7 In the Brother-Leader’s Palace Apartment

      Axis retrieved his axe from the antechamber outside the Privy Chamber and fell into step behind Jayme and Moryson, his anger and resentment at Jayme’s decision increasing with every stride. Why, after hundreds of years, was a Brother-Leader passing control of the Axe-Wielders into the hands of a secular commander? And Borneheld! Axis shoved his axe into his weapon belt with a furious thrust. He rarely disagreed with Jayme and had never raised his voice to him in anger before, but now he’d made a disastrous decision and Axis meant to tell him so, Brother-Leader or not.

      He brushed past Isend and Borneheld talking in low tones in the corridor. Surely the dandified Isend wasn’t offering to fight alongside him? As far as Axis knew the closest he’d ever come to a weapon was the fruit knife that he constantly carried with him, hanging from his begemmed belt on a small silver chain. He turned the corner behind Jayme and Moryson, who were discussing whether or not to send Gilbert along on the journey to the Silent Woman Keep. Axis didn’t give a damn about whether or not Gilbert accompanied him, all he wanted was future control of his Axe-Wielders back again.

      A fat white cat that had rubbed about Axis’ legs at breakfast now scrambled along the corridor behind him. As he shut the door of Jayme’s apartment, he almost caught the cat’s tail as she slipped in between his legs. Jayme and Moryson turned to look at him, their faces expressionless.

      “Father, I will not relinquish control of my command to Borneheld at Gorkenfort!”

      “Axis,” Jayme began, stepping forward, but Axis was now so furious that he interrupted his Brother-Leader. “Have you gone mad? Do you know what you have done? You will inform Borneheld that you were mistaken and that control of the Axe-Wielders will remain with me.”

      Jayme halted a few paces from Axis, and bright spots of red blossomed in his cheeks; his eyes sparked as angrily, as Axis’. “Remember who you speak to, BattleAxe! You do not question the orders of the Brother-Leader nor do you presume to offer him orders yourself.”

      Axis took a quick deep breath and squared his shoulders, staring defiantly at Jayme, his fists clenched at his sides. Moryson stepped forward, worried, ready to intervene if he had to.

      “I have not spent my life in the Axe-Wielders to see them led by someone other than me! I have not spent the past five years harrying them into the most effective fighting force they have been in generations to watch you squander their abilities so thoughtlessly!” Axis hissed, now so infuriated he was past caring if he insulted Jayme. “Do you know what you do, old man? Are your senses fading along with your strength?”

      Jayme’s nostrils flared, utterly shocked by Axis’ disrespect. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t hand over command of the Axe-Wielders to Borneheld right now!”

      Axis was silent for a moment, his mouth twisting as he tried to reign in his temper. “Give me one good reason why I should hand over control to Borneheld in Gorkenfort,” he said in a quieter voice, though it still vibrated with anger.

      For a moment longer Jayme stared at him, then he too took a deep breath and spoke in a calmer tone. “Because Achar needs to be united to face this threat, BattleAxe. When you get to Gorkenfort there must only be one force, one commander. That is the only way the Seneschal and the forces of Achar defeated the Forbidden a thousand years ago and it is the only way we can do it now.” His voice rose a little. “Do you understand what I am saying, Axis? I do not want to sacrifice Achar to save your cursed pride!”

      Axis stared at him, his fists slowly clenching and unclenching at his sides. “I understand what you say, Brother-Leader, and I can try to accept the reasons behind it. But it doesn’t mean I agree it’s the right thing to do.”

      Moryson glanced between the two men. He hoped Jayme would accept Axis’ words, for he did not think Axis would back down any further. As it was, only the years of deep affection between them and the respect Axis held for Jayme had made him back down this far. Moryson did not think that he would have done it for any other man. He must have got his damned pride from his father, Moryson thought dourly.

      “All I want is your word that you will obey my instructions, BattleAxe,” Jayme said quietly, his eyes holding Axis’ in a vice-like grip.

      After a moment Axis gave a curt nod. “You have it.” He refused to lower his eyes before Jayme’s stare.

      The cat suddenly spat at Jayme, its fur standing on end. The distraction broke the tension in the room and Jayme forced a little laugh. “Well, at least the cat seems to agree with you, Axis.”

      Axis bent down and scooped the cat into his arms, petting her back with long, slow strokes. The cat relaxed, her bright blue eyes blinking and then narrowing as she started to purr. She nuzzled his hand in affection.

      After a moment’s awkward silence Moryson cleared his throat. “Perhaps we need to talk about your journey, Axis.”

      The men walked over to the fire, Jayme waving the other two into chairs.

      Moryson leaned forward to warm his hands. “The Brother in charge of the records in the Silent Woman Keep is named Ogden, Axis. He has been at the Keep many years and is the most knowledgeable of the brothers who study there. I know him well, he is a good man, dedicated to his duty. He will help you.”

      “Ogden is almost as damned independent and proud as you are, Axis,” Jayme muttered. “I will send a rider off today to make sure he is aware of your coming.”

      “And we will send Gilbert with you, Axis,” Moryson said. “When you continue on for Smyrton, Gilbert can return to us with what information Ogden and you’ve found.” The plan was sensible enough, and an added benefit was that Jayme and Moryson had a few weeks free of Gilbert.

      Axis closed his eyes and let the fire warm his face, idly stroking the cat as he thought.

      Moryson and Jayme exchanged glances for a moment before Jayme asked, “When will you be able to leave, Axis? And how long do you think the trip to the Woods and then Smyrton will take you?”

      Axis thought for a moment longer then opened his eyes. The firelight caught peculiar golden glints deep in his blue eyes. “How many of the Axe-Wielders do you want me to take?”

      Jayme considered, his fingers steepled against his nose. “Most, I think. There is little point in leaving more than a token force at the Tower of the Seneschal. Take seven cohorts and leave one here. Depending on what you find at Smyrton you might need to leave several units there. Take the rest onto Gorkenfort.”

      “The