will, but I will not."

Caelum turned an accusing eye on his father. Who is this Faraday?

"You may say now diat you love me, Axis, and that Faraday must share you with me. But in short years she will have you all to herself. Will she accept me?

Why not? She knows she will probably outlive me by hundreds of years. She controls almost as much power as you do. And if I have learned one thing over these past two years, it is that use of such power extends life far beyond what is considered usual in Achar."

A step behind Axis made them all start. Belial squatted by Axis, knowing as he did so that he was intruding. "Axis, Ho'Demi wants to speak with you, as does FarSight. Can you join us? Azhure? We need to speak about tomorrow."

"You go ahead, Axis," Azhure said flatly. "I'll give Caelum to Rivkah and then join you."

Axis caught her hand as she rose. "We'll talk later, Azhure."

"Yes," Azhure said, knowing that there would be no time later. Not this battle eve. "Yes, we'll talk later."

Far to the south, eight massive Corolean transport ships, carrying almost five thousand men, approached the mouth of the Nordra River at Nordmuth.

"From Nordmuth we'll be able to row to Bedwyr Fort by dawn," the first mate of the lead ship remarked to his captain.

"Good," the captain grunted. "Borneheld has promised me a fat bonus if we reach him two hours before dawn. I suggest if you want your slice of it you go down to the oarsmen and make sure that they understand it's certain death for them if they do not put their backs into it."

The first mate chuckled with his master and patted the pilot on the back as he prepared to go below deck. "Make sure you do not run us atop any sandbars, my friend. I have gambling debts that need resolving."

The pilot grimaced. "My eyes shall not leave the waters before us. I have no wish to be stuck atop a sandbar with yourself and your captain for company."

Of course, it might have been helpful if the Corolean transports had posted guards at the stern of the ships as well, for there was more in the dark of the night at their backs than they had bargained for.

The Battle of Bedwyr FortThey stood

around the camp fire in the dark hours before dawn, sipping hot tea sweetened to calm nervous stomachs.

"How do you feel, about to go into battle against your own countrymen?"

FarSight CutSpur asked Belial and Magariz.

"None of us like it, FarSight, but what can we do? Besides," Magariz's dark face relaxed a little, "most of my countrymen stand with Axis, not Borneheld. Of Borneheld's forces, some half, perhaps even more, are Coroleans."

Belial nodded and sipped his tea. "At least. It's some consolation that Borneheld must bolster his forces with foreign troops. Axis, do you know if the remaining cohort of Axe-Wielders fight with Borneheld?"

That was what Belial most feared, coming face to face with a friend on the battle-field.

"They are still at the tower," Axis said. He was dressed, as were all about the camp fire, in light armour over tunic and breeches. The blood-red sun blazed from his chest plate. "The eagle flew over the tower late yesterday evening and the Axe-Wielders were still there then. I doubt Borneheld will use them. No doubt die Brother-Leader will want to hold on to what remains of his Axe-Wielders for his own defence."

He looked about the camp fire. All the major commanders had joined him, and they represented the variety of races and
beliefs who had, over the past twenty months, swung behind his standard. Belial and Magariz, his most senior commanders - the men who'd brought him the core of his army. FarSight CutSpur, senior commander of the Icarii Strike Force, with two of his Crest-Leaders, HoverEye BlackWing and Spread-Wing RavenCry. Ho'Demi, looking alien and exotic with his tattooed face, a collection of knives and swords bristling from his leather armour. He had tied his long black braids back today so that an enemy could not use them as a handhold, but they were as full of blue and green glass and chimes as ever. Ho'Demi stood close to Baron Ysgryff, who had abandoned his silks and damasks for the full armour of his force of mounted knights. His helmet was still lying on the ground to one side, but otherwise Ysgryff was fully caparisoned in metal armour, burnished and bright, and bearing the baronial crest of his family. The Baron looked both comfortable and dangerous in his armour.

Azhure stood with a light coat of chain mail over her tunic. Her hair, too, was tightly bound back, and covered with a close leather cap. The Wolven and a quiver of arrows were slung over her back, and at her feet lay Sicarius, the rest of the Alaunt lying a few paces beyond the light of the fire. Even the dogs wore light chain mail. Axis hoped they would be one of his most potent weapons this day. A surprise for Borneheld.

Axis' eyes flickered back to Azhure, trying to catch her eye. They had not found the time to resolve their problems last night. Axis had stayed late talking with senior and unit commanders, and Azhure had been busy with her archers.

When he'd returned to their bedrolls, he'd found her asleep.

Caelum was with Rivkah, safe with the supply wagons far to the rear and with several reserve units to guard them. If the battle went badly, their orders were to take the wagons and flee to the Silent Woman Woods - the Woods would protect the remnants of Axis' family and force against anything Borneheld could throw at them.

Azhure, I love you.

And for how long?

Axis flinched a little. Stay safe today.

And you, Axis. And you.

"Borneheld has his forces grouped about Bedwyr Fort," Axis said to the group. "He will not come to us, but will wait for us to attack him."

"Will Borneheld conduct the battle from the fort?" Ho'Demi asked.

"No," Axis answered. "No, I do not think so. Bedwyr Fort is old and full of holes. It was once vital for the protection of Achar, guarding the approaches to Carlon and Grail Lake, but over the past several generations it has been left to decay. Its main defences and fortifications face the river, not the plains, and it will be vulnerable to Icarii attack. No, I think Borneheld will fight with his men.

My friends ..." Axis paused, and the group about the fire looked at him.

"I have a request. No. An order." He looked up and all could see that his eyes burned strangely. "Borneheld must not die on the battlefield today."

" What?" Ysgryff exclaimed. Axis had told him about Borne-held's promise to the Coroleans and he was appalled. Borneheld meant to give the Corolean Emperor the province of Nor?

"I cannot say much, but I have certain obligations, both towards the Prophecy and towards other...allies...who have given me aid. Borneheld can only die with Faraday present."

Azhure stiffened. Kill Borneheld before Faraday? What could Axis be thinking of?

" cannot say why," Axis said, aware of Azhure's shock. "But believe me when I say it is important. Faraday must still be in Carlon - even Borneheld would not haul her out to the battlefield, so I have no doubt that eventually I must chase Borneheld back to the royal palace in Carlon itself. Understand?"

Axis was clearly ordering, not requesting, and all nodded stiffly.

Belial broke the awkward silence that had descended. "Borneheld has chosen badly to fight about Bedwyr Fort. He will have himself and his army trapped in the triangle of land between the Lake, the river and our army."

"Perhaps, perhaps not," Axis replied. "If extra Corolean transports sail up the river - and I believe that late last night there were some eight approaching Nordmuth - then they can easily disgorge their load behind our lines once we move in to attack Borneheld. We will have to be careful. Watchful. Far-Sight, are your farflight scouts keeping an eye on the river?"

FarSight nodded. "They are already in the air, Strike-Leader."

"Then today we reforge Tencendor. After today, I hope, Gorgrael will be my only enemy."

And WolfStar? he thought. Where are you? What do you plan this day? What surprises will you spring?

FarSight nodded. "Today we fight to restore Tencendor. It will be a great day, Axis. A great day."

Axis stared at the Senior Crest-Leader. "Then perhaps it is time to launch your strike, FarSight. Time to loose the Icarii Strike Force on Borneheld of Achar."

Axis intended to use the Strike Force on Borneheld's army as he had used it in the passes of the Bracken Ranges against Burdel. But Borneheld's army had a large number of soldiers who had seen battle at Jervois Landing - and who had seen the Icarii Strike Force in action against the Skraelings. Watch had been kept for the Icarii Strike Force, and even though they were not spotted until they were virtually upon the army, as soon as the cry went up, "Ware! Above!", men reached for shields in a well-practised manoeuvre and raised them above their heads, creating a ceiling of steel over the tightly grouped ranks of Borneheld's army.

Some were not fast enough and some did not keep their shields close enough together, but overall the Icarii strike did not have the same devastating effect on Borneheld's army as it had had on Burdel's force.

Borneheld had arranged his army in much the same manner as he had his defences at Jervois Landing. Most units were well dug into trenches that would, Borneheld hoped, direct the flow of Axis' army into traps and trenches that would break the legs of their horses and, eventually, the hearts of their riders.

Numerically his army was some five to eight thousand less than Axis' army, but Borneheld knew he had the advantage of being the defender.

Borneheld, relatively safe in a hastily erected command tent (well protected from above with several layers of thick canvas) surveyed the maps of his defences one more time.

"The transports?" he asked Gautier. Both men, as all within the command tent, were heavily armoured and weaponed.

"They sailed through Nordmuth late last night, Sire," Gautier replied instantly. "And they are currently anchored on the Nordra midway between Bedwyr Fort and Nordmuth awaiting your orders."

"And the smaller boats?" Borneheld said"Ready to sail, Sire," Gautier replied.

"Axis will die today, along with his malformed crew."

"I surely hope so," Borneheld began, then stopped and listened, his entire body tense. "What is that?"

A sound like heavy rain permeated the command tent.

Gautier listened. "It is the sound of the Forbidden's arrows raining uselessly down on the shield ceiling covering your troops."

Borneheld clenched his fists and pumped them into the air. "It has begun!"

he shouted, his eyes bright.

All he felt was relief. At last, the end to his rivalry with his brother.

The Battle of Bedwyr Fort began with the Icarii Strike Force attack on Borneheld's army and dragged its bloody way
through the day. For hours men —

and women - fought and died until the western Plains of Tare were stained bright with the blood of the dead and the dying.

Axis had been disappointed but not overly surprised by the relative failure of the Icarii Strike Force to cripple Borneheld's army. Borneheld was a far superior commander to Burdel and he also had the benefit of having watched the Icarii Strike Force in action above Jervois Landing. As the Strike Force flew back over Axis' lines - there were no casualties apart from one birdman who had suffered a crippling wing cramp and had fallen to his death among the Corolean soldiers -

Axis began to move his mounted units forward. He already knew about Borneheld's trenches and traps, and was wary of moving his mounted units too deep into the lines of trenches; YsgryfF's mounted knights he kept to the rear to use only if he could tempt Borneheld's soldiers out of their trenches.

It would have to be a combination attack on the front trenches by mounted men, foot soldiers — both spearmen and pikemen - and the Icarii Strike Force.