The Raven Collection

Rebraal, he’d noticed, had looked on with an expression of knowing mixed with distinct satisfaction. He’d concocted an insect repellent herb drink for them all but it only seemed to help the elves. And Thraun, for some reason. All the other humans needed magical intervention and the three mages were begi

‘You are sure it’s necessary?’ said Darrick.

‘Darrick, you have no idea what this country can do to you. How sick you will be if these insects’ eggs hatch. They’ll feed on you until they’re big enough to burrow out. Rebraal has immunity. Wonder why they eat you? It’s because you haven’t.’

‘What about the others, are they immune too?’

‘No, but you’re just a tastier target. At least you haven’t got boils behind your knees like Hirad. Just keep using the herbs we give you and remember you won’t have to be here for too much longer.’

Darrick knew Ilkar was right. He’d watched Denser and Erie

Not for the first time, Darrick yearned for the camaraderie of his officers, the obedience and respect of his men and the order of his life as a Lysternan soldier. Trouble was, the pull of The Raven was irresistible. Their energy, their delight in the challenges that faced them. And their belief in what kept them alive. The knowledge that they would prevail no matter what. You couldn’t bottle it, you had to breathe it. And Darrick had breathed deep.

‘Whatever you say, Ilkar.’

Ilkar nodded. ‘And I say quiet to let me work.’

And in these acts as much as in battle, Darrick understood The Raven. This was no macho brotherhood of arms. This was a group of people who routinely sacrificed themselves for their own. Because it made them stronger. Simple, really.

That night Darrick slept easier.

Erie

At the same time the ache didn’t feel like an illness. She knew what it meant and that soon she would be unable to deny it any longer. The knowledge crawled within her and she hated it. Loved it. Every pulse brought her fresh memories of Lya

‘Are you feeling all right?’

It was The Unknown, with whom she was sharing the early watch. She’d been asleep but the ache in her head had forced her from her hammock. She found the fire comforting, and next to her The Unknown’s frame represented total security.

‘I’ll live,’ she said.

‘I’ve been watching you wince,’ he said. ‘Have you told Denser you’re in this much pain?’

Erie

The Unknown chuckled. ‘I don’t think you could ever overburden Denser.’

‘You weren’t there. You didn’t see the worst.’

‘And you think he doesn’t understand why, or blames you, or something?’

‘Lya

‘Erie

‘I can’t help it.’ Erie

‘But you know he’s forgiven your every action. Never blamed you in the first place. We all feel the same.’

‘I know.’ Erie

He was the most brutally effective warrior she’d ever seen. Had been. The smashed hip that had forced him to hang up his trademark two-handed sword must have reduced his effectiveness. On the other hand, looking at the power in his arms and shoulders, she thought he’d compensated. It was easy to see why his enemies feared him and equally easy to know why she and everyone else he cared for loved and trusted him without question.

‘I hated the lot of you for forcing me out here. Away from Lya

Another chuckle. ‘Right though, weren’t we?’

‘I don’t know,’ said Erie

She stopped and looked around the quiet campsite - at Denser, Hirad and Ilkar sleeping in hammocks above the teeming life that dredged the forest floor - and she understood again what being with these men meant.

‘But you’re all with me now, aren’t you? All of you.’

‘We never left,’ said The Unknown.

‘I can see when I’m with you,’ she said, trying to explain herself.

‘That’s why you had to leave that place. We were there too but you wouldn’t see us.’

‘She was my life,’ said Erie

‘And she would have been your death too,’ he said.

The words stung but she knew he was right. But they were words she wouldn’t have taken from Denser.

‘I will never forget her.’

‘No one is expecting you to, Erie

‘And that’s why I’m here?’ Erie

‘No,’ said The Unknown. ‘Not really. You’re here because you’re Raven and Ilkar needs you. The Raven needs you. But no one is denying the fortunate circumstance.’

Erie

‘Think you’d have made that comment ten days ago?’

‘No,’ said Erie

The Unknown squeezed her hands. ‘Simple. We love you. We wouldn’t see you come to harm and you were coming to harm on Herendeneth. We understand your pain and we understand you are greater than it. And we all know what you carry inside you.’

Erie

‘At the risk of sounding like Hirad, this is what The Raven is about,’ said The Unknown. ‘No one has what we have. You can’t explain it but it’s why I’ll leave my wife and child to do what I must with The Raven, and it’s why Diera understands. I hate to sound superior but we are unique. And you’re hurting at the moment so you should use us. We expect it. We want it.’

Erie

‘Thank you,’ she said.

‘You don’t have to keep it burning inside you.’ The Unknown moved her back so he could look into her eyes. ‘Let us take some of the weight.’

She nodded, but in her gratitude was the lonely realisation that they couldn’t take any of the burden of the One.

‘Now I think you should sleep, if that headache will let you. Your stamina reserves are low, aren’t they?’

‘It’ll be a problem before long,’ she admitted.

She kissed his cheek and stood up, brushing herself down. Above them, the rain was begi

‘Erie

‘Yes?’