Truth to tell, SpikeFeather had been feeling more than slightly obsolete in the past few weeks. He'd been the one to correctly guess the location of Sanctuary, but it had been others who'd opened it, and then led Tencendor's populations through its doors. DragonStar and his five witches had garnered all the attention and glory in their quest to destroy the Demons. SpikeFeather was not feeling jealous, merely horribly useless. He'd always hovered about the edges of the action, through the wars with Gorgrael, and now with these Demons, bursting with potential but never quite achieving it. Why had Orr taken charge of his life and why spend so many years talking to him and showing him the Underworld?
Why?
In Sanctuary, SpikeFeather had spent much of his time with Adamon and his wife, Xanon, and the other Star Gods. He'd wanted to see if, somehow, they might give him a direction, even a clue, but he'd learned nothing from them. Without exception (and apart from Axis and Azhure), the once-gods were colourless and apathetic, unable to come to terms with the destruction of Tencendor and with their exile — as mere mortals! — in Sanctuary.
They'd been kind, and patient, but SpikeFeather had learned nothing of himself from them. And now, they'd disappeared, undoubtedly off on their own well-intentioned purpose, but that did not help SpikeFeather in his current despair.
"Gods!" SpikeFeather muttered, with no rancour, only desperate wishing. "What is my purpose? What am I to do?"
If only Orr hadn't died so precipitously in the chamber of the Star Gate. Perhaps if he sought out DragonStar ...
But SpikeFeather sighed, and let his eyes linger on the immobile ice pillars before him.
Urbeth's daughters apparently knew exactly who they were and what was expected of them.
Meanwhile, here he sat, not knowing what to do or how to help.
Suddenly, both pillars melted back into the forms of women, and they stared into the storm that raged beyond the avenue.
One of them hissed, and she swung around, stopping with a jerk as she saw SpikeFeather.
"You!" she cried.
Axis was startled out of his conversation with the Ravensbund chief, Sa'Domai, by a shout from the head of the convoy.
He leaped onto Sal's back and galloped forward to find Urbeth transforming back into her womanly self, and DragonStar — DragonStar! — emerging from the storm on his white stallion, the Alaunt milling at Belaguez's feet.
The expression on DragonStar's face said it all.
"Trouble," Axis stated.
"Oh, aye," DragonStar said, and halted Belaguez by Sal. His eyes widened very slightly at the sight of Axis' brown mare, but he made no remark about her.
Not when disaster threatened.
"The Demons are not far behind me," DragonStar said. He looked in wonder at the avenue of trees, then looked in query at Urbeth.
Ur, she told him in the mind voice, her thoughts carrying more images than spoken words.
Skraelings. Souls of trees. An army.
DragonStar nodded, accepting. "Urbeth, can you hold here for the moment? I must —"
"Yes. Go."
DragonStar nodded, then reached across and let his hand rest momentarily on Axis' arm. "I must see to Azhure's and Katie's safety," he said.
"How can we fight against the Demons?" Axis said, grabbing at DragonStar's own arm as his son pulled back.
Again DragonStar glanced at Urbeth. "Support Urbeth and her daughters, and support the trees," he said. "Even I can do no more."
Axis nodded, and let him go.
DragonStar rode Belaguez deep into the column until he found Azhure, Katie and StarDrifter. They were standing by a collection of Ravensbund tents, and looked up in stunned surprise as DragonStar rode up.
For the moment DragonStar ignored Azhure and StarDrifter, sliding off Belaguez's back to lift Katie into his arms.
She smiled and snuggled in close to him.
The Demons are about to attack.
I know, DragonStar.
You must stay safe.
At that Katie smiled bitterly. For the moment.
DragonStar's arms tightened about her, and he could not help the sudden dampness in his eyes. You have a way to travel before you, my girl. This is not the place.
DragonStar felt her nod, and he let her down.
"A/hure?" he said. "Katie must be protected at all costs. Whatever happens, whoever else dies in this attack, Katie must be protected."
Azhure did not speak, merely wrapping her own arms about Katie and nodding, her eyes determined.
"The Ravensbund will prove as good a guard as any," DragonStar said. "Stay inside their tents, away from what prying eyes might penetrate these trees."
Again Azhure nodded, then she leaned forward, briefly kissed DragonStar's cheek, and ducked inside one of the tents, Katie still locked in her arms.
