Battleaxe (novel)
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 First edition cover |
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| Author | Sara Douglass |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Axis Trilogy |
| Genre(s) | Fantasy novel |
| Publisher | Voyager Books |
| Released | 1995 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover, Paperback) |
| Pages | 688 pp (paperback edition) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-00-651106-6 (paperback edition) |
| Followed by | Enchanter |
Battleaxe by Australian fantasy author Sara Douglass, is the first novel in the Axis Trilogy. It was renamed as The Wayfarer Redemption for publication in North America. This first book revolves around Axis, Battleaxe of the Axe-Wielders, and Faraday, daughter of Earl Isend of Skarabost. Their lives are forever changed by a prophecy, and by meeting each other.
[edit] Plot introduction
The first characters we meet are 2 nameless ones, one who is pregnant and one who has just given birth. They do not know each other, and are far away from one another, but both are in mortal danger. The pregnant one cannot reach shelter in time after being caught in a storm, and must give birth in the snow. We learn that she is an outcast of her people, the Avar, and that the baby's father is an Enchanter called StarDrifter, of another race. The two races meet at Beltide to celebrate the renewal of life, or summer coming once more. Soon, while she is walking through the snow, she hears whispers in the winds, which are Skraelings, beings that feed on flesh and fear. Her fears prove unfounded though, because she is killed by her unborn baby before the Skraelings can kill her. The child had eaten itself out of his mother's stomach. The 5 Skraelings are delighted with this little bundle of hate, and eventually they bring it back to their lair. In the future, this baby will be known as Gorgrael.
The second woman had given birth 2 days before, and believes her child died. The child was illegitimate, and she is of high-born, perhaps noble, birth. After giving birth, she is taken and dumped in the freezing cold mountains to die. Instead, she sees a creature flying, and calls out to it, "StarDrifter, is that you?" Our story then starts 29 years later...
[edit] Plot summary
We meet Jayme, Brother-Leader of the Seneschal, and his two personal advisors, Moryson and Gilbert. They are discussing a recent development, priests around Achar (the land in which this story takes place) are reporting strange sightings. They claim they are seeing the Forbidden, monsters that frighten everyone, and that they also invade their dreams. Jayme decides that he will discuss this with King Priam soon, but not right now. The King's nameday is tomorrow. Faraday, the beautiful daughter of Earl Isend, and her family are at this celebration. The Earl brought Faraday to get her betrothed, but she is unaware of this. Then, she notices a graceful man who just arrived. She finds out that he is Axis, the illegitimate son of Princess Rivkah, sister of King Priam and long thought dead. Everyone thinks she died in childbirth.
It seems there is quite a bit of tension between Axis and his half-brother Borneheld. Later, Earl Isend asks Borneheld if he will marry his daughter, Faraday. Borneheld accepts. The next day, there is a war council and King Priam informs those in attendance of the threat Achar now faces. Their enemy seems to be made of wind and ice, and steel can't kill them. It is feared that the Forbidden have returned to Achar. These enemies have attacked major defense forts, and harmed a commander. Priam orders Borneheld, his nephew and War-Lord, to see to Achar's defense. Jayme then tells Priam that the Axe-Wielders will help too. First, the Axe-Wielders will go to a Keep called the Silent Woman Keep, where there is said to be texts that could help defeat the Forbidden. Then, they will travel to Gorkenfort, the capital of Ichtar, where Borneheld was the duke. Borneheld will then take command of the Axe-Wielders. Axis does not like this plan, but is forced to do it anyway.
Earl Isend then convinces Axis to bring his wife, Lady Merlion, and his daughter Faraday to Arcen, along with Lady Embeth of Tare and Gilbert. Axis is annoyed at this, but follows his orders. While they are on the road, he comes to repect and admire Faraday for her honesty and compassion towards him. When they get to the Silent Woman Keep, Axis, Timozel, Arne, and Gilbert go into the forest surrounding the Keep. When they enter the forest, it consumes their axes, but they follow the path to the Keep. There they are met by two monks, Brother Veremund and Brother Ogden. They soon learn that the texts here do not tell of how to defeat the Forbidden, but were actually written by the Forbidden. The monks then allow Axis to read a prophecy, the "Prophecy of the Destroyer" which no ordinary human should be able to decipher.
