The Raven Collection

Denser shrugged. ‘They attacked, we defended.’

‘Interesting angle,’ said Ilkar. ‘Someone else might say you ran after an unarmed man and hacked him half to pieces.’

‘They didn’t attack,’ said Hirad. ‘They wanted something from you.’

Denser looked at Hirad, his fury still burning. ‘And they didn’t get it.’

‘Didn’t get what?’ asked The Unknown.

‘It doesn’t matter,’ said Denser, hand reflexively touching his stomach.

‘No?’ Hirad saw the wildness in Denser’s eyes and chose to keep himself calm. ‘It mattered to the Dordovans. And it mattered enough for you to kill them.’

‘That’s not why I killed them.’

‘Then tell us,’ said The Unknown. ‘You’re keeping secrets from us again and, again, we couldn’t be prepared. You’re putting us at risk and that’s not The Raven’s way.’

‘Gods, you sound like Hirad,’ said Denser.

‘That’s because, on this, he’s dead right,’ said Ilkar, adding his weight. ‘We need to know, Denser. And we’ll sleep easier if we know now.’

The Xeteskian raised his eyebrows and nodded, somehow making it a grudging gesture.

‘The Prophecy wasn’t all translated. And I was curious. So I took the pages that weren’t translated to Xetesk and found out Dordover’s intentions, all right?’

Hirad breathed out sharply and looked down into the town. Lights were weaving through the streets, heading their way. Not surprising. The screams of the dying mage were bound to have been heard despite the wind. At least it would keep the third mage away. He sheathed his sword and sat down.

‘And you thought this little snippet not important enough to mention?’ said Ilkar, voice quiet but angry. ‘You’ve put us at risk ever since we left Dordover and didn’t bother to mention it. Thanks very much.’

‘I didn’t think they’d find out,’ said Denser.

‘That isn’t the point,’ said Hirad. ‘I hope it was worth it.’ He looked over at Denser and could see that, to him, it was.

‘If they get hold of my daughter now, they’ll conduct a ritual spell sacrifice. They’ll murder her but they won’t do it quickly. She’ll die in agony. And I won’t let that happen. Enough for you?’ Denser stared back into the fire.

‘For now,’ said The Unknown.

Hirad looked at the big man. He suspected there was more. Time would tell but he was seldom wrong. Right now, though, with the lanterns bobbing nearer, there was some explaining to do.

Erie

But he was a skilful sailor, used to the vagaries of the Southern Ocean and the tides around Calaius; and though clearly irritated by the conflicting information he could see and feel, had enough faith in his judgement and kept the sails full.

Erie

‘Be calm,’ she had said. ‘There’s nothing you can do. The wind and the ship are beyond your control. If you relax your mind, the days will pass more quickly.’

Erie

She knew she could do it, she just didn’t want to, and her smiling admission had caused Ren to throw up her arms and stalk away.

Now, of course, Erie

She’d survive. The coastline was looming large and the trip up the river to Arlen quick, if the captain timed the tide well. Erie

Her emotions were so mixed. She was desperate to see Denser but feared his reaction after so long out of contact. She needed his strength and thought but disliked the admission of failure it had come to represent within her. And she still thrilled at the prospect of standing with The Raven once again despite knowing the confidence it would give her was entirely unfounded. After all, how could they possibly help? She had to smile at that. They had achieved enough against the odds to make the question ridiculous. The fact was, they’d find a way.

There would be problems, though. She knew Ilkar would be ethically opposed to a return to the One and she could well understand the conflicting thoughts that would be ru

But through all her feelings at what she would find back in Balaia, her strongest tie was to the child she had been forced to leave behind. Poor Lya

The strengthening wind drove the bow of the Ocean Elm into the next wave, sending spray flying into the air and across the foredeck. Erie

Trotting up the eight-runged ladder she came to stand by Ren’erei, the elf smiling at her, green eyes sparkling.

‘Getting a little rough down there, was it?’ she asked.

‘No. It’s just that I’ve already washed this morning, that’s all,’ she returned. ‘How close are we?’

The Captain turned to her, reddened face pinched, his strong hands rocks on the wheel. ‘A day and a half, no more. Less if we go upriver through the night and I have a mind to.’ His voice was melodic and gentle, so different from when he bellowed orders to his crew.

Erie

‘Then I’ll be standing outside the door.’ Ren’erei’s face was solemn.

‘You don’t have to.’ Erie

‘Nevertheless.’

Erie

‘You should hear nothing,’ she said. ‘But even if you do, don’t worry. Occasionally, dispersal of Communion is a little painful.’

‘Good luck,’ said Ren’erei.