Elfsorrow

'I can't do that,' said Denser. 'You know why.'

'Recovery of the statue fragment is more important than my discomfort,' said Aeb. 'Xetesk can track all of us through me.'

'Discomfort is an understatement,' said Denser. 'But there's more than that. You're one of us. You're my bodyguard and The Unknown's left-hand defence. The Raven do not send their people away because it's more convenient that way.'

'I could bring about your deaths,' said Aeb. 'This is bigger than The Raven.'

'Nothing is that big.' Hirad locked eyes with the huge Protector. 'Nothing.'

Aeb said nothing in reply, merely switched his gaze back to Denser.

'Master?'

'Subject's closed, Aeb,' said Denser. 'You stay.'

'I understand,' said Aeb, and there was no disguising the relief in his voice.

'What ties us together isn't dissimilar to what binds the Protectors, ' said The Unknown. 'If Denser dismisses you it is a betrayal of us. You do understand that?'

'Yes,' replied Aeb. 'But I also understand the Elfsorrow and what it will do if not checked. I risk that.'

'We'll have a better chance of reclaiming the thumb and returning it to Calaius if you're with us,' said The Unknown. 'The only thing that worries me is Dystran rescinding the Act of Giving.'

'Unlikely at the moment,' said Denser. 'While he thinks he can track us and keep us at a distance, he'll see Aeb as an advantage.'

'What happens if he does rescind it, though?' asked Hirad.

'Well, Aeb would no longer be under my control. He could be assigned to another mage or returned to Xetesk.'

'But I will never fight against The Raven,' said Aeb. 'No Protector will bear arms against Sol.'

'Still, Aeb, you're only a risk if you know exactly what it is we're planning to do, right?' said Denser, a twinkle in his eye.

'Yes,' agreed Aeb.

'I mean it's all very well knowing where we are in Balaia but quite another thing knowing where we're headed, would you agree?'

'Yes.'

'Well, you may not be able to lie but I intend to exercise my imagination to its fullest,' said Denser. 'And clearly you'll have no choice but to report it as the truth.'

'Yes,' said Aeb a third time, and there was the faintest trace of humour in his normally impassive voice.

'Excellent,' said Denser. 'Could be fun, this.'

'Fun, he calls it,' grumbled Ilkar, but there was a smile on his face. 'The whole elven race is under threat and he's about to engage in a game of bluff with the Lord of the Mount of Xetesk.'

The Raven reached Blackthorne late in the afternoon, under escort from a pair of mounted militiamen. Leaving an area of woodland, they were greeted by the sight of a busy vibrant town. Hammering echoed into the sky, the sound of children laughing floated above that of hooves on packed earth, and everywhere columns of smoke spiralled into the cloudy sky from furnaces and cook fires.

Blackthorne had a population of eight to ten thousand, though that number had been significantly swollen by refugees, and there were tented camps on three sides of the town. The rebuilt Blackthorne Castle presided benevolently over the southern end of the town, pennants flying white and blue in the breeze, its pale grey stone washed clean.

Walking through the town behind Blackthorne's horsemen, The Raven's reception was mixed. There was awed recognition, curiosity and shouts of welcome to Hirad as an old friend of the town, but concern because walking with them was a Xeteskian Protector.

Baron Blackthorne had no reservations and welcomed them in his private dining room with flagons of excellent red and white wine, plates of vegetables, bread and cheese. There was some meat but it was obviously in short supply.

His eyes sparkling under his stern dark-haired brow, Blackthorne greeted each one of them in turn, remarking on the return of Darrick, kissing Ren'erei's hand on meeting her for the first time and shaking that of Aeb, though the Protector looked uncomfortable at the touch. Hugging Hirad to him, he ordered wine poured for all his guests and sat them down around his table. Aeb stood behind Denser but accepted a drink.

'Gods, but it's good to see you alive and well,' he said. 'We need some sanity in this country and I can only bring that to a small corner.'

'We've heard plenty of stories about conditions here,' said The Unknown. 'You seem to be bearing up well.'

'Only because I have enough men to defend my resources and the support of my people,' said Blackthorne. 'Elsewhere, it's wild. Gresse and I have been touring but there's little we can do and he's back at Taranspike Castle. It's down to the colleges now and the war is worsening by the day. So what brings you back from your tropical paradise?'

There was a pained silence. Blackthorne sighed and clapped a hand to his forehead. 'Curse my stupid mouth. Erienne, I am sorry. I heard about your daughter.'

'Seems like the whole world has,' said Erienne, voice trembling slightly.

'That's about the size of it,' said Blackthorne. 'And I will say this because you need to know the mood of people outside my lands. The news of her death and the end of the elemental destruction was greeted with joy, not tears. She is not spoken of well, my lady, and neither are you, your husband or much of the mage community.'

'I can see their point,' said Erienne. She pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at her eye.

'I, on the other hand, am aware of the full story. It's just a shame that the colleges have determined to compound their stupidity by going to war.'

Denser raised a hand. 'Before you tell us what you know, and we tell you why we're here, Aeb, you should leave. Go beyond earshot. I can hardly lie to you effectively if you've heard everything already, now can I?'

'Master.' Aeb bowed and left, placing his glass on the table.

Blackthorne was frowning.

'It will all become clear, Baron,' said Hirad. 'I think you should recharge your glass. If you think the situation's bad now, just wait till you hear this.'

Into an increasingly stunned atmosphere, first Hirad, then Denser and Ilkar outlined the events on Calaius and Herendeneth and their suspicions and certainties concerning Xeteskian involvement and motivations. Blackthorne didn't touch his wine or food, just stared back at whoever was talking to him. He asked no questions, merely nodded his head to indicate he'd understood. And despite the fire in the grate Hirad fancied he felt the room chill. Not just due to Blackthorne's shock, but because to hear it all again brought the enormity of the situation home to The Raven.

'You've got to get word to Heryst and Vuldaroq,' said Blackthorne into the yawning silence that followed, his voice oddly quiet. 'Xetesk must not be allowed to take possession of either research or artefact.'

'That's why we need your help,' said The Unknown. 'Our clear priority is to recover the thumb fragment. Going to Lystern or Dordover is days out of our way. You're a respected statesman and a supporter of magic. This sort of news might be better coming from you. We're not exactly friends of Vuldaroq's these days.'

Blackthorne rubbed his hands over his face and drained his glass in one long swallow, refilling it himself having dismissed all his servants.

'The situation is very tense. Lystern has formed an alliance of sorts with Dordover, but Dordover, or more specifically Vuldaroq, is the more active partner. As far as I know, Heryst still has a diplomatic team in Xetesk but details are sketchy. He's a man of reason as you know but he's not in a strong position. He's gone the only way he can, blockading lands and defending Julatsa, but it's put him in thrall to Vuldaroq whether he likes it or not. There's no doubt that knowing what you've just told me about Calaius and the elves would be enough to bring Lystern firmly into the war on Dordover's side. But I'm not sure that'll help you, considering in all probability you'll need to get inside Xetesk.'