CHAPTER ELEVEN

Palace of Aqhat, Tyranny of Isembaard

A xis had thought the outside of the pyramid amazing, but it was as nothing compared to this internal chamber, shaped as a pyramid itself, and about fifteen paces square at the base. Both walls and floor were covered in intricately carved golden glass of such workmanship and beauty that Axis was dumbstruck. He walked over to one of the walls, running his hand softly along the glass.

“This is the Infinity Chamber,” said Isaiah. “The golden heart of Dark-Glass Mountain. Beautiful, eh?”

“It is…” Axis began, unable to find the words to continue.

“Extraordinary,” Isaiah said. “No one now has the skills to carve glass like this.”

Axis remembered what Ba’al’uz had said about the pyramid. A doorway. A means by which to touch Creation.

A means to touch the Star Dance again, Axis.

Axis went cold. He glanced at Isaiah, but the tyrant was walking slowly about the chamber, running several fingers over the carved glass.

That had not been Isaiah.

Wouldn’t you like to feel the thrum of the stars through your body again, Axis? Wouldn’t you like the power that once you enjoyed? This is a gateway, Axis. Just like the Star Gate, and if—

Axis blocked out the voice, turning to Isaiah just as the tyrant spoke.

“Tell me what you feel here, Axis.”

It just spoke to me, Isaiah! But how can I speak that, here and now?

“Death. There has been a great deal of death here, although I felt it more strongly in the black corridors leading to this chamber. There is terror, and it is stronger in this chamber than elsewhere. There is fear.

There is…”

“Opportunity?” Isaiah said, and Axis wondered if Isaiah had, after all, heard the voice that had spoken to Axis.

“Perhaps,” Axis said. He wanted nothing more now than to get out of here. Stars, Ba’al’uz had said Isaiah came here and sat for hours at an end. What did DarkGlass Mountain say to him then?

“You want to leave,” Isaiah said very softly.

“Yes,” Axis grated. He could feel DarkGlass Mountain probing at his mind, feel its temptations—I can realize all your dreams for you, Axis. Touch the Star Dance again, touch Azhure again, touch—

Without another word Axis turned on his heel and strode from the Infinity Chamber.

“You didn’t like the Infinity Chamber,” said Isaiah. “Why?”

They had not spoken until they had ridden down the causeway and back onto the roadway running beside the river. They trotted along this for a little way, then, of one accord, pulled the horses to a halt and turned them so they could look back at DarkGlass Mountain.

More time than Axis could believe possible had passed since he’d entered the pyramid. It was now late afternoon, almost dusk, and the sun was sinking behind the pyramid, streaking the deep blue-green of the glass with long fingers of rust.

Or blood.

“Where will it be safe to speak, Isaiah?” said Axis quietly.

“In my chamber,” said Isaiah, “away from its shadow.”

They turned their horses for the river and did not speak again until they were, indeed, safe within Isaiah’s most private chamber.