For his part, having been given complete licence by Denser to ask whatever he felt he could, Aeb had gleaned some useful information. More than just the Xeteskian task force had landed at Arlen. The ship carrying the surviving researchers and Protectors from Herendeneth had arrived two days later and both groups were travelling north under guard.
Potentially more worrying from The Raven's point of view was that Xetesk was effectively surrounded – by Dordovan forces to the south and by Dordovan and Lysternan forces north. Lystern had not yet struck a blow against Xetesk but Dordover was attacking at every opportunity, trying to disrupt the precarious link between Xetesk and its forces in Arlen. The fluid situation would make The Raven's job of catching Yron all the more difficult and gave them much to ponder during their lengthy walk from the bay to Blackthorne.
Anchoring in mid channel, they'd landed at a deserted jetty surrounded by squat warehouses. Nothing looked particularly permanent.
'Just a stopgap till Gyernath gets back open, I expect,' The Unknown said.
'Certainly isn't up to Blackthorne's usual standard,' agreed Hirad.
He scanned the horizon, took in the Blackthorne Mountains at the head of the bay and the mist-covered peaks of the Balan Mountains to the east. He felt a pang when he saw them. The Balans had been his home for almost five years when the Kaan dragons began their exile on Balaia. Anger invaded his thoughts. Only one Kaan dragon left here now thanks to Xetesk, and he living on borrowed time.
'Good to be back though, isn't it?' said Denser, coming to Hirad's shoulder. 'Feel that fresh cool air and the lack of a million mosquitoes.'
'And snakes, rats, spiders and ants,' said Erienne.
They were right. It smelled different here. It smelled good. It was home. Hirad chuckled and looked across at Erienne. She looked pale and tired despite almost constant rest. A frown creased her brow and in her eyes there was a depth that he found a little unsettling, like she was focussed on something elsewhere.
'You all right?' he asked.
'I don't know,' she admitted. 'I've slept most of the voyage but my mind is full, like I've been studying non-stop. There's so much to take in. I can't really explain it.'
'Just as long as they aren't hurting you,' said Hirad.
Erienne smiled and placed a hand on his arm. 'No, Hirad, but thank you.'
Behind Erienne, Thraun was standing on the edge of the jetty sniffing the air. Darrick was by him, looking about, before shouldering his pack and wandering off towards the warehouses. Aeb, as always, stood silent and close to Denser and The Unknown, his axe and sword crossed over his back in their snap fastenings.
Another boat nudged against the jetty. Al-Arynaar and TaiGethen jumped out and jogged away to join their brothers and the ClawBound where they were gathering on a rise. Ilkar and Rebraal were with them, the two brothers deep in yet another heated conversation. Hirad watched as one of the Al-Arynaar mages spoke to them briefly, nodded curtly and moved away as if being near Ilkar upset her somehow. More words were exchanged before Ilkar clutched Rebraal in a half-hearted embrace and Ilkar strode over to The Raven, shaking his head.
'Another happy family discussion?' asked Hirad.
'Oh, it's not him,' said Ilkar. 'Not this time. Come on, let's go.'
He cast about for his pack and picked it up off the jetty, throwing Hirad's to him at the same time.
'And are they coming with us?' Hirad jerked a thumb at the elves.
'No,' said Ilkar. 'Come on.' He set off along the rutted wagon trail that cut into the soft earth. 'I presume this is the quickest way to Blackthorne.'
'What's got into him?' asked Denser.
Hirad shrugged. 'Them, I expect.'
The elves were all knelt in prayer, a low murmuring drifting across on the wind. It was going to be a fine if cool afternoon. Hirad felt a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He'd forgotten what it was to see open land and not be hemmed in by impenetrable forest.
Out in the bay, the Calaian Sun's sails billowed. Jevin was heading for Arlen, hoping to pick up a cargo and news of Xeteskian strength. He'd be returning to the bay in twenty days.
The Raven set off after Ilkar. Simultaneously, the elves stood and headed away north and east, splitting as they went. ClawBound pairs ran alone, TaiGethen trios likewise, with the main body of the Al-Arynaar following.
'Trouble for someone,' said Hirad.
'You're not wrong,' said Darrick. 'Glad we're not in the firing line.'
They caught up with Ilkar quickly and walked in a loose knot around the Julatsan mage, who explained as he pushed on.
'They don't feel they can wait,' he said. 'Not for information from Blackthorne and certainly not for us. I'm just worried they'll run into more trouble than they can cope with.'
'So what were you talking to Rebraal about?' asked Denser.
'I was warning him about the power of Xeteskian magic and what a Protector army can do. Not that he really wanted to listen. I mean they all saw Aeb in action but they don't understand what two hundred at once really means. They've never seen a true college battle line – you know, properly organised cavalry, foot soldiers, mages. They won't know how to handle it.'
'But they're confident all the same?' said Darrick.
Ilkar shrugged. 'It's more the pressure of time. Three TaiGethen died on the voyage. So did four Al-Arynaar, along with a couple of Jevin's crew. You can understand it.'
'But there's a problem,' said The Unknown. 'Or you wouldn't have been so irritated.'
'They still don't think we can help,' said Ilkar. 'They don't understand this place – the politics, the factions, who they can trust – though they think they do. They just assume people will be sympathetic or stand aside because we have a common enemy. I only just managed to persuade one of them to give me her Communion signature.'
'And do you expect to hear from her?' asked Denser.
'No, but she'll be hearing from me. Us. They may not care what they're getting themselves into but I care about the effect it has on what we're trying to do.'
'So what are they planning?' asked The Unknown.
'Well, remember Rebraal and all the Al-Arynaar mages know something of Balaia. They've all spent a lot of time here. ClawBound are going to scout the likely route from Arlen to Xetesk. TaiGethen will be close and will gather any information they can.
'If the Xeteskian force is too big to attack when they first find it, they'll wait for the rest of the elven army and then attack. That's it. No talking, no discussion.'
'Bloody hell,' said Hirad. 'This is going to get messy.'
'Quite,' said Ilkar. 'So we need to get hold of the thumb before the elves launch a war on Xetesk.'
'How?' said Erienne.
'Right now I don't know, but we'd better come up with a plan quickly. I'm rather hoping Blackthorne will be able to provide some good intelligence.'
'May I speak, Master Denser?' Aeb's voice, deep and powerful, rolled over them.
'Of course,' said Denser.
'I am a risk to everything you do,' said Aeb. 'You should dismiss me immediately.'
His voice was neutral but Hirad knew what dismissal meant; the Unknown had been very clear about it. Though not under punishment, Aeb would be bereft of his link to a mage. The demons in the chain linking his body to his soul would torment him until he made it back to Xetesk. If he made it back.