The Raven Collection

‘That is a very accurate summary,’ said Denser.

‘Do they know she’s coming?’ asked Hirad.

‘Yes, of course,’ said Denser. ‘Just one more thing. There’s to be no killing, Erie

‘Want me to lop their hands off too?’

‘Sorry, Hirad.’

‘Let’s hope we’re not all sorry before tomorrow.’ He moved away and called to Thraun before turning back. ‘So before we met Erie

Ilkar and Denser exchanged a glance and the cat raised its head.

‘It is possible to subvert weaker minds remotely, given time,’ replied Denser.

‘Believe me, you don’t want to know the details,’ said Ilkar.

Hirad nodded and walked over to the stove.

Stylia

‘The Protectors are under my direct control. No one assigns a Protector without my prior authorisation. Not even you.’

‘But the situation, my Lord . . .’ began Nyer.

‘Should have been discussed with me,’ said Stylia

‘Sol is extremely capable.’

‘You know precisely what I am talking about,’ snapped Stylia

Nyer dropped his eyes to the floor and nodded his head. ‘Naturally, my Lord. If that is your wish.’

‘Damn you, Nyer, I don’t know!’ said Stylia

‘You were in conference at Triverne Lake. I felt a decision had to be made.’

Stylia

Nyer recoiled as if slapped, but recovered to smile. ‘I suppose I deserved that,’ he said. ‘Selyn is well?’

‘Considering the invading armies of the Wesmen trampled her toes on the way to Understone, yes.’ Stylia

‘She’ll make it, you know.’

‘Thank you for your thoughts.’ The Lord of the Mount rang the bell by the fire. ‘I need to rest. Please don’t work behind my back again.’ His expression was bleak. Nyer left in response to the opening of the door. Stylia

Erie

‘I couldn’t bear to go back to the house,’ said Erie

‘I understand,’ said Thraun. ‘When this is over, we’ll sort the place out for you.’

Erie

‘We’ll help you through this,’ said Will. ‘We’ll always be here for you.’

Erie

‘Will you be recognised?’ asked Thraun.

‘I expect so, near the College anyway. I spent a lot of years here, after all.’

Food and drink arrived at the table.

‘Let’s eat,’ said Erie

The College itself consisted of a group of ten or so buildings arranged in a rough circle around the ‘Tower’. That the Tower looked nothing like its name suggested it should was something Will was quick to point out.

The trio were walking up to the single gate of the walled-in college, and the Tower, in actuality a twin-winged four-storey mansion house, lay directly ahead of them.

‘There used to be a tower before the College was formalised as a centre of excellence in magic,’ explained Erie

‘So what was the point of a Tower, if you’ll excuse the pun?’ asked Thraun.

‘They were a symbol of power and authority.’ Erie

At the gate they were stopped by a single guard who, after a moment’s reflection, recognised the mage in front of him.

‘Erie

‘We all have to fly the coop sometime, Geran, but it’s good to see you.’ The guard smiled, then looked at Will and Thraun. ‘Friends of my husband,’ said Erie

‘And now you’re here for some help.’

‘Something like that.’

Geran stepped aside. ‘You know the rules on visitors,’ he said.

Erie

‘How is Alun, by the way?’ asked Geran.

Erie

‘That’s the trouble. He’s dead. And the boys.’

Geran’s face fell. ‘I’m—’

‘I know. Best left.’

It was close on two hundred yards to the Tower from the gate. To their left, a line of stubby wooden windowed huts - classrooms - arced away, and to their right a long, shuttered building, metalled and black.

‘It’s where range spells are practised and new spells live-tested. It has to be strong,’ said Erie

‘Take it easy, Erie

‘Behind the Tower is another place to dread. The Mana Bowl. That’s where mages learn to accept, build and control mana. Next door is the ward where the ones who opened their minds too far too soon lie gibbering and drooling until death takes them. Mercifully, that isn’t usually too long.’

She marched up a short flight of stone steps, across a paved relief and hammered on the massive oak doors that fronted the Tower. The left-hand one swung open silently and a man stepped out. He was old beyond anything they had seen or even dreamed. White hair cascaded below his shoulders and his mouth was obscured by a grey-flecked beard. While his body was bent with age and he supported himself on two sticks, his eyes were a clear blue, flashing from a face wrinkled and rolled into a grotesque caricature of the man he once was. But the eyes gave him strength and Erie