The Serpent Bride

by Sara Douglas

  And that was far enough, Malat thought glumly.

  "Before it," said BroadWing, still unable to believe what his eyes had shown him, "sit a line of kings on their horses. Waiting for us."

  A line of kings, BroadWing had said, and Malat thought it true enough. Four men sat their horses a few paces before the mightiest army Malat had ever seen, or even dreamed of.

  One of them he knew, Maximilian of Escator (gods, how had Maxel joined up with this invasion?), and the others BroadWing identified to Malat and Georgdi.

  "Stars," BroadWing said, "I can hardly believe it. There, that man, that is Axis SunSoar, once StarMan of Tencendor. Then Maximilian of Escator, who you know. Next to him is StarDrifter SunSoar, Axis'

  father, and now Talon of the Icarii. My king. And the final man must be Isaiah of Isembaard."

  Malat agreed with BroadWing on that point. He could think of no one else save the Tyrant of Isembaard who would wear such a magnificent collar of gold, or sit a horse with such innate arrogance and power.

  Malat and Georgdi stepped forward, and a moment later Isaiah pushed his horse into a walk toward them.

  They had closed half the distance between them when suddenly there was a movement behind Isaiah.

  It was time.

  Maximilian sat his horse, watching Isaiah ride out to meet Malat and Georgdi, and he knew it was time.

  From the moment he'd received news of the offer of Ishbel as a bride, events had pushed and pummeled him toward this moment. Everything appeared absolutely clear, totally straightforward. The air hung cold and frosted about him, the snow crisp and solid beneath his horse's hooves.

  All was so lucid, so crisp, so clean.

  Maximilian took a deep breath, leaned very close to Axis, whispering, "Back me up!" Then he pushed his own horse after Isaiah, kicking it into a canter.

  Behind him, the entire army stirred in surprise, and Isaiah's five generals laid hand to their swords and narrowed their eyes.

  "What the fuck...?" Armat murmured.

  Isaiah heard him coming, knew precisely who it was.

  He smiled a little, glad, and reined his own horse back.

  As Maximilian rode past him he pulled his horse to one side, bowing his head in deference.

  Malat and Georgdi halted, surprised but not particularly alarmed as Maximilian pulled his horse to a halt in a flurry of snow before them.

  "Welcome to the ancient past, my friends," Maximilian said, his voice clear and strong, carrying back to those who waited behind him. "Welcome to Elcho Falling." His mouth gave an ironic twist, and he nodded over his shoulder, indicating the forces stretched out behind him.

  "You are Maximilian of Escator?" Georgdi said, a note of puzzlement in his voice.

  Maximilian glanced at Malat as he spoke. "No. I am Maximilian Persimius, Lord of Elcho Falling,

  commander of you and yours, of Isaiah of Isembaard and all his, and of this army behind me. I am very much afraid, my friends, that the war has only just begun."

  He held their eyes a moment longer, then he wheeled his horse about and rode directly back to the army.

  He was pleased (and relieved) to see that Axis had positioned himself slightly to one side and in front of the spot where Isaiah's generals waited on their horses, their faces masks of anger.

  Maximilian met Axis' eyes briefly, and Axis gave a very slight nod.

  Maximilian reined in his horse before the generals. He could feel the tension rippling from not only them,

  but from the entire tens of thousands of men gathered behind them. He could see, feel, intuit, the hands reaching for swords, the mouths readying themselves to shout out the assassination order, the mayhem that gathered itself to leap.

  He was moments away from death; Isaiah and Axis as well, Ishbel and StarDrifter and Salome also.

  Everything, the entire world, was a heartbeat away from complete and total disaster.

  And Maximilian, for the very first time in his life, felt as if he was, finally, right where he belonged.

  Purpose filled him. The Veins had not killed him, these generals did not stand a chance against him, and even Kanubai would probably lie down and cower at the sight of Maximilian atop his horse.

  Maximilian laughed out loud, flinging out one arm in an extravagant gesture. "My friends, my generals, is this not the most exquisite moment? I have surprised you, and for that you have my humblest apologies...as also you have them for the fact that I now announce myself your commander, Axis SunSoar and Isaiah of Isembaard my immediate captains, to whom you shall answer and who shall speak with my voice."

  All humor vanished from Maximilian's voice, and it became tight, ringing with determination. One of the generals, Morfah, had opened his mouth to speak, but Maximilian gave him no chance.

  "I am the Lord of Elcho Falling. This"--as if it were one with Maximilian, his horse stamped one of its front hooves on the snow--"is the land of Elcho Falling, arisen from ancient memory. Know me as your lord, gentlemen."

  "Fuck you," said Morfah, and he drew his sword.

  Maximilian walked into the Twisted Tower. His steps were unhurried, his posture relaxed. He moved through the ground level chamber and climbed into the second level. He walked to a chest of drawers,

  opened the third drawer from the top, and withdrew a small block of stone. He held it, and retrieved from it knowledge.

  Morfah thrust his sword into the air, opening his mouth to shout the orders that would see him finally take control of this army, and which would see both Isaiah and this pissant Maximilian dead in the snow.

  And then he turned to stone, and a moment later crumbled into dust, his horse shying to one side at the unexpected relief from the weight of the man on its back.

  Maximilian smiled, the expression grim, his eyes moving slowly over the four remaining generals, now staring at him in complete shock.

  "I am now your lord," he said very quietly, and yet in a tone that still carried.

  "Maximilian!" Axis shouted, now thrusting his sword into the sky. "Lord of Elcho Falling!"

  An instant's hesitation, during which Axis looked pointedly at Ezekiel, who then thrust his own sword skyward, shouting, "Maximilian! Lord of Elcho Falling!"

  Another moment's hesitation, then the shouting spread through the ranks.

  Maximilian! Maximilian! Lord of Elcho Falling!

  "How soon loyalties turn," Isaiah said, chuckling. He, Maximilian, Axis, StarDrifter, Ezekiel, Malat, and Georgdi were in his commodious command tent, having ridden there once the shouting had died down and Maximilian had given Lamiah, Kezial, and Armat orders to return the soldiers to camp and to ready themselves and the army for a march northeast within the next week or two.

  "I wish you'd told me that was going to happen beforehand," Axis said. He was still a little shaken by the events, and didn't quite trust the three generals outside not to turn immediately to plotting Maximilian's destruction.

  "I don't think even Maximilian quite knew he was going to do that," Isaiah said. "It was well done,

  Maximilian. It was time for you to come into your own."

  "Will someone please explain what is happening?" Ezekiel said. "Isaiah?"

  "Ah," Isaiah said, "there is a long tale behind this day, Ezekiel." He told the general, as well as Malat and Georgdi, the ancient tale of Kanubai, and of the Lord of Elcho Falling, and of all the events that had brought them to this point.

  "Today," Isaiah said, concluding his tale, "Maximilian has stepped out from under the shadow of Escator and into the light of Elcho Falling."

  "What the hell did you do to that general, Maxel?" Malat said. His voice was very quiet, and he looked shaken by what he had heard.

  Maximilian made a small gesture with his hand, but otherwise did not answer.

  "Lamiah, Kezial, and Armat will have forgotten that small trick by the end of this week," Ezekiel said.

  "Maximilian, I am still bemused by this tale, and I do not know whether to believe in it or not, or whether to b
elieve in you or not. Suddenly my world, as everyone's, is turned upside down. Isaiah, you say that Isembaard is finished? That this...Kanubai...and his army of Skraelings shall trample it into thralldom?"

  "And worse," Isaiah said.

  Ezekiel gave a small movement of his head, as if to try and shake his thoughts into order. "I cannot comprehend this, and I wager that every single Isembaardian outside this tent, including the other three generals, will find difficulty in comprehending it. Maximilian, do not think you have won a victory here today. Do not think that you have won hearts and loyalties. Shock and sleight of hand has won you the initial skirmish...but...gods, man, how do you expect to win the respect and loyalty of a million people who shall shortly learn that their homeland, and all their relatives and friends left behind, their homes and memories, lie dying under the terror of an appalling horror? What advantage you won today with surprise will be gone within a week, maybe less."

  "We have a long journey ahead of us," Maximilian said, "and we can all take it but one step at a moment."

  Ezekiel made a small sound of disgust. He turned to Isaiah. "And you...no wonder you changed after that month you vanished during your campaign against the Eastern Independencies. Are you the true Isaiah, or did he die during that month, and you replace him?"

  "He died that month," Isaiah said. "No loss, surely."

  Ezekiel just gave another shake of his head, and turned away.

  Axis exchanged a glance with Isaiah, then looked at Maximilian. "Now what, Maxel?"

  "We wait here for Light--Lister--to join us," said Maximilian, "and then we march north to Serpent's Nest, there to rebuild the Mountain at the Edge of the World, Elcho Falling." He paused, and a look of consternation came over his face. "Gods, Isaiah, the crown of Elcho Falling! It remains in Escator!"

  Isaiah gave a small shake of his head. "No, Maximilian. I think you will find that when Lister arrives, he will have what you need with him."

  Maximilian grunted. "Vorstus, I suppose." He shifted his gaze to Axis. "In the meantime, my friend, while we wait for Lister, I try to win hearts and loyalties. As Ezekiel has so correctly pointed out, my small trickery today will not impress for long. A title is a pretty thing, but it will not win me allegiance."

  He looked about the tent. "What loyalty do I command among those in this tent?" he said, softly. "Tell me, that I might the better understand the task ahead."

  "Mine," said Isaiah. "I am your servant."

  "And mine," said Axis. "You know that."

  Maximilian gave both men a nod. "StarDrifter?"

  "Mine as well," said StarDrifter. "As all the Icarii. I spoke with Broad-Wing briefly before I came to this tent, and I know how he feels about you. You have our hearts, Maxel."

  "But can I trust Salome?" Maximilian said, with a small smile.

  "Ah," said StarDrifter, returning the humor, "for her I cannot vouch."

  "Ezekiel not, I think," Maximilian said, looking at the man.

  "My loyalties cannot turn on a whim, Maximilian," Ezekiel said. "I admire what you did today, but the story Isaiah has told...it is too much. My heart remains reserved. Isaiah had my respect and thus my loyalty. You have yet to earn either."

  Maximilian gave him a nod, accepting his words. Ezekiel would be a hard man to win, but once he gave his word and his loyalty, he would be true. "Malat?" Maximilian said. "Georgdi?"

  Malat gave a great sigh. "Yes, you have my loyalty, Maxel," he said. "This has all been so much to comprehend, but somehow I am not surprised."

  "Thank you," Maximilian said. "Georgdi?"

  The man sat for a long moment, looking at Maximilian, considering his position and the words he would speak. "This is my land on which we stand," he said. "The Outlands. Why should I hand my loyalty to a man who comes to take it from me?"

  "Because that is the only way you will ever keep it alive, Georgdi," Maximilian said.

  "I am with Ezekiel," Georgdi said. "My heart remains reserved."

  "I can accept that," Maximilian said, "if you can stay your knife, the both of you, until I have a chance to prove myself."

  Georgdi laughed, and even Ezekiel raised a reluctant smile. "You have a great task ahead of you," the Isembaardian general said.

  "Oh, aye, I know," Maximilian said. "And somehow I think the two of you shall be harder even than Kanubai."

  Axis and Maximilian sat alone in the tent, everyone else having departed.

  "That was some stunt you pulled today," Axis said. "Why did you do it?"

  "Because it was time."

  "Had you discussed it with Isaiah beforehand?"

  "No."

  Axis gave a small laugh of admiration. "You have balls, Maxel, I'll give you that. But how confident are you? There is an appalling journey ahead for you...for all of us. How good are you, my Lord of Elcho Falling?"

  Maximilian gave a great sigh. "Axis, can I confide something to you? I have told no one this, although Isaiah and Lister will need to hear it eventually."

  "Why do I feel like this is going to be bad news, Maxel?"

  "Because you have experience behind you, Axis." Maximilian paused, then told Axis about the Twisted Tower. "It is our memory palace. Where is kept all the knowledge needed by whichever poor bastard had to shoulder the burden of Elcho Falling. But so much has been lost. It is well over half empty. I don't know what to do..." Another small pause. "I hope that when I get to Serpent's Nest, when I raise Elcho Falling--"

  "You can do that?"

  "Yes, I can do that, at the least. I hope that when Elcho Falling rises out of Serpent's Nest, somewhere within its corridors I will find enlightenment."

  "Stars, Maxel...what if you don't?"

  "Then I shall be running to you for advice, my friend."

  "Ishbel doesn't know?"

  "No. She has no knowledge of the Twisted Tower."

  "But she was archpriestess of the Coil. You'd think that if the answer was in Serpent's Nest, then--"

  "Thank you for your thoughts, Axis," Maximilian snapped. "Do not think I haven't worried over that as well."

  "Well, perhaps Isaiah or Lister--"

  "Yes, perhaps."

  In DarkGlass Mountain, Kanubai turned his dog snout north and sneered.

  So, his adversary had opened his mouth to spout drivel and declare himself.

  Kanubai was not perturbed. The Lord of Elcho Falling was weak; the stink of his vulnerability could be smelled even from this distance.

  The man might once more wear the title, but Kanubai doubted very much he would be able to wield the power that came with it.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Entrance to the Sky Peak Passes, the Outlands I watched you, Maxel.

  Iwatched what you did today in front of that army.

  You constantly amaze me."

  Maximilian had been walking back to his own tent when Ishbel spoke. Now he stopped, looking at her as she emerged from behind a line of tethered horses. It was late at night, and Maximilian was weary beyond belief, but something in his heart lifted at the sight of her, at her beauty, and at the softness in her eyes.

  How he wished he had not lost her.

  She smiled, a little teasingly, walking much closer. "But I should not have been so very amazed, eh? You are the same man who walked into my chamber in Pelemere, and led me straight to the bed. You overwhelmed me, and I could not resist you."

  "I wish the Isembaardian army were as easy to seduce as you, Ishbel."

  She laughed. "I will try not to take that as an insult."

  He smiled, too, thinking how ironic it was that now they were torn apart, how close and easy they could be with each other. Oh, to have had this camaraderie when they had shared a bed.

  Her amusement faded. "Do you have a few minutes, Maxel?"

  "Yes, of course. What is it?"

  She hung her head, as if gathering courage, then she lifted her face, and looked him straight in the eye.

  "I have been such a fool, Maxel. I have let go the one thing that could have
made of my life a paradise.

  You."

  Maximilian went cold. No, Ishbel. Not this, I cannot stand it. Not now, when it is too late.

  "Maxel, I love you."

  He made as if to speak, but she hurried on.

  "I have made so many mistakes, so many ill choices. I have said so many foolish things. I--"

  "You have visions of despair engulfing your life because of me, Ishbel. You cannot--"

  "I am your wife! We have never formally ended the marriage."

  He laughed, harsh and lost. "I think our marriage is well and truly over, Ishbel."

  "I can accept whatever you bring into my life, Maxel. Whatever it is, because that will be easier than losing you completely."

  "Oh, gods, Ishbel...I'm sorry, but--"

  "No!" Ishbel literally threw herself against him, desperate for his touch and for his warmth. His hands closed about her shoulders, and she leaned back to gaze at his face. For an instant, he leaned down to her; she was sure he would kiss her, she could feel his breath wash over her face, she willed him to kiss her, then he pushed her away and stood back.

  "We can't," he said. "I'm sorry. What was once between us must be ended."

  "What was between us was misunderstanding and blindness, Maxel, and I agree that it should be over.

  What can be between us is--"

  "We can work, we will work, together to raise Elcho Falling, Ishbel. I can't do that without you. But our marriage is over."

  "You love me," she said. "You do."

  "I--"

  "He doesn't love you, Ishbel. You tore his world apart. He will never forgive you."

  Ravenna walked out of the darkness, a cloak wrapped tightly about her. "Maximilian was always mine,

  from the moment I first laid eyes on him. I helped free him from horror--what have you ever done for him? What Maxel and I have between us is not something you could ever understand."

  Ishbel stared at Ravenna, then looked at Maximilian, pleading with her eyes for him to refute what Ravenna had just said.

  He dropped his eyes away from hers.

  Ravenna let the cloak fall free, and one of her hands rested on her as yet flat belly. "I carry his child,

  Ishbel. His heir. Maximilian Persimius will cleave to me now."