Elfsorrow

The door to the Captain's room opened and Aeb walked in. Behind his mask his eyes sought Denser and The Unknown. He walked round the table to sit between them. Denser poured him a mug of tea.

'Thank you.' He sipped.

'What's up?' asked Hirad, seeing the tension in the Protector's shoulders.

'I am uneasy,' admitted Aeb. 'I need guidance.'

He looked square at Denser, who nodded. 'I understand you may have conflict in the Soul Tank. But remember you have done nothing bar protect me as you are directed and The Unknown Warrior as you desire. And while I remain your Given I will ensure you have all the latitude available to you.'

'I am humbled,' said Aeb.

'Don't be,' said Denser. 'We understand you, The Raven that is. We know something of the bond you share and the pain that you suffer every day.'

Aeb inclined his head and took another sip.

'My brothers know I travel with you. Soon they will know we fought Xeteskian forces on Calaius. They will not reveal what they don't have to, but at any time a mage might ask the question of my part in The Raven's actions.'

'Your unease is clear,' said Denser. 'We will have to keep you from direct conflict with Xeteskian forces on Balaia. But remember they ca

'All right,' said The Unknown. 'The central point to it all is this. We ca

'Bear in mind that once Yron reaches Balaia, or maybe before, he will be able to tell Xetesk that we are involved in some way and that will make us targets. Aeb is right to be concerned for himself and we will all have to tread very carefully. I suggest that we land near Blackthorne because at least we'll get a friendly reception there. I'd expect to know by then where Yron made landfall, although I believe we can assume he is heading for Xetesk via Arlen.

'The TaiGethen will help us by their actions whether they want to or not. Again, remember we're all on the same side here. Hirad, that means don't antagonise them, whatever the provocation. Anyone with any ideas, we'll talk again at di

Hirad looked to Erie

'What is it, love?' he said, as she half collapsed into his arms.

'I feel awful,' she mumbled.

'Your head?'

She nodded. 'Sorry to spoil the meeting.'

'Don't think about it,' said The Unknown. 'Denser, you know what to do.' The Xeteskian nodded and helped Erie

Hirad nodded and stood up, catching Thraun's eye. He smiled. 'How much of that did you get, I wonder?' he asked.

'All,' said Thraun. 'Erie

It was a comment that took Hirad by surprise. 'What do you mean?'

'She must open to those she hates. It is hard.'

Hirad frowned. 'I don't-'

'It's to do with the One,' explained The Unknown. 'I think she's going to have to let the Al-Drechar help her now, and so does our quiet but very perceptive shapechanger.'

Thraun growled in his throat at the term, his eyes flashing brief anger. There was much of the wolf still left inside him.

'Sorry, Thraun, but it's what you are,' said The Unknown. 'I meant no offence.'

Thraun shook his head. 'I am Raven.'

'You got that right,' said Hirad.

It was the most Thraun had said at any one time, and as Hirad left the Captain's room to go to his cabin he felt hope that the lost man wasn't too far from home. Erie

'This can't go on, love,' said Denser gently, his face near hers, hand stroking her thudding head, a cloth held to her nose, which had begun to bleed.

'But what if it's them causing the pain to make me need them?' she asked, fighting to think straight and glad of the gloom in the curtained cabin. She had her eyes closed and had managed to relax sufficiently to stop feeling nauseous.

'How else will you find out?' asked Denser. 'But you can't live with this pain. It was bad enough before.'

'I know,' said Erie

'It's not like admitting defeat,' said Denser. 'Don't you think you've made your point?'

Erie

'Will you stay with me? Help me?' she asked, opening her eyes and clutching his arm.

'Where else would I be but by your side?'

She felt a rush of love that swamped the pain for a moment. 'All right. If you think I should.'

'I do,' he said, still stroking her hair. 'But you must think so too.'

She nodded. It had to be now. The pain smashed around her head and she knew there was only one source of help. She closed her eyes again and spoke to them with her mind, hoping it would be enough.

Are you there? she asked, knowing her tone was unfriendly but with no desire for it to be otherwise. They should know from the outset that this was not forgiveness for what they had done but acceptance of what she carried. Myriell? Cleress? Are you there?

Erie

It is not a joy to be speaking to you but I must, said Erie

We understand that you still harbour anger and hatred, said Myriell. But please believe us that we just want to help you accept what you hold in your mind before it destroys you. And destroy you it will.

Don't threaten me like that, said Erie

I am simply informing you of reality and nothing more, said Myriell. You are in pain, I take it?

I have never experienced anything like it, conceded Erie

Oh, Erie

Erie

We so wanted Lya