The Raven Collection

‘No, I’m not going to talk. I’ve got a better idea. I’m going to mana meld with her.’

‘Risky,’ said Cleress. The mass of trapped mana in Lya

‘She needs to understand how to bind the Dordovan magic into the One at source. She may be able to stand the reaction in her mind of not doing so but I don’t think we or Balaia can.’

‘Then do it, Ephy, if you believe you can,’ said Aviana. ‘Just hurry.’

Cleress watched closely as the smooth brown sphere that represented the calm of Ephemere’s mind began to reach out, all the while never letting her concentration slip on the shield.

Strands of mana waved out from the sphere. Tiny filaments like hairs on an otherwise bald skull, probing so gently into the multicoloured confusion that was Lya

But though Lya

‘Now it starts,’ whispered Ephemere. ‘Be ready. Accept the pain.’

Cleress frowned but in the next heartbeat understood only too well. The coiling core of Lya

Ephemere gasped, her probing tendrils whipping away from their tenuous hold. Immediately, she constructed a convex surface and suspended it, base down, above the fist which punched outwards with blurring energy.

‘Dear Gods,’ whispered Cleress as the mana energy deluged Ephemere’s deflector, disintegrating against the unyielding surface held by a mind of huge experience. Mana strands flashed away, tearing into the shield held by Aviana and Cleress, the two Al-Drechar modulating desperately to absorb the impact or let it pass through on its way to play havoc with Balaia.

Absorption was a hammer, pounding on her exposed brain. Lya

And that could not be allowed to happen. So the Al-Drechar’s old but strong minds had to take the force of it, letting go only that which would have compromised their concentration and hence the shield, so risking catastrophic flaring into the mana trails that covered Balaia. It was an acceptable state, but only for now.

Lya

‘Join me,’ said Ephy. ‘She is spent.’

‘We should keep the shield,’ said Aviana immediately.

‘It’s done its work,’ replied Ephy. ‘Trust me.’

Together, the three Al-Drechar forged a lattice of tendrils that stroked the angry, tired coil of Lya

‘We should wake Myra,’ said Ephemere. ‘She can take the rest of the night.’

‘No,’ said Aviana firmly. ‘I can do it. Just pray she keeps quiet through the day too.’

Cleress knew what she meant. They couldn’t cope with another outburst like this without rest. Ideally, Myriell shouldn’t be woken until noon and Aviana would have to sleep the whole of the next day and night. She and Ephy were in little better shape but had the rest of this night before having to once again take their stints guarding Lya

Cleress and Ephemere made their way slowly and painfully back to their own rooms, spurning the Lemiir for the totality of rest. In truth, neither had the energy to sit and smoke.

Closing her door, Cleress mouthed a silent prayer that Erie

Chapter 14

The Raven walked purposefully back towards the centre of Greythorne, their direction clear at last. All their clues, thoughts and suspicions had been proved right. Erie

Denser had woken thoughtful, quiet but determined from his Communion, his fury of the night gone and giving them only a brief summary of his conversation. He was very anxious to be on his way but The Unknown was determined to make proper assessment of Greythorne, both in terms of support for its beleaguered survivors and the potential threat of the cavalry force.

They would leave town after midday all being well which, with Erie

‘Like I said earlier, keep your eyes open. We’ve heard all sorts of rumours about College mobilisation and we don’t know where allegiances have finally fallen, if anywhere. Don’t necessarily trust anyone. And remember, even within a College, not everyone thinks the same way.’

‘Meaning what?’ asked Hirad.

‘Meaning Dordover don’t want us to find Lya

Hirad nodded. ‘I’ll be careful.’

‘Good.’

It was a short walk through the ruins to the centre of the shattered town, coming again to full, painful life, such as it was. The smell of porridge and the steam from water vats drifted across the main square. Squads of men and women moved with dread purpose to their next tasks and inside the marquee a babble of voices signified the day’s activities being organised.

The Unknown Warrior stopped one of a group of men heading past them with shovels. ‘I heard some cavalry come in last night. Do you know where from?’

The man shrugged. ‘West. One of the Colleges.’

‘Which one? Dordover?’

A shake of the head. ‘I’m not sure. Lystern, I think.’

The Unknown nodded and walked on, heading for the marquee.

‘Good news,’ said Ilkar.

‘If it’s true,’ said The Unknown.

‘Will you ever stop being sceptical?’

‘Will you ever stop being an elf?’ The Unknown smiled.

‘I think you’ve said that before, sometime.’

‘I know I have.’

‘But he was right about Lystern, that man. Look,’ said Hirad, pointing towards the marquee. Standing just under its awning and talking to Ga

‘Darrick,’ said The Unknown.

The Raven walked faster across the square to their old friend who didn’t look up as they approached, his face half turned from them.