The Infinity Gate: Darkglass Mountain: Book Three - By Sara Douglass Page 0,148

is your decision truly. But before you decide, can you tell me about the powers you had as a marsh witch? And of this Land of Nightmares which exists beyond the Land of Dreams? Can you explain to me its parameters and meanings?

“Why?” Ravenna said.

To sate my curiosity.

Ravenna shrugged. So far as prices went, this was but a mild one. “As you wish.”

Inardle led them through Elcho Falling, down the main staircase, along a corridor some eight or nine levels above ground level, then up a smaller service stairwell for another five or six levels. Here, on a small landing where small hallways led deeper into Elcho Falling, she called everyone to a halt.

“I will go on alone from here,” she said. “Ravenna is close.”

“I should come with you,” Garth said.

Inardle considered him, then nodded. “Very well.”

They walked along one of the hallways, leaving behind a group of restless and variously suspicious people.

“Do you know where we are?” Inardle asked Garth.

“This place is too huge for me to have been through it completely,” Garth said, “but these levels are generally storage levels. Dormitories, command chambers, living quarters and so forth are much higher in the citadel.”

“There is something bleak ahead.”

Garth caught at Inardle’s elbow, stopping her. “Inardle . . . Ravenna has done much damage, and she is a changed woman since I first met her . . . but she has also done good and came originally from a good place. I’ve heard a little of what you are now. Please . . . ” He stopped, not knowing how to continue.

To his surprise Inardle gave a small smile and squeezed his hand reassuringly. “I have more sympathy for her than you might believe,” she said, and with that they walked on.

Inardle led them eventually to a chamber stacked to its ceiling with what looked like boxes of blankets and pillows. There was a small space between the boxes, and Inardle, Garth directly behind her, threaded her way through.

Inardle stopped, holding up a hand to silence Garth. She looked back at him, then pointed ahead and moved her finger, indicating something about the curve in the narrow passageway.

Garth nodded his understanding.

They moved forward, slowly and carefully.

Inardle hesitated just at the curve of the passageway between the piled-high boxes, then she stepped around it.

“Hello, Ravenna,” she said.

Garth was directly behind Inardle, and he looked over her shoulder.

His first thought was that he was surprised that he could actually see Ravenna, the second was horror at her appearance. She was skeletally thin, her skin almost grey, her general appearance unkempt and ill.

He looked at her belly. She still appeared to be pregnant, but she was in such a poor condition, he wouldn’t gamble on the health of the baby.

Ravenna held a baby in her arms: StarDancer.

“Ravenna?” Garth said softly.

Ravenna looked up, her eyes filled with tears. “I was to kill him,” she said. “I couldn’t do it.”

Much later, when Isaiah had caused Ravenna to be locked in a comfortable yet secure room, he met with StarDrifter, Salome, Axis and Garth in the Talon’s chamber. StarDrifter sat with his son held tight in his arms and Isaiah did not think he was going to let him go any time soon.

“StarDancer is well?” he asked the boy’s parents, relieved that Inardle was not present.

“Yes, thank the Stars,” StarDrifter said, his face still drawn and tense.

“And Ravenna?” Isaiah asked Garth, knowing the physician had been to see her.

“She has been very unwell,” Garth said, “but should grow better with rest and good food.” He paused. “The child she carries is not doing well, though, and there is a danger Ravenna will miscarry it. Hopefully as Ravenna improves, so will her child.”

“She is a great danger to us,” said Salome, “and should be murdered herself.”

She has come to regret her actions, StarDancer said, his words clear in the minds of all in the room. She did not kill me.

He paused, and when he spoke again his mind-voice was heavy with power and concern.

The One is here.

“What?” everyone else said simultaneously.

In the Dark Spire.

“But none of us —” Isaiah began.

He has concealed himself well. None of you could spot him. I could not even discern his presence. But he is here, have no doubt.

“So that is he of whom you dreamed,” StarDrifter said. “We should have listened to you.”

Yes.

“Shetzah!” Isaiah cursed. “We must —”

Nothing you can do shall repel him, StarDancer said. He is too powerful. Not even Maximilian can match him now.

Axis looked at his