The Raven Collection

With The Unknown and Thraun both laid out in cabins, the remainder of The Raven, plus Darrick and Ren’erei, sat around the captain’s table. The Captain himself, a brown-haired, tall and muscular elf named Jevin, sat at the head of the table, taking his time to comprehend what he had heard.

The only one of them he had really listened to was Ren’erei and the two had held several quick conversations in an elven dialect that Hirad noticed even Ilkar didn’t understand. The barbarian warmed to the elf who had saved Aeb and Thraun. She was earnest and committed and had smoothed the angry elven crew by her very presence and a few obviously well-chosen words.

‘And this ridiculous weather pattern is down to this one girl?’ Jevin held up a forefinger.

‘Yes,’ said Denser.

‘And you say that she is of the Al-Drechar?’ He raised his eyebrows.

‘Yes,’ said Denser.

‘Then why aren’t the elves protecting her? She is so important.’

‘They are,’ said Ren’erei. ‘But the Guild isn’t big enough in numbers and we had to have more support. Erie

‘They are Xeteskian,’ said Jevin. ‘Their agenda is no less selfish than the Dordovans.’

‘Except in one vital area,’ said Denser. ‘We won’t kill her, we want her to live and her talents to come to fruition.’

‘ “We” being Xetesk in this instance,’ said Ilkar. ‘We’re The Raven and we aren’t working for Xetesk. It just so happens our desires meet in some areas.’

Jevin nodded. ‘It appears I am invaded by the lesser of two evils.’

‘Will you help us?’ asked Ilkar.

‘I’m preparing for sail,’ snapped Jevin. ‘What more would you like?’

‘That isn’t what he meant,’ said Denser, his voice calm. ‘I’m sorry for what we’ve put you through. What we want is for you to help us willingly. You’ll be paid, we’ll see to that, but more than that, you’ll be stopping Dordover committing a crime against Balaia. And you’ll be helping to save my daughter.’

At last, Jevin smiled. ‘The pay had better be good.’

‘Double what the Dordovans promised,’ said Hirad.

‘That will serve,’ said Jevin. ‘And if I’m honest, I’ve always wanted to meet The Raven. I had imagined it a little differently but there you are. My conditions are these. You will let me sail this ship my way. I know the route to Ornouth and will ask for advice only when I need it and will not risk her keel under any circumstances. You will stand down the Protectors immediately and we will only then leave the dock.

‘You are my guests here and not my captors. As such you will follow the rules of my ship which my first mate will explain to you when we are underway. I will assemble my crew and explain our position. Are there any questions?’

Heads shook all around the table.

‘Then we have a deal.’ He reached out a hand which Hirad, in the absence of The Unknown, shook.

The door to the Captain’s cabin opened, Aeb stooped his huge frame inside.

‘There is a man asking for you, General Darrick. One of your cavalry.’

Darrick rose quickly. ‘I’ll see to it. Denser, I think you’d better get the Protectors off the deck to let this ship get away.’

‘Yes, I suppose I’d better,’ said Denser.

The Raven followed Darrick out of the cabin, along a short corridor, up a flight of slatted wooden steps and on to the deck. Half a dozen riders stood under the light of a pair of torches. Hirad recognised Izack at their head.

‘Commander Izack,’ said Darrick, standing by the rail. ‘Is this the arresting party?’

Izack chuckled. ‘No, sir, it most certainly isn’t. We’ve brought The Raven’s weapons and armour and have come to offer our services.’

‘The first, I will accept with gratitude, the second, I must refuse though I am touched by your loyalty.’ He held up a hand as Izack made to say something more. ‘Izack, you’re a fine soldier and a good friend and it’s because of both of those qualities that I don’t want you mixed up in this, tempting though it is to have a man of such stature by me.

‘I have committed a crime against Lystern, though I know you and I don’t see it that way. I’m on the run and Lystern will need good men like you to shore up her defences.’

‘Defences?’ asked Izack.

‘There will be trouble between the Colleges, Izack. Whoever gains the child, there will be trouble. I have made my choice and I’ll be fighting my battle in the Ornouth Archipelago. You must go home and start to prepare. Make Heryst listen. He’s a good man if misguided at times and the Dordovans ca

‘If you ask it, General, I will do it.’

‘Thank you, Izack.’ Darrick relaxed a little and leaned on the rail. ‘Take care of yourself. Lystern will need you in the times to come.’

Izack nodded. ‘What will I do when they ask me about your actions here tonight?’

‘Tell them the truth.’ Darrick straightened again. ‘Good luck, Izack. We’ll meet again.’

‘I hope so, sir. Good luck to you.’

He wheeled his horse and led his men away, leaving a tied bundle on the dock. Hirad could see the hilt of The Unknown’s two-handed sword protruding from it and prayed he’d hear the point tapping its rhythm again.

All pretence at maintaining the shield had long since gone and Ephemere knew that their enemies would be coming. It was just a question of whether help came sooner. Like a volcanic eruption, and just as obvious to a watching mage, the tortured mana surged from Lya

When they weren’t with Lya

Ephemere sat in the dining room, the pipe of Lemiir in her hand. In an adjacent anteroom, Myriell sat with Lya

The old Al-Drechar’s face cracked into a vague smile as she drew deeply on the pipe, feeling the herbal smoke smooth the edges off the pain she experienced every waking moment. So many hours they’d spent here, the four of them, arguing, talking, chiding and hoping. It was only now she realised how happy those times had been.

The smile faded. It had been five days since she had passed more than a few words of encouragement to Aviana on her way out and wished restful sleep to Myriell on her way in to Lya

The only encouragement they could draw was that it had moved to another stage but even that development meant more misery. Where Lya

No longer were the winds irritated spats delivered by Lya