The Infinity Gate: Darkglass Mountain: Book Three - By Sara Douglass Page 0,10

arms folded, regarding Elcho Falling as Bingaleal still asked questions in his mind.

What happened to the One? Bingaleal said. I do not understand how he could have —

He has been oufoxei, Eleanon said, as have we, and that only because we were so stupid as to place ourselves under the One’s orders.

You can’t be implying that . . .

I am implying that perhaps we’d be better off looking after our own fortunes.

The One is a dangerous enemy to make, Eleanon.

Eleanon gave a little snort.

Eleanon . . . we are pledged to him.

He has broken his pledge to us, Eleanon said. I doubt he can deliver a single one of his promises to the Lealfast, nor, perhaps, did he ever have any intention of doing so. Look, Bingaleal, we will be careful. We will not overtly alienate him, nor overtly disobey him. But I tell you, I no longer trust him nor his promises of Lealfast home and glory. I don’t think he has the wit for it. Yes, he is powerful, but he is like the running-to-fat bully in the schoolyard, able to push around those too weak to resist, but toppled unceremoniously by the first opponent who knows what the word “tactic” means.

And what do we have, Eleanon?

Eleanon realised for the first time that it was he who was the natural leader. Not Bingaleal.

What do we have? We have our cunning, we have the Lealfast Nation winging its way to join us, we have our command of both Star Dance and Infinity and we have the Dark Spire. We don’t need the One and his promises to attain Elcho Falling and Infinity. Not now.

Eleanon turned to look back at Elcho Falling. “Elcho Falling’s destruction lies in its basement,” he murmured, not sharing the words with Bingaleal. “Waiting for that word from me.”

Where are the Isembaardians? Bingaleal asked.

Lost in his contemplation of the Dark Spire, Eleanon did not immediately know to what Bingaleal referred. What?

The Isembaardian army. Is it still camped at the lake?

Eleanon turned his regard to the sprawling encampment on the western shore of the lake.

His mouth curved in a slow smile.

I think they might provide us some fun, Bingaleal. Maybe I can retrieve something from this day, after all.

Chapter 7

Elcho Falling and Sakkuth

“What has happened to Lister, Armat and Ravenna?” Axis said. He and Ishbel stood just inside the great arched entranceway of Elcho Falling, staring along the causeway that stretched over the lake toward the Isembaardian encampment. It was close to dawn now, and the lightening sky revealed the massive sprawl of tents and horse lines. Above them, the Lealfast rode the thermals high in the air.

They were biding their time. Waiting.

“Lister is dead,” Ishbel said. “Slaughtered in the same manner as the many men he sent me to slaughter as Archpriestess of the Coil. Armat has become a witless puppet, with Insharah his master. I thought he might prove useful in that capacity, given that the general Kezial is still out there, somewhere. Ravenna . . . she I cursed with Maximilian’s blood. Her child has been disinherited, and Ravenna condemned to wander friendless and alone.” Ishbel paused. “I would have killed her, save for the child.”

“Is she dangerous?”

Ishbel gave a small shrug. “Less so than formerly.”

Axis grunted, wishing Ishbel had not left Ravenna alive. He could see movement in the Isembaardian camp now and, with his excellent Icarii vision, could see Insharah standing by one of the tents closest to Elcho Falling’s lake. Axis didn’t know how to feel about Insharah. For a long time he had been a close and trusted companion of Axis. When they were in Isembaard they had travelled and fought together. Axis had liked him immensely.

Then Insharah had decided to abandon Maximilian for the rebel general Armat, taking with him the majority of Isembaardian forces who had been with Maximilian.

It had been a foolish decision, and had lowered Insharah in Axis’ estimation.

Now Insharah had command of Armat’s army. Three hundred thousand men, give or take a few ten thousand.

Axis did not know if he could trust Insharah, yet at the same time neither did he want to abandon him to possible — probable — attack from the Lealfast.

He glanced up again, more nervously now. StarHeaven? Axis said, sending out the query with his power.

Yes, StarMan, the Enchanter replied.

What strength are you?

Perhaps two hundred who are fully fit, StarMan.

Axis winced. Two hundred only left? What a disaster this treacherous night had been! You are ready to fight? Axis asked StarHeaven.

There