“Where is this Dark Spire?” Maximilian said, his voice edgy for the first time.

“I don’t know,” said Inardle. “I am almost certain it is here, but I do not know where.”

Maximilian was not sure whether to believe her or not. Did this Dark Spire exist? If so, did Inardle actually know its location? Did she think to amuse herself watching them panic?

She doesn’t know, Maxel, Ishbel said to him, and Maximilian gave a nod.

“Very well,” he said. “Georgdi, Eleanon, StarHeaven, organise a search. Inardle, what should they look for?”

“A dark, almost black, corkscrewed spire about so tall,” said Inardle, holding one hand above the other.

“Is it dangerous?” Maximilian said.

“They shouldn’t touch it,” Inardle said, “nor approach it too closely. If it doesn’t feel threatened it likely will not lash out.”

Maximilian looked at the three he’d entrusted with the search, already on their feet and by the door. “Be careful,” he said, and they nodded, and left.

His gaze returned to Inardle. “I didn’t need this, Inardle.”

“I’m sorry, my lord.”

“Is there anything else you think you should tell us?”

“No. Eleanon didn’t trust me enough to confide in me once I had become Axis’ lover. All I know is that he probably placed the Dark Spire within Elcho Falling and that he, and Bingaleal, and likely all of the Lealfast, are now much changed to what once they were.”

She gave a short, bitter laugh. “I think I must be the only original Lealfast remaining, the only one torn between her twin heritages.”

“Are we going to be able to remove the Dark Spire when we discover it?” Maximilian asked.

“No,” Inardle said, “none of you will be able to touch it.”

“What can it do?” Axis said.

“It can reach into Infinity, Axis,” Inardle said. “What can it not do? But . . . I do not know what its instructions are. I am sorry.”

Maximilian looked at Avaldamon, then to those remaining at the table. “It is time to introduce you to my friend, I think, and explain to you what I learned from the Twisted Tower. Ishbel,” he took her hand, “do you know this man?”

She smiled. “He is Persimius, and . . . familiar, but I cannot name him.”

Avaldamon rose at that, walking over to Ishbel. He dropped to a knee before her and took the hand that Maximilian relinquished.

“I am Boaz’s father, Ishbel. Your ancestor. Avaldamon.”

Ishbel stared at him, then her mouth moved in a broad smile. She leaned down and embraced him.

“What do you here?” she said. “Oh, what legends I have heard of you!”

“Really?” Avaldamon said. “From who? You have long been distanced from your real heritage.”

“From your daughter-in-law’s cup, the Goblet of the Frogs. It talked of you a great deal.”

Avaldamon laughed, kissing Ishbel’s cheek, then rose to take a nearby chair that Georgdi had vacated for him. “Do I have time to tell my story, Maxel?” Avaldamon said.

“Until someone returns with news of the Dark Spire’s location,” Maximilian said.

“You all know of Josia?” Avaldamon said to the rest of the gathering, and everyone nodded.

“Josia’s return was planned many thousands of years ago,” said Avaldamon, “and so also was mine. Let me tell you a little of my background. I am a Persimius prince, younger brother to one of the Lords of Elcho Falling.” His mouth twisted wryly. “As happens with many younger Persimius sons I think, I, like Josia, was given a task to accomplish that lay beyond Elcho Falling. Something that would have a great impact on the future.”

He sat back in the chair, crossing his legs. “News of the construction of Threshold had reached Elcho Falling. My brother and I, as our advisers, were deeply concerned about both the cult of the One and the rise of Threshold itself. The ability of the Magi to touch Infinity? It was a nightmare. So . . . I was sent on the long journey to Ashdod, what you now know as Isembaard. My task?” He gave a small smile. “To sire a son on an Ashdodian princess. This would combine the blood of Ashdod with that of Elcho Falling, in an effort, should it be needed, to secure the destruction of Threshold and the cult of the One. Marry a princess I did and sire that son I did also, on the first night of our marriage — then, disaster.

“Within days of our marriage, while I was stupidly cavorting on a river boat trying to make my new bride laugh, I fell overboard, and was consumed by one of the Lhyl’s great river lizards. It was not a pleasant death.”

He fell silent, and no one spoke.

“I was not supposed to die so soon,” Avaldamon continued after a time. “I was supposed to watch my son grow, to teach him and raise him in the skills of Elcho Falling. Instead, my son Boaz fell into the clutches of the Magi, and became one of their number, indoctrinated in the way of the One.

“Then Fate took a hand. A slave, bought in one of the foreign markets, came to Threshold as a glass worker. She was a Vilander and may even have had some long-distant glimmer of Elcho Falling within her, for she had powerful abilities. She was no plan of ours, nor of Elcho Falling’s. Tirzah, or Ygraine, as she was originally known, was simply Fate. She came to Threshold and, to cut this story short, for I fear we have not much time, she drew Boaz away from the way of the One and back into his elemental powers. Between them, they managed to stop Threshold from attaining its true power and to effect its dismantling.”

“Were you always meant to come back, like Josia?” Axis said.

“No,” Avaldamon said. “I am back because I had not finished my task. I was always going to be drawn back.”

“Not Boaz?” Maximilian said.

Avaldamon shook his head. “Not Boaz. Boaz never knew the power of Elcho Falling, and it is Elcho Falling which will cause the destruction of DarkGlass Mountain. If I had remained alive, I would have taught my son the ways of Elcho Falling, but I died and he did not do what was necessary to destroy the power of the pyramid. Thus I have returned rather than my son.” He nodded at Maximilian, and smiled. “A new prince has risen, and his lady wife, both of whom can rally Elcho Falling against Infinity. My purpose remains: to show the Persimius blood how to destroy the hateful glass pyramid and, now, the One with it.”

“You can’t do this yourself?” asked Axis. “You are a Persimius prince, after all.”

“I am nowhere near as powerful as Maximilian or Ishbel,” said Avaldamon. “I can guide them, but I cannot be them.”

Ishbel took a deep breath, catching Maximilian’s eyes. “It can be done?” she said.

“So Avaldamon tells me,” Maximilian said, “but the catch is that we likely have only a day or so in which to do it.”

He turned to Axis. “Axis. I am afraid I am going to leave you in charge of Elcho Falling, as well as all the mess of the Lealfast and the Skraelings. Ishbel, Avaldamon and myself need to return to DarkGlass Mountain within the next few hours.”

“Oh, for the stars’ sakes!” Axis said. “You can’t think I am willing to —”

He broke off as StarHeaven spoke in his mind.

We have found it, StarMan. It stands in the lowest basement of Elcho Falling. And . . .

And?

And . . . it has grown.