Battleaxe: Book One of the Axis Trilogy. Sara Douglass
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Название: Battleaxe: Book One of the Axis Trilogy
Автор: Sara Douglass
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Зарубежное фэнтези
isbn: 9780007378593
isbn:
“Yes,” Jayme agreed. “I suggest that you should reinforce the WarLord by all means, but do so by a circuitous route. Take the majority of the Axe-Wielders and travel to the Silent Woman Keep. Our brothers there have access to ancient records and chronicles from the time of the Wars of the Axe. Learn what you can about the Forbidden. From there, travel on to Smyrton via Arcness and Skarabost to assess the danger. Then,” Jayme turned back to face Priam and Borneheld, “leave some of your Axe-Wielders at Smyrton and travel to Gorkenfort. Borneheld will need both your information and your men if the danger is as bad as it appears.”
Borneheld’s face darkened and he opened his mouth to say something, but he was interrupted by Priam. “A sensible plan, Jayme. We need to know more about these creatures.”
Jorge nodded again. Sensible indeed. It kept Borneheld and Axis apart for as long as possible before the likelihood of real fighting in the north. Even going via the circuitous route Axis could still be at Gorkenfort by the beginning of winter. Winter would be the time these creatures struck in force, if they kept to their previous pattern. And, if Artor were with them, then Axis might also arrive with some information about exactly what it was that they faced. Hopefully, once Borneheld and Axis had a real foe to face they would forget their private enmity.
Borneheld did not look so happy about the arrangement. “Sire, my forces are perfectly capable of –”
Jayme broke in smoothly. “And, of course, when the BattleAxe and the Axe-Wielders arrive in Gorkenfort, WarLord, they will be under your command.”
An expression of deep contentment filled Borneheld’s broad face. “Yes,” he said. “Yes. That would be satisfactory. I’m sure that I’ll be able to use your men somewhere, BattleAxe. And yourself, of course.”
Axis turned to Jayme, a look of angry incredulity over his face. The cloth he had been using to wipe his lip was clenched tightly in his fist. “Brother-Leader –”
Jayme took Axis’ arm. “We have much to discuss in private, BattleAxe. Let it rest.” His painful grip belied his genial face.
Axis took a deep breath and sat back in his chair, avoiding Borneheld’s triumphant gaze, his mouth white and pinched. He would rather burn in the everlasting fire pits of the AfterLife before he handed control of the Axe-Wielders over to Borneheld.
“So,” Priam said, relieved that some decisions had been made, “then we have at least made a start. Roland, Jorge, I can count on you to support Borneheld with troops, supplies, and perhaps your own persons and advice? Good. Gentlemen, if we can adjourn for the moment? I’m sure that each of us has enough to keep us busy. Furrow wide, furrow deep, and may Artor guide our steps over the coming weeks and months.”
As the group left the room, Earl Isend caught up with Borneheld and tweaked his elbow. “Duke Borneheld, if I may speak with you for a moment?”
Borneheld pulled his elbow away roughly, annoyed, and walked a little faster. He did not like the foppish Earl Isend very much.
Isend wet his lips nervously and struggled to keep step with Borneheld as he strode down the corridor. “Duke Borneheld? It is about my daughter … Faraday.”
Borneheld stopped abruptly and turned to look at Isend, a speculative gleam in his eye. He’d taken particular note of Faraday when she had been presented to Priam the night before. Most men in the Chamber of the Moons had.
7 In the Brother-Leader’s Palace Apartment
Axis retrieved his axe from the antechamber outside the Privy Chamber and fell into step behind Jayme and Moryson, his anger and resentment at Jayme’s decision increasing with every stride. Why, after hundreds of years, was a Brother-Leader passing control of the Axe-Wielders into the hands of a secular commander? And Borneheld! Axis shoved his axe into his weapon belt with a furious thrust. He rarely disagreed with Jayme and had never raised his voice to him in anger before, but now he’d made a disastrous decision and Axis meant to tell him so, Brother-Leader or not.
He brushed past Isend and Borneheld talking in low tones in the corridor. Surely the dandified Isend wasn’t offering to fight alongside him? As far as Axis knew the closest he’d ever come to a weapon was the fruit knife that he constantly carried with him, hanging from his begemmed belt on a small silver chain. He turned the corner behind Jayme and Moryson, who were discussing whether or not to send Gilbert along on the journey to the Silent Woman Keep. Axis didn’t give a damn about whether or not Gilbert accompanied him, all he wanted was future control of his Axe-Wielders back again.
A fat white cat that had rubbed about Axis’ legs at breakfast now scrambled along the corridor behind him. As he shut the door of Jayme’s apartment, he almost caught the cat’s tail as she slipped in between his legs. Jayme and Moryson turned to look at him, their faces expressionless.
“Father, I will not relinquish control of my command to Borneheld at Gorkenfort!”
“Axis,” Jayme began, stepping forward, but Axis was now so furious that he interrupted his Brother-Leader. “Have you gone mad? Do you know what you have done? You will inform Borneheld that you were mistaken and that control of the Axe-Wielders will remain with me.”
Jayme halted a few paces from Axis, and bright spots of red blossomed in his cheeks; his eyes sparked as angrily, as Axis’. “Remember who you speak to, BattleAxe! You do not question the orders of the Brother-Leader nor do you presume to offer him orders yourself.”
Axis took a quick deep breath and squared his shoulders, staring defiantly at Jayme, his fists clenched at his sides. Moryson stepped forward, worried, ready to intervene if he had to.
“I have not spent my life in the Axe-Wielders to see them led by someone other than me! I have not spent the past five years harrying them into the most effective fighting force they have been in generations to watch you squander their abilities so thoughtlessly!” Axis hissed, now so infuriated he was past caring if he insulted Jayme. “Do you know what you do, old man? Are your senses fading along with your strength?”
Jayme’s nostrils flared, utterly shocked by Axis’ disrespect. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t hand over command of the Axe-Wielders to Borneheld right now!”
Axis was silent for a moment, his mouth twisting as he tried to reign in his temper. “Give me one good reason why I should hand over control to Borneheld in Gorkenfort,” he said in a quieter voice, though it still vibrated with anger.
For a moment longer Jayme stared at him, then he too took a deep breath and spoke in a calmer tone. “Because Achar needs to be united to face this threat, BattleAxe. When you get to Gorkenfort there must only be one force, one commander. That is the only way the Seneschal and the forces of Achar defeated the Forbidden a thousand years ago and it is the only way we can do it now.” His voice rose a little. “Do you understand what I am saying, Axis? I do not want to sacrifice Achar to save your cursed pride!”
Axis stared at him, his fists slowly clenching and unclenching at his sides. “I understand what you say, Brother-Leader, and I can try to accept the reasons behind it. But it doesn’t mean I agree it’s the right thing to do.”
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