The Raven Collection

‘Ilkar, Hirad, feel uncomfortable?’ he asked. The two nodded, expressions stark in the firelight, eyes hidden by shadow.

‘Why just them?’ asked Will.

‘Because it’s only the three of us who have been in potential large-scale battle situations before, and there’s a lot wrong with this one.’

‘Not so far as I can see,’ said Erie

‘No,’ said The Unknown. ‘Because we don’t want to invite battle and this troop is doing just that, or it will be when we reach the vicinity of the Blackthornes.’

‘So what do you suggest?’ asked Thraun.

‘We have to split from them. Our course lies in a different direction.’

‘How do you work that out?’ Thraun frowned, his gruff low voice grumbling across the stove.

‘The situation is going to be very difficult when we reach Triverne Inlet, which is, I suspect, the favoured destination. We can assume the Wesmen will be supplying their armies across the water so there’ll be a relatively heavy presence.

‘If we stride up with Darrick and Stylia

‘And what happens to Darrick?’

‘We have to persuade him to go south to the Bay of Gyernath, maybe creating a diversion for us along the way. Either way, we have to go alone.’

‘The point is,’ said Hirad, ‘that we’re being run as an addition to the cavalry. That isn’t how The Raven operates. Not now.’

‘So just how do we operate?’ asked Denser.

‘You should know,’ said Hirad, frowning at Denser’s flat tone. ‘We go into a situation, assess, make decisions and recommendations and don’t expect to be questioned.’

‘You don’t consider that a little high-handed?’ ventured Will. Hirad merely shrugged.

‘Just ask yourself why we’re still alive after ten years’ fighting. And why, particularly, we’re alive when the Wytch Lords are dead. It isn’t high-anything, it’s The Raven’s way.’

Ilkar smiled. ‘Only you could be so cocky with fifty thousand Wesmen between you and your next port of call.’

‘It’s not that, it’s—’

‘We know,’ said Ilkar. ‘If we do things how we think they should be done, we’ll stay alive.’ He mimed a yawn. Will and Thraun laughed. Hirad scowled slightly. The Unknown cleared his throat.

‘I’m glad we’ve cleared that up,’ he said. ‘Now listen. While Darrick will almost certainly see sense, Stylia

‘Why not?’ asked Will.

‘Because Triverne Inlet represents his quickest route to Xetesk, barring Understone Pass. If he won’t see sense, we’ll have to leave by the back door in a couple of nights. I just hope it doesn’t come to that. Stylia

‘I don’t trust him,’ said Ilkar.

‘Now there’s a surprise,’ muttered Denser.

‘No, it’s more than inter-College mistrust. He tried to kill us at the Wrethsires’ Temple and let’s not forget why. He wanted Dawnthief so he could use it to assume power over the Colleges, and as a threat to the Wytch Lords and Wesmen. He wanted to rule Balaia and I’m sure he still does. God knows what this pooling of knowledge will reveal but I don’t think Stylia

‘What, just cut Xetesk out, is that it?’ asked Denser sharply. Ilkar sighed.

‘You’re here, aren’t you?’

‘You made your choice at the Temple,’ added Hirad. ‘You’re Raven.’

‘There’s something more,’ said Erie

‘Was he really that good?’ asked Will.

‘It was the potential of his magic that he recognised as so dangerous, ’ said Erie

‘I’m hearing everything you’re saying,’ said Thraun. ‘And there’s one thing badly astray in our assumptions. We’re banking on Stylia

‘Exactly,’ said Erie

‘No,’ said Ilkar. ‘No you wouldn’t. And Stylia

‘If he knows that, why was he so confident back in Parve?’ asked Hirad.

‘Well, his network is wide, isn’t it?’ replied Denser with a sniff. ‘He’ll pull strings rather than make a direct approach, certainly to Julatsa and Lystern. The Dordovans might respond well to a personal request, though.’

‘But if he is pla

‘So where does that leave us?’ asked Will.

‘Out in the cold, I expect,’ said The Unknown. ‘Look, assume for a moment that Stylia

‘Right. Here’s what I think we should do. First, we approach Darrick. We need him on our side. He might be able to give Stylia

‘Until that time, if we are speaking with Stylia

The mage sat up to drink his coffee, shrugging. ‘I’m not sure about the diversion thing but pandering to Stylia

‘Let me handle them,’ said The Unknown. ‘There are ways to obstruct without disobeying.’

‘How do you mean?’ Hirad massaged his chin.

‘You wouldn’t understand,’ replied The Unknown, and Hirad knew enough not to question him further.

‘When do we talk to Darrick?’ asked Will.

‘Now would be a good time,’ said The Unknown.

‘His mages are in Communion,’ said Ilkar. ‘It may pay to wait.’

The big man nodded. ‘How long will they be under?’

‘An hour or so. It really depends on whether they can find a contact quickly or not.’

‘Very well,’ said The Unknown. ‘We wait.’

Later, Erie

‘Are you going to tell me what’s up with you?’

‘Nothing’s up,’ replied Denser. ‘I’m just tired and I can’t believe that casting Dawnthief has left us in this state.’

‘But no one blames you, Denser,’ she said, her eyes looking deep into his and her hand caressing his hair.

‘It’s not a question of blame,’ said Denser. ‘It’s here, inside me. I can’t explain it to you. It’s just . . .’ He trailed away, hands waving vaguely.

‘I can help you. Don’t cut yourself off from me.’

‘I’m not,’ he said sharply.

‘No? You’re so quiet and withdrawn from me. From all of us.’

‘I’m not withdrawn,’ he snapped suddenly, his voice overloud. Erie