Elfsorrow

The fight against magic had truly begun, and as Selik blocked a disheartened sword thrust and the first spell bloomed behind him, he still had time to remind himself to praise Devun for his superb acting performance before the compound gates.

Chapter 36

Aeb lay alone. The Calaian Sun was three days from Balaia and sailing well, easing through the water and eating up the distance. Above him, on the sun-swept deck, The Raven trained. He could hear Hirad shouting orders and The Unknown urging better cohesion. He could hear the occasional ring of steel, the creaking of the ship's timbers and the snap of the sails on the masts.

But he couldn't be with them because, like Erie

To be called to commune was a seldom-used level of psyche in the Soul Tank. It was as close to an interrogation as the Protectors ever got, not that the voices were ever silent. Aeb could always hear the voice of every soul. He would hate the emptiness if they were taken from him and that was what he feared most about being freed.

My brothers, it is joy to share my mind and soul with you, pulsed Aeb.

He could sense them all near him, feel the warmth shot through with anxiety as they responded in kind to his greeting. The Tank was agitated.

We must know where you are, Aeb, said Myx, one of the Lord of the Mount's honour guard. The Master worries.

It was what Aeb had been fearing. Thus far, he had kept the details of his mission from the Circle Seven but now his complex loyalties were set at odds. He was sworn to protect Xetesk but above that, he was given to Denser and stood by Sol. Sol, the beacon of hope, Sol the brother who had regained his soul. He felt a helplessness. Betrayal was coming. He knew it, his brothers knew it. All they could do was mitigate the scale.

Ask as you are ordered, said Aeb. I will respond as I must.

They could not refuse to ask a question they had been given and Aeb could not refuse to answer. To do so could invoke punishment from the demons who cha

Aeb listened and answered, and when the Communion was done, went to find Denser. There were things his Given had to know. The Calaian Sun sailed into the Bay of Gyernath three days later, still at least a day and a half behind the Xeteskian force but with the advantage of a stop-off at Blackthorne to get a first-hand and trustworthy account of the current situation from the Baron.

Aeb had been as careful as he could during his questioning in the Soul Tank. He had been forced to admit that The Raven had joined elves seeking revenge for the desecration of the temple and the return of the stolen texts. The Raven's original mission was also now known to the Xeteskians but Dystran would assume it had failed as The Raven hadn't persuaded a single mage to come with them. The fact that a dozen were on board and plenty more were assembled at Ysundeneth was not something Aeb had been required to reveal. After all, no one had asked him.

For his part, having been given complete licence by Denser to ask whatever he felt he could, Aeb had gleaned some useful information. More than just the Xeteskian task force had landed at Arlen. The ship carrying the surviving researchers and Protectors from Herendeneth had arrived two days later and both groups were travelling north under guard.

Potentially more worrying from The Raven's point of view was that Xetesk was effectively surrounded – by Dordovan forces to the south and by Dordovan and Lysternan forces north. Lystern had not yet struck a blow against Xetesk but Dordover was attacking at every opportunity, trying to disrupt the precarious link between Xetesk and its forces in Arlen. The fluid situation would make The Raven's job of catching Yron all the more difficult and gave them much to ponder during their lengthy walk from the bay to Blackthorne.

Anchoring in mid cha

'Just a stopgap till Gyernath gets back open, I expect,' The Unknown said.

'Certainly isn't up to Blackthorne's usual standard,' agreed Hirad.

He sca

'Good to be back though, isn't it?' said Denser, coming to Hirad's shoulder. 'Feel that fresh cool air and the lack of a million mosquitoes.'

'And snakes, rats, spiders and ants,' said Erie

They were right. It smelled different here. It smelled good. It was home. Hirad chuckled and looked across at Erie

'You all right?' he asked.

'I don't know,' she admitted. 'I've slept most of the voyage but my mind is full, like I've been studying non-stop. There's so much to take in. I can't really explain it.'

'Just as long as they aren't hurting you,' said Hirad.

Erie

Behind Erie

Another boat nudged against the jetty. Al-Arynaar and TaiGethen jumped out and jogged away to join their brothers and the ClawBound where they were gathering on a rise. Ilkar and Rebraal were with them, the two brothers deep in yet another heated conversation. Hirad watched as one of the Al-Arynaar mages spoke to them briefly, nodded curtly and moved away as if being near Ilkar upset her somehow. More words were exchanged before Ilkar clutched Rebraal in a half-hearted embrace and Ilkar strode over to The Raven, shaking his head.

'Another happy family discussion?' asked Hirad.

'Oh, it's not him,' said Ilkar. 'Not this time. Come on, let's go.'

He cast about for his pack and picked it up off the jetty, throwing Hirad's to him at the same time.

'And are they coming with us?' Hirad jerked a thumb at the elves.

'No,' said Ilkar. 'Come on.' He set off along the rutted wagon trail that cut into the soft earth. 'I presume this is the quickest way to Blackthorne.'

'What's got into him?' asked Denser.

Hirad shrugged. 'Them, I expect.'

The elves were all knelt in prayer, a low murmuring drifting across on the wind. It was going to be a fine if cool afternoon. Hirad felt a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He'd forgotten what it was to see open land and not be hemmed in by impenetrable forest.

Out in the bay, the Calaian Sun's sails billowed. Jevin was heading for Arlen, hoping to pick up a cargo and news of Xeteskian strength. He'd be returning to the bay in twenty days.