They stood under the stars, a pace apart, wrapped in cloaks. They did not look at each other, but instead both cast their eyes eastwards.
Toward Elcho Falling.
“There is trouble tonight about Inardle,” Ishbel said.
“I think today StarDrifter and BroadWing overreached themselves,” Maximilian said.
“She is a strange woman.”
“No stranger than you, when first we met.”
“She is very beautiful,” Ishbel said. “Very ethereal. Very unknowable. I am not surprised Axis has taken her so close.”
“He didn’t win her any friends with the announcement that he was making her his lieutenant.”
“Axis is isolating her. Inardle will never be a full part of the Lealfast again, nor of any other people. She has only one tribe now, and that tribe is Axis SunSoar.”
“Then he is going to a great deal of trouble over her,” Maximilian said. “She does not seem to be much like Azhure. Axis has talked to me of Azhure occasionally.”
“I think the fact that she isn’t anything like Azhure is the attraction, Maxel.” Ishbel paused a little. “I will be more friendly to her. Perhaps ride with her during the day.”
“I think Axis would like that, Ishbel. Thank you. I think you may find that you and Inardle are very much alike in some ways. You’ve each had a difficult journey at times.”
“I was appalled to hear how Lister turned his back on her.”
“Yes, I was, too.”
They remained unspeaking for a little while, still not looking at each other, avoiding the two topics they needed to talk about: their marriage and Elcho Falling.
“How long,” said Ishbel eventually, “before we arrive at the mountain?”
Maximilian turned his head to look at her directly. “Four or five days. We’re moving faster than I’d hoped.”
“Are you scared?”
Again he laughed softly. “Yes, but excited, too. You?”
“You have no idea, Maxel. It shall be so strange to see Aziel again, as all my old friends from the Coil. Maxel…do they know we’re coming?”
“Yes. I sent two Icarii east a week or more ago.”
Ishbel’s mouth curved in a small smile. “Aziel will have been surprised to meet them, and yet somehow not. I think he knew, Maxel, that change was upon him. Would the Icarii have told him about Lister?”
“Yes.”
Ishbel sighed. “Then he will be upset. What will he do, now that the Coil has no reason for its existence?”
“Move forward, as you have done. You are doing well in the Twisted Tower.”
“Yes. I manage a different level each night now. Maxel, why did you want me to learn?”
“Because it doesn’t hurt to have someone else know—”
“Maxel, please, why did you want me to learn?”
He turned to face her. “Because I wanted to share it with you, not only the Twisted Tower, but everything Elcho Falling is and can be.”
Ishbel looked at him, feeling certain that there was a deeper reason, but she did not push him. Instead she smiled, and removed one hand from under her cloak.
In it she held a small bunch of wildflowers. “My payment, my lord, for traversing your territory.”
He reached out his hand, enclosing hers within it, and pulled her closer. He leaned forward, and they kissed, very gently.
Then Ishbel pulled back, smiling a little, and walked away into the night.