The Infinity Gate: Darkglass Mountain: Book Three - By Sara Douglass Page 0,151

incident, and Maximilian felt his spirits rise as they approached the causeway. As they came alongside it, Abe held the boat steady while everyone climbed out, the great doors to Elcho Falling opened, and there stood Axis and Isaiah, wide grins on their faces, and suddenly the Lord of Elcho Falling was home.

Maximilian sat slouched in his chair, long legs stretched out before him, rubbing away slowly at his forehead with one hand, unable to sort his thoughts.

“The One is in the Dark Spire?” he finally said. He and Ishbel had shared news with Axis, Isaiah, Georgdi and StarDrifter, and it wasn’t until the last few minutes that the others had told Maximilian and Ishbel the terrible news about Ravenna, the Dark Spire and the One.

Maximilian finally dropped his hand and managed to look Ishbel in the eye.

She looked as stricken as he felt.

They had been so sure he was gone . . . so sure.

“Are you certain?” Maximilian added.

“My son has said so,” StarDrifter said.

“That would be StarDancer,” Axis said, annoyed that he had to clarify the situation . . . StarDrifter obviously felt he only had one son.

“Ravenna has confirmed it,” Isaiah added. “We can find no fault with what StarDancer has said. The One hauled himself through Infinity and into the Dark Spire, using some kind of gossamer umbilical cord.”

Maximilian felt like mumbling an obscenity, but he contented himself with sharing another look with his wife.

They had been so sure.

“What will it take to best this beast from Infinity?” Ishbel said, and Maximilian felt a stab of dark resentment toward her for mouthing the question.

“I will need to think —” he began, but StarDrifter halted him.

“StarDancer says he has a solution.”

Maximilian raised unbelieving eyebrows. A baby? “And the solution would be .?”

“He has not said,” StarDrifter said. “He wanted to wait until you and Ishbel had returned.”

“I should speak with Ravenna first,” Maximilian said.

“No,” StarDrifter said, “speak with StarDancer, then Ravenna, if you wish. StarDancer said he would need to speak with you first . . . with all of us,” he added.

They moved to StarDrifter and Salome’s chamber. Salome held StarDancer in her arms, the others sat grouped about, the baby the centre of attention.

“You asked to talk with myself and Ravenna,” Maximilian said, feeling uncomfortable being thus summoned to a baby’s presence.

I am grateful you agreed, StarDancer said, the words clear in everyone’s mind.

“The One is back,” Maximilian said.

In the Dark Spire, StarDancer said. He hauled himself back through Infinity and —

“You are certain?” Ishbel said, her voice hard.

I am certain. You can ask Ravenna to confirm it.

Maximilian gave a nod, not wanting to think about Ravenna. She, and whatever mischief she’d done within Elcho Falling, was a problem that would need to wait until after this. “Your father said you had a solution.”

The One is very powerful, StarDancer said. I doubt there is any in the chamber who can best him, including you, Maximilian.

Maximilian’s mouth tightened. “Elcho Falling and I have managed before.”

You only deferred the problem. You have tried, Elcho Falling has tried, Ishbel has tried. None of you bested the One; you have merely postponed the problem. Every time the One has bounced back, stronger than previously. Now he is back yet again, freshly infused with the power of Infinity, and wrapped in the protection and sorcery of the Dark Spire, which I think is intended to destroy Elcho Falling. Do you have a plan, Maximilian?

“I have not inspected the Dark Spire yet.” Maximilian was growing more irritated by the moment.

Then do that, StarDancer said, after I have spoken.

“And you advise?” Ishbel said, her voice laced with a little sarcasm.

I do not blame you for distrusting me, StarDancer said, but hear me out, please. The One draws his power from Infinity. What can any of us in this room do against him? There is only one person who can successfully contain the One.

“And that person is?” Maximilian said.

Ravenna.

“No!” Ishbel said, shifting as if she meant to rise before deciding to perch stiff-backed on the edge of her chair. “Ravenna? She has done nothing but betray Maximilian and Elcho Falling. You think . . . what? That she can somehow destroy the One? She does not have the power, and even if she did then she would use it to destroy us, not the One!” Ishbel looked to Maximilian. “Maxel?”

“I agree,” Maximilian said. “I cannot see how Ravenna has either the power or the goodwill to destroy the One for me and Ishbel.