Axis sat, elbows on the table, leaning his head in his hands. At the other end of the table StarDrifter was giving his opinion — loudly and very volubly — of Inardle’s proposal that she and Axis go to the Skraelings.

Egalion, Garth Baxtor, Georgdi and Insharah sat, utterly silent, watching Axis and listening (as if they had a choice) to StarDrifter’s thoughts on the matter.

The worst thing, Axis decided, was that whatever StarDrifter said it would make no difference. He had seen from the faces of the other four men that they were all in favour.

Stars, how had Inardle won their support?

No, that wasn’t the worst thing. The worst thing was that he could feel, deep deep down within himself, a bright flame of interest in the idea.

Oh, how good it would be to get out of this cursed beautiful prison of a citadel and be doing instead of always reacting/

The idea of looking danger in the face and slipping underneath the cordon of Lealfast who besieged the tower appealed to Axis; the idea of riding wild across the plains in an attempt to save Isaiah appealed to Axis, and the idea that he could soon meet with the friend he had thought dead was even more appealing. Even the idea of trying to outwit the loathsome Skraelings appealed to Axis, although he shuddered at the title of Lord of the Skraelings for himself.

And, above all, he could leave behind the problem of the Dark Spire, which had now broken through into the next basement level and was growing ever upward. No one had a way of stopping it and Axis was beyond frustration in trying to find a solution. Damn it! f Maximilian could escape, then why couldn’t he?

If only Inardle hadn’t been the one to suggest it.

If only it didn’t depend almost wholly on Inardle for its success.

If only it wasn’t Inardle who Axis would have to ride wild with across the plains.

He’d much prefer Georgdi. Why in all stars’ names didn’t Georgdi have some magical affiliation with the Skraelings?

Suddenly Axis had a thought . . . ride . . . horses . . .

“The plan can’t succeed,” he said, raising his head out of his hands.

“It has problems, yes,” Georgdi said, “but —”

“Inardle said she could get just one person and one person only out of Elcho Falling with her, yes?” Axis said, waving StarDrifter into silence.

Georgdi nodded slowly, wondering where lay the trap.

“No one else?” Axis said.

“No,” Georgdi said slowly, exchanging an anxious glance with Insharah.

“We won’t be able to get horses out,” Axis said. “If Inardle’s power is so weak —” he could not resist the jibe, even though she was not present to hear it “— then she certainly cannot spirit out horses for us as well. Oh yes, she can fly, but I can’t. I, at least, will need a horse . . . more than one if we are to travel fast. So you suggest it is feasible that —” Georgdi was starting to smile, which worried Axis, but he ploughed on regardless “— I somehow manage to walk all the scores of leagues to wherever Isaiah is before the Skraelings eat him into the dust? The plan doesn’t make sense, Georgdi. It is an enjoyable fantasy, nothing more.”

Now Georgdi was leaning back in his chair, grinning widely, his fingers laced across his chest. Suddenly he took a deep breath and let out a piercing, three-toned whistle.

Everyone in the room jumped, and Georgdi laughed.

“Learn that whistle, Axis,” he said.

Axis just glared at him.

Georgdi was clearly enjoying himself hugely. “Outlanders always plan for the loss of horses. We leave horses to run freely across the plains, and, in the event that we lose our own mounts, all we need do is whistle that pretty little ditty and, if any horses are in the vicinity, they will come. Those tones carry long distances. Sit and wait an hour or two and you never know what will turn up. Just take a couple of bridles with you — if Inardle wants to ride instead of fly — and you will have your horses. I am certain there will still be many left roaming the plains. When I was riding to meet with you at Elcho Falling we left scores of them behind. They’ll still be about. Shall I tell Inardle that you’ll be leaving in an hour or two, then?”