Enchanter Read Online Free

gently. "You did what you had to. Now do what you want with your life. Would you like to go with EvenSong this afternoon?"
    Azhure hesitated, then nodded. "I have seen the Strike Force practise at archery. They look so smooth, so graceful. I would like to try that. SpikeFeather has offered to demonstrate for me and," her mouth quirked, "teach me the proper use of the arrow." Again she hesitated, then forged on. "I am sick of feeling helpless, directionless. I feel as though I have spent my life in a deep, dark well. Now, after so long buried in Smyrton, I am starting to make my way towards the surface - but the surface is still so very far away. Each day away from Smyrton, each new experience, brings me a littlecloser, wakes me up a little more from the torpor of my previous life. You are right. I must seek my own path."
    She laughed now, her good humour returning. "I am glad I'm not an Icarii Enchanter like you, destined for heroic deeds. That would be a heavy burden."
    Axis turned away, his face expressionless. "I am no hero."
    Azhure lowered her eyes to the flower she still held. If Axis had his moments of denial, then she did not blame him. Not a day passed that Axis did not grieve for those who had already died for him. He despised the thought that yet more would die. And it haunted him that his sister blamed him for FreeFall's death.
    "You must bear with EvenSong. She has not yet reconciled herself to FreeFall's death. Her grief needs an outlet."
    Axis knew his sister resented him for many other reasons besides his inability to prevent FreeFall's death. She had not begun to come to terms with having an older brother, and one who had inherited their father's powers in full.
    Where once StarDrifter had lavished attention on EvenSong, now she found herself virtually ignored by her father as he spent almost every waking moment with his son. EvenSoiig found her father's obsession with Axis difficult to accept.
    It was fortunate, Axis mused, that Azhure was here to offer EvenSong companionship. He too appreciated the friendship and understanding she gave him as he fought to adjust to his new life and his new powers. Rivkah spent a good deal of time talking to her as well. If not for Azhure, StarDrifter's entire household might well have self-destructed by now.
    "The SunSoars are difficult people to live with," he said, resting his chin in his hand.
    "The Icarii people as a whole are," replied Azhure, her eyes distant. "They are very good at passions and very bad at friendships."
    Axis studied her closely. This woman from Smyrton displayed more insight than many who had spent years in
    scholarly or diplomatic training. Where had she got it from? Not from her father, surely; Hagen had demonstrated as much insight as a sack of barley. Her mother? From what Axis knew of Nors women, they thought mainly of the pleasures of the flesh and very little else. And surely the woeful society of her village had contributed little to the inner depths she increasingly revealed.
    Azhure shifted under his gaze — those pale-blue eyes seemed to reach to the core of her soul. Unthinking, she said the first thing that sprang to mind.
    "Do you worry about her, Axis? Do you wonder if she is all right?" she asked, and then wished desperately she could snatch her words back.
    Axis tensed at her side and Azhure could sense his withdrawal. He rarely spoke of Faraday and yet Azhure knew she was always in his thoughts.
    Azhure stumbled on, trying to relieve the sudden tension. "I saw her, you know, at Yuletide. She is a woman who combines great beauty with great compassion and selflessness. It is no wonder you love her as you do."
    "You saw her?" Axis frowned. "How?"
    "Did StarDrifter not tell you how he and Faraday woke the Earth Tree at Yuletide as the Skraelings attacked the Earth Tree Grove?"
    Axis nodded, still frowning, and Azhure hurried on. "I don't know what enchantment StarDrifter used, but Faraday appeared as if in a vision above the Earth