Nightchild

But The Raven didn't leave immediately. In an unspoken act, they'd all remained seated while the others withdrew, a deep silence covering the kitchen. For some time, they sat with heads bowed, contemplating what was to come and what it meant to them all, but more particularly, to Denser and Erie

'It's difficult, isn't it?' said Erie

'Come off it, Erie

He stopped, voice catching. Denser smiled.

'Thank you,' he said.

'But there's more and we all feel it,' said The Unknown. 'Erie

nodding. 'We've been through so much, all of us. And though we've lost people before, this is harder than them all.'

Hirad felt their eyes on him. He shrugged and stood up and walked round to her. 'I don't have any words. All I know is that we should say goodbye now because there might not be time in the morning.'

He held his arms wide and Erie

'Great lump,' she said. 'You don't need words.'

'C'mon,' said Denser. 'It's time for bed.'

Erie

'I know you don't agree with the One,' she said softly. 'But look after my litde girl, won't you?'

'Her and Denser, both,' said Ilkar. T promise.'

They watched Denser and Erie

'Come with me you two. There's something I want you to see.'

They followed him to the store room where Thraun was sleeping, his body shuddering sporadically beneath the warm covers. They gathered over him, seeing the face of the man they thought they'd lost emerging from his wolven side. It was a slow process.

'What's wrong?' asked Hirad.

'Nothing,' said Ilkar. 'I just wanted to remind you both of something. Although we can't save Erie

'Gods but I've never stopped to think about it,' said The Unknown. 'Ever since I woke up, we've been so busy… It's unbelievable, isn't it? Him being back, I mean.'

He straightened and Ilkar and Hirad turned to face him.

'Just think about it a moment,' he continued. 'What must have been going through his mind as a wolf. Compelled to do things he couldn't really comprehend but that he knew were right. And he lost his family doing it.'

'So he turned to us again,' said Hirad quietly.

'Yes,' said The Unknown. 'Us. Think how he was when Will died. He'll blame himself for the pack too.'

'He's going to take some saving isn't he?' said Hirad.

'But we'll be there,' said Ilkar. 'Together or apart, we've proved these last few weeks. The Raven is always there.'

Hirad smiled and Ilkar could see that for the barbarian, there had never been any doubt of it.

The mage assassin swept in low over the island. His companions had landed and moved Cloaked up a path from a hidden landing site not visible from sea level. He had chosen to risk being seen but considered the risk low. Beneath him, he could see and sense a decaying illusion and, ducking through its periphery, saw the sprawling mass of the severely damaged rambling mansion.

In its centre, trees. Around its edges, cleared ground and at its rear, a water-filled rockfall that had been arrested only by the house itself.

There was great power here and something i

He swept back over the house one more time, logged possible access points in his mind and flew away back to the flotilla, trusting his sect mages to remain undetected as they carried out more detailed inspection of the terrain.

It wouldn't be an easy fight but they would win. They had to. Dordovan magic depended on it.

Chapter 38

Sometime in the night, Lya

It was an idyllic moment and tears fled briefly down Erie

Their room was the first in the Guild wing and despite a little damp it had been comfortable enough. Outside, two Protectors had stood vigil and the windows were shuttered and locked, one of Denser's alarm wards placed across the frame. They hadn't been disturbed.

Lya

'Good morning, beautiful,' whispered Erie

'It's still dark, Mummy.'

T know, but there's going to be lots of danger here today and I do so need you to be a brave girl.'

'I'll look after you, Mummy.'

'Oh darling, I know!' Erie

and that everyone around her was feeling a deep tension. It would all make her very uncomfortable and insecure.

A knock on the door surprised her and she jumped, disturbing the moment. Lya

'Come in,' she said.

The door opened and Nerane came in carrying a tray on which sat two steaming mugs.

'Sorry to disturb you so early,' said Nerane. 'But The Unknown Warrior has asked that you raise yourselves.'

She smiled as she saw the family picture in front of her. Beside Erie

'It seems such a shame to make you move,' said Nerane. 'You look perfect together.'

Erie

'You know what I mean,' said Nerane. She left the tray on a table near the bed.

'What else did The Unknown say?' asked Erie

'The Dordovans are on the beach and spreading through the island. They'll encircle us soon. The Al-Drechar shield is up and steady, everyone is inside the house and you need to move from here soon because the doors to the wing need to be sealed and blocked.'