Elfsorrow

He badly needed rest but their movements had worried him. Like they were homing in on something. He flew forward, scanning for a likely quarry, and what he saw almost took the wings from him. In a tiny open space and hurrying to their feet were Yron and Ben-Foran, though something was very badly wrong. Ben-Foran leaned heavily on Yron, who seemed to be trying to push him towards cover.

Erys circled, losing height fast. Yron had half dragged Ben away from the open space. His axe was in his hand and he was searching the forest but it was plain he couldn't see anything. The panther would be on them in moments.

'Oh, hell.'

Erys flared his wings back and landed hard in the clearing, scattering the embers of the dying fire.

'You're looking the wrong way,' he said, already forming the simplest shape next to ShadowWings.

'Erys, I-' began Yron.

'Keep back,' said Erys, took his courage and concentration in both hands and waited.

Not for long.

Eighty pounds of sleek black muscle exploded from the forest. It took a bound to see its target and leapt straight for Erys's throat. The mage almost lost it. Almost. Yellow fangs, long and sharp, mouth gaping and eyes boring into him, the panther powered forward.

Erys braced himself and cast at the instant of impact, his hands clamped around the huge jaws. Fire erupted in the panther's mouth, scorched along its nostrils and into its eyes. The panther howled in agony and rolled off Erys as it landed, running blindly towards the river, dying as it went, limbs beginning to buckle, all grace gone as it blundered into trees and bushes.

An inhuman wail emanated from the forest. It scoured the depths of anguish and dredged pain like Erys had never heard. It was a sound that clawed at his ears and lashed at his mind.

Below, at the river, the panther thrashed and roared, trying to extinguish the magical flame. From the forest stumbled its master. The elf clawed at his face, seeing nothing, his mouth bellowing agony, his legs boneless. He stumbled and fell, arms a blur as they sought to dull the phantom fire.

'Dear Gods.'

Erys scrambled to his feet, a crushing pain in his chest. He looked down on the convulsing screaming body, searching for a way to help. Yron stepped from behind him and smashed his axe into the elf's chest. The screaming stopped, as did the thrashing at the water's edge. Erys took a pace back, gaping at Yron and the dead elf at his feet.

'Believe me,' said Yron. 'You didn't want to face him when his mind cleared. Now tell me you've got enough stamina to help Ben. He's dying.'

'I'll see what I can do,' said Erys, walking to the slope to look down at the body of the panther, already food for piranha. He felt shaken and clutched himself around the chest, taking in a pained breath. 'Trouble is, I think that cat broke most of my ribs.' Ilkar stood in the temple again with Rebraal. The desire to kill had dissipated but the anger remained. They were shoulder to shoulder not far inside the doors, which had been hastily rebuilt and rehung on the original hinges by the Al-Arynaar, six of whom were now lying inside, the Elfsorrow killing them. Rebraal could not take his eyes from the statue. Ilkar could not take his eyes from Rebraal.

'I understand your anger,' he said.

'No, you don't.' Rebraal stopped but Ilkar knew there was more to come. 'I never dreamed this. We fought so hard, Ilkar; you should have seen the magic and arrows fly. But they were so many. Meru saved me even though he was dying. Even then I thought we had time to regroup and kill the rest. Why did they have to do this? Why this?' He gestured at the disfigured statue. 'Yniss save me but I have failed the elves.'

'Rebraal, you took on one hundred and thirty with nine. At the end they had a hundred dead,' said Ilkar.

'So I failed. And here is the result.'

Ilkar opened his mouth to argue but could see instantly it was pointless. It wasn't Rebraal who had failed, it was the Al-Arynaar as an organisation. They and even the TaiGethen were guilty of complacency. It was tragic that so many elves would pay for the mistake without ever knowing why.

'So let's put it right,' said Ilkar. 'Now.'

'Who did this?' Rebraal shook his head. 'Who did it?'

'I don't know,' said Ilkar.

And he wanted to. Badly. Because if he didn't find out, all Balaia was liable to pay.

'They are your people,' spat Rebraal.

Ilkar regarded him blankly. 'No, Rebraal, they are not. The Raven are my people and we will help you catch whoever did this.'

'You. Your clumsy Raven. Leave it to the TaiGethen.'

'What?'

'They will cleanse the forest and then we will all exact revenge.'

'Dear Gods, no, they won't cleanse the forest. Rebraal, this was no bounty raid. You were attacked by a highly organised small army and they will have serious back-up. Can't you see that? The TaiGethen are brilliant hunters but they're up against something big here and they need to think differently. As do you.'

' "Gods." And which God is it today? Another of the nameless?'

'Who cares, Rebraal? But we need to remake the statue and reclaim the writings. Gods do not enter into it.'

'So you believe.'

Ilkar grabbed Rebraal's shoulders and turned him. 'Listen to me, big brother, because this is how it is. There's a plague engulfing the elven race. Eventually, maybe tomorrow, you and me will both die. Either you can ignore The Raven and trust to your old ways, or you can live in the present and believe the best mercenaries in Balaia can help you. And we will make a difference. We will.'

'Why should I believe you?'

'Because I'm your brother and I only want to help you. Just come and talk to us.'

Ilkar could see the desperation in Rebraal's eyes conflicting with his native pride and mistrust.

'It can't possibly hurt just to listen,' urged Ilkar.

'Quickly then.'

Ilkar smiled. 'Come on.'

Outside, The Raven were gathered in the shadow of the temple. The sky was an unbroken blue above and a breeze was keeping humidity at bay for a few glorious moments. The idyll, however, was broken by raised voices. Hirad and Ren.

'I thought he might be in danger,' protested Ren.

'And you thought the best way to help him was to put yourself, and so us, in the same position, is that right?' said Hirad.

'He needed cover,' said Ren.

'We were providing cover,' snapped Hirad. 'We were shielded, we had a line of swords, we had offensive magic ready to go and, we thought, a bow.'

'You weren't fast enough. He needed quicker help.'

'Gods burning, I don't have to listen to this.' Hirad's face darkened.

'Let-'

'There's only one thing you have to understand, Ren. If you fight with The Raven, you do it our way. Our way works. You do not break the line ever because that causes people to die. Am I getting through?'

Ilkar watched Ren react. Saw her stubborn folded-armed stance and the sullen expression on her face.

'I did what I thought was right,' said Ren.

'And it could have killed us all,' returned Hirad. 'What if the apron had been trapped? Or there were fifty enemies in the trees? What then, eh?'

'I just-'

'Ren.' Hirad lowered his voice a little though the passion remained. 'No one is doubting your skill or your desire. But the reason The Raven are still alive and still the best is because we trust each other and we can rely on each other. Utterly. If I don't trust you and I can't rely on you to be where you should be, it means I won't die for you. And then I can't fight with you. That's The Raven's way.'

Ren was silent. There really wasn't much to say after that. The eyes of them all were upon her. Her gaze flicked towards Ilkar.