The Serpent Bride. Sara Douglass

think of him only as a possibility,” Axis said. “The man survived seventeen years under conditions that killed everyone else within six months. That says something for his character and tenacity. It tells me that he is, to put it simply, a survivor, and that he has depths that should not be lightly disregarded. He is also liked by all who meet him. Highly regarded, as I said. The man has something.”

      “But not an army,” said Ba’al’uz. “And unlikely to raise one anywhere. He is also stuck far away on the west coast of the continent. He is no threat.”

      Axis shrugged. “You asked, I told.”

      Isaiah studied Axis a moment, then looked to Ba’al’uz. “When shall you leave?”

      “Within a few days,” said Ba’al’uz. He smiled, all geniality and affability. “I do so like the idea of a vacation.”

      When Ba’al’uz was gone, Axis turned to Isaiah and said, “That man is your brother?”

      “He terrifies me more than my other brothers did combined,” said Isaiah. “The trouble is, I cannot know if he will be more trouble to me dead than alive. At the least he is travelling north and I shall be rid of the man for a few months.”

9

       THE ROAD EAST, ESCATOR

      “Well?” said Maximilian. “Tell me of this strange offering from the Coil

      StarWeb flopped down on a stool in Maximilian’s chamber in the wayside inn, trailing her wings to each side. She had arrived less than an hour previously, exhausted from the long, arduous flight from the Outlands, but Maximilian had not even allowed her time to wash and rest.

       He wanted to know about Ishbel.

      “She trails secrets like some women trail the scent of their perfume,” StarWeb eventually said. “I don’t trust her.”

      Maximilian crossed his arms and leaned against a window frame. “You don’t like her,” he said.

      “No.”

      “Why not? Everyone trails secrets about them. It is a necessary condition of life.”

      “I do not think she would be a good wife for you. She is too unquiet.”

      “Hmmm. Unquiet is not good. Secrets I can tolerate, but not unquietness.”

      “You’re making fun of me.”

      Maximilian grinned. “Not at all. So tell me, how went negotiations? Did you broker me a wife?”

      “Yes. She agreed too readily.”

      “To all the conditions?”

      “Not quite. She agreed that the marriage would not be ratified until she is carrying a child. She refused to wait until it was born. She also refused to hand over her dowry until the marriage was ratified. I said that would ensure her your immediate amorous intentions.”

      “You must have pushed her hard.”

      “I think it is fair to say she loathes me.” StarWeb paused. “I told her I was your lover.”

      Maximilian went very still. “That was not wise, StarWeb, and most certainly not fair to Ishbel.”

      StarWeb shrugged, moving away from Maximilian. “I was honest with her. I hoped to startle some honesty from her in return, but was disappointed.”

      “I am surprised she conceded as much as she did,” Maximilian said. “She must want me very much.” Or perhaps she is under strict instructions.

      StarWeb shot him a look. “I did not tell her you were a. good lover.”

      Maximilian raised a small smile. “Nonetheless, she wants marriage with me badly, it seems. Perhaps tales of my attractions have spread.”

      “It is suspicious, Maxel.”

      “Yes. Perhaps.”

      StarWeb sighed. Maximilian was in one of his uncommunicative moods.

      “What was she like, StarWeb?”

      “Lovely, if you like the sharp-edged kind.”

      Now Maximilian smiled far more genuinely. “I like you.”

      “Ha. Well, she is lovely, but curiously gauche. She is uncomfortable among people, constantly watching others as if she needs prompts on what to say and do. I think she has been hidden among the Coil for too long. God knows what they taught her, but social skills must not have been high on their list. Maximilian, if she is to be your queen, then she shall need some hasty lessons in the arts of conversation and etiquette once she reaches Ruen.”

      StarWeb paused, thinking. “She is not comfortable to be around, and I think that is mainly because she is desperately uncomfortable around others.”

      “I was not the world’s best conversationalist when first I stepped forth from the Veins, either, StarWeb.”

      “You are curiously defensive of a woman you have never met, Maxel.”

      Maximilian opened his mouth, then shut it again, and contented himself with a small shrug in answer.

      StarWeb rose, weariness evident in her every movement. “I am going to take some rest, Maxel. Perhaps we can meet later?”

      “Yes. Perhaps.”

      StarWeb looked at Maximilian a long moment, wondering why he’d decided to leave Ruen for Pelemere before hearing from her, then decided she was too tired and Maximilian was too uncommunicative to justify the question.

      She turned and left the chamber without another word.

      Maximilian did not move for an hour or more, leaning against the window frame, thinking.

      He was not foolish enough to think that a bride sent to him from the heart of the Mountain at the Edge of the World from an order devoted to the Great Serpent was mere coincidence, but he had convinced himself that the only reason Light, in his guise as a serpent, had sent her was that he’d decided the Persimius line needed new, stronger blood.

      Or that perhaps Maximilian was doing so badly at finding a bride on his own, when an heir was so badly needed, that he’d send one himself.

      Elcho Falling was not stirring. Maximilian was sure of it. He’d spent the night before he left Ruen standing in front of the crown, trying to see any chance, any sign of life.

      But the crown of Elcho Falling was as it had been for millennia. Absolutely quiet.

      Besides, there was no crisis, no desperation, no reason to think Elcho Falling was needed.

      He need not worry.

      He need not fret about the emptiness of the Twisted Tower. That would be for one of his descendants to worry about perhaps, but not he.

      Maximilian took a deep breath, consciously relaxing his shoulders as he exhaled. He had brought the emerald and ruby ring with him. He knew that he and Ishbel would marry. They would live calm, settled lives, gradually building a marriage, and having many children.

      All would be well.

      Of course it will, said his ring. Naturally. Just like your youth and early manhood was calm and settled and happy.

      Irritated, Maximilian pulled the ring from his finger and slipped it into the pocket of his outer robe.

10

       HAIREKEEP,