The Raven Collection

‘Ah, Vuldaroq. Not always as fat in the head as you might look. It’s quite simple. You want the girl back, to educate, control or dispose of as you see fit. You can have her and I will help you get her. But in return, I want the witch that did this to my face.’ He poked a finger at his hideous scarring. ‘Give me Erie

And in the storm of protest that followed, Vuldaroq allowed himself a small chuckle.

Chapter 4

Ren’erei took Erie

On seeing the outside, Lya

It was still very warm and Erie

‘Just how big is this place?’ asked Erie

‘That’s not an easy question to answer,’ said Ren’erei. ‘It has been standing since the Sundering and building has hardly stopped, even now when there are so few living here. It must cover much of the hillside. You should take a flight; you can see it all if you stay beneath the illusion. Suffice to say that though it is now only home to four, it was home to over eighty.’

‘So what happened?’ Erie

‘I think they were complacent about ensuring the line continued, until it was almost too late. As you’re aware yourself, producing a true adept is very difficult. Numbers soon dwindled and it was made worse by those that just didn’t want to stay their whole lives here. Despite the importance of the order, the will ebbed away. Who can explain that?’

They reached the doors, which were opened for them. Inside, a huge ballroom, decorated in red and white, decked with chandeliers and mirrors, took the breath away, though the covering dust told of its redundancy.

‘I’ll let them tell you the rest,’ said Ren’erei, taking them right across the ballroom to an i

‘It’s all right, Lya

Erie

Superficially, they were ancient elves, friendly enough but with the fierce expressions taut flesh dictated. Erie

‘Sit, sit. We must all eat. You, my child, must be tired and scared after your long journey. We won’t detain you long. Your mother we might keep a little longer, if it’s all right with you.’

Lya

‘You won’t hurt my mummy,’ said Lya

‘Oh, my child, quite the reverse,’ said another. ‘We have been waiting too long to do anyone harm.’ She clapped her hands. ‘Introductions in a moment. First some food.’

Through a door to the left, a slim middle-aged woman came, carrying a large steaming tureen by ornate wooden handles. Behind her, a boy of no more than twelve carried a tray with a stack of bowls and plates piled with cut bread. Swiftly, begi

‘Eat, dear child,’ said one of the Al-Drechar. Lya

‘It’s nice,’ she said.

‘Don’t sound so surprised, Lya

‘I hope so.’ Slightly clumsily, she scooped liquid on to her spoon. For a time, they were quiet, all eating the soup, which tasted as delicious as it looked and smelled, before Ren’erei cleared her throat.

‘I think we’ve gone long enough without those introductions,’ she said. ‘Erie

‘To my right and moving around the table, Ephemere-Al-Ereama, Aviana-Al-Ysandi, Cleress-Al-Heth and Myriell-Al-Anathack. ’ She bowed her head to each in turn.

‘Oh Ren’erei, you’re so formal!’ Cleress-Al-Heth laughed. ‘You make us sound completely unapproachable.’ The other Al-Drechar joined the mirth and Ren’erei blushed, the corners of her mouth twitching slightly. ‘Please, Erie

Erie

She studied them as the soup was drained, and her immediate impression was that they looked very much alike. It was inevitable, she supposed, after so many years living so close to one another, that they would share ma

‘You’ve lived together a long time, haven’t you?’ she asked.

Cleress smiled. ‘A very long time,’ she agreed. ‘Three hundred years and more.’

‘What?’ Erie

‘We have waited here, sca

‘How long have you been waiting?’

‘Three hundred and eleven years. Ever since the births of the babies: Myriell and Septern,’ replied Aviana.

Erie

‘Oh, there have been whisperings and our hopes have been raised and dashed more times than you have years in your body,’ said Cleress. ‘But let’s leave that for later. I see your beautiful daughter is wilting and we do need to talk to her before she sleeps. It’s been a long day.’