The Raven Collection

‘My, my, how divorced you are from reality.’ Erie

She rested her hands on the arms of Myriell’s chair and leaned in close. ‘I would have done anything to save my child’s life. Being prepared to die for her was easy. And your One magic didn’t even figure.’

There was silence as the two women stared each other out, Erie

‘So why have you come to us?’ asked Cleress. ‘Just to vent your feelings or is there more?’

Erie

‘No, we don’t think that,’ said Cleress. ‘And we don’t expect your forgiveness either. And yes, we both bore children. But the One is bigger and more critical than any of us.’

‘Try telling that to Lya

‘And she lives on within you now but you deny it,’ said Myriell.

‘Do you think me completely bereft of sense?’ Erie

‘But accept it you must,’ said Cleress, her voice suddenly gaining intensity. ‘It is the future for us all.’

Erie

‘If you deny it for ever, it will shrivel and wither, but not before causing your death. Then you and your daughter will both have died in vain,’ said Myriell.

‘On my terms if at all,’ said Erie

‘Back?’ Cleress’s half-smile stretched her face painfully.

‘That is why I am here. The Raven are leaving here and I have been reminded that I am one of The Raven. Xetesk controls Herendeneth now. We have things to do, so my husband informs me. While I am gone, keep out of my mind unless by some miracle I invite you in. But more important, stay away from Lya

Myriell and Cleress shared a glance.

‘We will, of course, respect your wishes,’ said Cleress. ‘But remember we are dying. And even though you may hate us, you need us. Because the One will awake and only we can shepherd you through the ordeal you must face.’

‘If I choose to believe you.’

‘Believe me, girl!’ snapped Myriell. ‘It is an enormous power. And if you awaken it without our help, your fate will be more awful than your daughter’s.’

Erie

‘I know you want what lies dormant in my head. I know you think you can return the One to dominance through me. But for now it is lost to you. And you will suffer that loss as I have suffered mine. But at least you will have the one thing I do not. Hope.’

‘Be careful where you travel,’ warned Cleress.

‘I will go where I choose and I will do as I please.’ Erie

‘You do not own me, Al-Drechar. And you do not own what I host. You would do well to remember that.’

Ilkar left Herendeneth with a mix of emotions that left him distinctly uncomfortable. He hardly knew where to start to sort it all out. He was happy to be leaving the island but deeply concerned by the overwhelming Xeteskian presence there. His desire to recruit, even temporarily, mages from Calaius to help rebuild Julatsa was tempered by his anxiety about returning to his Southern Continent homeland for the first time in over a century.

And perhaps worse than all of it, immediately at least, he was going to have to travel there by ship. Despite the pouch of the relaxing and settling drug, lemiir, that the Al-Drechar had given him, his memories of misery and sickness on the open ocean were all too fresh.

Scaling the netting covering the port side of the Calaian Sun, he dropped onto the deck and shook hands with the ship’s master, Captain Jevin. The elven sailor smiled a little too knowingly.

‘Hoping to develop sea legs a little quicker this time?’ he asked.

‘Just tell me it’s not a long journey,’ replied Ilkar.

‘Three days if the weather holds.’ Jevin’s eyes sparkled. ‘Still, there’s a healthy eight- to ten-foot swell out there and you know how capricious the weather can be.’

‘I’m so glad I asked.’

Jevin laughed and gestured aft. ‘Same cabin, Ilkar. Make yourself comfortable.’

Ilkar hefted his bag and moved off along the sleek vessel, nodding at any of the crew who had time to look up as he passed. All elven, the ship and her crew had played a pivotal role in stopping the Dordovans capturing Lya

In quick time, The Raven were all aboard, netting and boats were stowed and the anchor was weighed. Ilkar joined Hirad at the rail to watch Herendeneth slip away aft, Jevin setting only topsail and foresail for the delicate journey out of the treacherous waters of the Ornouth Archipelago.

Above them, wheeling and calling in the sky, the Kaan dragons watched them go. Beside Ilkar, Hirad was smiling.

‘Sha-Kaan having a few words, is he?’ asked the elf.

Hirad nodded. ‘He’s talking about you, actually.’

‘Oh, terrific.’

Ilkar didn’t get on with the dragons. Not that anyone really did. Except Hirad of course. Something about the thick skin they shared, or so went the joke. But then, Hirad and Sha-Kaan had a unique relationship, part of which allowed their minds to touch, facilitating telepathic communication.

‘What’s he saying, exactly?’

‘Well, I mentioned that you were concerned about the Xeteskians on Herendeneth,’ explained Hirad. ‘He said he’d make sure they didn’t step out of line, so to speak.’

‘Oh,’ said Ilkar. ‘I rather thought he might be coming along with us. Calaius would be very much to his liking, climate-wise.’

‘Come off it, Ilks. Wake up. He has to get home, so he’s staying to work with the Al-Drechar and the Xeteskians. I’d have thought you’d be pleased - it gives us direct communication to Herendeneth. At least you’ll know what’s going on.’

‘I thought that was what Aeb was coming for?’ Ilkar frowned.

Hirad turned to face him. ‘This has all really got to you, hasn’t it?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Well, it’s just that it’s unlike you to be so thick, that’s what.’

‘Thanks for being so tactful.’

‘Sorry.’ Hirad smiled. ‘Look, Aeb is Denser’s Given Protector, and anyway The Unknown likes him and needs him to fight on his left; that’s why he’s here. And, let’s face it, his communication with the other Protectors is hardly going to be independent, is it? Any information they get will be from the Xeteskian mages.’

‘I suppose.’

Ilkar turned and leaned his back against the rail. Hirad was right; he didn’t feel clear-headed at all. And of course everything the barbarian said made perfect sense. He shook his head ruefully and looked about him. So, here they all were again, but it didn’t feel quite right, not yet anyway. And the reason for that was clear enough and was surely why The Unknown was so keen that Erie