The Raven Collection

Hirad shrugged. ‘Fair enough, it’s not normal but nothing you’ve said points the finger at Lya

‘Like who?’ snapped Ilkar.

‘He’s right, though, Ilkar,’ said The Unknown. ‘This is all so much theory.’

‘But back in Julatsa you said—’ began Ilkar.

‘I said that Dordover believe the Tinjata Prophecy. And now it seems that the Black Wings have jumped on the wagon, which is hardly a surprise. And that’s why I’m chasing Erie

Ilkar paused to think. He pushed a hand through his hair. ‘I can see I won’t persuade you both now but you’ll see. I just need you to trust me on this. Lya

‘Meaning what, exactly?’ The Unknown wore a deep frown.

‘I don’t know yet. That’s one of the reasons I’m here. As a Julatsan, scared of what she may symbolise. I know it’s probably of no concern to either of you right now but Lya

‘But particularly Julatsa, eh Ilkar?’ The Unknown said. ‘Doesn’t matter now, though, you’re right. So securing Lya

Ilkar hesitated before replying. ‘Like I said, it’s not that simple.’

‘So tell me what’s so damn complicated,’ demanded The Unknown. Hirad started at the anger edging his voice.

‘I just have,’ snapped Ilkar. ‘No one wants to see her harmed but I’m not sure what we’re securing her for or from, all right? And I don’t know how we stop her causing this mayhem. Denser thinks the Dordovans want her dead and I can believe that very easily. I think we can dismiss the Witch Hunters. They surely aren’t numerous or powerful enough to really threaten. But I also think Xetesk will have an entirely selfish agenda and that does threaten my College - particularly with us being so weakened. The Al-Drechar want to perpetuate themselves and I’m not so sure that’s something we should support.’

‘So where does that leave Lya

‘Yes, Ilkar, perhaps you’d like to put your foot down in one camp or another,’ invited The Unknown, his eyes cold and body tensed.

Ilkar’s ears pricked and he sucked his top lip while he thought. ‘I want the magical balance of Balaia maintained. I think that’s best for everyone, not just Julatsa. I think Lya

‘And if Denser or Xetesk or whoever doesn’t agree with you?’ asked The Unknown. ‘If they determine her training should continue to its natural conclusion?’

Ilkar shrugged and looked away over the wilds in the direction of Greythorne, still obscured by rolling heather-covered moors ahead.

‘You would, wouldn’t you? I bloody knew it!’ The Unknown stormed to his feet and took a pace towards Ilkar. Hirad scrambled up and stood between them.

‘Take it easy,’ he urged, putting up a hand in front of The Unknown. ‘What would he do?’

The Unknown stared past him at the elf. ‘He’d see her die.’

‘Kill her?’

‘No, I don’t suppose so. But I don’t suppose he’d stand in anyone’s way, either. Would you Ilkar, eh?’

Ilkar didn’t turn his head.

‘See?’ The Unknown’s face burned and Hirad realised he couldn’t move aside. ‘She’s just a little girl, you bastard. And she’s Denser’s daughter. How could you even contemplate it? Gods, I thought better of you, Ilkar.’

Hirad was desperate to turn but was fearful of The Unknown’s next move. It dawned on him sickeningly that this powerful man was a genuine threat to Ilkar for the first time ever. From behind him, Ilkar spoke.

‘You know me well enough, Unknown. Perhaps it’s me that’s misinterpreted you.’

‘I’m a father, Ilkar. And I understand what Denser must be experiencing.’

‘And he’s an old and trusted friend of mine and I would see no harm come to him, Erie

Hirad felt The Unknown’s body relax. It was enough for him to turn and look at Ilkar, who was still seated. The expression on the elf’s face, and the desperation in his eyes, told of the depth of his belief in what he had said.

‘But aren’t you being overdramatic?’ he asked. ‘What do you mean, “night”?’

‘No, Hirad, I’m not. Unless you count Thornewood as overdramatic. And that, as we know, is far from being a one-off storm. Look, when a mage tries to learn to accept the flow of mana, there is a period, usually short, of darkness for the mage. Where the senses are uncontrolled, and the mind turns inwards while the mana batters inside the head. It’s like being in a gale in the pitch black and that’s why it’s come to be called “Night”. Mages training in the Colleges have the ManaBowl around them to direct and control the otherwise overpowering flow of mana. Lya

‘And you think it would be better if she died?’

‘Dammit, Unknown, no!’ Ilkar pushed himself to a standing position. ‘It may come to that but I certainly will have no hand in it.’

‘Denser hears nothing of this,’ warned The Unknown.

Ilkar shook his head. ‘If he doesn’t already know it inside, I’d be very surprised. He is a mage and no fool. He knows what he and Erie

‘Then we’d best get to him, hadn’t we? Sounds like he might be needing our help.’

The three old friends mounted up and rode for Greythorne, their silence as angry and dark as the sky above them.

Selik listened to the furious voices inside the i

His loud entrance having had the desired effect of silencing the crowd and having every head turn in his direction, Selik walked calmly to the bar, coming to stand between the three men. He kept the man he knew had to be Evansor on his right and the two older farmers on his left. The mage was young and slender, his body not used to hard physical work, and his clothing was of a cloth too fine-woven to be of any use in the fields.

Selik took in the gathering with a lazy sweep of his head. Some were fearful, others burned too deeply with anger to worry about what he represented, while most just looked on, waiting for him to a