boatman in Margalit or one of the smaller ports south. Someone will be able to sail to pick them up.”
“Good.” Axis clapped Georgdi on the shoulder. They talked a few more minutes about security issues then Axis continued his way down the stairs.
He wanted to see what was happening with the Dark Spire now that DarkGlass Mountain was gone and the One with it.
With any luck the spire would have withered into the size and threat of a sausage left for eight weeks in the sun.
He reached a chamber just above the lowest basement which contained the Dark Spire. StarDrifter was there, conferring in close whispers with several other Enchanters.
StarDrifter turned and Axis was surprised to see deep worry in his face.
“Good news, StarDrifter,” Axis said. “DarkGlass Mountain is destroyed. The One with it. Maximilian and Ishbel are on their way home. How .” he paused, wondering why there was no expression of relief or joy on StarDrifter’s face. “How goes the Dark Spire?”
“Badly, Axis,” StarDrifter said. “In the past hour it has grown remarkably. None of us can enter the lowest basement level now, for the spire’s dark tentacles reach everywhere.”
He stepped aside, and indicated the floor. “Look. This happened just before you arrived.”
Axis looked to where StarDrifter pointed, and all his happiness faded.
There was a dark streak spreading across the floor.
A crack.
As he watched, the floor began to break wide open, and everyone hastened for the stairs.
The Dark Spire was ascending.
Chapter 3
Aqhat
They sat on the river bank in the morning light, a fire blazing, eating a meal. Their mood was jovial and there was much shared laughter. Every so often one or the other would turn their head to look across the river to the great emptiness where once DarkGlass Mountain had stood.
Avaldamon watched Ishbel turn and look one more time, and he smiled.
“Boaz and Tirzah would be proud of you,” he said. “That was one almighty achievement, Ishbel.”
Maximilian smiled, reaching to squeeze his wife’s hand. “Indeed it was.”
“Did Josia say anything about Axis?” Ishbel said. Earlier, Maximilian had spent a little time in the Twisted Tower, talking with Josia.
“No news,” Maximilian said. “All Josia wanted to talk about was how you had managed the destruction of the pyramid and the One, Ishbel. But I imagine that this news will lighten Axis’ heart.”
The mood sobered. “Mayhap the One is gone, and the pyramid,” said Serge, “but the Lealfast and the Skraelings still thrive. I wish I were there to help.” He grinned. “I came down here expecting a decent fight . . . and look what I got. Nothing!”
Again they laughed together.
“Ishbel,” Avaldamon said as the laughter died, “what did you find in the Infinity Chamber?”
Ishbel told them about the Book of the Soulenai, and the rat. “He was my courage, the courage taken from Josia as he died so many years ago. Has anyone set eyes on this rat since the pyramid collapsed?”
“He surfaced just before you,” said Maximilian, “but I have not seen him since.”
Avaldamon nodded at the book lying by Ishbel’s side. “What does it say now, Ishbel?”
She picked it up and opened it, turning over the pages, a frown deepening. “Nothing, Avaldamon. Its pages are blank. It tells me nothing.”
“Then perhaps its task is done,” Avaldamon said. “We should not worry.”
“Is there something to worry about?” Ishbel said. “You have appeared sombre at times .”
Avaldamon studied his hands, fiddling with a piece of uneaten bread. “I worry about the One,” he said finally, looking up.
“That he is not dead?” Maximilian said.
Avaldamon nodded. “I cannot sense him —”
“As neither can I,” Maximilian said.
“Nor I,” Ishbel said.
“— but,” Avaldamon continued, “yes, I do fret about it. The One touched the power of Infinity. That is immensely strong. Immensely durable. Infinitely so. Would the mere collapse of a building, even one so immense and arcane as DarkGlass Mountain,” he waved a hand across the river, “actually destroy him? I don’t know. Yes, it may have destroyed his body . . . but the One himself? He had already learned the trick of jumping into a new existence, and once learned that trick is not easily forgotten. Ishbel, tell me again what happened when you say he crumbled.”
Ishbel described once more how the One had disintegrated before her eyes. “He was terrified, Avaldamon. I am sure I could see knowledge of his own doom written in his expression. He was so frightened he brought the power of Infinity to bear where previously he had been too cautious. He