“Inardle?” Maximilian said.
“I stay,” she said, “because I think Eleanon and Bingaleal chose wrongly when they chose the way of the One over you, Maximilian Persimius, Lord of Elcho Falling.”
“And you expect us to believe that?” Axis said. “If you had decided that Eleanon and Bingaleal had chosen wrongly, why did you not tell me or Maxel what the Lealfast had done, and what they planned? Why did you leave it until so many lay dead?”
“How easy do you think it, StarMan, to abandon the loyalties of a lifetime for a new set?” Inardle said. “And how easy do you truly believe it could have been, to have come to you, and said, ’Oh Axis, all I have told you has been lies, but I am sorry for it, and as proof I shall tell you some secrets’‘ ? You would have hated me instantly, as you have now, and refused to listen to a word I said. I was trapped, trapped by conflicting loyalties and loves. There was nowhere for me to turn, and no one to believe me.”
“I abandoned the loyalties of a lifetime for a ’new set‘ ,” Axis said softly, “when I abandoned the Seneschal for the way of the Forbidden — the Icarii. I found my conscience a good guide. I suggest you might like to try that, too, one day. f you have a conscience.”
Inardle stared at him, her face losing its colour. “I stayed for love of you, Axis. That’s why I stayed. A bitter choice, I am sure you will agree.”
Then she sighed, and looked at Maximilian. “I do not blame any of you for not believing me. Nor for your distrust of me now. So, in order to alleviate just a little of that distrust, I shall tell you a secret, that when Eleanon or Bingaleal discovers I have spoken it, will be my death sentence.”
“Then speak it,” Axis snapped, “and earn your death sentence.”
Maximilian thought about reprimanding Axis, but decided that the man had good enough reason to be bitter. Inardle had truly played to all his weaknesses, as all his strengths, in gaining his trust.
He raised an eyebrow at Inardle. “And your secret is . . . ?”
“Elcho Falling is not secure,” Inardle said. “You know of the rose-coloured spires. But there is one other, made of pure magic and the power of Infinity, and perhaps beyond Infinity for all I know. It is what we know as the Dark Spire and it is a thing of great bleakness, of frightening potency. I believe that it is now somewhere within Elcho Falling. It is the only way the One could have gained access. Eleanon would have placed it here to aid and guide the One.
“And as long as it stays here, then we are all corpses walking. None of us can combat it.”
Eleanon and Bingaleal sat on the small hill north of Elcho Falling, arms resting on raised knees, chins resting on arms.
“There is nothing from the One,” Eleanon said. “Nothing. Whatever consumes his interest in Isembaard, it is not worry about us.”
“Do you mind overmuch?” Bingaleal said.
Eleanon’s mouth curved slightly. “No. But I’d like to know where he is and what he does. He’s moving south-west through Isembaard, probably to reach DarkGlass Mountain. Why, I wonder?”
“He feels safe there, perhaps,” Bingaleal said.
Eleanon grunted. “So he runs away, eh? Of what use is he to us now?”
“We do need to be careful, Eleanon.”
“We will be careful, brother.”
“What do you plan for the Dark Spire, Eleanon?”
Eleanon took a deep breath, and told him.
Bingaleal’s eyes widened progressively as Eleanon spoke. “Is this possible?”
“I believe so,” Eleanon said. “I do not know how I can get inside Elcho Falling again to do what I must . . . but if I can work that out, then, yes, it is possible. I have spoken to the Dark Spire, and it is ready. It has . . . grown.”
“The One will not object?”
Eleanon shrugged. “As I said, he appears to have lost interest in us for the moment. In any case, it will serve his purpose as well as ours.”
“And the Lealfast Nation?”
“They will need to come here. We seem to have acquired an empty encampment of thousands of tents for their comfort.”
“I will send word,” Bingaleal said, and Eleanon nodded.
“There is a prize sitting there,” he said, looking at Elcho Falling. “A portal into all the power we could ever want. A home that is more than we could ever want. The One had promised to achieve it for us, but now I doubt he could achieve the barbecuing of a small frog without someone holding his hand for the entire procedure. This is up to us, now, brother.”
Chapter 10
Elcho Falling
“Where is this Dark Spire?” Maximilian said, his voice edgy for the first time.
“I don’t know,” said Inardle. “I am almost certain it is here, but I do not know where.”
Maximilian was not sure whether to believe her or not. Did this Dark Spire exist? If so, did Inardle actually know its location? Did she think to amuse herself watching them panic?
She doesn’t know, Maxel, Ishbel said to him, and Maximilian gave a nod.
“Very well,” he said. “Georgdi, Eleanon, StarHeaven, organise a search. Inardle, what should they look for?”
“A dark, almost black, corkscrewed spire about so tall,” said Inardle, holding one hand above the other.
“Is it dangerous?” Maximilian said.
“They shouldn’t touch it,” Inardle said, “nor approach it too closely. If it doesn’t feel threatened it likely will not lash out.”
Maximilian looked at the three he’d entrusted with the search, already on their feet and by the door. “Be careful,” he said, and they nodded, and left.
His gaze returned to Inardle. “I didn’t need this, Inardle.”
“I’m sorry, my lord.”
“Is there anything else you think you should tell us?”
“No. Eleanon didn’t trust me enough to confide in me once I had become Axis’ lover. All I know is that he probably placed the Dark Spire within Elcho Falling and that he, and Bingaleal, and likely all of the Lealfast, are now much changed to what once they were.”
She gave a short, bitter laugh. “I think I must be the only original Lealfast remaining, the only one torn between her twin heritages.”
“Are we going to be able to remove the Dark Spire when we discover it?” Maximilian asked.
“No,” Inardle said, “none of you will be able to touch it.”
“What can it do?” Axis said.
“It can reach into Infinity, Axis,” Inardle said. “What can it not do? But . . . I do not know what its instructions are. I am sorry.”
Maximilian looked at Avaldamon, then to those remaining at the table. “It is time to introduce you to my friend, I think, and explain to you what I learned from the Twisted Tower. Ishbel,” he took her hand, “do you know this man?”
She smiled. “He is Persimius, and . . . familiar, but I cannot name him.”
Avaldamon rose at that, walking over to Ishbel. He dropped to a knee before her and took the hand that Maximilian relinquished.
“I am Boaz’s father, Ishbel. Your ancestor. Avaldamon.”
Ishbel stared at him, then her mouth moved in a broad smile. She leaned down and embraced him.
“What do you here?” she said. “Oh, what legends I have heard of you!”
“Really?” Avaldamon said. “From who? You have long been distanced from your real heritage.”
“From your daughter-in-law’s cup, the Goblet of the Frogs. It talked of you a great deal.”
Avaldamon laughed, kissing Ishbel’s cheek, then rose to take a nearby chair that Georgdi had vacated for him. “Do I have time to tell my story, Maxel?” Avaldamon said.
“Until someone returns with news of the Dark Spire’s location,” Maximilian said.
“You all know of Josia?” Avaldamon said to the rest of the gathering, and everyone nodded.
“Josia’s return was planned many thousands of years ago,” said Avaldamon, “and so also was mine. Let me tell you a little of my background.
I am a Persimius prince, younger brother to one of the Lords of Elcho Falling.” His mouth twisted wryly. “As happens with many younger Persimius sons I think, I, like Josia, was given a task to accomplish that lay beyond Elcho Falling. Something that would have a great impact on the future.”
He sat back in the chair, crossing his legs. “News of the construction of Threshold had reached Elcho Falling. My brother and I, as our advisers, were deeply concerned about both the cult of the One and the rise of Threshold itself. The ability of the Magi to touch Infinity? It was a nightmare. So . . . I was sent on the long journey to Ashdod, what you now know as Isembaard. My task?” He gave a small smile. “To sire a son on an Ashdodian princess. This would combine the blood of Ashdod with that of Elcho Falling, in an effort, should it be needed, to secure the destruction of Threshold and the cult of the One. Marry a princess I did and sire that son I did also, on the first night of our marriage — then, disaster.
“Within days of our marriage, while I was stupidly cavorting on a river boat trying to make my new bride laugh, I fell overboard, and was consumed by one of the Lhyl’s great river lizards. It was not a pleasant death.”
He fell silent, and no one spoke.
“I was not supposed to die so soon,” Avaldamon continued after a time. “I was supposed to watch my son grow, to teach him and raise him in the skills of Elcho Falling. Instead, my son Boaz fell into the clutches of the Magi, and became one of their number, indoctrinated in the way of the One.
“Then Fate took a hand. A slave, bought in one of the foreign markets, came to Threshold as a glass worker. She was a Vilander and may even have had some long-distant glimmer of Elcho Falling within her, for she had powerful abilities. She was no plan of ours, nor of Elcho Falling’s. Tirzah, or Ygraine, as she was originally known, was simply Fate. She came to Threshold and, to cut this story short, for I fear we have not much time, she drew Boaz away from the way of the One and back into his elemental powers. Between them, they managed to stop Threshold from attaining its true power and to effect its dismantling.”
“Were you always meant to come back, like Josia?” Axis said.
“No,” Avaldamon said. “I am back because I had not finished my task. I was always going to be drawn back.”
“Not Boaz?” Maximilian said.
Avaldamon shook his head. “Not Boaz. Boaz never knew the power of Elcho Falling, and it is Elcho Falling which will cause the destruction of DarkGlass Mountain. If I had remained alive, I would have taught my son the ways of Elcho Falling, but I died and he did not do what was necessary to destroy the power of the pyramid. Thus I have returned rather than my son.” He nodded at Maximilian, and smiled. “A new prince has risen, and his lady wife, both of whom can rally Elcho Falling against Infinity. My purpose remains: to show the Persimius blood how to destroy the hateful glass pyramid and, now, the One with it.”
“You can’t do this yourself?” asked Axis. “You are a Persimius prince, after all.”
“I am nowhere near as powerful as Maximilian or Ishbel,” said Avaldamon. “I can guide them, but I cannot be them.”
Ishbel took a deep breath, catching Maximilian’s eyes. “It can be done?” she said.
“So Avaldamon tells me,” Maximilian said, “but the catch is that we likely have only a day or so in which to do it.”
He turned to Axis. “Axis. I am afraid I am going to leave you in charge of Elcho Falling, as well as all the mess of the Lealfast and the Skraelings. Ishbel, Avaldamon and myself need to return to DarkGlass Mountain within the next few hours.”
“Oh, for the stars’ sakes!” Axis said. “You can’t think I am willing to —”
He broke off as StarHeaven spoke in his mind.
We have found it, StarMan. It stands in the lowest basement of Elcho Falling. And . . .
And?
And . . . it has grown.
Chapter 11
Elcho Falling
“StarHeaven has found the spire,” Axis said, interrupting Maximilian, who had been about to speak. “Where?” several people said at once.
“In a chamber in the lowest basement level,” Axis said. “Wait, there is more . . . let me speak with her.”
The others waited, shifting impatiently on chairs and exchanging glances, before Axis spoke again.
“It has grown,” he said. “It now stands just above the height of a man. And StarHeaven says it has set roots into Elcho Falling. She won’t go closer to it than the head of the steps which lead down into the chamber where it rests . . . even now she waits several levels above it. Maxel, you can’t leave. Not with this.”
“I must,” Maximilian said. “Avaldamon says that Ishbel and I have but one chance at DarkGlass Mountain and it must be soon. Today, or tomorrow at the latest.”
“Oh, rubbish,” Axis said. “It’s been standing there for millennia and I am sure it can —”
“It is not so much DarkGlass Mountain,” Avaldamon said, “but what it hides within the Infinity Chamber. When I first travelled from Elcho Falling to Ashdod to marry my princess, I brought with me one of Elcho Falling’s greatest treasures, the Book of the Soulenai. I died, and Boaz — thank every god in existence — actually kept it, and it has rested within the land of Ashdod, now Isembaard, ever since. It has fallen into the hands of the One, who understands its power if not its purpose, and he left it in the Infinity Chamber. Maximilian and Ishbel need to get to it before the One storms back there and either destroys it, or uses it himself. Axis, they, as I, need to go soon. We have no real idea where the One is, although all three of us sense that he is not at DarkGlass Mountain. Yet.”
“For the moment, Axis,” Maximilian said, “I must leave Elcho Falling in your hands. I am sorry, but this cannot wait.”
Axis rose, intending to argue the matter, but Maximilian ignored him, rising to his feet himself and holding out a hand for Ishbel.
“Come,” Maximilian said. “We need to see this Dark Spire.”
They gathered where StarHeaven waited, in the third lowest of the nine basement levels. Georgdi was there, as well as Egalion.
Everyone from the command chamber had come down, including Inardle.
“I can feel it,” Ishbel said, rubbing her shoulders as if she were cold.
Most of the others murmured assent. The air was cold here, as you might expect so far below ground, but there was something else. Axis thought it an otherworldly chill. He looked at his father, seeing the strain on his face.
He shifted his gaze to Inardle. She stood slightly apart from the rest of the group, her wings close to her side as if she tried to shelter within them.
Stars, she had betrayed them all . . . whimpering about her injuries when she could have healed them herself within an instant, playing on all their sympathies and emotions, reporting to her brothers his every move and thought .
I never did that, Axis, she said to him, holding his eyes, although with some apparent effort. I did not betray —
He turned his back and walked over to Maximilian who was standing at the steps leading down.
“What do you feel?” he asked Maximilian.
“Enough to know I should have picked up something else was in Elcho Falling,” Maximilian said. “But with everything that has been happening, its ‘wrongness’ was lost amid the turmoil.”
He stepped down, then turned and looked around. “Ishbel, Avaldamon, Axis, StarDrifter, Inardle . . . if you please.”
And with that he was running lightly down the steps.
Axis let the others go down before him, then he brought up the rear.
He wanted to keep a close eye on Inardle.
They stopped halfway down the stairs into the chamber in the lowest basement, staring at the corkscrewed dark spire in the centre of the floor.
“Inardle?” Maximilian said. “How greatly has it changed?”
“Hugely so, my lord,” she said softly, coming down to stand beside him. “It has grown. Previously I could hold it easily in my hands. Now .”
Now the spire stood well above the height of a man. It was not perceptibly throbbing or moving, but everyone who looked upon it could sense that it lived. No one had any doubt that if they stepped up and laid a hand to it, the spire would be warm to the touch.
No one wanted to test this belief.
It was dark, as Inardle had said, almost black, but shot through with lines of bright blue and a dark red. Its corkscrews twisted wildly, asymmetrically, to the point of the spire which looked wickedly sharp.
At its base, thick roots had grown into the stone flooring, twisting and upsetting the flagging across virtually the entire basement. A tip of one root had crawled up the lowest stair, sitting there as if to survey the journey upward but also as if to trip up any who were foolhardy enough to try to approach the spire.
As they watched, the tip of the root waggled slightly, searching about for a crack to invade.
“Can anyone here understand it?” StarDrifter said, standing by his son. “I cannot . . . it is entirely foreign to me.”
“As it is to me,” said Axis. “Avaldamon? Maxel? Ishbel?”
“It feeds from the cold winds of Infinity,” said Avaldamon. “That I can sense and only because I spent time with the Magi who worshipped the One, who used its power. I’ll wager some of those roots touch Infinity itself. It sends a chill down my spine.”
Maximilian looked at Inardle, and raised an eyebrow. “Tell us everything you know about it, Inardle.”
She sighed, wrapping her arms about her shoulders as Ishbel had earlier.
“It was made with the aid of the original Magi who had come north from Ashdod,” she said. “They had knowledge that we didn’t. Not at that stage. They said it was a gift to us. Who knows. Maybe the One suggested its crafting.”
Not at that stage, Axis thought, and shuddered at the remembrance of sharing his bed and body with this bleak witch.
“You used no Star Dance in its making?” StarDrifter said, and Inardle glanced at him as she replied.
“A little, I believe,” she said. “The Lealfast who sat with the Magi and who helped in its construction drew on the power of the Star Dance to create the Dark Spire, but the Star Dance did not go into the Dark Spire’s flesh, as it were. That was all the power of Infinity.”