‘And not only that, they have begun to detect the lines that lead out to other dimensional clusters. I think they do this by following the souls of the dead because, as we know, the barrier between the dead and the living dimensions is actually very thin. It is a short step from communicating with the dead across the barrier to crossing it physically. All the Garonin had to do was rip open the dead dimension and then follow the dead to whichever home was theirs.
‘Simple, really.’
Sharyr leaned back and took a long draught of water from a goblet held in a slightly shaking hand.
‘Yeah,’ said Hirad. ‘Really, really basic stuff. I just soak up dimensional theory, I do.’
Denser was considering all that Sharyr had said. ‘So, in effect, you could argue that the dead have brought all this trouble on us.’
Ilkar’s shoulders sagged. ‘Oh dear Gods falling, is that really the way your mind has started to work?’
‘Stands to reason. If you don’t come back, the Garonin don’t follow you,’ said Denser.
‘You really don’t see what a prat you’re making of yourself, do you?’ said Sirendor. ‘And to think I died to save you and they all spoke so highly of you. We didn’t have a damn choice, Denser. It wasn’t like we could drift in the void and decide whether to return here or whether to carry on drifting. If we felt the pull of Balaia, that’s where we went. I hate all this apportioning of blame shit. We’re in trouble. Let’s deal with it if we can, all right?’
‘I can’t help feeling that a solution is near but that a couple of crucial pieces are being left out, possibly deliberately,’ said Sol. ‘Because at the moment it is clear that the most sensible thing to do is to head west, get the Shamen to open the door and people like Hirad and the rest of The Raven dead go through and we wait for them to open the door to our new home while we fight off the Garonin if we can. So, where are the snags and why do I feel I am going to be directly affected?’
There was silence for the first time since the meeting convened. Auum studied them all. None of the dead could face Sol. Denser looked perplexed now as well as angry and Sharyr, who had done his part, seemed lost in his own thoughts.
‘Anyone?’ Sol spread his hands. ‘Hirad, you’re looking embarrassed. What are you hiding?’
‘I’m so sorry, Unknown. When I came back, I did not know it would lead to this.’
‘To what? Come on, I’ve got an inn to run. Special ale to offer the Garonin when they come a-knocking.’
‘We’re here because we were attracted to your soul. You’re the reason we made it across the void. You and Denser, to be accurate, but you mainly. Fortunately. Anyway, without you we are just a loose collection of souls again. Without cohesion or direction. We’ll be lost.’
‘Fine, so I’ll take you to the doorway myself before I wave goodbye. So what?’
‘Don’t make me say it, Unknown, please.’
‘I’m afraid I must insist,’ said Sol.
Hirad swallowed. ‘We need you with us all the way, Unknown. To Ulandeneth and beyond. The Garonin know your influence. Why do you think they took you? This cannot be done without you.’
‘Terrific,’ said Sol. ‘Fucking terrific. And how do I travel there with you alive?’
‘You do not,’ said Auum. ‘If my memory serves, the ritual to open the door to Ulandeneth requires the sacrifice of a man of free will because the soul must be pure in order to seek and to lead.’
‘I see,’ said Sol. ‘Does anyone here want to volunteer how I explain my imminent and voluntary demise to my wife?’
Chapter 18
‘I should have beaten you with the cudgel while I had the chance,’ said Sol.
‘I’m sorry, Unknown. Truly. We all are.’
Denser had largely cleared the room. Sharyr and Septern had returned to the catacombs. Auum had gone to rest. The Raven, such as they were, were alone in the dining chamber.
‘Why did I let you in and listen to you?’
‘Because it’s me!’ Hirad spread his arms and smiled.
‘It certainly was bloody you. Mayhem from beyond the grave. Who else could it be?’
Sol slumped into an armchair. His body felt strange, like he was in the grip of a fever. He wanted to be furious. He wanted to shout and scream at them about the injustice of it all. That he had a wife and children and had sworn to protect them.
‘And that’s just it, though, isn’t it?’ he said.
‘Sorry, Unknown?’ said Sirendor. ‘I didn’t quite catch that.’
‘Just thinking aloud. Denser, pour some wine, would you? And let’s all sit. Like we used to do in the back room of The Rookery all those years ago.’
He waited until they had all taken seats by the cold fireplace. Hirad’s feet were on the low table in front of them. Sirendor and Ilkar both leaned forward, forearms resting on their thighs. Denser sat upright, tense and uncomfortable. And Sol, well he sprawled like he always had.
‘Remember when we first met Denser? How we all felt it was a long, hard and probably fatal journey ahead even before we heard he was after Dawnthief? And how when he talked to us in the back room that sinking feeling took over for a while before we decided we just had to face what was coming? Sorry, Sirendor, I know you don’t.’
‘But you were there,’ said Hirad helpfully. ‘We put your body on the banquet table and covered it with a cloth.’
‘I am thus reassured,’ said Sirendor. ‘I trust I looked my best.’
‘Well there wasn’t much blood or anything, except what you coughed up when you were dying.’
‘Can we leave this until later?’ said Sol.
‘Sorry,’ said Hirad.
‘Me too,’ said Sirendor.
‘You’ve ruined my moment,’ said Sol. ‘Forget it.’
‘No,’ said Hirad. ‘Go on.’
Denser leaned forward. ‘I do not believe you are seriously entertaining this prospect.’
‘Why wouldn’t I?’
‘Because it is preposterous and the ultimate act of selfishness on the part of the dead to demand you kill yourself to save them.’
‘But if it is the only way to save the Balaian people? My people?’
‘If. Yes. If.’ Denser sipped at his wine. ‘And I say what I am about to say with due deference to all the quite unbelievable things I’ve seen and places I’ve been with The Raven. Isn’t this just a little bit far-fetched? ’
‘You’re joking, right?’ asked Hirad. ‘A load of dead people walking about and Calaius evacuated and destroyed being normal business, I suppose?’
‘No, Hirad, I’m not joking.’ Denser pulled his skullcap off his head and rubbed a hand through his close-cropped grey hair. ‘Look, I’m not playing down the threat we face. I’m not pretending the situation isn’t desperate. But you’re expecting Sol, The Unknown Warrior and King of Balaia, might I remind you, to follow you into the Wesman Heartlands and commit suicide to open a gate to somewhere so you can head somewhere else and open a gate back? It’s madness.’
‘It’s the only possible solution,’ said Ilkar.
‘It quite clearly is not,’ said Denser.
‘Your solution will lead to our annihilation,’ said Hirad sharply.
‘Big word, barbarian. Who taught you that one?’
Sol was out of his chair and between them before a blow could be landed. He felt a perverse sense of comfort and satisfaction.
‘That’s what I was thinking about. Real Rookery debate.’ He allowed the smile to leave his face. ‘Now sit down, both of you.’
Denser threw up his hands and sat heavily. ‘It wouldn’t be so bad, Sol, but they are offering you no choice, no alternative. This is blind faith at best. It was never the way we did things.’