Elfsorrow

He looked square at Denser, who nodded. 'I understand you may have conflict in the Soul Tank. But remember you have done nothing bar protect me as you are directed and The Unknown Warrior as you desire. And while I remain your Given I will ensure you have all the latitude available to you.'

'I am humbled,' said Aeb.

'Don't be,' said Denser. 'We understand you, The Raven that is. We know something of the bond you share and the pain that you suffer every day.'

Aeb inclined his head and took another sip.

'My brothers know I travel with you. Soon they will know we fought Xeteskian forces on Calaius. They will not reveal what they don't have to, but at any time a mage might ask the question of my part in The Raven's actions.'

'Your unease is clear,' said Denser. 'We will have to keep you from direct conflict with Xeteskian forces on Balaia. But remember they cannot invoke punishment through the DemonChain unless the Act of Giving is rescinded from me. You are safe at the moment. We'll talk later.'

'All right,' said The Unknown. 'The central point to it all is this. We cannot risk Dystran finding out just how important the thumb is to the elves because if he is intent on damaging them, he'll simply keep it. Rebraal, you've got to impress that on your people. If they must fight, let it be for the writings. That means we have to get the piece back by some other means, the best bet being to capture this Yron that Denser recognised and hope he has the information that can help us.

'Bear in mind that once Yron reaches Balaia, or maybe before, he will be able to tell Xetesk that we are involved in some way and that will make us targets. Aeb is right to be concerned for himself and we will all have to tread very carefully. I suggest that we land near Blackthorne because at least we'll get a friendly reception there. I'd expect to know by then where Yron made landfall, although I believe we can assume he is heading for Xetesk via Arlen.

'The TaiGethen will help us by their actions whether they want to or not. Again, remember we're all on the same side here. Hirad, that means don't antagonise them, whatever the provocation. Anyone with any ideas, we'll talk again at dinner. We know what we're after, we know what the man we want to catch looks like and we know where he's going. That at least is good news. I-Erienne, are you all right?'

Hirad looked to Erienne, as did they all, and it was clear that she wasn't. Her face was sheet-white and she was rocking in her seat. Denser hastened to her side.

'What is it, love?' he said, as she half collapsed into his arms.

'I feel awful,' she mumbled.

'Your head?'

She nodded. 'Sorry to spoil the meeting.'

'Don't think about it,' said The Unknown. 'Denser, you know what to do.' The Xeteskian nodded and helped Erienne from the room. 'Look, I think we've done all we can here. Hirad, can you contact Sha-Kaan? I'm anxious for news. My family could become hostages in all this and I want to know if the Al-Drechar are still strong enough. Darrick, I want to ask you a few questions. Ren, Thraun, Aeb, hang on here. When we're done we need to go out on deck and work on our moves to get Ren into the line to fight. All right?'

Hirad nodded and stood up, catching Thraun's eye. He smiled. 'How much of that did you get, I wonder?' he asked.

'All,' said Thraun. 'Erienne has too much pain.'

It was a comment that took Hirad by surprise. 'What do you mean?'

'She must open to those she hates. It is hard.'

Hirad frowned. 'I don't-'

'It's to do with the One,' explained The Unknown. 'I think she's going to have to let the Al-Drechar help her now, and so does our quiet but very perceptive shapechanger.'

Thraun growled in his throat at the term, his eyes flashing brief anger. There was much of the wolf still left inside him.

'Sorry, Thraun, but it's what you are,' said The Unknown. 'I meant no offence.'

Thraun shook his head. 'I am Raven.'

'You got that right,' said Hirad.

It was the most Thraun had said at any one time, and as Hirad left the Captain's room to go to his cabin he felt hope that the lost man wasn't too far from home. Erienne lay down on the small cot with her head pounding like never before. It had come on so suddenly, though she'd been feeling rather elsewhere all day. She'd found it hard to concentrate, almost as if she'd drunk too much and was viewing events from a distance. And when, quite without warning, the pain had hit her like repeated and heavy blows to the back of her head, she'd struggled to remain conscious, too confused even to ask for help.

'This can't go on, love,' said Denser gently, his face near hers, hand stroking her thudding head, a cloth held to her nose, which had begun to bleed.

'But what if it's them causing the pain to make me need them?' she asked, fighting to think straight and glad of the gloom in the curtained cabin. She had her eyes closed and had managed to relax sufficiently to stop feeling nauseous.

'How else will you find out?' asked Denser. 'But you can't live with this pain. It was bad enough before.'

'I know,' said Erienne. 'But-'

'It's not like admitting defeat,' said Denser. 'Don't you think you've made your point?'

Erienne sighed. She knew he was right. But she hadn't won; rather just not lost by not acknowledging what she carried for so long. She'd repressed it so easily when all she could think of was her grief over Lyanna. But now that had eased slightly, now her mind was more open and her mood that bit more positive, it was as if the One was trying to assert itself.

'Will you stay with me? Help me?' she asked, opening her eyes and clutching his arm.

'Where else would I be but by your side?'

She felt a rush of love that swamped the pain for a moment. 'All right. If you think I should.'

'I do,' he said, still stroking her hair. 'But you must think so too.'

She nodded. It had to be now. The pain smashed around her head and she knew there was only one source of help. She closed her eyes again and spoke to them with her mind, hoping it would be enough.

Are you there? she asked, knowing her tone was unfriendly but with no desire for it to be otherwise. They should know from the outset that this was not forgiveness for what they had done but acceptance of what she carried. Myriell? Cleress? Are you there?

Erienne, we have been waiting. Always near but never within your mind. Cleress's voice was like honey over a sore throat. It is a joy to hear you.

It is not a joy to be speaking to you but I must, said Erienne.

We understand that you still harbour anger and hatred, said Myriell. But please believe us that we just want to help you accept what you hold in your mind before it destroys you. And destroy you it will.

Don't threaten me like that, said Erienne, the pounding in her head excruciating. I am not some child you can control with scare stories.

I am simply informing you of reality and nothing more, said Myriell. You are in pain, I take it?

I have never experienced anything like it, conceded Erienne. It has been with me for days but it is suddenly so intense I can barely see or stand. It had better not be inspired by you.

Oh, Erienne, how could you think that? We have never sought to cause you harm, admonished Cleress gently.

Erienne all but laughed as the bitterness showered through her. You killed my daughter. How much more harm do you think you can possibly do?

We so wanted Lyanna to live. But the One was killing her; I wish you would believe that.

And now I have the One whether I like it or not, don't I? said Erienne, fighting back the throbbing agony a little longer. You didn't feel the need to give me a choice. Your arrogance is that great.

Erienne, your daughter couldn't contain the power because Dordover awoke it too early, said Cleress. You, being her mother and a Dordovan, were the only host capable of keeping it alive. Of keeping that part of Lyanna alive. And there was a battle going on. We had no time to discuss this and anyway you would have refused.

There was no hint of guilt in Cleress's voice. No real regret. Just an assumption of necessity. Erienne knew she should have been enraged by them. But though she hated what they had done, at least she could feel that the One magic that resided in her mind had been nurtured and grown by Lyanna. Beautiful Lyanna. She felt tears on her face and Denser's soothing hand on her brow and across her hair. He said nothing.