Pilgrim by Sara Douglass Read Free Book Online

this woman, of all people, of aligning herself with the Demons?” StarDrifter continued. “Must I remind you that she died for you?”
    He whipped about and stared now at Azhure, her face as cold as Axis’. “And you, Azhure. Have you forgotten?”
    StarDrifter turned back and looked at Drago. “If Faraday walked in here with Qeteb himself and said that a spark of goodness rested in his breast, and that she would support him, then that would be enough for me. Drago, do you truly repent for what you did to Caelum?”
    “Yes.” Drago’s eyes were on Caelum standing rigid eight or nine paces away, not StarDrifter. “I am not the hunter you fear, Caelum,” he said. “I come here to offer you my aid in whatever you have to do to defeat the Demons as some recompense for my actions against you so many years ago.”
    “And why should I believe that?” asked Caelum.
    “ None of us believe that,” Axis said.
    Azhure opened her mouth to speak, but was forestalled by Zared.
    “I believe Drago deserves the chance,” he said. “Axis, have you or Caelum even thought of the fact that Drago is the only one among us who has had any firsthand experience of these Demons? Dammit, why kill that knowledge and potential help?”
    “I think Zared speaks some sense,” DareWing FullHeart said, finally braving his say. “Faraday, you ask a great deal of everyone here. I do not think,” his mouth quirked and he gestured about the gathering, “that many here are ready to place their trust in Drago. Most of us have troublesome doubts. But most of us are prepared to trust you. Of everyone within this clearing, you are the one who deserves our full trust.”
    Axis’ mouth hardened, and he turned his face away.
    “If you say you will stand responsible for Drago’s actions,” DareWing finished, “and that he deserves the chance to finally help instead of hinder, then I will trust you and I will give Drago that chance.”
    “And I,” StarDrifter said quietly, looking Faraday directly in the eye. Then he dropped his gaze to Drago. “Don’t fail her.”
    Be his trust, the Survivor had said, be his trust. Suddenly Faraday knew what he had meant.
    Axis started to say something, stopped himself, then stared at the ground for several moments, battling his fury.
    Finally he raised his eyes. “Where is the Sceptre?” he said flatly. “If Drago hands the Sceptre to Caelum, then I will give him his chance.”
    “I do not know the Sceptre’s will, nor do I know its location,” Faraday said. “I’m sorry.”
    “Sorry?” Axis stared at her. “Sorry! A trifling word to use as excuse for defending a traitor and a murderer!”
    “No! Wait!” Drago struggled to his feet, the front of his tunic horribly bloodstained, his face white. He leaned heavily on Zenith, and looked about.
    Where was the staff? Surely that was the Sceptre, transformed?
    “Well?” said Axis.
    “Wait…” Drago cast his eyes frantically about. He had it when he stepped into the clearing, he was sure…had it fallen from his hand when Axis attacked him? Where…
    “You were ever the consummate play-actor,” Axis said, hate and sarcasm infusing his voice and face.
    Drago stopped his search to stare at his father. “I—”
    “ I have had enough of you and your lies!” Axis said, and turned back to Caelum.
    He took a deep breath, and calmed himself. “We still have hope, Caelum. Adamon and the other gods have gone to Star Finger and await us there. If we go to the mountain we will have the advice and knowledge of the past six or seven thousand years that is stored there. There must be somethingsecreted in the damned mountain that can help us! Besides, I cannot help but believe the Sceptre will find its way to the StarSon in time. It is fated thus, and thus it must be.”
    Unnoticed, the donkeys twitched their ears slightly, and one of them dipped her head to the ground, as if trying to hide unwanted mirth.
    Caelum nodded, comforted by the surety in his