“How will we ever get the axe free?” asked Brand in wonderment.
Modi appeared at his side. “I will remove it,” he said, taking a step toward the tree.
At this, Gudrin came alive again. “No, Modi! Don't touch the axe!”
Modi's hand stopped, but it didn't retreat. Brand watched Modi's face and his huge hand, frozen in the middle of reaching for the axe. He knew there was a great struggle there. Clearly, he wanted the axe for his own. In the end Modi retreated. Gudrin stood weakly and took her book from her rucksack.
“Lay your hands on the handle, Brand,” she said.
Brand stepped forward, blinking. How was he supposed to pull the blade out of a foot of hardwood? What would the axe do to him?
“No!” said Modi.
“Silence!” shouted Gudrin with what seemed to be the last of her strength. “You will obey me and you will honor the words of your father.”
Modi backed off and turned away. His shoulders hunched and his head hung low, he glowered at the ground fiercely. No one came near him.
“Brand?”
Brand stepped up. He glanced at Modi once, then at the others. Everyone watched him.
“Remove the axe and place it back in my pack.”
Brand nodded and laid his hand upon the handle.
Chapter Thirty-One
Brand felt the power of it course through him. It was as if he held the reins of a massive horse that shivered at his touch. He was reminded of the presence he'd felt when he had confronted the Shining Lady and Oberon.
“Bruka!” Gudrin cried in the language of the Kindred.
In response, the axe worked itself out of the hard flesh of the tree. Brand tugged at it, but it was the axe that did the work. He felt as though he drove a powerful animal, merely guiding it.
It came free in his hand and he felt a greater surge of well-being… of power. The axe made him feel stronger. So strong, that its heavy curved blades were as light at a wand in his hand. Slowly, a wide grin opened his lips and spread over his face.
Gudrin opened her rucksack and offered it to Brand.
Brand froze, just as he had seen Modi do in reaction. He stared at the axe, and the amber jewel in the blade shimmered back at him, as if in acknowledgement, or perhaps as a form of greeting.
Gudrin shook her rucksack suggestively.
Brand knew what she wanted. But the thought was unthinkable. He couldn't put down the axe, he couldn't let go of this power. She was asking too much. She wanted a thief to give back the master's purse. She wanted a prisoner to slam the dungeon door closed. She wanted a starving beggar to give up a leg of roasted ham.
He thought of the Shining Lady and of Corbin's Dead brother Sam and of Telyn. Beautiful Telyn.
He stuffed the axe into the open maw of the rucksack. The beautiful Jewel vanished into darkness again.
Everyone relaxed.
“It is done,” said Gudrin.
She sagged down to one knee, and then collapsed.
Chapter Thirty-Two
The Beginning
The battle was over, but they all knew that the war was just beginning. Suddenly tired and calm, Brand and the others picked themselves up and did what they could to staunch the flames. But Froghollow would be a ruin by morning, none of them doubted that.
In the flickering light of the burning house Brand had loved so much, Gudrin came to him and spoke with unusual gentleness. “You are a strong one. Strong of spirit as well as of limb. Few can willingly release Ambros once they have taken it up, and fewer still can do so without getting blood on its curved blades.”
Brand nodded. He knew it was true, he had held Ambros and knew the power of it.
“The enemy has been driven off for now. But life will not be easy for the River Folk from this day forward.”
“We will have to make weapons and prepare for war,” he said grimly.
“Perhaps,” said Gudrin. “What is certain is that your people and mine have a great problem, Brand,” said Gudrin. “I'm asking for your help in solving it.”
Brand looked at her seriously. Her face was old and craggy and worn. Females of the Kindred are rarely attractive, but Gudrin was perhaps even less so than the average. But still, he saw in her a certain beauty, a certain inner strength. She had done everything she could for him and his people by taking Myrrdin's place.
“I'm grateful for all you've done,” Brand said. “I'll help you in any way I can.”
She nodded. “I knew that you would.”