leading to the loss of one of your most prized weapons. Have I made my point?"
FarSight CutSpur nodded once, jerkily.
"What do you use the Strike Force for, FarSight?" Just one more humiliation, Axis thought, then he would begin to rebuild dieir hopes.
"To scout, to observe and to defend." "Then why call it a Strike Force?" Axis commented dryly. "At the moment you have a force that is incapable of defence, let alone a strike." He paused to let it sink in, then his face and voice softened.
"My friends, you have the makings of an elite force, one that could defeat any other in these lands. But at the moment you have neither the means nor the knowledge to create that elite force from the inefFective one you now have."
Axis pulled out the spare stool and sat down among the Crest-Leaders. "You need a war leader," he said finally. "You need me. You know that. It is why you are all here. Give me the Strike Force. Let me realise its fabulous potential. Let me turn you from birds of paradise into hawks. Killers. Don't you want to regain your pride? To avenge Yuletide?"
FarSight glanced at RavenCrest. The Talon looked furious, but he jerked his head in assent. FarSight looked about the table at the other Crest-Leaders, seeking their decision. Slowly, one by one, they inclined their heads.
FarSight finally turned back to Axis. "You have command, Axis SunSoar."
Stars, he thought, what would my ancestors think now that I hand over command of the Icarii Strike Force to a former BatdeAxe?
Axis nodded. "Thank you. You honour me with your trust and with the command of the Strike Force.' I will not fail you, nor will I betray you or your traditions."
Gradually the other faces about the table relaxed. "What are your plans?"
one of the younger Crest-Leaders asked.
"I need to watch the Strike Force train," Axis replied, a small knot of excitement in his belly at the tide. "I need you to tell me what you are capable of, and we all need to talk about what it is we face. Then we can decide what to do."
"How will we fight Gorgrael?" Another of the Crest-Leaders leaned forward.
"How?" The mood among the Crest-Leaders was quickly turning from shame to eagerness.
Axis looked about the room. "Eventually we must unite with the Avar and the Acharites. That is the only way we can defeat Gorgrael." That last they did not particularly like but they realised the need for it. "I have a force of some three thousand men in eastern Achar. Eventually I want the Strike Force to join them. A combined air and ground force will give us our best chance to drive Gorgrael back."
FarSight leaned forward. "Yes. Our farflight scouts kept in contact with Belial. The last they saw of him he was leading your three thousand into the southern WildDog Plains."
"Why is this the first I have heard of it?" Axis snapped.
"You have hardly been accessible," FarSight bit back, then subsided and went on more mildly. "Our Strike Force does have its uses, Axis SunSoar."
Axis smiled a little guiltily at the birdman. "I think we both have a good deal to learn about each other, FarSight."
FarSight inclined his head. "Then let us tell you about your Strike Force."
Azhure hurried along the corridor clutching the Wolven. She was late for archery practice with SpikeFeather's Wing, delayed by an errand Rivkah had sent her on, and was anxious to get there. Her skill had improved to the extent that she could now match SpikeFeather arrow for arrow, surprising even herself with her aptitude. And next week SpikeFeather had promised to show her some of the skills required to hit a target while both she and it were moving. Azhure could not wait for the new challenge.
"My dear girl," a cheerful voice said behind her. "Do you by chance know your way about this rabbit warren?"
Azhure whirled around, almost dropping the Wolven in shock. Two Brothers of the Seneschal advanced up the corridor towards her, one tall and skinny, the other short and fat. Both had kindly creased faces and
FarSight CutSpur nodded once, jerkily.
"What do you use the Strike Force for, FarSight?" Just one more humiliation, Axis thought, then he would begin to rebuild dieir hopes.
"To scout, to observe and to defend." "Then why call it a Strike Force?" Axis commented dryly. "At the moment you have a force that is incapable of defence, let alone a strike." He paused to let it sink in, then his face and voice softened.
"My friends, you have the makings of an elite force, one that could defeat any other in these lands. But at the moment you have neither the means nor the knowledge to create that elite force from the inefFective one you now have."
Axis pulled out the spare stool and sat down among the Crest-Leaders. "You need a war leader," he said finally. "You need me. You know that. It is why you are all here. Give me the Strike Force. Let me realise its fabulous potential. Let me turn you from birds of paradise into hawks. Killers. Don't you want to regain your pride? To avenge Yuletide?"
FarSight glanced at RavenCrest. The Talon looked furious, but he jerked his head in assent. FarSight looked about the table at the other Crest-Leaders, seeking their decision. Slowly, one by one, they inclined their heads.
FarSight finally turned back to Axis. "You have command, Axis SunSoar."
Stars, he thought, what would my ancestors think now that I hand over command of the Icarii Strike Force to a former BatdeAxe?
Axis nodded. "Thank you. You honour me with your trust and with the command of the Strike Force.' I will not fail you, nor will I betray you or your traditions."
Gradually the other faces about the table relaxed. "What are your plans?"
one of the younger Crest-Leaders asked.
"I need to watch the Strike Force train," Axis replied, a small knot of excitement in his belly at the tide. "I need you to tell me what you are capable of, and we all need to talk about what it is we face. Then we can decide what to do."
"How will we fight Gorgrael?" Another of the Crest-Leaders leaned forward.
"How?" The mood among the Crest-Leaders was quickly turning from shame to eagerness.
Axis looked about the room. "Eventually we must unite with the Avar and the Acharites. That is the only way we can defeat Gorgrael." That last they did not particularly like but they realised the need for it. "I have a force of some three thousand men in eastern Achar. Eventually I want the Strike Force to join them. A combined air and ground force will give us our best chance to drive Gorgrael back."
FarSight leaned forward. "Yes. Our farflight scouts kept in contact with Belial. The last they saw of him he was leading your three thousand into the southern WildDog Plains."
"Why is this the first I have heard of it?" Axis snapped.
"You have hardly been accessible," FarSight bit back, then subsided and went on more mildly. "Our Strike Force does have its uses, Axis SunSoar."
Axis smiled a little guiltily at the birdman. "I think we both have a good deal to learn about each other, FarSight."
FarSight inclined his head. "Then let us tell you about your Strike Force."
Azhure hurried along the corridor clutching the Wolven. She was late for archery practice with SpikeFeather's Wing, delayed by an errand Rivkah had sent her on, and was anxious to get there. Her skill had improved to the extent that she could now match SpikeFeather arrow for arrow, surprising even herself with her aptitude. And next week SpikeFeather had promised to show her some of the skills required to hit a target while both she and it were moving. Azhure could not wait for the new challenge.
"My dear girl," a cheerful voice said behind her. "Do you by chance know your way about this rabbit warren?"
Azhure whirled around, almost dropping the Wolven in shock. Two Brothers of the Seneschal advanced up the corridor towards her, one tall and skinny, the other short and fat. Both had kindly creased faces and
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