In front of The Raven, Darrick reined in and immediately dismounted, his horse bucking and twisting. He let go the reins and it bolted away, galloping up a side street and into the dark.
'Gods, I'm glad to see you,' he said.
T wish we could say the same,' said The Unknown. T don't like being locked up.'
'Clearly.' Darrick's smile was grim. 'Look, we can't talk here. They'll be watching,' he said, indicating behind him.
'So?' demanded The Unknown.
'So I've just resigned my commission. Deserted, I think the term is.'
'I beg your pardon?' Hirad spoke and Darrick looked over, seeing him for the first time.
'Gods falling, what the hell is all that?'
'That's Hirad and the wolves you so confidently said killed him,' said Ilkar.
'Useful as jail-breakers, as it turns out,' said Hirad.
'I see.' Hirad watched Darrick get hold of himself. 'Let's get out of sight. I think I can help.'
'You'd better,' said Denser.
The Raven moved. Hirad rose and Thraun followed him with his gaze.
'I can't explain,' said Hirad. 'We're doing everything we can. I just don't know what you want. We're trying to get to Erienne.'
At the mention of the name, Thraun growled. The pack followed The Raven under the eaves of the timber yard, a chorus of voices rising behind them.
'So talk,' said Denser.
T should have listened to you,' said Darrick. 'I'm sorry.'
'Never mind that just now,' said The Unknown. 'We've got big problems and you're not making sense.'
T know. Look, don't question this, just accept it. The Dordovans have made a pact with the Black Wings. I can't do the same so I've left, deserted. My men have to make their own decisions and I think a good proportion, while loyal to me, won't worry about the Black Wing alliance. They want to save their families and their homes like we all do, and this alliance represents the quickest and most obvious way to the child.'
'They have no idea!' exploded Denser. 'These bastards will rip her beating heart out.'
'I know,' said Darrick. 'Gods, I know that now. But we can't try and take Erienne here. They'll kill her and hope to get to Lyanna another way, I'm sure of it. Look, I don't know much of what Dordover is planning but I do know they've chartered that vessel as support.' He pointed the opposite way to the far end berth, where a large ocean going ship lay tied up, lights and movement on its deck. 'It'll be provisioned and ready to sail, I'm sure. After all, the Dordovans have been here two weeks at least.'
'So we take that ship and follow the Elm?' said Hirad.
'I can't see another option,' said Darrick. 'Not immediately. At least this way, we can see how things unfold.'
The Unknown was nodding. T concur. Right, we need a plan fast. I don't think the Dordovans will wait until morning.'
'Well, you're the expert, Unknown,' said Denser.
'And you're still extremely funny,' returned Hirad.
'It's just that I don't see what the point of following them is,' said Denser.
'It's not a question of preference,' said The Unknown. 'We just don't have the opportunity in Arlen. The island, or even being out at sea, will provide that as long as we're ready to go immediately.'
Denser shook his head and was about to speak but the bloom of a spell rose over the harbour yard, its detonation clattering around the docks an instant later. The roar of men and the stamp of hooves followed as cavalry was turned in a hurry. Orders were yelled into the cacophony and the thunder of approaching battle filled the air.
The Unknown looked at Hirad and nodded.
The Protectors had arrived in Arlen.
Ren'erei arrived in Centenary Square to find it alive with Aden's guards. The Earl himself sat astride a large dark brown stallion and he was addressing a growing mob.
'… a peaceful town and sometimes, perversely, we have to fight to keep it that way. Our docks are invaded. All there that we do not recognise are unwelcome and must be expelled. My guard are with me and any of you who feel able are welcome to add to those numbers.'
Ren'erei shook her head. Preaching to the drunk. It was an easy sell if violence was promised and the roar that greeted his words was testament to it. The elf saw some men hurrying towards the docks in ones and twos, doubtless sailors anxious to reach the relative safety of their ships.
She scanned the crowd for The Raven but the blur of faces confused her eyes. The Earl was shouting other orders and his guards were forming up, the mob at their heels, anxious for action. Another shake of the head. Two dozen drunk men and not many more guards against trained mounted cavalry. She only hoped Arlen could talk his way out of a fight when it came to it.
Behind Ren'erei, the light of a spell tore at the night, bringing a brief fiery glow to the sky. A dull thud reverberated into the
square and, following it, the muted roar of hundreds of voices raised in anger. In that instant, the mob developed a single mind and streamed towards the southern end of the market, Arlen and the guards at their centre, all pretence at order gone.
Ren'erei moved back smoothly and watched them go, grabbing at the arm of a guard sensibly bringing up the rear. The man looked round, face set, angry and determined.
'The Raven,' said Ren'erei. 'Where are The Raven?'
The guard laughed. 'Where any friends of magic should be right now, elf. Under lock and key. Join us if you want to save your ships.' And then he was gone, running with the rest.
Ren'erei sighed and set off for the jail, fearing a slaughter.
Thraun howled and the pack leaped away around the corner and back on to the dockside, heedless of Hirad's shouts for them to stop.
'Raven with me!' ordered The Unknown.
Swords unsheathed, Ilkar and Denser preparing spells, The Raven moved swiftly on to the dock. The rain was heavier than ever, pounding the street and their faces as they came, a scene of complete bedlam unfolding before them.
A warehouse by the fish market was ablaze and, beyond the Ocean Elm, heavy fighting could be heard between Protectors and Dordo-vans. A good proportion of the Lysternans stood off but many joined the struggle, seeing an enemy in Xetesk that they could hate, despite the fear of what-they faced.
Running on, Hirad saw the pack disappear into the torch and fire-lit mayhem, saw horses rearing and heard Thraun's unmistakable howl. What they thought they were doing he had no idea but at least they'd found an outlet for their pent-up aggression. He was just glad he wasn't in their way.
'Shield up,' said Ilkar as they ran.
'Orbs prepared and ready,' said Denser.
There were shapes in the air, moving against the flaming backdrop of the burning warehouse.
'Mages airborne,' confirmed Ilkar, voice quiet but carrying.
'The Elm's putting to sea,' said The Unknown. 'Look.'
The foresail was running up the mast, the fore and aft lines were chopped and, with a grating that must have distressed the captain,
the ship pivoted against the berth wall while the foresail filled with wind enough to drive it away from shore. The airborne mages circled high as the Elm got underway.
'How many can you count, Ilkar?' asked The Unknown. The Raven had stopped again, unwilling to join the battle in front of them, which raged just to the side of the Lakehome Inn, from where patrons were streaming back towards the centre of Arlen.
'Ten, maybe more,' said Ilkar. 'It's hard to be certain.'
There was another flash, FlameOrbs spattered down into the centre of the uncertain Lysternan cavalry, scattering horses and riders. HotRain fell away to the east and, despite the wet, smoke and steam were already rising from the soaking roof of the fish market. The pungent smell of burning fish offal and oil washed across the dock on the wind.