'Any other questions?' asked The Unknown. Heads shook. 'Right. Erienne, get that ward up then get away with Denser. Ilkar, bed now. Likewise you, Hirad and Ren. Darrick and I are taking first watch, the Protectors will rotate themselves. I don't need to tell you to be vigilant and if the Al-Drechar call, then jump. Right, let's get to it.'
But The Raven didn't leave immediately. In an unspoken act, they'd all remained seated while the others withdrew, a deep silence covering the kitchen. For some time, they sat with heads bowed, contemplating what was to come and what it meant to them all, but more particularly, to Denser and Erienne.
'It's difficult, isn't it?' said Erienne. They all looked up at her, still with her head on Denser's shoulder. 'We've spent time coming to terms with it over the past few days but for you it's very different and we've neglected you. I'm sorry.'
'Come off it, Erienne,' said Ilkar. 'You have nothing to be sorry about. What you're about to do is something for which mere words of thanks are totally inadequate. It's a sacrifice so few will ever know of but everyone will benefit from. And I can do nothing but express my admiration on behalf of the whole of Balaia. You're dying to tiy and save countless numbers. It's extraordinary. Just extraordinary.'
He stopped, voice catching. Denser smiled.
'Thank you,' he said.
'But there's more and we all feel it,' said The Unknown. 'Erienne, you're our friend. You're Raven. And ultimately, we can't save you. That hurts more than anything.' Hirad and Ilkar were both
nodding. 'We've been through so much, all of us. And though we've lost people before, this is harder than them all.'
Hirad felt their eyes on him. He shrugged and stood up and walked round to her. 'I don't have any words. All I know is that we should say goodbye now because there might not be time in the morning.'
He held his arms wide and Erienne launched herself into them, clasping him close, he crushing her as he returned the embrace. Her tears were flowing now and Ilkar could see Hirad fighting against his own. They stayed that way a long time before he released her. She rubbed a hand against his stubble.
'Great lump,' she said. 'You don't need words.'
'C'mon,' said Denser. 'It's time for bed.'
Erienne turned to The Unknown and Ilkar in turn, hanging in their embraces and sharing whispered goodbyes with the Big Man. When she stepped away from Ilkar, she looked deep into his eyes.
'I know you don't agree with the One,' she said softly. 'But look after my litde girl, won't you?'
'Her and Denser, both,' said Ilkar. T promise.'
They watched Denser and Erienne leave the kitchen arm in arm before Ilkar spoke again.
'Come with me you two. There's something I want you to see.'
They followed him to the store room where Thraun was sleeping, his body shuddering sporadically beneath the warm covers. They gathered over him, seeing the face of the man they thought they'd lost emerging from his wolven side. It was a slow process.
'What's wrong?' asked Hirad.
'Nothing,' said Ilkar. 'I just wanted to remind you both of something. Although we can't save Erienne, we can save Thraun. He's Raven too.'
'Gods but I've never stopped to think about it,' said The Unknown. 'Ever since I woke up, we've been so busy… It's unbelievable, isn't it? Him being back, I mean.'
He straightened and Ilkar and Hirad turned to face him.
'Just think about it a moment,' he continued. 'What must have been going through his mind as a wolf. Compelled to do things he couldn't really comprehend but that he knew were right. And he lost his family doing it.'
'So he turned to us again,' said Hirad quietly.
'Yes,' said The Unknown. 'Us. Think how he was when Will died. He'll blame himself for the pack too.'
'He's going to take some saving isn't he?' said Hirad.
'But we'll be there,' said Ilkar. 'Together or apart, we've proved these last few weeks. The Raven is always there.'
Hirad smiled and Ilkar could see that for the barbarian, there had never been any doubt of it.
The mage assassin swept in low over the island. His companions had landed and moved Cloaked up a path from a hidden landing site not visible from sea level. He had chosen to risk being seen but considered the risk low. Beneath him, he could see and sense a decaying illusion and, ducking through its periphery, saw the sprawling mass of the severely damaged rambling mansion.
In its centre, trees. Around its edges, cleared ground and at its rear, a water-filled rockfall that had been arrested only by the house itself.
There was great power here and something innate told him not to fly any lower. They would be looking for him. Probably on the mana spectrum as well as by sight. So he circled just below the illusion seeing no light or movement. To a casual observer, the house was deserted. Indeed, there was a part of him that wondered if it wasn't. But there was nowhere else to be on the island.
He swept back over the house one more time, logged possible access points in his mind and flew away back to the flotilla, trusting his sect mages to remain undetected as they carried out more detailed inspection of the terrain.
It wouldn't be an easy fight but they would win. They had to. Dordovan magic depended on it.
Chapter 38
Sometime in the night, Lyanna had found them and crept in between them without waking either. But there she was when Erienne awoke, arms flung out to the sides and occupying far more of the bed than a small five-year-old should. Denser had moved all the way to the right-hand side and was in danger of falling off the edge while Erienne had moved her body into a curve to accommodate the little girl.
It was an idyllic moment and tears fled briefly down Erienne's cheeks before she steeled herself, drying her face and moving down in the bed. She propped her head on one hand and stroked Lyanna's cheeks. There was movement in the house despite the fact it was still dark and Erienne guessed it would soon be time to get up.
Their room was the first in the Guild wing and despite a little damp it had been comfortable enough. Outside, two Protectors had stood vigil and the windows were shuttered and locked, one of Denser's alarm wards placed across the frame. They hadn't been disturbed.
Lyanna opened her eyes and smiled blearily at her mother.
'Good morning, beautiful,' whispered Erienne.
'It's still dark, Mummy.'
T know, but there's going to be lots of danger here today and I do so need you to be a brave girl.'
'I'll look after you, Mummy.'
'Oh darling, I know!' Erienne crushed her into an embrace and Lyanna clung on. Erienne could feel her agitation and worry. This was no place for a young child and the effect on her of the terrors to come was something Erienne would never have the chance to deal with. But right now, all Lyanna knew was that something was wrong
and that everyone around her was feeling a deep tension. It would all make her very uncomfortable and insecure.
A knock on the door surprised her and she jumped, disturbing the moment. Lyanna pulled away and Erienne sat further up, pulling up the sheets to cover her breasts.
'Come in,' she said.
The door opened and Nerane came in carrying a tray on which sat two steaming mugs.
'Sorry to disturb you so early,' said Nerane. 'But The Unknown Warrior has asked that you raise yourselves.'
She smiled as she saw the family picture in front of her. Beside Erienne, Denser stirred and rolled over, grunting as he sat up.