Elfsorrow

Chapter 47

When The Raven camp stirred, a light drizzle was falling. Ilkar had not slept much and looked every inch the dying elf. It was awful to witness. Shivering, Erie

The Al-Drechar hadn't spoken to her since that night in Blackthorne Castle and she was glad of it. They had opened the door a little further to power from the One and allowed her the freedom to handle it as best she could. And she had responded, working on partitioning her mind a third way to deal with the new power she alone on Balaia possessed. Further than that they had not offered questions or advice, leaving her and The Raven to do what they did best. And today was going to be a severe test of their belief. She wondered whether she dared employ what she had learned.

Windmilling her arms to smooth out the knots in her muscles, she looked at them all preparing. In so many ways like so many other preparations. While they honed the edges of their swords The Unknown, Hirad, Aeb and Darrick talked quietly, refining tactics and attack order, with Thraun standing near, taking in everything. Next to Erie

Even Ilkar went through his routine, walking in tight circles, testing shapes and speed. Erie

Only Ren was apart from it. The bags under her eyes and the puffiness of her face told their own story and she was just sitting on the grass, her back to a rock, staring out into nowhere. Her gaze occasionally crossed them all and she would shake her head.

Erie

'Hey, anyone there?'

Ren'erei looked at her, a tear squeezing past her eye. 'I don't think so.'

'Time to get ready,' said Erie

'Eh?' Ren frowned. 'Oh, yes.'

She waved her hand vaguely at her bow, which rested against the rock next to her.

'I'm no expert, Ren, but I always thought bows needed a string to work.'

The elf crumbled and threw her arms around Erie

'Sorry. I'm sorry,' said Ren eventually, pulling away and wiping at her eyes.

'It's all right. You probably needed it.'

'Seems like I've been needing it constantly just lately.'

'I know, Ren, but you have to put it aside for now. String your bow and be ready to fight with us.'

The elf nodded and grabbed her weapon from its resting place. 'I don't know how you do it, any of you,' she said, fishing in her sack for her leather-wrapped bow string. 'He's dying and there's nothing we can do and yet you go on like nothing's happened.'

'Don't ever talk that way,' said Erie

'That's why we look so calm. It's because if we thought for one moment we might fail and that Ilkar might die, we'd already have lost. And The Raven do not like to lose.'

'So I've noticed,' said Ren. 'But you're not even with him, talking to him. It could be the last chance you get.'

'Fate decides that, Ren. And, who knows, he could survive the trip to Calaius. Until he dies, we believe we can save him.'

'But-'

'No buts, Ren. It's as simple as that.' Erie

She held out a hand and Ren accepted it and pulled. The two walked back to the centre of the camp.

'We all ready?' asked Hirad.

'Yes,' said Ren decisively.

'Good, then let's be on our way.'

The Raven walked out of the camp. Hirad put an arm around Ren's shoulder.

'It's all right to feel like you do. We all do. But do it later. Right now, we have work to do and we need you.'

'You do?'

Hirad shrugged. 'Of course. You're Raven.'

Behind them, Erie

'A picture of the professional mercenary approaching battle,' said Denser.

Erie

'How's the body this morning, Ilks?' asked Hirad.

'Agony,' said Ilkar. 'But I'm walking.'

'Good. Can't spare anyone to carry you, anyway.'

'Your sympathy overwhelms me.'

'I do my best.' Hirad looked across Ren to Ilkar, and Erie

Ren tensed but Ilkar laughed. 'I'll attempt to keep my insides from decomposing too much before we get there.'

'Bloody right,' said Hirad. 'I'm not sharing a cabin with you if you smell.'

Their chuckles echoed a little loud.

'Keep it down,' said The Unknown.

It was only a mile to Understone. Auum watched The Raven go, ambling away down the slope like they were out for an early-morning stroll. He heard their talk and laughter and shook his head.

'Perhaps my assessment was premature,' he said.

'It's their way,' said Rebraal. 'We pray to ease the tension and fear, they talk to keep their minds from it until the moment arrives.'

'I will never understand strangers,' said Auum.

The TaiGethen bowed their heads and prayed to Yniss to keep them strong for the fight to come. Auum murmured offerings to Tual while he painted Duele's face, and when all three were ready they stood with the ClawBound.

'Fight with us, Rebraal. You are our link to The Raven so keep close. This day we will start to right the crimes committed against us. This day I will hold the thumb of Yniss in my hand or I will be travelling to meet him to account for my failings in this life. This I swear.'

The TaiGethen jogged from the camp, heading for the eastern edge of Understone, Rebraal with them. The ClawBound, swift and sure, were just ahead. Auum felt no thrill, just a sense that Yniss might once again be prepared to look their way.

And the god would be looking down when the desecrators and thieves and those who thought to kill his people paid. The Raven looked down on Understone. It was quiet. Along the single street the ramshackle buildings still stood: the i