Battleaxe (56 page)

F
reeFall’s death gave Axis the desire and the anger to live. As he sat alone and cold in the dark and dank dungeons of Gorkenfort he did not give in to self-pity as he had done after the fall of Gorkentown. He owed it to FreeFall to succeed. The dungeon and Borneheld’s threat of death did not concern him. He would live for FreeFall, for the first of his family who had welcomed him home. He had Belial, and Belial had Faraday, and in the end it would be Faraday who would make sure that the way would be clear.

Belial argued with Borneheld, leaning forward from his chair, his face flushed with the force of his argument, knowing he was right, knowing that Borneheld could not resist agreeing with him. Knowing that Borneheld would see Axis’ death in the plan.

“My Lord,” he said forcefully. “I care not if I offend with these words. Gorkenfort will not hold. Not even the best commander, not even you, my Lord Duke, could hold it. There are too many men and not enough food. More Skraelings arrive each day while the IceWorms grow larger, in a few days they will be large enough to
start disgorging their loads over the top of Gorkenfort’s walls. Soon Gorgrael will strike, and Artor alone knows what he will strike with. It is best now to start thinking of retreating back into Ichtar, and perhaps trying to hold the Skraelings in the gap between the Rivers Azle and Nordra.”

Borneheld’s flinty eyes stared coldly at Belial, but he did not stop him. He had come to the same unpalatable conclusion. He would lose Ichtar, but better lose Ichtar and save the bulk of the army that was left to fight another day. The Skraelings did not like running water and there was a possibility that Achar could hold them back between the Azle and the Nordra. If Borneheld could get himself and his command there alive. “Continue,” he said as Belial paused.

“My Lord Duke, in order that the bulk of the garrison can move south with some hope of arriving alive, there needs to be a force willing to draw the Skraelings away from Gorkenfort. The Axe-Wielders can do that—if Axis leads them, for they will follow no-one else. We are still over fifteen hundred strong and most of our mounts are stabled here. If we can break through the ring of Skraelings we can draw them north east, and you can…” Belial almost said “make a run for it”, but realised they might be the wrong words to use before Borneheld, “…lead the remainder of the garrison south and regroup at Jervois Landing.”

They were sitting at the table before the fire in the Hall of the Keep, Jorge, Roland and Gautier with them. Faraday stood behind Borneheld’s chair, her hands resting lightly on the wooden head rest, her eyes steady on Belial.

Jorge tapped the table with his fingers. “Any decoy force, no matter how experienced, would face certain death under the circumstances you describe, Belial.”

Belial nodded.

Borneheld glanced at Jorge, then looked back at Belial. “Is self-sacrifice part of your creed, Belial?”

Belial kept his eyes steady. He had to convince Borneheld. “To stay here is certain death, my Lord Duke. I, as my command, would prefer to die fighting in order that others might live. Who knows?”
his voice became lighter, as if not even he believed what he said. “Some of us may yet live to dangle grandchildren on our knees, my Lord. If any of us do survive, then we will attempt to join you at Jervois Landing.”

A cynical grin spread over Borneheld’s face. There was only one question he needed to know. “There will not be much point in your sacrifice if you die within five paces of leaving the gates, Belial. Your plan demands that at the least you break through the massed Skraelings and lead them north so that we can move south. Can you break through? Will your force stay alive long enough for that?”

“Yes, I believe we can. The element of surprise will work for us. The Skraelings will not expect us to attack. But to make absolutely sure I want to issue most of the men with fire brands. I think that we can create enough fear among them with the fire to break through.” His eyes briefly met Faraday’s above Borneheld’s head. Belial was placing his trust, as well as the lives of himself, his men and of Axis in her hands. The fire was her plan, and she thought she could make the fire just that little bit more frightening to the Skraelings. Enough, perhaps, to not only let them break through, but to save most of their lives.

Belial had told Borneheld that he and Axis would take only those Axe-Wielders left, some fifteen hundred. But both Belial and Faraday hoped that close to three thousand men would follow Axis out those gates. There was enough disloyalty to Borneheld amongst his men for almost another fifteen hundred, led by their garrison commander, Magariz, to rally to Axis’ cause.

Borneheld looked to Timozel. Over the past days he had found himself relying more and more on Timozel’s judgement rather than that of his more senior commanders. He did not like the glances Jorge and Roland threw each other’s way, and he thought Magariz was not the man he had been before the SkraeBolds had injured him so badly. Even Gautier, although not suspect, flattered simply for advancement. But Timozel was true. Borneheld was certain of it. Timozel had told him that he thought treachery had been the undoing of Borneheld’s plans to save Gorkenfort, and Borneheld
believed him. Axis’ meeting with the Forbidden atop the Keep only confirmed his suspicions. He had planned and commanded well, but deceit had undermined his efforts. Yes. If disaster now threatened Achar, then it was not Borneheld’s fault.

Timozel smiled and nodded and Borneheld made up his mind. If the Axe-Wielders wanted to die so quickly, then that was their business. And it might, just might, give them a chance to escape. And it would dispose of Axis. Despite his words on the roof of the Keep two days ago Borneheld had not yet executed Axis. He could not test loyalty further with a public execution…or even a private one.

“So be it,” he agreed. “When do you want to go?”

Belial sat back in relief. “Tomorrow.”

Borneheld’s eyes were cold. “I want to see Axis at the head of the Axe-Wielders as they pass through that gate, Belial.”

“Good. We will go in the morning. At dawn. Will you give me permission to requisition the remaining fuel in the fort? For the brands? I want as many of my men to have them as possible.”

“Tear apart this table if you want, Belial. I will leave nothing for the Skraelings to feast on. Come gentlemen, we all have much to do if we are to be ready to evacuate Gorkenfort.”

Faraday, Yr, Belial, Magariz and a number of Axe-Wielders stood in one of the cramped stables. Horses had been moved outside so the stalls could be piled high with pieces of wood. At one end of the row of stalls three or four men patiently dipped each new brand in a specially prepared oil so it would burn bright and long. A bundle of green material in her hands, Faraday smiled at the doubt on Belial’s and Magariz’s faces, loving both of them for the love and loyalty they were showing Axis.

“Trust me,” she said. “I can give you enough protection to break through the Skraelings, but I can also give you the means to destroy a good number of them once you have drawn them clear of Gorkenfort.” Faraday turned to Yr. “Is Timozel still busy?”

Yr nodded. “Yes. Borneheld has him in the Great Hall, discussing the plans for the retreat.”

“Good.” Faraday shook out the material she was holding. Once it was unfolded the men could see that it had a peculiar pattern with shifting colours of green, blue, purple and brown. It shimmered before their eyes. For a moment Faraday stood, stroking the soft fabric.

“Mother protect them,” she whispered, closing her eyes, and reached down into the very soul of her being for the Mother’s power. It did not fail her, scorching up through her body more powerfully than she had felt it yet. Faraday moaned a little and Yr grasped her shoulders, steadying her. For a moment Faraday hung there before the men, then the gown suddenly flared a searing emerald and every man took a step back. Artor, protect me! Magariz thought silently, what is this woman? First to heal Axis as she did, and now this?

Faraday took a deep breath and hugged the gown tightly to her, remembering the anger of the emerald light as she had moved through it to reach Raum and StarDrifter the night of the first Skraeling attack. She remembered how it had wanted to strike out and not known how. “Mother forgive me if I misuse your power,” she whispered, “but protection will need to be tempered with some action this time.” She fought for control of the emerald light as it throbbed in her arms, talking to it, telling what she needed of it, giving it an outlet for its anger, asking it if it would answer her bidding.

The light abruptly flared three times as brilliantly as it had previously—the entire row of stalls was enveloped in the throbbing light. Then, as suddenly as it had flared, the light died, and Faraday was left standing with simply a voluminous robe of peculiar shifting colours gathered into her arms.

She looked at Yr, and Yr tightened her hold protectively; the girl looked wan and exhausted. But Faraday managed a small smile. “It is done, Yr. It is done.” She turned to Belial and Magariz. “You will be protected as you move through the Skraelings, and you will kill more efficiently than you have ever done before. Now, we have work to do before morning.”

Faraday put the gown on the floor and ripped about a third of the material away. “Tear this apart,” she said, gazing up at the men.
“Tear it apart until you only have threads left, then give each man who will ride with you a thread to tie about his arm. Tell them,” her voice took on a steely tone, “tell them, as they tie it, to thank the Mother for Her protection and love, or else it will not work for them.
Tell them
!”

Magariz bent down and took the torn strip of cloth from Faraday’s hands. “I will tell them, my Lady, and I will offer thanks to the Mother here and now that you are here to guide and help us.”

Faraday sighed, both in relief and exhaustion. “Artor will not protect them out there, Magariz, only the Mother. Make sure they are told.” Yr helped her to her feet and Faraday made a quick decision and laid a hand on Magariz’s arm. “Wait, Magariz. I will come with you.”

Magariz glanced anxiously at Faraday. He did not want her to get into even more trouble than she already had on his behalf “My Lady, Borneheld…”

“Borneheld is too busy tonight to miss me, my Lord Magariz. Come, let us see to your men.”

They came for him in the hour before dawn. All night he’d heard the muffled sounds of men and horses preparing for action, and had paced about his cell in irritation. What was going on? Borneheld had allowed him no company since he had been thrown into this dark hole and had only reluctantly allowed a man to bring him food and a blanket to keep the worst of the chill at bay. Axis threw the blanket about his shoulders and paced back and forth, back and forth. Damn! Years had passed since he was simply a man at arms, waiting for the decisions and plans to be told to him by his superiors. How had I ever stood it then? Axis asked himself. How could I bear to have been one of the led?

Finally, as he was almost screaming with impatience and frustration, Axis heard one of the upper doors being thrown open and the sound of the footfalls of men coming down the stairs. A glow of light came towards him, gradually becoming brighter.

Axis blinked and shaded his eyes with his hand.

“Brother.”

Borneheld. Axis lowered his hand and blinked, trying to adjust his eyes to the light. Borneheld stood the other side of the cage’s bars, Gautier, Belial and Magariz slightly behind him. Dangling from Borneheld’s hand was a ring of keys. He had a contemptuous smile on his face.

“Belial has decided your fate, like it or not,” Borneheld sneered. “Your lieutenant seems to desire death and has offered your life and the lives of your men as well. Will you accept Belial’s fate?”

Axis glanced behind Borneheld to Belial. Belial’s eye lowered in a small wink and even Magariz nodded slightly at his side. It was not a hard decision for Axis to make.

“I would trust Belial with my life,” he said quietly, shaking the blanket from his shoulders, his bearing proud and graceful even in the disgusting cell.

Borneheld rolled his head back and laughed loudly, although to Axis’ ears the laughter sounded forced. “You would? Then do!” He thrust the keys into Belial’s hands. “You ride in fifteen minutes, foolish man. Make sure that my brother is ready to ride with you—to lead you, if you have the courage. Magariz, Gautier, to me!”

He strode off down the dungeon corridor, Gautier and, after a slight hesitation, Magariz, hurrying after him. Belial unlocked the cell and embraced Axis. “With the Mother’s help, we ride this morning through and beyond the Skraelings into Prophecy.”

Axis felt a chill at Belial’s words. “The Mother?” he asked. “Has Faraday converted you?”

Belial looked sheepish. “It appears the Mother, whosoever She might be, will save us this morning, Axis, while Artor lies sleeping. Here,” Belial lifted a long piece of thread from his pocket and tied it about Axis’ upper right arm. Axis saw that Belial wore one too. “Faraday says that this thread will protect you. We all wear them. But you must thank the Mother for Her protection and love, and place your trust in Her.”

Axis fingered the thread for a moment. “From what you have told me, Belial, She has already given me life through Faraday’s hands,” he
said quietly, “and I find it no hard task to thank Her and to place my trust in Her for this day. Belial,” he raised his head and gazed into Belial’s hazel eyes. “What is it we do today?”

“The Axe-Wielders ride through the gates in a few minutes’ time, Axis SunSoar, to act as a decoy for Borneheld to evacuate Gorkenfort. We lead the Skraelings north and Borneheld and the rest of the garrison flee south to rally Achar at Jervois Landing.”

“Pray that the Mother keeps watch over Faraday, Belial. We head for the Icescarp Alps?”

Belial nodded. “Yes. It is time that you went to your father, Axis. We need you with all your secrets unlocked to lead us against the Destroyer.”

Axis buckled the weapon belt that Belial handed him about his hips, sliding his sword and axe into place. “I am not sure that I want all my secrets unlocked, Belial. They may be more frightening than what the Destroyer has to throw at me.” He paused. “And how many men ride with us, Belial? How many men still want to follow me?”